Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Important Business Community Survey
Longford Enterprise Office are calling on all businesses in Lanesboro and Ballyleague to take part in a Community Survey. You are been encouraged to complete the survey before Friday 28th August. This survey will assist in shaping the forthcoming Economic and Enterprise Development Strategy for Lanesboro and Ballyleague.
Future Analytics Consultants has been appointed by Longford and Roscommon County Councils to prepare an Economic and Enterprise Development Strategy. The Strategy will develop and deliver effective short, medium- and long-term path to enterprise and job creation in the area, building on existing and planned investment and innovation initiative
Participate in the Community Survey by clicking on to the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LanesboroBallyleague
Vacancy
The Church View estate has an immediate vacancy for a Rural Social Scheme worker.
To qualify the person will need to have or have the use of a Herd Number and be in receipt of a social protection payment, i.e. job seekers allowance or farm assist. The Herd Number can be in the parents or sibling’s name.
The vacancy will involve maintaining the estate, cutting and trimming grass, litter control, weeding and caring for plant beds etc.
The hours will be 19.5 per week or similar arrangement. Full stamp will be provided.
For more information contact Longford Community Resources clg. Rural Social Scheme Section, phone 0433345555 or contact JP 0868536435.
Thank You
The Tidy Towns and Ballyleague Renewal committees are deeply thankful to all the residents, business people of the town and FÁS teams for all playing a major part in having the town, car parks and the park areas on both sides of the bridge in such beautiful condition. It is a credit to everyone for their great work and from the complimentary comments it has not gone unnoticed by locals nor visitors to our community.
Wonderful Achievement
It was only recently I was thinking about the walk we did for the Lough Ree Monster Festival when we walked to Athlone from Lanesboro almost two years. It was a mammoth undertaking and it took lots out of those that took part. On that walk was Graham Tobin, Rathcline Road, a man that does lots of hiking both at home and abroad. Thinking our walk was a tremendous achievement it was nothing to the walk Graham completed last week.
Graham undertook the Moylagh JFK 50-mile challenge of walking from Lanesboro to Athlone and back home again to Lanesboro. It was a truly superb accomplishment by Graham and one he must be congratulated on realising this fabulous achievement. Well done Graham.
Towns Lotto
The numbers drawn in the Lanesboro Tidy Towns Lotto on Tuesday 4th August were 5, 23, 29 and 29. There was nobody with these four numbers and the jackpot for the draw on Tuesday 11th August stood at €8,400. The consolation prize of €50 went to F& E Clyne, Corrigeen and the three €20 prizes went to Hughie Smyth, Main St., Marie Cleary, Gardenstown and Mark Casey, c/o Mags.
The committee urges your support for the lotto and thanks you for your continued great support.
Masses
For the next two weeks you will see the townlands arrangements below.
Saturday 15th August 7.30pm Mass the following areas Aughamore, Aughaloughlin, Augharanna, Barnacor and Blenavoher
Sunday 16th August 9.30am Mass. It is the turn of Carraroe, Carrowstrawley, Cashelbeg, Church Road, Church View and Clonbonny
11.30am Mass on Sunday 17th August completes the first full cycle of areas and townslands with Mass for Clonfower, Corrigeen, Cullentra, Curraghrua, Cnoc na Gaoithe and Derrygeel.
Saturday 22nd August the 7.30pm Mass is forthe areas of Fermoyle, Green Gardens, Gurteengar, Killinure and Knock Manor
Sunday 23rd August the 9.30am Mass is for Knock, Lehery and Lismacmanus.
Sunday 23rd August the 11.30am Mass is for Lisduff, Lisnacusha, Lisrevagh, Mahoraveen, Main Street and Mount Davis.
Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union
Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union business has returned to pre-Corona Virus workin and opening hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 9.30am to 3.00pm; Thursday 9.30am to 2.30pm and 3.45pm to 5.30pm. Friday 9.30am to 2.30pm and 3.45pm to 7.00pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1.00pm
Death
The death John O’Shaughnessy, Ballyleague, on Sunday 2nd August left the community with a great void and deep sadness. John had been ill for a long time and as was the nature of the man he fought his illness with great strength, determination and dignity. John, who, along with his wife Phyllis and family came to work with ESB in the power station. He immediately built up a working reputation of being a frank and honest man that expected no more than he would do himself. He was a man who loved a challenge where he could bring his electrical and mechanical prowess to the fore. The quest for excellence, the mental and physical challenges were all things John embraced. While most put on their caps John found great solace and a form of inspiration from the lighting of his pipe. John being a proud Limerick man lived to the sporting ethos and passion of all Limerick people of following their own in all sports. He was an avid follower of Limerick and Munster Rugby along with the fleeting successes of Limerick football and he really basked in the resurgence and glory of Limerick hurling when winning the All-Ireland Hurling in 2018. During John’s long illness a constant by his side was his wife Phyllis who tended and cared for him with great care and kindness. John will be sadly missed by everyone that knew him. The memory of John will evoke many great memories of the debates on all things. John has indeed left his legacy amongst us.
John’s remains were removed from his residence in Ballyleague on Wednesday morning for the Mass of the Resurrection in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague. He was later laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Carrick-on-Shannon. To his wife Phyllis, daughters Deirdre, Sinéad, Aisling, son Seán, sister Marian, brother Jim relatives and a great number of friends
Barber on the Move
On Tuesday next Tuesday18th August our local barber Eugene Maguire will be moving to a new premises in the centre of town. Eugene, a few years ago opened Ebarbers next in a house to the Green and it has gone from strength to strength over a short period of time. His growing business has led to him moving to the new premises next week. Eugene will be moving into what was known in recent times as Samantha’s Restaurant but to us old stagers was Flaherty’s on Main Street.
We wish Eugene the very best of luck and many successful years in business.
Postman Retires
Last Thursday was the final day of delivering post for one of our local postmen. Willie Dennigan, Mahoraveen, has for the past 35 years been delivering post to all parts of our community and also to parts of neighbouring parishes. Willie was a daily lifeline to many people, he was a confidant, friend with a warm and welcoming personality. He was hugely popular on his post run and his departure will be a huge loss.
We would like to wish Willie many happy and healthy years of retirement and thank him greatly for his work over the past 35 years.
Harbour View
Last year what was commonly known as Samantha’s Restaurant was bought at auction. After some sterling work in transforming the building the new ‘Harbour View’ has been born and it is almost near completion. It is a bright and airy house and it is receiving great interest in the rental market. Already a number of the apartments have been snapped up and the project has proven to be a most successful project.
It will create another filled building on the Main Street and with more and more work going on locally the community is once again becoming very vibrant.
Lotto Returns
The lockdown on the Rathcline weekly 50/50 draw has been lifted and the lotto makes a welcome return this week. Tickets are now back in local shops and a new app will be launched to ensure that anyone home or away that want to support the club by taking part in the draw each week can now readily do so.
Rathcline Cemetery
As there was no Mass at Rathcline Cemetery to celebrate the life of the people buried there the annual collection was not taken up. If you would like to donate to the upkeep of the graveyard you can do so by dropping your contribution in and envelope into the box in O’Brien’s Shop.
Good Luck
St. Faithleach’s will resume their championship campaign this coming Saturday 15th August in the club grounds, Ballyleague when they take on Creggs in a top of the table clash. We wish the team and the team management the very best of luck as the numbers attending is restricted by Covid regulations and the lucky people who won for the game will be notified by the club.
Tourists by the Score
In the early days of the Covid 19 pandemic there appeared to be very little light for our community for a busy tourist season. The annual influx of foreign boating visitors that overnighted moored in the marina, or along the quay were not going to be there this year and the local businesses were not expected to do their normal seasonal business.
They say ‘the Lord works in mysterious ways’ is a true saying as the huge number of boats travelling and overnighting in our community is testimony to that.
Over the past number of weeks, the numbers of boats and Irish tourist has far exceeded anything that has gone before in recent years. The number of boats brings me back years, to a time pre marina and when boats were berthed three deep side by side along the quay wall. Although the weather was not great, and the unseasonal high winds made the crossing of the lake was a battle and sometimes scary, the boats kept coming.
This past weekend saw a major change in the weather which was greeted by everyone that was holidaying on the river or had the opportunity to be out on the water. The change in the weather seemed to bring so many people to Lanesboro/Ballyleague and why wouldn’t they as there is not a more beautiful place to be when the sun is shining.
All through what was a dry and sweltering weekend the number of visitors in the town was truly remarkable. The banks of the Shannon again attracted huge numbers and the there seemed to be an increased number of people holidaying on the Shannon. Practically, all day there were boats being towed into the town and down to the Shannon for launching and day tripping onto Lough Ree.
When there are such numbers in and around the community it is a wonderful sight and the large numbers creates a real tourist feeling and atmosphere.
What we now have now are Irish people on staycations and discovering inner Ireland the towns and villages along the Shannon way.
I must say the number of visitors that have made mention and complimented the beauty of our community has been amazing. Over the next year this is something we must grow as those people and the many that they will have told about their wonderful holiday on the Shannon will be back in Lanesboro and Ballyleague and we must be ready to satisfy their needs and wants upon their return.
Our community is laced with beauty and potential to rival the very best anywhere and we must work at developing new projects to keep the number of tourists coming and staying with us.
Lanesboro Library
Browse & Borrow service available on the following days- Wednesday 10am-1pm & 2-4pm
Friday 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm and Saturday 10am-1pm
For the well-being of everyone, please note the following:
- Visitor numbers will be limited to 2 Customers or 1 family in the Library at any one time. Please queue safely outside the building.
- All Children under 12 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED by an adult.
- Book Return: Books can be returned through the Book Drop to the side of front door.
- Computers/Internet: Public P.C.’s are available for use – Please phone 0433321291 to book your time.
- Printing Services: Printing, Photocopying & Scanning service are available – Please phone 043 3321291 to book your time.
- Hand Sanitisation: Sanitisation Stations MUST be usedand will be available at the entrance and within the library.
- Social Distancing and Respiratory Etiquette must always be observed.
- If you or anyone at home has symptoms of Covid-19, please DO NOT visit the Library or return books for 72 hours,
after you have completed a 14-day isolation period and are fever free for 5 days.
Summer Stars Reading Programme
Pick up your reading card at the library, or download at www.summerstars.ie
Lots of fun activity sheets also available on www.summerstars.ie
You can contact Library on: email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie , on Facebook you can private message: @lanesborolibrary , or telephone Stella: 043 3321291
Astro Pitch Open
Ballyboro FC wish to announce that the club’s state of the art astro pitch has reopened. There are slots available for mid-week and the weekend 5 a side.
The pitch can only be booked online through the www.bookapitch.com website and as part of the new protocol the person who makes the booking online is fulfilling the role of Covid 19 compliance officer for the time they are on the pitch.
Players attending at the astro must not car-pool unless they are from the same household and all players contact details must be retained for one month. All players must arrive togged our and carry their own individual water bottle. All players must use the sanitiser supplied at the pitch.
The above guidelines are consistent with the Return to Training Protocols laid down by the Health Authorities and the FAI. If anyone has any queries please don’t hesitate to email: ballyboroastropitchcommittee@gmail.com
Ballyboro Return
The under 8s, under 10s, under 11s, and under 12s were all involved in Tournament action at the weekend. The Melview Invitational Tournament was held at the Mall, Longford where two days of hectic action took place. All the Ballyboro teams acquitted themselves very well and performed with distinction.
Pride of place however must go to the under 10s and their manager Shane Smyth who recorded a notable double success winning both the Cup and Shield in their age group, with the Lions and Tigers, respectively. Hayden Smyth, Jack Cassidy, Shane Farrell, Adam Greally, Tim Kenny, and Ben Cassidy represented the Lions while on duty for the Tigers were Josh Curran, Ferat Pulcu, Stephen Farrell, Darragh Donlon, Aydin Odemis, and Alfie Brehon.
The under 12s under their managers John McCormack and Jack McGloin also returned home with silverware. A dramatic penalty shootout decided the Shield final with Newtown after the teams finished 1-1 in normal time. Ballyboro Panel: Mikey Sorohan, Ciaran McGloin, Aidan Kelly, Matthew Murray, Oisin Dillon, Ryan Mimnagh, Michael Fallon, Eoin Beattie, Rian Hogan, Rian Shanley, Cody Phelan, Liam Rhatigan.
News from our local Parishes
News from St. Mary’s Church
Confirmation: The following are the dates set for Confirmation Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th August at 4pm for the young people of Lanesboro primary school and Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th August for the young people of Fermoyle National School at 4pm.
Weekly Envelopes: Fr. Mickey would like to thank everyone who continue to drop off their weekly envelopes into his house. These are times of hardship and difficulties and your generosity is deeply appreciated.
Weekly Newsletter
The weekly parish newsletter is available each week on Friday afternoon in the church porch or in Martina and Joe O’Brien’s shop.
St. John’s Church of Ireland
The Services will take place in St. John’s Church at 11.30 am on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. On the first and third Sundays of each month Service will take place in St. Coman’s Roscommon.
Hand sanitising stations will be available and social distancing will be in place in both Churches.
Rathcline GAA
Lotto Returns: The Rathcline Lotto recommences this week and we encourage everyone to support the weekly draw. There is an option to purchase for 6 or 12 months and a new app will be launched to make it easier for everyone home or away to be a supporting part of the club. The first draw will take place in Adie’s on Monday night next 10th August.
Fixtures: Our fixtures begin onMonday evening when our Minors take on Killoe Óg in Killoe. On Thursday 13th our U12 team will play their first game against Wolfe Tones Óg in Clonbonny at 7.15pm. Saturday 15th the Juvenile side will take on Grattan Gaels in Clonbonny at 5pm.
Saddle Up for Rathcline: As promised we can reveal on September 12th at 8.00am the first leg of Saddle Up will commence from Clonbonny Pitch.
This year’s cycle challenge comprises 8 legs with an average of 20km each with more detail to follow on routes and change over points
A reminder all funds raised in 2020 are assisting with the development & opening of a new training & playing area for our underage members
So, save the date & dust off the bikes until you hear more!!!!