Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Christmas Day Swim
Well done and thank you to everyone who took part in our Christmas Day swim. There were over 30 brave people of all ages who done the swim, and some enjoyed it so much they done it twice. A big thanks also to Ciara Gillen who has kept up the Gillen tradition of making the soup on the day which went down a treat with everyone.
Death
Losing one of the iconic figures in your community is always difficult and this was the case when news broke of the death of Mrs Phil Chalmers, Barnacor on Monday 1st January at the age of 92. Phil was predeceased by her late husband Johnny 42 years ago. She was a member and last remaining member of the large and respected Fallon family of 12 children from Lismacmanus. Phil met her husband Johnny in England where she had done her training and qualified as a nurse. Upon her return she got her nursing job in St. Joseph’s Longford where she worked through its many changes until her retirement. She was wonderful caring and respected nurse and her warmth lightened the hearts of even the saddest in their time of need and distress. She was lady with a great outlook on life with a warm and cheerful word for everyone that got to meet her. Phil was an elegant dresser with a great sense of style, she loved her game of bridge and loved to travel especially with her daughter Yvonne. She was a spirited and lively lady and such was her way she never let anyone feel down or demoralised. To her everyday was a wonderful celebration of life. She was a wonderful raconteur and regaled both young and old with some fabulous stories. The younger generations really enjoyed Phil’s company and her stories. For her 80th birthday Phil wrote an excellent book ‘Memoirs’ telling the story of the Fallon family and her lifetime until 80.
He remains reposed at her home in Barnacor on Thursday last. On Friday she was removed to St. Mary’s Church for her Funeral Mass. Following Mass, she was laid to rest alongside her late husband Johnny who incidentally was the first burial in Clonbonny Cemetery. We extend our deepest sympathy to her daughters Tracie, Jacqui and Yvonne and sons Johnny and Robert, grandchildren, relatives and many many friends we extend our deepest sympathy.
Town Twinning in our community
Below you will read a letter from Andrew Knowles the Chairman of the Lanesborough/Ballyleague Twinning Association and we urge you to get involved in what should be a wonderful opportunity and excitement for our community in the days and months ahead.
We are appealing on behalf of the Lanesborough/Ballyleague Twinning Association, to all the clubs, associations, and organisations in our community and interested people for your help and support with our venture.
Our aim is to ‘twin’ with a community in North-West France, Brittany. Our wish is to promote greater cultural relations and understanding between our communities, offer opportunities for exchange and travel, promote sporting and artistic events and most importantly get the youth of our community involved.
I can advise you that we have already found a community in Brittany who are keen to form a twinning agreement with Lanesborough/Ballyleague. Representatives of this community, Inguiniel, visited Lanesborough/Ballyleague in August and as a result of their visit, they are even more keen to promote the venture.
There are great opportunities for everyone in a twinning adventure, but especially we feel that it is the younger element of our community who will benefit the most. Broadening minds and horizons, experiencing different culture, language, food and getting a real understanding and knowledge of our European, and in the case of Brittany, Gaelic connections.
Our fellow county cousins in Granard recently enjoyed, in September, their first twinning experience when they entertained a party from their French Twin. So, we have picked their brains and they have been helpful, but what they were absolutely adamant about is that for a Twinning arrangement to be successful, it was imperative that we get all, or as many as possible, of Lanesborough/Ballyleague’s clubs, organisations and groups involved in the process.
To this end, what we would like from you, is one member of your organisation, preferably a committee member if such a thing exists, or just a volunteer who might like to be involved, to join us so that they can act as a conduit into the various community groups to get our message out there and keep their own associations up to date with how we are progressing.
It is not anticipated that all will be expected to attend every meeting we have, but they would be most welcome, this, we feel is the best way to make our mission a reality.
We will be holding a short meeting on Wednesday 17th January, in St Mary’s Hall at 7.30pm. We would be most grateful if you could provide a volunteer member from your club who would be welcome to join us at that committee meeting. If this letter tweaks your interest and you are not involved in any club, please feel free to come along to the meeting. The more we have the merrier.
To express your interest please email Andrew arknowles@hotmail.co.uk
If you have a colleague or friend who would like to help but can’t come to the meeting on the 17th then please advise Andrew at the email address above.
Thanking you advance for your co-operation in this matter.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Maureen and Martin Parker, Doughill, and their family, Damian, Helen and Marty, on the death of Maureen’s brother Seamus Boland, Lismehy, Strokestown, who died on Christmas Day, Monday 25th December.
Thank You
The Christmas Lights Committee would like to thank everyone who donated to their church gate collection on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We hope to invest in new lights for next Christmas. Donations can still be left with Joe & Martina O Brien or to Mags Hair Salon.
On behalf of the all the groups who read these notes to keep in touch with local events, we extend a big thanks to Joe and Martina O’Brien for their support throughout the year. We would be lost without your notes Joe!
Sunday night Card Game
Happy New Year and welcome back to all our players. Results from last Sunday night’s game are 1st Jack Bannon & Joe Dolan. 2nd Josie & Freda Connaughton. Last game Mags Gillen & Tom Rooney. Raffle winners were Michael Finnan, Geraldine Greene, Brendan Hanley & Frank McCormack. Game continues every Sunday night at 8.30pm. with light refreshments served.
Searching your Family Tree
Particularly since Covid time when people had a lot of time on their hands a big number of people both home and abroad have taken a great interest on their family tree and have begun to search for their roots. Speaking for personal experience and stories of others your own search can bring you so far and then your search become a blur, like searching in a maze.
The Killian Homeplace Family & Genealogy Centre in Fermoyle has become a lifeline for so many people seeking to trace or continue the search into their family roots.
The research team are excellent in researching where even the flimsiest family comment will lead the team to astonishing family tree connections.
If you are interested searching your family tree, then the Killian Homeplace should be your first point of contact.
If you want to trace your family tree and avail of their services, you should contact the centre on their website
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The President, committee, and members of the Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club are saddened to learn of the death of Phil Chalmers. She was a lively and competitive player in our club for 20 years.
We offer our sympathy to her family and her wide circle of relations and friends.
May she rest in peace.
Community Games for New Year
The Community Games in Lanesboro and Ballyleague Kilgefin has a long and successful history with many All-Ireland champions along with medallists galore in the All-Ireland’s, County and parish competitions.
Community Games give any young person boy or girl the opportunity to display their skills and abilities in a huge array of almost 60 different disciplines. Community Games is primarily a parent driven local organisation with parents anxious to ensure that the Community Games is good for their youngsters and their equally talented friends.
This is the time of the year that the AGM’s for both local Community Games groups takes place, and it is hugely important that all parents support their kids by getting involved in the formation of the committee for the coming year. It is very important to attend the AGM’s if only to show your support to the incoming committee. If you have recently arrived in our community the Community Games gives you that wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know locals through the involvement of their youngsters.
Please keep an eye on the Lanesboro notes, either in the Longford Leader or online, so that you can attend the AGM meeting and involve yourself or turn up just to give your support and backing for the elected committee.
Oskars USB
The recently successful Rathcline Night at the Oskars is now available on USB where those that did not get to the night or for the cast and family members who want to remember the magnificent night in the Longford Arms. The USB in a special presentation box is available in O’Brien’s costing just s costing just €20.
Tidy Town’s Lotto stands at €15,000
The Lanesboro Tidy Towns Lottery for Tuesday 9th January stands at a very exciting €15,000 and never would it be more welcome than on the weeks leading up to Christmas. This is a wonderful opportunity to win the €15,000 for just €2 or 3 envelopes for €5.
The draw took place in O’Brien’s Shop and the numbers drawn on Tuesday 2nd January for the jackpot of €15.000 were 2, 20, 23 and 25. There was no winner of the jackpot. Last week the winners received a double bonus with the €50 prize doubling and the €20 prizes rising to €50, all to celebrate the Christmas and New Year. The €100 prize was won by Eve and Beth Mulryan, and the 3 x €50 prizes went to Phil and Mary, 2 The Green, Mary Feeney, The Green and Geraldine Skelly, Aughamore.
The next draw will take place on Tuesday morning 9th January and every Tuesday morning in O’Brien’s Shop.
Your tremendous is ensuring that Lanesboro continues to look beautiful even during the winter months. Thank you very much for all your support and the committee extends the very best of warm wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2024.
Rathcline Operation Transformation
Rathcline GAA hosts Operation Transformation every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 730 pm to 830pm, for the next 5 weeks on the Walkway at Clonbonny.
Help our club to walk 4,000 kms in five weeks. Each evening, walk as long or as short a distance as you wish and enjoy a chat/ cup of tea after your walk. The theme for this year is “Walk and Talk with Rathcline GAA’”. You can track your kms walked using MyLife App, details for using the App are available on the Rathcline GAA Facebook page.
St. Faithleach’s Christmas Draw
The St. Faithleach’s GAA club Christmas draw proved to be a major success and the club is extremely grateful to its sponsors, its ticket sellers and everyone that supported the draw by buying tickets.
The first prize was won by John O’Boyle from Leixlip, Co. Kildare. John scooped the €5000 top prize in the Christmas Draw.
2nd – Eugene Smyth (€250 Teeth Whitening Treatment Sponsored by Eleanor Keaveney)
3rd – Carmel Glynn (€200 Cash sponsored by Alkermes)
4th – Jamie Betts (€150 voucher sponsored by Linnane Leckey Construction)
5th – Una Clarke (€100 voucher sponsored by David Malone)
6th – Tadgh Shea (€100 voucher sponsored by McKeon Fuels)
7th – Sophie Cox (€100 Cinema voucher sponsored by Michael Hanley Electrical)
8th – Maura Quinn (€100 Club Lotto Membership)
9th – Noel Banahan (Christmas Hamper sponsored by Mary Kenny and Family, Cloontuskert)
10th – Paddy Farrell (Xlntee Hair Salon Voucher sponsored by Claire Mullen)
11th – Darren Dunne (Chimney Cleaning Service sponsored by Sean Mimnagh)
Local notes inclusion
Anybody that wants items included in the local notes is advised that they have their note with me on a Sunday night at the very latest. This is to ensure inclusion in the coming weeks notes.
Short Breaks Scheme
Would you be interested in providing home from home short breaks for children and adults who have an intellectual disability? Brothers of Charity Services Ireland, Homeshare Roscommon are recruiting host carers. Training and support will be provided. There will be a tax-exempt allowance paid. For further information email Homeshareroscommon@gmail.com or phone Catherine 09066 28500 or 087 2126607.
Access for All boat
The Access for All boat is for everybody. The boat can cater for three large wheelchairs, but you don’t have to be a wheelchair user to avail of the excellent trips. Guided fishing excursions can also be organised. Advanced booking is recommended. You can contact by email www.loughreeboattrips.com or phone 089 2625505 or 043 33 84175.
Rathcline 50/50 tops €1,300
On Wednesday 27th December the Rathcline GAA 50/50 weekly draw took place in The Pier Inn. The winning envelope drawn out was in the name Richard Prior. Richard was the winner of another huge jackpot to date winning a mouthwatering €1,176.
The second draw over Christmas took place on New Year’s night in Clarke’s bar for a jackpot of €636, The winning ticket was in the name of Mary O’Neill, 3 Knock.
Well done Richard and Mary on your brilliant wins.
As always, the winning cheques can always be collected in O’Brien’s.
The Rathcline 50/50 draw takes place every Monday night in one of our local bars at 7.30pm. Your continued generous support is greatly appreciated, and your support is highlighted by the large pools every week.
Co. Longford Citizens Advice Centre
Co. Longford Citizens Information Service has recently been restructured and is currently under new management.
They continue to provide free, impartial, and confidential information, advice, and advocacy services to the public on social services, rights, and entitlements. The range of areas covered by the citizens information centre are extremely wide including social welfare rights and entitlements and other social issues such as employment, health services, housing, education, family matters and consumer rights, all where people need access to information.
The way people access the services changed during Covid and now they currently deal with a large number of queries over the telephone, however, they continue to provide our drop-in times and welcome people to their face-to-face service five mornings a week from the Longford office. The services are provided by experienced trained Information Officers who are there to help you.
The centre is located on level 1 within Longford Shopping Centre and direction can be obtained at the reception desk from Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 5.00pm. The office closes for lunch from 1pm until 2pm.
The Employability Service
is an Employment and Recruitment Service to assist people with a disability or health issue to pursue and maintain employment in the open labour market. If you are over 18, have a disability or health issue and would consider working part-time then you should contact Employment Services Roscommon support to help find you a job in your area. This is a confidential and free individualised service funded by the Department of Social Protection.
Are you managing mental health issues? There is the opportunity for Individual Placement and Support (IPS) that is funded by the HSE and offers a range of tailored personalised supports to people using mental health services who wish to work. For further information you should phone 090 66 28608 or call/text 087 3745307. They can also be contacted via email at info@rosemp.ie
Line Dancing
Line Dancing classes take place every Friday morning 11am at the Quad Centre Roscommon Town.
Line Dancing classes every Sunday at the Quad Centre Roscommon Town for beginners from 6pm to 7pm and Improvers from 7pm to 8pm
Dance classes takes place in Kilbride, Four Mile House every Tuesday 7pm followed by:
Jive & Waltz classes 8 45pm.
Alcohol Anon Meetings
Relatives and friends of those addicted to alcohol are welcome to attend meetings in the Family Centre at the back of St. Mel’s Cathedral. The meetings take place every Tuesday evening at 7pm.
Ballyleague Bingo
Ballyleague Bingo continues in Ballyleague Hall every Thursday night. The first numbers will be called at 8.30pm.
The club is extremely grateful for your continued tremendous support.
ALONE
ALONE is a national organisation that enables older people to age at home.
Our work is for all older people and aims to improve physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. We have a national network of staff and volunteers who provide an integrated system of Support Coordination, Practical Supports, Befriending, a variety of Phone Services, Social Prescribing, Housing with Support and Assistive Technology.
We use individualised support plans, to address health, financial benefits and supports, social care, housing, transport and other arising needs using technology and through harnessing other services.
We work to empower the whole sector of community support for older people through our Community Impact Network that provides Training, IT support and resources to other organisations.
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.
Local Health Service
The health service is here for us all, from routine to urgent calls. HSELive is here 7 days a week to answer questions. The number to ring is Freephone 1800 700700.
Roscommon University Hospital Injury Unit is available from 8am to 8pm seven days, a week and the contact number is 09066 32212.
Emergency Department deals with serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies if you need urgent medical help. They are open 24 hours a day and can be contacted by phoning 999 or 112.
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.
St. Mary’s Church Lanesboro
Masses: Monday to Thursday mass takes place at 10am each morning; Friday mass takes place at 7pm and vigil mass on Saturday at 6.30pm and Sunday mass at 11am.
Priest contacts: If you have a need to contact any one of the priests you can do so by phoning Fr. Merlyn Kenny 086 0603433 or Fr. Turlough Baxter 087 9972259.
You can also contact parish secretary Mairead Rooney by calling into the presbytery from Tuesday to Thursday, 10.30am to 2.30pm. or she can be contacted on the phone at 3321166.
Edel and the Choir: Each year Edel Loftus and her choir enhance the Christmas ceremonies with their wonderful music and song. Each year donations are made by the community and on behalf of herself and the choir she would like to thank everyone for their generous donations. This year the donations are going to UNICEF. If you would still like to make a donation you can do so by putting your donation into an envelope and leave it into the offertory collection box.
Alcoholic Anonymous Meetings Relatives and friends of those addicted to alcohol are welcome to attend this meeting in the Family Centre at the back of St. Mel’s Cathedral on any Tuesday evenings at 7pm
Talk to the Samaritans: Are you struggling to cope with life? Do you think it would help to talk about your problem in confidence? It does not matter who you are, how you feel or what happened to you. If things are getting you down, you can turn to the Samaritans for help. The Samaritans are available on Freephone 116123, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
Alone Volunteers: Would you be willing to provide companionship or make calls to older people once a week? Alone is seeking volunteers in the area. Full training and support will be provided. If you are interested, you are asked to sign up at the following address https://alone.ie/volunteers.
For more information you are invited to contact Helena at Helena.madden@alone.ie or phone 086 0145 829.
Co. Longford Citizens Advice Centre
Co. Longford Citizens Information Service has recently been restructured and is currently under new management.
They continue to provide free, impartial, and confidential information, advice, and advocacy services to the public on social services, rights, and entitlements. The range of areas covered by the citizens information centre are extremely wide including social welfare rights and entitlements and other social issues such as employment, health services, housing, education, family matters and consumer rights, all where people need access to information.
The way people access the services changed during Covid and now they currently deal with a large number of queries over the telephone, however, they continue to provide our drop-in times and welcome people to their face-to-face service five mornings a week from the Longford office. The services are provided by experienced trained Information Officers who are there to help you.
The centre is located on level 1 within Longford Shopping Centre and direction can be obtained at the reception desk from Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 5.00pm. The office closes for lunch from 1pm until 2pm.
Kilgefin Parish Notes
Contact: Fr Daniel can be contacted at 089 270 6060
Eucharistic Adoration: There will always be one hour of Eucharistic Adoration before the Blessed sacrament from 10.30 to 11.30am. every Friday in Ballyleague Church and in Curraghroe Church from 8pm until 9pm. You are invited to go along and spend a quiet time of prayer with God.
Church Car Park: A meeting will be held in Curraghroe church on this Thursday 11th January at 7.30pm with the purpose of forming a committee for the development of the church car park. All are welcome to attend.
Thank You: Many thanks to the children, staff and parents of Cloontuskert National School for their Christmas Jumper Fundraiser where €177 was raised for St Vincent de Paul.
Thank you: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul would like to thank everyone who supported last weekend’s church hate collection in Ballyleague. The total collected was €513.47.
Tap Machine in the Porch: All parishioners and friends are advised that there is a tap facility available in the church porch in Ballyleague church. Your generous donations goes towards the welfare ands maintenance of the parish.