Last week’s announcement by National Irish Bank (NIB) of its closure of the Lanesboro branch has come as a hammer blow to say the least especially coming on the days of Christmas. The communities that are served in this area by NIB namely Lanesboro, Ballyleague/Kilgefin, Cashel and Killashee have now been left high and dry this announcement. Not alone have they left our communities in the predicament that we now find ourselves in but just think of the customer base that travelled with the bank when they closed in Strokestown some ten years ago on the promise that the Lanesboro branch would always be there for them – and that branch served Strokestown, Elphin, Tarmonbarry and all the surrounding parishes. As you can see the bank has dropped a bombshell on a greater number of their customers than you care to think about.
They may argue that the customers can go to Athlone or Mullingar – both over 30 miles away- what good is that? Will the manager know, care or understand you there? Will they have knowledge of your business or your area and the customer/supplier base you serve? How happy will you be travelling to these centres to speak to someone that does not even have knowledge of the landscape of the above mentioned areas or indeed what is happening in terms of development. In fact the letter of 7th December from the bank informing their customers of the change is nothing short of disgrace and shows a great disdain to its customers. As we look at the situation the country finds itself in and it happened due to the greed of the banks and I cannot but wonder if this is another part of the greediness of this bank to serve one interest and one interest only.
We look at the tireless work being done by local groups enhancing the area and making it more attractive to both tourists and business interests. There are proposals by local groups that will enhance the area making it, once again, more user friendly in terms of attracting business, industry and a greater number of tourists. We see the far seeing proposed development of the Green Residents in conjunction with Bord na Mona and what a major and hugely significant development that will be once completed. We see the proposed progressive developments by Bord na Mona as they prepare for the future as the lifetime of the bogs comes to an end and they strive to create further business ventures and employment in the area. The derisory decision of closure by NIB has been a further slap in the face to all the groups and businesses that have put in so much work to these developments and are looking to creating a successful future for the area.
We are the main crossing point into Lough Ree and a major fishing centre with anglers travelling from all over the world and the decision of NIB will see us as a tourist town now virtually defunct. We see proposals from a Sailing Club to centre itself in Lanesboro and the financial spin off from such a club would be huge for the local area. How can we welcome visitors to the town, be it local tourism or boating, when we have no banking facilities to avail of not even an ATM machine? How can we promote our area to attract people be it as business investors or tourists without a bank?
At a recent public Town development meeting hosted by Longford County Council Dόnal Mac an Bheatha , Chief Planning officer for Longford County Council stated that he would be recommending that Lough Ree be designated a National Park and that Lanesboro be recognised as the focal point and have an Interpretive Centre. The spin off from this would be absolutely massive in terms of the area. Was there any member from that bank in attendance at what was a most important meeting for the area? The answer is no. In my mind the bank made its decision without even knowing the massive proposals and plans being envisaged for the area.
Once again the acceptance and silence by our national politicians in both constituencies has shown the lack of interest there is in our communities. We are only of interest, it seems, when there are votes to be got and it may not be too long before they are on our doorsteps again telling us how interested they are in our area.
The National Irish Bank has let the people of the region down and there is no denying that fact and for them to seek support through letters and phone calls from business managers should be treated with the same disdain they have shown for their customers.
As a people and the communities we are, we will rise from the ashes of this decision and the decision of NIB not to remain in Lanesboro will be costly in the extreme when the area is flourishing and developing to the extent envisaged by the groups and companies in the area and a new bank is reaping a multitude of benefits.
Shame on you National Irish Bank.week’s announcement by National Irish Bank (NIB) of its closure of the Lanesboro branch has come as a hammer blow to say the least especially coming on the days of Christmas. The communities that are served in this area by NIB namely Lanesboro, Ballyleague/Kilgefin, Cashel and Killashee have now been left high and dry this announcement. Not alone have they left our communities in the predicament that we now find ourselves in but just think of the customer base that travelled with the bank when they closed in Strokestown some ten years ago on the promise that the Lanesboro branch would always be there for them – and that branch served Strokestown, Elphin, Tarmonbarry and all the surrounding parishes. As you can see the bank has dropped a bombshell on a greater number of their customers than you care to think about.
They may argue that the customers can go to Athlone or Mullingar – both over 30 miles away- what good is that? Will the manager know, care or understand you there? Will they have knowledge of your business or your area and the customer/supplier base you serve? How happy will you be travelling to these centres to speak to someone that does not even have knowledge of the landscape of the above mentioned areas or indeed what is happening in terms of development. In fact the letter of 7th December from the bank informing their customers of the change is nothing short of disgrace and shows a great disdain to its customers. As we look at the situation the country finds itself in and it happened due to the greed of the banks and I cannot but wonder if this is another part of the greediness of this bank to serve one interest and one interest only.
We look at the tireless work being done by local groups enhancing the area and making it more attractive to both tourists and business interests. There are proposals by local groups that will enhance the area making it, once again, more user friendly in terms of attracting business, industry and a greater number of tourists. We see the far seeing proposed development of the Green Residents in conjunction with Bord na Mona and what a major and hugely significant development that will be once completed. We see the proposed progressive developments by Bord na Mona as they prepare for the future as the lifetime of the bogs comes to an end and they strive to create further business ventures and employment in the area. The derisory decision of closure by NIB has been a further slap in the face to all the groups and businesses that have put in so much work to these developments and are looking to creating a successful future for the area.
We are the main crossing point into Lough Ree and a major fishing centre with anglers travelling from all over the world and the decision of NIB will see us as a tourist town now virtually defunct. We see proposals from a Sailing Club to centre itself in Lanesboro and the financial spin off from such a club would be huge for the local area. How can we welcome visitors to the town, be it local tourism or boating, when we have no banking facilities to avail of not even an ATM machine? How can we promote our area to attract people be it as business investors or tourists without a bank?
At a recent public Town development meeting hosted by Longford County Council Dόnal Mac an Bheatha , Chief Planning officer for Longford County Council stated that he would be recommending that Lough Ree be designated a National Park and that Lanesboro be recognised as the focal point and have an Interpretive Centre. The spin off from this would be absolutely massive in terms of the area. Was there any member from that bank in attendance at what was a most important meeting for the area? The answer is no. In my mind the bank made its decision without even knowing the massive proposals and plans being envisaged for the area.
Once again the acceptance and silence by our national politicians in both constituencies has shown the lack of interest there is in our communities. We are only of interest, it seems, when there are votes to be got and it may not be too long before they are on our doorsteps again telling us how interested they are in our area.
The National Irish Bank has let the people of the region down and there is no denying that fact and for them to seek support through letters and phone calls from business managers should be treated with the same disdain they have shown for their customers.
As a people and the communities we are, we will rise from the ashes of this decision and the decision of NIB not to remain in Lanesboro will be costly in the extreme when the area is flourishing and developing to the extent envisaged by the groups and companies in the area and a new bank is reaping a multitude of benefits.
Shame on you National Irish BankLast week’s announcement by National Irish Bank (NIB) of its closure of the Lanesboro branch has come as a hammer blow to say the least especially coming on the days of Christmas. The communities that are served in this area by NIB namely Lanesboro, Ballyleague/Kilgefin, Cashel and Killashee have now been left high and dry this announcement. Not alone have they left our communities in the predicament that we now find ourselves in but just think of the customer base that travelled with the bank when they closed in Strokestown some ten years ago on the promise that the Lanesboro branch would always be there for them – and that branch served Strokestown, Elphin, Tarmonbarry and all the surrounding parishes. As you can see the bank has dropped a bombshell on a greater number of their customers than you care to think about.
They may argue that the customers can go to Athlone or Mullingar – both over 30 miles away- what good is that? Will the manager know, care or understand you there? Will they have knowledge of your business or your area and the customer/supplier base you serve? How happy will you be travelling to these centres to speak to someone that does not even have knowledge of the landscape of the above mentioned areas or indeed what is happening in terms of development. In fact the letter of 7th December from the bank informing their customers of the change is nothing short of disgrace and shows a great disdain to its customers. As we look at the situation the country finds itself in and it happened due to the greed of the banks and I cannot but wonder if this is another part of the greediness of this bank to serve one interest and one interest only.
We look at the tireless work being done by local groups enhancing the area and making it more attractive to both tourists and business interests. There are proposals by local groups that will enhance the area making it, once again, more user friendly in terms of attracting business, industry and a greater number of tourists. We see the far seeing proposed development of the Green Residents in conjunction with Bord na Mona and what a major and hugely significant development that will be once completed. We see the proposed progressive developments by Bord na Mona as they prepare for the future as the lifetime of the bogs comes to an end and they strive to create further business ventures and employment in the area. The derisory decision of closure by NIB has been a further slap in the face to all the groups and businesses that have put in so much work to these developments and are looking to creating a successful future for the area.
We are the main crossing point into Lough Ree and a major fishing centre with anglers travelling from all over the world and the decision of NIB will see us as a tourist town now virtually defunct. We see proposals from a Sailing Club to centre itself in Lanesboro and the financial spin off from such a club would be huge for the local area. How can we welcome visitors to the town, be it local tourism or boating, when we have no banking facilities to avail of not even an ATM machine? How can we promote our area to attract people be it as business investors or tourists without a bank?
At a recent public Town development meeting hosted by Longford County Council Dόnal Mac an Bheatha , Chief Planning officer for Longford County Council stated that he would be recommending that Lough Ree be designated a National Park and that Lanesboro be recognised as the focal point and have an Interpretive Centre. The spin off from this would be absolutely massive in terms of the area. Was there any member from that bank in attendance at what was a most important meeting for the area? The answer is no. In my mind the bank made its decision without even knowing the massive proposals and plans being envisaged for the area.
Once again the acceptance and silence by our national politicians in both constituencies has shown the lack of interest there is in our communities. We are only of interest, it seems, when there are votes to be got and it may not be too long before they are on our doorsteps again telling us how interested they are in our area.
The National Irish Bank has let the people of the region down and there is no denying that fact and for them to seek support through letters and phone calls from business managers should be treated with the same disdain they have shown for their customers.
As a people and the communities we are, we will rise from the ashes of this decision and the decision of NIB not to remain in Lanesboro will be costly in the extreme when the area is flourishing and developing to the extent envisaged by the groups and companies in the area and a new bank is reaping a multitude of benefits.
Shame on you National Irish Bank.
Last week’s announcement by National Irish Bank (NIB) of its closure of the Lanesboro branch has come as a hammer blow to say the least especially coming on the days of Christmas. The communities that are served in this area by NIB namely Lanesboro, Ballyleague/Kilgefin, Cashel and Killashee have now been left high and dry this announcement. Not alone have they left our communities in the predicament that we now find ourselves in but just think of the customer base that travelled with the bank when they closed in Strokestown some ten years ago on the promise that the Lanesboro branch would always be there for them – and that branch served Strokestown, Elphin, Tarmonbarry and all the surrounding parishes. As you can see the bank has dropped a bombshell on a greater number of their customers than you care to think about.
They may argue that the customers can go to Athlone or Mullingar – both over 30 miles away- what good is that? Will the manager know, care or understand you there? Will they have knowledge of your business or your area and the customer/supplier base you serve? How happy will you be travelling to these centres to speak to someone that does not even have knowledge of the landscape of the above mentioned areas or indeed what is happening in terms of development. In fact the letter of 7th December from the bank informing their customers of the change is nothing short of disgrace and shows a great disdain to its customers. As we look at the situation the country finds itself in and it happened due to the greed of the banks and I cannot but wonder if this is another part of the greediness of this bank to serve one interest and one interest only.
We look at the tireless work being done by local groups enhancing the area and making it more attractive to both tourists and business interests. There are proposals by local groups that will enhance the area making it, once again, more user friendly in terms of attracting business, industry and a greater number of tourists. We see the far seeing proposed development of the Green Residents in conjunction with Bord na Mona and what a major and hugely significant development that will be once completed. We see the proposed progressive developments by Bord na Mona as they prepare for the future as the lifetime of the bogs comes to an end and they strive to create further business ventures and employment in the area. The derisory decision of closure by NIB has been a further slap in the face to all the groups and businesses that have put in so much work to these developments and are looking to creating a successful future for the area.
We are the main crossing point into Lough Ree and a major fishing centre with anglers travelling from all over the world and the decision of NIB will see us as a tourist town now virtually defunct. We see proposals from a Sailing Club to centre itself in Lanesboro and the financial spin off from such a club would be huge for the local area. How can we welcome visitors to the town, be it local tourism or boating, when we have no banking facilities to avail of not even an ATM machine? How can we promote our area to attract people be it as business investors or tourists without a bank?
At a recent public Town development meeting hosted by Longford County Council Dόnal Mac an Bheatha , Chief Planning officer for Longford County Council stated that he would be recommending that Lough Ree be designated a National Park and that Lanesboro be recognised as the focal point and have an Interpretive Centre. The spin off from this would be absolutely massive in terms of the area. Was there any member from that bank in attendance at what was a most important meeting for the area? The answer is no. In my mind the bank made its decision without even knowing the massive proposals and plans being envisaged for the area.
Once again the acceptance and silence by our national politicians in both constituencies has shown the lack of interest there is in our communities. We are only of interest, it seems, when there are votes to be got and it may not be too long before they are on our doorsteps again telling us how interested they are in our area.
The National Irish Bank has let the people of the region down and there is no denying that fact and for them to seek support through letters and phone calls from business managers should be treated with the same disdain they have shown for their customers.
As a people and the communities we are, we will rise from the ashes of this decision and the decision of NIB not to remain in Lanesboro will be costly in the extreme when the area is flourishing and developing to the extent envisaged by the groups and companies in the area and a new bank is reaping a multitude of benefits.
Shame on you National Irish Bank.
