Met a couple from Wales who were taking a ten day holiday cruising on the River Shannon. They had got their hire cruiser in Carrick-on-Shannon and took five days to reach Shannonbridge, The River is flowing strong at present and they were taking this into account on their return journey. He likes working in wood and he told us that he has a friend that likes puzzles. So after solving the T Puzzle he made some notes and intends to make one for his friend.

Attended the funeral of Theresa Robinson in High Street last Thursday and got a lift as far as Moystown. It is a short and lovely walk over to High Street. The old church in the Church of Ireland cemetery looks sad. Seems the roof was removed to avoid rates or whatever taxes were in vogue. Wonder will it ever be re- roofed.? The houses are well presented and a few new houses have been built. Noticed that one house had a lovely display of wild primrose and another had bluebells and what looked like a white bluebell on display. I was early arriving at the Church and spent some time in the well kept cemetery along side. Was not impressed with the ludramawn who seems to be using this link road as their practise track revving the racing car and haring up and down.

Work on David Fitzpatrick’s new house has really started with two of our local block layers putting a lorry load of blocks into position on the first day.

The Month of May is a special month in Our Lady of Clonfert Church and every day for the month some devotion or other has been arranged.. Many people make a number of private visits there during the month. If only Paulien Kemp were here she would lead us all on a walking pilgrimage across the Shannon.

Punchestown Racing Festival took place over four days last week and enjoyed good weather and large attendances every day. Was glad to see Kicking King win his race but there were many fine races. Sorry to see Moscow Flyer beaten by a whisker for the first time in nineteen outings. Still on racing and over in Newmarket a few days ago the 2000 and 1000 Guineas were run. Kieran Fallon rode the winner of the 2000 Guineas on the first day and completed a great double for trainer Aiden O' Brien on the next day by winning the 1000 Guineas on a second choice horse as the favoured O Brien entry had to be withdrawn.

The weather kept good and fine for the bank holiday weekend. There was a lot of movement on the river with many people hiring out cruisers.

The papers recently had maps and details of the part of the new motorway from Athlone to past Ballinasloe. Seems it will cross the Dublin / Galway road near Naughton’s Garage

And will cross a number of Moore roadways before crossing the Shannonbridge / Ballinasloe road near Lally’s Corner.

Some people visiting Shannonbridge over the weekend included the people that now own Coughlan’s house on the mouth of the Suck, Tommie and Mairead Cunney from Athlone, Jimmy and Nancy Ward and Joe and Bernie Grenham who were returning from Kerry where they had spent a week with the Ballinasloe Active Retirement Group.

Shannonbridge Active Retirement people are travelling to Kinnity Castle for the day this Wednesday. Unfortunately Oliver Hilliard has to cry off as his Irish Golfer’s Diary has just been printed and he is up to his eyes trying to distribute copies to outlets all over Ireland.

Shannonbridge played Doon in a league match yesterday and won by a small margin. A mentor said that they were capable of winning by eight or ten points but there is a mad notion to win every match by one point. Fine if it works out but too many draws and defeats result.

Hopefully the work on the footpath at Guinan’s Hill will be completed shortly and stones replaced on the wall beside the foot path.

Attended a lovely surprise Birthday Party for Mai Craughwell in Shine’s Bar on Saturday night last. Shannonbridge was well represented with Barry and Kathleen Quinn, Des and Ann Finnerty and Bridie Carry and Peggy Byrnes and Bridget Carry attending. Mai is a well known visitor to Shannonbridge on Saturday nights. She had nine children and they were all present along with many grand- children friends and neighbours. I met a Mr and Mrs Grenham at the function. Mr Grenham told that he once drove a lorry for Mike Naughton, Bolivor and dropped names like Father O’Donoghue, Mickie Joe Reid like confetti. The Runner John Flannery did not know what Grenham he was but aims to find out.

Weather is forecast for overcast today but it is pleasant with a temperature of 58 F. Our man on the river Brian went off on his barge to Athlone for a couple of days but is back again and tells us that the river level at the bridge is 3 Metres..