Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Visitors from Lanesborough
On Tuesday of last week we welcomed two visitors from Lanesborough, Massachusetts, to our town. Mark and Stephanie Abrams are frequent visitors to Ireland as Stephanie is a radio show host in the U.S. and also a travel expert who on an annual basis is the cause of huge numbers from the U.S. travelling here to Ireland.
Stephanie informed me that Lanesborough, Massachusetts, this year is celebrating its 250 Anniversary and throughout the year will host many celebratory events. It would be fabulous if some of our local people living in that general area were to travel to Lanesborough to join with the residents of our twinned town in their celebrations. From all I have been told of the town and the area it seems to be an idyllic setting and a great place to spend a few days and use as a base while you explore that entire area. For your information; Lanesborough is situated 142 miles from Boston, 35 mile from Albany, the state capital of New York and 150 mile from Central Park in the heart of New York City and just a 4 hour drive to Montreal in Canada.
When you go there make sure to make yourselves known as being from here as those that have travelled for the twinning and those that have travelled since have all spoken in such high regard of the people of Lanesborough, Massachusetts and the warmth of their welcome.
The calendar of events for the celebrations read as follows and hopefully you can make it there to join in their celebrations: 21st February 6:00 Winter Ball at Skyline Country Club, 15th March “A Peek at the Past”—History Fair in Community Room, Town Hall, 3rd May 2:00 Kick-off for Town History Tour — Town Library, 24th May at noon Memorial Day Parade, start at Olde Forge Restaurant, 2nd June at 5:30 Dinner/entertainment, Skyline CC — Young Wolf Tones, 14th June at 2:00 History walk/talk at Greylock Visitors Centre and Old Bradley Farm, 19th July at 11:00 Town Picnic at Laston Park, 1st August at 7:00 Block Dance—Lanesborough Fire Dept. 8th August at 11:00 Pontoosuc Flotilla/Parade; judging in front of Matt Reilly’s Pub, 13th September at 1:00 Constitution Hill hike and ice cream social that will start and finish at the Town Library, on the 18th October between 4:00-7:00 the Finale will take place at the Berkshire Mall: Josh Billings, dignitaries, food, music
At a date yet to be announced there will also be a Fireman’s Muster at Laston Park
while you are there you can buy a 250th Passport ($5) at certain retail outlets; Go along to the events and bring along family/friends; purchase memorabilia at events and enjoy Lanesboro away from home.
For further/most current information, and details on each event, see the web site www.lanesborough-ma.gov/, go to the Facebook page Lanesborough, MA 250th Anniversary.
Things beginning to look Good
Over the past few weeks there has been a great flurry in the property market in Lanesboro and Ballyleague. It is great to see on a number of premises the signs ‘sale agreed’ appearing. First to have the sign was Mrs Browne’s house and land at Ballyleague. At Joe and Elma Kelly’s the site of the old post office, which had been on the market for some time, another sale agreed sign appeared – it is now clear that people realise the benefits of Lanesboro and Ballyleague as a base for their homes or new businesses. I am also led to believe that those sales will not be the only ones to be announced in the very near future which is a great sign for our community. I would like to wish all the purchasers many years of successful residence and business in our community.
Wondering what to do with your Christmas Tree?
Don’t throw away your Christmas tree but bring it along to the back of the library where it will be recycled and used as a weed suppressant on the new flower beds in the town. The trees will be collected on the 16th and 23rd of January but you can also leave them there before those dates for collection. It is great to see that the old trees will be recycled and put to use locally for the benefit of our community.
50/50
The weekly Rathcline 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last. The winning envelope drawn was in the name of Michael Colligan, Scramogue, and Michael picked up a cheque for €402. The draw on Monday night next 19th January will take place in the Clarke’s Bar at 9pm. Tickets are only €2 and your support will always be greatly appreciated.
Your Old Christmas Cards
You can leave you Christmas cards into the Library for recycling from now until the end of January.
Knitting and Crochet Group
The Knitting and Crochet group will resume their meetings in Lanesboro Library on Monday next 19th from 2 to 4 pm. if you have an interest in knitting or crochet you are invited to come along.
Register for Defibrillator Course
Now is the time to register for the new session of Defibrillator training will commence very soon. You are asked to consider doing the training as your training can lead to the saving of lives. The group are looking to have as many people as possible from the general community trained in the use of the defibrillator.
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.
Refresher courses will take place very soon and anyone that needs to do their refresher is also asked to give in their names to Martina.
Women’s Bodyfit
Women’s Bodyfit classes will commence in the Co-Op hall on Monday night next 19th January at 8pm. Bodyfit training will include strength and conditioning training as well as cardio and ab training. The class session will last for 1 hour each night, 8-9pm and the cost is just €5.
Rathcline Draw
Rathcline club each year hold their annual New Year draw. Due to the high cost of affiliation and insurance for the year the proceeds of the draw will go towards paying this large sum. It is a great help to the club, with little activity and a high loan repayment to be met the draw takes some pressure off the club and pays two vital necessary expenditures. You are urged to support this draw as best you can.
The prizes are as follows: 1st prize €1500, 2nd €750, 3rd €500, 4th €250, 5th €200, 6th €200, 7th €200 and 8th prize €200. The tickets cost €10 and can be bought selected businesses in the town and from any member of the executive. The draw will take place in Adie’s on Saturday 31st January
Sympathy
The Rathcline Ladies club would like to extend their deepest and heartfelt sympathy to Peter Donlon his wife Geraldine, daughters Katrina, Patricia, Jennifer and Noleen, relatives and many friends on the death of Peter Donlon, Snr, Lisrevia, last week. The Donlon name is synonymous with the Rathcline Ladies since its inception and the club share greatly with the family in their time of loss.
ICA
A meeting of the, newly formed, local guild of the ICA will take place this Wednesday night 14th January in the Parish Hall, Lanesboro at 8pm. The guild invites its members to the meeting and extend an invitation to anyone caring to join the guild.
Thank You
Lough Ree Community Christmas Lighting greatly appreciates all who donated to towards the town lighting over the festive season. To all who contributed to the Church Gate collection and all who donated thereafter. A special word of thanks to Rathcline GAA, Byrne Carolan Cunningham Solicitors, Strictly Come Dancing Organisation, Lanesboro/Ballyleague Credit Union for their generous donations. Appreciation is also extended to all involved in the erecting and taking down of the lights namely, Adrian Guinan, Hughie Smith, David Dowd, Mark, Francis and Sean Casey and special thanks to Chris Cullen for the use of his Teleporter at no cost to the Christmas Lighting fund.
New Book Club
The new book club will commence in Lanesboro Library on Friday 30th January at 11am. The book club is about the enjoyment of reading and to encourage those that have not read in a while to pick up a book again and be part of the club. After the 30th the club will meet every month on the last Friday of the month at 11am in the library. There is no doubt but the book club will introduce you to some interesting characters? Go along on the 30th and meet people that like to read and you can also enjoy a cuppa and a chat. The book club is new and novel to Lanesboro and it should capture the minds of all readers in the locality.
Local Lady hosting Wedding Fair
Local lady Geraldine Greally (nee Murray, Thureen) along with her team will host the annual Wedding Fair at the Abbey Hotel Roscommon on Sunday next 18th January from 2 to 6pm. Geraldine tells us that there will be free admission and complimentary wine and nibbles served on the day. All newly engaged couples invited to come along and avail of special discounted wedding packages for 2015/16.
Foreign Currency
The collection is ongoing in the Library for old coins and notes and foreign currencies. This collection is in aid of the ISPCC
Slimming World
New Year resolutions and the extra piece of eating over the Christmas should lead us all to Slimming World that takes place in Lanesboro in the Lough Ree Community Resource every Wednesday at 7.30pm. For further details telephone Melanie 087-2390065 or just come along on Wednesday evening.
Lasraí Writers Group
The Lasraí Writers group reconvened for a new year on Monday night 12th January and the group will continue to meet in the Library on the second Monday of every month at 7pm.
Healthcare Support Training
The carers Association is providing a QQ! (Fetac) level 5 Healthcare Support Award Training in Roscommon in January. They are providing topic specific workshops for family carers. If you wish to attend or require further information you are invited to call 057-9322920.
Lanesboro Tri Club
Lanesboro Tri Club held a very successful open evening last Saturday 10th January. The club would like to express a big welcome to all the new members, both juniors and seniors, who signed up – welcome to the club! Thanks also to the current members who turned up to meet and greet new members and share triathlon experiences. There was a great buzz in the club rooms, sign of good things to come in 2015! To those who didn’t make it you can still register via the Triathlon Ireland website, remembering to select Lanesboro Tri Club from the drop down menu. If you need guidance with signing up, email the club: exec@trilanesboro.com. Now let’s all get training, no more excuses! New Year, New Goals, New You! Track session on Tuesday at 7:30pm and turbo session on Thursday at 7:30pm in Co-Op Hall. Swim in Roscommon Pool juniors 8-9pm, adults 9-10pm.
St. Faithleach’s
Registration Night for both Minor and Senior is to be held on January 30th from 7pm/10pm , please note that this is slightly earlier than last year due to proposed dates for Minor and U16 league matches. 2015 Player Registration and club membership fees: Adult players €60, Under 18 players and students €30, family membership €100, social membership €30. The registration fee must be paid before players can train or compete for the club. Please contact the club registrar or manager/mentors of your age group for further information.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the Club house at 8:30pm. The results from last week’s game: Mark/Noreen, 2nd: Tom and Padraig. Last Game winners: Michael and Paddy.
Rathcline GAA
With less than three weeks to go until the New Year’s draw on Saturday January 31st in Adies we ask all ticket sellers to make a push to sell tickets given to them. Prizes are as follows: 1st prize – €1500, 2nd prize – €750, 3rd prize €500, 4th prize €250, 5th prize €200, 6th prize €200, 7th prize €200 and 8th prize €200. Tickets cost €10 and are available from executive members and other ticket sellers.
Congratulations to Michael Colligan, Scramogue, who won €408 in the 50/50 draw last Monday. The draw takes place every Monday and envelopes are available in local businesses and only cost €2.
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 Josephine Donlon, Clonfower and Robert Behan, Dublin who were married over the Christmas period. We wish you a long and happy life together.
The club would like to extend our sympathies to the Donlon family Lisrevagh on the recent death of Peter Donlon. RIP