Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Former local lady passes away
There was great sadness in the community when news reached us of the death in Manchester on Thursday 14th August of Mary O’Donnell, Manchester. Masie as she was most commonly known was daughter of the late Pat and Mary Rooney, Rathcline and she was predeceased by her brother Packie her son Tony and her two husbands Des Keegan and Hughie O’Donnell. In her early life she was predeceased by her husband Des Keegan. Masie later met Donegal man Hughie O’Donnell and they married. She had a Nursing Home in Birmingham for a number of years before selling. Never one to let the grass grow under her feet she spent time running a pub before finally retiring in Manchester. She was a very resilient lady and she met the sorrows and hardships of her life head on and never let them deflect from her ultimate goal of a successful and happy life. Masie was a woman who always wore a great beaming smile with a glint of devilment in her eyes betraying the character she was. She loved and embraced every day of her life and she will always be remembered as a very active lady, a great character and a woman who enjoyed her family, friends and every day to the fullest. She had a great propensity to travel, be it back to visit family and friends in Ireland or to holiday far and wide.
Masie will be laid to rest in Manchester on Tuesday next 16th September. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family Dermot, Kevin, Dessie, Catherine, Tracy and Thomas and their families. We also extend our deepest sympathy to her Rooney sisters and brothers, Bridgie, Annie, Kathleen, Rosaleen, Tom, Frances, Margaret, Joe and John, their families and their extended families.
Birth
It is with great excitement we would like to extend our congratulations to Mark and Catriona Gilroy, the Green, on the birth last week of a baby girl.
Death
Sudden death of a young person is truly heart-breaking and that is what was bestowed on our community and the Roscommon Town community on Tuesday 2nd September last when we learned of the sudden death of young man Liam Dunne at the home of his grandmother Noreen Dunne in Ballyleague and Liam was formerly of Antogher Road, Roscommon. Liam, grandson of the late Denis Dunne, had just completed his Leaving Certificate in the CBS and his results indicated a bright future lay in front of him only for the achievements and excitement be cut so short not only for him but also his family. The loss of such a personable, fun loving, witty and sports loving young man makes Liam’s passing all the more distressing. The family grief is shared deeply in our community as was clearly obvious by the large number of local people that attended his reposing in Smyth’s Funeral Home on Friday and again at his Funeral Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon and burial in St. Coman’s cemetery on Saturday. While words at this time seems to be inadequate we would like to extend our sincere sympathy to his heartbroken family, parents Gary and Roisín, his twin brother Rory, his sister Clara, his grandparents Noreen Dunne, Teresa and Eunan Laverty, aunts, uncles, extended family and many friends.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the Thompson family, Strokestown Road on the death of Liam Fleming, Roscommon Town on Wednesday 3rd September as Liam was father-in-law of Orla Thompson.
We also extend our deepest sympathy to the extended Fleming family, Rathcline as Liam was brother of the late Ollie Fleming.
Music Generation –Lanesboro Sounds
Music Generation Longford is a national partnership programme whose aim is to create inspiring experiences for children through music and have just launched Lanesboro Sounds with classes offered in Guitar/Keyboard/Ukulele and Early Years – HUM – Happy Uplifting Music for 4 to 6 year old.. Music Generation Longford Lanesboro Sounds is led by Longford Westmeath ETB in partnership with Longford County Council. The red posters can be seen locally where you can scan the QR Code to apply or online you can contact musicgenerationlongford@lwetb.ie
Hospice Coffee Morning
St Faithleach’s GAA club is hosting a coffee morning in aid of Hospice in their Clubhouse on Saturday 27th September from 10.00am to 1.00pm. You are all invited to come along and enjoy a coffee and a chat and support this worthy cause.
Dance with Shelly
Absolute beginners Social Dance classes where you will learn the Jive, Foxtrot, Waltz, Quickstep and Social Line Dancing will be available in Lanesboro Parish Hall for four weeks commencing Tuesday 7th October from 8.30pm until 10pm.
No dancing experience needed and no dance partner required. All are welcome where you can ‘Dance for Fun and Fitness’
The cost is €40 per person for four weeks payable on the first night. Spread the word and learn to dance while having great fun. For information you can contact Shelly at 086 8690001.
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 week 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 this 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
.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.
Championship weekend
Last Sunday we saw the Rathcline Ladies Junior team qualify for the Junior Championship semi-final when they overcame Carrickedmond in Clonbonny on Sunday last. The game itself was immaterial as both teams are to meet again on Sunday next with the winners qualifying for the County Final but the local ladies were determined to keep their winning run going. The semi-final will take place in Clonbonny on Sunday next at 11am.
Rathcline seniors will aim to get back on the winning trail when they will take on Carrickedmond in Pearse Park on Saturday next 13th September at 6.15pm for their quarter final game. We are sure a huge crowd will travel to Pearse Park to support the team and management to cheer on the team to victory. At this stage of the competition every extra voice of support is crucial in encouraging the team.
St. Faithleach’s will not know their quarter-final opponents until the championship draw taking place later in the week. It is expected that they will play their quarter-final the weekend of 20/21st September. Training is going according to plan and they feel confident of further progression irrespective of the opposition.
We wish the Rathcline ladies and Mens teams the very best on Sunday.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes place from the 1st to the 31st October. For further information, please log onto www.breastcancerireland.com and find out full information.
Weekly Card Game
The results of Sunday night 7th September weekly card games held in Lanesboro Parish Hall are 1st Barney Kenny and Eugene Kelly, 2nd Peter and Mary Gregg. Last game winners were Pat Joe Fallon & Tom Nohilly. Raffle winners were Tom Rock, Joe Dolan, Gerry Leavy and Tom Nohilly.
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 slowing down after a busy 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.
ALONE and the Zoe Cryan Trust
This coming 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 9nd 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 2nd September and there was no winner of the draw and the €15,000 remains to be won at the next draw on 9th September. The numbers drawn were 7, 8, 15 and 27. The winner of the €50 prize was Margaret Brenna c/o Mags and the three winners of the €20 prizes were Pat Connerton, c/o XLNTEE, Jimmy Tarmey, Cloontuskert, c/o O’Brien’s and Ellen and Odin c/o Mags. The next draw takes place in O’Brien’s for the €15,000 on this Tuesday 9nd 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.
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 next 14th September at 11am or call John 087 7176189 or email Athlone.branchrecruitment@samaritans.org
U16 County Title
On Thursday evening last the Shannon Gael U16 panel brought home the first piece of silverware to the community when they won the Longford U16 League Final played in Clonbonny when they defeated Wolfe Tone Óg. The game went to and fro throughout and coming from a deficit at half time these young men displayed great skill and determination to emerge winners. This is a great community success and we hope it will be the first on many great successes. The panel were deservedly treated to after match sustenance with pizza and the customary free 99s provided by Joe and Martina O’Brien. The panel was in the expert hands of Team manager Stephen Rooney and mentors James Casey and Barry Hogan.
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 1st September for a wonderful jackpot of €623. The winning ticket was bought by Sean Farrell, Doughill, who won the pool of €623 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
SEEKING SAFETY:
Would you like to learn new coping skills to handle the daily impact of trauma/mental health and/or addiction? Seeking Safety is a free therapeutic program for women which are funded by the HSE. It is being delivered through Roscommon Women’s Network in different locations around the county. For more info, please call 094 96 21690 or email lcampbell@rwn.ie in complete confidence.
The Alzheimer Society monthly meeting
The Longford branch of The Alzheimer Society will hold their monthly support group on this 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.
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 next, 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 you are invited to 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.
The local Fire Service – an ideal opportunity
There is an on-going need for the numbers employed as local fire-fighters at Lanesboro Fire Station to be increased. If you work or live locally and feel you, consistently, can be at the fire station with a short reaction time, when your pager goes, then come along and enrol for the training programme and assessment. There is great training offered and it is wide and varied and following this 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 choose to go forward for medical training to become a recognised as first responder. 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 to be shared outside of the fire station environment.
Living in the parishes of Rathcline and Kilgefin or the western side of Killashee you should be capable of reaching the Fie Station 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 very satisfying work. This is a wonderful opportunity for so many people living on both sides of the bridge and the hinterlands to avail of and one that should be appealing to so many.
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.iee
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.
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 3rd October.
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
Autumn Station Masses: The Autumn Station Masses will commence during the month of September. Station Masses gives the community to come together as a parish community and pray for our families – this was a great success during the Spring Station Masses in February. If there are any families willing to host their area Station Mass in their homes they should contact Fr. Dan on or before Friday next 12th September.
KPPC Resolution: We wish to inform parishioners that a decade of the Holy Rosary will said before all Masses in the three churches prior to Mass during next weekend. Could everybody attend 20 minutes before Mass time.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: As happened in March, the Diocese of Achonry and Elphin will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation in parish churches across the diocese. Titled “The Light is on for You” every parish in the Roscommon Deanery will be providing the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Sunday 14th September from 5pm to 6pm. To help provide a more fruitful celebration the priest confessors will come from neighbouring parishes. It is our hope that all parishioners will avail of the opportunity.
Hospice Coffee Morning: The St. Faithleach’s GAA club is hosting a ‘Coffee Morning’ in aid of the Hospice in their clubhouse on Saturday 27th September from 10am to 1pm. You are invited to go along and enjoy a coffee and a chat while supporting this worth cause.
Gospel Concert: All Saints Church, Mullingar is hosting a Gospel Concert “Songs for Life and Hope” with James Kilbane in support of church repairs and organ repairs on Sunday next 14th September at 6pm with doors opening at 5.30pm. This special evening of country with gospel music and many musical favourites will help towards the church and organ repairs. Donations tickets are €20 and are available from church organisers, local outlets, Eventbrite or by calling 087 9733 233. Everyone is warmly welcome to join this uplifting evening of music.
Jubilee of Marriages: Couples celebrating their Silver, Ruby, Golden, Diamond, Platinum or other wedding anniversaries are invited to attend a Jubilee Mass, along with their families and friends, Sunday 5th October at 2.30pm in Sligo Cathedral or Sunday 19th October at 2.30pm in Strokestown Church. Each couple will receive a certificate from Bishop Kevin, please register at www.elphindiocese.ie/jubileeofmarriages
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 to date 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.