Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Celebrating 25 Years
This year the Christmas Day run/walk from Newtowncashel will celebrate its 25th year and the committee would like to invite all runners and walkers that have taken part over the previous 24 years to come along on Christmas morning and be part of this landmark occasion.
To date over €180,000 has been raised for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and it would be wonderful achievement to top the €200,000 on this momentous occasion.
The time is now for all runners and walkers to put in the hard yards in preparation for the Christmas Day run. The walk will commence at 11.45am and the run at 12.15pm.
Sponsorship cards are available in O’Brien’s and now is the time in getting started on training and collection sponsorship.
An Evening with Gary O’Hanlon
This is the ideal opportunity to getting some Christmas and other tips when cooking over the Christmas time. Being in the company of one of Ireland’s leading chefs is always a wonderful opportunity to see and learn from the best.
The Parents Association of Lanesboro Community College invite you to their fundraiser in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon on Monday 7th December at 7.30pm. Chef, Gary O’Hanlon (of Viewmount House, The Restaurant, and TV 3’s Seven o’clock Show) is giving a cookery demonstration with a Christmas theme.
Tickets cost €10 and are available in O’Brien’s or by contacting Eithne (086)1584686 or Pauline (086)1932669. Your support of this event would be very much appreciated. Don’t miss the opportunity to furthering your culinary skills.
The Green a living history
Following a two week break I resume with a history of the Green.
I still seek memories and family name from the past in the Green and I hope you will contact me joea@iol.ie with all.
Correction – Last week I said that the Cullen family lived in no 18, it was an error on my part it should have read the next residents were John and Caroline Mc Evoy and their children, twin daughters Sharon and Stephanie, son Simon and daughter Mary.
In the Casey house hold I still do not have the parents’ names but the children were John, Joe, Síle, Philomena, Tom, and Alphonsus. In no 19 the first family was Jim and May Treacy and their family Madge, P.J., Mai, Patty, Nancy and Vera (O’Sullivan). They were followed by Willie and Rise Farrell and their family Willie, Padraic, Tomás, Mary (Rhatigan) and Anthony. In no 20 from the outset was the Linnane family Jimmy and Mary and their children Eamon, Vincent, Johnny, P.J., Jimmy, Michael, Kevin, Gerry, Tony, sue, Kathleen, Geraldine, Maura and Carmel.
Cultural Mapping of Lanesboro-Ballyleague
IADT (Institute of Art, Design and Technology) Cultural Mapping Postgraduate Group will be visiting Lanesboro and basing themselves in the Co-op Hall from 9am until 5.30pm on Friday, November 20th.
The purpose of this project is to produce a cultural map, in the form of a leaflet/brochure, of the Lanesborough-Ballyleague area.
They’re looking forward to meeting as many members of the community as possible! They are interested in the many community developments that already exist and maybe some to be yet discovered. They would like to help promote the artistic and cultural activities of the area.
There will be tea and coffee and biscuits and balloons, please come join them!
See you at the Co-op Hall on the 20th.
50/50
Your continued support for the weekly 50/50 draw is greatly appreciated by the Rathcline club and the club looks forward to your continued support.
On Monday night last in Adie’s Bar the winning ticket was drawn out and the lucky winners were Eithne Clyne and Carmel O’Donoghue who shared the €316 prize.
Tickets are now on sale for next Monday’s draw and for just €2 it could be your turn to get a little money towards the Christmas.
Oh, What a Night
There is nothing like a community night in Lanesboro. Tuesday night last was one of those special nights when the launch of Ciaran Mullooly’s new book ‘Back to the Future’ was launched at Lanesboro Community College in front of an over flowing assembly room. To say they came from everywhere was the truth with Joe Bannon and his son Fergal making the long journey from Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare and Thomas Donohoe, travelling from Galway – It was wonderful to see and chat with them. “A fabulous community night”, was the sentiment on everyone’s lips throughout the evening, it took me back to those special nights that frequently happened in times gone by on a regular basis. The MC for the night was RTÉ’s Damian O’Reilly, presenter of the extremely popular Saturday morning radio show ‘Countrywide’ and the person that was on hand to launch the book was none other than RTÉ’s Sport’s commentator and without doubt one of the stations gems Marty Morrissey. The banter between the three was only mighty and added greatly to the occasion.
I could not leave out the welcome from the Principal of the Community College Jimmy Flanagan whose welcome was both sincere and full of the wit that we all know Jimmy for.
It was only brilliant to be in the company of locals at the fabulous community night in Lanesboro Community College.
The book is on sale in O’Brien’s Shop and if you want a copy of the book sent to you all you have to do is contact me and I will forward it to you. My contact details are 043 3321107; 086 2460840 or email joea@iol.ie the cost of sending the book is €15 in Ireland and US or Great Britain €17.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Mary O’Halloran and her family, Cloontuskert on the death of the Mary O’Halloran, sister of her late husband Paddy, and who lived with them in Cloontuskert for the past few years. We also extend our sympathy to her sisters Josie and Bridget.
Paint it Pink Thank You
Recently the Lanesboro community College held a Paint it Pink Afternoon Tea/Bake sale on Friday afternoon 23rd October to raise money and highlight awareness of Breast Cancer. During that short period of time the students raised €1200.15 for Breast Cancer Research and they would like to sincerely thank everybody that helped and contributed.
Be part of the Longford community in London
A Memorial Mass for deceased members and friends of the Longford Association in London will be celebrated on Sunday 13th December at 12 noon in St Gabriel’s Church, 390 Northolt Road, South Harrow, HA2 8EX.
The mass will be followed by a Reception in St Gabriel’s Club next door to The Church. All members and friends of The Association, past and present and people with Longford connections are welcome both at the Mass and Reception. The nearest Station is South Harrow.
This is a great opportunity for London based locals to network with locals and it will also be a great boost for the Longford Association in London.
Great Year for Rathcline
Following this year’s campaign the Rathcline GAA Intermediate players are no more. For 2016 they will be Rathcline Senior players a title that is a long time coming. They had a remarkable year winning the Intermediate championship, winning the right in a play-off with Drumlish from Division 1 to play in that league next year, on Friday night last winning the Patsy Reilly Cup. The defeat that will irk most is the narrow one in the Leinster Championship against Glynn Barntown as they were only pipped at the post by Athlone on Sunday. However, the team and management are back where they want to be and they can look forward to clashing with the big clubs of the county as they compete for Leader Cup honour and senior Championship next year. They have work to do to step up to the next level but they are young and talented and have every chance of making it.
To mention names would be wrong but suffice to say that management, coaches, and players must be complimented for their 2015 successes.
On Friday night against Killashee there were a number of injuries on both sides and while our players have time to recuperate as it was their last game I hope the Killashee players are all available to Ray Curley and his team management for their upcoming Leinster Junior Championship semi-final. I, and I am sure the entire community send every best wishes to our near neighbours Killashee in their semi-final and look forward to them playing in the Leinster Final.
Confirmation
Enrolment for Confirmation in 2016 will take place in St. Mary’s Church on Sunday 29th November at 9.30am Mass.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Jim Faughnan, his family Anne, Patricia, Brenda, Eimear, Paul, Mullingar, on the death of Mrs. Dympna Faughnan on Wednesday last 11th November. Dympna was predeceased by her son Brian.
We all remember Jim, Dympna and family when they lived here on the main St. in Lanesboro when Jim was manager of the Northern Bank. Dympna was laid to rest in Ballyglass Cemetery following Requiem Mass in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar on Friday last.
Brushstrokes Art Exhibition
Brushstrokes will hold their annual Christmas exhibition in St. Mary’s Hall from Thursday 3rd December until Sunday 6th December, 2015. Brushstrokes are celebrating “20 Years a Growing” this year in 2015, so drop in and have a browse. There are works at prices to suit all budgets and they make an ideal, locally-made gift for Christmas.
New Céilí Band
Joe Callaghan C.C.E., Edgeworthstown, intend to hold auditions for musicians in order to form Céilí Bands to compete at the county Fleadh Cheoil in May 2016. Depending on entries, Céilí Bands may be formed for musicians in three age categories, Under 12 years, 12 to 15 years and 15 to 18 years. You do not need to be a member of Comhaltas to play in a Céilí Band. Successful band members will be expected to attend all practices. To register, please text the musician’s name, their age at 01/01/15 and what instrument(s) they play to (086) 8211388 by Friday next 20th November.
Open Day/Enrolment Night
Lanesboro Community College is hosting an Open Day and Enrolment Night: Pupils from our entire catchment area, and beyond, will be joining us on this Thursday, 19th November, to witness the cooperation, dedication, hard work, and yes, fun too, that happens in our school every day. This is followed by enrolment on the night, 7:00 to 9:00, where parents and students can see for themselves the fantastic work that goes on. It is always an exciting day and night for everybody in the school and we look forward to meeting you all.
FAS worker sought
A vacancy for a FAS worker exists in Newtowncashel. Anyone interested please contact Tony Moran on 0868146363 or 043 3322016 at the Kenagh office.
Lanesborough Gun Club
The Gun Club AGM to be held on this coming Friday 20th November at 9pm Sharp in Adie Farrell’s Meeting Room. All members are asked to attend to discuss important club matters.
Lanesboro Community Games
Due to a disappointing turnout at the recent AGM, the committee from last year has agreed to stay in place for the coming year. We intend to enter the following disciplines only: Athletics, Swimming and Draughts. These will be co -ordinated by Margaret Mullooly, Teresa Ryan and Padraig O’Dowd. Anybody wishing to enter these competitions or to help out with their organisation should contact the coordinators.
Comment by local correspondent
The plight of the lack of interest in people coming forward to be part of the local Community Games continues. As you read above the same committee have had to stay in place but offering the young people of the parish a limited involvement in the Community Games of 2016. It is an utter shame that more have not made themselves available to help out.
There are a big number of talented young boys and girls going to be deprived of the opportunity of displaying their skills and talents in 2016 and to me that is not fair.
Please look into your daily work load and make yourself available to ensure that every young person can display their talents in the Community Games of 2016.
Library Updates
Knitting & Crochet Group continues every Monday 2 – 4pm. All welcome.
ESOL Class (English for speakers of other languages) continues every Tuesday evening 7-9pm.
French Conversational Class no 6 continues on Wednesday 18th November 6.30 -7.30pm.
The Book Club continues on Friday 27th Nov at 11am where the book for discussion will be ‘Birdsong’ by Sebastian Faulks
Lasraí Writers Group – The next Lasraí Writers Group meeting will take place in the library on Monday 14th December 7-9pm. New members welcome.
Foreign Currency Appeal Reminder – We are still collecting unwanted foreign currency and old coins/notes in aid of ISPCC. The smallest donation can make a huge difference.
Used stamps also being collected at the library for ISPCC.
Rathcline GAA
Patsy Reilly Cup Final – Congratulations to the lads on finishing the season in style by winning the Patsy Reilly cup final. On Friday night in Cashel the lads overcame Killashee with a score line of 2-11 to 1-08. It was a fitting end to a fabulous season where we became Intermediate Champions, got promoted back to Division 1 and then won this cup. We would like to thank all the players for their dedication and hard work throughout the long season. Also thanks to Gareth, Shane, Lee, Ciaran, Brendan and Barry for all their work with the squad throughout this very successful season. We look forward to 2016.
The club would like to wish good luck to Killashee in their Leinster semi-final.
Battle of the Bridge White Collar Boxing Weekend Special – For the second successive year the two clubs of Rathcline and St. Faithleach’s came together, this time for a white collar boxing weekend special. A hugely enjoyable weekend was had by all both sides of the bridge. A big thank you to Vinny McGowan, Neil O’Donoghue and Pat McCormack for all the boxing training they provided over the last couple of months. Thanks to Conor Farrell and Ciaran Casserly who took part in our exhibition fight on the night. Thanks to the organising committee of Susan Linnane, Catriona Dowd, Lorraine Farrell, Derek Thompson, Brenda Reynolds and Caoilfhionn Thompson for all their hard work they put in organising the whole weekend. Thanks to all the boxers who for their time and commitment. Thanks to our MC Joe Flaherty and to all who helped out on the night on the door, selling booklets, security, parking attendants and bar staff. Thanks also to our main sponsors, boxer sponsors, booklet advertisers, Alan Horohoe for the wonderful marquee and to Tommy Keenan and Steven Donohoe for djing. Also thanks to everyone who helped get the marquee ready for the weekend throughout horrendous weather conditions and to St John’s ambulance for being there on the night. Thanks to Catriona Dowd and Hughie Smyth for co-ordinating the tractor run. Again thanks to our friends and neighbours at St. Faithleach’s for coming together again for another brilliant event.
50/50 Lotto Draw – Congratulations to Eithne Clyne & Carmel O’Donoghue who were the winners of €316 in our 50/50 draw last Monday night. The draw continues every Monday night at 9pm and envelopes only cost €2.
Yearly Subscription 50/50 – Our 50/50 draw which started a year ago has proved to be very successful. We have given away over €22,000 in prize money since the draw began. We are now giving people who live abroad or away from town the opportunity to be in with a chance of winning and supporting the club. A yearly subscription will include membership for the year along with a chance of winning an average weekly prize of €400. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Please contact any member of the executive or email us at pro.rathcline.longford@gaa.ie if you’re interested in subscribing.
125th Anniversary Celebrations – As the club is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year there will a special concert held on Saturday December 12th in the parish hall celebrating the occasion with lots of local talent on show. Rehearsals are now on-going. The drama act on the night is called “The Dressing Room” and it’s not to be missed!
St. Faithleach’s
Battle of the Bridge: Last weekend we had the honour of hosting the Battle of the Bridge Weekend on club grounds. The joint fundraiser between ourselves and Rathcline GAA was a fantastic success and could not have been achieved without the co-operation and hard work of so many people. Firstly a huge thank you to our main sponsors Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union, and Munnelly Support Services who yet again stepped up to support the combined communities and the people of Ballyleague and Lanesboro. To our boxers and their sponsors : Brian Scally(Sponsored by Fergus Hanley Hardware ), Gerald Farrell (Adie’s Bar & Restaurant ), Therese Kelly (Gerard Gill Motors), Michelle Byrne (Joe & Martina Top Oil), Sean Lisle (Crinigan Heating and Plumbing), Vinny Healy (Chris Cullen Construction ), Ronnie Johnston (Johnston’s Pharmacy),Sean Kelly (Service Matters and O’Connor Recycling ),Michelle Carroll (Inis Ree Nursing Home), Charlene Maloney ( Scott Cassidy Electrical), Shauna O’Neill ( Bord na Mona), Eugene Maguire (Horohoe Construction London), Michael Sorohan ( Lifebelt Bar and McKeon Wholesalers), Ann Duffy (P.S. Red), Noel Moran ( Ballyleague Village Renewal), Sean Farrell ( Nolan Motors), John Walsh ( Abbey Health and Fitness), Patrick Gill (Sports Training Ireland and Richie Feeney Fitness), Alan Farrell (The Yacht Bar), Maggie Curley (Coffee House 45), James Hanley ( Midland Ice Baths), Paul Brennan ( John Corcoran Menswear and Ward Quarries), Elaine Hannon. To Alan Horohoe and Ventura Marquee Hire Ltd, gear sponsors Lagan Cement and Johnston’s Pharmacy, trainers Neil Donoghue and Vinny McGowan who put in so much work in the past eight weeks, referees on the night, M.C Joe Flaherty and time keeper Mark Casey. To the bar staff who volunteered their time, the people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes over the course of the weekend and the week before your efforts are very much appreciated by the club. The success of the weekend is testament to each and every person who supported the three day event.
Minor A.G.M: The minor club A.G.M is to be held on Friday 20th in the clubhouse at 9pm.
U20 Championship: Next game Sunday 22nd.
Cards: Every Tuesday night at 8:30pm. Last week’s winners, joint winners, Dan & Gerry / Ann & Kathleen, last game Bill and Kevin.