Leona and David Leach from Battlecreek Michigan arrived in Shannonbridge today after a trip from Dublin Airport through Kilkenny, Kerry, The Rock of Cashel,Doolin , Galway. They took time off to take Moby for a walk before heading for Clonmacnois on their way back to Dublin. A friend of Leona had been in Castledaly Manor last year and marked off some places to visit.

Met a family of four from Utah on Saturday who are holidaying on a cruiser on the River Shannon and are really enjoying themselves. I recommended a visit to Clonmacnois and told them about the Bog Rail Trip. Met them again this morning after they had failed to walk to the train and they were telling that they were from Holland originally but immigrated to America about twenty years ago,

The Meade Family from Creagh, Ballinasloe had a get together recently and on Saturday about twenty of them arrived in Shannonbridge by boat. Sean and Mary Meade, who once lived in Shannonbridge was unable to join them for the boat trip.

The death occurred on Saturday of Theresa Robinson, Belmont relic of the late George Robinson. George and Theresa had retired some years ago and moved into The Gallen Nursing Home in Ferbane. May she rest in peace.

Our friend Nancy Doherty tells us that she is enjoying her new job of looking after people in their homes and it was good to hear that Colman and Nancy Hernon are two of the people in her good care.

Pleasant surprise on Saturday night to meet Monica Mc Gann and her husband who are living in Cork. They are fond of Motorbikes and were on the return journey of a trip from Cork to Tyrone. Monica is a daughter of Maureen and the late Brendan Mc Gann and is married to a Banagher man.

Good to see the Kelford Family home for a visit from England.. Roy is married to a classmate of mine Francie Kenny from Clondelara and they were accompanied by their daughter Valerie and her husband Mark and their children Tommy and Lilly.

Saturday night everyone was watching Pat Hendrick take part in the Winning Streak television program. Pat qualified by buying a scratch card and getting three stars which he posted in for the draw and he was successful in being chosen. Twenty two of his family and friends went along to give him support in the audience and he ended up winning 18,500 Euros on the night. Well done Pat.

Slept it out for Mass yesterday morning and was glad to hitch a lift to Clonfad Mass at 7 PM last evening with Nancy Hickey from Ballylin Ferbane and now living in Galway. Nancy is thinking of coming nearer home and was looking at Apartments in Athlone. I pointed out the four that have reached first floor level in Shannonbridge and the two very attractive houses nearing completion on the Ballinasloe road at Ragherabeg but I think Athlone is her choice.

At Clonfad Mass Father Keane was saying that the radio network for the sick was now working and that they can hear Mass on 102.4 FM.

Louise called in on Saturday on her way to Galway with a box of her CD’s and she will have information about how you can get a copy on her website when the webmaster gets back from the Breslin Wedding.

Glorious fine sunny day here today