Irish Handball Alley

3 January 2023

Site of former alley on Wexford Street, Gorey

This alley on Wexford Street, Gorey, was demolished in 2005. The site of the alley was photographed by E. Timoney in December 2022. An article about the demoilition of the alley appeared in the Gorey Guardian newspaper (see below) End of an era as handball alley makes way for new car park https://www.independent.ie/regionals/goreyguardian/news/end-of-an-era-as-handball-alley-makes-way-for-new-car-park-27268494.html January 27 2005 12:11 AM Gorey's old handball alley on Wexford Street is no more, and last week the official signing over and sale of the freehold from Gorey Town Council to Wexford County Council took place. Gorey Town Council Chairman Malcolm Byrne donned the chain to perform the official function for Town Clerk Liz Stanley. Gorey's old handball alley on Wexford Street is no more, and last week the official signing over and sale of the freehold from Gorey Town Council to Wexford County Council took place. The 'ball alley' as it was fondly known for many years has quite a history, and will hold many memories for not just sports people, but probably for a lot of young courting couples as well.The site has been flattened for a carpark, something which will be welcomed by Gorey's frustrated motorists who are finding it increasingly difficult to find a free space in the town at peak periods. Gorey Handball Committee sold the site to the Council for ?140,000. The proceeds are to be presented to Gorey Community School this week towards the cost of a new handball complex at the school. It is hoped the alley will not only be of benefit to students, but also to the general public in the evenings. The presentation will take place in the Loch gCarman Arms on Thursday, January 27, at 7p.m. Read More......

16 October 2022

Site of former alley, Inis Meáin, Aran Islands, Co. Galway

The location of one of an alley on Inis Meáin, no longer existing. Photographed by R. Ryan, August 2022, with site indicated by local person. Read More......

n. Kilmurvy Beach, Inis Mór, Aran Islands, Co. Galway

One of 2 older alleys on the island. There is also a newer back to back set of 2 alleys. This alley near Kilmurvy beach was photographed by E. Timoney in September 2022 Read More......

19 August 2022

Community Hall, Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford

Photorgaphed August 2022 Alley again back gable of former community hall, Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterdord. Access provided by W.Ryan. Read More......

Newtown School, Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford

Photographed August 2022, with permission of private owner of former school house. Read More......

Pullaheeney Pier, Co. Sligo

Pullaheeney Pier, Co. Sligo Photographed by R.Ryan, August 2021 Read More......

8 June 2022

Attymachugh, County Mayo

On grounds of Attymachugh Primary School, County Mayo. The school is now used as a church. Photograph provided in June 2022 by T.O'Malley Read More......

30 May 2022

Listellick, near Tralee, Co. Kerry

Photographed by E.Timoney, May 2022. Information from B. Falvey. Read More......

6 May 2022

Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

Mullingar Handball Club, Co. Westmeath Photographs and information by E.TImoney, May 2021. Interior photographs by E. Timoney in October 2022 This alley is situated beside Mullingar Shamrocks GAA grounds. It is the home club of All Ireland Champion Robbie Mc Carthy Jnr, winner of multiple All Ireland titles in all codes, 60x30, 40x20 and Wall Ball (1 Wall) There is a 40x20 court along side the 60x30 court . Read More......

St. Mary's Park, King's Island, Limerick City

St. Mary's Park, King's Island, Limerick City Photographed by E. Timoney, April 2022, with assistance from M. O'Regan. A campaigne has been launch to roof this alley in May 2022. See: https://www.limerickpost.ie/2022/04/10/roof-needed-for-limerick-city-handball-alleys/ This alley also featured in a public art project in 2005, entitled, The Banshee Lives in the Hnadball Alley. See. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X764d7yCQFs and. https://www.publicart.ie/main/directory/directory/view/the-banshee-lives-in-the-handball-alley/c35de62609b01c1eeeb980c42be4215a/ Read More......

30 April 2022

Barrack Street, off Rush Street, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Barrack Street, off Rush Street, Castlebar, Co. Mayo Photographs and information provided by M. Coady, February 2022 The alley was built after the Famine and was donated by Lord Lucan to the people of Castlebar and previously faced the opposite way. It was roofed and upgraded in 1975 and is still owned by the Parish. Great handballers played there, Mayo's Paddy Bollingbroke, Mickey Walsh, Peter McGee among others. Read More......

28 April 2022

Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon

Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon Photographs provided by G. Loughran in 2013. This alley is mentioned in book Old Handball Alleys. History, Player's Stories,Co.Roscommon (1999) by Pakie Hoare. Permission to include page from book provided by Hoare family. Read More......