Community - Longford Leader

Community News

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.

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.

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.

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.

District Notes

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.

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.

Killoe

WEDDING: Congratulations to Charlene Kiely, daughter of Brid (and the late Maurice) Clontumpher Killoe who exchanged nuptial vows with Stephen McEvoy, son of Peter and Pauline Ardglass Co Down joined by family and friends in St Peter and St Pauls Church Athlone Co Westmeath last week. Afterwards a sumptuous reception of fine fare was enjoyed by everyone with music to beat the band plus the added bonus of a cruise on the Shannon to whet the appetite. The parish extend good wishes to Stephen Charlene and their families for a future filled with great health and happiness.

Ballinalee

Sports: The local Community Games Sports Day was held recently with a good turnout. 1st and 2nd in 1 event in U8 category and upwards will go on to represent Clonbroney in Ballymahon on June 9th. The results were as follows - U6 Girls: 1st - Elaine Tully, 2nd – Abbey Tully & Anna Fox, 3rd – Blainaid Rawle; U6 Boys 1st – Jack Conlon, 2nd – Gavin Shaughnessy, 3rd – Oisin Reynolds. U8 Girls 60m 1st – Ciara Heaney, 2nd – Nadine Smith, 3rd – Emma Kiernan. U8 Boys 60m 1st – Jack Reilly, 2nd – Diarmuid Glennon, 3rd – Diarmuid Rawle. U8 Girls 80m 1st – Ciara Heaney, 2nd – Elaine Tully, 3rd – Grace McEvoy. U8 Boys 80m 1st – Jack Reilly, 2nd – Diarmuid Rawle, 3rd – Diarmuid Glennon. U10 Girls 100m, 1st – Katelyn Farrell, 2nd – Laura Tully, 3rd – Bronagh Rawle. U10 Boys 100m 1st - John Rawle, 2nd – James Fox, 3rd – Owen Carrigy. U10 Girls 200m 1st – Katelyn Farrell, 2nd – Bronagh Rawle, 3rd - Laura Tully. U10 Boys 200m 1st - John Rawle, 2nd – James Fox, 3rd – Jamie Reilly. U10 Girls Hurdles 60m 1st Katelyn Farrell, 2nd Bronagh Rawle, 3rd Laura Tully & Ciara Heaney. U10 Boys Hurdles 60m 1st Jamie Reilly, 2nd John Rawle, 3rd James Fox / Owen Carrigy. U12 Girls 100m 1st Regina Rawle, 2nd Rhona Conlon & Danika Burke, 3rd Siobhain Tully. U12 Boys 100m 1st Conor Blessington, 2nd Daniel Reynolds, 3rd Darragh Earley. U12 Girls 600m 1st Shauna Heaney, 2nd Rhona Conlon, 3rd Avril Wilson. U12 Boys 600m 1st Daniel Reynolds, 2nd Conor Blessington, 3rd Sean O Sullivan. U14 Girls 100m 1st Victoria Gilliard, 2nd Ciara Conlon. U14 Boys 100m 1st Evan Tully, 2nd Sean Farrell. U14 Girls 80m Hurdles 1st Danika Burke, 2nd Rhona Conlon, 3rd Victoria Gilliard / Ciara Conlon. U14 Boys 80m Hurdles 1st Evan Tully, 2nd Lee O’Leary, 3rd Sean Farrell / Aaron Blessington. U14 Boys 800m 1st Evan Tully, 2nd Lee O’Leary, 3rd Aaron Blessington/ Sean Farrell. Field events results next week.

Clondra

Enrolment: Scoil Mhuire, Clondra, Co. Longford are currently accepting enrolments. Scoil Mhuire is a mixed, three-teacher school, committed to enhancing the development of each child to the best of their ability in a warm, friendly and inclusive atmosphere. Please call to the school or contact us at 043 3326417 for information/application form. Enquiries welcome before/after official enrolment fortnight.

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