The rain was more persistent during the week and the result is reflected on the water levels in the past few days. On Saturday the level was 3.18 Metres, on Sunday it was 3.28 Mts. and today it is 3.35 Mts. The Bank Holiday weekend had an amount of cruisers on the river and on Saturday night there were 25 boats moored in Shannonbridge. Friday night was the 21^st Birthday Party for Darren Finn and his friends added a lot to the night by coming to his party in Fancy Dress.

Yesterday was the final round of the Volvo Masters and it was great to see Paul Mc Ginley win the big event. Heard on the news today that Eddie Jordan, one of his supporters had placed a five figure bet at odds of 33 to1 on Mc Ginley to win. Well done.

Was talking to Joan Carty who told me that Mrs Connaughton that was buried on Saturday was a sister of the late Pancake Ward from Ballinasloe. Pancake was a famous character who lived in Ballinasloe and among other things was known for a rare type of blood. Back in the early sixties the new Blood Transfusion Board always went looking for Pancake every time that they held a Donor Clinic in Ballinasloe. He was rewarded with a few bottles of Guinness. Joan also told me that she well remembers my Uncle Michael or Sonnie but was known to Joan and the other children as The Cowboy on account of the hat he wore and the bicycle that he used.

During the week Father Pascal Donoghue Clontuskert died. He had been unwell with Alzimer’s for a time. May he rest in peace.

Garbally College have decided to phase out the boarding facility in the school and will not be taking boarders in future.

Supermacs in Main Street Ballinasloe has won the Hotels and Restaurants group ‘National Hygiene and Food Safety Award for 2005. This Supermac is the original Supermacs established by Pat Mc Donagh 27 years ago. Congratulations to all.

On another news item it tells that Supermacs pre-tax profit was up 140 % last year.

A presentation was made recently at a function in Millars Bar to May Greene from Falty and Pat Kenny from Breagh. Both Pat and May were involved in the school transport scheme for many years and have now retired. Wishing them well in their retirement.

The local power plant West Offaly Power recently presented defibrillator units to Shannonbridge GAA and to the Moore Community Group. Defibrillators are essential in a first-response capacity to quickly treat a victim suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest before the arrival of an ambulance.