Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
The Green – a living memory
This is where I am going to need the help of those named to tell me of those that were omitted from their class. The list I have is not full complete and I would ask you to contact me and tell me who is right and wrong from this list.
The first students in the Boy’s school on the Green – Micheál Mac an Taor, Micheál Ó Muireadaigh, Owen Harte, Charlie Brennan, two brothers Muiris and Padraig – don’t have surname, Padraig and Sean Mc Fairringe, Michael Kennedy, Gerry O’Neill, Bobby O’Neill, Paul Nolan, Richard Dalton, Conal Wrafter, P.J. Donoghue, Vincent, Linnane, Johnny Linnane, Jimmy Linnane, Kevin Linnane, Joe and Raymond Kenny ( Ó Connaig) Gerard Regan, Liam Murphy, Michael Regan, Pat Monaghan, John Joe Monaghan, Pat Monaghan and finally three Mac Seoige brothers – I think Joyce, Martin, Cóilín and Anthony.
Signs are good
With the breaking news that both the Lough Ree Arms and Convent of Mercy residence have both been sold shows us that there is a great interest in Lanesboro and the bright prospects that have been mooted in recent times. As reported before in these notes there is a lot of work being done in the development of Lanesboro and with a high possibility of a number of these developments coming to fruition. Lanesboro and Ballyleague have never looked as good and with potential entrepreneurs looking at our area we are really creating a great image. Good luck to the purchases of both building and we hope that they will have a very successful time in our community.
Golden Jubilee
On Sunday 5th July an event has been organised in Lough Rynn Castle, Mohill to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Ordination of Fr. John Quinn who served as a priest with us in Rathcline parish. The event will start at 5pm. Fr. Quinn will be fondly remembered within the parish as a priest who gave great comfort and succor to many parishioners. He was one of the prime movers of the festival of Irish music on the banks of the Shannon at Aughakeel that will be long remembered a forerunner to many festivals. You are invited to go along and celebrate with Fr. Quinn. Tickets are available by contacting Dympna Quinn by phoning 087-1252820.
Great Community Games
The Community Games County Athletics Finals took place in the sunshine in Ballymahon on Sunday 14th June with huge representation from Lanesboro. Well done to all of the competitors who participated. Lanesboro came away with lots of medals and 8 competitors going forward to represent Longford at the National Finals in Athlone in August. The first medal of the day went to Victoria Jedrych who got a gold for the U12 Ball Throw. This was followed by Hazel Johnston who received Silver in the Long Jump. The track events took place in the afternoon. Lanesboro got Gold in the U15 Mixed Relay in a very exciting contest fought by Lucy Ann Myhill, Orla Keane, Crónan Flood and Bryn Peters. Lanesboro took Silver in the U 14 Boys Relay: Sean Kenny, Liam Ross, Harvey Myhill and Séadhna Ryan. The U 10 Mixed Relay took third place and Bronze medals: Kieran O’Dowd, Cormac O’Dowd, Hannah Mitchell, Polly Myhill and Aoife Kennelly. We had 3 spectacular individual wins in Liam Ross (U 14 100M), Aoife Kennelly (U10 200M) and Kieran O’ Dowd (U10 200M). A special thank you to the members of the U8 Fun Relay team who all got medals: Saoirse Mimnagh, Laura Rhatigan, Liam Rhatigan and Luke Johnston. Also to the pre-schoolers, Junior Infants and Senior Infants for taking part on the day. Thank you to the parents who helped out on the side-line and to Margaret Mullooly, Susan Keane and Fabian Walsh who helped prepare for the day and who were there on the day to lend a hand. A huge thank you to the youth volunteers who worked hard all day: Stephen O’Dowd, Ronan English and Niall Keane. A word of appreciation also to Joe O’Brien for displaying names of entrants in his shop window. Best of luck to the Gold Medal winners who go forward to the next level bringing the total number of children competing at National Finals from our parish to 31.
Can’t keep a good man down
No matter where one goes in the world there is always a likelihood that you will come across a group of Irish involved in GAA and it was no different for Kieran Feeney when he moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, for work. Kieran who coached in both ladies and all sections of the men’s club in Rathcline found himself one evening in the company of such people. Kieran’s love of the GAA seen him getting involved in the Copenhagen GAA club in a management capacity. Recently they traveled away for a tournament and Kieran got his first taste of success on Denmark soil when the team emerged victorious.
Cemetery Sunday Dates
The dates have just been announced for the three cemetery Sunday’s in the parish of Rathcline. As usual the first blessing of the graves will take place in Rathcline Cemetery on Sunday 5th July Lanesboro, the following Sunday 12th July it will take place in Lanesboro cemetery with the final blessing of the graves taking place in Clonbonny – all taking place at pm.
It is very important that everyone tend to their family graves and have their own particular looking great for this very special occasion.
Lough Ree Golfing Society
The next outing of the Lough Ree Society is to Loughrea, Golf Course, Loughrea, Co Galway.
The tee is booked for one hour from 11am to 12noon on Saturday next 20th June. It is a lovely challenging course and the club house offers the finest of refreshments in a beautiful setting.
The first two outings of 2015 have been very well attended and as many are looking forward to this, the first visit of the society to Loughrea, a large crowd is expected. To book your place on the time sheet text Frank on 0879730611. Keep it straight!! See you all in Loughrea.
Monster Auction Saturday week
The first ever Rathcline GAA Monster Auction will take place on Saturday week 27th June at 1pm at the club grounds in Clonbonny. Time is closing in for your donations of goods and services which can be used in the auction. The club is actively asking people to donate goods for auction e.g. gym equipment, household goods, furniture, antiques, toys, building materials, fuels, vouchers, tickets etc. Services can also be donated e.g. tradesman services, gardening, painting, physiotherapy, hairdressing, beauty treatments etc. Lifestyle donations such as holiday breaks, gym memberships and activities of all sorts. Donations can be left into Farrell’s Agri Supplies or contact Gerald Farrell on (086) 8745180 If you can help please do not hesitate to contact Gerald.
Book your Irish Language Course
An Irish Language Summer Course (SIAMSA!) will take place from Monday 6th July to Friday 10th July in Gaelscoil Longfoirt. The course will take place from 9.30am to 3.00pm each day and will cater for students from Second Class to First Year. Further information and Applications forms available from Yvonne Ní Mhurchú 087-2642665.
Lanesboro Triathlon Club
The racing season is well and truly underway now and the training is paying off for our members who have been working hard all winter.
Midland Interclub Aquathon Series: There are many different events on the calendar and the most recent was the Midland Interclub Aquathon Series which takes place every Wednesday evening hosted by a different club each week. The series got off to a cracking start with the first race taking place in the Tarmombarry. Longford Triathlon Club organised a superb event as per usual and Lanesboro Tri Club performed remarkably well with members coming out in force to represent the club and gain valuable points towards the series. The event consists of a 750m swim followed by a 5km run. Sean Farrell was the first club man home with Marie Mc Loughlin taking first lady home for the club. The second race in the series took place in Lough Key Forest Park with up on 20 members both individuals and relay teams taking on the course. Well done to Mark Kenny who arrived home first Lanesboro man over the line and Ronie Masterson who was first lady for the club. Huge congrats to all who came out and competed as their performances all count towards the series.
The next aquathon takes place on Wednesday 16th June in Crookedwood in Mullingar hosted by Midland Tri Club. We hope to have a representative from the club out on the evening. Following the Midland’s race the club will then head to Coosan for Athlone’s aquathon.
On the following Wednesday and to the last race in the series, the big one held by our Lanesboro Triathlon Club. This event takes place on July 1st at 7:30pm. It promises to be a very exciting race and the winners of the series will be announced on the evening. As usual we will serve refreshments after the race in the Co-Op Hall, where the athletes will await the results. Lanesboro Tri Club would like to invite the people of Lanesboro and Ballyleague to this event. Enjoy the excitement of the race and then join us for a cuppa and a chat as you mingle with the triathletes. This is your opportunity to find out what this sport is all about. We would be delighted to see lots of local people join us on the evening. Spread the word!
Tarmonator Triathlon:
Last Sunday saw over 40 members of the club, both individuals and relays taking part in the newest race on the triathlon calendar, Longford Tri Club’s Tarmonator Triathlon. A new venue, new course and lots of new personal bests on the day. This local race was the perfect opportunity to hold our club members race. Big congrats to all who took part, especially to Mark Kenny (club secretary), first male home from the club, Marie Sudway first overall female and Ronie Masterson who then took first club female home. Well done to you all. A special mention to those who took on their first triathlon at Tarmonbarry. A daunting task but a very rewarding one crossing that finish line after completing a swim, bike and run. Well done to you all on your fantastic achievements. To Longford Triathlon Club a big well done on putting on a new exciting race, which is just on our doorstep. All the hard work planning and organising is now behind you and the race was a credit to you all. We look forward to next year. They even managed to get the weather right! Great planning.
Two Provinces Triathlon:
July 11th is the date for our big event, Two Provinces Triathlon. We look forward to welcoming triathletes to Lanesboro from all over the country. The main triathlon race consists of a 750m swim in Lough Ree followed by a 20km bike out to Scramogue and back and finishes with a 5km run up the Rathcline Rd and back down through the quarry to the finish line beside the duck pond. We will also host the second race of its kind in the country, an aqua bike (swim & bike) and a try-a-tri which gives those who are not confident with swimming a full 750m, the opportunity to take on a shorter distance swim. Our race committee and club members are working hard to put on a great event, once again putting Lanesboro on the map. So come out and cheer on all the triathletes as they take on the challenge.
The Race for Sam
The race for Sam Maguire continues next weekend and it will generate lots of excitement in our area. Roscommon will travel to Markievicz Park, Sligo, for Connacht semi-final on Saturday next where they will take on Sligo at 7pm. This is a big occasion for our local representatives on the panel Brian, Ciaran and Diarmuid Murtagh, selector Walter Burke and the team. We wish them all the very best of luck and we hope that the team doctor David Harrison, Ballyleague has nothing to do during the game.
On Saturday with the same 7pm throw in time Longford will take on the challenge of Carlow in the Qualifiers in Pearse Park. We wish our local representatives Liam Connerton and Shane Kenny and their team mates the very best of luck.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place in Clarke’s Bar on Monday night last 8th June and the lucky winner was Aisling Ormsby c/o Clarke’s Bar. Aisling received the winner’s prize of €460. The club thanks everyone for their support and encourages everyone to support their weekly draw. For just €2 you too can be a winner.
Lanesboro Library Events
A History of Business in Lanesboro and Ballyleague
The launch of our exhibition on A History of Business in Lanesboro and Ballyleague will be held in the library on 23rd July. Anyone with old photographs of Business in the town or business people, old shop signage, old artefacts etc. and would like them included in the exhibition, please drop them in to Stella in the library. Thank you.
Lanesboro Community College Art Display:
A fantastic display of the art created by Lanesboro Community College students is on display in the library for the summer months. Please drop in and appreciate their fine work. Also the students have entered 3 sculptures in the Strokestown Park Schools Sculpture Competition. Pictures of their entries are on display in the library. They would really appreciate your voting for Lanesboro entries at Strokestown House to help them win €2,000.
Art Class: Art Class 2 continues on Wednesday 19th June. Cost €10 per night. All welcome.
Lasraí Writers Group: Next meeting is on Monday July 13th 7 – 9pm. New members welcome.
Knitting & Crochet Group meetings every Monday 2 – 4pm. All welcome.
Active Age Group are taking a break for the Summer. Meetings start up again in September.
Book Club continues on Friday morning June 26th June at 11am where the book for discussion will be ‘Tenderwire’ by Claire Kilroy
ESOL classes (English for speakers of other languages) are taking a break for the Summer and will start up again in September.
Tickets on sale in the library for Fast Track Stroke Service for The Mater Foundation. €3 each or 2 for €5. Please support this very worthy cause.
Foreign Currency Appeal Reminder The library is still collecting unwanted foreign currency and old coins/notes in aid of ISPCC. The smallest donation can make a huge difference.
Used stamps also being collected at the library for ISPCC.
Lough Ree AC
Claremorris was the venue on Saturday last for the Connaught Track & Field championship for the U13 and upwards age groups. Again, a long day with medals for the boys only – that is not to say the girls let the side down in their performances. Caoilinn Flood had a personal best in the long jump and she was only a whisker away from a bronze medal while Roisin Brennan was placed 5th in the Shot Putt.
Ryan Murray and Conor Rohan proved that their successes at Schools level was no flash in the pan. Both were gold medal winners in their respective age groups and are a real talent. Mark Brady went one step further – winning the senior Shot Putt and being 2nd in the senior Discus. Having completed his disciplines he officiated at the underage throwing events – each club in the province is expected to provide at least one official for competitions. The club is eternally grateful to Mark for this as it allows the club officials and parents to concentrate on the club’s young competitors.
Going to press, the full results from the Co. Longford Community Games Finals are not available, but Feel they may be featured elsewhere in these notes. Suffice to say it was a great days sport enjoyed by a large crowd. Last week’s notes mentioned Aoife Kennelly’s performance in Claremorris was “something else”. In Ballymahon, she gave a repeat performance, slipping at the start of the U10 200m and recovering to win the event. Kieran O’Dowd was equally impressive when winning the Boy’s U10 200m as was Liam Ross when winning gold in the U14 100. Victoria Jedrych started the day off on a great not when winning a Gold medal for the U12 Ball Throw. The occasion cannot be let pass without mentioning Lanesboro’s exciting win in the U1 mixed relay. The Peters, Flood, Myhill and Keane quartet brought the crowd to their feet when winning. Indeed it was thought some of the parent might have to be taken off to Mullingar!
Gratitude to everyone who represented Rathcline parish on Sunday in Ballymahon, you did us proud!
Finally a big thank you to everyone that contributed to the Church Gate collection at all masses last weekend not forgetting those that stood at the table.
Lough Ree Angling Hub
Accommodation for Anglers
The Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling hub requires details of accommodation for a potential group of 200 International anglers visiting here in the area next year for a major competition.
If you would like to register self-catering or bed and breakfast accommodation please sent two photos of your property (internally and externally) to loughreeanglinghub@gmail.com with details of rates for five nights. For further details contact Hub chairman Hugh Keane, Vice Chairman Gerald Farrell, Treasurer Alan Farrell or PRO Ciaran Mullooly
Angling Coach Training
The 2nd day of foundational level training for angling coaches in this area takes place on Saturday week June 27th in Lanesborough. This event will have a special focus on coaching people with special needs in the skills of angling. To take part contact Hugh Keane
Competition Success
The Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling hub wish to thank everyone who took part in the recent International coarse angling competition. Our winner was Tony Kersley from Enniskillen and we had over 40 competitors from all over the UK and Ireland. Weather conditions were difficult for fishing but to see the angling stands all full was a great sight. Special thanks to Gerald Farrell who sponsored a perpetual cup for the occasion.
The children’s competition took place last Thursday evening and was very well supported. The winner was young Gabriel Klava from Meadowbrook, Ballyleague.
Development
The Angling hub will be meeting with Inland Fisheries Ireland and all the state agencies in the next two weeks to determine what now must happen in the areas of the river where the Asian clams are causing damage to the fishery. The trial has now been complete and a proper rehabilitation plan for the fishery must be drawn up.
Tennis Club
The Lough Ree Bay Tennis club continues weekly coaching for all local children from 6 to 8pm every Saturday evening at the tennis courts in the marina in Ballyleague. Children aged 5 to 10 normally train between 6 and 7pm. Older children are coached by Tennis Ireland level 2 coach Richard Turner from 7 to 8pm. All club members and their parents are requested to get in touch with the club this week to confirm their plans for next weekend. Please e mail: loughreebaytennisclub@gmail.com if you wish to take part. With the holiday season now pending the club would like to invite all parents to notify us if they are not going to be attending. It is hoped to have a summer season games and fun day for all members on Saturday July 4th.
Ballyleague Tidy Towns
With adjudication taking place this week in the National Tidy Towns competition Ballyleague Tidy Towns are asking all local residents and visitors to play their part to ensure the village is looking clean and tidy. It was particularly great to see five local residents out painting their property last weekend in the sunshine – and putting up their own flower baskets afterwards. The committee is very grateful to John Loughlin for putting five water butts in place at the weekend – thanks to the support of Marian Parker, Environment Officer, Roscommon County Council. The butts are a very important part of our community sustainable waste programme and have been put in place at the Waterways Ireland boat shed in the north harbour, the credit union in Ballyleague, the church of the Holy Rosary and St Faithleach’s GAA grounds. All rain water collected will go towards the watering of flowers and plants in the area over the summer. Our thanks also to Jimmy Judson, Michael Hanley and Paddy Hilton who have worked hard to get new estate signage in place for Shannonside estate on the Roscommon road.
Special thanks to the Junior Tidy Towns teams who were out and about last weekend involved in clean-ups, planting of flowers and plants, making new bug hotels and painting walls. All the children will continue their work this coming week before the final presentation of the season at the national school next week.
Thank You
On Friday last St Brigid’s GAA club Killashee, in their 125th anniversary year, held a very successful fundraising night at Longford Greyhound Stadium.
The committee would like to thank sincerely everyone who bought tickets and joined us on the night. We would like to thank the local businesses who advertised in the Night at the Dogs booklet. Without your financial support the club would not survive.
Rathcline GAA
Monster Auction – Rathcline GAA are hosting a Monster Auction on Saturday 27th June at 1pm in Clonbonny. Viewing will take place from 11am that morning. We are asking the community for donations of goods and services which we can use in the auction so get thinking over the next few weeks of what you can donate. We are looking for people to donate goods for auction e.g. gym equipment, household goods, furniture, antiques, toys, building materials, fuels, vouchers, tickets etc. Services can also be donated e.g. tradesman services, gardening, painting, physiotherapy, hairdressing, beauty treatments etc. Donations can be left into Farrell’s Agri Supplies or contact Gerald Farrell on (086) 8745180. Thank you in advance from all at Rathcline GFC.
50/50 Draw – Congratulations to Aisling Ormsby, Gortgallon, who was last week’s winners of €460 in our 50/50 draw. The draw takes place every Monday night at 9pm and envelopes are available in all local businesses. The next draw takes place in The Peer Inn on Monday 15th June.
Longford seniors – Rathcline would like to wish Liam Connerton, Shane Kenny and the entire Longford senior football squad the very best of luck in their All-Ireland qualifier game against Carlow next Saturday at 7pm in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park. Hopefully there’ll be a big, vocal home crowd in the park to see the lads get their season back on track.
ACFL Division 2 – Our next league game is provisionally scheduled to take place Friday June 26th (subject to change) where we take on Ardagh St. Patricks in Clonbonny at 8:30pm. This is an important game for the lads as they look to bounce back from the disappointing result against Ballymahon last time out.
Congratulations – to our club Treasurer Stephen Rooney and also to former club player Richie Cheevers who were both part of the C&D Pet Food syndicate who won €500,000 between them in the Euro Lotto on Tuesday night last.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Senior League: The seniors lost to Clann na Gael on Sunday afternoon in Ballyleague. Result: 3-14 to 0-04. Team: S. O’Connor, D. Mc Cormack, D. Murray, B. Scally, J. Sweeney, H. Kenny, P. Cox, C. Gunn, D. Rooney (0-2), A. Manning, D. Hussey, B. Hussey, P. Brennan, A. Dooney (0-2), A. McCormack. Subs: P. Hunt, A. Brehon for P. Brennan. U12 Girls: U12 Girls had their division 4 final on Sunday against St. Brigid’s which ended up having to go to extra time after a draw. Extra time resulted with a 1-1 draw again which means that the final will have to be replayed. Team: M. Banahan, A. Gallagher, C. Carroll, K. Carthy, L. Costello, J. Gibbons, R. Donlon, H. Barry, O. Irwin, A. Casey, L. Cox, S. Hickey, A. Connaughton, H. Burke, K. Murray. Subs: K. Lackey, C. Carroll, I. Sutton, L. Gibbons, K. Rohan. All seven divisional finals took place in Ballyleague and a fantastic day was had by all. Thanks to everyone who helped on the day and to Roscommon LGFA. Roscommon U14 Ladies: Hard luck to the Roscommon U14 Ladies, their management, and our club reps; Ellen Irwin, Kate McPhillips, and Jennifer Brennan, who lost to Donegal in the All-Ireland B Semi Final on Saturday last. U14 Boys: Start their championship games on Tuesday 16th against Kilglass. Community Games: Community Games Gaelic Football semi-final and finals were held on Saturday in the club ground with our U10 Boys narrowly missing out to Knockcroghery. Thanks to everyone who took part on the day.
Trip to Lanzarote: St. Faithleach’s trip to Lanzarote on the 28th January 2016 is filling up fast so to book your place please contact Brian Scally (087)9702921 or Stephen O Connor (087)7750017. All are welcome and if interested please inform either of the above with €100 deposit before Sunday 5th July. Cards: Takes place every Tuesday night at 8:30pm. Last week’s winners: Mary K/ Michael R, second place Mick/Paddy, runners up Bill/Kevin. As last week’s game was in aid of the Scared Heart Home we would like to thank everyone who took part. Sympathy: The club would like to extend deepest sympathy to Pat Joe Fallon and family on the death of his sister Rebecca Fitzpatrick nee Fallon, Mountrath, Laois and formerly of Tuam, Kilrooskey.