Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Entry forms are still available from Teresa Costello, Freda Connaughton or O’Brien’s Shop. If you wish to have your entry form emailed to you please phone Joe 086 2460840 or email him at joeaobrien@outlook.com. Completed forms should be returned to Teresa of Freda immediately.
We look forward to wonderful celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day with another spectacular parade on Sunday and we are full of anticipation and expectation as we await your wonderful creativity once again this year.
There will be a number of category winners; Best Club, Best Junior, Best Vintage, Best Business, Best Dressed Window, Most Original who will win a trophy and €50 and the Best Overall Float will receive €300 and a trophy.
Cake Sale on St. Patrick’s Day
Lanesboro community College Parents Association will hold a fundraising Cake Sale on St. Patrick’s Day in the parish hall from 1pm to 4pm. Your support will be greatly appreciated and tea and coffee will be served.
Death
Once again there was great shock and sadness within the community when we learned of the death at the Regional Hospital, Mullingar on Thursday 29th February of Peter Smyth, Main St.. Peter was a landmark in the town of Lanesboro and was widely known countrywide. He was predeceased by his parents Pat and Nellie and his brother John. Peter was renowned for his expertise as a diesel mechanic and it is said from many that worked with him was that all he had to hear was the engine turned on and he could immediately identify the problem. He served his time with local garage owner Paddy Kenny until he closed his business on Main Street. He then worked for about 20 years with Bord na Mona until his retirement. In his younger days he was a mighty footballer captaining the schoolboys’ team to a championship win. He was a keen boxer with the Lanesboro Boxing club. Peter was great outdoor man and fishing and shooting were his chosen sports. He would travel to Scotland for the grouse season and was always active locally during the shooting season. He had his own boat on the river and would always be out fishing no matter what the type of weather. When advice on fishing or shooting was required then it was to Peter you went due to his all-embracing knowledge. Peter was active for 25 years with Lanesboro Fire Brigade. Come evening time he like to relax with a game of cards or watching a good film and in particular westerns. Peter always had a dog by his side, very well trained and after many years he lost his pride and joy Misty only to be replaced by and equally excellent Miller. He was a great community man, excellent company, a great man for having a chat with, generous to a fault and there was nothing more important to him than his family. His loss will be sadly missed by everyone that knew him.
His remains reposed at Farrell’s Funeral Home on Sunday 3rd March. His remains were removed to St. Mary’s Church on Monday for his Funeral Mass that was followed by burial in Clonbonny Cemetery. We extend our deepest sympathy to his brothers Hughie and Patrick, his sisters Eithne and Caroline, his uncle Johnny nephews Ciaran, Rory (Australia) Francis and niece Elizabeth, relatives and many friends for their sad loss.
Please mind where you park
During the past week I got an email from a concerned parent with regard to parking on the footpath in Knock hence impeding the way for parents pushing buggies, people using wheelchairs or others using push along shopping trolley bags. This parent has two young children and as she is taking her children to the school bus or home, time and time again there are vehicles parked on the narrow footpath. Last week’s example was where a high Renault large van was parked on the footpath blocking the way and meaning that they had to go out onto the road. This was made all the more hazardous by the fact of the height of the van meaning that they could not see if any vehicle was coming before they went out on the road to pass.
As we all know the footpaths in Knock are quite narrow and the road is particularly busy at all times.
Could everyone ensure that outside of their houses that no cars or vans are allowed on the footpaths and if you see it happening to ask the driver to park off the footpath? Thank you
New Appointment
Kirby Group Engineering has grown greatly in the Power and Renewable sector as this year the company, this year, celebrates its 60th year. Local Thureen man Michael Murray was recently appointed to the role of Director of Power and renewables and Group Development. Within this sector Kirby’s have developed as very strong growth. We wish Michael every success in his new role.
Tractor Run
A young man with very strong local connections is the main instigator of a Charity Tractor Run in aid of Epilepsy Ireland that is taking place in the Fourmilehouse area on Sunday week 24th March. The Tractor Run costs €20 to enter and all other vehicles are welcome at the same €20 fee. Registration is at the Kilbride Community Centre from 11am and the Run will start at 1pm. For enquiries contact Gavin Moran 083 367 3017. Please be as supportive as you can for this charity that provides support, information and advice to people with epilepsy.
St. Patrick’s Day Draw
The St. Patrick’s Day committee is again holding a fundraising draw to raise funds to help defray the cost of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
Tickets are on sale in all local shops, from the Parade committee or in O’Brien’s and we urge you to fully support the draw.
Tickets are priced at 3 for €5 and the prizes are €100 for 5 lucky winners. The draw will take place in Clarke’s Bar on St. Patrick’s night.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Padraig Dooney and his family on the death on Tuesday 27th February of Padraig’s father Joe Dooney, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Seachtain na Gaeilge: Á Ceiliúradh í leabharlann an Longfoirt. Bhí Caint, Ceol agus Craic ann Déardaoin 14 Márta ag an loin 1.00 – 2.30.
Fáilte roimh dánta, amhráin agus ceol ón bpobal.
Tae agus ceapairí ar fáil ar an lá.
Daffodil Day 2024
This year Daffodil Day in support of the wonderful work of the Irish Cancer Society will take place on Friday 22nd March. You are asked to be generous in your support of this very deserving charity. Your contributions will go towards the research and development in cancer research. Seek out and please be generous.
Tidy Town’s Lotto stands at €15,000
The Lanesboro Tidy Towns Lottery for Tuesday 12th March 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 5th March for the jackpot of €15.000 were 4, 6, 11 and 16. There was no winner of the jackpot. The €50 prize was won by Bernie Hanley, Corrigeen c/o O’Brien’s and the three €20 prizes were won by M & E Hanley, Cashelbeg, c/o O’Brien’s, Seamus Reilly Ballyleague, and Martin Farrell c/o XLNTEE.
The next draw will take place on Tuesday morning 12th March 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.
Crochet for Children
Crochet classes for children are being held in Lanesborough Parish Hall on Friday evenings from 3pm to 5 pm and Saturday mornings from 10 30 am to 12 30pm. Enquiries to Virginia on 086 2036542.
Trócaire Lenten campaign
Trócaire’s Lenten Campaign this year, focuses on the country of Malawi. It is one of the least developed countries in the world. In the Machinga district, Malita and her family must make a one-hour trip up to five times a day to collect water. Please support Trócaire’s efforts to create access to clean, safe, and reliable water supplies by taking home a Trócaire box and endeavour to fill it during Lent.
Defibrillator
The new Defibrillator course will continue on this Thursday 14th March and anyone interested in doing the course or doing their refresher course should leave their names with Martina O’Brien, Corner Shop. Call in or phone 086 3858934 or 3321107.
The committee will be contacting everyone that has already given their names and phone numbers. The training will be done on three Thursday nights 14th, and 21st March.
Learn to play Guitar
Complete beginner guitar lessons are now available in the Lanesboro are. For booking and further details phone 087 7774203.
Oskars USB
Just a few left and there will be no more available. If you don’t have your USB yet call in and buy yours. The successful Rathcline Night at the Oskars is now a wonderful memory and this is your opportunity to get to watch it on a USB. If you did not get there on the night or want to relive the memory of the night this is your last chance to buy one of the remaining few. The USB in a special presentation box is available in O’Brien’s costing just costing just €20.
Weekly Card Game
All card players are asked to note that the 25 card game on St. Patrick’s night will start at 7.30pm one hour earlier than the usual Sunday night.
The weekly card game takes place every Sunday night in St. Mary’s hall. The results of Sunday night last 10th March are 1st Johnno & Joe. There was a three way tie for 2nd with Eugene & Barney, Brian & Frank and Mick Maguire & Tom Rooney. The last game winners were Kathleen & Annie. The raffle winners were Kay Featherstone, Tommy Fox, Geraldine Greene and Mary Gregg.
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.
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 Monday 4th March the Rathcline GAA 50/50 weekly draw took place in Clarke’s Bar. The winning envelope drawn out was in the name Mary Jo Killian, Rathcline. The jackpot for the draw on Monday night stood at an excellent €547.
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.
Shannon Gaels Minor Club
Registration for all players has to be done through the Foireann website, www.foireann.ie where you register and pay membership online. The day of a a registration night has gone. If anyone is having difficulty please contact club secretary Mark Kenny.
Sympathy – The club extends its deepest sympathy to the Smyth family, Main Street on the death of former minor club player Peter Smyth last week.
Since the turn of the year a number of local families have suffered bereavements and the club extends its deepest sympathy to each and every one of them.
The new season will kick off over the next few weeks for all our underage teams beginning with the U18 team I the first round of the U18 Developmental League when they travel to C&D Devine Park, Edgeworthstown to play Clonbroney/Wolfe Tones on Thursday 21st March with a 6.45pm throw in time.
Next out will be the U14 team that will travel to Fr. McGee Park, Aughnacliffe on Saturday 23rd March to play St. Colmcille’s at 5pm in the U14 Division 1 League.
The U12 panel will open their season in Clonbonny on Thursday 4th April where they will take on Killoe Óg in the U12 League.
The U16 league will open on Wednesday 10th April in Clonbonny where they will take on Killoe Óg at 7pm.
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.
Trócaire: A reminder to everyone that as we are nearing the end of Lent that you should be topping up your Trócaire boxes that this year will focus on the country of Malawi which is one of the least developed countries in the world.
Missionary Group from Bethlehem: A Missionary group from Bethlehem and the Holy Land will be visiting Killashee, Clondra and Newtowncashel churches on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th March and Lanesboro church the following Sunday (Psalm Sunday) to briefly talk about the Holy Land and sell religious articles, (crucifixes, Rosary Beads and Plaques) made out of olive wood in Bethlehem, to help support the poor Christian families. Any help you can give them will be greatly appreciated.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes: The Ardagh & Clonmacnois Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from Friday 31st May to Wednesday 5th June. The cost of the pilgrimage is €929 per person. Booking to be made with Joe Walsh Tours by phoning 01 2410800 or email: www.joewalshtours.ie
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 5th April
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.
Kilgefin Parish Notes
Contact: Fr Daniel can be contacted at 089 270 6060
Lenten retreat Day: As part of the spiritual preparation for the Paschal Mystery of Christ at Easter, all parishioners are invited to A Day Retreat and Confessions on Saturday 23rd March from 11am to 2pm. There will be recitation of the Holy Rosary, Adoration and Spiritual Talk by a guest speaker. Several priests will be available for your individual confessions. Come and be blessed.
Thank You: Ballyleague Parents Association would like to thank everyone who donated to their recent Cash for Clobber fundraiser.
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.
Stations of the Cross: During Lent the stations of the Cross will be at weekends 30 minutes before Mass for the convenience of all – Ballyleague Saturday’s 6.30 and Sunday’s at 10.30am. Ballagh – Saturday 7.30pm and Curraghroe – Sunday 9.30am.
Ballagh Church Updating: The files of the Readers and Eucharistic Ministers are being updated and all Readers and Eucharistic Workers are asked to forward their phone numbers and email addresses to 086 2626639 or kilgefinparish21@gmail.com
Medjugorje Youth Festival: The Diocese of Elphin invites young adults in the diocese aged between 18 and 35 on pilgrimage to Medjugorje this summer for the Youth Festival from 31st July to 7th August led by bishop Kevin. The cost per person sharing is €650. For more information and further details please go to the diocesan website www.elphindiocese.ie/madjugorje or contact the diocesan office 071-9150106 or youth@elphindiocese.ie
Cloontuskert NS: The school is holding a used clothing collection on Thursday 21st March. The funds generated will directly benefit the school. You are invited to participate by cleaning out your wardrobes and contributing any clothing, shoes, accessories and household textiles you no longer want. Bags can be dropped to the school any day leading up to the 21st.
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.