Lanesboro Ballyleague
Time is Running Out
Have you signed up for the defibrillator training yet? It is very important as many as possible get trained in the use of the defibrillator and it is also important that those due for recertification also sign up for recertification. Time is running out to put your name down for the new course that will be starting in the immediate future. Names are also being taken for recertification course.
As many people from the multitude of groups, clubs and associations are asked 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 within your group. 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 a booking for the new course or recertification please contact Martina O’Brien in the shop or phone 3321107
The Green – A living History
I received the following email from David ross in New York following last week’s item on the Green and in particular Jim Burke – Greetings from New York. Just read the Lanesboro notes and the Green a Living History. You mentioned Jim Burke in number 50 with no more details. Jim Burke was a native of Toome Ballymahon and resided in number 50 for a time together with his Ethna nee O’ Neill from Legan together with sons Pat and Seamus. The Burkes emigrated to New York in the early sixties and settled in the Bronx. Sadly, Jim passed away late last year at his home in Pennsylvania. Jim used to talk fondly of his time spent on the Green. Thanks for your information David.
I also received an email from Mary Farrell formerly of Ballyleague and she offered the following on the Green. It’s very interesting. I remember so many well Pat Bannon’s wife Kay No 35 was born in Austria. I never heard how she came to be brought up in Dublin. You don’t question those things when young but looking back it was probably a result of second World War
In last week’s update I omitted in No 50 Mr and Mrs Tom Fallon who were resident there between 1969 and 1970. In No 51 I have the name Pete Nolan and I am unsure if this was the same Nolan family that lived in No 17. Martin and Kathleen Beirne were first into this house as far as I can ascertain. They moved to Ballyleague before moving onto Mayo and their children born on the Green were Leo, James, Mary and Thomas who was born while living on the Green, Bernie was not born until after they moved to Ballyleague They were followed by Paddy and Mrs. Keaveney and their family, Beryl, Cecil and Olive who moved up from 25. The next into 51was Frank and Maura Mc Donnell and their family Francis, Josephine, Veronica and Yvonne. They were followed by Farmer family, the next to inhabit the house was a King family who moved to Tullyvrane with Mrs. Kathleen Greene and the present inhabitant is her son Michael. In No 52 I have just one family Martin and Mrs Brophy and their family Pauline, Mary Frances, Rose Ann and Catherine. The next owners were Pauline Brophy and her husband Seamus Carberry. In No53 there was Paddy and Mrs. Mulcahy from Limerick and their family Michael, Mairéad, Nora, Marie and Patrick. The Mulcahy family was followed by Jim and Mrs. Murphy and their family, Liam, John, Gerry, Timmy, Michael and Mary and the next family was John and Lena Collins and their daughter Anne.
Can I Help? Yes, you can
If you cannot make it home to the Monster Greyhound Night, then you can contribute by buying the ‘Buster tickets’
Buster Tickets cost only €2 each and you can buy tickets, €10 or €20 or greater denominations by forwarding your money to Teresa Ormsby, Chairperson, c/o Clarke’s Bar, Joe O’Brien, Secretary, Corner Shop or James Flaherty, Treasurer, Lehery, Lanesboro. For your contribution you may be the lucky winner of the 1st prize of €400. The ‘Buster’ is a ticket with all combinations of the finishing order of a selected race on the night and it may be you.
The aim of the Lough Ree Monster Festival group is to promote Lanesboro/Ballyleague as a tourist destination by attracting visitors to our town. This Festival gives us a unique opportunity to showcase, our people, the River Shannon which runs through the town, dividing Lanesboro and Ballyleague, Longford and Roscommon, Leinster and Connaught and the diocese of Elphin from Ardagh and Clonmacnois – but not us.
We are very proud of our community and twin towns and hope that visitors will come to appreciate it as much as we do.
Debut Play
Language of the Mute is the debut play for local man Jack Harte and it got widespread acclaim when it was staged in Dublin. The play is a strong and commanding portrayal of how unscrupulous people use their charm to shatter lives. This is a hugely powerful play and it is one that must not be missed under any circumstances. Be prepared to be moved, this is a compelling play. Tickets are priced at €16 or €14 for senior students and students.
The play will take place in the Backstage theatre Longford on Thursday 12th May at 8pm. Booking can be made at the theatre or by phoning 043-3347888
Be involved in the Lough Ree Monster Festival
Come along and be part of a growing number involving themselves in the Lough Ree Monster Festival. There are many proposals and suggestions being made to the group and we would love to hear your thoughts and vies in making the Festival to best thing ever to hit not only the community but the entire general area. The festival is starting to take shape and the group would love to have new faces and fresh ideas to those already being debated. The next meeting will take place on this Wednesday 13th April in Sorohan’s Lifebelt bar at 9pm.
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.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place Monday night last 5th April in Clarke’s Bar and the winner of the draw was Tom Hogan, Ballygar. Tom was the lucky winner of rising jackpot of €443. As you may have noticed the weekly prizemoney in the rise and club encourages greater support as they hope in the very near future to have the prize weekly at €500 and more. It is down to your support and club is deeply grateful to everyone that continues to support the draw weekly. The next draw takes place on Monday 11th April in the Yacht Bar.
Death
In the Sacred Heart Home, Roscommon, on Saturday 9th April the death occurred peacefully of Kathleen Reilly, Ballyclare Court and formerly of Rathcline Road. Kathleen was predeceased by her two husbands John Sweeney and Tom Reilly. Kathleen was a quiet and private lady. She was an avid bridge player where she developed great friendships. Kathleen’s remains reposed in the Sacred Heart Nursing Home Chapel on Monday to St. Mary’s Church Lanesboro where she received a guard of honour from her fellow bridge players. On Tuesday she was laid to rest to rest alongside Tom Reilly in Clonbonny following her Funeral Mass. To her daughter Teresa, sons Peter and Alan, brother Michael, sisters Imelda and Bridie relatives and many friends we extend our deepest sympathy.
Weekly Library events
Knitting & Crochet group continues on Monday 25th April 2-4pm. All welcome!
ESOL Class continues on Tuesday 26th April 7-9pm.
Book Club will meet on Friday 29th April at 11am where the book for discussion will be ‘Miss Emily’ by Nuala O’Connor. All welcome to come along for a chat and a cuppa!
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.
Rathcline Ladies
The U16 team play Slashers in Clonbonny on Tuesday evening at 7.30 and the senior team will travel to Edgeworthstown on Sunday with ta 11.30am thrown in against Mostrim.
Irish class for executive member – it is widely rumoured following the Longford trip to Drogheda that the club is proposing holding Irish classes for one executive member as they were seen coming out the wrong door!!!!
Canoe for Charity
We have often heard the tune, made famous by Finbar Furey, The Lonesome Boatman, well we will soon have our own version only that it will be the Lonesome Canoe man when local man Junior Hannon will undertake the mammoth canoe from the bridge all the way to Limerick City commencing on Friday 27th May. Junior is about to fulfil a burning ambition when he will undertake the mammoth canoe from Lanesboro to Limerick Junior all in the great cause of raising funds for the Irish Cancer Society. This huge paddle deserves everyone’s support and sponsorship cards are available locally and in O’Brien’s and I encourage everyone to contribute towards a wonderful cause. Let’s give Junior some great support for this huge undertaking for the Irish Cancer Society.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The Ardagh and Clonmacnois Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from Friday 27th May to Wednesday 1st June. The Pilgrimage will be under the leadership of Most Rev. Francis Duffy, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. The Pilgrimage director is Monsignor Bernard Noonan and the special section for the Sick is dealt with by Rev. Michael Scanlon. Flights are from Knock airport under the direction of Joe Walsh Tours, 143 Lr. Baggot St., Dublin 2 and you can also contact them by phoning 01-2410812 or 01-2410811.
24/7 Care Service
Are you in need of a break from caring in the home? Do you need extra care helping? If so RSG 24/7 Care Service, a long established, Not for Profit Provider can give you professional help at a low cost. All aspects of care are catered for and packages are tailored to meet your needs. Staff are fully trained and Garda Vetted. Phone 090 66 25852 or email rsgcil@eircom.net or visit the website www.rosdisabilities.ie
The Care Service is seeking volunteers to help with the service and if you would like to or can give an hour or two of your time contact Margaret Bourke, Rathcline Road for information.
80’s Disco
Roll back the years to the 1980’s with Cloontuskert NS with an 80’s Disco in St Faithleach’s Club House on SATURDAY night the 23rd of April. Ten till late…Fancy Dress Optional. Spot prizes on the night. Party Games.
Quiz Thanks: A big thank you to everybody who came to our annual Tidy Town table quiz on Friday night last. We acknowledge with gratitude, our neighbours and friends in St Faithleach’s clubhouse who provided the venue (as usual!) and an excellent quiz master, and all those who sponsored the spot prizes. Just like other/all community groups and charities. It is your generosity that helps us to continue to make Ballyleague an even nicer place to drive through. Or better still, to live in! Thanks again.
Salmons Lane: Working with local residents we have big plans for Salmons Lane over the coming weeks. This beautiful area will see a new nature trail developed with interpretative signage and seats. Our thanks to everyone who came out last Saturday for a litter pick in the area. Special thanks to the children from Cloontuskert Junior Tidy Towns who played their part so well. More details on the new Salmons Lane marked nature walk here soon.
Very Important Meeting
As you may know a representative of the National Parks and Wildlife service has visited the hot water stretch at Lanesborough in the last ten days and discussed with us various proposals for remedial work to be carried out there and a management plan to be put in place for the future removal of Asian clams from the site.
The ongoing damage being caused to the fishery and angling tourism in the area was also discussed and has now been raised at the highest level in the ongoing Government negotiations. An economic assessment of the damage is also underway.
To discuss these urgent matters further and put a management plan in place we are now calling a meeting of all agencies and parties involved in the situation together with public representatives.
The meeting will take place in St Mary’s Hall, Lanesborough on Monday April 25th at 2pm.
It is critical that you and your organisation be represented at this meeting.
Looking forward to meeting you on the day and updating you on the next stage of our urgent work
Lough Ree AC
The new Athlone Indoor Arena was the venue on Sunday for a friendly competition between clubs from Leitrim, Longford and Roscommon. First impressions from the venue were that all the athletes seemed to enjoy themselves at the indoor facility. Roscommon County Board who hosted the competition accepted entries from Longford and Leitrim athletes who were anxious for competition. Indeed, the club was somewhat disappointed with the turnout of our under 9 and 10 brigade.
However, our under 11’s did us proud. Man of the match or star of the day has to be Josh Crawford. He won gold in Under 11 javelin from ten competitors and a bronze in the long jump where 15 were involved. This writer saw a good throw in the javelin, went over to the competition which was finishing to see who the thrower was, got the information from the results only to find that he was beaten into second place by our local star Josh. He was not the only one whose rose to the occasion. Aoife Kennelly who wasn’t as fit as she would have wished secured silver in the javelin and bronze in the sprint. Likewise, Cormac O’Dowd was third in his heat and third in the final of the sprint competition in an exciting finish. It was a big occasion for Timmy Gill and Ryan Mimnagh who competed in a championship for the first time. Well done to also to Owen Cox and Ruairi Carling who acquitted themselves well but just finished outside of the medals. Many thanks to Joe and Karl for their help on the day.
The club extends condolences to Noel Henry and his family on the death of his wife Nano. For those of you who don’t remember Noel, he ran from the GPO in Dublin to The Anchor Hotel, Ballyleague and a plaque there marks this wonderful achievement.
Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club
Last Thursday a number of experienced divers and snorkelers surveyed the Turlough in Rathcline. They cleared debris from around the swallow holes in what was excellent visibility. Hopefully this will solve the problem and allow the Turlough to drain away.
Ten divers went to Mullaghmore on Sunday last which was the first sea dive for some of the trainees. Good visibility made up for the cold!! Two good dives were recorded.
On Friday night next the Harvest Festival quiz takes place in The Chestnut Tree in Killashee. Club members are urged to support and encourage friends and family to come along too. Proceeds from the night go to St. Christopher’s and the club.
Training continues on Thursday. The next dive is in Achill on 30th April and Paula is organising accommodation. More details later.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Senior League O’Gara Cup: St. Faithleach’s 1-11 Michael Glavey’s 2-15. Team: Alan Manning, Brain Scally, Cathal Gunn, Mikey Cox, Declan McCormack, Damien Gibbons, David Harrison, David Rooney (0-3), Henry Kenny, Kevin Farrell, Brian Murtagh (0-1) John Walsh, Darragh Hussey (0-1), Alan Kenny, Ciarán Murtagh (1-6). Subs: Daniel Foley, Derek Murray, Shane Phillips.
Minor League D1: St Faithleach’s 0-9 St. Brigid’s 6-11. Team: M. O’Donnell, M. Gill, C. Mangan, K. Nerney, G. Carberry, L. Parker, R. Guinan, D. Cox, D. Nerney, C. Smith, D. Foley, J. Browne, L. Ormsby, J. Donlon, S. Walsh. Subs: C. O Brien, N. McGovern, I. Trautt, R. Trimble, Evan Tynan, K. Trautt.
U16 Girls Championship D: St. Faithleach’s were beaten in the semi-final by Padraig Pearses. Result St. Faithleach’s 2-8 Padraig Pearses 3-11. Team Hannah Barry, Maire Kelly, Clare Curley, Sarah Hoare, Jennifer Brennan, Kate McPhillips, Keeley Byrne, Sarah Scally, Jillian Banahan, Ellen Irwin, Maeve Hickey, Chloe Hussey. The girls would like to take this opportunity to thank the management team of Noel Banahan, Jimmy Brennan, Emma Kenny and Vivienne Barry.
U14 Boys League D3: Result: St. Faithleach’s 6-10, Western Gaels 2-6, Team: T. Ryan, M. Silva, E Kelly, JP O’Reilly, D Kilcoyne, F Dunne, A Glennon, C. Glennon, J Murray, J Tucker, D Cullen, L Kilcoyne, C Gannon. Subs: S Cox.
U12 Boys League D: St. Faithleach’s 8-11 St. Aidans 5-9. Team: Raymond Glennon, Francis Dunne (1-1), Fergal Reynolds, Shane Cox, Eoin Kelly (1-0), Sean Rohan, Lee Kilcoyne (2-4), Mikey O’Brien, Conor Gannon (2-5), Evan Farrell, Ryan Byrne (0-1), Conor Betts (2-0), Darragh Walsh. Subs: Sean Kelly for Shane Cox, Conor Ryan for Fergal Reynolds, Jack McGloin for Conor Gannon, Bryan Mullooly for Darragh Walsh.
U12 Girls League: St. Faithleach’s played at home on Sunday with a score line of 5-3 to Kilbride’s 5-14. Team: Orla Cox (0-1) Amy Cox, Amy Gallagher, Hannah Burke, Victoria Jedyeck (1-0), Katie Murray (3-1), Abbie Donoghue, Katie Rohan, Louisa Cox. Subs Ellen Kelly (1-0), Katie Ryan (0-1).
Health and Well-being: Our Health and Well-being officer organised a Drug and Alcohol Awareness Night in the Clubhouse last Thursday evening. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Gillian Conway from the Western Region Drug Task force for taking the time to facilitate the talk and for giving our members an insight into the culture and dangers around alcohol and drug abuse. We at St. Faithleach’s are very aware not just as a GAA Club but as part of the wider community of the problems that can occur and we are committed to ensuring our members wellbeing. Our Health and Well-being officer Brendan Healy, and Children’s Liaison officer James Quigley are available at all times for support, and advice in the strictest confidence and more support and help is available on www.supportme.ie .
Cards: Last week’s winners Dan/ Gerry, second Kathleen /Annie, last game Sean /Michael. Cards continue every Tuesday night in the Clubhouse at 9pm.
Fit Kid Camp: St. Faithleach’s GAA Fit Kid Camp is taking place on August 8th. Registration Night is May 6th at 8pm in the Clubhouse. Due to demand please note that it first come, first serve basis. All gear will be available on the night to book individual sizes. More information in the weeks to come.
La na gClubanna: Sunday May 8th is national club day and St. Faithleach’s is holding a club day from 4pm. La na gClubanna is about celebrating our club, our people and our community. All are welcome and invited to attend and with plenty of activities, stalls /booths and a BBQ, there is something to suit everyone. A short meeting will be held on Thursday 21st at 8:30pm in the Clubhouse for all managers to discuss the event.
Rathcline GAA
Our senior team had an off evening on Wednesday night last when they took on Abbeylara in Clonbonny. Abbeylara beaten county finalist just had that extra bit of experience that caused our undoing. However, we will put Wednesday night down to a great learning experience and we will train harder for our next senior challenge when we travel to Mullinalaghta on Saturday evening next for a 7pm throw in.
On Saturday night last one of the best plays to come to St. Mary’s Parish Hall in a long time played to a moderate attendance. Although a good number of tickets were sold it did not materialise in bums on seats. However, those that attended had a wonderful night. The club would like to thank the ladies club for sponsoring the prizes on the night.
50/50 – The 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last and Sean Collins, Kilrooskey was the lucky winner of €357. The blue envelopes can be bought locally and they cost only €2. Alternatively you can make a yearly subscription for €100. Contact any executive member or pick up your pink envelope in O’Brien’s.
The fabulous Brave Giant will play St. Mary’s Hall on Saturday 7th May. This is one of the most promising bands in Ireland and it will be without doubt be a fabulous night for the younger generation – well the younger generation than this writer.
Preparations for Lá na gClub that takes place on Sunday 8th May are well progressed and more details will be forthcoming shortly.
The Shannon Gaels minor club would like to thank everyone that turned out today to walk in the Longford GAA commemoration parade. It was great to see our young club, mentors and parents turning out to be part of this special day.
There will be an U10 blitz on this Wednesday evening in Clonbonny. We look forward to every under 10 player being at the pitch and that all parents and club supporters will go along to view and encourage the very future of our club.
Well done to the Western Gaels Minor team reaching the Special Minor League final on Friday night last when they defeated a hotly fancied Ardagh side.
The following are the fixtures for the club: Seniors; Saturday next 23rd April away to Mullinalaghta at 7pm and on Saturday 30th May the seniors are home to Granard in Clonbonny at 7pm. On Tuesday 20th our U14 Div.1 team will travel to Granard to play Granard/ Ballymore at 6pm and on Tuesday 26th they will entertain Slashers in Dunbeggan. On Thursday this week our U16 team have a bye and the following Thursday 28th they will entertain Carrick/Sarsfields in Clonbonny.
Ballyleague Village Renewal
Ballyleague Village Renewal set out plans for 2017
The Annual General Meeting of the Ballyleague Village Renewal and Tidy Towns committee took place in St Faithleach’s GAA clubhouse on Monday night April 11th. The meeting was well attended and the special guest speaker was Eugene Murphy TD who gave a very interesting talk. Chairman James Hudson gave the meeting a comprehensive outline of the events of the last 3 years and spoke of the highlight – the official opening of the new Ballyleague Riverside park, Promenade and Quayside Wall. The meeting was given an update on several ongoing projects with a few special progress reports. Gerry Trimble reported that the Roscommon approach road project was at an advanced planning stage. Work on safety issues had already started with the removal of a large road sign that was causing difficulties for motorists emerging from the Line road onto the main road. A petition of local residents highlighting concerns over speeding on the road has been handed into the county council and Councillor Orla Leyden and Councillor Kathleen Shanagher were working with the local engineer John Mochler to try and proceed with a pedestrian trail into the village. While we would have to wait for clearance from the TTI (formerly the National Roads Authority) Gerry said work would start on other green areas near Clonadra hill very shortly and he will give regular updates in a newsletter to residents in the Clonadra area soon. Ciaran Mullooly gave an update on the committee’s plans to resurface a wall with stone and plaster adjacent to the derelict filling station. This project will start on Tuesday May 3rd and continue for four weeks.
The committee has started another project in conjunction with the residents of Salmons Lane and pupils of Ballyleague National school to introduce a way-marked interpretative nature walk down Salmons Lane. The committee has engaged wildlife expert Michael Bell for this project and Michael has already visited the area three times with members of Ballyleague Junior Tidy Towns committee. The next stage of the project will be the installation of signage and benches along the lane with information on the bird life, wildlife and flora and fauna of the area.
The committee continues to work with Waterways Ireland on the development of the North Harbour and quay wall area. 100,000 Euro has been spent there in the last 12 months – putting in a new amenity area – after meetings between our committee chairman and WI engineers. The finished product is exceptional. Arising from some concerns expressed by members of our committee and local residents the little garden and play area at the quayside wall will be completed with a safety fence in the coming weeks to ensure the safety of all children using this area. In the meantime, the play area will be sealed off and is not open to children.
The following committee was elected at the AGM: Chairman: James Hudson. Vice Chairman: Gerry Trimble. Secretary: Margaret Thompson. Assistant Secretary: Alan Horohoe. Treasurer: JP Kilcline. Assistant Treasurer: Joe Cribbin. PRO: Ciaran Mullooly. Assistant PRO Fr John McManus
The committee will step up its weekly voluntary work now as the annual judging of the tidy towns competition approaches. Local residents are asked to play their part by cutting grass and painting walls or trimming hedges in front of their homes. The committee welcomes volunteers to help do the weekly litter picks and other work when we meet at 7pm every Wednesday evening and 10.30am every Saturday. The meeting point is normally beside the Thatch in Ballyleague. Please come along if you can spare an hour to make the village look even better. For more information, email keepballyleaguetidy@gmail.com
Table Quiz: The Lough Ree Lanesborough angling hub will hold its next fundraising table quiz on Friday night May 6th in Clarkes Bar, Lanesborough at 9.30pm. Teams of four people for 40 Euro. Your support would be appreciated. Lots of prizes and good craic on the night. Our quiz master Eamon Bolger is ready to test you all again and will surely have some more music rounds too!!
All funds raised will help us to promote and market the area at home and abroad in advance of these major events which are taking place in the area this year:
June Bank Holiday weekend : June 3-6th: 3 day International Coarse Fishing Competition here at Hot water stretch, Kilnacarrow bridge and Lough na Blaithi in Strokestown – Entries now open. July 2/3: Qualifying event No 1 from Ballyleague marina for places on the Irish team to take part in World Predator Boat championships here in October. August 6/7: Qualifying event No 2 at Ballyleague Marina for places on the Irish team to take part in World Predator Boat championships here in October. September: All Ireland Boat Championship here on Lough Ree on a date to be confirmed. October 5-10: World Predator Boat Fishing Championships with 200 competitors from 15 countries coming here for 6 days and 5 nights.
It is now expected that local angling clubs will also hold additional Pike competition events between June and September
October 7/8 : Lakelands International Food & Craft Festival at the Marquee in Lanesborough Car park
2016 is a major year for the regeneration of angling tourism locally with new accommodation and boat hire now required.
The angling hub will work with all the businesses in the area in the coming weeks to devise a strategy to realise the full potential of these fishing events for years to come. This week the hub had a stand promoting the area at a Blueways Ireland event in Carrick-on-Shannon and the hub will continue to do this work – not only for the angling sector. A special event for traders of the town is planned in the coming weeks . Liam Sweeney now operates the angling hub office in the old Health Centre opposite Sorohan’s in Ballyleague and he can be contacted there every day from 10am to 5pm
If you would like to take part in the Food Festival or any of the other initiatives please contact Hugh Keane at 087 1010032 or e mail : loughreeanglinghub@gmail.com
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