Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Most Momentous Day
Saturday next 23rd February will be most momentous day in the history of the Shannon Gaels Minor club and the parish of Rathcline when the youngsters of the minor club will take to the stage in the ALL-Ireland Scór na nÓg final in The Venue, Ebrington in Derry city in the sketch event.
As part of the final preparation the group hosted local in St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Sunday evening and the sketch was lauded loudly. The club would like to thank John Greene, Leinster Council PRO, Pauline Flood, Co Scór committee chairperson, Micheál Ó Suilleabhain, Irish and Culture officer and Rathcline senior club chairman for their kind words on Sunday evening last.
The sketch team is Andrew Ward, son of Pat and Mary ward, Rathcline Road, Jack O’Loughlin, son of Michael and Sheena O’Loughlin, Rathcline Road, Laura and Anna Paters daughters of Steve and Marie Peters, Clonfower, Dearbhail Flood, daughter of Jimmy and Bridget Flood, Lehery, Niall Keane, son of Brendan and Susan Keane, Barnacor, Lauren Guinan, daughter of Adrian Guinan and Madaleine Murray, The Green and Shane Kenny, son of Sean and Maura Kenny, Fermoyle. The success of the sketch is due to the tireless work of Maura Tobin, Rathcline to who we are deeply indebted.
In the build-up to the All-Ireland the club has received many offers and they would like to express their great thanks for the kindness and offers of kindness from so many people, it is deeply appreciated.
We wish the hope the bonfires will be burning brightly on Saturday night as we welcome home All-Ireland champions to our parish.
Ballyboro Scouts
The local scout troop hosted a hike of Lough Keel scout county calendar of events up Sliabh Bawn Mountain. Approximately 380people took part in the hike enjoying the local scenery and BBQ at the end of the treks at John’s of Doughill. There were troops from Boyle, Carrick on Shannon, Mohill, Ballinamore, Ardagh, Longford, Ballymahon and the local troop Ballyboro 12th Roscommon. The local scouts would like to thank everyone that helped out on the day, with food and stewarding. A special word of thanks to the triathlon club for their help with stewarding and also to John Leckey for the use of his premises, yard and field for parking.
Blood Donor Clinic
The Blood Donor clinic visits Roscommon on this Wednesday 20th February in the Abbey Hotel from 4.30 to 8pm. As this is always a busy clinic donors are advised to go along early as the clinic closes at 8 and the last donor should be no later that 7.30pm.
The Hunt is on for Wildlife in Ballyleague
Local Schools seek your help on biodiversity and awareness
The Ballyleague Village Renewal and Tidy Towns committee has teamed with up with pupils from Lanesborough Community College and Ballyleague National School to embark upon a series of measures aimed at creating greater awareness of the flora and the fauna in and around the Shannonside village.
On foot of the report of the adjudicator in last year’s Tidy Towns competition the local volunteers met with staff and pupils in each of the schools in the Ballyleague community over the last three months to try and respond to advice given on how the schools can play a greater part in the appreciation of the wildlife and the local environment in the annual tidy towns effort.
“We are working specifically with the teachers and the young people in both schools to try and help improve everybody’s knowledge of biodiversity and carry out a new survey of the wildlife, flora and fauna along the banks of the river Shannon and throughout the village”
the Chairman of the Ballyleague Villager Renewal & Tidy Towns committee Gerry Thompson said, “we are very grateful for the support of the schools and their students in the work that is being carried out over the next three months – and we will hopefully be ready in time for the closing date in this year’s Tidy Towns competition in May.”
The local committee would like to thank Principal Annette Regan from Ballyleague National School and Vice Principal Michael Lyons form Lanesborough Community College for the time and effort they are putting into this eco project with their students. Special thanks has also been paid to Cathryn Hannon from the Parks & Wildlife services who is also giving a helping hand to the two schools and over the coming weeks the general public in the local area will begin to see the students out and about in the course of their work.
To support the two projects the Village Renewal committee has appealed to local people in the community to assist the students in any way possible. A special request is going out for photography or any other audio or visual material surrounding the wildlife, flora and fauna in the Ballyleague-Ballyclare area.
The Community College students would like to study as much material as possible that is relevant to the specific wildlife, flora and fauna in the area and all pictures or material can be forwarded to this special e-mail address: tidytownsbiodiversity2013@gmail.com
Have you seen or photographed any particular species of bird or animal in this area? Are you aware of any written studies of the flora and fauna of Ballyleague that may be available locally? Can you assist the Community College to carry out their survey and new audit? If the answer to any of these questions is YES the Tidy Towns committee would like to invite you to make contact through:
tidytownsbiodiversity2013@gmail.com
These important projects are not just about impressing the Tidy Towns Judges. It is hoped to use the information collected to put on display in the local area and perhaps develop a new special nature/wildlife trail in the area for the enjoyment of everybody.
Ballyleague Village Renewal & Tidy Towns will be recommencing their weekly clean-ups in the community on Saturday March 2nd, 2013 at 10am.
The meeting point for all local volunteers is the old Anchor/Sliabh Ban Hotel. The clean-ups will be held weekly after that date – every Saturday – and your help would be gratefully appreciated – even for just an hour every Saturday.
For more information contact our Chairman Gerry Thompson or e mail:
The weekly activities can be followed on Facebook at Ballyleague. Renewal
Skittles at Foigha
James O’Flaherty continues to do marvellous work with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust and he has come up with a novel idea to raise funds. On Sunday next 24th February he has come up the idea of outdoor skittles.
We all know Leavy’s Pub, Foigha, on the roadside on your way to Ballymahon and from 4pm to 7pm the games of skittles will take place. The groupings for the skittles are Under 12 boys and girls, Under 14 boys and girls, Under 16 boys and girls, 3*4 logs in a throw. There will also be a ladies and gents competition 4*4 logs in a throw.
There will be other events and games taking place for old and young and the presentations will take place at 7pm. The very popular Seamus Farrell will provide the music on the evening. A wonderful evening’s entertainment is assured for all.
Go along and have some fun while supporting James and his very worthwhile cause.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The winners of the competition held on Wednesday 13th February are: N/S 1st Frank and Frances Brennan, 2nd Patsy Canavan & Kathleen Reilly, and 3rd Renee Walsh and Mary Jameson. E/W 1st Philomena Walsh and Katharine Harrison, 2nd Brid Mc Dermott and Una Lawlor and Maura Hanly and Mairéad Gill.
Co Longford VEC visits Lanesboro Library
The Adult Educational Guidance Service (Co Longford VEC) will visit Lanesboro Library on Tuesday March12th from 2-4pm. If you are interested in getting back to learning and want to know what’s available locally, come and chat with Mary or Liz, both qualified guidance counsellors, who will be happy to go through your options with you. This is a free service and all are welcome!
Gathering
The next and most important meeting so far for the Lanesboro Rathcline Gathering 2013 will take place on Thursday 28th February in Adie Farrell’s meeting room at 8.30pm.
If you feel you have an input of ideas to this meeting your presence will be very welcome as we are beginning to get the full list of events together for what will be the very best weekend in Lanesboro and Rathcline for many a long year.
Book August Bank Holiday weekend Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th for the ‘parish hooley’ of a lifetime.
Death
Wednesday 13th February will be a day long remembered for the wrong reasons in our community. It was the day we lost one of our finest ladies after a prolonged and dignified battle with her illness. Brid Dunne Curraghroe fought a gallant fight and only three days after her 48th birthday her brave battle came to a close. Brid was always a lady with a gentle disposition and tremendous charisma. Her kind and tender manner endeared her to everyone that had the pleasure to know her. Brid enjoyed the simple things of life and her warm smile and cheery greeting warmed and brightened even the darkest of hearts The attendance at the reposing of her remains at Mc Hugh’s Funeral Home, Strokestown, the removal of her remains to St. Cecelia’s church, Curraghroe on Friday and again at her Funeral mass and burial to Scramogue cemetery on Saturday bore ample evidence to the esteem in which Brid was held. Brid was predeceased by her late father Pat Joe.
She leaves behind her mother Mary, partner, Paul Enright, brothers Declan and Padraig, sisters Deirdre, Dolores, Margaret and Catherine relatives and many many friend to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.
Rathcline Ladies
The annual Church Gate collection will take place at all masses next weekend 23rd/24 February.
The clothes collection is still on-going and all clean unwanted clothes, footwear, duvet covers, sheets, books (not school books) are all accepted. Contact Madaleine 0861500123.
Can all ladies please arrange to pay their registration for the coming year and all new players are very welcome at all ages.
Congratulations to the Longford Intermediate Ladies team who defeated Wicklow in the Division 3 league.
Good luck to Lauren Guinan, Dearbhail Flood, Laura and Anna Peters, Shane Kenny, Andrew Ward, Niall Keane and Jack O’Loughlin and their mentor Maura Tobin in the Scór na nÓg All Ireland Finals Novelty Act in Derry on Saturday next.
Congratulations to Kevin Chapman and Louise Kearney who were married last weekend. Congratulations to Cian and Michelle O’Brien on the birth of their baby girl recently. Sympathies to the Dunne Family Curraghroe and to Paul Enright on the death of Brid Dunne.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The results of the Sim Pairs on Monday 4th February are: 1st Tie Mona O’Flaherty and Bernadette Clancy and Eileen Kelly and Nancy Dolan, 2nd Margaret Gillen and Mae Casey and 3rd Una Clarke and Nora Kelly.
The results of the competition on Monday 11th Feb. Gross and Nett Results: N/S 1st Loretta Cooney and Mary Fallon, 2nd Joan Donlon and Eugene Donlon and 3rd Hannah Clyne and Maureen Hynes. E/W: 1st Mark/Peggy Crehan, 2nd Mary Jameson and Mary Conmy and 3rd Bridie McGrath and Mary Moran.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of the late Cissie Ryder, Ballinahinch, John, Joe, Victor and Eric, daughters Mae (Finlay), Lorraine (Kearney) and Shirley on the death of their mother on Wednesday 13th February. Her remains reposed at Victor and Joyce’s home until the remover of her remains to St. John’s Church Lanesboro on Friday. Following her Funeral Service at St. John’s she was laid to rest alongside her late husband Joe in Cashel cemetery.
Defibrillator Course
We all understand the tremendous need for defibrillators and people trained in the use of them within our community. It is very vital for all clubs to have a minimum of two people competent in the use of the defibrillator.
It is proposed to have a new and recertification course in Lanesboro in the very near future. If you need to be recertified or want to do the course can you please leave your name into O’Brien’s as soon as possible.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
It is all systems go for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the committee is inviting everyone to take part in this year’s parade and to make it the biggest and best yet. Entry fee is a mere €20 and the closing date for entry is Wednesday 6th March. All entries to be made to Freda Connaughton, Longford Road.
The parade will take place at 2.30pm from St. Faithleach’s GAA clubhouse and will make its way through Ballyleague and Lanesboro and will finish at Lanesboro Community College. There will be prizes in the category of; Best dressed window, Best club float, Best junior float, most original float, Best business float and Overall float.
Fair Day Getting Closer
The traditional horse Fair Day of Lanesboro and Dog Show will take place on Saturday week 2nd March. Since its revival a number of years ago the fair day have proven to be a very special day in the calendar of events in the town. The fair always seems to give the feeling of the beginning of spring and the lengthening of the days as we look forward to a long hot summer. The fair will begin at 10am in the field behind St. Mary’s Church.
The Dog show will take place in the field adjacent to the Yacht bar and will commence at 12.30pm. There will be kiddie’s attractions, home bakery stall, farrier, trade stands and much more to entertain everyone. Mark the date in your diary and come along for a great day at the Lanesboro Horse Fair. All enquiries to the secretary 087-9140903.
The fair this year is being recognised as one of the days of the Gathering 2013 and the Gathering committee would like to encourage back to town as many people as possible for our annual traditional fair.
Seeking accommodation
The Gathering group is seeking people with property, houses or apartments to rent in the general area over August Bank Holiday weekend. Presently there is a growing list of enquiries from local people abroad from people intending to come back for the weekend. We are currently drawing up a database of all property available and if you have property please contact Joe O’Brien, Corner Shop 3321107or joea@iol.ie with property location and description.
Shannon Gaels Minor Club
Our sketch team travels to Derry City on Saturday evening next for the All-Ireland Final –yes! The All-Ireland Final of Scór na nÓg representing our parish our county and our province. We wish Laura, Lauren, Anna, Shane Niall, Dearbhail, Andrew and Jack every success. Our thanks go to Maura Tobin for her tremendous work with the Scór team. We are rightly proud of you on your achievement; you have done us all proud.
The club is looking for two leaders in the club climb of Croagh Patrick on Saturday 11th May. The minor club is trying to get 2 or 3 teams together to do the climb. If you are interested and would like to help please contact, Sean Kenny, Seadna Ryan, Brendan Keane, Tina Dowd, Ciara Myhill or Joe O’Brien as soon as possible.
In the words of our club chairman, Sean Kenny, Saturday nights Table Quiz in the Peer Inn was a “super night” for the club. Kevin and James Hanley organised a wonderful night for the club and they must be commended for their great work. The club thanks Declan Fox for the use of his premises.
The quiz was won by the Paddy Flood team, closely followed in second place by Mary Sorohan’s team. The final round was won by the Frank Casey team. The club would like to say a huge thank you to the above teams who donated their winning prize money back to the club.
The club would like to thank the following sponsors for the kindness: Gareth Johnston, Denis Crinigan, Joe and Martina O’Brien, David Dowd, Johnny Hanley, Claire Egan, Michael Casserley, Michael Lyons and Declan Fox.
The club would like to congratulate Cian and Michelle O’Brien on the birth of a baby girl last week.
The club has always been blessed with great sponsors and this year is no different- would like to thank that following for their sponsorship of footballs and club equipment – P.J. O’Neill, Mick Shortall, Padraig Kenny, Pat Casey, Vernier Europe, Ciaran Kenny and Cathal Chapman to whom we express our heartfelt thanks
Rathcline GAA
All Ireland Final – The very best of good luck to the Shannon Gael’s Novelty Act team in All Ireland Scór na nÓg finals next Saturday evening 23rd Feb in Derry City. There was a final farewell get together in St. Mary’s Hall on Sunday evening where many dignitaries were in attendance in wishing the team best of luck. We hope that we will be writing a victory tribute on next week’s notes.
Club membership is open to everyone for the 2013 season. Prices are as follows: €20 for non-playing members and €50 for players. Peter Skelly will be accepting payment for all non-playing members and Ryan Fallon will be doing likewise with our Club players. Closing date for receipt of membership money is 31st March.
Sympathy – Rathcline GAA would like to extend sympathies to the Dunne Family, Curraghroe and Paul Enright on the death of Brid Dunne last Wednesday.
Club Rathcline Lotto Draw – The Jackpot total of €1,300 was not won this weekend with numbers drawn as follows: 14, 17, 27, 29, 30, and 44. Congratulations to our four €25 winners this week as follows: (1) Mary & Alicia McDermott – Lisnacusha, (2) Sean Kenny – Fermoyle; (3) Donal Hogan – Mahoraveen; (4) Michael & Mary Reilly – Castlebane Rd., Letterkenny. Next week’s Jackpot will €1,400.
Sympathy – Rathcline GAA would like to extend sympathies to the Ryder Family, Ballinahinch and the Kearney Family, Fortwilliam on the passing of Cissie on Wednesday last.
Under 21 – The following U21 players are asked to make themselves available for the forthcoming Championship – Aaron Madden, Cathal Greene, David Mulvihill, Brian Connaughton, Michael Rhatigan, Shane Donoghue, Padraig Connaughton, Gavin Cooney, Liam Connerton, Michael J Reilly, Mark Shanley, James Hilton, James Brennan, Gavin Murray, Gavin Heneghan, Gary Tobin, Danny O’ Sullivan, Darren McGrath, Eoin Sorohan, Jack Rooney and Gareth Reilly.
Joe Kiernan will be managing the team this year and all players are requested to attend senior training in Clonbonny every Wednesday & Friday night at 8:30pm. We wish the team best of luck.
Executive meeting – There will be an Executive meeting in Clonbonny on Wednesday evening coming 20th Feb at 8:45pm. All Executive members are requested to attend along with a representative of both the Minor and Ladies Club.
Croagh Patrick Sponsorship Walk 2013 – This year’s event has been provisionally set for Saturday 11th May. All designated team leaders are requested to attend an event meeting on Friday night coming 22nd Feb at 9pm in Clonbonny. Sponsorship cards will be issued to all the teams on the night.
The Club would like to congratulate Kevin Chapman and Louise Kearney on their marriage celebrations last Saturday. We hope they have a long and happy life together.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Sympathy: The Club extends deepest sympathy to the Dunne family & Enright family, on the death of Brid Dunne, Doughill, and Curraghroe. To her mother Mary, partner Paul, brothers Declan & Padraig, sisters Deirdre, Dolores, Margaret and Catherine, extended family, relatives and friends.
Senior League: Our seniors have their 1st game of the season this coming Sunday 24th February at home. Best of Luck to the panel of players along with manager Enon Gavin and selectors David Kilcoyne and Gerard O’Donnell for the season ahead.
Lotto: The numbers drawn were – 3, 7, 16 and 30. There was no jackpot winner and the five €20 winners were: Geraldine Hanley, Kathleen Kilduff, Jl Farrell, Rachel Connaughton, and Gerry & Angela Nerney. The next draw will take place on Tuesday 26th February for a jackpot of €8,000.
St. Faithleachs GAA Table Quiz: Adult table quiz will take place on Friday 22nd February in the clubhouse. A table of four will cost €40 per table. Please Support.
Senior Club Presentations: Following our table quiz on Friday 22nd February, presentations will be made to our senior player of the year 2012 and also to our club person of the year 2012. Please come along and support.
Cards: will take place every Tuesday in the clubhouse at 9.00pm. All welcome. Results of last week’s games are – winners – JohnO/Pakie. Runners-Up, Tim/Sonny. Last Game, Freda/Gemma.
Thank You
The committee and members of the Co Longford Branch of Multiple Sclerosis would like to thank most sincerely the organisers of the Christmas Day Run/Walk from Cashel to Lanesboro, which raised over 7,000 euros for the branch. A special word of thanks to all the participants, those who fundraised for the event, and everybody who helped in any way on the day to contribute to the smooth running of this annual event. Your kindness and generosity are greatly appreciated, these funds will go along way in helping the members of our society for the coming year’