BALLINDANGAN GYMKHANA
General Grocer, Glanworth (Walsh’s); Dunmahon Stud (‘Deep Run – Winner and sire of winners’); Lance O’Riordan, Glanworth (Batteries, Paints, etc); Richard Piggott, Ballykearney, Mitchelstown (Land reclamation contractor & site levelling); and Anthony Barrett, Glanworth (Newsagent & Publican – tel: Glanworth 16).
The following is the report from the Cork Examiner:
‘Ballindangan a quiet country village just four miles from Mitchelstown is bounded by the Cork road with its two famous landmarks - The Blue Dragon and the Gloccamaura Inn on one side and by River Funchon (sic) on other. It is the venue for one of the Blackwater Group Gymkhanas on Sunday, July 18.
While being noted for its progressive farming, it is a fertile plain at the foot of Caherdrinna Hill from where Mitchelstown gets the milk, the raw material for its famous cheese and other products the community has, side by side, a rich heritage of traditional Irish music.
It has, too, the ruins of one of the earliest Christian settlements in Ireland - the ancient Christian ruins at Killemera. It must have been inhabited from very early time to judge by the number of forts or “liosanna” to be found in the district. In fact, the word Dangan means a fort.
Social life in Ballindangan is catered for by an elected Community Council. This council built a magnificent Community Centre in 1972 where various functions like debates, socials, card drives are held over the winter months.
The Community Council runs a School Sports and a Gymkhana in the summer. On July a very successful School Sports took place. Twenty-six events and a Perpetual Trophy presented by Mitchelstown Creameries were contested.
The Gymkhana will be the 4th annual venture. It is not so much an occasion for the horse owner and competitor only. It is a day out, a social occasion for the family too. Even if you do not run or ride a horse you can enjoy yourself at Ballindangan Gymkhana with events like the apple-ducking race, the sack race or the potato picking race, to be seen.
There will be many side shows too. The committee in drawing up the programme had particularly in mind the beginner and the novice rider as the list of events will show. The committee would like to express their thanks to the sponsors of the various competitions and also to Mr. John O’Keeffe in whose field the Gymkhana is being held.
As well as the many novelty events the following is the main programme for the Ballindangan Gymkhana.
(1) Ponies Sweepstake with £5 added. Entry fee 50p. Sponsored by Mandeville Service Station.
(2) Datsun J.B. Competition ponies 14.2 and under winnings not exceeding £12 on 30/6/76. Entry fee £1. Prizes: 1st, £7; 2nd, £4; 3rd, £21 4th, £1.
(3) Ponies 13.2 and under. Open prizes: £10, £5, £3, £2. Entry £1. Sponsored by Messrs Waldron and Dolan.
(4). Ponies 14.2 and under. Open prizes: £10, £5, £3, £2. Entry £1. Sponsored by Field Enterprises Educational Corporation.
(5) Ait-Aoibhinn Perpetual Trophy. Grade B horse competition. Winnings not exceeding £10 on 30/6/76. Prizes: 1st, £10 and trophy; 2nd, £5; 3rd, £3; 4th, £2. Entry £1.
(6) Mitchelstown Co-Operative Society Perpetual Cup. Horses winnings not exceeding £300 on 30/6/76. Prizes: £25 and Cup, £12, £9, £4. Entry £2.
(7) Royal Hotel Competition horses, winnings not exceeding £100 on 30/6/76. Prizes: 1st, £12; 2nd, £6; 3rd, £4; 4th, £2. Entry £1.50.
(8) Horses. Hit and Hurry Sweepstake. Entry £1 (if time allows).
* Competitions 2 and 5 non-registered horses/ponies whose owners reside within 40 miles of Ballindangan may compete in these events for a special prize.’