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The Ballybunion thread

snow scorpion

I was in Ballybunion 20 years ago and have happy memories of the village.

I'd love to hear what it's like today and how much it has changed.

The only recent picture I've seen on the world wide interweb is this:

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BallybunionGirl

Just had an excellent weekend in BB but it left us with many questions:

Where is/was the former Central Ballroom?

Why are most of the direction signs to "Ballybunnion" and not to "Ballybunion"?

Did the C of I Church next to the castle have a name and when was it demolished, (and why)?

I have just scan read all the 1000+ postings on this thread and cannot find answers to any of these questions.

Is anyone reading this thread who was in BB between 1961 to 1971?

kesey

BallybunionGirl wrote: »

Just had an excellent weekend in BB but it left us with many questions:

Where is/was the former Central Ballroom?
The entrance was at the Sandhill Road side of what is now the Golf Hotel. The Ballroom was to the rear of the then hotel.

Why are most of the direction signs to "Ballybunnion" and not to "Ballybunion"?

The original family after which the town was called were named "Bunnion"...Baile an ....
This was anglicised to "Ballybunion" which name lasted until the revision to Ballybunnion turned up.

Did the C of I Church next to the castle have a name and when was it demolished, (and why)?

I don't know the name, but it was knocked down in the 50's. I believe this was because the local C o fI population was not sufficient to justify keeping it open. The rectory was on the adjacent site further along Sandhill Road. This subsequently became "Horan's Hotel and Ballroom", later the Atlantic Hotel. This is a photo of the church and of the Castle Hotel across the road:
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/145784/52009.jpg

I have just scan read all the 1000+ postings on this thread and cannot find answers to any of these questions.

Is anyone reading this thread who was in BB between 1961 to 1971?

Oh yes, and very much enjoyed the good times:-)

snow scorpion

Welcome to the thread, BallybunionGirl. Now that's what I call a great name.

And welcome back, Keysey.

Rider, am I to understand that the wi-fi at the golf club and golf hotel is open to the public? (I sent a PM asking about the other places.)

BallybunionGirl

Thank you for the compliment over the name and for the information you kindly provided.

Interestingly I saw a reference to the C of I Church being moved stone by stone to that which is now the library. I don't think this is correct as the differences is too great and I was informed during our stay that the library was a church from further afield.:eek:

What is the correct version?

kesey

BallybunionGirl wrote: »

Thank you for the compliment over the name and for the information you kindly provided.

Interestingly I saw a reference to the C of I Church being moved stone by stone to that which is now the library. I don't think this is correct as the differences is too great and I was informed during our stay that the library was a church from further afield.:eek:

What is the correct version?

from what I heard/remember, the library is the church formerly in Ballyduff. It was moved to Ballyb by Mr. Boyle who subsequently/simultaneously bought the site of the Sandhill Road C of I church, demolished the church and turned the site into the car park.

BB-Survivor

This is my first post. The church was moved from Rattoo in the mid 50s by Joe Boyle and Willie Harnett. A group of us used to cycle from BB to St Patricks College in Causeway, and sometimes we would get a lift in the back of the pickup truck which transported the church, stone by stone.
The stones in the back (only a few could be carried at a time, as they were so heavy) had a letter and number, eg D46 to identify where they were to be placed.
The old C of I was demolished, and some of the floor tiles were used in houses in BB.
I worked for Joe Boyle (a lovely man RIP) for a summer in the car park in the early 60's and it sure was a summer full of memories - good ones.
Lots of good memories from the Old Central and the Ballerina. I am not old enough to have danced in the Pavilion.
Great to read about good old BB - I had plenty of the Champagne Air and a full quota of beverages too often !!!

RiderOnTheStorm

welcome to Ballybunion Girl and BB-Survivor.

......ah the champagne air of Balybunion!

I was confused myself about the Library and the C of I church move. I guess some of the confusion comes from the link between church move, C of I site, and Mr Boyle.

Anybody hear the article on Kerry Radio on Fri morning (29/8)? The previously mentioned Chip Wars has grown to Hotel Wars.... a new extension on the Golf Hotel (to be used as a high class casino) may not have planning permission / licence / Fire Safety Cert. Its hard to say what it truth anymore. It was nearly closed down on its opening night (which by the way, was going to help raise funds for local worthy causes) but was neatly sidestepped on the night by hosting the casino in the hotel proper (and thus avoiding the issue of hosting it in an area that may or may not have a fire cert).

whats going to happen come Listowel Race Week?????
watch this space!

snow scorpion

Let me join Rider in welcoming BB Survivor (another interesting name - I'd like to hear the story behind that one.)

A casino in Ballybunion?! :eek: Are you talking about a real casino? A Las Vegas type casino?

Has the rain let up any little bit? We're expecting 3-4 inches of rain here as Tropical Storm Hannah is due to arrive today.

Anyway, on to the next set of video insights:

The view from the top of Knockanore hasn't drawn as much attention as some of the other videos.

Europe - 5 countries
Ireland
UK
Sweden
Germany
Netherlands

US - 9 states
New York
New Jersey
Indiana
South Carolina
Illinois

Louisiana
Texas
California
Nevada

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoWkc27k2DM

snow scorpion

Hey! A new Ballybunion video at YouTube!

snow scorpion

Don't know why the new video is not showing up in the post above...

I guess you'll have to do it the old-fashioned way: click the link

Driving from the golf course to the Listowel Road

RiderOnTheStorm

The Nuns Beach.
the access down is shown by a red line. As you can see, it is very possible (and often happens) that you can go to the beach when tide is out, and stroll around, go to another cove or climb rocks..... and then find that the tide has come in and you cant get back to the way out. The Sea & Cliff Rescue do get a couple of calls a year because of this, but its not a problem if you bear it in mind before you go down.

my.php?image=sta41782te6.jpg

... are pictures not pasting either?

snow scorpion

RiderOnTheStorm wrote: »

... are pictures not pasting either?

I got it Rider. I clicked "quote" at the bottom of your post and then pasted the URL into the address bar at the top of the browser. I got the pic that way.

I'd like to go out to the Virgin Rock when the tide is out. By the time the tide is back in I'll be nowhere near the strand.

And we've reached a little milestone: 65,000 views! Ballybunion's population is about 1300 - an average of 50 views for each resident of the village.

reic

I'd really like to see that pic showing the access route to the Nun's beach if you can find a way to post it.

RiderOnTheStorm

dont know why the pics are not posting. Here is the link to the photo of Nuns Beach, showing way down....

http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sta41782te6.jpg

snow scorpion

It's working in the preview.

Rider, is this the way down?

snow scorpion

Views of The Ballybunion Thread on September 25: 65,897

Views of The Ballybunion Thread on June 25: 55,088

That means 10,809 views in 90 days.
10809/90 = 120.1 views per day

(I'd say that's an average of 5 views per hour or 1 view every 12 minutes but I thought that would be taking things too far. :P )

So let's just call it an average of 120 views a day for the thread.

RiderOnTheStorm

snow scorpion wrote: »

Rider, is this the way down?

yup.

Nice pics :-)

Great news on the number of views. Very popular thread, this one. Keep up the good work Snow!!

snow scorpion

Thanks, Rider.

The Black Rocks ... is that what this thing is called?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23629083@N03/2884297999/

I've wondered if it had a name. I have a couple small stones I took from The Black Rocks last year. They now live happily on a shelf in my bookcase.

reic

Thanks for the photos. I have my bearings now. Of course next time I'm in BallyB it will probably be a force 6 gale and the tide fully in!

snow scorpion

reic wrote: »

Thanks for the photos. I have my bearings now. Of course next time I'm in BallyB it will probably be a force 6 gale and the tide fully in!

I'm going to go down there next month and get some photos of the Rock while standing at the base and looking up to the top of it.

(Or at least those are my plans.)

Siobhainn

hi aero, do you know much about ballybunion ireland? my family is from there

Aero

Siobhainn wrote: »

hi aero, do you know much about ballybunion ireland? my family is from there

Hi Siobhainn...I left Ballybunion in 1972 so I guess I can't say I'm too familiar with all the changes that have taken place since then.:(

RiderOnTheStorm

It is with sad heart that I tell you that last weekend Chris Hellard died after a long illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with Christine & family. If anyone knows the Hellards, or has had a drink in the Exchange Inn, I am sure you will join us in offering them our deepest sympathy.

LarT

It was with deep sadness that we learnt of Chris's passing at the weekend. Chris, Christine and all the family have been fantastic friends to our family as we holiday in Ballybunion every year.

He will be sorely missed. We would like to offer our sincerest condolences to Christine, Katie, Ellie, Joe, Cody, Bubbles and Donal.

RiderOnTheStorm

wow...... Ballybunion (and Listowel) are now a sticky!

yeahhhh

no more having to scroll down to see the latest updates !

TargetWidow

Is is true that they are finally going to build the new school up by the church?

BB-Survivor

Yes, it was with great sadness that I heard of Chris's passing. I have great memories of the 60's in the Exchange. Denis, his father, a gentleman, out the back watching him building boats. He was atalented man with his hands, and he also instilled in me a great liking for classical music.
Chris was the first person I saw with a portable transistor radio, whil we were in the "tech" in Listowel. It was red, and quite heavy,and he bought it in McKennas for 20 Guinnies - £21 !!! - a lot of money then.
Sympathies to Christine, the family and Bubbles.
"Keep up the guitar playing upstairs, Chris"

RiderOnTheStorm

TargetWidow wrote: »

Is is true that they are finally going to build the new school up by the church?

yes, they got the final ok recently. There is a new estate to the left of the church, and the school will be on the right.

The church is also being re-vamped. Plans are on the cards to bring the alter forward, and to remove a few rows of pews from the back (nearest the door) and put the baptismal font there.

snow scorpion

...and I'm back!

Man, Ballyb is one quiet town once the tourists leave. I never saw the place like that before.

carchaeologist

snow scorpion wrote: »

...and I'm back!

Man, Ballyb is one quiet town once the tourists leave. I never saw the place like that before.

Yes,it does get quiet in the winter months!When were you there?