Golf Outing
The local Lough Ree Golfing Society are hosting their second golf outing of 2019 to Mullingar Golf Club on Friday next at 10.30am After the great day in Longford it is hoped again there will be great weather and low scoring. New members are welcome.
Former Resident Passes Away
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of one our former Green residents. Patricia Neilan formerly O’Neill and better known locally as Patsy passed away, aged 70, on Friday last 17th May. Patsy was predeceased by her husband Terry, her sister June and brothers Gerry and John Henry. Patsy and the O’Neill family left and indelible mark on our community and even after being away for so many years away they are fondly remembered and Lanesboro remains very close to their hearts.
Our sympathy goes to Patsy’s family Siobhan, Terence and Mary Jo, her sisters Bernie and Maura and brothers Bobby and Joe.
Meditation for Beginners
Meditation for Beginners continues in Ballyleague on Wednesdays, 7 – 8pm on Wednesday evenings. There are still a very limited of places available and if you wish to attend please phone Áine, 086-8407718 for all details.
Pipe Band
In recent
days I had a chat with Michael Mc Dermott, formerly of Mount Davis. While
chatting about the Lanesboro ago he mentioned that his father, Pat, used to
recount of a pipe band being formed in the community. Back in the
1930/40s, a parish collection was made for the purchase of Bag Pipes and
drums hence the birth of the pipe band.
The band was very successful and they regularly
played at various parochial events and other places where no band existed
Their largest event and a wonderful claim to
fame was playing at the wedding of Lady Granard in the big house in
Newtownforbes. It is said that they were
there for almost a week – well, you can’t beat a good weeding.
I can vaguely remember as a child in the old Pillar Ballroom there was always
two drums at the back of the stage – not sure if they were the same drums.
Does it bring back memories? It would be great to hear stories about the pipe band, the stories and the instruments.
It all happens on Friday night
Next Friday night we are a promised a rousing session when Fran Deffew along with band members of Rake the Ashes will play St. Mary’s Hall on Friday night 24th May in the ‘Back to the Boro’ concert at 8.30pm. Those have already heard them play in Cassidy’s Pub in Camden Street, Dublin and at their many concerts around the country will attest to magnificent night of music song and an abundance of craic.
This night in Lanesboro Parish Hall will be most definitely be one of the most rousing in many years of this venue and it is most definitely a night not to be missed.
There are just a very limited number of tickets, €10 each, still available in O’Brien’s
Clonbonny Cemetery
Clonbonny Cemetery committee are very disappointed and annoyed that dumping of Christmas wreaths and candles has started again in the graveyard. There are no dumping facilities at Clonbonny graveyard. People tending their loved one’s plots are asked and expected to take away whatever they clean off.
Weekly 25
Thanks to all for supporting the card game. This week’s winners are 1st Michael Finnan/ Michael Rogers, 2nd Basil Mitchell /Jonno Byrne, Last game Joe Rooney/Packie Feeney. Raffle Kathleen Finnan, Tom Donlon, Noel Mc Dermott, Mickey Connerton.
Honda 50 Run
The annual Honda 50 Run is getting closer to its returns to Lanesboro on Sunday 9th June. Registration will take place in St. Mary’s Hall from 10.30am to 12.15pm. The fee is €20, and it includes you in a raffle. The run will commence at 12.15pm with refreshments before and after. No helmet no run. All bikes are welcome. For details contact Jimmy 087 2289468.
There will be a draw taking place for the following prizes and we encourage everyone to support
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Christopher and Toni O’Reilly, their daughter Sally and sons Sam and Sean on the death of their son and brother Thomás O’Reilly, The Green, at University College Hospital, Galway on Tuesday last 14th May
Sliabh Bán
The hugely popular history on Sliabh Bán is back on sale and as we are going into holiday season it would make a wonderful read over the summer or even as a present for all those returning during holiday time. The book is available for sale in O’Brien’s costing €20.
Cemetery Sunday: change of dates
The dates have been set for the Blessing of the Graves at the three graveyards in the parish of Rathcline. There is a change in the running order this year and you are asked take heed of the change. The first blessing will take place in Rathcline graveyard on Sunday 7th July followed by Clonbonny on 14th July and finishing with Lanesboro on Sunday 21st July.
Tidy Towns Lotto
The winning numbers drawn in the Lanesboro Tourism Co-Op on Tuesday morning last were 7, 8, 19 and 29. There was nobody with the winning numbers and the jackpot pool now rises to €3,700. The winner of the €50 prize was Mickie Donlon c/o Mags, and the three prizes of €20 were won by Martin Farrell c/o Xlntee, Johnny and Mary c/o Yacht Bar and Brendan Whitty c/o O’Brien’s.
Winners can collect their winning cheques in the Co-Op office only and will be available from Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm
Donate Blood
The blood donation clinic takes place in the Longford Arms Hotel on this Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd May. The clinic will be open between 4.30 and 8pm.
If you cannot make Longford please attend the clinic that will take place in Roscommon on Tuesday 28th, Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th. The clinic takes place in the Abbey Hotel Roscommon each day from 5pm to 8.30pm.
Photographs from the Green
Thanksto everyone that has already sent me photographs and also contacted me and told me they would look some up and get them to me. Seeing what has come in so far is great to see and recall memories. Don’t delay or depend on anyone else to send them please forward them on to me. It is just a flick on your phone, camera, iPad and forward it to me at joea@iol.ie.
If you don’t have a photograph from your time on the Green a family photograph from a later date will do. You can also drop them into me in the shop where I will scan them and return them to you there and then. I am also looking for photograph of the apprentices and lodgers that stayed on the Green.
50/50
On Monday night last, the draw took place for the weekly 50/50 draw. This week our winner was Johnny Smyth Weekfield. The winning envelope this week was worth a wonderful €548 the first time to cross the the first time to cross the €500 mark in a while. Congratulations Johnny on you great win and we would like to say a big thank you for your support of the 50/50. Buy a €2 ticket and who knows it could be your name on the next winning ticket drawn on Monday night next and help keep it over the €500 mark.
Tickets are on sale in local shops and businesses throughout the town. at €2 each or 3 tickets for €5. As you now know there are two alternatives for those that would like to play the 50/50 by paying in advance. Option 1 is the green envelope where you pay €50 for a six-month term with one free draw and Option 2 is the pink envelope where you pay €100 for a 12-month period with two free draws. Those tickets are available in any of the local outlets or from any member of the club executive.
Well Done
It was a great weekend for some of our local young sports people. Kevin Mc Donagh, Ballyleague was called up to the Midlands U18 Rugby squad, Cian Glennon played a major role in Roscommon’s great comeback against Galway in the Connacht Minor Championship, also, to Jack Casey and Christian Donlon who were part of the winning Longford U12 soccer team who beat North Dublin to claim a historic Plate Final.
On the other side of the coin we acknowledge Seadhna Ryan, Richard Prior, Kevin Tansey and Harvey Myhill were unfortunate to be on the losing side in a rousing Leinster Minor championship game at the weekend.
Searching for B&B
The search continues for people in the area to do bed and breakfasts or provide accommodation for the upcoming fishing festivals.
There are three upcoming events and if you can do B&B or provide accommodation please contact Andy at loughreeanglinghub@gmail.com or phone 043 33 21734.
The first event is the weekend International Coarse Fishing competition on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd June followed by a major two-day International Pike Angling competition on Saturday and Sunday 14th and 15th September followed in September by the Autumn Angling Festival.
Lanesboro Library
Knitting & Crochet Group
Knitting & Crochet group continues every Monday 2pm to 4pm. New members always welcome!
Poetry & Music Group
Poetry & Music group continues on Monday 27th May – 4.15-5.30pm.
All welcome to come along and join in with this very vibrant group!
ESOL Class
ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) continues on Tuesday evenings at 7pm.
Babble & Books Parent & Toddler Group
Babble & Books Parent & Toddler Group continues every Wednesday morning at 10.30am at the library. All welcome to bring their babies or toddlers along to play together, read a story or two and have some fun!
Bealtaine Book Club
Book Club continues on Friday 31st May at 11am. To celebrate Bealtaine Festival, book clubs around the country are reading ‘Twelve Thousand Days’ by Eilish Ni Dhuibhne. Come along and enjoy a chat and a cuppa!
Foreign Currency & Used Stamps
We are still collecting unwanted foreign currency and old coins/notes in aid of ISPCC. The smallest donation can make a huge difference.
We also collect used stamps in aid of ISPCC. Thank you.
Library membership is free for everyone and provides you with complimentary access to books and p.c.’s in the library as well as a range of digital services.
Check out our Online Services where you can download free eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines and newspapers, learn a new language or do an online course. All you need is your library card and pin. Renew or request books on our website www.longfordlibrary.ie
Ballyboro
Pride of place
this week goes to Christian Donlon and Jack Casey who were part of the Longford
League squad who recorded a historic win over the North Dublin League in
the Under 12 National Shield final played at Mullingar last Saturday. This
was the first time a Longford league team won a national title, so many congrats to both Christian and Jack. The game finished 3-2, with
Christian scoring the decisive goal with time almost up.
The under 14 team played very well in their
Shield decider versus Abbey Rovers last week. They dominated possession for
long periods but found goal scoring elusive, and they were edged out by the
Ballinamore team. It finished 1-0 in favour of Abbey Rovers. Ballyboro: Briain
Farrell, Bryan Mullooly, Ryan Byrne, Paul Byrne, Jack McGloin, Sam Murphy, Jimmy
Farrell, Shane Ross, Ciaran O’Dowd, Matthew Heneghan, Christy Burke. Subs: Luke
Dowd, Cormac O’Dowd, Christian Donlon.
The under 10 team will be guests of Longford
Town on Saturday evening when they play at half time at City Calling Stadium in
the midlands El Classico, Longford Town versus Athlone Town.
Four films were recorded at the weekend for the
big OSKAR night on 15th June. Filming will take place for the remaining four
this coming weekend.
OSKAR fundraising continues apace and on
this Friday night 24th Fran Deffew and his band Rake the Ashes play a special
concert in Lanesboro Parish Hall.
The under 10 team are likely to be involved in
the Shield final this week. Date and time to be confirmed.
Alzheimer Café
The next Alzheimer cafe will be held on Wednesday evening next, 29th May at 7.00 pm. in the room at the back of Longford Credit Union. Entrance and car parking facility are at the rear of the building, between Longford Shopping Centre and Longford Motor taxation office. Guest Speaker on the night is Cliona Mc Hugh, Dietitian, and her topic is Eating Well with Dementia. This is an information and social evening with tea, coffee, and refreshments been served. Anyone who is affected by Dementia is welcome to come. For more information you can contact Eileen or Breda on 085 8724475 or Longford ASI office on 043 3348402 / 3347221.
Rathcline GAA – ‘Be with us Be a part of Us’.
50/50
On Monday night last, the draw took place for the weekly 50/50 draw. This week our winner was Valerie Casey, Roscommon who purchased her ticket at Ballyleague bingo. The winning envelope this week was worth €325. We congratulate Valerie on her win, and we would like to thank her for her support of the 50/50. Buy a €2 ticket and who knows it could be your name on the next winning ticket drawn on Monday night next.
Tickets are on sale in local shops and businesses throughout the town at €2 each or 3 tickets for €5. As you now know there are two alternatives for those that would like to play the 50/50 by paying in advance. Option 1 is the green envelope where you pay €50 for a six-month term with one free draw and Option 2 is the pink envelope where you pay €100 for a 12-month period with two free draws. Those tickets are available in any of the local outlets or from any member of the club executive.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
O’Rourke Cup: Round six of the Senior League took place against Clann na Gael in Johnstown on Saturday evening. Result: St. Faithleach’s 1-11 Clann na Gael 0-12. Next game takes place in Ballyleague on June 1st against St. Croan’s, please note time change to 5:30pm.
U16 Boys Shield Final: Hard luck to our U16 team and management won narrowly lost out to Western Gaels in the Shield final on Friday evening. Result: St. Faithleach’s 4-12 Western Gaels 4-16.
Congratulations: To Roscommon U17 team and management on their win over Galway and to club rep Cian Glennon.
Well done: To club members Jack Casey and Christian Donlon who were part of the winning U12 soccer team who beat Dublin to claim a historic Plate Final win. Also, to club member Kevin McDonagh who was been called up to the midlands U18 rugby squad.
Cards: Take place every Tuesday evening in the clubhouse, last week’s winners; Basil Mitchell & Tom Rooney, second Frank Fallon & Sean Parker, last game, Mick Maguire & Tom Rock.