Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Garda Retirement
This coming Friday 11th December will bring about the retirement of one of our longest serving Garda at Lanesboro Garda Station. Robbie McConn was transferred to Lanesboro on 10th March 2002. Prior to that Robbie had done terms with the United nations in Yugoslavia and East Timor. He started out his Garda training in 1986 and his first deployment was to Swadlinbar in County Cavan before being transferred to Athlone and then his final deployment was with us in Lanesboro.
Robbie swiftly became a popular figure amongst the people of Lanesboro, Cashel, Killashee and Kenagh which was the area he served and has remained so to this very day. He was always seen as a fair, compassionate and balanced Garda who was always willing to be supportive to those that were seeking help. He was a real people’s person and on his walks through town was always chatting with locals and strangers alike. Since 2002 Robbie has seen many changes in Lanesboro and we hope that they will remain fond memories for him as he recalls his time with us in Lanesboro Garda Station.
Being from Athleague, Robbie was born into a very strong hurling family and his interest in his home club and his parish remains very strong to this very day. Needless to say, the fortunes of his native Roscommon hurling and football are always to the forefront. Robbie had another passion in life and that was the development and growing success of Roscommon Racecourse where he was a very active committee member.
We would like to wish Robbie a very happy retirement and we wish him much health and happiness spent with his family. May every day be sun filled and bright for many years to come.
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
Lanesborough Primary School Enrolment
Lanesborough Primary School is now accepting applications for enrolments for September 2021. Please email the Principal at smgslb2020@gmail.com for an application form.
No Christmas Swim
This year due to Corona Virus it has been a year of total disruptions. I have just been told that the Virus has claimed another event with the cancellation of the Annual Christmas Swim.
The swim has long been a tradition on Christmas morning and a great meeting place for young and old as they annually renew acquaintances while watching the hardy souls entering the icy cold Shannon waters all to support the club and their collections for local charities.
It is an event that will be sadly missed, and we look forward to it returning on Christmas Day 2021.
The Lough Ree Sub Aqua/ Search and Rescue club would like to thank everyone for their continued great support and wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Economic and Enterprise Development Strategy for Lanesborough/Ballyleague
At present Future Analytics-KPMG is carrying out an Economic and Enterprise Development Strategy on and for our community. This Development Strategy plan is supported by both Longford and Roscommon County Councils. It is great to see this acknowledgement by both county councils that we are been seen a progressive community ripe for enterprise developments.
What we are receiving from this Economic and Enterprise Development Strategy are the proposals from a company whose expertise in development strategies are renowned worldwide. We as a community are very lucky to have such a high-profile company working with and for us especially at a time that there has been major funding of almost €3.5 from Strand 1 and 2 of the Just Transition Fund.
It will be great to see their vision for Lanesboro and Ballyleague and what their recommendations are as to how they see our community growing and developing economically into future. If their past proposals on other projects are anything to go by there will be hugely exciting and radical proposals that will create a huge transformation for us and will also draw the eye of entrepreneurs to our community.
This is a company that can and does call on the very best expertise both nationally and internationally and we look forward to how they see we can revolutionise our community and region.
New Crib
Following the erection of the new Christmas tree at the corner there was an added bonus to the tree when the Sean Toolan and Michael Sweeney from the Lanesboro Tidy Towns co-op arrived and spent the week building a crib under the tree. The tree and crib were joined later in the week with a large lit up reindeer. On Sunday evening the job was completed when Mark Casey and Brigid Mullooly from the Lanesboro Lighting committee arrived with crib figures. The siting and building of the crib have given the town a great feel of the Christmas spirit.
There has been a tremendous response by the community to the Lanesboro Lighting committee’s appeal for support and if you have not already done so you can make your donation to Mark Casey, Brigid Mullooly, Margaret Gillen or you can leave your donation into O’Brien’s shop for collection.
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.
Same old chestnut
Ah here!! the Local Tidy Towns team of workers with their new street washing machine have over the past two weeks washed the footpaths on both sides of the Main Street from the corner to the bridge. What has happened? It is as if dogs have seen the Main Street as a new toilet with the amount of dog soiling that has taken place since the streets were cleaned.
A similar problem is arising along the new Mid Shannon Wilderness Park Greenway with a number of dogs soiling the pathway/cycleway.
If you are a dog owner and your dog soil our streets or greenway, we would ask to you to be civic minded and bring along your pick-up-bags and ensure that the path is clear for the next person walking, cycling or pushing a buggy. Your help in this respect will be greatly appreciated.
Ballyboro
An eventful year was reviewed at the Ballyboro AGM which was held on Zoom last week. The completion of a quarter of a million-euro development was the highlight of a momentous year. The fact that the Astro and grass pitches were developed and paid for in little more than year is testament to the work of a hard-working committee and the fantastic support locally for the project. The Astro pitch is used extensively by young and old in the locality, and by the students of the Community College. It is proving to be a wonderful community asset. The grass pitch will be ready for use during the Summer.
The playing season was not finished due to Covid 19.
The following were elected for the coming year: Joint Presidents, Pat Hussey and Steve Ormsby; Chairman, John Tynan; Vice Chairman, Stephen Rooney; Secretary, Carol Donlon; Treasurer, Ann McCormack; Assistant Treasurer, Joanne Cox; Development Officer, Ciaran Mullooly; PRO, Eamonn Bolger; Children’s Officer, Kevin Connell,
Some exciting future projects were discussed at the meeting including participation in a Tournament abroad if circumstances permit.
Birdwatch Ireland
Between December and February every year Birdwatch Ireland asks members of the public to watch and keep an eye on all the birds and to record the number of each bird that arrive in their garden each week. The Irish Garden Bird survey provides important information on bird populations and also gives an indication as to the state of the environment.
All details can be found on the Birdwatch Ireland website www.birdwatchireland.ie .
Dumping
After a bit of a lull illegal dumping is beginning to raise its ugly head once again in the community. It is very important that we can do everything in our power to keep our community clean and welcoming. We must keep the conversating going as those dumping illegally might become aware that it is them we are talking about. Pride of place is very important to us and we should ensure that don’t allow anyone dent our pride with illegal dumping.
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
Seeking your Support
Our neighbours St Brigid’s club Killashee are seeking your support. The club is holding a major fundraising draw with over €25,000 in prizes to be won! This is the first major fundraiser organised by the club to create new developments of the club’s facilities since the 1990’s. Tickets are now available to buy on clubforce https://t.co/94ZCmD3jG9 and they cost €50 each or 3 for €130.
The first prize is a Toyota Yaris with nine further prizes totalling €25,000 in prizes. Members of the club will be calling to homes in our parish at a later date.
Reading for Christmas
Some local books that are essential reading over the Christmas and New Year period are now on the bookshelves. The reappearance of what was the hugely popular Sliabh Bán is again proving very popular as is the current best seller Roscommon Biography. The annual Journal of County Longford Historical Society’s ‘Teathbha’ is a wonderful read and it includes a poem by Sr. Rose Moran and a piece by Roger Timlin on the Turlough Races. The final publication after 18 issues of Fireside Tales by Jude Flynn has also been published and as usual Jude has made sure that it is once again a wonderful read. There is also a piece included on the Lanesboro Drowning Tragedy 300 years ago.
Friends of Asthma Shop
I have been informed that the Friends of Asthma Charity Shop on Main Street will remain closed and will reopen for business in the New Year.
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.
Towns Lotto Winner
The numbers drawn in the Lanesboro Tidy Towns Lotto on Tuesday 1st December were 2, 11, 15 and 24. There was nobody with the four numbers and the jackpot for the draw on Tuesday 8th December stood at €2,900. The main consolation prize of €50 went to Peter Mullooly c/o Mags, and the three other €20 prizes went to Kathleen Kyne, Rathcline, Pam Farrell, Derrygeel and Marie Cleary, Gardenstown.
Support line for Older People
ALONE manage a national support line for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to COVID 19.
Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice. The support line is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm for helpful information. Please ring 0818 222024.
St. Mary’s Church
Reconciliation Service
Due to the Government restrictions and social distancing requirements, it is not possible to have the usual Christmas reconciliation service as usual. Confessions for Christmas is time-tabled after each Mass from Monday to Thursday from 10.30am to 11am, Friday from 6pm to 6.45pm and again from 7.30pm to 8pm and on Saturday from 6pm to 7pm.
Masses Return
Under level 3 there will be a restriction of 50 people allowed to attend mass.
For those attending Mass you are reminded that you enter the main door and leave by any of the three side doors.
All the daily masses are being streamed lived on Facebook ‘St. Mary’s Parish Lanesboro’ you can log onto the Masses at 10am Monday to Thursday, 7pm on Friday evening, 7.30pm Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday.
Jesse Tree
The young people from Lanesboro primary School and Fermoyle national School prepared beautiful symbols of the ancestors of Jesus for the Advent Jesse Tree in the church.
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
From Wednesday December 2nd Lanesboro Library will reopen for Browse & Borrow service on the following days – Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and on Saturday 10am to 1pm
Only 4 Customer or 1 family allowed at any one time. All children under 12 MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Photocopying/Printing & Scanning services are available.
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
What is covered on the programmes is: Week 1 • Using your mind to manage symptoms • Fatigue and getting a good night’s sleep • Introduction to action plans Week 2 • Dealing with difficult emotions • Physical activity, exercise, preventing falls Week 3 • Decision making • Pain management • Healthy eating Week 4 • Better breathing • Reading food labels • Communication skills Week 5 • Medication management • Positive thinking, dealing with low mood and feelings of depression Week 6 • Making informed treatment decisions • Planning for the future