Lanesboro Ballyleague
Festival Weekend
I am at a loss as to how to describe the past weekend in Lanesboro and Ballyleague. The best I can offer for those that were unfortunate enough now able to join us for the weekend is to think of a beautiful evening filled with warmth and comfort and you in the place you dream only about. I do not know if that can adequately describe our weekend and the feel good factor but Lanesboro was most definitely the place to be from the start on Thursday evening to the finish on Sunday evening.
For a number of days, the teams taking part in the World Predator Boat Fishing Championship were arriving in town to begin their practicing on the Shannon and Lough Ree in preparation for the Fishing Championships that were taking place over the weekend. By Thursday it was truly the cosmopolitan town that we see throughout the summer when people on boats arrive in town from all over the world as they cruise the Shannon. We had 17 countries taking part in the World Predator Boat Fishing Championships and they were accompanied by back up teams.
The committee under the guidance of Ciaran Mullooly decided to add a Taste of the Lakelands to the weekend event as the fishing and weighing would be taking place on the water hence no opportunity to see the fish caught. It was a flight into the unknown for the committee but they set to their task diligently and with a great confidence that the event would succeed.
The events kicked off on Thursday evening with a Mardi Gras style parade through the town and over the bridge to Ballyleague before returning to the car park were light refreshments were served. The parade began from Lanesboro Community College and it was led by the Garda Band and followed by schoolchildren from the local and surrounding Primary Schools, several inflatable monsters interspersed through the parade, Longford Ladies All-Ireland winning team, teams from St. Faithleach’s and Shannon Gaels who recently won county championships and the 17 participating countries. It was truly a fabulous and heart-warming sight that created wonderful excitement for the huge crowd that lined the streets from start to finish.
Friday began with the boats going out for the World Fishing Trials before the Taste of the Lakelands took off at 11am when many Primary Schools availed of the opportunity to have their students educated in bread making. At 2.30pm the Official Opening took place with the World Predator Boat Fishing Championships being opened by local Independent TD Denis Naughten, Minister for the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment. His Government colleague Shane Ross, TD Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport officially opened the Taste of the Lakelands. Events were now in full swing with the Business to Business seminar taking place before the hugely popular and personable chef at Viewmount House Longford, columnist with the Irish Times and TV Chef Gary O’Hanlon performed a live food demonstration. Friday night came to a wonderful finish commencing with the Roscommon Solstice Choir followed by the eagerly awaited Bake Off between the ICA ladies of Longford and Roscommon and the event was compered by the witty and humorous Joe Flaherty who did a wonderful job. The Longford and Roscommon Rose of Tralee contestants Caroline Doyle and Aisling O’Neill were also part of this excellent show as was Edward Hayden, celebrity chef who proved to be aa big hit especially with the banter between himself and Joe Flaherty.
Saturday started with day 1 of the World Predator Boat Fishing Championships followed by the continuation of the Food Festival. Were we prepared for the day it turned out to be? It was expected that the attendance would top in and around 3,000 but lo and behold the crowd practically doubled what was expect. Almost 6,000 arrived to the Food fair and it was a most remarkable day in the tented village in the car park. Local chefs Stephen Dowd and Paul Horohoe individually regaled the big crowd with excellent demonstrations. TV Chef Kevin Dundon came on stage from 2 to 4 but the massive crowd filled the marquee to capacity for the demonstration of our very own Kieran Glennon. Kieran is head chef at Ireland’s only 2 star Michelin Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud’s in Dublin. An emotional Kieran did not disappoint and the massive crowd went away delighted. To have all the famous chefs here was a wonderful achievement for the committee but to have the leading chef being one of our own is very very special and a reason to be very proud of Kieran’s achievements.
Sunday began with day 2 of the World Predator Boat Fishing Championships and a very important day it would be as at the end of fishing the World Predator Boat Fishing champions would be crowned. The events in the afternoon were for the young and young at heart with The Blueway Blowout featuring Kayaking with Junior Hannon, Angling coaching for children, Zorbing Ice Cream Sunday Children’s Party and a special Wake Boarding display by John Tully, Nicolette Spellic and Padraig Jordan.
The day was brought to its closure with a Gala Dinner for the competitors of the World Fishing Championships. It was a Super Sunday for the Ukrainian team when they were crowned World Predator Boat Fishing champions and they were followed in second place by Belarus and in third place Lithuania. We congratulate all the 17 team and we hope that they had a great time on their trip to Lanesboro and we look forward to welcoming them back in a private capacity in time to come.
When the good Lord smiles on you you know things will not only be good but great and this was the case this past week and weekend as practically from start to finish the weather was truly magnificent. When one considers that throughout the summer holiday months there was wind and rain and indeed a number of times boats could not even cross the lake such was the strength of the wind and here in the off season we get remarkable weather that benefitted the community of Lanesboro and Ballyleague greatly.
Finally, I would like to echo the comments of so many people in the shop throughout the weekend about how beautiful our community looked and how welcoming it was. To the committee, their helpers and the excellent stewards, you make people very happy and you have every reason to be proud.
I cannot believe it!
Having just recorded in the article above a most wonderful occasion in our community last weekend and the community spirit it evoked. I could not believe my eyes when I received the notice of the failure to appoint a committee at the recent Community Games AGM.
Why oh why are parents not involving themselves in the local community games committee and off their children the opportunity to compete in a discipline they are best suited to and nobody but parents and teachers know the interests and quality of their children.
The Community Games gives each child the opportunity to display their full range of abilities and parents and people interested in Community Games should be helping to continue the excellent record Lanesboro has in local, county and national Community Games.
The Community gives young people the opportunity to excel in one of the following events
Art, Ball Throw, Cross Country, Cycling, Discus, Duathlon, Gymnastics, Handwriting, High Jump, Hurdles, Individual Athletics, Javelin, Judo, Long Jump, Long Puck, Model Making,
Solo Talent, Shot Putt, Swimming, Badminton, Camogie, Chess, Choir, Culture Corner, Debating, Draughts, Futsal, Gaelic Football, , Group Dance – Irish Contemporary, Group Dance – Modern Disco, Group Music, Group Singing, , Hurling, Marathon, Mixed Distance Relay, Pitch and Putt, Project, Relay, Rounders, Rugby, Skittles, Soccer Outdoor, Soccer Indoor, Spikeball, Swimming, Table Tennis and Quiz. The children of this community must have excellent skills in at least one of the above events and it would be a great shame to deprive them and their friends of not competing.
The reconvened AGM will take place in St. Mary’s Hall on Monday next 17th October at 9pm.
The Community Games cannot proceed without the support of parents.
Lough Ree Golfing Society
The final outing of 2016 will be held at Strokestown Golf Club on Friday the 14 October. We are hoping to have a shotgun start at 11 am. Please arrive before 10.30 to ensure all goes smoothly.
Afterwards we will have the presentation of prizes, including Golfer of the Year, and this will be followed by the AGM, which will include the election of the new committee for 2017.
The winner of the 2016 Golfer of the year is John James O’Shea with 23 GOY points. Close behind were Jackie McDonnell on 20 GOY points and Tony Gavigan on 17 GOY points.
Congratulations John James and well done.
Hopefully all members will be able to attend the AGM. Members input is very important and we will then look forward to another successful year for the Society.
Whist Drive
The usual Whist Drive season will now commence on Friday night 4th November in St. Mary’s Hall. The committee is looking forward to meeting all their usual patrons and many new players for the November beginning.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Lorna and Michal Cryan and their children Glenn and Melissa, Calry, Sligo on the tragic and untimely death of their son and brother Michael last week. Lorna is formerly Lorna Crooke from the Green and we extend our sympathies to her extended family.
Badminton Club
A meeting will be held for all members on Wednesday the 12th of October at 9pm in St. Mary’s Hall. All members are requested to please attend.
Birth
We would like to extend our congratulations to Ronan Casserley and Sarah Weis, Clonfower on the recent birth of a baby boy.
Brick building Lego Workshop
A workshop will take place in St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Saturday 22nd October from 11 to 1pm. The cost is €15 per child and for information you should phone 086-1700215
Parish Social Function
A parish social function will take place in St. Mary’s Hall from 8pm. The entire community is invited to come along and mark a special community occasion.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Goretti and Tom Conlon and family, Barnacor on the recent death of Goretti’s sister Carmel Costello, Ballyfarnon, Boyle.
50/50
On Monday 3rd October last the 50/50 draw took place in the Yacht Bar. The very winner of the €416 prize was Seamus Clarke, Gortgallon. The blue envelopes are on sale locally at local shops and from club members and they cost only €2 each. Alternatively, you can opt for the pink envelope for €100 and that has you in the draw for 52 weeks. Your support is only mighty and it is great to see that the jackpot is hovering over the €400 mark over the past few weeks; The club is deeply appreciative of your continued support.
Diary Date
The Lough Ree Community Resource Group is hosting a Christmas Fair on Sunday 4th December in the Co-Op hall. More from the Co-Op committee.
Community Employment Vacancies
2 positions of Personal Carer, 1 position of care attendant. Criteria qualifying age 21years and in receipt of welfare payment, Full accredited training will be provided.
Submit CV to Breda at the EDI Centre Longford or email to breda.coordinator@edilongford.ie For further information call 043 3347515
This week at our Library
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The result of the competition held on Wednesday 5th October are: N/S 1st Katherine Harrison and Philomena Walsh, 2nd Phil Chalmers and Cyril Hussey, 3rd Frances and Frank Brennan. E/W 1st Brid McDermott and Una Lawlor, 2nd Eileen Kelly and Una Clarke, 3rd Maureen Hynes and Patsy Canavan.
Lough Ree AC
On Tuesday 4th October we had our usual road run from Clonbonny at 6.00pm. We hope to continue with this until the time changes later in the month. Last week there were some new arrivals two of whom were teenagers a few decades ago and Nikita Attis, a Latvian youth living in Ballyleague but more about him later. As the weather continues to be kind to us, 16 youngsters improved their times for the trip. Nikita who was having his first run over the course this year joined Cian Walton as the only two athletes to have broken 8 minutes for the journey. Kieran O’Dowd who had the third fastest time would get the “Mr Consistency Award” if there was one! In his four outings to date his recorded times vary by only 10 seconds. Caoilinn Flood to date has the fastest time for the girls. All Welcome again on Tuesday at 6.00pm.
Primary Schools
The Roscommon Race Course was the venue for the Roscommon County Primary Schools Cross Country Championship on Wednesday last 5th October. It was lucky that this was the venue with the huge numbers that turned up. Indeed, one child on arriving at the race course asked the teacher if they were in Croke Park. Not surprising, as for most of the children it could have been their first visit to a race course. At the time of writing this full results are not available but we doubt that if any of the local schools finished in the first three teams. However, Nikita running for Ballyleague NS finished 5th in the Boys 5th/6th Class race and collected one of the individual medals on offer. This result may not cause some readers to sit up but when we add that 230 boys finished behind him with only 4 in front of him; it puts a different light on his performance. Well done Nikita, you did yourself and your school proud. Nikita was supported by Eoin Cox, Cloontuskert NS who finished well in the same race, in addition to two girl’s teams from Ballyleague. Compliments and thanks to the Roscommon Race Course Committee for making their wonderful facilities available and the 900 children who competed appreciated and enjoyed them too.
Lough Ree Athletic Club extends deepest sympathy to Lorna Cryan (formerly Crooke) on her recent sad bereavement. Lorna was a former member of the club and won an All-Ireland Schools Cross Country medal with the Convent of Mercy, Lanesboro.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Junior League: D6 Final Result: St. Faithleach’s 1-14 (17), Tulsk Lord Edwards 3-09 (18). Team; D. Thompson, J. Irwin, P. Brennan, M. Gill, J. Sweeney, D. Nerney, B. Scally, G. McGrath, M. Cox, J. Hussey, J. Quigley, S. Philips, A. Kenny, C. Gunn, B. Hussey. Subs: M. Fitzpatrick, J. Kelly, A. Brehon, P. Murray, D. Rooney.
U14 Boys Championship: D3 Final Result: St. Faithleach’s 6-14 Castlerea St. Kevin’s 9-05. Replay fixed for Sat 22nd time and venue TBC. Team: K. Mc Donagh, D. Kilcoyne, E. Kelly, J.P. O’Reilly, M. Silva, M. Cox, R. Klava, A. Glennon, J. Murray, J. O’Connor, C. Glennon, C. Gannon, J. Tucker, L. Kilcoyne, D. Cullen, F. Dunne, S. Cox, M. O’Brien.
U14 Girls Championship: D3A Final: Best of luck to our U14 Girls in the D3 Final which takes place on Saturday 15th against St. Croan’s time and venue TBC.
Mother’s and Others: Best of luck to our Mother’s and Others team as they take part in the National Mother’s and Others Blitz in Portmarnock on Saturday 15th.
Cards: Take place every Tuesday night in the clubhouse. Last week’s winners: Tom & Padraig, second Paddy & Mick, last game Kathleen & Annie.
Lotto: Numbers drawn 3,12,17,30. No jackpot winner (€12,000). €20 winners; Brendan & Emma Healy, Tressa Costello, Carmel O’Reilly, Theresa Collins, Maire McGann. Next draw 25/10/16. Team in charge Monica Connaughton, Mary Hussey, Qona Cox.