Lanesboro Ballyleague
Taking a Break after 39 years
39 years and three schools, countless hundreds of students through his hands and a huge respect from each and every student that is the working life of retiring school Principal Denis Connerton. Denis has been an integral part of the education scene in the parish for a very long time and for 39 years of total dedication to his profession.
After qualifying in St. Patrick’s Drumcondra Denis began his teaching career in St. Michael’s National School Longford where he spent 3 years. Following his short stint in Longford Denis returned to the Lanesboro Boy’s National where he spent 10 years before moving up the parish to Fermoyle where he spent the past 26 years as School Principal.
Wherever Denis went he left an indelible mark and the signs of his success as a teacher can be seen to this day by the respect everybody has for him. Denis was very progressive in his methods of teaching and his manner of achieving the maximum for each and every student in his care.
Denis all along had a great interest in the development of a child in sporting events as he believed the fitter the body the fitter the mind. Denis was hugely successful as a coach in the school teams he trained and it no doubt helped him in his progression through the coaching ranks to the position of Longford County Senior Manager.
Denis has given our community a wonderful 36 years and we are very proud of all the work that he has done in forming so many of our young people.
Denis retires now and we wish him many years of health and happiness and a long and happy retirement.
Local Action plan for our 2 Communities
You may be aware that Roscommon and Longford County Councils have engaged a facilitator to assist the two communities to develop a joint Local Action Plan for our 2 areas.
Work on the preparation of a community led Local Action Plan for Ballyleague/Lanesborough is about to start. Local communities have the power to shape the future of the areas they live and work in by participating in the development of local action plans. As a member of the community of Ballyleague/Lanesborough your voice and opinions are important to the future development of the area. All sectors of the local community have a contribution to make including business, voluntary, environment, sporting, tidy towns, angling etc…
The members of Lanesborough and Roscommon Municipal Districts invite you to attend a facilitated public consultation meeting to be held in the Ballyleague Community Hall on Monday 10th July 2017 at 7.30pm.
This is the start of a process of listening to local views and opinions about local needs which will help to develop a sustainable and realistic plan for the future development of your area.
Have your say in developing your local area
This plan will be YOUR plan.
Please feel free to circulate to any group or individual in the area that you feel should be offered the opportunity to attend
Death
It was great sadness we learned of the death on Wednesday last 28th June of our former curate Fr. George Balfe. Fr. George was a larger than life character. During his time in the parish of Rathcline he was a very popular priest. He was a tremendous channel for people in need young and old where he did marvellous work and the news of his death will greatly sadden those who he done most for in a most personal way. Fr, George brought his coaching skills to the club where he trained Rathcline for a time. Previously Fr. George was a teacher in St. Mel’s College Longford and he would have met many local lads there, he was the football coach there too. Fr. George was a family friend and the many thoughts of him pacing the shop floor discussing football after a Rathcline or Longford game. He will be fondly remembered in Lanesboro and we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to his sister Maeve who played a very big part in his life as he did in hers, brother Owen, sisters Lilly (Brangan), Sheila (Norris), Teresa (Dooner).
Fr George reposed at Glennon’s Funeral Home, on Saturday. His remains were then to St. Mel’s Cathedral. Requiem Mass took place on Sunday and interment afterwards took place in Ballymacormack Cemetery.
Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union Celebrates
This year Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union is celebrating 50 years in our community. To commemorate this very special occasion the Credit Union will host a 50th Anniversary Celebration on Monday 7th August in the Big Red Barn that will be set up for the Lough Ree Monster Festival adjacent to the Lanesboro car park.
There will be free family fun from 5pm.
The celebration of the Golden Anniversary will begin at 7pm in the Big Red Barn at 7pm with refreshments, presentations and entertainment. The members summer car draw will also take place on the night.
There will be no charge for this very special occasion and the Lough Ree Credit Union would like to invite their members, friends and relations to come along and share in their jubilee celebration
Lough Ree Athletic Club
It was pleasing to read in the Longford Leader that Ganley’s in association with Longford Sports Partnership are promoting Sport s Star Awards, particularly as former Lough Ree Athlete, Adrianna Melia is one of the four March nominees (see Longford Leader 20/6/2017). This is a well-deserved accolade for Adrianna.
When the late Sean Cahill produced Lough Ree AC 25th anniversary publication in 1989, Adrianna was one of several youngsters who contributed articles. She started by saying “Hi, my name is Adrianna, Adrianna Melia, I am 13 years old, joined Lough Ree Athletic Club two years ago and attended Cloontagh N.S “she went on to say how she enjoyed the travelling, the running, particularly team events and finished by staying “Here’s to the next 25 years, with new races, faces and places”. Now 20 years on Adrianna is doing just that….
It’s only a few weeks ago since she completed the Barcelona marathon in Spain, where she finished a very creditable 13th overall and 7th European finisher in a high-class fixture.
Currently Melia is a member of Longford AC, but we will not hold that against her as we are a juvenile club. We are delighted to support her nomination as March Sport Star by voting at www.longfordleader.ie where you will find the voting page by clicking on sub heading Sport and then Ganley’s March nominees. Voting closes at 9.00pm on the 5th July.
Newtowncashel Invites You
A remembrance evening for the patriot Thomas Ashe will take place on the 13th of July at 7:00 pm outside the Old Thomas Ashe hall in Newtowncashel village.
A plaque will be unveiled and a talk will be given by Gabriel Doherty of Cork University, who is national coordinator of the Thomas Ashe memorial year.
This young man as a result of a speech given in Ballinalee on the 25th of July 1917 was thrown into Mountjoy prison where he died.
To conclude the evening all will be invited into the old hall to help recreate the atmosphere of the early twenty’s and the great nights of drama performed here.
It had always to be a farce. The Newtowncashel and Lanesborough drama groups are putting on a short piece from the play The Lough Ree Monster they will be doing for the Lough Ree Monster festival at the end of July.
This group of talented actors are made up of political and business personalities from the two parishes.
All are welcome.
Cemetery Sunday dates
The Blessing of the Graves for Lanesboro Cemetery on Sunday next 9th July. In a change with tradition the Blessing of the Graves at St. John’s Lanesboro Cemetery will take place following 11.30am Mass and the final remembrance will take place on Sunday 16th July in Clonbonny where Mass will be celebrated at 6pm.
All families with family graves at our 3 cemeteries are asked to make sure they are kept well for this special occasion.
Book for the Monster Play
The Lough Ree Monster play will take place in St. Mary’s Hall, Lanesboro on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th July. This three-act play, will be the official launch of the following weekend’s Lough Ree Monster Festival which takes over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The play is set on the shores of Lough Ree. The play revolves around the sighting of a lake creature, by three priests in the mid 1960’s. This incident was widely reported in the local media at the time, and it sets the scene for much scheming and subterfuge with, both dangerous, and hilarious results.
This is a booking only event – no tickets will be available – and bookings can be made by phone 086 – 2460840/3321107, email martinaclyne1@gmail.com or by calling into Martina in O’Brien’s shop and making your booking. If booking by email please leave your mobile number with your name. Please ensure you state the night you want to attend.
There has already been a big number of bookings and it is important that you book early to avoid disappointment.
The cast of the play and the parts they play are: Con Sweeney – James Flaherty. Packie – Stephen Dowd. Sally – Orla O’ Brien. Syl Reynolds – Mervin Johnston. Teddy Sweeney – Gerard Farrell. Ngozu – Anna O Brien. Jimmy Watson – Diarmuid Walsh. Captain Christian Lorgen – Tom Gill. Gerty Strousholm – Barbara Martin. Garda 1 – Mark Casey. Garda 2 – Declan Fox.
Lanesboro Gun Club
A Meeting will be held at 9:30pm on Friday next 7th July in Adie’s meeting room to discuss urgent club business. All members are asked to attend.
Marshals Required
The Two Provinces Kidathon and Triathlon takes place on Friday and Saturday week 14th and 15th July in Lanesboro. Those events cannot run smoothly and so successfully without the help of the local volunteers on the day. Year on year your support has been great with so many people offering their help. It is hoped that this year will be no different. If you want to lend a hand and enjoy the atmosphere of race day, please drop your name into Joe O’Brien’s Corner Shop and we will get in touch with you…
Foosball
There is a great interest and curiosity as to the game of Foosball and in the next week or two there will be the opportunity to see for yourself what the game is all about. The pitch will be assembled in a very convenient place and you can all see for yourself.
A number of pubs clubs and individual teams have expressed an interest in playing in the competition and the craic should be only mighty.
This will be the first ever Foosball championship held and it is guaranteed that there will be great rivalry and competitiveness in the efforts to be the first ever Foosball champions.
Teams of 6 will cost €5 per person, U16 will cost €2.50 per person. The teams can be male, female or mixed teams. If you want to book in your team contact Mike Greene at 086-4046174. The closing date for bookings is Friday 28th July. The tournament will take place during the Lough Ree Monster Festival.
Tourism Co-Op Draw
The numbers drawn in the Lanesboro Tidy Towns lotto on Tuesday 27th June were; 6, 9, 12 and 15. There was no winner of the jackpot of €7,400. The winner of the €50 prize was Brendan Ward, Lanesboro, and the three €20 winners were Kathleen and Teresa c/o SuperValu, John Rooney c/o Market and Tom Michael Hill Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan.
Naming the Bridge Draw
There has been interest from many people from out of town and looking for a method of payment. The committee has set up a PayPal account to enable everyone to buy their tickets. When you make your contribution, the committee will private mail the photograph of the tickets with your details on it. You can think of this as eticktes. The draw will take place on Saturday 29th July at half time of the play ‘The Lough Ree Monster’. Tickets must be returned by Friday night 28th July.
Our PayPal address is for payment is loughreemonsterfestival@gmail.com
Tickets are on sale in business premises locally or from any member of the committee and they cost €2 each or 3 for €5.
Alternatively, if you do not want to use PayPal and you want to buy some tickets you can contact me joea@iol.ie phone 086-2460840.
This is a most unique opportunity for some lucky person or family.
Support rolling in for Donal
Donal Chapman, Lisnacusha will undertake a charity skydive during July in aid of Multiple Sclerosis Longford and he is seeking your support. Sponsorship cards are on counters in all businesses in town. This will be a huge undertaking by Donal and he really deserves all of our support. Please be generous.
Rathcline go to Galway Races
If you want to be part of the Bernard Keane, SuperValu Rathcline GAA Race Day at the famous Galway Races on Monday 31st July then you should book your place immediately as places are filling up very fast.
This club outing is getting more popular each year and it proves to be the social events of the year for the club. It is a very special occasion for the Rathcline club hosting such a wonderful day at the Galway Races, a venue famous worldwide for spectacular racing and day’s out. The day offers a fabulous social event and an opportunity to have a wonderful day in luxury at the Galway Races.
Buying your ticket entitles you to admission with a free race card, free parking, location in the Killanin Stand overlooking the racecourse and finishing line, four course meals, €5 drinks voucher, tipsters in the Pavilion, bar facilities, Tote betting in the Pavilion and after race entertainment. There will also be a best dressed lady competition. Tickets, which are wonderful value €120, can be booked by contacting Liam Connerton 086-8756405, Stephen Rooney 086-3176301 or Alan Fayne 087-1157806.
Looking for your Help
A local person is working towards setting up a new business involving the bringing of mature students from Spain, Germany and France to reside in Lanesboro while they learn to speak and improve their English.
The local person is looking for the help of local community and sporting groups to aid with their development. They are looking to those who hold music, singing lessons, dance classes, sporting groups, cycling and walking clubs, Leisure groups and arts, crafts and skills to contact. The idea is to allow the mature foreign students to mingle with any of the above groups so that they get the feel for our ways of life while learning and improving their abilities in English.
If you feel you or your group can help please ring 086-8246638
Two Province Triathlon
Lanesboro Triathlon Club are holding the “Two Provinces Kidathon” on Friday week 14th July and the “Two Provinces Triathlon” on Saturday week 15th July in Ballyleague/Lanesboro and surrounding areas. This year’s event is both a National Series and Super Series event and is expecting to attract around 500 competitors. The large number of competitors and supporters, along with road closures during the races means there will be some traffic disruption:
Friday 14th July General disruption between 5:30pm and 9:00pm due to people traveling to and participating in the kids’ race.
Longford County Council have granted permission to hold the race on Rathcline Rd between 7.30pm and 8.30pm. The kids cycle takes place on this road between the entrance to quarry and Harold’s Cross.
Saturday 15th July General disruption between 7:30am and 3:00pm due to people traveling to and participating in the adult race.
To ensure safety of competitors, Roscommon County Council have granted a road closure order for the R371 Strokestown Rd (Ballyleague to Scramogue) between 10.45am and 2.00 pm. The cycle part of our race takes place on this road.
The cycle will also result in some disruption on the N63 from the Lanesboro Parish Hall to the Slieve Bawn Hotel between 10.45am-2.00pm.
Additionally, Longford County Council have granted permission to hold the race on Rathcline Rd between 11.30am and 2.30 pm. The adult run takes place on this road between the entrance to quarry and Harold’s Cross.
The club would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this causes and invite everyone to come along and cheer on the athletes. This is a big event for the area!
Summer Events in Lanesboro Library
Summer Stars at your Library
The Summer Stars reading programme is running in Longford’s libraries throughout the Summer.
Summer Stars is a free programme open to all children. Each child who registers will join in the fun of reading lots of exciting books during the Summer. Children will receive their own Summer Stars Reading Card to record their progress and the Summer Stars Reward Stamp will be added to their card for each book read. Fun rewards will be provided along the way!
Have a Fairy Tale Summer at your Library! Pet Talk Time with Dogs Trust Ireland – Lanesboro Library 2pm on Monday 10th July, Bunny hop returns with Chris Thompson
Lanesboro Library 2pm on Friday 14th July, Paint Your Own Fairy Tale picture with Stephanie! Lanesboro Library 3pm on Tuesday 18th July. Interactive Singing and Song Writing workshop with Katie Gallagher Lanesboro Library 2pm on Monday 24th July
All events are Free – Booking Essential
Annual Pilgrimage
The annual pilgrimage to Lough Derg will take place on Sunday 27th August with the bus leaving Ballyleague hall at 7am. The bus fare is €10 and the Lough Derg Island contribution €40. For further enquiries, you should phone Mary at 043-33 21969
50/50
Monday night last 26th June the 50/50 took place in the Yacht Bar. The winning pool amounted to €374 and the winners was Colm Farrell, Derrygeel. The club would like to congratulate Colm on his great win and thank him for his support and we would like to thank everyone that continue to buy tickets for their 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
Could you sell €2 lotto envelopes in your workplace or your neighbourhood weekly? If you can help in any way with the sales of lotto please contact the Executive
Just a few more weeks
The Lough Ree Festival will be launched on Friday and Saturday night 28th and 29th July in St. Mary’s Hall when the John Kenny written, Dermot Healy directed play The Lough Ree Monster will make its stage debut.
The full music programme for the Monster Festival is nearing completion and there is an exciting line up to cover all music tastes throughout the weekend.
Already we have Cliona Hagan, who is after blasting onto the Irish country music scene less than twelve ago, Cliona has left her unique stamp with her latest singles; “We’re All Gonna Die Someday”, “Cowboy Yodel Song” And “I Need Someone to Hold Me When I Cry.” Cliona will be preceded by young and highly thought of young man David Kiernan who is making waves on the music scene.
Katie Gallagher who has been described as a bright, up-and coming singer/songwriter/musician Ballymahon lady who is really making a name for herself on the music scene will play before Entertainer of the Year, the legendary Mike Denver. Longford rock band Reprisal, a trio from Longford, who play hard hitting energetic rock will play before the AC/DC tribute band IE/DC. This line up is without doubt once of the best line ups anywhere in the country and the committee has worked hard to ensure that the people of the area will get the very bestof entertainment.
Natty Wailer a founding member of Bob Marley and the Wailers will play a concert on the green area beside the duck pond on Saturday afternoon. Natty Wailer will be preceded by local band Painted Skies featuring Adam Farrell, Ballyleague, Adam Fenelon, Killoe, the two Adams are joined by Maryann Lynch from Ardagh.
The Lough Ree Monster will emerge from Lough Ree on Friday night 4th and we look forward to a massive crowd down at the river to welcome the Monster back after a 25-year absence. The Monster will remain in the bay area for the weekend and it will leave during a firework display on the Sunday night.
Rathcline GAA
Return to the League
Following Longford’s defeat to Donegal on Saturday last the Intermediate team will return to action on this coming Friday evening when we travel to Ballymahon to play the home side. The game has an 8.15pm throw in. While Ballymahon sit top of the league, 12 pts, a victory for us would leave us within a point of them and in the running for automatic promotion back to Division 1. Come along and support the team and let us hope for a great victory.
Keane’s Sponsored Race Day
The Bernard Keane, SuperValu Rathcline GAA Race Day will once again take place to the famed Galway Races on Monday 31st July. The Race Day year on year proves to be the social event of the year for the club and it is a very special occasion for the club hosting such a wonderful day at the Galway Races venue famous worldwide for spectacular racing and day’s out.
Because of limited seating there is always a waiting list such is the demand for tickets and the advice is to book your seat early to avoid disappointment.
Buying your ticket entitles you to Admission with a free race card, free parking, location in the Killanin Stand overlooking the racecourse and finishing line, four course meal, €5 drinks voucher, tipsters in the Pavilion, bar facilities, Tote betting in the Pavilion and after race entertainment. There will also be a best dressed lady competition. Tickets, which are wonderful value €120, can be booked by contacting Liam Connerton 086-8756405, Stephen Rooney 086-3176301 or Alan Fayne 087-1157806.
Death
The club would like to extend their deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the later Fr. George Balfe. Fr. George was a curate with us for a few years and during that time he played an active role in our club.
50/50
Monday night last 26th June the 50/50 took place in the Yacht Bar. The winning pool amounted to €374 and the winners was Colm Farrell, Derrygeel. The club would like to congratulate Colm on his great win and thank him for his support and we would like to thank everyone that continue to buy tickets for their 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
Could you sell €2 lotto envelopes in your workplace or your neighbourhood weekly? If you can help in any way with the sales of lotto please contact the Executive
Minor Club
Cúl Camp dates: The Cúl camps will take place in Rathcline from Monday 24th to Friday 28th July. The cost of Cúl Camps this year is €60 for 1st child, second child €50 and third/fourth €40.
Bookings can be made online www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie or to Damien Sheridan, GAA Coaching Officer, Pearse Park, Battery Road, Longford, phone 087-9126556.