Ballynacargy PTAA celebrate 100th anniversary
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Peter McCrum, Kitty Ledwith, Mary Walsh, Ann Quinn, Mary Riggs and Vera Cahill, Ballynacargy PTAA, with the cake to mark the 100th anniversary of the branch, and the original registration book, which is still in use.Image 2 of 13
Mary Cahill receiving her 50-year Pioneer Pin from Mary Riggs and Fr Tony Gonoude.Image 3 of 13
Sarah Troy, who has been a Pioneer for 72 years, with Mary Riggs and Fr Tony Gonoude.Image 4 of 13
Mary Cusack, a Pioneer for 73 years, with Mary Riggs and Fr Tony Gonoude.Image 5 of 13
Local Comhaltas members provided music at the centenary event - Anna Dunleavy, Joe Connaire, Aoife Dunleavy, Catherine Daly, Bailey Shiels and Paul McCool.Image 6 of 13
Ita Mulligan received her 75-year pin; with Mary Riggs and Fr Tony Gonoude.Image 7 of 13
Betty and Danny Dunne attended the celebration.Image 8 of 13
Peter Fagan, Carmel Carty and Marie Mangan enjoying the tea laid on for the anniversary event.Image 9 of 13
Tom Walsh, Joe Monaghan and Marie Doolin enjoying the tea at the Ballynacargy PTAA night.Image 10 of 13
Marie Glynn, Peg Kirby and John Geraghty.Image 11 of 13
Ita Mulligan and Sarah Troy cutting the cake that marks the 100-year anniversary of the Ballynacargy branch of the PTAA.Image 12 of 13
Tommy Moughty, Mary Walsh and Mary McNamee enjoying tea and cakes.Image 13 of 13
The Ballynacargy Pioneer Association celebrated their 100-year anniversary with a special Mass by Fr Tony Gonoude in Ballynacargy Church on Saturday April 27.
Four members of the group were presented with special pins to mark the occasion.
They were Ita Mulligan, who has been a Pioneer for 75 years, Sarah Troy and Mary Cusack, who have been Pioneers for more than 70 years, and Mary Riggs, who has been a member for 66 years.
Ms Riggs said “it was lovely” to be recognised for her longstanding dedication to the pledge she first took when she was 14.
“I’ve never been tempted to break it, never wanted to – and I don’t mind anyone else having a drink either,” she said.
After the Mass, celebrations continued at the parish hall, where refreshments and food were laid on, including a specially made cake to mark the occasion.
A raffle was also held, and the ‘big ticket’ item was a television donated by Paul Cahill.
The Ballynacargy branch of the Pioneer Association meet once every month and Ms Riggs said they use the same registration book that was used when they first formed in 1924.
“I’m afraid we’re all old now,” she said. “Our application book is 100 years old and we’re still using it to this day.
“We gave a talk to the Confirmation class in Ballynacargy last year about taking the pledge and 22 out of the 32 joined us.
“Their names are written into that book now, so we’re still going.
“We’re still encouraging young people to be Pioneers, even until they’re 18 and have a bit more sense!”