'A good year' for Ballyshannon

A continuation of work on the area's biodiversity will be the focus for the Ballyshannon Action Group for the coming year, writes Brian Byrne. That was agreed at the group's AGM last evening, held in Ballyshannon Community Hall.

Reflecting on the past year, committee chair Jim Burke said it had been a good one for the group and the community. The Coimisiún Pleanála decision quashing the Kilsaran planning application for a quarry at Racefield had been "a relief to all", he said. "It has been a hard time, nearly six years. It was tough going, but we got through it." He warned, though, that the community won't really have won until Kilsaran sells the land. "They could potentially file an application again with the council and change whatever they can change." The meeting heard that the statutory appeal against the Coimisiún Pleanála decision had still not been completed, and that there is as yet also no information on whether and when the group will have their legal costs reimbursed.

A grant towards biodiversity work received in the spring had been "well spent", the meeting heard. The money was used to buy fruit trees, native hedgerow plants, and bird nesting boxes, which were distributed across the area, including some to Calverstown and the local scouts group. Help with the biodiversity garden in Ballyshannon NS was also much appreciated. In all, some 1,800 trees were planted. 

Future plans include the provision of nature signs and further planting, all building on the work of the Biodiversity Plan produced in 2024 with the help of the Community Foundation and ecologist Catherine O'Connell.

The meeting re-elected Jim Burke as chair and Anna Sage as treasurer. Shauna O'Rourke stepped down as secretary and was replaced by Clare Keon.    

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Ballyshannon AGM tonight

A reminder that the Ballyshannon Action Group will hold its AGM TONIGHT, Thursday, 23 July at 8pm in Ballyshannon Hall. The meeting agenda includes the minutes of the previous AGM, the treasurer’s report, the chairperson’s statement, and motions to the committee.

The group’s officers are Jim Burke (Chairperson), Anna Sage (Treasurer), Shauna O’Rourke (Secretary), and Joanna Costello (PRO). Committee members are Jim Crawford, Joan Dowling, Clare Keon, Marcas McSeoin, Graham Sage, James Delaney, and Sarah Burke.

The AGM will give members an opportunity to review the group’s work and discuss matters for the year ahead.

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Ballyshannon Action AGM date

Image: Ballyshannon Action.

Ballyshannon Action Group will hold its AGM on Thursday, 23 July at 8pm in Ballyshannon Hall. The meeting agenda includes the minutes of the previous AGM, the treasurer’s report, the chairperson’s statement, and motions to the committee.

The group’s officers are Jim Burke (Chairperson), Anna Sage (Treasurer), Shauna O’Rourke (Secretary), and Joanna Costello (PRO). Committee members are Jim Crawford, Joan Dowling, Clare Keon, Marcas McSeoin, Graham Sage, James Delaney, and Sarah Burke.

The AGM will give members an opportunity to review the group’s work and discuss matters for the year ahead.

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An Coimisiún Pleanála re-examining Ballyshannon case

The first Ballyshannon public meeting was held in 2019, on the proposed quarry.

The Ballyshannon Action Group has been informed that An Coimisiún Pleanála is re-examining their case against the planning permission granted to Kilsaran for a quarry by the commission (then An Bord Pleanála), writes Brian Byrne. This follows the overturning of that 2021 decision by the High Court this past summer. 

This judgment came after An Coimisiún Pleanála advised the court that it could no longer stand over or defend the original decision. Their legal team has assured Ballyshannon Action that this is an expected and normal part of the process.

The move does offer the group the opportunity to make a further submission, which it will be doing. The submission will reiterate concerns raised in previous submissions in 2021, as well as include further up-to-date relevant information.

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Ballyshannon decision has 'lifted a weight'

Members of Ballyshannon Action Group at their AGM last week.

A weight has been lifted from the shoulders of a whole community with the news early this week of the quashing by the High Court of a planning permission for a quarry in Ballyshannon, writes Brian Byrne. While the technicalities of the judicial review are still working their way through the system, Ballyshannon people are now quietly confident that the matter is ended.

The court has sent the case back to An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly Bord Pleanála) 'for consideration', but the Ballyshannon Action Group believes it is unlikely that a different decision will result. "We've been living for the past six years not knowing what twists and turns this would take, so it's normal that we're still cautious about what might happen next," the group's chairman, Jim Burke, told the Diary. "But we're quietly confident."

Theoretically, the Coimisiún could bring the matter to the Supreme Court. However, as its legal team had already informed the High Court that it was not in a position to defend its client's case in the judicial review, that is considered unlikely.

After winning their initial 2019 campaign against the Kilsaran planning application to Kildare County Council — there were 227 objections, and the Kildare planners refused permission — it was a shock to the community when An Bord Pleanála overturned that, especially as it was against the advice of its own inspector. The decision to seek a judicial review and its potential expense wasn't taken lightly, but the matter had very quickly galvanised a small rural community into a tightly knitted campaign force. Delays in what turned out to be a very slow legal process could have worn down their resolve, but the reverse proved to be the case. Over the following four years, continuing fundraising events ranged from table quizzes and a GoFundMe appeal, through scrap metal collections and a Golf Classic. Following years of legal discussion and various court dates, the group finally won permission for their judicial review in May of this year. It was then expected that a court date wouldn't be determined until this autumn, but on Monday last the community learned that the ABP decision had been quashed.

Relief that Ballyshannon's concerns have been listened to and that 'sense has prevailed' is tempered by frustration that it shouldn't be the role of a small group of residents to protect their space and place against the deep pockets of big business. Jim Burke cites what he terms ineffective regulations around quarries and limited enforcement of those regulations at both the local authority and government levels. 

On KFM radio last week, Ballyshannon Action member Sarah Burke described the outcome as a 'testament to the strength of small communities'. "It's about the right of people to live in quiet places where they have bought their homes. It's about standing up for your community when you know you are in the right." She spoke for all in Ballyshannon when she added that they now hope to concentrate on other aspects of the local area, including implementing a Biodiversity Plan, which the group commissioned in the last couple of years.

Kilsaran has been asked for a statement.

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Ballyshannon quarry planning quashed by High Court

Members of Ballyshannon Action Group celebrate the decision in Dowlings Bar.

The decision by An Bord Pleanála (now known as An Coimisiun Pleanála) to allow Kilsaran to open a quarry at Racefield in Ballyshannon has been quashed by the High Court, writes Brian Byrne. Permission had originally been refused by Kildare County Council in November 2019, but ABP had reversed that decision in June 2021.

Ballyshannon Action Group then launched legal proceedings seeking a judicial review of the decision, on several legal grounds, highlighting the planning authority’s failure to explain why it chose to disregard the conclusions of its own inspector and Kildare County Council on key concerns. The case first came before the courts in late October 2022.

If allowed to proceed, the Racefield quarry would have been Kilsaran’s fourth facility surrounding Kilcullen. There were major concerns too regarding the potential impact of quarry plans on the area's rich biodiversity.

A statement for Ballyshannon Action Group said the community is overjoyed by the decision. "For almost six years now, we have been fighting to protect this rural residential community from this inappropriate development. It is such a relief for us all to know that our concerns have been listened to and that sense has prevailed."

Expressing thanks to all who have supported the group along the way, the statement continued: "After such a long time with the uncertainty of this hanging over all of us, locals here now have some peace of mind that our local environment and rural way of life are protected." 

The case has now been sent back to An Coimisiun Pleanála for reconsideration. 

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Community support appreciated in Ballyshannon

Support from local businesses and the community was highlighted at last night's AGM of the Ballyshannon Action Group, especially for the recent inaugural golf classic fundraiser, writes Brian Byrne. Chairman Jim Burke said they now hope to make that an annual event.

There were 24 business sponsors and a lot of spot prizes were donated for the event, which raised a total of €8,166 for the group's funds. Jim Burke thanked all involved in the event, "even though in the group we knew nothing about golf."

The money will go towards the costs of an upcoming judicial review of a Bord Pleanála decision granting planning permission locally for a quarry. After a long delay in getting permission to do so, Ballyshannon Action lodged its application for a judicial review last February and is now awaiting a court date.

On the overall finances of the year, Treasurer Anna Sage detailed the incomes from a Books and Bric a Brac Sale, and a Table Quiz, as well as the receipt of a Community Foundation grant towards the making of a video about the Ballyshannon community and area. "After expenses, the fundraising improved our bank balance by €10,000," she said.

The meeting also heard about a successful Litter Pick event in March along the area's roads. "We had a great turnout and it was a lovely day," Jim Burke said. "But it looks like a lot of passing motorists throw stuff from their cars that ends up in the verges."

No new nominations were received for the officer positions in the group, so they and the committee remain the same for the coming year.

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Ballyshannon Action AGM

A reminder that the Ballyshannon Action Group AGM will take place on Thursday next, 24 July at 8pm in Ballyshannon Hall. All are welcome to attend.

The Ballyshannon Action Group was formed in 2019 to protect their rural area from unsuitable development and improve and conserve their biodiversity and  local environment. 

For more on the various initiatives they have supported over these last six almost years, please check out their website here. 

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Ballyshannon Action AGM 2025

The Ballyshannon Action Group AGM will take place on Thursday, 24 July at 8pm in Ballyshannon Hall. All are welcome to attend.

The group has expressed 'a big thanks' to the local community for rallying behind the recent Golf Classic in Rathsallagh. The results were — 1st place: David Keane, Ronan Toft, Paul Bell, Fionn Dowling; 2nd Place: Paul Brophy, James Kennedy, Kevin Hudson, Brian Lennon; 3rd Place: Martin Kelly, Pat Bennett, Tommy Brennan, Jerome Murphy; Nearest Pin: Pat Henry, Jim Lawlor, Dick Doyle, Aldi Malini; and Longest Drive: Dave Dillon, Bernard Kavanagh, Ciaran Dowling, Patrick Keon.

Appreciation was also expressed for the event's sponsors: Ballyfair Farm, Ballyshannon Stud, Brendan Conlan Automobiles, Bushy Park Organic Beef, Christy Brennan Carpentry, Declan and Deirdre Corrigan, Delaney Design, Dillon Brothers, Dowling’s of Ballyshannon, Equine Products Ireland, Fachtna Newbridge Signs, IES services, James Kane, Katherine Allen, Liffey Mills, Cllr Mark Leigh, Mark Wall TD, Martin Fleming, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, MFL Metal Fabrication Prosperous, Pat Durkin, Seanchaí Books, Tank Storage Systems, and 

Troy Electrical.

The support of members, friends and neighbours who entered the raffle was also acknowledged.

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Last call for Ballyshannon Action golf classic

Today is the final call for the Ballyshannon Action Group Golf Classic fundraiser this Friday, 6 June in Rathsallagh Golf & Country Club. Prizes include 4-balls for the K Club, Rathsallagh, and Cill Dara golf clubs, and Rathsallagh golf shirts.

To book your tee time or sponsor a tee visit this link.

We will also be holding a raffle in Dowling’s Bar that night with live trad music. Prizes include, vouchers for the K Club golf shop, Nolan's of Kilcullen vouchers, beauty hampers and car service vouchers. You can buy a raffle ticket ahead of time at this link and it will be added to the pot. 

All supporters are helping to protect Ballyshannon for future generations.

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Ballyshannon Action Golf Classic fundraiser

Ballyshannon Action is going full steam ahead with fundraising to cover the legal costs for their upcoming judicial review of the An Bord Pleanala's decision to overturn Kildare County Council's denial of planning permission for Kilsaran's quarry development at Racefield, writes Brian Byrne. The group got their leave for the High Court review earlier this month, though as yet no date has been set.

A Golf Classic on Friday, 6 June, is the next fundraising event in this important battle for the people of Ballyshannon and the surrounding areas, which are already choked with HGV traffic from Kilsaran's three other facilities in the wider Kilcullen area. 

Tee Times for the event at Rathsallagh Golf & Country Club can be booked here. Prizes include four balls for the K Club, Cill Dara and Rathsallagh Golf Clubs and a few more great surprises. A range of sponsorship opportunities are available at various price points and the community would be very grateful for your support. Businesses can sponsor a tee here. You can also buy raffle tickets at this link. 

And finally, if you'd simply like to contribute, their GoFundMe page is available here. Or you can deposit directly into Ballyshannon Action’s Kilcullen Credit Union Account here: IBAN: IE67KIRI99217910372756. 

The Ballyshannon Action Group was formed in 2019 to protect their rural area from unsuitable development and improve and conserve their biodiversity and local environment. For more on the various initiatives they have supported over these last six almost years, please check out their website here.

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Ballyshannon Action gets leave for Judicial Review of Kilsaran decision

Ballyshannon Action Group has been granted leave by Judge Humphreys to proceed with their Judicial Review case at the High Court. This follows years of legal discussion and various court dates.

A date has not yet been set for this Judicial Review hearing, which will give the group’s legal team the opportunity to outline all of the various reasons why An Bord Pleanala's decision to overturn Kildare County Council's denial of planning permission for Kilsaran's quarry development at Racefield was incorrect and at odds with planning regulations. 

Meantime, Ballyshannon Action is going full steam ahead with fundraising to cover the legal costs in this important battle for the people of Ballyshannon and the surrounding areas, which are already choked with HGV traffic from Kilsaran's three other facilities in the wider Kilcullen area. 

The fundraising includes a Golf Classic on Friday the 6th of June: Book your Tee Times here. Prizes include 4 balls for the K Club, Cill Dara and Rathsallagh Golf Clubs and a few more great surprises. A range of sponsorship opportunities are available at various price points and the community would be very grateful for your support. Sponsor a Tee. You can also buy raffle tickets at this link. 

And finally, if you'd simply like to contribute, their GoFundMe page is available here.  Or you can deposit directly into Ballyshannon Action’s Kilcullen Credit Union Account here: IBAN: IE67KIRI99217910372756. 

The Ballyshannon Action Group was formed in 2019 to protect their rural area from unsuitable development and improve and conserve their biodiversity and  local environment. For more on the various initiatives they have supported over these last six almost years, please check out their website here.

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Ballyshannon Action Golf Classic

Ballyshannon Action Group will host a Golf Classic on Friday 6 June, at Rathsallagh Golf Club. 

It’ll be a fun day with prizes for winners, longest shot, and nearest to pin. There’ll also be food and refreshments. 

Team of four costs €250. To book your tee, sponsor a tee, or buy a raffle ticket, visit this link, call 083 4329714 or email ballyshannonaction@gmail.com.

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Ballyshannon Action welcomes climate grant as 'recognition for our work'

Ballyshannon Action produced a Biodiversity Action Plan by Dr Catherine O'Connell last year.

The Ballyshannon Action Group are one of 96 organisations nationwide who have just received a grant from the Climate Actions Work Engagement Fund, writes Brian Byrne. The group have been allocated €2,500 from the €500,000 fund designed to engage new audiences in local regions on climate issues.

The supports are aimed at groups or organisations working to bring people together to share information on climate action. The fund is administered by Community Foundation Ireland and the grants were announced by Ministers Darragh O’Brien and Alan Dillon of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The individual amounts granted to groups in 23 counties ranged from €2,500 to €10,000.

Ballyshannon Action applied for the grant ‘to raise awareness of the work that we have done so far as a group, but also the plans we have to improve the biodiversity of the area for future generations’. A spokesperson told the Diary they are delighted to have received this funding and recognition for their work to date. "We have worked really hard for almost six years now, to raise awareness of the importance of the biodiversity and rich heritage in Ballyshannon and its surrounds. It is a huge endorsement for us to receive this funding from government, to ensure that we can continue to get our message out and continue to teach future generations just how precious this area is and what steps we can take to protect it.”

The group was initially formed to fight plans for a quarry in their local rural community, and Last July they produced a Community Biodiversity Action Plan, commissioned from ecologist Dr Catherine O'Connell with the help of a previous €5,500 grant from Community Foundation Ireland. Dr O'Connell identified at least 110 different species in hedgerows, streams, gardens and road frontages in the local area, and the plan assessed these and also provided ideas for further improvements to local biodiversity.

Ballyshannon families on their recent clean-up of the area. (Image: Ballyshannon Action.)

Other County Kildare recipients from the fund are the Maynooth Sustainable Energy Community, which was awarded €5,000 for raising awareness of the Maynooth Decarbonising Zone and showing communities what initiatives they can take, while the Naas-based No Planet B club which runs courses on ‘Youth Climate Action and Leadership’ was awarded €2,500.

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