Garryhill, Co. Carlow

Garryhill, Co. Carlow Photographed August 2008, by S. Ryan. Interior photograph and photo of ally history by E. Timoney in October 2022. Garryhill Handball Club (transcribe from photograph) Garryhill Handball Club is situated at the foothills of Mount Leinster, 6 miles from Borris, 6 miles from Bagnelstown, 3 miles from Myshall and 3 miles from Fenagh. It is on the main Fenagh/ Borris road. Our club was foudned in 1924 by Fr. Thomas Prendergast. It soon became the centre of the local community. In 1940 the first All Ireland title came to the club when Paddy Ryan and Davy McDonald won the Junior All Ireland 60x30 softball doubles title. There was a lull in activities in the 1940s and early 1950s becuase of the Second World War. In the 1960s the club was reformed under a very young and energetic committee and it bore results in 1966 when Andy Ryan won Carlow's first ever Leinster Minor title. In 1970 with 4 pounds in the kitty the committee decided a new court was needed. A site was donated by a local farmer, John Handrick, and the club realised its dream when the new 60 x30 court was opened by the then Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Bishop Patrick Lennon, himself a handballer of note. It was no conincidence that this was the start of the club's most successful period of achievement on the playing court. Since the early eighties and up to the present day the club has won several Leinster and National titles together with a couple of World titles. These titles were won at all levsls from under 14 years up to masters. The girls also played their part in bringing honour to the club with several All Ireland titles to their names. This year as one of the best clubs of Féile we would like to wish Myshall Community the best of luck in the national "Pide of Place" competition.