Came across an announcement from 24th April 1969 giving the results of a soccer match between ESB Shannonbridge and Top Quarry Ballinasloe with ESB winning the match 2 - 1. Scorers for Shannonbridge were Cary Thornhill and Jackie Rigley.
The next game is between Shannonbridge and Stauntons. Venue Mental Hospital ( very appropriate ! )
On 24th April 1969. Kick off 16.45 hours.
On Friday for me it was off to Clare to attend the Burren Spring Conference at Ballyvaughan. While waiting to catch the bus at Kellers shop in Ballinasloe I noticed a pre demolition poster for Kellers.Then Rosaline Dolan from Kilgarve came along and told me that she was a cousin of the Reddy family Shannonbridge and she talked of the late Babs and Francie and Michael Reddy.
On the bus to Oranmore I noticed a couple of neatly fenced cups inside the stone walls and am curious as to what they are. Looks as if they are going to rebuild the wall there for some reason.
Met Doc and Dick and Norah at Oranmore and headed off for Ballyvaughan where we checked in at an excellent B&B ( see www.cappabhaile.com) before heading for the opening lecture of the conference given by David Bellamy after an excellent introduction from the conference director Brendan Dunford.
On Saturday there were lectures on Exploring the Archeology, Restoring medieval buildings, creating a habitat map with the help of satellite pictures and on your knees experience, The EU LIFE nature fund- lessons for the Burren, The Burren Caves as a heritage and resource, Art and Vandalism - do it yourself dolmens .
Unfortunately we had decided to miss the Sunday lectures on Poulnabrone - managing an Icon, Managing special places for people and nature and Management of habitats of high natural and cultural value. They have a website under www.burrencollege.ie. Try www.burrenbeo.com
Missed out on Bridie Carry's birthday bash on Saturday night in Ballinasloe when her family took her and Charlie out for a very enjoyable meal in Karebas a resturant where Fallers Jeweller shop was. Afterwards they visited Joe Kellys pub to celebrate the big 0.
On Saturday near the school in Ballyvaughan we discovered a marvellous Italian eating place .
Doc was telling us about a lovely little town they discovered in France called Lough Ronan where Saint Ronan is buried. Taughmaconnell's Saint Ronan.
When in Dublin someone recommends a sight seeing tour of the city using Viking Splash Tours which takes about three hours travelling on a marine rescue boat fitted with wheels. The tour is on land for two hours and on the water for one hour. Think it starts near Saint Patricks Cathdral but check it out.
The weather did get a bit cold over the weekend and last night windscreens were frozen over.
Noticed that a nest of daffodils planted beside a large boulder at the school in Clare were in bloom while other daffodils in other nearby places were not. Lots of sunshine over the weekend and of course Offaly beat Westmeath in football yesterday.