The greatest weapon is the Rosary, it was said to remember the innocents and exiles of the Great Hunger, in honour of National Famine day. At 3pm at St Mel’s Cathedral the bells tolled for remembrance of past loss and for those in grief with present loss.

Was a great treat to see the ICA Longford Federations Flower & Craft Festival with a fantastic array of floral displays in St Mel’s Cathedral, each representing places in the county. Had a nice chat with Pat McKenna, who was invited to partake in the festival, he was assigned the two corners of St Mel’s Altar. With pacific limits he had to work around he managed to excel in what he was asked to honour the space he was giving. Titled Sanctuary, he created with greenery from the rural landscape of County Longford, also with Roses, Lilies and Carnations. All the displays are worthy of seeing in situ, becomes photos do not do them full justice, and I wish you could bottle the smells. They also had a craft fair in the Temperance Hall, with lovely array of items including historical references. Tomorrow is the last day the 1st of May 2023 for this show, the display in St Mel’s will be on show from 10am to 6pm and in the old army barracks coinciding with Mary’s Meals Family Fun Day, there is a talk on Perennials by Derek Healy from Creations Centre Ballymahon at 12noon. In picture in St Mel’s selling booklets are the ICA representatives L-R Mary Fenelon, Mary MaGuire, Bernie Rehill and Rosalind McCormack.

John (Johnny) Kelly

Longford Town, born in St Brigid’s Terrace, studied in St Michaels, after which at the age of 13 he went to work as was very common back in the day. He worked for two years as a messenger boy for Harneys Jewellers. Johnny was a keen footballer and a good one at that, he was on the books for Cyrstal Palace. When he came back from England he had played amongst many teams locally and nationally, Longford Town FC and for Sligo. He went to work in London for Warnerpark/Northwich Hospital London. They had their own football team and here is a direct quote from the Longford Leader back in the day ‘’ Local footballer shines …Johnny Kelly, who recently went to work in England, had an outstanding game for the staff team where he is employed. scoring four goals. As a result he may soon have the chance to play a trial match with Crystal Palace. Best of luck Johnny.’’

Talking to Johnny he explained the way things were back then, you basically had nothing to do only play football for me. Radio was even scarce back then let alone all the technologies you have today. Playing football was also great for socialising, I had trials for 5/6 different teams. Played in a big grudge match, in the greyhound stadium, that is still talked about today. Shamrocks v St Helens. It was the Lucious Farrell knockout cup competition, only the teams that were in the Leader Works League could have entered. The big match itself thanks to Kevin (Bunty) Dempsey who also filled me in on how it faired out. They had a professional ref from the Roscommon League come over from Boyle, my own namesake and late Grandfather Michael Croghan, to ref. Kevin said it was unheard of to have such a ref at u15s match. What was also unusual was that both teams had lost both their first team goalkeepers. Johnny’s team was the Shamrocks, the match itself after 15/20mins, St Helens had gone ahead early. St Helens team they were a mixed team of best players in town, including a feuding family members who despite the agro got together to try to beat the bitter rivals. The Ref had to stop the game for a short time due to torrential rain, but the game went on after ten mins. Johnny was a very good player by all accounts and he was very adept at what would be illegal now, a sliding tackle amongst many other things. Jimmy Bucky Dowd scored a hat trick for Shamrocks and Johnny Kelly got the 4th to seal the win at 4 -1. They all went down to The American Bar afterwards, in town, the back of Harneys Jewelers today, for soft drinks and banter.

Jay Manguilimotan and Joby McGowan will in memory of Joby’s late mother Christine who was a great advocate for Mary’s Meals, on the the 29th of April they will cycle to Croagh Patrick and also Climb it. The aim is to raise a thousand euros and they hope to achieve that with every penny going to Mary’s Meals. Both Jay and Joby are keen cyclists, and Jay has climbed Croagh Patrick four times and Joby approx. 12 times. Christine was a lady of great faith, who was was originally a protestant, becoming a Catholic after attending a mass once, also falling in love with Medjugorje. Christine passed away due to a cancer illness but never suffered any great pain because of it, during the covid pandemic. Joby also travelled to Medjugorje many times, thought this would be a fitting tribute to his late mother and all that lost there lives during that pandemic. If you can support in anyway possible, by liking sharing, and if you can afford any money the link is below, the last image, where you can do that

Fr Paul Connell was announced in St Mel’s Cathedral today the 5th of April, at the 11am mass as the new Bishop for the Diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnois.

A unique gathering of differing Christian Faiths that come together once a year as an act of friendship and of focused prayer on a particular aspect, this year’s meeting was in the aid of the sin of racism. Each year each faith takes it upon themselves to host this annual event and it was the turn of the Methodist Church, Battery Rd, Longford Town. An open invitation to all the varying Christian Faiths, there were various speakers,  music and song, with a clear message of unity against the sin of racism.  There was a poignant prayer at the end said by Father Tony of St Mel’s Cathedral, 

The Sending: A Franciscan Benediction 

Attributed to the earliest followers of St Francis 

May God bless you with discomfort

At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships

So that you may live deep within your heart. 

May God bless you with anger 

At injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,

So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. 

May God bless you with tears

To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war

So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them 

And turn their pain into joy, 

And may God bless you with enough foolishness

To believe that you can make a difference in the world 

So that you can do what others claim cannot be done

To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor. 

Amen 

A very friendly and welcoming Sarah working in the Coffee Corner Market Square, Longford Town. Sarah’s mother is from Egypt mother and the father and owner of the new coffee shop is originally from Libyan. Sarah sometimes likes to help making it a family effort, she lives in the North of Ireland, comes as often as she can. Talking about Libyan I was surprised to learn of the idea that electricity is free to everyone, and the Tax is very low, we would love to have that here. With The Coffee Corner they are looking into doing various tasty options down the line, like Semolina cake, barbecue salads. They make a lovely cup of tea and sandwiches, with a great selection of vert tasty treats, check it out when in town for anything.

Fintan MacCasarlaigh was in Longford Shopping Centre 23rd Dec 2022 as one of the Scout Leaders for Longford, selling tickets for the fantastic the 12 days of Christmas Draw on behalf of Scouting Ireland participating groups. The least of the prizes is 650E voucher for Irish Ferries, the top prize is one week in Las Vegas for two people with 6000E spending monies, twelve prizes in all and the draws are not far away I hope you got yours. Look up your local branch, get your kids involved with many activities and possibilities of learning new skills, plus making new friends

Revealing history on the entrance to the Demesne Estate on Lisbrack Road, Longford Town. Recent clearing works have revealed an old wall and the possibility it may have been a guard house. Local Pat Harley told me that the road was called Camp Road and the possible guard house may have been where soldiers came and been directed down the road (Lisbrack Road) towards the now Longford Rugby Club that housed British soldiers in a camp. You can see a possible doorway passage with the gap and still visible window still intact.

Shroid truck and tractor run in honour of Sylvester Heslin & John Harte, all the monies raised will be donated to Irish Kidney Association Longford Branch. I just got the end of it as it passed thought the end of town past the old army barracks and heading towards the battery road. Also sponsored by Johnston Farm Machinery, Martins fuels, Brian Fallon Hardware, Longford Animal Health Centre & Veterinary, Hospital, Aidan Shaughnessy Farm Machinery, Allen Agri, Colm Dardis Gardening, Service, Horan Agri, Derek Creighton Driving School, Topline Providers, Toy Town, Mary Sheridan Career Guidance, County Longford,