Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
The Laughing Boy
The man just does not rest! Jack Harte, formerly of the Green, a prolific playwright of novels, short stories and in later years plays has just had his most recent play gone into rehearsals in preparation for its opening night on Tuesday 31st August. The play will open in The New Theatre in Essex Street, Dublin for a two-week run. As the theatre size is compact and covid restrictions still having a big bearing on audiences’ early booking is essential.
We wish Jack, his team and cast the very best of luck for a very successful run.
All-Ireland Hurling Final Sunday
The Rathcline club were very fortunate to have been drawn out for 2 All-Ireland Hurling Final tickets that takes place on Sunday next 22nd August in Croke Park.
The club decided to put the tickets up for a draw that will take place on Friday night next in Clarke’s Bar. Tickets for the draw are available at all local shops and bars or from any of the club executive. If you wish to buy on your credit card, just give me a ring 086-2460840 and I can oblige you. Tickets are priced at €5 each.
This promises to be a real humdinger of a game between the strength and power of a Limerick side and the speed and craft of an emerging Cork side. It will also be a privilege to be one of the selected 40,000 restricted attendance.
Get your ticket and be there on a historic day
Under 20 Final
Unfortunately, the Under 20 All-Ireland Final did not go the way of Roscommon despite them putting in a wonderful performance. They have every right to feel proud of their achievement and there is no doubt that there is a glittering future ahead.
I was not aware until after last weeks notes were published that we also had two further local connections to the Roscommon U20 team and I would like to acknowledge their part in the successful run to last Sunday. Joey O’Malley is son of Joe and Jacqueline O’Malley who plays for Roscommon Gaels and his mother is formerly Jacqueline Chalmers and grandson of Phil Chalmers, Longford Road. Local St. Faithleach’s man Michael Dunne was also on the panel and he is son of Declan and Martina Dunne and grandson of Mrs. Mary Walsh, Ballyclare and Mrs. Maura Dunne, Doughill and formerly Curraghroe.
Congratulations to Cormac Egan on the victorious Offaly team making their grandaunts Carmel O’Shea and Teresa O’Reilly very happy people.
Boost for Lanesboro Businesses
Mark Casey rang me to let me know of an initiative about to be announced by Longford County Council that will make Lanesboro a much better and brighter place. We look forward to the announcement seeing the full details that will be announced by Longford County Council on Tuesday 17th August
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to John and Barbara Ferguson and family on the death last week in Hertfordshire, England of John’s brother Jim Ferguson. We also extend our sympathy to Jim’s daughters of Noreen and Caitlín on the loss of their father.
Stars come to Town
Next Saturday will be a red lettered day for the Rathcline club and parish when one of the aristocrats of club football in Ireland come to Lanesboro for a day’s training out of their city environs.
Former All-Ireland club champions, 2016, Ballyboden St. Enda’s with an array of Dublin star past and present will travel to the club grounds for a day of training culminating with a challenge game against Rathcline at 4pm. Ballyboden are a club with star players and multiple All Ireland winners such as Conal Keaney, Michael Darragh McAuley, the Basquel bothers Colm and Ryan along with Robbie McDaid.
We look forward to a huge crowd coming to the challenge game to welcome this famous club to our parish. We also look forward to seeing how our young and developing team acquit themselves against the strength of Ballyboden.
Music Concerts continue
Tickets for the next concerts are free, booking is essential, the events will be outdoor events, socially distanced and ticketed events only, and you can make your bookings through www.eventbrite.ie
Next Saturday, the second last of the music concerts will feature Mick and Conor Lane and they will entertain you between 4 and 5.30pm
Sat 28th Aug 4pm- Turquoise Orange- Distillery Yard.
The concerts have proven to be very popular and it was a wonderful initiative put together by Shane Crossan and Longford County Council.
Boat trips booking out very fast
The Access for All boat is making trips three times a day Monday to Friday – 10am, 12 noon and 2.30pm and it is a very popular excursion for able bodied and those with disabilities. Bookings are very high and early booking is advisable to ensure travelling at your chosen time.
Such has been the popularity the Access for All boat is now sailing three times a day and seven days a week. It is very important that you book your trip day and time well in advance as the popularity of the trip has grown hugely and to avoid disappointment.
This is an absolutely brilliant trip with an excellent on-board staff that will take approximately 1½ hours.
To book a seat call Lisa or Dylan at 043 33 21734 or go online today and book at www.loughreeboattrips.com
Tidy Towns Lottery
The weekly Lanesboro Tidy Towns lottery draw took place in the Tourism Office on Tuesday morning 10th August for a jackpot of €4,300.
The numbers drawn for this week were 4, 14, 15 and 22. There was no winner of the jackpot and the jackpot for Tuesday 17th August rose to €4,300.
The winner of the €50 consolation draw was Pam Feeney, Rathcline, and the three €20 prizes were won by Damian Farrell, c/o XLNTEE, Mary Rice, The Abbey, and Tom Casey c/o Mags.
Become a Host Family
InterStudies is seeking host families for the coming school year to host a foreign student who will be attending Lanesboro Community College for the academic year. This has been a very successful experience for hosts in the past. Families will be welcoming a new family member and the exchange of cultures is always interesting and enlightening and it have proven to be a very rewarding experience.
InterStudies are looking for caring and welcoming home for their students.
If you are interested, you should contact Jennifer Hutchinson at jennifer.h@interstudies.com or phone Jennifer 086 0679560
Lough Ree Athletics Club
The club welcomes all young people interested in taking part in track and field athletics to come along and share in the great times with the Lough Ree Athletic Club. Coaching takes place every Tuesday evening at 6.30pm.
Rathcline 50/50
The Rathcline club’s 50/50 draw took place on Tuesday night 10th August in Adie’s. The winning envelope was in the joint names of Peter Smyth and Patricia Heneghan who shared €160 between them. The club would like to thank everyone for their generous support.
Tickets are available online https://member.clubspot.app/club/rathcline-gaa/fundraiser/tickets or in any of the local shops and the club would encourage your support.
St. Faithleach’s Lottery
On Tuesday of last week 10th August, the St. Faithleach’s Lottery for a jackpot of €12,000 took place at the clubhouse. The numbers drawn were 1, 12, 13 and 28. There was nobody with these numbers and the jackpot for Tuesday next 24th August remains at the capped €12,000. The three winners of the €40 consolation prizes were won by Dan Cox, Curraghroe, Margaret Percival, Kenagh and Shay Rohan, Ballagh.
Your generous support is greatly appreciated and tickets are on sale at local outlets including O’Brien’s shop.
Further Kayaking Camp
Another Kayaking Camp and the final pre return to school camp will commence on Monday next 23rd until Thursday 26th August. As usual the lead coach and instructor Junior Hannon will be facilitating the camp. Places are filling up very fast and if you are interested your young person, you should make an immediate booking. All gear will be supplied except for the wetsuit. It is for young people between the ages of 10 and 17 and will take place in the old harbour beside Hanley’s Marina from 10am until 12.30pm.
The cost of the course is €70, second child of the same family €65and you should phone 0872977769 to make your bookings.
Lanesboro Library
Tel: 0433321291 Email: lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Photocopying & Scanning services are available
Send on your printing and the library service will print for you.
Computer & Study facilities are unavailable as per Government guidelines.
The library opening hours are
Wednesday 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm
Friday 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm
Saturday 10am-1pm
Summer Stars Reading Programme
Summer Stars reading programme is in full swing at the library. Drop in and pick up your Reading Card and pick up some little gifts as you read over the summer months!
Foreign Currency & Used Stamps
We are still collecting unwanted foreign currency and old coins/notes in aid of Koins for Kids. The smallest donation can make a huge difference.
We also collect used stamps in aid of ISPCC. Thank you.
All our 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.
St. Mary’s Church
Weekend Masses
On Saturday evening next Mass at 7.30pm those from Radharc na Muileann and Rathcline
At 9.30am Mass on Sunday it will be turn of Rathcline road and Rapareehill.
The 11.30am Mass will see parishioners from The Green, Thureen and Tullyvrane
Weekend Offerings It would be greatly appreciated if your weekend offerings for a number of weeks were enclosed in one envelope and the total amount of your contribution written on that envelope. Using each weekly envelope to make a donation is not necessary as your contribution is credited to your account number on the envelope, on the week of your donation.
Priest dues, monthly etc. are separate and the usual envelopes in the box should be used.
Thank you for your continued contributions.
Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays in the church from 10.30 to 8pm. It is very important that there will be at least two people in the church for each hour of the Adoration.
Weekend Masses.
Mass: the maximum number allowed at Mass will be 50.
Holy Communion: will be distributed in the hand only.
Holy Water fonts will remain empty.
Funerals: a maximum of 50 mourners are permitted in the church
Marriages: a maximum of 50 guests are permitted at the marriage ceremony
First Friday and Communion Calls: calls may take place with prior approval of the household.
Confession: the Sacrament may take place in the Church and not in the confessional
Everyone attending the Church are reminded to observe social distancing, and to avail of the hand sanitising stations in the Church.
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.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will resume on Friday evenings, starting this Friday evening and it will take place between 6pm and 6.45pm. Exposition will be followed Mass at 7pm. It is also an opportunity to avail of the opportunity for Confession.
Parish contacts
Fr. Sergiy can be contacted at the presbytery or by phoning 3321166 or 0833892362. For added support and assistance, you can also contact Fr. Merlyn Kenny, Newtowncashel 0860603433 and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Killashee 0879972259 who as you know are assisting in our parish.
Volunteers
Accord Catholic Marriage Care service is currently recruiting volunteers to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators. You may contact the Marriage Care Service by email at info@accord.ie The closing date for receipt of registration of interest is Friday 27th August. For more information visit www.accord.ie
Shannon Gaels Minor Club