Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Death
Of late sadness has continued to engulf our community and the past week was no different when we learned of the death at the Mater Hospital, Dublin on Monday 25th March of Stella O’Sullivan, Gurteengar following a relatively short illness. Stella was predeceased by her parents Tony and Tess Murphy, The Green. Stella following in the footstep of her mother Tess was librarian with Longford County library and spent many years as our most beloved librarian in Lanesboro. She was a lady that loved life and you had to spend only a short time in her company to realise her amazing zest for life. She loved music and especially going to concerts and music events whether with Brendan, family or friends. Stella was very arty and creative and had a particular skill in crocheting. The library was the ideal job for Stella, not that she ever seen it as a job rather a love. She had a love of the sea and in especially going to Strandhill in County Sligo. She had that innate love of interacting with people and especially young people. Despite the Covid pandemic she did not allow it to interfere with her duty as librarian, leaving bag after bag of books into O’Brien’s for collection or she would record a reading for people. She was an amazing lady that was loved and appreciated by everyone in our community and that was clear to be seen by the outpouring of grief at the reposing of her remains and Funeral Mass. Stella will be greatly and sadly missed by everyone that had the pleasure to know her.
Stella’s remains reposed at her residence on Wednesday and was removed to St. Mary’s Church on Thursday for her Funeral service. A private cremation took place in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan afterwards. To her husband, Brendan, daughters Amy and Lara, son Danny, sisters Eithne and Claire, brother Oliver, granddaughter Cadhla, relatives and may friends we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross on Good Friday brought a very big attendance. The morning was fine for the 10.30 start as the this years the Stations commenced at St. Mary’s Church before moving to St. John’s Church through the Main Street, down to the old harbour before moving on to the finish at the Church of the Holy Rosary Ballyleague. The Stations of the Cross was led by Fr. Dan Udfofia, Ballyleague, Minister Ed Smith, Fr. Merlin Kenny, Lanesboro and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Lanesboro.
Along the route the Stations of the Cross prayers and responses were recited by the attendance of our Catholic and Church of Ireland congregations.
This is the second year of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. It is a brilliant sight as it is happening seeing so many locals coming out to join in. It was also great to see such a wide variation of ages from young to old taking part.
Historic Day
Having been elected as the very first male to hold the office of the Camogie Association Brian Molly will take up his position as President of the Camogie Association this coming Saturday.
Brian, son of Kathleen and the late Gerry Molloy, Rathcline at the time of his election was Connacht Camogie Chairman and representing his home club of Ballindereen in South Galway will become the 32nd President of the Association.
Brian has recently been appointed as the new Defence Forces Head of Transformation. He joined the Defence Forces from the Social Welfare Appeals Office where he worked as the Chief Appeals Officer and Director in Longford.
Saturday will be a historic day for Brian and a proud day for his wife Vivienne, daughters Ciara and Aisling, mother Kathleen, his extended family, his club Ballindereen, his home town and parish of Lanesboro and Rathcline and all his friends.
We wish Brian the very best of good luck in his term in office.
The Pizza Story
Issue 2 of 9 year old Harry Kenny’s ‘The Pizza Boy’ is now on sale. This is a wonderful and creative achievement for one so young. The comic can be bought in O’Brien’s costing just €1. It is great to see so many people supporting this young man’s creation.
Tidy Town’s Lotto stands at €15,000
The Lanesboro Tidy Towns Lottery for Tuesday 2nd April stands at a very exciting jackpot limit of €15,000. With the jackpot having reached its maximum 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 26th March for the €15.000 jackpot were 5, 8, 10 and 25. There was no winner of the jackpot. The €50 prize was won by Jacinta Healy, c/o O’Brien’s and the three €20 prizes were won by Mike Greene, 51 The Green, Mike Mullooly New York c/o Mags and Marie Casserley c/o Mags.
The next draw will take place on Tuesday morning 26th March and every Tuesday morning in O’Brien’s Shop.
Thank you for your continued excellent support and we continue to try and make a difference for Lanesboro.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to John James O’Reilly, Knock, Dessie O’Reilly, The Green and their extended families on the death of their sister Josephine’s husband Seamus Smith, Moynalty, Co. Meath on Sunday 10th March.
Crochet for Children
Crochet classes for children is resuming in the Parish Hall on Friday evening 5th April from 3pm to 5 pm and Saturday 6th April from 10 30 am to 12 30 pm. Enquiries to Virginia on 086 2036542.
Sympathy
We extend our deepest sympathy to Carmel O’Shea, The Green, Teresa Reilly, Rathcline and their extended family following a tragic accident of their nephew Stephen Kelly, Athlone and Tullamore while on holiday in Spain.
Sign of the summer
One of the biggest yearly events in our area is once again set to take place on Sunday 23rd June. Roscommon Racecourse will once again be the venue for the Country Music Festival, A Day with the Stars. As is the norm the Day take place with a wonderful line-up of stars with those confirmed do far Mike Denver, Derek Ryan, Jimmy Buckley, Michael English, Cliona Hagan, Brendan Shine, Robert Mizzell, Patrick Feeney, Claudia Buckley, David James, Olivia Douglas and Brendan Jermym as the line-up of stars continues to grow. Tickets are for sale locally in O’Brien’s and they cost €35. Children under 12 will be free once they are accompanied by an adult.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Scott and Greg Cassidy, Church View and Curraghrua respectively and their families on the death of their grandmother Helen, McGinn, Burton on Trent England recently.
Learn to play Guitar
Complete beginner guitar lessons are now available in the Lanesboro are. For booking and further details phone 087 7774203.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Donohoe Family Rathcline Road, on the death of Carmel Donohoe, Knocknacarra, Galway. Carmel was wife of Pat Donohoe and mother to Donal, Eileen, John and Elizabeth to whom we also extend our sympathies
Weekly Card Game
The weekly card game takes place every Sunday night in St. Mary’s hall. The results of Easter Sunday night last 31st March was a four way tie for 1st place with eleven games.
Winners were Joe Dolan & Freda Connaughton, Frank McCormack & Brian Mulvihill, Tom Rock & Tommy Fox and Jack Bannon & Tom Skelly. Last game winners were Pat & Geraldine Greene. Raffle winners were Kevin McDonagh, Tom Skelly, Pat Joe Fallon, Kitty Feeney, Brendan Hanley, Pat Rock, Johnno Byrne and Frank McCormack.
The game takes place every Sunday night at 8.30pm and light refreshments will be served.
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.
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
On Monday 25th March the Rathcline GAA 50/50 weekly draw took place in Clarke’s Bar. The winning envelope drawn out was in the name Michael Kelly, Colehill, Carrickedmond. The jackpot for the draw on Monday night was almost €700 with Michael winning €672.
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
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 Maireád 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.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes: The Ardagh & Clonmacnois Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from Friday 31st May to Wednesday 5th June. The cost of the pilgrimage is €929 per person. Booking to be made with Joe Walsh Tours by phoning 01 2410800 or email: www.joewalshtours.ie
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Confession time in the Prayer Room takes place on the first Friday of each month from 6.30pm to 7pm.The next opportunity is on Friday 5th April
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.
Kilgefin Parish Notes
Contact: Fr Daniel can be contacted at 089 270 6060
Ballagh Church Updating: The files of the Readers and Eucharistic Ministers are being updated and all Readers and Eucharistic Workers are asked to forward their phone numbers l182824
Medjugorje Youth Festival: The Diocese of Elphin invites young adults in the diocese aged between 18 and 35 on pilgrimage to Medjugorje this summer for the Youth Festival from 31st July to 7th August led by bishop Kevin. The cost per person sharing is €650. For more information and further details please go to the diocesan website www.elphindiocese.ie/madjugorje or contact the diocesan office 071-9150106 or youth@elphindiocese.ie
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 donation goes towards the welfare and maintenance of the parish.