Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Christmas Visitors
Over the days of Christmas is was wonderful and thrilling to see so many returning to the native sod to visit family and friends. It is always great to renew old acquaintances and recount the olden day as well as hear of and see the growth of their children and grandchildren. To see the younger generation returning is also great as they bring with them the vibrancy and excitement of youth and stories of their lives in far flung places.
We wish everyone a safe return to their homes and we also wish everyone that has any connection to our community a very special and successful 2020.
New Year Swim
The Lough Ree Orcas (all year open water swimming group) is holding their inaugural New Year’s Day swim on Wednesday 1st January at 3pm at the marina in Ballyleague.
Start the year with a refreshing dip or swim in the beautiful Shannon river.
Everybody is welcome, young and old, for just a fun splash or short swim in wetsuit or togs, your choice.
The Orcas will be having refreshments in the Yacht Bar after the swim and by the fire and everyone is invited to join them.
Blood Donors Sought
The urgent need for blood continues to grow as does the need for more and more blood donors. The next local blood donation clinics will take place in the Abbey Hotel Roscommon on Tuesday 7th, Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th January from 5pm to 8.30pm each day. It is hoped that there will be a huge turnout of local attending to help those in need of blood in the coming weeks.
Potential Accommodation Providers sought
The invitation to anybody in the Lanesboro, Ballyleague, Killashee, Newtowncashel and the surrounding towns and parishes are beginning to express their interest in providing B&B, Guest House and house rental. Fáilte Ireland will come to Lanesboro and explain what is required for the provision of accommodation and the requirements as to how to get yourself registered.
If sufficient numbers express an interest then Fáilte Ireland will facilitate a meeting to talk through the requirements and standards required to run a successful B&B, Guest House or rented accommodation.
Lanesboro/Ballyleague in recent times has had a large number of events and people attending had either to decide not to come or stay a long distance away. With the All-Ireland Fleadh the Éigse Pete Carberry and many other events happening throughout the year there is a great need and indeed a great opportunity for people to create a business for themselves. If you are interested you can express your interest by contacting Joe O’Brien, Corner Shop, Lanesboro – 086-2460840; joeaobrien@outlook.com
Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club
The Annual General Meeting of the Lough Ree Sub Aqua took place on Friday night 6th December.
The following committee was elected: Chairman – Michéal Farrell, Secretary – Tracy Gray,
Treasurer – Paula Carberry, Diving Officer – Paul Newman, Safety Officer – Fergal McElgunn, Equipment Officer – Sean Connaughton, Training Officer – Gerry Lane, Child Protection Officer – Herbert Farrell, Public relations officer – Fergal McElgunn.
Thank You
The organisers of the Meals on Wheels Church Gate collection before Christmas would like to acknowledge the sum of €755.05. Thank you very much once again.
Local Writers
Local reading for yourself or a gift – Jack Harte’s Rehabilitating the Serpent, Colin Carberry’s book of poetry Ghost Homeland, Henry Owen’s excellent book on Sliabh Bán and its surrounding area, Shamrock 165 a book by David Walsh on the crash of the Aer Lingus 165 where local lady Evelyn Belton lost her life, Jude Flynn’s final edition of Fireside Tales, Longford Historical Society’s Teachbha, and Paddy Egan’s The Place where I was Born and the Recipe Book produced by the County Roscommon Disability support group, Derrane.
Éigse Pete Carberry
Now this is a weekend for your diary. Following the hugely successful inaugural Éigse Pete Carberry weekend the second Éigse Pete Carberry weekend will take place in Lanesboro on Friday 17th Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April 2020.
Already the committee are receiving requests for accommodation and if you are interested providing accommodation can you leave your name and number into O’Brien’s for collection by a committee member.
Walkway/Cycleway
The other day I went down to Kilnacarrow after learning from Brendan Whitty that work had commenced from the Kilnacarrow side through the Coillte plantation of the new walkway/cycleway linking Kilnacarrow to Cloonbearla, the parishes of Rathcline to Killashee.
When completed this route will open up a great excitement for walkers and cyclists onto the Royal Canal where there will be a direct route along the canal to Dublin. It also opens a direct route to the jewel in our crown the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre where tourist can go to visit the Iron Age Trackway. This Visitor Centre was known locally as the Danes’ Road. It was constructed from oak planks in 148–147 BC.
This walkway/cycleway will also open up walking and cycling trips to Clondra and Tarmonbarry and visa versa.
It will create for our community and visitors a great starting point for many interesting adventures.
As the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park develops it will become very inviting with more and more people coming to holiday and live amongst us. Just imaging walking and cycling through a vast swath of bog returning to nature with unique wildlife and birdlife to be seen on your travels.
This walkway/cycleway when completed will complete phase 1 of a long journey with Bord na Mona, Dónall Mac an Bheatha of Longford County Council and a few locals.
The next stage, Phase 2, will be when discussions conclude with Bord na Mona for access across the Bord na Mona bridge for pedestrian and cycling traffic. This route will be hugely breath-taking as it takes you over the Shannon and with further development will allow direct access to Sliabh Bán. The discussions with Bord na Mona are continuing and there are great prospects of an agreement. There are currently a number of obstacles to gaining full agreement but there is a great confidence on both sides that the obstacles can be overcome to create this new walkway/cycleway.
Along with accessing Sliabh Bán there is a much bigger plan to continue the walkway/cycleway through Strokestown (Strokestown House), Tulsk (Rathcroghan Project), Frenchpark (Douglas Hyde centre) and onto Westport to the Greenway. This is a route from Dublin to Achill that will never be equalled for its scenery and beauty.
Bord Failte in the past have created the Wild Atlantic Way followed by Ireland’s Ancient East. In recent times they have created Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and this Bord na Mona bridge has become a vital piece of infrastructure and it will be the link joining the Wild Atlantic Way to Ireland’s Ancient East through this bridge and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
It is all in front of us and hopefully 2020 will see great developments in putting our community firmly on the tourism map.
Swim
The Christmas Day annual swim resurgence is on and is getting back near its former glory in terms of numbers. Christmas morning was a mild enough morning and an ideal day for a swim in the Shannon. A larger than usual number turned up for the swim and they got great encouragement from the large number of spectators lined along the bridge and along the banks of the Shannon.
It is great to see the tradition continuing and the Lough Ree Sub Aqua club must take great praise for their continued promotion of the Christmas Morning swim.
Zero 2 Tri
Lanesboro Triathlon club in the national club of the year and their exuberance is infectious such has been the new members signing up to the club for the coming year.
If you would like the challenge to train for all/any of the 3 disciplines, have 3 training sessions before membership, have a dedicated 6-month programme, have beginner focussed coaching, have a mentoring programme and scheduled training races then come along to the launch night of Zero 2 Tri at the Lanesboro Triathlon gym/club room at 7pm on Monday 11th January.
The club is also developing a youth section and it is now encouraging young males and females to join and partake in the many competitions that occur during the year. Swimmers, cyclist and runners are encouraged to consider joining to take on this exciting challenge.
Why not Join Lanesboro Triathlon Club today?
Go to www.trilanesboro.com/membership/ for more information
Christmas Day Run
As usual the Christmas Day Run/Walk/Push from Newtowncashel to Lanesboro was another outstanding success. This event is organised to raise funds for the Longford MS Society. There was a great turnout and there was great sponsorship support for all the participants. Entrants came from all over and the usual banter and Christmas cheer was evident throughout.
Great credit must go the Flood family and all those that year upon year come together to make sure that this event runs smoothly from start to finish.
Ballyboro FC Oskar Night DVD
The DVD is now on sale with your chance to relive the great drama of that special Movie night on June 15th and get your Christmas presents sorted with a very special DVD including all 8 films that were produced and great memories of a special year. DVD on sale in O’Brien’s Corner shop now. Priced €20 each and special offer of 3 DVDs for €50. Postal orders (€30 each) will be taken by e mail only at: ballyboroastropitchcommittee@gmail.com
Rathcline Draw on Saturday week
The Rathcline club will hold their annual New Year draw on Saturday week 11th January in Adie’s Bar. This is a draw that is hugely supported by club members, parishioners and many from outside the parish.
At the start of the year there are huge insurance and affiliation fees must be paid and this draw helps in a major way to alleviate this major outgoing in the club. You are encouraged to support the draw and make it a major success once again.
To date there has been great support for the draw, and you are encouraged to make sure you have your ticket before Friday week. The tickets are now on sale locally costing €20. The prizes will be 1st €3,000, 2nd €1,000, 3rd €500, 4th €250, 5th €250, 6th €200 and 7th €200. We encourage you great support of previous years and we look forward to a record number of tickets sold this year.
Our Library over Christmas
Knitting & Crochet Club
Knitting & Crochet Club will resume after Christmas on Monday 6th January 2020 2-4pm.
New members always welcome!
Poetry & Music Group
Poetry & Music group will continue after Christmas on the 2nd and 4th Monday of January. All welcome to come along and join in with this very vibrant group!
ESOL Course
ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) takes place in the Library every Tuesday evening 7-9pm.
Contact Nuala Donlon on nuala.donlon@lwetb.ie for further information.
New Temporary Opening Hours
Please note the change in our Opening hours as follows:
Monday 10am-1pm & 2pm-6pm
Tuesday. 2pm-7pm
Wednesday. 10am-1pm & 2pm-5.30pm
Thursday. Closed
Friday. 10am-1pm & 2pm-5.30pm
Saturday. 10am-1pm
The library will be open on
Monday 30th December
The library will be closed on following days
Tuesday 31st December to Thursday 2nd January inclusive – CLOSED
Normal hours resume on Friday 3rd January 2020.
Membership
Library membership is free for everyone and provides you with complimentary access to books and p.c.’s in the library as well as a range of digital services.
Check out our Online Services where you can download free eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines and newspapers, learn a new language or do an online course. All you need is your library card and pin. Renew or request books on our website www.longfordlibrary.ie
Second Volume Published
The second investigative instalment of the Shamrock 165 has just been published by Gavin Walsh. The first instalment detailing the crash which featuring local lady Evelyn Belton was an intriguing read and I have no doubt that this current book will be another excellent read. This is the second book of the trilogy continuing the exploration and investigation into the fatal crash of Shamrock 165.
The book Shamrock 165 ‘decision over Dolgellau’ is available for sale in O’Brien’s
5-a-side booking
Bookings are now being taken for weekly rental of the new Ballyboro FC 3G Pitch at Lanesborough Community College. To book in for a 5 side match or a 7 a side game in November please register NOW by signing up with a user account at www.bookapitch.com and the venue will be there for you to select under BALLYBORO ASTRO. If you want any more details send an e mail please to ballyboroastropitchcommittee@gmail.com
Tidy Towns Lotto
The winning numbers drawn in the Lanesboro Tourism Co-Op on Tuesday morning 17th December were 7, 9, 13, and 15. There was nobody with the winning numbers and the jackpot pool has now risen to €6,800. The name on the tickets for the €100 prize Elizabeth Glynn, Ballyleague the three winners of the €50 were; Mary D c/o Mags, Aileen Nelson c/o Market, and Jenny Rice Rooney, The Abbey.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place on Monday 23rd December and the lucky winners of this week’s draw was Ruth Kelly, Ballyglass. The winning pool was an great €483 and lovely sum to receive on the days of Christmas.
Don’t forget the four options when buying your tickets, (1) buy your €2 ticket, (2) 3 tickets for €5, (3) the green envelope where you pay €50 for a six-month term with one free draw and (4) the pink envelope where you pay €100 for a 12-month period with two free draws. Those tickets are available in any of the local shops and pubs or from any member of the club executive.
Rathcline GAA
New Year Draw
As you know the club will hold their annual New Year draw on Saturday week 11th January in Adie’s Bar. This is a draw that is always hugely supported by club members, parishioners and many from outside the parish.
At the start of the year there are huge insurance and affiliation fees must be paid and this draw helps in a major way to alleviate this major outgoing in the club. As you are aware insurance is a major factor in all walks of life now and you are encouraged to support the draw and make it a major success once again.
To date there has been a great response for the draw, and you are encouraged to make sure you support by having your ticket before Friday week. The tickets are now on sale locally costing €20. The prizes will be 1st €3,000, 2nd €1,000, 3rd €500, 4th €250, 5th €250, 6th €200 and 7th €200. We encourage you great support of previous years and we look forward to a record number of tickets sold this year.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place on Monday 23rd December and the lucky winners of this week’s draw was Ruth Kelly, Ballyglass. The winning pool was a great €483 and a great sum of money to receive on the days of Christmas.
Don’t forget the four options when buying your tickets, (1) buy your €2 ticket, (2) 3 tickets for €5, (3) the green envelope where you pay €50 for a six-month term with one free draw and (4) the pink envelope where you pay €100 for a 12-month period with two free draws. Those tickets are available in any of the local shops and pubs or from any member of the club executive.
There are four options when buying your tickets, (1) buy your €2 ticket, (2) 3 tickets for €5, (3) the green envelope where you pay €50 for a six-month term with one free draw and (4) the pink envelope where you pay €100 for a 12-month period with two free draws. Those tickets are available in any of the local shops and pubs or from any member of the club executive.
Happy New Year
The club would like to wish its club members, parishioners and supporters near and far a very happy and successful 2020.
St. Faithleach’s
St. Ireland Lights Up: Do you want to get moving and active this New Year, but you have nowhere to go? Do you find it hard to find a safe and well-lit area to go a walk during the dark winter months? Well, your local GAA Club has the answer! We’re coming on board with the Operation Transformation and the GAA for Ireland Lights Up. Every Thursday from the 9th January – 26th February 2019 the club will be open and lit up for you, your family and friends to come and walk. We want everyone to come and join for Ireland Lights Up 2020!