Lanesboro Ballyleague Notes
Death
The entire community was saddened and shocked on Tuesday last 12th May when the news broke of the death at the University College Hospital Galway of Johnny Carberry, Cloontuskert. Johnny was a character of note and he was always a man that could make the dullest of stories riveting. The glint in his eye and his wry smile told you that he had a bit of craic that he was going to offload on you. Stories abounded from so many people when news of Johnny’s death broke, everyone had a story to tell. Johnny touched so many and the stories of Johnny are legendary. Johnny’s memory will always invoke a smile.
He was a man gifted with the knowledge and the workings of machinery and especially tractors – he never let any job better him. While working with Bord na Mona he was a dragline driver and he was renowned for his outstanding expertise in working that particular machine. Johnny at one stage worked in England before returning home to the love of his life Imelda. Another stage in Johnny’s life was when he was training to become a pilot and flew many times out of Abbeyshrule. He was a happy and adventurous man and his passing will empty the hearts of so so many people.
Johnny reposed in his sister Nuala Malone’s home until his remains were removed to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague. Following his Funeral Mass his remains were laid to rest in Cloontuskert Cemetery. To his wife Imelda, daughters Genevieve and Helen, his son Garry, grandchildren Bernadette, Daniel and Sean, brothers Pat and Barney, sisters Maureen, Bridie, Nuala, Kitty and Ita, relatives and many friends we extend our deepest sympathy.
Tidy Towns
The SuperValu sponsored National Tidy Towns competition has been cancelled for 2020. With the FÁS workers fully back to work this week and already doing a great job in maintain the town and surrounds so well it is incumbent on each and everyone of us to play our part. We should make a huge effort to preserve the standards set down through the past number of years and make sure that our own general areas are pristine. Both sides of the bridge have gained so many excellent comments from passers by and visitors to the area. This year with the likelihood of no visitors due to the Corona virus we should do it for ourselves and make our community as beautiful as possible and ensure that our standards do not drop in keeping Lanesboro and Ballyleague especially beautiful.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Jimmy and Brigid Flood and family, Lehery on the death of Jimmy’s mother Mrs. Mary Jo Flood, Greenhall, Newtowncashel on Wednesday 13th May.
Emergency Services on call
The sound of sirens on Tuesday afternoon rang out on both sides of the bridge, this was closely followed by the sound of a low flying helicopter told us that there was somebody in real trouble.
A young girl in the Shannon Grove housing estate off the Strokestown Road had come off her bike and suffered what could have been a fatal accident. Ambulances, three garda cars, three units of Lanesboro Fire Brigade and the emergency helicopter all arrived at the scene in very quick time. After stabilising and treatment at the scene the young girl was taken away by helicopter to hospital where emergence surgery took place.
I am happy to relate that the girl has been released from hospital and back in the fold of her family and friends.
If ever an example of the excellent co-operation and co-ordination of all the emergency services at their work was needed, then it was clear to be seen by everyone on Tuesday on the Strokestown Road. It just shows the tremendous value of all the services we from time to time take for granted. Their expertise and ability to deal in a professional manner with what could have been a fatal accident shows how much we need to acknowledge and appreciate their great work.
We wish the young girl a full recovery and thank all the emergency services for their rapid and excellent work.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Greg Gillen, the Green and his family on the death of his sister Mary (Babs) Lenehan, Bawn, Moydow on Sunday last 10th May.
Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union
Due to Covid-19 the Credit Union is working within reduced hours.
On Tuesday and Wednesday the office will be open between the hours of 9.30 am and 3.00 pm. On Thursday and Friday, the office will be open from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm. The staff on available each of these days up to 5.00 pm to take card payments over the phone or to transfer money to a nominated bank account
On Saturday the staff are available to transfer monies to a nominated bank account up to 2.00 pm by ringing Lanesboro Ballyleague Credit Union on their new mobile which is 089 2395382
Sympathy
We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Padraic and Mary Brewster and family, Clonbonny on the death of Padraic’s mother Mrs. Maureen Brewster, Longford Town on Thursday last 14th May
All Clear
Over the past few weeks there has been great relief in both Costello’s and Innis Ree Nursing Homes when after full testing of residents and staff both got a clean bill of health. I am very aware that both Nursing Homes went into total lockdown when Coronavirus struck the country and their prompt action has paid off. Nursing Homes are a particular hotspots in so many areas of the country and we have to top be very grateful to all the management and staff for their diligence in assuring that Coronavirus has not got in.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Tom and Linda Gill and family, Ballyglass, on the death of Tom’s father Jimmy Gill, Devine Crescent, Edgeworthstown who passed away on Thursday 14th May
Tri Club Lockdown Challenge
The Lanesboro Triathlon Club ‘lockdown challenge’ in aid of the Palliative Care Department at Roscommon University Hospital came to an end on Monday.
The initial aim was to raise €2000 for the Palliative Care Department and then the suggestion was made that seeing as the club were celebrating 10 years in existence that the aim should be €1 per day per year making a total of €3650.
Within the first few days your generosity ensured that the first target was reached your generosity kept flowing seeing the suggested €3650 was easily passed by midweek of the second week
The kilometres were being clocked up in an extraordinary manner and the competition between the ladies and men’s club members was beginning to grow dramatically in favour of the ladies. The 3650km was reached and the club decided that as long as there was still time for accepting donations they would keep running.
Your support has been absolutely unbelievable and as one donor on the GoFundMe page commented “Any donation to Roscommon Palliative Care Unit is a very worthy cause”. The staff in this unit do amazing work, day in day out, and your generosity just demonstrates your appreciation for their fantastic work.
Lanesboro Triathlon club would like to seriously thank everyone for their donations, and they would like to thank each and everyone one of the runners for their dedication and unbelievable mileage over the past two weeks.
As I write the amount donated is a staggering €7315 for which everyone should be proud of playing your part for such a wonderful cause.
Lanesboro Library News
Printing/Photocopying/Scanning service available.
Contact Stella to organise on 0863400648 or email sosullivan@longfordcoco.ie.
If you need books, contact Stella at the library on Tuesdays & Saturdays between 10 and 1pm.
Call 0863400648 or email sosullivan@longforddcoco.ie
Collect at library during above times or delivery available if necessary.
Books can also be collected at Joe and Martina O’Brien’s shop and Joe has kindly offered to deliver to anyone cocooning who is on his paper run who has no one to collect for them.
Check out our Facebook page for lots of activities & storytimes for kids!
Lanesboro Library: https://www.facebook.com/Lanesboro-Library-432171923496634/
Migraine Association of Ireland
The Migraine Association is endeavouring to continue their tradition of public information seminars, however due to Covid-19 restrictions they are unable to hold face-to-face meetings. Therefore, they are inviting members of the public in Longford to join them for an online session on Pain Management and Pacing. The session will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 27th May from 6pm to 8pm. Anyone interested in joining the session on the 27th May can register on Eventbrite.ie or using this link https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/pain-management-and-pacing-tickets-104533496502
Scam Phone Calls
In recent weeks people have been receiving phone call of their landlines asking them to confirm their identification. These are scam calls and the phone should be hung up immediately. Anyone asking you to confirm your identity should never be entertained and you should always immediately hang up.
News from our local Parishes
Kilgefin parish notes
Opening Times
Ballyleague church will remain open each day from 10.30am to 8pm
Funerals and burials
Call Fr. Dusmanta at 043 3321171 or dusmanta.m.n@gmail.com
Government guidelines for the bereaved
Funeral arrangements are made via phone calls or emails. A limit of 10 people attending any ceremony with social distancing and no associated gatherings. The use of condolences books is discouraged; where possible. Close relatives and contacts of the deceased should use their own transport. Families and friends of the deceased will not be able to have gatherings after the funeral service.
Mass Intentions
All Mass intentions which have been book can be rescheduled for a later date when the current situation changes.
Collections
Fr. Dusmanta would like to thank everyone that has dropped in their collection envelopes into his house. Parishioners who can afford to are encouraged to drop off offertory and priest’s dues envelopes into his house whenever you are passing.
St. John’s Church of Ireland
St Johns church of Ireland diocesan Service broadcast takes place every Sunday at 10 a.m.
You can log onto Kilmore Elphin Ardagh YouTube or http: shortturl@/drbz3 or www.dkea.ie.and follow the link.
News from St. Mary’s Church
Opening Times
The church will remain open each day from 10.30am to 7.30pm
Urgent sick calls, funerals, and burials
The designated priests in this Deanery of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois are Fr. Merlyn Kenny PP Newtowncashel 086 0603433 and Fr. Turlough Baxter, Killashee 087 9972259.
Government guidelines for the bereaved
Funeral arrangements are made via phone calls or emails. A limit of 10 people attending any ceremony with social distancing and no associated gatherings. The use of condolences books is discouraged; where possible. Close relatives and contacts of the deceased should use their own transport. Families and friends of the deceased will not be able to have gatherings after the funeral service.
Mass Intentions
All Mass intentions which have been book can be rescheduled for a later date when the current situation changes.
Parish Newsletter
The parish newsletter will be printed each week and it will be available in the Church porch from Friday afternoon. The newsletter will also be available from Friday afternoon in O’Brien’s Corner Shop.
Collections
Fr. Reilly would like to thank everyone that has dropped in their collection envelopes into his house. The current crisis is impacting significantly on the Parish Financial Resources and the ability to meet responsibilities. Parishioners are encouraged to drop off offertory and priest’s dues envelopes into his house and NOT to put them in the box in the church porch.