Balbriggan Christmas Cards now available. One of the team had a few hours to spare recently, and wanting to promote Balbriggan, decided to bring out, not one, but two Christmas cards. Both are festive scenes showing Dublin street and St. Georges square from around the 1920's. The cards are available from McGoverns Gift Shop and House of Gifts(Goffs) both on Dublin street and also Dave's Newsagents on the square. .Click on thumbnail to see both cards.14.11.07

 

Guide Dogs Association. Local man, Tom O'Neill has asked us to let you all know of up and coming fund raising events in aid of the association. This is a very worthy cause as without these trained dogs, life would be so much more difficult for those with impaired sight. Click on the thumbnail of Kola & Unice to enlarge the photo and see what various fund raising events are taking place over the coming weeks.14.11.07

 

Balbriggan to Music. We have done this slide show slightly different, added some animation and although there are photographs of the harbour, there are also some from other parts of the town. For those of you who experienced difficulty in opening our previous slide shows, we have not "zipped" it so once you double click on the icon, select save, and it will download in less than a minute. For those in work, your company server may block it thinking it a virus. We welcome your comments on this slide show to info@balbriggan.net. We hope you enjoy the next 5 minutes. 03.11.07

 

A Pinch of Clarke's White Cap Snuff. In today's installment, Jack talks about the popularity of "Snuff" tobacco especially amongst the women of the town. As smoking was banned in the mills, snuff became popular and jack talks about how he would be sent down to the shops to Bernard Reilly to get "thruppence worth of Clarke's White Cap Snuff". Click on the thumbnail to see Jack during our recent recording session. 01.11.07

 

Band "Time To Think" & Dublin-Belfast-Dublin Maracycle 1984. Here is a recent remail "Hello There,I recently logged into the Guest book at Balbriggan.Net and attempted to paste a copy of some photographs. Please find attached a copy of the photographs which relate to the guest book entry posted today the 19th October 2007.Many Thanks Niall Mathews" Apologies Niall for the delay in posting this. 28.10.07

 

Rebecca Ryley in 1972 Balbriggan. Here is an email received recently, Hello:Attached are photos of Balbriggan in 1972 when my Great Grandmother visited there. Her name was Rebecca Ryley. She was born in Balbriggan in 1889. Her father was Reu Ryley and mother was Alice Burrows. She was the youngest of four with brothers, Raymond, Rolland and Reu. They lived on Drogheda St. and attended St. George's church. My family says that Reu worked at the Post Office. The whole family emigrated to Canada in 1905 and settled in Edmonton. In particular, I was wondering if anyone can help me identify the young woman in red dress talking to my great grandmother in front of the school(St. George's School?) She was the schoolteacher at the time ('72). My Great Grandma had been a student at that same school. The other two pictures are one of a classroom (the teacher was nice enough to let her inside during class) and another one which I believe is near the town square. If anyone can tell me who the young teacher is or let me know how to reach her now, it would be greatly appreciated. I'm very curious to know if she still lives in or around Balbriggan. Please feel free to post these photos if you like--all I ask is for some help identifying the teacher. Thanks very much, Eric Buhr Middleton, WI, USA. Click on the thumbnail to see the photos.28.10.07

 

Balbriggan's Carnegie Library at Halloween. Here is a photograph taken recently and with some slight manipulations, our special effects department have created an erie effect where the full moon is over the town. Our Roger has penned a poem to go with the photo called "Not Easy Being a Witch". A reminder to all to keep pets indoors as they can become terrified when fireworks are exploding.

 

A View from Australia. You wont believe what you are about to see here, it's definitely not for those who suffer from vertigo. You can even pan across the photograph with your mouse. We must try this from the viaduct but we have a feeling it wont look as good as this!!!!!!. 23.10.07

 

The Richardsons. One of the B.net team was working for a local newspaper on Sunday night and who did he bump into only "The Richardson's." They were celebrating the fact that their brother Francis was home from the US for a holiday. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge.23.10.07

 

Smith & Co. Artist Martina Coyle invites ex-employees of Smith and Co. to an informal chat about their time working in the factory.She is particularly interested in hearing about materials and working methods used throughout the years.The meeting will take place in the Smith and Co. buildings. Tea and coffee will be served. Meet in front of factory (now Trax Cafe) at 3.30 Thursday 25th of October. Martina Coyle has been commissioned by Fingal County Council to produce a Public Artwork relating to Balbriggan.

 

One Act Drama Festival. Balbriggan Dramatic Society have asked us to remind all about the up and coming One Act Festival in The Bracken Court Hotel. Click HERE for more details.

 

The Remains--One Act Play--Halloween Night We are holding a fundraiser for the Heritage Centre, Balrothery, on Halloween night at 9pm in the Heritage Centre. There will be a half hour performance from Storyteller Mr Miceal Ross, a short interval including complimentary mulled wine and soft drinks, followed by a one Act play called the Remains. Tickets are €12, please come along for a different Halloween. (not suitable for children under 12). Click on thumbnail to enlarge.22.10.07

 

Dance Craze Dance School. Dance Craze are looking for new members. The classes take place in St. Theresa's National School in Pinewood. Classes for 11 to 16 years take place at 6.15 to 7.45 for € 5.00. Tuesdays from 4 pm to 5pm is for 4 to 6 year old and costs € 4.50, Tuesdays, 5 to 6.30 is for 7 to 10 year old. Shows throughout the year--Great Fun--Contact Grace, 087-2033533.

 

Wow! What a night. Friday 12th ot October was a special night indeed.Alan & Caroline Carey hosted a fantastic 60's 70's themed fancy dress party. All that can be said is that is was brilliant.Have a look at the photos for a laugh. But, if you cannot recognize or figure out who is who, then hard luck! Anonminity was promised. No names are being!Colin Whelan. Click on thumbail to see a few photos. 14.10.07CW

 

Jack Benton Remembers The Pubs of Balbriggan. McGowan's, Landys, Mary Jane Halls and McCanns public houses, where were they? Jack Benton talks on B.net about the pubs, the things that went on in them, like the day Mr McGowan bought several spittoons for his pub and the trouble he had trying to get his customers to use them. He talks about been sent to Landy's to "buy a cane to be beaten with". For the next 10 minutes enjoy Jack as he reminisces. Click on the thumbnail to download the audio, it will take about 30 seconds to download. Enjoy. 14.10.07

 

Bits and Pieces. Here is a photo that was requested recently by someone in England who used to go to this school. It can be difficult to take a shot like this unless you have a special lens. Also, we receive an email from Rachel Farrell, "To all at Balbriggan.net, anyone out there have a photo of O'Dwyers GAA 1965 minor team for my father. Much Appreciated. Rachel." If anyone can help here, let us know. Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo. 14.10.07

 

Our Lad leaves Sonopress. "Our Lad", as they say in Balbriggan, Tony, has said goodbye to Sonopress after 9 years service to move on and do photography full time. Tony was joined by many of his work colleagues for a drinks night in O'Sheas and then dance the night away in "After Dark". Thanks to all who turned up especially the guys from Swords, Drogheda and Skerries. A special thanks to Martin Fanning, former employee in Sonopress, for coming along to record the craic. Click on the thumbnail to view photos. 13.10.07

 

Class of 56-57 Reunion in Milestone Great night was had by all when the class reunion of Peter and Pauls gang of 56-57 danced and drank the night away in the Milestone on Fri.night.Judgeing by the photos on the night we think they should get a few lines "We must do this more often" Photos on the night by Jack Benton...Click on thumbnail to view photos

 

Gerry Guildea storms into the lead. Gerry in London has taken the lead in our "Photo with Celebs" section with a selection of great photos. Gerry has sent us several photos, click on the thumbnail to see who was lucky enough to be photographed with this Balbriggan man. Thanks Gerry for entering into the spirit of the competition, let us know when you're town the next time as we'd love to meet up with you for a drink and a photo. Click on thumbnail to view. 08.10.07

 

George Turner remembers Balbriggan. Today's offering is a 3 minute talk by George Turner, father to Roger, who both used to spend summer holidays here. This recording is very interesting as George explains to Roger about the "Loughreys" of "Tankerville Lodge" and how one night one of the guys went out to the Lobster pots but soon after, the weather changed and he was feared drowned but he was actually ok and made it to land. A local, thinking his friend was in trouble went out to save him but sadly lost his own life. Click on the thumbnail to see a photo and then download the audio which will take about 30 seconds. Enjoy. 07.10.07

 

100 year old photo. We received the following email this morning, Hello, First of all let me say how much I enjoy your web site and reading all the news from Balbriggan. My name is Mike Fox and my mother Elizabeth Dowling came from Balbriggan. My parents immigrated to New Zealand in the 1950's. Below is a photo that my Uncle, John Fox sent to me from England. It is over a 100 years old and features the GRIMES FAMILY from Balbriggan Street, The only FOX in the photo is the wee boy on the right William Fox from Strand Street Skerries who was my grandfather,Keep up the great work with your web site, Regards, Mike Fox, Rotorua, NEW ZEALAND. Thanks Mike, hard luck on been beaten by France. 07.10.07

 

Jack Benton Remembers Balbriggan in the 1930's In today's talk with Jack Benton, Jack talks about the 1930's when electricity came to the town ( The Shannon Scheme) and before that arrived he reminisces about Mr Larkin who used to light the gas lights around the town and then have to extinguished the light in the morning. He talks about how they used to buy 2 woodbine and a match from Dolly Raths on Chapel Street and how sometimes the match went out and someone would climb the gas lamp and light the woodbine from the naked flame. Click on the thumbnail to download Jack Benton and it will take about 2 minutes to download and then it will start automatically, we hope you enjoy. 07.10.07

 

Lets have a bit of fun at balbriggan.net OK.This is one we at the site have been thinking about for a while.Have you been taken in a photograph with a celeb, film star, footballer, actor. poet or politician. Anyone famous excluding the team at balbriggan.net. Thats a joke folks.We dont care who took the photo all we need is the person who sends in the photo must be in the photo. See sample posted by Martin......As christmas is fast approaching lets see what we come up with and we will name the winner. We're sure you will come up with some classics MF06.10.07

 

Balbriggan Slide show with music. Balbriggan looked particularly good today, glorious weather, blue sky, just perfect to capture the town looking its best. We have two versions, one full screen which has to be downloaded and the second version is small screen which should play straight away. Click on the thumbnail to the right and you will then get the choice of which version to look at. The Full screen version shows the photos at their best. We hope you enjoy "A Short tour of Balbriggan". 05.10.07

 

Bracken Court Hotel Wedding Fair Photos. The towns hotel held its autumn Wedding Fair last night(4th Oct 07). One of the B.net team was there and took some photographs of the lovely models who were there wearing some of Balbriggan Bridal's finest dresses. Click on the thumbnail to view. 05.10.07

 

Balbriggan Photographer Assaulted by 3 elderly gents. One of our photographers was out taking some photos on the back/Skerries road when for no reason at all, totally unprovoked, was attacked by elderly gents demanding that their photo appear on B.net today or else. Our guy wasn't badly injured and so to avoid any more trouble with them we are placing their photo on the site. Fear is a wonderful thing. Photos by Joe King.

 

Jack & Lily Canning 25 Dublin Street. Balbriggan Photographs. Jack & Lily used to live in 25 Dublin Street and with their home now up for sale, Dave O'Connor of Sherry Fitz contacted us at B.net to say there was a lot of photographs about to be dumped but as a regular visitor to this site he offered them to us, for which we are immensely grateful. Today we bring you several photos from "The Canning Collection" which we hope you enjoy and if you can let us know any names.01.10.07

 

1940's Wedding Photo. Here is a great photograph, obviously a wedding, but who's? We can see Jack Canning of Dublin Street in the photograph but that's about all. Can you name anyone else? Let us know. 01.10.07

 

Group Photo in the Original Town Hall. Here is a photo that was given to us by Dave O'Connor and it was taken in the original Town Hall in what looks like the late 50's. We brought you a section of this photograph in August to see if anyone could recognise anyone. We had no names suggested so today we bring you the photo in its entirety hoping we get some names. info@balbriggan.net if you can help us. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge.01.10.07

 

Liz Baxter hits the BIG 40. We received the following email from Mylene Delahoyd, These are some of the photos I took on the 18th of Aug in McCormacks lounge Balbriggan. This time it was the 40th birthday of well known Balbriggan girl Liz Baxter who is married to tufty Baxter. When the Baxter's have a party a good time is had by all. Great Family. Click on the thumbnail to view nearly 30 photos taken by Mylene. If your photograph is on this web site and you want it removed, simply email us, letting us know what photo and we will remove it immediately. 01.10.07

 

Thunder Clouds Over Balbriggan. Here is a photograph we took in August when a thunder cloud come over the town. It didn't rain but it became very dark and there were several flashes of lightening which unfortunately we didn't catch. Click on the thumbnail to view. 30.09.07

 

Roger Turner's father remembers Balbriggan in the 1950's. Roger Turner lives in Sheffield and for many a year he spent his summer holidays in Balbriggan. Not only did Roger spent his holidays in Balbriggan, but so did his father and also his grandfather. Rogers story is there to read in the left hand panel of this web page but today we bring you a recording Roger has made of his father, now in his 90's, of the time he went out with Paddy Doherty to the Lobster pots at Cardy. Click on the thumbnail to see Roger on a recent visit to Balbriggan and then follow instructions to download the audio file and enjoy.

 

Jack Benton--More memories. In today's recording of "Jack Benton Remembers" Jack reminisces about the "Auction in Larkin's", buying 3 pence worth of jam, Arthur Wade in Spicers "looking after" those who weren't working. Jack then breaks into song and gives us a verse from "Spring time in the rockies" and then he talks about getting the tip off from Hughie Reilly in Derhams that "there was a lot of timber on the beach" . We sincerely thank Jack Benton for sharing his memories his memories with B.net. These recordings are copyright of B.net and Jack Benton and any use of them should be checked with the site. Brian Hamilton has very kindly transcribed the two previous segments so anybody who couldn't listen to Jack can now read his memories by clicking HERE. To listen to the third segment of Jack, click on the thumbnail. It will take a few minutes to download, depending on your broadband speed. 19.09.07

Balbriggan.Net visits local S.Ponsa Bar..... Lets say Santa Ponsa has its very own  local Balbriggan Bar.....Pride of place on the wall is our framed photo of Balbriggan harbour  and our sign of 1 mile to Balbriggan.The bar Seans Place with Mikey and Dave singing the night away is worth a visit during your stay.Click on thumbnail to view photos.14.09.07

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