Murrays Amusements ,The Bumpers, The Rifle Range, The Ticket Stall, The Rings Stall, Roulette Table, The Swinging Boats, The Slot Machines. The front of the National School fenced off. Tickets for the dance sold from the ticket box at the entrance. The blue caravan parked to the left side inside the wire was the “Office” where the finances were sorted. Inside the national school, (which was still in use), the Ladies Committee served up ham sandwiches, cake and tea while also looking after all things cloakroom! On the right, the six pole marquee, the bands played to huge crowds who danced the night away. Inside there was a mineral bar. No alcohol was served in those times. Top bands from around the country played the Ballygar Carnival. People travelled from near and far, with cars parked in every available space up and down the length of the streets. Jim Kelly (RIP) and his team would be set up in the old hotel (The Coffee Drop) cooking and selling the most delicious chips, burgers and sausages across a makeshift counter to the punters who lined up on the saw dusted floor. As a child it was heaven to have them on the way home. The Carnival started on a Thursday and ran until the Sunday week. So many family, friends and neighbours who were living away, Dublin, UK, & USA made it their business to be in Ballygar for that forth night. The town economy flourished with plenty of business in the shops and pubs. Monday night was a dedicated parents night, which was a very grand occasion, lots of style, lots of dancing to The Maurice Mulcahy Orchestra. Magical childhood days. Great excitement when the first of the Murray trucks would pull into Ballygar ahead of the Carnival and much sadness when the last one left after a wonderful time had been had by all. That’s when the clock was reset to start the countdown to the next one. Matt Nolan’s and Josie Hannon’s (RIP) Photographic history of Carnivals past are always a joy to look at, remember, recall and smile.BB
