On Sunday about five hundred Active Retirees from four Leinster counties turned up in Mullingar for three hours at The Greville Arms Hotel. Shannonbridge was represented by a group of ten. There were two men playing guitars and singing and providing music for dancing. Tea was served and we all went home at 8pm. I was mistaken in thinking that Brendan Shine was providing the music but he was playing in the hotel later on.

On Monday night I was part of a group of five that went to hear Al Martino singing in the Concert Hall in Dublin. The concert started at 8pm and an orchestra of 16 members trooped onto the stage to take up their positions. The music started and a singer sang a song. Then he introduced a comedian who told us jokes for thirty minutes. After he was finished they announced that there would be a break before Al came on. At 8.56pm the band came back on and Al sang 17 songs which were enjoyable. He told about a man that went to the library looking for a book on suicides. The Librarian told him that all the suicide books were filed under S over in the corner. He searched and failed to find any so he went back to the Librarian. She said that they were having a problem with Suicide Books as nobody seemed to return them.

Browsing through Eamon de Buitlear’s “A Life in The Wild” recently I came across a story of two friends having a drink in a pub. Over in the corner sat a Spoon Player busy at his play. Both John and Tom detested Spoon Players, so when John was ordering a round of drinks he asked the barman to fill a Guinness for Tom, a Smithwicks for himself and a bowl of soup for your man in the corner.

Heard a very interesting item on the radio last evening about Irish Statistics comparing a number of factors over the years. It is all on a website under www.cso.ie

Bridge lessons have commenced in Ferbane on Wednesday night and if you want to join in at this stage you should contact the tutor Ultan Mc Cabe Tel. 09064- 54331.

First of the seasonal table quizzes in Killeens was held on Wednesday last and was in aid of the earthquake disaster in India and Pakistan. About 245 Euros was raised on the night and there were other donations. The quiz on next Wednesday night will be help in aid of flowers for the church fund.

Attended the funeral of Father Kevin Ryle on Thursday evening. Father Ryle was stationed in Killeen Church which is a part of Tynagh Parish. My memories of Father Ryle go back to Garbally College where he was renowned for his involvement in Athletic coaching and in Drama Production. He was a Kerryman and was a brother of the actress the played the part of Sive when it was first produced.

Another funeral this week was that of Mrs John Guinan Shannonharbour.

May they rest in peace.