Granard

Granard on Facebook

Two new Facebook pages have been set up to connect the business community and residents of Granard and to promote the established enterprises and great new start-ups along with weekly retail offers in our town.

Local businesses are invited to post the latest news about the business - press releases, products, services and offers - on the ‘Granard Business Community’ Facebook page. Meanwhile, the ‘Granard Community’ Facebook page will highlight all other news and events in our locality. All community groups and residents are invited to post what is happening on the page.

We encourage everyone of you living in the town and bordering areas to ‘Like’ both Facebook pages. Just search for each name when your on Facebook, hit ‘Like’ and enjoy connecting online.

Country Markets

Granard Country Markets returned on Friday morning last with their usual supplies of home baking; crafts; firewood etc. situated beside the Post Office, Main Street, Granard. The market takes place each Friday morning from 8-30am to 11-00am.

Table Quiz

Granard Tidy Towns are having a Table Quiz in Fay’s Bar on this Friday, 23 January at 8.30pm. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Bingo

Bingo continues at the Community Centre Granard each Wednesday night commencing at 8.45pm. The Jackpot now stands at €18,900. Proceeds go to St. Mary’s and Abbeylara G.A.A. Clubs. Your continued support is appreciated.

Credit Union

Granard Credit Union are pleased to announce a new Car loan Rate of 7.5%. Please check with our office for more detail on our offer of free road tax on every 2015 car purchased with a loan from Granard Credit Union ltd. Office hours Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm.

Storytelling

We want to start Storytelling at Granard Community Library soon. Looking for volunteers to come in on a Saturday morning for an hour once a month to do some reading to the children. Please contact the Library at 0436686164 or granardlibrary@longfordcoco.ie

Computer Classes

Computer Classes starting soon at Granard Community Library on Tuesday mornings. Names are now being taken. More information at 0436686164 or granardlibrary@longfordcoco.ie

Yoga with Virginia

Yoga for relaxation, inner calm, strength and flexibility. Four week Hatha Yoga course using body and breath awareness commencing Monday the 26th of January from 8-9 in Granard. To book or further information, Tel Virginia on (087) 7740901.

Longford Mental Health Association

SOS in partnership with “Longford Mental Health Association” is delighted to be hosting a Wellness Workshop on Monday, 2nd February in The Longford Arms Hotel, Main Street, Longford Town. This is a full day workshop running from 9.30am – 4.30pm with lunch included. If you or anyone you know would like to attend please contact Lisa or Jacqui on 1890 577 577 to book your place. Please note that we can only take bookings by telephone. The Wellness Workshop is a one day workshop that aims to help people understand and take responsibility for their own mental health.

Operation Transformation

Bunlahy Area Action Group host Operation Transformation starting Sunday 25th of January at 12.30pm in Creegan’s Bar Bunlahy. We invite everyone to come along get fit and loose a few pounds. The programme will run for 8 weeks. Entry will be €50. This entitles you to 8 one hour fitness classes in Canon Kelly Hall, every Tuesday night at 8 o’clock. Every Sunday Morning starting on the 25 January there will an organised walk/run at 9am from Bunlahy, followed by a ‘weigh-in’. All ‘weigh-ins’ will be carried out in a discrete manner.  There will be prizes at completion for individuals and teams who have the greatest percentage weight loss. For further information and to book your place, please text/call David on 087-7970464 or Mary on 087-9964366. So forget about ‘no pain no gain’, our motto is ‘fun on the run’.

Community Diary

A Diary is available again this year at the offices of Granard Area Action Group, Main Street, Granard for all Community Groups and organisations in the area to log their events so as to avoid duplications. If unable to get call in personally please phone 0436686922 where a member of staff will be happy to log your event.

Sacred Heart N.S.

Enrolment of new Junior Infants takes place on Friday, 30 January at 2pm. We invite children and their parents to come in. Please bring your child’s birth certificate.

Rath Mhuire & Dolmen Services

All services at both centres resumed this week. Moatsiders resume on next Thursday 29 January at 2.30pm in Rath Mhuire Resource Centre.

Writers Group

The group will meet on Monday 26 January at 3.00pm at Rath Mhuire Resource Centre.

Training

The Carers Association will have QQI Level 5 Care Skills training in Longford on Tuesday, 10 February 2015.  One day each week over five weeks.  Contact the training unit on 057 93 70221 for more info.

SVP Shop

“New 2 U” the St. Vincent De Paul Shop, Lower Main Street, Granard is open each Friday from 10am to 5.00pm and Saturday from 11.00am to 5.00pm. The shop also opens on the first Tuesday of each month from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Local SVP Contact No. 085-1503985.

De Kube

Ballymore GFC will present De Kube on Saturday, 28 February in the Longford Arms Hotel commencing at 8pm. There is a prize fund of €3K and a great night’s entertainment is guaranteed. Music on the night is by the popular Busy Fingers Band. Tickets are currently on sale at €20 each. For further information visit Ballymore GAA on Facebook.

EmployAbility Midlands

Are you a person with a disability/illness looking for work? An employment officer from EmployAbility Midlands. Will be available in Granard Area Action Group on Monday, 26 January 2015 from 2.30 – 4.30pm. EmployAbility Midlands is a service which enables people with disabilities to access mainstream employment. For further information or to make an appointment please use any of the contact details below: Tel: Brenda 086 3872 855. Email: longford@employabilitymidlands.com

Soccer News - Local Link

We hear news of Notts County new signing, and Rep. of Ireland U-21 international winger, 20-year-old William Hayhurst, having strong family ties to the Cloughernal, Granard, Mullahoran (and Wesport area), having spent his childhood summer holidays visiting his Irish relatives in this locality with his family. Lancashire-born William has played on the Republic of Ireland U-19, and now U-21 international soccer team, for a number of years, having qualifiying as a result of his Irish roots. He made his debut in the No. 7 shirt against Crewe Alexandra at the weekend, and was named ‘Man of the Match’ in the 2-1 win, which took place in the Notts County home grounds of Meadow Vale. Follow his progress on the Notts County website. We hope to see him back in this area soon.

Whist

Whist resumed after the Christmas break in the Community Centre on Sunday night, 19 January at 8.30pm. The following are the results: First Lady Anne Byrne. Second Lady Mary Cahill. First Gent Andy Dalton. Second Gent Edward McGivney. Half Game Lady Eva Kirk. Half Game Gent Eddie Dooney. Raffle Edward Brady Gerry Leavy and Mary Cahill. Your support is appreciated on Sunday nights as all monies raised go towards the upkeep of the Community Centre.

Recent Death

The death of Bridie Reynolds, Coolcor, Granard occurred at the Manor Nursing Home, Edgeworthstown on Saturday, 17 January. Removal took place to St. Mary’s Church, Granard on Sunday evening and funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday at 11.00am followed by burial in Granardkille old cemetery. May she rest in peace. Sympathy is extended to her relatives, neighbours and friends.

Siopa Lus na Greine

We want your cast offs, bric-a-brac and unwanted Christmas Gifts, drop them into the Centre any day of the week or into An Siopa any Thursday, Friday or Saturday between 10am and 5pm  New surprises arriving weekly, come in and have a browse. All proceeds go directly and totally to The Centre for projects in the area.

Ard Scoil Phadraig

Enrolment for First Year students takes place on this Wednesday, 21 January from 6pm to 8pm. Students are reminded to please bring Birth Certificate and PPS number.

Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary meetings are now held in the Community Centre each Thursday night at 8.30pm. This is a special time of prayer to Our Lady and if you would like to join the Legion of Mary you are welcome to come to any of the meetings.

Prayer meeting

Held every Monday night in Rath Mhuire Resource Centre at 8.30pm. All are welcome.

Are your Parenting Alone?

If so you might benefit from sharing with others in a similar situation and avail of a chance to discuss common issues, concerns, tips and advice. The first of these sessions will be held on Thursday, 29 January at 10am until 11.30 am and will be co facilitated in Lus na Greine FRC. To book or for further information contact the centre at 0436660977.

New Brochure

We are currently working on our Spring Newsletter. We welcome any ideas/ suggestions or services you might like to see the centre provide during this New Year. If so drop in, call, Facebook us or drop us a line.