Good to hear that Kate is on her way home. Had a Christmas card from Ciara in Sydney and hope she writes here soon. Anybody else feel like making a fool of themselves contact info@shannonbridge.net
Big news for Shannon Airport is Ryanair plans a major expansion there and will put 200 Million into a facility that will have 14 new routes to Britain and Europe flying 1.3 Million passengers in 2005 and two million within five years. See that they are already offering low low giveaways. Will have to get a ball and chain for Colin.
Midland Health Board has allotted 3,500 Euro to Shannonbridge Active Retirement group and 700 Euro to the local Community Services Group.
Noticed a new Catholic newspaper around called The Voice selling at 70 C and looks like a cross breed from The Irish Catholic and The Athlone weekly freebee.
Ritchie Brown got great support last night for the table quiz he organized in aid of Bothar. Some 25 tables took part and Ritchie had about 17 prizes for the raffle ending up with a lunch voucher for four in Brownes in Moate. Moate gave great support and a busload travelled over. Bothar have a website www.bothar.org and they send animals to Africa such as a cow at 1800 Euro, a sow at 250, a goat at 300, three hives of bees at 125 and a share in a flock of chickens at 50 Euro. They told us afterwards that they were continuing to send out animals and many farmers were raising a heifer for there cause. Last night over 600 Euro was collected.
The weather - cold and frosty this morning with icy stretches on the road. Fog will slowly lift but may linger in a few places until later. Generally dry with some bright spells. However outbreaks of rain and drizzle will develop in the north. Temperature 4 to 8 C. Some frost tonight. No wonder we talk so much about the weather. Tonight is Library night 7 to 9 pm.
Still no sign of Nancy Magee from San Diego hitting Shannonbridge. Bridie Carry was saying that the Christmas lights in Ballinahowen were beautiful.
The Budget yesterday is described in the papers as calculated and crafty with Election 2007 in mind. Usual hits like petrol, drink and cigarettes were not effected.