Room for improvement in bustling Ballinagh

Scanners bleeped and customers browsed and chatted as Tom Moore spoke to The Anglo-Celt.

As a native of the town and a business owner, the chairperson of the Ballinagh Community Enterprise Association said the town is doing well, but there is always room to improve.

“You’d be happy up to the point that you’re always looking to progress and look for new ideas for the town and looking for new developments to come to the area,” Tom said.

Moore’s Spar was established in the town in the mid 1920s and closed for around 15 years between 1965 to 1980. After this period, Tom reopened the shop. “We’re trading since thankfully and hopefully for another while.”

He joined the Ballinagh Community Enterprise Association around 10 years ago, when the Flemings Folly initiative was in planning. “There was a fundraising event going on and that’s how I got involved with it.”

“It’s easy to be involved in it because, when you take on a project in the locality, it’s an improvement for the town, it’s an improvement for the services that you would like to see,” he said, expressing his satisfaction at watching the town “develop and mature".

Ballinagh bypass

One development in the pipeline for the town is the N55 Ballinagh national secondary route, which will bypass the town and improve connectivity between Cavan and Athlone.

Cavan County Council recently ran a tender competition for the procurement of engineering consultants to commence the planning and design stages of the N55 Ballinagh Traffic Relief Scheme. The appointment of consultants is expected to be concluded in July 2024 when the scheme will commence the first phase, concept and feasibility. This will involve developing and investigating in further detail the feasibility of the project.

While pointing out that people have different views on installing a bypass system around towns, the Enterprise Association chairperson thinks “it [the bypass] wouldn’t be a bad thing” in the case of Ballinagh.

Upon the completion of road works in the Mullahoran area, he expects “traffic is going to be arriving in Ballinagh at a faster pace".

“I would be expecting more congestion and, with the amount of large lorries and stuff that’s moving through, I could see reasons for a bypass in Ballinagh.

“I think it would create a better atmosphere for people to come into the town to relax,” he said, explaining that people could use the town with more ease.

In the spirit of “always looking for new things” to come to the town, Tom pointed out some of the initiatives that have taken place recently.

The Ballinagh Community Garden is a relatively new addition to the town. Work started on the garden in July 2023 and quickly turned what was a “disused space” into the beginning of a community garden.

On June 3 last, the association hosted its first ‘Picnic At The Riverbank’. This was a social inclusion event for the whole community, which was a great hit.

“Residents of the town came together for an afternoon of music, food, and activities for the kids and, apart from the rain showers, a lovely day was had by all,” Tom said.

The association hopes to host another picnic before the summer ends, and asked people to keep an eye on local notice boards and their Facebook page.

Sam Bennett Memorial Run

Ballinagh’s Sam Bennett Memorial Run was held last Saturday, June 29. The annual event, organised by Ballinagh and District Vintage Club, raised funds this year for Ballinagh Community Enterprise Association. Residents from Ballinagh and neighbouring towns, as well as those passing through enjoyed the event and contributed to the fundraising with bucket collections in place on the day. Proceeds from the day will go towards projects to enhance the town.

As well as initiatives past, there are more expected in the coming weeks and months.

Picnic area

The “long awaited” upgrade of the picnic area in Ballinagh is due to begin in the coming weeks. At the end of July there will be a summer art and music camp held in Ballinagh Community Office through the ‘Folly Tots Parent & Toddler Group’, with details to be announced soon.

Food hub

In addition, Cavan County Council is currently at the final stages of a feasibility study which is examining the potential future usage of the B & F Stores building as a food hub. The study is to be completed in the autumn.

The Ballinagh native said he would also “like to see more businesses to come to the area”, adding that the town has already received new hairdressers, barbers, a boutique and beauticians.

“All seem to be doing well and that’s positive,” he said.

“There’s space here for people to move into,” he encouraged.

He thanked those who support businesses in the town and extended this thanks to the community groups in Ballinagh.

“New people and new ideas are always welcome,” he said, relaying his experience of being involved with the association.

Speaking of the success of the Fleming's Folly walk and other initiatives as a result of the community, he said “it’s rewarding to see the likes of that happening, where people come in and use a facility that we created for them.”