-Longford Spin-

Tena Keown  & Lisa Daly
Longford natives, have Longford at the forefront of their new group 'Longford Spin'. 
Its a new initiative Lisa tells me ''its all about Longford, giving Longford a positive spin. We want to bring more people into town, shopping, bring more markets, for wider community of traders, and the obvious benefit of all locals and county Longford in general.
Tena Keown,  Longford local, and well known and cherished in the community a carer, by day, and carer of Longford throughout. 
This lady, has done so much for the local community, not looking for anything or praise. 
from fighting for all local causes, helping orgainsing various events, to now putting that under one umbrella, Longford Spin.
Father Seamus O'Leary (Ballymahon) , his parents was Pat O'Leary and Maryann (Cawley) O'Leary. my mother is Ann (Kinlon) O' Leary, and her parents  was Charlie Kinlon from (Drumlish),  Christina (Quinn) Kinlon (Templemichael /Water St Area)
Longford Spin was the idea of Lisa and Tena, whom both share chairpersons within the small as yet group, but with a few powerhouses locally Gerry Warnock and Joe Flaherty, committee members, and members Brian Mc Cann and Lisa Vernon, Lisa is the Secratary for Longford Spin. 
A powerful group with wide ranging attributes.
Lisa met Tena, at another fundraiser, as you can imagine, for GOOD2TALK. They both got chatting and came up with idea of having a registered group for organising such events for various local issue. All volunteer driven, and any events orgainsed will be for benefit of local charity and various groups needs. 
Lisa Daly, Longford Town, native Annally Park. was born in UK Manchester, Old Trafford, and yes she is a fan, which may i say i endorse such a club to support 'only the greatest club in the world 'Manchester United'. 
Lisa was born to parents Michael Killane (Annally Park) and Mary (Joyce)(Downpatrick) Killane. Grandparents Mary Anne (O'Leary) Killane, and Paddy Killane. They were the first family to move into Annally Park. Grandparents on Lisa's Mothers side, John Joyce and Bridget. 
I grew up in Cheetham Hill in Manchester. I always will have good memeories of Cheetham.  My parents decided to move back to Ireland, Annally Park, when I was 16 years of age.  
I live in Annally Park now with my own family, Husband Tomas, and our beautiful kids. 
Its a small world, and yes myself and Tena are also distant family cousins. 
Tena spoke of a lovely lady from Annally Park,Lisa's gran, Mary Ann, whom like Lisa, was a very good talker, woe befall you if you dared to walk by and not call by. Bang bang on the window, come out and tell you off for not calling in as you went by for an auld chat. She was very well thought of fondly in Annally Park and beyond. 
Lisa's work history is business management, office work, and management and pay roll and organising take ins.
Working various teams, from security, for Eur'Ace for Pat Duffy, Fusspots for Trisha Keenan. Up skilled from her first Job when she came to Ireland, she worked for Bettys Salon. 
She is bringing all that skill and knowledge, to Longford Spin.

They both told me they have an event coming up this Friday coming the 7th of July, in the Longford Arms Hotel, with performing artists TR Dallas and David Kiernan, for Meals on Wheels. and on the 14th of August, they have another night planned with music from up and coming local country star Joe Reilly The Roadsider, proceeds going to Longford Attic and new club Forige.
Also another event planned for kids of Autism and opened to others, with special guest star from RTE called Ruben, a child's entertainer, with low light low noise, he does mixed entertainment magic and lots more. 

As a group they are covered locally with PPN, they had a collection at church gate recent for next years Summer festival. Joe Flahery whom is on their Committee, left the very capable lady Tena and Lisa with and all at Longford Spin, to orgainsing the Summer Festival Market ye all enjoyed recently. Was a great success, with varied traders, including myself Photographer Michael Croghan, amongst many others.
couldn't have went any better, all the traders, even gave us advice with market etiquette. They are already working on plans for Xmass market, can only be a great thing, they both said. 
They also are working on VAT Certificate, and registering nationally with CRO, after which they can apply for grants. They already have a great start with accountancy, Richmond Accountancy agency local Longford Town company have offered their services totally free. 

Longford Spin, is looking to propose a weekly market, for Longford Town, they have a long list of traders on board already.
We see ourselves in a years time, being a group open to helping all. People can approach us with any ideas, and we will look to see what we can do to help. We work with all Councillor's regardless of party's they involved with. We are just so passionate about Longford. Lisa said her husband said to her, now you Have to do it, no more talking about it, now its up and running. 
When myself and Tena got together and talked about it originally, the whole basis of it is all about helping Longford back to its feet, and get more people in town, for shopping and creating the atmosphere that used to be here, when i came back here first back in 1998. We are just helpers, and orgainsers, people can freely chat to us, and we will help in any way we can.