The Model School, The Mall, Sligo Town

Use of photograph purchased from Historical Picture Archive Messages under posting of this historical photograph on Sligo Heritage and History Facebook-page, by A. O'Neill on 5.2.24

Person 1: I believe the last photo - with the handball alley on the ‘left’ of the school building…is actually “St. Mary’s Brothers” school (that I attended), which was built adjoining/alongside ‘The Model’ on the ‘right’ of St. Mary’s.

Person 2: In my young days that's where we played all our Handball and Football. We played on the hard surface and there were many Cuts and Bruises along the way.We even had the odd celebrity who played there I,E. Ski McGee. No doubt that's where he honed his skills and learned from the Duignans, Walpoles,Hartes,Cunningham's ,MC Dermotte's Rooney's and Feehily's known as the Mall Brigade with a sprinkling of warriors from Bridge Street.

Person 3: Great to see a photo of where we spent many a happy day playing as kids. The ball alley had a missing brick where a ball would lodge but sometimes it might dislodge a ball already there. The photo is old, as the veranda (in the picture) was demolished in the 1950s to be replaced by a standard concrete one. The contractor was Josie Scanlon God bless him as he put plenty of lead in the roof which we removed in small pieces when we needed the money for the mattnee.

Person 4: Went there to I was the fire lighter And have to go at around 11 am to get Conan a nagin

Person 1: Br. Flannan’s “St. Mary’s Ceili Band” stories on Monday mornings were a highlight. If I recall correctly Tommy Higgins, Ray Wickham, John Brey, Padraig McManus, Andy Healy…were members of the band who had some great gigs/fun playing in the “Hanger”, Salthill, Galway

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Caraun, Co. Sligo

Photographed Aug 2023 by D. Burke Read More......

Pullaheeney Pier, Co. Sligo

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

Lark Hill near Nancy's Corner, Co. Sligo

Lark Hill near Nancy's Corner, Co. Sligo Photographed by R.Ryan and K.Healion July 2021 Read More......

Cully, Cloonaughill, Co. Sligo

Cully, Co. Sligo
August 2008
Information from HERITAGE WEEK postcards
First built by voluntary local labour in 1898. The storms of 2000 did serious damage so we demolished and started a complete re-build, by local builder Michael Kilcoyne and voluntary labour. opened in 2003 and we now hold regular tournaments.

Original alley Main Wall 1898; Side Walls 1898; Back Wall 1989
Donated by local man Jimmy Cahill
Walls built from stone,concrete blocks & plaster
Floor material is concrete

Height of Main wall 20'
Length of Side walls 32'
Width of Main Wall 33'
Thickness of Walls 22 inches

Alley was also used for dancing and as a local meeting point.

See this article on alley rebuild in Sligo Champion History and nostalgia abound as Cully Bally Alley bounces back, from April 2002



Photocopy from book "No One Shouted Stop: Death of An Irish Town" (1968) by J. Healy


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Dromore West, Co. Sligo

Information and photographs provided by T. Breen, Sept 2013
Situated opposite the garage [Topaz]in the village and down alongside an old mill and river. Dimensions are roughly 40' x 33'. Read More......

'Church Street', near Beltra, Co. Sligo

'Church Street', near Beltra, Co.Sligo
Photographed Sept 09 by A.Ryan
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Keash, Co. Sligo

Keash, Co. Sligo, situated 4 miles from Ballymote Town in Co. Sligo. The alley is attached to the north facing wall of the local parish hall, which is known as "The White Hall", beside the local Church. As you can see from the plaque the hall was built in 1913. Again the alley is in a great location nestled at the foot of the "Hill of Keash" which is well known for its marvellous limestone caves which are clearly visible on the west side of the Hill.

Information from HERITAGE WEEK postcard
This alley is also the north-facing wall of local parish hall.
It was extensively used by locals from 1950s to 1970s.

Main Wall and Side Walls built 1913
Source of Land: Donated by the Kelly family
New floor and landscaping in 1990s.

Walls and Floor built of concrete

Height of Main Wall: 25'0"
Length of Alley: 56' 6"
Width of Main Wall: 25' 2"
Thickness of Walls: 1' 8"
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Ballymote, Co. Sligo

Ballymote, Co. Sligo
August 2008
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Ballisodare, Co. Sligo

Ballisodare, Co. Sligo
August 2008
Following information provided on HERITAGE WEEK postcard:
This alley has been the venue for Irish One-Wall National Finals from 1999-2008 (weather permitting)
Tournaments took place in 1930s and 1940s. Jim O'Rourke and Jim Bergin were All-Ireland senior doubles winners 1947, 1949, 1950.

Main Wall built 1929
Side Wall built 1928
Source of Land: Partly funded by workforce of floor mills
New floor and railings added in 1997

Walls and Floor from concrete

Height of Main Wall: 20' 0"
Length of Court:60' 3"
Width of Main Wall: 29' 0"
Thickness of Walls:1'1"
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