Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Horse Fair and
Dog Show
As
the week wore on the fine spell of weather we were having was forecast to come
to an end on Saturday morning. After all the good weather the rain was about to
spoil the Fair Day. Thankfully, the rain came early and arrived during Friday
night and while Saturday was colder it remain practically dry for the duration
of the Fair.
From
early morning the workers and stall owners for the day were first to arrive
followed slowly by an early trickle of horses that later on became a flood. The
field behind the church was full and trading was brisk with many horses bought
and sold on the day. The excitement of the day could be seen etched on young
and old alike. People travelled from far and wide to deal at the fair and
indeed just to witness what is now a rarity in the country. The dry day helped
to draw the huge crowd that thronged Lanesboro on Saturday last. It is a mark
of the recognition and the high profile the Lanesboro Fair has garnished over
the years that buyers and sellers are prepared to travel from all over the
country to trade in Lanesboro.
The
Dog Show once again was a great success with dogs of all shapes and sizes being
presented for the many categories. The dog show is now an integral part of the
fair day and adds greatly to the excitement and enjoyment of the day.
The
hard working committee can once again be rightly proud of their Fair day and
the joy and happiness it brings to the huge number that attends the Fair. There
is no doubt that the preparation and organisation of the day is hard work and the shame it is
that this work is being done by so few but perhaps the beauty is in the size of
the committee- they say small is beautiful. The work they do cannot be underestimated
and what they bring to the community is truly wondrous and they are worthy of
our grateful thanks.
St. Patrick’s
Day Parade
Preparations
for the St. Patrick’s Day are now nearly completed by the committee. They have
received a great response from the community and there are a large number of
floats entered for this year’s parade. I am aware of some organisation working
hard on the preparing of their floats and I am assured of new topical thinking
will make the parade all the more interesting. It promises to be great parade and
all it needs now is your attendance to create the atmosphere. The parade will
start from St. Faithleach’s club grounds at 2.30pm.
Tickets
are now on sale to help defray the cost of organising the parade and your
support would be greatly appreciated. Tickets, €2 each or book of 3 for €5, are
on sale throughout the area and perhaps this might be your lucky day when you
purchase your tickets.
New Website for
Cloontuskert – The Abbey
A
new initiative for Cloontuskert – The Abbey, to gather memories, stories and
photographs since the erection of the Bord na Mona houses. Padraig Best has had
this brainchild and he is seeking to support of everyone so that the story of
Cloontuskert can be archived for future generation to understand the story of
the community.
If
you have information you can send it to Padraig at the website set up for this
initiative http://www.memoriesofhome.me/. Gerry and
Martina Trautt are helping assemble all old pictures, memorabilia and writings
in relation to the area. Please be a helpful as possible and play your part in
assembling the history of the area.
Confirmation takes place on Friday
Next Friday 9th March is a
big day in the lives of the young boys and girls of our Lanesboro and Fermoyle
National Schools. This year almost 40 from the fifth and sixth classes will be
confirmed in St. Mary’s Church Lanesboro at 5pm.
The young people being confirmed are;
Daniel Curran, Fermoyle, Aaron Farrell, Clonfower, Cillian Flood, Lehery,
Sorcha Hanlon, Lisreevagh, Sean Kearney, Fortwilliam, Cronan Flood, Lehery,
Olivia Lisle, Carraroe, Owen Murray, Barnacor, Emmet Nolan, Fermoyle, Luke
Lisle, Carraroe, Jack O’Loughlin, Rathcline Road, Hannah Shea, Blenavoher,
Padraig Sorohan, Killinure, Odhran Wyse, Bullockstown, Ronan English,
Lismacmanus, Eimear Gavigan, Corrigeen, Kian Gilmore, Ballyleague, Orla Keane,
Barnacor, Oran Kenny, Fermoyle, Sean Maguire, Rathcline, Eanna Mc Grath,
Derrygeel, Patrycja Jedrych, Church View,
Darren Mc Guinness, Curraghrua, John Mc Cormack Glenn, Church View, Dean
O’Reilly Church View, Emily Morris, Curraghrua, Ethan Hannon, Church View,
Brian Lyons, Longford Road, Sarah Mulligan, Loughbonnow, Con Casserley,
Clonfower, Aisling Casey, Lehery, Kacper
Kumorek, Thureen, Brenda Mc Donagh, Cnoc na Gaoithe, Lauren Tansey, Cnoc na
Gaoithe, Keith Irwin, Main Street, Orla Costello, Ballyleague and Aisling
Beirne, Ballyleague. We wish all those young people and their families a very
happy day and joyful occasion.
Remembering
Allison
The Rathcline Ladies GAA will remember
the passing of one of their finest footballers Allison Smyth in the only way
that is fitting to such a fine footballer. Allison also played with
Garrycastle, Athlone for a short while and on Sunday 18th March both
teams will honour Allison when they will play each other in a memorial match.
The club invites everyone to go along and join the celebration of the life of
Allison Smyth. The can be no better way of both clubs to recognise her memory
than by a coming together for this match. The throw in for the game will be
5.30pm. There will be refreshments in the clubhouse following the game and
admission to the game is optional.
Lanesboro
Primary School
Congratulations to the following
winners in the Community Games under 10 handwriting competition; 1st Cillian
Cox Curraghrua, 2nd Cormac Casey Lehery and 3rd Duileach Ryan Main Street
Confirmation 2012: Confirmation will be held on Friday March 9th at 5.00. We
wish all our pupils well on this special occasion. The school extends many
thanks to the Parents’ Association who have once again organised the
Confirmation gowns
Death
The death took place suddenly on
Thursday last 1st March at Costello’s Valeview of Mrs Evelyn Loftus,
Lehery. Evelyn, a native of Dublin, moved to our community a number of years
ago and she enjoyed her time in our community. She was a lady with a quiet
disposition and she always warmly welcomed people that wished to make her
acquaintance. She was a keen gardener and spent many happy hours in her Lehery
garden. She was also a pianist of note and her musical talent has passed down
the line to her hugely talented daughter and granddaughter. Her remains reposed
at her residence on Friday and they were removed to St. Mary’s Church,
Lanesboro for Requiem Mass on Saturday. Following Mass her remains were
returned to her native Dublin and she was interred in St. Fintan’s Cemetery,
Sutton. To her daughter Edel and granddaughter we extend our heartfelt
sympathy.
Anthony
Healy Memorial
Anthony
Healy Memorial 25 Card Drive; The
organisers of the Anthony Healy Memorial card game would like to thank thanks
to all who supported this fund raising event in any manner. Many thanks to all who sold tickets, bought
tickets, sold raffle tickets on the night, those who attended to ensure that it
was a successful and enjoyable event. A
special thanks in particular to the many sponsors, too numerous to mention
individually. Well done to the winner,
Marty Parker who claimed the Anthony Healy Memorial Cup which was kindly
sponsored by Tom Morris Taxis. Thanks
also to Joe Duffy for sponsoring the tickets, posters, etc. The sum of €2,000 was raised for
Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. A word of thanks
to Steve and Teresa Ormsby and all the staff in Clarke’s Bar who helped make it
such a wonderful night. The fundraiser
is a fitting tribute to the memory of Anthony, a friend to all who knew him.
Raffle
tickets are currently on sale for the new Roscommon Jersey, which is sponsored
by John Murphy of Mayo/Roscommon Hospice.
All proceeds raised in this raffle will also be donated to the hospice.
The
presentation of the cheque of funds raised will take place on Wednesday 14th
March at Clarke’s Bar, Lanesboro at 9.30pm. It will be presented to John
Murphy, Chairman of Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. The draw for the jersey will take
place on the night with a number of Roscommon senior footballers in attendance,
followed by traditional Irish music. It
would be right and fitting that a huge crowd turn out on the night and again
celebrate the memory of Anto.
Death
It is with great sadness and regret we
learned of the death at the County Hospital, Roscommon of P.J. Collins, Meadow
View, Ballyleague and formerly of Aughamuck, Kilrooskey. P.J. was a very quiet
and easy going man who took life as he met it and in his stride. He had been
suffering for some time with his illness and he bore it with a great
graciousness. P.J. worked many years back with P.J. and Mary O’Flaherty and
latterly worked as a seasonal worker with Bord na Mona. His manner endeared him
to everyone that had the pleasure to meet him and his passing will leave a void
in the hearts and minds of those that knew him. His remains reposed at Smyth’s
Funeral Home from where he was removed on Sunday evening to The Church of St.
Mary, Ballagh. Following his funeral Mass on Monday he was laid to rest in
Kilgefin cemetery. To his brother Peadar, sisters Eileen Banahan and Bernadette
Wynne, relatives and many friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
Lanesboro
Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on
Wednesday night last are; N/S 1st Bernadette Gillen & Mona
O’Flaherty, 2nd Phil Chalmers & Cyril Hussey and 3rd
Gemma Douglas & Elish Gray. E/W 1st Una Clarke & Tom Feeney,
2nd Peg Clarke & Patsy Canavan and 3rd Mike Flynn
& Mary Mc Gushin. A reminder that the pairs competition will take place
this Wednesday 7th and Wednesday week 14th March.
Rathcline
GAA call for old Photographs
If you have old photographs going back
the years then Rathcline would like to hear from you. The club is seeking to
set up a history of the club in pictures and if you have any photographs the
club will copy them and return you the originals. There surely are many houses
not only in the parish but far and wide that have some photographs of times in
the Rathcline club. If you can help please do by contact Liam or Pat Connerton
or Cathal Chapman
Under 14 Footballing Ladies
The under 14 training will begin on
Saturday next10th March at 10.30. Any ladies that have still not
registered please do so as soon as possible as the leagues will commence
shortly.
Lanesboro
Ballyleague Indoor Market
Lanesboro, on Friday
from 11am to 2pm. There is a range of stalls selling local home baking, local
jams, free range eggs & mushrooms, gold, silver, gemstone and costume
jewellery, goats milk beauty products, sensy flameless candles, books, bric a
brac & cd’s, Forever aloe vera products. John King (Healer and Angel
Cards readings), fab hand-made cards and hand-made knitted scarfs /
hats, etc. Also dried flower arrangements and handbags. Free
car parking to rear of building (beside the playground). Tea, Coffee and light
snacks will also be available. Contact Breda at 087 3965568 for further
information.
St. John’s Candles.
Already
there has been a great uptake on the sales of the commemorative candle with an
imprint of St. John’s Church emblazoned on the candle; the committee would like
to thank everyone that has responded so positively. They can be bought at €7 in
O’Brien’s, Gareth Johnston’s Health Bank or from any member of the committee.
This
is a very special year for the congregation of St. John’s Church as they
celebrate 150 year of their church on the weekend 20th April where a
number of events will take place throughout the weekend. The committee is still
seeking any memorabilia, artefacts or old photographs relating to St. John’s church.
There has been an excellent response to this call and it is great to see such a
great response. If you have any material
relating to the Church please contact Philip Mc Garry, Gardenstown or Tora
Crooke, The Green or any member of the congregation.
Free Pre-School
Year
Head
Start Pre-school for 2½ – 5 year olds is now taking enrolments for September
2012 and on an on-going basis for the free pre-school year and non ECCE children.
For more information you are invited to contact Denise at 043-33 21321 after
1pm.
Baptisms
The
following children were baptised at St. Mary’s Parish Church on Saturday 25th
February Charmaine Kayla Shirren, daughter of Aissa and Mark Shirren, Cnoc na
Gaoithe and Sean Thomas O’Reilly, son of Stephanie and Darren, Church View. We
congratulate the parents on the birth of the children and wish them a healthy
and successful life.
Lanesboro Library
Story time With
Frances: Plant the seed and your child will grow to love to
read!
Storytime for 4
to 6 year olds will be held in Lanesboro Library on Saturday next 10th
March from 12 to 1pm.
Lanesboro Community Games
Congratulations
to the Lanesboro U16 Boys’ B Table Tennis team whose campaign
now takes them to the Leinster Final in Carlow. Jordan Donlon, Kevin
Sorohan, Ethan Kelly and Ryan Guinan travelled to Enfield on Thursday 1st of
March and took part in a very exciting evening’s challenge. The standard of
table tennis was very high but the Lanesboro boys came away with a fantastic
score of 4 -1. A very enjoyable evening was had by all as the Meath hosts were
most hospitable and the competition strong. Thanks to Marese Kelly and Mary
Sorohan for looking after the team.
The U-12 and U-16 Chess teams travelled
to Ashbourne to meet Ratoath and Ashbourne chess teams in the first round of
Leinster. While the experience was
great, the opposition who had a number of Leinster individual champions and
near champions on their team was too strong.
Lanesboro did succeed in running a number of the matches very close in a
number of games and won one match. We
will now wish both the Ratoath and Ashbourne teams best of luck in their next
rounds of the competition. Thank you to
all the parents who travelled to Ashbourne for the trial. The U-12 team was Evan Chalmers, Gerard
Brennan, Séadhna Ryan, Brian Casey, Dúileach Ryan, Connor Sorohan and Sean
Kenny. The U-16 Team was Mark Lyons, Daniel O’Reilly, Philip Chalmers and Aaron
Farrell and Brian Lyons – Lara O’Sullivan. Congratulations to all the winners
of the recent Art and Handwriting Competition. Handwriting U10: Cillian Cox and Aoife
Nolan. Art U8 Boys: 1st
Callum Gordon, Girls 1st Isabelle Smyth, 2nd Ella Hogan,
3rd Viktoria Jedrych. U10 Boys: 1st Conor Sorohan, 2nd
Cillian Cox, 3rd Niall Chalke. Girls: 1st Aoife English,
2nd Róisin Brennan, 3rd Jessica Kelly. U12 Boys: 1st Seadhna Ryan, 2nd
Brian Casey, 3rd Patrick Smyth, Girls : 1st Eimear
Gavigan, 2nd Leah Wyse, 3rd Emily Fallon. U14 Boys: 1st James Gavigan. U14 Girls: 1st Tanya Farrell, 2nd
Aisling Casey. U16 Boys: 1st
Jack Casserly. Well to done to
all. A big Thank you to Margaret Nohilly
for judging the Handwriting and Denis Devereaux for judging the Art. Thank you
also to Geraldine Chalmers and Sile Nolan for helping on the day. Best of Luck
to our U14 Table Quiz team travelling to Edgeworthstown made up of Emmet Nolan, Cillian Flood, Cronan
Flood , Eanna McGrath and Patrick Smyth. Thanks to Bridget Mullooly for
managing the team.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
O’Rourke Cup: Our Seniors
played their1st League Game of the season, away to Kilbride on Saturday evening
last. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 1-09 Kilbride 1-08. Team: D. Thompson, A.
Murtagh, A. McCormack, C. Brennan, C. Gunn, C. McCormack, D. Thompson. D.
Murray. M. Reynolds, C. Murtagh (0-2), H. Kenny, D. Harrison, D. Rooney (0-2),
B. Reynolds (0-4), E. Kenny (1-1). Subs used: D. Gibbons, M. F. O’Grady. The
Club would like to wish new senior manager, Mickey Harkins along with
selectors, Padraig Murray & Raymond Curley and all players the very best of
luck for the season ahead. U16 League: Our U16 Lads played
their 1st League game, away to Kilbride on Saturday last. Final
Score – St. Faithleachs 1-04 Kilbride 2-07. Team: E. Farrell, C. Kennelly, D.
Kelly, D. Nerney, J. Sweeney, M. Cox (0-1), J. Hussey (0-1), S. Phillips (0-2),
C. Gannon, J. Kelly, S. Walsh (1-0). Subs: D Foley, R. Guinan, L. Parker, C.
Mangan, M. Gill, J. Donlon, C. Gannon. Lotto: The numbers
drawn were – 13, 16, 18 and 28. There was no jackpot winner and the five €20
winners were – Peter Gannon, Tina Dowd, Nancy Kelly, Martin Tucker and Derek
Thompson. The next draw will take place on Tuesday 13th March for a
jackpot of €5,500.Rose of St. Faithleachs: There was great
excitement when John Ward announced the 2012 Rose of St. Faithleachs, Maria
Quigley. Maria was presented with the St. Faithleachs Sash & Tiara by
Rachel Garvey our 2011 Rose, along with a bouquet of flowers sponsored by Lena
Duncan of Buds to Blooms, Lanesboro and a selection of Gifts from Louise’s
Beauty Studio & Aphrodite’s Hair Studio, Roscommon. Congratulations to
Maria who will now represent the club in the upcoming Rose of Roscommon in
Kilronan Castle where she will be escorted by Declan McCormack. All
participating Rose entrants were presented with a Rose, sponsored by Buds to
Blooms along with gifts sponsored by John Mc Keown, Nivea Products. Many thanks
to the Judges who were also presented with a small token of appreciation from
the Club. Many thanks to all other kind sponsors including K.C. Sports,
Mullingar & Lanesboro/Ballyleague Credit Union and all who sponsored and
donated spot prizes for our raffle & all who bought raffle tickets on the
night. Thanks to the organising committee, especially Bernie Cotter who did
tremendous work in preparation for this event & to Derek Thompson who
organised the music for the event. Thanks to photographer, Gerard O’Loughlin to
the staff of the clubhouse, to all who helped with preparations for getting the
clubhouse ready for the event, all who prepared food & refreshments for the
event, to all who attended the event & all who helped in many ways. Thanks
to the Rose entrants & escorts who made the event such a memorable night.
We wish Maria Quigley, our 2012 St. Faithleach’s GAA Club Rose along with
Escort, Declan McCormack, and all the very best of luck in the Roscommon Rose. Cards:
Every Tuesday in the Club House, 9.00pm. All are welcome. The results of last week’s
games: Winners on 11 games – Padraig/PJ. Joint 2nd – Freda/Gemma
& Kevin/Joe. Last game – Mickey/Mary. Ticket winners – Gerry, Gemma, Mark,
Phonsie, Fr. Larney. Upcoming
Events: Colm Mulligan plays in the Club House on Friday 16th
March. St. Patricks Day Parade – once again St. Faithleachs GAA Club will be
having a float in the Lanesboro/Ballyleague St. Patricks Day Parade & we
would appreciate your help & support. For anyone interested in organising
or participating in a drama group within St. Faithleachs GAA Club, please
contact us. Sympathy:
The Club extends deepest sympathy to Gerry & Marie Donlon and Family on the
death of Marie’s aunt Eileen Kelly, Castlerea.
Rathcline GAA
The
club will soon be raffling premium tickets to a pair of sold-out concerts in
Croke Park. There are four tickets to see Westlife up for grabs; while there will
be two tickets to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Both concerts take place in June.
The
Annual Longford GAA Race Day at Punchestown Racecourse will take place on
Wednesday, 25th April this year. Anybody interested in attending can
contact Liam Connerton, Albert Cooney or Chris Cullen.
The
Club would like to extend their deepest sympathies to the Loftus family, Lehery
upon the death of Evelyn Loftus and to the Collins family, Barnacor, after the
passing of PJ Collins. May they rest in peace.
The
Club would also like to wish a speedy recovery to Mary Mulvihill, Cullentra and
Adie Farrell, Lanesboro, after their recent illness.
Congratulations
to Tracy Tobin after she competed in the Solo Singing division of the Leinster
Scór Semi- Final in Mullingar last Sunday. Unfortunately she failed to progress
to the final, but nonetheless Tracy represented herself, the club and the
parish with great distinction.
Rathcline
take on Granard in the first Reserve League game of the season this Saturday at
4.30 pm in Clonbonny. It would be fantastic if we could get a large crowd out
to support the lads.
Finally,
the club are currently in the process of compiling a number of old photographs
to display on the Clubhouse walls. If anybody has any old images of past events
or people who were connected with the club (in any capacity), the club would
greatly appreciate the opportunity to borrow these photographs to scan and hang
on the walls. Rathcline GAA has a fantastic history and tradition, and it would
be great to display that history for all to see.