Lanesboro Ballyleague
Planning Permission sought for a Distillery
On Wednesday of last week, the news broke on the Longford Leader that there was planning permission being sought for a distillery to be situated in the former Kelly residence and the site of the old Post Office. The permission was being sought in the name of Blacksmith Ventures Ltd and the names behind this project are three local people, brothers Peter and Michael Clancy and their sister Sheila Mullen. They are children of Bernadette and the late Bart Clancy, Rathcline Road.
This is a momentous occasion for Lanesboro, it is the biggest thing that has come to Lanesboro since Bord na Mona and ESB back in the early 50’s. During building it is estimated that there will employment for 25 people and on completion 6 full time jobs rising to 20 within a few years. There will be an estimated 20,000 visitors a year coming to visit the Distillery and Lanesboro and Ballyleague will be huge beneficiaries from this huge injection of visitor’s year on year.
In his interview Peter Clancy said there was nowhere else in contention for this project but their home town. The Clancy family has a great allegiance to their native sod and visitor home on every opportunity.
A lot of investment, time and energy over the past three years has gone into the preparation of this planning permission and we look forward to it being a major business in Lanesboro for many years to come. Hopefully, it will be a catalyst for new entrepreneurs to look at Lanesboro and Ballyleague in a different light and see the positivity of developing further new business in the community.
The site was first built by a man called John Costello in 1805. The building was used as a general store, post office and a hotel/inn. Back then it was a busy place as the coaches travelling to and from Dublin and Mayo used it an overnight stop on the journey. Most of us will remember it as our local Post Office in the hands of the Kelly family before being bought by the Johnston family. An amazing feature of the 1901 census tells us that on the night of the census a great gran uncle of the Peter, Michael and Sheila was a resident of the building – how amazing is that?
The amount of goodwill the announcement has generated has been magnificent and everyone wished Peter, Michael and Sheila every success as indeed we do.
Be part of the Festival?
The Lough Ree Monster Festival is continuing to attract great interest and there is a very diversified programme taking shape. The committee has developed what they feel is a very interesting and international flavour to our Festival and one that will embrace all sections of the community. There is a great differential to many other festivals throughout the country and that is what the committee set out to achieve from the outset. If you feel you want to be part of the group or have an idea or ideas that you think should be included, then come along to the next meeting
The next meeting will take place in Adie’s Bar on Wednesday week 9th November at 9pm. It is a pattern of the meetings to have them every fortnight. So far we have some representation from Lanesboro, Cashel and Ballyleague and we would welcome more that feel they have something to offer to the committee and to the Lough Ree Monster
Dublin City Marathon
Last week I omitted Therese Hanly, Lehery who also took part in the Dublin City Marathon and we are sure that all her hard work paid off and her time was excellent. Facebook is a great source of information and when I opened it I say the face of Maggie Curley proudly showing off her medal on completion of the Dublin City Marathon. Well done to both on their performances.
Invest4Success this Thursday
I hope everyone has shared the below event with their family and friend and the evening will be a special occasion for all Lanesboro and Longford people this Thursday.
Longford County Council, in association with Cavan, Leitrim and Roscommon County Councils, Bord na Mona and ESB, is hosting an expo and seminar in Croke Park on Thursday 3rd November from 4.30pm – 8pm in the Hogan Suite of Croke Park Conference Centre. This unique event will bring together successful businesses from across the Upper Shannon Erne region to tell their story and spread the message that the region is open for business. It will provide an opportunity to promote our very own Lanesboro as well as Longford and highlight why it is an ideal location to set up business, invest and visit. Our target audience is the diaspora living and working in Dublin, Meath, Wicklow and Kildare.
Who may be interested in attending –
- Dublin, Meath, Wicklow and Kildare based diaspora
- Investors and corporates
- Businesses locating at diversifying, expanding or relocating
- Recruitment companies or businesses looking to recruit
- People looking for job opportunities or new business setups
- Tourists and tour operators
- Event organisers
For further information and to find out how to attend, please visit the Facebook page/event below: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/USEFEP/
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1608922439408296/
Marriage
The marriage took place at St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro on Saturday 22nd October of Deirdre O’Dowd, daughter of Margaret and the late Kevin O’Dowd, Barnacor and Dónal Rooney son of Dan and Noeleen Rooney, Longford. Matron of Honour was Marie O’Dowd, sister of the Bride and bridesmaid was Deirdre Murtagh friend of the Bride. Bestman was Liam Quinn friend of the Groom and Groomsman was James Callinan friend of the Groom.
Pageboys were Muiris O’Dowd nephew of the bride and Maidhe Ua Fearghail nephew of the Groom. Ring Bearers were Traolach and Tadgh O’Dowd nephews of the Bride. The marriage ceremony was celebrated by F. Michael Reilly assisted by Fr. Tom Healy Longford.
The wedding reception took place in Kilronan castle and we would like to wish the happy couple many years of wedded bliss.
Death
The death occurred on Tuesday 18th October at Costello’s Nursing Home, Ballyleague of Mrs. Norah Killian, Fermoyle. Norah was in failing health over the past number of years and she accepted it with exemplary patience, dignity and humility that characterised her so well. Norah was predeceased some years back by her husband Danny and daughter Anne. Norah had a wonderful disposition and her warmth and gentleness was something to behold. She was a lady that would always bring a warmth to your heart having crossed her path and her memory will long live in the memory of those of us that had the pleasure to know her. Her passing will leave us with a great emptiness but wonderful memories.
Norah reposed at the residence of her daughter Maeve before being removed to St. Mary’s Church Lanesboro on Wednesday. Her Funeral Mass took place on Thursday and was followed by interment in Clonbonny cemetery. To her daughters Maeve and Nora, relatives and many friends we extend our sincere sympathy
Midlands continues to bask in Glory
The past few weeks has been a wonderful advertisement for the midlands and the prospect of the distillery only heightens our expectations. When you are on a roll things seem to keep happening as can been seen if you are travelling with Aer Lingus where the current edition of its inflight magazine has a feature on Lough Ree and the midlands entitled Watery Wilds.
While it is brief in its content of Lanesboro and Ballyleague it makes for great reading and it surely will entice any reader to visit the area. As we are situated between the Wild Atlantic Way to the west and Ireland’s Ancient east to our east we are now being seen a discovery area as people travel from East to West and vice versa and discover our beauty throughout Lanesboro Ballyleague and the midriff of the country.
Historic Confirmation
For St John’s parish church and congregation Sunday 6th November will be a red lettered day as history will be made when for the first-time ever Confirmation will take place at St. John’s Church, Lanesboro. In a break with tradition of having the recipient of confirmation going to other churches this year three young local people will be history makers as they will be the first ever to be confirmed in St. John’s Church by Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh. The three young history makers are Ivan Johnston, son of Ronnie and Helen Johnston, Rathcline Road, Eabha Kenny, daughter of Tommy and Deirdre Kenny, Cloontuskert and Eva Van Opstal daughter of Richard and Irene Van Opstal. We wish the three-young people, their families and the congregation an excellent day on this very historic day.
Christmas Fair
The lough Ree community resource group is hosting an Christmas fair in the old convent school building on sun morn 4th December from 11am to 1pm. Santa and his good Mrs Claus will be in attendance to collect children’s wish letters along with a selection of stalls plus light refreshments will b served. Mrs Claus will have a small treat for the children. There is no cover charge or charge for Santa. Enquiries to Mags Gillen or Brigid Mullooly.
Danger Money in Lanesboro
Rathcline GAA club will host John Mc Manus written play Danger Money in St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Saturday 19th November with curtains up at 8.30pm. The play is described as a comedy with a dose of reality and a play not to be missed. Cavan man John Mc Manus writer of the acclaimed The Quare Land teams up once again with Seamus O’Rourke who plays Teddy (the Mucker) Tucker in a beautiful ‘close-up’ of Irish Rural Life. Tickets for this play are sure to sell fast and you are advised to book your tickets early. Tickets, priced €10 are on sale in O’Brien’s and selected outlets.
This week at the Library
Knitting & Crochet Group continues every Monday 2-4pm. All Welcome!
ESOL Class continues every Tuesday evening 7-10pm.
Art Classes with the very talented Nicolette Spelic will take place for six weeks starting on Monday next November 7th at 8pm. Contact the library to book your place on 043 332 1291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
German Class no 2 continues Wednesday evening 2nd November at 6.30pm.
Mind your Mental Health Workshop facilitated by Mental Health Ireland will take place in Lanesboro Library on Thursday 24th November 7-9.30pm. If you are interested in attending, you can leave your name in Johnston’s Pharmacy or in the library or just come along on the night. All welcome.
Lasraí Writers Group
The very popular ‘Poetry and Music’ will continue at Lanesboro Library on Monday 14th November from 4.30 to 5.30pm. Come along and share a favourite poem. The group is looking forward to seeing you there and to meet new people interested in poetry and music and song.
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.
50/50
Last week in The Yacht Bar the weekly Rathcline GAA 50/50 draw took place. The prize fund stood at €426 and Richard Rooney, Rathcline was the lucky envelope draw. Again, the draw has stayed over €400 mark and the club is very thankful for your excellent support.
Your growing support is making this draw very attractive and going into November and December an amount over €400 is very welcome to anyone. Play the blue envelope and it could be you.
Blue envelopes are on sale locally in all shops and pubs and from club executive members and your growing support is hugely appreciated. You also have the opportunity of buying the pink ticket for €100 and that includes you in the draw for 52 weeks.
The Cross on the Green
Over the past number of weeks two men diligently did great work on the restoration and painting of the cross on the Green. The cross had fallen into disrepair and was beginning to crumble as different places on the structure. Local Green residents Ned Nealon and Seamus Flynn spent many hours in repairing and painting the cross and it was a great deed before the cross had gone into total decline. Well done men it is a great job.