Lanesboro Ballyleague notes Monday 12th December 2022

Lanesboro Ballyleague notes

Christmas Carol Service

For the past couple of weeks the students and teachers of Lanesboro Primary School could be seen making their way from the school to the church as they prepared for their Christmas Carol Service that will take place this Wednesday 14th evening at 6.30pm.

If you can at all please be in attendance as those young people and teachers have put in tremendous effort to make this occasion a success. They really deserve our support and there would be no better way to kick off Christmas than in the company of the young people who no doubt will create a wonderful Christmas excitement.

Meals on Wheels

Next weekend will see the return of the Meals on Wheels Church Gate collection following a break due to Covid restrictions. Meals on Wheels provide a wonderful service in our community and without your great support this would not be possible. Once again your generosity is called upon. If you will not be attending Mass at the weekend and still would like to continue you can leave your donation into O’Brien’s. Thank you in advance.

Santa Claus comes visiting

Lough Ree Access for All will welcome Santa Claus to its centre on the banks of the Shannon on Friday 23rd December. This will be your last chance to meet the great man before his return to Lapland to prepare for his trip to deliver surprises and presents for all the young boys and girls. Santa will be in attendance from 11am until 1pm.

Christmas Mass at St. Mary’s

The Christmas Mass schedule for St. Mary’s Church is as follows. The first Mass will take place on Saturday, Christmas Eve, and it will take place at 6pm. This will be a children and family Mass. The second Mass and third Mass on Saturday, Christmas Eve, will take place at 8pm and 10pm. On Christmas Day the Masses will be at 9.30am and 11.30am.

Christmas Carols and Readings

An afternoon of Christmas Carols and Readings hosted by the Kilgefin/Scramogue choir and guests will take place on this coming Sunday 18th December at 1.30pm in Ballyleague church. All are welcome. Optional donations at the door.

Mindlessness

The Christmas tree and crib, underneath, had not been erected one week when some mindless vandal came along a damaged the window and door of the crib. It is truly unbelievable that something that brightens up our town at Christmas time should be dishonoured in such a way.

Locally there has been great condemnation of this dastardly act.

Let us hope that the local Gardaí can bring the culprit to justice.

Christmas Run Returns

I have just learned that the Christmas Day Walk/Run in aid of Multiple Sclerosis will return this Christmas Day following a Covid inflicted break for its 32nd year.

The event will start as usual with the walkers hitting off at 11.30am and the runners at 12 noon.

Sponsorship cards are available from any member of the Flood family, Lehery, Newtowncashel or in O’Brien’s Corner Shop.

New Road Surface

A community gift came to pass for the residents of Church View came over the past couple of weeks when the long awaited road resurfacing and remedial work took place. The residents of the estate are delighted with the great work and the quality of it. It is remarkable how the work has transformed the estate.

Thank You

Lanesborough Parish Hall Committee in conjunction with FÁS would like to thank everyone who turned up to make their Christmas fair an outstanding success. Thanks to Tom Rooney and Louis Hanley & family for getting Santa & Mrs Claus to the Grotto. Thanks to Tom Irwin and Fidelma Fallon for tremendous jobs on Santa and Mrs. Claus and Melissa Donohue for photography. Thanks to our raffle co coordinator Stella O Sullivan and sponsors Lough Ree Distillery, SuperValu, The Yacht Bar, Joe the vegetable man, Kevin Murray, Margaret Nohilly, John Grace and Mags Hair Salon. Thanks also to Mike Green, Tom Gill & Gavin Greally.

The winners of the raffle were Renny Riozzi, Tom Gill, Margaret Nohilly, Patrick M Casey, Madeleine Murray, Virginia Cosgrove and Doreen Oates.

Christmas Lights Appeal

Once again the Christmas Lights committee has done a wonderful job in lighting up the town for the Christmas season and for that they deserve great credit. To aid in the paying for this privilege, insurance and the replacing of a big number of bulbs that this year were hard to come by the committee is asking for a contribution from locals and businesses alike. You can make your contribution to Margaret Gillen, Brigid Mullooly, Mark Casey or leave it into O’Brien’s for collection.

New book on Roscommon’s Republican Dead

The new book documenting all the people who died as a result of the Troubles between the years 1917 and 1923 in County Roscommon was launched in the Percy French Hotel Strokestown.

The excellent book with excellent photography is the result of research and photography carried out over the last number of years by Henry Owens, Strokestown and Thomas Flynn, Ballymoe.

The timing of the launch this year coincided with the centenary of the events that led to the deaths of over forty people in county Roscommon during those years.

Each victim of this troubled period is documented with a brief biography detailing their life from birth to final resting place and the circumstances of how they met their deaths.

The book is on sale in O’Brien’s at €16 and can be posted with the additional p&p.

Sympathy

We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Benny and Dolores McCabe and their family Church View on the death of Benny’s sister, Mrs Ellen Regan, Blanchardstown, Dublin on Friday 18th November.

Your help is needed

Permission has now been granted for the taking down of Lanesboro Power Station. The pupils of Lanesboro National School, a school that has existed in the shadow of the station for the lifetime of the different stages of the stations are undertaking a project and they need any help you can give them.

In association with Creative Schools, the Arts Council Dublin, and Shuttermaniac Productions Lanesboro they are looking for ESB-related stories and memories in order to produce an engaging short film as part of a Creative Schools Film Project. Perhaps there’s an endearing or funny story that you or a relative or neighbour remember at their time in and around the ESB. 

The kids at Lanesboro will be presenting this story on film so please keep it short and entertaining if possible.

If you think you do have a wee anecdotal nugget, please get in touch with Lee Williamson, school principal Claire Murphy or teacher Niamh Rowan in Lanesborough NS.

Not only will this be a school project but also a part of the history of what stood in Lanesboro and gave so much employment since the mid 50s.

Christmas Party Nights this Festive Season at the Abbey

The countdown is on to the much anticipated return of our Christmas Party nights at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. 

Join them for a fun night of festive frolics and fine dining on Saturday next 17th December. 

Cost is €55 per person and the package includes a mulled wine reception at 7.15pm followed by a festive themed four course meal in our spacious ballroom followed by live entertainment with the WHITE CAKES. This is followed by a disco and late bar. 

Special B&B rates on both nights when you book direct by phone with the hotel. 

It’s your Last chance to book as there are limited places available for both nights. 

Email events@abbeyhotel.ie or phone 090 6626240

All-Ireland Final

Like the people in the Longford Slashers club we felt a huge euphoria and great sense of pride with the performance of the Longford Slashers Ladies who won the All Ireland Intermediate Final in a hugely convincing manner.

Leading from start to finish they were relentless in their pursuit of victory and left Mullinahone floundering in their wake. It was the perfect day to choose to put on the perfect performance.

Well done to the panel and their management for bring a very rare All-Ireland victory to our county.

Congratulations to our neighbouring parish Killashee who had four Ladies on the team and panel.

In the senior Ladies All-Ireland that followed had also an added interest for us in the community who knew that the Kilkerrin Clonberne panel included two nieces of Jimmy Flanagan. His brother Luke had twin daughters on the panel Maeve and Evelyn. Maeve came on as a substitute early and played a major role in the victory while Evelyn is on the way back from a cruciate ligament injury.     

Lanesboro in the War of Independence and after – Book still available

As the decades of centenaries come to a close, it is good to know that copies of the book, Longford’s Republican Story 1900 – 2000, are still available. As a Christmas present for anyone from Longford, or with Longford connections, it is an ideal gift. The Lanesboro/Cashel area was a hotbed of activity in both War of Independence and Civil War and this book has recorded for ever more the bravery and courage of the men and women of Longford in the fight for freedom. It lists all of the men and women from this area who took part in those conflicts. Longford’s Republican Story is a unique and exceptional book that will never be equalled and will be in great demand while it remains in print. We understand the author, Seán Ó Súilleabháin, may give a talk in Lanesboro in the New Year on the republican history of the area. Copies of Longford’s Republican Story 1900- 2000, with almost 600 pages, and costing €35, are available in O’Brien’s, Lanesboro.

Fermoyle National School

Fermoyle National School is now open for enrolment for the year 2023/2024.

Please contact the office at 043-3321959 or email the school at fermoylens@gmail.com for enrolment forms. 

Proposed new Mass Times

As the Parishes of Rathcline, Killashee and Newtowncashel now only share 2 priests between them a restructuring process is currently taking place with each parish losing one of its weekend masses. The proposed Mass times for Lanesboro is that Saturday evening Mass time will change to 6.30pm and on Sunday one Mass will be lost and the Mass time has yet to be decided at to either 10.30am or 11am.

Christmas Reconciliation Service will take place in St. Mary’s church on Friday 23rd December at 6pm.

Train how to use the Defibrillator

The Defibrillator training will take place in the New Year. If you are interested, please leave your name and phone number with Martina O’Brien in the shop or by phoning 086 3858934 or email to clynemartina53@gmail.com

Christmas Carol Service

A joint Christmas Carol Service will take place on Friday 23rd December in St. John’s Church at 8pm. Everyone is welcome.

Roscommon Group of Parishes

The December schedule for the Roscommon group of Parishes is; Sunday 18th December Morning Prayer in St. Coman’s Roscommon at 11.30am. Friday 23rd Festival of Lessons and Carols in St. John’s Lanesboro at 8pm. Sunday 25th December Holy Communion in St. Coman’s Roscommon with Reverend Ed Smyth and in St. John Lanesboro Holy Communion with Dean Gerald Field. Both services will take place at 11.30am. Sunday 1st January Morning Prayer in St. Coman’s Roscommon.

New Rathcline Club Lotto

The Rathcline club have just come with a new fundraising lotto. The Rathcline GAA Euro Millions Syndicate will commence with the first draw on Tuesday 3rd January 2023 and finishing with the final draw 29th December 2023. The syndicate will be limited to 400 people. Each member will pay €40 for the year. As we are now well into December it is time to get your ticket before the closing deadline.

Each month there will be a €100 draw for the members of the syndicate.

The distribution of what is hoped will be substantial winnings is at the end of the year is between €400 and €1,999.99 there will be a draw for one winner within the syndicate. Between €2,000 and €9,999.99 there will be five separate draws each winning an equal amount, between €10,000 and €19,999.99 there will be a raffle and ten members drawn each receiving an equal amount. Any amount greater than €20,000 will see the money shared evenly amongst all members. 

Tickets are available from members of the club executive.

St. Vincent de Paul

The annual appeal will takes place over the next few weeks. There will be no church gate collection this year. Envelopes for your donations are now available in the church or in O’Brien’s. Please return your sealed envelopes to the Presbytery or put them in the Sunday offerings basket during Mass. Alternatively you can put your contribution in a plain envelope marked SVP for basket or presbytery.

Boat Trips

Lough Ree Access for All boat is a boat built for you is offering three sailing trips a day 10am, 12 noon and 2.30pm. This is a great trip of fascination onto Lough Ree and its famous islands.

Ballyleague Bingo

Ballyleague Bingo continues in Ballyleague Hall every Thursday night. The first numbers will be called at 8.30pm.

Volunteers required

Ballyleague Bingo urgently needs more volunteers to join them in the Bingo/Hall Committee. If you are interested in being involved you are asked to contact Patricia Manning for more details.

Old Days, Old Ways

Prolific writer Paddy Egan has just launched his new book Old Day, Old Ways. The book is a nostalgic look back at a way of life in Ireland over a century ago. The book is true nostalgia for the older generations that remember the days he writes about and for the younger generations an essential read telling the stories of traditional farming ways, old cures, tradition and sayings. It is a book that is very well worth the nominal charge of €10. The book can be bought locally in O’Brien’s.

Sunday night cards

The results of the Sunday night Card Game in the Parish Hall are: 1st Pat Joe Fallon & Tom Nohilly with 12 games. 2nd with 11 games were P.J. & Bridie Glennon. Last game was Sean Cox & Michael Finnan. Raffle winners were Joe Rooney, Johnno, Michael Finnan & Tom Mulvihill.  Next Sunday night’s game will be the last for 2022.  The game continues every Sunday night at 8. 30pm. Light refreshments served.

50/50

The 50/50 draw took place in the Yacht bar on Monday night 5th December and the winning envelope for a prize of €689 had the name of Stephen Dowd, Thureen on it. Congratulations Stephen on this great win.

The club is extremely grateful for your continued tremendous support.

Tidy Towns Lottery

On Tuesday 6th December the jackpot for the Lanesboro Tidy Towns lottery stood at €11,100 and as it was not won the jackpot rose to €11,200 for the draw on Tuesday 13th December. The winning numbers drawn on the 6th December were 6, 9, 17 and 29. The winner of the €50 prize was, Jake, Kyle and Lauren Rice, and the three €20 winners were Stella O’Sullivan, Gurteengar, Brendan Smyth and Martina O’Brien, Clonfower.

The committee are extremely grateful to everyone that bought and continues to buy tickets over the past year and they would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2023.

Christmas Gift

Frank Nelson newly released a new CD called ‘I’ll Put the Kettle On’ is selling extremely well. It is a must for followers of Frank and lovers of country music – why not give it as a Christmas present or as a Christmas Sock filler to someone who loves county music. CDs are available in O’Brien’s costing just €15.

Healthy Communities

Free Stop Smoking Service available in Ballymahon. Get the help you need to stop smoking for good. Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy will be provided for non-medical card holders. 

Ballyboro FC

The weather proved to be a real spoilsport at the weekend with the cancellation of all the club fixtures.

Weather permitting next Saturday promises to be a busy one with six teams in action. At 10am the under 9s have a home blitz with Gaels United. Both under 11 teams will be in action. The Cougars are away to Gaels United while the Tigers play Kenagh United in Abbeycartron. Both games start at 12.30pm. The under 12s play Inny FC Lions in Streete, 1pm kick off. The under 13s play Melview FC Lions at 10am in Abbeycartron while the under 16s are at home to Abbey Rovers, 2pm kick off. Just one game on Sunday where the under 14 girls will play Stonepark in Abbeycartron at 10am.

Support line for older people

ALONE manage a national support line and additional support for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to Covid-19. Professional staff is available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week from 8am until 8pm. Text TALK to 50808 to begin.

Alcohol Anon Meetings

Relatives and friends of alcoholics are welcome to attend meetings in the Family Centre building at the back of St. Mel’s Cathedral on St. Mel’s Road, any Tuesday evening at 7pm.

Smart Recovery

SMART recovery is an evidence based addiction recovery support group where participants learn self-empowering techniques to aid their recovery by overcoming addictive behaviour.

There is a meeting every Friday evening from 7pm to 8.30pm in Vita House, Roscommon. For information you should phone Conor 086 1702912 or info@smartrecovery.ie

GROW

Grow is a Community Mental Health Movement which meets every Monday at 11am in the Community Mental Health Centre, Dublin Rd., Longford. If you are feeling lonely, isolated or suffering from stress, please feel free to attend. You can call Assumpta for any further information on 086 8114135.

Kilgefin Parish

Christmas Trees; The parish is looking for parishioners to sponsor a Christmas tree for all the churches and to help with the cost to decorate the trees. All donations should be put in an envelopes and indicated accordingly with donors name or anonymously. Thank you in anticipation of your generosity.

Church Cleaning; There will be a Christmas clean up of Ballyleague church on Tuesday 20th December at 6pm. If you can spare an hour or two please come along and have the church sparkling for the celebration of Christmas.

Cleaning will also take place in Ballagh Church on Tuesday 20th December at 6pm. All help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank You; Ballyleague NS would like to thank everyone that supported their recent table quiz.

Ballyleague N.S. The school is holding a Christmas Carol service in Ballyleague Church on Monday next 19th December at 7pm. Everyone is invited.

Thank You; The ISPCC would like to thank the people of Ballagh who donated to the church gate collection on November 26th which raised €98.69c.

Deadline; The deadline for any notices for the newsletter is Wednesday – email to kilgefinparish21@gmail.com 

Lanesboro Library

The opening hours of Lanesboro are: Monday 2pm-8pm, Tuesday 2pm-6pm, Wednesday 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm. The library will be closed all day on a Thursday. Friday 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm and Saturday 10am-1pm

Photocopying, printing and scanning services are available at the library. Enquiries: www.lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie  

St. Mary’s Church

Christmas Carol Service; Lanesboro Primary School will host the return of the annual Christmas Carol Service on this Wednesday 14th December at 6.30pm. Come along and commence the celebration of Christmas.

Parish Office: Maireád Rooney, Rathcline the Parish Secretary will be in her office in the Parish House each week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10.15am until 2.30pm. As the office gets established Maireád will be able to assist you with any enquiries.

Rosary Group meet in the church on Monday to Friday at 9.30am and on Saturday and Sunday at 3pm.

Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays in the church after 10am Mass in the Prayer Room and will conclude at 4pm to take account of energy costs during the winter months.

Parish contacts

Fr. Merlyn Kenny, Newtowncashel 0860603433 and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Killashee 0879972259 who as you know are assisting in our parish.

St. Vincent de Paul

The annual appeal takes place over the next few weeks. Envelopes for your donations are now available in the church or in O’Brien’s. You are asked to return your sealed envelopes to the Presbytery or put it in the Sunday offerings basket during Mass.

St. Faithleach’s GAA

Tesco Community Fund

Santa Visit

Santa Clause arrived in Ballyleague on horse and cart to visit all the children of the parish at St. Faithleach’s Clubhouse on Sunday evening. There was a wonderful turn out to visit the big man. He was very impressed and notified us that all the children made the good list. Thank you to our fantastic team of helpers and volunteers, Lanesboro Gardaí for escorting Santa and Tom Rooney for getting Santa there safely. Without you all the day wouldn’t have been possible.

Christmas Draw

Tickets are still for sale online for our Xmas Hamper Draw. Please visit our social media pages to purchase or visit klubfunder.ie. €5 each or buy 3 get one free!! Limited entries remain. 

Condolences

We wish to extend our sincere sympathy to the family, friends and Strokestown GAA community on the passing of the late Finola Finn Lisroyne Strokestown. May Finola Rest in Peace. 

Lotto

Numbers drawn were 01, 20, 27 and 29. There was no winner of the €2700 jackpot. The €40 winners were Tanya O’Rourke, Eileen Mullen and Elderoma Farrell. Well done to all. The next draw takes place on this Wednesday 14th December. Tickets are for sale at all usual local outlets. Thank you for your continued support.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Cian Glennon and Michael Dunne who were honoured as part of the successful Roscommon U20 (2021) Connacht Championship winning team at their medal presentation in the Abbey Hotel on Friday night.

Christmas Concert

An Afternoon of Christmas Carols & Readings, hosted by Kilgefin/Scramogue Choir & Guests, will take place on Sun Dec 18th at 1.30pm in Ballyleague Church. All welcome. Optional donation can be made at the entrance door. 

Rathcline GAA

Click the link for the up-to-date news in theRathcline GAA club

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