BALLYLONGFORD
POST OFFICE
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I have received the following information from our retiring Postmistress Jennifer Allen. Indeed it is shocking to say the least that after 196 years, Ballylongford Post Office will be closing its doors for the final time on Friday September 14th 2018.
Well that is the hard cold facts of the matter and whether or not An Post will consider keeping the service in the Community remains to be seen. Jennifer sends the following message wherby she states that she would “Like to thank all of her loyal customers, staff, neighbours and friends for their custom, support and friendship down through the years.”
It is hard to imagine that the Local Post Office that we have known it, will now cease to exist and what a shame that will be, this business was first listed in National Public Records as far back as 1824 eventhough it had been in operation prior to that, and now by the stroke of a pen all of that is wiped out. Jennifer who took over the running of the Office from Noreen Keane and family many years ago has tried her upmost to keep the business going in those years, but alas the hardworking woman found that it was not viable and as she has clearly stated it was costing her money to keep the business going in later times.
To Jennifer and her husband Carol and her children we wish them every success, health and happiness in the future years ahead. Jennifer has been a pillar of this Community since becoming part of the Post Office staff, she has helped and guided so many people in her role, which most of us took for granted. She was an extremely helpful person whose advice and expertise will be sorely missed.
No words of mine can describe accurately the work she has done, but all we can say is THANK YOU Jennifer and Best Wishes as you prepare to leave us, but we urge you to not relax and hope that you will pursue some other career as you have an abundance of energy and experience that should not be lost.
But as this sad news begins to take effect on a the people of the Community that has seen closure after closure of businesses in the village down the years one wonders what comes next. To jog the memory lets remember what we had in the Community, in the early 60’s to the late 70’s we had a thriving community whereby we had 9 Grocery shops, 14 Public Bar Licences with 7 of these also doing a grocery trade, 1 Post Office, 3 Bakeries, 2 Drapery Shops, 2 Chemists, 3 Garages, 2 Butchers, 2 Dress Makers, 2 Tailors, 2 Shoemakers, 2 Forges, 3 Hair Salons, 3 Undertakers, 2 Wholesalers, 3 Hackney Cars, A Hardware and Mill and a Creamery. That was 55 Business. They may not have been big business concerns, but they were all operating. Now I ask you now to count what we have today. ???
Unfortunately this is now the sad reflection and reality of life in so many communities in Rural Kerry and Ireland. Finally as this latest news hits home, let us all put in that extra effort to protect and keep all the business projects that are left in the Community by supporting ALL our local Business people and protect local jobs and keep families in the Community otherwise we will have nothing.
URGENT
(note from Helen Lane of Save Ballylongford Post Office Action Group): Ballylongford Post Office Closing Date 14th September 2018. We Need To Act Now To Save The Post Office. You Can Save The Post Office By Completing 1 Transaction This Week. Help Us Save and Relocate The Post Office.
NATIONAL HERITAGE WEEK
18th to 26th August 2018. Historical walk on Carrig Island, Ballylongford, on Wednesday 22nd of August at 2 pm. Conducted by Padraig O’Concubhair and Dr. Declan M. Downey. Assemble at Carrigafoyle Car Park.
BALLYLONGFORD/ TARBERT COMHALTAS
Congratulations to Timmy Flaherty on winning two medals, 1st place with Uilleann Pipes and 3rd place with Mandolin in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann held in Drogheda, Co Louth last weekend. “Traditional music is for everyone”. Ballylongford/Tarbert Comhaltas are offering fun filled lessons for traditional vocal, percussion, wind, string and reed instruments. Enrolling soon for beginners, intermediate and advanced musicians and singers. All instruments catered for by experienced teachers. The date and time of enrolment is the 7th of September (Friday) from 7pm 8.30pm at St. Oliver’s National School Ballylongford. Classes commence on Friday 21st September. Everyone is welcome so please remember to enroll with us on Friday Sept 7th 2018. We look forward to seeing you.
CHURCH NOTICES
The following are the Notices for St Michael of the Archangel for this coming week: Reader’s for Saturday 25th August Colm O’Donoghue. Sunday 26th August: Michéal Moriarty. Eucharistic Ministers for the month of August: Saturday Vigil Mass 7.00pm: Tom Moriarty, Ann O’Carroll, Breda Walsh. Sunday 10.30am: Eric O Neill and Caroline O Connor. Counters for August: Bernie Curtin, Paula Falvey, Eric O Neill. Altar Servers for August: Saturday 7.00pm: Katie Kennelly, Eimear O Shea and Ella Flavin. Sunday 10.30am: Clodagh Heaphy, Abbie Collins,