O'Higgins Tce Handball Alley

[Matt McNamara]

I found this picture of the old Handball on O'Higgins Tce. It has been knocked down in recent years, but many a great hour I had playing Handball and other sports, before the "Playstation" . And on All-Army week the Bord of Works would put the scaffolding as a viewing stand.

What are your memories of "The Ball Alley"

Matt

[tommyhetherington]

Mc Donagh Handball alley better view watching the soldiers at lunch time some great games.
I have some Photo's of the O' Higgins Tce alley taken from the scaffolding and I will pass them on.

TommyH

[anitakearney]

Ah the famous ball alley
Had many experiences in the one closest to no. 7. From playing endless games of tennis, to decorating the walls, to courting my now hubby.
As young teenagers we sat & watched Peter Mescal (Mek) do his work of art on the main wall.
We played chasing on that scaffolding. I have the scars to prove it. Oh, that needle in the families hospital hurt
I rem the day they put the doors on. Can't rem why but I'm guessing it was to keep trouble out.
Was a sad day when they were knocked.
It's only when things like that are gone you regret not taking more pictures.
Nice one Matt

[byrne]

hi
remember the ball alleys well the one near no7 fromplaying tennis and other things and puting our names on the walls and courting many a boy and still remember the time john o toole rip climbed up to the top of it he was likely to do anything they were the good times.
.

[Olive McNamara (Tierney)]

Hi Matt, you brought a tear to my eye when i seen the picture of the ball alley(as we called it!) I spent many a morning, noon and night in it hitting a tennis ball off the wall, and a group of us we would sit in it at night for hours telling ghost stories. I am sure you remember that Matt ;D

All-Army week was a great time for us kids in O Higgins Tce as soon as that scaffolding went up for the hand ball competition. We would spend hours sitting on the planks of wood on the top of it watching the competitions. Dont know how i never broke my back falling off it, but had many a cut and bruise from it.

I could go on for hours talking about my memories of the alley, but Matt you really gave me a lump in my throat when i seen that picture, i was nearly expecting to see myself in the picture rooting for a ball in Mrs Coughlins ( R. I. P )flower beds, or jumping over her gate with her dog "judge" trying to get me ha ha......he never did,i was always to fast for him

[willie078]

I used to go down with my dad.[mick o'brien] to watch him play. Some great players from that time were Chubby Geary and Sheamus Doyle.

[eileen holligan(carroll)]

I spent many a happy hours playing hand ball at that ally and the one in mc Donough i have the welts on my knuckles to show for it. Eileen H.

[tommyhetherington]

Curragh Command handball and All Army all counties represented Tighe Lyons from Kilkenny one of the great army players anyone rem more.
No more Handball in the Curragh our loss great fun all
summer long
Tommy H

[rtreade]

Only found out last night that my Aunt and Uncle lived in the house beside the ball alley for years Jack & Nellie Geraghty (anybody remember them?), small world years after their daughter Steph married Anthony Coy

[patrick gannon]

i remember playing in there, getting the ball from johny booth back garden r.i.p.
twenty years on i still have the rackets....

[rtreade]

To all my relations in Kilkenny......sorry about spelling Nellie and Jack and Stepahnies surname incorrectly (but you do know I love you all )

[Joey Kelly]

Hi All.
The Hanball Alleys, good times there, playing backalleys, soccer etc particulary in Mc Donagh. Scaling the walls right to the top and inching across the shute of the Squash Court, to retrieve the Alley Crackers for the Recruits etc, for a tanner, oblivious to all fear. Handball greats. Chubby Geary, Tigey Lyons, John Fogarty, Ants O Brien, George O Neill, Andy Heffernan and many more. There were two more Alleys in the Curragh along with Plunkett and Mc Donagh. One in Ceannt just beside the Old Laundry and the other in Plunkett just down from the Dry Canteen. These were of a smaller size and built with Red Brick and palstered on the inside.

Regards

Joey

[jerry]

Joey

Still have nightmares thinking of climbing the wall never made it to the Top. Can remember someone inching out along the gutter to get a ball Mad as a hatter.


Jerry

[gercollinsfurlong]

rem my dad [r.i.p.]playing a few times the echo from the ball was so loud and his fingers red used to think he was the bravest ever as you do ger

[gercollinsfurlong]

see someone missed one ball stuck in wire at the top. and is that a spaceship i see in the sky left hand side