Kilcullen Diary: Report from Ballyshannon Action Group AGM

The Ballyshannon Action Group held its AGM in the Ballyshannon Community Hall last night, writes Joanna Kiernan.

The group was founded in 2019 in response to a planning permission application by Kilsaran to create a quarry in the heart of their rural, residential area just outside Kilcullen.

Initial planning permission was denied for the development by Kildare County Council, but later successfully appealed by Kilsaran to An Bord Pleanala.

Ballyshannon Action Group are currently seeking Judicial Review of this decision by An Bord Pleanala and a high court hearing is due to take place on this in October.

At the AGM last night, outgoing Secretary Damien Martin read out the Minutes of the previous AGM.

Treasurer (returned) Anna Sage brought everyone through the accounts of the Ballyshannon Action Group since its inception. Anna thanked everyone who has contributed to the funds raised through GoFundMe, Direct Donations and fundraising events to date. “Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far and to our very hardworking fundraising committee,” Anna said.

Anna also outlined all of the costs incurred/paid out by Ballyshannon Action Group to date including a variety of experts, signage and legal bills. Anna also outlined the remaining balance in the account and explained that all financial information was available to members upon request.

Chairperson (returned) Jim Burke thanked everyone for their support to date. Jim brought everyone through the process of ratifying the group’s constitution and the group’s objectives/visions for the future.

Jim thanked Jim Crawford, who heads up the Fundraising Committee, for his work and that of the committee, which has raised more than €50,000 to date for the Ballyshannon Action Group’s campaign.

Jim also outlined the legal situation briefly, adding: “We are very hopeful, we have a very strong case.”

Committee Member Clare Keon brought everyone through the Ballyshannon Action Group’s constitution, which was proposed, seconded, and agreed upon by all present.

Clare also took the opportunity to recognise the valued contribution to the Ballyshannon Action Group of the late Fiona Hughes and also the late Committee Member Mick Sayers who was integral to the foundation of the group and our campaign.

The following Committee Members were nominated, proposed, seconded and deemed elected by those present for the next term:

• Chair- Jim Burke

• Secretary- Sarah Burke

• Treasurer- Anna Sage

• PRO- Joanna Costello

As well as other Committee members:

• Jim Crawford

• Graham Sage

• Padraig Cummins

• James Delaney

• Marcus MacSeoin

• Clare Keon

Committee Member Clare Keon also detailed the group’s recently successful community grant application to Kildare County Council. This grant will allow Ballyshannon Action Group to further its objectives to highlight the history, community and biodiversity in this area.

Clare recounted an interesting fact that she learned recently about Ballyshannon’s connection to motorsport as the starting point of the Gordon Bennett Road Race since 1903, when a ‘pit’ was dug into the earth in the field opposite to Dowlings Pub for onlookers, which led to the term ‘Pit-Stop’ gaining popularity ever since.

Committee Member and head of Fundraising Committee Jim Crawford thanked everyone for their support and efforts to date. “The support and the work to date has just been phenomenal. During covid times especially for us to have been able to raise in excess of €50,000 has been brilliant, but it is going to be a long campaign and we will need all the support we can get going forward, not just from the community here, but from those around us too and from all of our local councillors. One thing we can actually thank Kilsaran for is that they have really brought us even closer as a community and introduced us to people we may have never met otherwise."

Comments from the floor:

Joanna Rock, Ministerial Advisor to Cathal Berry TD, reinforced Deputy Berry’s full support for the Ballyshannon Action Group’s campaign and assured the group of his support going forward.

Labour Councillor Mark Leigh, assured the group of the support from himself and his colleagues Senator Mark Wall and Councillor Aoife Breslin. Mark added that at the next stage of workshops for the upcoming Kildare County Development Plan, they would be highlighting the Ballyshannon Action Group’s submission and said: “We will be representing you and fighting in Ballyshannon’s corner on the day.”