Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Lanesboro Festival 2016
A meeting will take place in Clarke’s Bar on Wednesday week 27th January at 8pm. This will be the first meeting to organise a festival in Lanesboro and Ballyleague in 2016. It is hoped that many people from the Lanesboro and Ballyleague communities will come together to give Lanesboro a festival in 2016. Your attendance, even for your thoughts and views will be greatly welcomed. It has been said that the town missed the festival last year and it is hoped that a great number will attend to bring back the excitement of the festival to our community
The Green – A Living History
This week I will bring the apprentices to an end with the final apprentices finishing at Lanesboro Vocational School in 1983. In 1981 there was Martin Cross, Aidan Duffy, James Egan, Michael Farrelly, Joseph Fallon, Patrick Foxe, Padraig Gallagher, Frank Gordon, Ciaran Groome, Padraig Mannion, Michael Mc Donnell, Padraig Quinn, Seán Ryan, Joseph Sheridan, Aidan Treacy and Laurence Concannon. In 1982 there was Damian Colgan, John Dunne, Declan Donoghue, William Fagan, Michael Feeney, Eamon Gorman, Brendan Hynes, Padraig Keeley, Thomas Kennedy, Colm Mc Keogh, James Moore, Paul Melia, Michael Kiernan, Finbarr Scully, John Carty, Brendan Mc Cormack, Lorenzo Bracken, Sean Carty, Mountdillon, Paul Coghlan, Anthony Deeley, Jude Feehan, Paul Fox, Sean Guinan, Gordon Glynn, Daniel Hogan, Paul Hogan, Michael Mc Caffrey, Gerard Mullen, Padraig Rohan, Brendan Scally and Martin Slevin.
The final class of apprentices, I have, were in 1983 and they were William Bergin, Cool na Mona, Joseph Conroy, Croghan, Declan Dunican, Lemonaghan, John Gantly Ballivor, Patrick Lewis, Kilberry, John Mc Evoy, Cool na Mona, John Molloy, Derrinlough, Raymond Ryan, Croghan, Mel Sheridan, Coolnagun, Patrick Tighe, Ballivor and Declan Wynne, Derrinlough.
Next week I will recommence the residents at no24.
Death
The sudden death on Sunday 10th January of Bernadette Jordan, 34 The Green – known to all as Dettie – brought great sadness to the area and to her family. Dettie enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and her quick wittiness was a joy to behold for anyone that was ever in her company. She had a great sense of humour, with many sayings, songs and she entertained many with her wonderful singing voice. Along with her husband John they would stop a dancehall when then they stepped onto the floor such was their dancing excellence. She loved life as a homemaker, working hard and raising her nine children with her husband John. Dettie was a wonderful parishioner and a very active community member, she was a founding member of the active age club. Dettie had a deep faith and she was a lady that encouraged young people to take every opportunity to better themselves. In recent times her health was not the best but the spirit of Dettie was not to be dampened and she lived and enjoyed her life as best she could. The attendance at the reposing of her remains at her home on the Green on Monday and again at her Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church and burial in Clonbonny was a testimony to the esteem in which Dettie was held.
To her husband John, daughters Mary, Caroline and Lisa, sons Frank, Johnny, Declan, Anthony, Fintan and Wesley, sister Annie, relatives and a multitude of friends we extend our hearthfelt sympathy.
Dinner Dance on Saturday
Saturday night next 23rd January in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone the Rathcline club will celebrate the wonderful year 2015was with their Dinner Dance after an absence of 10 years. As it is 40 years since the one and only senior Championship win the club will also honour that team at the Dinner Dace. This is an ideal opportunity for the entire parish to celebrate and renew old acquaintances. Tickets are priced at €35 each and can bought from O’Brien’s 3321107, email joea@iol.ie mobile 086 2460840.
Bord na Móna Derryadd Wind Farm Public Information Session
Bord na Móna will be holding an information session regarding the proposed Derryadd Wind Farm development in St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Lanesborough on Saturday 30th January from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. This is part of the information sessions that will take place in Kenagh Wednesday 27th from 3pm to 9pm, Thursday 28th in Killashee from 3pm to 9pm, Friday 29th in Cashel from 3pm to 9pm.
Bord na Móna invites you to attend this Public Information session. Admission is free. Staff will be on hand to discuss the project. It is very important that everyone attends to inform yourself of the proposed developments and to ask any pertinent questions that you may have.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Syl and Sheila Healy and family, Tullyvrane, on the death of Syl’s father Paddy Healy, Ballyreevagh, Newtowncashel who died last week.
Tri Club Open Night
On this Thursday night 21st January Lanesboro Triathlon Club will hold an Open Night in the club room in the Co-Op hall from 8pm to 9.30pm. If you are interested in taking up triathlon or one of its three sports – swim, cycle and run then you are invited to go along. If you decide to go along there will be a member of the very successful Lanesboro Tri Club on hand to talk you about this popular and growing sport.
50/50
The weekly 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last 11th January in Clarke’s Bar. The winners, for the second time, was in the joint names of Mary Rhatigan and Johnny Malone who between them shared €350. Envelopes are on sale from club members in local shops and pubs and in O’Brien’s.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on Wednesday
for Wednesday 13th January: North/South 1st Frances and Frank Brennan, 2nd Gemma Douglas and Elisa Gray and 3rd Loretto Cooney and Freda Kenny. East/West 1st Una Lawlor and Brid McDermott, 2nd Katherine Harrison and Philomena Walsh and 3rd Eileen Kelly and Una Clarke.
Interested in Walking?
Are you interested in walking with others? A group walking session will commence at Lanesboro track on this Thursday evening at 7pm sharp. The session will take place from 7 until pm so it is essential that the session will commence at sharp.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Paddy and Bernie Neilan and family, Lough Ree Park, on the death of Paddy’s brother Michael, Stuttgart, Germany and formerly Castlecoote, Co. Roscommon.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
Our thoughts and prayers are with our members who lost family during the Christmas break.
The club would like to extend their sympathy to their past President, Kathleen Kelly on the untimely passing of Kenneth Kelly, her son, in Boston. Kenneth was an outstanding young man and he will be sorely missed by his wife Kim and their children, his parents and brothers, as well as his many friends. Rest in peace, Kenneth.
The club also extends their sympathy to Bernadette Clancy, and her family on the death of her sister, and her brother-in-law. May they too rest in peace.
The results of the competition held on Monday 16th January: N/S: Gross and Nett: 1st Fiona Gillen and Fergal McGuinness, 2nd Carol Hamill and Ann Hagan and 3rd Bernadette Gillen and Patsy Canavan. E/W: Gross and Nett: 1st Mai Casey and Mary Fallon, 2nd Tom Feeney and Essie Nugent and 3rd Mary Jameson and Goretti Kenny.
Michael O Connor Trophy: Team of 4: Qualifier: Grade A and B players.
This will be held in the Longford Bridge Centre on Wednesday 27th January. Get a team together and give your entry to Joan Donnellan as soon as possible.
Lanesboro Primary School Enrolment
Enrolment for September 2016 in Lanesboro Primary School will take place in the school on the afternoon of Friday 5th February from 1pm. Parents and their children are all invited to call to the school. If you need any further information you are invited to contact School Principal, Claire Murphy after 3pm on any school day.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Shirley and Wayne Gilmore and family, Clonfower, on the death of Shirley’s mother Kathleen Quinn, Chapel Lane, Longford on Wednesday last. The late Kathleen’s husband PJ to whom we also extend our sympathy worked for a number of years in the Power Station.
Christmas Lights
The Christmas Lighting Group would like to thank everyone who donated to their recent church gate collection. Also thanks to the following businesses: Joe O’Brien, Conor Shop, Josephine Farrell (Gala), Orla O’Brien, Larry Leavy, Chris Cullen, Alan Farrell (Yacht Bar), Vinnie McGowan, Engine Spares, Ping’s Chinese, Mag’s Hair Salon, Mike Casserly (Spar), Bernard Keane (SuperValu) and Mullooly & Donohoe Construction and Rathcline Ladies Club. A lot of money was invested in the 2015 lights and it is hoped with further financing to invest in more lights to light up the town from Joe O’Brien’s to the Church for 2016. Thanks to Mike Green for all his work with the crib and lights. Thanks to Joe O’Brien for all his help with the notes and the facility for donating to the fund.
Former resident passes away
It was with great sadness I learned of the death on Sunday 10th January in the Royal Infirmary Hospital, Doncaster, England of Dorothy Townsend. Dorothy was a resident and a business lady in the town for a number of years where she ran her boutique. Dorothy was mother of the late Denise Donnellan and she lived on the Rathcline Road with the late Peter and Denise. She was a lady with a very warm personality and fitted into our community very easily. She was highly thought of and her passing will sadden the hearts of everyone that knew her.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to her grandchildren, Mel, Luke and Eve Donnellan, Rathcline Road and everyone that Dorothy affected during her time here.
Finals Galore
It is not very often we get the chance to make that headline and let us hope that it can become more frequent as time goes by. Congratulations to our own Denis Connerton, his management team and players for a magnificent victory over Dublin in Pearse Park on Sunday. It was also fitting that his son Liam who is just recovering from a hand injury should come on and play his part by scoring the crucial and only goal of the game.
The match will be played in Navan on either Saturday or Sunday – full details yet to be confirmed.
On Sunday Roscommon conceded home advantage to Mayo and traveled to Castlebar for a winner takes all game against Mayo in the FBD League. A wholehearted display seen them emerge victorious and a famous win for their new management team. A major role in the victory was played by St. Faithleach’s brothers Ciaran, Brian and Diarmuid Murtagh.
The final will take place next weekend when Roscommon will take on Galway.
We wish both sides the very best of luck and there would be nothing better than silverware on both sides of the Shannon at this early stage of the year.
Passing of a lifelong friend
A couple of weeks one of Roscommon’s greatest men whose feats were legendary, Gerry O’Malley, passed away in Dublin. Two locals were lifelong friends of his and I feel it is worth noting and extending sympathy to Gerry’s family and especially to those two men. Jimmy Martin, Ballagh has lost a lifelong friend and club mate and both men were very closely attached throughout their lives. While Gerry was living in Dublin another avid admirer and true Roscommon man Brian Carthy, formerly Ballybeg was a true friend and they travelled together throughout the country while Brian was working as a commentator for RTÉ.
Lanesboro Library
Knitting & Crochet Group continues on Monday 25th January 2-4pm.
ESOL Class continues on Tuesday 26th January 7-9pm.
The Book Club will hold their first meeting of the New Year on Friday 29th January at 11am. The book for discussion will be ‘Foolish Pride’ by Anne Skelly.
Art class with Nicolette starting in Lanesboro Library on Wednesday 10th February at 8pm.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 33 21291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
The Lasraí Writers Group meeting will take place on Monday 8th February 7-9pm. New members always welcome!
Easter Rising 1916 Centenary Calendar
Easter Rising 1916 Centenary Calendar on sale in Lanesboro Library with wonderful drawings by Laura Doherty. Price €5.
Recycle Your Christmas Cards: From now until the end of January you can recycle your Christmas cards at the Library.
Foreign Currency Appeal Reminder The staff 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.
Tennis Club AGM
In the wake of the flood damage to the club’s tennis courts at Ballyleague it has been decided to hold the AGM of the Lough Ree Bay Tennis club tennis club on Friday January 22nd at 8pm at St Mary’s parish Hall beside the bridge in Lanesborough. All club members and parents and interested tennis players are invited to attend the meeting which will discuss the damage done and the club’s plans to get coaching underway again in the very near future. The club appreciates all the messages of support since the courts were flooded in the storm. The water levels are going down now but a huge clean-up effort is going to be needed with repairs to nets and the surface required so we would appreciate a full turn out of all our members, parents and friends on Friday 22nd at 8pm in the hall. The club has already engaged the services of Tim Clarke our coach for 2016 and we will be announcing plans for the restart of coaching in Ballyleague Hall and new weekly visits to schools in the area when we meet at the AGM so it is important for all members and parents to attend and take part in decision-making process with regard to coaching fees, times etc. Please ensure you are present on the night. Despite the effect of the storm we hope to keep our tennis club going for 2016 – only a full turnout on the night by ALL junior and senior members will ensure this.
The Priory Institute
You are invited to join the student community and study theology from home. The focus is on providing, solid, high-quality, affordable theological education. The application deadline is Monday 22nd February. For further information, you are invited to email – enquiries@prioryinstitute.com or phone 01404124. The website is www.prioryinstitute.ie
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Minor Club Presentation Night: The Minor Club Presentation Night takes place on Saturday 23rd at 9pm. Presentations will be made to the U12 Girls, U14 Boys, U16 Girls and Minor Men. Music on the night will be provided by the Lanesboro Community College Transition Year Band and all members and parents/supporters are invited to attend.
Registration Night: Will be held in the Clubhouse on Friday 5th from 8pm – 10pm. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Family membership €100, Adult €60, Student/Under 18/ Social €30.
Lotto: Last draw took place on Tuesday 12th January and the numbers drawn were 4,9,11 and 22. There was no jackpot winner and the jackpot stands at €12,000. The next draw takes place on Tuesday 26th January. €2 envelopes are available in clubhouse or from all retail outlets in the area.
Cards: Take place every Tuesday night at 8:30pm. Winners Kevin/ Padraig, second place Jimmy/Martin, last game Paddy/ Mick.
Rathcline GAA
Dinner Dance – Our long awaited dinner dance will take place next Saturday night in the Radisson Blu Hotel Athlone. We will celebrate the success of last year along with player of the year awards and our two cups will be on show. Also on the night we are honouring the 1976 team who 40 years ago this year won the senior championship. 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. Tickets are available from O’Brien’s shop and people are urged to get their tickets before Wednesday evening as numbers need to be confirmed in advance. It promises to be a tremendous night where we celebrate the past and present of our club.
New Year’s Draw – Our New Year’s Draw will take place next 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 from executive members and in local businesses. 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. Ticket sellers are urged to return all tickets by lunchtime Saturday.
50/50 Draw – Congratulations to Johnny Malone & Mary Rhatigan C/O Yacht Bar, who were last Monday’s winners of €350 in our 50/50 draw. Johnny and Mary previously won €415 in our draw last June! Thanks to everyone who paid an annual subscription to the draw and were included from last week’s draw onwards. Anyone still interested in subscribing for a year, can still do so by contacting a member of the executive.
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.
Rathcline GAA Comedy Talent Show – On Saturday 13th February the club are putting on a talent concert which will include some comedy sketches including “Old Men Grooving” along with some other great talent acts from within the community. The show will take place at 8.30pm in St. Mary’s Parish Hall. It promises to be a great night’s entertainment not to be missed!
Hastings Cup victory for Longford – On Saturday, Clonbonny was host to the U21 Hastings Cup top of the table clash between Longford and Offaly. Longford were the much better team and had a comprehensive 3-21 to 1-06 victory over Offaly with Shane Kenny scoring 2 points. Kevin Sorohan also started the game. Next up for Longford is a semi-final encounter with Cavan next weekend with date and venue to be confirmed. Best of luck to the lads involved.
Longford seniors – Congratulations to Denis Connerton and the Longford senior team who were victorious over Dublin in the O’Byrne Cup semi-final in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park. The game finished 1-12 to 0-09 with our own Liam Connerton scoring the Longford goal. Best of luck to all involved in the final against Meath next Sunday in Navan.
Birthday celebrations – Our club president Hilary O’Sullivan celebrated his 80th birthday last week and we would like to wish Hilary a very happy birthday from all at the club.
Sympathy – The club would like to extend our sympathies to the extended Jordan family on the recent death of Bernadette Jordan, The Green. RIP.