Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
To a great community past and present
It is amazing how quickly time passed us by. The past 12 months seems to have flown. The long hot summer that stretched late into the Autumn kept us outside and always busy hence we feel we are here again quicker than usual. To continue the notes from year to year cannot be possible without your support and input – for all of this I am deeply grateful to each one of you either here in the locality, in the country or worldwide.
Writing for you each week is a privilege bestowed on me in 1989 by managing editor of the revived Longford Leader Eugene Mc Gee and one I thought I would not be too long at but 25 years later here I am sitting at my now famous table which has served me so well over the years.
The growth of the notes is totally down to each and every one of you that, as I said earlier, have been so supportive and encouraging over the years and furnishing me with details when they are required on so many times for so many different occasions.
Christmas time, in particular, always reminds me of everyone that is away from home. The passage of time from youth to adulthood in the area is fondly remembered with many memories but the fact that we could not create enough employment to hold even a small percentage of you to rear and educate your young in our community rankles greatly with me.
The year 2014 will have held many memories for everyone both good and bad – some will have had great memories for successes in one of the many forms while others will have suffered losses in one way or another. I rise with you on your good days and I fall heartbroken with you in your time of distress and sorrow.
Always remember you are treasured in my heart and mind whether you are home or away and wherever this message finds you in the world I would like to wish you all a most precious Christmas time in your homes and may 2015 make every dream you ever wished for come through.
New Venture for Kevin
They say only the brave start a business in the time of a recession. While Kevin Hanley is not starting a new business he is adding a one to his existing plumbing business. Kevin is opening his business extension Midlands Ice Baths in January and he is presently setting up his new centre on the Lanesboro Road on the outskirts of Longford. The baths are the cutting edge technology in Cryotherapy treatment. The baths have been proven to boost you by allowing you more energy, improved performances, less fatigue and fewer injuries. You can get more details by contacting Kevin on the phone 086-8908436 or emailing midlandicebaths@gmail.com
We wish Kevin much success and a busy year ahead.
Rathcline says Thank You
Following the decision of the Rathcline club on the recommendation of their chairman Gerald Farrell that their share of the new 50/50 weekly draw would be donated to the Christmas Lighting committee to help ensure that Lanesboro is lit up for Christmas. His view was that the club is an integral part of the community and they should play their part in insuring a bright Christmas in Lanesboro. Their share from last week’s draw was €412 and that sum was donated. The club would like to sincerely thank everyone for their great support. The winner of the draw was Chris Cullen, Rathcline Road. The club thanks everyone for their support and looks forward to your continued support.
Meals on Wheels
Co. Longford Social Services who provide that magnificent service of Meal on Wheels in the parish and throughout the county will hold their annual Church Gate collection at all masses this coming weekend Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st December. They, once again, plead to your generosity for this very worthy cause.
Very Important time for Blood Donations
Christmas time is always about the gift of life and there can be no better way in your helping to sustain life than by being a blood donor. Every year over the Christmas period there is a tremendous need for blood. It is very fortunate that this year you have opportunity to give blood in both Longford and Roscommon and to play your part in the gift of life.
This week in the Longford Arms Tuesday 16th, Wednesday 17th and Thursday18th there will be a blood donor clinic from 4.30 to 8pm.
On Sunday next 21st in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon there will be a blood donor clinic from 12 noon to 3.30pm and also on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd from 4.30 to 8pm.
The gift of life is very precious and you can play your part – please do.
Pending crisis in Minor Club
Can you play your part in allaying the fears for the Shannon Gaels Minor Club? On Sunday evening last there was a very small attendance at the Shannon Gaels minor club AGM. With the top table having seen out their time there was hope that a new committee could be formed at the meeting. However, there were not enough people there to form a new committee which, to me, is very surprising as the very proud Shannon Gael minor club is on the up both on and off the field and I thought people would only be anxious to come in and further develop the great work. New people bring new ideas and that is what was and still is hoped for when the club reconvenes on Thursday night in Clonbonny at 8pm.
In our community we have hugely capable parents and people with a great GAA background who I am sure can come and help further the club and put us on a higher platform. The club is in a great place now and the injection of new blood to the executive can only enhance us and bring greater success to our youngsters both on and off the field. There are many new people that have come to live amongst us with great capabilities and we encourage each and every one of them to come along on to the meeting.
Thursday night at 8pm in the Rathcline clubhouse in Clonbonny we look forward to a new and exciting executive being elected.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Gerry and Martina Harte, Cnoc na Gaoithe on the death last weekend of Paddy Harte, Castlerea father of Gerry.
Lanesboro Tourism Co-Op
Lanesboro Tourism Co-Op wishes you all a very happy Christmas and peaceful New Year and thanks you all for your support of Lanesboro’s tidy town’s campaign during the year and your support of our weekly lottery. The coop would like to thank all the businesses who help with selling the weekly lottery tickets. Copies of the Tidy town’s newsletter are now available in the churches and local businesses. We look forward to 2015 and we hope that we can work together to improve Lanesboro
MS Christmas Run 2014
It is a tradition that has been in Lanesboro, Newtowncashel and all points between for the past 23 years. It has raised in excess of €160,000 throughout the 23 years. It has grown greatly in support and it has always been a most fantastic way to start Christmas Day. The friendship and comradery developed before during and after has lasted for years. As the advertisement says “There are no strangers here just friends we have yet to meet”. The Multiple Sclerosis Walk/Run from Newtowncashel continues to beat the previous year’s record and goes from strength to strength.
It is great to see so many people collecting their sponsorship cards from O’Brien’s, Brigid Mullooly phone 086-8807596, Michael Flood Cashel 0860880855 or Kenny’s Food Store Cashel. It is very important that the sponsorship cards are filled and more importantly that the sponsorship is maximised. Multiple Sclerosis depend greatly on the support of both the runners/walkers and the people that support the runners and walkers with their financial support.
The local organising once again calls on your generosity and looks forward to see you running, walking or just out supporting the entrants as they wind their way from Cashel through Lisnagan, Clonmee, Newpark, Lisnacusha, Thureen, Killinure, Tullyvrane, Knock and down Main Street to the finishing line at St. Mary’s Hall at the bridge.
The walkers will start at 11.45pm with the runners staring at 12.15pm. Refreshments will be served for all in St. Mary’s Parish hall. Join in and be part of the movement.
Christmas Concert
The committee would like to thank everyone for their generous support and donations to the Focus Ireland at their concert in St. Mary’s on Saturday 6th December. A total of €630 has been sent to Focus Ireland.
Immediate need for Defibrillator Training
A new session of Defibrillator training will commence in the area in the New Year.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in Ireland. Most of those cardiac arrests take place away from a medical centre or hospital. Many of the victims of the cardiac arrest might have been saved if an external defibrillator (AED) was available and enough people in the vicinity were trained in the use of the defibrillator. We have ample AED’s in our area – some more would help – but we have a greater need for more and more people to be trained in their use.
If you wished to be trained up please leave your name into Martina O’Brien and she will take details and notify you of the upcoming course.
While most that are already trained up have done their refresher courses there are a number that are out of date. Please give your name to Martina and she will let you know of arrangements to complete your refresher course.
Lanesboro Community College leads the way
It is great to see the improving- all – the – time position of our local Community College in the 3rd level feeder tables in the recently published Sunday Times. The school is best ETB, (ex VEC), school in the county, and second only to one other school in the entire ETB of Longford and Westmeath. It is continued proof of the continued progression that is ongoing at the college. Ar aghaidh le Chéile, cinnte.
Credit Union Opening Hours
Over the Christmas the Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union opening hours are as follows: The office will close on Tuesday 23rd at 3pm and will reopen on Wednesday 31st December from 10am to 3pm. Normal hours will resume from Friday 2nd January 2015.
The board and staff of the Credit Union would like to wish all their members and their families and friends a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Book Club
We await further details from Lanesboro Library it is great to see that in January a ‘book club’ will be commencing. Book clubs are a growing phenomenon throughout the country and it is wonderful to see that Lanesboro Library will be hosting the Book Club from January.
Pop Up Shop
St. Christopher’s Services have opened a ‘pop up’ shop in Longford Shopping Centre car park and will remain open until Saturday 20th December. The Christmas craft shop will stock Christmas gifts all made in Longford and it is an ideal way to continue your support for St. Christopher’s which means so much to so many people.
Lanesboro ICA
It is great to be writing that heading once again. Lanesboro ICA will hold a meeting in St. Mary’s Hall on this Wednesday 10th December at 8pm. All ladies in the area are invited to go along and be part of a renewed ICA in our area.
Christmas Day Swim
Lough Ree Sub Aqua club wish to thank everyone for their continued support during what was a busy 2014. We are delighted to invite everyone to join us for our annual Christmas Day swim which will take place on the east bank of the river Shannon at 12.30pm on Christmas Day. Participants and spectators welcome and light refreshments will be served afterwards. From all at Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club, we wish you a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous and peaceful New Year.
Christmas Service Arrangements
The following are the arrangements over the Christmas. St. Mary’s Church Lanesboro will have Masses at 7pm and 8.30pm on Christmas Eve and at 9.30 and 11.30am on Christmas Day. At the Church of the Holy Rosary Ballyleague there will Mass at 9pm on Christmas Eve and at 11am on Christmas Day. St. Mary’s Ballagh will have Mass on Christmas Eve at 8pm and at St Cecelia’s Church on Christmas day at 10am.
Confessions: A Penitential Service for Christmas will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Lanesboro on Monday 22nd December at 7pm. This service will be similar in format to previous Penitential Services and will be followed by individual confessions for those who wish to avail of the traditional rite.
St. John’s Christmas Services
The following is the schedule of for St. John’s congregation over the Christmas period: Carols for the People will take place in St Coman’s Roscommon on this coming Thursday 18th at 8p.m. Service in St. John’s Lanesborough Sunday 21st at 4pm. Christmas communion will take place in St. John’s on Christmas Eve at 8pm. On Sunday 28th December there will be service at Donamon church at 4pm You are asked to note that there will be no other services in the other churches that Sunday.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the Hurson family, Lisnacusha on the sudden death of John Reynolds, Longford town husband of Rosie Hurson, formerly, the Green, whose remains were laid to rest in Clonbonny last week.
Thank You
The Lough Ree Resource Centre would like to thank everyone that contributed to their church gate collection last weekend for the Christmas lights. If you still want to make a contribution you may do so by contacting Mark Casey, Margaret Gillen or Brigid Mullooly.
Credit Union Christmas Draw
The regular Christmas draw hosted by Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union took place at their office in Ballyleague on Friday last 12th December. The winner of the first prize of a car was James Nerney, Curraghroe, 2nd prize €2,000 went to John Duffy, Jnr., Mahoraveen, 3rd prize €1,000 – William Patrick Corcoran Strokestown, 4th prize €100 – Sean Mimnagh Ballyleague, 5th prize €100 – Geraldine O’Neill, Gurteengar, 6th prize €100 – Alan Breslin, Ballyleague, 7th prize €100 – James Geraghty, Newtowncashel, 8th prize €100 – Padraig Murray, Cloontuskert and 9th prize €100 – Geraldine Horohoe, Ballyleague.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Card Game – There will be Christmas card game in the clubhouse on Tuesday 23rd, lots of extra prizes and a fun and festive night guaranteed.
Santa visits St Faithleachs: Santa will be arriving at the clubhouse on Saturday next 20th for all our younger players. This is sure to be a fantastic event, with games, arts and crafts and a meeting with the man himself. An Achievement Award will also be presented to the U6, U8, and U10 players to thank them for their involvement in the club. As this is a special day for the younger players all parents and grandparents are invited to share in the festivities. New players are always welcome and this is a great night to come along and meet new people and see what the club is all about. Santa will arrive at 4:30pm.
Trials have been taking place over the last week for County Minors, U16 and U14, best of luck to both girls and boys who went forward to represent the club.
St. Faithleach’s Minor club fundraising draw: Not long now till our fundraising draw for the minor club, as well as music on the night by Jimmy Hussey the minor club will have their presentation night for the clubs members. All are welcome and we look forward to a great night. Tickets available for “Bella” the Heifer, 1st prize in our fundraising draw. The list of prizes is as follows: 1st Prize – Belgian Blue/Blonde X (DOB 15.2.14) or €1,000. 2nd Prize – B&B and Dinner for 2 (Value €250 at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. 3rd Prize – €100 Meal Voucher. 4th Prize – 1 Tonne Bag of Turf. Tickets are priced at €5 each or 3 for €10. Draw will take place 2nd January in the clubhouse.
Cards: Takes place every Tuesday in the clubhouse, 8.30pm. All are welcome. The results of last week’s game: Joint winners: Mick & Annie/ Jack & Paddy. Last game winners: Tom & Brendan. Thanks to all our players for their support over the past year.
Rathcline GAA
The club would like to thank everyone who attended our AGM today Sunday 14th December. The new executive for the coming year is as follows: Chairman – Gerald Farrell. Vice Chairman – Pat Deesy. Secretary – Sarah Kearney. Treasurer – Stephen Rooney. Assistant Treasurer – Lorraine Farrell. Registrars – Peter Skelly and Denis Crinigan. Players Registrar – Brendan Rhatigan and James Hanley. PRO – Caroline Ginty. Assistant PRO – Kevin Connaughton. ASAP Officer – Sarah Kearney. Irish Officer – Sean Kenny and Brendan Keane. Coaching Officer – Kevin Hanley. County Delegates – Louis Skelly and Seamus Flynn with sub delegate – Liam Connerton. Ladies Board Liaison – Madaleine Murray. Insurance Officer – Stephen Rooney. We look forward to having everyone working together for the good of the club in the coming year and hopefully celebrating an Intermediate Championship next year.
Congratulations to Chris Cullen, Rathcline, who was last week’s winner of €412 in the 50/50 draw. The club also donated our half which was €412 to Lanesboro’s Christmas lighting fund. Thank you to everyone who bought envelopes. The draw takes place every Monday night and envelopes only cost €2. In the run up to Christmas on Monday 22nd December there will also be a 2nd prize of a Christmas hamper. Envelopes available in local outlets.
Membership is now due for the coming year. Players’ registration fee is €50 and non-playing members is €20. Players are asked to pay their registration to Brendan Rhatigan or James Hanley. Player registration is compulsory and players must be registered before they can play. Non playing members can pay their fee to Peter Skelly or Denis Crinigan.
Congratulations to club man Albert Cooney on winning election as Treasurer to the Longford County Board. We wish you all the best in this role Albert.
Minor Club: There was a very poor turnout for the AGM of the minor club. An EGM (Emergency General Meeting) will now be held on Thursday evening 18th December at 8pm. All parents are asked to attend as it is vital that a new executive for the coming year is formed.
Hard luck to the Scór na nÓg sketch act who were beaten in the Leinster semi-final at the weekend. Thanks to everyone involved for all the hard work they put in.