Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Death
Growing up in Ballyleague within a family of great standing and deeply ingrained in the community spirit it was only a matter of time that he would involve himself in the community as a resolute worker. Even though out of the limelight for a number of years the passing of Joe Donlon, Strokestown Road, at the Mayo University Hospital on Thursday 12th March still resonates greatly with everyone that knew him and appreciated the unstinting work he did within our community. Joe was born on the Strokestown Road and lived his life without straying from that road. He had a few local jobs including a driver for Tom McNally Garage on Main Street before getting a permanent job with Bord na Mona a manager of their store at the Mount Dillon works on the Longford Road. Joe’s warm, welcoming and generous personality saw him a very popular and highly regarded member of the workforce until his retirement. He had a great and deeply rooted community spirit and he was a highly active member of the Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union where he served as an excellent chairman, the Civil Defence took up another great portion of his time. Joe also involved himself deeply in Victims Support and was a Eucharistic Minister at Ballyleague church.
All life he had a great interest in Irish Country music and travelled far and wide supporting his favourite bands, he also had a keen interest in horse racing. Joe’s was a great conservationist and we all have great memories of long and great chats.
Joe’s remains reposed at Horkan’s Funeral Home on Monday and at his residence on Tuesday (St. Patrick’s Day) and he was removed to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague on Wednesday for his Funeral Mass. Following Mass his remains were cremated at a private cremation at Lakelands Crematorium.
Joe was predeceased by his parents Tim and Mary and his brother Timmy. To his wife Maureen, his sons Enda, Niall, Shane, his daughter Lorraine, his brother Gerry, his sisters Mary and Ann, relatives and many friends we extend our deepest sympathy.
Invite to Brainstorming Get Together
The Lough Ree FlowFest Festival weekend around the Gaelforce Great River Swim on Saturday 16th May is the first event of the year in our community
To put our thinking hats together we are hoping that there will a good number at a ‘Brainstorming Get Together’ in the parish hub, formerly the priest’s house, beside the church on Tuesday next 31st March at 7pm.. If you have ideas on the development of a festival you are asked to come along with all clubs in the community. There are many young and very capable people in our community, many people have come to live amongst us in recent times and they are all invited to come along and bring along what you have seen or been involved in other communities.
A community with greater enthusiasm is what we are becoming and your contributions will bring fresh ideas, an excitement and make our community a more exciting place to live and enjoy.
Thank You
The annual collection for the Lourdes Invalid Fund took place at all masses last weekend and once again your generosity was marvellous. The local organising committee would like to say a big thank you to all that contributed.
Irish Conversation Group
An enthusiastic group to encourage the speaking of Irish has begun in Lanesboro Library and will continue every Thursday from 5pm to 5.45pm. Everyone with an interest in speaking Irish are invited to attend and even those with an interest but have not the language, yet, are invited to attend.
Thank You
Your support for the Lourdes Pilgrimage Fund collection at all masses last weekend was very generous. The sum you contributed was a staggering €1175 and the local organising would like to extend their deepest appreciation to your generosity.
Hogan Cup comes to Mullingar
Last week I was highlighting the local involvement in the Hogan Cup Final within the Coláiste Mhuire Mullingar panel and management. On St. Patrick’s Day the school make history by beating Tralee CBS by just 1 point on a scoreline of 3-11 to 1-16 in an enthralling final. Not only were their great jubilations in Mullingar but also in Ballyleague and Lanesboro. Brian Murtagh embellished his credentials as a manager where along with his co- managers of Dean McNicholas and Matthew Kearney they made all the right moves to ensure victory. Rory O’Brien, playing midfield, brought back memories and pride to the Mahoraveen O’Brien family, where the late Jack O’Brien was Rory’s grandfather and his grandaunt is Josie O’Sullivan and the late Peg Farrell.
Lake Adventure Camp
This new and very exciting 5-day Lake Adventure Camp will take place from Monday 30th March to Friday 3rd April, from 10:00AM – 2:00PM each day. This thrilling water based activity is been organised by Lough Ree Access for All.
This exhilarating five-day programme is designed for young people aged 13–17 and offers a hands-on experience on and around the water, combining safety skills, adventure, education, and fun.
With this fabulous opportunity it is very important that no one will miss out on this fantastic opportunity.
Your support is greatly appreciated, as the funds raised from these events help us to continue to offer affordable boat trips to those with disabilities.
The Camp schedule is as follows
Day 1 – Boat Safety / Water Safety
Life vest safety
- Knot making
- Emergency procedures checklist
- Man overboard drill
- Buoys and waterway markers explained
- Proper way of throwing a life preserver
- Throwing competition
- Short boat ride
Day 2 – Boat History Tour
- How a boat operates
- Historical boat tour
- VR experience
- Group discussion about the tour
Day 3 – Fishing
- Identifying fishing gear and how to use it
- Discussion about fish in the river/lake
- Fishing session
- Clean-up time
Day 4 – Boat Tour / Biodiversity
- Wildlife on the waterways
- Discussion on why biodiversity is important
- Preparation for the RIB Experience
Day 5 – RIB Experience
- RIB Experience
- End-of-camp wrap-up
Camp Details
This Lake Adventure Camp is for young people between the ages of 13 and 17.
The price of the camp is €100 with the maximum number of participants set at 15
This Lake Adventure Camp will be available during Easter | Summer | Halloween periods
What to Bring
Please ensure that you bring along with you:
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Wellies
- Raincoat
- Waterproof trousers
- A drink and small snack
As you seen earlier spaces are limited to 15 and this is to ensure a safe and high-quality experience, so early booking is advised.
Lough Ree Access for All adheres to all child safeguarding policies.
If you would like to reserve a place or require further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Phone: 089 2625505
Email: info@accessforallboattrips.com
Book on our website https://loughreeboattrips.com/easter-camp/
Confirmation on this Thursday
Thursday next 26th March, will be a red lettered day for the 5th and sixth class students of Lanesboro Primary School and Fermoyle National School when they will receive Confirmation in St. Mary’s Church. It will be a special day for the Hanley family when their three children, Leah, Jay and Becky will be confirmed on the one day.
We hope that this will be a very special day for all the youngsters and they have a blessed day.
Easter Monday Walk
Ballyleague Tidy Town committee is hosting an Interactive Nature/Biodiversity/Memorial Walk on Salmons Lane (Ballyleague) Easter Monday 11.30 AM
More information to follow next week
Cake Sale
Lanesboro Primary School Parents Association will be holding their Annual Bake Sale on Easter Sunday 5th April after Sunday Mass from 12 noon until 2pm in the Parochial House, also known as the hub. This is the main fundraiser of the year, so all the support you can give and encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
Lanesborough Ballyleague St. Patrick’s Day Parade
A letter from the Chairperson Teresa Costello.
The Lanesborough/Ballyleague St. Patricks Day Parade was an outstanding success –
The Chairperson Teresa Costello would like to thank everyone for all the hard work that went into organising the floats. This was one of the most successful parades in the past number of years despite the very wet day.
To all the Stewards for their fine work controlling traffic and making sure all were safe.
To Fr. Turlough, the musicians in the church, the Parish Choir and youthful dancer Emily Ryan you added greatly to the Mass and to the local musicians who entertained the audience before the parade. A word of thanks to our independent Judge and to Eugene Murphy, our MC, and to Johnny Duffy for providing amplification.
To the Lanesborough Gardaí and invited guests who attended, and mostly to all the spectators who came to watch the parade in the rain.
Sincere thanks to the following for sponsoring the Parade –
Longford County Council, Heineken, Adie Farrell’s, Joe Farrell’s Ciaran Mullooly MEP, Dr. Colm Farrell, Sorrento Restaurant, Orla O’ Brien Pharmacy, Joe and Martina O’ Brien, Dolan Foods, Ping’s Chinese, North Midlands Credit Union, Hughie Smyth, Sean Lisle, Joe Ginty, Fergus Hanley Hardware, Brush Strokes, Louis Skelly, Johnston’s pharmacy, Shane Healy, Kevin Hanley and Charlie McDermott, and Bernard Keane SuperValu.
Congratulations to the Float Winners –
Overall Winners – Lanesborough Tourism
Best Club – Lough Ree Athletic Club
Best Junior – Lanesborough Primary School
Best Vintage – Bosco Gavigan
Best Business – Eugene Maguire
Most Original – Lanesborough Community College
Best Dressed Window – Adie’s
Highly commended was Ballagh Mens Shed.
Ciaran Mullooly donated a prize for the Best Farming float which was won by Casserly’s Spar.
Thanks to all who took part in the pre parade fundraising table quiz, Seadna Ryan and Brendan Keane for their organising and hosting, and congratulations to the winning team of Aidan Ganly, Edel McDermott, Nuala Donlon and John Costello
Teresa would also like to thank the committee especially Katie Adams, Gerald Farrell, Lorraine Farrell, Chris Cullen, Hughie Smyth and Denis Crinigan. You all made my job so easy.
Thanks to Martina and Joe O’ Brien for accepting the entries and to Regina Donnellan for ESB Power.
What an enjoyable Parade in Lanesborough/Ballyleague 2026 and looking forward to 2027 all going well.
Call for Accommodation
Can you provide accommodation?
If you would like to create another income stream you are being offered the chance to do so by entering into the accommodation sector be it as a B&B, renting a house or renting room in your own home.
The Gaelforce Great River Swim on Saturday 17th May and the Lough Ree Tri Club’s Two Province Triathlon on Saturday 12th July offer great opportunities and potential. The entire summer with the best weather in years drew in huge numbers to the area with a huge number seeking to stay locally.
In 2026 we are looking forward to welcoming the Gaelforce Great River Swim on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th May coupled with a local festival added in and the Two Provinces Triathlon on the weekend of Friday 10th and 11th July.
As you are fully aware there is a great shortage of accommodation locally to accommodate many of the participants and their supporters who want to come to Lanesboro/Ballyleague for these weekends. Indeed, there is a constant shortage of accommodation in the area to satisfy the needs of everyone that wants to stay in our beautiful area throughout the year.
It was suggested that we should ask local people that may have spare rooms for B&B or empty properties to make them available for the weekends at the going rates for those extra people that need to be accommodated and want to stay locally.
This is a wonderful chance for people that were toying with the idea of providing accommodation to do so over the weekends and they can use the opportunity to see if it is suitable for them and what they can do to tweak it to make it better for all and with any luck it will provide a new income stream and business.
At present, and for a week or two more, there is a register of available properties and accommodation being drawn up and if you have a spare room, an apartment or a house available could you please get in touch with Nuala to express your willingness to be involved. The contact number is 043 33 21977 up to 2pm daily or email your information to lanesborotourismcoop@gmail.com
Community Games 2026 update
Art and Handwriting: On Sunday next 29th March at 2pm, the Lanesboro Art and Handwriting competition will take place in St Marys Hall, Lanesboro
Age categories in the Art competition- U8, U10, U12, U14 and U16 and Age categories- U10, U12 & U14 in the handwriting competition.
Look forward to seeing you there.
A book of poetry for your Coffee Table
Kieran Feeney’s first book of poetry – Opaque has been a resounding success with excellent sales to date. The feedback from those that have already read the book of poems to the book has been superb and it is very pleasing to see the strong sales continuing.
The book of poetry is on sale in O’Brien’s costing €15.
The Joker escapes again
The Joker in the St. Faithleachs GAA club fundraiser continues to be very elusive and Saturday night last 21st March saw the jackpot pool of €3,200 go unclaimed and now it is getting very interesting as the odds continue to grow in the players favour.
The pool continues to rise and the number of cards gets fewer and the odds of turning the Joker are increasing by the week, so get your tickets for Saturday night next and you may the lucky one.
The jackpot rises to €3,300 on Saturday night next 28th where the odds of turning the Joker is now one in 38. Go along to the clubhouse enjoy a great night of fun and craic in the clubhouse and be in with a chance to win the growing €3,300 jackpot pool. The odds are continuing to grow in your favour as the pool continues to rise and who knows that the €3,300 can be yours on Saturday night next. On Saturday night last the winners in the draw were J.J. Cattigan and Mark Cox who won €100. Be in with your chance to have a cut for the Joker by buying tickets online on the ClubSpot portal St. Faithleach’s, from any of the organising committee or in the clubhouse on Saturday night.
Being first is their aim
The Roscommon Athletic Club is going from strength to strength with their track and field athletes and their aim is to be first themselves as they are determined to develop the very first athletic track in the county of Roscommon
Their dream is to create top class athletic facilities of national competition standard comprising of an 8 lane 400 metre track and field event area. This will help greatly in the development of runners and sports people. When it is completed it will be of great benefit to the many athletes from our wider area that will be able to use the facility.
The club is delighted to see the amount of support it is receiving from the Lough Ree Athletic club’s catchment area.
With an identified site in the Lisnamult area the club is urging everyone with an interest in athletics and sport to support their upcoming draw as they have to raise a further €1million to complete their dream.
There are two incredible top prizes up for grabs, sponsored by two of the leading Irish companies based in Roscommon Town. Lidan is dedicated to providing high-quality modular buildings and they will supply a €65,000 stunningly designed and crafted Garden Room and nationally and internationally acclaimed Mark Lohan Kitchens will supply a €25,000 Bespoke Kitchen.
Tickets, locally, are available locally in O’Brien’s Corner Shop. Tickets are priced at €30 each, 2 for €50 or 5 for €100 or they can be bought online at www.winagardenroomkitchen.ie
N. A Meetings
N.A. physical meetings on Tuesday nights from 8 – 9 p.m. in Room 13 at St. Coman’s Club, Abbey St., Roscommon
Sustainability Award Winner
Local man Gary Dunne, son of Noreen and the late Denis Dunne, with a thriving business in Roscommon revamping and reimagining tired and broken furniture won the Sustainability Award at the recent Roscommon Local Enterprise Awards.
Roscommon Town based enterprise The Upholstery Company was honoured for its business innovation.
The Upholstery Co was founded in 2009, and it operates from its base just off the Racecourse Road in Roscommon Town. The company employs 10 people and its services include traditional re-upholstery, loose covers, soft furnishing work, replacement cushions, window seat cushions, foam replacement with a great array colours and trends.
Gary’s business extends not only to the local counties but the 32 counties and to the UK where they are involved in a major fit out project.
National Heritage Week
I know I am a little previous but speaking to some members of the local Lanesboro Heritage group they tell me that they are preparing an exciting presentation for National Heritage Week that, this year, takes place from Saturday 15th August to Sunday 23rd August.
The group are seeking old photographs and memorabilia of the Rathcline parish, be it its people, places, events and any other photographs of relevance to the history of the parish.
This is a prior notice to inform you of the upcoming event and to give you the opportunity to search out and share the photographs and documentation with the committee.
This trawl through the history of Lanesboro and the parish of Rathcline can only be successful with your input and collaboration. Let’s join together and get out all the old memorabilia and photographs and make this a very special Lanesboro celebration.
Drop off can be made in O’Brien’s for collection by Andrew Knowles.
Ballyleague Bingo
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.
Rathcline 50/50
The draw for the club 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last 16th March for a prize of €703. The winning ticket was in the name of Mary T McGrath, who was the recipient of the cheque of €703. As usual the winning cheque will be left in O’Brien’s for collection.
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.
Ballinamuck Social Dancing and Community Gathering
The next Social evening is Sunday, 29th March from 5 – 7pm in the ’98 Memorial Hall, Ballinamuck Village (N39 Y7C1)
Music will be provided by the very popular Michael Cleary & Jacqui Bannon
This is a great opportunity for a dance, a cuppa, and a catch-up with friends old and new – looking forward to welcoming everyone!
Newcomers are always welcome and for more info contact: Aisling 086 3663901
Chit Chat
The local ‘Chit Chat’ group that meets between 10am and 12pm in Adie’s bar every Friday from 10am until 12 noon.
Cúl Camps advance notice
Longford GAA’s Kellogg’s sponsored Cúl Camp will take place at the Rathcline GAA club’s grounds in Clonbonny on Monday 29th June. As places for the camps are limited it is very important that parents register their youngsters early to be sure of a place.
Ballyleague Hall caretaker
Liam Garvey is caretaker of Ballyleague Hall. For all bookings and requests you can contact Liam on 085-1698032
Purple Day
In Ireland today, over 45,000 people live with epilepsy. For further information, please visit www.epilepsy.ie. Purple Day (or Epilepsy Awareness Day) will take place on Thursday next 26th March.
Lanesboro Library
Parent & Toddler Morning
Join us Wednesdays from 11am – 12pm for our weekly parent and toddler morning.
Tea & Coffee provided and plenty of books, toys, and space for the little ones to enjoy. All Enquiries: lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie or 0433321291
Ciorcal Comhrá
Irish Conversation Group meeting in Lanesboro Library on Thursdays from 5 – 5.45pm. 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 or 043332129
My Open Library
My Open Library gives patrons extended, staff-free access to the library from 8am to 10pm, 365 days a year using their library card. Call into the library to learn how the system works, see a demonstration, and sign up for extended access. Whether you want to use the library to study after hours, pick up a book on the way home from work or get out of the house with your little ones on a rainy day, My Open Library can provide you the access you need!
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 or 0433321291.
€15,000 to be won
The Lanesboro Tidy Towns lottery draw takes place every Tuesday morning in O’Brien’s at 10.30am. For the past number of months the jackpot has been static at its upper limit of €15,000 and with nobody continuing to have the correct numbers that €15,000 is still there to be won. The next draw takes on Tuesday 24th March, for the jackpot of €15,000. Don’t miss your opportunity to get hold of the full €15,000 or share in the money. The numbers drawn in the last draw on Wednesday 18th March were 7, 8, 13 and 14. The winner of the €50 prize was P.J. Toher c/o The Yacht Bar, and the three €20 winners were Joe Browne, Ballyglass, Sean & Siobhan c/o O’Brien’s and Roisín Cullen c/o O’Brien’s.
The next draw takes place in O’Brien’s for the €15,000 on Tuesday 24th March and every Tuesday morning. 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.
Age Friendly Easter Event
Join us for an Age Friendly Easter Event in Kilbride Community Centre (F42 N277) on Wednesday, 8th April, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. On the day: Dr. Martin Daly TD, music, storyteller, chair yoga, and the launch of the Roscommon Age Friendly Directory. Hot food and refreshments will also be provided. A fun-filled day of music, stories, and community connection awaits! This event is free and open to everyone, so come along and enjoy a great day out. For any queries, please contact Linda on 086 780 7438 or lindadevine@ridc.ie This event is organised by Roscommon LEADER Partnership, Roscommon Age Friendly, and Roscommon County Council — working together to celebrate community and connection.
Two further talks
There will be two further talks over the next two months by the legendary Paddy Joe Burke, Thursday 23rd April the topic will be ‘Courage in the Crisis’ and the talks will conclude on Thursday 21st May with the topic ‘What can I do?’ The talks will begin at 7.30 p.m. in the Percy French Hotel, Strokestown. Tickets are available at www.percyfrench.ie or call 090 6663794.
Coping Skills Program
“Seeking Safety” is a free coping skills program for women affected by trauma, mental health and/or addiction. Learn new ways to cope safely with your own triggers, impulses and symptoms and gain a more compassionate understanding of yourself and “take back your power from the impacts of trauma, mental health and/or addiction. The program is funded by the HSE and is being delivered in Castlerea and Boyle with a new group starting in Roscommon Town. For more information, please contact Lorraine in complete confidence. 094 96 21690/lcampbell@rwn.ie
Talk to the Samaritans
Are you struggling to cope with life? Do you think it would be a help to talk about your problem with a member of the Samaritans in total confidence and confidentially? It does not matter who you are, how you feel or what has happened to you, a private chat with the assurance of confidentially can mean a lot. The alternative to getting down is a chat with a member of the Samaritans and that facility is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year so do not hesitate calling the Freephone number 116123 for your support.
ALONE
Would you be willing to provide companionship to an older person locally? ALONE are seeking volunteers in your area. Full training and support provided. If interested, please apply via the ALONE website at www.alone.ie or for further information please contact us on volunteer@alone.ie or call 0818 222 024. If you are over 60 and would like to know more about the services ALONE can offer you, please call 0818 222 024.
Grinds in German and French
If you are preparing for your leaving or Junior Certificate exams, at any level, there is no better time to get that extra bit of help in making the subjects easier. If this is of interest to your students then you should make contact at 089 488 5679.
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
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.
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.
Support Group
Relatives and friends of anyone who has an alcoholic problem 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.
Lotto Not Won
The St. Faithleach’s Lottery draw took place on Tuesday last 17th March and the jackpot of €10,800 was not won. The numbers drawn were 13, 17, 22 and 29. The next draw will take place on Tuesday 31st March in the clubhouse. The winner of the €200 draw was Joe Kelleher.
ALONE
Support line for older people
ALONE manage a national support line and additional support for older people who have concerns or are still 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.
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.
Youth Retreat: A retreat in honour of St. Carlo Acutis will take place for teenagers, aged between 13 and 19 years, in Knock Shrine on Sunday 19th April. The retreat will include games, testimonies, catechises, lunch and gift packs. Places are limited and pre-booking is required. Please contact 086 3020 948 for helpful information.
On Saturday 18th April from 6pm to 9pm, an evening programme will take place in Knock Shrine, reflecting on Carlo Acutis and the Eucharist.
Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage: The Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from 30th May to 4th June and it will be led by Bishop Paul Connell. Flights are from Knock International Airport with fares beginning from €989 and rising to €1049. For more details contact JWT Pilgrimage Travel website or phone 01 2410 800. For those wishing to travel as Assisted Pilgrims, please contact Ann O’Reilly, 086 8312 785.
Thank You: The local organising committee of the Lourdes Fund would like to sincerely thank everyone that contributed so generously to their collection at masses last weekend. Once again your generosity was substantial amounting to €1175.
Rathcline Parish: The parish is allowed to benefit from families who contribute more than €250 to parish accounts each year. All parish donors have to do is to complete a form that is available at the parish office or phone her at
3321166.
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 this Friday 3rd April.
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
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland: The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is open six days a week Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. The society provides an opportunity for all of us to stand together and support people with dementia. Their phone number is 1800 341 341 and their website is www.alzheimer.ie
Kilgefin Parish Notes
Contact: Fr Daniel can be contacted at 089 270 6060
Caretaker: Liam Garvey is now caretaker of Ballyleague Hall. For all bookings and requests you can contact Liam on 085-1698032
Stations of the Cross: As part of the Lenten season activities, we will be having the Stations of the Cross at weekends 20minutes before Mass. This will replace the praying of the Holy Rosary before mass. Fr. Dan kindly encourages all parishioners to participate in in journeying with Jesus Christ as he embraces his passion, death and Resurrection at Easter.
Newsletter inclusion: Any items you want included in the newsletter you must email the contents to kilgefinparish21@gmail.com on or before the Wednesday of that week.
Station Masses: The list of the Station Masses will continue on this Tuesday 24th in Ballagh church for the townlands of Tuam, Aughamuck, Fairymount, Carrowmoneen, Kilnalossett, Cappagh, Ballinwooley and Aughevernia.
On Friday 27th March in Ballyleague church for the townlands of Moher, Cloonadra, Portnahinch, Lininaria, Gallagh and Weekfield.
On Monday 30th March at 7pm in Ballyleague church for the townlands of Gortgallon, Ballyglass, Cloontuskert, Ernagh and Abbey.
On Tuesday 31st in Ballagh church for the townlands of Trilla Croghan, Kilnasella, Sheehane, Bogwood, Kilmurtagh and Mountcashel
Youth 2000 Day Retreat: A Youth 2000 day retreat takes place on April 25th at Knock Shrine, Co. Mayo. Youth 2000 provides an opportunity for young people (16 – 35) to develop their relationship with God, learn more about the Catholic faith & meet other young people through a structured retreat programme. Talks, testimonies & games. Check out Youth2000.ie to register or contact connaught@youth2000.ie for more information
Tesco Community Fund: Ballagh National School is delighted to be nominated as one of the 3 groups to benefit from the Tesco Community Fund. The school committee would like to encourage everyone from all over the local area who is shopping in Tesco Roscommon over the next few weeks to drop a blue token into the Ballagh NS box. The school committee would really appreciate your support.
