Ballyfermot - Social and Cultural

Social and Cultural

Mary Byrne, a Ballyfermot local, is Ireland's latest singing success. This much cherished and talented mid-life discovery was, for a long time, it's best kept secret. In 2010 Mary appeared on the U.K. X Factor. Buoyed by her acclaim and success, she left the Tesco supermarket checkout for the airwaves, the small screen, the charts and stardom.

This gifted vocalist is Ireland's answer to the talented Scot Susan Boyle. Mary is currently among an elite group of Ireland's top prospective international talents. She is earning a fine reputation as a superb vocalist while building a new celebrity career in International Showbiz. Her recordings, video's and personal appearances are in huge demand at home and abroad.

The Ballyfermot Community Festival takes place annually. It has developed into a major event over the last few years. Pubs and restaurants in the area include Downeys, O'Sheas, Chasers, Tim Youngs, Decies County, and Fowlers County Bar.

The Gala is the largest bingo venue in the area. It also houses a large snooker hall. The Gala has seen many recreational uses since its heyday as the major local cinema and concert venue. It opened in 1953. People who grew up here have fond and nostalgic memories of childhood Saturday matinees, complete with weekly episodes of Batman and Super Man. This serial movie was called 'The Follier Upper'. The De La Salle Boy's Band under the baton of maestro bandmaster Brother Cyprian F.S.C. played its annual Christmas 'Rocking Spotlight Concert' at the Gala.

The Ritz Ballroom at Grange Cross was a very popular venue in the early rock and roll era. It featured the capital's top rated rock bands. Major attractions included John Hardy's Blue Clavons and The Melochords featuring Dickie Rock. The Young Shadows and the Casino Showband featured aspiring young talent drawn from around Dublin. They rehearsed and played resident gigs here at the Ritz Ballroom. Many of these very young early rock musicians were graduates of the De La Salle music program and played with the popular De La Salle Boy's Band. Their co-op pop cover bands originated to play at the local teen 'Hops'. The Young Shadows and the Casino Showband made their national debut live in black and white on RTÉ's Showband Show. Some of their members went on to successful international musical careers here and in the U.K., U.S.A., Canada and Australia.

The Fureys, an internationally renowned traditional Irish music family, grew up locally and began their professional career while living here in Ballyfermot. Their success as a group and as individual artists put them in the charts throughout the music world. Their father Ted Furey was a highly rated traditional fiddler, a music teacher, and an eminent life member of Comhaltas Ceoltori Eireann.

There are an impressive variety of seniors activities available here. Many events and activities are sponsored by churches, pubs and clubs. Many very successful events are organised by the seniors themselves, with transportation assistance provided by Dublin Bus.

The Civic Centre shares space with the Ballyfermot Residents Association. A ground breaking Irish movement, B.R.A. has been a popular venue for local events since its inception in the seventies, and features a popular weekly disco.

Ballyfermot Public Library serves the area, which has several reading clubs. Details of these can be found in the Public Library, The Civic Centre, and the various community centres. The Library also hosts the Nature Club.

St. Matthew's Community Centre is located adjacent to St. Matthew's Church in Ballyfermot Upper (west) .

The Base is a popular youth centre and child care facility. It is located at Blackditch Road in Le Fanu Park. The Base is a multifaceted community centre and the first facility of its kind in Ireland. A full description of its many activities, facilities, structure and scope are available at www.thebase.ie