Lanesboro Ballyleague
Lough Ree Monster – The Play
The Lough Ree Monster play written by John Kenny has just casted. The cast are now reading and learning their lines and meeting very regularly in preparation for their rehearsals. This play is being directed by Dermot Healy who has been director of a number of plays staged by the excellent Newtowncashel Drama Group. The Lough Ree Monster play will be the official launch of the Lough Ree Monster Festival and it will take place in Lanesboro Parish Hall on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th July. This play will be full of great laughs as the Monster is sighted out on Lough Ree.
Casting has now completed and the following is the cast of the play: James Flaherty, Orla O’ Brien, Stephen Dowd, Mervyn Johnston, Anna O’ Brien, Gerdie Farrell, Diarmuid Walsh,
Tom Gill, Barbara Martin, Mark Casey, Madeline Murray and Declan Fox.
How would you like to be part of our great occasion? We are seeking A stage manager, i.e. a go to person, when Dermot want’s something done with the set, 2-3 Crew attendants, who will help with the stage, M.C., 4-5 people to help out with tea, raffle etc., Booking contact person and telephone number, sound and lighting, we also seek an advertising and promotion person. Can you be any one of the above? If you can help and play your part in what will be a fantastic occasion you can contact Teresa Ormsby, Catherine Kelly, John Kenny, Stephanie Hanlon, Diane Walsh, Michael Greene or Joe O’Brien.
Good Friday 25 Drive
The Annual Rathcline GAA 25 Drive (Partners) will take place on Friday next, 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.
ICA to hold its AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Lanesboro guild will be held on this Wednesday night 12th April in the Parish Hall at 8p.m. New members are very welcome.
Death
When we think of nature’s gentleman we can only think of Joe Chapman, Lisawley. On Thursday last 6th April at Mullingar Regional Hospital Joe passed away and left our community so much the poorer. Joe was a quiet gentleman, nothing seemed or was rushed and he had all the time of the world to chat with you if needs be. Joe for many years worked until his retirement with CIE in Longford and in his spare time he farmed his own farm with great diligence and attention. Everything about Joe was well done and everything was achieved with great style and taste. Joe at the time of his passing was the oldest man in our parish. He always had a great interest in our community and indeed he was hugely knowledgeable and generous in his support. Joe will be sadly missed by everyone that knew him but the memory of this gentleman will never fade.
His remains reposed at his residence on Friday last before the removal on Saturday of his remains to St. Mary’s Church for his Funeral Mass. Following Mass Joe was laid to rest in Lanesboro cemetery. To his nephews and nieces, relatives and many friends, we extend our deepest sympathy.
Go Fund Me Lough Ree Monster Festival
Would you like to help fund this year’s new and exciting Lough Ree Monster Festival? The committee have just opened a Go Fund Me facility for the Lough Ree Monster Festival. If you would like to subscribe you can put Go Fund Me Lough Ree Monster into your search engine. There is a facility there for you to make your contribution to creating a wonderful festival in the community for this year. The committee would like to thank you in advance.
Lanesboro/Ballyleague selected as Enterprise Town
The Lanesboro and Ballyleague Community has been nominated to be the Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town. The Enterprise Town Expo will take place in Lanesboro Community College on Friday 12th May.
The bank of Ireland website describes the Enterprise town project as follows “The Enterprise Town initiative seeks to work with local businesses to plan and deliver a range of activities that will support and generate business in the area. The initiative also involves the wider community and the schools to ensure everyone can get involved and be part of the positive experience that is an Enterprise Town.
Bank of Ireland wants to support the development of smaller communities at both business level and in the wider context, incorporating schools, sports, social and charitable associations. The Enterprise Town initiative has been developed to allow this to happen and, to date, has worked very well in delivering excellent, community led results across the country.”
Cloontuskert Cemetery
Cloontuskert Cemetery Committee is launching their 2017 work program next weekend on Saturday and Sunday 15th-16th April. Following on from last year’s successful completion of our memorial/reflection garden on the entrance avenue to the Cemetery. We now propose to erect a monument in the Cemetery to honour the memory of all interred in the Cemetery. The proposed monument will consist of a scene taken from the Garden of Getzemene.
A life size sculpture of Jesus been comforted by an Angel resting on a base erected to the height of the surrounding wall, the sculpture and base will be made of mid grey granite with the following inscription engraved on the supporting base.
O Lord
Support us all day long
Until the shadows lengthen
And the evening comes
And the busy world is hushed
And the fever of life is over
And our work is done
Then in thy mercy grant the souls
In Cloontuskert Cemeteries
A safe lodging and a holy rest
And peace at last
Amen
The committee appeal to everyone who have loved ones interred in the Cemetery or who intend to use the Cemetery in the future to support what will be our last major financial project. We have chosen this sculpture as we feel it will offer comfort and solace to everyone visiting the graves of their loved ones. It will also become the focal point of our cemetery and form a striking image as you enter the Cemetery. It is hoped to have the sculpture erected for Cemetery Sunday on 13th August where it will be blessed and dedicated to the memory of everyone interred in the cemeteries. The cost of this Sculpture and associated works is €15,000 which we hope to raise through donations and sponsorship if you wish to be associated with this project you can make a donation at our church gate collection on 29th-30 April envelopes containing a detailed drawing and picture of the monument can be picked up in the church porches in the parish and in Lanesboro church you can also make a donation to any committee member. Receipts will be issued on request for tax purposes
To make alternative arrangements for donations or for further information please contact Sean at 086 3551103
St. John’s Easter Ceremonies
The Easter ceremonies for the local St. John’s congregation will be: Holy Wednesday Service in St. John’s Church at 7.30 pm. The Good Friday Service will take place in St Coman’s Roscommon at 7.30pm. On Easter Sunday evening, there will be Holy Communion service in St. John’s Lanesboro at 7p.m. There will also be Service on Easter Sunday morning in St Coman’s Roscommon 11.30 a.m.
Wedding
The Marriage took place on Friday 31st March at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague of Emma Hussey, daughter of Pat and Dee Hussey, Ballyleague and Kieran O’Gorman son of Kieran and Maria O’Gorman, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Chief Bridesmaid was Mairéad Thompson friend of the bride and bridesmaids were Chloe Hussey cousin of the bride, and Lisa Kearney friend of the bride. Bestman was Niall O’Gorman brother of the groom, Groomsmen were Shea O’Gorman and Drew O’Gorman brothers of the groom. The marriage celebrant was Fr. Brian Quinn. The wedding reception took place in Clonbreaney House, Oldcastle, Co. Meath.
We wish the happy couple many years of wedded bliss.
Easter Ceremonies
The following are the Holy Week Ceremonies for the churches in Lanesboro and Ballyleague: St. Mary’s Lanesboro – Holy Thursday at 7.30pm, Good Friday ceremonies will take place at 3pm and 7.30pm. Holy Saturday at 7.30pm and Easter Sunday 9.30 and 11.30a.m. In the Church of the Holy Rosary Ballyleague – Holy Thursday at 7pm, Good Friday at 3pm. Holy Saturday at 9.15pm and Easter Sunday at 11am.
Penance Service will take place in St. Mary’s Church on this Wednesday at 7.30pm.
Give Blood
Blood donation clinics will take place in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon on Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th, and Thursday 27th April. With the constant need for blood it is very important that if you can at all go along and donate some blood. Your contribution can be the difference between life and death and although you will never know your inner feeling will remind you of this fact. The blood clinic will take place from 5pm to 8.30pm on each of the days.
Trócaire Boxes
Trócaire boxes will be collected at both churches on over Easter weekend.
50/50
Monday night last 3rd April the weekly Rathcline GAA club 50/50 draw took place in the Yacht Bar, Lisnacusha. The lucky winner on Monday night was Therese Kelly, Rathcline Road. Therese was the winner of €386. The club thanks Therese and all of 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
Unique Quiz on Friday 21st
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 other quiz is that 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.
Come along and be part of a historic night and enjoy all the fun that the Quirky Quiz will bring with it.
Birth
Many congratulations to Susan Linnane and Shane Muldoon, Curragh Rua on the birth last week of a baby girl.
Tourism Co-Op draw
The Lanesboro Tourism Co-Op Lotto was held on Tuesday last for a jackpot of €6,200. The numbers drawn were 12, 13, 17 and 25. There was nobody with the correct numbers and the jackpot for next week stands at €6,300. The secondary prizewinners were €50 Pam Feeney, Rathcline, €20 Declan, Luke and James Curran, Maynooth, €20 Mickey Donlon, c/o Mags and €20 Leah Flynn c/o Xlntee.
Birth
Congratulations to Layla and Erik, Church View on the recent birth of their daughter Arya Adams.
Easter times at our Library
Easter Closing Times
Library will close on Wednesday evening 12th April for Easter and reopen on Tuesday 18th April. Happy Easter to all our customers!
Knitting & Crochet Group continues on Monday 24th April 2-4pm. All Welcome!
Lasraí Writers Group
‘Poetry and Music Hour’ will continue at Lanesboro Library on Monday 24th 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 18th April 7-10pm
Adult Art Classes
Only a few places left for the Adult Art Classes with Stephanie. The 6-week Adult Art Class will start 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 are fully booked.
Book Club
The next Book Club meeting will be on Friday 28th April at 11am where the book for discussion will be ‘I See You’ by Clare Mackintosh.
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.
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.
The Green – a follow up
We have planted some trees at the recently resurfaced back lane. They were given to us by Mr. Gary Brady, Environment Officer, to mark National Tree Week. There were twelve trees donated, a mix of Birch, Rowan and Alder. Some others, Elder and Sycamore as well as some shrubs, all “home grown” were also planted. Unfortunately, it was not possible to have the trees in for Tree Week but as this area has effectively lain fallow for at least sixty-five years, it’s unlikely that a couple of weeks’ delay will make any difference. If the trees survive, with further planting, possibly a flower bed or two, and the addition of a couple of seats, this area can become a pleasant local amenity. It will also be of significant environmental benefit, providing some cover for our increasingly beleaguered wild life.
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.
Rathcline GAA
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.
All County League
Sunday last our senior team ravelled to Dunbeggan (Stonepark) to play Grattan’s in the first round of the Division 2 league. The lads got off to a great start with an excellent victory over the hosts on a scoreline of 2-11 to 1-10.
This was a very confident performance by the lads on the first day and it bodes well for the league campaign. Well done to players and management and this victory sets the lads up for next Saturday’s game.
The club senior team will have their first home game of Division 2 on Saturday next when they will entertain Sean Connolly’s in what promises to be a really good game. All club supporters are urged to come along to Clonbonny and cheer on the team on to what we hope will be another victory. The throw will take place at 6pm.
50/50
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.
Minor Club:
Féile Final on Saturday
Our Féile team will play in the Plate final on Saturday next 15th April in Pearse Park when they take on St. Patrick’s Óg (Ardagh) at 12noon. We wish the young players and the team management the very best of luck and look forward to cheering them on to victory. We encourage parents and club supporters to go to Pearse Park and support the team.
Minors
U16
Our U16’s will take on Carrick Sarsfields/St. Dominick’s/Moydow Óg in Michael Moran Park on Thursday at 7pm.
Support Cruinniú na Cásca
There are many excellent events taking place in Co. Longford as part of the national Cruinniú na Cásca, on Easter Monday, 17th April and I encourage you where you can to get out and get involved in one or more of the 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.
Poetry Workshop – Maria Edgeworth Literary Festival 5th-7th May 2017
As part of the Maria Edgeworth Literary Festival 5th-7th May 2017, a Poetry Workshop will take place on Saturday 6th May 2017 in The Old Schoolhouse, Ballymahon Road, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, at 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., by Professor Iggy McGovern who published collections of poetry with Dedalus Press in 2005 and 2010. Awards include the Hennessy Award for Poetry, The Ireland Chair of Poetry bursary and the Glen Dimplex Writers Award for Poetry. His most recent publication in 2013 is a poetic biography of the 19th century Irish mathematician & Poet, William Rowan Hamilton. Booking essential, maximum 20 places. Fee: €20. Book online at www.edgeworthstown.net/festival Tel: 043-6671801 or email: edgelocdev@eircom.net.