Ballymore Eustace Village (population 725) is situated in County Kildare on the banks of the River Liffey and the parish (population 1528) also extends into County Wicklow.  We are blessed that the River Liffey, Poulaphouca Reservoir and Golden Falls are on our doorstep.  The Wicklow mountains and Dublin City are only a short distance away.  There are many attractions in the area including Horse Racing at Punchestown, the Curragh and Naas, Water Skiing at Golden Falls and many other water sport activities on Poulaphouca Reservoir.  There is a long tradition of GAA (Kildare and Leinster Intermediate Football Champions 2010)  and Handball (World Champions) in Ballymore Eustace.  If angling is your sport, then welcome to paradise.

We hope you enjoy your visit to our website

Committee Members 2010

President Des Tyrrell;   Vice-President Tom Nugent; Secretary Gary Bolger;

Treasurer Tommy Deegan; Membership Sec. Fintan Smith;

Myles Byrne; Fergus Byrne; Dave Butler; Declan Cowley;  Pat Dunworth; Sean Goulding; Eamonn Kelly; Trevor Winder;

Committee Members 2009

President Des Tyrrell;   Vice-President Tom Nugent; Secretary Gary Bolger;

Treasurer Tommy Deegan; Membership Sec. Fintan Smith;

Myles Byrne; Fergus Byrne; Dave Butler; Declan Cowley;  Pat Dunworth; Sean Goulding; Eamonn Kelly; Trevor Winder;

Committee Members 2008

President Des Tyrrell;   Vice-President Tom Nugent; Secretary Gary Bolger;

Treasurer Tommy Deegan; Membership Sec. Fintan Smith;

Myles Byrne; Declan Cowley; Jim Deegan; Pat Dunworth; Sean Goulding;

Sean Gunshenan; Eamonn Kelly; Trevor Winder;

House 1911                 Type of              No in     Rooms      Windows    2011
No.     Occupier           Building              Family   Occupied   in Front
     
1     Kate Winder        Private dwelling       4         3               2
2     Patrick Golden     Private dwelling       1         2               2
3     Jane Finlan           Private dwelling       2         3               3
4     Henry Donnelly    Private dwelling        3        4               4
5     Sarah Doyle         Private dwelling        1        2               2
6     Joseph McBride   Private dwelling       4         4               3
7     Rose Anne Byrne Private dwelling        3        3               3
8     Catherina Halpin   Lodging House      10        5               5
9     Michael Fitzsimons Private dwelling      1        2               2
10   James Doyle         Cloth Shop              8        7               6
11   Courthouse   
12   Sarah Burke         Private dwelling        3      10               5
13   Mary Anne Kelly  Private dwelling        1        2               2
14   Peter McLoughlin Private dwelling        6        2               2
15   Martin Hayden     Private dwelling      10        5               3
16   Daniel Murphy     Public House            7        9               5
17   Charlie O'Neill     Private dwelling        7        6               9
18   Kate Hines          Private dwelling         2        6              6
19   Post office,Shop   
20   Mary Anne Pollard Private dwelling      1        2              2
21   William Kelly       Private dwelling         5        4              4
22   James Smyth        Private dwelling        6         3              5
23   James Shannon    Private dwelling         6        3              3
24   John J Byrne        Public House             7      12            10
25   Dispensary   
26   Richard Hines     Private dwelling           3       7              5
27   Mary Purcell       Public House              2      10              5 
28   Thomas Driver    Public House              4        8              6
29   Thomas Devoy   Private dwelling           2        3              2
30   Eliza Byrne         Lodging House            9        4              4
31   Anne Doran       Public House                6        7             5
32   Patrick Winder   Private dwelling            3        1             1
33   Margaret Loughlin Private dwelling         5        3             3
34   Thomas Fisher    Private dwelling            4        1             1
35   John Madden     Private dwelling            6         1            1
36   Margaret Hackett Shop                          2        3             1
37   Mary Norton     Private dwelling             1        5             4
38   George Gammall Shop                            9        8             6
39   Rev. F. Byrne    Private dwelling             2        8             8
40   Patrick Tracey   Private dwelling             8        1             2
41   Sarah O'Neill     Private dwelling             5        5             5
42   Mary C MacGuire Private dwelling         2        5             4
43   Butcher Shop   
44   John Comerford Shop                            4        4             4
45   Gregory Doyle   Shop                            4        4             2
46   Thomas Deegan Private dwelling            9        3             1
47   Edw'd Stephenson Shop                        4        9             5
48   Dr. W.S. Dodd Private dwelling             4      12             5
49   Marie Homan    Private dwelling             4       5              5
50   Anne Devoy      Private dwelling             3       2              2
House 1911             Type of                    No in    Rooms      Windows
No.     Occupier       Building                   Family   Occupied   in Front
     
51   Thomas Kerry   Private welling               2       2              2
52   James Freeman  Private dwelling             4       2              2
53                            Private dwelling   
54   James Deegan   Private dwelling              3       2              2
55   Eliza Keogh       Private dwelling             3       2              2
56   William Hughes  Private dwelling             1       2              2
57   George Whittle  Private dwelling              1       2              2
58   John Dolan        Private dwelling              8       2              2
59   Margaret Broughal Private dwelling         6        2             3
60   Bridget Whelan Private dwelling              4       2              2
61   Julia Connolly   Private dwelling               3       2              2
62   Matt Travers    Private dwelling               4       2              2
63   John Devoy      Private dwelling               4       2              2
64   Patrick Devoy  Private dwelling               2       2              2
65   Kate Deegan    Private dwelling               1       2              2
66   Patrick Toole   Shop                               5       6              5
67   Edward Mary   Private dwelling               2       2              2
68   Joseph Devoy   Private dwelling               6       3              2
69   Paper Shop   
70   Shop   
71   Michael Berkly Public House                   5       4              8
72   George Farrell  Shop                               3       6              7
73   George McGuire Private dwelling            5        3              2
74   Mary A Molyneux Private dwelling          2       2              2
75   Winifred Gorman Private dwelling            4       2              2
76   John Purcell       Lodging House               5       5              3
77   George Allen     Private dwelling              3        3              3
78   Mary Quinn       Private dwelling              3       2               1
79   Mary McGarry  Private dwelling              2        1              1
80   Bridget Curley   Private dwelling              4       2               1
81   Ellen Devoy      Private dwelling               5       2              2
82   Eliza Walsh       Private dwelling              3        2              2
83   Annie Pender    Private dwelling              8        2              2
84   John Barrett      Shop                              2        2              2
85   William Hennessy Private dwelling         11        5              6
86   Margaret Devoy Private dwelling             6        3              2
87   R. C. Church    
88   Arthur Corrigan Private dwelling              1        8              4
89   Unoccupied       Private dwelling   
90   James Devoy     Private dwelling              8        3              3
91   Patrick Whittle   Private dwelling              2        3              2
92   Michael Dwyer   Private dwelling             7        4              3
93   Mary Anne Byrne Private dwelling           2        3              3
94   Anne Cox           Private dwelling             1        4              4
95   Michael Gregory Private dwelling             4        3              3
96   Mary Jordan     Shop                               6        8              5
97   Kate F Reid      Private dwelling               2        8              7
98   Frank Whittle    Private dwelling               8        2              2
99   Rev F McCarthy Private dwelling             3      14              7
100 Michael Hayden Private dwelling              2        2              2
House  1911            Type of                       No in    Rooms       Windows
No.     Occupier       Building                      Family   Occupied   in Front
     
101 Patrick Synnot   Private dwelling              2        6               9
102 John King          Private dwelling              2        4               4
103 Patrick Kerry    Private dwelling               3       2                2
104 John Hayden     Private dwelling               5       2                2
105 Margaret Carroll Private dwelling             4        3               2
106 Bridget Nolan    Private dwelling              2        3               2
107 John Geoghegan Lodging House              9        6               2
108 James Kelly       Private dwelling              6        2               2
109 Bridget Dwyer   Private dwelling              1        2               2
110 Kate McDonald Private dwelling             1         1               1
111 Margaret Byrne  Private dwelling             2         3               4
112 Thomas Malone  Private dwelling            1         2               2
113 Patrick Doran    Private dwelling             2         6               5
114 Patrick Doyle     Private dwelling             2         3               2
115 Thomas Arthury Private dwelling           15         4               3
116 Unoccupied       Private dwelling   
117 Robert Doran    Private dwelling             4         2               2
118 James McGrath Private dwelling             1         1               2
119 Sergt. Mc Guirk R.I.C. Barrack             1         6               6
120 Protestant Church  
121 Band Room   
122 Market House   
123 Woollen Mill   
124 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   
125 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   
126 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   
127 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   
128 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   
129 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   
130 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   

.

Following on from the recommendations which were issued by the Central and Eastern Regional Fisheries Boards when they carried out a fish stock survey of our water in 2005 (cost €16,500 sponsored by Kelt and the TSAA) the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association (TSAA) in conjunction with the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB) conducted a Liffey Habitat Enhancement Scheme for salmon on the main channel of the Liffey in 2007 at a cost of €14000 which was sponsored by Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council. This work is detailed in another section of our website.  In 2009 the Association decided to concentrate on Trout Habitat Enhancement work on our feeder streams of the Liffey and in the first instance the feeder streams flowing through the Factory (Old Woollen Mill) land as these streams are at the head of our Fishery.
In 2009 the TSAA used the professional expertise of the ERFB to draw up a work schedule and this was presented to Kildare County Council with our application for funding under the KTK Inert Landfill Funding Scheme.  In 2010 the Association received €5,500 from this fund to carry out the work.
Permission was acquired from the owners of the Factory land and the initial clearing of scrub to allow access by man and machinery to the Tail Race commenced on the 17th August 2010. On the 9th September 2010 the Tail Race was electrofished by Fergal Caffrey and Maurice Carolan of the ERFB to establish a trout population baseline for future comparisons and a number of trout fry were counted, measured and returned to water.
On the 13th September 2010 a mini-digger and dumper arrived on site and the serious work began of removing fallen trees and all sorts of debris from the stream. Six bags of mainly drink cans were removed from the stream area and these were left at the Liffey Bridge for collection by Kildare County Council staff.  Gravel and small boulders obtained from KTK were drawn from the Kimmeens and distributed into the stream. A couple of delays occurred due to a track coming off the mini digger twice but the work with the machines continued until 21st September when the machines were returned to the hire company Haven Hire.
Some of the heavier timber near the stream was cut by chainsaw to allow more light into the stream area and brambles were also cut.  The heavy growth at the mouth of the stream was thinned out and silt removed by Des, Myles and Tommy of the TSAA.
Water cress was removed from the upper portion of two streams from the 23rd September 2010 until the final big push on Saturday 2nd October 2010 when a crew from the TSAA (Des, Gary, Dave, Niall, Barry and Tommy) finished the work of removing some reeds that were blocking the flow of the streams and clearing the streams of all lodged debris which resulted from the clear out. Meanwhile Joe and Myles carried out repairs to Fr. Charles holy well.
A fish pass was constructed the following week by the ERFB to allow trout reach the upper section of one of the streams and grass seeds were spread on the ground that was disturbed by the enhancement work. 

Three of the six sacks of litter collected from site (not inside factory buildings) 

Mini digger working on stream

Adding spawninggravel to stream

Heaviest Trout of the Year 2011: Fergus Nolan

Pike Competition 04/12/11 Winner: Barry Brosnan (Draw)

Runner-up Pat Dunworth (Draw)

Anvil Bar Perpetual Shield 25/09/11 Winner Fergus Byrne 1lb 13.6 0zs (838g)  

Runner-up Willie Ryan 1lb 8.9 ozs (706g)

Guinness 'All Methods' 28/08/2011 Winner Fergus Nolan 1lb 15.3ozs (888g)

Runner-up Trevor Winder 1lb 12.9ozs (820g)

Eddie Gordon Trophy 22/07/2011 Winner Mick Mooney 13.8ozs (390g)

Runner-up Joe Winder 13.6ozs (385g)

The 'Local' Trophy 08/07/2011 Winner Trevor Winder 12.6 ozs (357g)

Runner-up Tony Daly 7.8 ozs (220g)

Sonny Cowley Shield 24/06/2011 Winner Mel Mc Kenna 1lb 6.9 ozs (650g)

Runner up Michael McCaffrey 1lb 0.2 ozs (460g)

Mick Murphy Shield 10/06/11 Winner Michael McCaffrey 1lb 0.8 ozs (475g)

Runner-up Mick Francis 12.3 ozs (348g)

Junior Section Winner Glen Rooney 11.1 ozs (314g)

Committee Cup 27/5/11 Winner Martin Nugent 13.8ozs; (392g)

Runner-up Fintan Smith 11.3; (319g)

Junior Section Winner by Glen Rooney 6.9 ozs (195g)

Tony McKnight Trophy 8/05/11 Winner Trevor Winder 1lb 11.5ozs;  (779g)

Runner-up: Tom Nugent 1lb 10ozs; (736g) 3rd. Fergus Byrne 1lb 7.1oz (654g)

Punchestown Festival 1/05/11 Winner: Gay Doody 10.4 ozs; (296g)

Runner up: Liam Cox; 9.4 ozs; (266g)

J & K Murray Cup 10/04/11 Winner: Pat Dunworth 8.4 ozs; (238g)

Runner up: Tomasz  5.7 ozs; (162g)

Jimmy Evans Cup 20/03/2011 Winner: Liam Cox 1lb 1.8 ozs; (505g)

Runner up: Fergus Nolan 13.2ozs; (375g)

Angler of the Year 2010: Trevor Winder

Heaviest Trout of the Year 2010: Martin Keogh

Pike Competition 05/12/10 Winner: Pat Dunworth (Draw)

Runner-up Martin Keogh (Draw) 

Anvil Bar Perpetual Shield 26/09/10 Winner Troy Francis 1lb 6.5 ozs (637g)

Runner-up Tommy Winters 1lb 4.2 ozs (573g)

Guinness 'All Methods' 29/08/2010 Winner Martin Keogh 2lb 1.3ozs (943g)

Runner-up Martin Reynolds 1lb 13ozs (821g)

Eddie Gordon Trophy 06/08/2010 Winner Trevor Winder 1lb 3.2ozs (544g)

Runner-up Tony Daly 12.3ozs (348g)

The 'Local' Trophy 9/07/2010 Winner Fintan Smith 12.3 ozs; (348g)

Runner-up Joe Winder 10.7 ozs; (303g)

Sonny Cowley Shield 25/06/2010 Winner Trevor Winder 1lb5.6ozs; (613g)

Runner up Ollie Keogh 12.9 ozs; (352g)

Mick Murphy Shield 11/6/10 Winner Des Tyrrell 1lb 1.1 ozs (479g)

Runner-up Trevor Winder 13.3ozs (379g)

Committee Cup 21/5/10 Winner Ollie Keogh 13.8ozs; (390g)

Runner-up Joe Winder 13.7; (388g) 

Tony McKnight Trophy 9/5/10 Winner Michael Mc Caffrey 1lb 3.6ozs;  (556g)

Runner-up Trevor Winder 12.2ozs; (347g)

Punchestown Festival 18/04/10 Winner: Gay Doody 13.8 ozs; (392g)

Runner up Martin Keogh; 9.5 ozs; (270g)

J & K Murray Cup 11/04/10 Winner: Martin Keogh 1lb 1.7 ozs; (503g)

Runner up Joe Winder 9.3 ozs; (265g)

Jimmy Evans Cup 21/03/10 Winner: Tom Nugent 10.8 ozs; (306g)

Runner up Fergus Byrne 10.4ozs; (295g)

Angler of the Year 2009: Trevor Winder

Heaviest Trout of the Year 2009: Michael Mooney

Junior Heaviest Trout of the Year 2009: Barry Winder

Pike Competition 06/12/09 Winner: Mick Francis 14lb

Runner-up Sean Goulding  11.5lb 

Anvil Bar Perpetual Shield 27/09/09 Winner Martin Keogh 2lb 7.6 ozs (1124g)

Runner-up Mick Francis 1lb 10.3 ozs (745g)

Guinness Trophy(All Methods) 30/08/09 Winner Pat Dunworth 1lb 12.6 ozs 812g

Runner-up Martin Keogh 1lb 12.4 ozs (806g)

Eddie Gordon Trophy 07/08/2009 Winner Mick Mooney 3lb 2.2 ozs (1420g)

Runner-up Trevor Winder 2lb 2.8 ozs (987g)

The 'Local' Trophy 10/07/2009 Winner Trevor Winder 15.6ozs; (443g)

Runner-up Richie Stenson 12.8 ozs; (362g)

Sonny Cowley Shield 19/06/2009 Winner Pat Dunworth 15.6ozs; (442g)

Runner up Niall Brosnan 12.2 ozs; (347g)

Mick Murphy Shield 05/06/2009 Winner Fergus Byrne 12.3 ozs; (350g)

Runner up Brian Rigney  11.7 ozs (332g)

Junior Winner Simon Ellis 5.5 ozs (155g)

Committee Cup 22/5/09 Winner Trevor Winder 1lb 6ozs; (623g)

Runner-up Billy O'Brien 1lb 4.9ozs; (592g)

Junior Winner Barry Winder 9 ozs; (256g)

Tony McKnight Trophy 10/5/09 Winner Trevor Winder 1lb 7.9ozs;  (677g)

Runner-up Gay Doody 8.2ozs; (233g)
Punchestown Festival 26/04/09 Winner: Gay Doody 13ozs; (371g)

Runner up Billy O'Brien; 11.6 ozs; (328g)

J & K Murray Cup 05/04/09 Winner: Billy O'Brien 1lb 2.8 ozs; (532g)

Runner up Joe Winder 11.7 ozs; (331g)

Jimmy Evans Cup 15/03/09 Winner: Billy O'Brien 9.8 ozs; (279g)

Runner up Trevor Winder 9.7ozs; (275g)

Angler of the Year 2008: Martin Keogh

Heaviest Trout of the Year 2008: Michael Mooney

Junior Angler of the Year 2008: Troy Francis

Junior Heaviest Trout of the Year: Patrick Langan

Pike Competition 07/12/08 Winner: Fran Byrne 19lb

Runner-up Martin Reynolds  10lb 

Anvil Bar Shield 28/9/08 Winner: Michael Mooney  3lbs 11.2 ozs; (1680g)

Runner-up Michael Francis 1lb 6.8ozs; (646g) 

Guinness Trophy 31/8/08 Winner:  Michael McCaffrey 2lbs 3.9 ozs; (1018g)

Runner-up Tom Nugent 1lb 6.3ozs; (631g)

Eddie Gordon Trophy 8/8/08 Winner Joe Winder 13.4 ozs; (380g) 

Runner-up Martin Keogh 13.1ozs; (371g)

Junior Winner Christy Walsh 7.2 ozs; (204g)

The 'Local' Trophy 11/7/08 Winner PeterMcGlynn 1lb 5.1ozs; (598g)

Runner-up Liam Stenson 1lb 3.2 ozs; (544g)

Junior Winner Troy Francis 5.8 ozs;(165g)

Sonny Cowley Shield 20/06/08 Winner Ollie Keogh 12.9 ozs; (366g)

Runner-up Sean Goulding 12.0 ozs; (339g)

Junior Winner Troy Francis 11ozs; (312g)

Mick Murphy Shield 6/6/08 Winner Des Tyrrell 1lb 8 ozs; (681g)

Runner-up Martin Keogh 1lb 1.5 ozs; (497g)

Junior Winner Troy Francis 8.2 ozs;(233g) Runner-up Eoin Lyons 7.7 ozs; (216g)

Committee Cup 23/5/08 Winner Gary Bolger 15.1 ozs; (427g)

Runner-up Martin Keogh 12.1ozs; (344g)

Junior Winner Simon Ellis 7.3ozs; (206g) Runner-up Eoin Lyons 5.5 ozs; (155g)

Tony McKnight Trophy 11/5/08 Winner Mick Francis 2 lb 1.3 ozs; (944g)

Runner-up Tommy Winters 1lb 11.6ozs; (782g)

Junior Winner Troy Francis 1lb 1.7 ozs (503g)

Punchestown Festival 20/4/08 Winner Sean Goulding 1lb 5.9 ozs; (620g)

Runner-up Trevor Winder 1lb 1oz (457g)

Junior Winner Patrick Langan 1lb 2.7 ozs; (531g)  

J & K Murray Cup 6/4/08 Winner Liam Cox 7.7 ozs (217g)

Runner-up Peter McGlynn 5.9ozs; (167g)

Jimmy Evans Cup 16/3/08 Winner Martin Keogh 1lb 6.1ozs (627g)

Runner-up Sean Goulding 1lb 1.4ozs; (493)

Centre: Ballymore Eustace             Ref:  357
County: Kildare                           Mark:  262
Category:   B                            Date(s):     07/07/2008                                                    

Overall Development Approach:
NOTE : You were in Category C last year. You have applied for Category B this year. This is correct, as your population is within the B Category threshold as per Census 2006.

Go raibh maith agaibh go leir! Thank you to Ballymore Eustace TidyTowns and to the community you represent for having given selflessly of your time in working towards entering Ballymore Eustace in this 50th anniversary year of the TidyTowns Competition!
Ballymore Eustace is a small village with a good number of people involved on your committee. Your submission has been put together in a very professional format. It is most interesting, and informative, clear and extensive. You have drawn on the resources of many bodies, agencies and local businesses, including your local authority. You list these for us in your submission. Obviously they hold your group in high regard. You have an extensive media coverage organised. Thank you for letting us have copies of relevant media coverage. We hope that you communicate with all churches attended by any of your residents. Well done on your website. Thank you for submitting your five year plan. It is a pity that you did not detail the consultation process involved in drawing up your Plan. We assume that you held public meetings in this regard, but this is not clear from your submission, nor is it clear from the plan itself. We assume that you have launched your plan. We hope that it was well received. You appear to have listed specific projects for 2008 and 2009 only, with the rest included as "ongoing", presumably 2008-2013. Your school is a great resource for you. Thank you for enclosing the happy photograph of all your great helpers at Scoil Mhuire! We note your concern with the paperwork. We think that you have done "overtime” in this area! As you are starting out with a new plan, and as you are therefore engaging in a lot of paperwork now, the load should lessen. We hasten to say that it is appreciated and has helped us as adjudicators get to know the village well. The fact that it has all been submitted in A4 format has made it easier to use, and the fact that it is so well presented is also to your credit. So you can tell your members that it has been worth the effort! Your festivals are diverse, and you appear to have the edge on other places in Kildare when it comes to attracting in visitors with the festivals you can access. Thank you for submitting a clear map in your plan. However individual projects might be highlighted on a larger scaled map.

The 12-part series will air in 2012, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's maiden voyage to NYC. It has yet to receive U.S. distribution rights. The mini-series has an estimated budget of $28,000,000

Filming in Phil Murphy's Pub 11th October 2011

RTE Nationwide team filming in Ballymore Eustace Village 30 September and 3rd October 2011

Filmed in Parish of Ballymore Eustace and surrounding areas

Meteor Mobile Phones Ad. November 2010. Scene at Ballymore Eustace GAA Football Ground with Ballymore footballers and spectators in background as Meteor user phones friend in London while watching football match.

Vodafone Ad. 2009 Street scene at Weavers Row, Ballymore Eustace featuring postman and door colours. 

BAYWATCH IRISH STYLE (2007) Scene at Mick Murphy's Pub, Ballymore Eustace

Budweiser TV Ad.

LASSIE (2005)  Scene at the River Liffey, The Bridge, Ballymore Eustace
Released 1st September 2006

Director    Charles Sturridge

Writers Eric Knight (novel) & Charles Sturridge
Cast

MALICE AFORETHOUGHT (2005) (TV) Scene at Factory Gate, Ballymore Eustace
Released 3rd April 2005

Director    David Blair

Writers Anthony Berkeley (novel) & Andrew Payne (screenplay)
Cast

KING ARTHUR (2004) Scenes at Mountcashel, Ballymore Eustace
Released 7th July 2004

Director   Antoine Furua

Writer David Franzoni
Cast

The meeting took place at the site of the existing sewage treatment plant at The Strand, Ballymore Eustace on Tuesday 8th July 2008 at 11. 00a.m.
Present for Kildare County Council Water Services were Alan Dunney and Clodagh Lyons. Nicholas O’Dwyer Consultants were represented by Terry O’Flannagan.
The Association was represented by Gary Bolger, Myles Byrne and Tommy Deegan.

Vandalised June 2009, Repaired January 2011

Kildare County Council traffic control in operation

Damaged section of old stone wall cleaned up and ready for repair work.

Getting Ready

Stonemason selecting the right stone

Repair to Liffey Bridge wall (roadside) completed

Lack of space prevents inclusion of the complete version of The Judgement of Ballymore. It is a mini epic poem, suggestive of Goethe's 'Damnation of Faust'. I was baffled by the popularity of 'The Judgement' until I learned that the author was the Sergeant of the R.I.C., aided and abetted by Dick Hynes who suggested the names of the various 'characters' worthy of damnation.
No greater honour could be conferred on an Irishman than to be branded as a felon by the R.I.C. The Royal Irish Constabulary were England's eyes and ears for the suppressionof natural aspirations. The complete version, words and music, may be had from Tom Nugent, Bishophill.
As a postscript to the epic, I have composed a couple of doggeral verses. Perhaps some local poet will improve on my feeble attempt. (Chronicle author's note)

The Judgement of Ballymore

One evening by a little brook in romantic Ardenode,
Beneath an old oak tree I sat, in tired and dreamy mood.
I soon fell into slumber deep and had a vivid dream,
A vision I shall ne'er forget down by the babbling stream.
It's imprinted in my memory fast, for I dreamt it oe'r and oe'r,
That St. Peter stood on Mount Cashel Hill to judge all Ballymore.
Sitting on the judgement throne with an angel by his side,
He gazed upon the multitude that covered acres wide.
St. Peter said "I have come to judge, in accordance with my promise,"
And the angel's trumpet sounded forth, "Come forward Driver Thomas."
And then a big and brawny man, unwashed, unkempt, uncouth,
Came up to hear the escapades of his wild and sinful youth,
The list was long and varied and St. Peter's brow grew dark,
And darker, sterner still, it grew as he made this remark.
"The sentence it's a hard one but the only one that suits,
So take yourself to Hell out'f this and put laces in your boots."
Then down below poor Thomas goes to the unrelenting flames
And the angel's trumpet sounds again- come forward Carney James.
Then a thick and low set man came up, in slow and faltering style
And stood before St. Peter's throne with a broad and comic smile,
But that smile soon turned to fear and dread, his tan skin turned pale,
His fingers worked convulsively, and his knees began to quail.
St. Peter said "your sins are black and very wicked too,
Your good deeds have been very goood but very very few,
So down you go to the pits below to the darkest deepest tunnel."
And the angel's trumpet sounds again- come forward Thomas Fennan.
Tom Fennan came with faltering step, with slow and slouching gait
And stood before St. Peter's throne to hear his sins and fate.
St Peter asks, "What have you done to earn Heaven's reward?"
"I can't remember anything, but pardon me O Lord."
St Peter said, "Your face shows signs of many a parting glass,
Many an old rum yarn too, and many a winsome lass,
Of precious evening squandered in wild company at the Fall
And many a hard fought game of cards and many a midnight brawl.
To Purgatory for one hundred years for your black sins to atone"
Poor Fennan heard his sentence with a most unearthy groan
And as he left for the fiery pits the crowd sang Auld Lang Syne,
And the angel's trumpet sounds again, "Come forward now George Brien."
With an ashplant in his left and a caubeen in his right
George Brien came from the multitude into the judgement light.
And there he stood with a pious look upon his pious face
And in a few well chosen words began to state his case.
"I always took a pint or two and sometimes a little half one,
And if a neighbour joined me he was welcome too to have one.
I never injured anyone though I always took a sup
But don't send Bill Kane to Purgatory till he sends me back my pup."
"You'll want no pups in Purgatory, for there you'll surely go."
And the angel's trumpet sounds again,
"Come forward Michael Keogh."
St. Peter looked at Michael with a hard and stern frown.
Mike's features turned and twisted like the antics of a clown.
"I won't waste words condemning you, you're simply steeped in sin.
I'll wire the devil to see if he will take you in."
Then the angel's trumpet sounds again, another long reveille
Sounding clear on the evening air, calling up 'Trips Kelly'.
Trips looked a little frightened but still he bore up well,
Stepping smartly to the front, making the left foot tell.
He looked up at St. Peter with a most bewildered stare,
And in a hoarse and trembling voice he answered "I am here."
"I'm sending you," St. Peter said, "where you'll not have peace or joy."
And the angel's trumpet sounded clear, "Come forward Bill Conroy."
Bill answered quickly to his name and promply took his place
Looking round for inspiration with a grimace on his face.
"Ther's not a sin on the calendar but it's here before your name
Which clearly shows that religion has never been your aim.
The corporal works of mercy you never even tried,
But skinned your neighbours while they lived, and shaved them when they died.
Holy works of any kind you have always tried to shirk,
So now you bear the consequences, stand over on the left."
Then a silence fell on the multitude, not a sound, not a sigh, but hark!
Hear what the trumpet is sounding, "Come up here quick, Jack Clarke."
As Jack hurried up to stand his trial, the hat from his head he tore,
And looked around suspiciously, like an ox at the slaughter-house door.
He scratched his poll in perplexity and dolefully shook his head,
And St. Peter opened his book again and this is what he read,
"Many the sinful hour you spent on the famous flowery lawn
And attended many a cock-fight too, at the early streaks of dawn.
In business deals you've been straight enough, you never did anything shady,
But you've broken the ribs of many a man and the heart of many a lady.
To Purgatory for twenty years for you unremitted sins,
And when those twenty years are up a better life begins,
You can come with me to my Heavenly home with all your sins unladed."
And the angel's trumpet sounds again, "Come forward Martin Hayden."
"You've been a man," St. Peter said, "of hard and honest labour,
But you've had a cruel and bitter tongue that never spared a neighbour.
The malice of that bitter tongue has travelled far and wide
And in all your conversations many reputations died,
Tainted with an atmosphere where foul suspicicion floats
So Heaven is now debarred from you, stand over with the goats."
Then sounds of awe ran through the crowd like the sound of a swelling sea,
And the angel's trumpet sounds again, "Come forward Pat Magee."
The recording angel took his book and read Pat's offences out,
And the dark look on St. Peter's face left very little doubt.
That Pat's journey was a downward one to the fiery pits below.
"Stand over to the left," he said "with that hardened sinner Keogh."
Then cries of mercy rent the air from a sympathetic crowd,
And prayers were offered earnestly in accents clear and loud,
But the angel called for silence by raising up his wing ,
And sounds his trumpet loudly for George Allen and John King.
Allen was first to answer and his crutch he slowly wields,
John King came pounding after, quite close on Allen's heels.
"This leg of mine," George Allen says, "has kept me well in bounds,
And in this world of care and strife I've had my ups and downs.
I always took a pint or two but nevered squandered much,
My sole support since early life was this old worn crutch."
John King chimes in, "As you're talking George why dont you speak for two,
As far as legs and crutches go, I'm in the same boat as you."
"Wait until your turn comes," said George, "and please let me alone,
I've enough to do with you misdeeds to think of half my own."

L'ENVOI
Before the dreamer woke from sleep, one final blast was sounded.
St. Peter's words rang loud and clear, the Sergeant was dumbfounded,
" For Thomas and Tom and Trips and Jack, there are rooms reserved in our mansion,
But the R.I.C. must ment their ways, or pay one hell of a ransom."

The ghost of that Sergent haunts Mount Cashel, pleading for mercy from the men he condemned.
Mick Shannon once heard his skeleton rattle and breather a prayer that his penance might end.

If anyone has the complete version, words and music, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Poulaphouca Waterfall and Alexander Nimmo Bridge 13th December 2009

Poulaphouca waterfall Sunday 13th December 2009

Flow in gorge downstream of waterfall Sunday 13th December 2009