Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Respect for all frontline Workers
On Thursday night last a number of people for a series of clubs went to the bridge and banks of the Shannon. Obeying the strict social distancing rules set out by the Government they began a round of applause at 8pm to acknowledge the fantastic work being done by the frontline staff and carers. The turnout was spectacular and with almost everyone in hi-visibility jackets made the sight on both banks and bridge stunning.
Well done to Ciaran Mullooly and Vinny Mc Gowan for organising this gesture. It was a wonderful response by our local community and a show of great support for the exceptional work being done by the frontline workers.
No News
At present, as you may well imagine, there is little to no news in and about the area hence the brevity of the local notes.
I fervently hope that everyone is keeping very well and have not been inflicted with their dreaded Covid-19. Stay safe everyone.
To help pass the time
Presently the restriction on movement and work is playing a major role in the alternative use of our time for both young and old. Kids are learning games played by us back in the old days and more and more are using the time to realign with nature through walking and cycling. All the usual routes are being used and new and innovative pathways are being discovered every day.
For us in the older brigade there are more and more memories of our youth being brought back through conversations and what we did to pass our time.
To pass time now and to recall the olden days I am hoping that people who read my weekly notes and blog to share their memories of times past in Lanesboro/Ballyleague or wherever you grew up. With your permission, I will put them on my blog page www.joeobrien.ie on a weekly basis. Perhaps it will recall many other memories and the great stories of our youth and create a mini library for all those that are coming behind us.
My email address is joeaobrien@outlook.com
Sympathy
Two of the former nuns from the Convent of Mercy in Lanesboro suffered bereavements over the past few weeks. Sr Rose Moran’s sister Eileen Reilly, Ballymahon passed away on St. Patrick’s Day while Sr. Margaret Casey’s brother Michael Casey, Newtownforbes passed away on Monday 23rd March. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to both nuns and their families at this particular time off sadness for them.
Lanesboro Library
To help contain the spread of Covid-19, all branches of Longford County Library will be closed to the public until 19th April 2020. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.
All meetings and events have been postponed until a later date.
Stay Safe
For many years either by email or chatting to Val Kirwan his parting shot was always ‘Stay Safe’. Thinking it was a saying from his job as a cop on the streets of San Francisco I always accepted it as such. Now, I am beginning to think that Val was prophetic as the most common saying around now is ‘stay safe’. Any one of us that remember Val growing up on the Green Lanesboro will all remember Val as a far-sighted man and maybe, maybe
Hope you are well Val, ‘Stay Safe’.
News from St. Mary’s Church
The church will remain open each day from 10.30am to 7.30pm.
Masses can be obtained online at www.churchservices.ie
Attendances at funerals should be limited to 100 people only within the church building
Palm Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday next 5th April. Blessed palms will be available in St. Mary’s church on Sunday and up to Spy Wednesday 8th April.
As the current Covid -19 continuing crisis is impacting significantly church financial resources. Parishioners are asked to drop off offertory and priest dues envelopes into the priest’s house and NOT into the box in the church porch.
Lanesboro Gun Club
Easter Draw Postponed
In light of the Covid-19 restrictions, the club will postpone the planned Easter Draw on Saturday 11th April in Joe Farrell’s Pub. For anyone who had purchased tickets, we hope to run this draw later in the year.
St. Mary’s Parish Hall
The health and safety of our community is of paramount importance. Therefore, St. Mary’s Hall will remain closed until further notice. All key holders are reminded of this closure in order to curtail the spread of Coronavirus.
Ballyboro
In the present difficult situation where many people are effectively house bound, the club are encouraging all players to keep active as best as possible. With this in mind the club’s coaching team will be sending demos of various football skills to all players. Each player is asked to practice the skill in their own home or garden, and then get a family member to film it and then send it back to their relevant team manager, Prizes will then be awarded in various categories. The first of these a “keepy uppy” challenge was very successful with a number of highly skilful entries received.
Parents will have received a film of the 2010 World Cup during the week. Players are asked to view the film, as on this Wednesday there will be a quiz about the match highlights, with super prizes for the winners.
Rathcline
The Rathcline club is reaching out to anyone within our community that is in need of assistance during this time of need. We are happy to collect any groceries, meat from butchers, anything from the chemists and to deliver them to you. Contact Joe O’Brien 086 2460840 and it will be organised for you
Shorter notes
As this Coronavirus has put a stop to many events and meetings the local notes have become much shortened. If anyone has anything they would like me to publish in the notes do not hesitate to email me at joeaobrien@outlook.com