Photographs From Maureen Heeney Collection.......... Following a chance meeting with Martin from the team and Mrs.Maureen Heeney when they were discussing scouting in Balbriggan and the connection of the Heeney family and in particular, Maureens late husband Oliver, Martin had the pleasure of viewing a wonderful family album containing some fantastic photos of family, scouting and events down through the years. The album dates back to 1945 and we at Balbriggan.net are delighted to bring you some of Maureens collection.More photos to follow in the coming weeks.Click on thumbnail to view our latest find.02.04.06MF April Fool catches out many. Since our first April Fool, its now expected of us each year to come up with something different. Of course we have no intention of closing, we get too much enjoyment out of it and so many enjoy the photos we put on the site. Here are a few comments we received yesterday, others texted and others attached screenshots of what they were seeing on their PC. 01.04.06 John Coyne in Glasgow. We received this email from John in Glasgow. John used to come over to Balbriggan with the Scouts and they camped near the Martello for a month and had the time of their lives. John has recently discovered B.net and is telling everyone in Glasgow about it, even if he doesn't them. We jest. Thanks John, for the photos, keep em coming. To read John's email and see the 1985 photos, surprise surprise, click the thumbnail. 29.03.06 Not more Harbour Photos. Don't click on the thumbnail if you're fed up with photos of the Lighthouse, the Harbour, the Viaduct etc. For those who want to take a peek, it was a beautiful morning in Balbriggan with a very high spring tide which meant the boats were higher up and more noticeable. We have 19 photos here.We are so lucky to have a beautiful coastline in Balbriggan, lets enjoy and be proud of it.29.03.06 Sally Moran & Ken Griffin. A beautiful morning had team member Tony out with his camera and he met Sally Moran (89) with her daughter(?) ha ha, who were taking photos and we obliged by taking a photo of the two with their camera and one with ours. Secondly he bumped into Ken Griffin and after a long chat agreed to appear on the web. Click on the thumbnail to see both photos. 26.03.06 Moylaragh Residents Protest. We received the following"I just thought i would pass on some pictures of a protest at the junction of Moylaragh road and the road to dunnes stores.As far as I am aware the road from moylaragh is meant to be a cul de sac and not a through road to dunnes.After about an hour the gardai arrived to disperse the crowd. Residents are annoyed as they bought their houses on the basis that the road was meant to be a cul de sac and not an access road to dunnes as there is nothing in the plans about an access road. It is a private road for residents of the Moylaragh estate and not meant for huge lorrys and trucks to gain access to deliver to dunnes or other places. Feel free to put them on Balbriggan.net to highlight this problem for the residents."Click on thumbnail to enlarge and see two photos 29.03.06 Questions, Questions, Questions....Can you help? Here are a few questions that have come in by email and we don't have the answers but maybe you do.1. You are the people in the know about the town,, With all the building going on does any one know if there is going to be a Gym such as Jackie Skellys opening ? 2.Would you know where in Balbriggan (or surrounding area) I might get some guitar lessons.3. For many years, around the 1950's - 1960's the st. Francis boys guild would attend a summer camp in balbriggan.I believe as many as 300 boys would travl from glasgow!I am sure there must be many photograhs of the band, or the boys guild, in balbriggan at the time.I was wondering if you could help us by mentioning on your web page that we are looking for photographs and any recollections of the boys in ballbriggan Click HERE to read the emails in full Balrothery--Neddy Hughes & William Andrews' houses from 1988. Two photos today courtesy of Benton/Curtis.The first is a photo of the house belonging to Neddy Hughes and the second is of William Andrews' House, both sadly gone now but through the forsight of messers B&C, we have, at least,a visual record of them. As usual, click to enlarge. 29.03.06 Fuji arrives in Balbriggan. Fuji have opened a shop in the town on Dublin Street a few doors up from The White Heart, offering 1 hour photos, Passport Photos and everything you can think of where photographs are concerned. As when any business starts up in the town, we wish Catherine and the rest of the team the best of luck in their new venture. Click on thumbnail to enlarge. 29.03.06 1917 Postcard to Balbriggan. Here is a postcard we came across that was sent from Liverpool in 1917 to Mrs Mongey, The Square, Balbriggan. and it reads, "Dear Mother, Sailing tonight, rushed all day, cant say anymore, going west, will probably be a short trip, Jack". The Ship was the SS Durango and we tracked down a photo of same. Mongeys had a shop on the square and they sold it to Derhams. Click to enlarge 24.03.06 Balbriggan Boy on TV Advert. Ronan Carey (11) from Castlelands is currently starring in the Irish Life add where decisions have to be made. In the current version of the add, Ronan is first on screen deciding which puppy is his favourite. Ronan, son of Brian & Phyllis Carey is a very talented young lad currently learning the Piano and taking acting lessons. He appeared on stage with his uncle Tony in the Rolestown Panto some years back. Ronan has two talented brothers, Darragh, who is a huge Everton fan(Someone has to support them) & Sean who is also into acting. If you have broadband, you can see Ronan in the add by clicking HERE Allow 30 or so seconds to download. Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo. 24.03.06 Parochial Hall Vandalised. We all know where this building is, its beside St. Georges Church, adjacent the railway line and for years it was the home for the Table Tennis Club. As you will see from the 1900 photo, the red brick porch was a later addition but recently it has been the target for vandals and last weekend it suffered its worst attack. Using a 15 ft scaffolding pole they severely damaged it probably beyond repair. Our new parking meters are also a target. Why, Why, Why.............. 23.03.06 Bacchus - The Towns Wine Club. Bacchus, The Balbriggan Wine Club, has been in existance for several years and hold wine tasting parties throughout the year. Their annual summer Bar-B-Q is the highlight of the year and today we bring you some photos from an excellent party hosted by Rita Browne in July 2003. Bacchus is the Roman Wine God. 23.03.06 Smyco of Balbriggan 1780 to 1980. We at B.net are very aware that, almost on a daily basis, people are moving into Balbriggan. So, for those new to the town, Smith & Co(commonly known as Smyco) occupied both sides of the road on Station street, was the main employer in the town from 1780 to 1980. Here, under garments were made for export all over the world and as Dublin was the second city of the British Empire, the underwear for Queen Victoria were made here principally by Thomas Mangan. Team members Jack Benton & Joe Curtis wrote an indepth account of the company which you can read by clicking HERE. Today we bring you a seldom seen photo of Charles Dillon who worked at Smyco from 1844 till he died in 1920. This photo is very similar to one that appeared in a Smyco 1940's brochure which you can see HERE. Click on thumbnail to enlarge.22.03.06 Pat Gleeson or Peter Slaughter. We received the following email, Hello, I'm visiting Dublin in the next few weeks and was hoping to visit Balbriggan to see where my Grandad was from I'm trying to find someone who would remember him??? I believe that my Great Great Uncle name was "Pat Gleeson" And His Wife Was "Mary" also believe I had a cousin called "Mel White" I'm told by my Mum he would be in his mid fourtys? my Grandad was called "JACK" his real name "Peter Slaughter" but my Mum remembers them Calling him gain by a different name again called "percy"!!!!!! His Siblings were "Emily" and "Tony" Slaughter, If you think you can help would you please get in touch with me billycaine@hotmail.com 07973308868. thank you so much. Billy caine. If you think you can help Billy, please contact him. 21.03.06 TEMPORARY CLOSURES OF: PART OF RUSH ROAD, SKERRIES PART OF HARBOUR ROAD, BALBRIGGAN More Details HERE Essential Water Works start 22nd March from Convent lane to the White Hart Inn. FCC. As part of the Urban and Village Renewal Scheme in Balbriggan, the Water Services Department will start work on the 22nd March next on the replacement of two watermains along Drogheda Street, Bridge Street and Dublin Street, between Convent Lane and the White Hart Inn. More details HERE   Mylene Delahoyde. We received this email some time ago, apologies Mylene,The one of myself and Joy Hegarty was taken by Bernadette Morgan on the diving board on easter sunday in 1974. The next photo is of the twin daughter's of Jimmy and Cathy Delahoyde. The girl with the dark hair is Pricella and the blond girl is Michelle she is the girl who signed the balbriggan guest book. 20.03.06 Guest Book updated Click HERE More St. Patrick Day Photos. Paul Connell from Oldtown was at the parade and as a keen photographer took some great shots which we are only too delighted to bring you. If anyone experienced a technical problem downloading the Gormanston Slide Show, we think we've rectified the bug. 19.03.06 Gormanston Slide Show. One of the team was crazy enough to go for a cycle yesterday and he came across Gormanston train station. Strangely, our Tony had never been to it before and was taken aback by its quaintness. Not happy just to bring you a few photos of it, he decided to add a few from last summer, also from around Gormanston, and put them to music for your approval. Its 13mb so if you have broadband it will download in a few seconds, on dial up about 10 minutes. Hope you enjoy. Gormanston Slide Show Click HERE St. Patrick's Day Parade. One of the coldest St. Patrick's day failed to put a damper on this years parade. Hundreds took part marching from the church car park to Bath road. The Spanish group, "Esbardu Pipe & Dance Band" from Aviles, Asturias in northern Spain entertained the crowds with music and dance. Martin & Tony were on duty today and to see over 40 of their photos click on the thumbnail. We hope you enjoy. Click HERE to hear 30 seconds of the band playing. 17.03.06 O'Dwyers 1984 Centenary Cup Winners. Two photos for you today, both of O'Dwyers, the first from 1984 taken from a calendar the club brought out a few years back and the second was sent to us by David White and its a newspaper cutting from around 1988. Click to enlarge. 14.03.06 Castlelands/Chantries/Ardgillen. We received this email recently "....the council have a draft local area plan on a 60 acre site with proposed density of 23 units per acre and with buildings 4-5 storeys high which would mean 1300 housing units putting more pressure on our town,this plan will go ahead but the residents of that area have sumitted to the council changes which they feel could be made,so through your wonderful website for balbriggan maybe you could give some support to this plan at www.rfip.tk Email balbrigganplans@gmail.com"

Waste area behind De Bruns. We see that the area behind De Bruns has been cleared away for apartments, shops and other buildings. The Canal and the banks had become very overgrown and wild and it's strange to see it all cleared. Because of the clearing, we were able to go down to the banks and get shots hither to impossible. Click to see before and after photos. 05.03.06

John D's Horse Shoe Team. B.net team member Tony was out and about taking photos of the work that's happening around the canal area and he got talking to Paul Traynor. Paul asked "Do you want some pictures?" and we were only too delighted to oblige. They regularly play here on a sunday morning around 11am. As promised to the "Shoers" here are your photos which we hope you like. Click on the thumbnail to see the photos. 05.03.06

Remember "Edger's, Nite Spot" ? We Don't. Here is a great photo from the corner of Mill street and Drogheda street. Eventually it became the Ivory Coast which in turn was demolished. A reminder to all those new to B.net, we have literally 100's of photos on this site, so if it took you an hour or two to go through the site, you have only seen a fraction of it. 05.03.06

Airplane Spotted on Balbriggan Beach. It just goes to show, always, always, bring your camera with you when you're out and about in Balbriggan. The strangest of things happen in this wonderful town of ours. Yesterday, we caught this photo of a Ryanair Plane on Balbriggan Beach, we wonder, did anyone else see this?...... It was gone within the hour...

O'Dwyers Senior League Second Division Champions 1978/9. Here is our forth photo taken from the 2002 O'Dwyers Calander and it features such names as Woodhead, Levins, Donnolly, Wilson & Lawless to name but a few. See who you can spot. 04.03.06

1950's Photo. Here is a photo that we received by email from Michael Guildea in London. The mail was short on information except that it contained most of the names of those in the photo. Thanks Michael and we await to see if we get any reaction to it. 04.03.06

Balbriggan/Skerries Waste Water Treatment Scheme Phase 2. Fingal County Council are holding an information day for the Barnageeragh Treatment Plant Extension and will be on :Wednesday 8th March from 1.00 to 6.30pm at the old school beside Skerries Community Centre. Click on thumbnail for photos and more details.

Balbriggan Cricket Club 1980's Photos. Two photos for you today courtesy of Barry Geraghty,"both from the mid 80,s. 1st team members at home and in Rush in a cup final." Thanks Barry. If you have photos that you think would be of interest to B.net surfers, please do contact us.02.03.06

Aerial Photo of Square. Here is another photo very kindly given to us by Barry Geraghty. This photo was taken from 2000 feet around Christmas time. In it you can that the work on the square is in it's final stages. It seems to be going on forever but we think it will be worth it and hopefully this year we can have the Christmas Tree back on the Square. As usual click to enlarge. 01.03.06

1990's Photos of the town. Three photos for you today. The first shows the area near the toilets where the new apartments are now. The second shows Smyco before the current work started and the final photo is of the square with the previous hotel visible in all its splendour, maybe they should left well alone!!!!!!. Click to enlarge 28.02.06