Mrs Phyllis Carroll from Mount Temple died in Portiuncula Hospital on 21^st September.

She was a daughter of Steve Coakley from Curramore and is regretted by her five children, her sister Bridget Ann Clements and many relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.

Heard that there was a vintage rally in the Taughmaconnell and Dysart area recently and one of the old cars a 1933 Talbot was among a dozen that passed through Shannonbridge after the rally.

Padraig and Paula Turley are having a few days in Shannonbridge at present. Padraig is renewing old friendships as he attended Shannonbridge School in his youth. He is a nephew of the late Joe Claffey from Clerhane. We are hoping that they will bring his aunt Sister Monica to visit for a few days. Paula is from Abbeyleix and she has taken her parents along for a visit.

The Irish Lad Michael Green is home at present from America for a visit and Michael Burke has popped over from England for a flying visit. Patricia Carry returned her father Charles to Shannonbridge after his holiday in England and brought along her baby on the trip.

Fergal and Linda Moran’s new baby boy was christened in Shannonbridge Church on last Sunday 25^th by Father Tom Ryan who is the new assistant priest in Moore. Katey has a new brother now named Conor.

Last Sunday was also All Ireland Football Final day and Tyrone defeated Kerry by scoring 1 - 16 to 2 - 10.

Retired priest Father Pat O Connell from Dingle has been visiting his friend Father John Killeen, Toher and for three days this week the two of them con-celebrated Mass in Shannonbridge. They went to visit Clonmacnois on Tuesday and yesterday morning I went along with them to visit Clononey Castle, Shannonharbour, Banagher, Meelick Church (1414), Our Lady of Clonfert Church, Saint Brendan’s Church in Clonfert, the ruins of the Bishop’s Palace and Emmanuel House in Clonfert. In Saint Brendan’s there were two men at work restoring the barrel organ and the mermaid on the pillar looks great and shines out with the rub no doubt. There were a few hundred people at prayer in Emmanuel House. We were short of time as Danny and Bridie Costelloe had invited the two Padres to lunch in Gullanes Hotel at 1.30pm and I got a chance to visit Joe Keogh the barber in the Square.

While in Clonfert John Killeen was telling us about a picture of The Blessed Virgin and Child which was once in Clonfert but was removed for safety about 350 years ago by the then Bishop of Clonfert Bishop Walter Lynch as he fled the Cromwellian army going first to the Galway area and then to the island of Inisbofin and then in 1653 Bishop Lynch went to Flandia and he was in Vienna in 1655. The Picture finally arrived in Gyor and after Bishop Lynch’s death it was hung upon a pillar within the Cathedral in Gyor. On March 17^th, the devotional picture of the Holy Virgin Mother Mary shed tears of blood throughout a three hour period.

The Post Office in Shannonbridge is changing location and there is an amount of work being carried out in Moran’s Shop this week preparing for the Post Office which will be located inside the main door to the shop on the right. Shannonbridge will welcome the return of this amenity after some nine months.

The All Ireland Ploughing Championships take place this week in Cork and as usual attract large crowds. Shannonbridge is well represented by attractive exhibitions from Shannonbridge Pottery and Bridgway the manufacturers of a wide range of helpful farmyard equipment. I heard that its owner Liam Fallon was featured on Sky News last evening. Noticed on the front page of the paper on Tuesday a photograph of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern being escorted around the site by Michael Mahon, Mount Bolus who is chairman of the committee and is known as an international judge in ploughing competitions and is also Mary Killeen’ brother in law.

The past few days have seen a mixture of wind and light rain with temperatures around 63F. It gets that little bit colder at night and today the wind and rain have gone away.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report… Dated 26^th September 2005

On the 19^th September four Amsterdam pike anglers arrived by cruiser and used their two small boats to fish the River Suck. Gerry Jonken, Gerrit Brands,

Jan Kirsenstein and Herman Smith caught 23 pike and ten perch in four hours using spinners which they kept secret. The best pike was over one meter in length.

The next day this group caught and released ten pike and a number of perch.

On the 20^th September Manfred Gisch and five friends also fished the River Suck and caught five small pike and one that measured 94 Cm.

On 21^st September Dave Wood, Andy Lambert and Dave Wilkinson from Grimsby fished the Hot Water from the Power Plant on a mild night using corn and worm with float and feeder and caught bags weighing 70Lb, 53Lb and 28Lb.Tench weighed 6Lb and bream were 3 to 4Lb, with lots of bits making an enjoyable night’s fishing.

Cliff Mynard from Halifax finished off a great two weeks fishing by catching 17 tench weighing 59Lbs at the Hot Water stretch using caster and corn with a feeder. Fine day.

The previous day Cliff had fished the River Suck using his favoured float and caster and caught 32Lbs of roach and hybrids in the rain.

On the 18^th September our two local anglers Mark and Peter who have fished very successfully on a number of nights this year decided to fish in the daytime. Fishing on the River Suck using maggot and caster Mark had 100 Lbs plus of bream and hybrid with 60 fish over one pound. Peter fished in the next swim and caught a pike that weighed 20 Lbs and was in good condition and was released safe and well.

Vincent Henshaw from Athenry fished the River Suck at Correen on 15^th September on a fine day using worm and corn with a feeder and caught 30 Lbs of skimmer and hybrid with constant bites. Fish were in good condition.

Dave Kemp from Bradford has completed one of his regular visits and fished the Grand Canal at Pullagh using the pole and maggots in good weather on 14^th September to catch 9 Lbs of roach and hybrid. On the 18^th September fishing in the wind at the boathouse using feeder and corn Dave caught 7 Lbs of skimmer and hybrid. Yesterday he finished up on the River Suck at Creggan using a feeder and worm in fine weather to catch 5 Lbs of skimmer and hybrid.

Mick Ashton, Rod Hope and Brendan O’Sullivan from Hull had another night session at the Hot Water stretch and used maggot corn and worm to catch a bag of 103 Lbs. They reckoned that the bigger fish were feeding at night.

Simon and Earl from Burnley fished the Hot Water on 20^th September in fine weather and caught 60 Lbs of hybrid. They went pike fishing on the River Suck the next day and using dead bait caught three 14 Lb pike.

Steve Parrott from Barnsley did not write his catches in the log book but he told me that he had a 70 Lb catch in the bay upstream of the bridge in Shannonbridge one day. They baited up swims downstream of the village bridge and had at least one great night session.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report… Dated 26^th September 2005

On the 19^th September four Amsterdam pike anglers arrived by cruiser and used their two small boats to fish the River Suck. Gerry Jonken, Gerrit Brands,

Jan Kirsenstein and Herman Smith caught 23 pike and ten perch in four hours using spinners which they kept secret. The best pike was over one meter in length.

The next day this group caught and released ten pike and a number of perch.

On the 20^th September Manfred Gisch and five friends also fished the River Suck and caught five small pike and one that measured 94 Cm.

On 21^st September Dave Wood, Andy Lambert and Dave Wilkinson from Grimsby fished the Hot Water from the Power Plant on a mild night using corn and worm with float and feeder and caught bags weighing 70Lb, 53Lb and 28Lb.Tench weighed 6Lb and bream were 3 to 4Lb, with lots of bits making an enjoyable night’s fishing.

Cliff Mynard from Halifax finished off a great two weeks fishing by catching 17 tench weighing 59Lbs at the Hot Water stretch using caster and corn with a feeder. Fine day.

The previous day Cliff had fished the River Suck using his favoured float and caster and caught 32Lbs of roach and hybrids in the rain.

On the 18^th September our two local anglers Mark and Peter who have fished very successfully on a number of nights this year decided to fish in the daytime. Fishing on the River Suck using maggot and caster Mark had 100 Lbs plus of bream and hybrid with 60 fish over one pound. Peter fished in the next swim and caught a pike that weighed 20 Lbs and was in good condition and was released safe and well.

Vincent Henshaw from Athenry fished the River Suck at Correen on 15^th September on a fine day using worm and corn with a feeder and caught 30 Lbs of skimmer and hybrid with constant bites. Fish were in good condition.

Dave Kemp from Bradford has completed one of his regular visits and fished the Grand Canal at Pullagh using the pole and maggots in good weather on 14^th September to catch 9 Lbs of roach and hybrid. On the 18^th September fishing in the wind at the boathouse using feeder and corn Dave caught 7 Lbs of skimmer and hybrid. Yesterday he finished up on the River Suck at Creggan using a feeder and worm in fine weather to catch 5 Lbs of skimmer and hybrid.

Mick Ashton, Rod Hope and Brendan O’Sullivan from Hull had another night session at the Hot Water stretch and used maggot corn and worm to catch a bag of 103 Lbs. They reckoned that the bigger fish were feeding at night.

Simon and Earl from Burnley fished the Hot Water on 20^th September in fine weather and caught 60 Lbs of hybrid. They went pike fishing on the River Suck the next day and using dead bait caught three 14 Lb pike.

Steve Parrott from Barnsley did not write his catches in the log book but he told me that he had a 70 Lb catch in the bay upstream of the bridge in Shannonbridge one day. They baited up swims downstream of the village bridge and had at least one great night session.

Some recent deaths of note in the area.

Patrick Gaffey, Clerhane, son of the late Pat Gaffey died on Monday 19^th September was a brother of Brian and Maria. Patrick and Maria had come to live in Clerhane when their late father built a new home here some years ago. The Requiem Mass was celebrated last evening and cremation takes place today.

Johnny Murray, Oldtown, Athlone and Kelso Garage, Ballinasloe died in University Hospital, Galway on Wednesday. Remains will be removed from his home this evening with funeral after Mass tomorrow.

The death has occurred of Myra Madden, nee Lynch in Galway. Myra was a teacher in Shannonbridge about 25 years ago.

May they all rest in peace.

Tidy Towns results for Shannonbridge and other towns and villages are available under www.tidytowns.ie Have a read on what the judge has to say about the village and where we gained the nine marks. Shannonbridge is listed under County Offaly.

Bridie Carry tells us that her daughter Patricia has found a satellite photo of Shannonbridge under a googleearth website..Have a look .

On Tuesday it was reported that an unknown angler caught 17 tench at the Hot Water outlet but the unknown turned out to be Cliff Myatt. See next weeks fish report.

Thirteen active retirees from Shannonbridge went to Galway last Wednesday for the day.

The bus arrived in Eyre Square at 11.00am and we agreed to meet at 3.00pm.Most of the group were bent on shopping and looking around. I went to have a good luck at the Cathedral and enjoyed the stone building, windows, large Stations of the Cross and the small chapel of perpetual adoration which had about thirty people at prayer. Afterwards I found the Regional Hospital where a Nora Murray is a patient. Father Paddy Murray was telling me early in the week about her, Seems that my mother and her father were first cousins. She was in intensive care and not allowed visitors. Thought that Johnny Murray was in the same hospital but alas that day he was dying in the other hospital.

Afterwards I visited Kenny’s Bookshop for the first time and found it fascinating with a small area dedicated to books and paintings with cleverly worked signs luring one to the next floor and again to the third floor. Was not able to find a painting signed by Dorothy Cunney Gilbert. Reading the paper when we got home I was surprised to read that Kenny’s are to close this shop and intend to open a premises to display the paintings somewhere near the Docks. It appears that most of the book sales are over their website at present. Sorry I forgot to note the address but try kennybools.ie or com.

Then I visited a fishing tackle shop on Shop Street. Had a good chat with the owner who brought me out to show the pedestrianised street and the five inch square blocks laid on sand. He thought that they were a disaster and that many a lady in high heels had taken a tumble while walking on these blocks. The centre of the street has been reset in cement. When I asked him what was happening in Eyre Square, which looks like a bombed out area he told me that a contractor had been given a contract to carry out an update to Eyre Square but after having a few workers there for a while the contractor pulled out at 4.00am taking his gear and leaving the place looking a mess.

The owners son explained all the wild duck etc feeding in peace on the River Corrib. The local gun club buy these birds every year and release them on the Corrib in the city. After a while they get fed up with city life and find refuge on some lake or pond in the area. I suppose our kind sportsmen then shoot them. Was surprised to hear that he has often used the new rifle ranges built on the bog between Cloghan and Tullamore.

Next a visit to a very fancy looking souvenir shop and was delighted to see a lovely display of Shannonbridge featured on its own stand just inside the door. Charlie Hoystead says that the shop is called The Treasure Chest.

The bus set off for an hours visit to Spiddal at 3.00pm. On arrival I found a pub with a food served sign displayed and I asked a man smoking outside the door if they served tea or coffee. He said that they did and to go in and he would be with me in a minute. Typical old fashioned pub with a long bar and three dividers. Two televisions were in operation at either end with different programmes. Some years ago Poitin was sold legally and when I enquired if he had Poitin for sale he told me to come back nearer to Christmas. When I explained about the legal product with 30 % proof one of the customers assured me that their Poitin was 100 % proof. The mug of tea was tea.

The bus stopped at Standuns shop for a short while. This is a shop dedicated to tour buses. Bridie Carry fitted on a blue cardigan and looked into the mirror but later she said she bought a red coloured one.

On to Flannerys Hotel for an arranged dinner at 6.00pm which was served promptly and was very welcome. During the meal our bus driver Patsy Naughton from Taughmaconnell was telling us about a patient in Saint Brigit’s Mental Hospital who had the habit of standing inside the wall of the hospital and casting an imaginary rod across the road alongside and then reeling in. Another big cast and a slow reeling in. A woman passing along the footpath stopped and asked him what he was doing. I’m fishing was his reply.

“And do you fish all day she asked”?

“No Mam ” he replied “in the evening I go down to Staunton’s Pub for a few pints”.

She passed on and after a few yards she felt sorry for the fisherman and she went back and gave him a few bob and asked him had he caught many today.

“No Mam” he replied “You are the first one today”

The annual Ballinasloe Fair and Festival takes place over nine days this year and commences on October 1^st.

Met Mary Ann Molloy who is married to Edward Frase and live in Maryland USA. Mary is doing some research for her family tree. Mary Ann is a daughter of the late Peter Molloy, Clonfinlough and her mother was Delia Bridget Naughton relations of Naughtons Garage Ballydangan.Peter Molloy died in 1975 aged 83 years. Mary Ann had four brothers Martin, Peter, Kieran and Edward.

Met two couples from Durban South Africa this week who are enjoying a sightseeing trip around Ireland for the first week and a leisurely cruise on the Shannon with a cruiser this week. The family name Rea is of Irish origin.

Congratulations to John Carty, Lecarrow on winning over 4000 Euro in the Shannonbridge / Doon Lotto last night.

Met Monte Dolack, artist and his wife who were looking for directions on how to get to Clonfert. They come from Montana and have a website titled www.dolack.com

They had come from Clonmacnois and had painted the castle there and they promised to e-mail a photo of the castle to this website when it was complete.

Final arrangements were made for the Active Retirement day trip to Galway tomorrow with the bus now departing at 9.30am. There are still a couple of seats available. Contact Kieran Kelly or Pat Keohane.

Simon Parrage, a visiting angler decided to back a horse with some connection with his holiday in Shannonbridge. He checked the paper and found a runner named Shannon Springs. He backed it and it won at 9 / 1. He has been in luck with the fishing as well.

The Moore Active Retirement group are going to Jury’s Cabaret on 30^th September. The bus leaves Millars and the cost of bus, cabaret and a meal is 70 Euros. Contact Mary Kenny Clonfad 090-9674131.

Three Americans from Michigan came into the bar last week and Paudge Bennett was at his best helped by his daughter Sarah Anne, Louise, Lorraine and others. One of the trio Michael Rodgers, who is a descendant of Patton was touched by it all and asked if he would be allowed to buy a drink for the house. Permission was granted and the night improved.

October Fair is coming and Shannonbridge was visited last week by 13 mobile homes in convoy, closely followed by two police cars. After having a drive around the village they headed up the power station road and branched into Bridgeway Engineering. But they were quickly escorted by the Gardai out of the village.

Brian from the Barge has been keeping his own record of river levels and says that the present level of 2.1 metres at the bridge is the lowest he has seen it.

The Shannonbridge Library is open on Thursday Night from 7 till 9 and do consider paying a visit and using the books available.

Was glad to see Father Joe Cunningham call in on Saturday. Father Joe is ministering in Alabama and he said that he was going to attend the Pattern in Clonmacnois on Sunday.

The Coffee Morning in aid of Offaly Hospice held in Killeens on last Thursday raised about 600Euros.

The weather for the past few days has been around 60 F. Marie B. from New Jersey and my sister Dorothy were in Shannonbridge yesterday and Mick took them and Pat and myself for a short trip up the Suck as far as Creggan. There must have seen twenty swans on the trip as well as a heron. Noticed no young swans.. There is great activity at the bird feeders in the yard at present. Four feeders are in use and often thirty or forty young birds are feeding or waiting their turn. Marie B. returns to America in the morning and she was delighted with the three days when they visited Paris with a 50 cent flight courtesy of Ryan Air.

Yesterday was Pattern Sunday in Clonmacnois and as in other years met with some tough counter attractions such as the Offaly football County Final between Rhode and Shamrocks which Rhode won by two points. Also the Annual Fair in Banagher was on and some of our ladies and men folk were engaged in hurling and football not to mention our own Paul Mc Ginley losing by two and one in Wentworth to Michael Campbell in golf.

Anyhow this year’s pattern started on Saturday night when a group of youth held an all night vigil before walking to Clonmacnois for the Mass at 3.00pm.Oliver Darcy reckons that there were over 200 youngsters taking part. The whole theme this year was a carry on from World Youth Day in Germany and a girl from Derry told us of her experience at World Youth before Mass and while we were waiting for the walkers.

There was a wooden cross two metres long decorated with petitions and Bishop Colm O Reilly did the commentary while some of the walkers carried the cross around in a five stop station with stops at Saint Ciaran’s Church, Cross of The Scriptures, Cathedral, The Round Tower and back to the altar at the Mass shelter.

Guest preacher was Bishop Moriarty from Kildare and Leighlin who spoke about Stars, an Alive Church and Pilgrimage. Afterwards he said he did not have his sermon written down but promised he would write the gist of it and share it with you. The day was fine and sunny with a small wind blowing so I took shelter at a tombstone with Lily Flannery and Mrs Dennis Lyons Kilcummen. Lily was remarking that it was unusual that her brother Johnny and his wife Myra and daughter Dora were not present as they are on holiday with Johnny’s sister in Hartford.

Mrs Lyons was telling us that the photograph of the Shannonbridge schoolgirls was part of Mrs Mary Ann Lyons, Kilcock photos. Mary Ann went to school in Clonmacnois but her sister Nellie is in the photo. Mary Ann is in great shape and going well for the hundred. We are still trying to identify the thirty girls in the picture.

After the Pattern ceremony I caught up with Michael and Marie Donegan chatting to Mary Kelly . All three taught together in Shannonbridge School. The Donegans made a trip by river to Clonmacnois and they are in great form. Michael may even share his thoughts with you on the Pattern. Bishop O’Reilly finished up by telling the story of Ciaran’s Wind. It is said that Saint Ciaran and Saint Manchan had a dispute about their boundaries and made an agreement to set out walking from dawn on an agreed morning and wherever they met would be the boundary. Saint Ciaran was a late sleeper and on that morning Saint Manchan walked into his cell. Ciaran asked for leniency and suggested that he throw his hat in the air and wherever it landed would be the boundary.

Manchan agreed and when Ciaran threw his hat up, a wind arose and carried it to Boher nearly thirty miles away. Then Bishop Colm invited everyone for a cup of tea in the school.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report … dated 19^th September 2005

Jack Lanssen, Ge Schoolmeesters and Thieo Litjens returned to Shannonbridge to fill in the Fisherman’s Log as they promised. They fished for four days on the River Suck and had mixed weather starting with rainy wind on the 9^th, changing to dry and cloudy next day and then cloudy and sun, with mist and sun on the 12^th September. Using plugs and dead bait they caught 37 pike in total, which they weighed in centimetres.

Jack caught Friday 60cm, Saturday 53, 65, 44, Sunday 72, 63, 65, Monday 65, 60, 58 and 47 Cm.

Ge caught Friday 25, 35, 51, and a 103, Saturday 83, 60, 48, 58, Sunday 58, Monday 57, 67 and 77.

Thieo caught Friday 60, 47, 43, 58, 101, 70, Saturday 43, 60, 47, Sunday 60, 50, and Monday 43, 63.

Coco from Lillie in France caught seven pike on 12^th September using plugs and dead bait fishing on the Shannon. His best pike was 95 Cm.

The course angling visitors this week heard about the bigger fish feeding at night and Mick Ashton, Rob Hope and Brendan O Sullivan from Hull fished the Hot Water on the first night they arrived Sat 12^th/9/05 and used maggot and sweetcorn in good conditions to catch 103 Lbs of bream and tench. Tench were up to 5.5 Lbs and bream up to 4 Lb.

Two nights later they had another night session and caught 60 Lbs of bream and tench.

Carl Greenwood from Hornsey fished the Hot Water at night on 13^th September and had a 48 Lb bag of bream to 4Lb and tench to 5Lb using sweetcorn and red maggot.

Geoff Ridge from Hornsey fished alongside and caught 16Lb of hybrids. Next day he fished Meelick and caught 7 Lb of roach and hybrid in an eight hour session.

Charles Cawthorne from Doncaster had an eight hour night session at Meelick and had a 12Lb catch of roach and hybrid.

John and Cliff Brierley from York came for a three day visit to Shannonbridge which was extended to seven days after they discovered some marvellous fishing in one of our backwaters. Their best catch used maggot and caster when they had 70 Lbs of hybrids and two bream and a fin hooked tench that put up a wonderful fight and weighed in at 7Lb.

Ten year old Thomas Martin had a 7Lb pike on the Suck in hot weather using maggot and feeder.

Simon Green and Earl Turner from Burnley are known as the bream team and they found there target on 14^th September when they fished 500 yards past the marina in Shannonbridge and used worm, caster and maggot on a feeder to catch 70Lb of bream.

Next day they went piking on the Suck and recorded their best pike at 14 Lb but say they fight like twenty pounders.

Regular visitor to Shannonbridge is here for two weeks and for the four catches he recorded the weather was sunny and all his fish were caught on caster.

On 6^th Sept he had 20Lb of roach and hybrid on the Suck.

On 8^th Sept he fished Finnamore and had 20Lb of hybrids including a 5Lb beauty.

On 12^th Sept on the Suck he caught 32 Lb of roach to 1Lb and hybrid to 2 Lb.

These three catches were all on the float.

On 16^th Sept he fished the Shannon using his favoured casters but with a ledger and had a 54Lb catch made up of three tench to 5Lb, hybrid to 1.5Lb and roach to one pound.

Steve Parrott from Barnsley has settled into a successful week but has not recorded his catches. Hopefully we will have them for the next report. He was telling us that before he came on holiday he made a decision to back a horse that was some way connected with his holiday. He searched the racing page and found a rank outsider named Shannon Breeze and had a £10 bet. It obliged and won at 9 / 1.

Bits and pieces.

The Active Retirement Group at their after Mass meeting town decided to have another outing to the Galway City area on Wednesday 21^st September with the bus departing at 9.00 AM that morning. Bus fare will be five euros and if interested give your name and deposit to Kieran Kelly or Catherine Curley with your fare. There will be a meal but that will be paid for by the individual.

The meeting was attended by Declan Costello and suggestions were collected on activities for the winter and into next year.

The Moore Active Retirement Group are away to Jury’s Cabaret on 30^th September with the bus, meal and cabaret totalling 70 Euros. Departing from Millars Pub.

Came across a school photograph of the girls at Shannonbridge school taken about 1935 and this will be added to this website. At present we are trying to put names on the faces.

Bridie Carry got back safe and sound after a trip to Armagh Cathedral with which she was very impressed with the structure.

The Three Paddies help a competition to see who was able to throw a stone the highest in the air.

Paddy the Englishman threw a stone up and it went 85 feet in the air and fell down.

Paddy the Scotsman threw a stone up and it went 93 feet in the air and fell down.

Paddy the Irishman threw a stone up in the air and it never came down.

The Diner, Takeaway and Mags Hair Salon in Shannonbridge have closed. The Diner, Takeaway has been purchased by Supermacs and will reopen. Mags has decided to leave Shannonbridge and work from her home in Tubber.

At last night the informal group that play on a Monday night at Killeens under the name Gann Ainm were joined last night by Ultan Keena, an Irish step dancer who works as a hairdresser in Peter Mark in Athlone. Ultan was telling us that he lives in the former Daly home in Bel Air.

Noel Bannerton and his wife are home from New York to attend his mother’s funeral last week. Noel called in to Shannonbridge after visiting Meelick Church as his mother was a regular visitor there. Noel’s mother, nee Manning, died just a couple of months short of 100 years. At one time Noel was in the American Astronauts.

9/11 did not stop my good friend Marie B from flying to Shannon and she is helping out at Oughterard this week in preparation for the Pattern in Clonmacnois next Sunday

Met Julio Seone and his wife Enda Creevy from Buenos Aires yesterday after having visited Clonmacnois.and told us that her brother Joe Creevy attended a boys school in San Antonio, Arecao which was called Clonmacnois and was run by the Mercy nuns

Results of Tidy Towns were announced yesterday and the overall winner was Ennis with 279 Marks. The Offaly winner was Clonbullogue with 262 Marks. Shannonbridge improved well and got 231 Marks. Our neighbours Ballinahowen in Westmeath won the county award with 262 Marks

One of Irelands best loved soccer players Noel Cantwell died on September 8^th. May he rest in peace.

A Lady was going to the USA and as she went through Customs at Shannon the customs man heard the sound of a dog from one of her bags. When he opened it he found a small dog in one corner and a cat in another corner . He threw out the cat and the dog. When they arrived at Kennedy Airport guess what they found on the windscreen of the Boeing?

Missed a great action photo this week. Looking out the door I saw our dog Moby approach the back wheel of a white van that had just parked. There was another small dog standing alongside so Moby lifted his leg and started to make his mark. While in action , the white van moved along by about five yards, but Moby ignored the movement and continued to stake his claim with his leg in mid air. Bet the spectator dog was impressed. Wouldn’t you.

See good news from our Corncrake world on the paper. Seems that 162 Calling Male Birds were identified in Ireland this year which was the highest recorded in ten years and nearly four times as many as in 1994.

Good to hear from Lorraine and Debbie in Pottstown and that they are keeping well. Both send on birthday greetings to Brigid Kitt for her birthday.

What did they find on the windscreen of the Boeing Aircraft ?. The stone that Paddy the Irishman had thrown up.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 11th Sept 2005 - 24th Sun A
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. Parishnewsletter@eircom.net

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am; also on Fri eve @ 8pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €533. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, C.Quinn, D.Deeley
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: S.Grennan, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Mary-Anne, Tara, Ciara
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Margaret & Michael Coakley

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €212. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Halligan, M.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: Ian Maleney
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan

Mass in Ard Chiaráin on Tues eve @ 7pm for the Active Retirement Group, who also meet every Tues in the Hall.after morning Mass.
Pattern Sun 18th September
The Celebration will begin, as last year, with an adapted 'Station' @ 3pm, followed by Mass. The guest speaker will be Bishop Jim Moriarty. The choirs from Clonfanlough & Shannonbridge will lead the singing.
Members of Youth 2000 will also take part.
All who assist in car parking and other duties are kindly asked to carry out their usual assignments.
The Collection (omitted last year) will be taken up and a generous donation will be sent to feed the hungry people of Niger.
After the Mass everybody is invited to come to the school for a cup of tea.
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Clonmacnois Pilgrim Walk
On Pattern Sun 18th September, beginning @ 12 noon from Ballinahown car park.
Bring packed lunch, and wear proper walking shoes and all weather clothes!
This invitation is especially directed to young people, and will be lead by the St Mary's Youth Group, Athlone. But all are welcome.
For more info contact 090-6473358.
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There will be a Personal Development & Life Skills Course held in Shannonbridge Hall starting Tues 20th Sept and will run for 8 weeks. It is 90% funded by Offaly Leader.
The cost is €30 p.p.
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Ireland's biggest 'Coffee Morning' will take place on next Thurs 15th Sept in aid of the Irish Hospice Association. You are invited to take part in aid of the Offaly branch in Killeens on that day.
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What Is Love?
It is silence—when your words would hurt.
It is patience—when your neighbour’s curt.
It is deafness—when a scandal flows.
It is thoughtfulness—for other’s woes.
It is promptness—when stern duty calls.
It is courage—when misfortune falls.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report….. Dated 12^th September 2005.

On Sunday 4^th September 65 Pike Anglers affiliated to the Irish Federation of Pike Anglers fished a pike match on the Rivers Suck and Shannon, starting at the bridge in Shannonbridge and selecting their positions anywhere three miles upstream or downstream of the bridge. This allowed them to fish the Back River and Cappaleitra and Devenish and Long Island upstream. Downstream they fished the Suck and Shannon and made use of the two railway bridges to fish either bank. The 65 Anglers caught and released 130 pike during the five hours. Some twenty eight weighing scales were in use.

1^st. John Shaughnessy with 8 pike weighing 40 Lbs 12 Ozs.

2^nd Godfey Donohue with 16 pike weighing 35 Lbs. 12 Ozs.

3^rd Alan Henley with 9 pike weighing 30 Lbs 7 Ozs.

4^th Joe Coleman with 11 pike weighing 29 Lbs 3 Ozs.

5^th Roy Keyes with 5 pike weighing 24 Lbs 3 Ozs.

For more information on I.F.P.A.C. contact Ray Bergin at (086) 2627621.

Some holiday visitors also caught pike in the Shannonbridge area including –

Daniel Duncan from Germany who was delighted to catch pike and perch using wobblers in the sun.

Jean Desmeue from France fished the River Suck and used maggots and dead bait to catch pike, bream, etc which were good fighters.

Jack Lenssen from Holland fished the River Shannon using plugs in sunny and hot conditions and caught three pike measuring 47 Cm, 44 Cm, 38 Cm. on his first day. Stefan Neichan from Switzerland also fished the Shannon and the best of 15 pike caught and released measured 75 Cm. All caught on a spinner.

Mel Stombridge from Hull fished the Shannon at the Hot Water stretch and at Meelick

And used caster and maggot to catch 15 Lbs of roach and rudd in fine weather.

The Malton Boys were here last week and used rowboats to take them to their favoured swims upstream of the village bridge and to swims near the mouth of Clonfert.

Peter Warwick used float and maggot for a best catch of roach and bream in sunny conditions. No big bream showed.

Andrew Chartes Malton had his best bag of 45 Lbs of skimmer bream using a feeder and worm.

Bob Newton from Malton used slider, waggler and feeder to record catches of rudd, roach and hybrid and one tench in sunny conditions on the Shannon for bags weighing 27 – 45 – 46 Lbs.

Malcolm Foggin from Malton had two poor days but remainder of week was very good with catches of roach and hybrid. Malcolm lost two large bream.

Steve Parratt from Barnsley fished the Suck on 5^th September and caught some skimmers using worm. It was a struggle in cloudy conditions.

Three anglers from Hull arrived on Saturday and having heard about how successful two of our local anglers fared while night fishing they decided to give it a try themselves.

Mick Ashton, Rod Hope and Brendan O Sullivan fished from 8.00 PM until 3.00 AM and used feeder and cocktails of maggot worm and sweetcorn to catch 60 to 70 Lbs of bream, hybrid, roach, rudd and eel .A great start for their week holiday.

Sorry to hear of the death of Joe Wynne, a brother of Mrs Keena, while I was away in America. Oliver Darcy was telling us that Joe lived with the Keenas for a number of years and went to school locally. During the holidays Joe worked drawing stones under contract to the Offaly County Council during the building of the road to Clonmacnois and he borrowed a horse cart from Darcys as the rate paid depended on the cart size.

Also missed the death of Margaret Temple nee Kenny from Clonburren. Margaret and her husband Michael had been living near Athlone. May they rest in peace.

More recent deaths this week occurred with the passing of Martin Boland Ferbane who was injured during a skiing holiday about ten years ago and has been in a coma in Tullamore hospital since.

The death occurred in Tuam of the well known Galway Footballer Sean Purcell and his burial was at the end of August.

More recent deaths were those of Mrs Tom Bannerton of Ard Mhuire and Dunlo Street who was about eight weeks short of 100 years and was buried today. Kathleen Doolan, nee Carroll from near the Blueball was also buried today .Kathleen was well known in the Shannonbridge area and was related to the Darcy family. Another recent death was that of Tom Kelly from Clonulty who was buried last Wednesday. Rest in peace.

The Galway Races was held over three days this week and what do you do when Shane Killeen telephones home with a tip for a horse. Worse still when the horse is named Rose of Killeen and its owners are the Killeen Castle Stud Syndicate.

Well you back it of course and of course it wins at 10 / 1 odds.

Congratulations to two of our local boys who have celebrated their 21^ST Birthdays recently. William Keena, son of Noel and Anne celebrated ten days ago and Shane Kelly son of Sean and Mary Kelly celebrated his birthday last weekend.

Today is an important day in European soccer qualifying rounds and Ireland have a crunch match against France in Landsdowne Road later this evening.

Michael Traynor from Tara County Meath was on holiday on the Shannon for a few days recently and enjoyed the fine weather and the relaxation. He told us that he had bought an old antique gramophone player recently and wondered if anybody around might have some 78 Records in good nick which they might be willing to sell. He is contactable at 086 – 2607417. Tara is in the news recently as there are plans to build a highway through Tara where the High Kings of Ireland once reigned

Records he tells us can vary in price from three Euros up to twenty Euros.

Saint Ciaran’s Feast day falls on September the 9^th and Mass will be celebrated in Clonmacnois that evening. See Parish Bulletin for times and also for details of Pattern Sunday on the 18^th September.

Great to see Noreen Kitt and her husband home on holiday and in time to celebrate her mother’s 80 th birthday last week.

Bridie Carry told us that her husband Charlie is on holiday with their daughter Patricia in England for the past couple of weeks and is enjoying himself.

Recent news is the Post Office in the village is finding a new home in Moran's Shop and wishing Linda and Dara all the best with their undertaking.

The weather had been brilliant for a number of days and Mick Killeen took advantage of it to take Tom and Margaret Carty for a trip to Banagher on Monday. On Tuesday the sun was shining again when he took some of Mick and Nancy Doherty family who are visiting from England on a trip to Shannonharbour.

Today has been overcast and there was a promise of rain for today and tomorrow. Temperature yesterday was forecast for 70 F in the midlands. The river level is low and it is good to see a number of anglers in the village this week.

Brian and Dympna Carroll have repainted their Ely House Guesthouse and it looks marvellous.

On last Sunday a Pike fishing Match was held at Shannonbridge. It was organised and stewarded by the Irish Federation of Pike Angling Clubs and 65 anglers fished and caught a total of 130 pike. The fish were weighed when caught by thirty eight sets of weighing scales and all the fish were returned alive. Anglers were allowed to fish four miles upstream or downstream from the village bridge in a five hour match.

Winner was John Shaughnessy with 8 fish weighing 40 Lbs 12 Ozs.

Second was Godfrey Donoghue with 16 pike weighing 35 Lbs 12 Oz.

Third was Alan Hensley with 9 pike weighing 30 Lbs 7 Oz.

Fourth was Joe Coleman with 11 pike weighing 29 Lbs 3 Oz.

Fifth was Roy Keyes with 5 pike weighing 24 Lbs 3 Oz.

Competitions like these are used to select a team of five to represent Ireland in International Matches.

If you would like to fish their competitions contact Ray Bergin (086) 2627621

Good to see the Active Retirement Group back to their Tuesday morning meeting after Mass at 10.00AM. They enjoyed their visit to Belvedere House in Mullingar recently and are already planning another trip very soon.

Final Showdown for Juniors

Shannonbridge will contest the Junior A final this
Saturday evening in Doon when they meet Birr at 6pm.

It was 1989 since the Bridge last collected this
title,when they overcame Muchlagh in a memorable
final.

That year Des Dolan Snr the current Leitrim Manager
was over the Blue and Gold Men.

The Bridge face a Birr team, which are better known for
their skills on the Hurling field, who overcame
Edenderry with seven points to spare in their semi
final on Sunday last.

This Saturday will see the Birr Men leave the small
ball behind in exchange for the big one.

The bridge have enjoyed a great Championship campaign
and with experienced Players like Mike Devine and
Patjo Kelly will be hoping to collect a second Junior
A medal.

The Club will be hoping for a big support on the day
to rally on their local team who have trained hard
since last January to reach the Final. Come on the Bridge!

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 4th Sept 2005 - 23rd Sun A
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. Parishnewsletter@eircom.net

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €480. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: C.Mannion, O.Costello
Altar Servers: Darragh, Ruaidhrí, Michael, Graham, Ailbhe
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Willie Dillon
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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €157. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Noble, D. Fitzgerald
Readers for next Sunday: D.Boland, C.Higgins
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 4
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy

Congratulations & best wishes to Una Curley and Paraic Faherty who were married last weekend in Meelick Church

Prayer Centre Clonmacnois: Mass and Adoration is offered every Wed night for vocations @ 8pm. All welcome.

Feast of St Ciaran – Pattern Day
We will celebrate Mass for the feast of St Ciaran, on Fri 9th Sept in Clonmacnois @ 7pm. Pattern Day is Sun 18th Sept; Mass @ 3pm.
Choir-members from both Shannonbridge & Clonfanlough are kindly asked to come and lead the singing for both celebrations.
The guest speaker for Pattern Day will be Bishop Jim Moriarty. Members of Youth 2000 will also participate.
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Clonmacnois Pilgrim Walk
On Pattern Sun 18th September, beginning @ 12 noon from Ballinahown car park.
Bring packed lunch, and wear proper walking shoes and all weather clothes!
This invitation is especially directed to young people, and will be lead by the St Mary's Youth Group, Athlone. But all are welcome.
For more info contact 090-6473358.
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Children of Mary Retreat: St Michael's Church, Ballinasloe, Mon Tues Wed 5th 6th 7th Sept @ 8pm.
Members and non-members most welcome.
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Interested in learning more about your Faith?
Diploma in Applied Theology (Pastoral Ministry) - @ Roscommon Town. Suitable for anyone who wants to get to know more about basic teachings of the faith.
Higher Diploma in Religious Education - Ed C. Athlone. This 2 year part-time course is approved by the Dept of Education to allow those who have successfully completed it to teach up to 16 hours per week of Religious Education.
All courses are run by St Angela's College, Sligo and accredited by NUI Galway.
For more info call 071-9143580, or 071-9166133
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There will be a Personal Development & Life Skills Course held in Shannonbridge Hall starting Tues 20th Sept and will run for 8 weeks. It is 90% funded by Offaly Leader.
The cost is €30 p.p.