On Thursday a busload of Pilgrims arrived in Shannonbridge and the two priests in the company celebrated Mass in Shannonbridge Church before travelling on to Clonmacnois. They had planned to celebrate Mass in Clonmacnois but due to the wind and rain during the week they used the village church instead. One of the priests told Pat that he was in the same class as John’s Bishop so no doubt he will put in a good word for him.

Mick and Mary attended the wedding of Mary’s niece, Gerry and Mairead Cox's daughter Sinead to Robert Stone yesterday which took place on The Heath near Portlaoise.

Down south Michael and Aine were attending the wedding of John Robertson, a brother of Michael.

Some persistent rain during the week has caused the Shannon to rise to a height of 3.1 Metres this morning. The rivers look very full and that little patch in Darcy’s Callow looking south from past the Fort has a pool of water. This is always the first part of the callows to flood and of course it means that the surrounding land is well saturated.

Brian from the Barge was telling that there are a number of stray cats living around the bridge and Mary Allen provides them with food. Brian has observed that during the night the cats visit the Jetty and patrol each boat fully by going aboard and walking around the sides of the cruisers. God help any mouse that takes refuge there.

Today is Darren Finn’s 21^st Birthday and the celebrations no doubt have already begun. Wishing him all the very best on the occasion.

The papers this week tell us that a Plaque is to be erected in Mountmellick to commemorate the late Oliver J. Flanagan T.D. The papers just remember Oliver J as the one who pronounced that there was no sex in Ireland. People around this area have their own memories of his work and efforts.

Heard this evening that Sara Ann Bennett, daughter of Paudge is teaming up with a singer named Aengus and the two of them are performing in Temple Bar in Dublin tonight.

See where Judy Garland’s daughter is giving three concerts in Athlone this week titled ‘Songs My Mother Taught Me’ and the word is out that it is a great show.

Down south The Cork Jazz Festival is in swing this weekend and James Scully told us that he is driving down to Cork in the morning for the weekend.

Mary told us at teatime that the Daffodils are up which gives you an idea of how mild the weather has been so far. Temperatures are around 19 C at times this week.

Despite the good weather the birds are certainly making use of the bird feeders and the feeders need to be topped up about twice a week. Wandering around during the week it was noticeable that there were not many berries in the ditches. Buy a couple of feeders and a bag of peanuts and enjoy the birds.

The number of young swans on the river is almost zilch and the Wild Mink seem to be having a devastating effect on wild life. We need more Aidan Kelly’s who will help eliminate these mink.

Good to hear from Rose Ryan that a number of young people are beginning to rediscover the Library in the Health Center on a Thursday night from 7 to 9pm.

Found Michael Scully carrying out a great examination around the pub this evening and on enquiry he told me that about twenty of his fellow teachers intend to visit the pub for their Christmas break up drink on 20^th December and Michael is preparing a type of Detective / Investigator game where they will be given a list of hints and they will be expected to find the answers. Hopefully he will give us a list of the clues.

Yesterday Peggy Connaughton was buried in Creagh Cemetery. Peggy was relic of the late Vincent and mother of Brian who was fisheries officer in the area for many years. May she rest in peace.

Good to see that our Priest has returned from his vacation but we will miss the cousin John who has been supplying the past weeks.

Hear that Tommie Costelloe is moving into Mc Guire’s or Staunton’s Pub in Creagh very soon and wishing him well with the venture.

Thanks to the sister Doc who posted on a few special biros which can be used when trying to solve Sudoko. They rub out what you write but they do not offer any help or hints.

Regrets to anybody who has been trying to contact me by e mail as I am unable to connect with your messages presently.