Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Golden Opportunity
Lanesboro Fire Brigade is presently seeking to recruit two new members to add to their Fire Service team based in Lanesboro. This will be a huge opportunity for the two lucky people that will be selected to join the team.
If this exciting prospect interests you, you should log onto the Longford County Council website for all details and application form.
St. Patrick’s Day
Wednesday 17th March will be the second St. Patricks Day in a row that we will not be able to celebrate the feast day of our National Saint due to the continuation of the Covid-19 pandemic. Little did we expect last year when we were just entering it that a full year on we would be still in lockdown and looking at it continuing until at least we all get the vaccine that is currently being rolled out.
With the promise of a great day weatherwise I hope that everyone can avail of getting a walk or cycle in and enjoying the day in a healthy manner while at all times obeying the distancing, hand washing and mask wearing regulations.
Shannon Tourism Masterplan
Fáilte Ireland has recently launched a new Shannon Tourism Masterplan for the entire river Shannon. We in our community are in Discovery Zone 2 – Mid Shannon section of the report.
The masterplan shows the huge value that is within our mid-Shannon area. Although we are not featuring by name the plan shows what massive potential there is for us if we want to embrace the pathway and develop our area.
As you may or not know, at the moment, there is a huge amount of work going on towards the development of Lanesboro and Ballyleague. There is a lot more to needs to be done to compliment this work especially with developments of both sides of the bridge that will attract business visitors, and new residents.
Back in September 2019 at our collaboration group’s ‘Think Tank’ Alan Molloy travelled all the way from Dublin to make his contribution as to how the community should be developing in attracting young professional people to come and live in our community. This was a view shared by Derek Healy in his submission and presentation into how we should be looking at Lanesboro and Ballyleague in our future town development.
There was strong support of the idea of a Boardwalk that would trail along the banks of the Shannon on both sides and have a bridge spanning the ‘cut’ thus creating a 5/6km walkway that would be unrivalled anywhere in Ireland. This would be a tourism attraction that would attract from all over the country for its beauty and the other additional proposals that are part of that overall plan that would make this a standout project.
There was the suggestion that we are two towns in two counties and in two provinces, and for us we are ONE. We should be using the agencies of the county councils and state to create growth for our community in light of the closure of the power station and the downsizing of Bord na Mona.
Presently there are a number of feasibility studies nearing the completion stage and almost ready to be presented. I am sure when they are presented that there will be a great excitement created in the area, and this excitement must be seriously supported by political backing from all parties. With the rising groundswell of support in the area there are a number of other players that will no doubt come to the fore with their business ideas helping to make our twin towns a place that in Alan Molloy’s words ‘we should be creating the environment in attracting young professional people to come and live in our community’ and a wonderful place to visit. There is no doubt that in our own distinctive way we have an area of natural beauty that with vision we can compete with the best of them, but we do need investments to take place to create that ambience that will make people want to come. Unlike most of the other attractions in the country we are situated right in the middle with good and growing connectivity and infrastructure. We are only a short drive from drive from the main centres of population no matter where you want to go.
Lanesboro and Ballyleague sees the Fáilte Ireland Masterplan as a brilliant way forward and we should be prepared to move heaven and earth to ensure that we are to the forefront in the creation of tourism attractions and new businesses that will make our community go from strength to strength in order to compliment the great vision of Fáilte Ireland.
New Priest in Kilgefin Parish
Our community would like to welcome Fr. Dan Udofia to our community. We extend to him our support and welcome and we hope he has a wonderful time in our community.
We the parishioners of Kilgefin would like to welcome Fr. Dan to our parish and hope he will be very happy in his new ministry. Fr. Dan has been appointed as parish priest for Kilgefin Parish and is based in Ballyleague. He succeeds Fr. Dusmanta Mahanayak from India who departed from our parish in August 2020, and we thank Fr. Dusmanta for his excellent service to our parish. We would also like to thank Fr. Larry Behan and Fr. Jarek for serving us so well from August 2020 to February 2021. Mass is now being streamed on our webcam from Ballyleague Church www.church services.tv/Ballyleague at the following times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and Sunday at 10.00am and Wednesday and Saturday at 7.00pm.
A message from Fr Daniel Udofia, MSP
I am a member of the Missionary Society of St Paul of Nigeria (MSP) and am from a West African country called Nigeria. I was ordained a missionary priest on the 27th of June 2009. I also trained as a journalist and was appointed the editor of the Catholic Ambassador Magazine, a mission magazine of the MSP from 2012 till 2020 and am on my Sabbatical leave right now. I am incredibly happy to be in your midst and to work with you as your brother and friend. So do not hesitate to reach out to me whenever you need prayers and blessings.
God bless you.
New Refill Service
Trish Feehily is offering a new Eco Refill service in Johnston’s Pharmacy on Main Street. You can reduce your plastic waste by reusing your own containers to stock up from a range of eco-friendly cleaning and bathroom products.
Trócaire
Trócaire boxes are available in the church porch or you can make a direct contribution at www.trocaire.org You are reminded that there are only a few weeks left until the boxes have to be returned and we would urge everyone to continue their donations to the box thus ensuring that there is a wonderful response to a very special cause.
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.
Living Well Programme
New and extra Spring Dates have been added to the HSE, Free Living Well Programme.
The Living Well Programme is a workshop for adults living with a long-term health condition. The workshop is delivered over six workshops (2.5hrs x6) and is free of charge to those diagnosed with a mental or physical illness.
You will develop self-management skills and confidence to live well with your health condition.
To avoid disappointment please book your place early by calling 086 6078950.
Rathcline Ladies
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
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.