Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Trailer Stolen
On Tuesday last 19th November between the hours of 10am and 4.30pm a car trailer was stolen from the side of the house of Tom and Evelyn Rooney at Rathcline crossroads. The description of the trailer is that is a 8’x4’blue grey, twin well car trailer with a chequered plated floor. It also had a ladder rail with a mesh insert. It also had a jockey wheel and lights.
If you happened to be passing and seen anything or indeed know anything about its probable whereabouts can you contact Lanesboro Gardaí at the barracks or phone 3321102.
Birth
Congratulations to Amanda and Basil Mitchell, Lehery Lower, on the birth last week of a baby boy.
Anyone for Whist
Friday week 6th December the monthly Whist Drive will take place in St. Mary’s Parish hall. We are now coming into the Christmas period as it is a time that there is a greater draw on the finances of the local committee. Your attendance at the whist drive or a contribution to any of the committee members would be greatly appreciated. Your continual support for the whist drive each month is deeply appreciated and it would be great to have a full house on Friday week. Bring along your friends and enjoy what is a great evening’s entertainment. Refreshments will be served as usual. The game will commence at 8.30pm so don’t be late and don’t come alone.
Old Local Pictures for the Library
Stella O’Sullivan at the library would be very grateful for any old photographs or stories of business premises or business people in Lanesboro during the last century for an exhibition that is in the processed in the library. Photographs will be scanned and returned immediately to the owners. If you have any photos please contact Stella on 043 332 1291 or lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie.
There surely are many old photographs in many houses throughout the parish and the town. I am sure that there are many stories to be told about them. Drop into the library to Stella and she will be happy to chat with you and everything you have for her will be greatly appreciated.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the competition that took place on Wednesday last 20th November are: N/S 1st Frances and Frank Brennan, 2nd Maura Hanly and Mairead Gill and Gemma Douglas and Elish Gray. E/W 1st Brid McDermott and Una Lawlor, 2nd Eileen Kelly and Una Clarke and 3rd Philomena Walsh and Katherine Harrison.
All members and prospective players are asked to note the new time change from Wednesday 4th December when the game will start at 7.30pm.
Christmas Lights for Lanesboro
At a meeting last week in the o-Op offices the Lanesboro Gathering committee and Lough Ree Resources group came together to ensure that Lanesboro will be lit for the Christmas. There was a doubt as to whether we would have lighting this Christmas and the coming together of both groups ensures that we will have a bright Christmas in Lanesboro.
Every house hold and business from the bridge to the Community College are urged to erect trees to further brighten our town. There are brackets on many walls from times gone by and we hope that they will be brightly shining with Christmas trees during the season of Christmas.
A Church Gate collection for the Christmas lighting will take place at all masses on Saturday 7th December and Sunday 8th December, the week after next and we encourage you to be as generous as possible.
The committee looks forward to your full support throughout.
Play Deferred
The Lough Ree Theatre Company (LRTC) would like to apologise to anyone that turned up for the staging of their paly on Saturday and Sunday night last. The play was deferred to Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December due bereavement.
A Wake in the West was staged by the LRTC some 10 years ago and it is now back with some new members in the cast and there is no doubt that it will again be a massive success that it was back then. Don’t miss out on a great night.
If you have tickets for either Saturday or Sunday night you can use then for the night you selected. If you need to change your ticket you can do so by returning to where you purchased to do so.
You should not miss a wonderful night out and a play that will have you laughing the night away.
Tickets are on sale locally and also in O’Brien’s ot from St. Faithleach’s GAA club. The show will commence each night at 8.30pm and admission is €10.
Christmas Day Run
Sponsorship cards are now available for the Annual Christmas Day Run from Newtowncashel to Lanesboro. The run each year is in aid of Multiple Sclerosis. Historically there has been wonderful support both by those taking part and also by the huge number who contribute sponsorship. Last year exceeded all expectations and it is hoped that this year will once again be a huge success and the organising committee is hoping for records to be broken, once again, in the number of participants. This is the major Multiple Sclerosis fundraiser each year and your usual most generous support will once again be greatly appreciated. The walkers will commence their journey at 11.45am and the runners will start at 12.15pm.
Sponsorship cards are available from O’Brien’s shop or from any of the organising committee.
The Moment of Truth
On Sunday night last on the new RTÉ programme ‘The Moment of Truth’ featured Tony Gavigan who was interviewed by Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh. Tony recounted the death of his son Kyle on January 1996 in a car accident. While in Beaumont hospital, Tony and his wife Adrienne became aware that he would not survive and they began discussing organ donation and when the time came to make the final decision they offered Kyle’s body for organ donation – the team took Kyle’s kidneys and cornea which benefitted four people. Tony felt that by donation they were giving to the opportunity of life to those awaiting transplant and by knowing that his organs helped others live part of Kyle was still living.
As time passed by Tony began feeling tired and put it down to the time around Kyle’s death. Following a visit to his local doctor Tony was admitted to the Mater hospital where he was diagnosed with a kidney problem. He went on dialysis and after nine months he got a phone call to tell him that there was a kidney available for him. Tony felt great emotion at this news as he realised that it was the death of another person that was giving him the new kidney and it brought back to mind what himself and Adrienne had gone through.
Tony never looked back after becoming an organ recipient and he is daily conscious of the gift of life that he received. Tony had gone on to represent Ireland at Golf and ten-pin bowling at the World Transplant Games.
Tony is son of Anne Gavigan and the late Jimmy Gavigan, Corrigeen and he urges everyone to carry a donor card.
Rathcline GAA Lotto
Congratulations to Seamus Shortt from Cloone, Co Leitrim on winning the first lotto jackpot of the new fundraising term worth €800. The winning numbers this week were 1, 3, 8, 11, 14 34. Seamus matched the following numbers in his ticket application: 3, 8, 11 and 14.
Rathcline Ladies GAA
The club were delighted to learn of the appointment of Kieran Feeney and Eilish Rhatigan to the management positions of the county U16 ladies. Both Kieran, in management, and Eilish, as a player have given our club sterling service and we are sure that they will be a wonderful acquisition for the county U16’s.
Death
Thursday 21st November was a seriously poignant day for the entire community when the sad news broke of the death at his residence in White Linen Woods, Longford town of Lorcie Connaughton. Born and raised on our Main Street, Lorcie was predeceased by his mother Bernadette, father Mike, sister Mary and brother Deckie. Growing up with Lorcie was a time that was never without great moments and laughs and very special memories. His birthday parties were legendary and needless to say he carried the same cheerfulness and devilment to our parties and also through his life. Summing up Lorcie’s life is so difficult because he meant so much too so many people in so many different ways. Those of us that grew up with him were specially privileged because we had the full benefit of his 58 years. Lorcie was a larger than life man and his heart was a heart of gold. Lorcie spent his working life with P&T now Eircom and the turnout of his ex-colleagues told the high esteem he was held with his fellow workers. There is no doubt everyone that got to know him – and that was a multitude – have their own special stories to tell. He was a wonderful friend and someone that you could always rely on no matter what. He had a heart of gold and the turnout on Friday last at his home and again on Saturday showed –if evidence was needed what he meant to people. On Saturday the attendance at his Funeral Mass and burial to Rathcline Cemetery was massive and a fitting send off for a very special man – people travelled from far and wide to attend. Lorcie will be sadly missed by so many but Everytime we think of him we will smile and be grateful that he was part of our lives.
To his daughters Shirley, Brona, Karen, their mother Ann, grandson Andrew, partner Evelyn, brothers Michael, Sean (Newbridge), Noel (Thurles), Josie, relatives and a multitude of friends we extend our deepest sympathy.
Vote closes on Sunday next
Voting papers for the election of members to the new Rathcline Parish Council are now available in the church porch. Voting papers must be returned on or before Sunday next 1st December. The only voting stipulation is that you must have the consent of the person you nominate.
Shannon Gaels AGM
The Shannon Gaels AGM will take place in the GAA clubhouse in Clonbonny on Friday night 6th December at 8.30pm. Please mark this date for attendance in you diary.
Parents of all players male and female, those interested in the development of underage football in the parish and club supporters are asked to make a very special effort to come along to the meeting and support bot the outgoing and incoming executive. The club is for and about the wellbeing of all the underage players under our care and the club strives to be better and the only way it can be better is through your input and views as to how we should progress and grow.
Athlone Samaritans
Athlone Midland Samaritans urgently needs volunteers. No experience is necessary as training will be provided. If you would like to volunteer please call 0852845010 immediately.
If you have the time it should be put to exceptional use and to help those in need of the Samaritans. In a time that there is so much stress, depression and death it is very important that the excellent services of the Samaritans can be availed of by everyone that feels they are under pressure and need somebody to talk with if only someone to listen.
Art Calendar 2014
The Brushstrokes calendar 2014 is now on sale. There has been a great run on the calendars since they were first launched with many buying them and sending them abroad as Christmas presents. What a better gift for Christmas especially for those away from home. With 20 locals of the Brushstrokes having their work displayed in this calendar it is one not to be missed – so buy now before it is too late.
The proceeds of the sale of the calendar will be split between the Lanesboro Tidy Town committee and Ballyleague Tidy Towns committee, both of whom did and continue to do tremendous work and are thoroughly deserving of your support.
Lanesboro Pike Angling Club
Lanesboro Pike Angling club will be holding a members only Christmas boat pike fishing competition on Sunday next 1st December in Lanesboro – membership cannot be taken out on the day.
1st Prize hamper for the heaviest pike.
There will also be a hamper for the smallest pike, plus lots of prizes for pike of different weights.
Entry fee is €25 per boat and fishing will be from11am to 3p. Entries will be taken from 10.30am at Lanesboro harbour next to the duck pond. This is a catch and release competition and pike federation rules will apply. The presentation of prizes will take place in the Yacht bar immediately following the completion of the weigh in.
There will also be a draw for our non-fishing members where the first prize will be a hamper.
There will be plenty of other prizes on the day, so hopefully nobody will go away empty handed, as the committee wants everyone to enjoy their day out.
Triple P. Positive Parenting
Parents of children aged 1-7 years are invited to a free Triple P Workshop on “Dealing with Disobedience”. Tips include dealing with answering back, ignoring instructions, complaining and whinging. The workshops will take place on Thursday 28th November from 10am-12noon and 8pm-10pm at Lanesboro/Ballyleague Community Childcare, The Green, Lanesboro. To book a place please contact/text Anne on 0868062095 and stipulate what workshop you wish attend.
Badminton Table Quiz
Badminton season is now in full swing with Senior and Junior Badminton making the most of the autumn and winter evenings. We have set the date for our annual fundraising table quiz, which will be held in Clarke’s Bar on Friday the 6th of December at 9pm with lots of spot prizes on the night. We hope to see plenty of teams of four on the night for this fundraising table quiz for the Senior and Junior Badminton Club. If you don’t have a full team don’t worry, come along we can organise some teams, its part of what we do!
Remembrance Mass
Innis Ree Lodge, Ballyleague will host a Remembrance Mass for all their previous residents on Friday night 29th November at 7pm. All families and friends are invited to come along and share in the Mass.
Christmas Lights for Ballyleague
The people of Ballyleague are proceeding with plans for not one but 5 large outdoor Christmas trees and a myriad of coloured lighting for the festive season throughout the village. At a meeting last week in Sorohan’s Lifebelt Bar a work group was set up to co-ordinate the purchase of the trees from Coillte and the organisation of the event starting on weekend December 1st and continuing on weekend December 6/7/8th. The work group is appealing for your help with voluntary assistance and funding.
A special appeal is going out to all local residents and business owners asking them to play their part by displaying Christmas lights externally at their home this year. The plan is to bring a special Christmas cheer to the area so if you have outside lights or features please put them up in December. We may also be able to supply you with some lights.
To help defray the costs a church gate collection will take place on Saturday December 14th and Sunday December 15th at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague. It is hoped this will coincide with a very special surprise event for Christmas in the village that weekend.
The work group in charge of the trees and lighting this year is: Noel Moran, John Loughlin, Denis Dunne, Joe Cribbin and John Francis Donlon. To offer your help please speak to any of the work group members or e mail us at: keepballyleaguetidy@gmail.com and we will pass it on.
Christmas Fair
The Lough Ree Community Resource group is hosting a Christmas Fair on Sunday 8th December from 11am until 1pm. All stands are free and if you wish to have a stall you should contact Mags phone 043 33 21440.