Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
MS Christmas Day Run/Walk
It is great to see so many people out walking and jogging in preparation for the MS Christmas Day Run. The walk will commence at 11.45am and the run at 12.15pm. This year the committee are expecting a huge attendance as they to break all records in both attendance and sponsorship. The value the Multiple Sclerosis organisation get from this their main fundraising event each year is truly enormous and rewarding in aiding those with MS.
Each year you contribute so much either as a participant or sponsor and the committee are greatly indebted to you for your fabulous support. Your efforts do not go unnoticed and are greatly appreciated.
Sponsorship cards are available in O’Brien’s, 3321107, or the Flood family Lehery or Newtowncashel or any committee member.
Social Services Church Gate Collection
Longford County Social Services provide Meals on Wheels to many in our parish, they also provide transport to and from hospitals, clinics and St. Joseph’s care centre. They will hold their annual Church Gate collection on this weekend at all masses. Each year your generosity has been exceptional especially though the past few hard years. The committee again appeal to your generosity in supporting this hugely important service in county Longford.
Christmas Greetings
I would like to wish every single one of the readers to my notes a very Happy Christmas and fabulous 2016. I am writing this message as it will be probably the last Longford Leader that will be read abroad before the Christmas and New Year.
Your comments and support either verbally or though emails or texts have been hugely appreciated.
During the year and through all the collection of memories, be it the businesses of the town and parish and now the Green, there was one common comment that was made throughout “we were raised in a wonderful community, a community with a great cultural diversity”. Bearing that in mind I would ask everyone over a quiet moment over the Christmas to remember the good times and all your friends from your time of growing or just living in the community. Memories can be great as we remember all our families and friends, those that are still with us and those that have departed. It should be our Christmas thought and memory as we mentally wish all those in our memories a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Christmas Concert
A Christmas concert in aid of Focus Ireland – Focus Ireland campaigns for policy reform and provides educational tools to help prevent homelessness and Alone – who work with those who have difficulties with loneliness, ill health, poverty, poor housing or homelessness, will take place following 7.30pm Mass in St. Mary’s Church this Saturday night 19th December. The concert will feature St. Mary’s Church Choir and the renowned Windsong Vocal and Harp Ensembles. Donations can be made at the front door.
County Convention
At the Longford GAA annual convention held in the marvelously appointed Abbeylara Community Centre on Thursday night last the Rathcline club had a third club member elected to the county executive for the coming year. With Brendan Gilmore, Chairman, and Albert Cooney, Treasurer were re-elected unopposed to their positions and Caroline Ginty, the club’s excellent PRO was elected to the position of PRO.
On the Ladies side of things Madaleine Murray was re-elected unopposed to her position of Chairperson of Longford Ladies for 2016.
We would like to wish the four of them along with their fellow executive members the very best of luck and much success in the coming year.
The Green a living history
The memories of the apprentices have drawn great comment over the weeks and there are a lot of personal memories for a lot of people.
The apprentices continue with the year 1971 – I have nothing for the year 1970 – N. Coughlan, M. Devine, F. Donoghue, M. Hegarty, D. Keane, P.J. Kelly, E. Larkin, P. J. O’Brien, K. Duffy, M. O’Reilly, W. Quinn, B. Reddin, P. Quinn, M. Browne, S. Doolin, S. Doyle, J. Freer, M. Gallagher, J. Loughran, A. Mitchell, D. Molloy, K. Quinn, A. Rafferty, P. Ryan, J. Smyth, J. Watters, M. Kelly. In 1972 there was John Breslin, Seamus Conroy, Michael Coughlan, Peter Daly, Sean Donlon, Michael Duffy, Patrick Ennis, Sean Madden and a s, Aidan Kelly, John Kelly, Tommy Lowry, I do not have the other 5 names from that class apart from the surname Murtagh.
In 1973 P. J. Ryan from Banagher, brought his Honda 90 back after one weekend and yours truly when try to drive it ended up crashing it at the corner. Thankfully there was no damage done but PJ did not let me up on it again. In that years classes were P. J Ryan, John Joe Claffey, Brendan Clogher, Patrick Coyle, William Doyle, Richard Farrell, Brendan Farrell who was later to come back to work at the Mount Dillon works and marry Josephine Kenny, Sean Flynn, William Hopkins, James Lynam, Michael Maher, Sean Masterson, Patsy Pardy, Dominick Smith, Sean Connelly, John Curry, Michael Duffy, Thomas Foley, Sean Glennon, James Hill, Peter Keeley, John Mc Cann, James Mc Cormack, John mc Cormack, Michael Mc Nicholas, James Malone, Niall O’Neill, Kevin O’Rourke, Barry O’Sullivan and David Weld.
To update the resident of no 19, there was a Joyce (Seoige) family from Connemara who stayed just one or two years. On the registrar from the Boys National School I have the names of three Seoige brothers from the Green, Martin, Cóilín and Anthony. There was also the Nolan family Patrick and Sarah and their 14 kids Barbara, PJ, Tommy, Patsy, Billy, Sean, Seamus, Mick, Pete, Evelyn, Kevin, Mary, Paul and Bridget. Also in 19 was Jim and May Treacy and their family Madge, P.J., Mai, Patty, Nancy and Vera (O’Sullivan). They were followed by Willie and Rose Farrell and their family Willie, Padraic, Tomás, Mary (Rhatigan) and Anthony.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last 7th December. The winning ticket drawn was in the name of Catriona Dowd, Thureen. Catriona was the lucky winner of €372 – just in time for her Christmas shopping. The next draw will take place on Monday night next and your continued support will be greatly appreciated. Tickets are only €2
Christmas Penance Service and Mass times
Christmas Penance Service will take place in St. Mary’s on Tuesday 22nd December at 7pm.
Two Christmas Masses will take place on Christmas Eve at 7pm and 8.30pm. On Christmas morning masses will be at 9.30am and 11.30am.
Mass on Christmas Eve in Ballagh will take place at 8pm and in Ballyleague at 9pm. On Christmas Day mass will take place in Curraghroe at 10am and in Ballyleague at 11am.
Dinner Dance
Yes, the long awaited Rathcline GAA Dinner Dance makes its long awaited return in the
Radisson Blu Athlone on Saturday 23rd January. For those that have longer memories than tell me for many generations the Rathcline Dinner Dance was highlight of the social scene. It brought everyone from the parish and those that have left the parish back for the night. It was a night not to be equalled until the next one the following year.
The Dinner dance gives us the opportunity to celebrate as a community and hopefully there will be a massive crowd in Athlone on the night. Buy the tickets, stick it in your diary and come to a massive night.
Adding spice to the occasion will the presentation of the Intermediate Championship medals along with the Patsy Reilly Cup winner medals.
Tickets priced €35 are on sale from members of the club executive or from O’Brien’s, phone 3321107, email joea@iol.ie or text 0862460840 to book your tickets.
Credit Union Car Draw
The Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union Car draw took place on Friday night last 11th December ar the Credit Union office. The lucky winner was Seamus and Rita Bennett, Cloonmore who were the lucky winners of a Toyota Yaris. Other draw winners were €2,000 Nicola Coogan, Newtowncashel, €1000 Mary Jo Killian, Rathcline, €500 Patsy Connor, Kilrooskey, €500 David Donoghue, Moher, €100 Karina Coffey, Church View, €100 Paul Hurson Thureen, €100 Patrick Farrell and Paula Cantwell Farrell, Clonfower, €100 Niamh Whitty, Clonbonny, €100 Aija Galdika, Cnoc na Gaoithe and 10th €100 Conor Pierce Feeney.
Family Support Fund
Poppy Maloney is the daughter of Jimmy and Ellen Moloney and granddaughter of James and Karen Moloney, Church View. Poppy was born last September with Complex CHD which means Congenital Heart Defects. Poppy had open heart surgery at two weeks and she will be having reconstructive surgery in the coming weeks.
Presently, there is a fundraiser ongoing for Poppy and her family in Supervalu, Lanesboro. There are collection buckets at all the tills and there are tickets for sale in SuperValu, O’Brien’s and from the Moloney family members. The raffle will take place in SuperValu on this Saturday 19th December at 12 noon. Tickets are priced at €2 each or a book of 3 for €5. The prizes are 1st Signed Leinster Jersey, 2nd Signed Longford Jersey, 3rd Signed Roscommon Jersey and 4th €100 SuperValu Shopping Voucher and numerous spot prizes on the day.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
St. John’s Church
This Thursday 17th December a further Carol Service will take place in St. Coman’s Church, Roscommon at 8pm. On Christmas Eve there will be a Holy Communion Service in St. John’s Church at 8pm. Christmas Day Service will take place in St. Coman’s Roscommon at 10.30am
The St. John’s congregation would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.
New Year Draw
The Rathcline club has just launched their annual Christmas/New Year draw. With huge expenses in the affiliation and entry of competitions at the beginning of each year the profits from the draw goes to the payment of this large expense at the beginning of the year.
Each year your support is tremendous and the club again depend on your generosity. Tickets are priced at €10 and the following is the prize structure: – Prizes are as follows: 1st prize – €1500, 2nd prize – €750, 3rd prize €500, 4th prize €200, 5th prize €200, 6th prize €200, 7th prize €100 and 8th prize €100. The draw will take place at the Dinner Dance on Saturday 23rd January.
Engagement
We would like to extend our hearties congratulations to Eilish Deffew, daughter of the late Noel and Bridie Deffew, Rathcline Road and Ivan Ruske, Augherea, Longford son of Evelyn Ruske who announced their engagement recently.
Lanesboro Pike Angling Club
The club had hoped to hold their annual Christmas competition on Sunday 6th December. Due to the extremely high water levels in the Shannon the club was left with no option but to cancel the event in the interest of safety.
On that afternoon the club held its Christmas draw for all of their non-fishing members. The main winners were Pauline Casey, Lehery and Mike Hanley, Cashelbeg who both won a large hamper each. There were a further 14 winners of the other prizes.
The Lanesboro Pike Angling club would like to take this opportunity to thank their members and sponsors for their valued support throughout the year. The club would also like to wish all their club members, sponsors and supporters a very Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on Monday 30th November are; N/S: Gross: 1st Joan Donlon and Fergal McGuinness, 2nd Mai Casey and Margaret Gillen, 3rd Maura Hanley and Mary Mc Gushin. Nett: 1st Joan Donlon and Fergal Mc Guinness, 2nd Maura Hanley and Mary Mc Gushin, 3rd Kathleen Hanley and Mary Fallon. E/W: Gross/Nett 1st Goretti Kenny and Mary Jameson, 2nd Katharine Harrison and Patricia Mc Gann, 3rd Bernadette Gillen and Patsy Canavan
Lough Ree A.C – Adrianna Melia
“Delighted” does not do justice to this writer’s feelings when news filtered through that Adrianna
Melia was 3rd in the Irish Women’s Novice Cross Country championships which were held in Dungarven Co. Waterford.
Adrianna now running with Longford A.C, and we won’t hold that against her… started with Lough Ree A.C when still a school girl. She showed exceptional ability then, so those who knew her are not surprised at this result.
On reading Adrianna’s profile in our Silver Jubilee publication, she refers to her “shot” at Hill Running and her trip to Scotland, as being the highlight of her career. This has surely changed. Indeed, mountain running, which the club got involved in around this time paid very good dividends for our athletics, more about that next week.
So congrats to Adrianna, with ninety competitors in the race and the winner home from Arkansas USA, where she was on an athletic scholarship, the bronze medal was well earned – You did us proud. Hoping to see you in action on Christmas Day, in the annual Newtowncashel to Lanesborough road race, which goes through your “neck of the woods”.
Thank You
Annette Clancy would like to say a very special thank you to everyone that helped and contributed spot prizes to the Christmas party that took place in the Parish Hall on Friday last. The party was an outstanding success and all those in attendance really enjoyed their time.
This week in the Library
Knitting & Crochet Group continues every Monday 2 – 4pm. All welcome
ESOL Class (English for speakers of other languages) continues every Tuesday evening 7-9pm.
For Sale: Easter Rising 1916 Centenary Calendar for sale in the library. Wonderful drawings by Laura Doherty. Only €5 each. Why not pick up one or two as Christmas presents!
Shannonside Camera Club Photographic Exhibition
Shannonside Camera Club will have a Photographic exhibition in Lanesboro Library from Monday 7th December until the end of the year. Drop in and see their wonderful work.
Foreign Currency Appeal Reminder
We are 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.
Care Workers Sought
Part time care workers are required and if you feel you can avail of this offer you are asked to contact Bernie at 09066 25852 or send your C.V. to R.S.G. Derrane, Roscommon, or email info@rosdisabilities.ie. There are also positions available for both Carers and clerical workers on the DSP Community Scheme.
Rathcline GAA
Recruitment drive for referees – With a serious shortage of referees in the county the county board are looking to recruit new referees with a training programme to begin in the new year. This is open to male or females between the age of 18 and 45 and it is not limited to those who play or have played football. Anyone with an interest can contact Joe O’Brien. The opportunity may arise to go on and referee at county level in the future. Please contact any member of the executive as soon as possible if you are interested in becoming a referee.
Dinner Dance – To celebrate the success of 2015 the club will be holding a dinner dance in the Radisson Blu Athlone on Saturday 23rd January. The players will be presented with medals on the night and our two cups will be on show. Tickets are priced at €35 which will include the meal and music afterwards by the band 4Degrees West, followed by a dj.
New Year’s Draw – Our New Year’s Draw will take place on Saturday 23rd January at the Rathcline Dinner Dance in the Radisson Blu hotel in Athlone. Prizes are as follows: 1st prize – €1500, 2nd prize – €750, 3rd prize €500, 4th prize €200, 5th prize €200, 6th prize €200, 7th prize €100 and 8th prize €100. Tickets cost €10 and are available now from executive members and other ticket sellers. With the move to senior football next year, the club will need even more income so it’s crucial again to make this draw a success.
50/50 Draw – Congratulations to Catriona Dowd, Thureen, who was last Monday’s winner of €372 in our 50/50 draw. Catriona joined her brother Luke who was a previous winner of the draw. The draw continues every Monday night and envelopes only cost €2.
Yearly Subscription 50/50 – Our 50/50 draw which started a year ago has proved to be very successful. We have given away over €24,000 in prize money since the draw began. We are now giving people who live abroad or away from town the opportunity to be in with a chance of winning and supporting the club. A yearly subscription costing €100 will include membership for the year along with a chance of winning an average weekly prize of €400. The first date for the subscription envelopes to be rolled out will be Monday 11th January. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Please contact any member of the executive or email us at pro.rathcline.longford@gaa.ie if you’re interested in subscribing.
Talent Concert – The play “The Dressing Room” and talent concert will take place on Saturday 13th February in St. Mary’s parish hall. More details will follow in the New Year.
Congratulations to James Carroll who has recently been called up to the Longford county senior panel.
Best of luck to our former manager Gareth Johnston, who has recently been appointed as St Faithleach’s manager. We thank Gareth and his backroom team for all their work with us over the last few years and we wish you best of luck for the coming season with St Faithleach’s.
Minors medal presentation – On Saturday evening last, presentations took place for the Minor Division 1 Special League and the Minor Division 1 Shield Final in the clubhouse in Clonbonny. Thanks to everyone who attended.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Minor Club AGM: The minor club AGM was held on Thursday night last at nine in the Clubhouse. Outgoing chairman James Irwin addressed the meeting and gave thanks to all who have helped both himself and Vice chair Gerry O’Donnell throughout their term. Treasurer Shay Rohan gave a report on club finances and President Pat- Joe Fallon thanked all who have their time so generously to the club. Elected members of the Minor Club for the coming year are as follows; Chairman Eamon Gallagher, Vice Chairman James Quigley, Treasurer Paul Kenny, Assistant Treasurer Shay Rohan, Secretary Monica Connerton, Ladies Secretary Qoona Cox, Boys Register Mary-Margaret Hoare, Ladies Register Bernie Scally, PRO Nicola Byrne, Vetting Helen O’ Donnell. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the outgoing members and to say that all of their hard work and dedication is very much appreciated.
Congratulations: To Adrian Murtagh & Gerard Connor with Harps GAA Auckland, New Zealand who won the Mens Football Championship Final
Harps 2-12 Marist Rangers 1-14.
Santa Visit: Santa will be making his annual visit to St. Faithleach’s clubhouse on Saturday 19th from 2-5pm. All welcome and as well as the man himself there will be face painting, crafts making, Music, and plenty of fun.
Festive Fun: St. Stephens Day sees the Senior team play their annual football match, this year they will be joined by the Junior Ladies and the Mothers and Others for a novelty match and of course the odd legend or two will be joining in the fun!!! All members are asked to support as all donations will be made to Palliative Care in honour of Denis Mc Loone. Refreshments will be served in the clubhouse after and the night will continue with music and fun for all.
DVD Screening: The screening of the White Collar Boxing will take place on Saturday night 19th at 10pm in the clubhouse.
Cards: Take place every Tuesday night in the Clubhouse at 8:30pm. Last week’s winners; Dan /Gerry, second James/Frank, last game Ann/Kathleen.
Club Merchandise: To win one item from our new O’Neill’s Club Website please go to our Facebook page and leave your comment about your most memorable club moment!