Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Pedal Powered Cinema
On Sunday 15th February Cloontuskert NS will host for the very first time in our area a very unique cinema as you have never seen before. Pedal Power cinema will come to Ballyleague hall as a fundraising event for Cloontuskert National School. It is a cinema powered by pedal power and a host of local celebrities will put their legs to the test when they take part in this very unique event.
The film that will be powered by pedal power is Rio 2 and show will start at 3pm in Ballyleague hall. Tickets can be bought from the school, Trautt’s, Cloontuskert or Daybreak, Ballyleague. The cost of the tickets for this very unique event are: Adult and child €10, Family €20 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children, additional children €2.50 each).
Birth
Many congratulations to Liam and Melanie Donohue, Lehery on the birth last week of a baby girl.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Elish and Lynn Gray and family, The Green, on the death of Elish’s brother Mickie Lynch, in London last week.
Another Fantastic Céilí
There will be a Céilí in Lanesboro Parish Hall on Sunday 8th March. Following on from the very successful Céilí prior to Christmas this Céilí will be another fantastic evening of dancing. The music will be supplied by the excellent Annaly Céilí Band and we look forward to a huge crowd dancing the evening away.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Mary Feeney and family, The Green and Annie Gallagher and family, Clonbonny, and the Hopkins family on the sudden death of their mother Anna Mai Hopkins, Newpark, Newtowncashel.
Registration
The Shannon Gaels club will host another registration evening on Saturday next 31st January in Clonbonny. The club asks all parents that have not registered their young players to come along between 7 and 8.30pm. The club welcomes new players who have not previously been registered or played with the club and are living in the area. There is no better place for youngster than to be involved with friends and make new friends on the playing field of Rathcline.
Lanesboro Library
Lanesboro Community College Students will display their award winning projects in the library from Monday February 2nd for two weeks. Well done to all involved!
Parish of Rathcline
The following has been taken from the current Rathcline Parish Newsletter – ‘The Parish of Rathcline has benefitted greatly from the tax relief scheme and the parish is deeply grateful to all those who supported the scheme. This scheme from tax already paid and it incurred no further cost to participants. The income from the returns of the 2014 scheme was €14519.25. The parish is also deeply grateful to all who contribute to the monthly collection and to those who have made donations to the church building fund. The total of all donations to the church building fund has come to €23,320.
The income from the tax relief scheme, the monthly collections, the donations to the church building fund and the offertory collection means that the parish is now in a position to pay off the outstanding debt on the renovation work carried out on St. Mary’s Church in 2012’.
Fr. Mickie must be compliment for the wonderful job of work carried out on the church. The amount of positive comment over the past few years have been incredible and now to learn that the parish is to pay off the outstanding debt is a wonderful achievement in such a short time. It is only right that the people of the parish and everyone from outside the parish that contributed should be thanked sincerely for their contributions.
The Priory Institution
The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin, is focussed on providing, solid, high quality, affordable theological education by distance learning. You are invited to join their enthusiastic student community and study theology from home or in class. Their application deadline is Monday 23rd February. For information you can phone them 01-4048124 or email enquiries@prioryinstitute.com or visit their website www.prioryinstitute.ie
50/50
The weekly Rathcline 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last 19th January in Clarke’s Bar. The winning envelope drawn was drawn out by Tom Morris and the winning envelope belonged to Regina Morrissey, Tullyvrane. Regina received the winning prize of €380. The draw on Monday night next 2nd February will take place in the Peer Inn, Lisnacusha at 9pm. Tickets are only €2 and your support is always be greatly appreciated.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee have recently held a series of meetings putting plans in place for this year’s parade. The parade is one of the highlights of the year in Lanesboro Ballyleague. It is a fantastic community day that draws huge crowds to the area for the parade.
Each year, since its inception, there have been a growing number of floats and each year those entering the parade have been more inventive than the previous year. This year it is hoped for huge numbers entering making it one of the most fantastic parades in the midlands.
If you have not been here for the parade make sure that the St. Patrick’s Day parade of 2015 will be the one you will be at in Lanesboro and Ballyleague.
Lanesboro’s Main Street
It is hoped that later in the year there will be an exhibition of the history of Lanesboro’s Main Street through photographs. Stella O’Sullivan is now beginning her search for all of photographs of the Main Street. All she asks is that you bring in the pictures to her where she will copy and scan and return them to you while you wait. There are surely mountains of photographs of all the business in the Main Street with old families of Lanesboro and it would be wonderful to have all premises from way back right up to the present day on show at the exhibition.
In my time I remember back to Paddy Kenny’s Garage, Nurse Donlon’s, Mc Getterick’s flats followed by Convent of Mercy, Northern Bank, JP Leonard, Danny and Paddy Mc Guinness, Carol Connerton Hair Salon,Tom Mc Nally’s Garage, Mc Nally’s Lough Ree Arms, Margaret Kilroy, Mrs Mc Nally’s shop, Bertie and Kitty Moore, Mike and then John Casey Butchers, Eamon and Eithne Ryan, afterwards Mick and Patricia Wyse, Denis and Joan Devereaux, Frank Casey’s Garage, Albert O’Carroll, Bill and Lucy Feeney, Martin Hynes all owners of the pub on the corner now the Yacht Bar now owned by Joe and Martha Farrell, John and Mary Glennon, Anthony Gaffney’s, PJ and Mary O’Flaherty’s in Knock. John O’Sullivan tailor, Dr. Walsh, Joe O’Brien Chemist, Johnny and Mrs Harold, Ger Farrell’s (now Adie’s) shop and bar, on Rathcline Road, Tom Dolihan, cobbler, Eddie and Mary Murray Upholstery, Mrs Fitzpatrick’s, followed by her son the late Tommy, across the road to Eddie Kelly’s cinema, Jimmy and Bridgie O’Brien’s, Eddie and Tess Kelly’s chipper, Maura O’Brien chemist, Mrs. Clarke’s later ran by Frank and Peg Clarke, Tony and Mona O’Flaherty’s, JP and later to present Larry Leavy, Martin Mellaney barber, Dinny Malone cobbler, Tom Scally’s, Jimmy Casey butchers, Dr. Tom and Maura Donohoe, Winnie and Johnny Connors, Noel Farrell and later Peter and Denise Donnellan’s, Mickie Flynn Garage, Fabian Walsh Bakery, Mrs. Kelly Post Office and the Pillar Ballroom, now the parish Hall. As the carnival took place down the back lane (where the car par is now situated) I am sure Stella would appreciate any photographs of the carnival as it was one of the most prominent businesses in town for at least a week every summer. I know I am sure to be corrected by others with longer memories and it would be great to have the complete list of Main Street for Stella to help her complete her project. I do believe there was Harold’s cinema where Joe O’Brien’s chemist was and Mc Crann’s (where the legendary Dessie Hynes launched his business career) had a shop and dance hall where the Convent of Mercy once stood.
Red Letter Day
Wednesday last was a very proud day for the Lanesboro Fire Station crew as they welcomed national and local dignitaries their spanking new Fire Station on the Longford Road. Alan Kelly TD Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government officially opened the Fire Station.
Chief Fire Officer, county Longford officially welcomed everyone to the opening before introducing Longford County Council Chairman, Mark Casey to say a few word of welcome which he did in his own inimitable way. Mark was then followed by the Minister who spoke highly of the work done by the Fire Station crew and the fact that for such a large building it had a BER rating of B2. The Minister was then followed by Longford County CEO who was high in his praise for the building and the quality of the work done by contractors Sammons. Reverend Liz Mc Elhinney, Fr. Mickie Reilly, Fr. John Mc Manus blessed the building which was officially declared open by Minister Alan Kelly.
The assembled attendance many of whom inspected the new station and all their facilities and everyone was mightily impressed by the standard of the building.
We wish the Lanesboro crew of PJ Hynes, Kevin Madden, Sean Mimnagh, Noel Horohoe, Brendan Keane, Pat Rock and Vinnie Mc Gowan a safe time as they responded to the many fires, incidents and accidents across the entire area in the coming days, weeks, months and years.
Defibrillator Training Closing Date
If your intention is to register for the Defibrillator course then you should do it immediately as the closing date is nearing fast. The difference between life and death could lie in your very own hands. It is essential that every club and organisation in the area have at least two people trained in the use of the defibrillator as you never know the minute or hour of any day that your training can save a life.
If you have to do your refresher course then you should also give in your name now. Martina O’Brien is the person to contact and you can so by calling into the shop or phoning 3321107 immediately.
Huge Day for Rathcline GAA
Saturday next 31st January promises to be another huge day for the Rathcline club when they host the Hastings Cup Final in Clonbonny. The meeting of Roscommon and Galway should bring a huge crowd to our club and town and we look forward to welcoming both counties and their supporters to Lanesboro. This is a tremendous honour for the Rathcline Club to be asked to host a final that 16 county teams entered into including Kerry. Both sides have already played in Clonbonny in the Hastings Cup and the Clonbonny ground should be no stranger to any of them.
If you have some time on your hands please feel free to go along and help out the club in the biggest ever sporting game to be played in our parish.
Asian Clam Meeting
Prior to the opening of the Fire Station, Minister Alan Kelly afforded a representation of the local community the courtesy of a meeting in relation to the on-going Asian Clam crisis in Lanesboro. As a native of Tipperary and a man who grew up along the River Shannon he understood and showed great concern to our plight and as far as was possible within his position he would work to have our crisis lessened. As we know from earlier notes, the clams will never be eradicated but they can be brought down to such a low percentage that the can be managed by fishery groups and colleges who have the ability and technology to work with us to make Lanesboro and Ballyleague once again a mecca for fishing. We are fast approaching the beginning of the fishing season; it’s only weeks away, and to-date we are no further on than when the clams were found on the hot water stretch. It is very essential that it be stressed to all and sundry that this is a serious issue for Lanesboro and also for the economics of the area.
Rathcline Draw this weekend
This is your last chance to win on of the prizes in the Rathcline New Year draw. The draw will take place this coming Saturday night 31st January in Adie’s bar. Tickets have been selling very well and it is down to the last few tickets to be sold. Tickets are available locally from club members or in Adie’s bar or O’Brien’s. You never know but Saturday night may be your lucky night. Support your local club and perhaps win some of the prizes listed below.
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.
Basic Computer Course
There will be a Basic Computer Course starting soon at Lanesboro Library. This course will introduce learners with little or no previous knowledge of computers to the basic uses of computer and the internet in an easy and relaxed environment. For more information or to book your place contact Stella on 043 332 1291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
A new Chapter opens on Friday
The new book club will commence in Lanesboro Library on this coming 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 Friday 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 Friday 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.
Lough Ree Golfing Society
The first outing of the Lough Ree Golfing Society for 2015 is to Strokestown Golf Course on Saturday week 7th February.
There will be a shotgun start for a scramble competition at 11 am sharp, followed immediately by the AGM for 2015. Food will be available as usual and it is hoped there will be a good number of golfers present for this important start to the New Year.
New members are very welcome and this will be a very good opportunity for them to get acquainted with the older members of the society. New members can also attend the AGM where the new committee for 2015 will be elected.
The Society is all looking forward to a great year’s golf to new and exciting venues. See you all there around 10.30 or earlier!
Lanesboro Bridge Results
Lanesboro Bridge club held its weekly competition on Wednesday night last 21st January and the following are the results: North/South 1st Frances and Frank Brennan, 2nd Gemma Douglas and Elisa Gray and 3rd Bernadette Gillen and Mona O’Flaherty. East/West: 1st Katherine Harrison and Philomena Walsh, 2nd Brid McDermott and Una Lawlor and 3rd Noreen Dunne and Mae Casey.
Do you want to be an Artist?
Do you feel you are a budding artist? Would you like to try your hand at Art? A new Art course will commence in Lanesboro Library on Wednesday 11th February at 8pm. The target of the course is to enable you to draw and paint with creativity and without any pressure while using a variation of materials and colours. The cost of the course is €10.00 per night with the course lasting 6 weeks. Contact Stella at the library to book your place – 043 332 1291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The results of the Lough Ree 2000 Bridge club results held on Monday last: N/S: Gross: 1st Loretta Cooney and Katharine Harrison, 2nd Una Clarke and Renee Walshe and 3rd Mai Casey and Bernadette Gillen. N/S Nett 1st Loretta Cooney and Katharine Harrison, 2nd Una Clarke and Renee Walshe and 3rd Kathleen Hanley and Mary Fallon.
E/W: Gross /Nett: 1st Ann Donlon and Margaret Gillen, 2nd Carol Hamill and Ann Hagan and 3rd Noreen Dunne and Philomena Walsh.
The Burke Trophy, (for Master players only), and a new trophy, The Michael O’Connor Trophy, for A’s and B’s will be played in the Bridge Centre in Longford on Wednesday, 4th February at 7.30 pm. It is a Regional competition, so you are all eligible to play in it.
This is a team competition, get a team together and play. The team of 4 players should be all A or B players, if your team is mixed, you will have to play as an A team.
Another Community College success
Congratulations to 4th year student, Daragh Kelly, son of Majella and Ollie, Cloonadra, who achieved 2nd place overall in the 2014 Junior Cert, Materials Technology Wood, project. Daragh, his parents, and his teacher, Mr. Concannon, are invited to a presentation ceremony in GMIT in March. This is a fantastic achievement for the college and another great reason to support your local school. Well done, Daragh!
Off to a Great Start
Congratulations to local brothers Brian, Ciaran and Diarmuid Murtagh, sons of Andy and Breda Murtagh, who all played a major role for Roscommon in the Connaught FBD League Final on Sunday last. It sets the county up for a great start to the National Football League that begins next weekend. It is a privilege and honour to have your son or daughter representing your county at any grade but to have three sons representing Roscommon is a wonderful achievement and honour for Andy and Breda and the lads.
Diarmuid and his St. Faithleach’s club mate Kevin Farrell have a more pressing game this weekend when Roscommon play Galway in the Hastings Cup Final on Saturday next in Clonbonny at 2pm
Fair Day
Tradition had it that 12th February was the Fair Day of Lanesboro where it was said that you could walk form Lanesboro Church to Ballyleague Church on the backs of horses such was the popularity of Lanesboro’s Fair Day. As with fairs throughout the country, with the advent of marts, they become a thing of the past.
A number of years ago the Fair Day was restored by a group of locals who came together and since then the fair has become a feature on the calendar of events in the town. It was run during the end days of February or the early days of March but this year there has been a greater change to the calendar, as due to circumstances, it will now take place on Saturday 25th April. It is a big change and perhaps with the likelihood of better weather and longer days the fair day will be a massive success. The change of date will be more suitable for people to travel back to relive the memories of bygone days and to bring their children and grandchildren to show them what a fair day was like in Lanesboro back in their time.
Badminton Table Quiz
The date has been set the date for the annual fundraising table quiz. It will be held in Clarke’s Bar on Saturday week 7th February at 9.30pm with lots of spot prizes on the night. It is hoped 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 and we can organise some teams, it’ late s part of what we do!
Shannon Gaels
Strength and conditioning training starts for U16 and Minor Players on this Thursday 29th January in Co-op Hall from 8-9pm. This is in conjunction with Gratten Óg. We ask all players to be ready to train at 8pm sharp.
We hope to start U14 training in the coming weeks.
We will hold our final Registration evening in clubhouse Clonbonny on Saturday 31st January from 7-8.30pm for those who have not completed registration.
Best of luck to all Shannon Gaels members taking part in U14 Leinster Schools semi-final later on this week where Mercy Secondary Ballymahon take on Mountrath, County Laois.
Padraig Pott’s Guide to Walking
A new masterpiece written by the now legendary Seamus O’Rourke is selling to packed houses nationwide and on Saturday 7th March the play will come to our Parish Hall. Padraig Pott’s Guide to Walking is nostalgic, innocent and funny and it is performed by O’Rourke and directed by Charlie Mc Guinness. The play is sure to be a sell out and tickets are now available. The tickets can be booked by calling into O’Brien’s or phoning 3321107. Early booking is advisable as it is certain that there will be a huge demand.
Table Quiz
Ballyleague Tidy Towns & Village Renewal chairman James Hudson has confirmed that the annual Tidy Towns table quiz is taking place on next Friday week February 6th at 9.30pm in St Faithleach GAA clubhouse in Ballyleague….this is one of our main fundraisers to help pay the week to week tidy towns committee bills so we really need your help…it’s also a great night to come out and meet your neighbours and have a bit of craic…so put the date in your diary please….teams of 4 people pay €40 and great prizes as usual…….see you on Friday 6th February.
Tennis is Back
The weekly tennis coaching sessions for children and adults with Level 2 Coach Richard Turner will return this Saturday January 31st at Ballyleague hall and Sunday February 1st on the tennis courts at Ballyleague marina …our professional coach Richard Turner will take the 5-8 year old children for coaching from 6pm to 7pm on the Saturday and the over 8s from 7pm to 8pm. The adults will meet as usual at 9.30am on the Sunday mornings at the marina in Ballyleague. Beginners are very welcome — The cost of the weekly session remains at just €5…..places for new members will be limited so to register for tennis e mail your name to loughreebaytennisclub@gmail.comm or telephone 0433327691 before Friday.
Rathcline GAA
New Year’s Draw – The New Year’s draw takes place next Saturday January 31st in Adie’s at 11pm. This draw is one of the main yearly incomes for the club and goes towards paying insurance and affiliation fees for the year and helps the club to meet loan repayments. We urge everyone to support the draw. 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. We would ask all ticket sellers to make a final push over the next few days to make this a successful draw. Details of drop off points for tickets will be available later in the week.
50/50 Draw – Congratulations to Regina Morrissey, Tullyvrane, Lanesboro, who was last week’s winner of €380 in the 50/50 draw. Remember envelopes only cost €2 and are available in local businesses. The draw takes place at 9pm every Monday night.
Hastings Cup – Clonbonny hosted the U21 Hastings Cup semi-final between Roscommon and Mayo on Saturday. Roscommon were victorious with a score line of 1-10 to 1-06. Thanks to everyone who helped out with preparations and everyone who helped out on the day.
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.
Sympathy – The club would like to extend our sympathies to the Gallagher and Feeney families, Lanesboro, and to the Hopkins family, Newpark, on the recent death of Anna May Hopkins. RIP.
Ladies Club – The clothes collection continues for the ladies club. Anyone who has old clothes they wish to dispose of please contact Madaleine or Mike.
St. Faithleach’s
Senior and Minor club registration night is to be held on Friday next 30th January from 7pm to 10pm. 2015 player registration and club membership fees: adult players €60, Under 18 players and students €30, family membership €100, social membership €30. Registration fees must be paid before players can train or compete for the club. Please contact the clubs registrar or manager/mentors of your age group for further information.
Congratulations to the Roscommon team on winning the Connacht FBD League, and to our club reps Ciaráin, Diarmuid & Brian Murtagh. Congratulations to Ciaráin on been named the Man of the Match and to Walter Burke on his role as a selector.
The Roscommon U21 team meet Galway next weekend in the Hastings Cup Final and we wish our club reps Kevin Farrell and Diarmuid Murtagh all the best.
Management for all teams (girls/boys) is now in place, however we still need one or two more, if you or someone you know would like to become involved please contact a committee member.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the clubhouse at 8.30pm. Joint winners; Peggy and PJ, Tom and Nancy, Last Game; Pat Joe and Tim.
The club would like to extend sympathy to Jimmy Mangan and family on the death of Jimmy’s uncle Patrick Mangan who died recently in Coventry.