Blueballs Midlands always there, in cold weather and warm
Westmeath Examiner Community and Sports Awards
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Matt O’Connor, representing host sponsor and sponsor of the Club of the Year category, the Mullingar Park Hotel, presenting the award to Damien Rooney of Blueballs Midlands. Included are other members of the club, Darren Ryan, Sean Fay, Scott Price, Michael Kane, James Donnelly, Graham Jessop, Enda Battle, Paddy Kenny, Geoff Bud and Derek Seery.Image 2 of 2
Among the nominees in the Club of the Year category were Mullingar Women’s Shed, whose members Margaret Hepburn, Caitriona Sullivan, Margaret Glennon, Melanie Hughes Fox, Marina Glennon and Geraldine Tone were present.Damien Rooney of Bluebells Midlands, when accepting the award for Club of the Year, emphasised the importance of men having a space to connect with one another with the aim to “take the conversation out of the pub,” and instead finding “an environment where conversations can start”.
That is what Blueballs Midlands are about, he said. The Blueballs movement was established in November 2022 at the Forty Foot in Dublin and in the midlands two years later, with the aim to get men talking.
Men can find it difficult to open up, discuss feelings, or take the time to connect with others, so, through weekly swims and regular gatherings, Blueballs provide a space where men can communicate, support one another and build friendships.
At their first dip, at the diving boards on Lough Owel, 28 people turned up, and the number is regularly 40-50 for their Wednesday evening gatherings.
There no pressure to go every week, and Blueballs Midlands will always be there for members when they are able and ready, and they always welcome new members.
If you are interested, you can find the lads at Lough Owel every Wednesday at 7.30pm, and you can contact them via social media.