Mullingar news and views

28/04/2025

𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲’𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘅𝗼𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗢𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗧𝘂𝗯𝗲
You can now catch Millie’s Maxol Magic full film by Conor English and Ethan Scally on YouTube.
They have decided to put the full ‘Millie’s Maxol Magic’ film up on YouTube for everyone to watch and share. Fire it on the tele, show your granny, enjoy!

https://youtu.be/wCa20JRxzqM?si=IKX5CF07A8t2L6Gp

28/04/2025

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵
Yellow is the colour of spring - whether it’s Dandelions or Daffodils, it’s everywhere you look outdoors at this time of year. It’s apt, then, that The Crafty Yellowship kicked off in April with “Bloom where you’re planted”.

That well-attended workshop at the The Refill Mill started with a discussion of the global flower industry and participants learned how locally grown flowers are a low carbon product which also helps biodiversity.

They went on to create some beautiful vases with recycled materials, and continued the discussion and community building over cake and kombucha.

The Crafty Yellowship is a project funded by Creative Westmeath It offers a low-stress way to learn more about two main drivers of the climate crisis. Biodiversity loss and Carbon emissions are serious topics but the team behind the project think they can be explored without a ‘guilt-trip’, while picking up some new craft skills and meeting interesting new people.

Participants will leave these workshops with an understanding of the problem and its root causes, as well as strategies for addressing them. They will also meet new people and build a community and network that extends beyond the classroom.

The format is simple: a 20 minute discussion of key aspects of the climate crisis followed by one to two hours of hands-on creative work by the participants in response to the discussion. This activity is supported by the collaborating artist(s), in many cases using mixed media to create a 3D piece.

This hands-on practice allows for reflection on and development of the learnings, and provides a welcoming environment to build community. Details of upcoming courses & booking links are available at https://www.bigskyflowers.ie/crafty-yellowship-2025/

Next up is “Let’s Go Bananas” in Water Street, Castlepollard on Wednesday, May 14th, starting at 7pm. This workshop explores food waste, carbon footprints, genetic diversity and composting through the lens of the slightly comical banana. Participants will do some culinary decorating with edible flowers and herbs, as well as some block printing using potatoes and other materials.

More workshops are in the pipeline - check the page at https://www.bigskyflowers.ie/crafty-yellowship-2025/ for details & booking information.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝘆 𝗬𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺:

Anna Browne ( Big Sky Flowers ) pictured far right has been growing food and flowers for decades, and has been steadily building a reputation as an educator in all things ‘green’ since 2019. Anna has previously run workshops in collaboration with The Refill Mill, including ‘Lake County Learnings’ in 2023 & ’24.

Bertille de Lestrade (Studio Bleu )pictured in middle has an internationally recognised art practice since 2019 and has successfully collaborated with Anna for the Sustainability horizons project in 2024 and 2025. Her art practice uses recycled materials as a rule.

Martina Coyle () pictured left , is a multidisciplinary visual artist working primarily in sculpture. Her practice is made up of three inter-related strands; studio based artwork, public art and art education.

She has exhibited extensively in Ireland and France and has numerous commissioned artworks around Ireland and Germany. She has been delivering art workshops for over twenty years and is passionate about ecology.

28/04/2025

𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗱𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿
‘Don’t Touch the Body’ follows roommates Ally and Jessica as they stumble across a dead body on the living room floor of their college house. While each is silently suspecting the other of murder, they rope their clueless friend Matt into helping them clean up the crime scene and hide the body before the guards find out.

This absurd, lighthearted comedy blends the wit and chaos seen in shows like Derry Girls (dir. Michael Lennox) with the dark twisted humour of films such as Bodies Bodies Bodies (dir. Halina Reijn)

CFA @ UCD are delighted to announce the performance of a brand new original play ‘Don’t Touch the Body’ by Charlotte Berry-Walshe, to be staged at the Mullingar Arts Centre - Centre For The Performing Arts 𝗼𝗻 𝟯𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 @𝟴𝗽𝗺

‘Don’t Touch the Body’ has been written and directed by MA Writing for Stage & Screen student, Charlotte, with visual design work for the production done by fellow MA student, Haven Worley with several other UCD students involved in the production and casting.

Booking below .
https://mullingarartscentre.ie/index.php/reviews/?id=187

26/04/2025

Best of Luck !

Best of luck to our colourguard who are off to the Winterguard Championship tomorrow! They have worked so hard on their show and can’t wait to see their performance tomorrow ☺️

26/04/2025

𝗔𝗹𝘇𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆
Mullingar's Alzheimer's Tea Day will be taking place this Friday 2nd May at Mullingar Bridge & Amenity Centre from 11am to 2pm . Your support would be appreciated. There'll be live music and a raffle aswell as a nice cup of tea and cakes.

𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝘇𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯

The The Alzheimer Society of Ireland has a 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲
social club in Mullingar for people with Alzheimer's and their carers to attend every Friday from 11am to 1pm . The club is located at the
Mullingar Bridge and Amenity Centre,
Bellview, N91WD96

It's a great place to unwind, have a chat .The Club is a social gathering where people can access information and support, meet other people as well as to exchange ideas and experiences.

For more information on joining the free club
Contact Eileen Kenny at 085 872 3720
[email protected]

25/04/2025

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗢𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆
The continued delay of Saunders Bridge pedestrian footbridge construction has been raised by Minister Robert Troy TD with Westmeath County Council CEO Barry Kehoe .

The long-awaited construction of a pedestrian footbridge at Saunders Bridge remains stalled, despite previous assurances that works would begin in late 2024.

Minister Troy has written to the County Manager of Westmeath County Council to express his
"𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙣" over the lack of progress.

In his correspondence, Minister Troy referenced multiple past delays, including the need for approvals from Irish Rail and the securing of funding, but noted he had been repeatedly assured that these issues had been resolved.

"We are now well into Quarter 2 of 2025 and, to date, no works have commenced on site," he wrote, calling on the Council to confirm the start date and verify whether all project elements are now in place.

The Minister also stressed the importance of the footbridge for public safety, describing Saunders Bridge as a “𝗯𝘂𝘀𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 , 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀."

In response, County Manager Barry Kehoe acknowledged the delays and stated that although final project orders were executed on February 12th , the process of securing all necessary documentation from the appointed contractor—particularly in relation to insurance—has held up progress.

While tax and health & safety compliance were promptly confirmed, insurance requirements remain under review by IPB, the Council’s insurer.

"As the works are to be carried out over a live railway line, it is essential that appropriate insurance coverage is in place to meet CIE/Irish Rail requirements," Kehoe noted.

The Council is awaiting confirmation from IPB, following a recent information request sent to the contractor on April 10th. Once resolved, the Council intends to issue a Letter of Acceptance and move forward with agreeing a formal commencement date.

Both the Council and the contractor have reportedly expressed eagerness to begin construction, but as of now, the project remains in limbo.

Residents and local commuters will be hoping that this latest hold-up marks the final hurdle in a project that has already tested the patience of the community.

24/04/2025

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗩𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻
An Post are to deliver Mass cards to the Vatican free-of charge.

Anyone who wishes to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis by sending a Mass or sympathy card may do so free-of-charge with An Post.

Cards may be posted to the following PO Box for free until May 14th and An Post will ensure they are delivered directly to the Vatican:

Cards to the Vatican
PO Box 13812, FREEPOST
Dublin 1

22/04/2025

𝗣𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿
Tickets are still available for tonight's opening night of The Phantom Of The Opera at Mullingar Arts Centre - Centre For The Performing Arts .
The fabulous production presented by Mullingar Students Players is Swinging into Mullingar this week.

The Phantom of the Opera is set to entrall the audience with memorable performances presented by the very talented cast of Mullingar Student Players 🌹

Get your tickets for this unmissable production featuring a live orchestra! 🎹🥁🎺

Tuesday 22nd - Saturday 26th April at 8pm

The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s enthralling score includes “Think of Me”, “Angel of Music”, “Music of the Night”, “All I Ask of You”, “Masquerade” and the title song.

An Amateur youth group production by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Limited.

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Charles Hart

Additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe
Book by Richard Stilgoe & Andrew Lloyd Webber
Based on the novel “Le Fantôme de ‘l’Opéra” by Gaston Leroux

Originally directed by Harold Prince

Orchestrations by David Cullen & Andrew Lloyd Webber

Original production by Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. and The Really Useful Group Ltd.

Tickets: €17/€15

Booking: https://mullingarartscentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873651814 🎟️🎟️

22/04/2025

𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀
Concerns have been raised locally that the width of the road at the junction of Delvin road via the Robinstown link road, has been considerably reduced . (See pictures).

Motorists have been quick to point out that the road resembles the shambolic reconfigured road at Ash Road in Mullingar, which has already caused vehicles to loose wing mirrors and it's damaged tyres because of the high kerb.

There was consternation about the extremely wide footpaths and the dramatically reduced road width at Ash Road.
Councillors aired their anger and disapproval of the road alignment and configuration which has been causing massive issues for drivers .

A local commented saying , "Obviously the Westmeath County Council executive think that the Ash Road reconfiguration is a success and this prompted them to repeat the process in Robinstown despite the concerns and objections of both the councillors and public. "

Another local commented to Mullingar News and Views saying, "It appears elected councillors have no power they will probably jump up and down, excerise their vocal cords and in the end , nothing will change .....evidence Mullingar Traffic chaos "

19/04/2025

𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆
As Ireland marks the anniversary of the Easter Rising this Tour will explore what life was like in Mullingar during the Rising and the War of Independence.

Places visited on the Tour will include the 1916 Memorial Garden,the Railway Station-where staff assisted the independence struggle,the County Buildings,where thousands signed anti-Conscription petitions,and the rebel strongholds of Dominick Street and Barrack Street.

HISTORY TOUR
REBEL TOWN: MULLINGAR 1916-1921

ON
EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 20th
at 3.00 PM
FROM THE MARKET HOUSE
ADULTS 5 EURO. CHILDREN FREE
GUIDE RUTH ILLINGWORTH
For further information phone 087 947 2583 or email [email protected]

16/04/2025

𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗮 🍌 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆
Yeah can't bate a nice banana sandwich !
International Banana Day is celebrated annually on the third Wednesday of April, which falls on April 16th, 2025 according to awareness-days.co.uk. This day is a global celebration of the versatile and nutritious fruit, the banana.

Here's why it's celebrated and how people might get involved:
Why Celebrate?
Appreciation of the Fruit:
Bananas are a beloved and versatile fruit, offering numerous health benefits and culinary possibilities.

Global Food Security:
Bananas play a significant role in global food security and the livelihoods of communities involved in their cultivation.

Raising Awareness:
The day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the nutritional value, cultural
significance, and economic impact of bananas.

Appreciation of the Plant:
Bananas are the fruit of the banana plant, which is also important in many cultures and communities.

How to Participate:
Enjoy Banana Recipes: Make banana-inspired dishes like smoothies, banana bread, or desserts.

Dress the Part: Wear yellow or dress up like a banana.
Banana Crafts and Games: Get creative with banana art, poems, or trivia.
Share the Fun: Post your banana-themed creations online using hashtags like .

14/04/2025

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
Colin Watters worked as a photographer back in the day and reminisces about Rory McIlroy's win in Mullingar and his sensational win at The Masters. Colin writes ......

A fresh faced 17-year-old Rory McIlroy once won the Mullingar Scratch Trophy back in 2006 after a 2-hole play-off win over Baltray's Simon Ward.

This was a year on after he first entered the prestigious amateur tournament and only a week after he captured the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch.

The draw of McIlroy in the field, alongside the best amateurs in Ireland meant that it was not only just the Mullingar Golf Club members that turned out to watch the action. Played in glorious weather over the August bank holiday weekend and the huge crowds in the galleries added to the atmosphere around the excellent Parkland course.

After his win, some of Rory’s quotes on the win were: "I was a bit frustrated with my putting out there this afternoon but I got the job done,” he also said. "A play-off against a good putter like Simon in not what you want and but I got over the line and that's what matters.

"After losing to Gareth last year it is a nice feeling to get the win here. It is a great strokeplay event and it is nice to come back and win this with all the best players here.”

McIlroy started two strokes behind Stackstown’s Mark Campbell starting the final day, McIlroy hit a three-under-par third round 69 to Campbell's 71 to tie for the lead on 12 under.
But Ward fired a superb six-under-par 66 to trail the leaders by just two strokes with a round to play and forced a play-off after a closing 69 to McIlroy's 71.

Campbell dropped four shots in three holes after the turn in a 74 that left him tied for third with Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell on 10 under.
In the play-off, the first hole was halved in birdie threes before McIlroy eventually claimed the title with a par to Ward's bogey on the ninth after the Carrickmacross native found a poor lie in a fairway bunker.

McIlroy added: "Simon was a bit unlucky to find a leaf near his ball in the play-off but he's had a fantastic year and I wouldn't be surprised if he got on the three-man Ireland team for the Eisenhower Trophy. "I played a practice round with him and he said his ambition for next year is to get on the Walker Cup team and I don't think it is beyond him."

The Mullingar Scratch Trophy is right up there with the most sought-after trophy’s available to amateur golfers in Ireland. Other notable tournaments are the North of Ireland Championship, South of Ireland Amateur Open, Irish Close and West of Ireland championship.

One memory from that day was his drive on the 10th. Where he landed it, was usually where my second shot landed. I knew instantly that I was in the presence of greatness and all you could do was applaud and bow to the Golf God!

Some interesting names on the final leaderboard, including Clara’s Shane Lowry who was born in Mullingar and Mullingar’s own Dessie Morgan had a good bank holiday weekend:

275 R McIlroy (Holywood) 68 67 69 71 (Won on 2nd tie hole)
S Ward (Co Louth) 73 67 66 69
278 J Caldwell (Clandeboye) 73 68 69 68,
M Campbell (Stackstown) 65 68 71 74
281 J Carvill (Warrenpoint) 73 70 70 68
287 S Lowry (Esker Hills) 73 71 73 70,
N O’Brien (Royal Dublin) 69 70 74 74
288 S Gannon (Co Louth) 75 72 69 72,
G Shaw (Lurgan) 74 71 70 73,
C O'Connor (Athlone) 71 73 70 74
289 R Leonard (Banbridge) 77 68 71 73,
E Arthurs (Forrest Little) 74 68 77 70
290 D Morgan (Mullingar) 75 69 75 71,
N Turner (Muskerry) 73 69 75 73

Other Major winners (10) who also won the Mullingar Scratch Trophy are:
1989 - Darren Clarke: The Open (2011),
1994 - Padraig Harrington: The Open (2007,2008), The PGA (2008)
2006 - Rory McIlroy: US Open (2011), The PGA (2012, 2014), The Open (2014), The Masters (2025)
2008 - Shane Lowry: The Open (2019)

As well as Major winner, European Tour winners feature prominently on the Scratch Trophies winner’s enclosure: Peter Lawrie (1996), Paul McGinley (1991), Philip Walton (1982), Des Smyth (1972) and Peter Townsend (1965 & '66) and not forgetting the European Challenge Tour winners Raymond Burns (1992) and Colm Moriarty (2001 & 2003) have also lifted the famous cup.

McIlroy, Moriarty, Harrington, McGinley, Walton, Townsend and Carr have all played Walker Cup and so too did John McHenry (1986), Garth McGimpsey (1985), Peter Benka (1970) and Tom Craddock (1964). As for the Ryder Cup, the fact that McIlroy, Harrington, McGinley, Clarke, Walton, Smyth and Townsend all won in Mullingar before stepping foot on that stage says how good the quality of the event really is.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐜𝐈𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝
For those who are not into Golf, what Rory McIlroy achieved yesterday is a truly remarkable achievement, as he joins the most exclusive club in men’s golf, owners of the career Grand Slam, namely The Open, the US Open, The PGA and The Masters.

Only six players have accomplished the feat in the professional game: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods — and, now, Rory McIlroy. Tiger achieved his in 2000, so it has only happened twice in 59 years.

Those in the know say that The Masters is the hardest Golf tournament in the World to win and with winning it, Rory is the first European to achieve the Grand Slam and considering the amazing golfers that graced golf courses before him, that puts him right up there with the greatest golfers ever to grace the sport.

As someone who loves their Golf, but due to knee and back injuries have not played in several years, but the thoughts of getting back out to the Mullingar course (or any course for that matter) and managing to play a full round is what keeps me going.

I was not a great golfer, my lowest handicap was 13 (I think), I never hit a hole-in-one, never broke 80, but once had a putt on the last in Mullingar for a 79, only to head to the clubhouse crying, with an 81. But I loved getting ready, cleaning the clubs and heading off somewhere new to challenge my golfing brain and usually coming away saying, ‘why do I bother.’

The feeling of cracking a drive straight up the middle of ANY fairway, is right up there with the best feelings you can have on a golf course and being able to get away with walking like Conor McGregor immediately afterwards.

As I said, I wasn’t great, but I was lucky enough to win the Greville Arms classic one year and won the Presidents Cup with St Loman’s GAA Club. Them trophy’s still have pride of place in the house. I won a few other small things, but I remember a Club Pro telling me once, that if I took the sport seriously, I could get down to single figures.

But I always just enjoyed the four or five hours out with friends, usually trying to win a fiver. My highlight in Golf was probably meeting one of my heroes at the Ryder Cup in the K Club and that was Seve Ballesteros, the Spanish maestro, who was not only a genius Golfer, but a wonderful person who spent 10 minutes chatting with me, as if he knew me all his life.

I had a sneaky feeling this was going to be McIlroy’s time and indeed put a fiver on him (yeah I know, the last of the big spenders) last Thursday @ 11/2, so my €32.50 will be spent extremely wisely and I might even buy something to do with Golf…….!

Written by Colin Watters
Photos by Colin Watters

Colin is currently awaiting a knee replacement in the coming weeks and we're sure he'll be out in Mullingar Golf Club taking on the best !

13/04/2025

𝗪𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
The 2025 Mullingar Open Snooker Championship Final was held in St Mary's Snooker Club rooms on Bishopsgates St Mullingar in the last couple of weeks for the “Shane O’Connor Snr Mullingar Championship Cup”.

Referee Mick Kane / Ger O’Connor acted as Score keeper.

The Final was the best of 9 Frames between the the No 1 seed Gary Walsh versus the unseeded Rory Fagan.

Match Report:

The Final was an edgy affair and with the first frame going down to the black ball it was never going to ignite as a spectacle as the two players were subdued with the pressure.

Rory Fagan was not the favourite and Gary Walsh was trying to emulate former champions by defending his title for the first time. So pressure was on both players in different ways and it showed in the match.

Rory could have pinched the first frame but Gary took the black to lead 1-0, the second frame Rory pushed the frame to the pink ball, although some nice safety there were no breaks and Rory was defeated by the great GW who knew how to get over the winning line.

Gary Walsh 5 - 0 Rory Fagan
(Scores 59-45,69-40,52-25,48-16,63-46).

The Hon Club Secretary thanked our sponsor Cleary Electrical represented by Jackie Cleary/Anthony Cleary (and the Mullingar Championship Cup was an original gift from Shane O’Connor snr) for sponsoring this event.
He also thanked all the players for supporting the tournament and the other winners of prizes are as follows:

Quarterfinalists:
Terry Parker *, Mick Kane, Anthony Cleary , Peter Leung
Semi Finalists :
Pat Donohoe & Ger O’Connor

12/04/2025

𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝘂𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗯 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀
An Artillery Field Gun Gifted to the People of Mullingar by Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces will be back on Display In Mullingar's Columb Barracks .

The 25 Pounder Artillery Field Gun had been on display at the entrance to Belvedere House Gardens & Park for a number of years .However a decision by Westmeath County Council to remove it and store it in field has been branded as disgraceful.

Military historian Jason McKevitt was shocked when an outside consultancy firm recommended the Gun be removed from public display in Belvedere as it wasn't in keeping with the overall theme of Belvedere.

Jason McKevitt has pointed out that there was indeed a great military connection to Belvedere as
Charles Howard-Bury former owner of Belvedere was a Lieutenant Colonel in WW1 and was a prisoner of war. He famously escaped twice from the Germans but they were afraid to shoot his as he was connected to Royalty . Bury also was a famous celebrated Explorer and linguist speaking 16 languages.

Since the removal of the 25 Pounder the Historian had been lobbying for the Gun's return to be displayed elsewhere in Mullingar.

Jason said, "As a historian, over the past couple of years I have been at loggerheads with Westmeath County Council and its management of Belvedere House & Gardens, especially their absolute shocking decision to remove the 25 Pounder Artillery Field Gun from public display and leave it in a disgraceful condition .

Most shockingly, Jason continued "𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐎́𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐧𝐚 𝐡𝐄́𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐧 / 𝐈𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 "

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗜𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗯 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀
Thanks to the Hard work and foresight of 𝗖𝗹𝗹𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗱, the Great Liam Smyth and fellow Army veterans, Paul Carr Robert Archbold William Reilly Ray McMahon & the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, the 25 Pounder Artillery Field Gun has now returned home to Columb Barracks, Mullingar, and once again will be on public display. I can not thank them enough for their hard work.

The 25 Pounder will undergo some restoration work to keep it in weather proof something that should of been maintained while it was removed from public view.

11/04/2025

Spotted in Mullingar this evening was a Polaris Slingshot Lineup model .

11/04/2025

Live this Friday night Shinanne Higgins is in Columbia Bar Mullingar free event comedy show starting at 9.30pm.

10/04/2025

The Cherry Blossom at the Dublin Road at Mullingar is in full bloom. Doesn't it look fabulous.
Put your pictures below of cherry blossom's 🌸 in your area .

09/04/2025

𝟲𝟬 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD , has welcomed the Government’s latest €436 million investment in social housing, which includes approval for 𝟔𝟎 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 €𝟓 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝-𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲.

Minister Burke said the funding will have a direct impact on families and individuals in Westmeath who are in need of secure housing:

"This is a significant investment in social housing, and I am delighted to see Westmeath benefit directly with 60 new homes now approved. Increasing supply is the most effective way to tackle housing challenges, and these new homes will provide long-term stability for families in our community."

Nationally, €111 million has been allocated to fund 1,325 newly built social homes across 82 projects, including the development of 60 homes in Westmeath. Alongside this, €325 million has been earmarked for the Social Housing Second-Hand Acquisitions Programme, with €5 million specifically allocated to Westmeath to support tenant-in-situ purchases and other key housing needs.

Minister Burke highlighted the importance of this funding:

"One of the most urgent priorities is ensuring that families and individuals at risk of losing their homes are supported. The tenant-in-situ scheme has already saved thousands of people from entering homelessness, and this funding will allow Westmeath County Council to continue using it to protect those most in need."

The second-hand acquisitions programme also supports housing for older people and those with disabilities, as well as efforts to bring vacant homes back into use. Minister Burke said this flexibility is crucial:

"Local authorities now have more control over how they use these funds, allowing them to respond directly to housing needs in Westmeath. Whether it’s securing a home for a tenant in situ, providing housing for an older person, or tackling vacancy, this investment ensures we can act quickly and effectively."

Minister Burke reaffirmed Fine Gael’s commitment to increasing housing supply and delivering real solutions:

"We are making progress, and today’s funding announcement is another step in the right direction. I will continue working to ensure Westmeath gets the resources it needs so that more people in our county can access secure and affordable homes."