25th Post...The Opening Gambit



ALDEN  PARK BOULES FACILITY OFFICIAL OPENING

Fingal Mayor, Eoghan O'Brien, officially opened Alden Park Boules Pistes at 10.a.m. on Monday 10th February 2020.  

 In attendance were officers of Fingal Co.Co. Eamon Lynch [ SEO Fingal ], David Storey [ Director of Operations ] and Cornelia Raftery [ Executive Parks Superintendent ] underlining their commitment to upgrading the facilities in the public parks in their region.

 Catherine Rose was present representing Bayside Community Association whose work, in conjunction with Fingal Co. Co. inspired us to look for improvements in Alden Park .

 Cian O Callaghan, the newly elected T.D. for the area was present and welcomed.  While a councillor, along with David Healy, he promoted the introduction of the facility from inception.

 Louise Edmonds, Programme Manager for Fingal Age Friendly, was present and delighted with the installation and she thought it might be a suitable prototype for other areas in Fingal.

 Boules players from St. Anne's Park in Raheny, who have been our tutors since October, came to support us at the opening.  Local players and interested parties joined in the celebration on a cool blustery morning.

 Tom Donnellan thanked all the aforementioned for their support and participation and especially his neighbours Tom Buckley, Chris Grehan, Ciaran Walshe and Charlie O Donoghue for their support setting up the facility for the opening day yesterday and today.

 Through the auspices of Cornelia refreshments were provided by Fingal.  Tom presented Cornelia and Eoghan with starter sets of boules as a memento of the day.

 Shane O Neill took the professional photos on the day and Jane O Flaherty and others took casual shots.  Gerry Wolfe entertained the senior pupils of the neighbouring school with his bugle-supported rendition of  ' Up the Dubs...6 in-a-row', much to their delight!

 The contractors King Landscaping did as great job installing the facility considering they had never done one before.  It may become the template for future developments across the region.

 The morning appropriately finished with members and visitors playing boules on the new facility.  There are further enhancements needed in the park but today is not the day to remonstrate but rather celebrate a facility for the 'Ages'!

 We play on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to Noon with a new competition starting on Wednesdays on March 4th.  New members welcome and when numbers grow beyond  critical mass of 24 on any play day other groups, in other slots, can be developed to grow the sport.

 While we await the professional photo of the event here are a few to whet the appetite......






The following snaps are courtesy of Jane O Flaherty.










The photos below are courtesy of David Hughes.













The 'dry run' on Sunday.......




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