Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Lanesboro to host national and world events
In previous posts I have mentioned the continued rise in the prospects for Lanesboro and that optimism has not abated one little bit and with the recent announcements the optimism has only gained momentum. There are a number of projects in the pipeline that in the next year that at the moment are well in development and at present cannot be mentioned.
But the announcement this past week from Triathlon Ireland speaks volumes for the local triathlon club and the people of our community. Triathlon Ireland announced Lanesboro as the site for their Sprint Triathlon National series, the 2016 National Sprint Championship and the Triathlon Super Series all to take place alongside the annual Two Province Triathlon on Saturday 16th July 2016.
This is an absolutely fantastic achievement by the Lanesboro Triathlon, a club formed just 6 years ago in 2009 and have ran hugely successful Two Provinces Triathlons for the past 5 years – each year getting better and better. The club is very vibrant and caters for kids right up to masters level and they compete in all championship with great successes.
Factor in the World Championship Angling Predator Boat that will take place in the bay area and Lough Ree in October 2016. This competition which is boat based will bring fishermen from 22 countries to the area and a significant number of media, press and supporters to the area for the duration of the championship.
There has been significant efforts made by the communities on both sides of the bridge to better the presentation and ambiance of the area and to bring a greater emphasis to the area. What with the excellent work of the Triathlon club and Angling Hub there is no doubt that all of this work carried out by the Tidy Towns committees in Lanesboro Ballyleague and Cloontuskert has played a major part in the helping in the decision making.
There is an onus and an importance on each and every one of us to put our shoulder to the wheel to help in the preparation for both these national and international event. We must all continue to work towards the continued development of our community and ensure that all the proposed developments that focus on our community and highlight us in a positive way be fully supported.
Rainbows
Due to an up-dating programme and re-training, Rainbows, support programme, will not take place this year. It is hoped that it will be recommencing in a few months in the year 2016.
Pat Wins a Car
All week we have been waiting for Pat Rock’s appearance on the popular Winning Streak television show on Saturday evening. As you know, last week, Pat was drawn out in the stub draw to take part in a bid to win a car.
Pat had five balls to choose from and by process of elimination he was left with just two balls one worth €7,000 and the other a car. Presenters Marty Whelan and Sinead Kennedy were left holding a ball each and Pat had to select either from Marty or Sinead. Pat chose Sinead and when she opened the ball he was the lucky winner of a car worth €20,000.
Well done to Pat on his marvelous win. It could not have gone to a finer person and the entire community was delighted and shared in his great success.
Pat, a member of Lanesboro Fire Brigade got a shock when he approached Lehery when on his way to Dublin but it was only his comrades in the Fire service giving him a well-deserved great send off.
The Green – a living history
This week we return to the residents, beginning with no 11 where the Tom and Lil O’Donoghue lived. Both were from the Listowel area of Co. Kerry. Their family was Kathleen, Mary, Betty, Tommy, Bernie, twins Margaret and Michael, Patricia and Joan. The house is still in Donoghue’s ownership and the current resident is Mary Patterson formerly Mary Nolan no17mwho recently returned to live in the Green.
No12 was first occupied by Mick and Mrs. Regan and their children Kate, Nora and Bridget. The house has been since and for many years occupied by Seamus and Mary Agnes Flynn,. Their family is Eithne, Michael, Gerard, Sharon, Andrew and Kevin.
In no 13 our records show the Ham family, mother and father I do not have name for – any help will be appreciated. I am not sure if I have all of their family but the names I have are Pat, Tom and Mervyn. They were followed by the Toner family Frank and Mrs. Toner and their children Shirley, Francis, Patricia and Gillian. The present family now is JP and Margaret Jordan and their children are Maria, John and Carmel.
Going back to no 8 and the Greene family, the names I have are Paul, Mary, Alice, David and Hughie, I think there may be more but I am open to correction.
Engagement
Many congratulations to Trevor Donlon son of Bridie and the late Tommy Donlon, Thureen and Tracy Reilly, daughter of Pat and Teresa Reilly, Rathcline who announce their engagement last week.
New Restaurant Opens
Longford’s loss is most definitely our gain. PS Red was one of the most popular restaurants in Longford Town and it has now relocated to Ballyleague- next door to Sorohan’s Lifebelt Bar to be exact. Sharon Heeney and local chef Paul Horohoe have built up a wonderful reputation in the opening and running so successfully of PS Red. Paul is son of Geraldine (nee Harold) and the late Patsy Horohoe, Sammon’s Lane. Paul is a multi-award winning chef and it is absolutely fabulous that Paul himself and Sharon have decided to open their new business in Ballyleague.
PS Red will open this coming Wednesday 7th October and their opening hours will be open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 3pm and on Saturday and Sunday they will be open for lunch from 12.30pm.
We wish Paul and Sharon many years of successful business in Ballyleague.
Try a Dive
Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club are holding their annual free ‘Try a Dive’ in Longford Sports & Leisure Centre at the Mall, Longford, every Thursday night for the month of October at 9pm. You will get a quick and easy introduction to what it takes to explore the underwater world and find out what it’s like to breath underwater. All the equipment you will need is provided by us you just need your togs and swim hat. Age 18+. If you would like any further information you can contact 0879765911.
PoP-uP Poetry – 20 Years of Lanesboro Writers’ Group
Lasraí Writers’ Group, launched by Jack Harte in late 1995, and named after the ‘Lasraí Centre’ where the group first met, is now twenty years in existence. Membership has waxed and waned over the years, but the group retains a core of about six people who meet in Lanesboro Library on the second Monday of the month from 7 – 9pm. Prose, poetry and drama are written and shared by members who discuss the work and try to improve their skill.
To celebrate 20 years of Lasraí Writers, the members would like to share the pleasure of poetry with the community at large. It is envisaged to have a one-off event, entitled: PoP-uP Poetry, in the Library, on Monday 12th October at 8pm. Anyone with an interest in poetry is invited to come and share a poem they enjoy – whether their own composition or a favourite author’s work.
So, all you poetry-lovers, here’s a chance to let your voice be heard, or just sit back and listen to others introduce you to a new image or a new view of life. You never know where it might lead!
ICA Guild Meeting
The next meeting for Lanesboro I.C.A. will take place on Wednesday 14th.October in the Parish Hall at 8 P.M. New members most welcome.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on Wednesday 30th September are; N/S 1st Frank and Frances Brennan, 2nd Una Clarke and Maureen Hynes, 3rd Phil Chalmers and Cyril Hussey.
E/W 1st Brid Mc Dermott and Una Lawlor, 2nd Maura Hanly and Mairéad Gill and 3rd Mike Flynn and Brendan Dowling.
Tommy Tiernan hits town
It is seldom that we in Lanesboro have a national star appearing on stage in St. Mary’s Hall but on Saturday night last the hall was packed to the rafters to welcome comedian Tommy Tiernan on his ‘Out of the Whirlwind – Shannon tour.
Tommy spent a great part of the day meeting locals and getting the lay of the land as he prepared his show, with local connotations, for the evening ahead.
The attended audience thoroughly enjoyed what as a very special night in Lanesboro. Tommy later joined many of the audience for a pint in a local hostelry and the craic went on.
Birth
Many congratulations to Peter and Michelle Shea, Blenavoher on the recent birth of a baby girl
Tidy Towns results
Last Monday the local tidy towns groups of Cloontuskert, Ballyleague and Lanesboro were on tender hooks as they awaited the results of this year’s tidy town’s competition. For all three their great work and dedication paid off with all of them increasing their points from the previous year. Cloontuskert were our highest scorers with a total of 307 marks up 8 from last year while Ballyleague increased their marks by a whopping 25 going from 254 to 279 and Lanesboro continued their upward spiral by increasing from 244 to 256 marks. We congratulate Cloontuskert at being awarded a commendation for their work.
There was no doubt that the marks were going to increase as the work of the committees had to be seen to be believed. Where you thought there could be no further improvement the vision of the committees was beyond belief as they continue to impress with their presentations and designs. If the vision and work continues at the rate it is now happening there is no doubt that it will not be long before one of our trio of entrants will most definitely be declared national winners.
We say congratulate each committee and encourage everyone to play their part in their tidy towns effort even if you are not on a committee you can still be a vital cog.
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
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge
The results of the Lough Ree 2000 Bridge club competition held on Monday night 28th September are; N/S: Gross: 1st Brendan Dowling and Mike Flynn, 2nd Joan Donlon and Fergal McGuinness and 3rd Maureen Hynes and Mary Mulvihill. Nett: 1st Brendan Dowling and Mike Flynn, 2nd Maureen Hynes and Mary Mulvihill and 3rd Joan Donlon and Fergal McGuinness. E/W: Gross: 1st Kathleen Hanley and Mary Fallon, 2nd Carol Hamill and Ann Hagan and 3rd Tom Feeney and Essie Nugent. Nett: Kathleen Hanley and Mary Fallon, 2nd Carol Hamill and Ann Hagan and 3rd Bridie McGrath and Mary Moran.
Lough Ree AC
Last Saturday was the Roscommon Cross Country Championships in the Convent Field, Roscommon and we had athletes in all age groups up to Under 15. We had short notice of the event and this could have explained the fact that we did not have the attendance we would have liked. Ryan Mimnagh made his debut for the club and finished a very credible third in the under 8’s, we think the race may have been a bit short for him while Rachel Kilcoyne and Daniel Hogan both picked up medals in the under 9s. The in form Aoife Kennelly finished second in the under 10 event beaten only by the National Community Games silver medallist. In the boys under 10 Eoin Cox was a worthy winner with James Mimnagh second, a reversal of the positions in the last road run. Hetija Bula was our only girl in the under 10’s.
Katie Murray ran a great race to get silver in the girls under 11. The club had a clean sweep in the girls under 11 girls with Ella Hogan, Shauna Mimnagh and Orla Cox taking gold silver and bronze. The boy under 12 was a very competitive event with Cian Walton leading the field until the last 100 metres and being outsprinted in the home straight. The in form Kieran O’Dowd moved up an age group to the under 12’s to get in a little extra training for the upcoming Connaught Schools and finished a very credible third, with his brother Cormac in 6th position in the same race. Our two reliable stalwarts in under 13’s Caoilinn Flood and Roisin Brennan both picked up medals but as we so often say they could and so could the other athletes have done with the support of their team mates. Eva was only competitor in the under 15 age group and we feel she would be far more suited to be a jumper or a sprinter than a middle distance runner so we are holding out for the track and field season for her. The club would like to congratulate Pat Rock on his great win on Winning Streak last week. He did Lanesboro proud!!
Ballyleague Village Renewal
Cloontuskert Tidy Towns in partnership with Ballyleague Renewal and the Environment Section at Roscommon County Council are delighted to be able to bring the Revival Road Show to Cloontuskert and Ballyleague for an Up Cycling workshop.
What is Upcycling? Your chance to learn how to turn a old pallet into garden furniture.
When and Where? Saturday October 10th in Ballyleague and Cloontuskert.
Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming unwanted objects or waste materials into products of better quality.
The Revival Roadshow will be giving TWO demonstrations locally next week on Creating Garden Furniture from Pallets which was hugely popular at this year’s Bloom Festival
Creating Garden Furniture from Pallets: These two workshops – each lasting just 90 minutes – will take place in association with the Cloontuskert Residents Association, the Environment section of Roscommon county council and Ballyleague Village Renewal on Saturday next 10th October
The times are as follows 11.30am: Ballyleague and 2pm: Cloontuskert
To take part please speak to any member of the Cloontuskert or Ballyleague tidy towns committees or e mail: keepballyleaguetidy@gmail.com
A Mudfest Challenge for you hardy souls
October Mudfest: Sean Connolly’s GAA Club in Ballinalee are running a mud fest to raise funds for the club. The race is a 6km run across country and will include obstacles along the way. There is a prize for the fastest men’s and women’s team of €1000 each and a prize of €500 for the fastest individual male and individual female. It will take place on Saturday 31st October. Entry is €25 per person or €200 for a team of ten. Check out Facebook and www.octobermudfest.com for updates and details. Please spread the word.
St. Faithleach’s
Minor Championship D2 Semi-Final: St Faithleach’s 0-08 Strokestown 2-09 Team: M. O’Donnell, C. Mangan, D. Nerney, K. Nerney, G. Carberry, R. Guinan, M. Gill, M. Cox(0-1), D. Kelly, S. Walsh(0-1), D. Foley(0-3), J. Hussey, C. Gannon, S. Phillips(0-1), J. Donlon(0-2), Subs: E. Tynan, C. Smith, J. Farrell. The players would like to thank everyone who supported them this year and the management team to Gerry O’Donnell, Seamus Carberry and Damien Rooney.
U14 Boys: U13 Féile competition against St. Michaels in Ballyleague at 2pm on Saturday 10th.
Drive in Bingo: Our next Drive in Bingo takes place on Bank Holiday Monday October 26th at 3pm, great prizes to be won and all welcome.
Ladies Night: St. Faithleach’s GAA are hosting a Ladies Night on Saturday October 10th in the club house, €5 admission with a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival, cocktails hair and makeup tutorials and spot prizes on the night. It’s a night not to be missed.
Cards: Every Tuesday night in the clubhouse at 8: 30 pm.
Lanesboro Community Games AGM The AGM of Lanesboro Community Games will be held on Mon 12th October at 9 pm in St. Mary’s Hall. If you have an interest in the continuation of Community Games in the area your presence at this meeting is vital. Remember, Community Games is not only about Athletics – there are many other competitions all year round to suit all abilities e.g. draughts and chess, talent, badminton, table tennis, basketball, debating and lots more. In the past year we have had over 100 participants from our parish. In order to replicate and develop this we need the help and support of many more adults. We would appreciate your support.