Ballon Parent and Toddler Group

What to Expect

Ballon Hall hosts a parent and toddler group every Thursday morning during the school term, giving families in Ballon and the surrounding rural area a weekly reason to get out of the house with young children. The format is simple: toys and play equipment are set out for babies and toddlers, parents sit together for tea and refreshments, which are included in the admission charge, and there is no formal programme beyond free play and conversation. Because it runs “during school term time” rather than year-round, the group takes a break over the summer holidays, so families should expect it to resume once the local national schools go back in late August or early September. It is one of a small number of parent and toddler groups serving villages outside Carlow town, alongside similar groups in Borris and at St Catherine’s in Carlow town itself. Ballon also sits within the catchment of Forward Steps Family Resource Centre and its Little Steps early years service, which covers Ballon, Rathoe, Rathvilly and Tullow, so parents who want more structured early-years support beyond a weekly playgroup have a nearby family resource centre to ask about as well.

Good to Know

• Every Thursday during school term time, 9:30am to 11:00am.
• Venue: Ballon Hall, Ballon, Co. Carlow.
• €3 per family, with refreshments included.
• Runs during term time only - closed for the summer holidays, so the session listed here is the group’s expected first meeting of the new school year.
• Contact the group on 085 720 2358 or through its Facebook page to confirm the exact restart date before travelling.
• Suitable for babies and pre-school children with a parent, grandparent or childminder.

Getting There

Ballon Hall is in the centre of Ballon village on the N80, roughly midway between Carlow town and Tullow. On-street and hall car parking is available directly outside.