Alannah Ita Healy reports from Ballygar
The festive feeling is alive and well in Ballygar, where last weekend, the town got together to hold their annual Christmas markets. With the holidays almost upon us, this week the Roscommon People visited Ballygar to speak to some locals about what the Christmas period is like in the town.
Shop owner Martina Collins spoke to us about the increase in trade she’s noticed lately: “It’s a busy time of year, of course. Business is quite good at the moment and has been for the past two or three weeks. And the store’s Customer Day is coming up this Friday, which always brings people in”.
The wares on offer at Martina’s make it a popular spot ahead of the holiday season. “I do a big range of the Aynsley, Belleek Living, and Galway Irish Crystal, which are great and practical gifts, so they sell a lot”, she explained. “I also have a large range of ladieswear and kids’ clothes, which is good both as gifts and for days like Christmas – special occasions where you want to dress up a bit”.
Speaking about the community spirit in the town, Martina said, “We’re always going to make the best of it in Ballygar. There was a lovely atmosphere here over the weekend with the Christmas markets, even though it was terrible weather-wise, and we didn’t get a chance to do the lights on Saturday in the Square. Despite all that, there’s still a positive Christmassy feeling about”.
Martina also explained that while she’s looking froward to being able to rest a bit when the holidays arrive, that they too can be a busy time. In addition to all the various jobs Christmas itself entails, between organising gifts and the big dinner – on top of running a business into the evening hours of Christmas Eve as she does each year – Martina talked to us about how the holiday period is more than an opportunity to relax.
“As much as we’re all looking forward to a snooze or two on the couch, it’s also that time of year when people come calling. Which is lovely too, really. The rest of the time, everyone’s out and about, everyone’s busy, and you don’t get to see people as often because you just don’t get the chance to. So, it’s something to take advantage of at Christmas time; being able to pop around to people.
“And that’s important to do. We have to make the best of the time we’ve got because life can be short. There’s been a lot of changes locally since last year – I see it in the town here and no doubt the same’s true in every town. From year to year there are always changes – sad ones, but good ones too”.
After finishing up our conversation with Martina, we left Main Street and headed for Ballygar Pharmacy, where we spoke to owner Catherine Healy about the town and how the businesses is faring at this time of year.
“We have Tipperary Crystal, jewellery, lovely bags and scarfs, aftershave sets – something for everyone”, she explained. “And thankfully we are very busy on that side of things.
“Of course, the other side of things, as a pharmacy, is that a lot of people tend to sick during the winter. There’s lots of colds and flus and respiratory concerns at this time of year – the big one right now being RSV and babies. So, we’re on hand to provide advice and to do anything we can in that sense, offer whatever we can that’s suitable and safe to make sure everyone’s as well as possible for the holidays”.
Catherine also noted the festive atmosphere in the town, saying that you can really pick up on “the busyness and the atmosphere” and explaining that in addition to spending time with family this Christmas, there are a number of local events coming up that she is looking forward to.
“Of course we had the markets last weekend, which were great, and on Wednesday, Ballygar NS are running a carol service, which will be followed, for the first time I believe, by a craft fair, all to raise money for the school. And I’m looking forward to Mass on Christmas Eve…”.
After chatting to Catherine, we popped into Fallon’s Bar where we spoke to publican Noeleen Fallon about what it’s like for the local pub during the Christmas season.
“In the lead-up to Christmas, but especially on St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Eve, there really is a great buzz here. All the regulars always make sure to come out”.
However, like Martina, Noeleen also mentioned that it was impossible not to notice the losses that have happened locally during the year.
“There are a lot of people missing this year, people who have passed on, which is tough. And this is the kind of place where everyone sort of has their own seat, so you really notice it. We do bar food and there’s always the couple who’re in at the same time who sit in the same spot, or people who come in for the Saturday night music and always sit in the same chairs, but this year, a lot of those regulars have passed on, and we see the difference here, which is tough”.
Noeleen too is looking forward to a “few days off”, explaining that they take “a bit of a break from serving food” and close on Christmas Day before they reopening the doors again on St Stephen’s.
After thanking Noeleen for her time and leaving Fallon’s, we wrapped up our visit to Ballygar and headed back towards Roscommon town. The palpable sense of community spirit and heart-felt appreciation for all members of the community, including those who have passed away, was evident in each person we spoke to, and if that and the success of last week’s markets in spite of the poor weather is anything to go by, it’s clear that no matter what, Ballygar will continue to come together to celebrate as a community as the holidays unfold.
