Lanesboro Ballyleague
Are you available to Steward?
The Lough Ree Monster Festival committee is looking for stewards to help them to man and woman the Lough Ree Festival from Friday 4th to Monday 7th August. If you can help please leave your name into Clarkes Bar or O’Brien’s as soon as possible.
Festival Launched
Friday night last the official of the Lough Ree Monster Festival was launched in the Lough Ree Resource Centre. A big attendance came along for the opening before crossing the road to the parish hall for the first night of the play ‘The Lough Ree Monster’.
Chairperson of the Lough Ree Monster committee Teresa Ormsby welcomed everyone to the event and outlined the work that has been done over the past 16 months to create a Festival that we can all be proud of.
Teresa then invited John Kenny writer of the play The Lough Ree Monster to officially launch the festival which he duly did. He said it was a great privilege for him to be asked to launch the Festival and later in the evening to have his play staged in Lanesboro Parish Hall. John extoled the work of the committee in putting the whole week together and he encouraged everyone to come out and play their part in the festival and enjoy all that will happen over the week.
Croke Park
On Sunday last all roads led to Croke Park for the All-Ireland quarter final between Roscommon and Mayo. On Monday next all roads will lead back to Croke Park for the replay and the opportunity to meet Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final. There was virtually an exodus out of the area and county on Sunday and I am sure Monday will be no different. While many travelled on Sunday last with trepidation they fear was not realised and on Monday next they can travel with great confidence of victory. It is a very special and exciting time for the people of Roscommon and particularly the people of Ballyleague and the St. Faithleach’s club that have four of their players on the panel. We wish the three Murtagh brothers, David Rooney, Kevin Mc Stay the panel and the backroom team the very best of luck on Monday and look forward to that battle with Kerry.
40-year Reunion
Lanesboro Convent of Mercy – Leaving Cert class 1977 will celebrate their 40-year reunion
Almost everyone from the class has been contacted and the reunion will take place on 30th September. It is very important that all girls interested in attending this celebration on Saturday night 30th September in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon book their place by 1st September 2017 at the very latest. Booking can be made by emailing lanesborolc1977@yahoo.com or text/phone Bridie at 087 2218484 or Geraldine 087 2224048.
Credit Union 50th Anniversary
Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union will hold their 50th jubilee in the Big Red Barn on Monday evening next 7th August commencing at 7pm. The Credit Union welcomes all their members and their families to the celebration where the entertainment will be provided by the very popular Gerry Keenan. Come along and be part of the celebrations – refreshment will be provided during the celebration.
Cemetery Sunday
The blessing of the graves will take place on Cemetery Sunday in Cloontuskert cemetery on Sunday 13th August at 6pm. This year mass will be celebrated in the new cemetery to facilitate the blessing and dedication of the new sculpture erected in the cemetery over the summer months.
Festival Arrives
First and foremost, The Lough Ree Monster committee would like to acknowledge the input of the Johnston family in making the dream of the Lough Ree Festival become a reality. The Johnston family readily agreed to allowing the festival take place on their property at the bottom end of Main Street and we hope that you will come along to enjoy what promises to be a fabulous line up of musical talent throughout next weekend.
The honour of having first event of the weekend in the Big Red Barn will go to the young people of the area when there will be a kiddie’s disco with entertainment commencing at 7pm. This is the place for every young person to be on Friday evening as they await the arrival of the Lough Ree Monster.
The arrival of the Lough Ree Monster from Lough Ree at 9.30 pm will form a very exciting opening to the festival and there is sure to be a massive attendance along the bridge and the banks of the Shannon on both sides as the Lough Ree Monster makes its way towards the bridge.
All the planning comes to fruition on Friday night when the opening of the musical section of the Lough Ree Monster Festival kicks off. The excitement has been building and as the Big Red Barn arrives on Tuesday there is no doubt but the excitement will reach a crescendo on Friday night when Cliona Hagan and her band hits the stage. It has been said that Cliona is a rising star but when you come along on Friday you will discover that Cliona is now the star that is at the very top of her musical profession. Cliona Hagan will be preceded by David Kiernan sound kicking off at 10pm
It promises to be a fabulous opening night to a very exciting festival on the banks of the Shannon.
Through the day the Heritage Barges will be moored as they prepare to sail away to gin their annual rally. They are using Lanesboro Ballyleague as the starting point for heir rally this year.
Saturday afternoon Natty Wailer and Reggae Vibes will play from 3 to 5pm. Hopefully the weather be good as this is an outdoor concert and it is free of charge. It will be great to hear the reggae beat echoing throughout the area. Natty wailer will be preceded by Painted Skies featuring the wonderful talent of local man Adam Farrell at 2pm. There will also be a display of American cars in the car park area during Saturday and they should be a sight to behold so don’t miss this.
Saturday night Ballymahon lady Katie Gallagher will be the support act for Entertainer of the year Mike Denver and his band. It will be great to welcome Ireland’s leading entertainer to the banks of the Shannon in Lanesboro.
On Sunday afternoon, there will be a family fun day which should bring a big number of families to the area around the duck pond and if the weather does not suit in will move to Big red Barn. On Sunday night Longford band Reprisal will open the nights events and they will be followed by what is acknowledged as Ireland’s leading AC/DC tribute band IE/DC which promises to be a rocking night bring the Festival events to a close.
The Lough Ree Monster will bid a farewell to our community on Sunday evening and will be sent away with a firework display at 9.30pm which should attract another massive attendance to the bridge and the banks of the Shannon.
Monday evening from 7pm Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union will host a their 50th Jubilee in the Big Red Barn. The special Jubilee draw for a car will also take place during the evening. The Credit Union will welcome all of their members, their family and friend to what will be a fitting closing event for the Festival and the Big Red Barn.
Throughout the weekend there will be a great number of side events such as the Plantation Exploration Dome in Lanesboro Parish Hall on Sunday, CLF Bouncy Castles, Human gyroscope that is no’1 for fun and adrenaline, a variety of stalls and entertainment throughout the weekend.
Play and outstanding success
On Friday and Saturday night last the cast of the Lough Ree Monster play performed in Lanesboro Parish Hall to huge numbers. On Friday, the fateful night arrived for the cast arrived and while pre-stage nerves were the order of the day there was never a need to feel in anyway nervous as they put on a wonderful performance over the two nights. It was really an outstanding success for the cast and crew and for writer John Kenny and director Dermot Healy. There is no doubt but the collaboration between Rathcline, Cashel and Ballyleague was an outstanding success. For most it was a first time to be on stage to act in a play and it did not show one little bit. Each and every one of the cast can be rightly proud of their achievement.
A number of people have asked if there will be a video available to purchase and I will find that out in the next few days and let you know in the coming weeks notes.
For the record there is a fabulous photograph of the cast on the FaceBook pages of John Kenny and Dermot Healy and when you get to that photograph the cast are as follows: Front row: Orla O’Brien, James O’Flaherty, Mervyn Johnston, Stephen Dowd. Back row: Declan Fox, Tom Gill, Diarmuid Walsh, Anna O’Brien, Ryan Gill, Nena Hanlon, Gerard Farrell, Barbara Martin and Mark Casey
Music School
Windsong Music School are now enrolling for September with lessons available in Piano, Singing, Harp, Violin, and Cello. The lessons are suitable for beginners to post graduates. For further information, you should contact Edel 087 364 9005
Sponsored Swim
Lanesboro Triathlon club on August Bank Holiday Monday each year hold a bridge to bridge sponsored swim. This year the beneficiaries of the swim will be the Longford and Roscommon branches of Multiple Sclerosis. This year on Monday 7th August the swim from the Bord na Mona bridge at Kilnacarrow to the bridge joining Lanesboro and Ballyleague will take place at 2pm. Registration will take place from 12noon. Please be advised that registration must take place early as the swimmers will have to be ferried up to the Bord na Mona Bridge. If you fancy taking up this challenge you are asked to collect your sponsorship card in O’Brien’s or members of the Lanesboro Triathlon club. For further information contact Niall Mulvihill 086-3179745.
Foosball becoming very Popular
The Human Foosball will take place in the car park area during the Lough Ree Monster Festival. Many people are talking about it and the fun it will be. If you do not know what Foosball have a look at it on YouTube and see all the fun it is.
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. This is going to be great fun and it is a game you should not miss.
Lough Ree Golfing Society
We were in Carrick on Shannon Golf Club on Wednesday last the 26th very lucky with the weather!!!!, the ladies were just finished when the heavens opened.
The course was in lovely condition, the greens were quite fast, the scores all round were very close.
1st John James Shea 33pts; 2nd John Martin 32pts (13); 3rd Timmy Glynn 32pts (9)
The front nine was won by Paul Farrell 18pts (9), the back nine by Jackie Mc Donnell 16pts and nearest the pin was won by Mick Healy
The Ladies results are: 1st Bernie Taylor 24 pts, 2nd Antoinette O’Donnell 13pts and 3rd Ursula Burke 11pts
Everybody present expressed satisfaction with the outing, the food afterwards was appreciated. We thank Carrick GC for their co-operation on the day.
Our next outing is to Highfield Golf Club on 23rd of August, this will be our Captain Jackie Mc Donnell’s day, we hope you can all attend.
The Lough Ree Golfing Society wishes to express sympathy with two of our members on the recent loss of family, Harry O Donnell on the very sad loss of his wife Paula, Mick Brennan on the loss of his partner Christine’s father Paddy Joe Farrell,
Ar dheis De go raibh a n-anamacha dilse.
Irish Heritage Boat Rally
For the first time in a number of years the Irish Heritage Boat Association will be staring off its annual cruise in company on Lough Ree to coincide with this year’s Lanesborough Monster Festival.
Over 15 Heritage Barges are set to descend on Lanesborough over the next few days in the build up to the festival.
The Heritage Barges were the Juggernauts of the transport system for nearly 150 years, conveying Guinness and other provisions throughout the country on the inland navigation systems to agents and shops along the way.
The barges. some of which are over 60 foot long and can weight up to 50 tons were a common sight on the canals and rivers until the canal system was closed down in the late 1950’s.
Following the reopening of the Royal Canal from Dublin to Clondra 6 years ago more of these barges that were marooned in Dublin now have access to the Shannon and Lanesborough.
Some of the Barges, that had been sank for a number of years for preservation purposes, were refloated 3 years ago and transferred over to private ownership will also be on display over the weekend.
Also on display will be the 113B – Fox Barge that has undergone major refurbishment by our own Scout Troop and was featured on John Creedon’s new series on the River Shannon will be open to the general public over the weekend.
This will be an ideal opportunity to view these Heritage Barges before they set off on their Annual Cruise which will culminate with a Barge Rally in Clondra towards the end of August to commemorate 200 years of the Royal Canal being opened up for the commercial transport
Tourism Co-Op Draw
The numbers drawn in the Lanesboro Tidy Towns lotto on Tuesday 25th July were: 4, 14, 18 and 20. There was no winner of the jackpot of €7,800. The winner of the €50 prize was Mary Ghee Lanesboro Post Office, and the three €20 winners were Caolaín Ó Ceallaigh c/o Xlntee Celine Hester c/o Mags and Teresa c/o mags
Naming of the Bridge
The draw for the Naming of the Bridge took place on Saturday night last at the final night of the play ‘The Lough Ree Monster’. This draw had created a great interest and the winning ticket drawn by John Kenny was in the name of Peter Clancy. At the time of writing I am waiting for confirmation of the bridge name.
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
First Aid Courses
There will be a one day First Aid Refresher course taking place in Longford on Saturday 12th August from 9am to 5pm. The course will cost €100. As and from 1st September this will change to being a two-day course and cost more due to new regulations.
A three-day QQI level 5 first aid course will take place in Longford on 14th 15th and 17th August from 9am to 5pm. There are a limited number of places available. The cost of the course is €200. If you are interested or require further information you should contact Geraldine on 0876190134.
50/50
Monday night last 24th July the 50/50 took place in the Yacht Bar. The winning pool amounted to €364 and the winners was Mike Mulvihill, Clonterm. The club would like to congratulate Mike on his 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
Teddy Sleepover and Story Time
Come along to the library Friday 4th August at 3pm with your Teddy for a fun story time session with songs and colouring! Teddy will get to stay in the library for a sleepover with all the other teddies! Come in on Saturday morning to collect your Teddy and decorate a cupcake so you can have a picnic with Teddy and find out all about after their adventure in the library! Suitable for children aged 3 – 8 years. This event is free but booking is essential. Please contact Penny Farrell at the library to make a reservation: 043 3321291 or pefarrell@longfordoco.ie
Foreign Currency Appeal Reminder
The library staff 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.
Rathcline GAA
New Club Flag
The club would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Mary Feeney, Tullyvrane, for making a new and beautiful club flag.
Championship
Saturday evening last the Intermediate got their championship dreams back on track when they had a very comprehensive win over Grattan’s in Carrickedmond. The next game is against Legan on the weekend commencing 11th August and a victory there will see us progress to the semi-final.
Good Luck
The Rathcline club senior and minor would like to wish Ciaran, Diarmuid, Brian Murtagh, David Rooney and the Roscommon team management and panel the very best of luck in the All-Ireland Quarter Final in Croke Park on Monday next for the All-Ireland Quarter Final replay.
50/50
Monday night last 24th July the 50/50 took place in the Yacht Bar. The winning pool amounted to €364 and the winners was Mike Mulvihill, Clonterm. The club would like to congratulate Mike on his 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
Cúl Camps Over
Last week the Cúl camps took place in Clonbonny and the club would like to thank all the young people that turned up in such large numbers making it one of the most successful camps ever. The club would also like to thank Damian Sheridan and his team of coaching for organising such a great camp week.
Our U12 team have played 2 games and won 2 games and all our young players are really enjoying themselves
Our minors and Juveniles are going very well in their respective leagues/championship and they are closing into the final stages of their competitions.