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

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cemetery Saturday: Weather permitting Mass will be celebrated in Mullinalaghta Cemetery on Saturday 6th July at 7.00p.m. 
This will be followed by blessing of the graves. Please inform relatives and friends away from home. All are requested to tidy up plots and not discard rubbish nearby. Please note change of time for this date.

Ballinamuck ICA: The May meeting of the above Guild will take place next Monday night May 20th at 8pm sharp in the Visitors Centre, Ballinamuck. All members are requested to attend. Marie McAvennia a Tubberware representative will attend the meeting at 9pm. Non members are very welcome to come along.