Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Lourdes Annual Collection
The annual Lourdes Assisted Pilgrims Fund Church Gate collection will take place on Saturday next 10th March at the 6.30pm Mass and again on Sunday 11th at the 11am Mass.
Down through the years your donations have been wonderful and we hope that you continue with your generous donation to this very worthy cause.
The annual Ardagh Clonmacnois Diocesan Pilgrimage, this year, takes place from Friday 31st May to Wednesday 5th June.
Ideal location for National Course
During this past week the Lanesboro Fire Station headquarters has been playing host to a National Fire Fighters course. This is the first course to be held here with another taking place in a month’s time.
Since the opening of the Fire Station Vinnie Mc Gowan has been telling me that it would be an ideal base for national courses. How right the has been seeing that the local Fire Station has proven to be an excellent location and facility and it envisaged that many more local and national courses will be taking place here in the future.
Local connections to Sigerson
On Wednesday last the quarter finals of the Sigerson Cup took place and the results means that two young men that have connections to the community will play for a place in the final on this Thursday night 8th February.
Cían Glennon son of Ronan and Claire (nee Murphy), Cloonadra has been a leading player for his college University of Limerick for the past two seasons. Cían is a leading player with his home club St. Faithleach’s and on Thursday next will line out for a place in the final when UL takes UCD.
In the other semi-final Maynooth University will take on University of Ulster and featuring on the Maynooth side is Luke Killian. Luke represents his club Sallins in Kildare is son of Sean and Annie Killian and grandson of Mary Jo Killian, Rathcline.
We wish the lads well in their semi-final and hope for a double victory that will tee up a Sigerson Cup final with strong local interest.
Lack of Gardaí
We have a wonderful community here on both sides of the bridge. However, events of the last week in the community have highlighted the urgent need for a local and active Garda force in our community.
May I say at the outset that the Lanesboro Garda Station must, and I emphasise must, serve both sides of the bridge in our community.
It is unbelievable to think that in a Division called Mayo, Roscommon, Longford Garda Division that any incident in Ballyleague has to go to Roscommon Garda Station. Senior management within the Gardaí has really lived up to the word division when separating both sides of our community within the one division by the width of the bridge. Making matters worse and leading to a greater delay is the fact that the Curraghroe area is now policed by Boyle 38Km away.
Getting back to Lanesboro Garda Station we have noticed that since Martina Reddington retired as sergeant in March of ’23 there has been no sergeant to replace her. In Garda statistics there are three Gardaí stationed in Lanesboro but the reality is that there is only one as two of the three are called to do their shift in Longford every day. So many people call to the Garda Station for requirements only to find that the front door is almost permanently closed.
It is incredible to think that we cannot be policed to the standard of other areas and have to wait for a response from Longford or Roscommon to be policed. It is very interesting to hear stories of other areas and to realise that we are always to ones being deprived of proper policing.
There is a fine Garda house connected to the barracks and it could be used to house either a serving Garda family or a couple of young single Gardaí while they are serving Lanesboro Garda barracks.
It is time that Garda management corrected this anomaly and that our one community on both side of the bridge is policed by a sergeant and a proper number of Gardaí, something that we really do deserve.
New Women’s Shed
The new Ballagh House Women’s Shed will hold a Women’s Shed meeting on this Wednesday night at 7pm in Ballagh House Community Hub.
Susie Spallin and Julia Goodwin from Strokestown Women’s Shed will be there to speak on their shed’s activities. Ladies from Ballagh, Curraghroe, Doughill, Ballyleague, Derrane, Kilteevan, Carniska, Four-Mile-House and surrounding areas are welcome gto go along and join in the conversations.
Hall AGM
The AGM of Lanesboro Parish Hall committee will take place on Tuesday 20th February at 6.30pm. The meeting will take place in the meeting room upstairs in the hall.
Roscommon Drama Festival
The annual Roscommon Drama Festival will take place at Roscommon Arts Centre from Friday 1st to Saturday 9th March. Tickets cost €15 per show, 5 night ticket €65 or season ticket for €95. Online bookings can be made at www.roscommonartscentre.ie
The first play on Friday 1st March will be Brian Friel’s, Dancing at Lughnasa by the Holycross/Ballycahill Drama Group. This will be followed on Saturday 2nd March Arthur Millers’s, The Crucible by the Dalkey Players, Sunday 3rd March Jez Butterworth’s , The Ferryman by Ballyduff Drama Group, Monday 4th March Bruce Graham’s The Outgoing Tide the Glenamaddy Players, Tuesday 5th March Patricia Burke Brogan’s , Eclipsed by the Ray Leonard Players, Wednesday 6th March George Orwell’s Animal Farm by the Phoenix Players, Thursday 7th March John Pielmeier’s Agnes of God by St. Patrick’s Drama Group, Friday 8th March Enda Walsh’s The New Electric Ballroom by the Newtownstewart Theatre Company and Saturday 9th March Bernard Farrell’s, I do not like Thee, Dr. Fell by Kilmuckridge Drama Group.
Longford County Fleadh
The Longford County Fleadh is being hosted this year by Granard Branch Comhaltas “John Dungan CCE” from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th of April in Cnoc Mhuire Granard Secondary School.
Entries are now been taken through the various Comhaltas Branches in the County.
ESB Community Support Fund
Longford County Council has written to all the PPN registered groups in Lanesboro about opportunity to apply for funding under the ESB Community Support fund. The closing date for application is Friday 9th February. Groups are encouraged to deliver small projects for community gain with support from this fund. For further information please contact Margaret Mulligan on 04333 4218 or mmulligan@longfordcoco.ie
Powerboat Certificate
The Irish Sailing National Powerboat Certificate, a 2-day course, equips you with the skills and knowledge to safely skipper a powerboat, ensuring the safety of both yourself and your crew on the water. Receiving your Powerboat Certificate is regarded as the ‘Driving Licence’ for Boats in Ireland.
There are a limited number of places remaining for the February courses! Secure your place for the Monday, February 19th and Tuesday, February 20th courses by reaching out to instructors Liam or Harry at 089 262 5505 or info@accessforallboattrips.com
Yoga for Beginners & Improvers
This is an introductory programme teaching foundation and basic poses while improving your breathing and relaxing your body and mind. Suitable for those seeking to improve their strength, flexibility, health, and general well-being. Location: Lisnamult Sports & Activity Hub. Starts: Wednesday 7th February from 10 – 11 am. Cost: €25.
Chair Yoga at Roscommon Library: In collaboration with Healthy Ireland at your Library and Roscommon Sports Partnership. This four-week programme is suitable for older adults with mobility and flexibility concerns and those who wish to engage in a more active lifestyle. Improve strength, mobility, and balance; Relieve stress with breath work and meditation; Connect socially, boost well-being and be a part of a community. Location: Roscommon Co. Library. Starts: Wednesday 7th of February from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Cost: €25. Register via Eventbrite on the link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/ e/806349401767?aff=oddtdtcreator or contact Elle-May at sportshub@rosactive.org / 090 6630 853 to book your place.
Roscommon Fleadh Entries
Fleadh Cheoil Ros Comáin 2024 will be held in Ail Finn /Elphin over the Easter Weekend, with the competitions being held on the Monday. Details of venues and other activities will be available to see in local paper advertisements at a later date. Entries should reach your local Comhaltas branch rúnaí/secretary not later than 15th February 2024. Updated entry forms will be available to download from Facebook page, comhaltas bhaile Ros Comáin, in the very near future. Entries may be sent to Peadar Brandon Cloverhill (090 66 25382) or to Bill Cunningham, 1 Cloonbrackna Avenue (086 3345 817). Late entries will not be accepted.
Killian Homeplace
The Charlie McGettigan interview with Joan Killian Gallagher of the Killian Homeplace and Genealogy Centre will take place this Wednesday night on Shannonside between 7 and 8pm. It will surely be worth a listen.
CHIME
Chime is a Free and confidential support service on all aspects of deafness and hearing loss in children and adults. First Thursday of each month, 10:30am – 1:00pm, HSE Primary care Centre, Golf Links Road, Roscommon. Information, resources, assistive technologies, entitlements, minor repairs, batteries & more. Email: dave.browne@chime.ie. Text: 086 816 8073 / Call: 091 564 871
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.
Oskars USB
The 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 costing just €20.
Tidy Town’s Lotto stands at €15,000
The Lanesboro Tidy Towns Lottery for Tuesday 6th February stands at a very exciting jackpot limit of €15,000. With the jackpot having reached its maximum 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 30th January for the jackpot of €15.000 were 4, 9, 16, and 27. There was no winner of the jackpot. The €50 prize was won by Tom Gill, Ballyglass and the three €20 prizes were won by Gerard Heneghan, Rathcline Road c/o The Yacht Bar, Dermot Glennon, 2 Lough Ree Drive, c/o The Yacht Bar and Geraldine c/o Mags.
The next draw will take place on Tuesday morning 6th February and every Tuesday morning in O’Brien’s Shop.
Thank you for your continued excellent support and we continue to try and make a difference for Lanesboro.
Weekly Card Game
The weekly card game takes place every Sunday night in St. Mary’s hall. The results of Sunday night last 5th February are 1st Pat Rock & Michael Finnan. 2nd place Peggy Moran & Noreen Gibbons. The last game winners were P.J. & Bridie Glennon. The raffle winners were Jim Horan, Kitty Feeney, Bridie Glennon and Anne Corcoran. The game takes place every Sunday night with light refreshments served.
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.
Thank You
The organisers of the collection for Mary’s Meals would like to thank everyone for their kind donation at the recent church gate collection that amounted to €364.
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 29th January the Rathcline GAA 50/50 weekly draw took place in The Yacht Bar. The winning envelope drawn out was in the name Faye Rooney. The jackpot for the draw on Monday night stood at an excellent €601.
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 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.
Lenten Talk: There will be a talk by Fr. Peter Burke in the church on Wednesday 21st February at 7.30pm. The talk will cover the word of God spoken to usin the scriptures during Lent. Everyone is invited to attend this inspiring event.
Thank You: The organisers of the collection for Mary’s Meals would like to thank everyone for their kind donation at the recent church gate collection that amounted to €364.
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 2nd February
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
Clergy Assembly 2024: For the rest of this week Fr. Dan will be attending the Clergy Assembly in Galway. For emergencies you can ring Fr Dan on his mobile number above.
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.
Station Masses: Station Masses will commence on Monday 19th February at the beginning of the Lenten season. The station masses remain very popular and supported in the parish. If there is anyone interested in holding a station mass in their own home they are asked to contact Fr Dan on the mobile number above.
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.
Volunteers: Do you have a couple of hours of spare hours a week? If so you are invited to join a snall friendly group of volunteers. The aim is o make the newcomers amongst us to feel welcome and comfortable. Contact Linda 087 164 8210 or email briangill46@gmail.com, Marie 086 067 4332, Liz 086 235 1926 or email mpratschke@gmail.com
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 donation goes towards the welfare and maintenance of the parish.