Lanesboro Ballyleague notes Monday 9th December 2019

Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes

Santa comes to O’Brien’s

Last Saturday evening Rathcline Senior club approached Martina and myself to see if they could host Santa Claus in our shop on Sunday next. We readily agreed and were very happy and indeed excited to have Santa in the shop for the very first time.

On Sunday next from 2pm to 5pm Santa Claus will be in attendance to meet all the young people of the entire area. It will be a wonderfully exciting afternoon for all the young people and their parents.

For all the older generations (yes, we are there now) we remember the moving (motorised) Santa in the window which was a wonderful attraction to us all as youngsters and now Santa makes a comeback courtesy of the Rathcline club.

There will be no charge and every young person will have a chat with Santa and receive a selection box compliments of the club.

It should be a fantastic afternoon for all the young people from ours and surrounding communities. As I don’t believe Santa will appear anywhere else in the town in the run up to Christmas this should be very special for the young people.

Lanesboro and Ballyleague Lights Up

The beauty of the Christmastime of the year is when Lanesboro and Ballyleague lights up both sides of the bridge. This all happened on Saturday last when both sides of the bridge were lit up for Christmas. Our entire community looks really great and it is a testimony to both lighting committees that our community looks so good and we would like to thank them for their wonderful efforts in brightening the community for Christmas and we would like to wish them  a very Happy Christmas and a special 2020.

Christmas Reading

There is a great deal of local reading for this Christmas, ideal for yourself or a Christmas present – Jack Harte’s Rehabilitating the Serpent, Colin Carberry’s book of poetry Ghost Homeland, Henry Owen’s excellent book on Sliabh Bán and its surrounding area, Shamrock 165 a book by David Walsh on the crash of the Aer Lingus 165 where local lady Evelyn Belton lost her life, Jude Flynn’s final edition of Fireside Tales, Longford Historical Society’s Teachbha,  and Paddy Egan’s The Place where I was Born and the Recipe Book produced by the County Roscommon Disability support group, Derrane.

Meals on Wheels Collection

Daily and weekly we see the Meals on Wheels van travelling through the parish and town doing fabulous work on behalf of Longford Social Services. On Saturday and Sunday next there will be the Annual Church Gate collection at all Mass to support the great work and support being provided continually in our community. Your usual earnest support for this terrific service will be once again greatly appreciated.

Éigse Pete Carberry

Now this is a weekend for your diary. Following the hugely successful inaugural Éigse Pete Carberry weekend the second Éigse Pete Carberry weekend will take place in Lanesboro on Friday 17th Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April 2020.

Already the committee are receiving requests for accommodation and if you are interested providing accommodation can you leave your name and number into O’Brien’s for collection by a committee member.

Death

The death occurred on Saturday 30th November in the care of the staff of Innis Ree Lodge, Ballyleague of Patrick Murphy, Coolshaughtena and formerly of Kilteevan. Patrick was predeceased a few years ago by his wife Mary. Both had spent their working life in England before retiring back home to Ireland. Patrick was a warm and friendly man who had a word or everyone. On his return he immediately slipped into our community like a hand in a glove. He will be sadly missed by all of us that got to know him and his time with us was greatly appreciated such was the quality of the man.

His remains reposed in Smyth’s Funeral Home on Tuesday last before his removal to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague. Following the Mass of the Resurrection on Wednesday Patrick was laid to rest in Kilteevan cemetery. To his sons Simon, Neil and Patrick, sister Mai Mulvihill, Rathcline, brothers Matt and John we extend our deepest sympathy.

First Class Award

Congratulations to First Class student at Cloontuskert N. S. Lana Cox who received her award yesterday in Dublin City Hall for winning the Junior Category county prize in the Someone Like Me Art Competition. Lana a daughter of Ray and Qona Cox had a fantastic day and even brought home some words of wisdom for her classmates. Lana had the privilege of meeting Peter Ryan the Paralympic cyclist whose message was not to dwell on what you can’t do, but to focus on what you can! What a great message for Lana to share with us all in Cloontuskert N.S. You did your school and community proud Lana, well done.

Christmas Carols for Everyone

You are invited to come along to ‘Carols for Everyone’ in St. Mary’s Church on Saturday evening next 14th December following 7.30pm Mass. Traditionally this is a wonderful Carol Service with very uplifting carols from the musicians and choir.

All donations will be given on to the Peter McVerry Trust. Following the Carol Service there will be refreshments in St. Mary’s hall.

Thank You

The Christmas Lights Committee would like to thank all who gave so generously to their collection last weekend. Sum collected was €711.  If you missed the collection and would like to donate you can call to Joe & Martina O’Brien’s Corner Shop or Mag’s Hair Salon. The committee would appreciate some sponsorship from local businesses.

Lanesboro Bridge Club

The results of the competition held on Wednesday last 4th December are N/S 1st Frank and Frances Brennan, 2nd Gemma Douglas and Elish Gray, 3rd Phil Chalmers and Cyril Hussey. E/W 1st Brid Mc Dermott and Una Lawlor, 2nd Una Clarke and Tom Feeney, 3rd Katharine Harrison and Philomena Walsh

The results of the game played on 20th November. Congratulations to Frank and Frances Brennan on once again winning the ‘Marie Sheeran Memorial Trophy.

The results of the competition played on Wednesday 27th November are N/S 1st Mona O’Flaherty and Maureen Hynes, 2nd Brid Mc Dermott and Una Lawlor, 3rd tie between Eileen Kelly and Mary Farrell/ Mike Flynn and Mary McGushin. E/W 1st Mary Jameson and Patricia McGann, 2nd Elizabeth Clyne and Mary Connor,3rd Maura Hanly and Mairead Gill.

Christmas Day Swim

Last year seen a resurgence in the sponsored Lough Ree Sub Aqua Christmas Day Swim. Up to last year numbers had dwindled away but the 2018 swim proved very successful with a noticeable rise in numbers. The Christmas Day swim was always a challenge to every hardy soul to go into the water and swim down a number of metres before emerging.

The swim will take place following 11.30pm Mass in Lanesboro which should be approximately 12.15pm.

There are a number of swimmers going in for a swim daily in Lanesboro and at other rivers and lakes and it would be great if they all came spread the word of the swim and boost the numbers. The more we spread the word the more swimmers we will have and the greater support for the nominated charities.

Are you up for it? Can you do it? Come along and work up an appetite for the Christmas dinner and support the Lough Ree Sub Aqua club and local charities. Sponsorship cards are available in O’Brien’s or from any member of the Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club.

St John’s Church

On Sunday 22nd December at 11.30am there will be a Christmas Carol Service with Nativity Play. On Tuesday 24th December (Christmas Eve) Service of 9 Lessons and Carols will take place at 8pm.

Christmas Celebrations at St. Mary’s

In preparation for Christmas there will be a Christmas Penance Service on Friday 21st December at 7.30pm.

Masses for Christmas will commence on Tuesday 24th Christmas Eve with two Masses at 7pm and 8.30pm. On Christmas Day Masses will be at 9.30am and 11.30am.

Christmas Carol Service

The boys and girls of Lanesboro primary School will hold their annual Christmas Carol Service in St. Mary’s Church on this Thursday evening 12th December at 6.30pm.

Would you provide accommodation?

Fáilte Ireland would like to invite anybody in the Lanesboro, Ballyleague and the surrounding towns and parishes to express their interest in providing B&B, Guest House and house rental to express their interest by contacting Joe O’Brien, Corner Shop, Lanesboro – 086-2460840; joeaobrien@outlook.com

If sufficient numbers express an interest then Fáilte Ireland will facilitate a meeting to talk through the requirements and standards required to run a successful B&B, Guest House or rented accommodation.

Lanesboro/Ballyleague in recent times has had a large number of events and people attending had either to decide not to come or stay a long distance away. With events in the area rising and the requirement for accommodation growing Fáilte Ireland would like to introduce you to another potential stream of income.

Thank You

Clarkes bar and Mayo Roscommon Hospice would like to say a very big thank you to all who made the fundraising evening such a big success.

Firstly, a big thank you to those that donated so generously to our bag pack in Keane’s SuperValu and also to the bag packers, Kathleen Stevens, Marie Donlon, Mike Greene, Teresa Ormsby and Emily Morris.

To everyone that supported the barbeque in Clarkes Bar and those that donated spot prizes – Peter Doyle, Colette Gannon, Johnston’s Pharmacy, Maria Murray, Jack Coyle and family, Alan and Joan Farrell, Bernard Keane, Tom Morris, Chris and Caroline Cullen, Joe and Martina O’Brien and Steve and Teresa Ormsby. A special thank you to Keith Brady and Majella Maher for your generous sponsorship.

Thanks to Tom Morris and Steve Ormsby for all their great work, once again, in organising this very successful event. Thanks also to Clarke’s Bar for the use of their premises.

Thank you to everyone that donated money – too numerous to mention individually – you know who you are, your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you to all that helped on the evening especially Kathleen, Madaleine and Mike.

Finally, a very big thank you to the musicians who entertained on the night -Frank Feery, Brian Ross, Paul Ross & Robbie Chalmers, Seamus Farrell and Joe Duffy.

If anyone was left out the committee would like to apologise, and your support was much appreciated.

A sum of €2,230 was raised between both events, a fantastic amount for such a very worthwhile cause.

Finally, the organisers wish to remember two of their very good friends and supporters throughout the years – Irene Beirne (nee Coyle) and Jimmy Hussey who both sadly passed away this year. They are greatly missed. May they both rest in Peace.

Birth

Many congratulations to Eimear and Mick Shorthall, Main Street, on the birth at the weekend of a baby boy.

Triathlon Club Membership

If you would like to do a Triathlon or just begin with an Aquathon (swim and run), Learn or improve your Swim/Bike/Run. Why not Join Lanesboro Triathlon Club today?
Go to www.trilanesboro.com/membership/  for more information

Lights Church Gate Collection

Lanesboro Christmas Lights Church Gate If you missed the collection you can leave your donation with Martina and Joe O Brien. Here’s to a bright Christmas in Lanesboro.

Christmas Day Run

The annual Christmas Day Run/Walk sponsorship cards are now available for anyone intending to run or walk in O’Brien’s or from the Flood family, Lanesboro and Newtowncashel. The charity supported is MS

There are a number of excellent and hardworking people putting the organisation of the run/walk together and they all deserve our support.

The run/walk takes place for Newtowncashel to Lanesboro with the walkers starting at 11.45am and the runners starting at 12.15pm.

If you are not walking or running or even wheeling, you are asked to be as generous as you can.

Rathcline Annual Draw

The Rathcline club will again hold their annual New Year draw on Saturday 11th January in Adie’s Bar. This is a draw that is hugely supported by club members, parishioners and those outside the parish. It is also used by many as an ideal Christmas present.  The tickets are now on sale locally costing just €10. The prizes will be 1st €3,000, 2nd €1,000, 3rd €500, 4th €250, 5th €250, 6th €200 and 7th €200. We encourage you great support of previous years and we look forward to a record number of tickets sold.

Weekly Card Game

The results from the game held on Sunday night last 8th December are: Joint 1st Barney Kenny /Eugene Kelly & Brendan Casey / Joe Dolan. Last game Peter & Mary Gregg. Raffle: Petey Donlon, Tom Rock, Kathleen Maguire and Padraig Farrell. Game continues every Sunday night at 8.30 pm. Refreshments served. No partner needed

Events at our Library

Knitting & Crochet Club
Knitting & Crochet Club continues every Monday 2-4pm.
New members always welcome!
Poetry & Music Group
Poetry & Music group will continue after Christmas on the 2nd and 4th Monday of January.  All welcome to come along and join in with this very vibrant group!
ESOL Course
ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) takes place in the Library every Tuesday evening 7-9pm. 
Contact Nuala Donlon on nuala.donlon@lwetb.ie for further information.
New Temporary Opening Hours
Please note the change in our Opening hours as follows:
Monday           10am-1pm & 2pm-6pm
Tuesday.          2pm-7pm
Wednesday.     10am-1pm & 2pm-5.30pm
Thursday.         CLOSED
Friday.              10am-1pm & 2pm-5.30pm
Saturday.          10am-1pm
CHRISTMAS HOURS AT THE LIBRARY
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR PATRONS!
The library will be open on the following days
Monday 23rd December
Monday 30th December
The Library will be closed on the following days
Saturday 21st December  
Tuesday 24th December to Saturday 28th December inclusive
Tuesday 31st December to Thursday 2nd January inclusive
Normal hours resume on Friday 3rd January 2020.
Create a Christmas Bookmark with Stephanie!
Get creative making your own Christmas Bookmark with Stephanie!
This free festive event is open to children of all ages and takes place at Lanesboro Library on Saturday morning 14th December at 12noon.
To book your place please contact the library on 0433321291 or email sosullivan@longfordcoco.ie.
#FamilyTimeAtYourLibrary
Membership
Library membership is free for everyone and provides you with complimentary access to books and p.c.’s in the library as well as a range of digital services.
Check out our Online Services where you can download free eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines and newspapers, learn a new language or do an online course.  All you need is your library card and pin.  Renew or request books on our website www.longfordlibrary.ie

Lough Ree AC

Well done to the young hardy souls who came out on Sunday morning in windy and damp conditions for a training run for our Annual Christmas Day Run in conjunction with the MS Run from Newtowncashel to Lanesboro.  Very fast time from all runners with new recruits Adam and Joe posting fast times and having no trouble with the longer distance.  Well done to Hannah as our only female runner on a day that our National Senior and Under 23 Women’s team took team silver medals and two individual bronze medals at the European Cross-Country Championships in Lisbon.  The club would like to congratulate Longford AC athletes on their awards at the recent Ganley’s Longford Sports Awards night.  Congratulations also to Patsy Kenny on her award for her dedication to Community Games over the last 40 plus years.  Patsy kept Longford AC going for several years and truly deserved recognition for her time and effort.   Looking forward to our Christmas Day Run.  More details to follow. 

5-a-side booking

Bookings are now being taken for weekly rental of the new Ballyboro FC 3G Pitch at Lanesborough Community College. To book in for a 5 side match or a 7 a side game in November please register NOW by signing up with a user account at  www.bookapitch.com and the venue will be there for you to select under BALLYBORO ASTRO. If you want any more details send an e mail please to ballyboroastropitchcommittee@gmail.com 

Tidy Towns Lotto

For the draw on Tuesday 17th December the prizes and for the four names drawn out the prizes will be raised to 1st €100, and 2nd, 3rd and 4th will be €50

The winning numbers drawn in the Lanesboro Tourism Co-Op on Tuesday morning 26th November were 1, 2, 11, and 21. There was nobody with the winning numbers and the jackpot pool has now risen to €6,600. The name on the tickets for the €50 prize Mary D and the three winners of €20 each were Rosaleen Egan, Derryhaun, Jack and Billy Mullooly c/o Mags and Rebekah Coleman, Anally Park, Longford. Johnny Hanley, Corrigeen, Eugene Mulvihill, Killashee, and Michael Sweeney c/o FÁS.

50/50

The 50/50 draw took place on Monday 25th November and the lucky winners of this week’s draw was Louis Skelly, Aughamore. The winning pool was €379 a lovely amount to win as we approach Christmas.

There are four options when buying your tickets, (1) buy your €2 ticket, (2) 3 tickets for €5, (3) the green envelope where you pay €50 for a six-month term with one free draw and (4) the pink envelope where you pay €100 for a 12-month period with two free draws. Those tickets are available in any of the local shops and pubs or from any member of the club executive.

Ballyboro

The club will be launching DVDs of the 8 films screened at the hugely successful OSKAR night on this Saturday night 14th, in The Yacht Bar.

The club is grateful to Kiernan Millings who sponsored jerseys for both the under 11 boys’ and girls’ teams. Thanks also to Sean Cox who sponsored togs and socks for the girls under 11 team. The club is also grateful to Vincent Collins of Service Matters who sponsored jerseys for the boys under 13 team.

On the playing fields it was a relatively quiet weekend with just two teams in action. The under 11 girls had an entertaining tussle with Killoe Celtic on the 3G pitch. The game was closely contested in the main but the Killoe girls finished the stronger to win on a 4-2 score line. Marianna Donlon scored both Ballyboro goals. Panel: Emma Dowd, Lillie Dowd, Sophie Cox, Anna Cox, Emma Feeney, Sarah Hanley, Maria Forde, Emma Hoey, Laura Rattigan, Marianna Donlon, Kate Hoey, Amy Burke, Kate Malone.

The club fielded two under 8 teams in a Blitz with Inny FC.

Fixtures: The under 9s will be taking part in a Blitz on Saturday in the new 3G pitch along with Ardagh and Inny FC. The action gets underway at 11am. The under 11s are at home to Newtown Bears on Sat at 12 noon. The under 12s play Inny FC in Streete on Sunday at 11am. The under 15s are away to Newtown Bears on Sunday, kick off 12 noon.

Rathcline GAA

New Year Draw

The club will hold their annual New Year draw this year on Saturday 11th January in Adie’s Bar. Tickets are now on sale locally costing just €10. The prizes will be 1st €3,000, 2nd €1,000, 3rd €500, 4th €250, 5th €250, 6th €200 and 7th €200. We encourage the great support of previous years

Ladies Night Out

We had a fantastic night at our fundraiser last night. A big thank you to everyone that supported us by donating clothes, shoes and bags, we were overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we got.  Thanks to everyone that helped us get organised for the night especially Sharon Brady, Lorraine Farrell, Michelle Kelly, Claire Mullen, Sharon Rooney and Teresa Kieran.  Thanks to the ESB Sports and Social Club committee for giving us the use of their facilities. Thanks to Claire Egan and Tina and Stephen Dowd for their help with the food. Thanks to Melissa Donoghue for taking photos. Thanks to Mary Teresa McGrath, Marie Peters, Holly Wyse, Sarah Curran, Caoilin Flood, Abbie Mitchel and Annmarie Johnston for all their help on the night. Thanks also to Sean Kenny, Brendan Keane, Liam Connerton, Kevin Hanley, Cathal Chapman, Sean Farrell and Gerard Farrell for their help with parking. Thanks to Loughery’s Careplus Pharmacy, Michelle at Cloud 9, Claire at Xlentee, Sharon Rooney, The Yacht Bar, Adie’s, Take 2 restaurant and Ulster Bank that donated spot prizes. Thanks to Joe and Martina O’Brien as always for selling tickets for us.
If we have left out anyone our apologies.

50/50

The 50/50 draw took place on Monday 25th November and the lucky winners of this week’s draw was Louis Skelly, Aughamore. The winning pool was €379 a lovely amount to win as we approach Christmas.

There are four options when buying your tickets, (1) buy your €2 ticket, (2) 3 tickets for €5, (3) the green envelope where you pay €50 for a six-month term with one free draw and (4) the pink envelope where you pay €100 for a 12-month period with two free draws. Those tickets are available in any of the local shops and pubs or from any member of the club executive.

Rathcline bring Santa to O’Brien’s

Last Saturday evening Rathcline Senior club approached Martina and myself to see if they could host Santa Claus in our shop on Sunday next. We readily agreed and were very happy and indeed excited to have Santa in the shop for the very first time.

On Sunday next from 2pm to 5pm Santa Claus will be in attendance to meet all the young people of the entire area. It will be a wonderfully exciting afternoon for all the young people and their parents.

For all the older generations (yes, we are there now) we remember the moving (motorised) Santa in the window which was a wonderful attraction to us all as youngsters and now Santa makes a comeback courtesy of the Rathcline club.

There will be no charge and every young person will have a chat with Santa and receive a selection box compliments of the club.

It should be a fantastic afternoon for all the young people from ours and surrounding communities. As I don’t believe Santa will appear anywhere else in the town in the run up to Christmas this should be very special for the young people.

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