Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Death
Saturday 23rd December brought to us the untimely death in Boston of Kenneth Kelly formerly of Rathcline. Kenneth in his early 40’s was son of Tommy and Kathleen Kelly. For the past few years Kenneth had been bravely battling cancer and did so with great dignity and fortitude none more bravely than in the past few months.
During his short life Kenneth had been a hugely successful young man firstly in the telecommunications business where he was one of the most respected in his field. Such was the regard in which he was held when the tragedy of 9/11 struck lower Manhattan Kenneth was on of a select few brought in to get the telecommunication back up and running in Lower Manhattan.
Kenneth was one not to rest on his laurels and when he saw opportunities he was vision was clear that no matter what he would make them work. He has been given credit for his work in the regeneration of Union Square area in Somerville. His Union Square bars the Independent and Brass Union; Davis Square bars; Foundry on Elm and Saloon; and the new Assembly Square River Bar, the telecommunications company Vital Site Services were testimony to his vision and his business sense. Last year Kenneth received John W. Fitzgerald Lifetime Achievement Award from the Somerville Chamber of Commerce, not only for his business acumen but also for his generosity in supporting local groups.
Kenneth, was a friend and man with a great wit and humour and a man with a gritty determination to carry out his visions. He would never come home without calling in to say hello. He was big in heart and in spirit and the lasting memory will always be the warmth of his smile and the brightness he brought to every situation.
If we are feeling a great loss for Kenneth, then it must be an immeasurable grief for his wife Kim, children Michael and Samantha, mother Kathleen, father Tommy, brothers Niall and Alan.
Kenneth reposed at George L. Doherty Funeral Home, Somerville on Wednesday last and was followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Joseph Church, Somerville. Interment took place at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. To his family, relatives and friends we extend our deepest sympathy.
Engagement
Congratulations Aidan Shea, son of Richard and Geraldine Shea, Blenavoher and Stacey Brown, daughter of Jeremy and Colleen Brown, Gympie, Queensland, Australia who announced their engagement on Christmas Day in Australia.
Thoughts for our Neighbours
Day in day out we see and hear on the news of the plight of people further down the Shannon and the problems the continuous rainfall is having and our hearts goes out to them.
What is getting very little notice is the fact that there is a great area on the Rathcline/Cashel border that has isolated all the residents there as well as some people having to leave their homes due to the high levels of the flooding. The Turlough which has been an ongoing problem for Mike and Eileen Hanley is once again proving to be a nightmare and it looks very likely that they will have to evacuate in the next few days despite the great work by family, neighbours and friends on Saturday last. Just up the road 600m in the townsland of Carrickmoran, a house that has never been flooded is now in great danger as the water is a close as makes no difference to entering the family home. The road system is such that anyone in Cullentra, Aughakeel and Ballinahinch has to leave their cars outside and away from the floods in some cases up to 2 miles away and get out by either tractor or high wheeled vehicles. In some cases, people have to depend on others going out through the flood in some of these vehicles to get a lift out to replenish food supplies for the home and to do business.
If you live in the Carrowstrawley area and want to go to the parish of Cashel you have to come all the way to Lanesboro as the road from the Turlough is flooded, The Carrowstrawley Road across to Toddy’s Cross is flooded, The Lisreevagh Road is not accessible to cars and from Harold’s Cross through Bullockstown, just past Ollie and Elizabeth Flemings house, has what can only be described as a fast flowing river going across the Road. What was once a 10/12-minute journey is now taking more 35 minutes and sometimes more.
I do not think that the extent of the parish flooding of Rathcline and Cashel is fully appreciated but let me assure you that this area is truly a disaster area for all the residents. This problem goes all the way up to Barley Harbour where Michael Casey and his son Kevin’s Bog Oak Sculptors business was also affected throughout the Christmas. Local Newtowncashel Longford Leader correspondent is also on that route and his house is also under threat as are all the houses on that road.
Gerald Farrell was the undertaker for Johnny Clarke’s funeral and the burial took place at Saints Island cemetery. The only way to get access to the cemetery was via tractor and trailer which was provided for the corpse, family and mourners. They had to travel on a flooded road that was over three-foot-deep to access the cemetery. That was on a road that had been raised a few times over the recent years by the county council- it just goes to show the severity of the flooding these days.
Compounding matters was the freak event at the car park when storm Frank was at its fullest on Tuesday last when a man was putting bottles from the open boot of his estate car into the bottle bank, a mighty gust of wind entered his estate car and lifted if over the kerb and the car rolled down into the Shannon and floated 60m before being caught in the cross current taking almost all the way over to the new marina on the Ballyleague side before sinking. Thankfully there was no other person in the car at that time. A total of eight Lough Ree Sub Aqua club members were very quickly on hand in the dreadful weather and failing light entered the water to stabilise the car and put a marker flag to identify its whereabouts for when they would salvage it the next day. With great difficulty they finished their job when they recovered the car from the water.
The Lough Ree sub aqua club must be congratulated for their quick response and to do the job they did in such dreadful conditions. On Friday last they were called to Boyle where a house was in imminent danger of flooding and the only access was by boat. They ferried sandbags for two days to try and ward off the flooding of a house there. Carrying sandbags in high water levels is indeed a feat in itself but doing it over two days is really energy sapping and hopefully all their great work payed off and the house remained safe.
I must also mention Junior Hannon, Ballyleague who through the Christmas period right up to the time of writing has been going to Galway to assist in the search for that young student Michael Bugler from Ennis who went missing in Galway before the Christmas.
There are many people in our community doing great work in support of neighbours and friends and they must be commended for their tremendous work and for their neighbourliness – all those people are the real heroes.
The Green – A Living History
This week I will continue with the apprentices, who, by the way, continue to generate many memories. In 1976 we had John Cannon, Patrick J Cullen, Martin Donnelly, Liam Doyle, Richard Doyle, Michael Egan, Thomas Everard, Eugene Gaye, James Keely, Patrick Mc Nelis, Paul Naughten, Donal O’Boyle, Vincent Sammon, Edward, Slattery and Declan Tynan. That is the only class of ’76 I have. In ‘77 Patrick Bolger, William Brennan, Francis Costello, Gerard? Crawford (Boora), Anthony Gallagher, Anthony Gallagher, John Joyce, Patrick Kelly, Anthony Maye, James O’Donnell, James O’Connell, Seamus Smith and John Coffey. There was one that was illegible the first name was Thomas and the surname I cannot make out; he was from Derrygreenagh works. The other class of ‘77 were Michael Brady, Gerry Bratton, John Burke, Aidan Carroll, Michael Connell, Damian Donlon, James Durcan, Patrick Hughes, Christopher Kelly, Joseph Kenny, Gerard Martin, Anthony Maye, John Mc Closkey and Leo Sweeney, Newtowncashel. In ’78 there was Patrick Brady, Nicholas Donoghue, Thomas Donohue, The Green, Michael Flynn, The Green, Michael Galvin, Laurence Higgins, Michael Kelly, Kevin Leybourne, Finbarr Meleady, Paul Mollen, Tommy Murray, The Green, Patrick Reynolds, James Tierney R.I.P. William Whelehan, Patrick Cullen, Michael Doyle, Donal O’Boyle and Tom Everard.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Mrs. Bernadette Clancy and family, Rathcline on the death of her sister Mrs. Rosaleen Sheridan, Ballinalee on Friday last 1st January.
Birth
We would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Eoin and Regina Donnellan, Ballyleague on the recent birth of a baby boy.
Engagement
We would like to congratulate Martin Reynolds, son of Ita and the late Brendan Reynolds, Cloontuskert and Emma Duffy daughter of Joe and Phyllis Duffy, Church View who announced their engagement over the Christmas time while on a Christmas holiday back home from Canada where they now reside.
Wedding
The wedding took place in St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro on Thursday last 31st December of Jenny Rice, daughter of John and Mary Rice, Cloontuskert and Joey Rooney, son of Joe and Mary Rooney, Rathcline. Matron of Honour was Siobhan Curran, sister of the bride and bridesmaid was Sharon Rooney, sister of the groom. Bestman was Jason Fallon friend of the groom and Groomsman was Kevin Hanley, friend of the groom. The marriage ceremony was celebrated by Fr. Michael Reilly, Lanesboro assisted by Fr. John Mc Manus, Ballyleague. The wedding reception was held in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. We wish the happy couple many years of wedded happiness.
Dinner Dance
Not for a long time has the Rathcline club held a Dinner Dance but breaking with recent tradition the club has decided to hold one on Saturday 23rd January in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone. This is an ideal opportunity for the entire parish and everyone that has moved from the parish to come back and renew old acquaintances. It is the opportunity to get away from the doom and gloom of the after Christmas feeling and to go out and celebrate with the parish new and old. It is a great opportunity for all the ladies to dress up in their finery and make this a very special occasion. Tickets are priced at €35 each and can bought from any of the club executive of from O’Brien’s 3321107, email joea@iol.ie mobile 086 2460840.
Social Services Whist Drive
Thank you- Lanesboro Social Services would like to thank everyone that supported them during the Christmas period with donations which were greatly appreciated.
The monthly Whist Drive for 2016 will commence in St. Mary’s Hall on this Friday night 8th January at 8.30pm. The committee would like to welcome you all back for the New Year and look forward to new players coming along on Friday night for an evening of fun and card playing. As usual light refreshments will be served.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Brendan and Noel Ward, Curragh Rua and Harriet Ward, Church View on the death of their nephew Marcus Morley in Suffolk, England recently. Marcus was son of Keith and Loretto (nee Ward).
St Mary’s Church Notice
You are asked to note that Baptisms are generally timetabled for Saturdays at 1pm. A minimum of three months’ notice is required by church and state for marriages.
50/50
The weekly 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last 28th December in Adie’s. The lucky winner whose envelope was drawn was Anna Kenny, Fermoyle who was the lucky recipient of €410. Envelopes are on sale from club members in local shops and pubs and in O’Brien’s.
The Ronan Mc Cormack Charity Challenge 2016 Remember the crack and sense of achievement that this challenge brought to you last year. well its back for 2016!!! Training for the 2016 event commenced on January 2nd at 10am for cyclists and on Tuesday 5th of January at 7.15 pm for runners/joggers/walkers. Both of these sessions will cater for people of all abilities, seasoned cyclists and runners, beginners and all in between. There will be a small fee of €20 to cover the 8 weeks training. This is to cover the cost of insurance and to make a small donation to the disability sports section in Roscommon Sport Partnership. Both trainings will take place from the Quad Centre, Circular Road Roscommon under the guidance of fully qualified tutors. Over the last 3 years, thanks to your generosity and participation we have been able to help our charities to the tune of €81,000. This magnificent figure is only possible because of you. Thank you so much. I would be more than grateful if you could please share this information with anyone that you think might be interested. Everyone is welcome. Could I also ask that you like and share The Ronan McCormack Charity Challenge page on FB and follow Ronanscycle on Twitter. Thank you so very much for your continued support and once again happy, healthy New Year.
Lough Ree Athletic Club
Let us start by congratulating the organisers of the Newtowncashel/Lanesboro Fun Run on Christmas morning. Apart from the fact that the M.S Foundation benefit from the proceeds, so too, do the locals. There is no doubt that the Parish Hall or the Bridge is the place to be on Christmas morning, particularly if you are not on dinner duty, for its there you will meet friends and acquaintances who have returned home from abroad. Indeed, with the promoters providing light refreshments, the atmosphere is great and with 25 years’ experience they do a good job.
The bad weather did not help and in the interest of safety, the Sub Aqua Club had to call off their swim. The athletic club also cancelled the Children’s Run from the Community College to the hall. However, over 140 brave souls faced the Starter in Cashel. Well done to all.
It was no surprise that Adrianna Melia was the first female to finish, after all she was the “lady in form” having medalled in the Irish Novice Cross Country Championships a few weeks ago. Indeed, Ronie Masterson was equally impressive finishing 3rd. The local girl form did not come down in the last shower, she was a member of the Lanesboro Community Collage Junior Cross Country Team 1995. Her team-mates on the day were Amanda Hanly (congrats on birth of your baby), Gillian Clyne (getting married this month) and Cathy Harrison “been there, done that”
Finally, let us not forgot the Sponsors – Hanley Motors and Midland Trophies both from Ballymahon.
Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club
Firstly, to all our members, and their families and friends, may we wish you a happy, healthy and safe 2016. Pool training resumes on Thursday January 7th with the lecture afterwards on Dive Tables. Unfortunately, the Christmas Day Swim had to be postponed in the interests of the safety of all involved due to the high water levels. We hope to reschedule for a later, safer date. Watch this space. I’m sure everyone saw the RTE news last week when we got a call-out to locate a vehicle which had accidentally rolled into the river and was swept over to the Roscommon bank before sinking. A line of six divers located the vehicle and it was recovered during the week. Thankfully, and most importantly, there were no lives at risk. Our next call-out was to transport sandbags to a house in Boyle to try and hopefully stem the rising waters. At the time of going to press this is ongoing.
Rathcline GAA
Dinner Dance – In just under three weeks we will see the return of our long awaited dinner dance. The event will take place in the Radisson Blu Hotel Athlone on Saturday 23rd January. The players will be presented with medals on the night, along with player of the year awards and our two cups will be on show. Tickets are priced at €35 which will include a 4 course meal and music afterwards by the band 4Degrees West, followed by DJ Tommy K. A great occasion this promises to be for all parishioners. Tickets are available from executive members or from Joe O’Brien’s. This promises to be a great night where we will celebrate the success of last year.
New Year’s Draw – Our New Year’s Draw will take place on Saturday 23rd January at the Rathcline Dinner Dance in the Radisson Blu hotel in Athlone. Prizes are as follows: 1st prize – €1500, 2nd prize – €750, 3rd prize €500, 4th prize €200, 5th prize €200, 6th prize €200, 7th prize €100 and 8th prize €100. Tickets cost €10 and are available now from executive members and other ticket sellers. With the move to senior football this year, the club will need even more income so it’s crucial again to make this draw a success.
50/50 Draw – Congratulations to Anna Kenny, Fermoyle, who was last Monday’s winner of €410 in our 50/50 draw. The draw continues every Monday night at 9pm with the draw on January 4th taking place in the Yacht Bar.
Yearly Subscription 50/50 – Our 50/50 draw which started a year ago has proved to be very successful. We have given away over €24,000 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 costing €100 will include membership for the year along with a chance of winning an average weekly prize of €400. The first date for the subscription envelopes to be rolled out will be Monday 11th January. 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.
AGM – The Annual General Meeting of Rathcline GAA will take place on Sunday January 31st at 5pm in the clubhouse. We are hoping that there are people within the parish who would be willing to take on some positions within the executive.
Local Talent Concert – On Saturday 13th February the club are putting on a talent concert which will include some comedy sketches along with some other great talent acts. It promises to be a great night’s entertainment not to be missed!