Aprés Mass

After the Irish Mass in Ballon Church a social get-together was held in the Old School.

Bhí slua mór ag ól tae agus caife roimh am lón inniu Lá le Pádraig ag an Seana Scoil in mBalana.
The after Mass Cuppa was a great community gathering..

Thanks to Mrs Patsy Nolan for cutting the special St. Patricks day cake.
Thanks to all the very generous people who sent lovely homemade cakes.

Event was hosted by Ballon Improvement Group and Glór Bhalana

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Tree Planting Ceremony

A tree planting ceremony was held at 2.30 to honour Mick McGrath RIP where family ad friends paid tribute, prayed and sang hymns. Mick was Ballon’s Mr. Tidy Towns for ever. Sometimes a one man committee but always a motivator in showing by example improvements that could be made.

It’s no co-incidence that this day was chosen in that Mick played an active role in the parade as steward, Marshall and participant for all of its 26 years.

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Ballon’s 26th Parade

The heart of any parade is the displays entered by local volunteer groups and clubs and this year a great effort was made.

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And the next is audience participation. To what degree will viewers go to add to the festive atmosphere?

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The bulk of the parade is of commercial displays, non local groups and clubs. These add to the diversity of the parade and come from other parades in the county when their parade has finished.

Vintage Cars always add a bit of nostalgia, some remembered some long forgotton.

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The judging is difficult and these are the awards selected by the anonymous (for Health and Safety Reasons) unbiased judge.

Overall Winner
Leinster House –  Good Times/Rural House – Bad Times by David, Kevin and John Barry with Brian & Michaela D’Arcy and Pat Abbey

Best Community Effort
Community Garden Caterpillar

Most Topical
Ballon N.S. Olympic Torch

Best Commercial
Richmond Engineering

Most Amusing
Septic Tanks – Pat & PJ Brennan and Dennis McGrath

Special Effort
Burren Rangers

Best Walking Group
Jedward with John Doyle and Shane Byrne

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Prayers were answered and the rain held off until the final of the parade. Then it lashed down. Hey, this is Ireland !

Now have a look below and add your comments and feedback, plusses or minusses, they are all helpful opinions.