Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Mindless Vandalism
The consequence of not being policed was really highlighted last Sunday 25th August and that we continue not to be policed is truly a shame on Garda management and an insult to our community.
What happened at the public toilets in the car park on Sunday afternoon/evening 25th August was truly unbelievable. Person/persons went into the facility and proceeded to do unbelievable damage smashing the mirror, the toilet seats and the toilet roll holders in the three toilets. You would have to wonder about the state of mind of someone that would do what they did. For the caretaker to witness the depredation was heart wrenching considering that the facility was kept so well. This facility is so vital for everyone that uses the car park area be it the kids and their families that use the playground, the walkers, the people fishing, those availing of the coffee shop and the many people that camp, caravan and camper vans.
These toilets were opened a few years ago and Mike Greene on his own volition opened and closed the facility until last year when he had to cease his volunteering. Following consultation between Cllr. Sean Mimnagh and Lanesboro Tidy Towns committee the facility was reopened and as usual it was kept in pristine condition.
If anyone knows or hears anything about this they are duty bound to ring 999 and relay their knowledge to the Gardaí.
It is frightening to think that somebody would stoop so low to do such an act and even more so to think that they may be living in our community. This has to be brought to a head before more serious damage is done.
Ciaran Prior Launches debut book
Local man Ciaran Prior, Tullyvrane, is about to have his very first book published on Thursday 19th September. Traces of truth – A CSI Investigates Life and Death is the title of the book and the idea for the book comes from his 15 years working as a crime scene investigator with the Gardaí and the lasting memory of the tragic death of his uncle Ciaran.. Following his retirement Ciaran stated speaking at TEDx Talks – A TEDx Talk is a showcase for speakers presenting great, well-formed ideas in about 18 minutes.
To us that know Ciaran and his family through their lives it is no surprise that Ciaran should be creative in literary and in speech. His parents Pat and Bridie Prior, Rathcline Road were huge influences in his career and his bloodline through his grandmother Mary Murray an outstanding star of local stage in her younger days and later on the backroom team of all the wonderful productions in bygone days in Lanesboro. His grandfather was a genius and renowned for his creative blacksmith abilities. His uncles Tommy, Eddie and Mickie were celebrated stars of the stage and literary scene. Ciaran married Jacqui Jordan where once again he was surrounded by the arts, with his father-in-law Tom Jordan starring on Fair City for many years and Jacqui herself being so creative as an interior designer. It is no wonder Ciaran has gone down the literary road having so much creativity in his blood and in his family all through his life.
The book has an intriguing title and we really look forward to reading it. We wish Ciaran huge success with his book and we really look forward to having a great read.
Engagement
Many congratulations to Kevin McKenna son of Bernie and Carmel McKenna, Barnacor and Karina Narolska, daughter of Czeslaw and Renata Narolska, Church View and formerly Poland who announced their engagement last week while on a holiday to Poland.
Local connection to death in Ukraine
On Saturday last 24th August we heard from all news outlets of the death of a Reuters Safety Officer. Little did we know how much the death would affect one of our own families? Killed in the missile attack on Hotel Sapphire in Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine was Ryan Evans from Wrexham, Wales. He had only returned to Ukraine following a visit home when the hotel was struck by a missile. Ryan had been working with Reuters since 2022 and advised its journalists on safety around the world including in Ukraine, Israel and at the Paris Olympics. He was youngest son of Dave and Geraldine Evans. Geraldine is originally O’Donohue from the Green and grandson of the late Jim and Lil O’Donohue. Ryan, along with his parents and brothers David and Frankie were very regular visitors back to Lanesboro and we have loving and lasting memories of the family holidays back to Lanesboro. Ryan had a real feel for Ireland enjoying all aspects of the culture and especially the music that was in his blood as his grandfather was an excellent Irish musician.
His aunts Mary O’Halloran and Phil Carroll live in the Green, his uncles P.J., Longford Town, Dermot, Ballyleague and Niall in the homestead on the Green and their families are grief stricken at this awful news.
Ryan was a father of four; Tristan, Felicity, Harrison and Logan and we express our deepest sympathy to his wife Anne, his children, his parents Dave and Geraldine, aunts Mary and Phil, uncles P.J., Dermot and Niall, relatives and extended family on their great loss.
Big time Winner
Many congratulations to Grainne Wyse, The Green on winning the latest McKinney draw on Thursday 15th August. Grainne won a Golf TDI R-Line or had the choice of taking the cash prize of £20,000 Stg. The McKinney is a very popular and on-going draw online draw and it keeps the draws keep coming for small investments.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Jim and Mary Reilly and their family, Gurteengar on the death of Jim’s brother Mike Reilly, Annaduff Glebe, Annaduff, Co. Leitrim on Friday 23rd August
New Book Launch
The much anticipated work by local historian John Casey, ‘Shannonside Tales’ will be published and available by the end of September. The book has been edited by Andrew Knowles author of the very popular ‘Blow Ins’.
The book covers many aspects of our community’s history from The War for Independence to Fair Days, Regatta’s, prominent locals, important visitors, the River, the varied local architecture and much, much more.
But not just the works of John, important contributions have been made by Sean Ó Súilleabháin and Tommy Murray with some pieces by members of the community no longer with us.
It is hoped that the launch will be on Saturday 28th September in St Mary’s Hall at 2.00pm but this is yet to be confirmed, watch this space.
Shamrock 165
Shamrock 165 is a trilogy of books written by Sligo native Gavin Walsh on the first ever Aer Lingus plane crashed on Snowdonia National Park, Wales
This is the true story of both the Irish nation’s and Aer Lingus first fatal crash, which occurred in Snowdonia National Park, North Wales on Thursday 10th January 1952. Gavin spent 13 years researching, writing and compiling the ‘Shamrock 165’ trilogy. His final results are diametrically opposed to both the British and Irish Government’s official investigation findings. The author has accumulated more than 1000 never-supposed-to-see the light of day documents; many of which illustrated in the 3 volumes. The story also details the lives of all the 23 victims who perished on that night almost 73 years ago.
On board was local Rathcline lady Evelyn Belton which makes this book of great interest to locals.
This is a fascinating trilogy of books delving into every aspect of the crash and a tremendous read. The books can be bought in O’Brien’s at a cost of just €65 for the set of three or individually Book 1 at €25, Book 2 at €20 and Book 3 at €30.
Lanesboro ICA
Lanesboro ICA Guild will hold their first Meeting of the new season in the Parish Hub on Wednesday next 11th September commencing with an Autumn Wreath Making Demonstration at 7pm followed by the Meeting at 8pm. New members are very welcome.
Harvest Festival
The very first Sliabh Bán Harvest Festival will take place at Ballybeg, Strokestown on Sunday 29th September. The show is being organised by the Mid Roscommon Vintage Club in no better location than the foot of Sliabh Bán. The club is renowned for its terrific displays at many festivals and I am very sure that this one in Ballybeg will top the lot for excitement and visual displays. On display will be vintage machinery, vintage cars, threshing and stone crushing, displays by blacksmith/farrier, arts and crafts. There will also be live music and lots of family entertainment. The admission to the Festival will be €10 with children going in free.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Martina Chapman and her daughter Ríona, Lisnacusha and their extended Edgeworth family on the death of her uncle Eamon Casey, Mostrim.
Coffee Morning Request
The team in the Mayo Roscommon Hospice are calling for people to host a coffee morning, evening with family, friends or work colleagues on National Coffee morning for Hospice Thursday 26th September or on another date if suits you better. Please register for your free pack online at https://www.hospice.ie/coffee/ , email info@hospice.ie or call 094 9388666. Donations welcome online at www.hospice.ie Please support.
Championship Update
Not a great weekend for both our teams in their Senior Championship games.
First to play at the weekend was St. Faithleach’s who travelled to Ballyforan to play Michael Glaveys. In what was a very tough and uncompromising game St. Faithleach’s came out on the wrong side of the scoreline. They now go into the preliminary quarter-final where they will play the North Roscommon amalgamation. At the time of writing I don’t have a date or venue for the game.
Rathcline travelled to Keenan Park, Ardagh on Sunday to play Colmcille. They too came out on the wrong side of the scoreline with Colmcille in command right through. They had already qualified for the quarter-final and did not start their injured players. While there is a doubt surrounding the final standings in Group B there is no clear indication as to who Rathcline will be facing. The quarter final will be in Pearse Park on either Saturday 14th or Sunday 15th September.
Mothers and Others
Rathcline Mothers and Others would like to thank all who supported our Table Quiz in Adie’s on Saturday the 24th of September. Thanks to our sponsors, Adie’s for hosting us, and our club members.
A great turnout was shown, and thanks to all who additionally supported the 50/50 draw. Congratulations to Cathriona Dowd on winning.
For more information on how to join, please check out the Rathcline GAA Mothers & Others Facebook page, ask one of our members, or contact Kelly McGovern on 086-1077766.
Statement
The following is an extract taken from a long and lengthy statement by the Cloontuskert Cemetery Committee.
It is with great sadness and with heavy hearts that the Cloontuskert Cemetery committee wish to inform parishioners and families with family members interred in the cemetery that after forty years of dedicated voluntary work in restoring the cemetery to its present state, that we are now stepping aside with immediate effect. The current situation will mean that no maintenance will be carried out for the foreseeable future until a new committee is formed. The committee wish to thank everyone that has supported them financially and gave so much of their time in making Cloontuskert Cemetery the best kept cemetery in Roscommon.
The Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub is delighted to announce that the King of the Lake 2024 International Pike Festival is open for entries.
The event will have over 40 prizes totalling €11,500 and will be run over two days of fishing on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th September – it is a boat fishing competition and anglers must be in a boat while fishing. Lure fishing, fly fishing and dead baits are the only methods allowed. Anglers may only use two rods. There must be at least two people in each boat and a maximum of three anglers and a maximum of four rods fishing at a time. You can sign up now on their Google form – go to the Facebook page and click the link https://www.facebook.com/Loughreeangling
Culture Night
The year the Annual Culture will take place on Friday 20th September in Longford Town with a great deal of local participation. This is the 19th edition of Culture Night and we encourage you to go along and support some of the fascinating productions taking place.
Local Clonfower and Lanesboro lady and artist Anna Peters at her Athena Gallery on Ballymahon Street will be hosting live art and live music for Culture Night.
At the gallery will be a caricature artist and live traditional music from Noel Carberry and friends.
The event will commence at 5pm and will continue until late.
You are invited to go along, have a coffee and enjoy all that the Athena gallery has to offer.
Another Clonfower and Lanesboro person Luke Casserly will bring you on a performative journey which takes you to the Irish bog landscape through scent. Distillation is a response to the recent cessation of the peat harvesting industry in Ireland.
Over the past year, Luke Casserly has collaborated with renowned perfume maker Joan Woods to create a unique distillation of the midlands bog – the place where he grew up – as the starting point for an olfactory encounter which looks at our human relationship to place. Dedicated to the future of our broken landscapes – in the hope that by listening to them, we might be able to better understand them.
Part lecture, part performance, the project is an ambitious attempt to look at our human relationship to landscape through scent.
Distillation will take place in the Temperance Hall from 8 to 9pm.
‘Reels on the Bus’ is an interactive traditional music workshop and live trad music session open to secondary school students in Longford.
Reels on the Bus aims to introduce young people to Irish traditional music with a one-hour workshop in Bodhrán. This workshop allows for 100% participation, where everyone will get a Bodhrán, provided by Music Generation Longford for the event and will be guided by Derryhaun man Noel Carberry amongst others on the basics of the Bodhrán.
Reels on the Bus will take place on the yellow bus at the Attic House on the Ballinalee Road from 4.30 to 6pm.
Local Knock Manor residents, artists Stephanie and Kevin Hanlon are creating ‘The Night Garden’ a site specific instillation inspired by characters from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. The instillation will be developed using sustainable materials and recycled objects.
The instillation is located in the service lane to the right of the Spirit Clothing shop on Main Street and will take place between 7pm and 10pm.
Local Tullyvrane artist Mary Fleming will be part of the County Longford Arts Service and NTE Longford to present ‘Light Bank’ a large-scale outdoor digital projection art event transforming the former Ulster Bank building in the centre of Longford town.
The project aims to transform the Former Ulster Bank building into a canvas of light, illumination and community spirit. This event, titled ‘Light Bank’ is a digital mapping project that seeks to blend the rich culture of Longford’s commercial past with contemporary digital art, creating a mesmerising visual spectacle that celebrates the place of Longford as a vibrant town.
This is just the local participation in Culture Night in Longford and even writing it make me tingle with excitement for what is in prospect for us on the evening.
I will add to the list of other events that does not include our locals next week.
Degree from home
Longford College of Further Education (behind Connolly Barracks) still has places available on their Business Level 5 course. This course enables students to start their degree locally in Longford and therefore save money on accommodation. Progress routes include a Business Level 6 course, which enables direct entry into year 2 of Business degrees in TUS. Buses are available to Longford from Lanesboro. The course fee is only €50. Apply via the website longfordcfe.com or fetchcourses.ie
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.
Blessing of Animals
A Blessing of your pets will take place at the Sacred Heart Church Roscommon 28th September at 3pm. This Blessing is supported by Irish Guide Dogs for the blind.
Rathcline 50/50
On Monday 26th August the Rathcline GAA 50/50 weekly draw took place in the Yacht Bar under the stewardship of Michael J O’Reilly and Declan Connor. The jackpot for Monday night was unbelievable reaching almost €1,400. The winner this week was Catriona Dowd who was the winner of €1,389. As usual, the winning cheque 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 great support is highlighted by the large pools every week – thank you.
Memory Café
Roscommon Dementia Alliance hosts a monthly café in Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle to help support people affected by dementia, their families and carers. The next month’s event takes place on Wednesday, September 18th from 2 – 4 p.m. and will include music, song, advice and a chat. If you would like to attend you are asked to visit www.roscommondementia.ie or contact Teresa Keegan on 087 7061183.
Tommy Fleming in Concert
Tickets for the Tommy Fleming Rathcline GAA hosted concert are almost gone with just a very limited number left. The legendary Tommy Fleming will perform in St. Mary’s Church on Sunday 24th November at 8pm. Described as the ‘Voice of Ireland’ and to have someone of his stature coming to sing in our community is truly amazing. I know that the concert is a while away but don’t delay in buying or booking your tickets as they are selling very fast. Tickets are on sale online too and Tommy’s popularity means that those tickets will be snapped up by people from outside the area who follow him wherever he plays. A further allocation of 50 tickets arrived this week and already there are a good number sold. Online sales are available https://tommyfleming.com/concert-tickets/ and you must act fast as they are proving to be very popular. Tickets are for unreserved seating and they cost €35 each.
Weekly Card Game
The results of last Sunday night 25th September game held in the Parish Hall are Kathleen & Annie, 2nd Jonno and Tom. Last game winners were Pat Rock & Frank McCormack. Raffle winners were Brendan Hanley, Peggy Moran, Martin McDermott and Gerry Leavy. The results of the game on Sunday night last 1st September are; 1st Kay and Anne, 2nd Peggy and Noreen. Last game winners were Jim and Kitty. The raffle winners were Anne, Pat Rock, Mary Gregg and Peggy Moran. The game takes place every Sunday night in the hall at 8.30pm. New card players will always be welcome. Light refreshments are always served
Lanesboro Library
Lanesboro Library will be hosting exercise classes for an 8 week period starting on Friday 6th September at 12.30pm. The class is entitled ‘Moving for Better Balance’ and you are invited to contact Teresa in the library for booking and further information. 3321291 or lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
The library is delighted to announce details of free one-to-one digital skills classes for anyone who needs help with their computer, smartphone or tablet. Classes will take place in the library from 10am to 1pm every Wednesday until 16th October. For more information and to book your 30minute one-to-one slot with the tutor you are invited to contact Teresa in the library for booking and further information. 3321291 or lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Visit Corlea
Right on our doorstep the fabulous Iron Age Trackway is situated in Corlea just 13km from Lanesboro. This very unique Trackway has an 18m long section of original Trackway the largest ever discovered in Europe is displayed at the Visitor Centre. You learn how people lived at the time and murals depict implements of the time.
This is one of Ireland’s most famous hidden treasures and it is a place that should be visited and bring your visitors to this wonderful experience.
Visiting the centre is free of charge and the excellent local facilitators will bring you thought the experience and leave you in awe such is their knowledge.
Tidy Towns Lottery
The weekly Tidy Towns lottery draw took place in O’Brien’s on Tuesday last 27th August for a jackpot of €15,000. The numbers drawn were 9, 10, 15, and 26. There was nobody with the good fortune to have the correct four numbers drawn out and the jackpot of €15,000 remains the same for the next Tuesday draw. The winner of the €50 prize was Mary Feeney, The Green and the three €20 prizes went to M & E Hanley, Cashelbeg, Elaine Donnelly, Newtowncashel and John and Annette c/o XLNTEE.
The draw will take place in O’Brien’s every Tuesday morning.
Access for All boat
Have you availed of the wonderful experience on our doorstep? The Access for All boat is for everybody and it takes you on a 90 minute trip out onto the lake as see its beauty and some of the islands on Lough Ree. The boat can cater for three large wheelchairs, but you don’t have to be a wheelchair user to avail of the excellent trips. Sailing times daily for the 90 minute trip are 10.00am, 12.00pm and 2.30pm. 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
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 provided. Tax exempt Allowances paid. For further information email Homeshareroscommon@bocsi.ie or phone Catherine on 090 6628500 / 087 2126607.
Community Employment Scheme
Western Alzheimer’s Roscommon has vacancies on their Community Employment Scheme for Dementia Specific Health Care Support Assistant to join our Community In-Home Respite Service Team. They are looking for friendly, approachable, honest, reliable and committed individuals who can make a connection with their clients in a supportive capacity and assist them to partake in their activities of daily living. Please call the Roscommon office on 090 6627816, they would love to hear from you!!
Lanesboro Garda Station
Lanesboro Garda Station has just posted a notice telling of its opening times where the station will have a member of the force in attendance for the public. Lanesboro station will be open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9am to 11am. The station will be open at those times unless the local Garda is dealing with a situation that requires their attendance.
Local Health Service
Local Heath Service is available at Roscommon University Hospital. The service will deal with urgent and routine health problems. The Freephone phone number to ring is 1800 700700.
For more information you are invited to contact Helena at Helena.madden@alone.ie or phone 086 0145 829.
Lough Derg 2024 pilgrimage season
One Day Retreats take place during August and September. For more information or bookings you are asked to contact 071 9861518, info@loughderg.org or website www.loughderg.org
Line Dancing For All
They say that Line Dancing, stimulates the brain, reduces stress, reduces risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, increases mental capacity, improves posture and balance, tones the body, strengthens bones and muscles, provides opportunity to socialize and meet people and its suitable and popular for all ages and all abilities.
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.
Crochet for Children
Crochet classes for children in the Parish Hall on Friday evening from 3pm to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 30 am to 12 30 pm. Enquiries to Virginia on 086 2036542.
Learn to play Guitar
Have you ever thought of learning to play the guitar? Complete beginner guitar lessons are now available in the Lanesboro area. For booking and further details phone 087 7774203.
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
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 on-going 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.
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.
Pattern Day: The Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois Pattern Day will take place on Sunday 15th September in Clonmacnois at 2.45pm. Pattern Prayers will take place at 3pm followed by Mass celebrated by Bishop Paul Connell. The preacher on the day will be Fr. Peter Burke, P.P. Ferbane.
Relics of St. Bernadette of Lourdes: The Relics of St. Bernadette of Lourdes will be taken to Ireland and to each diocese. The relics will be in St. Mel’s Cathedral on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th September. The purpose of the visit is to bring Lourdes for the Faithful, who may not be able to travel to Lourdes. It will be in the cathedral to share in some of the atmosphere of prayer and consolation that pilgrims experience, while they are there.
Rosary at the Grotto: Everyone is invited to go along to recite the Rosary at the statue of Our Lady of Fatima beside Cloontuskert old graveyard. The Rosary will be recited on the first Saturday of each month, this coming month 7th September, in accordance with Our Lady’s wishes.
Adoration: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues on Tuesday’s after 10am Mass until 8pm in the church. People are welcome to join the Adoration group any time. Those who do a designated hour are requested to arrange a substitute in they happen to be able to attend at their designated time.
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 6th September.
Smart Recovery: Smart recovery is an evidence based addiction recovery group, where participants learn self-empowering techniques to aid their recovery by overcoming addictive behaviour. There is a meeting every Friday evening in Vita House in Roscommon Town from 7pm to 8.30pm. For information contact Conor at 086 1702919 or info@smartrecovery.ie
Kilgefin Parish Notes
Contact: Fr Daniel can be contacted at 089 270 6060
Spiritual Nourishment: On every First Friday of each month the priest is obliged to visit all the sick, elderly and homebound in the parish to pray with them and give them Holy Communion. Family members are encouraged to inform Fr. Dan about their loved ones in need of spiritual nourishment.
Confessions: The Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance (Confessions) is very important for all Catholics. We are always encouraged to go to confessions to say sorry for the wronds (sin) in our lives and to experience God’s healing through forgiveness by the priest. Parishoners can always come to confessions after mass on Friday’s 10.30am or any time convenient to you.
Brothers of Charity: Are you interested in supporting someone with an intellectual disability, to be part of the community in which they live? If you are interested in volunteering in the Brothers of Charity Services in Roscommon, please contact Edel Crehan on edel.crehan@bocsi.ie or phone 0874887314 for more details.
Rosary at the Grotto: Everyone is invited to go along to recite the Rosary at the statue of Our Lady of Fatima beside Cloontuskert old graveyard. The Rosary will be recited on the first Saturday of each month, this coming month 7th September, in accordance with Our Lady’s wishes.
Medjugorje: The Pilgrimage to Medjugorje will take place from 9th to the 16th October. The flights will be from Knock to Mostar and the return from Split to Knock. Full board will be €855 per person sharing and the single supple will be €150. To book you are advised to phone Marian pilgrimages 01 8788159 or Tom Moran 086-0815635. The Spiritual Director is Fr. Christy McHugh.
Cloontuskert Cemetery Committee; It is with great sadness and with heavy hearts that the Cloontuskert Cemetery committee wish to inform parishioners and families with family members interred in the cemetery that after forty years of dedicated voluntary work in restoring the cemetery to its present state, that we are now stepping aside with immediate effect. The current situation will mean that no maintenance will be carried out for the foreseeable future until a new committee is formed. The committee wish to thank everyone that has supported them financially and gave so much of their time in making Cloontuskert Cemetery the best kept cemetery in Roscommon.
Facing into the Abyss
Back in the first August edition of the Mayo weekly paper The Western People, Edwin McGreal wrote a very thought provoking article ‘We’re sleepwalking into rural decimation’. Another article on similar lines “We’re sleepwalking into something that is going to be catastrophic” by P.J. Browne appeared last week in the Irish Examiner. The latter specifically describing the problems facing GAA clubs with rural depopulation to blame.
The articles resonated with me and brought me back to Lanesboro and Ballyleague that has been the fulcrum for workers since the early 1950’s. Not only did it make our community richer financially and educationally, it also widened our culture with so many people from so many counties and indeed countries coming to work here. We were the true cosmopolitan community. We benefitted greatly from all that the new people brought to us but it spread further afield into other communities. ESB and Bord na Mona brought a richness of people, cultures and finance to the entire area and many a business and family to this very day have both companies to thank for the creation of work, education and a way of life that gave so much to Lanesboro/Ballyleague and beyond. The arrivals added to our own cohort of local people working in both companies and created lasting memories.
Gratitude is something that has always been bestowed on both companies for the great generations of people that we have benefitted so greatly from their arrival.
Now that we are in a different time zone with ESB gone and Bord na Mona only a dying ember. We are noticing a tremendous downturn in our community and in particular the richness of our now departing youth. We are very quickly becoming an old community left with nothing but memories of times past. We have nothing to bestow on our youth; hence we are seeing the brain drain of our youth gathering pace at an alarming rate and depriving us of the next generation of bright and vibrant young people living and working locally.
For our sporting clubs we are beginning to see numbers declining at an alarming rate. A prime example is that neither of our two football clubs Rathcline or St. Faithleach’s on either side of the bridge can put our their own individual team in almost every one of the underage competitions hence our youngsters have to go and amalgamate together or with other clubs
As we all know you can get lots of support from the Just Transition for Feasibility Studies, you can get Government funding for infrastructure development at clubs and playgrounds and we have seen all those developments. In recent days I was told of an exciting Feasibility Study being proposed but it cannot happen as the funding from Just Transition leaves a major shortfall to a small group trying (as it seems in vein) to create a new, creative and better way forward.
The Just Transition was set up by the Government with the specific purpose ‘The funding programme in Ireland will support the areas in the wider Midlands where communities have been negatively affected by the closure of peat production and peat-fired energy generation facilities’. This ambition is where they are failing our community miserably. At the opening at the Access for All facility the Just Transition Commissioner, Kieran Mulvey, made an appeal that all Feasibility Studies be funded to 100% so that those excellent proposals can see the light of day. This proposal was made in the presence of the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and unfortunately to this day it has fallen deaf ears and his party still a part of Government.
We have seen absolutely no development for the creation of jobs or tourism projects that for a long time we have been told were coming. This community has seen many false dawns littered with false promises and unfortunately the trend is continuing to create blight on our community.
We have a creative and bright and intelligent community that continue to make enlightened proposals to improve our community, only recently John Hanley completed his Feasibility Study and he published a wonderful inspired proposal for the community.
Unless we see Government and Council support for hugely worthwhile proposals we are going to be led into rural catastrophic decimation for what was once an attractive, vibrant and energetic employment hub.
With three parties in Government we are being seriously let down by each of them individually and as a collective. No doubt with the General Election just around the corner we will once again be promised the sun, moon and stars but we now know we cannot believe not trust them as it will be the same old story as was promised at the last election. Imaginative and creative politicians are a rare thing and we really do need one.