Tomorrow (Thursday) sees the start of a four day International Ballooning Festival in Ballymahon.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

DOGS: Two weeks ago dogs attacked sheep on a local farmer. They killed 2 sheep and eat a lamb. Some dogs came back once more last weekend and killed more sheep belonging to the same farmer. Garda have been notified. All dogs should be locked up or tied up at night not allowed wander around during the night hours. No one should think their dog is harmless. When loose they meet in with other dogs and no one knows what they are capable of.

May run: The Annual May Run Walk or Roll in aid of Cancer Research / North West Hospice will take place on Sunday May 26th 2013 starting from Aughnasheelin Community Centre at 4 p.m. 
Entry Fee €10. Sponsorship cards on request – contact Cáit @ 0872123703. Join the walk and you will not only support a good cause but you will also bring your friends and families together for a great fun afternoon. If you can’t walk you can still donate on http://www.mycharity.ie/event/may_walk_run_or_roll/or by contacting the above number. If you’re donating but not walking why not join us for refreshments in the Community Centre following the event.

CELEBRATION OF FIFTY YEARS OF PRIESTHOOD: On Sunday 14th April, 2013 Father Sean McTiernan, a native of the parish of Carrigallen Co Leitrim, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood in a con-celebrated mass at St Marys Church Carrigallen. Co-celebrants were Fathers Patrick Hagan and Tom McDonnell, his colleagues in St Patricks Missionary Society,Kiltegan Co Wicklow. The Mass was attended by his siblings and close family members. Afterwards all assembled for refreshments and joviality at the birthplace of Sean’s late mother at Bredagh, Carrigallen. Fr Sean , the first of a family of five of John (Jack) and Mary Elizabeth (Maimie) McTiernan was born in the village of Carrigallen in 1936. He completed his primary education in Carrigallen National School after which he commenced second level education at Moyne Secondary School (Latin School) Co Longford where , at inter cert level he won a scholarship to St Mels College, Longford. This great achievement ended his daily cycling routine to Moyne. After leaving Cert at St Mels College,Sean in response to a call from God, decided to enter St Patricks Missionary Society where he commenced his studies for the priesthood. After seven years of study he was ordained a priest in April, 1963 at Kiltegan Co Wicklow. Following his ordination Sean was assigned as a missionary to Abakaliki in the South East of Nigeria. In July 1967 a bitter civil war erupted in that country and continued until January 1970. Those years proved to be very difficult and dangerous for missionaries in Nigeria who endeavoured to remain loyal to their flocks. Those missionaries suffered great personal trauma and stress throughout that period. Sean returned to Ireland at that time and commenced a process of recuperation and recovery. Sean was then assigned a teaching post at Moyne School (Latin School) after which he took up appointments in various parishes in Roscommon and Mullingar. He was then appointed to a parish close to Reykjavik in Iceland where he also secured a degree in Icelandic studies in the local university. He is now retired and living at the society headquarters in Kiltegan Co Wicklow. A special word of thanks to Father Denis Murray PP Carrigallen, Co Leitrim for making available St Marys Church for the occasion. Sincere thanks to Ann and Francie Murray and also to John Morrow for their assistance in organising and preparing the church for the celebration.

Garadice Gaels Prevail: Garadice Gaels bagged their third brace of U-16 League points with a five point victory over Kiltubrid at the latter’s grounds on a cold and wet evening on Tuesday of last week. 
For the players there was more to be endured than enjoyed. The Garadice Gaels lineout was Yann Le Guen, Donal McCabe, Jason Prior, Ronan McTague, Ronan Maxwell, Pierce Dolan (0-1), Fergal McTague, Michael Prior (1-0), Niall Stringer, Stephen Meissner (1-0) and Peter Prior (2-2). Sub used: Darragh Maxwell. PS: Garadice Gaels were due to play Glenfarne-Kilty on last Friday in Aughawillan, but G.K. conceded the points

Shave or Dye: On Friday May 24th the Haydogs of Rooskey & surrounding areas are hosting a major charity event in conjunction with the Today FM’s Shave or Dye to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society. 
The day time event is kicking off in ‘Elle-Ann’s Funky Fringes hair salon” Tarmonbarry where a number of well known locals heads are being dyed - also street entertainment & collections taking place from 2pm in Tarmonbarry.  The night time event is taking place in the Kon Tiki Bar Rooskey with music by Late Night Radio Band. Head & Tash Shaving, Waxing including a full body wax (with thanks to Lorraine from Ambience Beauty Salon Tarmonbarry) will be taking place along with a monster raffle with some great spot prizes including A voucher for the Casledargan Hotel, a signed Donegal GAA Jersey is up for auction and many more prizes not to be missed! Special guest who is travelling all the way from Craggy Island.. yes it’s the one and only Chris the Sheep!! Chris will be bringing along a few of his friends on the night - he is in great form since battling his depression and is looking forward to a great night. Local businesses have kindly sponsored a sheep each & we have a champion sheep shearer coming to shear ‘Mohawks’ & ‘Nohawks’ into the woolly creatures. All proceeds are going towards the Irish Cancer society. A great night’s dancing and craic is guaranteed. See our facebook page ‘Haydogs Today FM Shave or Dye Charity Event’ for more details. If you or your business would like to donate towards the charity event (Sponsor a Sheep or a Shave), please contact Ultan (0876521930) or Adrian (0879950210). The Haydog’s - Adrian Duffy, Chris Duffy, Michael Duffy, Padraig Frayne, Jerry Gilchriest, Ultan Flynn, Charlie Reynolds, Tom Cox, Olly Carley, Niall Kilcrann, Patrick Harte, Padraig McCormack, Joe Rogers, Stephen Mahady, Barry Keaveny, Finbar McGowan, Tom Reilly, Shane Conroy, Jackie Cox, David Cox.

First Communion: On Sunday last St Mary’s Church, Gortletteragh was full for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. 
It was a lovely mass celebrated by Rev John Quinn PP. The weather outside matched the service with nice sunshine. The teachers need to be commended for having the children so well prepared for the Sacrament. They took a full and active part in the mass from the readings to their beautiful singing in the choir. We congratulate the following, who received First Communion, Niamh Reynolds, Erin Reel, Caoimhe Morris, Ciaran Reynolds, Brendan Naughton, Cian McNulty, Shane Mulligan, Nathan Ward, Tom Crowe, Adam Reen, Adam Bohan and Elle Glaze.

Death: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Noel Fox, brother of Kathleen Connor, Cloonfad, whose funeral mass took place in Tubberclaire, Athlone recently. 
May he rest in peace.

Tourism/Tidy Towns: The committee would like to thank those who turned up for the clean-up on Saturday last. 
Now is the time of year when your community needs you as so many are working hard in preparation for the tidy towns competition adjudication. Judging this year will take place between 1st and 30th June. The weekly clean up continues every Monday meeting at St. Mary’s Parish hall at 6.45 and the clean-up will begin at 7pm and continue to 8pm. All sections of the community are invited to mobilise themselves toward the clean ups on Monday evenings. The committee is seeking the full support from the local community in an effort to improve on last year’s marks. Shop owners, businesses and householders are asked to plant window boxes and hanging baskets and to have them in place by the end of the month. The new website is up and running – www.loughree.ie where you just click on Lanesboro Tidy Towns. The €15,000 in the tourism lotto remains to be won.

Car Boot Sale: Killashee Tidy Towns Committee is hosting a stand at the forthcoming Car Boot Sale in Flancare Park on Monday 3rd June 2013. 
This is a good opportunity to declutter and have a good (late) Spring Clean! We will take unwanted gifts, CDs, books, small household items, bric-a-brac, toys and small tools. These can be dropped into The Chestnut Tree, Killashee any evening between 6pm and 9pm until Thursday 30th May. Alternatively, collection can be organised by texting 087-2026894 or 086-4083393. All proceeds from the sale of these items will go directly to improvements and developments in your village.

COMMUNITY GAMES: Next weekend 25th & 26th May 6 children from Carrickedmond will represent Longford at the National Community Finals weekend 1 in Athlone. 
We have Ava Bresling taking part in the U8 Art on Sunday, Aimee Higgins running in the U13 Cross Country, Aslinn Egan, Jenna Mills, David Mills and Sam Mills taking part in Swimming. We wish each of the competitiors all the best at the weekend and be very proud to be taking part and to enjoy the occassion. We are training now in preparation for the County Finals on Sunday 9th June in Ballymahon. All children will be notified by text of day and time. Congratulation to the 8 Girls and 11 Boys from the parish who made their First Holy Communion last weekend,

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.

A group of around five members belonging to a community employment scheme charged with the upkeep of Longford town’s Mall facility are to receive an award in recognition of their efforts on Saturday afternoon.

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.

A County Longford native delivered a paper at Dublin’s National Library earlier this week on political violence and the role played by War of Independence icon Michael Collins.