Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
New Mass Times
As and from next weekend the new structure for Masses at St. Mary’s church will commence.
Gone will the 9.30am that was traditionally our first Mass on a Sunday and the Saturday evening Mass will now have a change of time taking place at 6.30pm and the single mass on Sundays will be at 11am.
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.
Tri Club Open Night
Lanesboro Triathlon Club is holding their open evening in at their clubroom on Main St, Lanesboro on Saturday 14th January 2023 at 8pm. Come along to hear some members speak of their experiences with the club, find out about the training on offer and see our well equipped club room. Triathlon is for all. New members very welcome.
Ballyleague Lights Thank You
Ballyleague Tidy Towns and Christmas Lights Committees would like to wish everybody in the community a very happy new year. We thank you for your support during 2022 and look forward to working on your behalf once again during the coming year.
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!
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, and Mark Casey or leave it into O’Brien’s for collection.
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.
Ballyboro activities resume
Action resumes on the playing fields at the weekend. Four games on Saturday. The under 8s and under 10s play Gaels United in Drumlish in a double header. The under 8s kick off at 10am while the under 10s start at 12.30pm. The under 16s are at home to Inny Fc, 2pm kick off. The under 12 girls play Abbey Rovers at home, 10am start. Just two games on Sunday where the under 12s are at home to Newtown Blues at 1pm while the under 14 girls are also at home where Kenagh United provide the opposition 10am start.
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.
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.
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 26th December and the winning envelope for a record high prize of €1,110 was in the name of Michael Greene, The Green. Congratulations Mike on this historic win.
The club is extremely grateful for your continued tremendous support and wishes everybody a wonderful 2023.
Weekly Card Game
Happy New Year to everybody. Results from last Sunday night’s game are: First was a three way tie on ten games with Kate & Mick, Pat Joe & Tom and Peggy & Noreen. The last game winners were Annie & Kay. The raffle winners were Tom Mulvihill, Ciara, Brendan Casey and one other! Game every Sunday night at 8.30pm sharp with light refreshments served.
ALONE
ALONE provides many services to older people. It recruits, trains and supports volunteers for two services of Visitation/Befriending and Phone /Befriending. Would you be prepared to provide companionship once a week? Full training and support will be provided. For more information contact Francis 086-1085965 or volunteer@alone.ie
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
Adoration: will resume on Tuesday next 10th January.
Feast of the Epiphany: Friday next 6th January with Masses at 10am and 7pm.
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.