Lanesboro – Ballyleague Notes
Play next weekend
The local Lough Ree Theatre Group will present ‘Thy will be Done’ on this Friday 12th, Saturday 13th, and Sunday 14th March in the Lough Ree Development Co-Op Hall. Since its founding a few short years ago the Theatre group has continued to gain acclaim for the excellent productions they put to stage.
This is a marvellous and fantastic play and one that should not be missed. Lanesboro is proving to an exceptional area for activity and is bucking the trend with wonderful activities that can be enjoyed by everybody both young and old. This play again offers a wonderful night out in Lanesboro and should be huge supported.
The theatre group have worked long and hard in preparing for this weekend with endless hours of rehearsals.
Tickets are available at the Co-Op or from O’Brien’s or you can phone the office at 3327070. Tickets are priced at €10 and the doors will open at 8pm with curtains up at 8.30pm.
Lanesboro Fair Day and Dog Show
Saturday morning last was a day blessed with great weather, in fact it was the finest day of the year and it was truly fitting that the ‘Fair Day’ should be taking full advantage of such a great day.
The day opened with the barriers and stall getting into place from 7am and it as the morning sun began to rise it was very unclear if the day was going to be successful as there not the sign of a horse or a trader or local alike on the street – it was phenomenally quite even at 9.30am and the show to open at 10.30. A trickle of horses then began to emerge from the car park area and as he minutes passed that trickle became a continuous flow to the corralled area on upper Main Street.
In no time at all the entire area was full of horses so much so that there was an overspill- something that has not been seen since the great old days of Lanesboro Horse Fair. Not only did the horses and their handlers arrive but so did the dealer and according to a source within the committee lively trading took place throughout the day.
The people flocked to Lanesboro in their droves and it was so great to see so many people enjoying themselves and enjoying all the attractions that the day. The bright and sunny day was a crowning glory for everybody and it just shows if that if you put on the proper show and manage it well the people will turn out and support it.
The added attraction of the Dog Show also brought a huge number of dogs of all shapes and sizes. The dog show was hugely competitive between the large numbers of excellently presented dogs. In the end the judges, despite having to make extremely hard decisions, seemed to pick the best dogs on show and everybody returned home happily.
The committee must take a bow for once again organising a wonderful day for everybody. They had a great number of stewards and volunteers on the day and that is testimony to the excellent work that this committee does year on year. Again, well done and congratulations to one and all involved in making it a wonderful Fair day once again in Lanesboro.
St Patrick’s Day Parade
Wednesday week 17th March will see the third St. Patrick’s Day taking place in Lanesboro/Ballyleague. The hard working committee in the Lough Ree Co-Op are busily finalising the plans for what will once again be another outstanding day in the Lanesboro Ballyleague area. If you have not entered your float yet please contact the office immediately.
Annual Partners 25
The Annual Partner 25 will take place in the Co-Op Hall on Good Friday night 2nd April for a prize fund of €500. The game will commence at 9pm sharp and tickets are priced at €5.
Do you now/Did you see
Over the past few days some mindless fools with cans of red aerosol spread graffiti over one of the arches under the bridge. This coming at a time when the area is buzzing with a huge number of exciting activities and large numbers are coming into the area is a total disaster and creating a bad image in our town.
If you seen or know who did this act of vandalism can they contact the local Gardaí as this cannot be allowed to happen.
Triathlon for Lanesboro
This is to give all you active people out there fair warning that for the very first time Lanesboro will host a 25.5 Triathlon on 10th July. This is in conjunction with the Summer School that runs from 8th to the 11th July. Time is now right to commence your training with this first Triathlon in Lanesboro in mind.
The adult version for men and ladies will comprise of 500m swim, 20m cycle and will finish with a 5km run. A mini triathlon will take place for adults and children interested in trying out the sport and it will comprise of 100m swim, 3km cycle and 1km run.
DVD Launch
The launch of the much awaited ‘Search for a Star’ DVD will take place on Friday night next 12th March in The Lough Ree Arms at 9.30pm. Search for a Star was again an outstanding success this year and the bookings for the DVD are very high. DVDs will be on sale in O’Brien’s from Saturday and a limited number will be available.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on Wednesday last 3rd March are; 1st Kathleen Reilly & Tom Feeney, 2nd Elish Gray & Katharine Harrison, 3rd Loretto Cooney & Maura Hanly and 4th Phil Chalmers & Cyril Hussey.
Cheltenham Preview in Percy French
The Roscommon Lions Club once again presents the Cheltenham Preview night and this year it will take place in the Percy French Hotel, Strokestown on Thursday night week 11th March at 8pm. Traditionally this is always a very informative night with excellent guests being very close to the button in their selection for the races. This year the panel includes trainer, Tony Mullins, Dunguib jockey, Brian O’Connell, Irish Racing Post Editor and RTÉ correspondent Jonathan Mullin, jockey Ken Whelan
By supporting this night you will not only be gaining information regarding the runners in Cheltenham but more importantly you will be supporting Roscommon Leo’s Club Suicide Prevention Projects and also Bernie Compton’s Haven Trust for Haiti. There will also be an auction and raffle on the night for some major prizes and your support will be appreciated.
Tickets are on sale in O’Brien’s shop and bookmakers and they cost €20.
Shannon Gaels Minor Club
Shannon Gaels Minor Club would like to congratulate all of those that took part and helped in any way towards the hugely successful running of this year’s event. The club would also like to thank everybody that came out and supported the three nights making it a wonderful success.
The club would like to wish Lough Ree Theatre company the very best of luck next weekend when they stage their play in the Co-Op hall and encourage all club supporters to support either Friday, Saturday or Sunday night.
Congratulations to Cathal Greene and Shane Donohue and their team mates who won the Leinster Vocational schools Championship last Saturday
Congratulations to minor player Gary Tobin who is a member of the band Spruce who won Longford’s Got Talent at the weekend.
The club wishes the new executive of the senior club every success as they take up office. We wish them a hugely successful year ahead.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on Monday night 1st March are; Gross N/S 1st Joan Donnellan & Patricia Mc Gann, 2nd Barbara Ferguson & Kathleen Kelly, 3rd Margaret Gillen & Mai Casey, 4th Des & Eileen Watts. Gross E/W 1st Kathleen Hanley & Maureen Hynes, 2nd Renee Walsh & Mary Mc Gushin, 3rd Ger & Breda Clarke, 4th Eileen Kelly & Noreen Dunne. Nett N/S 1st Joan Donnellan & Patricia Mc Gann, 2nd Barbara Ferguson & Kathleen Kelly, 4th Fiona Gillen & Phil Chalmers. Nett E/W 1st Ger & Breda Clarke, 2nd Kathleen Hanley & Maureen Hynes, 3rd Brendan Dowling & Goretti Kenny, 4th Renee Walsh & Mary Mc Gushin.
Good luck to the three Longford teams that are playing for the Burke Trophy in Dublin next weekend.
Community Games
Games Quiz
The County Community Games Quiz was held on Monday night last in the Park House in Edgeworthstown. Well done to the following two teams who turned up to represent Lanesboro.
Team 1: Andrew Ward, Sean Casey, Cillian Flood & Aaron Farrell. Team 2: Kevin Sorohan, Dearbháil Flood, Niamh Chalke & Aisling Casey and to Crónán Flood who acted as sub.
Art Competition
Well done to all the local children who made an entry in the Art Competition. Ms Michelle Spence, Art Tutor at the Community College was awarded the arduous task of adjudicating. Grateful appreciation is extended to Michelle from the Community Games Committee and also to Pauline Casey who coordinated the competition. Those who came first in their age group are to attend Templemichael College Longford on Saturday next 13th March 2010 for the County Competition. The following is the result of the Art Competition:
Girls: U14: 1st Dearbháil Flood, 2nd Melissa Gilmore and 3rd Grace Brennan. U12: 1st Sarah Farrell, 2nd Niamh Chalke, 3rd Aisling Casey. U10: 1st Lauren Tansey, 2nd Leah Wyse, 3rd Orla Ryan. U8: 1st Aoife Nolan, 2nd Anna Cibiniak and 3rd Sarah Curran.
Boys: U14: 1st Max Zimarevs, 2nd Mark Lyons and 3rd Conor Mc Guinness. U12: 1st Luke Lisle, 2nd James Gavigan, 3rd Stephen O’Dowd. U10: 1st Bryn Peters, 2nd Seadna Ryan, 3rd Liam Ross. U8: 1st Conor Sorohan, 2nd Niall Chalke, 3rd Shane Killian.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Tansey Cup: We were defeated by St. Aidan’s in Ballyforan on Friday last. Final Score – St. Faithleach’s 0-8 St. Aidan’s 4-4. Team: S. Connor, P. Flynn, M.F.O’Grady, D. McCormack, B. Scally(0-1), D. Murray, J. Connor(0-1), J. Quigley, D. Ryan, B. Healy(0-1), P. Murray(0-1), P. Cox(0-3), A. Kenny(0-1), D. Rooney, B. Hussey. Subs used: D. Byrne, A. Manning.
2010 Club Membership: Membership now due for this year. Adults €40, Students €20, Family €80.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the Club House, 9.00pm. Results of last week’s games – Joint winners, Mickey/James & Sean/Seamus. Last game, Bernie/Maureen. Ticket winners, Mark, Freda, Tom, Peggy.
Minor Club Registration: Any Minor players yet to register please contact Minor Committee Member as soon as possible.
Fundraising Development: Many thanks to all who have supported our Development Fundraising to date. Members will be calling to areas during the week, all support greatly appreciated. You can also donate to any Executive Committee Member at the Club House.
Rose of St. Faithleach’s: It’s time to look out for our St. Faithleach’s Rose. With the success of last year’s competition we hope to find 12 more ladies to take part for this year. Anyone interested in entering please give your name to Bernie Cotter.
U16 Boys: Had a win at home to Kilglass on Sunday last. Final Score – St. Faithleach’s 4-16 Kilglass 1-4. Training continues Monday & Thursdays at 7.00pm sharp.
U16 Girls: Were defeated by Four Roads. Team: B. Donlon, N. Carty, E. Kenny, C. Brennan, T. Nerney, S O’Neill, A. Nerney, A. Ormsby, C. Cleary, S. Brennan, K. Murphy, A. Collier, R. Costello, R. Banahan, N. Scally.
U14: Training continues Monday & Thursdays at 6.00pm sharp.
Upcoming Events: St. Patricks Day Parade – St. Faithleach’s Float, all welcome to come along & take part. Pool Tournament to be held in the Club House. Entry fee E10. Names currently being taken in the Club House. Also Indoor Football Tournament, details at later date.
Club Notifications: Anyone wishing to be notified of Club Events by Text, please contact Michael Cleary at (087) 2238293.
Sympathy: The Club extends deepest sympathy on the death of Cathal Farrell, Ballyleague. To his sons, Joe, Noel, Charlie & Paul, brothers & sisters, extended family & friends. The club extends deepest sympathy to the McHale Family on the death of Pat McHale, Roscommon, former Principal of Curraghroe N. S.
Rathcline GAA
The Senior Club Executive was formed last Tuesday night 03rd March in the Club House where the following officers were appointed; Chairman – Liam Connerton, Vice Chairman – Louis Skelly, Treasurer – James Casey, Assistant Treasurer – Albert Cooney, Chris Cullen, Secretary – Denis Crinigan, Assistant Secretary – Cathal Chapman, PRO – Tommy Donoghue, Irish Officer – Supplied by Shannon Gaels. We wish the incoming executive the very best of luck for the coming season. The first Executive meeting will take place on Monday night 8th March 2010 at 8pm. All executive members are requested to attend to discuss the financial plan for the coming year. Please note that Senior Team is due to play away in the first round of the League on Saturday 13th March against Colmcille. Please keep an eye on the fixtures for details. The Senior Club would like to congratulate Shannon Gaels on a very successful Search for a Star Campaign this year. Also congratulations to Cathal Greene and Shane Donohue who were apart of the victorious Ballymahon team who won the Leinster title on Saturday afternoon in Pearse Park.
Local Fine Gael
The Lanesboro branch of Fine Gael held their AGM on the 26th Feb in Adie Farrell’s Lounge. The meeting was well attended. The following were elected for the coming year: Chairman: Pat Brennan, V-Chair: Albert Cooney, Secretary: Deirdre O’ Dowd, Treasurer: Adie Farrell, Ass. Treasure: Kevin O’ Dowd, PRO: Louis Skelly, Youth Officer: Gerard Farrell.
Deputy James Bannon TD was in attendance and he spoke of the recent surge in unemployment and the Governments cuts to Enterprise Boards. Senator Nicky Mc Fadden spoke of the downgrading of mental health services in the area. She also spoke of the proposed changes to private turf-cutting and stated that the proposed changes must not be implemented. Cllr Paddy Belton spoke of the great loss to the area in the defeat of Adie Farrell in the last local elections and commended him on his many years of great service to the area. He hoped Adie would contest the next local elections. He also outlined the recent damage to roads and said the repair of such roads was of the utmost important. A vote of sympathy was passed by the members to all families bereaved since the last AGM.
Lanesboro Library
Learn Online for FREE with FAS at Lanesboro Library!
A new ‘Online Learning’ Initiative is running in your local library over the next few months. The courses are all online and are open to everybody over 18. All courses have been developed for people with little or no IT Skills as well as those with some IT knowledge. Some of the courses running include: Introduction to Computers, Internet and Email, ECDL, Basic Finance, Health and Safety.
Registration forms are available at the Library. A FAS course facilitator will be present every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm for any queries you may have.
Nurturing your mental health – leaflets and books available at the library.
Free Wireless internet access available to all members.
Conversational French Classes starting soon (subject to numbers attending). For more information contact Stella on 043 3321291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Opening Hrs: Monday 2pm-8pm, Tuesday 2pm-6pm, Wednesday 2pm-8pm, Friday 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, Saturday 10am-1pm.