Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Town Twinning meeting on Wednesday
Below you will read a letter from Andrew Knowles the Chairman of the Lanesborough/Ballyleague Twinning Association, and we urge you to get involved and come along to the meeting on Wednesday night 17th in what should create a great opportunity and excitement for our community in the days and months ahead.
‘We are appealing on behalf of the Lanesborough/Ballyleague Twinning Association, to all the clubs, associations, and organisations in our community and interested people for your help and support with our venture.
Our aim is to ‘twin’ with a community in North-West France, Brittany. Our wish is to promote greater cultural relations and understanding between our communities, offer opportunities for exchange and travel, promote sporting and artistic events and most importantly get the youth of our community involved.
I can advise you that we have already found a community in Brittany who are keen to form a twinning agreement with Lanesborough/Ballyleague. Representatives of this community, Inguiniel, visited Lanesborough/Ballyleague in August and as a result of their visit, they are even more keen to promote the venture.
There are great opportunities for everyone in a twinning adventure, but especially we feel that it is the younger element of our community who will benefit the most. Broadening minds and horizons, experiencing different culture, language, food and getting a real understanding and knowledge of our European, and in the case of Brittany, Gaelic connections.
Our fellow county cousins in Granard recently enjoyed, in September, their first twinning experience when they entertained a party from their French Twin. So, we have picked their brains and they have been helpful, but what they were absolutely adamant about is that for a Twinning arrangement to be successful, it was imperative that we get all, or as many as possible, of Lanesborough/Ballyleague’s clubs, organisations and groups involved in the process.
To this end, what we would like from you, is one member of your organisation, preferably a committee member if such a thing exists, or just a volunteer who might like to be involved, to join us so that they can act as a conduit into the various community groups to get our message out there and keep their own associations up to date with how we are progressing.
It is not anticipated that all will be expected to attend every meeting we have, but they would be most welcome, this, we feel is the best way to make our mission a reality.
We will be holding a short meeting on Wednesday 17th January, in St Mary’s Hall at 7.30pm. We would be most grateful if you could provide a volunteer member from your club who would be welcome to join us at that committee meeting. If this letter tweaks your interest and you are not involved in any club, please feel free to come along to the meeting. The more we have the merrier.
To express your interest please email Andrew arknowles@hotmail.co.uk
If you have a colleague or friend who would like to help but can’t come to the meeting on the 17th then please advise Andrew at the email address above.
Thanking you advance for your co-operation in this matter.’
Local Developments
I have been informed that EasyGo have put a pair of chargers in the carpark at the back of St. Mary’s Hall past the bottle bank and clothes banks and overlooking the Shannon. Easygo have yet to put the chargers online and they are not listed on their website yet, but it looks like they are “Fast Chargers” 50kw speed.
This happened at the same time as Electric Ireland installed pedestrian lights at the crossroads at the corner. Like the chargers the electricity has yet to be turned on. The road markings have also been done and it is great to see some traffic stopping to allow pedestrian crossing and this is without signage and prior warning of the new traffic layout.
Hopefully we will see both the chargers and the pedestrian lights officially switched on in the very near future.
Ballyleague Village Renewal and Tidy Towns Shortlisted
Some very good news to start the New Year – our beautiful new park on the riverbank in Ballyleague has just been shortlisted for a LAMA award in February – under the best environmental project category. (see you tube video here: https://youtu.be/Rczod_ipCWk?si=wTS_JkeTATcmcilp )
Much credit is due to Enda and the ORIS team at Roscommon County Council and Isabella and the AXA Resilience Park project team at LRAFA who worked together with us in Ballyleague Village Renewal to complete such a beautiful project under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructural Scheme
The final components – the new car park and awnings – are presently going in at the north end of the park and will really enhance the project – and leave our village with a real GEM of an eco-visitor location for Summer 2024 and beyond.
Our thanks to you all for your help
In the coming weeks – We hope to submit a new community garden allotment project on a site owned by Roscommon County Council on the Strokestown road as part of the new Climate Fund scheme and would welcome your support and advice on progressing this in the next 2 weeks.
New Men’s Shed
If you are from Ballagh, Curraghroe, Doughill, Cloontuskert, Clooncagh, Derrane, Kilteevan or Four-Mile-House you are invited to a meeting in the new Ballagh Community Hub, formerly the Old Ballagh Parochial House, on Friday 26th January with an 8pm starting time. The purpose of the meeting is to setup a new Men’s Shed for the area. The meeting will be facilitated by Pat Towey from the Irish Men’s Sheds Association.
If you are someone who, after retiring, still has a lot to offer, you might want to share your skills with other men. Or, if you have found yourself in need of a friend, there are countless reasons for joining a Men’s Shed.
Men’s Sheds are more than just woodwork or gardening, they are places where men can find meaning and purpose, where a friend is always there.
In a Men’s Shed it is always said the greatest tool they have is the kettle, because there’s nothing more powerful than a cup of tea and a chat and maybe even a game of ‘25’.
Young Scientists
The 60th BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition took place during last week and Lanesboro Community College continued their fine tradition of having their entry accepted from the many thousand applications. Say NO2 to Nitrogen Dioxide was this year’s exhibition entry and the lads presenting their project was Sean O’Halloran, Daragh Creedon and Chriswin Regit. Their presentation gained a lot of notice and attention and although they did not feature on the winners list and a lot of high-profile visitors took great interest in the presentation. Well done to the lads on their achievement and we wish them continued success with their future work.
Ballyleague hall/Bingo committee
The Ballyleague hall/Bingo committee will hold its AGM on Wednesday 31st January at 8pm in Ballyleague Hall. All are welcome.
Ballagh Clothing Collection
Ballagh National School is holding a clothing collection on Thursday 25th January. All funds raised will go directly to the school. If you have any unwanted clothing, footwear, belts, handbags, hats, linens and household textiles you are asked to put them in a bag and bring them to the school in the days prior to the collection. Bags may also be left outside the school on the morning of the collection before 9.30am. All donations will be gratefully received.
Roscommon Community Challenge 2024
The Roscommon Community Challenge 2024 was launched recently and training for this event is well under way within excess of 140 people having signed up to take part in the twice weekly training programme the largest number ever. The event itself takes place on Friday night March 1st at 8pm.
This event always heralds the start of the sporting calendar in Roscommon and involves a Moonlight walk/run around Roscommon Town. Along with the usual 5k distance organisers have introduced a new 8km route. The event is open to both walkers, and runners. It will start and finish at the Roscommon Community Sports Park building. This community event is for everyone, walkers, runners, joggers, individuals, teams, and families, those that have never run either a 5k or 8k before, those looking to set a time for 2024. As in previous years this challenge has proven extremely popular with a great response from people who signed up to be part of the training programme.
Roscommon Special Olympics and Roscommon Community Sports Park are the chosen Charities this year. Roscommon Special Olympics are a remarkable bunch of athletes, and the Club are delighted to be the beneficiaries of this year’s Community Challenge. There is a thriving club within the town with bowlers and swimmers meeting every week and the Club are looking forward to resuming on the Astro pitch at Roscommon Community Sports Park shortly. Roscommon Special Olympics are incredibly grateful to the Community Sports Park, for the use of their facilities throughout the year. This event is especially important to the Club and proceeds will enable the continued provision of sports to a most wonderful bunch of fantastic athletes. The second charity is Roscommon Community Sports Park (RCSP), This is a wonderful facility and a great example of true community spirit. The building is a busy spot and is used by a variety of community groups.
Without doubt, none of this would be possible without the encouragement and professionalism received from Roscommon Sports Partnership and organisers are extremely grateful to Co-Ordinator Noel Feeley and his staff David Brady, Atila Tavares and Martin Hannon for all their support.
Extending a word of thanks to all who help with the running of the event on the night, Organiser Jacqueline McCormack is currently recruiting volunteers to help out on the night and as usual businesses are offered an opportunity to promote their business with an attractive sponsorship option. For further details on both please contact Jacqueline McCormack 0861721181
Jacqueline is looking forward to March 1st and is encouraging everyone to sign up and she states that as you register, please know that your contribution is helping to bring joy and happiness to athletes that so deserve the opportunities that Special Olympics brings into their lives.
Registration for the event can be done online via Eventbrite. The link to register can be found on the Roscommon Community Challenge and Roscommon Sports Partnership Facebook pages and on www.rosactive.org. Check out our Social Media sites Roscommon Community Challenge 2024 for further information.
Christmas Lights
We hope to invest in new lights for Christmas 2024 and your contributions will be of immense help. Donations towards the lights can still be left with Joe & Martina O Brien or to Mags Hair Salon.
Social Dancing & Community Gathering
1st Social Dancing event in the ’98 Hall, Ballinamuck (N39 Y7C1) on Sunday the 28th January 2024 from 5 pm – 7 pm, and it will be continuing on the last Sunday of every month thereafter.
€5 admission charge, light refreshments served & free raffle!
A great opportunity for a dance and a catch-up – everyone welcome!
For more info contact Aisling 086 3663901
Searching your Family Tree
If Covid did anything it afforded us time to explore family connections and our heritage family tree and many have begun their search in tracing their roots. Speaking for personal experience and stories of others your own search can bring you so far and then your search become a blur, like searching in a maze.
The Killian Homeplace Family & Genealogy Centre in Fermoyle has afforded us another option in the search and for many it has become a lifeline for so many people seeking to trace or continue the search into their family roots.
The research team are excellent in researching where even the flimsiest family comment will lead the team to astonishing family tree connections.
If you are interested searching your family tree, then the Killian Homeplace should be your first point of contact.
If you want to trace your family tree and avail of their services, you should contact the centre on their website
Oskars USB
The recently successful Rathcline Night at the Oskars is now available on USB where those that did not get to the night or for the cast and family members who want to remember the magnificent night in the Longford Arms. The USB in a special presentation box is available in O’Brien’s costing just s costing just €20.
Tidy Town’s Lotto stands at €15,000
The Lanesboro Tidy Towns Lottery for Tuesday 16th January stands at a very exciting €15,000 and never would it be more welcome than on the weeks after Christmas and help defray the costs of Christmas time. This is a wonderful opportunity to win the €15,000 for just €2 or 3 envelopes for €5.
The draw took place in O’Brien’s Shop and the numbers drawn on Tuesday 9th January for the jackpot of €15.000 were 7, 11, 20, and 28. There was no winner of the jackpot. The €50 prize was won by Pat Connerton c/o XLNTEE, and the 3 x €20 prizes went to Jenny and Faye Rooney, Carrowroe, Celine Hester c/o Mags and Mary Casey, Rathcline road.
The next draw will take place on Tuesday morning 16th January and every Tuesday morning in O’Brien’s Shop.
Your tremendous is ensuring that Lanesboro continues to look beautiful even during the winter months. Thank you very much for all your support and the committee extends the very best of warm wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2024.
Rathcline Operation Transformation
Rathcline GAA hosts Operation Transformation every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 730 pm to 830pm, for the next 5 weeks on the Walkway at Clonbonny.
Help our club to walk 4,000 kms in five weeks. Each evening, walk as long or as short a distance as you wish and enjoy a chat/ cup of tea after your walk. The theme for this year is “Walk and Talk with Rathcline GAA’”. You can track your kms walked using MyLife App, details for using the App are available on the Rathcline GAA Facebook page.
Graceful Baby Massage
Grace, who has qualifications in Baby Massage, and she is a General Nurse and has a Higher Diploma in Midwifery, is offering a five week course in the new Lanesboro Parish Hub – Presbytery, adjacent to the church, beginning on this Wednesday 17th January. For more information and to book a place for yourself and your baby, text/WhatsApp Grace on 089 2383697
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.
Short Breaks Scheme
Would you be interested in providing home from home short breaks for children and adults who have an intellectual disability? Brothers of Charity Services Ireland, Homeshare Roscommon are recruiting host carers. Training and support will be provided. There will be a tax-exempt allowance paid. For further information email Homeshareroscommon@gmail.com or phone Catherine 09066 28500 or 087 2126607.
Access for All boat
The Access for All boat is for everybody. The boat can cater for three large wheelchairs, but you don’t have to be a wheelchair user to avail of the excellent trips. 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.
Rathcline 50/50
On Wednesday 8th January the Rathcline GAA 50/50 weekly draw took place in The Yacht Bar. The winning envelope drawn out was in the name Grace & Michael, Newtown, Whitehall, Co. Roscommon. The jackpot for the draw on Monday night stood at an excellent €602.
As always, the winning cheques 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, and your support is highlighted by the large pools every week.
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.
The Employability Service
is an Employment and Recruitment Service to assist people with a disability or health issue to pursue and maintain employment in the open labour market. If you are over 18, have a disability or health issue and would consider working part-time then you should contact Employment Services Roscommon support to help find you a job in your area. This is a confidential and free individualised service funded by the Department of Social Protection.
Are you managing mental health issues? There is the opportunity for Individual Placement and Support (IPS) that is funded by the HSE and offers a range of tailored personalised supports to people using mental health services who wish to work. For further information you should phone 090 66 28608 or call/text 087 3745307. They can also be contacted via email at info@rosemp.ie
Line Dancing
Line Dancing classes take place every Friday morning 11am at the Quad Centre Roscommon Town.
Line Dancing classes every Sunday at the Quad Centre Roscommon Town for beginners from 6pm to 7pm and Improvers from 7pm to 8pm
Dance classes takes place in Kilbride, Four Mile House every Tuesday 7pm followed by:
Jive & Waltz classes 8 45pm.
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 continued tremendous support.
ALONE
ALONE is a national organisation that enables older people to age at home.
Our work is for all older people and aims to improve physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. We have a national network of staff and volunteers who provide an integrated system of Support Coordination, Practical Supports, Befriending, a variety of Phone Services, Social Prescribing, Housing with Support and Assistive Technology.
We use individualised support plans, to address health, financial benefits and supports, social care, housing, transport and other arising needs using technology and through harnessing other services.
We work to empower the whole sector of community support for older people through our Community Impact Network that provides Training, IT support and resources to other organisations.
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. 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.
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 Lanesboro
Masses: Monday to Thursday Mass takes place at 10am each morning; Friday Mass takes place at 7pm and vigil mass on Saturday at 6.30pm and Sunday mass at 11am.
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 Mairead 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.
Edel and the Choir: Each year Edel Loftus and her choir enhance the Christmas ceremonies with their wonderful music and song. Each year donations are made by the community and on behalf of herself and the choir she would like to thank everyone for their generous donations. This year the donations are going to UNICEF. If you would still like to make a donation you can do so by putting your donation into an envelope and leave it into the offertory collection box.
Alcoholic Anonymous Meetings Relatives and friends of those addicted to alcohol are welcome to attend this meeting in the Family Centre at the back of St. Mel’s Cathedral on any Tuesday evenings at 7pm
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 interested, 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@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.
Kilgefin Parish Notes
Contact: Fr Daniel can be contacted at 089 270 6060
Eucharistic Adoration: There will always be one hour of Eucharistic Adoration before the Blessed sacrament from 10.30 to 11.30am. every Friday in Ballyleague Church and in Curraghroe Church from 8pm until 9pm. You are invited to go along and spend a quiet time of prayer with God.
Ballyleague hall/Bingo committee: The Ballyleague hall/Bingo committee will hold its AGM on Wednesday 31st January at 8pm in Ballyleague Hall. All are welcome.
Ballagh Clothing Collection: Ballagh National School is holding a clothing collection on Thursday 25th January. All funds raised will go directly to the school. If you have any unwanted clothing, footwear, belts, handbags, hats, linens and household textiles you are asked to put them in a bag and bring them to the school in the days prior to the collection. Bags may also be left outside the school on the morning of the collection before 9.30am. All donations will be gratefully received.
Participation Leaflets: At the rear of the church are participation leaflets. All parishioners are encouraged once again to actively participate in the growth, welfare and upkeep of our church in whatever capacity that suits your schedule. Please kindly express your interest in any area of your choice and return same to the box located at the rear of the church. Thank you to those that have already returned their forms. These forms will be removed at the end of January.
Thank you: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul would like to thank everyone who supported last weekend’s church hate collection in Ballyleague. The total collected was €513.47.
Tap Machine in the Porch: All parishioners and friends are advised that there is a tap facility available in the church porch in Ballyleague church. Your generous donations goes towards the welfare and maintenance of the parish.