Funding bid proposed to restore Hilltown handball wall

Funding is to be sought to restore the historic handball wall in Hilltown, as councillors highlight its importance as a local focal point and part of the area’s sporting heritage.

Cllr David Jones brought a motion before the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District seeking CLÁR funding to restore the wall.

The District Office has agreed to consider an application for funding.

Cllr Jones said Hilltown was one of the district’s rural areas and deserved investment in community facilities. He highlighted the proximity of the wall to a water pump and handball alley which had recently been restored and returned to use by local man John McGinn, who grew up nearby.

Mr McGinn had shared memories of the old handball wall, which is now beside the road following a realignment.

Cllr Jones said it remained a focal point for Hilltown and was associated with memories for many adults who had used it as children.

He suggested that, if a CLÁR application was unsuccessful, council outdoor staff could tidy the area and treat the wall with biocide to improve its appearance.

“It is a piece of our past that should be remembered,” Cllr Jones said.

Cllr Andrew Duncan supported the motion, recalling playing around handball walls as a child. He said restoring the Hilltown wall could provide an inexpensive opportunity to encourage outdoor activity.

“I think in general, they’re structurally very good,” he said. “And it won’t take an awful lot to get utilised.”

Cllr Mick Dollard also backed the proposal, recalling that his late father had been an All-Ireland handball champion in the army. He suggested that, if CLÁR funding was unavailable, the council heritage group might be able to provide support.

Cllr Emily Wallace said handball was part of the GAA sporting tradition and that Westmeath had produced all-Ireland champions in the sport. She said communities around Ireland were restoring old handball walls and preserving their heritage, adding that many had been located at the gable ends of houses where families had given permission for them to be used.

Cllr Wallace said restoring the Hilltown wall would benefit the community and older residents who had memories of the facility.

Cllr Julie McCourt and the mayor, Cllr Niall Gaffney, also supported the motion. He recalled playing indoor and outdoor handball and said Delvin and Mullingar had produced numerous champions.

District engineer Pat Kavanagh said the council would examine available funding. He said the Hilltown wall was unusual because it was partly constructed from stone and plaster rather than entirely concrete.

“If there’s no funding available through CLÁR or other areas, maybe we can put a small amount of money in the GMA or something,” he said.

Cllr Jones thanked councillors for their support and paid tribute to the O’Shaughnessy family, who he said had been strong advocates for handball over the years.