Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Community update and prospects for future potential
With the days getting shorter, and the nights growing longer and darker, marking the onset of winter, you’d be forgiven for expecting a familiar air of disillusionment, but strangely this year there is a sense of hope and anticipation as to what may be about to happen in the community over the coming months and year. With all the positivity this holds, we can forecast an excellent opportunity for investors to make substantial investments in the Lanesboro Ballyleague community.
Bord na Mona have lifted the rail tracks and they are in the process of completing what appears to be another wonderful walkway/cycleway out to connect to the Kilnacarrow walkway. From a town perspective, it is a shame that there is not direct access from the town rather than having to go to Clonbonny to make the start. This, when completed, will connect to Clondra and the Royal Canal Greenway that is presently finishing at Maynooth – and with the National Transport Authority’s Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan coming out along the canal to meet in Maynooth – it will open access to a myriad of routes for walkers and cyclists.
At present there is a conversation initiated with Roscommon County Council to further develop the walkway/cycleway across the Bord na Mona/Kilnacarrow bridge where a replication of lifting the old tracks can lead to creating pathway access to Sliabh Bán. We are looking forward to an announcement in the near future about this new route being created. I do know there are other exciting projects; such as a connection to Corlea Trackway being discussed with Bord na Mona and we look forward to more successful outcomes,
From a walker/hiker point of view, there needs to be immediate access to the walkway from the town along a created pathway through the ESB or SSE sites in the vicinity of the power station.
We should evolve from feeling understandably gloomy about the closure of Clarke’s pub, to optimism as to what may be the next step for this landmark pub in the town.
What is also exercising people minds and also creating some hope is the sale of Rathcline House, its lands and Rathcline Castle, where there is great hope that some visionary could buy and create a business as this site, occupying a privileged place so close to the Shannon. Our town has, and has always had untold potential for prime development. There is also great anticipation about the sale of what was formerly Costello’s Nursing Home and its outstanding potential with 22 rooms. The Lanesboro and Ballyleague community features among the top areas of the country to live and this can be clearly seen by the vast numbers arriving and staying and the speed of the sales of houses that come up for sale. Ireland’s hidden heartland is hidden no more.
Judging from comments from tourists and visitors to the community as to how beautiful our area is can only be heartening as this area of upper Lough Ree is now ripe and prime for financial developments.
Longford County Council has just recently bought the old convent building and the almost six acres located behind it. Following a community meeting about a new Sports and Community hall this site was mentioned as a possible location. The convent building itself and its three stories of space also offers great opportunities, and I believe county council engineers and planners are presently looking into its uses. The land is also earmarked for a campervan/ caravan parking area that will have all the necessary facilities and amenities that the car park area cannot offer. A sure sign of how popular our Shannon bank area is that all year more and more campervan holi2makers are time and time again making Lanesboro and Ballyleague a stop off point.
After his election onto the council, Sean Mimnagh called for the cleaning up and opening up of what was the hot water stretch – a notoriously popular fishing area for many years that made Lanesboro famous all over Europe for the amount of specimen fish caught there. On Facebook last week I saw Mark Casey reporting from the Dáil where following a meeting with his Independent ally and Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Boxer Moran under whose remit this project sits. Mark, in the company of Boxer, said that he was assured that this work would be carried out which is fabulous news.
‘Our man in Europe’, Ciaran Mullooly, following his election to the European Parliament held a meeting in St. Faithleach’s clubhouse where a number of projects were discussed. Some of the projects were forwarded to TUS Athlone for scoping and at present he is awaiting to hear back from Enterprise Ireland for Innovation Vouchers that will help progress the projects. Ciaran has also spoken to Longford County Council in relation to a businessman looking to create his business in the area that would create a good number of jobs.
The final and completed Feasibility Study report from John Hanley M.D. of Niras, formerly FDT, and his team is a revelation in relation to what is possible in for the area with reference to Hydrogen, Hemp farming and Insect farming and shows that there is an exceptional opportunity to take any of the projects that could be a great success, as shown. The perseverance and outstanding work done by Stephen Dowd with the on-going Food Hub is also incredible and we look forward to new developments in the New Year.
In contrast to the fading sunlight and onset of winter chill, there is enough happening by everyone in trying to progress the community in both the business and tourism sectors to give solace and confidence to our community. We are hopeful for great changes to the area that will further enhance what we have to offer to not only serving our immediate community but also surrounding communities akin to what the legendary Bord na Mona and ESB Power Station have done in the past. With so many working towards a bigger and better future for the community we must give all the encouragement possible to our community leaders and workers that are pushing so hard to make us the shining jewel in the crown for so many people and their families.
Residential Energy Surveys – Lanesborough & Ballyleague
Longford and Roscommon County Councils, supported by SEAI, have approved funding to develop Energy Master Plans for Lanesborough and Ballyleague. Climate 23 Energy Consulting has been selected to develop the Plans which will identify energy-saving and cost-saving opportunities and potential grant aid sources for homeowners, businesses, and community groups.
Climate 23 is conducting a residential survey of homeowners and renters and your responses to the survey will provide valuable inputs to the Energy Master Plans. By submitting a response to the survey, you can choose to be entered into a draw to receive a FREE Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate and Technical Energy Retrofit Assessment of your home – worth €500.
All information gathered will be treated with strictest confidence, in accordance with GDPR.
For residents of Lanesborough, please complete the survey at this link: https://s.surveyplanet.com/sturwrjnn
For residents of Ballyleague, please complete the survey at this link: https://s.surveyplanet.com/e759xt3z
Please complete the survey as soon as possible and before by 9th November, 2025. The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. For more information, please contact: Gerard@climate23.com
Christmas Fair
The annual Christmas Fair will take place on Sunday 7th December in St. Marys Parish Hall. To make a booking or enquiries you should contact Mags on 0863600419. More details will follow in the coming weeks.
Phone number correction
Do you think that you can find the time to do some voluntary work for St Vincent de Paul? If you would like to assist, please contact the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at the corrected phone number 1800 677 777.
Lough Ree AC
Enniscrone was the venue for even age 2025 Connaught Cross Country Championships and what a venue and what a course, a tough cross country course with hills and hollows, twists and turns and ankle deep muck made even more challenging with wind and rain, not for the faint hearted for sure!!. But the conditions did not deter our athletes who showed such determination in getting around this tough terrain. Katie Doolan was first up in the girls under 10, competing a year out of her age group. Katie was going great up in the top twenty in the early stages and despite a fall on her Connaught debut she dug deep and finished well up the field and the experience will stand to her in the future. Next up was Aoife Chapman under 12 who was in unknown territory competing in a 2k race, a distance she hadn’t run previously. However no bother to our Aoife who finished in the top 50 again running out of her age group. Harry Kenny and Hugh Creedon competed in the boys under 14, they put in solid performances and they will have gained great experience for their next outing in Ballinrobe.
Well done to Oisin Dillon Longford AC on qualifying for the All-Ireland in Derry next month and a massive well done to all the Connaught athletes who stepped out of their comfort zone in the rain and mud today to represent their clubs and their counties, we are so proud of you and you should be proud of yourselves. Looking forward to the next day out in Ballinrobe. Training continues in Keenagh every Tuesday.
Tidy Town Results
The results of the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition were announced at a presentation ceremony in Croke Park on Friday last.
Leading the way in our community was Cloontuskert in Category A. Remarkable work continues to be done there and with 380 marks that is an increase of 8 points from their 2024 results and they now stand just 20 points of the winning mark.
Next was Ballyleague in category B with 367 marks that is an increase of 9 marks from their 2024 results. The volunteerism in Ballyleague is remarkable and their work really shows with a great contribution from the community.
The third of our local entrants was Lanesboro who were returning to the competition after a year’s absence. Lanesboro scored 361 marks that was a fantastic mark and major congratulations must go to Sean Moran and his Community Enterprise scheme team that did Trojan work throughout the year.
Scoring marks in the Tidy Towns, particularly as you start to close in on the winning marks, gets very difficult and for all our three entrants in the community to be within shouting distance of the winning mark is a wonderful reflection of the work done. As always there is much more work to be done and hopefully in the coming year more spectacular work will be done and we may become major category winners.
Congratulation to everyone that involved themselves with the Tidy Towns locally and we hope that more people will come in and strengthen the teams of workers for the 2026 competition.
Finally, we would like to congratulations our fellow River Shannon community of Carrick-on-Shannon on their fantastic achievement in being announced as SuperValu National Tidy Town winners for 2025.
Training Exercise
The Irish Defence Forces are hoping to conduct a training exercise in the Lough Ree Power Station from Monday 3rd November to Wednesday 5th November. A few months back the Defence Forces held a similar exercise and the sounds of gunfire and loud bangs caused some concern for those in the locality unaware of what was happening.
This is an advance notice that the exercises will be happening, again, at the power station on the three days mentioned and they will endeavour to minimise disruption of any kind especially any noise pollution the exercise might cause.
There will be approximately 100 soldiers involved in the conduct of offensive and defensive operations in an urban environment. The exercise will take place between 8am and 10pm each day
Defacing Signs
Groups and political parties put up posters displaying their support or dissatisfaction to many things in the locality and for that they are entitled to their opinion. Over the past year or so there has been vandalism done to many political posters in the County Council election, to posters of ‘No Wind Farm Here’ belonging to the No to Derryadd Wind Farm group and just this past week the Presidential election posters of Catherine Connolly. Whatever views and thoughts you may have on any of the posters you should be prepared to speak of them openly and publically debate them but not go around and spray paint the posters. The stupidity of damaging posters portrays a negative and poor reflection of our area. I don’t have a way of expressing my dissatisfaction and that of the many people in our community that have commented on this to me other than in these notes. If anyone knows of those defacing posters can you ask them to stop doing this act as it serves absolutely no purpose and it portrays our community in a very bad light?
College Open Day
Lanesboro Community College will host their annual College Open Day on Thursday 13th November. During the day, primary school students are invited, giving them the opportunity to explore the school’s facilities and meet the teachers and experience life attendance at school. In the evening students and their parents are invited to join tours, presentations and to avail of an opportunity to meet and chat with staff members. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience life at the growing and progressive Lanesboro Community College.
Weekly Card Game
The results of the weekly Sunday night card game that took place on Sunday night 26th October weekly in Lanesboro Parish Hall are 1st Pat Joe Fallon and Tom Nohilly. In joint second place were Tom Rock & Tommy Fox and Tom Rooney & Joe Dolan. The last game winners were Kevin McDonagh and Gerry Leavy. The raffle winners were Petey Donlon, Freda Connaughton, Noreen Gibbons and Joe Dolan. 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.
Just a couple of Pizza Boy left
Young man Harry Kenny, a son of Paul and Amanda Kenny, Cloonadra and a student of Cloontuskert National School continues to produce new issues of his Pizza Boy series. Last week the new issue Demension Doom appeared on O’Brien’s counter. The comic has proven to be very popular and with a limited number printed it is essential to buy your Pizza Boy comic that costs just €1.
Pilates with Regina
Mat Pilates classes (with Regina) takes place every Thursday evening at St. Mary’s Hall Lanesboro 7.30pm The classes incorporating balance, resistance, and weight bearing exercises. For further information call Regina at 087 2485822.
Give Blood
I know I keep on about the need to give blood and at the moment it is more crucial than ever as the supplies of blood for those in need is at an all- time low with only a 3 day back up supply and as we go into busier times in hospitals the need for blood will only keep growing. No matter where you located and reading these notes are please look up the blood service website and find a clinic close to you and donate. In Ireland the website for checking your nearest clinic is www.giveblood.ie There is also a great need for those from other countries living in Ireland to donate blood as the service also needs diversity in the donor base.
ESB Annual Mass
The Annual Mass for deceased staff members of ESB Lanesboro will be held in the Parish Hall, beside the bridge), on Wednesday 12th November at 8pm. All are welcome to go along and celebrate the memory of all those that worked there and made the community a richer place.
ICA
A massive thank you to all who helped and participated both in the mass and get together in the hub afterwards. The ceremony was beautiful and the get together after was full of chat and memories of our long running guild. It was a very fitting tribute to our members no longer with us but always remembered.
The Cookery Cup competition was held recently in HQ. Guild member Michelle took first place in the floral competition with her magnificent display. Lanesboro guild came second in the cookery competition. Well done to all the ladies who put in so much effort into the competition.
Check out Longford Federation ICA page for more pictures of the night and the other entries
Christmas shoebox appeal
The guild has decided to take part in the worthy cause. It’s amazing how little things that are taken for granted daily that can bring such joy to children affected by poverty.
Monthly Meeting
The next meeting takes place on Wednesday 12th November and new members will be warmly welcomed.
a spectacular night and the club is asking everyone to that may be interested in taking part to express their interest to any of the club executive.
Yin Yoga Sessions
Six weekly sessions of Yin Yoga Sessions will take place at Strokestown Park commencing from next Saturday 1st November at 11.30am. This is a great opportunity to ease into winter and reset your nervous system. The sessions will be facilitated by Marianne Fallon, Chartered Psychologist and functional Yin Yoga instructor. You can see full details, times and availability at www.strokestownpark.ie or you can scan the QR code on posters locally.
New book launched
Back at the beginning of August Dan Magan launched his book of poetry Songs of the Sesh. Last weekend just 12 weeks later Dan has just published his new book Odyssey –Summary to Skitzpathic Diaries. This is a very frank story by this young 31 year who “went all they on every drug, and I saw the light”. The book is on sale in O’Brien’s priced €20
Lanesboro Library
1-to-1 Digital Skills Classes
We are delighted to announce that Lanesboro Library will host 1-to-1 Tutor Led Digital Skills classes every Wednesday from 10am to 12.30pm. Classes are 30 minutes each. Please contact the library to book your place. Classes begin on this Wednesday 29th October and it will run through until 21st January.
Mid-Term Activities
Wednesday Oct 29th at 2pm – Spooky Print Workshop- Ages 4 and up
Friday Oct 31st at 11a.m. – Minecraft Halloween Arts & Crafts – Ages 6 and Up
Friday Oct 31st at 3pm – Spooktacular Family Movie – All ages
Board Game Battles
Saturdays from 10.30am-12.00pm, Lanesboro Library will host a drop-in session where you can play board games and challenge your friends! Parental supervision is required.
Longford Libraries Design a Bookmark Competition
Entry forms are available at all local libraries. Participants are encouraged to create bookmarks inspired by their love of reading, with ideas such as “I love books!” or “I love reading!” Completed entries should be returned to a local library by 8 November 2025.
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 or 0433321291
Rathcline 50/50
The draw for the club 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last 20th October for an excellent jackpot of €597.15. The winning ticket was bought by Stacey McGann, Carrowroe, who won the €597.15 pool 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.
Carers Support Group
The Carers Group for families and carers of people living with Dementia will take place each Tuesday between 4th November and 2nd December from 2-3pm in the Conference Room, Primary Care Centre, Flancare Business Park, Athlone Road. No registration required, free parking, tea/coffee provided. For info – contact Jeena Thomas, Clinical Nurse specialist on 087 474 0529.
€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 28th October, 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 21st October and there was no winner of the draw and the €15,000 remains to be won at the next draw on 28th October. The numbers drawn were 18, 21, 22 and 30. The winner of the €50 prize was Kieran O’Dowd, Rathcline and the three winners of the €20 prizes were Niall Donlon, c/o The Yacht Bar, Enda Casey, Rathcline road and Hughie Smyth, Main Street. The next draw takes place in O’Brien’s for the €15,000 on this Tuesday 28th October and every Tuesday morning. 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.
Cloontuskert N.S.
Cloontuskert NS is currently accepting applications for admission to junior infants for September 2026. Application forms are available from the school of available for download at www.cloontuskertns.ie The school would appreciative if you could register your interest on or before Friday 21st November.
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
The Bhaile Ros Comáin Branch Activities in Roscommon Town: On the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month from 8 to 10 p.m. in Bear an Ráille, Abbeytown; on the 2nd Monday of every month a Breakfast Session will take place in Feast Restaurant from 10 to 11.45 am; The 1st Sunday of every month there will be a Junior session for beginners 3 to 4 p.m. and a junior session for advanced 4 to 5 p.m. on the last Sunday of every month from 6 until 8 p.m. in Foxes Bar. Each month there will be a Rambling session in a different pub every month; Every Wednesday night – Set dancing with Karen Feerick for parents/children 7 to 8 p.m., and adults from 8 to 9 p.m. in St. Comán’s Wood Primary School.
Branch classes in tin whistle/flute, fiddle etc. will take place on Friday evenings. For more information please call 087 9316673 or 087 4637758
Seeking Safety
Seeking Safety is a free coping skills program for women affected by trauma, mental health and /or addiction. Learn new ways to cope safely with your own triggers, impulses and symptoms and gain a more compassionate understanding of yourself and “take back your power from the impacts of trauma, mental health and/or addiction. The program is funded by the HSE and is being delivered in Castlerea, Boyle and Roscommon town. For more information please contact Lorraine in complete confidence. 094 96 21690 or email lcampbell@rwn.ie
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.
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.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.
New York game fixed for Sunday 12th April
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 April. Last week the Connaught Fixtures for 2026 were announced and New York will host Roscommon in Gaelic Park on Sunday 12th April at 3pm (8pm Irish time)
It is five years ago since Roscommon played New York and the memories of that wonderful week in the Big Apple are still remembered and talked about.
This is a golden opportunity to join with the big numbers from the St. Faithleach’s club and avail of a fabulous few days in the city that never sleeps. It was hoped that the game would be on Easter Sunday but alas it is the Sunday afterwards 12th April.
Nonetheless the flights will 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 and you have to too them off the Connaught GAA website.. 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.
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.
Outstanding 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.
Support Group
Relatives and friends of anyone who has an alcoholic problem 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 still 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.
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 7th November.
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
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland: The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is open six days a week Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. The society provides an opportunity for all of us to stand together and support people with dementia. Their phone number is 1800 341 341 and their website is www.alzheimer.ie
Kilgefin Parish Notes
Contact: Fr Daniel can be contacted at 089 270 6060
Ballagh Church meeting: Unfortunately, the meeting in relation to Ballagh Church had to be postponed because of a poor attendance. It is intended to meet again on Tuesday next 4th November in the Parochial House at &.45pm after evening Mass. Parishioners form the Ballagh area are requested to prioritise and attend the meeting as several urgent issues need to be discussed and deliberated upon.
Kilgefin Christmas Party: The Kilgefin Parish Senior Citizen and retiree Christmas party will take place in St. Faithleach’s clubhouse on Sunday 7th December at 3pm. The afternoon will include dinner, music, spot prizes and fun. As the parish has not hosted the Christmas Party for a few years and with a small number of committee members the intention is to hand deliver invitations but if they do not get to you you are asked to take this notice as your invitation and if everyone could state their intentions of attend on or before 20th November so that the committee can make preparations for a definite number. RSVP have to be made to Helen Wallace 086 0886981Gerry Donlon 086 8221924 or Marian Murphy 089 4303169. Alternatively a box will be left at the back of the three churches if you wish to leave your reply and details in the box.
Retreat:The Youth 2000 Connaught retreat takes place on November 21st – 23rd in Summerhill College, Sligo with workshops, music, talks, testimonies and more. Register online at www.Youth2000.ie or contact connaught@youth2000.ie for more information.
Derrane Graveyard: Prayers will be recited in Derrane graveyard on Sunday 2nd November at 3pm. All welcome.
Memorial Mass 2025: People of the area are reminded that a Memorial Mass for all the deceased over the past year will take place in Ballyleague church on All Souls’ Day 2nd November at 11.30am. All families, relatives and friends of the deceased are invited. After Mass there will be light refreshments in the Parish Hall, Ballyleague.
Religious Magazine: If you would like to get the religious magazine ‘The Messenger’ you should call Mary Ó Dúill at 3321969
Cloontuskert N.S: Cloontuskert NS is currently accepting applications for admission to junior infants for September 2026. Application forms are available from the school of available for download at www.cloontuskertns.ie The school would appreciative if you could register your interest on or before Friday 21st November.
Conference You are invited to ‘Abide in His Love’ Women’s Conference 21st to 23rd November in the Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran Co. Donegal. Guest speakers will include Sr. Mary Madeline Todd OP (USA), Megan Madden from ‘A Mother’s Lace’ (USA/UK), Fr. Barry Braum, Fr. Mark Wharton (UK), Fr. Francesco Mary Gavazzi, CFR, Nashville Dominican sisters, and Mass with Archbishop Eamon Martin. Check out Eventbrite for tickets and more information. This is an event not to be missed!
KPPC Resolution: Parishioners are reminded that a decade of the Rosary will be recited before all Masses in all three churches of our parish at weekends and everyone is asked to be in the church 20 minutes before mass times.
Newsletter inclusion: Any items you want included in the newsletter you must email the contents to kilgefinparish21@gmail.com on or before the Wednesday of that week.
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 Sunday, April 12th April. Flights will be most 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.