News
Bowling for Hope set for this Friday
An innovative fundraiser aimed at tackling childhood poverty in one of the world’s poorest regions, is to take place in Longford town this Friday.
Contractors appointed to Edgeworthstown school project
The Board of Management at St Mary’s National School in Edgeworthstown received sanction to appoint contractors for the building project last Friday, and the Leader understands that construction will commence thereafter on a site to the rear of the current main school building.
Councillor warns of dismal weeks ahead with fodder shortages
Fodder shortages are causing difficulties for farmers across the region and Strokestown area representative, Cllr Eugene Murphy (FF) has warned that all those involved will need as much help as they can get in the weeks ahead.
Memorial Mass celebrated in council chamber
It was a sad and poignant afternoon last Wednesday at council headquarters in Longford town where a special Mass was held to remember the late Cllr Paddy Belton (FG) who died suddenly last month at the age of 68.
‘Decent, harworking and kind’ Paddy Belton remembered by colleagues
“Decent, hardworking and honest” - these were among the many words reiterated by councillors during their tribute to the late Cllr Paddy Belton (FG) whose sudden death last month brought an air of genuine sadness to the council chamber last Wednesday, where this month’s meeting was cancelled as a mark of respect to the popular and much loved local area representative in Kenagh.
Speculation mounts over vacancy
Speculation is mounting in south Longford this week over who will take the seat on Longford County Council, which was occupied for sixteen years by Cllr Paddy Belton (FG) - whose untimely death last month sent shockwaves throughout the community.
Sport
Longford Team v Wicklow
The following is the Longford team that has been selected to start against Wicklow in the Leinster Senior Football Championship first round game in Aughrim on Sunday next, throw-in 3.30pm
Longford look good enough to cross the first hurdle
Leinster Senior Football Championship First Round on Sunday next, throw-in 3.30pm
Wolfe Tones, Mostrim retain U-14 Hurling Feile title
Wolfe Tones, Mostrim . . . . 3-2 Longford Slashers . . . . 2-4
Video
Paper Preview: May 17 video
A look at some of the main stories in this week’s edition of the Longford Leader.
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Lifestyle
Longford author on the rise
Alan McMonagle from Longford has been receiving great acclaim for his writing, both at home and internationally. The poet, playwright and short fiction writer from College Park has received awards from the Professional Artists Retreat, the Fundacion Valparaiso, the Banff Centre for Creativity and the Arts Council of Ireland. The writer, who is a son of Seamus and Jean, also received his MA in Writing from NUI Galway in 2007.
Longford actor’s promising career is no Stalemate
Longford actor Jamie McClean is set to play one of the lead roles in the Backstage Theatre’s Canal Studio production of ‘Stalemate’ – a new play written and directed by the theatre’s artist-in-residence, Seamus O’Rourke. The production, is currently being rehearsed ahead of its debut at Backstage this Thursday, May 16, after which the crew will embark on a nationwide tour.
Cnoc Mhuire’s Class of ‘86 celebrates reunion
It is 27 years since the Class of ‘86 sat their Leaving Cert at Cnoc Mhuire in Granard, and on May 4 last a very special occasion was held for students from that year, when a reunion was held in the north Longford town.
Oklahoma! a spectacular musical performance
One cannot help being in a joyous, somewhat uplifted state after seeing St. Mel’s Musical Society’s recent production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Oklahoma! directed by Leonard Anderson.
Longford comic reaches UK final
Longford comedian Conor Neville has reached the final of the Chortle Student Comedy Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, after making it through the Dublin heat and the semi-final, which was held in Manchester last weekend.
Beppe Gambetta to play Bog Lane
The Bog Lane Theatre in Ballymahon will host renowned Italian flat-picking guitarist and singer/songwriter Beppe Gambetta on Thursday, May 23 for a special intimate performance.
Community
Obituary
Fr Bernie Casey was born in Lisnagan, Newtowncashel, Co Longford. He was a son of Joseph Casey (a farmer) and Mary E Shaughnessy (national teacher). He completed his secondary education at St Mel’s College, Longford in 1948 and entered the Novitiate of the Redemptorist order in St Joseph’s Dundalk, in Autumn 1948. He was ordained at Cluain Mhuire Galway on 21 Aug 1955 and left for the mission fields in the Philippine Islands in winter 1956, arriving in late January. Through the next 56 years he maintained his initial missionary idealism and zeal and never wavered in his priestly understanding of Christ’s message. He was a simple man who dedicated his life to his work. This suited his Philippino flock who seem to have been exactly like the unsophisticated Irish people of the 1940s and 1950s whom he left behind. Loyal and honest to self and others, he hadn’t the slightest interest in money,power or control. He was a pure fundamentalist who concentrated on basics and was tolerant of other views. He grew to love and see his flock as like his own sincere people – so much so that he chose to spend the last moments of his missionary life among them. When he was last back in Ireland in 2011 he made arrangements for his final days and interment in Iloilio. He died on April first 2013 and is interred in Iloilo city among his adopted family of ordinary Philippinos whom he loved. His sisters Bridgie and Mary predeceased him. He is survived by Frank, Newtowncashel, Tom (twin brother) Wexford, Clare, Dublin and Joe Wexford. His mother’s people living under Slieve Ban in Roscommon also mourn him along with his Cashel and Rathcline relatives and friends.
Loch Gowna
BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE:The Mobile unit of the blood transfusion service will visit St Brigids Community Centre Loch Gowna on Wednesday 29th May and Thursday 30th May. Clinic times 5pm – 8.30pm. Please support this essential service. It is very important that we all remember that many patients in hospital need our blood.
Mullahoran
First Holy Communion: We wish every blessing to the 19 children from 2nd class in the local school who received the Sacrament on Saturday last in St. Joseph’s Church. Loughduff. The celebrant was Canon Owen Devaney P.P. and the children were under direction of their teacher Ms Veronica Cassidy. Congratulations to the children: Ailise Harten, Amy Reilly, Caolán Fegan, Chloe Hanlon, Cian McBrien, Cormac Galligan, Dara Hartin, Daron Harten, Dylan O’Reilly, Ella Loughran, Gerard Sheridan Ryan, Hanna Barber, Harley O’Reilly, Joanne Rabbitte, Kayla Brennan, Luke O’Reilly, Roisín Cadden, Sophie Murray, Zoe Lynch.
Ballinagh
WEATHER: Members of the farming community who have been through a difficult spring which saw very severe weather which in turn caused an absence of early grass and a serious shortage of hay & silage to feed their animals are hopeful that an old familiar slogan of more than one hundred years entitled ‘a wet and windy May will fill our haggards with corn and hay’ will prove to be correct this year.
Arva
St Patrick’s Arva GAA Club: Lotto: The Arva Football Club Lotto draw was held in the Club Rooms on Monday night 13th May. The Jackpot was €3,400 – Numbers drawn were 8/ 9 / 25 / 28. No winner - €50 winners Mignone Johnston, Tycusker, Martin Brennan, Cortober. Jim Giblin, Brankhill. The Lotto Jackpot on Monday last 20th May was €3,450. Lotto Envelopes can be left in the Letterbox in St Patrick’s Hall next to the National School for collection on Monday evenings and everyone is welcome to attend the draw. The club have an option of paying by direct debit for anyone wishing to join the LOTTO and give the club much needed support. Contact any club officer or check out the club website www.arvagfc.com
Annaduff/Drumsna
Division 1 v Melvin Gaels: Annaduff were beaten 0-14 to 1-7 by Melvin Gaels in Bundoran on Sunday. The county champions were the superior team and deserved their four point winning margin. Annaduff: Thomas Flanagan, Nigel Cox, Chris Farrell,Gary Bohan, James Cox, David Duignan, Dean Gill, Matty Cox (capt.) (0-1), Cathal Cox, Conor Reynolds, Ronan Conroy, Gavin O’Brien, Kenny Cox (0-2), Sean McNabola (0-3), Niall Maxwell (1-1). Subs used: Dillon Keane, Micheal O’Dowd, Hugh Moylan.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
