Lanesboro – Ballyleague Notes
Hands of our Hospital
Over the past few months there have been rallies in support of Mullingar Midland Regional hospital and these rallies have been rightly supported by people from the county of Longford and particularly from Longford town to the east of the county.
However, for us in the west of county Longford we face the prospect of our local hospital closing its doors for ever. Roscommon County Hospital has served the people of this area with tremendous distinction and dedication over many years and has meant that many a life was saved there and people went on to live long and healthy lives as result of the hospital. The hospital and its staff have been ever present to us in our times of need through thick and thin and the threat of closure by the HSE, a body that has floundered from crisis to crisis, is surely a step too far by those HSE people that are prepared to put money and cost cutting ahead of lives – the lives of our families, friends and neighbours.
This is a case for our political representatives, especially the Government ones, both in Longford/Westmeath and Roscommon to stand up and be counted at a time of extreme need of their constituents. It is time that the people of this area create such a shindig that will rock the HSE to their very foundation and show how deadly serious we are about the retention of full services at Roscommon Hospital and that the price of one life cannot be counted by fiscal policies of these bureaucrats.
Perhaps, the HSE, instead of employing expensive consultants to look at where they will make cuts can start by showing us what they themselves feel the cost of one life is and what sacrifices they are willing to make to save one life. While those in higher positions of the HSE sit and dictate from their ivory towers it is time they got down of their pedestal and meet the people face to face – something which is as highly unlikely as our politicians (especially government ones) putting their seats on the line for the defence of our regional hospital. Yes, it is a regional hospital as it cares for people in the catchment area of four counties. There is no doubt that the very existence of this government and future administrations should be on the line as this is one of the greatest threats to hit our area. They cannot afford to dither and neither can we.
The time has now come for the dismantling of the fence that so many sit upon and to stand up and be counted in support of Roscommon County Hospital.
A major rally will take place on Saturday next 14th August at Roscommon County Hospital at 11am. The rally will have a series of speakers declaring their support for the retention of full services of the hospital and these speeches will take place at Hyde Park Centre. Part of the protest will be a ‘hands around the hospital’ and there should be enough people from this area alone to circle the hospital at least once. Get there, bring your family and friends and make certain that every able bodied person is there to support a hospital that has been so supportive to us for so many years. Every club and association must be there and hugely represented.
Family Business to the Fore
One of the most pleasing features of the businesses in Lanesboro is that there are so many ran by local families and it is very important that all these family businesses are supported. Last week I welcomed the Casey family’s new business and this week it is with great delight that I welcome another family business to town. This time what we all remember as O’Flaherty’s at the top of the town opened its doors on Thursday last under the new ownership of the Casserley family. The business was briefly under the ownership of Jim Burke before being bought by the Casserley family. It is great to have another local family opening the doors of this business, Michael and Nancy Casserley and family, Clonfower have reopened the petrol and supermarket business with it going under major renovations and bearing the Spar symbol. The Casserley family have been an integral part of the Rathcline community for generations and it is wonderful to see their community belief that they should have purchased and open their business.We wish Michael, Nancy and their family many years of successful trading.
Maintenance Grants
Longford County Council and Longford Vocational Education Committee are holding an information evening on Student Maintenance Grants in the Longford Arms Hotel on Wednesday 25th August at 7.30pm. Leaving Cert students, their parents and those intending to return to full- time education are invited to go along for what should be a very informative evening.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Henry and Mary Kenny and family, Cloontuskert and the Kenny family and extended family, Ballinahinch Newtowncashel on the death on Sunday of Johnny Kenny, Ballinahinch. Johnny’s friendly manner and great personality will be a great loss to all of us that knew him especially those of us that remembered him on the successful electoral trails for the late Joe Sheridan.
Support Your Championship Teams
Rathcline will take to the green expanse of Pearse Park on Saturday next for the Quarter Final of the Longford Senior Championship at 7.30pm the men from Rathcline have been training hard and are very confident that they can make the step forward towards a place in the semi-final and they have done marvellously so far and they would really appreciate your support on Saturday. Be there and give them your support.
The St. Faithleach’s championship game scheduled for last Sunday was cancelled due to the death of Johnny Kenny and it is likely that it will take place this coming weekend. The game is a home game for St. Faithleach’s and if you check fixtures you will get full details. Go along and support them and give them your fullest encouragement as they strive to make quarter finals.
We wish both teams in their championships the very best of luck.
Rathcline Summer Draw
The Rathcline GAA club is holding a Summer Fundraising Draw on Saturday 28th August In Clarke’s Bar. The club is doing tremendous work at their grounds in Clonbonny – well worth going to see. The tickets are priced at €20 each and the prize schedule is 1st -€3000, 2nd €1,000, 3rd €750, 4th €500, 5th €250, 6th to 10th prize €200 each. We hope there will be a huge take up on the tickets and help continue the tremendous work already done and what is to be done in future weeks and months ahead.
Sympathy
In recent times I wrote of the sudden and untimely death of Danny O’Brien, formerly of the Green. Inside the past week Danny’s mother Mrs. Peg O’Brien died at her residence in Trim. She will be always remembered with fondness for her gentleness and kindness and we extend our sincere sympathy her son Willie, daughters Mary and Mart Teresa, relatives and friends.
Lanesboro Karate Class
Following the summer break Lanesboro Karate Club will reopen its doors for the coming season on Monday 13th September in St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Lanesboro. This offers a great opportunity for men, women and children to keep fit and practice the art of karate over the coming season. The junior classes will take place every Monday from 6.30 to 7.30 and the senior class will take place from 7.30 to 9pm. The classes will cost just €5. The club welcomes back all previous members and a makes a special welcome to any newcomers. For more information you are asked to contact World Champion and 2nd Dan, Kevin Mc Kenna in person or by phone 086-0807012.
Wedding
The marriage took place at the Church of Corpus Christi, Mount Temple, Co. Westmeath of Caroline Harrison daughter of Tom and Katharine Harrison, Ballyleague and Flavio Greco son of Umberto and Hoang Greco, Turin, Italy. Matron of Honour was Patricia Tran, sister of the bride and the bridesmaids were Jackie Burke and Cathy Abbot both sisters of the bride. Bestman was Luigi Tommaseo friend of the groom, groomsmen were Amedeo Piccinini and Giulia Ventura both friends of the groom. Pageboys were Luke and Ruairí Tran, nephews of the bride. The marriage ceremonies were celebrated by Rev Patrick Rogers C.P. Mount Argus, Dublin and Rev. Val Rogers, Westport, Co. Mayo both uncles of the bride. The wedding reception was held in Glasson Golf Club where the bride’s brother David Harrison was master of ceremonies.
Go Racing in Roscommon
Have you been to the races in Roscommon this year? Now is the time to pay a visit to Roscommon racecourse and enjoy the thrills and excitement of top class horse racing? We often see all the top jockeys and trainers been interview on television and by going to the races in Roscommon you can see them in person and admire their ability to train and ride great races. Roscommon races take place on Monday next 16th August with the first race at 5.20. Go along and enjoy a tremendous evening out and you can even finish off a great day with the Race Dance in the Abbey Hotel the same night