Lanesboro Ballyleague
Building our Future
Lanesboro Community College will see the commencement of ground work for their new building on Monday next 10th April. This new building will be of a huge benefit to the school and help greatly in the further education of the students from the area. It will put the College right up there with the best in terms of facilities and cater for a greater number coming to learn and be educated at our progressive school.
The new building will incorporate a new science room and prep area, one main stream classroom, learning support room, office building and toilet facilities for both students and staff.
Tragic Deaths
Last week was a very sad one for one of our local families. As the news broke of a tragic drowning in Carrick-on-Shannon of a German couple it was not long before we learned that the couple were not in fact German but that the man in question had strong local connections.
Frank Dunne and his English born wife Alexandra Malkin-Dunne had been living and working in Germany. They had decided to take a trip on the Shannon and call into his relatives along the way.
On Tuesday last, they stopped in Lanesboro and had dinner with PJ and Joan Donnellan, Rathcline Road and had a few drinks locally before retiring to their boat.
Frank Dunne was son of local lady Jaccie Donnellan formerly of Ballyleague and it is ironic that the old family home that overlooked the River Shannon as she great up took the life of her son Frank.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the Dunne and Donnellan families and their extended families on their great loss
Social Service Whist
The first Friday of each month sees the Lanesboro Social Services Whist Drive taking place and Friday night next the committee will hopefully welcome a bumper crowd to Lanesboro Parish Hall at 8.30pm.
As you know the Whist Drive is the main fundraiser for Lanesboro Social Services and we urge your support as the funds from those nights goes toward supporting local people.
50/50
Monday night 27th March the 50/50 weekly draw took place in the Peer Inn, Lisnacusha. Briege Ward, Strokestown Road was the lucky winner and she received €392. Well done to Briege. The club thanks you for your great support.
Tickets are on sale locally at €2 each and your support will be greatly appreciated. Alternatively, you can by the pink ticket for the year for just €100 and have 2 free weeks
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Joan and Colm Daly and family, Rathcline Road on the death of Joan’s mother Mrs. Josephine Keogh, Edenmore, Raheny, Dublin last week.
Have you got your team?
Friday 21st April is the night for the most unique quiz ever to hit Lanesboro and Ballyleague and any other area for that matter.
It is a quiz like no other, it is made up of quirky questions that will bring great entertainment to the night. It will test your knowledge, wit and wisdom to the extreme. It is guaranteed to be a great fun.
What makes it quirkier and more unique than any quiz that has taken place in the area is that you select your own venue that is Adie’s, the Yacht Bar, Clarkes, Rosie’s at the Lifebelt or St. Faithleach’s Clubhouse.
There will be winners prize in each venue and there will be an overall winner.
The five venues will be linked and the questions will be broadcast live to all venues simultaneously.
Tables of 4 will cost €40 and we look forward to huge crowds in each venue for this historic event.
The funds will go towards the building of the Lough Ree Monster for the upcoming Lough Ree Monster Festival.
Tourism Co-Op draw
The results of the Tourism Co-Op Lotto held on Tuesday last for a jackpot of €6,100 are 5, 6, 26 and 30. There was nobody with the correct numbers and the jackpot for next week stands at €6,200. The secondary prizewinners were €50 Tiernan Hanley, Corrigeen, €20 Pam Feeney, Rathcline, €20 M&P Brewster, Clonbonny and €20 Brian Gill c/o Market.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to Roy and Maureen Fitzsimons and family, Rathcline, and their relatives and friends on the death of Roy’s sister June Downey, Old Bawn, Tallaght who died last week
Building the Monster
Are you interested in part of the biggest project to hit the area this year? The Lough Ree Monster committee is seeking willing participants in helping to build the 2017 version of the Lough Ree Monster. If you are interest in giving a hand please contact Michael Greene.
Safeguarding Workshop
Safeguarding Workshops in Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport will take place during the year with the first one taking place on Thursday 18th May (safeguarding 1) and followed on 19th October (safeguarding 1) and 9th November (safeguarding 2). Registration cost €15 and you can register online at www.eventbrite.ie or call 043-3349402.
This week’s events at our Library
Knitting & Crochet Group continues on Monday 10th April 2-4pm. All Welcome!
Lasraí Writers Group
‘Poetry and Music Hour’ will continue at Lanesboro Library on Monday 10th April from 4.30 to 5.30pm. Come along and share a favourite poem. The group is looking forward to seeing you there and meeting new people interested in poetry and music and song.
ESOL Class continues on Tuesday evening 11th April 7-10pm
Adult Art Classes
Stephanie Hanlon of Hanlon Art Works will give a 6 week Adult Art Class in the library starting on Wednesday evening 19th April 7-8pm. Classes cost €10 per week and will include Acrylics, Watercolours etc.– bring your own materials if you have any. Contact the library for further information on 043 3321291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Children’s Art Classes
Stephanie Hanlon of Hanlon Art Works will give a 6 week Children’s Art Class in the library starting on Saturday morning 22nd April 11am-12noon. Classes cost €10 per week and will include different activities for the children each week. Contact the library for further information on 043 3321291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
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. Thank you.
Many trips down Memory Lane
Last week the Longford Leader launched a photographic trip down memory lane in county Longford. This is a book destined for many coffee tables as it is a book full of memories nonemoreso than of many occasions involving local people and neighbouring parishes. It is a book that will bring back many memories to a lot of people. The book is on sale locally at €10 and it is without doubt the best buy of the years so far.
Easter Art and Craft Camp
Easter Art and Craft camp for kids Tues 11th Apr – Thurs 13th Apr, 10am – 2pm in St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Lanesboro. €50 per child. To book a place contact Denise at 086 8930990 or email artandcraftcamp2017@gmail.com
Rathcline GAA
The football season kicked off for the club on Saturday last when our Football Cup team played Ballymore in Clonbonny. Alas, the result did not go our way but it was great to get back to playing games and seeing Clonbonny active once again.
All County League
Sunday next we commence our All County League campaign when we travel to Stonepark to take on Grattan’s in Dunbeggan. We look forward to it being a successful start and we would encourage as many as possible to go along and support the team.
Good luck to team manager Kevin Hanley, his mentors and all the players the very best for the season ahead.
50/50
Congratulation to Briege Ward, Strokestown Road, on winning the 50/50 draw on Monday 27th March. The pool this week amounted to €392 and we thank everyone that bought the blue tickets this week and continue to do so, your support is well appreciated.
Tickets are on sale locally at €2 each and your support will be greatly appreciated. Alternatively, you can by the pink ticket for the year for just €100 and have 2 free weeks
Punchestown:
The trip to Punchestown is a great day out for Longford Football. This year we hope that we can gain support from all local racing aficionados and those interested in a great social day out to the Annual Punchestown Festival on Wednesday 26th April 2017 in support of Longford GAA. Rathcline will be entering its usual table and we are looking for support and we hope that we can fill 2 tables -20 people. Anyone interested should contact Liam Connerton, Albert Cooney, Gerard Farrell or Cathal Chapman.
Annual 25 Drive:
The Annual Rathcline GAA 25 Drive (Partners) will take place on Good Friday 14th April in St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Lanesboro. The game will start at 9pm.
Tickets are priced at €5 and if you cannot go you can still support the club by buying a ticket and you will be in with a chance to win one of the non-playing ticket holder prizes. Refreshments will be served.
Minor Club:
U14
The U14 panel had a very fruitful weekend when they qualified for the Féile Final
Minors
Well done to our minors who got their campaign off to a winning start at the weekend. The minors will take on Northern Gaels in Clonbonny on Sunday next at 12noon and we hope a good number will attend and support the lads.
U16
The U16 team will start their campaign on this coming Thursday when they take on Killoe Og in Dunbeggan at 7pm
Easter Camp at Backstage
Backstage Theatre will host an 8 Day Easter Camp from Monday 10th to Thursday 13th and from Tuesday 18th to Friday 21st April with a Final Showcase. There are limited places available and if your young person has the interest in this camp then you should call as book as soon as you read this notice. Primary School group (3rd to 6th class) will take place from 10am to 2pm. and secondary School group from 2.15 to 6.15pm. The camp will include Comedy, Storytelling, Play, Theatre, Performance and it will also include Improvisation with Darren Yorke.
To book call into the Backstage Theatre or phone 33 47888
Email from Green Resident
The Green: A couple of years ago an exemplary (if overdue) refurbishment was carried out on the paths, mainly due to the persistence of Margaret Gillen. This persistence, again by Margaret, resulted in one of the back lanes being resurfaced recently, to what appears to be a high standard. It is, however, a surprise that the second back lane was not included in the plan. While not having as many potholes as the repaired lane, the ones that it has are just as deep and the traffic on it is every bit as heavy. The main road and the two alleyways, of course, continue to deteriorate. But, as they say, “Half a loaf is better than no bread” and having one lane done is at least a step in the right direction.
Cruinniú na Cásca
There are many events taking place in Co. Longford as part of the national Cruinniú na Cásca, on Easter Monday, 17th April. Enjoy one or more of the following events:
9.30am—4.30pm Be part of a Cruinniú na Cásca magical mystery tour discovering Creative Longford – celebrate our history, heritage, dance, music and art. The day will begin at Connolly Barracks located in the historic heart of Longford town at 9.30am. Buses will then depart for cultural venues around the county including: the Anglo-Norman motte-and-bailey castle at Granard; Edgeworthstown, the birthplace of writer Maria Edgeworth; Shawbrook, a haven for dance near Legan; and ending the day with the best of Irish ceol agus craic around the fire at The Haggard, a unique venue in Moyne, north Longford. Everyone welcome to join the tour. Booking essential. €5 fee per person to be paid in advance to tour. To book please email: creativeireland@longfordcoco.ie or telephone: 043-3341124
3pm—5pm, Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre, Ardagh. A family afternoon of storytelling and exploring the legend of Midir and Etain in the woodlands of the historic village of Ardagh.
To celebrate Cruinniú na Cásca, Alice is visiting the Wonderland of Ardagh, home of the Legend of Midir and Etain. Is the Red Witch really Fuamnach? Is the White Witch Etain? Is the Mad Hatter Midir? Join the White Rabbit on his quest for the way into Tír na nÓg – you might even find a few eggs! The story will inspire you at our Arts and Crafts workshop and then let your imagination run wild on our White Rabbit Easter Egg Hunt. Family fun for all ages! All are welcome! To book telephone: 086-3027602 / 087-2326553
7.30pm Cistercian Abbey, Abbeyshrule. The beautiful village of Abbeyshrule is hosting a Ceremony of Light and Music at the ruins of their 12th century Cistercian abbey. The local community, singers, musicians and local schools will participate in the event at the historic site. This is to mark the first time that the abbey ruins have been illuminated with the addition of a sustainable lighting system. The abbey was founded in Abbeyshrule in 1150 under the patronage of the O’Farrell’s of Annaly. It was colonised by the Cistercian monks from Mellifont. The Cruinniú na Cásca event will take place at dusk, and will include an evocative programme of performances by local artists including the Innyside Singers choral group, local musicians and poets along with an ecumenical service. All will take place under the gaze of the “Abbeyshrule Monks”, representing the Cistercian monks who built the abbey. Everybody welcome.