Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Ballyleague Tidy Town Community Orchard Project – Ballyclare Court
Ballyleague Tidy Towns is helping to plant community orchards as part of a project funded by the Community Climate Action Programme. We are currently working with residents in Ballyclare Court to arrange planting of fruit trees and shrubs in September and would welcome the involvement of any residents of Ballyclare Court – all ages welcome. For details, please phone 087 222 2543.
Ballyleague Tidy Towns is also welcoming new volunteers to help in any of our activities. If you have a couple of hours to spare, your support in keeping up the appearance of our village would be greatly appreciated. To get involved, please phone: 087 647 4832.
Sustainability & Biodiversity Workshop in St Mary’ Hall on 20th September
The Midlands Sustainability & Biodiversity Network is organising a FREE workshop for Tidy Towns groups and Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC’s) in St Mary’s Hall, Lanesborough on Saturday the 20th September from 9.30 to 1pm. The workshop will include presentations on the Tidy Town’s Biodiversity and Sustainability adjudication categories and site visits to local projects.
All are welcome to attend and the event is free-of-charge; to help confirm your attendance, please register for the workshop at this link: https://forms.office.com/e/e8MeH3TV7S
For further information, please phone: 087 2222543.
The Midlands Sustainability & Biodiversity Network is led by the EDI Centre in Longford and funded by The Wheel’s Training Links programme. The workshop will be delivered by
Woodrow Environmental Consulting and SEAI Mentors – and is supported by Longford County Council, Ballyleague Tidy Towns, Lanesborough Tidy Towns, and Longford Renewable SEC.
Local ICA Guild
The Lanesboro ICA Guild will hold their first Meeting after the summer break on Wednesday 10th September at 8pm in the Parish Hub, Lanesboro. The guild is looking forward to welcoming all their members back, and indeed looking forward to welcoming some new members as well.
Bridge Lessons
Learn to play Bridge now
Bridge is a game for life and it’s never too early or too late to start. Classes are starting in Lanesboro on Thursday 25th September. To register your interest you are asked to phone 086 2350161 as soon as possible,
Return of Bridge Club
The return of the Wednesday night Bridge club will take place on Wednesday 17th September at 7.15pm
Birth
Congratulations to Kieran Lisle and Natalie Fay, Ballyleague, on the recent birth of a baby boy.
New County Manager
Renowned for his footballing prowess with the Shannon Gaels minors, Rathcline club and Longford in his youth and with a great love of football Cosmos Gilmore, following his retirement, stayed on the football pitches in management and coaching roles. His home is now in county Galway and he has made a big name for himself on the sidelines where he was a selector/coach with Galway’s minors and Under 20 teams and his club sides. Two years ago, he was involved with Longford county senior team and this year he was appointed manager of the Galway Under 16 county team that went on to comprehensively win the illustrious Ted Webb Intercounty U16 competition when beating Kerry in the final.
On Friday night last news broke that Cosmos was appointed the county manager of the Galway U17 (minor) team for a three year term. For this prestigious position there were a number of high profile coaches seeking this position as would always be the case in such a famous footballing county such as Galway and for Cosmos to be given the reins of a county minor team is a wonderful recognition of not only his player recognition ability but also his management skills as has been displayed through the Ted Webb and his coaching career.
Since the news broke there has been a great excitement and expressions of good will locally towards him and we add our congratulations to Cossie. We wish him the very best of luck for a hugely successful term as Galway minor manager and we have no doubt that he will manage Galway to even great successes.
.Grinds in German and French
If you are preparing for your leaving or Junior Certificate exams, at any level, there is no better time to get that extra bit of help in making the subjects easier. If this is of interest to your students then you should make contact at 089 488 5679.
MooPoo Winners
On Saturday last 30th September the annual MooPoo fundraiser by St. Faithleach’s took place at their club grounds. The first prize of €1,000 was won by Gerry Byrne, Cloontuskert. There were eight further draws for €50 runners up prizes and they were won by Seamus Trimble, Ballagh, Meg/Kevin Flanagan, Kilglass, Tom Fallon, Kilnalossett, Breda Murtagh, Curraghroe, Michael Geoghegan, Kilrooskey, Eoin/Shane, Fuerty, Pat Connerton, Aughamore and Declan Browne, Ballyclare.
Championship weekend
Last weekend our two local teams played their final games of their sections. Having already qualified both sides were seeking to emerge as group winners and gaining home advantage. However it was not to be as on Friday night in Strokestown St. Faithleach’s unbeaten run came to an end against Clann na nGael as have to be content to finish in second place. On Saturday evening last in Cashel Rathcline fared no better when they were beaten by Clonguish and they too finish in second place in their section.
For the quarter final St. Faithleach’s must await the draw and see what qualifier winners they will be up against in the quarter final – that draw will take place during this week. Rathcline path in the semi-final is much cleared as they will play Carrickedmond who finished third in their group. That game will take place in Pearse Park on Saturday or Sunday 6th/7th September.
On Sunday next the Rathcline Ladies face Carrickedmond with a victory ensuring a semi-final place. The game against Carrickedmond will take place on Sunday next 7th September in Clonbonny with an 11am throw-in.
The Big Match
SUMMER ROUND UP and the Drive for Five
Roscommon Special Olympics are a thriving Club based in Roscommon Town. They have a membership of 60 athletes who vary in age from very young to adults in their late 60’s The Club provide year-round sports training and social activity, where athletes receive continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other athletes from a range of sports codes and the wider community.
It has been a very busy summer for members of the Club. With the help of Roscommon Sports Partnership we were able to take part in weekly badminton and tennis lessons. We are very grateful to our tutors Charlene Hussey David Brady and Ronan Flanagan for sharing their knowledge and skills with us. We thoroughly enjoyed all our sessions.
We moved to Roscommon Golf Club later in the season and under the guidance of our PGA golf professional David Byrnes we learnt all about the skills required to make a good golfer. We had a wonderful time with David and the Club volunteers and are really looking forward to our golf scramble out on the course in a few weeks’ time. We also really enjoyed all the delicious refreshments there specially prepared for us by Michael and his staff.
Whilst all of the above was going on we were taking part in swimming qualifiers for the national games under the guidance of our No. 1 swimming coach Maire Keane.
We have a very successful Club and it is so because we have wonderful athletes and equally wonderful Club volunteers who guide and encourage us at all our sessions, Not forgetting brilliant parents family members and carers who bring the athletes to the various sessions. Of course, we couldn’t operate without finance and we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Roscommon Sports Partnership, Roscommon Golf Club and Roscommon Community Sports Park for investing in us.
Earlier this year we also received a very generous donation from Rachel Hastings, currently the Roscommon Rose who presented us with a very kind donation proceeds from her Easter Camp. Thank you Rachel and your family for your tremendous generosity.
But now it’s time to roll on to one of the most favourite events on our calendar for the last few years…. THE BIG REMATCH 2025!!!!! Will Roscommon Special Olympics attain their drive for 5 or will the Roscommon Town Garda Selection spring a surprise and pull off a shock win. Time will tell. We believe that the Garda team are trying to coax one or two retired members out of retirement for this big match and without doubt they will need them as we ourselves have discovered one or 2 new players who will add some new talent to our already very talented team. Competition for places on our team is hotting up and with the team captains to be announced this week, excitement is, to say the least fever pitch. So, PLEASE, put this date, Friday next September 5th at 7.30pm into your diary and come out to what is the most exciting and fun sporting events of the year in Roscommon. Our athletes and the members of Roscommon Garda Station put huge effort into this event so we are encouraging as many supporters to join us on the night. We are very proud to play for the Maire Allen Memorial Cup; we know she would be so proud of all our athletes. We, as always, remember our friend and miss her so very much. So, may the best team win and remember the DRIVE for Five is Alive.
Weekly Card Game
The results of Sunday night 31st August weekly card games held in Lanesboro Parish Hall are 1st Pat Rock and Harry Skelly, 2nd Anne Corcoran and Kay Featherstone. The last game winners were Peter Donlon and Brendan Hanley. The raffle winners were Mick Maguire, Niall Hughes, Tom Rooney and Freda Connaughton.
New card players will always be welcome to join in for a great night of card playing and comradery. Light refreshments as always are served.
Guided tours on Land and Water
Tourism is a growing business countrywide and with the great summer we are having the town is presently doing a great tourist trade. Lanesboro has been doing much better this year than for many a long year. Be it the foreign tourists on their boating trips along the Shannon or those on day trips to the Shannon there have been great vibes in and around the area making the town quite busy. Honestly, there is no place better to be on the warm dry summers we are having than in Lanesboro and Ballyleague and enjoying all the beauty it has to offer.
A new and exciting venture has just been launched in the community and it offers just another tourism opportunity and an added attraction to the town. Many a time I have written about the great entrepreneurial spirit of our local people and the great ideas they have for the town and this new business will add greatly to what is available and it will also compliment the great work being done by Access for All.
We wish John Sorohan the very best of luck with his undertaking and we look forward to many people availing of John’s business.
Some exciting guided tours are now being offered to anyone that would like to explore Lanesboro.
The first is a ‘Town Walk’ where you will discover Lanesboro through time, including its industrial heritage. The duration of this tour is 45 minutes and there is a capacity from 2 to 10 persons.
The second walk is the ‘Commons Woodland Walk’ where there is a 2km or 4km option through our semi-native woodland with a local guide. The duration of this walk is 1 hour and it can cater for 2 to 10 people.
The third tour is the ‘Electric Boat trip’ that will be a short cruise north or south of the bridge, getting close to nature on the silent electric boat. This tour can accommodate 2 to 6 people and it will last for 1 hour.
Bookings can be made by phoning 085 838 8484.
Palestine – A Day of Prayer
A Day of Prayer will be held in Roscommon Parish on Sunday next 7th September in solidarity with the people of Palestine, remembering all who have been killed and those who are suffering so greatly. Lisa Kerr, human rights monitor who has returned from three months in the West Bank and East Jerusalem will speak at the 11.30 a.m. Mass in the Sacred Heart Church. Members of Roscommon Palestine Solidarity Group will distribute information leaflets on the day. They will also have merchandise for sale to support aid agencies working in the area and donations will also be welcomed. The church will be open for private prayer from 2 – 5 p.m. Your prayer and support will be greatly appreciated.
ALONE and the Zoe Cryan Trust
On Friday 12th September a Concert will take place in St. Coman’s CoI Church, Roscommon Town at 7.30pm. St. Coman’s CoI Church, Roscommon is celebrating its 250th Anniversary and it is a perfect location to enjoy an evening’s entertainment in the company of the Kilgefin – Scramogue Choir and guests. While raising funds for ALONE and the Zoe Cryan Trust, two very worthy causes, the concert will be in memory of the late County Councillor, Tony Waldron. Tony, prior to his death, was tremendous advocate of this concert and it would be very fitting that support would be great in his memory. Donations can be made at the door or online at www.gofundme.com and search for “Zoes wish to chew & chat” and www.fundraising@alone.ie
Sliabh Bán Harvest Festival
Last autumn the first running of the Sliabh Bán was an outstanding success and on Sunday 21st September the second annual Sliabh Bán Harvest Festival will once again take place at Lismehy, Strokestown.
Some of the highlights at this year’s festival will include vintage Corn Trashing, a vintage tractor display, vintage Stone crushing, vintage car display and vintage timber sawing. These attractions should bring a big crowd but the supplementary attractions will make a wonderful day at the Sliabh Bán Harvest Festival. The festival will commence at 12 noon and admission is €10 for adults with free entry for children.
Culture Night 19th September
The annual Culture Night is almost upon us once again and this year Culture Night will be celebrated on Friday 19th September countrywide as well as in our neighbouring counties of Longford and Roscommon. This is the twentieth edition and as usual there are a host of events taking place throughout both counties with a huge array of events and there is no doubt but there is one to suit everybody. It is very important that we all get out and support some of those wonderful events. It is always very special to see creativity and development from artists and your backing can give confidence to the artists to continue their creativity into the future.
The promotion of Culture Night states: ‘Culture Night/Oíche Chultúir is brought to you by the Arts Council; it is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity, creativity and the art and seeks to actively promote that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day’ and it gives us every reason to be supportive of all those creative artists.
€15,000 can be yours
The Lanesboro Tidy Towns lottery draw takes place every Tuesday morning. For the past number of months the jackpot has reached it upper limit of €15,000 and with nobody having the correct numbers it continues to be available for the person that will have the correct numbers. The draw for this week will take place tomorrow, Tuesday 2nd September, for the wonderful prize of €15,000. If the draw is not won don’t miss your opportunity to get hold of the full €15,000 or share in the money.
Last week the draw took placed in O’Brien’s on Tuesday 26th August and there was no winner of the draw and the €15,000 remains to be won at the next draw on 2nd September. The numbers drawn were 11, 18, 28 and 30. The winner of the €50 prize was Madaleine Murray, The Green and the three winners of the €20 prizes were Rían Ó Ceallaigh, c/o XLNTEE, Mary rice, The Abbey and Alan Hanley, c/o Community Enterprise Scheme. The next draw takes place in O’Brien’s for the €15,000 on this Tuesday 2nd September. The brown envelopes cost €2 each or you can buy 3 envelopes for just €5.
We would like to encourage everyone in the community to join in the playing of this very vital weekly draw. Tickets are on sale throughout the town.
Win €1,000 next Saturday
The St. Faithleach’s club are once again hosting their annual club fundraiser ‘Where will the MOOPOOP’ on Saturday next 30th August at the club grounds in Ballyleague. Each year this has been a tremendous and valuable fundraiser for the club and is again hoping to maximise their sales in an effort to help further developments and promotes games. Everyone in the community is encouraged to be very supportive of the initiative. Tickets cost €10 each or 3 for €20. You can buy your tickets to win €1,000 online at www.stfaithleachsgaa.ie or from members of the club.
Athlone and Midlands Samaritans Information Meeting
Could you be a Samaritan volunteer? No experience or qualifications required as we will train, mentor and support you. If interested, please come to an information meeting at the Samaritan Centre, 3 Court Devenish, Athlone on Sunday week 14th September at 11am or call John 087 7176189 or email Athlone.branchrecruitment@samaritans.org
A Healthy, Greener You Course –
A little self-care, shopping tips, reducing waste tips, minding our community and our planet. FREE Six weeks course, starting Mid/End of September in Castlerea. Places limited. More info/book a place please contact RWN on 094 9621690, text on 086 8099154, email info@rwn.ie or PM on Facebook page.
STEPS Course (Subject to funding)
This pending course will be free of charge to anyone in receipt of a social welfare payment. Would you like to improve your personal relationships, raise your confidence and build up your self-esteem, help with setting and meeting goals, learn how to think positively? Then our STEPS course is for you! The course will be starting in September/October in Castlerea. Registration is essential. Call 094 9621690 or email us on info@rwn.ie
Rathcline 50/50
The draw for the club 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last 25th August for a wonderful jackpot of €705. The winning ticket was bought by Anne Geraghty, Newtowncashel who won the pool of €705 on Monday night. As usual the winning cheque can always be collected in O’Brien’s.
The Rathcline 50/50 draw takes place every Monday night in one of our local bars at 7.30pm. Your continued generous support is greatly appreciated as it is keeping the winning money at a high and exciting level every week – thank you.
A Career in Nursing
Start your journey with Galway and Roscommon ETB’s Access Route to Nursing, in partnership with Atlantic Technological University. The course takes place at GRETB Castlerea Training Centre, Co. Roscommon – with expert educators supporting you every step of the way. Join others who’ve taken this path – and access nursing with GRETB today. Tel: 1800 140 242 or Email: guidance@gretb.ie
The Alzheimer Society monthly meeting
The Longford branch of The Alzheimer Society will hold their monthly support group on Wednesday 10th September at 7.00pm in our office, 2 Earl street, Longford, opposite Mollaghan’s furniture shop. For more information, you can contact Breda on 086 3802183.
The support groups provide an opportunity to meet others in a similar situation, to share stories and experiences, and access information and practical advice in a relaxed, understanding and supportive environment.
Defibrillator Group in Ballyleague
Maciek Koczur is a Supervisor Paramedic at Roscommon Ambulance Station with 20 years’ experience in the Emergency Services. Maciek’s phone number is 085 1581419.
Along with his family he moved to Ballyleague just over four years ago where he has become a very popular figure and valuable member of the community. He is now setting up a defibrillator group for Ballyleague. The goal is to develop it into a Cardiac First Responder (CFR) Group to provide fast help during cardiac emergencies in the village.
Maciek is looking for a few people who might be interested in joining a committee to help making the project work.
He is anxious to hear from anyone interested and he would also like that everyone that reads this would share it on their Social media platforms.
Lanesboro Library
Summer Stars
There is still time to register for the Summer Stars Reading Challenge. Visit the library to join and be in with the chance to win lots of wonderful prizes before the summer ends!
Extended Opening Hours
Lanesboro Library is delighted to announce their new opening hours!
Monday: 10-6, Tuesday: 10-6, Wednesday: 10-6, Thursday: 10-6, Friday: 10-5, Saturday: 10-2
The library will close weekdays from 1-2pm for lunch.
Digital Library Offering
Your Library Card can get you further than you realise, make the most of it!
The library has many online offerings that are free with your library card: Borrowbox – Ebooks, Audiobooks, Magazines and Newspapers, Press Reader – International and Local Newspapers and Magazines. Lote4Kids – Children’s Bedtime Stories in over 90 languages, Transparent Languages – Learn a language for free, there are 120 courses to choose from.
Universal Class – Online Learning Courses which will help you up skill professionally, Freegal Music – Stream Music Ad-Free.
To keep an eye on upcoming events, you can visit the library or online on longfordlibrary.ie and searching for library events. All Enquiries: lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Mayo Roscommon Hospice
The Mayo Roscommon Hospice Care team are calling for people to host a coffee morning, evening with family, friends or work colleagues on National Coffee morning for Hospice Thursday 25th September or on another date if suits you better. Please register for your free pack online at https://www.hospice.ie/coffee/ – email info@hospice.ie or call 0949388666. Donations welcome online at www.hospice.ie. Please support. Roscommon Dementia Alliance
The Roscommon Dementia Alliance hosts a monthly café in Lough Key, Forest Park, Boyle to help support people affected by dementia, their families and carers. This month’s event takes place on Wednesday, September 17th from 2 – 4 p.m. and will include music, song, advice and a chat. Please note there is no Café in August. If you would like to attend please visit www.roscommondementia.ie or contact Teresa Keegan on 087 7061183 for more information.
Visit Corlea
As we are nearing the end of the holiday season and visitors arriving on our doorstep there is one jewel in particular in our crown that should be availed of and that is the wonder of the Corlea Iron Age Roadway and Visitor Centre. Built in 148 BC, this remarkable Togher—Europe’s largest discovered—was part of a significant route way, possibly connecting the ritual centre of Uisneach to the royal site of Rathcroghan. Crafted from solid oak planks, peat quickly swallowed the Trackway, perfectly preserving it for over 2,000 years.
Step inside the visitor centre to see an 18-metre stretch of this ancient road up close! Discover our ancestors’ stories, mysteries, and incredible craftsmanship.
Right on our doorstep the fabulous Iron Age Trackway situated in Corlea just 13km (7m) from Lanesboro is beginning to gain its rightful acknowledgement as a wonderful and unique place to visit. This very unique Trackway has an 18m long section of original Trackway the largest ever discovered in Europe and it is on display at the Visitor Centre. You learn how people lived at the time and murals depict implements of the time.
This is one of Ireland’s most famous hidden treasures and it is a place that should be visited hugely and it is first place to start with your visitors to this wonderful experience.
Visiting the centre is free of charge and the excellent and knowledgeable local facilitators will bring you though the experience and leave you in awe with the history of the Trackway. The knowledge and time given by the local guides at the centre is an experience in itself.
Continuing interest in the New York trip
There has been a wonderful response shown by so many people expressing their interested in taking advantage of the Roscommon trip to New York next March/April.
New York 2026 will welcome the Roscommon senior team travel to play New York GAA in the first round of the Connacht GAA Championship. Each year a Connacht team travels and it has become a huge social event for so many supporters and a golden opportunity for people to avail of group rates for a special trip to the Big Apple and next year it is Roscommon’s opportunity.
As part of the county trip, the St. Faithleachs GAA club is organising a trip to New York for the Roscommon/New York Connacht Championship game in Gaelic Park. The timing of the game is perfect as it will take place on the week ending Sunday, April 2nd (Easter Sunday). Flights would most likely be going out on the Thursday morning prior to the game and returning on the Monday night after. The club have received provisional prices for the trip from a travel agent and the prices are coming in at approximately €1400 per person sharing. Other prices for more than two in a room will also be available to those requiring same. The price will include flights, centrally located hotel and transfers from and to the airport. Match tickets are not included. Booking this special trip would involve paying a deposit directly to the travel agent and the remainder closer to the flight date.
The club is still looking for approximate number of people that are intending to go. If you are considering travelling or intend going you are asked to contact Jimmy Mangan on 086 8177915 or Michael Cleary on 087 2238293 with your name and the names of your intended travellers. More details will become available when the game date is confirmed.
Have you considered joining the local Fire Service
There is a great need for the numbers employed as local fire-fighters at Lanesboro Fire Station. If you work or live locally and feel you can be at the fire station with a short reaction time then come along and enrol for the training programme and assessment. The training is wide and varied and following the intensive training your qualification will be recognised as a medical responder where they can provide first aid until medical support arrives and the training enables you to be capable of making lifesaving interventions. Some can even go forward for training to be recognised as first responders. The training can be a springboard to many great things. Looking at the development of the local brigade staff over the years you see a remarkable comradery and their abilities continue outside of the fire station environment.
Living in the parishes of Rathcline and Kilgefin or the western side of Killashee you should be within the required time.
Lanesboro Fire Station is looking for a number people male and female to make applications to Longford County Council Fire Department. The stipulation is that you live or work within a quick response time from time alert from the fire station on the Longford Road means there are lots of younger and stronger young men and ladies well capable of doing this great community work. This is a wonderful opportunity for so many people living on both sides of the bridge and the hinterlands.
Full training will be given to all those that pass the interview and a warm welcome will be given to all the new recruits. The job of as a fire-fighter requires those applying to be adaptable and those selected will receive a good remuneration and as well will be part of a dedicated team of local fire-fighters.
To apply you should email hrrecruitment@longfordcoco.ie
Smart Recovery Ireland
You are invited to contact Darren O’Brien at 086 1715334for the nearest location as meetings are no longer held in Roscommon.
Notes inclusions
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 notes of the following week.
Access for All boat
Have you availed of the wonderful experience on our doorstep? The Access for All boat is for everybody and it takes you on a 90 minute trip out onto the lake as see its beauty and some of the islands on Lough Ree. The boat can cater for three large wheelchairs, but you don’t have to be a wheelchair user to avail of the excellent trips. Winter sailing times daily for the 90 minute trip are 11.00am and 1pm until the end of March. Guided fishing excursions can also be organised. Advanced booking is recommended. You can contact by email www.loughreeboattrips.com or phone 089 2625505 or 043 33 84175
Dementia Memory Club
The Roscommon Dementia Memory Club is designed for those that are living with dementia and their carer or friend or plus one! A café-like set up, followed by activities, storytelling, reminiscence, music, song and dance. The club offers a great opportunity for persons living with dementia & their carer to socialize and promote improved mental and physical wellbeing, and more importantly to have fun! You don’t have to dance, you can watch and enjoy and contribute in other ways! Come along and see for yourself at Roscommon Music Social Club, the Quad Youth Centre, Circular Road, Roscommon Town. F42 CH70 every Thursday 11:30 am to 1pm. Contact Irene on 087 108 0650 or email IreneTabb@westernalzheimers.ie
Lanesboro Garda Station
Lanesboro Garda Station has just posted a notice telling of its opening times where the station will have a member of the force in attendance for the public. Lanesboro station will be open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9am to 11am. The station will be open at those times unless the local Garda is dealing with a situation that requires their attendance.
Local Health Service
Local Health Services are available at Roscommon University Hospital. Roscommon Hospital is providing an outstanding service for the entire area with short waiting times and excellent care offered. The service will deal with urgent and routine health problems. The Freephone phone number to ring is 1800 700700.
For more information you are invited to contact Helena at Helena.madden@alone.ie or phone 086 0145 829.
Co. Longford Citizens Advice Centre
Co. Longford Citizens Information Service has recently been restructured and is currently under new management.
They continue to provide free, impartial, and confidential information, advice, and advocacy services to the public on social services, rights, and entitlements. The range of areas covered by the citizens information centre are extremely wide including social welfare rights and entitlements and other social issues such as employment, health services, housing, education, family matters and consumer rights, all where people need access to information.
The way people access the services changed during Covid and now they currently deal with a large number of queries over the telephone, however, they continue to provide our drop-in times and welcome people to their face-to-face service five mornings a week from the Longford office. The services are provided by experienced trained Information Officers who are there to help you.
The centre is located on level 1 within Longford Shopping Centre and direction can be obtained at the reception desk from Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 5.00pm. The office closes for lunch from 1pm until 2pm.
Alcohol Anon Meetings
Relatives and friends of those addicted to alcohol are welcome to attend meetings in the Family Centre at the back of St. Mel’s Cathedral. The meetings take place every Tuesday evening at 7pm.
Ballyleague Bingo
Ballyleague Bingo continues in Ballyleague Hall every Thursday night. The first numbers will be called at 8.30pm.
The club is extremely grateful for your on-going tremendous support.
ALONE
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.
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. The number to ring is 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.
St. Mary’s Church Lanesboro
Priest contacts: If you have a need to contact any one of the priests you can do so by phoning Fr. Merlyn Kenny 086 0603433 or Fr. Turlough Baxter 087 9972259.
You can also contact parish secretary Maireád Rooney by calling into the presbytery from Tuesday to Thursday, 10.30am to 2.30pm.or she can be contacted on the phone at 3321166.
Jubilee Year Celebrations: You are all invited to visit three shrines in the diocese: St. Manchain’s Church, Boher, Ballycumber, Co. Offaly to celebrate the heritage of our faith; St. Mel’s Cathedral which reminds us of the hope which is the cornerstone of our lives; The Poor Clare Convent, Drumshambo, Co. Leitrim where the love of the Lord’s presence is ever near in the perpetual Adoration which is held there.
Pattern Sunday: will take place in Clonmacnois on Sunday 21st September with prayers commencing at 2.45pm.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock: The annual Ardagh Clonmacnois Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday next 7th September, The ceremonies commence with the Anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm followed by Pilgrimage Mass at 3pm.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Confession time in the Prayer Room takes place on the first Friday of each month from 6.30pm to 7pm.The next opportunity is on Friday 5th September
Smart Recovery: Smart recovery is an evidence based addiction recovery group, where participants learn self-empowering techniques to aid their recovery by overcoming addictive behaviour. There is a meeting every Friday evening in Vita House in Roscommon Town from 7pm to 8.30pm. For information contact Conor at 086 1702919 or info@smartrecovery.ie
Kilgefin Parish Notes
Contact: Fr Daniel can be contacted at 089 270 6060
Kilgefin Cemetery Sunday: Cemetery Sunday with the Blessing of the Graves at Kilgefin cemetery will take place on Sunday 24th August at 6pm.
The Legion of Mary: The legion of Mary organising a day trip to Lough Derg on Saturday 6th September 2025. The bus will be leaving the Sacred Heart Church car park at 6.30 am. For bookings please contact Teresa 087 1206343 or Noreen on 086 3529916 (090 6625209).
St. Faithleach’s GAA
New York 2026:
St. Faithleachs GAA Club is organising a trip to New York for the Roscommon/New York Connacht Championship game in 2026 and todate there has been a great interest shown in the trip. The game will take place on the week ending Sunday, April 2nd (Easter Sunday). Flights would likely be on the Thursday morning prior to the game and returning on the Monday night after. We have provisional prices for the trip from a travel agent of approx. €1400 per person sharing. Other prices for more than two in a room will be available. The price will include flights, centrally located hotel and transfers from and to the airport. Match tickets are not included. Booking would involve paying a deposit directly to the travel agent early on and the remainder closer to the flight date.
At this stage, we are looking for approximate numbers of people who are likely to go. If interested, please contact either Jimmy Mangan on 0868177915 or Michael Cleary on 0872238293 with names of intended travellers. More details will be available when the game date is confirmed.
Cards: The weekly card game continues every Tuesday evening with the first deal at 8pm. New players always welcome. Refreshments will be served on the night.
Clubhouse If any members wish to use the clubhouse please contact Gerry Donlon or any committee member.