Went into Ballinasloe last evening and visited Ciaran Flannery who was in great form and recalling many items from the past. Afterwards I walked from Portiuncula to Main Street and noticed that most of the stall owners were taking down their frames and displays. The fairgreen was like a ploughed field and had a pool of water after the heavy rain on Sunday. At 6.30 there was still about three hundred horses on show. Not many people about and many shops were closed. One shop owner told me that they do not open for the Fair but use the time preparing items for a Sale next week.
Mark Donegan is flying to Brussels today to join a big Irish get together of musicians and Irish living in Ghent. Wonder will he take his musical instrument of a clothes hanger and a set of spanners through Customs ?.
Ken and Betty Smith have arrived safely home to Santa Barbara and send greetings to all the friends they met. They wondered was Bridie Carry all right as they missed her for a few days. Bridie tells us that her Canadian friend Mary Marnier and herself were touring around and visiting different places. They visited Athlone and were disappointed with the atmosphere of the Raddisson Hotel. In Roscommon they enjoyed an excellent meal at The Royal Hotel. Another day they visited Keadue Carrick on Shannon Rooskey and Lough Key Forest Park. They were disappointed with Lough Key saying it has really dis-improved. In Rooskey they found the food to be delicious. A trip around the Slieve Bloom Mountains was enjoyable and they stopped off for a five star meal in Kinnity Castle where they found the staff very friendly. They also enjoyed sumptious food at The Bistro at The Five Alley on another occassion which is owned by The Guinan Family.
Our Belgian pike angling visitors were fishing again yesterday and once again caught 18 pike which were returned alive and in good condition. Today they are planning to fish the River Suck.
Dave and Paulien Kemp have returned to Idle after their holiday. Paulien is planning to visit California next month so watch out California.
Bridie Carry has good news from her mother Mary Brennan who has been in hospital for a short time. Mary is feeling well and has returned home. Bridie is proud that her grand-daughters Siobhan and Sinead played their parts on the Under 14 Ballinasloe camogie team that defeated Gort by one point in the Galway County Final.
Steve Fletcher and Family send word that they enjoyed their recent holiday in Shannonbridge and pass on good wishes to everyone. Weather fine yesterday with some showers. Today is sunny and a little breezy and temperature around 53F.
Spotted in a safari park -- ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CARS.
Saying on The Marian Finucane radio show today goes " I wish I did'nt know now, what I did'nt know then".