Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Entertainment Continues this Friday
Shannonside Heritage welcomes the return of the very popular and long awaited traditional concert back to Lanesboro. This year’s event is entitled “Poems and Promises”. Once again the indisputable talents of our local and popular musicians Johnny Duffy, Noel Carberry, Jimmy Flanagan, Brendan Doyle, Moyra Fraser, Martin Cooney, Vinny Baker and everyone’s favourite singers Willie Kelly and Siobhan Casey will entertain in what should be a wonderful night. This is a night not to be missed and there is only one place to be on Friday night next and that is in St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Tickets, including a wine reception are priced at €15. A limited number of tickets will be on sale in O’Brien’s and outlets throughout Lanesboro.
Fashion Show
It is not very often that the ‘Full House’ sign goes up in Ballyleague Hall but Saturday night last was one of these rare nights when the Fashion Show in aid of Rathcline GAA and Action Breast Cancer filled the popular venue. The brainchild of Lorraine Farrell who put together a tremendous team produced one of the finest nights in a long time in the area. A huge number of locals strutted the beautiful styles of the many fashion businesses that supported the Lorraine and her team. I congratulate everybody for the part they played in making Saturday night such a great success and I encourage everybody to support the businesses that supported our local causes. The outlets on the night included Grasshopper, Next Kids/Spirit Kids, Wards Menswear, Wide Variety, Clara Ellen, Dixons Menswear, Next, Dolls – Fabiani Shoes, Spirit Clothing/Tally Weil, Lure & Dunnes Stores. Extra accessories were provided by “Get Ahead Hats” and Paul Byron Shoes. We must also make special mention and ask you to support the local hairdressers and beauticians who gave their time and energy in making the models beautiful for the night. Businesses included Michelle Connerton (Cloud 9), Laura Shanley (Laura’s Beauty Salon), Denise Collins, Angela Hughes (His & Hers), Claire Mullen Flynn (Xlntee), Mags Gillen (Mag’s Hair Salon) and Martin McNally (Barber Bus).
Presidential Visit
Thursday last was a red lettered day in the history of our parish when we were grace with a visit from our President Mary Mc Aleese and her husband Martin. The day was dark, dreary and wet but it did not dampen the spirits of the local people as they made their way to Lanesboro Ballyleague Community Playschool and St. Mary’s Parish Hall to greet President Mc Aleese and her husband Martin. She is a truly a very personable lady with an undoubted ability to warm the hearts of everyone in her company. During her speeches in both the Playschool and Parish Hall President Mc Aleese showed a great awareness and appreciation of our area. The attendance at both venues was both large and representative. It was a delightful day for Lanesboro and we are delighted and thankful that President Mc Aleese decided to visit us.
The preparation for this visit brought out a tremendous community spirit with everyone putting their shoulder to the wheel to make the town and venues bright, beautiful and sparkling. The effort put into preparation in the playschool was tremendous where all parents gave of their time and energy in making the playschool immaculate. For those that do not know, the playschool is the old boys National School on the Green and the atmosphere upon entering is warm, friendly and welcoming- exactly what a school should be. We congratulate the Lanesboro Ballyleague Playschool committee for creating such a warm environment for the initial stages of learning for the kids of our community.
The work done by the Hall committee and FÁS workers over recent years has made the Parish Hall a warm, comfortable and hospitable place during the many social events and it was fitting that Mrs. Mc Aleese was hosted in the venue. The hall was filled to capacity and it was great to see such excitement etched on the faces of both young and old at the visit of our President.
While President Mc Aleese is a renowned orator it was with a tremendous pride and joy to find that we also had two marvelous orators in our own community. The welcoming speeches by Teresa Ormsby in the Playschool and Seadna Ryan in the Parish Hall surpassed any welcome ever made to visiting dignitary and it was an honour to listen to their wonderful oration and be proud that they were from our community.
I congratulate everybody that helped in any way towards the great work in preparing the town and venues. There is no doubt we are a great community.
Kilgefin Community Games Celebrates 40 years
Over the past 40 years there have been a huge number of local people from the parish involved in the organising and participation in the Kilgefin Community Games. To celebrate the achievement of 40 years of Community Games in the parish there will be a social night on Friday week 19th November from 9 pm in St. Faithleach’s clubhouse. Music by Sean Brennan and refreshments will be served. All current and former parishioners are invited and anyone who has helped with the running of Community Games in Kilgefin over the years.
Tickets selling very fast for Dublin Gospel Choir
There has been a huge amount of interested at the news of the arrival of the Dublin Gospel Choir to perform in The Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague on Friday 26th November. Particularly at this time of year there is a huge demand of the Choir and it is a major coup for St. Faithleach’s GAA Club. Dublin Gospel Choir who has played with some of the best acts in the world including Rod Stewart, Chris de Burgh, John Legend, James Brown, Damien Rice, and The Chieftains has become one of the most sought after acts in the country. The tickets priced at €20 are very limited in supply and it is very important to book yours early to avoid disappointment – and there is no doubt but this will be a definite sell-out. Tickets are on sale from any club member or from O’Brien’s Corner Shop, phone 3321107.
It is that time of Year Again
Now is the time to be thinking of Christmas Day, a day that traditionally gets off to a wonderful start with the annual Christmas Day Run/Walk in aid of Multiple Sclerosis. The run/walk takes place between Newtowncashel and Lanesboro with the walkers setting off at 11.45am and the runners at 12.15pm.
This run is usually hugely supported by both runners and sponsors of the runners and we expect that this year will be no different. This is the main fundraiser of the year and once again we expect you will be very generous for those people that need all the support that is available. So far the MS Society has raised over €145,000 in its previous 19 years of the Run/Walk. As this is the 20th year of the Run/Walk the organisers are hoping for greater numbers to make the 20th Anniversary a very special occasion. With almost 8 weeks to go to Christmas Day, there is ample time to get training and support the very special occasion.
Sponsorship cards are available from O’Brien’s Corner Shop, Michael Flood, Newtowncashel (Tel: 086-0880855); Brigid Mullooly, Lanesborough (Tel: 086-8807596) and from Casserley’s Shop and Fallon Bar Newtowncashel.
Annual Draw
Carmel Linnane and Liz Balfe are holding their annual Christmas Draw. The proceeds of the draw are in aid of African students. The draw will take place in The Yacht Bar on Saturday 18th December. The prize list is: 1st prize €150, 2nd prize 6 bottles Wine, 3rd prize bottle Brandy, 4th prize box Biscuits & Sweets. There will be many more prizes on the night.
Shannon Gaels Minor Club
Sympathy: The club would like to extend its deepest sympathy to Mel, Luke and Eve Donnellan family, Rathcline Road on the untimely death of their mother Denise.
Frank Moynihan Comes to the Co-Op
Lovers of good cooking should make a special note of Tuesday 7th December when Chef Frank Moynihan invites you to tastes of Christmas – a celebration of Christmas Day cooking.
Table Quiz
The Ballyleague Village Renewal and Tidy Towns Group is holding a fundraising table quiz in St. Faithleach’s Club House on Friday night November 12th at 9pm. A special guest will be on hand to ask one of the key rounds of the questions on the night with an array of prizes for the brain boxes present, lots of spot prizes and even better fun promised for everybody who attends. The Village Renewal group is coming to the end of one of their most successful years to date – with the Ballyleague score in the National Tidy Towns Awards having gone up by no less that nineteen points after a lot of hard work and last weekend the committee was again busy, out and out putting in some daffodils in the village in readiness for Spring. The committee lobbied hard for the main road through the area to be properly re-surfaced recently and has also carried out a lot of behind the scenes work with Roscommon County Council and the contractor which worked on the complete re-surfacing of the roadway through Ballyleague. The committee would like to thank the Council, the contractor and Councillor Tom Crosby who provided invaluable support to the residents during the work on the road. Out thanks also to Councillor Valerie Byrne and Councillor Sean Beirne who attended our committee meetings this year. The Tidy Towns committee is indebted to Niall Donlon, Pat Connor and Joe Browne who have ensured the grass has been cut at the river Shannon banks all year, the litter is always collected and this scenic area is looking well. For further information on any of our projects or to join the committee please contact Denis Dunne, Chairman at 0433321150 or e-mail: keepballyleaguetidy@gmail.com
Pilates
Pilates will continue in St. Mary’s parish hall every Thursday night at 7pm. A new course will commence on Thursday 25th November for 4 weeks and classes will resume again following the Christmas break on Thursday 13th January for 10 weeks. You are invited to join anytime and it is never too late- all you need is a mat and Pilates is suitable for everyone. More information can be got by contacting Bonnie at 087-2238237.
Death
The entire area was shock and indeed saddened when the news filtered through on Thursday last 4th November of the death at St. Luke’s Hospital, Dublin of Denise Donnellan, Rathcline Road. Denise, who was predeceased by her husband Peter a few years ago, was a wonderful lady. She had a gentle disposition and a heart of gold. In recent time she suffered but her demeanour never changed despite the pain she was suffering. She was a great friend of animals and indeed came to their rescue many times. She was a tremendous loving mother who cared greatly for her sons and daughter. Denise, as everyone that knew her would attest was a very special friend and the grief shown by so many at the news of her death and in the past few days shows how deeply she touched the hearts of so many. Her remains were removed to St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro on Sunday for her Funeral Mass and on Monday her remains were removed to Glasnevin Crematorium.
To her sons Mel and Luke, daughter Eve, mother Dorothy, brother Mel, relatives and many friend we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
Triathlon Club
The newly formed Lanesboro Triathlon Club is started their second set of swimming sessions on Monday the 8th November last with the Coman’s Master’s Swimming Club at the Roscommon Leisure Centre from 9 pm – 10 pm. The seven week sessions will cost € 50 for new members and € 30 for existing members to the swimming sessions. All levels of swimming ability are catered for and programmes for complete beginners, leisure swimmers, intermediate and advanced swimmers are also being catered for. Whether you just want to swim a few laps for enjoyment and relaxation or wish to improve your current level of swimming ability to maybe wish to take part in a triathlon sometime or as a cross training for another sport , come to the pool at 8.45 pm and enjoy the experience.
This Thursday the 11th November the Lanesboro Triathlon Club will hold the first track session in their winter running programme at the Running Track behind Lanesboro Community College at 7 pm. The Club insists that anybody, regardless of their current level of fitness who wishes to, should come up to the track and join in with their friends and neighbours and meet new people who want to get fit. Whether they are just walkers, joggers or new to running, this is the opportunity to join in with like-minded people and share the experience. It is intended that all levels of ability will be catered for and the initial session will give the running coach a chance to assess everybody’s needs and plan and develop programmes for the different levels. It is intended to continue the sessions every Thursday night onwards and it can become a regular date in everyone’s training diaries.
Ronie Masterson, the Chairperson of the Triathlon Club will be the running coach and she has a very lengthy and successful career in running in all aspects of the sport, track, cross country and road running and has just recently returned from Paris where she represented Ireland in the European Military Olympics where she ran the half marathon, 13.5 miles and finished in 7th position. This is a fantastic achievement and she is currently training hard for a number of forthcoming Army Races where she will be vying for another chance to represent Ireland in the European Military Cross Country Championships in Switzerland in January. All her club mates wish her the best in her endeavours. Ronie turned her heels in a different way last Saturday night when she strutted her stuff as one of the models in the fashion show in Ballyleague Hall in aid of Action Breast Cancer. What a trooper.
Anyone who wishes to become a member of the Triathlon Club or become involved in any capacity whatsoever can contact the Club Secretary Brendan O’Sullivan at 086 254 4534.
Ballyboro Scouts
Cake Sale – The scouts are holding a cake sale on Sunday 28th November in Ballyleague Hall. The sale will take place between 11am and 1pm. You are invited to go along and support our local scouts.
Scouts Pumpkin – Vincent Glennon was the lucky winner of the ‘Guess the weight of the Pumpkin” held by the scouts over the Halloween weekend. He correctly guessed the weight of 117.5lbs and 71 inches in width. A big thank you to Paul Herraty who grew and donated the pumpkin and also to Bernard Keane, Supervalu who facilitated the scouts over the weekend.
Lanesboro Gun Club
Congratulations to Nevan Deffew and Anthony Gillen who won the longest cock pheasant and heaviest cock pheasant competitions. Nevan won with a 40inch bird and Anthony’s winning bird was 3lb 8oz.
The club AGM will be held on Friday 19th November in Adie Farrell’s meeting room at 9pm. All members are expected to attend. If there is any member that requires any issue to be added to the agenda can they contact Fran Deffew immediately.
Ballyboro
U13 Boys: Ballyboro V Abbey Rovers. Final Score 7-3.
On Saturday last Boro were drawn at home to a strong Abbey Rovers side. Boro started this game with only 10 ten men due to injuries and suspensions and were 2-0 down before they were up to full strength with the arrival of Jordan Donlon. Boro didn’t have the run of the green in this game and found themselves 4-0 down at half time. This score didn’t reflect the effort the home side had put in with Shane Phillips & Jonathan Hussey challenging for every ball. Boro’s luck didn’t change much in the 2nd half with Cian Gannon’s header narrowly wide and Jordon Donlon’s shot coming back off the post with the keeper well beaten. Abbey Rovers got back on top & punished Boro with 3 more goals in a 5 minute spell. Boro with nothing to lose threw everything at Rovers & played their best football in the last ten minutes with Phillips finding Hussey who passed to Ryan Guinan who in turn finds Gannon finishing at the near post. Boro kept pressing and Phillips puts himself on the score sheet with a neat pass from Hussey and it was Hussey who got Boro’s 3rd when he latched onto Donlon’s through ball. Man of the Match for Boro was Shane Phillips.
Last week Boro were away to Glencar near Letterkenny in Donegal although things didn’t go our way we enjoyed our trip and it was a good experience for our young players. Boro’s goal on the day came from a well taken Shane Phillips free-kick. We would like to thank all the players, their parents & supporters who travelled the 300mile round trip and those who donated towards same. Glencar are now drawn against Melview in Longford in the next round and this should be a game worth watching. Team: Eran Farrell, Ryan Guinan, Jack Irwin, Ryan Gill, Daniel Barry, Kevin Sorohan, Mickey Cox, Jonathan Hussey, Conor Smith, Shane Phillips(1), Cian Gannon. Subs: Jordan Donlon, Cormac Gannon.
U13 Girls. Ballyboro V Delvin. Final Score 2-0 Ballyboro U13 girls were at home to Delvin last weekend on a cold morning Boro push forward from the start and had some early chances but with conditions under foot not the best both teams found the going tough. Boro were rewarded for their persistence and took the lead with a deflected shot from Olivia Cooper to take a goal lead into the break. In the second half Boro kept up the pressure and got there second with a fine finish from the ever tricky Aoife McGann. Team: Dearbhail Flood, Shannon Rooney, Megan Banahan, Catherine Brennan, Olivia Cooper, Ellen Hegarty, Rachel Costello, Aoife McGann, Rachel Banahan, Anna Peters, Tara McCormack, Leona Hoare, Eleanor Lisle, Hayley Rooney, Niamh Gavigan, Niamh Scally, Jade Farrell, Niamh Chawke.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Junior B League Semi-Final: We were defeated by Michael Glaveys in the Semi-Final on Saturday last. Final Score: St. Faithleachs 1-5 Michael Glaveys 2-11. Team: S. Connor, P. Farrell, J. Vesey, D. Byrne, J. Tarmey, P. Murray, J. Connor, A. McCormack, D. Murray (0-1), B. Scally (1-0), A. Brehon, P. Cox (0-2), B. Hussey, J. Quigley, R. Cox (0-2). Subs: N. Kelly, M. F. O’Grady, A. Manning.
Senior Club AGM: Our Annual General Meeting takes place on 3rd December in St. Faithleachs GAA Club House.
Lotto: Next draw 9/11/10, Jackpot €2,000. Team on duty: J. Brennan, A. Brennan, D. Mc Loone, J. Hegarty.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the Club House, 9.00pm. Results of last week’s games – Winners, Annie/Jacinta, Sean/Sean. Last game, Kathleen/Annie. Ticket Winners – Annie, Frank, Tom, Packie.
Table Quiz: Ballyleague Village Renewal Group is holding a Table Quiz in St. Faithleachs GAA Club House this Friday: 8.30pm. Please come along & support.
Upcoming Events: Ladies Night to be held in the Club House on 4th December with Karaoke as the theme.
Kilgefin Community Games Social Night: To celebrate almost 40 years of Community Games in the Parish, there will be a Social Night in St. Faithleachs GAA Club House on Friday 19th November from 9pm. Music by Sean Brennan. Refreshments will be served. All current & former parishioners are invited & anyone who has helped with Kilgefin Community Games over the years.
The Dublin Gospel Choir: The up-coming Dublin Gospel Choir Night was launched in St. Faithleachs GAA Club House on Tuesday last. The event will take place in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague on Friday 26th November at 8pm. Admission by Ticket Only €20, available from usual outlets. The interval Act will be performed by the Lanesboro Community College Choir under the direction of Jimmy Flanagan.
Congratulations: To Henry Kenny & Michelle Malone who got Engaged last week.
Lough Ree Golfing Society
The Society had a good turnout at Co Longford Golf Club on Saturday last. The course, while challenging, was good for this time of year. Everybody had an enjoyable day’s golf, as we had very little rain. Thanks to the captain and committee of Co Longford Golf Club for accommodating us and thanks also to caterers for the lovely food.
The prize winners were: First: Charlie Brennan with a fine score of 41 stableford points in testing conditions. Second was Jim Finn with 40 points and third, also with 40 points, was Brendan Carty.
The front nine was won by Justina Farrell and the back nine by Sean Brennan while the visitor’s prize was won by Darragh Carty.
The Society will have their annual scramble, followed by the AGM, at Strokestown Golf Club in January or February at a date to be announced.
Rural Transport Celebrates
Two events were held in the County on Friday the 22nd October as part of the National “Celebration day” for Rural Transport. One of the events was held in the Lough Ree Development Co-Op building, hosted by Teresa Costello and her staff and Co-Ordinated by Sean Farrell CC, Chairman of the Rural Transport Steering Group. A very happy morning with passengers enjoying the cup of tea and the chat.
‘The aim of the Rural Transport Programme is to address social exclusion and to contribute to Rural Development through widening travel choice and promoting social inclusion. It operates on the basis of equality, social inclusion, community development, synergy, quality, implementing best practice and value for money.
Here in Longford, we are one of 36 Groups throughout the Country, and we provide 21 Services, which are all “Door to Door”. At present we have a number of “Pilot” services in place and expanding and extending the services is our aim. The Programme is managed by Longford Community Resources Ltd’.
Rathcline GAA Notes
New Manager – Rathcline GAA is proud to announce the appointment of Walter Burke as senior team manager for the coming season. We would like wish Walter, his selector and players the very best for next year.
Under 21 Championship – Commiserations to our Under 21 championship team who lost their final round to an amalgamation of Carrickedmond/Legan on Sunday afternoon in Cashel. The club would like to thank Brendan O Sullivan, Brian Kennelly and Cathal Chapman for their taking the team this year. Get well wishes to James Casey Jnr on the arm injury sustained during that game.
Sympathies – The club would like to pay sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the Donnellan family on the Rathcline Road in particular Mel, Luke and Eve on the passing of their mother Denise on Thursday.
Fashion Show Extravaganza – All roads led to Ballyleague Hall on Saturday night for the Club Fashion Extravaganza in association with Action Breast Cancer. The event was hugely successful and a great night was had by all.
The community spirit proved to be alive and well in Lanesboro as people right across the board came out in the days preceding the show and indeed the night itself to put their time and energies in to ensuring the night went off without a hitch. The hard graft and effort put in culminated in a night to remember by one and all.
The Fashion Show committee would like to thank all the local clothes outlets for supplying a fantastic range of dress ware on the night. Outlets on the night included Grasshopper, Next Kids/Spirit Kids, Wards Menswear, Wide Variety, Clara Ellen, Dixons Menswear, Next, Dolls – Fabiani Shoes, Spirit Clothing/Tally Weil, Lure & Dunnes Stores. Extra accessories were provided by “Get Ahead Hats” and Paul Byron Shoes.
The Club would also like to thank our sponsors on the night – ESB Lough Ree Power, Ulster Bank Roscommon, Heineken, ACC Bank Mullingar, Barry Kiernan Constructions Ltd, Cooney Manufacturing Ltd., Adie Farrell, Credit Union and Genie McCabe.
Appreciations must also go to all the people who supplied Spot Prizes on the night; extremely generous and too numerous to mention them all. The lucky first 250 people to arrive were presented with Goodie bags, thank you to local businesses and reps alike for donating products, vouchers etc. to the Goodie Bags.
A special word of thanks must go to our local hairdressers and beauticians who gave their time and energy in making our models beautiful for the night. Businesses included Michelle Connerton (Cloud 9), Laura Shanley (Laura’s Beauty Salon), Denise Collins, Angela Hughes (His & Hers), Claire Mullen Flynn (Xlntee), Mags Gillen (Mag’s Hair Salon) and Martin McNally (Barber Bus).
Thanks Tom Donlon, Eileen Mullen and Ballyleague Hall committee who were most obliging by giving the hall for the event. Thank you to all the tickets sellers including all the local businesses.
The venue was transformed into a glitz and glamour theatre by our decorating committee led by Pat Connerton & Teresa Kiernan.
To Michael Hanley & Kevin Chapman who literally lit up the event and Chris Cullen and the FAS team under the stewardship of John L for providing our sturdy Catwalk; without them the event could not have happened. Also special thanks to Ciaran Feeney.
On what was a bitterly cold night we cannot forget the hardy souls of the Minor Club who kept traffic moving and miraculously found parking spaces for everyone. Security on the night was provided by Brendan Gilmore and the event wouldn’t be a Fashion show without our local Photographer – Michelle Hurson.
Adding to the glamour on the night were our dapper doormen and ushers, resplendent in their tuxedos they got the crowd in and seated in record time.
Most importantly, we would like to pay tribute to our models. It is no easy task to get up on stage at the best of times but our local lads, ladies and kids braved the catwalk with all the panache and elegance of professionals. All the local talent involved really added a sense of character and fun to the occasion.
Behind the scenes all night, we had a team of local ladies putting the finishing touches to every model before they hit the catwalk. Their contribution on the night was invaluable and kept the show running.
Master of ceremonies on the night was Benny O’ Brien, and no better man for the job. His running commentary and banter with models and audience alike kept spirits high and laughter frequent. We would like to pay sincere thanks to Benny.
Finally and most importantly, we would like to say a huge thank you to Lorraine Farrell who came up with the fundraising idea initially and for leading the hard working committee who brought the whole concept to life. We look forward to next year’s event Ladies!