Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
The Green – A living History
Due to a family event over the latter days of the week I an unable to continue my coverage of the Green but I can assure you it will be back next week
Triathlon on Saturday
One of the biggest occasions in the calendar in Lanesboro and Ballyleague will take place on Saturday next 11th July when the local triathlon club will once again host the Two Provinces Triathlon.
The Two Provinces since its inception has continued to grow and grow and has become one of the leading sprint triathlons in the country. The entries for this popular event has been massive and we look forward to everyone having a very special time in Lanesboro and Ballyleague.
The day will commence with a kidathon beginning at 9am when a huge number of youngsters between the ages of 8 and 15 will take part in the Kidathon. The youngsters will consist of a 100m swim followed by a 5km cycle and finishing with a 500m sprint to the finish.
The main event will start at the harbour behind the car park with a 750m swim followed by a 20km cycle to Scramogue and back and finishing with a 5km run to Harold’s cross and back.
I urge everyone from the locality to come out and cheer on all the triathletes as they take on the challenge. We must celebrate the success of Lanesboro’s Tri Club in organising another huge event in our community and the attendance of everyone is paramount to acknowledging the great work of the club. Make this a bigger and better supported triathlon than we ever had before.
Please note that to see any stage of the event you need to be in the carpark and/or on the roadway to Scramogue and back. The run this year will not go through the Main Street so if you spectated on the Main Street previously you will have to go to the car park and harbour area to view.
1960 School Reunion
Were you a student commencing your secondary school education in St. Joseph’s Secondary School Lanesboro in 1960? Were you a teacher in the school at that time? Did you start Secondary School in Convent of Mercy, as a Day Pupil or a Boarder in 1960?
Did you sit the Inter. Cert in 1963? And /or/ repeat in 1964?
Did you sit Leaving Cert. in 1965?
It is hoped to have a reunion later this year and the search now commences for every girl that attended that school class. Please contact Joan at 086-2350161 and let the organisation begin. If you read this note and think of someone that may have been in that class and are out of local contact can you give them the contact number or even the link www.joeobrien.ie where they can read this notice and make contact.
Exhibition to open 23rd July
All the collecting of photos, signs, memorabilia and names of every one of the businesses of the main Street of Lanesboro and Ballyleague are now in place for the exhibition that will be launched in the library on Thursday 23rd July. The trip through all the local businesses was immense and a wonderful journey and you have all to be thanked for your many contributions on the journey.
This is a date for your diary and it will be an exhibition that will be well worth visiting especially everyone that remembered even some of the business on the main Street and Ballyleague.
If you have anything, in relation to the exhibition, that you have not yet dropped into Stella can you do so immediately to ease pressure closer to the date.
Brushstrokes Exhibition
In conjunction with Two Provinces Triathlon, on Saturday next 11th July, Brushstrokes Art Group is hosting a one-day exhibition in the back room of St. Mary’s Hall, Lanesborough, from 10am to 8pm. everyone should take the opportunity to wind down and sample the local artistic talent once they have enjoyed the local athletic talent. Access to the back of the Hall is restricted at race times, but you can always enter through the front of the Hall via the banks of the Shannon. We will do our best the sign-post alternative access during race times. It is worth noting that Brushstrokes are celebrating “20 Years a Growing” this year in 2015… marked by our newly erected street art “Tree of Life” beside SuperValu on the Main Street. All admiration, greatly appreciated!
Lanesboro Cemetery this Sunday
The blessing of the graves will continue in Lanesboro cemetery on Sunday next 12th July and in Clonbonny on Sunday 19th July – all taking place at 6pm.
It is essential that everyone tend to their family graves and have their own particular looking great for this very special occasion.
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.
Summer competitions at the library:
Join our Summer Reading Buzz at your local library from July 1st to August 31st. Sign up and get a bookmark and door hanger. After reading 5 books you get a wristband, after 10 books you get a pencil case and if you enter multiple times you get a lovely book bag!
Come along and pick up an entry –
Colouring competition for children aged up to 7 Wordsearch competition for children aged 8 to 12
Summer Events for children at the library:
Monday 13th July at 3pm – Bunnyhop Summer Stories with Chris Thompson.
Tuesday 14th July at 3pm – Pain a summer picture with Nicolette.
Monday 20th July at 3pm – Creative writing and storytelling with Frank Galligan.
All events are free. Places are limited so book yours today!! Call Stella on 0433321291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Lasraí Writers Group: Next meeting is on Monday July 13th 7 – 9pm. New members welcome.
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.
New Postcodes
The new postcode system for Ireland, will be launched in July. Local organisations in Longford are helping to spread the word about the benefits. If you know someone who you think could do with some help, including elderly family members or neighbours, please get in touch with Margaret Walsh, Longford Community Resources Ltd at 043-3345555 or email: eircode@lcrl.ie
Bus Tour to Donegal
Looking forward to welcoming some new faces and some regular tour goers on the 2015 tour to Donegal from 14 – 17 September. For booking and deposit information please text or phone Eileen 086 2703 547.
Leinster Final
Good luck to Kevin Sorohan, his teammates and team management in the Leinster Minor Final on Sunday next 12th July in Croke Park when they take on Kildare.
Annual Pilgrimage
The annual pilgrimage to Lough Derg takes place on Sunday 23rd August leaving Lanesboro at 7am. Booking is now open and they can be made to Mary, phone 043-3321969.
Lanesboro Pike Angling Club
On Sunday 28th June the local club held a competition in Lough Ree. There was a modest turnout of 8 boats with 1 anglers taking part. The fishing on the day was very good.
1st prize of €100 went to Brendan Griffith with a fish weighing 16lb8oz., 2nd prize €80 went to P.J. Cunningham, his fish weighing 15lb5ozs. 3rd prize of €50 went to J.J. Craven with a fish weighing 11lb3oz.
A prize of €25for the smallest fish went to Peter Smyth. The junior prize of €20 was won by Liam Rhatigan.
The club wishes to thank all the anglers who turned out and look forward to seeing you all and more for the next upcoming event.
The club would like to thank Gerard Farrell for his hospitality after the competition.
Lough Ree AC
Tullamore was the venue for the first of the 3 days allocated for the All-Ireland Athletic championship for the U13s and upward to senior men and women on Saturday last. The club representation was small in quantity, but huge with quality on the proceeding days. Conor Rohan was the clubs only qualifier on the day, participating in the boy’s U1 Discus. The Ballagh youngster did the club proud. Competing in those championships for the very first time, Conor qualified for the final “throw offs”, when the top eight get an extra three throws. He finished 4th, just outside the medals or approximately 30cms – a small distance in 40meters. The first two threw over 40m and the 3rd threw 39m. Conor has passed 40m in practice but as any golfer will tell you competition is different.
Conor will be in action again next month when he represents Co. Roscommon in the Community Games Finals in Athlone. We wish him well.
St. Faithleach’s
U14 Boys D3: Played a fantastic game on Thursday last – Result: St Faithleach’s 8-14 Kilmore/Shannon Gaels 2-02. Team : J. Tucker , J.P O’Reilly , N .Mc Govern , D. Mc Dermott, M. Silva, D. Kilcoyne, J. Browne (0-1 ), L. Ormsby (1-02), J. Murray (1-01), M. Dunne (capt.)( 2-01 ), C. Gannon (1-01), C. O’Brien (3-08), O. Mc Gowan. Subs: M. O’ Brien for O. McGowan, F. Dunne for D. McDermott. Next game 9/7/15 in Ballyleague, St. Faithleach’s vs St. Michaels. U12 Boys: Result: St Faithleach’s 3-02 St Brigid’s 4-14. Team: K. Mc Donagh, S. Cox, F, Dunne, O. Kelly, C. Betts, D, Cullen, J. Murray, C. Gannon, M. O’Brien, S. Ryan, J. O’ Connor. Subs: L. Kilcoyne, O. Murray, F. Reynolds, D. Walsh. Next game Friday 10th against Tulsk at home. Junior Ladies: Start their Championship campaign on Sat 11th at 7:30 against St. Croan’s. U14 Girls: Summer League starts on Wed 8th when the girls take on Kilbride at 7pm, they then play St. Mary’s on Sunday 12th July. Get Well: The club as well as the management and teammates of the U14 Boys would like to wish Mark Cox a speedy recovery and hope that his stay in hospital will be as short as possible. Mothers & Others: Play a blitz in Ballyhaunis on Saturday 11th, best of luck ladies. Drive in Bingo: The launch of St. Faithleach’s GAA Drive in Bingo took place on Friday evening last. This unique event is sure to be a fantastic opportunity for all ages to experience, full details of which can be found in the papers over the coming weeks as well as on our Facebook page. The Drive in Bingo will take place at 3pm at St. Faithleach’s GAA grounds Ballyleague on August 3rd, Sunday September 13th and October 26th. Cake Sale: The annual cake sale for the ladies football will take place in Sunday 12th in Ballyleague Hall. All baked goods can be dropped into the hall from 9am. The sale takes place after 11am mass. Your support and help on the day is appreciated. Lotto: The numbers drawn were 3, 19, 28 and 29. There was no winner of the jackpot of €12,000. The five €20 winners were; Tina Dowd, Michael Finan, Angelina Madden, Kathleen Kilduff, Yvonne Reid. Cards: Winners; Tom/Padraig, Joint runners up Frank/James, Padraig/P.J., Last game; Kathleen/Ann. Happy Birthday to Club President Mickey Kelly.