Lanesboro Ballyleague
The Green – a living history
Christy Mahon will be long and well-remembered in Lanesboro and Bord na Mona during his time with us. Last week I received an email from Christy and it sums up his time with us in Lanesboro.
It’s been many years since we were in contact. Mick Walsh sent me some of your Lanesboro notes and a photo from the Pillar of a show which I was in. I spent 10 yrs. in Lanesboro 65 to 75. I was in many digs starting in cowboy Casey’s in Mahoraveen then Jim shean Mulvihill’s in Lehery and Ger Hagan’s knock for 4 yrs. All of these were with John Casserley from Dromad. I then stayed in Paddy Kilbride on the Green lastly over Joe O’Brien’s chemist with Donald O Grady, Martin Brehony John Mc Carthy (who married Liz Donnellan), Niel Doherty and Eddie Scanlon from Sligo. I went to the vocational school there during April to June in 1966 and 1967. I have a photo taken there in June 67 which I gave to Donal O’Grady and I asked him to drop it into you. If it’s of no use to you that’s okay.
The names are back row Jim Butler, Denis Casey, Jack Farrell, Gérard Ryan, Tom Queen an, Leo O’Gorman, John Maher, Dom Keenaghan, Donal O’Grady and Peadar Cranwell (teacher) Front Christ Mahon, Vincent Reddin, P.J. Barrett, Kevin Fahy, John Casserley and Tom Wright. Noel Scully from Rahan Tullamore was also on this group and he took the photograph
We had great respect for the teachers Bart Clancy, Denis Glennon and Peadar Cranwell.
Lough Ree Monster Festival
Would you like to be part of the group bringing a major festival to Lanesboro and Ballyleague in 2017?
It was great to see the numbers attending the meeting of the Monster festival group growing and the interest is indeed growing with support from many sectors being offered.
The big occasion for the area will be the Monster Greyhound Night at Longford Greyhound Stadium on Friday 17th June. There is a lot of work in securing funding and making the night a very special one as we undertake to raise the necessary funding for what promises to be the best festival in the country in 2017. We are looking for your support in whatever way you can be supportive of the Lough Ree Monster Festival.
The group is looking for any videos or photographs of the original Monster Festival and if you have some please bring them to O’Brien’s where they will be scanned and returned immediately.
The group encourages anyone that can to sign up for the upcoming Defibrillator course – bookings can be made with Martina O’Brien at the shop 3321107.
Rathcline Back in Senior League
Rathcline senior footballers make the step back into the big time on Saturday evening next in Clonbonny when they take on Carrickedmond in the first round of the Leader Cup with a throw in time of 5pm. Go along and support your parish team and cheer them on to success.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Everything is now set for the St. Patrick’s day Parade that will take place on Thursday 17th March. We expect a massive attendance in Lanesboro and Ballyleague and we look forward to seeing a great parade being enjoyed by everyone. The town will be festooned with Irish and local club flags and every house and business is asked to fly the flag for another wonderful occasion in our community. The parade will commence from St. Faithleach’s club grounds at 2.30pm and will wind its way through Ballyleague and Lanesboro
Draw on Thursday
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade draw will take place on Thursday night and tickets are now on sale locally. The proceeds of the draw will go to help greatly in the funding of the St. Patrick’s Day parade and you are asked to be your normal generous self by supporting the draw. A book of tickets costs just €5The prize structure is 1st €500, 2nd €200, 3rd €100, 4th €50, 5th €50, 6th€50 and 7th €50. The draw will take place in Clarke’s Bar on St. Patrick’s night.
50/50
The weekly 50/50 draw took place on Monday night last 7th March in the Yacht Bar. The winner was Joe Rooney, Rathcline who won €35. Envelopes are on sale from club members in local shops and pubs and in O’Brien’s.
With a busy time coming up over the next few weeks we would encourage everyone to buy their 50/50 and increase the prizemoney making it a worthwhile amount over €400 for St. Patrick’s and Easter weekends. We depend on your support
The club really appreciates your continued support for the draw.
Lanesboro Bridge results
The results of the Pairs completion held on Wednesday 17th and 24th N/S 1st Katharine Harrison and Philomena Walsh, 2nd Bernadette Gillen and Mona O’Flaherty and 3rd Gemma Douglas and Elish Gray. E/W 1st Brid Mc Dermott and Una Lawlor, 2nd tie between Mike Flynn and Brendan Dowling & Maureen Hynes and Patsy Canavan and 3rd Frank and Frances Brennan. 1st session winners Una Clarke and Eileen Kelly, 2nd session winners were Phil Chalmers and Cyril Hussey.
The results of the competition held on Wednesday 2nd March are; N/S 1st Brid Mc Dermott and Una Lawlor, 2nd Patricia Mc Gann and Mary Jameson and 3rd Gemma Douglas and Elish Gray. E/W 1st Frank and Frances Brennan, 2nd Eileen Kelly and Una Clarke and 3rd Cyril Hussey and Katharine Harrison.
The results of the competition held on Wednesday 9th March are; N/S 1st Gemma Douglas and Elish Gray, 2nd Mona O’Flaherty and Bernadette Gillen and 3rd Frank and Frances Brennan. E/W 1st Eileen Kelly and Una Clarke, 2nd Mary Jameson and Patricia Mc Gann and 3rd tie between Katharine Harrison and Noreen Dunne & Maura Hanly and Mairéad Gill
Badminton Winners
Congratulations to the Grade 5 mixed team who won the Midland League on Thursday last 10th March in Ballymore against Mullingar. The team members were Noel Moran, Owen Casey, Frank Casey, Mark Bermingham, Martin Murray, Edel Mc Dermott, Regina Scally, Gráinne Gallagher and Maura Duffy. Well done to all involved and to the supporters on the night.
Easter Ceremonies for St. John’s
The Easter Ceremonies for the St. John’s congregation are: Holy Thursday at 8pm service in St Coman’s church Roscommon. Good Friday 8p.m service in St. John’s church Lanesborough and Easter Sunday service in St Coman’s Roscommon at 11.30 a.m.
Defibrillator Training
We are all acutely aware of what happened Leitrim U21 player Alan McTague in Clonbonny at the recent Hastings Cup game were the true value of having a defibrillator and also the someone with the ability to use really came clearly into focus. The defibrillator in this instance was a lifesaving instrument.
The defibrillator group under Kevin Madden will soon be holding a new training course and a re-cert course. We urge as many people from as many groups as possible to sign up for the course as we never know the time or the hour that your lifesaving skills with the defibrillator will be required. What with all the different events and festivals coming along the more people trained and recertified in the use of the defibrillator the better. To make booking for the new course or recertification please contact Martina O’Brien in the shop or phone .3321107
Conradh na Gaeilge – Church Gate Collection
It’s said that six of the seven signatories of the Easter 1916 Proclamation were members of Conradh na Gaeilge, or “The Gaelic League” as it was known at that time, as was a majority of those subsequently executed for their part in The Rising. Not a bad heritage for a non-political, non-violent, non-sectarian organization whose only objective is the advancement of our beautiful First National language, an Gaeilge, and its literature. Despite many modern day obstacles, the number of people proud to declare some ability in the language continues to grow. At the last Census this number stood at slightly less than 1.8 Million, an increase of nearly two hundred thousand on the previous count. “Ábhar dóchas” indeed.
Beidh ár mBailliúcháin Náisiúnta ar Lá Fhéile Padraig. All donations, (no matter how large) gratefully accepted. The church Gate collection will take place at all St. Patrick Day masses
Bag Pack for International
Matsubayashi Shorinryu International Karate Club Lanesboro will hold a ‘bag pack’ in SuperValu on Thursday week 24th March to support three local girls who have qualified for the World Championships to be held in City West, Dublin from 15th to 19th June. The three local girls are Elizabeth Clyne, Keisha Carthy and Eabha Kenny from Kevin Mc Kenna’s Lanesboro Club.
Your support will be greatly appreciated.
There will be a follow up Table Quiz in Adie’s Bar on Friday 15th April
Sponsored Canoe
Junior Hannon is about to fulfil a burning ambition when he will undertake the mammoth canoe from Lanesboro to Limerick. He will take on this feat commencing on Friday 27th May. Junior is doing this canoe to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society and he would like that everyone would sponsor and help this excellent cause and who are doing great work in their attempts to help fight cancer. Sponsorship cards are in O’Brien’s and many outlets throughout the area.
Be part of the Rising celebrations
2016 is one of the most important years in our history as we celebrate the 100th year of the Irish Rising in Dublin. It is a very significant year and one we should all avail of the opportunity to celebrate. Over the next few weeks’ celebrations will be commencing and you, young and old, are encouraged to avail of this unique and once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of the celebration of our history. Over the Easter weekend there will be a particular concentration of commemorative events and you should not miss one of those magical occasions to be part of our very own history. Never miss this chance or you will always look back in regret.
I do know that there will be a celebration in the area during the coming months but as of yet I do not have set dates and they will be communicated as soon as they become available.
For a full list of the events happening throughout the country you should go to www.ireland.ie for the full list of events.
Heritage Training Days
It’s that time of year again, looking forward towards National Heritage Week at the end of August. This year’s theme is 100 years of Heritage to tie-in, but not be tied down by, the centenaries happening this year.
If you or your organisation is considering getting involved, the training days being offered by the Heritage Council in Dublin and Galway may be of interest. These will include topics such as maximising your audience and event management, that would be useful for other events throughout the year.
This year you have the choice of attending our free training day for event organisers in either Dublin or Galway. Topics will include reaching new audiences, networking, resources and event management. We will also discuss the 2016 theme. We will announce the full programme of speakers in the coming weeks. Dublin – Register Now Galway – Register Now Gresham Hotel Druid Theatre,
O’Connell St. Flood Street Thursday 14th April Wednesday 27 April 10am – 4pm 10am- 4pm Places are limited so please book early.
100 Years of Heritage
In this centenary year, what better time to celebrate the last one hundred years of Ireland’s heritage; historical, archaeological, architectural and environmental. How did people live, what did they eat, how did they travel, what jobs did they do? What was life like for a soldier, a farmer, a nurse or a schoolchild? What was important to those that lived in Ireland then, are these things still important to us now? What has been saved and what has disappeared? During National Heritage Week 2016 we invite you to plan a Heritage Week event that explores the last one hundred years of heritage in Ireland.
One hundred years of change one hundred years of heritage
Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club
Pool training finished up in The Mall Complex last Thursday. Many thanks to the staff for their cooperation over the winter months.
A full-face-mask induction was given to the new trainees – at least One of whom was suitably impressed.
Attention now turns to the open water. First trainee dives will be held in Killary over the Easter weekend. Contact Paula regarding accommodation.
Don’t forget the postponed Christmas Day Swim in aid of St. Christopher’s will now take place on St. Patrick’s Day. All are welcome.
An interesting day was had by those who travelled to the Dive Show in the Hodson Bay Hotel last weekend. Lots of diving paraphernalia was on display and gave people an idea of the cost of certain pieces of equipment.
Friends from other clubs were met and stories exchanged. An enjoyable day.
The Full-face-mask course will be hosted by Athlone Sub Aqua on 20th – apply via COMS.
Finning continues on Sunday and it is hoped to pack the van in readiness for the Killary trip. Also the clubhouse needs to be prepared for the St. Patricks Day swim as well as launching floats on the river for same.
Sleep Out for Simon
The Sleep Out for Simon will take place in Connolly Barracks Longford on Good Friday night 25th March 2016
The Programme of Events are: registration at 9.00pm, Welcome Address at 10.30pm, Refreshments served. Sing Along Music 11.30-1.00am – (if you play, you are encouraged to bring along musical instruments)
Requirements on the night: Sleeping Bag, Pillow, Warm Clothes and a Hot Water Bottle
Sponsorship Cards and monies must be handed in at entrance on the night, only people with sponsorship cards will be admitted.
Local Events at our Library
Art Class: Art class 5 with Nicolette continues in Lanesboro Library on Wednesday 23rd March at 8pm. The Cost of the course is €10.00 per night.
Knitting & Crochet Group continues on Monday 21st March 2-4pm. All welcome!
ESOL Class continues on Tuesday 22nd March 7-9pm.
Easter Rising 1916 Centenary Calendar
Easter Rising 1916 Centenary Calendar on sale in Lanesboro Library with wonderful drawings by Laura Doherty. Price €5.
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.
Storytime at the Library
Some photographs from the World Book Day Storytime which took place on Friday 4th March in Lanesboro Library. Storyteller Mags McKenna told stories for children from Lanesboro Primary School. The photographer was Tommy Reynolds, Longford.
Longford Federation of the ICA
The Longford Federation of the ICA is holding a Fashion Show in the Longford Arms Hotel on Monday next 21st March. The doors will open at 7pm and the show will commence at 8pm. Admission to the show will cost €10 and your support will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
We would like to thank everyone who contributed so generously to the recent Daffodil Coffee Morning. A total of €652 was collected. A huge thanks to the following: Joe Duffy for the printing and sponsoring the fabulous posters, Mike Green for distributing them, Breda O’Loughlin and Eithne Clyne for the lovely refreshments, Ita Gill, Mary Claire Wallace, Joan Johnston and Mary Conmy for tending the tables. Sincere appreciation to all concerned.
Hand in Hand
You are invited to go along and join in the fun in the charity Fundraiser ‘All Round Family Day Out’ that is being held in St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Lanesboro on Good Friday 25th March from 4pm to 6pm. Hand in Hand is a non-profitable organisation which provides practical support for families of children with cancer. Your generous support will be gratefully appreciated.
Trócaire Alert
Some homes are receiving Trócaire boxes delivered to their homes with instructions that they will be collected at the end of Lent. This is not a genuine of parish method of delivery or collection. If you received a Trócaire box by this manner, please return it to your local Church ONLY.
Sleep Out for SIMON
The Midlands Simon Community Longford is holding a ‘sleep out’ on Good Friday night 25th March in Connolly Barracks, Longford. Registration for the event will take place between 9pm and 10pm. Local lady Madaleine will take part in the sleep out and we urge your support for her. You can sponsor her by contacting her directly or by adding your contribution to her sponsorship card in O’Brien’s.
Croagh Patrick Youth Pilgrimage
The Croagh Patrick Youth Pilgrimage will take place on Saturday 14th May for the age group of 17 to 25 years. If you would like to take part in the Pilgrimage you are invited to call 0879880690
Posters
The election is over a few weeks, there is no sign of a Government and it makes me wonder if we are about to have another election as on the Longford Road there are still posters remaining up. During the election there were so many posters on the Longford Road that it was unsightly and if it was then it is more so now with the election a distant memory. Hopefully before I write again next week the posters will be taken down.
Counties on a Roll
The footballing fortunes of both Roscommon and Longford continues to rise and it was great to see Roscommon travel to Donegal and defeat compressively the home side. In Pearse Park Longford took on table toppers Tipperary and inflicted their first defeat of the season. Roscommon are now in a position to reach the final of Division 1 while Longford are now in line for promotion to Division 2. Onwards and upwards lads and the very best of luck to all.
Rathcline GAA
Defibrillator course – Training will commence soon and the club urges members from the senior and minor clubs as a matter of urgency to sign up for the new training course and also for the new course and also those that need recertification to sign up. Booking your place for either course can be done with Martina O’Brien at the shop 3321107. Please do so immediately as this is a much needed safety requirement for the club
The Reserve League team played their first game on Saturday last but unfortunately it was not to be their day. There will be better and brighter days ahead.
The senior make their return to Senior League in Clonbonny on Saturday next in Clonbonny at 5pm. The club encourages everyone that can to come along to Clonbonny and cheer the lads on. It is very important that we get great support from the outset and that the lads raise their game sufficiently to overcome the challenges of Division 1 football. There is no doubt that we have the talent and ability, we just need the attitude.
Membership is immediately due from all players and also from intending members. We have a narrow deadline for collection and everyone should make their membership to Peter Skelly, Denis Crinigan or Brendan Rhatigan immediately
50/50 Draw – Congratulations to Joe Rooney, who was the winner of €365 in our 50/50 draw last Monday night. A reminder that the 50/50 draw takes place every Monday night at 9pm and envelopes are available in all local businesses for only €2. This draw is one of our main sources of income which helps run the club so we would be grateful for your generous support.
DVDs of Variety Show – DVDs of our recent variety show are available now in O’Brien’s for €10. We had great feedback about the show from so many who attended on the night so if you want to see the show again or for the first time now’s your chance to get your hands on the DVD.