Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Winning Streak Show
We were all delighted to hear the name of Pat Rock, Church View being called out for the show next week. Pat sent away the three stubs that spelt word C-A-R and he was lucky enough to have his envelope drawn out. Pat will travel to the RTÉ studio on Saturday next and he will have the opportunity to win a car worth €20,000. We wish Pat every success on Saturday night next and I am sure the entire community will be watching and wishing the top prize for Pat.
Whist Drive Returns
You know the long evenings are approaching when Tom Nohilly drops in the notice for the return of the Whist Drives in the Parish Hall. This committee does remarkable work on shoestring and while their work is by and large unseen it helps many people in the parish of Rathcline every year.
There is a great dependence on you and all card players to go along on the first Friday night of each month between now and June. Your support and that of your fellow card players is a huge boost to the work this committee can do.
Please come along on Friday night next 2nd October at 8.30pm, encourage a friend or two and have a wonderful night of card playing.
The Green – a living history
This week I received an email from Michael Finnegan now a resident of Massachusetts, USA, it was a simple and significant letter and one that resonates greatly with many people from the Green and indeed with those of us that did not live there that can relate to the story Michael tells. It tells of the comradery and the greatness that oozed from the Green and what we should never forget.
“The last turf footing done on Bord Na Mona was probably 1972 or 1973 as far as I can remember. I had a plot to finish on my own. I can still see P.J. and Val Kirwan coming and helping me finish my plot before Tim McCarthy came to inspect the plots, so I could have a cheque. Then that September I was able to have new jeans and shoes to go to the Tech. We, from the Green, always helped each other. When I went to the army in Mullingar, Jimmy and Henry Masterson from The Green helped me. In London, it was Declan Jordan from The Green. In Melbourne, it was Cathal and Eileen Geheran from The Green. And now in Massachusetts, Pat Kennelly initially from The Green but moved to Rathcline Road and I speak regularly. So The Green was and is the most important part of my life and I thank God every day for having grown up there.” Mike Finnegan no 63.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on Wednesday 23rd September are: N/S 1st Bernadette Gillen and Mona O’Flaherty, 2nd Phil Chalmers and Cyril Hussey and 3rd Una Clarke and Eileen Kelly. E/W 1st Brid Mc Dermott and Una Lawlor, 2nd Maureen Hynes and Philomena Walsh, 3rd Bernadette Clancy and Mary Mc Gushin.
Death
There was great sadness in the community when the news broke on Thursday last 24th September of the death of Christina Shea, Carrowstrawley at Mullingar Hospital. Chris as she was more commonly known was predecease some 29 years ago by her late husband Pat. She was from one of the oldest and most respected families in our parish and she was held in the highest regard by all that came to know her. She was a dedicated wife and loving mother until the death of her husband where she then took over and diligently managed the family farm so well for many years. Chris was a mild mannered lady and her warm welcoming greeting always warmed the heart of those that had the pleasure to meet her. Chris had a wonderful knowledge of local history and was always happy to share her wide repertoire of local knowledge. She was a great neighbour and friend to so many people and her passing will leave a great void in the hearts and minds of all.
Her remains reposed at her residence on Saturday last and before being taken to St. Mary’s Church on Sunday for her Funeral Mass. Following Mass her remains were laid to rest alongside her husband Pat in Rathcline cemetery. To her daughter Deirdre, sisters Kathleen and Eileen, son in law Pauric Farrell, grandchildren Tanya, Sarah and Gordon and many friends we extend our deepest sympathy.
Longford Toastmasters
Become a Better Speaker.
Longford Toastmasters club meeting takes place on this Thursday 1st October in the Longford Arms Hotel, first floor, at 8.20pm.
Visitors always welcome. Meetings are held on the first and third Thursday of the month at 8.20pm. Toastmasters will give you the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. By learning to formulate and convey your ideas, you open a new world of possibilities. You will be more persuasive and confident when giving presentations and you will improve your one-on-one dealings with others.
Toastmasters can help you in overcoming fear of public speaking, build the ability persuade, motivate and inspire, prepare for a speech e.g. Bestman, improve you interview skills, self-development, enhance you career growth, gain self-confidence and have fun in meeting new people.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the extended Connaughton family, Moneen, on the death in England last week of Imelda Halligan, nee Connaughton, sister of the late Peter Connaughton.
Irish DNA Atlas
Eithne Murray, formerly of Derrygeel, brought to my attention a very interesting and exciting project being undertaken. With a great resurgence in genealogy this project would be of great interest to so many people that are thinking of or presently undertaking or have done their own family search. There a great under representation in the county of Longford – it would be a fabulously interesting project for those following their family lineage.
There is a stipulation to qualify and that is that all eight great-grandparents be born within a 30 kilometers of each other in Ireland. The statistics for the 170 so far recruited shows the average area covered by the great-grandparents of each participant is 33 square Km. There is a great local linkage between all our neighbouring parishes and the 30Km should not be too off putting for so many in our community and indeed all those that read these notes in other communities.
It would be a very worthwhile project to undertake during the long winter nights. Have a think, do some exploring and delving and then when you have your mind made up to take part you can contact edmundgilbert@rcsi.ie for full details in your involvement in this exciting project.
Death
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Mrs. Margaret Clarke and her family Tom, Una, Gerry, Gemma, Pat, Julie and David, Longford Town, on the death of Mary Clarke on Saturday 19th September. Mary lived for a time in Barnacor and she was a very popular figure. She was a potter and made some beautiful pieces at her Penny’s Pottery workshop. Mary also gave courses and a lot of people learned the craft of pottery making. In recent times Mary suffered greatly with cancer and it was a cross she carried so well and with great dignity right up to her death. She reposed at home in Longford until the removal of her remains to Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan for a family ceremony.
Shannonside Camera Club – Keeping Lanesboro in the picture
The Shannonside camera club is a medium sized association of photography fans with skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced level. The Club was formed in March 2009 and focuses on an exchange of ideas and information among members. The club has regular presentations e.g. portraiture, landscape, still life, restoration of old photographs, picture mounting and studio photography workshops etc. They meet on the first Tuesday of each month in the ESB Sports & Social Clubhouse (excluding June, July, August). The Club holds regular exhibitions throughout the year. New members of any ability are always welcome. If you are interested in joining this Club please come along to the Sports & Social Club at the ESB on Tuesday 6th October at 8pm.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Grainne and Padraig O’Dowd and family, Rathcline on the recent death of Grainne’s father William Kelly, Delvin, Co. Westmeath.
Great Victory
It was a great day in the parish for the U12 panel and management when in Pearse Park they overcame Southern Gaels on a scoreline of 3-9 to 2-3. This was a fabulous win by a very dedicated bunch of young players and the excitement of their success was clearly etched on their faces.
Following on from the victory of the Western Gaels U14 team recently it shows that there is great work being done in the parish in the development of underage football.
Great credit must go to Sean Kenny, Brid Gordon, senior player James Carroll and Mark Casey for their great work with the U12s and Seadna Ryan, Padraig Farrell and Ciaran Prior for their part in the management of the U14s.
Set Dancing Classes
Set Dancing classes have resumed on Tuesday in Sorohan’s, Ballyleague and in John Browne’s Longford on Wednesday’s from 8.00pm -10.00pm. All are welcome.
Beginners welcome to try for first two weeks with a view to starting a complete beginner’s class. Set Dancing is a fabulous way to get fit, keep fit, have fun and make many new friends in a very happy enjoyable atmosphere. All enquiries to Mairéad at 0868546433
Breast Cancer October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you are looking for ways to prevent breast cancer please see the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, www.bcpinstitute.org A Lifeline for Marriages “Retrouvaille” is the name of a programme to help marriages needing support. It can also be helpful where a couple have separated or divorced but are willing to try again. The next Retrouvaille weekend will be in Dublin on October 9-11. For more information please call Tony and Anne on 01-4953536 or Mike and Anne on 01-4500922, or text 086-4135440, or check out the website www.retrouvaille.ie
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of the late Danny Cox Trialamartin, who passed away last week in Boston USA.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge
The results of the Howell competition held on Monday 21st September: Gross 1st Bernadette Gillen and Noreen Dunne, 2nd Patricia Mc Gann and Joan Browne and 3rd Brendan Dowling and Mike Flynn. Nett: Bernadette Gillen and Noreen Dunne, 2nd Brendan Dowling and Mike Flynn, 3rd Patricia Mc Gann and Joan Browne.
First Holy Communion and Confirmation
The dates for First Holy Communion and Confirmation have now been set for both our parishes. In Kilgefin First Holy Communion will take place in Ballyleague on Saturday 7th May, in Ballagh in Ballagh Church on Saturday 14th May Confirmation will take place in Whitehall church on Wednesday 20th April.
In the parish of Rathcline First Holy Communion will take place in St. Mary’s Church on Saturday 28th May and confirmation will take place on Friday 26th February again in St. Mary’s church.
Badminton News
Lanesboro/Ballyleague Badminton Club would like to welcome back members and invite new members for the new season to experience the health and wellness benefits of what badminton has to offer. The club will be holding its 2nd open night for adults of all ages and levels with coaching available on the 6th October from 9-11pm in St Mary’s Hall in Lanesboro. The Junior registration takes place on the 10th October in St. Mary’s Hall Lanesboro from 5-7pm. 8 to 12yrs old from 5-6pm and 12 to 18yrs old from 6-7pm.
Lough Ree AC
Moyne Community School was the venue for the first event of the 2015 Cross Country season when the school hosted the Longford Primary Schools Cross Country Championships on Saturday. Glorious sunshine made it an ideal day for outdoor activity. Aoife Kennelly was first up in the Girls 3rd/4th Class event and ran a great race to pick up 4th position with a very strong finish and well deserved her medal. In the same age group for the boys Kieran O’Dowd came from behind to finish like a train and just failed by inches to win the gold medal. By his own admission he had the winning of if it but he figured he did not start his sprint early enough. Both Aoife and Kieran would be better known as sprinters but they are prepared to have a go at any distance. In the fifth and sixth class race Caoilinn Flood ran well to pick up 10th position. Local turnout was small and had the medal winners the support of their school mates they would have won team medals. However the experience of the competition will stand to them all in n the upcoming Connacht event in Drumshambo on 17th October. Hazel Johnston and Rosin Brennan both took home medals for Lanesboro Community College in the second level race and again they did not have the support of team mates. Well done to all the competitors on the day and thanks to Longford Athletic Club for a very well organised event.
Road running continued on Tuesday last with our biggest turnout ever, a total of 41 athletes completing the run to Clonbonny. It was nice to see some of the Spanish students staying in town taking the opportunity of getting involved in local events; we hope to see them back next week. Let us take this opportunity to thank PJ O’Neill and Lanesboro Triathlon Club who supplied us with River Rock Goody Bags for all the finishers. Like the rest us they would have enjoyed seeing the delight on the faces of the athletes when they were presented with their “goody bags”. We are still waiting for someone to bring in a better time than Cian Walton for the boys and Aoife Kennelly for the girls so if there are any runners out there who think you can do it, you are welcome to take up the challenge.
Thank You
Ballinalee, Killoe, Newtownforbes friends of Motor Neurone Committee would like to thank all who supported and help with their 2015 fundraising events. Your support was very much appreciated
Up Cycling Workshops
Up-Cycling Workshops for Ballyleague/Lanesborough Areas
It is hoped to hold two up-cycling workshops in the Ballyleague/Lanesborough/Cloontuskert area on Saturday week 10th October
These workshops will help to show volunteers hot turn wooden items like pallets into beautiful outdoor seating and garden furniture.
The workshops are open to all comers – including mens shed members, local tidy towns volunteers and students.
Two upcycle furniture workshop (3 Hours) on the day at 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock – Bring an item of small furniture and upcycle it! By giving it a whole new lease of life with chalk and paints. Learn how to create some stunning finishes: antiqued, distressed, crackled or stenciling!
Be creative and make it your own! Bring a small item of furniture e.g. chair, small, table, mirror, frame, tray and start painting … all materials will be provided the workshops are 3 hours long – there are 8-10 participants per workshop
To take part email: Keepballyleaguetidy@gmail.com before Friday next.
St. Faithleach’s
Minor Championship D2 Play-off: St Faithleach’s 0-21 Boyle 2-07 Team: M. O’Donnell, K. Nerney, J. Irwin, M. Gill, G. Carberry, D. Nerney, C. Mangan, M. Cox(0-4), D. Kelly, S. Walsh(0-1), R. Guinan(0-1), J. Hussey(0-5), J. Donlon(0-3), D. Foley(0-6), S. Phillips(0-1). Subs: E. Tynan, C. Gannon. Following this win we are now through to the semi-final against Strokestown which will take place next Saturday 3rd October in Strokestown at 1:30pm. Your support as always is appreciated.
Battle of the Bridge: Following last year’s very successful “Dancing over the Bridge” we are once again teaming up with our friends and neighbours from Rathcline GAA to bring you “Battle of the Bridge” – a unique White Collar Boxing event. This promises to be wonderful weekend culminating in an epic night on Saturday 14th November on club grounds.
Drive in Bingo: Takes place on St. Faithleach’s GAA Club grounds on Bank Holiday Monday October 26th at 3pm. Great prizes to be won and a fun day for all the family.
Lotto: Numbers drawn 12, 13, 19 and 22. There was no winner and the five € 20 winners are – Tim Fox, Michael Sorohan, Geraldine Holohan, Darragh Walsh, and Eilish Kilcommons. The next draw will take place on Tuesday next for a jackpot of € 12,000.
Cards: Winners- Padraig/Martin, Joint Runner up: Ann/ Kathleen, Jimmy / Teresa. Last Game: Paddy/Mick. Tickets: Jimmy, Frank, Sonny, Kathleen. Cards take place every Tuesday night at 8:30 pm in the club house.
Sympathy- The club would like to express deepest sympathy to Sean Cox on the death of his uncle Dan Cox, England.
Rathcline GAA
ACFL Division 2 – Well done to the lads on the win over Sean Connolly’s in the league on Saturday evening. In our first game since our Intermediate Championship win the lads produced a good team display to beat Connolly’s 2-12 to 1-07. Next up for us is Ardagh in Clonbonny next Sunday 4th October at 12pm. Again another win is crucial in our bid to win promotion to Division 1 and it would be great to see a large crowd turn out for this important game.
50/50 Draw – Congratulations to Niamh Rowan, Cloontaghbeg, who was last week’s winner of €370 in our 50/50 draw. The draw takes place every Monday night and envelopes only cost €2.
“Battle of the Bridge” White Collar Boxing – Following on from last year’s successful Strictly Dancing over the Bridge we have teamed up with our neighbours St. Faithleach’s again. This time for white collar boxing which will take place on Saturday November 14th in St. Faithleach’s grounds. The first training session took place last Friday night with a good turnout and the next training session will take place next Saturday October 3rd at 12pm in the boxing club which is located in the Co-op hall.
Framed final pictures – If anyone is interested in purchasing any of the team or action shots from the final taken by Joe McGrath please contact us on Facebook or contact any member of the executive. Framed pictures 15 x 12 are available for €30 or prints only €12. Photographs can be seen and purchased in O’Brien’s
Shannon Gaels U12 shield win – Congratulations to the Shannon Gaels U12 team who won the Division 2 shield final on Saturday beating Southern Gaels in the final in Pearse Park with a score line of 3-09 to 2-03.