Moneygall Village News and Events

Returning To Moneygall: Photographs by Denny Lynch

American Independence Festival in Moneygall

American photographer Denny Lynch returns to Moneygall with a brand new exhibition of his work. As Denny describes this show “It is a continuing tale of two cities: Washington D.C. And Moneygall.”

During this exhibit Denny will take you for a visual tour of the Mall in D.C. on Inauguration Day 2013. In addition he will share with you a few images he took at the Embassy of Ireland, also in Washington, where the film The Road To Moneygall was shown on January 20, 2013.

The photographs in the balance of the exhibition were captured in May of 2012 on the Irish side of the Atlantic, when Denny mounted his first Moneygall exhibition. Here the photographer shares with us images depicting the exuberant events that took place in Moneygall over a
number of days, to commemorate President Obama's historic visit.

Denny feels a sense of comradery with the people of Moneygall ever since that experience on May 23, 2011 when the Obamas shook hands with virtually everyone in the town including Denny's. “That day in 2011
makes me feel connected with the people of Moneygall forever!” Whether he is talking with students about his art, enjoying a session at Ollie Hayes Bar, or photographing interesting buildings on main street, Denny feels at home in Moneygall and is able to follow his creative instincts without hesitation. He is delighted to be back in County Offaly.

Photographer Denny Lynch has been exhibiting his work in New York, Paris, and many parts of Ireland since the 1990's. Much of his work has focused on Irish history and culture. His photographs have become part of the permanent collections of the Museum of the City of New
York and the New York Historical Society. Denny is married to graphic designer Paula Bogert and they live in Baltimore Maryland with their cats Lila and Maxine.

Denny's fantastic exhibition will open on July 4th at 6:30pm in the Legion Hall, Moneygall. The exhibition will remain open for the entire weekend of the festival from July 4th - 7th.

Donna Collison is the Offaly Rose

Donna Collison (26) from Moneygall was selected as the Offaly Rose for 2013. The modest Moneygall woman was in no way expecting to win either, and says she almost didn’t recognise her own name when it was called out. “They said Donna Marie, and I was like 'Who’s Donna Marie’,” she laughed. “Then they said 'Collison’ and it was like time stood still for a second. I didn’t have a notion. I never ever thought I’d get through. I was like a deer caught in headlights.”

Though Donna’s selection might have surprised herself, it’s clear why judges fell for her. Modest to a fault and likeable in the extreme, she’s also innately aware of how to protect the Rose of Tralee ethos.

“The thing I look forward to most is meeting kids in schools, especially young girls,” she said. “I remember when I was younger and I used to look at the Rose of Tralee. For me it was like a fairytale. It’s important I make their day as well. If I can make their day for just one day it’ll mean the world, for them and for me.”

Donna will represent Offaly at the regional finals in Portlaoise in June, where final selection will be made for the Rose of Tralee International Festival.

Moneygall FC to play role in World Cup Qualifier

Moneygall FC U14 team will be the ballboys for the World Cup Qualifier Game in the Aviva Stadium Republic of Ireland v Faroe Islands.

The club had applied to the FAI over five years ago and were delighted to be confirmed with having a role to play in a World Cup Qualifier for the International Senior Mens Team.

Watch the game on July 7th and keep an eye out for some of the boys pictured above.

Séamus Ó Riain Centre Officially Opened

Saturday, May 04th, marked the official opening of the Séamus Ó Riain centre for Moneygall GAA Club. A great crowd turned out to mark the occasion and the weather too played its part in honouring a great GAA servant.

Pat Sheedy played the role of M.C. for the evening and he invited Matt Hassett, President of North Tipperary GAA, to officially open the 'Séamus Ó Riain' centre.

Pictured Right are the children of Séamus Ó Riain who attended the unveiling of the plaque with other members of family, friends and neighbours.



Offaly Sports Partnership will provide a trainer and a training programme in the 7 weeks leading up to the July Festival in Moneygall. The training programme will build participants up to compete in the festival annual run.

The programme will begin on Monday 20th of May and continue each Thursday and Monday thereafter. The fourteen sessions will cost €40 or individual sessions will cost €5. The programme will begin at 19:30 each evening and registration will begin at 19:00 on May 20th. For further details please contact Seamus Hogan, Henry Healy or email moneygallvillage@gmail.com

New Motorway Signage for Moneygall

Moneygall Development Association welcomes the successful achievement of Senator Mary White to secure improved signage for our village on the M7 motorway. Senator White was a big voice for our rural community to achieve our goal in getting official recognition for our community’s connection to US President Barack Obama.

It was refreshing to work with Senator White who had seen the merits in our arguments for improved signage for Moneygall. Our village has experienced people who have stumbled on our village by accident and have not known the story of President Obama and his Irish ancestry. This signage will just raise our profile to the thousands of commuters on the Dublin Limerick route and might just entice them to come visit our village and even the ancestral home which is open to the public each day.

Pic: (Left to Right) Kieran Costello, Cllr Peter Ormond, Senator Mary White, Ollie Hayes

MONEYGALL FESTIVAL RUN SUNDAY JULY 7th 2013

Moneygall Development Association will host our second annual run in conjunction with our annual festival on Sunday 7th of July.

This year we will have a 10km run which will have cash prizes for the first male and first female to cross the line. The participants will run a challenging on road route around the environs of Moneygall Village. Entry to this is only €15.00 each entrant will receive a T-Shirt for the run and will receive refreshments as well as the potential for a cash prize.

Our 5km run will only be for fun and again it will take in the environs of Moneygall village. The entry fee is €10 for the run which will also include the costs associated with refreshments and a T-Shirt for participants.

Our 5km walk will be for those wishing to take part in the fundraiser and assisting in contributing to the running of the festival and towards the costs of our village activity park.

Visit www.moneygallfestivalrun.eventbrite.ie to register your place

Activity Park Construction Commenced

The construction of our community activity park has commenced over the past few days. The contractor and his sub-contractors have cleared and levelled the site. This project wouldn’t have commenced without the assistance of so many including those who have contributed financially to make an idea become a reality.

Moneygall is now only a few short weeks away from opening our first community park in the land formerly owned by President Obama’s Ancestors kindly donated by Offaly Co Co to the community. We also acknowledge the financial commitment made by Offaly Local Development Company and we all look forward to cutting the ribbon shortly.

Volunteers visit Bunratty Castle

Our volunteer tour guides who operate the Ancestral Home in Moneygall visited Bunratty Castle to get some tips on how to animate themselves with visitors to the ancestral home. The Ancestral Home will reopen in April on a regular basis thanks to the assistance of our dedicated volunteers and TÚS employee. Pictured are only some of our volunteers who went to Bunratty on Saturday 23rd March.

Moneygall involved in the Gathering 2013

Moneygall will play its role during 2013 with various confirmed events for the Gathering 2013.
The village will have a 4 day American themed festival from July 4th - 7th. The Liffey Clan will gather in August for the Bank Holiday Weekend. Moneygall will also play its role in the Gathering planned by Dunkerrin Reaching Out & Moneygall GAA on the 24 -27th of October! So Save the dates & plan your journey back Home!

Moneygall to bud in the White House

On St.Patricks Day 2013 a new primrose will herald springtime in Washington. A special Irish primrose has been named in honour of the maternal ancestral village of USA President Barack Obama.

The first plants of the primrose named Primula Moneygall are already growing locally in USA and now waiting for their introduction to the Whitehouse garden.

This new Irish primrose variety will be gifted to President and Mrs Obama during their state visit by An Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Mr Enda Kenny and Mrs Fionnuala Kenny on St.Patricks Day 2013.

Volunteers Wanted

The Le Chile Mentoring Project is looking for both men and women to volunteer with vulnerable teenagers in the Midlands

Mentoring is a great way to volunteer with young people all mentors are supported by their co-ordinator, the contact is planned and in your local community or nearby, with flexibility around days and evenings, and involves either a fun leisure pursuit or a specific task or goal. The young people we work with are involved with Probation and would benefit a supportive and positive adult in their lives. No experience is necessary as fully training and support is provided, and out-of-pocket expenses are covered. For just a couple of hours a week, you can make a real difference in the life of a vulnerable teenager.

For more information on becoming a mentor, please contact recruitment@lecheile.ie , 087-2016801, www.lecheile.ie , or www.facebook.com/LeCheileYouthJustice

Moneygall to build €200,000 Activity Park

Moneygall Development Association (MDA) signed a contract recently with Cavanagh Playgrounds to develop an activity park/playground in the village. The park which will have exercise and play equipment will cater for adults and children within the community.

Offaly County Council (OCC) were also thanked as they have generously provided the site in Elderberry Drive for the largest community project to be undertaken by the community in many years. Moneygall is also fortunate to have secured partial funding from the Rural Development Programme administered by Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC)

With €40,000 to raise MDA has launched a draw with an annual prize fund of €13,000.
The committee also on received substantial donations to the project from the local GAA, Soccer, Camogie, Community Games, Social Services, Adults & Children with learning difficulties, St Joseph’s NS, Legion Hall Committee, Dunkerrin ICA, Parent & Toddler group, and the Christmas Lighting Committee.
The committee is extremely grateful to all who contributed to bring the project to this stage