Ballinhassig Accident and Emergency Fund

The Fund has been set up to assist persons, irrespective of religious persuasion, residing in the geographical area defined by the Roman Catholic Parish of Ballinhassig. The funds shall be administered by Five Trustees who shall be appointed at a meeting of residents of the area already described above. Payments from the Fund shall be as a result of an Accident, Emergency or Disaster as decided by the Trustees, in their complete and absolute discretion.

Payments shall be made by way of non-repayable grant, temporary loan or other such method, as the Trustees deem appropriate at the time. The amount of any such payment shall be at the complete and absolute discretion of the Trustees and shall not be considered to guarantee to be the full cost of any incident however caused. Requests for assistance requiring to be made under this fund should be submitted to any of the Trustees.

Ballinhassig Community Alert

Community Alert was reformed in Ballinhassig in October 1996, when it was felt there was a need to look after the more vulnerable people in the parish. Ballinhassig Community Alert covers all areas between Carrigaline, Bishopstown, Ballinora, Innishannon and Kinsale.

Community Alert is not a committee – it is a partnership of all the parishioners looking out and taking care of each other.

Objectives:

To identify all local elderly living alone or vulnerable elderly people living together
To ensure that there is daily contact of some sort especially during the long winter months.
To provide assistance for the elderly through the Community Scheme where possible, especially for those who require it urgently.
Check annually all households who are fitted with alarms to ensure they are working properly.
Community Alert aims to allay fear and reduce the feeling of isolation.
Community Alert can provide information when requested to entitlements for over 60’s.

Grants are available for smoke alarms, security lighting, door locks and window locks.

Ballinhassig Community Development Association (B.C.D.A.)

The association was set up in 1997 as a voluntary and non-profit making group to provide, improve and enhance community facilities in the Ballinhassig area. The group takes tremendous pride in the fact that they now have provided the following community facilities:

Refurbishment of the Marian Hall and provision of a large car park
New state of the art kitchen facilities so that the service of Meals on Wheels can be provided
Additional meeting rooms, showers and toilet facilities
Provision of facilities for a Montessori school

The Marian Hall is used by a wide variety of clubs and organisations.

B.C.D.A. is very grateful to local businesses, clubs and volunteers for their continuous support.

Ballinhassig Parish Youth Club (Foróige)

The Parish Assembly started a Youth Club in the parish. This is a very good facility for the young people aged between twelve and eighteen They meet once a week and take part in a variety of activities.

Ballinhassig Pioneer Group

The Pioneer Group centre opened in Ballinhassig in 1949. The Pioneer Council meets on the second Monday of each month in the Marian Hall. The group runs an annual outing and a dinner dance.

Ballygarvan Historical Society

The society was founded in 2001 and the first meeting was on the 6^th December 2001. It holds monthly meetings where lectures on historical topics are given. The society members also go on outings to places of historical interest. All meetings are well attended and the society is growing from strength to strength. New members are very welcome.

Ballygarvan Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary was founded in Dublin by Frank Duff on September 7^th 1921. This organisation is still active in the Ballygarvan area since 1951. The members meet every Monday night at 7 p.m.in the sacristy of Ballygarvan Church.

Their work involves visitation of the sick and elderly in nursing homes and hospitals. They also visit the bereaved and they get involved in Church related activities. New members are always welcome.

Coffee Morning Group

This group is organised and run by a group of ladies. It takes place on Friday mornings in the Marian Hall. It is open to anyone who wishes to call in for a chat and cupán tae .

Parish Newsletter

The parish newsletter is published weekly on a voluntary basis from September to June. It is produced edited and printed in the Parish Office. It is available in the three churches and also in local outlets every weekend.

Social & Active Retirement Group

This group was set up in 1995. It organises a wide range of activities to include a monthly social in the Marian Hall on the third Friday night from 8.00 – 10.30 p.m.

Sometimes they invite guest speakers to talk on subjects suitable for the elderly, followed by refreshments, and finishing up with some music and dance. The group also organises day trips to various places and a Christmas party.

Society of Vincent de Paul

There is a branch of Saint Vincent de Paul in the parish. It offers confidential support for people in need.

The Halfway Vintage Club

The Halfway Vintage Club was founded in 1986 and is centred in the village of Halfway, Ballinhassig. The aims of the club are to promote our heritage and to remind and teach our children about the old ways of farming, transport and rural living of bygone days. The principal activities of the club are:

Collecting and restoring old machinery
A permanent display of marking exhibits

Members and their friends bring their agricultural machinery, steam engines, tractors, cars, lorries and motorcycles. They exhibit them at their folk days, the Harvest Festival and the Vintage Run.

The club has over the years also provided facilities and made donations to a number of charities.

Volunteer Visitors to Residential Nursing Home

A panel of volunteers has been established and organised to visit the residents in Bishopscourt Residential Care. They help with the many activities that are organised in the home. The volunteers find this experience very rewarding as the residents are enjoying the social interaction and the participation in the various new activities that have been introduced there.