Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Retirement
It is with great sadness that I record the closure of one of the best businesses in our community. After 37 years of Fresh ‘N’ Ready Ted and Sheila Falvey have decided to call it a day and retired from business. Ted and Sheila started the company from scratch and grew it into an excellent business of the highest standards with a huge clientele.
Forty years ago, Ted and Sheila came to Lanesboro Horticulture, known locally as the ‘glasshouses’ where tomatoes were grown. A few years later they set up the Fresh ‘N’ Ready business and Milford Mushrooms. As can be seen they were a couple never to let the grass grow under their feet and their 40 years living in Moher has been very active for this very popular couple.
It is great to see Ted and Sheila are in great health as they retire and we would like to wish them a long, happy and healthy retirement.
50th Jubilee
One of the most regular people visiting back home to Lanesboro has been Fr. James Leavy, Main Street. I am sure the Corona Virus has put a visit home on hold for a time. Fr. James continues to have a tremendous interest in all things about the parish and indeed when he comes home you wondered if he was away at all such is knowledge of local happenings. He also has an abiding interest in the local Rathcline club, and he is always to be seen in Clonbonny.
In the past couple of weeks Fr. James celebrated 50 years in the priesthood. Many of those of my vintage and older will remember the occasion of his first Mass in St. Mary’s church. Fr. James has spent many years in the Diocese of Leeds. We would like to congratulate Fr. James and wish him lots of happiness in the future.
Searching
This weekend I received a query as to whether I had the team and photograph of the Rathcline team that played at the opening of the pitch in Clonbonny. If you have one or both I would appreciate you sending it to me at joeaobrien@outlook.com or drop it into the shop where it will be copied and returned immediately. Thank you in advance.
Golden Anniversary
Many congratulations to John and Mary Casey, formerly Main St., and now Gurteengar who recently celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary
Past resident passes away
On 29th April a former resident of St. Mary’s Terrace, Ballyleague Rosemary Eacrett passed away at Heatherlee Nursing Home, Killarney. Rosemary came to Ballyleague with her late husband George when he came to work in the power station. We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to her family and relatives.
7km for 7 days Challenge in aid of Hospice
Bernie Casey, Lisnagan, Newtowncashel was from a well-known and popular Newtowncashel family. Bernie suffered a good time with cancer. The family will be eternally grateful to the Hospice for all their help through their difficult time.
In a way of showing their gratitude the Casey family along with friends and neighbours are fundraising for Hospice in memory of Bernie. They have set a challenge for anyone who wishes to participate to walk/run/cycle 7km for 7 days that commenced on Monday 15th and it will finish on Sunday 21st June at 3pm at the Bird Fountain in the village of Cashel (opposite The Local). Michelle Casey (Lisnagan) and Mairead Casey (Clonmee) will be walking 100km over the 7 days, and they participants to cover whatever distance is most comfortable for them.
You can follow them on Facebook for updates and details:
https://www.facebook.com/donate/282285012960034/?fundraiser_source=external_url
and those participating are asked to post comments and pictures about your journey.
Donations can be also be made via Facebook or GoFundMe:https://www.gofundme.com/f/hetr59?utm_source=whatsapp-visit&utm_medium=chat&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet or can be given in person to Michelle or Mairead.
For those in the community surrounding Lanesboro you are asked to drop your contributions into Martina O’Brien at the Corner Shop.
In these difficult times any contribution will be greatly appreciated.
Lanesboro Library
From last Monday June 8th, you can ‘contact & collect’ your books at the library on Tuesday & Saturday 10am to 1pm. Books can also be collected at Joe & Martina O’Brien’s shop.
Email: lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Facebook PM: @lanesborolibrar;Tel: 043 332 1291 You can browse online at www.longfordlibrary.ie to choose your books by searching ‘Book Search’ – within Co. Longford Library service.
Check out all our Online Services by selecting ‘Your Online Library’.
Limited Printing/Photocopying/Scanning service available.
High Court Remote Sitting
Corona Virus has created many new happenings in the lifestyle and work over the past 14 weeks none more so than the High Court’s first remote sitting last month. Taking part in this historic event from his three-years-old daughter Eibhlinn’s bedroom was Stephen Kirwan. Stephen is son of former Green resident Paul Kirwan and his wife Liz. After the family returned from the US, he attended Lanesboro Boys National School before the family moved to their present home in Kinnegad. Stephen is an immigration solicitor, and head of the immigration department at KOD Lyons Solicitors in Dublin.
There is always a wonderful pride in seeing the sons and daughters of our community creating special places for themselves inside and outside our community and it is equally a great source of pride seeing their offspring carrying on the successful mantle. The family pride is shared by their home community.
90th Celebration
Reading the current edition of Ireland’s Own I was enjoying a poem ‘The Joys of our Youth’ by one Eileen Flanagan, Clonberne, Co. Galway. It transpired that Eileen Flanagan is mother of Jimmy Flanagan, Rathcline and former Lanesboro Community College principal. It is unfortunate for the times that are in it that she could not celebrate her birthday in style due to Covid-19 regulations. We would like wish Eileen a belated happy birthday as she celebrated her 90th birthday on Thursday last 11th June.
Roscommon Races
Monday last was a disappointing day for many locals as it was the day they would have been travelling to Roscommon for the opening meeting of the season. Roscommon races in Lenebane is a tradition for local but Corona Virus has put an end to this tradition. Horseracing is now behind closed door with only those closely involved allowed attend.
We hope that it will not be too long before the Corona Virus restrictions are lifted and racing in Roscommon will resume with full attendances.
New Boat Project
Lough Ree Angling hub will launch a new Access for All boat service on the River Shannon in September 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 with disability and wheelchair-bound or have mobility issues. It will also serve as a heritage tourism service for the islands of Lough Ree as required.
In preparation for the boat’s launch, 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 September for people who are interested in committing themselves to taking part in this training.
All those with an interest in boating and fishing are invited to get in touch with us before July 1st – especially present or previous workers with Bord na Móna or ESB who may be looking for alternative employment.
For information call Alan Broderick at +353 (44) 937 2015 or call into our office in Ballyleague
For further information please contact Alan at loughreeanglinghub@gmail.com
College of Further Education
Longford College of Further Education is now accepting applications for September 2020 enrolment. Courses include: Tourism with Business, Business Administration, Applied Social Studies, Hairdressing, Engineering, Beauty Therapy, Software Development and more. All courses are QQ1Level 5 or 6 and are designed to lead to employment or degree entry or advanced entry. To apply or get more details, log on to www.longfordcfe.com
News from our local Parishes
Kilgefin parish notes
Opening Times
Ballyleague church will remain open each day from 10.30am to 8pm
Funerals and burials
Call Fr. Dusmanta at 043 3321171 or dusmanta.m.n@gmail.com
Government guidelines for the bereaved
Funeral arrangements are made via phone calls or emails. A limit of 10 people attending any ceremony with social distancing and no associated gatherings. The use of condolences books is discouraged; where possible. Close relatives and contacts of the deceased should use their own transport. Families and friends of the deceased will not be able to have gatherings after the funeral service.
Mass Intentions
All Mass intentions which have been book can be rescheduled for a later date when the current situation changes.
Collections
Fr. Dusmanta would like to thank everyone that has dropped in their collection envelopes into his house. Parishioners who can afford to are encouraged to drop off offertory and priest’s dues envelopes into his house whenever you are passing.
St. John’s Church of Ireland
St Johns church of Ireland diocesan Service broadcast takes place every Sunday at 10 a.m.
You can log onto Kilmore Elphin Ardagh YouTube or http: shortturl@/drbz3 or www.dkea.ie.and follow the link.
News from St. Mary’s Church
Cemetery Sunday
Considering the present circumstances, it is advisable not to hold the normal Cemetery Sunday celebrations this year. Complying with social distancing requirements along with the gathering of large numbers of people would present major difficulties. Masses will be offered in private for the souls of all interred in our local three cemeteries on the following dates: Sunday 5th July for all those interred in Rathcline, Sunday 12th July for all interred in St. John’s Cemetery, Lanesboro, and Sunday 19th July for all interred in Clonbonny.
Weekly Envelopes
Fr Reilly would like to thank everyone who continue to drop in the weekly envelopes into the presbytery. The generosity of those people despite the hardship they themselves have to bear in those difficult circumstances is both magnanimous and benevolent
Opening Times
The church continues to be open each day from 10.30am to 7.30pm
Tax Relief Scheme
You are asked to drop in your completed forms into Fr Mickey’s house as soon as you can.
Urgent sick calls, funerals, and burials
The designated priests in this Deanery of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois are Fr. Merlyn Kenny PP Newtowncashel 086 0603433 and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Killashee 087 9972259.
Mass Intentions
All Mass intentions which have been book can be rescheduled for a later date when the current situation changes.
Parish Newsletter
The parish newsletter will be printed each week and it will be available in the Church porch from Friday afternoon. The newsletter will also be available from Friday afternoon in O’Brien’s Corner Shop.