A Westmeath Christmas (2022)

TOPIC • December 8, 2022
Festive cheer in Delvin and
Clonmellon underway
A Westmeath Christmas 21
Similar to so many other rural
locations, it has been mainly a
year in pandemic recovery
mode for both the villages of
Delvin and Clonmellon. But although the
pandemic has been mainly responsible for
so many changes in community and village
life, the onset of Christmas is always
something that everyone looks forward to
celebrating, albeit in a more restricted
way in these inflationary times.
Similar to many other tightly-knit local
communities, Delvin and Clonmellon have
remained defiant and responded
heroically throughout all the lockdowns
and the current cost of living crisis.
Despite all the changes, there is still
plenty of scope for Christmas shopping in
the local shops and especially annual giftbuying
in the festive season.
On the social and spiritual scene, there
has been plenty of scope for shopping
since the start of November. After a
hugely successful return of the Clonkill
Christmas Market which also coincided
with the first of the annual Christmas
Fairs/Farmers Markets in the Square in
November (followed by two more in
December), the festive season in the north
Westmeath region got off to the best
possible start. The annual formal
Christmas lights ‘switch-on’ in
Clonmellon took place on Friday,
December 2, but there were no such plans
in Delvin this year.
YULETIDE IN DELVIN AND
CLONMELLON
Meanwhile, Clonmellon’s Leonard’s and
Daybreak are local village shops that
deserve your support, especially over the
Christmas period. Leonard’s have been in
Clonmellon for the over 40 years since the
late Noel Leonard and his wife Ann
settled there. Their son Kieran now
manages the shop with the support of
family members, including his mother.
Not too far from Clonmellon, on the way
to Athboy, the Mellowes Family Fun and
Childcare Centre has once again been
transformed into a Santa Wonderland at
Wishing all our valued customers a
happy and peaceful Christmas
RATHCONNELL
SERVICE STATION
Delvin Road, Mullingar,
Co. Westmeath, N91 E6RT
Moygrehan and is a must-see for all local
children.
When it comes to Christmas shopping in
Delvin, there is no doubt that
McCormack’s offer the best range in
terms of Christmas-related merchandise
and general household hardware and
consumer durable goods. Situated on the
corner of Ballyhealy Road, McCormack’s
offer good competitive prices for solid
fuels, including wood pellets.
Across the main street (N52) from
McCormack’s is Barry’s Pharmacy, which
has been part of Delvin for more than
three decades. This company, who also has
a branch in Castlepollard, have a wide
range of gift ideas at affordable prices and
friendly staff to serve their customers.
The Headquarters hairdressing salon,
adjacent to Carmel Gaffney’s pub, was
established in Delvin almost sixteen years
ago. It is owned by Lindsay Jordan and is
open every Thursday, Friday and
Saturday. Also on the Mullingar road end
of the village, opposite the castle, is the
For Fade Sake Barber Shop (formerly
Castle Barbers) run by Ricky Bastos
since September.
LARGEST HUB
Almost adjacent to the Castle, the
popular Nearby store, formerly owned by
Michael Leonard, and now run by popular
Delvin couple, David and Sharon Leavy,
for the past couple of years, still remains
the largest hub and meeting place for
many Delvin shoppers. Sharon plays a key
role in the successful running of both the
shop and adjoining Post Office and along
with her team have done a marvellous job
since filling the large shoes of their
predecessor. Always assured of the best of
personal service and hospitality, there is
plenty to see in this well-stocked store
adjacent to the village’s iconic Castle.
Another well-known Delvin business
couple are Seamus and Louise Gaffney,
based on the Mullingar Road approaching
Delvin opposite Delvin GAA grounds.
Seamus, through his Gaffney Car Sales
business, has been involved in the motor
trade for more than twenty years and
offers a wide range of the usual services
associated with motor vehicle
maintenance as well as being a used car
dealer, including sourcing vehicles to
order. His wife Louise also runs a
Wishing all our customers and friends
a happy Christmas from
Martin Lynch
Dardistown Construction
Building & Plastering Contractors
successful hairdressing salon.
Delvin also boasts one of the few
remaining craft butchers in the county,
Lenihan’s family butchers, now owned
and run by John Coll. As well as offering
a wide range of ready-to-cook foods, it
also offers locally sourced beef and lamb
and it is also a very well presented shop.
It is also possible to have a drink at
Carmel Gaffney’s and O’Shaugh nessy’s,
run by Tom Farrelly, and Brinsley’s
(formerly The Blue Hackle) run by Frank
Quinn. Just out the Collinstown Road in
Drumcree village is Bartley’s Bar.
Delvin also has two take-way food outlets
serving Chinese cuisine in The Million
Dollar and fast-food in the Roma cafe
opposite the Castle.
A mile outside Delvin is the Williams
Daybreak Supermarket and Filling
Station franchise run by Paul Williams
and Sarah Orme since 2006. They also
have their own bakery and off-licence on
the premises.
GALLERY
Down the N51 from Delvin on the road to
Athboy is Crowenstown, where artist
Hazel Revington-Cross runs her
successful Purple Raven Gallery and
Crafts Centre. Opening hours are from
11am on Thursdays, Fridays and
Saturdays.
Also nearby is Clonmellon mechanic
Tommy Quaid, who has been in business
in Crowenstown for well over a decade.
HO
HO
★They came from near and far, including
the North Pole, from before the 11am
starting time until well after the finishing
time of 3pm to the Clonkill Christmas
Market held in Clonkill GAA Hall on
Sunday, November 20.
A very rainy Sunday morning gave way to
a dry, chilly, sunny afternoon which
brought people out in their droves to one
of the first Christmas markets of 2022 in
Westmeath.
There was a record number of stalls
(almost 90) and a record number of
attendees this year. Even Santa made an
appearance! Everyone went home happy
as the market had something for everyone.
Seasons Greetings from
COLIN WALSH
ELECTRICAL Ltd.
CLONARNEY • DELVIN, Co. WESTMEATH
Registered Electrical Contractor
Domestic - Commercial - Industrial
We specialise in domestic and agricultural
installations and office & retail fit-outs
Mob: 087 614 3687
Tel: 044 966 8576
Email: colinwalshelectrical@gmail.com
Wishing all our friends and customers a Happy Christmas!
See in store for regular special
offers and Christmas ideas
Extensions - Renovations
087 261 7210
mlynchplasetering@gmail.com
HO
BALLIN FARM | DELVIN |
Co. Westmeath | Ireland | N91 N9WC
044 9664 755
www.farm-wardrobe.com