Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Cloontuskert Cemetery
Cloontuskert Cemetery Committee was delighted on Saturday evening last to receive a cheque for €4,550 from Mary Kenny and her family. Mary and the Kenny family recently held a fundraiser in memory of the late Henry snr. And their donation made a wonderful donation make it possible to complete the refurbishment of the altar. See attachments.
This committee is extremely grateful to everyone who supported the fundraiser and made this generous donation possible.
A new glass enclosure was purchased as a surround of the new altar and it will permanently remain as a fitting testimony to the generosity of the community and a fitting tribute to Henry Kenny’s memory.
The committee extends their heartfelt gratitude to everyone for all your continued support of the committee in its developments and helping them to bring their projects to fruition.
The new Altar and enclosure was blessed on Sunday evening last during the celebration of Cemetery Sunday and the blessing of the graves.
Death
The sad news of the death at Roscommon Hospice on Monday 4th August of Mary Teresa Mulvihill, Rathcline came as a shock to us all. May as she was more commonly known was formerly from Kilteevan. She was predeceased by her parents Elizabeth and Patrick, her brothers Martin, Joe and Eddie, her sisters Eileen, Annie May, Delia, Una, Lilly and Ann. Born in 1931, May came from a family of 12 children and she immigrated to England at the age of 16 years. She met her future husband Joe at a dance in Strokestown and for 67 years they lived happily together 28years in England and the remaining 39years back in Ireland and almost all that time in Rathcline. May was a lovely lady and her warm and welcoming greeting as well as her beaming smile endeared her to everyone that she met. She was quietly spoken, knid and caring nature and May had a very ladylike manner. May loved to walk, chat and play cards and she was an excellent neighbour and friend to so many. She was a lady that loved to travel with America and Australia being particular favourites for her. Mays passing will leave a great sadness in our hearts but the memory of her smiling face and warm greeting will always mean she will be fondly remembered.
Her remains reposed in Farrell’s Funeral Home on Thursday and were removed to St. Mary’s Church on Friday for the Mass of the Resurrection. Following Mass May was laid to rest in Strokestown Cemetery. To her husband Joe, her daughters Elaine and Annette, her son Paul, brothers John and Matty, grandchildren Tom, Fergus, Olivia, Grace, Louie, Daisy, Alice and Billy, great granddaughter Mia, and her extended family and friends we express our deepest sympathy.
Birth
Many congratulations to Brian and Noelle Scally, Gallagh, on the recent birth of a baby girl.
Poetic Perception
Arriving on the shop counter last week came a new book of poetry from a young man who was publishing his first book of poetry. Coming from the intellectual and literary Magan family from Killashee this first book of poetry Songs of the Sesh – Poems to be made music by Dan Magan brings to life the life experiences and tribulations of a young man just breaking through the 30 year age. Dan, a vibrant young man spent some time in preparing this book and it is a fabulous achievement for one so young. It is unique to have this young generation delving into poetry and perhaps it is a book that his contemporaries should explore into and experience the craft of Dan’s writing. Going deep into his mind and thoughts Dan creates a wonderful book that will be very much worth reading and interpreting. It just goes to show that the literary brilliance does not veer too far off the path and a new generation of the Magan family takes the candle and carries it forward. We wish Dan every success with his book and look forward to much more to come from him. Dan’s Songs of the Sesh – Poems to be made music is on sale in O’Brien’s costing just €10.
Death
A man that came to Lanesboro to visit has quite happy to return to live in the community of his wife where he would go on to leave an indelible mark within our community. The passing of Philip McGarry, Gardentown, at Roscommon Hospice on Tuesday 5th August following a relatively short illness and less than a year following the death of his wife Marie brought a great amount of sadness to the area. He was predeceased by his wife Marie, his parents Maurice and Bella and his brothers Maurice and Samuel. Philip, a born and reared Dubliner from what was then the outskirts of the city, Drimnagh, began his working career with the maritime company, Irish Lights, where he received his engineering qualifications and rising to the position of chief engineer which took him on boats all over the world from a very young age. Philip met and married in 1976 local Lanesboro girl Marie Greene, them a hairdresser in Dublin, and shortly afterwards they set up their forever home on the banks of the Shannon in Gardentown. Philip opened his engineering business on the site of the old bakery on Main Street before moving to his industrial workshop in Barnacor. He was a technical genius with an inquisitive mind and the more intricate the job the more he liked it with every job being correct to the minute detail and the admiration he garnished for himself nationally and internationally was immense. He had a great love of projects and challenges and his work in identifying all the very old graves with barely legible headstones in St. John’s cemetery was no mean task but it became a labour of love for him and a remarkable achievement. He did tremendous work in and around St. John’s Church and with its congregation. Philip was a very learned man, a great conversationalist with a wealth of knowledge and as his sea life taught him he had a great sense of adventure. He was an ardent Dublin GAA fan and a Leinster rugby fan and flying the flags of both he did with great pride and delight. He loved gadgets and he embraced all the new technology and what it brought in new challenges. While very proud of his root he was equally proud of his new community of Lanesboro and Ballyleague. In his leisure time Philip was a man that loved to take a pint so that he could engage people in conversation and more often than not he would be with his cohorts engaging in deep conversations in history, sport and the righting of the world’s ills. He was a great character, a great friend, wonderful company and if you were not alert he would let the joke be on you with his renowned Dublin wit. Philip’s impish smile, hearty laugh, intelligence and sincerity leaves us with a memory that we are never likely to forget. The passing of Philip and his wife Marie within such a short time leaves us bereft as a community of two wonderful personalities.
Philip reposed in Smyth’s Funeral Home Roscommon on Thursday last before being removed to St. John’s Church, Lanesboro. Burial took place in Clonbonny Cemetery following his Funeral Service. To his son Darren, his daughter Tanya, his grandchildren Conor, Naoise, Sionna and Fodhla extended family, relatives and friends we extend our deepest sympathy.
Birth
Congratulations to Lee and Shannon Connell, Shannon Grove on the birth last week of a baby girl.
Guided tours on Land and Water
Tourism is a growing business countrywide and with the great summer we are having the town is presently doing a great tourist trade. Lanesboro has been doing much better this year than for many a long year. Be it the foreign tourists on their boating trips along the Shannon or those on day trips to the Shannon there have been great vibes in and around the area making the town quite busy. Honestly, there is no place better to be on the warm dry summers we are having than in Lanesboro and Ballyleague and enjoying all the beauty it has to offer.
A new and exciting venture has just been launched in the community and it offers just another tourism opportunity and an added attraction to the town. Many a time I have written about the great entrepreneurial spirit of our local people and the great ideas they have for the town and this new business will add greatly to what is available and it will also compliment the great work being done by Access for All.
We wish John Sorohan the very best of luck with his undertaking and we look forward to many people availing of John’s business.
Some exciting guided tours are now being offered to anyone that would like to explore Lanesboro.
The first is a ‘Town Walk’ where you will discover Lanesboro through time, including its industrial heritage. The duration of this tour is 45 minutes and there is a capacity from 2 to 10 persons.
The second walk is the ‘Commons Woodland Walk’ where there is a 2km or 4km option through our semi-native woodland with a local guide. The duration of this walk is 1 hour and it can cater for 2 to 10 people.
The third tour is the ‘Electric Boat trip’ that will be a short cruise north or south of the bridge, getting close to nature on the silent electric boat. This tour can accommodate 2 to 6 people and it will last for 1 hour.
Bookings can be made by phoning 085 838 8484.
New bus Stops and Timetable
The outstanding success of the daily number 426 Rural Link bus between Longford and Roscommon and vice versa has seen a new timetable being produced with additional stops being added on to the route. The bus will now commence at the railway station in Longford and stops from now on will be Specsavers, main St., Longford, Aldi on the Lanesboro Road, Mastertech just past the railway bridge, Megabowl on the Lanesboro Road, Ballymacormick Crossroads, Killashee at the soccer pitch, Clonfower Crossroads, Curraghrua estate in Lanesboro, Lanesboro, outside Ciaran Mullooly MEP office in Ballyleague, Ballyleague hall, Cloonadra, Moneen Cross, Beechwood crossroads, Emoe Crossroads and the Mart Road, Roscommon. The bus from Monday to Saturday will pass through Lanesboro up to 17 times a week with a slight change on a Saturday so you will have to familiarise yourself with the new timetable. Sunday will see the 426 go through Lanesboro 8 times and again the new timetable must be checked.
The new timetable is available, free of charge, from O’Brien’s Corner Shop and there should be a copy in everyone’s house.
Birth
Congratulations to Emma Brennan and her husband Raymond McCormack, Blenavoher on the birth last week of a baby girl.
Ballyboro celebrate 25 years
It is amazing how quick time flies and it is very hard to believe that is almost 25 year since the formation of Ballyboro FC. The club in its 25 years has continued to go from strength to strength and it has provided so much activity for so many boys and girls. The club will celebrate its Silver Jubilee on Sunday week 24th August from 12noon until 3pm. There will be a series of 5-a-side games, barbeque, bouncy castle and fun games for kids all at the clubs Astro pitch. Go along and join in the fun and activities of the day.
Weekly Card Game
The results of Sunday night 10th August weekly card games held in Lanesboro Parish Hall are: 1st Jack Bannon and Tom Skelly, 2nd Tom Rock and Tommy Fox. The last game winners were Anne Corcoran and Kay Featherstone. The raffle winners were Kevin McDonagh, Barney Kenny, Liz Hughes and Mary Gregg. New card players will always be welcome to join in for a great night of card playing and comradery. Light refreshments as always are served.
€15,000 can be yours
The Lanesboro Tidy Towns lottery draw takes place every Tuesday morning. For the past number of months the jackpot has reached it upper limit of €15,000 and with nobody having the correct numbers it continues to be available for the person that will have the correct numbers. The draw for this week will take place tomorrow, Tuesday 12th August, for the wonderful prize of €15,000. If the draw is not won don’t miss your opportunity to get hold of the full €15,000 or share in the money.
Last week the draw took placed in O’Brien’s on Tuesday 5th August and there was no winner of the draw and the €15,000 remains to be won at the next draw on 12th August. The numbers drawn were 12, 15, 24 and 25. The winner of the €50 prize was P.J. Toher, Longford Road, c/o The Yacht Bar, and the three €20 prizes went to Bernie McKenna, Barnacor, Marty Burns Roscommon c/o The Yacht Bar and Mary Tiernan, Longford Town. The next draw takes place in O’Brien’s for the €15,000 on this Tuesday 12th August. The brown envelopes cost €2 each or you can buy 3 envelopes for just €5.
We would like to encourage everyone in the community to join in the playing of this very vital weekly draw. Tickets are on sale throughout the town.
Death
A sudden death is so distressing and traumatic and it was with great sadness we learned of the sudden death of Terence Pio Hickey, Moher, Ballyleague at his residence on the morning of Monday 28th July. Terry as he was most commonly known along with his young family moved to Ballyleague a short number of years ago. He was a noted craftsman as a stonemason where his service was always in big demand due to his incredible and detailed work. Terry, a born Dubliner was what could be described as a lovely and gentle character and as a gaeilgeoir who had a great love of the Irish language. He was noted as an excellent musician and singer. .He was very skilful at playing the Bouzouki, his instrument of choice, and he featured regularly at the famous Wednesday night music sessions in Clarke’s. Terry’s passing leaves an enormous sadness with everyone that knew him – with him goes so many talents that won the hearts of so many people. The loss of talented people from within our community such as Terry leaves us a much poorer community.
Terry reposed at his home in Moher on Thursday 31st July and on Friday 1st August his remains was removed to Esker Cemetery, Lucan for his burial service.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Audrey, their daughters Meabh and Sinéad, his sisters Helen and Niamh, brothers Stephen and Shaun, his extended family, neighbours and friends.
Defibrillator Group in Ballyleague
Maciek Koczur is a Supervisor Paramedic at Roscommon Ambulance Station with 20 years’ experience in the Emergency Services. Maciek’s phone number is 085 1581419.
Along with his family he moved to Ballyleague just over four years ago where he has become a very popular figure and valuable member of the community. He is now setting up a defibrillator group for Ballyleague. The goal is to develop it into a Cardiac First Responder (CFR) Group to provide fast help during cardiac emergencies in the village.
Maciek is looking for a few people who might be interested in joining a committee to help making the project work.
He is anxious to hear from anyone interested and he would also like that everyone that reads this would share it on their Social media platforms.
Former resident passes away
On Thursday last 7th August we learned of the death of Lawrence Donlon, Rhode, Co. Offaly. Larry as he was more com monly known was a native of Thureen and he was predeceased by his daughter Jacqueline, parents Katie and Thomas, brother Tommy and sisters Olive and Margaret. Larry as a young lad immigrated to England where he became very skilled as a scaffolder. After some time there he returned to Ireland and got a job working with ESB and along with his wife Anne they set up their family home in Rhode, Co. Offaly. Larry was a warm and very friendly man and on his visits back home he enjoyed nothing more than rambling to neighbours of old houses for the obligatory catch up chat. His warm and friendly personality endeared him to everyone that knew him and the attendance at the reposing of his remains on Friday at Larkin’s Funeral Home and again at his Funeral Mass in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Castlejordan on Saturday bore ample testimony to the regard and affection in which Larry was held.
We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Anne, his children, Mark, Owen, Sandra, Dean, Alan and Lorna, his sisters Mary, Geraldine and Pauline, his brothers P.J., Mattie, relatives and friends.
Football Championships
Rathcline continued with their third round game of the championship on Saturday evening last in Dunbeggan and once again they produced a winning performance with their win over Drumlish. This win assures them of a place in the quarter final of the championship with two further games to go. Both games are still very important as they will determine their finishing place in the group and who they will play from group B. Next up they will play Longford Slashers on Sunday next in Michael Moran Park at 2pm. We wish the team management the best of luck and hope that they continue their winning streak.
St. Faithleach’s are currently preparing for their next outing that will take place on Sunday next 17th August when they will travel to Knockcroghery for what will be another big challenge for the team. There is no doubt that the first round victory the team will spur them on for their game against St. Dominick’s. A victory here will insure St. Faithleachs will qualify for the quarter final. We wish the team and management the very best of luck.
Rathcline Ladies opened their Junior Championship campaign with a victory over Clonguish in Clonbonny on Sunday last. Their championship campaign will continue in two weeks’ time when they take on Sean Connolly’s on Sunday 24th August.
Win €1,000
The St. Faithleach’s club are once again hosting their annual club fundraiser ‘Where will the MOOPOOP’ on Saturday 30th August at the club grounds in Ballyleague.. Each year this has been a tremendous fundraiser and the club is again hoping to maximise their sales in an effort to help further developments and promotes games. Everyone in the community is encouraged to be very supportive of the initiative. Tickets cost €10 each or 3 for €20. You can buy your tickets to win €1,000 online at www.stfaithleachsgaa.ie or from members of the club.
Shannonside Community to pay tribute to Archaeologist and World Renowned Excavator
Plans are at an advanced stage to honour the contribution of a little known Lanesborough priest who travelled from his community to Rome in the 1800s and went on to become one of the best acknowledged archaeologists in this holy city.
Fr Joseph Mullooly was born in Lanesborough, County Longford, the son of Gilbert Mullooly, a farmer and his wife Brigid. In 1840 along with a testimonial letter, signed by his parish priest, Joseph left Ireland for Italy. A year later, on 7th September 1841 Joseph took the Dominican Habit at La Quercia, taking his first vows in September 1842. Sometime after becoming a priest he was sent to San Clemente, Rome and in 1850 was appointed Superior of San Clemente.
In the late summer and autumn of 1857 Fr Mullooly made the first discoveries that led to the series of excavations, under the church, for which he was responsible over the next 12 years. When the papal commission ceased excavations, Fr Mullooly decided to continue them alone, raising the necessary funds himself and discovering the fresco of Pope Clement I. Fr Mullooly died in June 1880 and in 1912 his remains were removed from the Campo Verano cemetery and now rest in a vault in front of the altar in the excavated church.
Fr Mullooly subsequently went on to carry out excavations at the world renowned St Clemente Basilica in the heart of Rome, 5 minutes from the Coliseum and plans are now at an advanced stage for the European Parliament and the Irish State to recognise his contribution in a special ceremony on Friday 12th September. Before that date it is understood that a special event will take place in Lanesborough on 17th August when Fr Paul Lawlor OP of the Dominicans will visit from Rome and present a special historical guide to the significant achievements of Fr. Mullooly during his term in Rome. An event will take place to mark the occasion at 3pm in St Mary’s Church on Sunday next 17thh August, this is an open public event and all are welcome. For further details on the event in Rome please contact ciaran.mullooly@europarl.europa.eu
Job Training Opportunities
An Open Day at the National Construction Training Campus at Mount Lucas will offer accredited training opportunities, apprenticeships and hands-on simulators for heavy plant machinery for those interested in pursuing a career in any of the trades in the construction industry. This is an ideal opportunity for everyone with even the slightest interest to have a look at what is on offer at Mount Lucas.
A free bus will leave Lanesboro at 9.30am and there will also be a light lunch included for those travelling.
You will be offered short Accredited Courses, Longer Apprenticeships, Simulators for Machine and Crane Operations and an Upskilling Option for those Employed or unemployed.
Booking is essential and you should reserve your spot today. To do so you should text your name to Sean Mimnagh 086 1687630 and reference Mount Lucas in your text or you can email Margaret Mulligan at mmulligan@longfordcoco.ie
Lanesboro Library
Summer Stars
There is still time to register for the Summer Stars Reading Challenge. Visit the library to join and be in with the chance to win lots of wonderful prizes before the Summer ends!
Extended Opening Hours
Lanesboro Library is delighted to announce their new opening hours!
Monday: 10-6, Tuesday: 10-6, Wednesday: 10-6, Thursday: 10-6, Friday: 10-5, Saturday: 10-2
The library will close weekdays from 1-2pm for lunch.
Digital Library Offering
Your Library Card can get you further than you realise, make the most of it!
The library has many online offerings that are free with your library card: Borrowbox – Ebooks, Audiobooks, Magazines and Newspapers, Press Reader – International and Local Newspapers and Magazines. Lote4Kids – Children’s Bedtime Stories in over 90 languages, Transparent Languages – Learn a language for free, there are 120 courses to choose from.
Universal Class – Online Learning Courses which will help you up skill professionally, Freegal Music – Stream Music Ad-Free.
Thank You
We would like to thank all the children that have participated in our Summer Stars events so far. We hope you have enjoyed them as much as we have!
To keep an eye on upcoming events, you can visit the library or online on longfordlibrary.ie and searching for library events. All Enquiries: lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Visit Corlea
As we are deep into the holiday season and visitors arriving on our doorstep there is one jewel in particular in our crown that should be availed of and that is the true wonder: the Corlea Iron Age Roadway and Visitor Centre. Built in 148 BC, this remarkable Togher—Europe’s largest discovered—was part of a significant route way, possibly connecting the ritual centre of Uisneach to the royal site of Rathcroghan. Crafted from solid oak planks, peat quickly swallowed the Trackway, perfectly preserving it for over 2,000 years.
Step inside the visitor centre to see an 18-metre stretch of this ancient road up close! Discover our ancestors’ stories, mysteries, and incredible craftsmanship.
Right on our doorstep the fabulous Iron Age Trackway situated in Corlea just 13km (7m) from Lanesboro is beginning to gain its rightful acknowledgement as a wonderful and unique place to visit. This very unique Trackway has an 18m long section of original Trackway the largest ever discovered in Europe and it is on display at the Visitor Centre. You learn how people lived at the time and murals depict implements of the time.
This is one of Ireland’s most famous hidden treasures and it is a place that should be visited hugely and it is first place to start with your visitors to this wonderful experience.
Visiting the centre is free of charge and the excellent and knowledgeable local facilitators will bring you though the experience and leave you in awe with the history of the Trackway. The knowledge and time given by the local guides at the centre is an experience in itself.
Kids Photography Competition
A new and exciting kids photography competition is currently in play encouraging children between the ages of 6 and 13 to ‘Explore Longford’ and submit one high quality photograph of a scene, attraction, town or village in the county Longford. The completion will run until Saturday 30th August and it is strictly one photograph entry per child. Entries should be emailed to photocompetition@longfordcoco.ie
The 1st prize-winner will receive a Guided Electric Bike Tour for a family of 5 with Ethical Tours, Ballymahon (€225 value) 2nd prize-winner will receive a Supervised Kayaking Pass for 4 with Alan’s Yippee Kayaking on the Roal Canal (€100 value) and the 3rd prize-winner will receive a national Book Token.
With the excellent weather and light that we are currently having this is an ideal opportunity for all our budding photographers to get out and get great photographs of all the beauty that surrounds us.
Lyons Den After-School
Lyons Den After-School service at Ballyleague National School provides a well-balanced inclusive programme of activities for play, rest and recreational opportunities to support children’s health, well-being, learning and development. The service will run from Thursday 28th August 2025 to Friday 26th June 2026 from 2pm until 6.30pm. The service offers a Breakfast club, Arts and crafts, Sorts and games and hot food. For further information please call 01 621 5790 and applications can be made at applications@kidsinc.ie
Kilgefin Cemetery Sunday
The annual Cemetery Sunday with the Blessing of the Graves at Kilgefin cemetery will take place on Sunday week 24th August at 6pm.
Alzheimer Café
The Longford Alzheimer Cafe will hold their monthly Alzheimer Café on Wednesday 27th August at 7.00pm in their office on Earl Street, Longford, opposite Mollaghan’s Furniture Store. Guest speaker on the night is Jenna Mary Thomas, CNS in Dementia Care and her topic is ‘Responsive Behaviours ‘ The Café will then run on the last Wednesday of every month, with a different speaker and topic each month. The Alzheimer Café will provide a safe, warm and welcoming space for people with dementia, their family and friends, along with social and health care professionals to meet and exchange ideas and learnings. For Further information you can contact Eileen on 085 8724475 .The Alzheimer Society of Ireland National Helpline is open six days a week Monday to Friday 10am–5pm and Saturday 10am–4pm on 1800 341 341. and The Website is: www.alzheimer.ie
Great interest in the New York trip
There has been a wonderful response shown by so many people expressing their interested in taking advantage of the Roscommon trip to New York next March/April.
New York 2026 will welcome the Roscommon senior team travel to play New York GAA in the first round of the Connacht GAA Championship. Each year a Connacht team travels and it has become a huge social event for so many supporters and a golden opportunity for people to avail of group rates for a special trip to the Big Apple and next year it is Roscommon’s opportunity.
As part of the county trip, the St. Faithleachs GAA club is organising a trip to New York for the Roscommon/New York Connacht Championship game in Gaelic Park. The timing of the game is perfect as it will take place on the week ending Sunday, April 2nd (Easter Sunday). Flights would most likely be going out on the Thursday morning prior to the game and returning on the Monday night after. The club have received provisional prices for the trip from a travel agent and the prices are coming in at approximately €1400 per person sharing. Other prices for more than two in a room will also be available to those requiring same. The price will include flights, centrally located hotel and transfers from and to the airport. Match tickets are not included. Booking this special trip would involve paying a deposit directly to the travel agent and the remainder closer to the flight date.
The club is still looking for approximate number of people that are intending to go. If you are considering travelling or intend going you are asked to contact Jimmy Mangan on 086 8177915 or Michael Cleary on 087 2238293 with your name and the names of your intended travellers. More details will become available when the game date is confirmed.
Rathcline 50/50
The draw for the club 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last 4th August for a jackpot of €762. The winner of the draw was Daniel Cassidy who was the winner of the €762. As usual the winning cheque 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 as it is keeping the winning money at a high and exciting level every week – thank you.
Longford Dog Needs You
I have been asked to include this note in my notes again this week
Nora, owned by the Murphy’s, Ballinamuck, is the Longford representative in the national Petsitters Ireland Nose of Tralee Competition. The competition is decided by a public online vote. There are 32 pets in the competition, each one representing a county. Longford is a small county and Nora needs every vote she can get to bring the title home to Longford. Longford is a small and wonderful county in the Hidden Heartlands of Longford. We aren’t a Kingdom, an Orchard or a Banner, we aren’t Wee or Rebels and we aren’t going to win any Sam Maguire’s or Liam McCarthy’s this year, but we are strong and loyal, like Nora. Longford winning the National Nose of Tralee would mean so much to us all in county – to win the cutest, cuddliest competition in Ireland and wear our county colours with pride!
Nora should be the Nose of Tralee as she represents all that is wonderful about having a dog – companionship, comfort, fun, love. She is the dog we all deserve. Vote for Nora: www.noseoftralee.com Type Nora into the search bar, scroll down and click on the blue heart. You can vote once every 24 hours so vote often! The winner will be announced on the 19th August.
A Career in Nursing
Start your journey with Galway and Roscommon ETB’s Access Route to Nursing, in partnership with Atlantic Technological University. The course takes place at GRETB Castlerea Training Centre, Co. Roscommon – with expert educators supporting you every step of the way. Join others who’ve taken this path – and access nursing with GRETB today. Tel: 1800 140 242 or Email: guidance@gretb.ie
Pilgrimage to Lough Derg
The annual one-day pilgrimage to Lough Derg will take place on Sunday 24th August with a bus leaving Kenagh at 6.30am and picking up passengers en route to Lanesboro and Ballyleague arriving at 7am. All enquiries and bookings should be directed to Mary at 043 33 21969.
Join the local Fire Service
There is a great need for the numbers employed as local fire-fighters at Lanesboro Fire Station. If you work or live locally and feel you can be at the fire station with a short reaction time then come along and enrol for the training programme and assessment. The training is wide and varied and following the intensive training your qualification will be recognised as a medical responder where they can provide first aid until medical support arrives and the training enables you to be capable of making lifesaving interventions. Some can even go forward for training to be recognised as first responders. The training can be a springboard to many great things. Looking at the development of the local brigade staff over the years you see a remarkable comradery and their abilities continue outside of the fire station environment.
Living in the parishes of Rathcline and Kilgefin or the western side of Killashee you should be within the required time.
Lanesboro Fire Station is looking for a number people male and female to make applications to Longford County Council Fire Department. The stipulation is that you live or work within a quick response time from time alert from the fire station on the Longford Road means there are lots of younger and stronger young men and ladies well capable of doing this great community work. This is a wonderful opportunity for so many people living on both sides of the bridge and the hinterlands.
Full training will be given to all those that pass the interview and a warm welcome will be given to all the new recruits. The job of as a fire-fighter requires those applying to be adaptable and those selected will receive a good remuneration and as well will be part of a dedicated team of local fire-fighters.
To apply you should email hrrecruitment@longfordcoco.ie
Smart Recovery Ireland
You are invited to contact Darren O’Brien at 086 1715334for the nearest location as meetings are no longer held in Roscommon.
Notes inclusions
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 notes of the following week.
Access for All boat
Have you availed of the wonderful experience on our doorstep? The Access for All boat is for everybody and it takes you on a 90 minute trip out onto the lake as see its beauty and some of the islands on Lough Ree. The boat can cater for three large wheelchairs, but you don’t have to be a wheelchair user to avail of the excellent trips. Winter sailing times daily for the 90 minute trip are 11.00am and 1pm until the end of March. 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
Dementia Memory Club
The Roscommon Dementia Memory Club is designed for those that are living with dementia and their carer or friend or plus one! A café-like set up, followed by activities, storytelling, reminiscence, music, song and dance. The club offers a great opportunity for persons living with dementia & their carer to socialize and promote improved mental and physical wellbeing, and more importantly to have fun! You don’t have to dance, you can watch and enjoy and contribute in other ways! Come along and see for yourself at Roscommon Music Social Club, the Quad Youth Centre, Circular Road, Roscommon Town. F42 CH70 every Thursday 11:30 am to 1pm. Contact Irene on 087 108 0650 or email IreneTabb@westernalzheimers.ie
Brothers of Charity seeks support
Volunteers needed: Are you interested in supporting someone with an intellectual disability, to be part of the community in which they live? Volunteers provide a valuable contribution by connecting people to their local communities and enrich the lives of the people we support, by bringing friendship and fun in to their lives. Volunteers can do this by attending local social activities or sporting events together, going walking, swimming, or just sharing interests and chatting over a cup of coffee/tea. Volunteers will be supported in their role by the Volunteer Coordinator. If you are interested in volunteering in the Brothers of Charity Services in Roscommon please contact Edel Crehan on edel.crehan@bocsi.ie or 0874887314 for more details.
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 provided. Tax exempt Allowances paid. For further information email Homeshareroscommon@bocsi.ie or phone Catherine on 090 6628500 / 087 2126607.
Lanesboro Garda Station
Lanesboro Garda Station has just posted a notice telling of its opening times where the station will have a member of the force in attendance for the public. Lanesboro station will be open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9am to 11am. The station will be open at those times unless the local Garda is dealing with a situation that requires their attendance.
Local Health Service
Local Heath Service is available at Roscommon University Hospital. The service will deal with urgent and routine health problems. The Freephone phone number to ring is 1800 700700.
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.
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
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 on-going 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.
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.
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
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.
Jubilee Year Celebrations: You are all invited to visit three shrines in the diocese: St. Manchain’s Church, Boher, Ballycumber, Co. Offaly to celebrate the heritage of our faith; St. Mel’s Cathedral which reminds us of the hope which is the cornerstone of our lives; The Poor Clare Convent, Drumshambo, Co. Leitrim where the love of the Lord’s presence is ever near in the perpetual Adoration which is held there.
Lough Derg: The annual one-day pilgrimage to Lough Derg will take place on Sunday 24th August with a bus leaving Kenagh at 6.30am and picking up passengers en route to Lanesboro and Ballyleague arriving at 7am. All enquiries and bookings should be directed to Mary at 043 33 21969.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock: The annual Ardagh Clonmacnois Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday 7th September, The ceremonies commence with the Anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm followed by Pilgrimage Mass at 3pm.
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 September
Smart Recovery: Smart recovery is an evidence based addiction recovery group, where participants learn self-empowering techniques to aid their recovery by overcoming addictive behaviour. There is a meeting every Friday evening in Vita House in Roscommon Town from 7pm to 8.30pm. For information contact Conor at 086 1702919 or info@smartrecovery.ie
Kilgefin Parish Notes
Contact: Fr Daniel can be contacted at 089 270 6060
Kilgefin Cemetery Sunday: Cemetery Sunday with the Blessing of the Graves at Kilgefin cemetery will take place on Sunday 24th August at 6pm.
Certificate in Religious Education: Atlantic Technological University St. Angela’s, Sligo, is offering a part-time Certificate course in Religious Education for Primary School level with online delivery. Applications are invited for this programme commencing in Autumn 2025. The closing date for applications is Friday next 15th August. Further details can be obtained by contacting mary.kearns@atu.ie or on the www.atu.ie website.
Elphin and Achonry Diocesan Pilgrimage To Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday, 17th August 2025. There will also be a Family Day on the same date offering various activities for families with children of all ages. For more details visit https://www.knockshrine.ie/family-day-at-knock-shrine/
The Legion of Mary: The legion of Mary organising a day trip to Lough Derg on Saturday 6th September 2025. The bus will be leaving the Sacred Heart Church car park at 6.30 am. For bookings please contact Teresa 087 1206343 or Noreen on 086 3529916 (090 6625209).
Pilgrimage to Lourdes: The Elphin and Achonry Diocese Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from Friday 29th August to Wednesday 3rd September. Application forms for the Assisted Pilgrim Section are available from Fr. Ray Milton, P.P. Pilgrimage Director, St. John’s Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon (090 666 111 5). The closing date for receipt of Assisted Pilgrimage applications is 16th June. Nominations for the Youth section are being sought from parishes for young people between the ages of 17 to 20 years to participate in the pilgrimage. Youth must be nominated through their priest/Chaplin. Forms are still available from the local parish office. For all enquiries regarding the pilgrimage contact Joe Walsh Tours at 01 2410 800 or email info@joewalshtours.ie
St. Faithleach’s GAA
New York 2026:
St. Faithleachs GAA Club is organising a trip to New York for the Roscommon/New York Connacht Championship game in 2026 and todate there has been a great interest shown in the trip. The game will take place on the week ending Sunday, April 2nd (Easter Sunday). Flights would likely be on the Thursday morning prior to the game and returning on the Monday night after. We have provisional prices for the trip from a travel agent of approx. €1400 per person sharing. Other prices for more than two in a room will be available. The price will include flights, centrally located hotel and transfers from and to the airport. Match tickets are not included. Booking would involve paying a deposit directly to the travel agent early on and the remainder closer to the flight date.
At this stage, we are looking for approximate numbers of people who are likely to go. If interested, please contact either Jimmy Mangan on 0868177915 or Michael Cleary on 0872238293 with names of intended travellers. More details will be available when the game date is confirmed.
Cards: The weekly card game continues every Tuesday evening with the first deal at 8pm. New players always welcome. Refreshments will be served on the night.
Clubhouse If any members wish to use the clubhouse please contact Gerry Donlon or any committee member.
Senior Men
Our senior men will take on St. Dominic’s in Knockroghery on Sunday August 17th at 2pm. This is Round 2 of our 2025 Hodson Bay Senior Championship after our terrific start to the campaign, beating reigning champions, Padraig Pearses in Ballyleague. The very best of luck to the lads and their management. Please support. Tickets available at RoscommonGAA.ie
Junior Ladies
Our Junior Ladies got their 2025 Junior Championship underway on Sunday last against St. Mary’s in Tulsk. Unfortunately after a hard fought game, we just came up short. Hard luck ladies and thank you to all who came along to support. The championship resumes again in 2 weeks.
Moo Poo Fundraiser
Tickets are readily available for our annual MooPoo fundraiser. Tickets are €10 each and are available online or from any club members. Keep an eye out for us selling tickets in local shops too. Thank you for your support.