Lanesboro Ballyleague
Trautt’s no longer a feature of our Community
I had heard recently that Trautt’s shop was closing in Cloontuskert. I was trying to formulate the words, in my mind, to describe what the closure meant to the community. While chatting with Murphy on Tuesday evening last she told me she was writing a bit on her Facebook page. Having read her piece and with her permission I am posting it here for everyone to see and appreciate – thanks Mary. I could not have said it as good as Mary put it and I would like, as the entire community does, to wish Dympnah Trautt and Gerry Byrne the very best and I would like to thank all of the Trautt family for their wonderful input into the history of Ballyleague, Cloontuskert/The Abbey and indeed the Lanesboro area.
1956-2016
We often use the term “end of an era” but this week that phrase really applies, in Cloontuskert, with the end of trading of Trautt’s shop. Friday 29th January 2016 is a really sad day for residents of this area when “the shop” closes her doors for good. It is always a difficult decision for owners of a business to make that hard choice, especially a family run business so wholly engrained in the community. A sign of the times, one which is unfortunately happening more and more throughout the country. The impact of such closures is widely felt, particularly in a small rural community with one local shop. Always affectionately referred to as “the shop”, it was the focal point of the community. Obviously you went there to do your shopping but that was only a small part of the visit. You met your neighbours, had the chat, and discussed all the important issues of the day. Everything from football matches to horse racing. The latter being a particular favourite of Paddy Trautt RIP, always leading to heated debate with local legends including Master Henry RIP, Paddy Walsh RIP, Paddy Bolger RIP, Tommy Kelly RIP, Tom Hanly RIP and many more. Of course a fixture among the local legends was the late great Linny Fallon, for whom a chair was installed in the shop. Conversations were as varied as the Late Late Show to the Sunday morning Mass Sermon! The best and most contentious debate were on politics. Boys oh boys there were some discussions and some slamming of the shop front door! Paddy and Nancy Trautt moved to Cloontuskert, Co Roscommon from Ardagh, Co. Longford in 1956 when they bought the shop from PJ O’Flaherty. They worked long, hard hours to build their business and serve the community. At that time there was a lot of people moving in to the area to work with Bord na Mona. Most of these people remained here but some didn’t and in those early days there were some unpaid bills left behind when people moved on! Anything you wanted and Paddy Trautt would get it for you. I often heard my mother say about asking Paddy for Marmite, he hadn’t a clue what it was but duly got it for her and tried it out himself, using it like jam rather than a lot less, he couldn’t understand how she could possibly like it! In the days of no fridges in our houses and packed lunches needed for men going to work out the bogs the “couple of slices of ham” was a godsend. In 1967 a strike of Bord na Mona workers took place for 7 weeks. That meant no wages for 7 weeks. Paddy Trautt looked after all his customers and allowed big bills to be ran up to be paid off bit by bit over a long period afterwards. That was the calibre of the man and the fact that the community were more than customers, they were friends. Christmas time was special at the shop. The hive of activity was brilliant. You left in your “list” and Paddy & Nancy and their children Gerry, Dympna and Mel all worked late at packing up and delivering the orders. With that order you always received a Christmas present, tins of biscuits and boxes of sweets and this was in the days when they were a real treat and something you definitely would only have at Christmas, if at all. Toys were also stocked at Christmas time and you could buy them and pay off for them after Christmas. Of course most people bought their goods on credit and we all had a ”book”, this was a little notebook assigned to each person where you messages were written in at each purchase and you paid when the Bord na Mona cheque came on Thursday. In later years Gerry worked in the business and when he moved on Dympna took the reins, running the business for the last 14 years. This story could run to several pages but I hope you get a flavour of how great the shop was to us all. Thanks for the service you gave and the brilliant, wonderful, funny memories of time gone by. Wishing Dympna & Gerry B every good wish.
Culturally Mapping
Back in November 2015 a bus rolled into Lanesboro with a full load of students from the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), Dun Laoghaire. The bus contained the students from the Post Graduate Dip in Business in Cultural Event Management course who identified the Lanesboro/Ballyleague community. Using the old Convent hall as their base they made their way around Lanesboro and Ballyleague interviewing locals for their Cultural Mapping project that they were undertaking.
You may ask what is Cultural Mapping: Cultural Mapping is a process that enables members of the community to access their regions cultural capacities and to develop policies, strategies and meaningful connections that supports what already exists.
Their aim was to document or map the cultural activities within the community of Lanesboro and Ballyleague through engagement and dialogue. Their objective in the Cultural Mapping was to feed into and inform any new Arts Plans the community and surrounding areas.
The overall findings were very revealing and it found that our community was home to vibrant, enthusiastic, culturally rich groups and they that the wish list is well worth developing.
The group presented their findings at a presentation in the Institute in Dun Laoghaire on Thursday last to the Co. Longford Arts Officer Fergus Kennedy and the Roscommon Arts Officer Mary Mullins and yours truly. The enthusiasm the class showed on Thursday was equal to the way they went about their task in November – warm, friendly and welcoming with an utter determination to ensure no stone was left unturned. It was a real pleasure to deal with the students and their lecturer Jenny Haughton and I on behalf of the community would like to thank them for their wonderful presentation of the Cultural Mapping of our community.
Lanesboro Festival 2016
A good number turned up for the meeting in Clarke’s bar on Wednesday last and a good and lively discussion took place with many options put forward. It was decided to invite members from every club in the area of Lanesboro and Ballyleague to Sorohan’s Lifebelt Bar on Wednesday 10th February at 9pm.
It was encouraging to see many new faces and also to have their thoughts and views for the festival going forward. New ideas were put forward and on the 10th we will thrash all out and decide our pathway to the festival.
Do come along and be part of an exciting time for our community.
Wedding
The marriage took place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rathfeigh, Co. Meath of Gillian Clyne, daughter of John and Hannah Clyne, Rathcline Road and Brian Devane, son of Tony and Pauline Devane, Straffan, Co. Kildare. Matron of Honour was Louise Hanly, sister of the bride and Bridesmaid was Gina Bradshaw friend of the Bride. Bestman was Dara O’Shea friend of the Groom and Groomsman was David Devane brother of the Groom. Page Boy was Jack Tiger Devane, son of the happy couple. Flower Girls were Anna Rose Mullahy, niece of the Groom and Lucy Hanly, Emily Clyne, Kate Hanly and Ava Clyne all nieces of the Bride. The marriage ceremony was performed by Fr. Cyril Mangan, cousin of the bride. The wedding reception took place in the Ballymagarvey Village, Co. Meath. We would like to wish the happy couple many years of wedded bliss.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Goretti Kenny and family, Ballyleague, on the death of her brother in law John Ward, Moydow last week.
The Green – A Living History
In 27 there was Christy and Josephine O’Reilly, and their family of Mick, Willie, Dolores and Goretti. It is sad to relate that last week Willie passed away in England. The next residents into 27 was Christy and Josephine’s grandson Michael and his wife Anne and their children, Craig, Michael and Shauna. Into 28 came John (Kerry) Kennedy and his family – I don’t have family details and if anyone can help please contact me. The next family there was Eugene and Margaret Maguire and their family Mary, Pat and Ollie. The house is now owned by Michael Farrell, Curraghroe and the current residents are a Latvian family Aivis and Lena and their children Thomas and Lucas. Nauris a brother of Aivis also resides at the house.
The most instantly recognizable house is no 29 known locally as the round house. The first residents were Jimmy Mc Garry from Kilkenny and his family – again I do not have details so if you have any please contact me. The next family in were Billy and Kathleen Connerton and their family of Mary, Carol, Angela, Phyllis, Vera, Denis, Liam and Padraig.
Enrolment Day
Lanesborough Primary School is having their Enrolment Day for new infants on Friday next 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.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Goretti and Des Mc Cosker, The Green, her sister Dodo, Kilteevan and the extended O’Reilly family the Green on the death of Willie O’Reilly in England last week.
50/50
The weekly 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last 25h January in the Yacht Bar. The winner was Andrew Rhatigan, Fermoyle who received €365. Envelopes are on sale from club members in local shops and pubs and in O’Brien’s.
Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club
The dive plan for the year ahead was handed out last week. These dates will be adhered to as closely as possible but it is all weather dependant. Anyone interested in nitrox diving, blending or rescue diving contact Michéal Farrell about upcoming courses. Hi-vis jackets with the club logo are available and samples of same will be shown at training on Thursday.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Ronan and Margaret Cullen, Rathcline Road on the death last weekend of Ronan’s brother Tom Cullen, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim.
Tickets on Sale
The tickets for the Variety Concert to be held in St. Mary’s Hall on Saturday 13th February went on sale last weekend in O’Brien’s. As the number of tickets are limited it is very important that they are bought or ordered immediately.
As I wrote last week the show is laden down with magnificent talent and it is one of those nights not to be missed in our town. We have an abundance of young and not so young talent in our community and this is a wonderful opportunity to come out and be supportive of our own. They are just brilliant, each and every one of them and there is no doubt but you will really enjoy another special night in the hall.
Whist Drive
Another month has passed by very quickly and that means Friday next 5th February is the first Friday of February and can only mean one thing Lanesboro Social Services Whist Drive in St. Mary’s Hall at 8.30pm. As you know when you support this monthly Whist Drive you are supporting a huge cause that exists in our parish. The commit thanks everyone that supports the Whist Drive and who contributes to the Social Services. Come along and make this a wonderful night of card playing and fun in the company of card players enjoying the game of Whist.
Ballyleague N.S. Enrolment
2016 – Ballyleague N.S. will hold an open evening for those enrolling in September 2016 on Monday, February 8th from 6p.m. to 7p.m. All welcome.
Operation Transformation
Operation Transformation are doing our walk in Lanesboro on Saturday 6th February. Everyone is asked to meet at Clonbonny GAA car park at 9:50am and the walking will commence at 10am. Bring kids, pets and all family members to support. The more the merrier. Friends of Asthma Shop Reopens
The Friends of Asthma shop has reopened on the Main street just at a different location along the street. As you know from previous notes the shop closed and were seeking a new premises. The Johnston family came to the rescue, it is only a short time ago since they bought what we all remember as Kelly Post Office and the Asthma Shop is now located in the very part of the building that housed the Post office. The shop reopens on this Wednesday 4th February at 10am and we wish Pam Farrell every success as she resumes business.
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge
The results of the competition held on Wednesday 26th January in St. Mary’s Hall are: N/S 1st Mona O’Flaherty and Bernadette Gillen, 2nd Gemma Douglas and Maureen Hynes and 3rd Loretto Cooney and Freda Kenny. E/W 1st Una Clarke and Eileen Kelly, 2nd Frank and Frances Brennan and 3rd was a tie between Brid Mc Dermott & Una Lawlor and Katharine Harrison and Philomena Walsh.
Community Games
Hard luck to our U13 Indoor Soccer team who were very narrowly beaten, by a very good Killoe side, after extra time in Kenagh last week. It was an exciting match with Lanesboro battling back from been 4-1 down, to getting ahead by 1 goal and losing to a last minute goal. The Lanesboro team was: Duileach Ryan, Cormac Casey, Shane Killian, Aaron Kenny, Daire Cox, Shane Ross, Jimmy Farrell and Jamie Hagan. A special thank you to Ian Baker for managing the team. Also hard luck to the U10’s who battled hard in their match but were beaten by a good opposition. The Lanesboro team was: Cormac O’Dowd, Fionn Crossan, Ben Murphy, Ronan Cox and Shane Gavigan. A special thank you to John Tynan for managing the team. Thank you also to Padraig O Dowd and to all of the parents in helping out with transport and support.
Table Quiz
Lough Ree Angling Hub is holding a table quiz in the Yacht Bar on Friday night next April 5th at 9.30pm. The hub is hosting the world championship angling finals in the town in October four other major fishing competitions here this year in June, July and August so your support would be appreciated as the committee try to put the name of Lanesborough and Lough Ree back on the World Angling map, Teams of 4 will cost €40 on Friday night and there are great prizes on the night so please come along to the Yacht and support the angling hub
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 30cent 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 8th February 2-4pm.
ESOL Class continues on Tuesday 9th February 7-9pm.
Lasraí Writers Group meeting will take place on Monday 8th February 7-9pm. New members always welcome!
Easter Rising 1916 Centenary Calendar on sale in Lanesboro Library with wonderful drawings by Laura Doherty. Price €5.
Foreign Currency Appeal Reminder
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.
Know your Feathered Friends Course
Are you interested in the birds that you see around you? Do you want to know more about them and learn how to identify them?
If so, then this new course is for you! Introduction to Irish Birds and Bird Surveys The course runs over three weekends on Friday evenings and Saturdays and consists of a mixture of lectures, workshops and field trips.
Times: Fridays 6pm – 9pm; Saturdays 10am – 4pm.
Dates: Feb 12th and 13th; Feb 26th and 27th; March 11th and 12th.
Location: Athlone Institute of Technology, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Cost: €180 Lecturer: Caroline Lalor. To book your place or for more information, contact Caroline:
Tel: 086-3462091 e-mail: lalorecology@gmail.com
Asian Clams Meeting
As you may know there has been a serious infestation of the invasive species of Asian clam at the ESB hot water stretch at Lanesborough.
These clams are highly damaging to fish stocks on the Shannon and its tributary rivers and, despite huge efforts to try and get the river dredged and the clams removed, little or nothing has been done.
With the General Election coming up we feel it is now the appropriate time to highlight the issue and seek commitments on the matter from all political party candidates and independents running in this area.
We have therefore called a major public meeting of angling clubs and fishermen and women from all along the Shannon to take place in St Mary’s Parish Hall, Lanesborough (Longford side of the bridge beside the river) on Thursday February 11th at 9pm where local political representatives will be invited to attend and get an update on the matter.
Every TD, Senator and candidate in the election is hereby invited
Every club is hereby notified and requested to send 5 members to engage with the politicians and explain the importance of dealing with this issue
Doing nothing about Asian Clams is not an option. If we stand by, Lough Ree and its neighbouring waterways will become sterile in due course with devastating implications for angling and tourism. The recent flooding may very well have already led to a deterioration of the problem and urgent remedial work is now needed.
The committee hereby invite you to attend the meeting on Thursday February 11th at 9pm
Mother Knows Best
Aughawillan Drama Troupe is proud to present “Mother Knows Best” a comedy by Jimmy Keary and directed by Brian Dolan in Aughawillan Hall, Co Leitrim. The smash hit three act comedy will be for four nights the 11th, 12th, 13thand 14th of February commencing at 8.30 sharp each night. There is no need to book and admission is €10.00. Please turn up early to avoid disappointment. Listen out for Aughawillan Drama on the community notices Shannon Side Northern Sound and like us on Facebook at Aughawillan Drama.
Rathcline GAA
AGM – Our AGM was held on Sunday but as a new chairman could not be elected the meeting was adjourned and there will now be an EGM on Sunday 14th February at 5pm. There was a very poor turnout and we urge everyone with an interest in the club to please attend the EGM. The club is looking to fill a lot of new positions so we ask people to consider taking some of these. The club is in a great position back in senior football and back in Division 1 and we hope that off the field we can have a new committed executive who give their all for the club.
New Year’s Draw – On Saturday night our New Year’s draw was held and we would like to thank everyone who bought and sold tickets. This as always, is one of the main fundraisers for the club and we really appreciate your support. The winners were as follows: 1st Prize €1500 – Andrew Mulligan, Carrick-on-Shannon. 2nd Prize €750 – Johnny Malone, Cloontuskert. 3rd Prize €500 – Martina O’Brien, Clonfower. 4th Prize €200 – Joe Flood, Greenhall. 5th Prize €200 – Enda Hester, Knock. 6th Prize €200 – Fiona Mullins, Happy Tails, Lehery. 7th Prize €100 – Kevin Hanley & Caitriona Dowd. 8th Prize €100 – Alan Farrell, The Yacht Bar.
Rathcline GAA Comedy Talent Show – On Saturday 13th February the club are hosting a talent concert to help raise funds for the club. There will be lots of local talent on show along with Oscar nominees Colin Fayne and Brendan Rhatigan, Golden Globe winner Alan Fayne who has previously entertained us on stage and not forgetting IFTA nominee Seadna Ryan along with other talented actors!! There will be a variety of acts including: The Church Scene, Girls Disco Dance Mix, Paul & Robbie, The Lazy Song, Adam Farrell, Ould Men Grooving, Paul Prior, The Morgue, Disco Bus, Tracey’s Chair, The Dressing Room Scene and Young Men Grooving. 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 €5. Tickets are available now in O’Brien’s shop. It promises to be a great night’s entertainment not to be missed!
50/50 Draw – Congratulations to Andrew Rhatigan, Fermoyle, who was last Monday’s winner of €365 in our 50/50 draw. The draw continues every Monday night at 2pm and envelopes are available in all local businesses for €2. Anyone interested in a yearly subscription to the draw costing €100 can still do so by contacting a member of the executive.
Engagement – Congratulations to Rathcline ladies player Aodhnait Casey on her recent engagement to Mark McDonnell. We wish you both many years of happiness together.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
U16 League D2: The U16 Boys start their league campaign on Saturday 6th in Ballyleague at 3pm against Strokestown, your support is appreciated.
Registration Night: Takes place on Friday 5th from 8pm – 10pm. All new members welcome. Adult membership €60, Family membership €100, U18/Students/Social €30.
Best wishes: The club would like to take this opportunity to wish Dympna Trautt and Gerry Byrne the very best as they close what was an integral part of the community “Trautt’s Checkout” Cloontuskert. Throughout the 60 years that the shop was in business it supported not only the community but St. Faithleach’s GAA in every possible way. From consistently flying the red and white flag to sponsorship the family have shown unwavering support over the years and we wish them the best in their next chapter.
Cards: Every Tuesday night at 8:30pm in the Clubhouse. Last week’s winners; Sean &Frank /Tom Brendan. Last game; Ann /Kathleen.
Lotto: The numbers drawn were 8, 9, 24 and 27. There was no jackpot winner and the five €20 winners were Vinnie McGowan, Michael Mulvihill, K & B Conway, and Noel B /Steve O. The next draw takes place on Tuesday next 9th February in the clubhouse. The jackpot stands at €12,000. The team in charge is Darragh Hussey, David Harrison and James Quigley.