Lanesboro Ballyleague
Are you coming Wednesday?
The night programme for the Lough Ree Monster Festival 2017 is almost complete for the entire weekend. We would invite anyone that has ideas on the day events from Friday 4th August to Monday 7th August. All ideas will be well received and researched and your contribution will be greatly appreciated
The final meeting before Christmas will take place in Clarke’s Bar on Wednesday 7th December at 9pm
The Lough Ree Monster Festival group would like to thank most sincerely the Taste of the Lakelands committee for donating the proceeds of the Hamper draw at the upcoming Taste of the Lakelands Christmas Extravaganza in the grounds of the Convent BnB on Thursday 8th December from 6pm
Lanesboro primary School Carol Service
The students of Lanesboro Primary School will host their Annual Christmas Carol Service in St. Mary’s Church on Wednesday week 14th December commencing at 6.30pm. The staff and pupils invite everyone to come along to this very special occasion for all the young students of the school.
Sympathy
Last week a former member of our community passed away peacefully at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan on Tuesday 29th November. Vinny Terry Farrell was a resident of Kilberry, Navan, Co. Meath at the time of his death. The name ‘Terry Farrell’ was synonymous with Ballyleague and those of us of my generation and older will fondly remember the family name and family respect. We all the great memories and great times that goes along with it. Vinnie married Kathleen O’Donoghue from the Green.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Kathleen their sons Clarence and Terence, daughters Felicity and Karen, his sister Joan, the extended Farrell and O’Donoghue family and all those that are saddened by Vinnie’s departure.
St. John’s Christmas Services
On Sunday next 11th December at 11.30 a.m. there will be a Carol Service in St. Johns Church Lanesborough.
On Saturday 24th December, Christmas Eve, Christmas Service and Holy Communion Service will take place in St John’s Church Lanesborough at 8p.m.
Taste of the Lakelands Christmas Extravaganza
It’s been a really momentous year for our ‘Taste of the Lakelands’ food festival brand here in the midlands
Thanks to your help and the support of key state agencies – Longford, Westmeath & Roscommon county councils & LEOs – Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland, Bord a Mona and ESB – we have brought 10,000 visitors to Lanesborough & Ballyleague, given a high profile showcase to 44 local food producers , put our fishing and food on the world stage and now started a process that will hopefully lead to real job creation in our region
To celebrate a tumultuous year, we will stage one final Taste of the Lakelands at Christmas showcase on Thursday next 8th December from 6 pm until 9pm in the Convent B&B Guesthouse Courtyard at Main Street.
On the night, we will have a mixture of food and craft on display – with some Christmas cheer – see attached poster.
Unfortunately, space is at a premium at the venue so please come along early – the event will run from 6 to 9 pm. The trade stand section was extremely restricted and is now closed but please come along to see us anyway if you are a trader or producer and we will fill you in on the exciting new plans we have for 2017.
We have great pleasure in acknowledging YOUR role in our great successes in 2016 and would like to personally invite you to attend on Thursday so that we can say thanks and Happy Christmas in person and in the presence of yet another Taste of the Lakelands extravaganza!!
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on Monday 28th November: N/S: Gross and Nett: 1st Loretta Cooney and Katharine Harrison, 2nd Joan Donnellan and John Kiernan, 3rd Patricia McGann and Joan Browne. E/W: Gross: 1st Mary Fallon and Philomena Walshe, 2nd J.J. Donlon and Kathleen Kelly, 3rd Fiona Gillen and Essie Nugent. Nett: 1st Mary Fallon and Philomena Walshe, 2nd Fiona Gillen and Essie Nugent and 3rd J.J. Donlon and Kathleen Kelly.
Christmas Day Run
Each year the Annual Christmas Day Run from Newtowncashel takes place and it is always a wonderful success thanks to you that have done it year in year out since its inception. The run is the main fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis This year the committee is hoping for another successful run and are once again calling on your fantastic support. It is now time to get out and get some training done in preparation for the day.
It is very important that all entrants maximise their sponsorship so that the committee can make a major contribution to Multiple Sclerosis for the coming year on your behalf.
Sponsorship cards are available from O’Brien’s, Casserley’s and from the Flood family, Lehery.
Meals on Wheels
Saturday week 17th and Sunday week 18th December at all Masses in Lanesboro the Annual Church Gate Collection for the meals on Wheels Service will take place. The meals on Wheels Service is particularly good to Lanesboro and Rathcline and we urge anyone going to mass that weekend to contribute generously to ensure that this service continues in the parish.
Longford Social Services bring people to and from hospitals, clinics and St. Joseph’s Care Centre Longford which are invaluable services to those within our community that needs them.
If you are not available to contribute at that weekend you can leave your donation into O’Brien’s Shop.
Traditionally the collection takes place the last weekend before Christmas and your generosity has been wonderful and we urge you usual generous contributions.
Transition Years Christmas Show
Rehearsals are presently in full swing for Lanesboro Community Colleges Transition Year students as they prepare for their Variety Concert in St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Thursday week 15th December. There is much to see and entertain you at what promises to be a fabulous night. Doors open at 7.30pm and the show will commence at 8pm. Admission is adults €10 and Children €5.
Leinster Hurling Title
Sunday last was a red lettered day for Dublin Hurling club champions Cuala when for the first time in their history they won the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship beating Kilkenny’s O’Loughlin Gaels. The corner back on the Cuala team was Simon Timlin son of Padraig and Monica (nee O’Flaherty) and grandson of Mrs. Mona O’Flaherty, Ballyleague.
Lucky Lottery Winner
On his way home on Wednesday night last a local man remembered he had not done the National Lottery. As he was approaching the Daybreak store in Ballyleague he called into Joe and Martina’s store to chance his luck. Later in the night he remembered to check his numbers and lo and behold he discovered he had five numbers plus the bonus number. In times past it would have meant €25,000 but since the recent change in lotto prize structure, later that morning, he discovered he was the winner of €101,947. We congratulate the lucky winner on his great fortune and we wish him continued luck.
Your Blood Donation Really Counts
Christmas time is a wonderful time of the year for family and friends but it is also a time of great need for blood donors. Your support is needed more than ever on Sunday 18th, Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th December in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. Please go along and be you be a first time, returning or experienced blood donor and help with the demand and be secure in the knowledge that your blood donation is helping in the recovery of a person’s life. Your donation really counts.
The hours of the clinic are: Sunday 18th 12 noon to 3.30pm, Monday 19th 5 pm to 8.30pm and Tuesday 20th 5pm to 8.30pm
Annual 25 Drive
The Annual Anthony Healy memorial 25 card drive will take place on Sunday 18th December in Clarke’s bar commencing at 7pm. The first prize will be a Full Lamb (freezer ready) sponsored by Terry’s meats and second prize will be €50 sponsored by Clarke’s Bar. There will be a host of spot prizes and if you would like to support without playing you can purchase your tickets in any of the local shops or Clarke’s Bar, write your name on the back and leave it back to who sold it to you. This ticket will be included for the spot prize draw and you will also be helping a wonderful cause. The full proceeds will go, as usual, to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice.
Thank You
The Lanesborough Christmas Lights Committee would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all who contributed to the Church Gate Collection at the weekend. A total of €786 was raised for the ongoing lighting project. Thanks, are also extended to the traders for their support. If you missed the collection or would like to contribute donations can be made at Joe O’Brien’s or to Mags Gillen. We hope to light up Lanesborough following 7:30pm mass on Saturday evening.
50/50
On Monday night 28st November, the 50/50 draw took place in the Adie’s Bar and the lucky winner of last week’s wonderful pool of €441 pool was Gavin Carberry, Curraghroe.
The club thanks you for your continued support. Blue weekly tickets are on sale in all local businesses and yearly pink tickets are also available costing €100.
This week in our local Library
Knitting & Crochet Group continues every Monday 2-4pm. All Welcome!
ESOL Class continues every Tuesday evening 7-10pm.
Art Class 5 with Nicolette continues on Monday 5th December at 8pm.
Lasraí Writers Group
The very popular ‘Poetry and Music’ will continue at Lanesboro Library on Monday 12th December from 4.30 to 5.30pm. Come along and share a favourite poem. The group is looking forward to seeing you there and to meet new people interested in poetry and music and song.
Last man standing for the Ladies
Rathcline ladies are back with a new competition “Rathcline Ladies ’s Last Man Standing”, kicking off on the 2nd January. To join simply follow the link below, sign in and get your picks in. You can then pay and share with your mates.
https://www.runlastman.com/competitions/4339-rathcline-ladies-rathcline-ladies-s-last-man-standing
First Goal Winner
The Rathcline Ladies first goal competition is held every week on a selected match and the winner of the €50 for last week was Josephine Farrell, Gala store.
If you would like to partake contact Michael Greene. Entry is only €2.
Bog Lane Theatre Ballymahon
December the 10th sees Ballymahon local, Jude McLynn, take on the mammoth task of performing the thrilling play ‘Howie the Rookie’. Written in 1999 by one of Ireland’s greatest modern playwrights – Mark O’Rowe (Intermission, Terminus) – the play was originally intended to be performed by two actors but was adapted in recent years by O’Rowe purposely so that Tom Vaughan-Lawlor could perform same, which sees one man tasked with telling the story of both Howie and The Rookie. This is a show not to be missed and will surely be the most challenging role McLynn has taken on to date, following a lead role in ‘The 39 Steps’ (2012) & the part of the matchmaker with Athlone Little Theatre’s production of ‘The Chastitute’ (2013). Tickets are now available through email noegopromo@gmail.com or by texting 0872415178 & will be running on the 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 17th & 18th December. Tickets cost €12. The show is being produced in conjunction with ‘The Bog Lane Theatre’ Ballymahon & 50% of the total funds raised are being kindly donated to St Joseph’s Nursing Home in Longford Town. Please be advised that this play contains strong language throughout and is not suitable for persons under the age of 18.
Monster Christmas Draw
The Lough Ree Pike Angling Club is holding a Monster Christmas draw for fishing and non-fishing club members.
The draw will take place in the Yacht Bar on Sunday 18th December at 4pm. There will be pries of hampers and spot prizes and the club looks forward to seeing all members and friends at the draw.
Christmas Session at the Library
A Christmas session of Poetry and Music will be held at Lanesboro Library on Monday next 12th December from 4.30 to 5.30pm. You are invited to go along and share the festive readings and songs. A wonderful time is assured
Tourism Co-Op Draw
For the draw on Tuesday 20th December the subsidiary prizes will increase for this draw only and they will be as follows 1st €100, 2nd €50, 3rd €50, 4th €50. The committee thanks everyone for their continued support.
Lough Ree Community Resources
Santa and Mrs Claus arrived to Lanesborough on Sunday morning. An early arrival at Lough Ree Community Resources to the first Christmas Fair certainly brought out the crowds in town for an after breakfast Mulled Wine and a selection of hot and colds foods. Sixteen local people provided their own personal produce from baking, millinery, shoe design, baby hampers, local honey and relishes, needlework, Christmas craft, fruit hampers and of course Mike’s Bric-a-Brac, an exhibition of Lanesboro in images and book format was also on display. To all who hosted stands and to all who helped out in any way we appreciate your input greatly. Special thanks to Liam and Esther, Mary Kelly, Geraldine & Hannah Shea, Geraldine Farrell, Dearbháil, Crónán & Caoilinn Flood, Peter Mullooly, Tom Rooney, Madeleine Murray and last but not least the Town Mayor Mike Green who carry out all the preparatory work. This was all provided by Lough Ree Community Resources in support of the Lanesborough/Ballyleague community.
Lough Ree Community Resources have also produced two Christmas cards to help raise funds for the Christmas Lighting. Both cards carry images of Lanesborough – one of the Bridge and one of the town by night. They can be purchased locally in bundles of four for €3. Again Lough Ree Community Resources thank you for your support over the year.
Teathbha on Sale
The annual County Longford Historical Society publication Teathbha Journal 2016 was launched recently. As usual this is another great publication by the Historical Society with some wonderful contributions. One photograph in particular caught the eye. There was a photograph of the 1953 Longford team that won the All-Ireland Junior Final and included in the photograph was local man James Harold, Main Street. The publication cost only €12 and it is money well spent
St. Vincent De Paul
A church gate collection will take place at all masses next weekend in Lanesboro and St. Vincent de Paul looks forward to your generous support.
Lough Ree AC
We are looking forward to our Christmas Day Run and “the afters” in conjunction with the MS Run. The organisers of the MS Newtowncashel Lanesboro Run are to be congratulated because their event brings a great buzz to the area on Christmas Day.
The training session on Sunday last was cancelled to give all our athletes a chance to visit Santa at the Christmas Fair in the Co –Op and he didn’t disappoint. We are back in action next Sunday 11th December at 12.30 in Clonbonny. All are welcome.
Pop Up Shop
St. Christopher’s Services are opening a Christmas Craft Pop Up Shop on New Street Longford from Monday 28th November until Friday 16th December. The shop will be open daily from 10am to 4pm. The shop is situated beside Torc Café.
This is a great opportunity to get your ideal Christmas gift all made in Longford.
Longford Sports Partnership
Bocce
Would you like to try Bocce? There is a Bocce court located in the Mall Complex. A group meet up every Monday morning at 11a.m. If you wish to join, just turn up. Alternatively, if this time does not suit and you wish to try out Bocce, please contact Longford Sports Partnership and we will provide you with the Bocce balls.
Parkrun
Parkrun is up and running in Longford. Join this free 5k run in the mall on a Saturday morning. Alternatively, if you wish to help out as a volunteer, feel free. Visit parkrun.ie or www.facebook.com/ longfordparkrun
Learn to Run Programme – 6 weeks
Calling on all workers to join our “Learn to Run Programme” for beginners to intermediate. Starting Wednesday 16th November at 1pm for 6 weeks in the Mall Complex. €10 for 6 weeks. Programme involves 5 minute warm up, 25-minute walking / running, 10 minutes core work. We aim to join Parkrun on 17th December.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/longfordsportspartnership: Website: www.longfordsports.ie Tel: 043-3349402
Food and Craft Fair
Roscommon Cancer Support Group is hosting a Food and Craft Fair on Sunday next 11th December in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. Santa will be in attendance from 1.30pm to 3pm. Admission is free and you support and attendance will be greatly appreciated.
Youth Christmas Retreat
Youth 2000 is holding a Christmas Retreat in Newbridge College from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th December. Youth 2000 invites all young adults between the ages of 16 and 35 to a catholic retreat at the college. Parental consent is essential for all those under 18. All meals are provided for and accommodation is on site. Do not let money be an obstacle just bring a sleeping bag and a donation. There are free buses picking up at various locations throughout the country. Booking is essential. For more information see www.youth2000.ie Youth 2000 Ireland Facebook page or phone 01-6753690.