Last night a visitor, Martin J. Byrne presented a poem to Mick Killeen which I assume he had written about Clonmacnois. This is how it goes –

Clonmacnois

Fallen stones lies ruined about

This gentle hill I rest upon

And gazing from my weary eyes

A gentle river eases by

The land that cradles my fallen King

And whispers sighs …. Of nobler times

Beneath a setting sun and dark blue’d skies.

Behold …. A swan and mate take flight

And to waters edge, alight

With tender touch … and gentle song

In rushes deep … I glimpse their white

As they speak of love … in falling twilight.

( Martin J. Byrne )

Mark Kelly has been home for a few days after working in China for over a year. Today he set off for South Korea where he plans to work.

The table quiz in Killeens last night was in aid of the Social Service in Brackernagh in Ballinasloe which is under the guidance of Sister Alocoque and her team. There was a good response to this annual fund raiser and over 1000 Euro was raised between the takings on the night and some private donations.

The river level has risen slightly and there are traces of flood to be seen on the callows.

Temperatures have increased but some heavy showers are falling just like that.

Terry Birch was buried in Clonmacnois yesterday after Mass in Clonfad and a lovely homily by Arch-bishop Cassidy. His work friends from the Fort Restaurant provided a guard of honour from the Fort as far as Darcy’s corner. Clonmacnois looked in great shape with sunshine and lots of daffodils in bloom.

The group called Rambles in Eireann plan to visit Shannonbridge at 2.30 pm on Sunday April 2^nd and Christy Cunniffe will lead them on a historic walk around the village.

They plan to meet outside Killeens at 2.30 pm.

The death occurred today of the Irish writer John Mc Gahern who was noted for writing The Dark, The Barracks, Amongst Women and Memoirs which was published last year. May he rest in peace.

Last Wednesday was a special day for Padraig Henry as he celebrated his 50^th birthday that day and at the quiz for Belarus that evening he was joined by family cousins and friends as they sang Happy Birthday to Padraig before he blew out the candles on his second birthday cake. Earlier in the day his work colleagues took him to lunch in Miller’s Restaurant and they also had a cake.

On Wednesday Jackie Rigley, 17 Southknock, New Ross, County Wexford died. Jackie was married to Margaret and he is survived by John, Colm, Julie, Margaret, Rachel, Mark and Michael. They lived in Shannonbridge for many years where Jackie worked in the local power plant. He went on promotion to Wexford back in the seventies. One memory of Jackie is when we were trying to play golf in Birr and at one hole there was a direction flag placed on top of a hill. Jackie struck a ball and it went a bit crooked. About six of us went in search of the ball and under a large tree Jackie found a nest of balls. As he gathered them up he said “to hell with the golf, we will go looking for golf balls instead”.

Terry Birch died on Sunday morning in hospital in Galway. Terry was married to Loretta Moran and they met in England while Terry was in hospital where Loretta was a nurse. Some years ago they retired to Ireland and lived mid way between Shannonbridge and Ballinasloe. Terry was a convert and became very involved in helping to run the church ceremonies. He was a noted decorator and carried out work on a number of churches and houses in the area. Have just returned from the viewing in Grenham’s Funeral Home in Ballinasloe where I met Loretta and the Moran Family and Rita Moran from Portarlington. His remains will be removed to Clonfad Church for Mass this evening with burial tomorrow after Mass in Clonmacnois Cemetery.

May they rest in peace.

Work is still going on at the Supermac takeaway, formerly the Shannonbridge Diner. It looks like there will be extra space and they will be doing well to have it completed for an opening at Easter.

The Library was busy on Thursday in both the adult and children’s sections. Opening hours on Thursday from 7 to 9 pm.

Oliver Hilliard tells us that his Golfers Guide to Open Fixtures 2006 is now with the printers.

Ricey Scully from the local radio was in Shannonbridge this week and he plans to take his popular two hour Thursday night radio show along the river in a few weeks time. He is planning to broadcast the show from four or five towns along the river and Shannonbridge will be one of the stopping points.

Seamus Mooney Clondelara and Ahascragh and his wife christened their new baby boy on Saturday and called him Cathal Matthew but they intend calling him Charlie. Bet my old bridge partner would have approved. A brother for – you guessed it James.

Pam Mc Dermott was in the village on Saturday and looking right well.

Today’s Irish Times has a special supplement commemorating The Easter Rising 1916 in Dublin with some interesting articles and photographs. I thought that might be a list of names of those in the GPO in Dublin as George Brent (Nolan) was a sixteen year old in the post office but alas no names.

A family from Vermont called into the shop today looking for Eileen Keena. By chance Mrs Keena was in the shop to attend a fund raising ‘coffee morning’ being run in aid of the drought / famine in Kenya. It seems that this family are directly related to the Darcy Family from Crevagh/Shannonbridge and the Lyons Family in Kilcock They were on their way to visit Clonmacnois and the family tombs.

Weather has turned a bit warmer with temperatures of 13 C promised for today. River level is still a bit high and it was good to see the service boat moored at the bridge today. Hopefully they have put the walkway at Clonmacnois in position.

Coming through Clonfinlough today it was good to see a bank of wild primroses in bloom. These were facing the sun and have the advantage over others. Daffodils are in bloom on the Lamb Island upstream from the village bridge. The cross of daffodils on Lamb Island is shaded by the bridge and have not yet bloomed.

SFL DIV 1

Shannonbridge 3-15
Doon 0-8

Shannonbridge recorded a very impressive win over near neighbors and rivals Doon in Tubber under lights on Wednesday night last.

The Bridge opened their account with a spectacular point from Jason Kelly and this was shortly followed by a fine goal from former Westmeath Footballer Richie Browne.

Doon did however respond with points from James Coughlan, but Shannonbridge never let looked like letting their lead slip and Darren Finn stormed up from wing back to add another point for the bridge Men to leave them well in control at the interval.

In the Past, the Shannonsiders would have taken their foot off the peddle but not on this occasion, they showed great discipline and determination and went on to finish the Job in a very ruthless Manner, taking score upon score to leave the blues in a daze.

Goals from David Corbett, Shane Flannery and a brace of points from an inform Anthony Kelly polished off a fine performance on the night.

Complements to Tubber for the fantastic lighting facilities, this is the way forward in the GAA to alleviate fixture congestion and also gives Players a chance to enjoy the odd weekend off.

Team, Donal Corbett, K Flannery, T Mahon, N Price,S Flannery(1-0),R Ryan,D Finn(0-1),M Carty, J Kelly (0-2),R Browne (1-1), A Kelly (0-4), David Corbett (1-0), K Kelly(0-2), J Ryan (0-2),D Claffey(0-1), Subs M Darcy (0-1), P Deeley(0-1),A Gunning,W Kenna, P Egan

Sincere Sympathy

Shannonbridge GAA wish to extend their sincere sympathy to the Moran family and to Loretta Birch for the Loss of Terry who passed away on Sunday last.
May he rest in peace.

JFK's 40th Anniversary

Shannonbridge wish to congratulate Joe Coleman a Former Shannonbridge Footballer who was the founder member of the John F Kenneddy's GAA club in Leeds who celebrated their 40th Anniversary recently.

Joe is a great Shannonbridge GAA supporter and like so many other exiles in the past carried on the Irish Culture by forming a GAA club abroad.

Quarterly tickets
Shannonbridge GAA quarterly tickets are to be handed in to Treasurer Olive Costello asap. The Club appreciate the effort all the Sellers make to get the money in for the tickets to help keep things up to date.

Shannonbridge Active Retirement group had their outing in Galway from the 12^th to 15^th March staying three nights in the Galway Bay Hotel. I joined the group on Sunday after attending the Baptism ceremony for Adam Mc Evoy, Fergal and Eilis’s new baby. Monday was a free day and most people headed into the city on a blustery windy day. I visited the Cathedral and two nearby churches – one was an Augustinian church with no pews but rows of comfortable seats. Afterwards I found the County Hall and went into Courtroom 2 for an hour or so until they broke for lunch. I felt a little bit sorry for a 25 year old man who was on a charge of stealing a laptop case. Seems there was only a manual in the case and he threw it over a wall. He had 62 previous convictions and was presently serving a six month jail sentence. His marriage had broken up and his girlfriend was five months pregnant. Afterwards I visited Charlie Browns second hand book shop which is located on a street behind Kenny’s Book shop. I was almost tempted to buy a collection from various authors, poets etc compiled by Brendan Flynn, Taughmaconnell and Clifden. All the artists had performed in Cliftden in the old church. This series is guided by Brendan Flynn.

On Tuesday the sun shone for our bus trip around Connemara taking in the coast road and Maam Cross, Kylemore Abbey, Clifden and a welcome pit stop at Keane’s pub near Maam.

On Wednesday I postponed going home by travelling with Dick and Doc and their friend Norah to Claremorris where Dick and his friends had a play” Twelve Hours” entered in the Drama Festival. We had time to walk around the impressive town before having a meal in the hotel before the play. In the hotel a group of fourteen arrived into the dining room and one of them told us that they were members of a brass band from Germany who had come over for the parade in Claremorris,

Saint Patrick’s Day parades seemed to have attracted big crowds around the country and it was good to see Clara having a parade once again. Even Shannonharbour had their own parade in celebration of the feast day. It is the birthday of my sister Pat Killeen and Patricia Kenny and Paulien Kemp from Bradford to mention the few. Paulien rang on Saint Patrick’s Day and told us that she is about to set off for Africa to work voluntary in a school for some weeks. Wishing her the very best in her mission.

On Sunday a five piece brass band from France named Quint Essenz visited Shannonbridge and played in the afternoon and again that night. This band was over for the Limerick City parade and had played in Kilkenny the next day. They play more march time music and included a number of well known airs in their programme including Galway Bay. Their website is www.quintessenz.de

On Saint Patrick’s Day it was a pleasant surprise when Debra Arrett and her two children Lisa and Michael from Arizona arrived by cruiser in Shannonbridge accompanied by Patrick Vance. Michael was the one that was cured of his gym-warts some years ago when he visited Clonmacnois and washed his foot in the hollow stone once used by the monks for grinding their herbs etc.

Other welcome visitors were the three cousins from near Manchester – John Francis Killeen and his two sons Oliver and Aidan. They used Shannonbridge as a base for the week while they looked around and met their friends and cousins. Mick took them on a trip to Banagher by boat along with Jimmy and Nancy Ward. They stopped off in Banagher for lunch in Flynn’s and then went down as far as Meelick Lock before heading for home.

Weather changed in the last two weeks with a north easterly wind dropping the temperatures. The river level rose and this may have been caused by a panic in closing some of the control gates at Meelick. The first group of German pike anglers were on the river this week and had not much catch between the cold weather and the river level.

Spring cleaning started this week with Peader and Mary Allen having their pub and residence power washed and it looks good.

The death has taken place of Mary Donegan from Cavan who was the mother of Michael Donegan, the former teacher in Shannonbridge.

Also Mrs Mary Dunning, mother of Margaret Mannion, Aughnacabe.

May they rest in peace.

Couple of Irish phrases in this seasons Birr Guild Hall programme.

Anam beo meaning lively spirit and Suas an Staighre meaning up the stairs.

Colin Killeen and Niamh have arrived home safely after a tour of America.

Good to see Joe Coleman home on holiday.

Senior Football League Div 1

Shannonbridge senior footballers will take on neighbors Doon in a division one clash to be played tonight under lights in Tubber at 8 pm.

Shannonbridge GAA have confirmed a Management team for the coming year which includes Micheal Mahon, Dennis Loonam and Tom Moore. The club wish the trio the best of luck in the coming year.

All three have great experience between them and will be hoping to mark their appointment with a Win over rivals Doon on this Wednesday the 22nd. The Club hopes their will be a good support from their loyal followers.

Offaly tickets on Sale

Tickets are currently on sale for the development of new stand and facilities in O'Connor Park Tullamore.

The tickets are €100 and are on sale from club officials. This has been a hugely susuccessfulndertaking by Offaly GAA and will be a fine stand for all spectators to enjoy when completed.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 12th March 2006 - 2nd Sun Lent B
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. Parishnewsletter@eircom.net

Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon - Thurs & Sat @ 10am; on Fri @ 12 noon
Fri is the Feast of St Patrick; Vigil Mass on Thurs @ 8pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €458. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group1
Readers for St Patrick's Day: M.Killeen,O.Costello
For next weekend: D.Finnerty, C.Doolan
Altar Servers: Brian, Ruaidhrí, Ailbhe, Tara, Mary Ann

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Clonfanlough
Mass for Lent on Mon @ 7pm; for St Patrick's Day @10.30am, Fri
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €281. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Kenny, A.Kearns
Reader for St Patrick's Day: C.Coughlan; for Sun: S.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
'Month's Mind' Mass for Brigid Rigney on next Sun

On St Patrick's Day we remember our needy emigrants in England.
As we did last year, we will send half of the Collection on that day to help them. So please put a little extra in the Offertory Basket.
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Ardagh & Clonmacnois Pilgrimage to Lourdes
27th May - 1st June -- 5 nights -- fully inclusive price: €649.00
Booking forms available now for the Pilgrim Section from
Joe Walsh Tours, 8/11 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.
Tel 01-2410810.
Application forms available for Invalid Section.
Contact Fr Scanlon, Cloghan, at 090-6457122.
Flights will depart from Knock - some seats available direct from Dublin
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Pilgrimage to Fatima - departing 19th September
7 nights, Full Board / en Suite, Hotel Avenida, Guided Tours.
Fare: €699.00 plus Insurance €25, if required.
Spiritual Director, Fr John Naughton, Eyrecourt
With Lauri Duffy Travel, specialists in Pilgrim Tours to Fatima.
For more details phone Nuala on 090-9674158
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Offaly Co Childcare Committee, Ltd
The above along with Offaly V.E.C. would like to organise a Parenting Course in the county. The course will give parents the opportunity to discover different parenting techniques & methods, & a chance to discuss & address any issues that they might have.
The course will be free of charge. For more info call 0509-35878.
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Youth 2000
Is an organisation of young people who work to spread the good news of the Catholic Faith throughout Ireland. The members run regular weekend residential retreats for 16-35year olds as well as prayer groups, school retreats and parish missions.
They have produced a selection of Lectio Divina bookmarks with Sun Gospel refs for 2006. These are available free in the porch of the Church. For more info visit www.youth2000.ie
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We acknowledge receipt of €380, from a recent T. Quiz in Killeens

Peter the local pike angler was telling us that last Sunday March 5^th he went dead baiting for pike in one of his favourite locations. And no wonder. In seven hours he had two runs and two pike. He weighed the first fish which was 24 Lbs and released it alive. His next fish was bigger than the first and he guided it into a nearby drain where he unhooked it and set it free. The pike remained in the drain for about ten minutes to get its wind back – or should it be getting rid of the wind taken in during the battle. When ready it swam away content.

Brian tells us that the river has risen to 2.85 Metres after the rain. He reckons that the people in charge panicked and closed some of the gates at Meelick.

The temperature is up to 11 C or 51 F.

The milkman today was telling that a large Siberian Snow Owl has been spotted on the Blackwater Bog near Shannonbridge. Their nature man Val Trodd has seen and photographed the bird and no doubt will be in the next Bord na Mona magazine called Sceil Mona or bog news.

A group of Shannonbridge folk are in the racing business and they call themselves Rachra Syndicate. Today at 5.40 pm one of their horses named Running Wild will race at Thurles. Trainer is Noel Meade and the jockey is Miss N. Carberry. A spokesperson for the syndicate said that no off course information would be given so a few Shannonbridge cars have headed down to Thurles.

Today an English angler on a cruiser stopped at Shannonbridge. He and his lady friend were intended to be holidaying in the Canaries but he has a condition that will not allow him to fly and so they are one of the first visitors on the river. Hope he catches a monster.

Congratulations to Lucia Evans from Galway on winning this years ‘You’re a Star’ competition at the weekend.

The Inland Waterway magazine has a good photograph of the late Tommy Henshaw and some nice tributes to Tommy written by Sean Fitzsimons and Paddy Mullins. Tommy died some months ago and he often played the banjo and sang in Shannonbridge when he was part of the Two Tommies music group.

Brian from the Barge told us that Pat Corbett informed him that the 60 wild duck on Lamb Island were actually Widgeon and their number increased to about 300 at the weekend. When Moby and self delivered some briquettes to Brian today the widgeon were nowhere to be seen. Brian has his own favourite wild duck in the bay and they are well fed.

Read some welcome news on yesterday’s newspapers. It seems that an agreement has been reached to put a finish to the salmon drift netting which for many years has had a huge effect on the numbers of salmon reaching our rivers. The drift net fishermen will have to be compensated. Let’s hope that the salmon anglers follow the example of the Navan anglers that fish on the River Boyne. They allow only one salmon to be taken and killed by each angler. The rest are put back alive.

The brother Mick was discharged from hospital this afternoon after treatment and a good check out.

Last evening in Ferbane I met Tim Devery’s brother Jimmy from Glebe and he told that Timmy had been in hospital with a leg injury. He was moved to the Gallen nursing home in Ferbane yesterday. No doubt that soon Timmy will entertain the nursing home with his accordion.

After a few weeks of frost and sunshine the weather changed at the weekend. It is now milder and there has been an amount of rain falling. Shannonbridge fared out lucky enough.

Angler Mick Peake has decided to come coarse- fishing to Shannonbridge in August this year. Generally he visits in May, June or September. It will be interesting to see his tactics for August.
Mary Burke, Brigie Cassidy and Ann Marie Burke stopped off on Monday evening on their way home from Limerick where they visited Martin Burke. Martin has been in hospital for about seven weeks recovering from an operation on his jawbone.They had good news from Martin and he is progressing well. When Brigie came in she hit the shop counter with her fist fulfilling a promise that she made to Martin as he has a distinguished habit of driving home his opinion by hitting the counter. He is being fed by tube but has now commenced to eat icecream and softer foods as well.Keep him in your prayers that he will be better soon and back banging the counter.

Division 1 clash

Shannonbridge will take on St Bridget's this Saturday in a home fixture for the Bridge at 3.30.

The Croghan Men are in this years Championship group with Shannonbridge so this will be an interesting tie for both teams.

The club will hope for a good support on the day from their loyal supporters.

Sincere Sympathy
Shannonbridge GAA club wish to extend their sincere Sympathy to the Turley Family for the Loss of Tom's Brother Mick.

He was a great GAA supporter and Followed Offaly Hurlers and Footballers all the time even tough he spent his married life in Athlone. May he rest in peace.

Get Well Soon
Shannonbridge GAA club wish Mick Killeen a speedy recovery from a Collapsed lung which he suffered last week.

Mick has always been a very loyal supporter of Shannonbridge GAA club throughout the years and we wish him well in his recovery.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 5th March 2006 - 1st Sun Lent B
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. Parishnewsletter@eircom.net
Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am, except Wed & Thurs @ 9.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €394. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: E.Quinn, P.Corbett
Altar Servers: Dean, Michael, Shannen, Nicola, Kayleigh
Stations of the Cross on Fri eve @ 7.30pm
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Pat & Bridgie Flannery
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Clonfanlough
Mass for Lent on Tues eve @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €207. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: E.Egan, A.McEvoy
Readers for next Sunday: C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 5
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy
Month's Mind Mass for Pat O'Shea next Sat @ 12 noon.
Mass on next Sun for the late Mick & Mary Kelly & family
Ardagh & Clonmacnois Pilgrimage to Lourdes
27th May - 1st June -- 5 nights -- fully inclusive price: €649.00
Booking forms available now for the Pilgrim Section from
Joe Walsh Tours, 8/11 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.
Tel 01-2410810.
Application forms available for Invalid Section.
Contact Fr Scanlon, Cloghan, at 090-6457122.
Flights will depart from Knock - some seats available direct from Dublin
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ARD CHIARAIN PRAYER CENTRE.
There will be a week of guided prayer March 6th -11th in Centre. A time suitable to each person who wants to attend can be arranged.
Open to everyone. All welcome.

Also in Ard Chiarain for Lent:
A half-hour of prayer from 6pm-6.30pm will be held each Monday evening in Lent beginning Monday 6th march until 3rd April
All welcome.
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Offaly Co Childcare Committee Ltd
Will hold an Occupational First Aid course in Birr in April, and will be run over 3 Saturdays from 9.30am - 4.30pm. Cost: €50.00.
There will also be a Manual Handling Course in Birr on 16th March from 7.00 - 10pm. Cost: €40.00. For more info contact the above for a booking form.

Will also organise Play & Developing Child Training in the county.
In Jobs Club Birr, 1 evening per week for 7 weeks. Cost: €30.00.
This training enables parents, childminders and childcare workers to strengthen the bond between the child & adult.
If you require a booking form contact the above at 0509-35878
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Ballinasloe Flower & Garden Club
Presents 'A Gardening Talk' by Claire Harrington
In Hayden's Hotel on Wed 8th March @ 8pm.
Grower's Competition: 6 Narcissi.
Adm for non-members: €5.00

Joe Gavin late of Derrylahan and Dublin was buried in Moore last Thursday. Archbishop Cassidy told in his homily that Joe was one of a family of 21 children. He is survived by a brother and five sisters. In 1936 Joe competed in the County Galway Athletic Championships and won gold medals in the 100, 220, 440 and 880 yards races and then won the mile event. It was good to hear the Bishop send greetings to Mrs Turley, a sister of Joe, who was tuned into the Moore community radio at home and listening to the Requiem Mass. May he rest in peace.

On the way to the funeral in Moore Drumalga Wood looked a sorry sight as the trees are being harvested. And this present week is Tree Week in Ireland.

Met Doc and her friend Norah in Portiuncula Hospital on Friday when we went to visit Mick. Doc was telling us that a Maisie Harris attends a weekly painting class with her in Oughterard and only last week Maisie told Doc that she was a niece of Garda Anthony Mc Quinn who was stationed in Shannonbridge years ago. The same Garda Mc Quinn met and married Florrie Luker while in Shannonbridge.

And yesterday Johnny Hanley and his wife Angela and daughter Siobhan stopped off on their way home from a funeral in Oughterard. Johnny is the son of Garda Hanley who was stationed in Shannonbridge for many years and Johnny and his brother Fursey and sister Angela were frequent visitors during the school holidays. Johnny is now living in Edenderry where he has a shop. His phone number is 046 – rcdmdar for brother Jim or John in code.

Seems that Jack Wilde is dead. Jack played the Artful Dodger in Oliver and after that Shannonbridge and Ireland got to know him as they made the film The Flight of The Doves with Jack playing as one of the children with Helen Raye and of course Ron Moody and Dana and Brendan O Reilly as a Garda. May Jack and Ron and Brendan rest in peace.

Ireland’s new soccer manager Steve Staunton had a dream start to his management career last week when Ireland beat Sweden 3 – 0 in a friendly in Landsdowne Road.

Brian from the Barge says that the river has been constant at 2.5 Metres for the past three days. Weather has been glorious with sunshine by day and frost at night. Father O Hanlon told us this morning that Lent was an old word for spring and last night it did not freeze and some of the daffodils opposite the Church were in full bloom.

Mike Harding from Bournemouth spent a number of days pike fishing on the Suck, Shannon and Grand Canal using spinners and diving Rapala baits. His best fish was a 9 Lb pike on the River Suck. He also caught his rubber boot on a wire fence.

The first hire boats appeared last weekend when a Stag Party from Birmingham hired out three cruisers from Silverline Cruisers in Banagher.

We are looking forward to seeing our cousins John Francis Killeen and his two sons Aidan and Oliver when they visit Shannonbridge and area for a week commencing 15^th March.

Was this a co-incidence or what? Yesterday a couple stopped off at the pub for a coffee. The man’s face looked like someone I knew so I asked him if his name was Farrell. He said that it was not but that his wife’s name was Farrell. It turned out that she is a sister of Jimmy Farrell who works in the local power plant. And I thought well ….

Recently I was asking the new curate in Moore Father Tom Ryan what were the five new decades of the rosary. He named them off as – The Baptism in the Jordan, The Wedding Feast, The proclamation of The Kings, The Transfiguration and The Institution of the Blessed Eucharist.

And on religion Martin Heavey from Rhode and ESB had this story on Friday.

One day Gad said to Adam “ I want you to go down into the valley”

What is a valley asked Adam. God explained.

There you will find a river said God.

What is a river asked Adam. God explained.

I want you to cross the river where you will find a hill said God.

What is a hill asked Adam. God explained.

God told Adam to climb the hill until he reached a cave.

What is a cave asked Adam. God explained

There you will find a woman said God.

What is a woman asked Adam. God explained.

When you find the woman you can begin recreating said God.

What is recreating asked Adam. God explained.

So Adam set off and found the valley, crossed the river, climbed the hill, reached the cave and found the woman.

Shortly afterwards God heard a voice from the cave asking what’s a Headache?

Enough.

Under 21 FC

Tullamore 4-12
Shannongaels 2-7

Shannongaels were swept aside by a very strong Tullamore outfit in the under 21 Football Championship played in Ballinamere on Sunday last.

The Blues were always in control of this tie when they got to a flying start by scoring a goal in the opening minutes and added a second before the interval.

Shannongaels fought back in the second half with two goals from Shannonbridge Man David Corbett but it was to be in vain as Shane Dooley and Sean Martin were in fine form and responded with two further goals in the second half to complete a comprehensive win for the Tullamore Men.

Team J Ryan, A Gunning, K Norton, D Egan,S Clancy, K Flannery, M Reynolds, K Flannery, J Rafferty, S Wynne, D Corbett, S Flannery, P Deeley, K Butler, D flatterty, Subs R O' Connor, C Kelly, f Shortt

Sincere Sympathy
Shannonbridge GAA Club wish to extend their sincere sympathy to our Club Chairman Tom Moore and His Wife Rosemary for the Loss of Rosemary's Father Thomas Higgins who passed away last week.

Great reception for Louise
There was a great home coming reception for You're a Star finalist Louise Killeen who arrived back to Shannonbridge on Saturday evening last.

A great crowd turned out to welcome the Singer/ Songwriter back to the Village. Louise thanked all who had supported her throughout the past few months and especially the the younger Children.Tara Hynes presented Louise with Flowers on the night.

Shannonbridge GAA wish to thank Louise for the great excitement she generated in the Village and County while in the competition and wish her all the best in her singing Career.

Last Tuesday Mick the brother had an operation in Galway for a detached retina on the eye. Everything went well and he was discharged on Monday of this week. On his way home he got a pain and Conor drove to Portiuncula hospital where he is being treated for a clot on the lung and today they told him that he can expect to be discharged on Tuesday next 7^th March.

Last Thursday the river level was 2.9 Metres. Weather has been fine with frost most nights and sunshine during the daytime. Yesterday was that little bit colder and we had a sprinkle of snow. River has continued to drop to 2.66 Metres on Monday, 2.6 Metres yesterday and 2.56 Metres today. Brian from the barge is keeping a check on the river levels and on the large flock of wild duck that have settled near his barge. He is prepared to feed them any stale bread you may have.

Our cousin Frances from the Isle of Man called yesterday and she is in great form and hopes to come to Ireland in the next few months. Our code letter for her phone number is ncciia . She told us that John Francis and Aidan are planning to visit from Manchester sometime soon.

The funeral took place of Mick Turley from Garrymore and Athlone yesterday in Clonmacnois. Mick is survived by his wife Eileen and four sons and two daughters and family. Shannonbridge folk will remember him as a brother of Tom and Kieran. May he rest in peace.

On Saturday night Louis and Mairead Darcy celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary.

They were married in High Street Church on April 12^th 1966 with Canon Earley and Father Pat Lane conducting the wedding ceremony. Oliver Darcy was best man and Mairead Ryan was bridesmaid. The reception was in The County Arms hotel in Birr. Music was provided by Johnny Duffy, Clondelara. The wedding was at 10.00 am and the reception was over at 3.00pm which was usual at that time. Louis remembers that the late Johnny Flynn and Sonnie Keena were among the guests but for some reason they did not get home until the following day. Nearer to the actual day Louis and Mairead are planning to visit Rome. Congratulations and hope that they enjoy Rome in April.

Tony Lyons was on a flying visit to Shannonbridge yesterday by car. Tony told us that he is a keen supporter of the Munster Rugby Team and attends nearly all their matches. Now in future you will know the owner of the Dublin voice singing The Fields of Athenry.

Tomorrow night 2^nd March there is a launch of Original Irish Stories by Pat Watson in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel at 8.30 pm. Many of these stories have been read on Shannonside radio and on Radio Eireann. Contact number 090 6492118.

Yesterday there was a notice on the restriction on cutting or destruction of vegetation and hedgerows from 1 March to 31 August 2006 which should make the birds sing. The National Parks and Wildlife in 7 Ely Place Dublin, Tel 01-8883214 published the notice.

Took Moby for a walk as far as Grouse Lodge. Noticed that the two neat rows of daffodils in Mick Mac Evoy’s garden are almost ready to open. The fresh furze looked well near Grouse Lodge. There is an amount of careless litter all along the way including the school yard.