Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Christmas Day Swim
The annual sponsored Christmas Day swim hosted by the Lough Ree Sub Aqua club will once again take place at 12.30pm following last mass at St. Mary’s Church. We hope that the wonderful weather we are having now will continue to make the swim a very special event. Each year the swim is great occasion attracting a big number of swimmers and spectators. The spectators create a great atmosphere in supporting and cheering each swimmer as they brave the cold water.
This year it is hoped that all records will be broken in the number of swimmers, spectators and amount of sponsorship gathered. The club urges your support and they look forward to seeing you on the bridge or in the swim on the day.
Sponsorship cards are available from any club member or from O’Brien’s.
Memorial 25 Drive
The Anthony Healy Memorial 25 Drive will take place in Clarke’s Bar on Friday night next 13th December. The proceeds will go to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice. The card game remembers a very popular man who was taken from us long before his time. Anthony helped many people during his time and your support will continue the name of Anthony Healy helping people. Come along and make this a memorable night.
Raffle for Tractor and Trailer
On Wednesday 18th December a draw will take place for a Valtra Tractor and Trailer – it is an ideal Christmas gift for any young boy this Christmas. The draw is being held as part of the Anthony Healy Memorial and tickets are priced at only €5 for this great prize. Tickets are on sale locally, from the organisers and also in O’Brien’s.
Lanesboro Community School Concert
On this Thursday 12th December at 8pm Lanesboro Community College will put on a Christmas concert celebrating the Christmas season. The college remembers the people of the Philippines who suffered greatly during the recent typhoon and they will contribute the takings of the concert to the disaster fund. The college is happy to play their part in helping in their own way towards the people of the Philippines. It is hoped that there will be a full house in the hall on Thursday night.
Brushstrokes Christmas Exhibition
The local Brushstrokes Art group once again opened their annual Christmas Exhibition in the Lough Ree Co-Op hall last weekend. The exhibition will run until Sunday next 8th December. You are encouraged to go along, pay a visit and perhaps return home the proud owner of one of the excellent paintings that are on sale during the exhibition.
Christmas Lights – A Big Thank You
It is all systems go this week when the Christmas Lights will be erected in Lanesboro. The organising group would like to sincerely thank everyone that contributed so generously last weekend to the church gate collection. Your generosity was tremendous. The lights will be turned on following evening Mass on Saturday night next 14th December where there will also be carol singing at the crib opposite the church. The turning on of Christmas lights is always a magical time and the group would like to invite as many people as possible to come along for the turning on of the lights and to create a great Christmas atmosphere.
Run/Walk for MS on Christmas Day
The Annual Christmas Day Run/Walk from Newtowncashel to Lanesboro will again take place on Christmas day and sponsorship cards are now available. Since the inception of the Multiple Sclerosis run/walk from Cashel to Lanesboro the interest has continue to grow that is has become a great social event every Christmas Day. 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.
It is great to hear so many people deciding to take part this year and sponsorship cards are available from Brigid Mullooly, O’Brien’s shop or from any of the organising committee. Your support has never been found wanting and the committee would like to thank everyone that participated down through the years and helped them so much.
Thank You
Trócaire would like to thank everyone for their generosity during the collection for the citizens of Syria and the Philippines who are suffering greatly at this particular time. The amount contributed was €2,523.
Christmas Penance Service
The following is the schedule for Christmas Penance Service in the area: Monday 16th December in The Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague at 8pm and in St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro on Friday 20th December at 7.30pm. Individual penance will take place following the Penance Service.
Death
The entire area was shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely death of Padraic Bradley, Curraghroe on Sunday 1st December. Padraic was predeceased by his father Pat. Padraic worked in Athlone and also worked the family farm. He had a great interest in the farm and worked it diligently. Padraic was a warm, friendly and hardworking young man. He was very popular with everyone that came to know him and his passing will leave a great emptiness in the hearts and minds of all. Padraig will be long remembered for his warmth and his availability to help everyone that was in need of help. His remains reposed at Leavy’s Funeral Home on Tuesday last before being removed to St. Cecilia’s Church, Curraghroe. Following his Funeral Mass on Wednesday his remains were laid to rest in Cloontuskert cemetery.
To his mother Bridgit, brothers, Joseph, Martin and Sean, sister Ann, relatives and many many friends we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
Christmas Carol Service
Lanesboro Primary School students present their annual Christmas Carol Service in St. Mary’s Church on Tuesday 16th December at 6.30pm It is hoped that all the hard work in preparation for the service will be rewarded with a full church. A contribution towards helping to defray the costs will be greatly appreciated.
Church Gate Collection
The Lanesboro Parish Hall committee will hold a church gate collection at all masses this coming Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
Rathcline GAA Lotto
The numbers drawn for the Rathcline GAA lotto on Saturday night last were 12, 20, 21, 33, 35 and 44. There was nobody with the correct numbers and the four winners of the €25 prizes were Micheál O’Sullivan, Ballymahon Road, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Fermanagh, Fermoyle National School, Terri and Charlotte Skelly, Rathcline and James Harold, Lanesboro. The jackpot for next Saturday rises to €300.
Shannon Gaels AGM
The AGM took place on Friday night last, again, before a small attendance. As published last week the club had a great year of activity on many fronts and it was hoped that a great attendance would turn up to celebrate the achievement – alas it was not to be.
The executive elected for the coming year is; Chairman Sean Kenny, Vice Chairman Michael J O’Reilly, Secretary Seadna Ryan, Ass Secretary Ciaran Prior, Treasurer Brendan Keane, Ass Treasurer Darragh Byrne and PRO. Joe O’Brien.
The executive committee announced that this would be their final year in office and we would hope that a number of people will come forward to help continue the development of the club.
It was also stated that from the football year of 2014 the U12 girls would no longer be part of the set up as they would be fielding a team of their own. The club wishes them huge success.
The U6 and U8 teams will come together to be able to field a team in the U8’s as our numbers are quite low at that grade.
The club welcomed senior board chairman, Gerard Farrell, to the meeting as wish him every success in the coming year.
Finally, the choir are practicing away for their performances in Lanesboro church at Mass on Saturday 21st and Saturday 28th December.
Christmas arrangements at St. John’s Church Lanesboro
The arrangements over the Christmas period for the St. John’s congregation begin on Saturday 14th December with a concert in St Coman’s, Roscommon in aid of Vincent of Paul where Sean Hanly and friends are giving a recital at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to support a great cause and enjoys a wonderful evening.
On Thursday 19th at 8p.m there will be a Carol Service in St Coman’s Church Roscommon with choirs from Strokestown and the Sacred Heart and St Coman’s. All are welcome.
On Sunday 22nd at 4pm there will be a Carol Service in St John’s Church, Lanesborough. During the service children are playing ‘the Christmas story’, everyone welcome to come and join in the celebration.
On Christmas Eve at 8pm in St John’s Church Lanesborough Holy Communion and on Christmas Day at St Coman’s Roscommon there will be Holy Communion at 10.30am Christmas Day.
Bumper Bingo Thursday night
This Thursday night Ballyleague bingo will continue as usual. The snowball stands at €3,000 and there will also be hampers, whiskey and wine to be won on the night.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Pauline and Padraig Connerton and family, Cullentra, on the death of Pauline’s uncle Frank Farrell, Currabawn, Ballymahon, recently.
Athlone Samaritans seeks your support
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.
Excellent Calendar
Have you got your excellent production of this year’s Brushstrokes Art calendar? The calendar shows the depth of local talent in our community and the calendar is ideal for each and every house. Calendars are priced at only €5 and can be bought in O’Brien’s and many other outlets in the town.
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 Tidy Towns
The December newsletter is now available in local businesses and in the church porches. The newsletter outlines our performance in the National Tidy Towns Competition and it gives the actual adjudication report. Thanks to your support and the trojan work of the local Fas scheme, Lanesborough won the Special Endeavour award for Co Longford for the second year in a row .This is awarded to the town/village in each county with the highest percentage increase in marks from the previous year. The award was presented to one of the committee by Minister Fergus O Dowd at the National Awards Ceremony held recently in the Ireland’s tidiest town, Moynalty, Co Meath. Preparations for next year are in progress, if you wish to get involved, please contact one of the committee or contact the office at 043 3321977.
Lanesboro/Ballyleague Annual Christmas Fair
The annual Christmas Fair will take place in St. Mary’s Hall, Lanesboro on this Friday 13th, December, from 10.30am to 3 pm. Tea/Coffee served and a raffle will take place.
There will be a free Santa with gifts for children from 2pm to 3pm.
A wide selection of Christmas gifts for young and old to choose from including: Christmas cakes and wreaths, silver, gold and costume jewellery, fresh and dried plant arrangements, toys and calendars.
In addition to above the traditional weekly market will have its regular home baking, fresh fish, eggs, handmade bed linen, and book/dvd stalls.
We look forward to seeing you then – we would like to wish a wonderful Christmas to all our regulars, whose support is much appreciated.
We will be open as normal on Friday 20th December and will close over the festive season, re-opening on Friday 10th January.
Lough Ree AC
This weekend brings to a close the cross-country season for juvenile events with the national uneven age-group finals in Waterford. The club has no teams involved, but Alannah Flood has made the Connaught team that will compete in the Interprovincial Final for the girls U11 age group. Alannah has improved greatly over the past few months; her only drawback will be that she has so few races under her belt. However, we feel the Cashel youngster will give a good account of herself. It is the first time in a while, that the club has qualified an athlete at this level.
On the home front, the club must solve the Cian Walton case. In the under 11 age group there should be little or no difference in the between the boys and girls performances. In our road runs last month, Cian brought in better times than Alannah on most occasions. Yet, over a cross-country course Alannah can be third in Connaught, while Cian can be down the field. It is not a worry as Cian is a talented athlete with a great attitude. Would that we would have more like him!
The club is 40 years in existence this year 2013 and it is hoping to organise a re-union of past members over Christmas – nothing elaborate but more information later.
Congratulations to Michelle Wallace (Ballyleague) who made the long journey from Israel to collect her Bachelor of Law degree in Trinity College, Dublin last week. Michelle, who is a member of the Garda Siochana, is living with her young family in Israel as her husband Keith Murphy (Cloontuskert) is stationed with the UN forces in nearby Syria.
Continuing in the same vein, congratulations to Micheál O’Sullivan, Principal at Stonepark NS on the school winning the Primary School of the Year at the recent awards presentation by Longford Sports Partnership.
Christmas Trees Up in Ballyleague
Church Gate collection this weekend
Five giant Christmas trees have been erected in the village of Ballyleague over the weekend – and special Christmas lights are now going up throughout the area.
The trees were purchased from Coillte by the new Christmas trees work group set up recently in Ballyleague and erected by volunteers throughout he village last Saturday. The committee would like to thank all the volunteers who came along to help out and the following groups and organisations who have made financial contributions towards the new trees:
St Faithleach’s GAA club, Church of the Holy Rosary/ Parish Council, Ballyleague National School Board of Management/Parents Association, Joe Cribbin Daybreak Shop/Top Filling Station, Lanesborough/Ballyleague Credit Union.
Our thanks also to the local residents who have responded very well to the invitation to have external Christmas lights on their properties this year – a feature that is already drawing positive remarks. We look forward to seeing more homes and businesses putting out their own Christmas lights on trees and buildings in the next two weeks.
To help defray the cost of ongoing lights maintenance and fittings a church gate collection will be held this coming weekend at all masses in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague. Your general support would be gratefully appreciated. To make a donation to the Christmas lights group please contact Noel Moran or John O’Loughlin or e mail: keepballyleaguetidy@gmail.com
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Minor Men – D2 League County Final: Pride of the parish goes to our minor men and their management, winners of the D2 league final on Saturday last defeating Tulsk in Abbey Park, Boyle on a final scoreline of St. Faithleachs 2-12 Tulsk 1-11. Team: Joseph Farrell, Callum Farrell, Mickey Cox, Jack Irwin, Erin Farrell, Colin Gannon, Darragh Kelly, John Walsh, Diarmuid Murtagh(2-10), Shane Phillips(0-1), Kevin Farrell(0-1), Daniel Foley, Steven Walsh, Jerome Kelly, Jonathan Sweeney. Subs: Jonathon Hussey, Colm Mangan, Darren Nerney, Cian Gannon, Mark Gill, Luke Parker. Congratulations to all players on the panel along with their management team of Damien Rooney, Paddy Neilon & Sean Kelly.
A Wake in the West: Many thanks to all who supported St. Faithleachs GAA club fundraising event “A Wake in the West” by Lough Ree Theatre Company last weekend in St. Mary’s Hall, Ballyleague. Huge appreciation to the cast and the crew of the Lough Ree Theatre Company on a fantastic show.
Santa at St. Faithleachs GAA Club Grounds: A special treat in store for the kids with the arrival of Santa Claus on Saturday 21st December at 5.00pm.
Bumper Christmas Draw: The club is currently running a Christmas Draw, €2 per line. Your support is much appreciated.
Lotto: The numbers drawn were – 9, 10, 12 and 14. There was no jackpot winner and the five €20 winners were – Rachel Connaughton, Diarmuid Thompson, Kathleen Kilduff, Jack Mc Gloin, Harry and Patricia McGann. The next draw will take place on Tuesday 17th December for a jackpot of €10,100
Cards: Every Tuesday in the clubhouse at 8.30pm. All welcome. Last week’s results are – Winners, Pat/Ronan, Runners-Up- Frank/Peggy. The last game winners were Brendan/Tom. The ticket winners were – Padraig, Terry, Pat & Tom.
Sympathy: The club extends deepest sympathy to Bridie Bradley and family on the death of her son, Padraig Bradley, Curraghroe.
Recorded by Joe O'Brien
