Lanesboro – Ballyleague Notes
Folk Group
The Folk Group’s choir practice will resume on Tuesday 12th January at 9pm. in the Convent Chapel. The group welcomes anybody interested in joining the choir.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Deirdre Rhatigan and her husband Seamus, Killinure on the death last week of her father Frank Farrell, Derrygowna Newtowncashel. We also extend our sympathy to the extended Curran family throughout the parish on Frank’s death.
Friends of Asthma Charity Shop
Any donations of unwanted gifts or surplus Christmas decorations would be gratefully received in their shop on Main Street beside the Lough Ree Arms. The proceeds of the shop goes toward the helping of asthma sufferers in county Longford which is why your support is vital.
Engagement
Many congratulations to Denise Collins daughter of Peadar and Beatrice Collins, Barnacor and Ger Power, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick who announced their engagement recently.
Rumours
There is a rumour currently doing the circle in the area and it is one that if true will bring a great amount of sadness to those young ladies and their supporters in the parishes of Rathcline and Cashel. It was said to me today, Sunday, that there would be no ladies football team representing the area in the coming year. If this is so it will be a tremendous shame that it be allowed happen. The ladies club came together a number of years back under the stewardship of Peter Donlon and had tremendous success. In later years success was not as frequent but the team remained competitive. The club had created its own niche within the parishes of Rathcline and Cashel and was a great sporting and social outlet for all the girls of the area.
Every effort must be made and the supporters from the two parishes must put their minds and hearts together in not alone preserving the ladies football club but making it bigger better and stronger than ever before. There are many retired ladies and indeed men that can and must help. It is also very important that every girl available to play football for the club should make themselves available to play this coming year.
It is crucial the rumour that I heard last Sunday is far off the mark and that the ladies club will remain a strong force in the parishes of Rathcline and Newtowncashel.
Bonnie Shapes You
Shaping up with Bonnies Pilates class resumes in St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Tuesday 14th January at 7pm. Pilates is medically related and is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. It is a great way to strengthen, stretch, tone, improve flexibility and mobility. Everyone is welcome and when you come please bring your own mat. For further details please contact Bonnie 087- 2238237.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The bridge club will resume competition on Wednesday 13th January. The club wishes all their members a very Happy New Year and they look forward to their support in 2010.
Lanesboro Social Services
The next Whist Drive card game takes place on this Friday night 8th January in St. Mary’s Parish Hall at 8.30pm. Your support will be greatly appreciated and it will be great to see many old faces and new ones come along on Friday night. The great work done by the Social Services continued apace throughout the Christmas period and your support throughout the year and especially leading up to Christmas was wonderful. The committee expresses their grateful thanks and looks forward to your continued support in 2010. The committee wishes everybody a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Thank You to Gritters
The weather as we all know was very harsh over the Christmas period and we must pay special praise to the gritters that did so much and continue to do trojan work in keeping the Main Roads gritted. This work is generally done throughout the night and early mornings and their work should not go unnoticed. We appreciate the work done and the work continue to be done by these men on both sides of the bridge and say thank you to them for their efforts in making the journey safe for so many of us in both counties.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Greg Gillen, his wife Bernadette and family, The Green, on the death last week of Greg’s brother Michael Gillen, Ardagh.
St. Mel’s Cathedral
The fire on Christmas morning that decimated St. Mel’s Cathedral has left a huge emptiness in everybody. To see its burned out shell where once stood a magnificently proud building draws deeply on each and every heart string. It leaves a bareness that has to be seen to be believed especially made all the more poignant as you stand and see the many people display the full array of sorrowful emotions at the loss of something so iconic in the town of Longford.
Like the phoenix rising from the ashes I have no doubt the with the support of Bishop Colm O’Reilly, the clergy, and the great people of Longford town, the county and the diocese the Cathedral will again reclaim its rightful place in Longford and the diocese.
Birth
Congratulations to Denis and Eilish Dillon, Fermoyle on the birth last week of a baby boy.
Death
The whole area was saddened to learn of the sudden death on Christmas Eve 24th December of Tony Mallon, Ballyleague. Tony, a very proud native of County Derry, came to live in Ballyleague with his wife Polly. Tony worked until his retirement with ESB in the power station. He was a quiet spoken distinguished gentleman whose easy going and gentle nature endeared him to everybody that had the pleasure to know him. His passing will leave a great void in the hearts and minds of those that had come to know Tony. His remains were removed from Smyth’s Funeral Home; Roscommon on Sunday 27th to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague and following his Requiem Mass burial took place to Kiltoom cemetery. To his wife Polly, sons Declan, David and Diarmuid, daughter Deirdre, sister, relatives and many friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
Lanesboro Ballyleague Badminton Club
The club would like to express their sincere sympathy to the Healy family Corrigeen and Cloonadra on the death of Anthony Healy.
The club have finished up for the Christmas Holidays and will return in the New Year. We would like to wish all our members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Annual MS Christmas Day Run
The MS Christmas Day Run from Newtowncashel to Lanesboro took place again this year for the 19th time in very trying conditions. There were 102 participants and the winner in a time of 39 minutes was Pierce Hickey, 2nd place was Declan Newman, 3rd place Johnny Kilcoyne. 1st lady home was Rony Masterson, 1st under 16 was Conor Flood. The award for most sponsorship went to Pat Masterson. Many thanks to all who participated donated drinks and helped out on the day.
Green Residents
Thanks to everyone who returned completed questionnaires in the recent survey on energy usage. It is clear, from the positive response, that there is much interest in improving the energy efficiency of our homes. As you may be aware, audits are already being carried out on a representative number of houses. Because of time constraints it will not be possible, on this occasion, to audit the houses of all those who have shown an interest but as was stated on the introductory note that accompanied the questionnaire, this is just part of a more detailed and comprehensive programme. Participants will be kept updated as and when developments occur.
Rathcline GAA Draw
The annual Rathcline Christmas draw will take place in the Yacht Bar on Saturday week 16th January at 11pm. Tickets are priced at €20 each and the prize structure is as follows 1st €3,000, 2nd €750, 3rd €500, 4th €300 and 5th €200. Tickets are on sale from all club executives and members.