Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Wedding
At a civil wedding in Kilronan Castle on Saturday last 23rd December John Compton son of Marian and the late Gerry Compton, Church View and stepson of Pat Day Clonfanlough, Co. Offaly and Lorraine Mulvey, daughter of Sean and Kitty Mulvey Leitrim Hill, Kiltubrid, Co. Leitrim got married. Bestman was Padraig Keane, friend of the groom, and groomsmen were Gerard Compton, brother of the groom, John Gilroy, brother in law and Pat Daly, stepfather. Chief Bridesmaid was Clare Mulvey sister of the bride, and Laura Creamer and Elaine Prior both friends of the bride. Page boys were nephews Joshua and Theo McHugh and sons Oisín and Iarlaith Mulvey. Flower girl was daughter Penny Compton. The wedding ceremony was performed by Yvonne Griffin. The wedding reception took place in Kilronan Castle.
We would like to wish the happy couple many years of wedded happiness.
Church Gate Collection
The local Lough Ree Athletic club caters for the juvenile youth of our community for many years and they will hold a Church Gate collection on Saturday 31st December and again on Sunday 1st January. Your continued generous support will once again be appreciated.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Anita and Paul Trimble and Andy and Lorraine Sutton, both residents of Church View and their extended families on the death of Anita and Andy’s father, Pert Sutton, Ardsallagh, Roscommon who died on Thursday last 22nd December who died in Roscommon University Hospital.
Cloontuskert Grotto
Cloontuskert Grotto committee wish to express their gratitude to Oliver Kelly and family for the kid donation of a crib in honour of his late mother Nancy Kelly. Nancy was a founder member of the Cloontuskert Grotto committee when it was first built in 1987. Nancy recited the Rosary at the Grotto down through the years as well as the graveyard for 35 years. Nancy’s legacy will live on and the crib will be a reminder to us all of Nancy’s devotion to the Grotto since its inception.
Meal on Wheels
If by chance did not make it to Mass the weekend of the collection and still would like to contribute to the Meal on Wheels annual collection please drop you donation into O’Brien’s Shop. Thank you again.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Sinead and Gerry Kiernan, Clonfower and Sinead’s extended family on the death at St. James Hospital, Dublin on Monday 19th Decenmber of Sinead’s father Michael Moughty, Lissaniskey, Ballymahon.
Ballyleague Lights Appeal
Whilst all the volunteers give freely of their time and effort in ensuring this annual lighting initiative, however; in order to continue this work and to cover all costs such as insurance, upgrading and maintenance of lights etc the committee really need the support of the public/residents of Ballyleague and its hinterland.
The committee is extremely grateful to those who have donated thus far and for those wishing to support our efforts, you can do so by following the go fund me link https://gofund.me/74ef4ded or in person to Noel Moran, Gerry Trimble or John Loughlin or indeed in one of the collection boxes in local Businesses.
Every donation counts and is very much appreciated!
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Mary Kenny and her extended family, Cloontuskert, on the death on Wednesday 21st December of her sister in law Helen Gouldsbury, Moigh, Ballymahon.
Christmas Lights Appeal
Once again the Christmas Lights committee has done a wonderful job in lighting up the town for the Christmas season and for that they deserve great credit. To aid in the paying for this privilege, insurance and the replacing of a big number of bulbs that this year were hard to come by the committee is asking for a contribution from locals and businesses alike. You can make your contribution to Margaret Gillen, Brigid Mullooly, Mark Casey or leave it into O’Brien’s for collection.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Joan Matthews and her husband Alan Farrell, Ballyleague and the Yacht Bar on the death on Thursday 22nd December of Joan’s brother Eddie Matthews, Main St., Virginia, Co. Cavan.
New book on Roscommon’s Republican Dead
We now have another successful book by Henry Owens following the incredible successful sales of ‘Sliabh Bán’. The new book documenting all the people who died as a result of the Troubles between the years 1917 and 1923 in County Roscommon is selling very fast.
The excellent book with excellent photography is the result of research and photography carried out over the last number of years by Henry Owens, Strokestown and Thomas Flynn, Ballymoe.
The timing of the launch this year coincided with the centenary of the events that led to the deaths of over forty people in county Roscommon during those years.
Each victim of this troubled period is documented with a brief biography detailing their life from birth to final resting place and the circumstances of how they met their deaths.
The book is on sale in O’Brien’s at €16 and can be posted with the additional p&p. A limited number of Sliabh Bán books are still available.
Power Station Memories
Permission has now been granted for the taking down of Lanesboro Power Station. The pupils of Lanesboro National School, a school that has existed in the shadow of the station for the lifetime of the different stages of the stations are undertaking a project and they need any help you can give them.
In association with Creative Schools, the Arts Council Dublin, and Shuttermaniac Productions Lanesboro they are looking for ESB-related stories and memories in order to produce an engaging short film as part of a Creative Schools Film Project. Perhaps there’s an endearing or funny story that you or a relative or neighbour remember at their time in and around the ESB.
The kids at Lanesboro will be presenting this story on film so please keep it short and entertaining if possible.
If you think you do have a wee anecdotal nugget, please get in touch with Lee Williamson, school principal Claire Murphy or teacher Niamh Rowan in Lanesborough NS.
Not only will this be a school project but also a part of the history of what stood in Lanesboro and gave so much employment since the mid 50s.
Draw Results
The St. Faithleach’s GAA Club Christmas draw took place on Thursday 22nd December and the following are the results. 1st Hamper – Fintan Mc Cormack, 2nd €50 House Saver Voucher – Rachael Kilcoyne, 3rd Annual Lotto membership – Joe O’Brien, 4th Mini Hamper – Theresa Hanley, 5th Mini Hamper – Pauline Concannon, 6th Beauty Products – Ellen Cox, 7th Tin of Sweets – Pat Joe Fallon, 8th Bottle of Wine – Joe O’Brien, 9th Bottle of Wine – Kathleen Donlon, and 10th Wine – Olive and Emma Murray.
The club would like to thank all its sponsors and supporters of the draw.
Lanesboro in the War of Independence and after – Book still available
As the decades of centenaries come to a close, it is good to know that copies of the book, Longford’s Republican Story 1900 – 2000, are still available.
The Lanesboro/Cashel area was a hotbed of activity in both War of Independence and Civil War and this book has recorded for ever more the bravery and courage of the men and women of Longford in the fight for freedom. It lists all of the men and women from this area who took part in those conflicts. Longford’s Republican Story is a unique and exceptional book that will never be equalled and will be in great demand while it remains in print. We understand the author, Seán Ó Súilleabháin, may give a talk in Lanesboro in the New Year on the republican history of the area. Copies of Longford’s Republican Story 1900- 2000, with almost 600 pages, and costing €35, are available in O’Brien’s, Lanesboro.
Proposed new Mass Times
As the Parishes of Rathcline, Killashee and Newtowncashel now only share 2 priests between them a restructuring process is currently taking place with each parish losing one of its weekend masses. The proposed Mass times for Lanesboro is that Saturday evening Mass time will change to 6.30pm and on Sunday one Mass will be lost and the Mass time has yet to be decided at to either 10.30am or 11am.
Christmas Reconciliation Service will take place in St. Mary’s church on Friday 23rd December at 6pm.
Train how to use the Defibrillator
The Defibrillator training will take place in the New Year. If you are interested, please leave your name and phone number with Martina O’Brien in the shop or by phoning 086 3858934 or email to clynemartina53@gmail.com
Roscommon Group of Parishes
The December schedule for the Roscommon group of Parishes is Sunday 1st January Morning Prayer in St. Coman’s Roscommon.
Ballyleague Bingo
Ballyleague Bingo continues in Ballyleague Hall every Thursday night. The first numbers will be called at 8.30pm.
Old Days, Old Ways
Paddy Egan’s new book Old Day, Old Ways continues to be a runaway success. The book is a nostalgic look back at a way of life in Ireland over a century ago. The book is true nostalgia for the older generations that remember the days he writes about and for the younger generations an essential read telling the stories of traditional farming ways, old cures, tradition and sayings. It is a book that is very well worth the very reasonable price of €10. The book can be bought locally in O’Brien’s.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place in Clarke’s bar on Monday night 19th December and the winning envelope for a prize of €598 was in the name of Ann O’Reilly, Curraghrua. Congratulations Ann on this great win.
The club is extremely grateful for your continued tremendous support and wishes everybody a wonderful 2023.
Tidy Towns Lottery
On Tuesday 13th December the jackpot for the Lanesboro Tidy Towns lottery stood at €11,300 and as it was not won the jackpot rose to €11,400 for the draw on Tuesday 27th December. The winning numbers drawn on the 20th December were 1, 10, 18 and 19. The winner of the €50 prize was Rosie Rhatigan, c/o Yacht Bar and the three €20 winners were Mary D c/o Mags, Padraig Devanney c/o the Yacht and Dan Kavanagh c/o FÁS.
The committee are extremely grateful to everyone that bought and continues to buy tickets over the past year and they would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2023.
Support line for older people
ALONE manage a national support line and additional support for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to Covid-19. Professional staff is available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week from 8am until 8pm. Text TALK to 50808 to begin.
Alcohol Anon Meetings
Relatives and friends of alcoholics are welcome to attend meetings in the Family Centre building at the back of St. Mel’s Cathedral on St. Mel’s Road, any Tuesday evening at 7pm.
Smart Recovery
SMART recovery is an evidence based addiction recovery support group where participants learn self-empowering techniques to aid their recovery by overcoming addictive behaviour.
There is a meeting every Friday evening from 7pm to 8.30pm in Vita House, Roscommon. For information you should phone Conor 086 1702912 or info@smartrecovery.ie
GROW
Grow is a Community Mental Health Movement which meets every Monday at 11am in the Community Mental Health Centre, Dublin Rd., Longford. If you are feeling lonely, isolated or suffering from stress, please feel free to attend. You can call Assumpta for any further information on 086 8114135.
Kilgefin Parish
Deadline; The deadline for any notices for the newsletter is Wednesday – email to kilgefinparish21@gmail.comm
St. Mary’s Church
Rosary Group meet in the church on Monday to Friday at 9.30am and on Saturday and Sunday at 3pm.
Remembrance Candles
Remembrance Candles and name of those that died during the year are available at the back of the church and a family member is asked to bring them home.
Parish contacts
Fr. Merlyn Kenny, Newtowncashel 0860603433 and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Killashee 0879972259 who as you know are assisting in our parish.