Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Civic Duties
As each week goes by it makes you wonder do some people not get the term ‘civic duty’.
Walking the footpaths there is now so many dogs being allowed to soil our walkways it is unbelievable. Time and time this comes up in our community and this appeal is a constant in these notes. There is a great shame on the people that allow their dogs soil our walkways. It is also very frustrating for all the people that walk their dogs and they continually clear up after their dog’s soiling. Lanesboro and Ballyleague have a huge number of people daily walking and jogging and there is a great onus on those that allow their dogs soil to clean up after them.
Our byroads are once again filling up with people throwing their household rubbish out of their cars. This, for a short time seemed to have ceased but once again it is becoming an epidemic. It is beyond belief that most of what is discarded can be disposed of in civic amenity bin in our community or in Longford or Roscommon. The household rubbish can be disposed of in Killerney on our way into Roscommon for just €3.50 and in Longford it can be disposed of in Mulleady’s on the Lanesboro Road.
In recent weeks it was great to see a number of people in high viz jackets on the Longford Road from Longford Town to Gowlan bog and they did a wonderful job and we hope that all roads to our community can also be done with a big voluntary effort.
There is a great shame on all those that are culpable for one or all of the acts as they bring a great shame on the people of our community. Civic Pride should be within us all and we should make every effort to make sure our community is presentable at all times.
Sleep Out for Simon
This year sees the return, once again, of the very popular ‘Sleep Out’ as a Midland Simon Community fundraiser. The Sleep Out is held in conjunction with Longford Rugby Club and once again they are appealing to your generosity to equal if not better last year’s fundraiser.
Like last year local Ballyleague man Junior Hannon will once again be our local representative. Junior continues to give so much of himself to so many local support groups each year and now is our time to reciprocate with our support for this very deserving cause. A sponsorship card is in O’Brien’s and your generous support would be much appreciated.
Death
The death occurred at Galway University Hospital on Sunday 26th February of Jovita Marques, Meadowbrook, Ballyleague. Jovita was a native of Madeira, Portugal who moved to Ireland a number of years ago was a recent arrival in Meadowbrook. She was a sister of Maria Gill who along with her husband Adrian runs the very successful Gill’s Kitchen Artisan Food Company in Scramogue. Jovita is survived by her son Carlos, daughters Susana, Simone and Paula, their father Manuel, her sister Maria, brother in law Adrian, relatives and friends to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.
Jovita’s remains reposed at her home on Tuesday before being removed the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague for the Mass of the Resurrection. Burial took place afterwards in Cloontuskert.
Parade Registration closes in
As I write there are just 8 more days to register your entry into this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and you are encouraged to have your float registered sooner rather than at the last minute. For further information or application forms please contact Teresa Costello, Freda Connaughton or O’Brien’s Shop. Float entries are to be received no later than Monday 13th March, entry fee €30 and entry form attached.
There appears to be an excellent take up with the local communities with regard to entering floats into the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Many people have spoken to me about preparing floats for the parade means we can look forward to another exciting parade in the community.
Community groups, businesses, schools and individuals and from surrounding parishes are all asked to take part in making it one of the finest parades ever for everyone.
As usual the floats will gather at the St. Faithleach’s GAA Club House and they are asked to be ready to commence the parade at 2.30pm and will travel through the town to Lanesboro Community College.
The overall winning float will receive €250 and a trophy. Other categories that will be judged – Best Club, Best Junior, Best Vintage, Best Business, Best Dressed Window, and Most Original with the winners receiving €50 and a trophy.
St. Patrick’s Day Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church at 11am and it will include traditional musicians, parish choir and champion dancer.
Line Dancing
Line dancing classes takes place every Friday morning 11am at the Quad Centre Roscommon Town.
Line Dancing classes, again, every Sunday at the Quad Centre Roscommon Town
Beginners are on from 6pm to 7pm. Followed by Improvers from 7pm to 8pm
Line Dancing will take place at the Kilbride Centre every Tuesday evening at 7pm followed by Social Dancing with Christopher Byrne
Your support for the Parade
In an effort to defray costs for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day parade the committee is holding a raffle and the support of our entire community is encouraged. This year the draw will take place in Adie’s bar on St. Patrick’s night. Tickets are priced at €2 each or 3 for €5. There will be five prizes of €100 and you may be one of the lucky five.
Tickets can be bought in the local bars, supermarkets, O’Brien’s and from committee members.
Day with the Stars
Yes, the wonderful and hugely enjoying Day with the Stars once again returns to Roscommon Racecourse this year with another stunning line-up of musical artists. The show will take place on Sunday 18th June and there is no doubt but this year will equal if not better any day gone before it.
Tickets cost just €30 to be entertained by a multitude of Ireland’s finest musicians and can be bought in O’Brien’s.
Lanesboro and Cashel during War of Independence and Civil War
It was with great excitement I learned that Seán Ó Súilleabháin, author of Longford’s Republican Story 1900 – 2000, will give an illustrated talk on activity in the parishes of Rathcline and Cashel during the War of Independence and Civil War in Lanesboro Library on Wednesday 22nd March at 8.00. This promises to be a wonderful night.
Local notes inclusion
Anybody that wants items included in the local notes is advised that they have their note with me on a Sunday night at the very latest. This is to ensure inclusion in the coming weeks notes.
Invitation to Fáilte meeting
As many know, over 70 people from Ukraine have come to live in our community in the aftermath of the Russian conflict. Many are playing a part in our local community – attending local schools and taking part in sport locally and some residents at the former Costello’s Care home facility have already taken part in water sports activity on a weekly basis at the Lough Ree Access for All Centre in the north quay in Ballyleague.
Residents of the area are now invited to join in a weekly english language get together with the new communities living here – starting at 7pm on Wednesday March 7th at the new Access for all centre on the North Quay in Ballyleague.
Fáilte Isteach is a community project involving predominantly local residents and local volunteers welcoming migrants through conversational English classes but to the 120 communities it impacts across Ireland, Fáilte Isteach classes are so much more.
Fáilte Isteach classes are so much more.
The groups provide a space for those who are isolated to connect; for perspectives to evolve; for attitudes to change. The informal, relaxed approach to learning allows the most marginalised in our society to engage with others and truly integrate into life in Ireland.
The weekly classes help improve language and reduce loneliness for over 4500 migrants, allowing for long-lasting, authentic community integration. The classes salute the often overlooked potential of 1500 older volunteers who make Fáilte Isteach a reality.
Fáilte Isteach embraces a relaxed, unstructured learning environment. The classes are tutored entirely by volunteers who are encouraged to welcome participants to their community through language; identify needs through conversation and focus primarily on fluency and building confidence. Flexible classes allow volunteers to support participants in their immediate language requirements while offering a warm welcome.
Fáilte Isteach was established in October 2006 by Third Age in response to the observed daily difficulties that new migrants were experiencing integrating into the local community through a poor understanding or lack of English. Following its success as a pilot project in a small rural community, Fáilte Isteach was launched nationally in late 2008. From the inaugural class in Summerhill involving 12 volunteer tutors and 7 students, Fáilte Isteach has now grown to 170 classes across 26 counties, with over 1500 volunteer tutors who support the integration of 4500 migrant students by delivering over 96,000 hours of free tuition annually.
The first night of Fáilte Isteach in this area will be facilitated by Roscommon Leader Partnership at the new Access for all centre in the north quay in Ballyleague on Wednesday March 7th at 7pm and everyone is welcome – especially the Ukrainian community.
For more information e mail: ciaranmullooly@ridc.ie
Thank You
The 10th Roscommon Community Challenge took place on Friday night March 3rd and what a wonderful night it turned out to be. On a perfect night for a moonlight run and walk around Roscommon Town over 230 people took to the start line. Jacqueline McCormack organiser of the event thanked all those that made the event possible. We are truly fortunate with all the wonderful participants, and we are gratefully indebted to all our volunteers. It would be impossible to run an event like this without community involvement and thank you seems so little to say to so many who helped last night and indeed each year to make this a true community occasion.
So let me start firstly by saying a huge thank you to Noel Feeley, Roscommon Sports Partnership and to his staff David Brady and Michael O Donnell, these 3 men took a training group of 90 people in the first week of January and over 8 weeks of dedicated training helped them reach their 5 or 10 k target. It gave me enormous pleasure watching you all cross the line last night. Well done everyone, A special word of thanks to Martin Hannon also from Roscommon Sports Partnership for his expertise and guidance on our all our Communication Channels.
Thank you to our tea ladies without whom I would be lost. Under the guidance of Mrs Carr, Patricia, Caoimhe, Grant, Sophie Monica Paul McKenzie, Una, Jane, Fiona Clodagh, Lorraine, Rita Martina and Sinead kept the kettles boiling and I am eternally grateful. Thank you to everyone who dropped in refreshments on the evening. Caroline Caoimhe and Sinead on registrations thank you for your support, a particular mention to Kathryn Dennigan for her hard work and patience behind the scenes over the 8 weeks, I truly appreciated all your effort,
Ashe Galway you are a mighty DJ, thank you for keeping us entertained. Liam Hannon Personal Trainer and Group Instructor, thank you for your lovely warm-up prior to the start of the run. Roscommon Harriers are a great Club and I gratefully appreciate your help with timing and marshalling on the night. Indeed those who took on our training programmes would be warmly welcomed at Harriers training which takes place on a Sunday morning and Tuesday and Thursday evening. Thank you to Mary and Paula on the water stop for helping to keep everyone hydrated.
Roscommon Community Sports Park is a fabulous and unique place and we are grateful to the committee for the use of the facility. Thank to Sgt Michael Walsh and his team from Roscommon Garda Station for helping us to keep everyone safe. Thank you to the local media Ian Cooney, Roscommon Herald, Dan Dooner Roscommon People Joe O Brien and Willie Hegarty for their coverage. Thank you to Denis Naughton TD, Cllr Emer Kelly, Laura Fleming and Ciaran Murtagh for your nice messages of support.
Community Events are not be possible but for the support of local business. I am fully aware that it isn’t easy to support everything and I am grateful to the following business who came on board this year and who were very generous. Loretta Dowd Properties, Shane Hynes, Hynes Garage, Carnmore, David Hynes Pharmacy and Best for Baby, Fusion Restaurant, Regan’s Gastro Pub, Homestore and More, Tesco Roscommon and Dunnes Roscommon
Thank you to the residents of Lisnamult, a wonderful bunch of people for allowing us to take over your area during training nights and on the night itself. Thank you to Roscommon Gaels GAA, Greenfields Childcare and Roscommon Community College for allowing us to use your parking facilities.
What can I say about our wonderful and brave Marshalls, thank you to each and every one of you for coming out and standing on the route to ensure everyone’s safety. Without good marshalls we would not be able to run a road race so thank you for your help.
Finally, to our participants ye are what make this event. A very big thank you for all your great support. This fun run would not be the event it is only for you. So, thank you so very much. We are looking forward to seeing you all on Friday night March 1st 2024.
Tennis Revival
Our local tennis courts at Ballyleague marina are becoming increasingly busy again – especially with the popularity of the game among members of the new Ukrainian community. In the coming months we hope up upgrade the courts and revive the sport here. If you are interested in playing tennis with others in the community please come along to a community meeting on this and other local issues on Wednesday night March 8th at 7pm in the new Access for All building in the North Quay in Ballyleague Eircode: N39 X7W2 or email keepballyleaguetidy@gmail.com
€12,300 up for grabs
The Lanesboro Tidy Towns Lottery on Tuesday 7th March stood at €12,300. This is a wonderful amount of money to be won with tickets just costing €2 or 3 tickets for €5.
The numbers drawn on Tuesday 28th February for a jackpot of €12,200 were 1, 16, 23 and 30. There was no winner of the jackpot. The winner of the €50 prize was Martina O’Brien, Corner Shop, and the three €20 winners were Jean Fallon, Geraldine Hand and Erin & Tommy Donnelly, Newtowncashel.
The Lanesboro Tidy Towns committee would like to thank you for your continued generosity and your support is ensuring that Lanesboro continues to look beautiful.
Weekly Card Game
The results from last Sunday night’s weekly card game held in Lanesboro Parish Hall game held on Sunday night last 19th February are: 1st Tom Nohilly & Pat Joe Fallon. There was a three way tie for 2nd with Sean Cox & Gerry Ryan, Geraldine & Pat Greene and Anne & Kay. Last game winners were Basil Mitchell & Tom Rooney. Raffle winners were Pat Joe Fallon, Niall Hughes, Eugene Kelly and Brendan Hanley. The game continues every Sunday night at 8.30 pm with light refreshments served.
Pollinator Plan
The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan’s newsletter for February is now available on www.pollinators.ie. It is a wonderful and informative read packed full of information on early food sources for pollinator, bulbs for pollinators and very interesting thoughts on the planting of wildflower seeds. It is well worth reading as we are entering the planting, growing and end of hibernation
Living Well Programme Dates Announced
HSE, Living Well is a free online group programme delivered over six workshops (2.5 hrs x 6). It is delivered by trained leaders, most of whom are also living with a long-term health condition. You will develop self-management skills and confidence to live well with your health conditions.
Monday next 20th Feb-Online from 10.30am-1pm
To Book Your Place please contact Olga Maguire on 086 0142688 or email omaguire@southmayo.com
You can find more details about the programme on www.hse.ie/LivingWell
Train how to use the Defibrillator
The Defibrillator training will be taking place very soon. If you have not yet expressed your interest in taking part, please leave your name and phone number with Martina O’Brien in the shop or by phoning 086 3858934 or email to clynemartina53@gmail.com
Ballyleague Bingo
Ballyleague Bingo continues in Ballyleague Hall every Thursday night. The first numbers will be called at 8.30pm.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place in the Yacht Bar on Monday night 27th February and the winning envelope for the fabulous prize of €718 was in the name of Eithne Clyne, Corrigeen. Congratulations Shane on your fabulous win.
The club is extremely grateful for your continued tremendous support.
Ballyboro FC
The under 13 team gave a much improved performance in their game against Newtown and were the dominant force for most of the game. Against the run of the game a Newtown goal left them in front at half time but Oisín Dillon secured a deserved draw for the Ballyboro boys with a late equaliser. Team: Hayden Smyth, Leah Kenny, Jack Cassidy, Cathal Hanley, Josh Curran, Darragh Donlon, Shane Farrell, Alfie Murphy, Kyle Rice, Tim Kenny, Oisín Dillon. Subs: Emma Feeney, Emma Dowd, James Bolger, Charlie Moynihan, Alfie Brehon, Aydin Odemis, Shane Farrell.
The under 8s enjoyed their jousts with Ardagh and UCL. Harry Tarmey, Ryan Molloy, Pat Glynn, Tiernan Hanley, Tomas Kenny, Leo Donnellan, Joe Gilmore, Adam Farrell, Kyle Carberry, Lorcan O’Reilly, Harper Horohoe, Willow Horohoe, Cían McTiernan, Patrick Linnane, James Linnane, Aaron Raftery, Caoimhe O’Loughlin, Luke Hassett, and Alfie Nolan all played with great enthusiasm and no little skill.
In the Combined Counties League Ballyboro remain in contention for league honours following their 3-1 win over Colmcille. Team and scorers: Dean O’Reilly, Ben Hussey, Greg Cassidy, Daniel Foley, Jack McGloin, Mikie Kavanagh(1), Aidan Dooney(1), David Rooney(1),Patrick Kenny, Mark Tarmey, Keith Murphy. Subs: Odhran Wyse, Andy Whitten.
With two minutes left in the under 12 girl’s game Saoirse Feeney ran onto a great ball forward, beat the last defender and then produced a low finish to give Ballyboro a 1-0 lead over UCL. The defence stood strong to the finish win to secure a deserved win. Squad: Saoirse Feeney, Saoirse Dillon, Hannah Farrell, Faye Hogan, Chloe Kilcoyne, Ava Donohoe, Sinead Murray, Ellen Cox, Penelope Kennedy, Millie Cassidy, Niamh Casey(c),Rosie Farrell, Emma Farrell, Zoe Hassett.
The under 10 Lions and Tigers played Inny Rovers and Mostrim Albion respectively. Both teams displayed plenty of attacking football with some superb goal taking along with excellent defensive play. Tigers: Donal Cox, Aidan Cox, David Kopic, Shay Molloy, Finn Fallon, Jay Hanley, Leah Hanley, Patrick Farrell(2), Adam Farrell, Jack Donnelly, Pater Farrell, John Bawle(1), Joe Greally. Lions: Tom Skelly, Hugh Creedon, Jay Flynn(5),Ben Lackey(1),Ben Cassidy(1), Senan McHale, Aimee Glynn, Dillie Glynn, Sean Hogan(1).
ALONE
ALONE provides many services to older people. It recruits, trains and supports volunteers for two services of Visitation/Befriending and Phone /Befriending. Would you be prepared to provide companionship once a week? Full training and support will be provided. For more information contact Francis 086-1085965 or volunteer@alone.ie
Support line for older people
ALONE manage a national support line and additional support for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to Covid-19. Professional staff is available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week from 8am until 8pm. Text TALK to 50808 to begin.
Alcohol Anon Meetings
Relatives and friends of alcoholics are welcome to attend meetings in the Family Centre building at the back of St. Mel’s Cathedral on St. Mel’s Road, any Tuesday evening at 7pm.
Local Health Service
The health service is here for us all, from routine to urgent calls. HSELive is here 7 days a week to answer questions. Freephone 1800 700700.
Roscommon University Hospital Injury Unit is available from 8am to 8pm seven days, a week and the contact number is 09066 32212.
Emergency Department deals with serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies if you need urgent medical help. They are open 24 hours a day and can be contacted by phoning 999 or 112.
Smart Recovery
SMART recovery is an evidence based addiction recovery support group where participants learn self-empowering techniques to aid their recovery by overcoming addictive behaviour.
There is a meeting every Friday evening from 7pm to 8.30pm in Vita House, Roscommon. For information you should phone Conor 086 1702912 or info@smartrecovery.ie
GROW
Grow is a Community Mental Health Movement which meets every Monday at 11am in the Community Mental Health Centre, Dublin Rd., Longford. If you are feeling lonely, isolated or suffering from stress, please feel free to attend. You can call Assumpta for any further information on 086 8114135.
St. Mary’s Church
Lenten Scripture Courses: The Lenten Scripture Course for the parishes of Rathcline and Kilgefin– reading and praying with St. Paul – will continue for the next 4 weeks at 7.30pm in the Parish Hub. If you wish to attend you are asked to contact Geraldine Malone (086 8405102), Maireád in the parish office 33 21166, or Fr Merlyn Kenny or Fr. Turlough Baxter.
Mass Intentions: As there is an increase in the demand for Mass Intentions, the parish will share two intentions at the 11am Mass on Sundays.
The Parish Hub: Maireád, the Parish Secretary is in her office on Tuesday to Thursday, 10.30am to 2.30pm. If you want to contact her by phone you can do so during the aforementioned working hours at 3321166. She will help you with any questions or booking related matters.
Speak with a Priest: if you wish to talk with any of the priests you can call into the sacristy after any Mass.
Talk to the Samaritans: Are you struggling to cope with life? Do you think it would help to talk about your problem in confidence? It does not matter who you are, how you feel or what happened to you. If things are getting you down you can turn to the Samaritans for help. The Samaritans are available on Freephone 116123, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
Alone Volunteers: Would you be willing to provide companionship or make calls to older people once a week? Alone is seeking volunteers in the area. Full training and support will be provided. If you are interest you are asked to sign up at the following address https://alone.ie/volunteers/
For more information you are invited to contact Helena at Helena.madden@aloone.ie or phone 086 0145 829
Parish contacts
Fr. Merlyn Kenny, Newtowncashel 0860603433 and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Killashee 0879972259 who as you know are assisting in our parish.
Kilgefin Parish
Family Mass: After due deliberation and consultation with the parish council it was decided that every last Sunday of the month will be dedicated to young families and their children beginning on Sunday next 26th February at 11am.
Alone Volunteers: Would you be willing to provide companionship or make calls to older people once a week? Alone is seeking volunteers in the area. Full training and support will be provided. If you are interest you are asked to sign up at the following address https://alone.ie/volunteers.
Stations of the Cross: During the season of Lent Catholics are encouraged to journey with Christ through his paschal mystery by praying the Stations of the Cross. The Stations of the Cross will be at the weekends 30 minutes before weekend mass for convenience of all – Saturday at Ballyleague Church at 6.30pm and Sunday at 10.30am. Stations of the Cross will take place in Ballagh Church – Saturday at 7.30pm and Curraghroe Church at 9.30am. on Sunday.