Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Road Walkers
The number of local walkers continues to grow weekly and it is wonderful to see some many locals exercising on all local routes.
To those that walk roads can I ask that at all times day, afternoon and evening that you wear a high visibility top/jacket. It has been mentioned to me on numerous occasions over the past week to remind people to wear their Hi-Viz as drivers have had some narrow escapes from accidents recently.
A further reminder to those driving to the end of the Clonbonny road to limit their maximum speed to 40km and to those driving Salmon’s Lane to also limit their speed to 40km.
Gaelscoil Longfoirt
For those that would like to have their children educated through the medium of Irish are reminded that enrolment is now being accepted for the 2021/2022 school year at Gaelscoil Longfoirt based in Farneyhoogan, Longford. For full details and application forms please phone 3341360.
Mother’s Day
Over the past year in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic mothers have possibly borne the brunt of the chaos and stress of home schooling and upheaval to family life.
On Sunday next 14th March we have the opportunity to say thank you and show our appreciation to our mothers on Mother’s Day
Rathcline Ladies
Omitted from last week’s list of club supporters and donors was the Wooden Spoon restaurant and we are deeply grateful of their support.
Rathcline Ladies GAA Club has been successful as part of the Lidl “Level the Playing Field” competition and is in with a chance to win sponsorship or a free set of jerseys but they require your support. Please follow these 4 simple steps to register your support
1. Download/Open the Lidl Plus app and follow the prompts on screen
2. Select the club you want to support
3. Spend over €30 in store and scan your Lidl Plus card to earn a stamp (over €60 = 2 stamps, over €90 = 3 stamps, etc.)
4. Collect 6 stamps and submit your completed card by Sunday, April 11th
Full details are available at: https://www.lidl.ie/serious-support
Daffodil Day
Daffodil Day, every year is a huge fundraising day for the Irish Cancer Society. This year the event is being stifled by Covid-19. This year the Irish Cancer Society is imploring everyone to support their 2021 Daffodil Day which will be a virtual event on Friday 26th March.
The Irish Cancer Society provides vital services to all those affected by Cancer. To make your donation and gain further information you should log on to www.cancer.ie
Back to School
The last week seen a return to school for students in our local primary schools and Lanesboro Community College. A few classes in each school commenced the phased return and over the next few weeks with all going well we will see the schools return to full numbers and classes. This is the first sign of normality slowly returning to our community.
Death
On Saturday last 6th March we learned of the death at Oaklands, Ballinalee Road, Longford and formerly of St Peters, Castlepollard, of Michael O’Donoghue, The Green. Michael, a twin brother of Margaret, had special needs from birth. He spent most of his years in the special care of the staff of St Peters, Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath before, more recently, coming back to Oaklands Supported accommodation in Longford Town. He was predeceased by his father, Tom, mother, Lil and baby brother Seamus. Michael was a very special person, and his family were very proud and devoted to him. While words were not a part of Michael’s life his warm and cheery welcome and beaming smile always told the story of the inner Michael.
His remains were removed from the family residence on the Green on Monday to St. Mary’s Church for his funeral Mass before being laid to rest alongside his parents in Clonbonny Cemetery. To his brother Tommy, sisters Kathleen, Mary, Betty, Bernie, Margaret, Patricia and Joan, relatives and friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
Butcher Closes
Last Saturday was another sad day in Lanesboro with the closing of the local butchers on Main Street. Kevin Stone was our butcher for over 3 years taking over from Terry McLoughlin. He now moves on the Longford town where he will be in the Shopping Centre.
It is another black day for our town following on from the departure of Lough Ree Power and the closure of the power station along with the downsizing of Bord na Mona.
We wish Kevin well in his new Longford business.
Community Supports
Longford Community Resources Clg continues to deliver supports to individuals and communities experiencing disadvantage throughout the county. Due to Level 5 restrictions these supports are now delivered mostly by phone or on-line.
Supports include:
Providing advice and information on entitlements.
Assisting people with CVs, job applications and interviews.
Assisting people identify and access accredited and non-accredited education and training.
Setting up your own business (if you are currently unemployed and in receipt of a Social Welfare payment).
They also support several community groups including Health and Well-being Groups; On-Line Crafts Group; Ethnic Minority Groups; English Conversation Classes; Parent and Toddler Groups; Intercultural Women’s Groups; Older People’s Network, Alzheimer’s Café, etc.
For further information on any of the free services available please contact Longford Community Resources on 043 334 5555 or email: enquiries@lcrl.ie
The Samaritans
There are a great number of Samaritan branches throughout the county and no matter where you are there is one close to you. If you are struggling with life and feel you need to talk to someone then the Samaritans are there for you. All you have to do is pick up the phone and discuss what is one your mind in confidence. It does not matter who you are, how you feel or what has happened to you that phone call is all you need to do. Freephone 116123, every day or night of the year as the service is available 24 hours a day. Don’t let anything fester in your mind make that call immediately.
Lanesboro Library
In line with Government Level 5 restrictions, Lanesboro Library will remain closed until further notice.
All the online services can be accessed on our website by selecting ‘Your Online Library’. www.longfordlibrary.ie
Use your library card number & pin to log in to your account.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates.
Any enquiries, please email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Contact Stella on 3321291 for library information.
ALONE – Support for older people
ALONE who support older people to age at home have a COVID-19 support line for those who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to COVID-19.
Professional staff are available to answer queries and to give advice. The support line is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. If you feel you need to call you should do so and have the chat, do not let the day pass without making the call. The phone number is 0818 222024.
St. Mary’s Church
Masses
Mass continues to be celebrated privately every day by our priests at the usual times Monday to Thursday 10am, Friday 7pm Saturday 7.30pm and Sunday 11.30am and Masses can be seen on the St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro Facebook page.
Trócaire
Trócaire boxes are available in the church porch or you can make a direct contribution at www.trocaire.org
Mass intentions will continue to be booked for weekdays for the present. People wishing to book masses can do so by contacting Fr Sergiy before or after mass during the week in the Sacristy. All that have booked masses are asked to rebook them for weekdays for the foreseeable future.
Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays in the church from 10.30 to 8pm. It is hoped that there will be two people in the church for each hour.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will resume on Friday evenings, starting this Friday evening and it will take place between 6pm and 6.45pm.
Urgent contacts
Fr. Sergiy Ruchenko can be contacted at the presbytery or by phoning 3321166 or 0833892362. Alternatively, you can contact Fr. Merlyn Kenny, Newtowncashel 0860603433 and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Killashee 0879972259 who are assisting Fr. Sergiy during his ministery in the parish.
Shannon Gaels Minor Club
Welcome
The Shannon Gaels Minor club is the underage section of the Rathcline GAA club. The club would like to welcome all recent and new residents to the parish of Rathcline and we would like to invite you and your family to be part of our club. The club involves itself in underage games for the youngsters of the parish and integrates new people to our parish into the community and we would love to have you as part of our GAA family.
Involvement
If you have intentions of being involved with the Minor Club, it is essential that you complete the Safeguarding course as well as completing the Garda Vetting form.
At the moment the recommended coaching courses are in abeyance due to the current pandemic. You will be notified by the club or in these notes the dates that the coaching courses are recommencing.
Contact Mark at Secretarybng.shannongaels.longford@gaa.ie for information on safeguarding and Garda Vetting.