Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Christmas Greetings
Again we approach the Christmas season and year end. For many this year has been particularly hard, tough and sad for others it was a good year with many reasons for happiness. For those that had a tough and sad year we remember you deeply, we share you sadness and we are supportive of you in at all times. For those of you that had happiness during the year we join with you in your celebration. For everyone my fervent wish is that 2013 will be filled with happiness and this time next year you will be filled with memories of a most wonderful year. As we look back we enjoy the memory of the special moments of the year and to those that look back with heavy hearts we should remember the special times and cherish the many happy memories that those that are not with us this Christmas gave us for many years. For those that are in hospital we wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to having you home with us in the coming year. To all of you that are abroad we hope that during 2013 we will see you back in your community visiting family and old friends and rekindling great memories.
For me the Lanesboro notes is a very special privilege that has been bestowed on me by the Longford Leader that allows me to be in contact you each week throughout the year. You have been tremendous to me in your support of the Lanesboro notes, ‘home news’ and www.joeobrien.ie sections. I want to thank you with the greatest sincerity and I hope each and every one of you will have a very happy and special Christmastime and an absolutely wonderful 2013 and I look forward to your continued support.
Credit Union
Our local Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union despite the current recession continues to go from strength to strength thanks to the support of all our local communities. It is wonderful to be mentioning success in these hard times.
For Christmas the office will close on Saturday 22nd at 1pm and will reopen on Friday 28th December from 10am to 3pm. Normal office hours will resume on Wednesday 2nd January.
Multiple Sclerosis Christmas Day Run/Walk
Sponsorship cards are still available for the annual Christmas Day Run/Walk from Newtowncashel to Lanesboro in aid of Multiple Sclerosis. It is great to see so many preparing for the run/walk and it promises to be again a wonderful occasion. The walkers will start out at 11.45am while the runners will commence at 12.15. As this is the main fundraiser of the year by the committee it is hoped that everyone will be more than generous in supporting those taking part. It is not too late to get your sponsorship cards and they are available from any of the local organisers or from O’Brien’s shop.
Shannon Gaels in Leinster Final
Saturday night last in Clonaslee, Co. Laois the Shannon Gaels minor club were participating in the Leinster semi-finals of Scór na nÓg. This was the second year in succession that the club went into the Leinster semi-final as county champions and hopes were high for another Leinster final for the sketch group. The sketch team under the excellent directorship of Maura Tobin produced a wonderful display to win on the night and qualify for a night in Finglas, Dublin on Saturday 12th January. The sketch group representing the club and the parish are Lauren Guinan, Dearbhail Flood, Niall Keane, Jack O’Loughlin, Shane Kenny, Laura Peters, Andrew ward and Anna Peters.
It is a great occasion for the club and it exposes the talent in the parish that we have – not only on the field but also on the stage. The club continues to offer so much on and off the field for all the youngsters – boys and girls – of the parish.
Something in the water!
Having already found acclaim and fame from the All-Ireland winning Donegal team Odie Lawlor and his staff last week gained further acclaim from the Bradford team that knocked one of the tournament favourites Arsenal out of the League Cup. You may wonder what they have in common but through the workings of Odie and his staff at Johnstown House hotel they hosted both teams for training camps at their excellent training facilities in Enfield. It is a great fillip for all and hopefully they will attract many more teams and add to their parts in the teams successes.
P.J. continues his Charity Work
Over the past number of years P.J. Maher has given greatly of his time in helping the needy. He has travelled abroad as part of teams building homes for those people most in need. P.J. in the coming year will travel to Haiti to work with the Haiti Orphanage fund.
P.J. is seeking your support for a table quiz in Clarkes Bar on Friday night 21st December at 9.30pm. There will be numerous prizes on the night and you are most definitely guaranteed a night of fun and laughter. A table of four costs €40 and your support will be greatly cherished.
Free Concert in Parish Hall
The Shannon Gaels minor club will host a wonderful variety concert on Sunday 30th December at 7pm. This is a gesture of thanks to the parents of all the youngsters that have represented the club during 2012 on the playing fields from under 6 to under 18 and also to all our Scór participants. The club also extends a warm welcome to parents of intending players to this very special night. There will be a cuppa and light refreshments for everyone. The whole evening is free of charge and the club will warmly welcome you all. The evening will further display the talents of the young people of the parish and also highlights the excellent work the club minor club does with all the underage youngsters of the parish that choose to become involved with the minor club.
Christmas Ceremonies
Mass times over the Christmas at St. Mary’s Church Lanesboro are as follows: Christmas Eve Masses at 7pm and 8.30pm. Christmas morning masses will be at 9.30am and 11.30am.
The Christmas masses at the Church of the Holy Rosary are: Christmas Eve 0pm and on Christmas morning at 11am.
St. John’s Services for Christmas
The Christmas arrangements for the St. John’s congregation commence on Sunday 23rd at St John’s Lanesborough for Carol Service at 11.30am.
Christmas Service Holy Communion will take place on Christmas Eve 24th St John’s Lanesborough at 9.pm
On Christmas morning Holy Communion will take place in St Coman’s Roscommon at 11am. You are asked to heed the time change
On Sunday 30th a Carol Service will take place in St Coman’s Roscommon at 11.30am .Tea will be served after this service as it will be the last service Rev Sandra Lindsey will be officiating at in this group of parishes. The congregation would like to welcome Canon Liz Mc Elhenny who will be taking over in the New Year.
Pop-Up Craft Shop
St. Christopher’s services are running a ‘pop-up’ Christmas Craft Shop in the Longford Shopping centre and it will continue until end of business this coming Thursday 20th December. I am sure you will find the best Christmas gift there.
Carol Service on this Wednesday
Lanesborough Primary School presents their annual Christmas Carol Service in St Mary’s Church at 7 pm on this Wednesday 19th December. You are all cordially invited to come along.
Rathcline Ladies GAA
The ladies club wish to congratulate Lauren Guinan, Laura and Anna Peters, Dearbhail Flood, Shane Kenny, Andrew Ward, Niall Keane, and Jack O’Loughlin on their great performance in the Scór Na nÓg Novelty Act in the Leinster Semi Finals last Saturday in Co. Laois. The group are now in the Leinster Finals on the 12th January in Dublin and we wish them the best of luck.
Men’s Club
The over 55’s men’s club will have their last meeting of 2012 on Thursday 20th December at 12 noon at St Marys Parish Hall with the next one being on Thursday 10th January 2013.
Rathcline GAA Christmas Draw
The Rathcline GAA club is again holding its annual Christmas draw. The proceeds of this draw is very important as it goes towards paying the affiliation and insurance for the club for the year. Both are hugely expensive and it is vitally essential that this draw is well supported to take some financial strain of the club. You are asked to be generous again this year as you have been in previous years. Tickets are on sale at €20 each and the draw will take place in Adie’s Bar on Saturday 19th January. The prize structure is; 1st€3000. 2nd €1000, 3rd €750, 4th €500, 5th €250, 6th €200, 7th €200, 8th €200, 9th €200 and 10th €200.
Lanesboro Indoor Market
The Lanesboro and Ballyleague Indoor Market is held in St. Mary’s Parochial Hall, Lanesboro, on Friday from 11am to 1.30pm. There is a range of stalls supplying local home baking, jams, eggs and mushrooms. Also jewellery, beauty products, cards, books & bric a brac, knitted items, fresh flowers, hanging baskets & flower arrangements. Fred’s Fish available – fresh fish for Friday. There is free car parking beside the playground. Tea, Coffee and light snacks will also be available. Contact 087 3965568 for queries
Sub Aqua Club Mobile Phones
Lough Ree Sub Aqua club are actively attempting to acquire a defibrillator for the club. As part of their search and rescue a defibrillator is a very vital part of their equipment. The club is seeking your support and help by leaving into O’Brien’s or to any club member old mobile phones, they must have their batteries. Especially at this time of year when mobile phones are being upgraded to iPhones it would be a great deed to contribute your old phone to the sub aqua club. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
Shannon Gaels Minor Club
Congratulations to The sketch group who won the Leinster semi-final in Clonaslee, Co. Laois last weekend. The group now take part in the Leinster final in Dublin on Saturday 12th January. The club would like to extend a special word of thanks to Maura Tobin for her tireless and dedicated work with the group.
The club invites all parents to St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Sunday night 30th December for a variety concert by the members of the club. Admission is free and it promises to be a wonderful night. The sketch group in the Leinster final will also take part in the show. The talent in our club is not solely confined to the football pitch. The show commences at 7pm and a cuppa will also be served.
The ballad group and sketch group travel to the Longford Arms hotel on this Wednesday for filming for a TG4 programme on the Scór competition. The programme will be televised at a later date.
All parents are reminded to take note that mouth guards will be compulsory for all underage football players up to and including minor (U18) from 1 January 2013.
The club would like to thank all its players, parents, and club supporters for making the past year outstanding and wish all a wonderful Christmas and a very prosperous New Year.
Rathcline GAA Lotto
There was no winner of the Rathcline GAA lotto on Saturday night last. The four €25 winners were Cian and Cóilín O’Brien, Brendan Keane, Martina Nolan and Raymond O’Boyle. The club thanks you for your support and wishes all their players and supporters a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The Christmas party is over and the club had a great night. Thanks to all the people involved in the buying of prizes and organising the food.
Congrats to the winners – the usual culprits.
We wish you all a very happy Christmas with your families, and see you all in 2013.
The club members extend sincere sympathies to Bernadette Gillen on the death of her brother, John O’Hagan, recently also to Margaret and Fiona Gillen. May he rest in peace. All three are staunch members of our club.
Vegetable Stand
Joe’s fruit and vegetable stand will be in attendance at the usual location on Christmas Eve and again on New Year’s Eve. Joe thanks everyone for their support throughout the year.
Lanesboro Tourism Co-Op
Lanesboro Tourism Coop Weekly Lotto Draw, the last one for 2012 will take place on Monday (Christmas Eve) at 10am. On the last draw of 2012 on 24th December we will have an extra prizes of the jackpot, prize of €50, 3 x 20€ and a Christmas hamper all for €2 a time.
The draw will resume with the first one taking place on Tuesday 8th January 2013 at 10am
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support during the year and wishing all a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Rural Transport
Longford Community Resources Ltd (LCRL) manages and administers the Rural Transport Programme, which covers the rural regions of County Longford.
Many thanks to all the passengers and stakeholders who have supported, and indeed campaigned for the continuation of the programme throughout the year.
Spaces are still available for this “door to door” service in your area, please contact your Local Provider or to Seamus (Co-coordinator) at 043-3345555. All age-groups are welcome!
All routes for 2012 will be completed by Saturday 29th December and services for 2013 will resume on Wednesday 2nd January.
Longford Community Resources would like to wish all passengers and everyone who supports the rural transport programme,
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Christmas Greetings: The club would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas & hope that you will all enjoy the festive season.
5K Fun Run/Walk Results: Male: 1st Mick Fogarty 17:04, 2nd Clive Clancy 17:06, 3rd John Mannion 17:39. Female: 1st Sarah Neary 19:49, 2nd Sinead Nolan 22:00, 3rd Sionán Murtagh 22:55. 1st Fitness Challenger, Jimmy Brennan 25:51. U18 Male: 1st Michael Dunne 26:34, 2nd Tommie Butler 27:33, 3rd Liam Ormsby 28:09. U18 Female: 1st Sarah Hoare 32:03, 2nd Emma Kenny 33:52, 3rd Ally Mahon 34:39.
DVD – Golden Jubilee: St. Faithleachs GAA “Golden Jubilee Celebrations DVD now on sale in the clubhouse and local shops priced €15. A lovely Christmas present for your loved ones at home and away.
Santa at St. Faithleachs GAA Club Grounds: A special treat in store for the kids with the arrival of Santa Claus by helicopter, on 23rd December at 3.00pm. Disco at 4:00pm .Live Music in the clubhouse from 6.00pm with fun/games for all, followed by our Christmas draw.
Rathcline GAA
The Rathcline senior club EGM takes place this Friday, December 21st at 8.30pm in the clubhouse. Please support and new members are welcome.
Congratulations to Brendan Gilmore on his appointment to the position of Chairman of the County Board.
Congratulations to Shannon Gaels Minor Club on reaching the Scór na nÓg Leinster Final.
There was no winner of this week’s €400 lotto jackpot. The winning numbers were 3, 13, 15, 22, 26 and 30. The four random winners of €25 each were Raymond O’ Boyle, Martina Nolan, Brendan Keane and Cian & Còilìn O’ Brien. Next week’s jackpot rolls over to €500. Also, there will be a Christmas Draw taking place soon.
Finally, Rathcline GAA would like to wish all parishioners a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The club appreciates your continued support.
Lough Ree AC
The club have been keeping a low profile since the change of time at the end of October. There was a ‘winter bug’ doing the rounds and the club did not want to encourage it and the club will return to the Indoor scene early in the New Year.
However the Christmas Day Run from Lanesboro Community College to the parish hall in conjunction with the usual Newtowncashel to Lanesboro Christmas run in aid of Multiple Sclerosis will take place as usual. It will start from the track at 12.30pm following 11.30 Mass. It is not a race but a run open to all children attending Primary schools in the area. It is a joyous occasion for everyone and there is a great atmosphere in and around the finishing line at the bridge. Don’t miss it!!
Finally, the club extends its deepest sympathy to Tom Donlon and family on their recent very sad bereavement. Tom was a former officer of the club and his children some of the clubs better athletes.