News

A Day in the Life - from our archives

November 7, 2018

 

Press Release

 

 

June 9, 2000.

 

 

BALLINROBE folk all over the world are certain to relish a new publication, A Day in the Life, according to Mayo sporting icon Liam McHale.

 

McHale was speaking at the official launch of this special Millennium publication in Ballinrobe Library on Friday night last (June 9, 2000.)

 

A Day in the Life, sponsored by Aer Lingus, is a collection of photos taken by Ballinrobe people, and of Ballinrobe people, on New Year’s Eve 1999 and New Year’s Day 2000.

 

“This is one of the best Millennium ideas I have come across,” said McHale. “This book is a history in itself. It is a superb study of Ballinrobe as it looked at the turn of the Millennium.

 

“I know Ballinrobe people all over the world will be delighted to get their hands on this publication.”

 

A Day in the Life is the latest publication from Ballinrobe GAA Club, which last year produced another excellent community-minded book, A Century of Memories.

 

“This book is not just about Ballinrobe GAA Club, or sport. It has everything – people marking the new Millennium by reading poetry on the shores of Lough Mask, a large gathering of parishioners posing for a photo in Cornmarket on Millennium Morning, and young Ballinrobe people partying all over the world,” said Liam.

 

Aer Lingus have sponsored this book, which is now on sale in retail outlets in Ballinrobe. Dan Loughrey, Group Corporate Affairs Director, and a native of Ballinrobe, also spoke at the launch.

 

“Aer Lingus are delighted to be associated with this publication, which shows Ballinrobe in a very positive light,” he said.

 

“I would like to thank Ballinrobe GAA Club for their foresight in producing such a lasting memory of Millennium Eve and Day in Ballinrobe. As a Ballinrobe man, I know I will treasure this book for many years to come.”

 

The proceeds from the book will go towards next year’s Ballinrobe GAA Club Trip to United States (Saturday, October 6 to Saturday, October 20, 2001.) “All members, supporters and local people are invited to join us on the trip to the USA,” said Ballinrobe GAA Club Chairman, Martin Murphy.

 

“We will be visiting New York and Chicago. The message now is for people to put it in their diary and to contact Liam Horan, who is chairman of our American Tour Committee. We hope to bring a large crowd of Ballinrobe people to the States.

 

“I am particularly grateful to the committee which produced this book with a minimum of fuss – Denise Horan, Mike Finnerty, Alan Murphy, Liam Horan, Pat McGovern and Maurice Horan.”

 

Mr Loughrey made a special presentation to Liam McHale – a framed photograph of the great Ballina man in action. “I have long been a fan of Liam McHale’s, and as a Mayo man, there were many times when I was indebted to him for his performances in the Green and Red,” said Dan.

 

“I wish him a happy retirement from inter-county football and I see he is still playing great football for Ballina Stephenites.”

 

There was a surprise for Dan himself when Ballinrobe GAA Club presented him with a Pat McGovern photo of the scenic Bower’s Walk, which is close by the place where Dan grew up.

 

There was good news for the Special Olympiads of Crann Mor Training Centre, Ballinrobe, when a special presentation took place at the launch. The proceeds from another local book, A Chronicle of Ballinrobe, published last year, have funded a set of tracksuits and t-shirts for the Crann Mor team.

 

The presentation of the sports gear was made by Jim to Seamus Burke, Crann Mor. Also present were representatives of The Mayo News, who sponsored the production A Chronicle of Ballinrobe.