Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes 19th March 2012

Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Summer Time
Early on Sunday 21st March 1am sees the beginning of summer time and the clocks will go forward one hour. The sign of times to come and hopefully there will be many many long hot summer days for us all to enjoy.
Longford Person of the Year
Each year the Longford Association in Dublin celebrates with a Gala Dinner Dance where they celebrate the recipients of the Longford Person of the Year. This year, it is a tremendous pleasure and honour to have amongst us one of the joint winners of Longford Person of the year. Ciaran Mullooly was announced last week along with John Donlon, Moydow, as the joint recipients of this year’s award. It is always a wonderful tribute to be recognised by your own people and we congratulate Ciaran on this great honour.
Ciaran’s great work year on year is being recognised with this award. He stayed local throughout his early schooling days having attended the Boy’s National School on the Green before moving on to Lanesboro Vocational school. Ciaran’s propensity towards journalism shone through from an early age when he was the Longford News junior reporter for the National School where he was bitten by the journalism bug.
Ciaran’s career in journalism commenced with the Longford Leader where he got his first job as a reporter before moving to the Cavan Leader where his career went from strength to strength. He then moved on to our local Shannonside radio station where he was to the fore in reporting in the current affairs of the local area. Ciaran then moved to the hugely popular TV farming series Ear to the Ground where he reached every home in the country. His reporting skills were well noticed by the RTÉ News team where he moved to following his very successful time with Ear to the Ground. Ciaran moved to the RTÉ and has become an integral part of the news team serving as the midlands correspondent.
He has played his part in the Shannon Gaels Minor Club and Rathcline GAA club both as a player and club official. He has and continues to have a great interest in the development of his native Rathcline parish and Ballyleague where he now lives with his wife Angela and sons Brian and Owen.
The award is well deserved and I am absolutely sure there will be a huge number of Rathcline people in the Red Cow Moran’s Hotel on Saturday 14th April. If you want to buy tickets for the night out and it is a night that every Longford person in Dublin and surrounds should miss you should contact Dessie Kiernan 087 9276767, Liam Caldwell 087 2595963 or Yvonne Mc Cormack 086 8548282. Tickets are only €45 for a five-course meal and music by the hugely popular P.J. Murrihy and his band. All in all it promises to be a great night.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
If proof was needed then the success of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday last 17th March without doubt showed that community spirit was alive and well in Lanesboro and Ballyleague. There is undoubted spirit in abundance and the general comment from one and all right throughout the weekend was the ability and cohesiveness within our community to create and pull off a marvellous occasion, once again. It is definitely a time for everyone to take a bow and to be hugely proud of your efforts and achievements.
Such was the scale of the efforts by the committee and the participants that almost 30 floats wound its way from St. Faithleach’s GAA grounds through Ballyleague and Lanesboro all the way to the Community College on the outskirts of town. Of all the parades since its inception this proved to be the ultimate parade for the town, a boost for the morale and an indication of the spirit and pride that lies at the heart of all great community efforts.
The parade was full of colour, entertainment and all current topical issues were addressed by the float entrants. The beauty of the parade is the proximity of the floats to the throngs, and this year it was throngs, and the fact that everyone one taking part is local with everyone knowing each other and part of our community.
As the crowds were gathering on a chilly, overcast but dry afternoon, they were entertained by the excellent ‘Acting the Magot’ who brought their great musical style to the streets of Lanesboro. Young and old also availed of the free face painting and the atmosphere was electric as word filtered through that the parade was on its way. Our local butcher Terry Mc Loughlin added to the atmosphere by roasting a pig on a spit which was a sight to be seen.
We must pay special comment to the committee for their great work in organising the occasion. Their time and effort did really pay off.
The parade was led by the Peter Keenan ONE branch – this is the organisation for ex-servicemen of the Irish Defence Forces. It was fitting that the flag bearer and to the fore was local man Pat Masterson who was joined in the parade by another local ex-serviceman John Farrell, formerly Knock. Longford Pipe Band again proved what a tremendous pipe band they are and created a marvellous atmosphere and array of marching tunes.
The floats that took part were; Lanesborough Fire Brigade, St. Mary’s National School Newtowncashel, Mike Kenny With His Enterprising Trap, Michael Egan – Massey Ferguson 135, Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club – Van And Boat, Gerard Farrell Agri Supplier, Michael Hanly Continues To Turf Cut, St. Faithleach’s Celebrating 50 Years, Steve Ormsby, Clarkes Bar – Gone Vintage, Top Filling Station – In Full Action, Kevin Mc Kenna – Karate Club, Lanesborough Pike Angling Club Pop Eye, Community College Lanesborough, Larry Leavy – Pick Your Headstone Now! Jimmy Hussey On His Bike, Terry Mc Loughlin – Local Butcher Roasts His Pig For Charity, Chris Cullen Mr Fix It Himself, Shannon Gaels Minor Club, Ted Falvey – Fresh  n Ready Vegetables, Lanesborough Triathlon Club, Supervalu Lanesborough, Mickey Connaughton – With his vintage model, Roscommon Disability Support Group, Ballyleague Tidy Towns and Ballyboro Scouts – In Disney Land.
Early Days of the GAA
A talk which should be of interest to all Longford GAA followers takes place in the Longford arms Hotel on this Thursday 22nd March at 8.30pm. In preparation, Tommy Flynn of the well-known GAA family has done extensive research into the GAA in the county. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Pooper Scoopers
All dog walkers are asked to note that free pooper scoopers are available in O’Brien’s Corner Shop. Hopefully all dag owners will avail of these and keep our streets free from dog excrement
Wedding
The marriage took place at St. Cecilia’s Church, Curraghroe, on Friday last 16th March of Paula Cox daughter of Dan and Mary Cox, Culleenora, Curraghroe and Peter Droog, son of Hans and Anne Droog Adare, Co. Limerick. Chief bridesmaid was Mary Cox, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Aoife Higgins and Marie Ryan, both friends of the bride.  Bestman was Colm Cribbin, friend of the groom, and groomsmen were Aidan O’Rahilly and Stephen Lavin, both friends of the groom. The usher was Stephen Droog, cousin of the groom. The flower girl was Aliana Carley, cousin of the groom. The chief celebrant was Fr Donal Mc Namara, St. Munchin’s Limerick, assisted by Fr. Ray Browne, Ballagh, and Fr. Michael Breslin, Ballygar. The wedding reception was held in Lough Rynn Castle, Mohill. We wish the happy couple many years of wedded bliss.
Football Tradition continues
When is draw a good thing? For me the draw between Garrycastle and Crossmaglen in the All Ireland club football final on St. Patrick’s Day was my saving grace. One of the families that was a mainstay of the Rathcline club for many a year had one of their offspring playing for Garrycastle and in the lead up to the match I omitted to mention it in these notes. Doran Harte, son of Matt Harte, grandson of the late John and Lollie Harte, The Green and Barnacor, nephew of Owen Harte, centre back on our only championship winning team,  Loretto Gallagher, Barnacor, Carrie, Jack, Georgie, Miriam and the late Joe and  has played a prominent role in Garrycastle’s historic run to the All-Ireland club Final. We wish Doran and his teammates every success in the replay and let’s hope that the Andy Merrigan Cup comes to back to Athlone.
Vandalism
While I have been writing earlier about the magnificence of St. Patrick’s Day in our community it grieves me to think that some mindless vandalism can spoil all that the good of our celebrations. Recently, Longford Council erected a nice street figure on the footpath at the entrance on to the bridge. On Saturday night/Sunday morning some mindless moron decided to uproot it from it position and carry it across the bridge and dump it into a derelict area. Only for an alert and civic minded lady noticed it and reported her sighting the chances are that it would have lay out of sight and rotted away. We thank the lady for being so observant and look forward to the figure being put back in place and hopefully a recurrence of this moronic vandalism will not take place again.
Engagement
Many congratulations to Padraig Wallace son of Sonny and Mary Claire Wallace, Strokestown Road and Janet Melia, daughter of Sean and Anne Melia, Newtowncashel who announced their engagement recently.
Credit Union AGM
The AGM of the Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union will take place in the Inis Ree Lodge Nursing Home on Monday night next 26th March at 8.30pm.
This is your Credit Union and it for and about you and your presence at the AGM will be much appreciated. As we continue to go through troubled financial times your continued support is the strength of our local  Credit Union and you are urged to continue your great support.
As this is the joint 43rd and 44th AGM there are a number of important items on the agenda and your attendance is essential.
Lanesboro Primary School Enrolment
Enrolment for September 2012 will be held in Lanesboro Primary School on Friday week 23rd March at 1pm. Parents and their children are invited to call to the school around this time. This is an ideal opportunity to come and visit the school, meet with the Principal and teachers. For further information please contact us at 043/3321545.
INTO/EBS Handwriting Competition
Congratulations to Joshua Crawford in Junior Infants for being awarded second place for his handwriting in Co Longford.
Thank You
The Rathcline Ladies GAA club would like to sincerely thank everyone that turned up in Clonbonny on Sunday last and also to everyone that contributed to the voluntary donations on their way into the match. The sum realised was €1237 and the club will forward the money to the Mater Hospital Appeal towards the Hospitals Family Heart Screening Clinic.
The club would like to thank everyone that helped in any way, the Rathcline Senior Club and Shannon Gael Minor Club, those that helped in the clubhouse and around the grounds. The club would like to thank Garrycastle for their great input into the day’s event.
The match was an excellent with both teams giving their all in the name of one of the best servants. Alison’s mother Pat presented the winning trophy to the winning Rathcline side and while it was an emotional game for all, it was a fitting acknowledgement of the wonderful lady Alison was.
Next weekend the club will get its campaign for the new season underway when they entertain Dromard in what should be a keenly contested game. At the time of going to press we do not have a time or day for the fixture but when confirmed it will be posted in O’Brien’s window.
Death
The news saddened the hearts of everyone when it was learned of the death on Sunday 11th March at Roscommon Hospital County Hospital of Beatrice Glennon, Cloonadra. Beatrice was predeceased some years back by her husband Bertie. Beatrice was a most friendly and affable lady. She had a great warmness about her that commended her to those that were fortunate enough to know her. She was renowned as a hard working lady and no task fazed her in any way. In recent times her health was failing but in her own inimitable way she dealt with her cross with the strength and dignity she lived her life. Her remains reposed in her son Greg’s home on Monday and her remains were removed to The Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague on Tuesday for her Funeral Mass. Following Mass her remains were laid to rest in Cloontuskert Cemetery. To her sons Dermot, Michael, Greg and Brendan, daughters Catherine and Irene, sisters, Miriam and Bernadette, relatives and a host of friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
Storytime with Frances
Storytime with Frances continues on Saturday 24th March 12-1pm. For further details you are invited to contact Stella on 0433321291.
Daffodil Day on Friday
The annual Coffee Morning will be held on this Friday 23rd March in the Co-Op from 11am to 1pm. You are invited to call in for a cuppa and a chat and give your usual generous support for this very worthy cause.
Lough Ree Golfing Society
Lough Ree Golfing Society is kicking off 2012 with a scramble in Strokestown Golf Club on Saturday next 24th March at 10.30am. Tea and scones will be served in the clubhouse at 10.30am where the teams for the scramble will be selected and the teams will then tee off at 11am.
Afterwards salad and soup will be served in the clubhouse followed by the prize giving and the AGM. It is hoped that all members can attend this important meeting to elect the new committee for 2012 and plan the outings for the coming year.
As usual you are asked to text 087-9730611 to confirm attendance.
The society welcomes both young and old golfers from the Lanesboro Ballyleague area to the society. This is a local society with all local members and it would be a great achievement to have all past and present residents of our area coming together a great day out and enjoying present and past tales.
New Pilates Course
Bonnies Pilates continues with a new course starting on this Thursday 22nd March in St. Mary’s Parish Hall Lanesboro. All you need to bring is a mat. If you block book you will receive a discount. For further information phone bonnie 087-2238237.
Ulster Bank at Market
Staff of the Ulster Bank will be in attendance at the Indoor Market, again, on this Friday 23rd March from 11am to 2pm. The staff will be in a separate room from the market and you are invited to go along to discuss banking business.
Roscommon ‘Living Links’
In the Roscommon region, a number of trained individuals are available to offer confidential, practical support and information to families who have experienced death by suicide. You are invited to contact ‘Living Links’ support coordinator at 086-0311888 and if this number is busy the answering machine will take your message. You are asked to leave your first name and telephone number and a coordinator will return your call as soon as possible.
St. John’s Plates.
Following on from the great uptake on the sales of the commemorative candles with an imprint of St. John’s Church emblazoned on it comes a commemorative plate to mark the 150th celebration; Both the plate and the candle can be bough in O’Brien’s, Gareth Johnston’s Health Bank or from any member of the committee.
As you are now aware 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.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
O’Rourke Cup: Our Seniors play against St. Brigid’s this coming Friday evening in Kiltoom. See fixtures for details.
U16 Girls: Our U16 Girls had a win away to Strokestown on Sunday last. Final Score – St. Faithleachs 7-06 Strokestown 3-03
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Ballyleague/Lanesboro: Huge Congratulations & a special word of thanks to all involved with the St. Faithleachs GAA Club Float, “Celebrating our 50th Year” for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade which won the award for ‘Most Original Float”. Many thanks to all who represented the club on the day and to all who put in great work in the organisation of the magnificent float for the event. A great evening’s entertainment was held in the clubhouse following the parade with music by Hugh Collins. Thanks to all who helped out with food and refreshments for the event.
Lotto: The numbers drawn were – 8, 9, 14 and 18. There was no jackpot winner and the five €20 winners – Seamus Clancy, Ballymcormack, Kitty Rogers, Scramogue, Edward Moran, Gardenstown, Mickey McDermott, Ballyglass and Oliver Connelly. The next draw will take place on Tuesday 27th March for a jackpot of €5,600. The yearly lotto tickets now available.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the Club House, 9.00pm. All welcome. The results of last week’s games: Winners on 11 games – Martin/James, joint runners-up – John O/Pakie & Annie/Gemma. The ticket winners were Michael, Gerry, Kevin and Michael.
Women’s Mini-Marathon: Calling all the ladies who would be interested in taking part in the Dublin Mini-Marathon in June to raise funds for the development of the new stand at St. Faithleachs GAA Club. Your efforts & support would be greatly appreciated.
Club Membership: 2012 Membership now overdue. Adult €40, Student €20, Family €80.
Congratulations: To Padraig Wallace & Lorraine Melia on their engagement. To Paula Cox & Peter Droog who were married in Curraghroe at the weekend.
Sympathy: The club extends deepest sympathy to the Glennon Family on the death of Beatrice Glennon, Cloonadra. To her sons, Gregg, Michael, Dermott, Brendan, daughters, Irene & Catherine, sisters, relatives, extended family & friends.
Zumba Fitness: The club would like to thank all who took part and supported the Zumba Fitness Classes held in the clubhouse and let you know that classes will resume later in the year.
50th Anniversary: 2012 brings a very important year for St. Faithleachs GAA Club as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary. This is an exciting time for the club and parish. In an effort to complete a history of the past 50 years of the club we are looking for your help. There are many photographs & artefact from down through the years which we would dearly love to see. If you, or anyone you know may be in possession of such items, please contact a member of the committee or email stfaithleachgaa@gmail.com
Shannon Gaels GAA
All the hard work in preparation for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade paid off with the club having a topical and funny float entered. It is a credit to all involved that the float gained much acclaim. The club would like to thank everyone that helped in any way towards the day. The club acted as stewards for the Alison Smyth Memorial game in Clonbonny, Thanks to all that made themselves available for the evening.
Under 14 training takes place every Sunday morning at 10.10am. The first game takes place on April 5th and it is very important that everyone attends these training sessions. So far attendances have been poor and we ask parents to ensure that their sons are in Clonbonny for training on time.
Minor special league commences on Saturday next in Dromard at 5pm and all players are asked to be at the corner at 3.45pm to travel.
A play by the Mot Theatre group, Victors Dung, will take place in St. Mary’s Hall on Saturday 28th April at 8.30pm. Tickets will be on sale from next weekend in O’Brien’s.
Rathcline GAA
Our Reserve League team made it two wins from two last Saturday, after securing a last minute win over Ballymahon in Clonbonny. The next game is away to Carrickedmond on Sunday, throw in is at 2.30.
There was a large turnout in Clonbonny on Sunday for the Alison Smyth Memorial match between the Rathcline and Garrycastle ladies. The Rathcline Girls came from behind at half time to win out. Proceeds from the game are going to the Mater Heart Appeal.