ABOVE: All ready for the bingo in Callan, last Sunday night, were Phil Downes, Kathleen Moran, Kim Barron, Myra Murphy and Ettie Power ALL PICTURES: HARRY REID Bingo in Callan is such a long-established tradition that nobody can remember exactly when it started. What they do know is that as other parish games have fallen by the wayside, Callan Bingo is thriving. Every Sunday night, for more than 50 years, the hall in the centre of the town is the busiest spot in Callan, as players flock from all surrounding areas for a night of fun and friendship. There is even a bus from Kilkenny City which has been ferrying enthusiastic bingo players to Callan for many years. Around 100 people sit down to play most Sundays. Often a family affair, with teenagers joining in during school holidays, numbers can swell for special events, especially coming up to Christmas - with up to 150 players vying for top prizes. Callan Bingo is run by an efficient committee of seven people - Ber Fitzgerald, Hazel Hennessy, Bridget O’Brien, John Kerwin, Philomena Fitzpatrick, Patricia Kerwin and Kathleen Doheny. On a Sunday evening they open up the hall, set out the tables and chairs, sell the playing books, call the numbers and check winning books. Philomena Fitzpatrick has been calling the numbers for the last 10 years. She inherited the role from her husband Charlie, who had called the numbers in Callan for 25 years. He was also the bingo caller in the Carlton Ballroom bingo in the city for many years. Being a bingo caller is no simple number recitation task. It takes a special person who can hold the attention of the crowd. In Callan Philomena has a great rapport with the players. She knows them by name and knows all the faces. But she also goes above and beyond her Sunday night ‘stage job.’ Philomena keeps in touch with the players and if someone is missing will find out if they are okay. If a player suffers a bereavement she’ll make sure to send a mass card, or if they are in hospital she’ll ring to check in with them, to

placeholder image — ABOVE: All ready for the bingo in Callan, last Sunday night, were Phil Downes, Kathleen Moran, Kim Barron, Myra Murphy and Ettie Power ALL PICTURES: HARRY REID Bingo in Callan is such a long-established tradition that nobody can remember exactly when it started. What they do know is that as other parish games have fallen by the wayside, Callan Bingo is thriving. Every Sunday night, for more than 50 years, the hall in the centre of the town is the busiest spot in Callan, as players flock from all surrounding areas for a night of fun and friendship. There is even a bus from Kilkenny City which has been ferrying enthusiastic bingo players to Callan for many years. Around 100 people sit down to play most Sundays. Often a family affair, with teenagers joining in during school holidays, numbers can swell for special events, especially coming up to Christmas - with up to 150 players vying for top prizes. Callan Bingo is run by an efficient committee of seven people - Ber Fitzgerald, Hazel Hennessy, Bridget O’Brien, John Kerwin, Philomena Fitzpatrick, Patricia Kerwin and Kathleen Doheny. On a Sunday evening they open up the hall, set out the tables and chairs, sell the playing books, call the numbers and check winning books. Philomena Fitzpatrick has been calling the numbers for the last 10 years. She inherited the role from her husband Charlie, who had called the numbers in Callan for 25 years. He was also the bingo caller in the Carlton Ballroom bingo in the city for many years. Being a bingo caller is no simple number recitation task. It takes a special person who can hold the attention of the crowd. In Callan Philomena has a great rapport with the players. She knows them by name and knows all the faces. But she also goes above and beyond her Sunday night ‘stage job.’ Philomena keeps in touch with the players and if someone is missing will find out if they are okay. If a player suffers a bereavement she’ll make sure to send a mass card, or if they are in hospital she’ll ring to check in with them, to

Eyes down! Celebrating 50 years of bingo success in Callan!

By Sian Moloughney

Reporter

Published 17th Feb 2023, 16:43 GMT

Updated 17th Feb 2023, 16:44 GMT

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ABOVE: Callan Bingo Committee: Ber Fitzgerald, Hazel Hennessy, Bridget O’Brien, John Kerwin, Philomena Fitzpatrick and Kathleen Doheny. Missing from photo: Patricia Kerwin Bridget O’Brien is the committee chairperson and her first involvement with the bingo was selling raffle tickets there when she was 12. The weekly game had already ‘been going a long time then.’“It was great, because you got out on a Sunday,” Bridget remembers. In the very beginning Callan bingo was a community effort, with many groups involved. As time went on it came under the parish. At that time ‘everybody played bingo,’ Philomena said. It has always been a charity endeavour. But there is what’s seen as a ‘business’ side. The bingo has to bring in money to cover costs and provide funds to the parish. When it comes to this management side of the things the committee have established a good operation. “You put the people first,” Philomena shared their secret of success. “Without them coming in there is no bingo. People have a laugh and the craic. It’s all about the people and that’s about the size of it.” Unlike in the ‘old days,’ players also care about the size of prizes. A couple of bingo operations around the country closed because of ‘bad prizes.’ Prizes are monetary and if the prizes offered don’t attract players, then they’re bad.“We have to encourage people to come in,” Bridget said. Extra prizes are given out at Christmas and Easter, along with free raffles. In Callan it costs €6 for a book of numbered grids that lets you play for the night. Each book has 10 pages, with three games on each page - thirty chances to win. Once you have your book the games start at 8pm sharp. If you match all the numbers on a line you win a prize. Then it moves on to matching two lines, and so on. If you’re feeling lucky you can then buy extra ‘sheets’ for some extra games. One of these is for a ‘Snowball’ prize that goes up €10 each week until someone wins. The last Snowball winner

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Hanna Regan, Kathleen Brunnock, Noreen Walsh, Paddy Ivers and Maisie O’Shea looking forward to the bingo

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Carmel Dunne and Eamonn McGrath

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Veronica Robinson and Liam O’Halloran

Bingo

Eyes down! Celebrating 50 years of bingo success in Callan!

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