Ann-Marie Kilgallon, Communications Assistant at Moy Valley Resources IRD, visited Craoibhín Ballina today – and found members dancing to the beat.
Of Ballina’s many clubs, there are none so unique as Craoibhín, formerly The Over-55s Club. This thriving, Pobal-funded social enterprise and project of Moy Valley Resources IRD, with its own Board of Directors, is devoted to inclusion and social support for Ballina and the community of North Mayo.
Attending a line dancing appointment at 12.30pm
“Rock me Mamma like a wagon wheel…” These were the strains of song spilling out from Craoibhín Ballina shortly after 12.30pm today.
Five minutes earlier, I arrived at the front door covered in green decorations. Shamrock images speckled the oil tablecloth on a table in the main hall. This is a table for tea, I thought, and immediately felt a glint of delight at the prospect. This was a cosy place. The table was positioned beside two soft armchairs, near the room’s tall counter.
The decorations are for the Saint Patrick’s national day celebration on Thursday 13th March.
The main room of Craoibhín Ballina
Even before the line dancing class started, I wanted to step out myself. As members chatted with each other, I noticed a huge flat screen on the side wall of the Craoibhín main hall.
In a video, a young man and woman were giving a line dancing tutorial, slowly showing the steps. It was relaxing to watch them and they made it look so easy, I thought – “I can do this too!”
Teaching
Maria, the line dancing teacher, was there, and so were some of the regular line-dancers. I had been there two weeks ago and seen the group dancing. It was clear to me that they enjoyed it because the energy radiated out to fill the room. And so did the joy. It wasn’t just fitness here, it was fun. Maria was getting her song list ready on her laptop, connected to a loud sound system.
I really wished to ask some of the loyal members what they loved about line dancing, what their favourite country songs were to dance to (Wagon Wheel was the first up and the first to be danced to!). What would others be? Some Dolly Parton? Some Johnny Cash? Beyoncé?
A social club for its members
The members were camera shy. Later I understood why. They had an easy confidence and comfort here in this group and in their weekly line dancing. They didn’t want any stranger (like me) with expectations to distract from that. This was their arena.
Classes and activities at Craoibhín Ballina
I spoke with Cathríona and Emer, the Craoibhín Ballina staff members on duty today. They told me that there had been a crochet and knitting class that morning, which was wonderfully successful.
“There was a group of about twenty people this morning.”
Here right now, before the class started, I estimated that there were about 12 people for line dancing, with one new participant since last week.
Bingo
Emer said that tomorrow there would be bingo and the room would be full. There will be several tables of players and the session will go on for nearly two hours, including a break for tea. I can report – having attended this bingo previously – that it goes on a galloping speed and the mental agility of these seasoned players is a sight to behold. No joking!
“Bingo is ever popular, ” Emer smiled.
The amazing staff at Craoibhín Ballina – a vital piece of the jigsaw
In the meantime, Ann-Marie was noticing that there were staff on hand, at the side, as the dancers came together in a group to start their performance. The line-dancing will go on for an hour. It was just gearing up at 12.35pm, as Maria joined the group and they set off into Wagon Wheel, all synchronised steps to loud, lively music blaring out.
These dancers, aged over 55, fell into configurations and steps they now knew. They are enjoying doing this activity together.
They are confident, among friends and peers. They own this place.
Elizabeth Ferguson, Manager of Craoibhín Ballina – one year in this role
We were talking recently with Elizabeth Ferguson, who has just celebrated her one-year anniversary as manager of Craoibhín Ballina. She had previously been Assistant Community Employment Supervisor at Moy Valley Resources IRD.
What did Elizabeth have to say about what was going on at Craoibhín Ballina?
It was important to get familiar with and refine various systems in the organisation and she did this over her first year. Then she spoke to me about Craoibhín’s activities.
Elizabeth said:
“After the first year, we’re excited. We have a lot going on and we’ve grown. There are new activities. People are more aware of us and what we are doing.”
She told me about gardening, and stop-smoking groups, the latter with HSE input, and about seated yoga and mindfulness with Reverend Alex (from St Michael’s Church), a new particular favourite.
“New people keep joining. Every week they come, they’re happy and they bring someone with them…. It’s multiplying…”
Art classes attract many members, and a new ‘learning a musical instrument’ group is proving popular. The club also offers language classes (Irish, French, Spanish).
Word of mouth is the way that people learn about what Craoibhín offers.
Other great things available at Craoibhín
I also learned about the important weekly Shopping Bus service. It offers members of the community the opportunity to be collected from home on a Friday morning to go to the supermarket, with Craoibhín staff members on the Craoibhín mini-bus, and dropped back home again with their shopping. Elizabeth wants to get the word out about this longstanding, particularly useful service.
The staff and centre really want to be a social support to Ballina’s community and its older citizens – this is more than a social club.
Craoibhín Ballina’s work is connection – and everyone plays a part
Denise Swanick, Board Member of Craoibhín Ballina, believes this club is “different” and sees its work as that of “connection”. For her, the “quality of relationship” is particularly important.
Denise says:
“Craoibhín …. gives people a space to be themselves and engage in the various activities, whether that be mindfulness, a social, chair yoga, dancing, a language…
Once you’re in, the groups take on a life of their own and the friendships …”
A supportive, understanding, caring place
Elizabeth – who had a lengthy career in management at IBM and work in social care – explains her personal philosophy as:
“Treat everyone like their world is about to fall apart at any moment because it just might be.”
To discover ‘What’s On’ at Craoibhín Ballina:
- View Upcoming Events on its website
- Phone the Centre at (087) 278 5365.
- See notices in the Kilmoremoy Parish Bulletin and on the “Ballina Notes” on the Western People.
The Craoibhín Ballina Shopping bus will pick you up, drop you off at your preferred supermarket/shop, and bring you home with your shopping (every Friday morning). There are two runs on Friday mornings. To book, phone the Centre in advance at (087) 278 5365.
What is Ann-Marie’s conclusion? Having experienced today’s line-dancing class at Craoibhín Ballina, Ann-Marie understands that Craoibhín offers a framework for people to come together, relax and have fun in each other’s company. Knowing that humans are social creatures, for whom tranquil connection is a need and an enjoyment, she is convinced that Craoibhín Ballina offers a special social support to Ballina’s community.