Wednesday evening was calm and peaceful and ideal for a trip on the river. Mick had promised to take two Swiss visitors staying in Grouse Lodge for a trip in the boat, and as Paulien Kemp was walking back to her Self Catering below Clonmacnois, she joined us and we headed upstream to deliver Paulien at Clonmacnois.In the eight miles we met two boats and saw lots of birds including two swans sitting up on the bankside looking like they were preparing to nest. Wondered if it was a sign that the river level was going to rise as they were some three feet above the water line.
The Shannonbridge power plant officially closes today and Father O Hanlon has been asked to celebrate Mass for the remaining staff in the canteen building this morning. Already see a number of retired staff arriving such as Paddy Kiernan from Belmont and Michael Devine
Who both spent many years working there. The new power plant has been built close to the old plant and is called West Offaly Power. It is working away and it uses the same pumphouse and culverts as the old plant. Fishermen will be glad to hear that there is a good flow of hot or heated water coming from the outflow culvert.
The table quiz last night raised over 100 Euro for the Alive free newspaper which is kept going on voluntary subscriptions.
Library tonight at 7.00 PM