Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Updates
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Launch
Everyone is invited to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade launch hat will take place in Adie’s bar on Friday night next 6th March at 8.30pm. Everyone is welcome and light refreshments will be served.
Business Sponsorship
The parade committee is seeking the support of all local businesses by contributing €60 towards the sponsoring of the parade. Each year all of the local businesses continue to be very generous in supporting the parade. The committee would like to thank each and every business in advance.
Floats
With just a few weeks to go your preparations should now be coming to a finish. There have been many topics over the past 12-months to create excellent and topical floats. All schools, clubs, business, associations and groups are asked to make this the best parade ever.
With all the issues of insurance over the past months and a number of parades around the country being cancelled due to exorbitant costs it is wonderful to see our parade committee committing to this year’s parade.
Application forms are available from Teresa Costello, Freda Connaughton or from O’Brien’s shop. The entry fee per float is €30. The closing date for entries is Friday 14th March
Draw
To help pay for the insurance and other organisational costs there is a draw taking place on St. Patrick’s night and everybody is urged to buy a book of tickets to help defray the costs of hosting the parade. A book of three tickets costs just €5, your support will be of immense help. There will be five prizes of €100 for the five people drawn on the night. The draw will take place in Adie’s bar.
We look forward to another fabulous St. Patrick’s Day parade commencing at St. Faithleach’s GAA club and passing through Ballyleague and Lanesboro.
St. Patrick’s Day Schedule
As is the norm the St. Patrick’s Day committee have organised a schedule for the day. It will commence with a Traditional Mass in St. Mary’s Church at 11.30. This mass will include the parish choir, traditional musician and world champion dancers.
Prior to the start of the parade traditional musicians will converge on the viewing stand to perform and entertain the attendance while they await the arrival of the parade.
The parade will leave from St. Faithleach’s club grounds at 2.30pm.
The draw will take place in Adie’s at 10.30pm
Lourdes Pilgrimage
This year the Ardagh Clonmacnoise Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from Friday 29th May until Wednesday 3rd June and the inclusive cost is €749. Pilgrimage director is Fr. Bernard Noonan 09064 81180. The flight departure is from Knock Airport. For bookings contact Joe Walsh Tours 01-2410811/2.
Whist Drive on Friday
The wind and rain will be over; things will be returning to normal and a great way of getting rid of the cabin fever that everyone has been suffering as a result of the recent storms is to travel to St. Mary’s parish hall on Friday night next 6th March for the monthly game of Whist.
Lanesboro Social Services monthly Whist Drive will take place at 8.30pm and refreshments will be served. Supporting this monthly game means you are contributing toward supporting those in need of support in our parish.
Come along bring a card playing friend or two along with you and have a great night of card playing.
Death
The death took place at Oakwood Nursing Home, Roscommon on Thursday last 20th February of Maureen Farrell, Moher. Maureen had been a long-time resident of Oakwood and was one of the oldest residents of Moher. Maureen was always renowned for her neighbourliness and kindness. She was a warm and kind lady whose warmth endeared her to everyone that met her. Maureen was predeceased by her brother Johnny and his wife Kathleen. She will be fondly remembered by the older generation in our community. Maureen always came to town on her bicycle and her happy greeting as she passed always warmed the heart.
Maureen’s remains reposed in Oakwood Nursing Home on Monday last before being removed to The Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague for her Funeral Mass. Following Mass, her remains were laid to rest in Cloontuskert Cemetery. To her relatives and friends we extend our deepest sympathy.
Éigse Pete Carberry
The Éigse Pete Carberry Irish music weekend will take place on Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April in Lanesboro. This will be the second year of this event and it will be preceded the weekend before by the County Longford Fleadh so it will be a tremendous celebration of Irish music over a 10-day period.
We all remember last year and what a huge success the inaugural Éigse Pete Carberry weekend remembering the piping of Pete Carberry was. The quality of the Irish musicians that came to celebrate from all over the country to celebrate the piping of Pete and the musical exploits of the Carberry family was truly fantastic.
The weekend music created a great vibe throughout the town, it extended from St. Mary’s Hall to the library, to bars and shops creating a great atmosphere throughout Lanesboro and Ballyleague.
We are expecting that the second Éigse Pete Carberry weekend will be another rousing occasion and it is most definitely be a weekend not to be missed. If you want to hear Irish Music in its purist state and played like you cannot believe, then you must be in Lanesboro for the weekend. As mentioned previously the weekend date had to be changed from the original date and now takes place in Lanesboro on Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April
The committee is receiving requests for all types of accommodation for the weekend and if you can help in putting people up you can drop an email to me joeaobrien@outlook.com phone 0862460840 or call into the shop and leave your name.
New Play set for Lanesboro
A new play written by John McManus will be staged in St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Saturday 4th April. The play is said to be scary and funny in equal measures. The play stars the one and only Seamus O’Rourke star of stage and Joe Duffy’s ‘Funny Friday’ accompanied by star of No Party for Billy Burns film Charlie McGuinness.
Once again, the Shannon Gaels have pulled off a major coup by attracting this play An Ogeous Brose to Lanesboro. As tickets are limited early booking is advisable. You can book by phoning Martina 086-3858934, call into O’Brien’s. Tickets are priced at €10 each and the show will commence at 8.30pm.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the Pairs competition held over 12th and 19th February were: 1st Brid Mc Dermott and Una Lawlor, 2nd Gemma Douglas and Elish Gray and 3rd Philomena Walsh and Katharine Harrison. The first session seen a tie between Mona O’Flaherty/ Maureen Hynes and Frances and Frank Brennan. The second session was won by Una Clarke and Tom Feeney.
The results of the competition held on Wednesday 26th February were: N/S 1st Cyril Hussey and Mary Farrell, 2nd Maureen Hynes and Teresa Kiernan and 3rd Mike Flynn and Mary McGushin. E/W 1st Una Lawlor and Brid Mc Dermott, 2nd Patricia Mc Gann and Mary Jameson and the third place was a tie between Mae Casey/Noreen Dunne and Elizabeth Clyne and Mary Connor.
Gun Club News
The club will be holding an Easter Draw on Saturday night 11th April in Joe Farrell’s Pub with over €2,000 in prizes. Music will be provided on the night by Fran Deffew. We have received a huge response from the local community and further afield with regard to sponsorship of prizes. The club would like to thank all sponsors for their assistance to date. Tickets are currently on sale with club members and local businesses. All your support would be greatly appreciated.
Clay Shoot
The committee made the decision on health and safety grounds to postpone our planned clay shoot on the 15th February due to the inclement weather brought by storm Dennis. We had over 5 teams prepared to travel. We will reschedule to a later date.
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
The club has decided to enter a float in this year’s local Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. We have received some great themes/ideas from members to date. We are hoping to finalise within the next few weeks.
Underage Registration
The Shannon Gaels Minor Club will host its registration night in the clubhouse in Clonbonny on Friday night next 6th March from 7pm to 8pm
The club would like to welcome and encourage all parents to ensure that their young players are registered to compete in the coming year. The club would also like to welcome and invite all the new residents to the parish, and we would love to have their young people as part of our successful and thriving club.
The registration fee is €40 per child and €70 per family. The registration for Under 6 players is €5.
Registration is vitally important for every child as without registration they are eligible to play due to insurance constraints.
Tax Relief Scheme
A new five-year form is now available in the church porch for parishioners. This form when completed only has to be filled once every 5 years. This scheme is for PAYE taxpayers and proves to be of a huge benefit and a valuable source of income to the parish funds.
Please call into the church, take a form and fill it out – your support will be invaluable.
Former Resident passes away
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the extended relatives and friends of former resident Annie (Nancy) Keoghan nee Murphy, Assumptian Villas, Mullingar, who passed away on Monday 24th February in the care of the staff and nurses of St. Camillus Nursing Centre, Killucan. Nancy was a former resident of Barnacor.
Table Quiz
Sister Act Table Quiz in aid of a ‘Night at the Oscars’ will take place on Friday night next 6th March in the Yacht Bar at 9pm. Go along and test your knowledge against quiz master Mark Casey.
Weekly Card Game
The results of the game played on Sunday night last 1st March are: 1st Jonno Byrne / Gerry Ryan. Joint 2nd Barney Kenny/Eugene Kelly and Tom Donlon/Brendan Hanley. Last game Tom Nohilly/Geraldine Greene. Raffle winners Tommy Skelly, Tom Fox, Mike Flynn, Tom Feeney. Game continues every Sunday night at 8 30pm sharp. Refreshments served. No partner needed.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Steve and Marie Peters and family, Clonfower on the recent death of Steve’s father Brian Peters, Cornwall, England.
Daffodil Day Coffee Morning
The annual Daffodil Day coffee morning will be held on Sunday 15h March in Lanesboro Parish Hall from 10am to 12.30 pm. Your usual support will be very welcome
Hijacking Memories
Last week we read in the Longford Leaderof a hijacking back in 1981 that affect a local family as they made their way back to Ireland. Mary along with her husband Tom Feeney and family were living in London at the time where they were making preparations to move back home to Ireland. Mary along with sons Ciaran and Damian were making a trip to Ireland when the plane they were travelling on was hijacked and they ended up landing in France rather than Dublin. Nine hours later they all arrived back unscathed.
Mary recounted the story to the Longford Leader as they were looking forward to travelling to the Backstage Theatre to relive the memories at the play ‘A Holy Show’ that was written out of the events of hijacker Laurence James Downey and has become a hit comedy.
Our Library Events
Knitting & Crochet Club
Knitting & Crochet Club continues every Monday 2-4pm.
New members always welcome!
Poetry & Music Group
Poetry & Music Circle continues on Monday 9th March from 4.15 until 5.30pm.
All welcome to come along and join in with this very vibrant group!
ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) takes place in the Library every Tuesday evening 7-9pm.
Contact Nuala Donlon on nuala.donlon@lwetb.ie for further information.
Memory Matters & Brain Health
As part of Healthy Ireland at your Library, Lanesboro Library will host a very interesting talk on Memory Matters & Brain Health with Pauline Lee from HSE.
This event takes place on Monday 30th March at 7pm.
This is a Free event and all are welcome to come along.
Light refreshments will be served.
Contact library on 0433321291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie for info.
Guidelines for Helping Children with Anxiety
As part of Healthy Ireland at your Library, we are delighted to welcome psychologist Paul Marsden back to Lanesboro Library to give a very interesting talk on ‘Guidelines for Helping Children with Anxiety’. The talk will be very helpful to parents & teachers where children are anxious at home, with their friends, coming up to exam time etc. This is a free event and all are welcome along on Monday 20th April at 7pm.
Talk on Asthma & COPD
As part of Healthy Ireland at your Library, we are delighted to welcome Advanced Nurse Practitioner Ruth Morrow to talk about Asthma & COPD on Monday 27th April at 7pm. All welcome to come along to this free event.
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.
Library Membership
Library membership is free for everyone and provides you with complimentary access to books and p.c.’s in the library as well as a range of digital services.
Check out our Online Services where you can download free eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines and newspapers, learn a new language or do an online course. All you need is your library card and pin. Renew or request books on our website www.longfordlibrary.ie
New Boat Project/Angling Hub AGM
Lough Ree Angling hub will launch a new Access for All boat service on the River Shannon in June 2020. This new state of the art angling boat will be powered by two engines and will have the capacity to carry ten people and a crew of two on the river. This passenger boat will be the first in Britain and Ireland to carry seven people who are disabled and wheelchair-bound or have mobility issues. It will also serve as a heritage tourism service as required.
In preparation for the boat’s launch in June, the angling hub is recruiting and training a panel of up to 20 people who will operate the boat on a full-time, part-time paid and voluntary basis. Part of this group will also offer their services as angling ghillies to visitors to the area – when required.
A training course has now been organised for early May for people who are interested in committing themselves to taking part in this training and , to inform people who might be interested in taking part , an information meeting took place on Wednesday February 26th at 8pm in St Marys hall beside the bridge in Lanesborough . 24 people were in attendance.
All those who could not attend but still with an interest in boating and fishing are invited to get in touch with the hub – especially present or previous workers with Bord na Móna or ESB who may be looking for alternative employment.
5-a-side booking
Bookings are now being taken for weekly rental of the new Ballyboro FC 3G Pitch at Lanesborough Community College. To book in for a 5 side match or a 7 a side game in November please register NOW by signing up with a user account at www.bookapitch.com and the venue will be there for you to select under BALLYBORO ASTRO. If you want any more details send an e mail please to ballyboroastropitchcommittee@gmail.com
Tidy Towns Lotto
The winning numbers drawn in the Lanesboro Tourism Co-Op on Tuesday morning 25th February were 2, 13, 17, and 24. There was nobody with the winning numbers and the jackpot pool has now risen to €7,700. The €50 prize winner was Brián and three winners of the three €20 were Chris Feeney, c/o The Wooden Spoon, Nolan Motors, Newtownforbes, and David Dowd, Thureen.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place on Monday 24th February and the envelope drawn out was in the name of Majella Maher, Ballyleague. This week’s winning pool was €364.
You have four options when buying your tickets, (1) buy your €2 ticket, (2) 3 the tickets for €5, (3) the green envelope where you pay €50 for a six-month term with one free draw and (4) the pink envelope where you pay €100 for a 12-month period with two free draws. Those tickets are available in any of the local shops and pubs or from any member of the club executive.
Ballyboro
The weather proved to be a real spoilsport once again at the weekend as all games were cancelled due to the adverse conditions.
The under 11 girls will be guests of Longford Town on this Saturday when they play at the half time interval of the Longford Town -Bray Wanderers game at Bishopsgate.
Fixtures: The under 8s will be taking part in a Blitz at home on Saturday starting at 11am, where Melview provide the opposition. The under 12s play UCL Falcons in Dernafest, Lough Gowna, on Sunday, kick off is timed for 11am. The under 13s play Newtown in Newtownforbes on Saturday at 11am. The under 14s play Killoe Celtic in Abbeycartron on Sunday 11 am start. The under 15s are away to Ballymahon on Saturday, 11am kick off time. The under 11 girls play Stonepark at home on Saturday at 12 noon.
Rathcline
Become a member
This year the club is encouraging everyone to become a club member. Being a club member shows your support for you club and parish. It also gives you your identity as a paid-up member of the Rathcline club. The more that will join will instil a greater pride in our club and your community. Membership of Rathcline retains your connection in your club that you may have played with and/or just supported. With a big membership we are able to connect to all the new residents in our parish whether as players, parent or just supporters. Rathcline is a club of the welcomes and we encourage everyone to become a member of our club.
Non-playing membership is €20 and playing membership is €50.
Contact Peter Skelly, Claire Carberry, Gerard Farrell, Brendan Rhatigan, Micheál O’Sullivan, Marie Farrell, Jimmy Flood, Neil O’Connor, James Hanley, David Rooney or any executive member for your membership.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place on Monday 24th February and the envelope drawn out was in the name of Majella Maher, Ballyleague. This week’s winning pool was €364.
Don’t forget the four options when buying your tickets, (1) buy your €2 ticket, (2) 3 tickets for €5, (3) the green envelope where you pay €50 for a six-month term with one free draw and (4) the pink envelope where you pay €100 for a 12-month period with two free draws. Those tickets are available in any of the local shops and pubs or from any member of the club executive.
Shannon Gaels Registration Night
The Club will host its registration night in the clubhouse in Clonbonny on Friday night next 6th March from 7pm to 8pm
The club would like to welcome and encourage all parents to ensure that their young players are registered to compete in the coming year. The club would also like to welcome and invite all the new residents to the parish, as we would love to have their young people as part of our successful and thriving club.
The registration fee is €40 per child and €70 per family. The registration for Under 6 players is €5.
Registration is vitally important for every child as without registration they are eligible to play due to insurance constraints.
Join Club Longford
Rathcline are well represented with Club Longford with John Finn, Seadhna Ryan and current county chairman Albert Cooney all founder members.
Club Longford in now up and running and everyone is encouraged to join up and help in the promotion of football and hurling in the county.
When you join Club Longford you will receive a Longford GAA hat and pen. You will be added to a text service and receive text alert with announcements about the senior team before league and championship games. You will be entered into a draw for Two Football and Hurling All-Ireland final tickets. Joining will cost you just €40 and you can do so by logging onto www.clublongford.ie