Hear that the Drum Heritage Group have produced a book about Sean O Neachtain ( John Naughton) 1640 - 1725 who moved west during the Cromwellian times and settled in Connemara. He was gifted in languages and taught Hedge school. At some stage he was based at Clonellan near Naughtons Garage and it was there yesterday that the book was launched with speeches, a re-enactment of the hedge school and a party featuring a roast pig. Book is on sale for about Five Euro. Keep an eye out for it.
Two local connection funerals today. Brendan Coleman died in Wicklow and will be buried there today. Brendan was a brother of Michael John who was buried last week. Also burying today is Paddy Kenny from Clononey Beg and Moystown husband of Nuala and father of eight children.
Paddy was a brother of the late Ber and a brother to Elsie and Carmel. May they rest in peace.
Kerrill Thornhill is back home after a sojourn in mainly Sydney. Joe and Mrs Coleman are home from England and Joe was saying that he believes he is the last of the initial group of workers that worked on the sitework for the old power station back in the early sixties.
Ken and Betty Smith arrived yesterday from California for a few weeks break in Shannonbridge. They arrived in wind and rain and looked remarkably fresh after having flown for twelve hours. They found the worst part was changing planes and terminals in Heathrow and there was a little worry travelling on 9 / 11.
The two girls carrying out a sponsored walk from Knock to Clonmacnois for Homeless People came around at the weekend with collection buckets which they left into shops and pubs into which hopefully people will subscribe. Watch out for them.
The Mooneys were in Shannonbridge on Saturday and Kitty was reminiscing about the war years and some of the commodities that were very scarce such as Bread, tea and cigarettes.
At the time bakeries were allowed to give extra bread if a death occured in the area and Lumley's breadman Jimmy Bracken reckoned that about 1000 people died in Shannonbridge during the war as on every delivery day someone had died and so more bread. Tea was very scarce and Kitty Mooney was telling that carrots were grated and roasted and used for tea. Start of the herbal tea no doubt.
The Holleran Family were here in fine numbers on Saturday night for a memorial Mass for Tom and Rose Holleran Templedew. They were talking about the Clonmacnois Parish Millenium book that had a picture of the late Tommy who came from Clare and was a ganger for the Council. At one time the Hollerans lived where the present Takeaway now stands.
Weather is expected to take up again on Wednesday after Hurricane Frances tailend.
Meeting of West Offaly Community and Voluntary Forum in Shannonbridge Hall Tuesday 14th at 8.30 pm.
On This Thursday morning after Mass a coffee morning in aid of cancer will be held in Killeens.