Tom Moore, chairman of the Ballinagh Community Enterprise Association and Cllr Winston Bennett at the beautiful river development, which is to be landscaped and further enhanced.

A busy year and lots to celebrate

With Christmas just around the corner, the people of Ballinagh are preparing for the festive season.

The Christmas Craft market will take place this Sunday (December 5) from 10am-5pm.

Secretary of the Ballinagh Community Enterprise Association Julia Dunne said “lots of people” been enquiring about the market.

Working in conjunction with the Christmas Lights Committee, a ‘Santa Wonderland’ will also feature on the day, where children will have the opportunity to meet Santa & Mrs Claus and post off their Christmas wish list while sipping hot chocolate and munching on cookies.

“They’re running a fabulous wonderland for the whole day, at the same time as the markets,” Julia said.

Booking is essential for the ‘Santa Wonderland.’ Contact 087-6763005.

The craft fair will promote local produce including baked and hand crafted goods, transition year students’ mini companies, established businesses in the town and much more.

Julia promises something for everyone with stalls “almost at full capacity".

She said it will be an ideal opportunity for “picking up little Christmas gifts".

Julia said the aim of the market is to promote local businesses “rather than going further afield” for Christmas shopping.

RIVERBANK

Ballinagh has had a successful year “chipping away” at projects in the town.

The Riverbank Project is entering its fourth phase, which will involve landscaping. Phase three was completed this year and saw a path created from the Community Centre carpark down to the riverbank.

“It’s a small loop and it’s making it more accessible,” said Julia.

Ballinagh GAA Club have recently taken over the bingo from the Community Hall Committee, which has been “running for years".

Julia acknowledged The Tidy Towns Committee and those on the Garrymore Employment Scheme who keep the town “clean, tidy and litter free".

Ballinagh Tidy Towns Committee have recently planted “hundreds of bulbs” at the roundabout on the N55 from Ballinagh to Killydoon.

The hope is that come springtime they can “turn something that was ugly into something nice” with problems like littering arising from “high volumes of traffic".

Work is almost completed on a new footpath and lights connecting the mainstreet to Garrymore, which is frequented by school children.

“It’s just making it more safe for kids to walk to school, the playground or the shops,” Julia explained.

In the new year, the town hopes to establish a new parent and toddler group.

“You can get stuck in a rut not getting out and about, so we’re trying to encourage people to get the confidence to get back out,” said Julia.

The Parents Association at St Felim’s National School are also launching a walking group in January at the football pitch to encourage people to get out and active in a “well-lit safe environment".

Julia wished everyone a safe and happy Christmas on behalf of everyone at the Ballinagh Community Enterprise Association.