Lanesboro Ballyleague
Lest we forget
While a great part of the country is breathing a sigh of relief with the water receding spare a thought for the families in the vicinity of the Turlough and in the townlands of Cullentra and Ballinahinch. While the rest of the country is receiving a respite and the water issues are ebbing away by the hour. Two houses are still in grave danger of being flooded, another resident moved from the area as he and his family could not get through the high water levels to get their kids to school, the two townlands mention still locked away by the high water and can only come out through the floods in tractors and high wheeled vehicles. The water is at serious flood levels. There is ongoing support from friends and neighbours for those blighted by the floods but the mental torment being suffered is truly unbelievable. While I understand nothing can be done to try and resolve the issues of the flooding I urge those that are in a position of power to highlight the plight of the stricken people of this area and to try in whatever way they can to hasten in their work to take the pressure on the families and let them go to bed again with easy minds.
Near Death experience in Clonbonny
On Saturday last the semi-final of the Hastings Cup Shield commenced in Clonbonny between Leitrim and Roscommon. With 25 minutes gone and Roscommon ahead by a point Leitrim’s Alan McTague suffered what appeared to be a cardiac arrest. The Rathcline club have a defibrillator installed at the grounds and the quick work with the defibrillator brought a response to this young and fit man. An ambulance and doctor responded quickly but the great work of Conor Mc Gowan was the saving grace. Alan was brought by air ambulance to hospital in Galway and as I write the report on his wellbeing is good and he is well on the mend.
A number of years ago the Rathcline club seen the need for a defibrillator at the club grounds and at the time had a good number trained up in its use. Kevin Madden the local defibrillator instructor and the man who maintains the upkeep of the defibrillators throughout had only a few days previous ensured that the one at the club was in working order.
The need for defibrillators throughout the area is crucial as is the need for more and more people to be trained and upskilled in its use. When you are asked to support the collections for defibrillators and when training is announced please make yourself available as you never know when this skill can help save a life.
Lanesboro Festival 2016
A meeting will take place in Clarke’s Bar on this Wednesday 27th January at 8pm. This will be the first meeting to organise a festival in Lanesboro and Ballyleague in 2016. It is hoped that many people from the Lanesboro and Ballyleague communities will come together to give Lanesboro a festival in 2016. Your attendance, even for your thoughts and views will be greatly welcomed. It has been said that the town missed the festival last year and it is hoped that a great number will attend to bring back the excitement of the festival to our community
The Green – A Living History
The first residents for no 24 I have is Jim and Mary Quinn and their family Moretti, Peter, Pat, Tony, Michael, Bernadette, Kevin, James, William, Edel and Adrian. The Quinn’s were followed by Tony and Aileen Dalton and their family of Richard Ann, Paul, David and Ann. The next residents I have is Gerry Weir, his wife and children – I do not have their names. Then there was Tracy Gray and her son Jason. The current resident in 24 is Terry
In no25 there was Paddy and Mrs. Keaveney and their family Beryl, Cecil and Olive. They were followed in the house by Tom and Moira Geheran and their children Eileen, Gerry and Cathal. The current resident is Tracy Whitlow and her daughter Shannon.
In no26 the first residents I am aware of is Martin and Mrs. Monaghan and their children Pat, John Joe, Mattie, Mary, Sadie and Ann. The next residents were Paddy and Chris Kennelly with children Brian, Rita, Pat, Ann, Mary and Colm. The next residents were Noel and the late Gertrude Duffy.
Enrolment Day
Lanesborough Primary School is having their Enrolment Day for new infants on Friday February 5th at 1pm. All new infants and their parents are invited to attend and meet with the teachers and Principal. For further information, please contact the Principal at 0433321545.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Class in The Business Clinic, Longford starting Wednesday 27th January 6pm – 8.30pm x 8 weeks, and Drop in Mindfulness Class starting in The Business Clinic, Thursday 4th Feb at 6.30pm MBSR starting in Greville Arms, Mullingar on Saturday 30th January 10.30am to 1pm (Drop in class in Afternoon 2.30) Drop in Mindfulness Class in Bawn Holistic Centre starting Monday 1st February 7.30pm. more details on website www.bawnholistic.com or phone Pauline 086 3784747
Fermoyle NS Enrolment
Fermoyle NS is now open for enrolment for the Academic Year 2016/17. The closing date is Friday 29th January.
Enrolment packs maybe collected at the school from Emer on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between the times of 9.30am and 1.30pm. Alternative arrangements can be made by ringing 043 3321959 during the above mentioned times.
Community Games
Well done to our Under 10 Community Games Draughts team who won out the county competition last weekend. The team members were Cormac O’Dowd, Fionn Crossan, Shane Gavigan, Ben Murphy and Ronan Farrell. Hard luck to our Under 12 team who were narrowly beaten by a very good Ballymahon team. Our Under 12 team was Luke Dowd, Alice Johnston, Sam Murphy, Jimmy Farrell, Conor Farrell and Kieran O’Dowd. Thank you to their mentor, Padraig O Dowd. Dinner Dance
Saturday night last saw the return of the Dinner Dance to the Rathcline club when they travelled to the Radisson Blu hotel in Athlone. Guests of honour were the current Intermediate Champions and also the 1976 senior championship winning team. MC for the night was Joe O’Flaherty who proved to be more than capable for the occasion. He regaled the attendance with many stories of his memories of the parish of Rathcline and his memories of training for the hurling and football teams. It was a great night before a good sized attendance considering it was the club’s first Dinner Dance for many years and hopefully it will be the first of many parish occasions into the future.
Bord na Móna Derryadd Wind Farm Public Information Session
Bord na Móna will be holding an information session regarding the proposed Derryadd Wind Farm development in St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Lanesborough on this Saturday 30th January from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. This is part of the information sessions that will take place in Kenagh Wednesday 27th from 3pm to 9pm, Thursday 28th in Killashee from 3pm to 9pm, Friday 29th in Cashel from 3pm to 9pm.
Bord na Móna invites you to attend this Public Information session. Admission is free. Staff will be on hand to discuss the project. It is very important that everyone attends to inform yourself of the proposed developments and to ask any pertinent questions that you may have.
Refereeing
At the moment both the counties of Longford and Roscommon are seeking new referees. If you are man or woman aged between 18 and 36 and have an interest in taking up refereeing or just seeing what it is all about them get in touch and you can attend the upcoming training nights. Whether or not you have played football or even excelled in it does not matter. You have the opportunity to join a great and unique band of people in the GAA. For Longford contact Joe O’Brien 086-2460840 or for Roscommon contact Haulie Beirne 086-8293845.
50/50
The weekly 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last 18th January in Clarke’s Bar. The winners were first cousins and first time winners Johnny Kilcline and James Hanley who between them shared €390. Envelopes are on sale from club members in local shops and pubs and in O’Brien’s.
Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club
Pool training continues next Thursday with the trainees now moving on to scuba equipment after snorkel training.
Upcoming courses include Search and Rescue and Nitrox. Contract Michael Farrell regarding same.
All bottles to be returned to the clubhouse immediately as they are being sent for testing.
With the start of the new year some members thoughts turn to a diving holiday later in the year. Suggestions are welcome providing they have researched and priced same before submitting to a meeting.
Lecture this week will be on Dive Tables – a favourite with everyone!!
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the competition held in St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Wednesday 20th January are: North /South; 1st Frances and Frank Brennan, 2nd Loretto Cooney and Mary Jamieson and 3rd Phil Chalmers and Cyril Hussey. East/ West; 1st Katherine Harrison and Philomena Walsh, 2nd Mike Flynn and Brendan Dowling and 3rd Brid Mc Dermott and Una Lawlor.
A Night to Remember
It all happened one evening I was walking down town when I overheard something coming from the hall. Being nosey I had to see what was happening and now over the past couple of weeks I had the privilege to see those practicing for the upcoming Rathcline GAA Comedy Talent Show that will take place in St. Mary’s Hall on Saturday night 13th February at 8.30pm. The full line up of acts are; the Church Scene, Tracy’s GAA choir, Paul Prior, pianist, Disco Bus, Old Men Groovin’, Adam Farrell, The Lazy Song, Robbie and Paul, Disco Dance Mix, Young Men Groovin’, Dressing Room Scene, The Cloning Scene.
Believe me this is a night not to be missed and I am sure tickets will sell like gold dust. Tickets will be on sale in O’Brien’s from this weekend on and make sure you get yours early as this show will sell out very quickly.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge
The results of the competition held on Monday 18th January are; N/S: Gross and Nett: 1st J.J. Donlon and Mary Fallon, 2nd B. Gillen and P. Canavan and 3rd Fiona Gillen and Fergal McGuinness. E/W: Gross: 1st Mai Casey and Margaret Gillen, 2nd Eileen Kelly and Nancy Dolan and 3rd Carol Hamill and Ann Hagan. Nett: 1st Mai Casey and Margaret Gillen, 2nd Eileen Kelly and Nancy Dolan and 3rd Noreen Dunne and Patricia Mc Gann
Table Quiz in the Peer
A Table Quiz in aid of St. Luke’s Hospital, Dublin, will take place on this Friday night 29th January at 9pm. This is a huge cause and well deserving of your support. €40for a table of 4. There will be a raffle on the night.
Lanesboro Library News
New at the Library
Membership is now FREE for all! Members can now borrow up to 12 items for 3 weeks!
A Fines AMNESTY is in place from 14th to 30th January to encourage return of all overdue items to the library. As and from 1st February Fines will be 30c per item per week.
To avoid fines you can renew your books by phone 043 332 1291, by email to lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie or online with your membership card number and your pin at www.longfordlibrary.ie
Knitting & Crochet Group continues on Monday 1st February 2-4pm.
ESOL Class continues on Tuesday 2nd February 7-9pm.
Art class with Nicolette starting in Lanesboro Library on Wednesday 10th February at 8pm. The Cost of the course is €10.00 per night with the course lasting 6 weeks. Contact Stella at the library to book your place – 043 332 1291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Lasraí Writers Group meeting will take place on Monday 8th February 7-9pm. New members always welcome!
An Easter Rising 1916 Centenary Calendar on sale in Lanesboro Library with wonderful drawings by Laura Doherty. Price €5.
Recycle Your Christmas Cards
From now until the end of January you can recycle your Christmas cards at the Library.
Foreign Currency Appeal Reminder
We 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 Angling Hub
The organisers of the World Championship Predator boat angling event came to Sorohan’s in Ballyleague last Thursday afternoon to confirm arrangements for the big event here next October. Anglers are coming from 15 countries for 5 nights from October 5-10th. Their average spend will be about 600 euro each here and 47 local boat owners will hire out their boats for 4 days at a cost of 100 euro per day. That’s about 200,000 euro to be spent in Ballyleague and Lanesborough in just one weekend. On top of that we also learned that there will be at least 4 other major fishing weekends this year with qualifiers in July 2nd and 3rd and August 7/8th, our own International coarse fishing event on June bank holiday weekend and then a national boat championship – all of which means we will be bringing great money into the town and putting our angling back on the map. The organisers were delighted to hear we will have accommodation in the town for up to 50 people at PS Red, the new lodge at the old Convent and three other local B & Bs and even happier to hear of quality food at 3 venues catering for every end of the market so well done to Lough Ree Angling Hub committee, the office administrator Liam Sweeney and everyone who turned up in Sorohan’s. The hub will hold regular monthly meetings over the next 8 months to put the necessary help in place to run these events. Lanesborough Pike anglers club and the Camlin Angling club will be invited to stage major pike fishing events also during the summer so we need as many volunteers as possible to get involved, providing boats and B & Bs in the area. If you are interested please come along to the next hub meeting in Sorohan’s Bar, Ballyleague on Tuesday February 2nd at 8,30pm. The hub has also agreed to stage a series of table quizzes to help prepare for all the events this year. The first table quiz will be in the Yacht Bar, Lanesborough on Friday June 5th at 9.30pm. The 2nd quiz will be in Sorohan’s in Ballyleague on Friday March 4th. The 3rd quiz will be in the Swan Tavern on Friday April 1st. Your support for these events would be very much appreciated.
Finally, the angling hub is inviting ALL anglers from this area to attend a public meeting on the issuer of the Asian Clams infestation on Thursday night February 11th at 9pm. All anglers and angler’s clubs welcome. For further details on the angling hub events e mail: loughreeanglinghub@gmail.com
Rathcline GAA
Medical emergency at Clonbonny – On Saturday, Clonbonny was host to the U21 Hastings shield semi-final between Roscommon and Leitrim. Towards the end of the first half the game was abandoned as one of the Leitrim players Alan McTague from Drumshanbo collapsed. Thankfully we had a defibrillator on-site as it saved the life of this young man. Thanks to quick reactions of physios from both teams and other medical personnel Alan eventually regained consciousness. The air ambulance then transferred him to Galway University hospital. Thankfully Alan is said to be doing well and we wish him a full and speedy recovery.
Dinner Dance – On Saturday night we held our dinner dance in the Radisson in Athlone celebrating the success of last year and honouring the senior championship winning team of 1976. A great night was had by all. We’d like to thank the Radisson and their staff, our MC for the night Joe Flaherty, 4Degrees West, DJ Tommy K and all who helped out with preparations and organisation on the night. Congratulations to Shane Kenny who won our Young Player of the year award and to James Carroll who won Senior Player of the year.
New Year’s Draw – Our New Year’s Draw which was due to take place at our dinner dance was postponed for a week and will now take place next Saturday night 30th January in Adie’s at 11pm. 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 from executive members and in local businesses. Ticket sellers are urged to return tickets in advance of the draw. Drop off times will be confirmed later in the week.
50/50 Draw – Congratulations to Johnny Kilcoyne and James Hanley who won €390 in our 50/50 draw last Monday night. The draw continues every Monday night and envelopes only cost €2.
AGM – The Annual General Meeting of Rathcline GAA will take place next Sunday January 31st at 6pm in the clubhouse. We urge anyone with an interest in the club to please attend. We are hoping that there are people within the parish who would be willing to take on some positions within the executive.
Mass for deceased members – On Saturday evening January 30th at 7.30pm there will be mass for the deceased members of the club.
Rathcline GAA Comedy Talent Show – On Saturday 13th February the club are putting on a talent concert which will include some comedy sketches including “Old Men Grooving” along with some other great talent acts from within the community. The show will take place at 8.30pm in St. Mary’s Parish Hall with a raffle on the night. Tickets will be priced €10 and children’s’ €5. Tickets will be available later in the week. It promises to be a great night’s entertainment not to be missed!
Longford GAA – Hard luck to Longford manager Denis Connerton and his players including Liam Connerton and James Carroll who were defeated by Meath in the O’Byrne Cup final in Navan. Longford’s first league game of the year takes place away to Offaly on Sunday in Tullamore at 2pm. Best of luck to Denis and the lads on their league campaign. Hard luck to the U21 Hastings Cup team who were narrowly beaten by Cavan by a point on Friday night in the semi-final of the competition. Shane Kenny and Kevin Sorohan were part of the squad.
County Senior Scór – The County Senior Scór Finals will take place on Friday night, 5th of February 2016 at 8pm in the Community Hall in Ardagh village. Each club in the county are being asked to provide at least two acts for the finals. The categories are as follows: Rince Foirne (Figure Dancing), Amhránaíocht Aonair (Solo Singing), Ceol Uirlise (Instrumental Music), Aithriseoireacht/Scéalaíocht (Recitation/Storytelling), Bailéad Ghrúpa (Ballad Group), Question Time – Table Quiz, Leiriú (Drama), Rince Seit (Set Dancing) and Rince Sean Nós. We are hoping that we can get at least two acts from Rathcline to participate. Closing date for applications is this Friday 29th January. Please email pro.rathcline.longford@gaa.ie for application forms.
Engagement – Congratulations to Conor Casey and Julie Morgan who recently announced their engagement. We wish you many years of happiness together.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
Congratulations: Congratulations to all our club reps who were honoured at the Roscommon Herald /SUPERVALU Sports Star Awards 2015. Ciarán Murtagh was the April winner and along with their teammates from the Convent of Mercy Roscommon Amy Curley, Jillian Banahan, Kate Mc Philips, Ellen Irwin, Sarah Scally and Maire Kelly were March winners, the girls also won the Junior Sport Star of the Year Award. Huge congratulations to all involved.
Minor Presentation Night: The Minor Club Presentation Night took place on Saturday last in the clubhouse with the U12 girls, U14 Boys, U16 Girls and Minor Boys all receiving medals. Many thanks to Amanda McLoone, Brian Murtagh and Kevin Farrell who made the presentations. Special thanks to the Lanesboro Community College Transition Year Band who played on the night and to outgoing club Chairman James Irwin and Vice Chairman Gerry O’Donnell for all their hard work last year, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all teams success in their respective 2016 campaigns and to incoming Chairman Eamon Gallagher and Vice Chairman James Quigley.
Registration Night: Takes place on Friday 5th February from 8pm-10pm. Please note that we will be operating a strict NO PAY NO PLAY policy, this is not a reflection on any team or individual but rather for the safety and protection of all members. Adult membership €60, Family Membership €100, Social /Underage/Student €30.
Lotto: Team in charge for next week is Darragh Hussey, David Harrison and James Quigley (Feb 6th).
Cards: Take place every Tuesday night in the Clubhouse at 8:30pm. Last week’s winners; Tom/ Padraig, second Karl/ Norman, Freda /Gemma. Last game Sean/Frank.