The benefit night for the Carmelite Lourdes Fund in Claffeys Grand Hotel in Moate on Tuesday night was a roaring success with hundreds of supporters failing to gain entry. Dickies Cabs brought about fifteen of the Shannonbridge Active Retirement Group to the event. Many local artists and groups attended and gave their services free including Louise Morrisey, Sharon Turley, John Hogan, TR Dallas, Robert De Vere and Lorraine Maher and Donna and Joe Mc Caul.
Great news from Margaret Egan, Athlone that her daughter Aisling has given birth to a baby girl yesterday that weighed in at 8.5 Lbs. Aisling's husband Adebe Hanna and their sons Jacob and Aidan are almost as delighted as Margaret who is over the moon. Margaret told us that she was speaking on the 'phone to the baby minutes after she was born. Congratulations and well done.
Sad news yesterday that Mrs Bill Dolan, Creggan had passed away at the age of 95 years..
May she rest in peace.
Ireland defeated Portugal in a soccer friendly played at Landstowne Road by one goal to nil.
Andy Reid scored the goal and over 40,000 attended. A busload of supporters travelled up from Ballinasloe to support the team.
Yesterday another busload of Active Retirement people from Ballinasloe went to Dublin for a days outing.
RTE have been carrying out a series of auditions in each county to find a county representative to go forward to a grand final of the Active Age Talent Showcase final to be held in the National Concert Hall. The Offaly adjudication took place recently and was won by Tony Kenny from Ferbane the well known white haired bearded fiddle player and singer. Tony was born in Banagher and hopefully he will do well in the final.
The London Offaly Association held their annual dinner dance in London recently and Michael and Ita Hynes from Shannonbridge travelled over for the occasion which they enjoyed very much.
Recently a brightly coloured motorbike pulled up outside Dalys Foodstore in Cloghan and before taking off he revved the motorbike several times creating a terrible noise. A customer in the shop asked what the noise was all about and when told it was a motorbike he remarked that if the rider was not careful he would end up like a cow's cleanings stuck to the wall.
In this years Offaly Football Championships there are three groups with Shannonbridge, Bracknagh, Erin Rovers, Edenderry and Ballycumber competing for two places in the quarter finals. "You’re A Star" contest is ongoing at the moment on television and started with twelve finalists. Each week based on a phone in ballot one contestant is eliminated. At present there are six remaining including Lorraine Maher from Fivealley, Birr and Donna and Joe Mc Caul from Athlone.
The eventual winner will go on to represent Ireland in this years Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Ukraine.
The Library will be opened as usual tonight from 7 to 9. Try and call in if you are able.
The Table Quiz on next Wednesday night in Killeens at 9.45 pm will be in aid of Library.
Next Wednesday night there is an important meeting in Shannonbridge Hall. See Parish Newsletter below.
Tonight there is Mass in Ard Chiarain which will be celebrated by Bishop Cassidy.
River levels continue to fall. However there was a fair dash of rain yesterday. Its gas but Oliver Darcy was telling us that the grounstaff at Landstowne Road were watering the pitch in Dublin yesterday while it rained in Shannonbridge.
Today is a fine sunny day and Mick and Brian O Carroll are taking a few hours out on the boat .