Good news today that eleven Irish Rugby players have been selected as part of the Lions team to tour South Africa later in the year . Brian O’Driscoll has been named as captain.
Sad news today of the death of the Galway footballer Mattie Mc Donagh, who was a star for his county back in the sixties. May he rest in peace.
Mr and Mrs John Ford from Montana arrived safely in Shannonbridge today and are staying with Brian and Dympna O Carroll in Ely House. They were telling us that they usually take their camper deep into Mexico during the winter and enjoy the heat. Both are fluent Spanish speakers. John worked as a saddle-maker and was explaining the competition where two cowboys on horseback take a steer in control. One cowboy rides out with the steer and lassoes the horns of the steer. The other rider lassoes the hind legs of the steer. Both horses are trained to put pressure on the ropes by backing away. Found it hard to believe but John said that it normally takes about six seconds.
The English Grand National on Saturday was won by Hedgehunter trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh. He started favourite at 7 / 1.
Shannonbridge played their first game in this years football championships on Saturday evening playing Edenderry and the game ended in a draw. Yesterday Clara and Doon had their first match, which was played on the Shannonbridge pitch and this also ended in a draw.
The nephew - Mike Cunney had his Stag Night down in Clare on Saturday night, so he must be serious about getting married in May.
Good to see in this week’s Parish Newsletter that there is a ceremony to remember the late Pope in Clonmacnois on next Sunday evening.
Mary Egan many years ago worked during her summer holidays in Killeens. Mary is now married and she arrived in this evening looking for information on the Bridge and Fortifications as her son is attending Engineering at University and has a project to complete on the bridge and fort. He is bringing his relation Patrick Kenny along tomorrow evening to explain everything which should be worth hearing.
Weather has been mostly fine today with a westerly wind and temperatures around13 C / 55 F