Each year, there are a reported 250,000 cases of meningitis and septicaemia here in Ireland. Aside from the high mortality rate, survivors are often left with severe and long lasting after effects including brain damage, hearing loss and even amputations.

Nine years ago, Mick himself was diagnosed with the condition and nearly lost his life to it. He was however fortunate and despite one or two ailments, has managed to contribute to several local groups and projects, including Delvin Community Alert.

All funds raised from the forthcoming walk will go towards vital research in to meningitis and septicaemia and to improve survival rates and quality of life for patients.

If you would like to sponsor Mick, all contributions are welcome. Please contact Mick on 087 146 5545.

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website

Several major events have taken place in the village during the last 12 months, including a visit by the President, a monster book fair, the opening of our new handball centre and lots more. A full review will follow at Christmas!

Thank you to everyone who supported the website in its first year, especially my business sponsors and everyone who contributed articles, photos and other bits and pieces.

Remember – this is an independent community website and your input is always welcome. Click here to submit an article.

To find out how you can add your local business to the directory, please click here. If you run a local club or interest group, share your details and invite new members by adding your details here.

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website

In his welcoming statement, Mick Kenny welcomed the new Sergeant and paid tribute to his predecessor Damien Bartley, who played in an important role in the formation of the Community Alert scheme.

Traffic Calming
The meeting was dominated by discussions relating to the delay in provision of effective traffic calming solutions in the village. Click here for the full report.

Signage Update
It was reported that ten Community Alert signs are ready for installation. However, with the current local road works that are underway, the council has not yet been able to provide the manpower to install them. It is hoped that the signs will be installed week commencing 6th September.

Security Update
Sergeant Regan advised that there were 9 burglaries in the north Westmeath area (which includes Delvin) in August 2010, one of which turned violent. Some arrests had been made.

Given Delvin’s proximity to the Capital and the ease of access through the improved road network, the area is vulnerable and vigilance is vital.

Further emphasis was placed on the importance of reporting strange activity and unknown vehicles in the area. Wherever possible, residents should note down the registration numbers of unknown vehicles as these can be very useful when verifying people and their activities.

As darker evenings set in, simple safety and security measures were re-enforced…
- Neighbours are again encouraged to keep an eye on elderly residents around them
- Remember to lock doors and windows
- Keep cars locked at all time and keep your car keys out of sight when at home
- If heading out, wear reflective clothing so that motorists can see you on dark roads
- If you have firearms, keep them locked up

A reminder of the telephone number was issued. The 24 hour patrol number is 086 858 3049, failing that the Mullingar switchboard can also help on 044 938 4000.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

Sergeant Regan also advised that the refurbishment of Delvin Garda Station has now been completed and the office will be open Monday to Saturday from 10am – 1pm and again from 6pm – 7pm.

Senior Alert Update
After considerable time was spent by Committee members on preparation of an application to receive funding for alarms and other devices for elderly residents, it has been reported that another local group already has this funding.

This information was not previously shared with representatives of Community Alert and the application made by Community Alert has been declined.

The Chairperson will contact the other group to discuss and further information will follow.

Next Meeting
The next meeting of Delvin Community Alert will take place on Wednesday 6th October at 8.30pm in St Patrick’s Hall.

Submitted by Delvin Community Alert
September 2010

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website

The announcement this week that a pedestrian crossing will be provided in the village in 2011 did not impress residents at the meeting, who expressed a shared fear that the proposed works could go the same way as the abandoned village upgrade.

In addition to the crossing, other measures being considered by the council would not necessarily be implemented this side of Christmas.

While it was restated that Community Alert was not established to spearhead such a campaign, it was agreed that the matter is crucially important in ensuring the safety of locals and that it would continue to pursue the matter with councillors. The Committee did however request that individual residents support the call by independently contacting council representatives and others.

In the short term, Sergeant Adrian Regan assured those present that his team would increase the visibility and frequency of speed checks in the local area to deal with offenders.

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website

The letter acknowledges that a crossing is warranted in the village and states that funding will be sought from the NRA to install a crossing in Delvin in 2011.

Thank you to Cllr Dan McCarthy for raising the matter on behalf of Delvin residents. Watch this space!

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website

Why not come along to the meeting and find out how you can protect yourself and your neighbours against crime?

Bracklyn House was built by a branch of the Fetherstonhaugh family in the late 18th century on land acquired from the Pakenham family of Tullynally Castle. The present house occupies the site of a 15th century tower house.

From the house going north over cut fields of barley we made our way to a small copse where hidden from view was the Mausoleum of Howard Fetherstonhaugh. Michael spoke of Fetherstonhaugh the magistrate and wealthy landowner who was consolidating land by raising rents etc, and which caused a lot of hardship to the tenants around 1860 by forcing them from the land, this tactic worked as only 9% of land on the Bracklyn estate was occupied through rental agreements.

In 1868 Howard Fetherstonhaugh met his death through the hands of assassins working under the name of “Rory of the Hill”. No one was ever charged with his death and has become known as the “Evictor’ Death”. All through the afternoon the group chatted among themselves telling stories of times past and it was agreed a most informative, pleasant afternoon was enjoyed by all present.

The Delvin Historical Society would like to thank Bernadette Solon – Conservation Architect and Westmeath Co. Council for their support.

Special thanks also to Michael and Walter Kenny, Eileen Orme, Mary Clune, who gave great insight of their working life on Bracklyn Demesne and finally to Michael Murphy for his excellent talk on Howard Fetherstonhaugh.

Article by the Delvin Historical Society

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website

Traffic calming signs were recently installed on the N52 Mullingar approach, yet heavy lorries and other motorists are still flouting the speed limits and risk causing serious injury or even death as they speed through the village.

Following a series of letters and meetings with local representatives and with the support of Cllr Dan McCarthy, council officials are said to be drawing up a plan to address the situation in Delvin and details of this plan are eagerly anticipated. Recent Community Alert meetings have been dominated by discussions of speeding traffic in Delvin and it has been made clear that this work cannot be delayed. All locals are asked to support the call for immediate action.

St Mary’s Church is also on the hit list. Passing tourists are always stopping off to explore the grounds and to photograph the ruins, but this neglected attraction is dangerous on more than one level. Aside from being overgrown and uneven, the ruins are a frequent meeting point after dark for youths and others and the grounds are littered with all sorts of debris.

A request has been made via the County Manager to see that suitable action is taken to tidy up this highly visible piece of our heritage and to secure it so that locals and visitors can enjoy it. As at 25th August 2010, the request remains with P. J. Carey – County Engineer.

Locals are invited to share any other concerns with Community Alert at their next meeting which will take place on Wednesday 1st September.

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website

DelvinVillage.Com cannot attend every event or occasion that takes place locally – its just not possible! Now you have the chance to submit things that may otherwise be missed and lost forever.

Click here to enter your article and add a photo – its that easy! Know of a local event that isn’t listed on the site either? Click here to add details!

Internet users will now be able to bring their laptops and surf the world wide web over lunch or a pint and the service is available for personal and business users.

Why not call in and try it out today?

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Delvin’s Community Website

To mark this event, Delvin Historical Society invite you to join local guide, Michael Murphy, on a two hour walk through historic Bracklyn – scene in 1868 of the murder of Howard Fetherstonhaugh. The background to this story can be read here.

The walk will take place on Saturday 21st August leaving Bracklyn Gates at 3pm – all are welcome.

For detail of other events taking place during Heritage Week, please click here.

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website

The Classic Beatles appeared in Mullingar on Friday night at the latest fund raiser for Delvin Sports & Leisure Centre. By all accounts, the night was a great success with all the old favourites being performed to an enthusiastic crowd.

On Saturday, crowds attended the annual Cemetery Devotions before witnessing the launch of 550 balloons by Delvin Young Pioneers in the grounds of the Church of the Assumption. The spectacle was enhanced further by the presence of a full size hot air balloon – thanks to Mary Smith for the photo. Meanwhile, thousands travelled from all over the country to Ireland’s first LGBT music festival which also took place locally, just a few miles north of the village.

Delvin Friendship Club held a BBQ and social in a packed beer garden at the Blue Hackle on Sunday afternoon under blazing sunshine, and this too was very well supported.

Typically, Monday returned to grey and wet weather, but here’s to many more colourful and busy weekends in our village.

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website

The limited edition, 80 page publication contains articles on every aspect of life in Delvin, with special features on major local events such as the visit by President McAleese in March and the Garradrimna Book Festival in May.

The activities of local groups such as the Historical Society, Friendship Club and Community Alert are featured and there are personal and often poignant contributions from local people.

The magazine is available now, priced at €7 from Michael Leonard.

A charity bike run took place on Saturday 7th August 2010 to raise vital funds for North Westmeath Hospice and Alzheimers Society Longford.

The day began with breakfast and at 9.30am, hordes of motorcycle enthusiasts set off on their journey through Castlepollard, Longford, Athlone, Mullingar, Navan, Athboy & Kells before finishing the day in Clonmellon.

The day was a great success. Congratulations to Larry Murtagh and his team of organisers and collectors.

Photos courtesy of Stephen Hedley – 087 688 5028.

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website

Quite astonishingly, some of these burglaries have taken place in the day time when there were people around.

An event in the early hours of Wednesday 4th August even made national news, so its time that people started fighting back against those that seem intent on invading our normally quiet and relatively safe village.

For the sake of everyone’s security, if you see anyone hanging around where they shouldn’t be or you suspect something may be wrong, CALL 086 858 3049 immediately – day or night.

You don’t have to give your name, but you may help catch the thieves or deter any other would be intruders.

For some tips on how to secure your home, click here.
For further information about Delvin Community Alert, click here.

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website

If you have not yet bought a balloon, this is your last chance! Balloons are €5 each and there will be a €100 prize for the finder of the balloon that travels the furthest, and a further prize of €100 for the seller of that balloon.

The race will begin immediately after the annual cemetery devotions, at approx 8.30pm in the grounds of the Church of the Assumption.

Subject to weather conditions, a full size hot air balloon will be inflated on site so be sure to bring your cameras!

For more information, please contact Michael Leonard (Centre President) on 044 9664484 or call in to the Post Office.

Daybreak’s August offers are now in store. Scroll down to find out more and then call in today.

For more information about Daybreak in Delvin, please click here.

Offers valid until 4th September 2010 and are available while stocks last.

All plot holders are being asked to kindly tidy their plots ahead of the event and a skip will be provided at the Cemetery during the weekend to facilitate this.

A collection will be made during the ceremony to help cover the costs of maintaining the grounds.

Location

View Church of the Assumption, Delvin in a larger map

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website

The “Classic Beatles” are well established as being one of the best tribute bands in the world and they come highly recommended, with fans including Sir George Martin – manager of the original Beatles.

The Crossbar on Mount Street is hosting a free pre-concert event (with food) from 6pm with doors opening for the main event at the Annebrook Hotel at 8.30pm.

Tickets are just €15 each and can be purchased at the Annebrook House Hotel, The Crossbar or from Paul Carolan (087 743 6776) and Michael Murphy (087 940 9913).

DelvinVillage.Com
Delvin’s Community Website