Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Boredom Breeds Creativity.
In the words of Grace Brennan, daughter of Pat and Liz Brennan, Lismacmanus, in her interview with the Life magazine, part of the Sunday Independent, on Sunday last she said that “boredom creates creativity”. She is off the mind that when young people begin to feel bored it is then that they get creative.
Grace’s graduation this year from the National College of Art and Design was vastly different and unique. Part of the graduation was an online graduation show where Grace as a fine art graduate sold four of her paintings.
According to Grace these sales were “a big confidence boost and with the money she was able to rent a studio”. She got her inspiration from the boglands around and close to her home and her oil-on-canvas paintings brings beautiful colour to her bogland inspired paintings.
There is no doubt that Grace has a wonderful and successful artistic career ahead of her and we would like to wish her huge success.
Lighting the Town
Daylight is getting shorter by the day as we career towards the shortest day of the year. With the Covid pandemic restrictions continuing and the thoughts of not welcoming our own home, from abroad, for Christmas it puts a real damper on the prospects for a happy Christmas in many a local household. Over the past couple of weeks both the Ballyleague and Lanesboro lights committees have been busy in preparation for Christmas by erecting the Christmas lights. The lighting of the Christmas lights, we hope, will lift the gloom of the darkening days and raise our spirits as we approach what will be a most different Christmas than we have ever experienced. We look forward to the lights acting as a beacon of joy.
There is no doubt that in such an progressive and vibrant community, I am sure we will rise to make Lanesboro and Ballyleague a wonderful place over the Christmas season and we will make it a Christmas to remember fondly for many years to come.
The lighting committees have done a wonderful job in erecting the lights earlier this year than ever and we look forward to the lighting of the streets and the creation of the Christmas atmosphere that will take us into a new and what we hope will be return to a normal New Year.
All businesses in town are asked to make a special effort in lighting their premises for this Christmas and help create a special Christmas magic in the twin towns.
If you would like to contribute towards the lighting committees on both sides of the bridge and I would encourage you do, you should make your contributions to Noel Moran or Gerry Trimble or on the GoFundMe page ‘Ballyleague Christmas Lights Fundraiser 2020’ for your Ballyleague contribution and to Margaret Gillen, Brigid Mullooly, or Mark Casey for your Lanesboro contribution. Alternatively, you can leave your envelope into O’Brien’s shop with your either Ballyleague or Lanesboro marked clearly on the envelope.
Community College Enrolment
Enrolment to First year in Lanesboro Community College for 2021/2022 is now open. Application forms are available by emailing the school at Admin.lcc@lwetb.ie or by phone on 0906500140
Birth
Many congratulations to Lee Williamson and his wife Roxi Avram-Williamson, Curreen on the birth last week of a baby girl.
Birthday Greeting
Congratulations to Johnny Smyth, Weekfield who this week celebrates his 90th birthday.
Death
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death on Friday 13th November at Galway University Hospital of James Conry, Portnahinch. James has previously been a resident of Innis Ree Lodge, Ballyleague. He was predeceased by his parents Jimmy and Margaret Conry. James was a warm and friendly man; he always had the warmest of genuine welcomes and loved nothing more than a chat about the current events on both sides of the bridge. He was a man with a keen interest in sport and the local clubs and Roscommon county. Anyone that knew James will always remember the warmest of welcoming smiles and his gentleness. His passing will leave fond memories and great sadness in the hearts and minds with everyone that came to know James.
His remains reposed at Smyth’s Funeral Home Roscommon before his removal the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague on Tuesday. Following Mass of the Resurrection he was laid to rest in Kilteevan Cemetery.
He will be very sadly missed by his brother Ciaran (Australia), sister-in-law Marie and niece Maeve, sister Amanda (UK), Aunt Lucy, cousins, relatives, neighbours, and many friends.
St. Vincent de Paul
Due to Covid 19 restrictions we currently cannot hold collections in person. Those who wish to donate may do so by using the St Vincent de Paul envelopes which can be obtained in O’Brien’s shop or from the local church. They can be returned to O’Brien’s or dropped into the letterbox in the presbytery in Lanesboro or the Cathedral in Longford. The funds raised will be spent in this community helping those who are in need of it for education, food, and fuel during this winter and beyond.
In the past your generosity knew no bounds and in the trying times of the Corona Virus Pandemic there never has been such a greater need for your support and we hope you reciprocate in a generous manner.
Ballyboro AGM
As we approach the club’s 21st Anniversary, Ballyboro FC wish to invite all parents, coaches and people interested in helping in the guidance and development of the club to attend its Annual General Meeting ONLINE on Wednesday December 2nd at 9pm . The event will be held on Zoom and to take part please send your e mail address or mobile number to : ballyboroastropitchcommittee@gmail.com . 2021 will see Ballyboro FC host over 10 teams in boys and girls soccer leagues and officially open our own impressive new grass and astro pitches at LCC so it’s a momentous year in our club history and nominations of club officers should be e-mailed in to the secretary at the e mail address above before next Wednesday November 25th at 9pm.
Old Photographs
In the past I have been searching for old photographs of the Green and those that lived there. I received some at the time and in recent time some have dropped me in some more.
People during Corona virus pandemic have had time to do deep cleans of their homes and have discovered many items previously thought lost and of sentimental value. If you have discovered any old photographs of the Green or photographs of the people living there at any time or any of the events that occurred there over the years I would appreciate if you could coy/scan or drop them in to me in the shop for immediate scanning. You can email the scanned photographs to me at joeaobrien@outlook.com Thank you in advance
Pristine Footpaths
Last week the local Tourism Co-Op set about the cleaning of the footpath down both sides of the Main Street trying out a new footpath washing machine. It was remarkable the way both footpaths came so clean following the first trial. So many people have now commented on the cleanliness of the footpaths and the remarkable job the cleaner did on the surface. You never realised how much the paths had faded until this new machine make its mark. Hopefully, following the trial more will be seen of this machine and the entire footpaths of the town will all look cleaner and brighter
Roscommon Biography
The Dictionary of Roscommon Biography has proved to be a wonderful book creating a great interest with its astonishing detail. This is a must for Roscommon people and also those of us that know many families in the county. There is a remarkable fact unknown to me and others I spoke to of Ger Farrell (Adie’s father), and his brother included. It is a book once you open it you will find it difficult to leave down as the information just keeps jumping off the pages at you. This huge volume priced at only €30 can be purchased in O’Brien’s while stocks last.
Talk to the Samaritans
Are you struggling to cope with life? Do you think it would be a help to talk about your problems in confidence? It does not matter who you are, how you feel or what has happened to you the Samaritans are always there and ready to talk with you. Don’t let things get you down just contact, and someone will talk with you. The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year just phone 116123.
Turning 90
Many congratulations to Johnny Smyth, Coolshaghtena, who turned 90 during this week.
Celebrating 60 years
Many congratulations to Sr. Evelyn Moran who last week celebrated 60 years of her ministery with the Sisters of Mercy.
Towns Lotto Winner
The numbers drawn in the Lanesboro Tidy Towns Lotto on Tuesday 17th November were 10, 15, 26 and 27. There was nobody with the four numbers and the jackpot for the draw on Tuesday 24th November stood at €2,700. The main consolation prize of €50 went Liz Balfe, Knock and the three other €20 prizes went to Anne Feeney, Rathcline, Jack & Billy c/o Mags and Rosaline Egan, Derryhaun.
The committee are very thankful for your continued and generous support especially in these difficult times.
St. Mary’s Church
Thank You
Fr. Sergiy would like to thank everyone that continues to drop in their envelopes into the Priests house every week. As everyone is in time of hardship it makes your continued generosity all the more spectacular. It is great to see that the weekly offering has again risen.
New Offertory envelopes
The weekly envelopes for the coming year will finish on Sunday next 22nd November and new Offertory envelopes will be available for collection in the church for use on Sunday 27th November.
Masses
It is hoped that there will be a relaxation on the mass attendance restrictions in the coming week and we can get to bring back normality to those wishing to attend mass.
In the meantime, we have to live with the constrains of level 5 restrictions meaning that there will be no attendances at regular church services.
The church will remain open for visitations and private prayer and you are invited to call in when you may be passing.
The daily masses are being streamed on Facebook ‘St. Mary’s Parish Lanesboro’ you can log on 10am Monday to Thursday, 7pm on Friday evening, 7.30pm Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday.
Mass intentions will continue to be booked for weekdays for the present. People wishing to book masses can do so by contacting Fr Sergiy before or after mass during the week in the Sacristy. All that have booked masses are asked to rebook them for weekdays for the foreseeable future.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confession will take place on Friday evenings from 6pm until private mass time of 7pm.
Fr. Sergiy Ruchenko can be contacted at the presbytery or by phoning 3321166 or 0833892362. Alternatively, you can contact Fr. Merlyn Kenny, Newtowncashel 0860603433 and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Killashee 0879972259 who are assisting Fr. Sergiy during his ministery in the parish.
Church activities
Eucharistic Adoration will take place on Tuesday’s from 10.30am until 8pm and it is hoped that there will be two people in attendance for each hour.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions will take place on Friday evenings from 6pm until private mass time of 7pm.
Lanesboro Library
Lanesboro Library: Tel: 0433321291 email: lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
In line with Government Level 5 restrictions, from Thursday October 22nd,
Lanesboro Library will once again be closed to the public.
All our Online Services can be accessed on our website by selecting ‘Your Online Library’. www.longfordlibrary.ie
Use your library card number & pin to log in to your account.
Online Storytimes and Winter Crafts Competition will continue on our Facebook page.
Any enquiries, please call 0433321291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie in the following days
Wednesday 10-1 & 2-5pm and Saturday 10-1pm
Simple Winter Crafts Competition
Check out the simple Winter crafts on our Facebook page every Monday –
Send in pics of your completed craft and be in with a chance to win a prize at the end of November!
Living Well
Living Well – the next online programme dates for January 2021 are Thursday 7th January, Tuesday 12th January & Monday 18th January.
If you are living with a long-term health condition you may be interested in doing the Living Well Programme. This is a six-week online programme delivered in 2.5-hour weekly sessions where you will learn new skills to manage your health condition on a day to day basis. More now than ever it is important we look after are mental and physical health.
Please note you do not have to disclose your health condition on the programme. Please contact Olga on 086 6078950 or by email olga.maguire@mayocil.ie
You can find out more information on the programme on the website: www.hse.ie/livingwell
Ballyboro
The club will hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 2nd December. The meeting will be held online via Zoom and will commence at 9pm. All officials, coaches, parents and others who wish to take part can contribute by replying to text messages links which the various managers will be sending out.
The coming year promises to be a highly significant and eventful one as the club celebrates its 21st Anniversary. It is hoped that the fantastic new Astro and grass pitches will be officially opened during the year. At present the club fields 11 teams in boys and girls leagues and in recent years player membership has increased greatly.