Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Lough Ree AC
One of the most important clubs in this community and the wider area with regard to children’s wellbeing, the Lough Ree Athletic Club, will hold its Annual General Meeting in Lanesboro Parish Hall on this Thursday 23rd March at 9pm.
If you have children or interested in the athletic development of the young people of the general area you are invited to attend. Really, this meeting should be packed to capacity and we should all be encouraging the youth to partake in all the available athletic events.
This will be the first face to face meeting since Covid and the Committee would appreciate your attendance and support as we go into the summer season. The committee is looking forward to seeing as many as possible. Thanking you in advance.
Meanwhile Training for all club athletes continues on Tuesday evening at the Parish Hall from 6.00pm.
Retirement
After 41 years of teaching service at Fermoyle National School, our Deputy Principal
Mary Belton will be retiring at Easter.
After a school mass on Thursday 30th March, Parents – past and present along with
anyone from the school community, are invited to the school from 1.30pm onwards
for light refreshments to join in the celebrations.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Joe and Mary Ghee and their family on the death of Joe’s brother Sean who passed away on Wednesday 18th January in London. His Funeral Mass and cremation will take place in London on Friday next 24th March.
Talk in Lanesboro Library this Wednesday
Lanesboro and Cashel’s part in Longford’s Republican Story
Tonight in Lanesboro Library, well-known historian, Seán Ó Súilleabháin, will give a much anticipated talk on Cashel and Lanesboro’s involvement in the War of Independence and Civil War. This will be a very informative illustrated talk bringing many stories from the area to light. The talk will be delivered tonight, Wednesday 22nd March, starting at 8.00pm. Admission is free and will be of interest to all. Beidh fáilte romhat.
County Spelling Bee
Huge congratulations to Erin Rumley, daughter of Tom and Carmel Rumley, Radharc na Muileann, who represented Lanesborough Primary School in this year’s County Spelling Bee at Stonepark National School.
Erin came up against the very best in the county and she finished up.
Huge congratulations to Erin for an outstanding achievement.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Lisa and David Malone and their family, Lehery, on the death of Lisa’s father Jimmy Corish, Bridgetown, Co. Wexford. Jimmy passed away on Sunday 12th March and his burial took place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kilmore following his Requiem Mass on Tuesday.
Sleep Out for Simon
This year sees the return, once again, of the very popular ‘Sleep Out’ as a Midland Simon Community fundraiser. The Sleep Out is held in conjunction with Longford Rugby Club and once again they are appealing to your generosity to equal if not better last year’s fundraiser.
Like last year local Ballyleague man Junior Hannon will once again be our local representative. Junior continues to give so much of himself to so many local support groups each year and now is our time to reciprocate with our support for this very deserving cause. A sponsorship card is in O’Brien’s and your generous support would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade made a welcome return to the streets of Ballyleague and Lanesboro on Friday last.
The early morning weather threatened to become a kill joy with heavy rain falling all morning. As we approached midday the rain relented and temperatures began to rise a little giving us cause for hope that we could escape the rain for the duration of the parade and afternoon. As we approached parade time, 2.30, the streets were dry, amazingly, and a huge crowd began to line the route from St. Faithleach’s GAA grounds to Lanesboro Community College.
Almost 30 floats, of varying sizes took part and created a wonderful spectacle with the float winning results elsewhere in these notes. There was a wonderful atmosphere and there is great credit due to the committee and the huge number of volunteers that kept everything flowing.
Another St. Patrick’s Day Parade ends with a wonderful afterglow of a wonderful parade and excitement in our community.
We now look forward to the ‘Gathering’ of boats on May Bank Holiday where another exciting event will take place in Lanesboro and Ballyleague. A full programme of events will be made known for the weekend where we will welcome huge numbers back to our community for another celebration.
Bridge Lessons
Lessons for beginner Bridge players are due to start soon in Lanesboro. It you are interested in learning to play you are asked to text or phone 086 4076472.
Line Dancing
Line dancing classes takes place every Friday morning 11am at the Quad Centre Roscommon Town.
Line Dancing classes, again, every Sunday at the Quad Centre Roscommon Town
Beginners are on from 6pm to 7pm. Followed by Improvers from 7pm to 8pm
Line Dancing will take place at the Kilbride Centre every Tuesday evening at 7pm followed by Social Dancing with Christopher Byrne
A report from the Chairperson
The Parade was, again, an outstanding success and Teresa Costello would like to thank all those that entered floats and a special thanks to Lanesboro Fire Brigade for its educational performance and also the ONE group who join us every year.
To all the excellent stewards for their excellent work and for giving so freely of their time we are so grateful. Without this help there would be no parade.
Thank you to Joe O’Brien (Longford Leader) and Tom Nohilly (Parish Newsletter) for all the publicity.
Thank you to the Parish Choir, musicians, Eddie Cauneen Devlin (Dancer), John Campbell, Nuala Donlon, Noel Carberry, Johnnie Duffy, and Joe McGrath and Fr Kenny for his unique and beautiful Mass.
A special word of thanks goes to the committee of Freda Connaughton, Chris Cullen, Steve Ormsby and Gerard Farrell for all their help and support.
Thank you also to our M.C., our judge, Johnnie Duffy for the amplification, Gerard Farrell for the stage and Regina Carroll, Lanesbrew for the ESB power.
Sincere thanks to Dolan Foods, Joe Ginty Taxi, Fermoyle National School, Inver Filling Station, Lough Ree Distillery, North Midlands Credit Union, Engine Spares, Orla O’Brien Chemist, Lanesbrew, Bernard Keane SuperValu, Maireád Gill, Sean Mimnagh Chimney Cleaning, Casserley’s Spar, Pings Chinese Take Away and Joe and Martina O’Brien Corner Shop for their sponsorship donations.
The results of the Parade were: Best Overall Float – Lanesboro Tourism and Tidy Towns; Best Club Float – St. Faithleach’s GAA underage; Best Junior Float – Lanesboro Community College; Best Vintage Float – Brendan Glennon Cars; Best Business Float – Tom Morris/Clarkes Bar, Most Original Float Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club and Best dresses Window – Supervalu.
A very big thank you to everybody that bought tickets for the draw and the five winners of €100 each were Megan Maher, Celine c/o Mags, Gerry Nerney, Bríd Rhatigan and Johnny Hanley.
Day with the Stars
Yes, the wonderful and hugely enjoying Day with the Stars once again returns to Roscommon Racecourse this year with another stunning line-up of musical artists. The show will take place on Sunday 18th June and there is no doubt but this year will equal if not better any day gone before it.
Tickets cost just €30 to be entertained by a multitude of Ireland’s finest musicians and can be bought in O’Brien’s.
Local notes inclusion
Anybody that wants items included in the local notes is advised that they have their note with me on a Sunday night at the very latest. This is to ensure inclusion in the coming weeks notes.
€12,400 up for grabs
The Lanesboro Tidy Towns Lottery on Tuesday 14th March stood at €12,500. This is a wonderful amount of money to be won with tickets just costing €2 or 3 tickets for €5.
The numbers drawn on Tuesday 14th March for a jackpot of €12,400 were 3, 6, 8 and 30. There was no winner of the jackpot. The winner of the €50 prize was Tiernan and Iarla Hanley, Corrigeen; the three €20 winners were Mary Feeney, The Green, Rían Ó Ceallaigh, c/o XLNTEE, and Cillian and Senan Cox, Curraghrua.
The Lanesboro Tidy Towns committee would like to thank you for your continued generosity and your support is ensuring that Lanesboro continues to look beautiful.
A special word of thanks to our workers for the wonderfully designed and winning float for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Fáilte Isteach English Classes:
As many know, over 70 people from Ukraine have come to live in our community in the aftermath of the Russian conflict. Many are playing a part in our local community – attending local schools and taking part in sport locally and some residents at the former Costello’s Care home facility have already taken part in water sports activity on a weekly basis at the Lough Ree Access for All Centre in the north quay in Ballyleague.
Residents of the area are now invited to join in a weekly English language get together with the new communities living here – starting on Tuesday March 28th at 10am n the Teach Mhuire meeting room beside the Parochial House in Ballyleague. (Opposite Costello care centre: (Eircode: N39 XD54))
Fáilte Isteach is a community project involving predominantly local residents and local volunteers welcoming migrants through conversational English classes but to the 120 communities it impacts across Ireland, Fáilte Isteach classes are so much more. Fáilte Isteach classes are so much more.
The groups provide a space for those who are isolated to connect; for perspectives to evolve; for attitudes to change. The informal, relaxed approach to learning allows the most marginalised in our society to engage with others and truly integrate into life in Ireland.
The weekly classes help improve language and reduce loneliness for over 4500 migrants, allowing for long-lasting, authentic community integration. The classes salute the often overlooked potential of 1500 older volunteers who make Fáilte Isteach a reality.
Fáilte Isteach embraces a relaxed, unstructured learning environment. The classes are tutored entirely by volunteers who are encouraged to welcome participants to their community through language; identify needs through conversation and focus primarily on fluency and building confidence. Flexible classes allow volunteers to support participants in their immediate language requirements while offering a warm welcome.
Fáilte Isteach was established in October 2006 by Third Age in response to the observed daily difficulties that new migrants were experiencing integrating into the local community through a poor understanding or lack of English. Following its success as a pilot project in a small rural community, Fáilte Isteach was launched nationally in late 2008. From the inaugural class in Summerhill involving 12 volunteer tutors and 7 students, Fáilte Isteach has now grown to 170 classes across 26 counties, with over 1500 volunteer tutors who support the integration of 4500 migrant students by delivering over 96,000 hours of free tuition annually.
Following a great turnout at the open night last week, the first morning of Fáilte Isteach in this area will be facilitated by Roscommon Leader Partnership at Teach Mhuire meeting room beside the parochial house in Ballyleague (Eircode: N39 XD54) on Tuesday March 28th at 10am and the Ukrainian community wish to thank Fr Dan in Ballyleague for his kind support and co-operation.
For more information e mail: ciaranmullooly@ridc.ie
Church Services
On Sunday next 26th March Service of Holy Communion will take place in St. John’s Lanesboro at 11.30am.
Lenten Service will take place in St. Coman’s Roscommon on this Wednesday 22nd March and will continue in St. Coman’s on Wednesday week 29th March.
Weekly Card Game
The results from last Sunday night’s weekly card game held in Lanesboro Parish Hall game held on Sunday night last 19th March are: 1st Peter and Brendan, 2nd Peggy and Noreen. Last game Pat & Geraldine Greene. Raffle winners were Brendan Hanley, Michael Finnan, Barney Kenny and Niall Hughes. The game continues every Sunday night at 8.30 pm with light refreshments served.
Ballyleague Bingo
Ballyleague Bingo continues in Ballyleague Hall every Thursday night. The first numbers will be called at 8.30pm.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place in the Clarke’s Bar on Monday night 13th March and the winning prize of €608 in the name of Michael Greene, The Green. Congratulations Michael on your fabulous win.
The club is extremely grateful for your continued tremendous support.
Ballyboro FC
The club had a great representation at the Lanesboro/Ballyleague St. Patricks Day Parade. Thanks to all who marched on the day.
The under 10 Lions and Tigers played UCL and Inny Rovers respectively. Both teams performed exceptionally well. Shay Molloy and Sean Hogan scored for the Tigers while a candidate for goal of the season emerged in the Lions game when Senan McHale scored direct from a corner kick. Ballyboro Tigers: Finn Fallon, John Bawle, Adam Farrell, Patrick Farrell, Shay Molloy, Sean Hogan, Jack Donnelly, Ryan Molloy, Joe Greally. Ballyboro Lions: Charlie Hickey, Aimee Glynn, Dillie Glynn, Noah Donegan, Tom Skelly, Senan McHale, Jay Flynn, Hugh Creedon.
The under 12 girls travelled to Streete to play Inny Rovers. Despite a heavy pitch and continuous heavy rain both teams served up a very entertaining encounter. Ballyboro were dominant for most of the first half but Inny took a chance from a tight angle to lead 1-0 at half time. Ballyboro created several chances but didn’t take them and were unlucky to come away with a 1-0 defeat. Squad: Saoirse Feeney, Saoirse Dillon, Hannah Farrell, Faye Hogan, Ava Donohoe, Sinead Murray(c), Millie Cassidy, Niamh Casey, Rosie Farrell, Emma Farrell, Kallie Herbert, Tia Cassidy, Laoise Farrell, Pippa O’Shea.
The under 13s went down 4-0 to UCL Harps. The Ballyboro team played some good football in the first half but they were unable to sustain the effort. While the north Longford lads deserved to win the winning margin flattered them somewhat as at a vital stage of the game with the score at 2-0 a Ballyboro penalty was saved by the UCL goalkeeper and in the one movement they counter attacked and the ball was finished to the Ballyboro net to clinch the issue. Ballyboro: Stephen Farrell, Leah Kenny, Darragh Donlon, Jack Cassidy, Josh Curran, Charlie Moynihan, Alfie Murphy, Shane Farrell, Tim Kenny, Oisin Dillon, Sarah Healy. Subs: Hayden Smyth, James Carroll, Cathal Hanley, Kyle Rice, Ferat Pulcu, Emma Feeney, Emma Dowd.
ALONE
ALONE provides many services to older people. It recruits, trains and supports volunteers for two services of Visitation/Befriending and Phone /Befriending. Would you be prepared to provide companionship once a week? Full training and support will be provided. For more information contact Francis 086-1085965 or volunteer@alone.ie
Support line for older people
ALONE manage a national support line and additional support for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to Covid-19. Professional staff is available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week from 8am until 8pm. Text TALK to 50808 to begin.
Alcohol Anon Meetings
Relatives and friends of alcoholics are welcome to attend meetings in the Family Centre building at the back of St. Mel’s Cathedral on St. Mel’s Road, any Tuesday evening at 7pm.
Local Health Service
The health service is here for us all, from routine to urgent calls. HSELive is here 7 days a week to answer questions. Freephone 1800 700700.
Roscommon University Hospital Injury Unit is available from 8am to 8pm seven days, a week and the contact number is 09066 32212.
Emergency Department deals with serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies if you need urgent medical help. They are open 24 hours a day and can be contacted by phoning 999 or 112.
Smart Recovery
SMART recovery is an evidence based addiction recovery support group where participants learn self-empowering techniques to aid their recovery by overcoming addictive behaviour.
There is a meeting every Friday evening from 7pm to 8.30pm in Vita House, Roscommon. For information you should phone Conor 086 1702912 or info@smartrecovery.ie
GROW
Grow is a Community Mental Health Movement which meets every Monday at 11am in the Community Mental Health Centre, Dublin Rd., Longford. If you are feeling lonely, isolated or suffering from stress, please feel free to attend. You can call Assumpta for any further information on 086 8114135.
St. Mary’s Church
Mass Intentions: As there is an increase in the demand for Mass Intentions, the parish will share two intentions at the 11am Mass on Sundays.
The Parish Hub: Maireád, the Parish Secretary is in her office on Tuesday to Thursday, 10.30am to 2.30pm. If you want to contact her by phone you can do so during the aforementioned working hours at 3321166. She will help you with any questions or booking related matters.
Speak with a Priest: if you wish to talk with any of the priests you can call into the sacristy after any Mass.
Talk to the Samaritans: Are you struggling to cope with life? Do you think it would help to talk about your problem in confidence? It does not matter who you are, how you feel or what happened to you. If things are getting you down you can turn to the Samaritans for help. The Samaritans are available on Freephone 116123, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
Alone Volunteers: Would you be willing to provide companionship or make calls to older people once a week? Alone is seeking volunteers in the area. Full training and support will be provided. If you are interest you are asked to sign up at the following address https://alone.ie/volunteers/
For more information you are invited to contact Helena at Helena.madden@aloone.ie or phone 086 0145 829
Parish contacts
Fr. Merlyn Kenny, Newtowncashel 0860603433 and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Killashee 0879972259 who as you know are assisting in our parish.
Kilgefin Parish
Revenue Rebate: A gentle reminder to people that has received a revenue form from the parish – please return the completed form to Fr. Dan. The parish has benefitted by almost €6000 per year from Revenue in recent years. People who donated over 250 per year to the parish have received a request to allow the parish to claim a rebate. However, the parish needs the permission of the donor to claim the rebate. Your support in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Lenten Retreat Day: As part our spiritual preparation for the Paschal Mystery of Christ at Easter, all parishioners are invited to a Day Retreat and Confessions on Saturday next 25th March from 12noon to 2pm. There will be recitation of the Holy Rosary, Adoration and Spiritual talk by a guest speaker. Come and be blessed.
Alone Volunteers: Would you be willing to provide companionship or make calls to older people once a week? Alone is seeking volunteers in the area. Full training and support will be provided. If you are interest you are asked to sign up at the following address https://alone.ie/volunteers.
Stations of the Cross: During the season of Lent Catholics are encouraged to journey with Christ through his paschal mystery by praying the Stations of the Cross. The Stations of the Cross will be at the weekends 30 minutes before weekend mass for convenience of all – Saturday at Ballyleague Church at 6.30pm and Sunday at 10.30am. Stations of the Cross will take place in Ballagh Church – Saturday at 7.30pm and Curraghroe Church at 9.30am on Sunday.
Shannon Gaels GAA
As is in keeping with tradition the minor club will invite all card players to the annual Good Friday 25 card Drive in Lanesboro Parish Hall. Dealing of cards will commence at 8.30pm. There will be numerous spot prizes during the game and refreshments will be served.
Tickets are priced at €10 each and can be bought from O’Brien’s, from Club members or on the night. Even if you cannot go please buy a ticket, write your name on the back and leave it with who you bought it from and you will be in for a draw.
The club looks forward to seeing many people there on the night for a great night of card playing and entertainment.
Your support and encouragement for all our underage age team will be greatly appreciated.