AGM

The Shannonbridge GAA annual general meeting was held on Sunday week last in the Club house to a medium sized attendance.

The Meeting was opened and Chaired by Tom Moore who thanked all involved for their participation in the running of the Club and there was also a minutes silence observed for all deceased of the Parish throughout the past year.

There was also a great tribute to the most important man in the club Frank Guinan for all his tireless work not just this year but for many years previous to this. The Chairman stated the Club could simply not function without him.

There were no major changes in the line up of Officers for the coming year. Chairman Tom Moore, Secretary Jim Killeen, Treasurer and assistant Secretary Olive Costello, Assistant Chairman Frank Guinan, Assistant treasurer Kieran Rohan, P.R.O Conor Killeen, Registrar Declan McEvoy, County delegate Conor Killeen one delegate position is yet to be filled.

Sponsorship

Shannonbridge GAA Club recently received a new kit for the year from our Sponsors KPW. The Ballinasloe based printing firm have been very generous to the Club in the last number of years and we hope we will have their continued support in the future.

The club also wish to thank the ESB for their generosity in recent months and like Kelly's printing works have been very good to the club in the past decade.

Down Under
Shannonbridge GAA club would like to wish the best of luck to John Egan who departed recently on a trip to Australia for the coming year. Last years senior Captain will not be taking too much of a break from Gaelic games as John did travel with hurl in hand as he plans to play in Sydney in the Australian Championship

Great excitement in Shannonbridge last evening when Louise Killeen qualified for the final of “You’re A Star” singing contest on television along with Ciara Mc Ginn from Oughterard. It was a phone in to select the winner and Ciara received 24 % of the votes and Louise got 17 %. For the next few weeks they will be airing those selected from the other places of audition. Sometime after Christmas Louise expects to be back on screen. Don’t worry we will let you know in time. She was lucky that I slept it out for Mass and had to go to that great stand by in Clonfad at 7.00 pm and I missed the performance. Kieran Feeney was showing me the phone number that he used to vote for her. Well done to Louise and you can visit her website www.louisekilleen.com and listen to her voice or send her a message.

Jane Mooney, nee Rothwell was telling us late last night that she was on her way back from an auction in Hynes’ Pub in Aughrim where lots of interesting items were up for grabs including cannon balls, pub signs and even a rat trap with a rat that used to hang from the ceiling.

Mags Doolan who was our hairdresser for many years until recently gave birth to a baby girl in Portiuncula Hospital today and both are fine but Bridie Carry tells us that Mags texed her today and said she was very tired. Mother and baby are in fine form and well done Mags.

Bridie Carry took a friend along to an Isla Grant concert in The Tullamore Court Hotel and they enjoyed the Scottish singer very much. She had just returned from a singing tour of Australia.

Heard a group of our Shannonbridge singers arranging to meet tomorrow Tuesday night in the Health Center to practise a Christmas programme like last year when the funds that they raised were donated to The Offaly Hospice.

When trying to get information last week on the Kelly / Egan families it was interesting to hear that Flynn’s Bar which was once operated by the Egans was granted its first official license in 1845 on the same court day as Lukers Bar.

Brian tells us that the river level on Monday is 3.15 Metres and the temperature is about 8 C / 48 F in the sunlight and 4 C or 49 F in the shade.

Had a welcome phone call today from a Michael Connaughton from Tuam who is doing research on the Connaughton Family. He used Google as a search engine and this site was thrown up a number of times. Jack Connaughton the runner was mentioned. Somewhere along the line my Connaughton tree branch was mentioned.

Michael was able to tell that my great grandfather was Thomas Connaughton who was married to Kate Morris and their daughter Kate Connaughton married John Murray and were my grand parents. He plans to come to Shannonbridge on this coming Wednesday and hopefully give us more information.

Finally proceeds from this weeks Table Quiz in Killeens on Wednesday at 9.30 pm

will go towards Library Funds. Library is open on Thursday night as usual from 7 'til 9 pm.

The great soccer player George Best died yesterday. Today on the paper there are many tributes to him including one from Pele who says George was the greatest. He will be buried next Friday and may he rest in peace.

A circular from Clare Film Productions Ltd tells Shannonbridge that a film is being made called “Running to Standstill” Filming will commence on Monday 28^th November and will continue to mid-February 2006.It is a four part serial for RTE They are planning to film in Shannonbridge on Friday December 16^th using Killeen’s Bar in the early morning with most of the action on or around the village bridge, the pier, and on the River Shannon until 9.00PM that evening.

It brings back memories of The Flight of The Doves which Michael Green said is now available on DVD and is on sale on the internet. Try Google and check that it is suitable for your player.

Good to hear from Ken and Betty who are planning to spend two weeks in Shannonbridge in May next year.

Heard Louise being interviewed on Tipperary Radio today and the interviewer was asking all about the "You’re a Star"singing competition in which she sings tomorrow evening at 6.30 PM on RTE ONE Television. She will be the first to sing in the series and if you would like to vote for her text Star A to 53600 when the lines are open. See the program for voting instructions and the public chose the winner.

Monday was a double funeral for Paddy and Nicola Kelly, Drum, who died in a road accident at Stradbally. The Funeral Mass took place in Saint Peter’s Church Athlone and afterwards they were laid to rest in Drum cemetery. One of the celebrants was an uncle of Nicola and she also has a brother a priest in Kenya Father Paddy Boran. Over a cup of tea afterwards in the Drum Community Center where Paddy spent many an hour running Bingo and other functions his son Gabriel told us that he had attended the last three years of National School in Shannonbridge and he remembered Michael Green and Olive Donegan. When Gabriel saw the plates of assorted sandwiches he said that his Dad would have a fit if he was there as the caterers had sprinkled the sandwiches with parsley and his Dad just hated parsley.

The weather grabbed the headlines in mid week with a heavy fog on Tuesday and a sand lorry went into the ditch before Clonfad Church. Nobody was hurt but it remained there until yesterday when one of Noel Mc Manus’s machines succeeded in dragging it out.

Thursday night we had some slushy snow but it did not remain. The river level held steady at 3.25 Metres for the past few days. Temperatures have dropped to 40 F and it gets cold after sunset.

On Thursday evening seven Americans arrived in search of their family tree. They were enquiring about the Kelly Family with an Egan connection and lucky enough Father Mike Egan included a lot of the family tree when he wrote an article in The Shannonbridge Star about twenty five years ago. As it happened they had booked into a hotel near Shannon Airport when they arrived and they returned there for the night. Next morning they arrived back and visited Clonmacnois where they saw the Egan headstone which has a Helen Egan nee Kelly on the list of deceased. Gus Claffey told us that in the old cemetery people of the same name were buried in the same location even if not related. In the New Cemetery there are 40 Egan plots. They visited P. Kelly who directed them to the old Kelly home in Clonfinlough and Mrs Dennis Loonham rattled off three generations of Kellys that had lived in the old house including two Peters and a Paddy. The two Kelly girls in the party seem to have married two Futcher husbands. Mary Futcher lives in Haddonfield New Jersey and is in the next parish to Saint Mary’s. So the brother will have Futcher visitors next week. The other girl Patricia Futcher and her family live in London and they are planning to come back in the spring. Last night they booked into Bunratty Castle and we thought that was the last we would see of them for 2006 but today after driving around for the day they stopped in briefly to buy a souvenir cap.

Good to see Michael Green over for a weeks break from Hartford and to visit his family. The Irish Lad is in the lawn cutting and tree maintenance and at this time of year he is occupied with clearing snow in a school which is one of his main customers.

This evening Kieran Pat Devery called in for a couple of hours. Kieran was from Lecarrow but he and his wife Anne now live in Creglahan., Castlerea, Roscommon..

Good news today was the start of preparations for the building of a new home for Vinnie Darcy in The Old Street which is on the road to the right past Ard Chiarain.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 20th Nov 2005 - Christ the King Sun A
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. Parishnewsletter@eircom.net
Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Mass for deceased members of the ESB on Thurs eve @ 8pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €428. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, T.Goldie
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: E.Quinn, P.Duffy
Altar Servers: Brian, Ruaidhrí, Ailbhe, Tara, Mary Anne
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Richard Hynes
Enrolment Ceremony for Confirmandi on next Sun

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Clonfanlough
Mass for the deceased on Mon eve @ 7pm
Enrolment Ceremony for Confirmandi on next Sun
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €275. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Loonam, A.Egan
Readers for next Sunday: Confirmandi
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 3
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Station Mass: on Fri eve @ 8, at the home of A. & L. Rohan, the Back Road, Clonfanlough
Questions people ask
Q. My understanding is that we will be judged on how we behave in this life. What is the point, then, in praying for the dead? It is too late to undo any wrongs they have done.
A. Purgatory is not so much a place of punishment as a process of growth in the journey of the soul to God. The residue of earthly imperfection impedes one’s reception of the beatific vision. It is purged away. As members of the Mystical Body of Christ, God accepts our prayers for the benefit of others.
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Shannonbridge Christmas Party
By now, you should have received your invitation. Please let us know if you will attend by calling 087-2410587.
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P.T.A.A. Social, High St Hall
Wed 23rd Nov, 10pm to 1am.
Music: the Evergreens. Adm: €10.00, which includes Supper
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A Date to remember
Christmas Party in Clonfanlough Hall on Sun 4th Dec @ 3pm.
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Beginners' Computer Classes
Offaly Leader will run a number of Classes for a minimum of 10 people from age 18 upwards, if there is sufficient interest, in Shannonbridge Hall. This Course will deal with the basics.
If you would like more info contact 087-2410587
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Prayer for the week - (received on the Internet, by email)
"Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those I care deeply for, whom I remember right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfil their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In Jesus' precious name."

Last evening there was an added interest in a television show billed “You’re a Star” from lots of family and friends. This turned out to be an insight of how three judges auditioned thousands of contestants from around the country displaying their musical talents and aiming to win a recording contract and 25,000 Euros for the winner. This introduction gave us a glimpse of many competitors and the judges’ reactions – “Get out” and girls and boys and groups waiting or dejected or joyous. It was good to see Louise Killeen in rapture at the Galway Audition. On next Sunday evening the Galway audition will be a feature of the hour long program from 6.30 pm on RTE television. It seems that the public will be invited to vote and the successful ones will be announced after the 9.00 pm News. Those chosen by the public go on to the next stage. Wishing Louise all the best on the night and hope she gets a few votes. Have a look in.

The river level has dropped to 3.5 metres today and after fairly heavy frost last night the sun is shining again today as it has for the past week. Temperatures are 9C / 48F.

The drop in the river level has removed the area of water that the two swans were using last week.

The priest announced at Mass yesterday that the church will be heated for an hour each evening between 6.30 and 7.30pm for those wishing to visit and pray.

The sad news was broken on Saturday of the death of Paddy and Nicola Kelly and Edward Bealin a cousin from New York who were killed when their car collided with a lorry at Stradbally. Paddy and Nicola and their son Gabriel once lived in Saint Ciaran’s Park Shannonbridge before moving to their new home at Summerhill near Athlone. Paddy worked in the old Shannonbridge Power Plant and was very proud of his Kilkenny roots.

The death occurred last week of John Maher from Kilrush / Rahan. John was a brother of Celine Grennan, Shannonbridge and his brother worked in Shannonbridge Power Plant.

The death occurred of Bernadette Doolan, Brackagh, mother of Paudge Frank and Agnes Doolan and Gabrielle Kelly Banagher.

May they all rest in peace.

Personally last week I went to Nantes in France from Tuesday to Saturday with an old friend and Ryan Air. We had star accommodation in the Admiral Hotel which is in the heart of the Old City. The hotel cost 120Euro for four nights, travel and airport charges 66.96 Euros, Airport car park 17.50 Euros, and travel insurance 8 Euros. Ear plugs were extra as one of the party snored a bit but I did not have to buy these. So 218.46 Euros total without food. We bought a three day public transport ticket for 32 Euros that covered bus, tram, river bus and access to a number of events.

The city is located on the mouth of the River Loire and at one time Nantes was the third largest port with about 300,000 slaves being shipped from there. The mouth of the river was in many parts like a delta? But later many of these were closed in and became roads and squares. It is a remarkable clean city with no litter or chewing gum on the paths as in Ireland. The inner city has a great range of shops and eating places. Shoes and leather goods, clothes and drapery, jewellers and opticians and quality souvenir shops abound.

Language is a problem especially with menus. I remember one evening we went to a fish restaurant that was recommended by a guide book. There were two ladies in the place having soup and they were the staff. I said I would try the soup and I was lucky that they had only one bowl left. For fish we went for salmon. This turned out to be slivers of smoked salmon in a lettuce salad with olive oil and HEATED. When they asked if we required dessert or coffee we said no, paid up and ran. The worst experience sticks.

We enjoyed the river and used the river bus a few times. There are pathways all along the river and in one open style house nearby there was a marvellous display of coarse fish in a range of tanks. One tank had what looked like dark bog oak and one branch was hollow with two openings about twenty inches apart. An eel tail stuck out of the bottom and an eel head rested on the top opening.

A friend asked me to buy a 50 ml bottle of Poem perfume. We priced it in a huge store for 61 Euro. On Friday we met a friend from Dublin who brought us to a smaller shop where his wife buys perfume. Their price 59 Euro. When I got off the bus in Ballinasloe the chemist shop there had it priced 56 Euro and had an offer of perfume and body cream for 58 Euro. When I got home and told her the prices she told me that a friend had got a bottle for her in Spain at just under 40 Euro.
Good to see Colin and Niamh back in the old sod. Judging from a postcard last week I thought that they were about halfway across Spain on a walk. They finished the walk and are home. Will they phone in a vote or text or whatever on Sunday evening. Louise got five tickets for guests and Mick and Mary, Fergal Louise and Leah have been chosen to carry the flag.
It is 2.30 pm and Pat Mick and myself are going for a trip on the river. We might even catch a glimpse of a solitary fisherman from Castlebar who arrived in the village this morning.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report…..14^th November 2005

Andy Slone and Len Tophe from Halifax fished the River Shannon from 5^th – 12^th November in windy and wet conditions and used lures and dead bait and a lake boat to catch 30 pike up to 20 Lbs. They said it was difficult due to conditions but they got some nice pike anyway.

Matt Keogh from Salford fished the Shannon on November 11^th in terrible weather and used dead bait to catch pike with 13 Lbs the best. Matt commented that it was difficult to fish with too much water coming in.

Russ Gauden from West Midlands fished the Shannon on 12^th November in good weather.

Russ used a dead trout to catch a pike that weighed 10 Lbs. Comment water very high.

Water levels have continued to rise with the level at the village bridge reading 3.85 Metres today. There is flood water on much of the callow land and a pair of swans was content in a patch of flood ten yards from our garden. A moored boat is recommended for fishing and anglers might also consider using the floating jetties at Shannonbridge, Clonmacnois and Banagher. The harbour at Ballinasloe is worth a try.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 13thNov 2005 - 33rdSun 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: M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: C.Mannion, O.Costello
Altar Servers: Dean, Michael, Shannen, Nicola, Kayleigh
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Jimmy Coleman
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Clonfanlough
Mass for the deceased on Mon eve @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €250. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kilduff, B.Kilduff
Readers for next Sunday: D.Norton,
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 2
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Enrolment Ceremony for First Communicants on next Sunday

Many thanks for your very generous donations to the American Hurricane Disaster Appeal. As a result we have sent €1,120.00 to the Bishop's office to be forwarded to the diocese of Biloxi.
Ard Chiaráin, Rachrabeg
Mass for our deceased relatives, friends and benefactors will be said on next Fri eve @ 8pm. All welcome.
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Parish Envelopes for the year beginning 27th Nov next.
These are in the process of being delivered to your homes.
A special word of gratitude is due to those who carry out this task.
A big ‘thank-you’ to all those who contribute to the various collections during the year! It is hoped that you will continue to do so in the year ahead. A very special appeal is made to those who have defaulted on these collections, or who may have simply forgotten to send in the envelope.
In the words of Scripture ‘Let us bear one another’s burdens’.
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A Date to remember
Christmas Party in Clonfanlough Hall on Sun 4th Dec @ 3pm.
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Beginners' Computer Classes
Offaly Leader will run a number of Classes for a minimum of 10 people from age 18 upwards, if there is sufficient interest, in Shannonbridge Hall. This Course will deal with the basics.
If you would like more info contact 087-2410587
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Farm News: Looking for an increasing Income?
Consider the Farm Assist Scheme or avail of the new GP/Medical Card? Contact 0509-51622 or 086-8336873, at West Offaly's Smallholder Service.
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Emmanuel House, Clonfert
There will be a special day of prayer with Eddie Stones for young people on next Sat from 11am onwards.
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Why don't skeletons go out on the town?
Because they have no body to go out with...
Why do mummies have trouble keeping friends?
They're too wrapped up in themselves...
What do you call someone who puts poison in a person's Cornflakes?
A cereal killer...

Yesterday Billy Soden was in Shannonbridge with his friend Brian De Courcey from Ahascragh. They have been friends for many years as Brian was the Warrant Officer with the Gardai in Ballinasloe and Billy Soden’s taxi was used regularly for transporting offenders to prison in Dublin.

Billy Soden was born in Ballinasloe and in 1956 when the Galway Football Team went to New York they travelled on The Franconia ocean liner. The trip to America took the normal seven days on the boat. The Aughrim Slopes Ceili Band travelled with the team. Billy Soden was the Drummer, Pat Corbett played the Piccolo, Dan Tracey played Banjo, Johnny Hynes and Paddy Fahey played Fiddle, and Jennie Fahey played the Organ.

Jennie later married Frank Campbell who owned Kiltormer Hall.

The Aughrim Slopes played in Carnegie Hall to an audience of 8,000 and they also entertained the crowd during the half-time interval at the football game in Gaelic Park played between Galway and New York.

Billy Soden did not return to Ireland with the others but remained in America. In 1971 Billy came home to Ballinasloe and operated The Burma Grill for a number of years.

Later he sold it to the Supermacs Fast Food chain.

Then he set up a taxi service and provided a useful service to the town. He is now retired and living in Kilgorve Park. His friend Brian now operates The Spailpin Fanach pub in Ahascragh.

I was surprised that our own Tommy Corbett did not travel to America with the band but Tommy was a painter and he had to look after his business. Some other names mentioned in connection with The Aughrim Slopes include Joe Mills on Accordion, and Georgie Shanley, Frank Walsh and Tom Corbett who were all drummers

Shannonbridge has got a new window cleaning service called "Clean As A Whistle".

Contact 085-7346307 if interested. Cost for cleaning the outside windows on a normal house runs at about 15 Euro. Inside windows also cleaned if service needed..

River level continues to creep up. On Tuesday it reached 3.7 Metres and today it is 3.76 Metres. Last few days have been rather mild with an odd drop of rain. Some strong winds that were forecast did not materialise.

Met eight people from Austria on Tuesday who are enjoying a horse riding holiday in Ireland. One of them told us that the translation for House To Rent goes Haus zu Vermieten but I am not sure if it is Austrian or German.

Conor Killeen reports

Under 21 FC

Gaels Breeze to Semi Final

Shannongeals 0-13
St Michaels 1-3

Shannongaels stormed to victory when they overcame a
Edenderry/ Ballyfore combination on Sunday morning
last in Durrow.

This game turned out to be a physical encounter with
heavy hits flying in from both sides. Things got very
heated ten minutes into the match when Darren Finn was
left on the floor and St Michaels were reduced to
Fourteen men.

After this incident Shannongaels gained control
although St Michaels took the lead with the opening
point.The Shannonsiders soon got into their stride and
Jason Kelly rolled up his sleeves and dominated the
centre of the field.

Shane Kelly opened the Shannonbridge/St Rynaghs mens
account when he converted an excellent free. Soon
after Kieran Flannery made a blistering fifty yard run
to off load to Darren Finn who scored a great point.

The Reds did manage to fight back with a couple of
points but trailed by 0-7 to 0-3 at the interval.

The second period saw the Gaels power ahead and make
full use the wind and good service to the full forward
line gave Paul Deeley plenty of ammunition to fire a
total of six points. Deeley was well assisted up
front by Rory O Connor and Shane Kelly.

Edenderry did stage a comeback by scoring a goal
midway through the second half and try as they did for
a second or third, goalkeeper Michael "Chesty" Hough
was in fine form and denied St Michaels on a number of
occasions.

Shannongaels now await the result of an open draw to
see who they play in the Semi Final. This is the one
title that has eluded Shannonbridge GAA club. I
wonder could this be the year they claim the title for
the first time.

M Hough, K Flannery(0-1), K NOrton, W Kenna, S
Clancy,J Rafferty,D Finn(0-1),J Kelly,E Kelly(0-1),R
O'Connor(0-2),S Kelly(0-1),P Deeley (0-6), D Corbett,
D Flatterty(0-1), subs M Reynolds, K Butler, P
Flatterty, D Flatterty.

Anyone, Germans or otherwise can buy Louises CD through the secure online payment system on her website www.louisekilleen.com

She is going to be appearing on the music competition Eurostar on RTE over the next couple of months too, so dont forget to support her.

Last week the children had the week off from school and some fourteen took up on the opportunity to take part in a course on film making for five days. They formed a great team and very early in the course the team set out to take some film of the river, jetty, bridge, fort and whatever caught their eye caught the camera. They were allocated their task for each day and it was lovely to hear them say “I am on sound”, I am on the mike”, I am on the camera” etc .When they visited the shop Mary Ann Keena was on camera and Sharon Slattery was the interviewer. They brought the camera along to have a look at the Library.
The kids are to be taken to Tullamore for a viewing of their weeks work. Hope the rest of us get to see it at a Christmas Party or a special showing.

On Thursday four girls from America paying a short visit to Shannonbridge told that they had taken part in the Dublin Marathon at the weekend. One of the girls was Moran and her ancestors came from Ballina County Mayo. They were running out of daylight but promised that they would visit Clonmacnois on their return route to Dublin.

On the 2^nd November a family of Willing / Moran from Chicago, who are friends of The O’Sullivan Family called in. Their daughter is about to start attending University in Limerick so they came along to see the place and tour around the country for a few days. The girl promised to contact Mike and Aine sometime in Limerick.

Had a surprise letter from Inge Hoffmann, Bruckmuhl, Germany seeking a copy of Louise’s CD. It appears that some of her friends were on holiday on the River Shannon lately and they bought a CD. Now everyone in Germany wants one. Well at least Inge Hoffmann does.

Brian from the Barge takes the river levels every morning and as you can see on the Fish report the level rode 0, 1 Metres in a day which is four inches in ordinary language.

Good to see Ken and Betty Smith from California on a weeks visit for a break and to visit family and friends.

The death occurred last week of Michael Kilduff in Dublin. Michael was a brother of Lizzie Ledwith. Michael was buried in Dublin. May he rest in peace.

Heard about a sale of a small tract of land in Kildare that took place recently. The auction was held in a hotel and the highest bidder bid over one million Euro. He was a big rough dressed man and the Auctioneer asked him to step into the office for a moment where he explained to the bidder that he would be required to pay 10% deposit. Our Friend produced a shopping bag which was full of money and asked how much he had to pay. The Auctioneer told him and our friend said he would like to settle the deal there and then. As they finished counting out the million there remained a lot of money in the bag. The Auctioneer remarked that it was dangerous carrying around such an amount of money in a bag.

Our friend replied that he thought that it would be twice the price it reached.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report….Dated 7th November 2005

Local anglers Peter and Mark were the only people to record any catches this week. On 1^st November fishing from a moored boat on the River Shannon and using dead roach as their bait, Peter caught two small pike. Mark fishing from the other end of the boat caught a dozen pike with top weights of 12 Lbs and 10 Lbs.

River level on Tuesday and Wednesday was 3.4 Metres, on Friday 3.5 M, on Friday and Saturday and Sunday 3.6 M. Today it is 3.65 Metres and traces of flood waters are to be seen on the callow land beside the river. The Callow upstream of Clonmacnois has a good inlet of flooding.
The Shannonbridge Power Plant has returned to service after overhaul and hot water is flowing once again.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 6th Nov 2005 - 32nd Sun
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. Parishnewsletter@eircom.net

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €492. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Moran, M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: S.Grennan, C.Doolan
Altar Servers: Darragh, Graham, Megan, Ciara, Amy
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Martin & Josephine Burke
Mass on next Sun for the late Thomas Rocke.

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Clonfanlough
Mass for the deceased on Thurs @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €276. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kenny, M.Lantry
Readers for next Sunday: A.Kelly
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly

Station Mass:
Fri eve @ 8pm at the home of M. & S. McManus, Lecarrow

A Date to remember
Christmas Party in Clonfanlough Hall on Sun 4th Dec @ 3pm.
Thanks to all who supported the recent Quiz night in the Hall.
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Beginners' Computer Classes
Offaly Leader will run a number of Classes for a minimum of 10 people from age 18 upwards, if there is sufficient interest, in Shannonbridge Hall. This Course will deal with the basics.
If you would like more info contact 087-2410587
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Table Quiz on next Wed @ 9.30pm sharp
Will be run in Killeens in aid of this year's Christmas Party, to be held in Shannonbridge Hall on Fri 2nd Dec. Please support.
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M. E. Meeting
Wed 9th Nov in Gullanes Hotel @ 8pm. All welcome.
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Ballinasloe Flower & Garden Club
A Talk by Alex Chisolm from Heritage Bulbs, Wed 9th Nov @ 8pm in Haydens Hotel. Adm: €5.00
Grower's Competition: Indoor Foliage Plant.
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A Training Course for local actors/drama groups
Or anyone interested, in the Prince-of-Wales Hotel, Athlone,
Tues/Wed/Thurs, 15th 16th 17th Nov from 7pm - 11.30pm, each eve
Course director is Shane Munro. All enquiries to 074-9126994
Email: filmactorsworkshop@eircom.net
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Monster Auction
Sun 6th Nov in the Community Centre Moate @ 2.30pm
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Farm News: Looking for an increasing Income?
Consider the Farm Assist Scheme or avail of the new GP/Medical Card? Contact 0509-51622 or 086-8336873, at West Offaly's Smallholder Service.
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"We should use things we have to enhance our friendships, and not use our friendships to enhance the number of things we have."