Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Last day on Friday
We are all aware that the power station is no longer producing electricity but in order to ensure a complete and safe download the workers will have completed all their tasks on Friday next 8th January 2021 when the last of the local workers will finish their time in Lough Ree Power Station.
For 68 years we have known almost all of the workers who worked in the station and there is no doubt about it, but they left a lasting legacy in our community.
Friday will be a day for us to remember each and every man and woman that worked in the stations and helped to make our community what it is now. It is time to say thank you to all the ESB workers and to wish those, the last custodians of the station, leaving this week the very best of good luck, health and happiness.
Death
On Tuesday 22nd December we were shocked to learn of the death at his residence on the Green of Greg Gillen. Greg was predeceased not two years ago by his wife Bernadette. Greg and Bernadette came to live on the Green where Greg was working with Bord na Mona. He continued to do so right up to his retirement where he was a valued member of staff. He settled into living amongst us and his involvement in many firsts in our community was a credit to his vision and his interest in the development of our community. It was fitting as his remains entered and departed the church the crib that he was such a leading figure in creating on the Green in 1985 was positioned in its usual place 36 years on. Although he was settled, working and rearing his family in Lanesboro he never lost his love for his native Moydow where he always returned to farm the homestead right up to very end. Greg was in failing health for a time and his determination never let his ill health halt his love for the land. He was a keen game sportsman and was at all times a perfectionist as could be seen with the boats he made. He was a firm believer in education and his encouragement and support ensured that his children achieved greatly in their chosen field.
Greg’s passing leaves a great void in our community, the memories of all his involvements and his fingerprint on so much will leave a lasting memory.
His remains were removed from his residence to St. Mary’s Church on Thursday 24th December for his Funeral Mass which was followed by interment in Clonbonny Cemetery alongside his wife Bernadette.
To his family Margaret, Anthony, Fiona, Peter, Teresa, Brendan, Martin and Ciara, sisters Kitty and Anne, grandchildren, relatives and friendswe extend our sincere sympathy.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Claire Naughton her children Jack and Molly, Ballyclare Court, Ballyleague on the death of Claire’s father Jack Naughton, Cloghan, Mount Talbot, Co. Roscommon who passed away on Sunday 27th December.
Engagement
Our congratulations to Sorcha Deffew daughter of the late Noel and Bridie Deffew, Rathcline Road and Kevin Reynolds son of Tom and Mary Reynolds, Newtownforbes who announced their engagement over the Christmas period.
Death
It is with great sympathy following a short illness I record the death on Sunday 27th December of Mrs Bridget McCloat, Cloontuskert. Bridget was predeceased by her late husband Tony. Bridget along with her husband Tony came to Cloontuskert when Tony’s work with Bord na Mona brought them to our community. She settled in well and raised a fine family in our community. Bridget was a very quiet lady whose interest was her family. Her passing will leave a great sadness with everyone that had come to know her, and her passing will leave a void in the Cloontuskert community as one of its oldest residents passes away. On Tuesday last Bridget’s remains were removed to her native Sligo and to St. Adamnan’s Church, Skreen for her Funeral Mass. Following Mass, she was laid to rest alongside Tony in the local St. Mary’s Cemetery.
To her daughters Catherine, Bridget, Teresa & Ann, sons James & Michael, brother James, sister Mary (USA), relatives and many friends we would like to extend our sincere sympathy.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Pat and Hilda Quinn and family, Moher, on the death of Bernie Harte, nee Quinn, Derrane, Co. Roscommon sister of Pat. Bernie and the Quinn family once lived on the Green before moving to Longford. We would like to extend our sympathy to her husband Eddie, her children Karen, Aisling, and Marie. and her siblings Maretti, Peter, Tony, Michael, Kevin, James, Willie, Edel and Adrian. Bernie passed away on Sunday 3rd January.
Join the Team
The County Roscommon Disability Support Group are seeking people to join their team as home care support workers, Personal Assistants for people with disabilities.
Competitive rates of pay; Free QQI training modules; in house training; Flexible shifts; Cycle to work scheme; Employee Assistance programme.
There are vacancies throughout Roscommon and Mayo. If you are keen to get involved, you should contact Jackie 086 7857764 or Breda 086 8033783 for further information. You can also email recruitment@rsg.ie. Further information can be got on the website www.rsg.ie
Death
It was with great sadness we learned of the death on Monday 28th December at Innis Ree Nursing Home, Ballyleague of Mary Teresa Casey, Creagh, Ballinasloe and formerly of Mahoraveen. She was predeceased by her parents Martin and Annie, brother Joseph and sister Kathleen. Mary Tess as she was most commonly known was for many years prior to her retirement was a district nurse in the greater Ballinasloe region. She was a quite and refined lady and loved nothing more than coming home as often as she could. In recent years she was a resident of Innis Ree.
Her remains reposed in Glennon’s Funeral Home before being removed to St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro. Following Mass Mary Tess was laid to rest in Clonbonny Cemetery. To her cousins, relatives and friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
Friends of Asthma Shop
Due to the continuing restrictions the Friends of Asthma charity shop will remain closed until at least the end of January.
People with items for the shop are asked to hold onto them until the shop reopens. You are asked not to leave them outside the shop as they get wet and in this cold weather begin to get damaged in the frosty weather.
Thank you for your support in adhering to our request.
Lanesboro Library
Our library will operate on online service from this Monday 4th January. Library membership is free so why not join up. Contact Stella for all library information 043 3321291.
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
Lanesboro Gun Club
It was with great sadness that the club learned of the death of founding member of the club Greg Gillen on 22nd Dec 2020. Greg was a true outdoor sportsman and enjoyed nothing better than being outdoors with gun or fishing rod in hand. The enjoyment was only increased if Greg was on the water in one of his own built boats. Greg has passed on his love of field sports to his family. Indeed, Greg’s passion has also passed onto his Grandson Ben, a keen angler. As a founding member of the Gun Club Greg was a driving force in the set up and creation of a clay pigeon shooting grounds which was the envy of many clubs up and down the country. He was involved in all aspects of the running of the Gun Club, serving on various committees down through the years. He will be greatly missed by all our members. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time. May he rest in peace.
St. Mary’s Church
Restrictions
Once again, we are back into restrictions and public Mass is suspended and it looks as though we are facing into a long-term lockdown. Mass will be celebrated privately every day by our priests at the usual times Monday to Thursday 10am, Friday 7pm Saturday 7.30pm and Sunday 11.30am.
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.
Eucharistic Adoration takes places every Tuesday in the church from 10.30am until 8pm.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 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.
Good Wishes Fr. Sergiy, Fr. Merlyn and Fr. Turlough would like to wish everybody every good wish, health, and blessing for 2021.
Underage GAA Development
Although the Shannon Gaels AGM did not take place due to the Corona Virus Government regulations there was still a great interest in the development of the club by a number of people in taking over the running out the club from the outgoing executive who did a tremendous job for the past number of years.
Shannon Gaels has a proud history of inclusiveness and the aim is to continue and develop Gaelic Games for every young person in the parish that would like to don the famous club colours.
As can be seen with the current senior team the work done by the previous executive is a credit and the current team is bursting with the recently developed talent and the underage system has many younger players just biding their time until they too are proving themselves in the senior ranks.
If you are new to the parish or have children coming to the age to avail of the underage coaching, you are invited to be part of our growing club in Clonbonny. Coaching begins at under 6 and continues right up to the new minor underage level of Under 17.
If you would like to be involved in the administration side of things or want to avail of the upcoming Foundation and Level 1 coaching courses, I will have names and numbers for you to contact in the next week or so.
As you are welcome to our community you are equally welcome to our club and we do sincerely hope that you will stay long and be happy with and amongst us.