Ballynahinch & Downpatrick March 2025

St Patrick’s Rally Ballynahinch/Downpatrick.

      Despite the dry few days for the St Patrick’s rally no heat was found but what a warm Welcome our hosts Marie and Peter and Co hosts Jane and Harry gave us. 31 vans got parked miraculously, considering the difficult space they had to work in.  

     Friday evening began with Bingo called by Jacqueline (Hurricane) Hutchinson. I believe she managed to go from the red category to yellow. Well done. Dressed to impress our hosts in green ran a quiz. (see gallery on webpage). Getting us up from our chairs, to decide who the people in the pictures around the room were, proved interesting. This was followed by each table making up a Limerick beginning with “There was a young lady from Cork.” Then Peter regaled us with cheerful Irish music. Playing the guitar and singing, to display only two of his many talents. Throughout the evening green coloured shots were given out. Was this why I ended up, despite a gammy leg, jigging as good as the rest of the members who took to the floor. Absolutely great effort, thank you.

     Saturday morning crafts, saw some finished items for the National, being displayed. Several men popped their heads through the door and withdrew. Can I please encourage them to take a seat at a table and wait for others to join them. In Andy’s absence Peter has now volunteered to rally them, as the men’s group was going along very nicely. Following lunch most went to town, shopped or watched the rugby in locals. Some I believe had siestas to prepare for the evenings music and dancing. 

     Sunday morning a welcome was given to new members attending their first rally. Heather and Derek and Marcus and Anne. Long Standing member Gerry (20 years in October) given birthday wishes. His wife Anne was sent big hugs. Always welcome was Alfie and Dorothy from Co. Wicklow. Then came time for some to part and others to go on to Downpatrick where others joined there. 23 vans parked at Downpatrick, which was a good level parking area, ten-minute walk into the town centre. The sun was shining, so much so that some members even had their BBQs going on Sunday evening, letting you think spring was on its way. 

     Host Peter had his car with him and ferried quite a few members into the town and back again on Monday. An hour-long parade and vintage car parade, Irish dancers, snakes, a dinosaur, and marching bands were all in evidence. At the St Patrick's centre there were stalls, hot food and continuous entertainment. In the packed bars, the staff could hardly hold out to the number of pints of Guinness being consumed.

     On  Sunday morning David Kyle Ewing, previous Chairman, presented a cheque for £915 to Claire Rose of Dementia NI, which was last year's chosen charity. So, here’s to the next rally and craic to come. Irene Hewitt