Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Happy Christmas
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all readers and their families the very best for a fabulous Christmas and may 2020 fulfil all your dreams and wishes.
It continues to be a privilege for me to be afforded the opportunity by the Longford Leader to record the events of our community over the past year and years.
I want to thank everyone for keeping me supplied with all the local news – without you all this would not happen.
It is a time that foremost in my mind is our sick and hospitalised and the people we have lost over the year. You are important in my mind as we are in a family time of year.
I also want to congratulate all the families that have had additions to their families over the year and I look forward to seeing the growth and development of those young people in our community.
Finally, I would like to welcome all the families that have come to live amongst us and wish them a very happy time in our community.
Local writers 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 Thank You
The organising committee of County Longford Meals on Wheels would like to say a very big thank you to everyone that contributed so generously to the annual Church Gate Collection in Lanesboro last weekend.
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.
Thank You
The Ballyleague Lighting committee would like to thank everyone that contributed very kindly to the church gate collection held in Ballyleague last weekend.
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 12.30pm.
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 next 22nd December at 11.30am there will be a Christmas Carol Service which will include a Nativity play. On Tuesday 24th December (Christmas Eve) Service of 9 Lessons and Carols will take place at 8pm.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Patsy and Mags Glasgow, Kilnacarrow on the death last week of Patsy’s sister Bridget Murray, Magherafelt, Co. Derry.
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.
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.
Try a Tri in 2020
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
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.
Ballyboro FC Oskar Night DVD
The DVD is now on sale with your chance to relive the great drama of that special Movie night on June 15th and get your Christmas presents sorted with a very special DVD including all 8 films that were produced and great memories of a special year. DVD on sale in O’Brien’s Corner shop now. Priced €20 each and special offer of 3 DVDs for €50. Postal orders (€30 each) will be taken by e mail only at: ballyboroastropitchcommittee@gmail.com
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 €20. 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.
Our Library over Christmas
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 following days
Monday 23rd December
Monday 30th December
The library will be closed on following days
Saturday 21st December -CLOSED
Tuesday 24th December to Saturday 28th December inclusive – CLOSED
Tuesday 31st December to Thursday 2nd January inclusive – CLOSED
Normal hours resume on Friday 3rd January 2020.
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
Second Volume Published
The second investigative instalment of the Shamrock 165 has just been published by Gavin Walsh. The first instalment detailing the crash which featuring local lady Evelyn Belton was an intriguing read and I have no doubt that this current book will be another excellent read. This is the second book of the trilogy continuing the exploration and investigation into the fatal crash of Shamrock 165.
The book Shamrock 165 ‘decision over Dolgellau’ is available for sale in O’Brien’s
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
Rathcline Parish Council
New lists for readers, Eucharistic Ministers, collectors at masses and money counters are being drawn up. Councilmembers are deeply grateful to each person who has been and is a volunteer for these ministries. More volunteers are urgently needed to replace existing volunteers, who after many years wish to discontinue
Tidy Towns Lotto
The winning numbers drawn in the Lanesboro Tourism Co-Op on Tuesday morning 10th December were 2, 4, 17, and 19. There was nobody with the winning numbers and the jackpot pool has now risen to €6,700. The name on the tickets for the €50 prize Mae Casey, Lehery, c/o Mags, the three winners of the €20 are; Seadna Clancy, Rathcline Road, Margaret Baxter c/o the Market and Luke Cullen.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place on Monday 9th December and the lucky winners of this week’s draw were Mel and Jo Forde, Ballinalee, c/o Clarkes. The winning pool was €374.
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.
Weekly Card Game
The weekly card game in St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Sunday night last developed into a real thriller. The closeness of the games had everyone on tender hooks and in the end, there was a five-way tie for the first prize. The tied winners were; Peter and Mary Gregg, Josie and Freda Connaughton, Michael and Kathleen Finnan, Tom Donlon and Brendan Hanly, and Tom Rooney and Mike Doorly. The game continues every Sunday night at 8.30pm and if you have not been with us any Sunday night it would be great to have you join in and while away a Sunday evening with a few games of cards.
Thank You
Joe’s Fruit and Vegetable Lanesboro has the following trading hours over Christmas; Thursday 19th December – as usual, Monday 23rd December 8am to 5pm and New Year’s Eve – as usual. Joe thanks everyone for their support during the yeas and wishes everyone very Happy Christmas and New Year
Ballyboro
The under 11s were involved in an eight-goal thriller at the weekend. Newtown Bears provided the opposition in very testing conditions. Ballyboro looked to have the game won as they were two goals in front as the game neared a conclusion, but two late goals for the Newtown boys earned them a share of the spoils. Ballyboro team and scorers: Mikey Sorohan, Eoin Beattie, John Farrell, Harry Brogan, Sean Collins, Eoghan Mullooly, Óisín Dillon (1), Rian Hogan (2). Subs: Evan Rooney (1), Sean O’Dowd.
The under 9s enjoyed their joust with Inny Rovers where goals galore and great excitement were the order of the day. Panel: Michael Hogan, Adam Greally, Ellen Cox, Donncha Farrell, Cayden McArdle, Éanna Kenny, Ethan Donnellan, Darragh Shanley, Saoirse Feeney and Conor Kilcoyne.
The under 12s found the going tough against an impressive Inny Rovers team on Sunday going down by four goals to nil. Team: Aidan Kelly, Eoin Beattie, Logan Birmingham, Michael Fallon, Billy Murray, Matthew Murray, Ryan Mimnagh, Rian Hogan, Ethan Slattery.
DVDs of all 8 films screened on OSKAR night are now available at various outlets locally.
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 €20. 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
Santa
The club brought Santa Claus to O’Brien’s shop on Sunday last. All afternoon Santa Claus was kept busy with all the children visiting. The looks of amazement were wonderful to see and there were many standout moments as you can well imagine. All children met the great man and went away with a selection box.
The club would like to thank Joe and Martina for their generosity, to Louis Skelly, Pat Connerton, Marie Farrell, Sharon Gray, Melissa O’Donoghue and all the parents that brought their youngsters to meet Santa Claus.
50/50
The 50/50 draw took place on Monday 9th December and the lucky winners of this week’s draw were Mel and Jo Forde, Ballinalee, c/o Clarkes. The winning pool was €374.
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.
Well done
Well done to Iarla O’Sullivan and Oran Kenny and the Longford team who on Sunday last secured their place in the O’Byrne Cup semi-final.