News
Ballooning gala set for Ballymahon
Tomorrow (Thursday) sees the start of a four day International Ballooning Festival in Ballymahon.
Green light for new €4m school
After nearly a decade and a half of waiting, teachers, parents and schoolchildren at St Mary’s National School in Edgeworthstown received the news they had long been hoping for as governement chiefs this week gave the go-ahead for the construction of a new state-of-the-art school.
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.
Chamber president on Prime Time
There was a familiar face among the studio audience on RTE’s Prime Time Programme last night, in the form of Longford Chamber of Commerce President Seamus Butler.
Hardship for farmers as fodder crisis worsens
Increasing fodder shortages, bad weather and poor ground conditions have left many local farmers struggling to feed cattle and unable to make plans for cutting silage and hay for next winter.
Announcement on new bishop expected
Despite the fact that Dr Colm O’Reilly is ready to leave his position as Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, having sent his letter of resignation to Pope Benedict nearly two years ago, the Catholic Bishop’s Office has confirmed that Pope Francis has yet to finalise details in relation to the Bishop’s retirement.
Sport
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.
Advertising Features
Samsung Galaxy S3 deals
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Lifestyle
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.
Actors from the Midlands region are invited to audition for classic ‘Arragh na Pogue’
Canal Studio Productions at the Backstage Theatre are looking for actors from across the Midlands region to audition for roles in their upcoming production of ‘Arragh na Pogue’. The play, which will feature a cast of 15, will be directed by Backstage’s artist-in-residence, Seamus O’Rourke.
Community
Ardagh
Ardagh Brownies: Will be doing a skipathon in Thursday’s meeting, please can all Brownies bring a skipping rope to the meeting. Good luck to the Quiz team heading to Dublin on Saturday for the Irish Girl Guides Brownie Quiz National Final! Ardagh Guides had fun camping in between the showers last weekend at Portlick camp site, kayaking, crate stacking, zip-lining, assault course and archery. Well done, Aoife, Nora-May, Sarah, Olivia, Morgane, Karen and Shannon! Ardagh Toddler Group meet every Tuesday morning for a cuppa and a chat - all are welcome drop in to the Community Centre anytime between 10 and 12.
Rathowen
Rathowen Community Development AGM: On Thursday 16th of May the AGM for Rathowen Community Development will be held, all directors will be in attendance and the community are very welcome to come and get a full report on the years finance and on the work done by the directors. New members are very welcome. Meeting is set for 8.30pm.
Tarmonbarry
SMA Pilgrimage: The Annual SMA Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Saturday 25th May. If you wish to find out more information about this event please call Marie Cox on phone number 087-6975886.
Bunlahy & District
THANKS: St Guasachts Parents Association, Bunlahy would sincerely like to thank everyone who supported our recent Table Quiz which was a great success. A special word of thanks to everyone who sponsored raffle prizes: Helen and Gerard Reynolds, Aiden Reynolds, Supervalu Granard, Creegans Pub, Cllrs. Micheal Carrigy and PJ Oreilly, Seamus Flynn Flynnair, Greville Arms Hotel, Granard and Francis Foster. Thanks to everyone who helped on the night and to those who sold tickets. A special word of thanks to Johnny Creegan for providing the venue for the night.
Moydow
Ardagh Brownies: Will be doing a skipathon in Thursday’s meeting, please can all Brownies bring a skipping rope to the meeting. Good luck to the Quiz team heading to Dublin on Saturday for the Irish Girl Guides Brownie Quiz National Final! Ardagh Guides had fun camping in between the showers last weekend at Portlick camp site, kayaking, crate stacking, zip-lining, assault course and archery. Well done, Aoife, Nora-May, Sarah, Olivia, Morgane, Karen and Shannon! Ardagh Toddler Group meet every Tuesday morning for a cuppa and a chat - all are welcome drop in to the Community Centre anytime between 10 and 12.
Newtownforbes
CLONGUISH COMMUNITY GAMES: Athletics at GAA pitch, Thursday 16th May, 6pm. All children from the parish welcome to compete. Also, nominations for Clonguish Hall of Fame community games volunteer over the past 40 years invited - ballot boxes in Smiths, Bells, Caseys and McGowans. Boxes will be in place for the coming two weeks. Please take this opportunity to cast your vote for a deserving Community games volunteer.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
