Christmas was special in Shannonbridge Church this year with the church decorated with ivy and holly and a display at each window lit by a candle. There was candlelight everywhere and the crib was erected in its usual place in front of the main altar. There was carol singing for the people going to midnight Mass and the snow added an extra touch. The choir were in full voice
and the Midnight Mass was special seeing all the faces home for Christmas.
Some regular angling visitors The Archibalds arrived on Christmas Eve in their broken down camper van. The van broke down in Gort and they hired a special tow truck to get to Shannonbridge.
Came across An Irish Blessing which goes -
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm on your face
The rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you
In the hollow of his hand.

A tip for you whenyou are selling your Old Ass.
Put some pebbles in his ears and he will look full of life
as his ears go every way trying to remove the pebbles.

The nephew Robert called in after Christmas with Susan and their two children Etna and Heather. Etna was word perfect in reciting a poem that she learned from her Grannie Doc in Oughterard. It went something like this -
I climbed up the door
And opened the stairs
Said my pyjamas
And put on my prayers
Turned off the bed
And jumped into the light
All because you kissed me
Goodnight.