Lanesboro Ballyleague
Summer Time Begins
As you go to bed on Saturday night next 26th March do not forget to put your clocks and watches forward as when you wake up you will be in summer time. Yes, the time for the longer days is upon us and we look forward to the longer brighter and sunnier days of summer.
Annual 25 Drive
The annual Good Friday 25 Card Drive will take place in St. Mary’s hall on this coming Friday night 25th March. This is usually a great night of card playing with a large crowd. If you play 25 and on Good Friday night, you find yourself with time to play a game of cards come along to St. Mary’s Hall at 9pm. This game was started many many years ago and it is wonderful to see the tradition being maintained.
To enter is just €5 and tickets are also on sale from any club executive member or in O’Brien’s. If you cannot attend you are asked to support by buying a ticket, place your name on the back of them and give them back to where you purchased them and you will be in for the draw for non-playing ticket holders. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
The Green – A living History
Today we move on to No 38 where the recorded names I have are a Gately family, followed by Joseph Kiernan and his family from Longford and Mick and Lil Kirwan. In No 39 There was Tom and Katie Judge and their family Patricia, Kathleen, Tom, PC and Sean, they were followed by Brendan Walsh and his family and the current residence are Greg and Bernadette Gillen and their family Anthony, Peter, Margaret, Brendan, Martin, Fiona, Teresa and Ciara. In No 40m I have recorded Charlie and Margaret Gallagher from Donegal, I do not have family names, the Gallagher’s were followed by Jarlath and Freda Murray and their family George, Marian, Tommy and Greg.
From the very first Girls National School register I have the name of Bríd Mulvihill at No 40, I have no further information and if anyone can enlighten me I would be delighted to hear from you.
The picture below mentioned last week features this week, it is a little blurred and I hope you can make out those mentioned last week.
Hand in Hand this Friday
You are invited to go along and join in the fun in the charity Fundraiser ‘All Round Family Day Out’ that is being held in St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Lanesboro on Good Friday 25th March from 4pm to 6pm. Hand in Hand is a non-profitable organisation which provides practical support for families of children with cancer. Your generous support will be gratefully appreciated.
Sinead and Barry and their son were the recipients of very special help from the hand in Hand Service and they are hoping the for the support of the entire community on Friday
Madaleine Sleeps Out for SIMON
The Midlands Simon Community Longford is holding a ‘sleep out’ on Good Friday night 25th March in Connolly Barracks, Longford. Registration for the event will take place between 9pm and 10pm. Local lady Madaleine will take part in the sleep out and we urge your support for her. You can sponsor her by contacting her directly or by adding your contribution to her sponsorship card in O’Brien’s.
Easter Services
The following are the Holy Week ceremonies in St. Mary’s Lanesboro: Penance service for Easter Wednesday at 7.30pm; Holy Thursday at 7.30pm; Good Friday at 3pm and 7.30pm; Holy Saturday 7.30pm and Easter Sunday 9.30am and 11.30am.
The Church of the Holy Rosary Ballyleague: Holy Thursday 7pm; Good Friday 3pm; Holy Saturday 9pm and Easter Sunday 11am.
Easter Ceremonies for St. John’s
The Easter Ceremonies for the St. John’s congregation are: Holy Thursday at 8pm service in St Coman’s Church Roscommon. Good Friday 8pm service in St. John’s Church Lanesborough and Easter Sunday Service will take place in St Coman’s Roscommon at 11.30am
Lough Ree Monster Festival
The group is looking for any videos or photographs of the original Monster Festival and if you have some please bring them to O’Brien’s where they will be scanned and returned immediately.
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday week 30th March and if you can attend please do come along and be part of the growing momentum towards the Lough Ree Monster Festival in 2017. The meeting will take place in Clarke’s Bar at 9pm.
The first official event and public announcement of the Lough Ree Monster 2017 festival was in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The group would like to sincerely thank Chris Cullen for the use of his pick-up truck, Francis Clyne for driving the truck in the Parade, Mike Greene, Hughie Smyth for putting the float together.
The group encourages anyone that can to sign up for the upcoming Defibrillator course – bookings can be made with Martina O’Brien at the shop 3321107.
Sympathy
The name of the Henry family in time past was synonymous with Lanesboro and Ballyleague. Noel Henry, his wife Nano and family were residents in the area when Noel was an official of the Northern Bank. It is with great sadness I relate the death of Nano Henry, Greystones, Co Wicklow who died on Saturday 5th March. We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Noel, his daughters Jan and Jill, son Ron relatives and many friends.
Seniors were unlucky
As we expected the Rathcline team for the first game of the Leader Cup was very young and inexperienced. They may have been young but their footballing ability is undoubted and it was only bad fortune that seen them on the losing side of a 0-13 to 1-8 score line. We can look forward to greater performances from the team as they grow into senior football.
On Saturday evening next the club again have a home game against St. Columba’s Mullinalaghta at 5.30pm. Come to Clonbonny and support the lads.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
What further can we say of the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Ballyleague and Lanesboro. It was again another wonderful occasion in our community and we were blessed with an absolutely fabulous for those involved in the parade as well as the thousands that lined the street basking in glorious sunshine. It is a most magnificent occasion for our community and it is especially wonderful to see many making huge efforts in making the occasion so very special. It was also significant to have our usual compere on the viewing stand; Eugen Murphy has lost the local Councilor title only to have it replace by Deputy Eugene Murphy TD and we congratulate him on his success and wish Eugene a hugely successful time in Dáil Éireann for the foreseeable future.
A huge acknowledgement to Teresa Costello, Freda Connaughton and their committee for another great day in our community.
The day began with a Traditional Mass in St. Mary’s Church celebrated by Fr Mickie Reilly.
Featuring in the Mass was the Parish Choir, traditional musicians Nuala Donlon, Teresa Donlon, John Campbell, Jimmy Flanagan, Johnny Duffy and Joe Mc Grath. Dancing at the Mass was World Champion Irish Dancer Justin Mc Guire who incidentally is a neighbour of Fr. Mickie’s in Carrickedmond.
Thank You
The Lanesborough Ballyleague St. Patrick’s Day Parade committed would like to extend their thanks to all of the following for their continued input into the Parade.
To the two schools – St. Mary’s Newtowncashel and Lanesboro Community College who take part every year, they are a great example for the youth of the future.
The committee would like to thank all of the local businesses who supported the committee with sponsorship. A big thank you to Longford County Council and also to Heineken for their support. A thank you to Fr. Mickie Reilly, the parish choir, traditional musicians and Justin Mc Guire for their music song and dance at the very unique Traditional Mass and also on the reviewing stand. A special word to all those that wore the furry suits. The day would not be possible without the wonderful work of the very vigilant Gardaí and also the huge number of locals that continually offer their time as stewards for the day.
The St. Faithleach’s club is invaluable both as a gathering and parking area before the commencement of the parade and the committee would like to say a big thank you to them as they do to Lanesboro Community College where the parade ends and the facilities they provide there.
The committee would like to thank their compere Eugene Murphy and congratulate him on his elevation to Dáil Éireann in the recent elections. The committee would like to thank their independent judge, all the ticket sellers and Jim Burke for the sound system.
The committee would like to thank local news correspondent Joe O’Brien, the Longford Leader and the Roscommon People for their publicity. They would like to thank Gerard Farrell for the reviewing stand and John Casey for supplying the power. The committee says a big thank you to local butcher Terry Mc Loughlin for the pig roasting and the donation to the homeless.
The committee would like to thank everyone that turned out to watch and support the Parade.
The following were the float prizewinners: Best Centenary Float; Ballyleague Village Renewal, Best Overall Float; 12th Ballyboro Scouts, Most original Float; Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club, Best Junior Float; Lanesboro Community College, Best Vintage Float; Mattie Maguire, Best Business Float; Top Oil Filling Station, Best Club Float; Lanesboro Triathlon Club and Best Window Costello’s Nursing Home.
The Raffle winners were: 1st €500 Hughie Smyth, Lanesboro, 2nd €200 John Heneghan, Lanesboro, 3rd €100 Eugene Hester, 4th €50 Ger Kenny Lanesboro, 5th €50 Noel Gill Cloonadra, 6th €50 Mary Tiernan Ferefad, Longford and 7th Bridget Keogh Mostrim.
50/50
The club held their 50/50 draw in Clarke’s Bar on Monday night 14th March and the winners were Caroline and Brendan Rhatigan, Fermoyle who receive €380 between them. The club would like to thank everyone for their continued support and would encourage more to play and help increase the prize and who knows it may be you that wins the prize on one of the coming Monday nights.
Tickets can be bought in any local shops and the club appreciates your great support.
Blood Donor Clinic
There is always a constant daily need for blood and by extension it means there is always a need for your support in donating blood. On Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st March the Blood Donor Service will be in the Longford Arms Hotel Ballroom from 4.30pm to 8.30pm each day. Please go along and make your blood contribution and help save the lives of those in need of blood.
Lanesboro Bridge results
The results of the competition held on Wednesday 16th March are N/S 1st Gemma Douglas and Elish Gray, 2nd Mona O’Flaherty and Bernadette Gillen and 3rd Bernadette Clancy and Mary Mc Gushin. E/W 1st Maureen Hynes and Patsy Canavan, 2nd Patricia Mc Gann and Mary Jameson and 3rd Brid Mc Dermott and Una Lawlor.
You are asked to note that Bridge on Wednesday will start at the later time of 8pm.
Defibrillator Training
We all know the value of being trained in the use of the defibrillator. It should be and must be as much part of our lives as our body part. To know how to use the defibrillator can mean life or death for a person and in the unfortunate event of an accident of heart failure in your vicinity the ability to competently use the defibrillator would be crucial.
The defibrillator group under Kevin Madden will soon be holding a new training course and a re-cert course. We urge as many people from as many groups as possible to sign up for the course as we never know the time or the hour that your lifesaving skills with the defibrillator will be required. What with all the different events and festivals coming along the more people trained and recertified in the use of the defibrillator the better. To make booking for the new course or recertification please contact Martina O’Brien in the shop or phone 3321107
Bag Pack for International
Matsubayashi Shorinryu International Karate Club Lanesboro will hold a ‘bag pack’ in SuperValu on Thursday 24th March to support three local girls who have qualified for the World Championships to be held in City West, Dublin from 15th to 19th June. The three local girls are Elizabeth Clyne, Keisha Carthy and Eabha Kenny from Kevin Mc Kenna’s Lanesboro Club.
Your support will be greatly appreciated.
There will be a follow up Table Quiz in Adie’s Bar on Friday 15th April
Sponsored Canoe
Junior Hannon is about to fulfil a burning ambition when he will undertake the mammoth canoe from Lanesboro to Limerick. He will take on this feat commencing on Friday 27th May. Junior is doing this canoe to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society and he would like that everyone would sponsor and help this excellent cause and who are doing great work in their attempts to help fight cancer. Sponsorship cards are in O’Brien’s and many outlets throughout the area.
Death
There was great sadness in our community when the news broke of the death on Saturday 12th March of Teresa Hoare, Clonmustra, Ballyleague. Tess as she was most commonly being predeceased 22 years ago by her late husband Leo. The sadness that was felt by everyone that knew her was clear to be seen when people recounted Tess’s love of life, her bright outlook on life, the forwardness in her thinking. Her door was always open and while she was wheelchair bound she always shared the excitement of each new day. She had a cheery and sunny disposition which was infectious on everyone that had the extreme pleasure to know her. This was really Tess’s time of the year as the growth was beginning and there were spring buds everywhere leading to what she enjoyed most a good sunny day. Her memory while tinged with sadness with her departure from this life will nonetheless bring a smile to the mind of everyone and she will be long remembered for a wonderful contribution to all of our lives.
Her remains reposed at the home of her daughter Margaret Curley on the Strokestown Road until her removal to the Church of the Holy Rosary on Monday evening. Following her Funeral Mass she was laid to rest alongside her husband Leo in Cloontuskert Cemetery. To her sons Padraig and Richie, daughters Geraldine and Margaret, relatives and many friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
Heritage Training Days
It’s that time of year again, looking forward towards National Heritage Week at the end of August. This year’s theme is 100 years of Heritage to tie-in, but not be tied down by, the centenaries happening this year.
If you or your organisation is considering getting involved, the training days being offered by the Heritage Council in Dublin and Galway may be of interest. These will include topics such as maximising your audience and event management, that would be useful for other events throughout the year.
This year you have the choice of attending our free training day for event organisers in either Dublin or Galway. Topics will include reaching new audiences, networking, resources and event management. We will also discuss the 2016 theme. We will announce the full programme of speakers in the coming weeks. Dublin – Register Now Galway – Register Now Gresham Hotel Druid Theatre,
O’Connell St. Flood Street Thursday 14th April Wednesday 27 April 10am – 4pm 10am- 4pm Places are limited so please book early.
100 Years of Heritage
In this centenary year, what better time to celebrate the last one hundred years of Ireland’s heritage; historical, archaeological, architectural and environmental. How did people live, what did they eat, how did they travel, what jobs did they do? What was life like for a soldier, a farmer, a nurse or a schoolchild? What was important to those that lived in Ireland then, are these things still important to us now? What has been saved and what has disappeared? During National Heritage Week 2016 we invite you to plan a Heritage Week event that explores the last one hundred years of heritage in Ireland.
One hundred years of change one hundred years of heritage
Get into Golf
Roscommon Golf Club is participating in this national programme to introduce Ladies into the game of golf.
All ladies interested in hearing what is on offer are invited to Roscommon Golf clubhouse on Wednesday 30th March for all details.
At the end of the programme there is no obligation to join the club but participation ensures a very attractive introductory offer.
If required, golf clubs will be provided. All enquiries to 086-2608044 or 087-9078853
Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club
All divers will be heading to Killary Harbour next weekend for the first sea dive of the year. It will also be the trainees first sea dive.
Regarding accommodation please contact Paula.
A small, but hardy, crew took to the Shannon on St. Patrick’s Day for the deferred Christmas Day Swim.
Many thanks to Mrs. Gillen for the soup after the swim.
The Club entered a float in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Lanesboro and were delighted to take first prize for their trouble. Well done to all involved. The float was a representation of the Asian Clam which is causing trouble and a Lot of work went into the mechanics of the float – or so we’re told anyway!
Sleep Out for Simon
The Sleep Out for Simon will take place in Connolly Barracks Longford on Good Friday night 25th March 2016
The Programme of Events are: registration at 9.00pm, Welcome Address at 10.30pm, Refreshments served. Sing Along Music 11.30-1.00am – (if you play, you are encouraged to bring along musical instruments)
Requirements on the night: Sleeping Bag, Pillow, Warm Clothes and a Hot Water Bottle
Sponsorship Cards and monies must be handed in at entrance on the night, only people with sponsorship cards will be admitted.
Local Events at our Library
Library will be closed from Good Friday to Easter Monday. Library reopens on Tuesday 29th March at 2pm. Happy Easter to all our customers!
Art Class: Art class 5 with Nicolette continues in Lanesboro Library on Wednesday 23rd March at 8pm. The Cost of the course is €10.00 per night.
Easter Rising 1916 Centenary Calendar on sale in Lanesboro Library with wonderful drawings by Laura Doherty. Price €5.
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.
Nashville to Lanesboro
It is only a few weeks back that we welcomed rising Nashville female star Hanna Anders to Lanesboro. Not to have the ladies have all the singing plaudits on Saturday night next 26th March we will welcome the next rising male Nashville star to Lanesboro. Cody Pennington will play Clarkes Bar on Saturday and we hope that Cody will receive a huge welcome to Lanesboro. Go along and see one of the rising County Music stars play in our town.
Croagh Patrick Youth Pilgrimage
The Croagh Patrick Youth Pilgrimage will take place on Saturday 14th May for the age group of 17 to 25 years. If you would like to take part in the Pilgrimage you are invited to call 0879880690
Lough Ree Golfing Society
The first outing of the society for 2016 is to Co Longford Golf Course on Wednesday the 30 March.
The tee is booked from 11.30 to 12.30 and as usual be there at least half an hour beforehand to ensure a smooth start to the day. The AGM for 2016 will be held immediately after the golf. Longford Golf course is in very good condition and an enjoyable day’s golf is guaranteed. A big turnout is expected, so book early on the time sheet by texting Frank at: 0879730611.
Dates for your diary: Co Longford Golf Club, Wednesday 30th March, 11.30am to 12.30pm. Castle Barna Golf Club, Wednesday 1st June 11.30am to 12.30pm. Portumna Golf Club Wednesday 13th July 11.30am to 12.30pm. Moate Golf Club Friday 26th August, 11.30am to 12.30pm. Birr Golf Club Wednesday 21st September 11.30am to 12.30pm. Strokestown Golf Club Saturday, 15th October, 10.30am to 11.30am
Posters
Sadly, I have to relate that only one of the posters has been taken away on the Longford road since last week. As we are going into Easter week and many people will be winding their way home and the last thing they and we want to see are election posters still up almost four weeks after the election.
1916 Remembrance Garden to be unveiled in Ballyleague on Easter Monday
To mark the centenary of the rising in 1916, the Ballyleague Village Renewal committee has teamed up with young people from the local community and Ardagh garden landscaper Brendan Farrell to create a special remembrance garden on the banks of the Shannon.
The garden is located beside the Waterways Ireland marina and the tennis courts in Ballyleague and features seven trees dedicated to the signatories of the 1916 proclamation and planted by local students & and one of their teachers.
The remembrance garden also includes a mixed species Irish hedge, a granite piece of stone with the proclamation on it and a new flag pole with a tri-colour. The garden was designed and created by the voluntary members of Ballyleague village renewal and tidy towns committee under the professional supervision of Brendan Farrell, Ardagh Landscapes and will be officially unveiled by the chairman of Roscommon county council Councillor Paddy Kilduff at 1.30pm on Easter Monday. All local residents from Ballyleague and Lanesborough are invited to attend.
“The garden of remembrance is an important project for the community on two fronts ” says James Hudson, Chairman of Ballyleague Village Renewal, “not only will it be a fitting commemoration of the events of Easter 1916 and the signatories of the proclamation in the GPO but it will also enhance our riverside park’s ongoing biodiversity program – a program which many of these young children have already invested their time heavily in after planting daffodil bulbs throughout the park last November.”
The remembrance garden was created with funding support received from Roscommon County Council under the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. The daffodil planting was supported by Casey’s Centra of Circular Road Roscommon.
The trees were planted by the following students who shared some of the names of the signatories with the name of the patriot to whom it was dedicated listed firstly: Thomas J. Clarke: Bryan THOMAS Mullooly of Ballyleague National School Junior Tidy Towns Team. Seán Mac Diarmada: Oisin MAC DERMOTT of Ballyleague National School Junior Tidy Towns Team. Thomas Mac Donagh: Kayleigh MC DONAGH of Lanesborough Community College. Padraig H. Pearse: PADRAIG Sorohan of Lanesborough Community College. Éamonn Ceannt: Fergal EAMON Mc Elgunn, teacher at Lanesborough Community College. James Connolly: JAMES Mimnagh: Ballyleague National School Junior Tidy Towns Team: Joseph Plunkett: Joey JOSEPH Trimble of Ballyleague National School Junior Tidy Towns Team.
Rathcline GAA
Cards on Friday – The tradition of the good Friday Card Drive lives on with the Game taking place in the Parish hall on Good Friday from 9pm. This game has been an institution in the parish since it was first started by Denis Connerton and Thomas Donohoe, The Green, and they were very young men at that time. Come along have a great night of card playing and perhaps you will take home the winner’s prize.
Tickets for those of you not playing are on sale locally, from executive and organisers of the night or from O’Brien’s. There will be a draw for non card playing supporters and the club would deeply appreciate your full support. Tickets and entry is only €5.
Defibrillator course – Training will commence soon and the club urges members from the senior and minor clubs as a matter of urgency to sign up for the new training course and also for the new course and also those that need recertification to sign up. Booking your place for either course can be done with Martina O’Brien at the shop 3321107. Please do so immediately as this is a much needed safety requirement for the club
The senior team made their debut back into the leader Cup after many years’ absence when they took on Carrickedmond in Clonbonny. Unfortunately for us we did not get the rub of the green as we missed some glorious chances that would have seen us emerge victorious. However, it was a great performance by a very young side – many changes from the Intermediate champions of only a few months back. It was great to see the young players perform so admirably and we look to them upping their performances from game to game and going from strength to strength.
On Saturday next at 5.30pm our Reserve League 2 team will have a home game in Clonbonny when they take on St. Columba’s Mullinalaghta. Come along and support the team, and play your part in the support of your club Rathcline. On Saturday week 2nd April we make the short journey for the next round of the Reserve League when we travel to Killashee with a throw in at 7pm.
On Easter Monday 28th our U14 Div. 3 team will take to the field in Clonbonny for their 1st round game when they take on Longford Slashers at 3pm. On Friday 1st April our U14 Div. 1 team will take on St. Patrick Óg in Dunbeggan.
Our minors on Friday 1st April will travel to Allen Park Newtownforbes to play Clonguish Óg in the Special Minor Leagues at 7pm.6
Membership is immediately due from all players and also from intending members. We have a narrow deadline for collection and everyone should make their membership to Peter Skelly, Denis Crinigan or Brendan Rhatigan immediately
50/50 Draw – Congratulations to in our 50/50 draw last Monday night. A reminder that the 50/50 draw takes place every Monday night at 9pm and envelopes are available in all local businesses for only €2. This draw is one of our main sources of income which helps run the club so we would be grateful for your generous support.
DVDs of Variety Show – DVDs of our recent variety show are available now in O’Brien’s for €10. We had great feedback about the show from so many who attended on the night so if you want to see the show again or for the first time now’s your chance to get your hands on the DVD.