Recently a visitor to Clonmacnois was looking for the words of The Dead at Clonmacnois by T.W. Rolleston and I was glad that the team that wrote the Clonmacnois Parish Book for the millenium used it on the inside cover at the back. Of course you remember how it goes ............. In a quiet watered land, a land of roses,
Stands Saint Ciarans city fair,
Good to hear from Father Pete Kenny from Los Angeles on Saturday night. The man is in great form and is even going to come on holiday to Ireland next year.
Saturday night after Mass Fidelma Mc Manus ran through her wedding rehersal. The real Wedding is soon.
Sad news at the weekend was the death of Brid Brady nee Kelly of Rathcabbin and Sky Valley.
Brid was a sister of Shannonbridge man Sean Kelly and she is survived by her husband, son and daughter and her father and about nine brothers and sisters and. Brid was buried this morning.
May she rest in peace.
Irish rugby team had a great win over Argentina on Saturday with Ronan O Gara scoring a dropped goal in the last seconds to win by two points. Score 21 - 19.
Belmont, winners of the Offaly Intermediate hurling this year played Glenmoy, County Kilkenny in the second round of the club championships in Moystown on Saturday but the Kilkenny lads had a five point advantage at the end. Belmont team included three from this parish - Harry Kerins Clonfinlough, and John and Paul Egan from Woodbank. Any other hurlers in the parish want to join them next year ?.
Michael Green is home on holiday from Boston for a few days and is looking for a copy of Flight of The Doves. Says he cannot get a copy in America. And you thought they had everything.
Steve Nell was fishing at the mouth of the Brosna on last Friday and caught a fine 15 Lbs pike using a dead roach as bait. River level has dropped about two inches since Sunday but still lots of flood about. Weather today is forecast for mostly fine with somesunny spells with a southerly breeze giving temperatures of 50 F at best. Guess what but rain promised tonight.
Looking forward to a lecture on early Christian Monastic Site in Rahan which is scheduled for 8 pm tonight in Rahan Hall.
Parish newsletter tells of the Christmas Party planned for Clonfinlough on Sun 9th January.
Also the Annual Carol Service in Clonmacnois on Sunday 12th Dec at 4pm.
Shannonbridge GAA held their AGM yesterday and no doubt you will read about what happened in the GAA icon attached to this web.
Table Quiz this Wednesday in Killeens will be for the Bothar group from Moate who collect money and send cows and goats and hens and so on out to Africa.
Finally a Jack Quinn shortie -

The Robin

Deserted
In winter's face
A beady eye
On naked bush
In pierced armour
Of puffed feathers
With sturdy patience
Awaits uncertain Spring.