CLOONACOOL

PARK LOTTO

The community park lotto draw, for February took place at the weekend for a jackpot of €5,100. The numbers drawn were 1, 6, 20 and 23. There was no jackpot winner but there were two match-three winners; Will Armstrong and Brid and Tom Calvey. The winner of the SuperValu shopping voucher was Aiden Kilcoyne. The committee issued renewed thanks to Surlis’ SuperValu for their generous support and thanked everyone for their continued contributions.

LAMBING SEASON

Preparations are currently in full swing throughout the parish in anticipation of the lambing season due to commence in the coming weeks. These are the weeks of relocating sheep, dirtying up yards and providing extra feeding. It is always a great sign of spring and the bounty that each new farming year provides. Sheep are particularly vulnerable at this time and are easily worried by dogs. If you are a dog owner, pay particular attention at this time. Any dog, no matter how tame, can seem like a wolf to a pregnant ewe.

MENTAL HEALTH

The current lockdown has the potential to negatively affect mental health. Do not feel alone and do not suffer in silence; help is always available. Chat a friend or call one of the many help numbers available for direction and advice. Free-text the word TALK to 50808. Freephone Aware, Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on 1800 80 48 48. The Samaritans, call free, day or night, 365 days a year on 116 123.

OLD PHOTOGRAPHS

A Tubbercurry group are collecting old photographs of Tubbercurry and surrounding areas as part of a historical collection for posterity. I you have old photographs (aprox 40 years or older), of buildings, social activities and such, contact John Gillespie in the town shopgillespie@gmail.com.

CLOONACOOL 5K

In previous years, Cloonacool GAA Club brought notoriety and colour to the parish with the organisation each February of their 5K road road race. This year, the event couldn’t take place due to the Covid crisis. This has been a big loss to the club in terms of fundraising and indeed a big loss to our parish in terms of its spectacle. Hopefully the race will be restored to its rightful place as soon as regulations allow.

TIMES PAST

1942 Ploughing – The event referred to last week and which took place on March 5 was reported on again a few weeks later, giving the results. The judge, Daniel Keenan, from Co Leitrim said there was a marked improvement in the work executed by the competitors. Parish priest Fr Denis Gildea, Tubbercurry gave out the prizes. They included; Open Chill first B Williams, Ballisodare, second Joseph McIntyre, Leitrim North, third Frank McIntyre, Leitrim North. Open Swing first William Henry, Loughill, second J Armstrong, Ballyglass, third Richard Brennan, Bunninadden. Novice Flat first JP Henry, Loughill, second (a tie) P. McKim, Branchfield and J Ginty, Newtown. Open Ridge first T Feeley, Kilcummin, T Connolly, Carnaleck, third J Kirrane, Sessuegarry. Novice Ridge first John Neary, KIlverneen, second Martin Ginty, Ballyglass, third J Ross, Dereens.

Sports Day, July 1998 – A meeting to organise our Sports Day on Monday, August 4, next will be held in the community centre on Thursday night, July 31, at 10 p.m. We would ask you to attend promptly so as to hold the meeting in as short a time as possible. The Cow Pat Lottery will also be discussed. Your attendance is vital for a successful Sports Day. Cow Pat Lottery ticket stubs and money returned by July 30.

NOTES

Please ensure that your notes are sent to cloonacoolnotes@gmail.com before midday on Thursdays.