It was good to see Ciaran Pat Devery and his wife Ann call in last evening.Pat was born in Lecarrow about two miles from Shannonbridge and was one of the first travelling salesvan operators for Lyons Tea.He spent some years in America and in London where he managed a pub.They are now retired in London and have a holiday home near Castlerea. He was often wondering what Burns house now looked like as he had many fond memories so last evening he called in and Ger and Mary Kenny gave him a tour of the house.The big open fire and big wooden beams in the kitchen are gone or covered over but he was delighted to see the neighbours house.
As it happened brother Jim had arrived home for his last evening and cousin John came out from Ballinasloe to meet Ciaran Pat.The three had not met for 50 years so the talk was of that era and the wonderful characters they knew.
Ciaran told of the late Forties when Roscommon were doing well in football and the neighbours were gathered in Burns house listening to the match as Burns had a radio. Ma Burns was cooking a cake and checking on it to rise.After a time she realized that the cake needed soda and would not rise so she took it and opened the back door and kicked it out into the yard saying "Another goal for Roscommon ".