Loren Killeen won 32,000 Euro and a holiday on the Spin the Wheel game show on Saturday night. She qualified for the show when she got three stars on the national scratch card and her name was drawn out. Well done Loren.

Saturday was the wedding day for Martina Ryan, Garrymore and Albert Leonard from The Bottoms. They had their wedding in Cloghan and the reception was held in The Fort Restaurant with celebrations afterwards in John Joe Ryan’s pub – Lukers.

Today Niall Murphy, son of Doctor Gay Murphy and Joan Murphy married his Christy from China in Pullagh Church, with photo session in Clonmacnois and they also held their reception in The Fort. Congratulations to both couples.

The Ballinasloe Trocaire charity group had a bucket collection for the poor recently and the Moore curate Father Ryan was telling us that Archbishop Joseph Cassidy joined the effort and collected 4000 Euro in a few hours. Well done indeed.

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Seamus Mooney on the birth of another boy.

Janey Mac, me shirt is wet was my song yesterday as our electric clothes dryer had broken down. Brian from the barge had a look at it and located a thermostat that had burned out. After telephoning a number of repair people including the main agent, no replacement was available. Then the Golden Pages gave the name Domestic Appliances Service in Letterkenny, Donegal. They had the part and it arrived this morning by post.

I like Val Joyce on the radio at night and his program last night had a real cracker – Frank Sinatra singing "Whatever happened to Christmas" written by Jim Webb.

Our Shannonbridge Carol Singers have been putting in hours of practise under Mary Kelly’s direction and Simon Hines on guitar. They plan to start collecting money for The Offaly Hospice on this Friday night. It is a worthy cause so do your best.

Heard that Clare Kelly from Saint Ciaran’s Park has knitted a wonderful Christmas Crib. So far she has The Holy Family, Three Wise Men, Shepherds and sheep, Donkey, Mr and Mrs Santa Claus and Carol Singers with one that looks like the editor of The Irish Golfer Diary.

Hear everyone talking about the very enjoyable Shannonbridge School Christmas sketches and concert last night.

Had a welcome phone call from Joe Coleman in England who says that his knee is back to normal after an injury. Also had a call from Denny Hayes from Kilkenny, who once lived in Shannonbridge many years ago while working with the Forestry. He is in good form and says that he will not be sending Christmas Cards this year. I know the feeling.

This morning was the winter solstice and we associate it with the rising sun beaming into the chamber room of Newgrange for about ten minutes. Alas the people waiting this morning were disappointed as it was overcast and no sun shone through.

River level has eased back a little and today was mild after some rain during the night.

Must have a word with our editor at Christmas about the possibility of an odd Sudoko game on this site.

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