Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Variety Show a Huge Success
On Thursday last 3rd December in St. Mary’s Parish Hall the Transition Year class of 2015 from Lanesboro Community College staged their first ever Christmas Show to a packed house. The college have for the first time introduced Transition Year to the school and the pupils work to-date has been truly excellent. Last Thursday night topped all their previous work when they produced something that was truly phenomenal and set a bar at the highest level for Transition Years to come.
The students produced a really fantastic and hugely entertaining night – a night that the assembled audience will not forget for a long long time. Thursday night let us see a fantastic exhibition of talent and it fabulous to see that talent is in abundance with the young people in the college and our communities. Every aspect of entertainment was to be seen at the show; classical music, comedy, 3rd year band, solo singing, dance, sketches, singing groups, Transition Year band, choir showing the great diversity and creativity there is within the college.
Thursday night was a night for us to be proud of our young people and a recognition of their multiplicity of talents. It was a night of pride for the college and its teachers, for the parents of those young people and indeed pride for all the local communities that these young people represent.
Stand up young people of Lanesboro Community College and be proud of your wonderful achievement on Thursday night – we are proud of you.
MS Christmas Day Run/Walk
Time is closing in for your preparation for the Christmas Day Run. The walk will commence at 11.45am and the run at 12.15pm. This year the committee are expecting a huge attendance as they to break all records in both attendance and sponsorship. The value the Multiple Sclerosis organisation get from this their main fundraising event each year is truly enormous and rewarding in aiding those with MS.
Each year you contribute so much either as a participant or sponsor and the committee are greatly indebted to you for your fabulous support. Your efforts do not go unnoticed and are greatly appreciated.
Sponsorship cards are available in O’Brien’s, 3321107, or the Flood family Lehery or Newtowncashel or any committee member.
The Green a living history
Speaking of the apprentices reminds me of the hours and hours of chess games between Maurice Mc Ginley, who, by the way, is back living in his native Ballindrait, Co. Donegal and Gerry Geheran No 25. Incidentally, Goretti Mc Cosker, nee O’Reilly no 27, who married former apprentice Dessie Mc Cosker told me during the week that Dessie maintains that he could always beat Maurice – a little Donegal rivalry as both Dessie and Maurice are from the same parish of Ballindrait.
Continuing with the apprentices of 1969; Martin Brehony, Martin went on to one of the history makers with the Rathcline GAA club when he played corner back in the clubs one and only senior championship win and Martin lived for a number of years on the Green in no 54. Thomas Carr, Patrick Cooke, James Dolan, Joseph Forrestal, Michael Eivers, Roy Lowe, Patrick Malone, Christopher Moran, Michael Mullen, Dessie Mc Cosker previously mentioned, Michael O’Hara, Michael Quirke, Michael Scully, Charles Mc Gonigle, James Bambrick, William Callaghan, Edward Commins, John Doyle, Sean Forde, Michael Gillen, Thomas Kenny, John P Mahon, Thomas Moran, Michael O’Leary, Brendan O’Meara, Patrick Pender, Patrick Purcell, Brendan Scully and Christopher Todd.
Last week I listed Christy Mahon and Christy was a member of the band The Dakotas fronted by Mickie Fenelon, and as well as Christy the band included Mickie Walsh and Peadar Collins – the only member not from the Green. Mentioning Mickie Walsh no 56, his son Keith has maintained the musical family tradition and influence as he is now one of the presenters of the extremely popular Breakfast Republic that runs from 6am to 10am every morning Monday to Friday on RTÉ2fm
Christmas Carol Service
Lanesboro Primary School students will present their Annual Christmas Carol Service in St. Mary’s Church on this Thursday 10th December at 6.30pm. You are all invited to come along and enjoy the carol singing of the young people from the school.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last 30th November. The winning ticket drawn was in the name of Tomás Rhatigan, Fermoyle. Tomás was the lucky recipient of €400. The next draw will take place on Monday night next and your continued support will be greatly appreciated.
Christmas at St. Mary’s Church
Christmas Penance Service will take place in St. Mary’s on Tuesday 22nd December at 7pm.
Two Christmas Masses will take place on Christmas Eve at 7pm and 8.30pm. On Christmas morning masses will be at 9.30am and 11.30am.
London Mass on Sunday next
A Memorial Mass for deceased members and friends of the Longford Association in London will be celebrated on Sunday next 13th December at 12 noon in St Gabriel’s Church, 390 Northolt Road, South Harrow, HA2 8EX. The Mass will be followed by a Reception in St Gabriel’s Club next door to The Church. All members and friends of The Association, past and present and people with Longford connections are welcome both at the Mass and Reception. The nearest Station is South Harrow.
This is a great opportunity for London based locals to network with locals and it will also be a great boost for the Longford Association in London.
Give Blood
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service will be in the Longford Arms this Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th December from 4.30pm to 8pm each day.
Set Dancing Classes
Every Tuesday night there are Set Dancing classes in St. Mary’s Hall from 8pm to 10pm. All are welcome
Lanesboro Library Updates
Knitting & Crochet Group continues every Monday 2 – 4pm. All welcome.
ESOL Class (English for speakers of other languages) continues every Tuesday evening 7-9pm.
Lasraí Writers Group: The next Lasraí Writers Group meeting will take place in the library on Monday 14th December 7-9pm. New members welcome.
Pop-Up Poetry at Lanesboro Library on Monday 14th December at 8pm. If you have an interest in poetry, come and join the local writers for an hour, read a favourite poem or listen to others share some of theirs. Let’s celebrate the joy of poetry
together!
For Sale in the Library: Easter Rising 1916 Centenary Calendar for sale in the library. Wonderful drawings by Laura Doherty. Only €5 each. Why not pick up one or two as Christmas presents!
Shannonside Camera Club Photographic Exhibition
Shannonside Camera Club will have a Photographic exhibition in Lanesboro Library from Monday 7th December until the end of the year. Drop in and see their wonderful work.
The staff are still collecting unwanted foreign currency and old coins/notes in aid of ISPCC. The smallest donation can make a huge difference.
Used stamps also being collected at the library for ISPCC.
Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club
The Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club held their AGM on 27th November. The following officers were elected for the coming year: Chairman – Michéal Farrell, Secretary – Tracy Farrell, Treasurer – Emer Farrell, Diving Officer – Shane Flannery, Training Officer – Paula Carberry, Safety Officer – Fergal Mc Elgun and PRO – Tom Murray
The outgoing officers thanked all for their help during the past year and wished the incoming officers all the best. A presentation was made by the club to recently married Shane Flannery and Joan Donoghue and wished them well in the future. This was the third “in-house” wedding and the new chairman wonders who will be next to “take the plunge”! All eyes gravitated to a certain individual, who remained tight lipped under pressure!!
There was also a presentation to Paul Newman on his achievement of 30yrs as a club member and active diver. Some would say we’ll be making another presentation to him in 2045!!
Training continues in the Mall Complex every Thursday night at 9.00pm. A special welcome to the new members who are now well advanced in their pool training.
Plans are well under way for the Christmas Day Swim.
Equipment Officer Sean Connaughton has sent an urgent request for a wheel!! This is needed for a “work in progress” – we shall watch this space for the outcome – some say it could appear along with the Christmas tree – others think it may be a bit of a Christmas Turkey!!! Time will tell!
Club jackets are available for collection next Thursday from Tracey.
Clubs Christmas part is Saturday night next 12th December in the Mullingar Park Hotel. Members are really looking forward to this night out. Anyone wishing to avail of the minibus please contact Paula by Thursday night.
Training is progressing as scheduled. Next week’s lecture is on decompression.
Pop-up Poetry and Prose
Everybody is invited to go along and enjoy some seasonal readings in the company of the local Writers’ Group on Monday next 14th December at the Library from 8pm to 9pm. You can listen to the writing of others or if you wish share some of your own prose or poetry.
It will be a very enjoyable evening in excellent company and an opportunity to enjoy the seasonal reading.
Gareth takes over St. Faithleach’s
Following his tremendous success during 2015 with Rathcline Gareth Johnston was recently appointed as the new manager of St. Faithleach’s for 2015. Gareth’s attention to detail and dedication to his job in Rathcline was phenomenal and there is no doubt that he will employ the same dedication to St. Faithleach’s in the years ahead.
We would like to wish Gareth the very best of luck and assure him of the fullest support from Rathcline. We look forward to seeing Gareth enjoying much success with St. Faithleach’s and seeing the club go from strength to strength on the playing field.
Ronie is Relocation
The Lough Ree Remedial & Sports Injury Clinic will be relocating to CPL Park Longford Rugby Club in the new year and will come under the new name of Longford Remedial & Sports Injury Clinic. It will be book by appointment as before. For any queries contact Ronie Masterson 0872402326.
Charity Shop to Close
The Friends of Asthma charity shop on Main Street on Tuesday 22nd December. Pam Farrell would like thank everyone that has supported her and the charity shop down through the years on Main Street.
Pam is hoping to have located another premises in Lanesboro to continue the business of Friends of Asthma. Until that can be achieved the Friends of Asthma shop will relocate to their main premises on the Athlone Road, Longford. The unit is situated on the right hand side of the road at the units immediately after the sign on the left hand side for Clontirm.
If you have a premises that you think may be suitable you are asked to contact Pam at the Charity Shop.
Christmas Lights
As I write Storm Desmond is in full flight but that did not deter the hardy men who since 7am this Saturday morning have been erecting the Christmas lights for the town. The work is continuing apace and Lanesboro will be lit for Christmas.
The Lights committee of Ballyleague have been a day or so ahead of Lanesboro and they are all set for their switch on this weekend.
It is great to have the Christmas spirit shining brightly in Lanesboro and Ballyleague.
Mens Club
The mens club will meet in St. Mary’s Hall this coming Thursday 10th November from 12 to 1pm.
Rathcline to host Dinner Dance
After an absence of many years the Rathcline GAA club has decided to hold a Dinner Dance. In years gone by the annual Dinner Dance was the highlight of the year and a wonderful social night for the entire parish. It attracted many past residents and past players back to celebrate with their home club and parish. It renewed old friendships and kept people in touch socially from one year to the next
The club would like to invite everyone to join them on Saturday 23rd January in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone for what will be a spectacular night and to celebrate the successes of 2015.
Lough Ree work commences
It is a wonderful sight to see cars, trucks and lorries outside the Lough Ree Arms announcing to all and sundry that work inside those famous walls is taking place. Work has been ongoing for a few weeks now and the thought of the Lough Ree being open for business in 2016 causes a little flutter in this writer. It was a place that we of our generation and older generations seen it as the place to be and where many celebrations of all sorts took place there. It will be fantastic to see the doors open again. God speed the Brehon family with their great work and the creation of excitement of the Lough Ree in Lanesboro once again.
Family Support Fund
Poppy Maloney is the daughter of Jimmy and Ellen Moloney and granddaughter of James and Karen Moloney, Church View. Poppy was born last September with Complex CHD which means Congenital Heart Defects. Poppy had open heart surgery at two weeks and she will be having reconstructive surgery in the coming weeks.
Presently, there is a fundraiser ongoing for Poppy and her family in Supervalu, Lanesboro. There are collection buckets at all the tills and there are tickets for sale in SuperValu, O’Brien’s and from the Moloney family members. The raffle will take place in SuperValu on Saturday 19th December at 12 noon. Tickets are priced at €2 each or a book of 3 for €5. The prizes are 1st Signed Leinster Jersey, 2nd Signed Longford Jersey, 3rd Signed Roscommon Jersey and 4th €100 SuperValu Shopping Voucher and numerous spot prizes on the day.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Christmas Market
A Christmas Market in aid of Roscommon Cancer Support will take place in the Abbey hotel on Sunday next 13th December. The Abbey Hotel will be transformed with the sights, sounds and the aroma of a Traditional Christmas Market. This promises to be a wonderful family afternoon out between 1pm and 5pm. Santa will be making a special appearance. ‘Something to Sing about’ will finish off the afternoon with some Christmas Carols.
If you would like further information you should contact Vita House 09066 25898 or www.vitahouse.org
St. John’s Church
Christmas Services will commence at St. John’s Church on Sunday next 13th December with a Carol Service in St. John’s at 11.30am. The congregation welcomes all to the Carol service. The following Thursday 17th December a further Carol Service will take place in St. Coman’s Church, Roscommon at 8pm. On Christmas Eve there will be a Holy Communion Service in St. John’s Church at 8pm. Christmas Day Service will take place in St. Coman’s Roscommon at 10.30am
The St. John’s congregation would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.
Community Colleges New Extension
Signaling the sign of growth at Lanesboro Community College and the college going from strength to strength a new extension was recently announced for the college. Plans were unveiled for a new science laboratory, a preparation room and two new classrooms. The announcement comes at a time when the college continues to develop and grow.
The college is on a high this week after the releasing on the Irish Independent of the feeder school to Third level education where Lanesboro figure very prominently.
Rathcline GAA
Dinner Dance – To celebrate the success of 2015 the club will be holding a dinner dance in the Radisson Blu Athlone on Saturday 23rd January. The players will be presented with medals on the night and our two cups will be on show. Tickets are priced at €35 which will include the meal and music afterwards by the band Remix, followed by a dj.
50/50 Lotto Draw – Congratulations to Tomás Rhatigan, C/O Yacht Bar, who was last Monday’s winner of €400 in our 50/50 draw. Coming up to the busy Christmas period we hope that we can improve on the jackpot for the coming weeks so we would ask everyone to make a big effort to sell more envelopes. They are available in all local businesses and only cost €2.
Yearly Subscription 50/50 – Our 50/50 draw which started a year ago has proved to be very successful. We have given away over €24,000 in prize money since the draw began. We are now giving people who live abroad or away from town the opportunity to be in with a chance of winning and supporting the club. A yearly subscription will include membership for the year along with a chance of winning an average weekly prize of €400. We hope to get the subscription based 50/50 up and running for the new year. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Please contact any member of the executive or email us at pro.rathcline.longford@gaa.ie if you’re interested in subscribing.
New Year’s Draw – Our New Year’s Draw will take place on Saturday 23rd January at the Rathcline Dinner Dance in the Radisson Blu hotel in Athlone. Prizes are as follows: 1st prize – €1500, 2nd prize – €750, 3rd prize €500, 4th prize €200, 5th prize €200, 6th prize €200, 7th prize €100 and 8th prize €100. Tickets cost €10 and are available now from executive members and other ticket sellers. With the move to senior football next year, the club will need even more income so it’s crucial again to make this draw a success.
Play and talent show postponed – The play “The Dressing Room” and talent show which was due to take place next Saturday December 12th has been postponed until February. More details will follow in the new year.
Church Gate Collection – Thanks to everyone who contributed to our recent church gate collection. We greatly appreciate every contribution from the community.
Commiserations to Killashee who were beaten by Curraha of Meath in the Leinster Junior Club Final today.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Senior A.G.M: Senior AGM took place last Friday night. The meeting was opened by Chairman Derek Thompson, a comprehensive run down on all aspects of the club was then given by Secretary Alan Brehon, including achievements and results for year. Thanks were given to all players for their efforts and commitment throughout the year under a difficult period and welcomed new Senior Club manager Gareth Johnston.
Treasurers report was given by John Casey. Election of Officer’s, Club President- Mickey Kelly, Fr. John McManus, Chairman – Derek Thompson, Vice Chairman – John O’Loughlin, Secretary – Alan Brehon, Assistant Sec – Michael Cleary, Treasurer – John Casey, PRO – Nicola Byrne, Register – Caroline Connerton, Players Rep – Darragh Hussey, Insurance Officer – Padraig Kenny, Wellbeing Officer – Brendan Healy. Other members are Qoona Cox, David Harrison, Stephen Ormsby, and Aidan Dooney. James Quigley was appointed Children’s Officer. The Executive Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing members of the executive 2015 and thank them for all their help and support throughout the year, we look forward to working with members new and old in 2016.
Minor A.G.M.: The reconvened AGM takes place on Thursday 10th December at 9pm. Your attendance is appreciated.
Santa Visit: Santa will be making his annual visit to St. Faithleach’s GAA on Saturday 19th Dec from 2-5pm. All children are welcome to attend a very special afternoon is in store with face painting, crafts, hot chocolate, mulled wine (adults only!!), a party and of course the arrival of the man himself. For more information, please see our updates on Facebook.
Lotto: Jackpot stands at €12,000.
Winners €20 -Fiacla Syndicate c/o Derek, Jack Bannon, Dympna Trautt, Jimmy Bracken, PJ Hunt. Next draw 15th December.
Cards: Take place every Tuesday night in the clubhouse, last week’s winners; Jim /Kitty, runners up; Michael Cleary/Kieran Furry, last game Michael Finan/Michael Rodgers.