Shannonbridge Fishing Report …Dated 31^st July 2006.

Despite some rain during the week river levels remained friendly for fishing.

Harold Halford fished a peg upstream of the village bridge on 25^th July on a broken day and used maggot and worm to catch a satisfying bag of perch and roach.

Young Neal Fenton from Kildare choose to fish the village harbour on the 25^th July and used a swimfeeder and various hook bait to catch pike, perch and roach. At one point a baby gull got caught in his line and was released safely.

Andy Thorpe from England fished on the River Suck on 24^th July and used a swimfeeder to catch some bream and roach from a virgin swim which took some feed and some days to attract the fish but finally it happened.

Colin Dwyer from England fished the Hot Water stretch in sunshine on 23^rd July and used a swimfeeder and maggot to catch tench to 5 lbs as well as roach and bream.

Louise Killeen from Shannonbridge fished the Hot Water in sunshine on 27^th July. She used maggot and a swimfeeder to catch tench and rudd with a bite every cast.

Madeline Davis from Dublin also fished the Hot Water on 27^th July and used corn and maggot with a swimfeeder to catch a 3 lb tench and roach and bream. Her first tench and she got lots of bites.

Kevin Boltz from Bristol fished on the Hot Water stretch on 24^th July and fished with maggot on the float to catch 30 lbs of roach. Good float fishing Kevin says.

On the 29^th July Kevin fished on the Grand Canal at Pullagh in the rain and used a pole and worm to catch four tench, skimmers and roach for 28 lbs in total.

Bob Tilley also from Bristol fished the canal at Pullagh on 28^th July in rain and also used a pole and red maggot to catch two tench, bream and roach that weighed 32 lbs.

Nick Burt from Sevenoaks, Kent fished at The Boathouse at Culliagh on the River Suck on 30^th July in wind and showers. He used a feeder and maggot to catch some bream and roach that weighed 20 lbs in total.

Local angler Ray Walshe fished out on Lough Mask in Mayo yesterday with boatman Martin Kelly. Ray used various wet flies including the Green Peter to catch ten trout that weighed between a half pound up to 2.5 lbs. Good fishing in the morning and five of the fish were big enough to keep. Ray took just one trout for a friend.

Possible visitors wishing to stay in Shannonbridge should note that the telephone numbers have been altered in the area. These are some numbers that may be helpful

- Ashbrook Farm Guesthouse (John and Vera Carty) 090-9674166.

- Bog Rail Tour 090-9674114.

- Ely House (Brian and Dympna O Carroll 090-9674205.

- Rachra House (Pat and Patti Corbett) 090-9674249.

- Kajon House (Kay and John Brennan) 090-9674191.

- Killeen’s Self Catering Bungalow 090-9674112.

- Laurel Lodge (Eamon and Marie Mc Manus 090-9674189.

- Shannonbridge Tourist Office 090-9674344

- Bait Service 090-9674112.

- Note that Rachra House and Laurel Lodge have lake boats for hire.

I forgot to mention that Paudge Bennett the singer celebrates his birthday tonight. His age is secret but the songs remain as fresh as a daisy.

Had two girls here this morning who are attending a FAS course and they have the task o f preparing a list of walkways for Shannonbridge and district. Looking forward to the end result.

The front page of today’s Irish Times tells of a historic find by a farmer in South Offaly.

An ancient Irish manuscript or Book of Psalms estimated to be 1000 to 1200 years old was described by of The National Museum as being an Irish equivalent to that of the Dead Sea Scrolls. It appears to be an Irish early Christian Psalter, written on vellum.

It is in large format and there is a picture of some of the writing. The Irish Times website is www.ireland.com

Today marks the 150^th anniversary of the birth in Dublin of George Bernard Shaw.

I was glad to meet Father Ronnie Madden and his mother who stopped by this morning.

Ronnie was a schoolmate in Garbally College and worked for the US navy as a chaplain in San Diego for many years. Since his retirement from the navy he has returned to his original home diocese in Georgia. Ronnie told that Catholics are less than 5% of the population where he lives. For a number of years his parish have advertised with the heading “Would you like to know more about the Catholic Religion?” Those interested are given a series of talks and instruction twice a week and the result is about 30 people are converted each year. Nice one Ron.

The corncrake man called in this evening and told that two more male corncrakes have been located bringing the total to 19 male birds. The new birds were found in Clonburren and Bishop’s Island. They have not heard the local bird that was calling on Moran’s Island at the mouth of the River Suck for some time.

Note that the local Active Retirement Group day outing to Galway has been changed to 16^th August and the bus will depart at 9.30. The event will be announced in the weekly church bulletin in advance.

Despite all the good weather Ballinrobe race meeting on Tuesday evening had to be abandoned due to heavy rain which made it unsafe for riding.

Talks of Mick and Mary Killeen celebrating forty years of marriage later today. Also hear that Charlie and Bridie Carry will be celebrating forty five years of marriage also today.

And of course Vincent and Mary Fahey will be celebrating fifty years of marriage this month.

Congratulations to them all.

Junior Football A Championship

Shannonbridge 1-4

Cappincur 0-7

Shannonbridge's Junior Footballers championship aspirations came to an end in Ferbane on Saturday evening last, when a draw was not enough to keep the Shannonsiders in contention for honors this season.

Shannonbridge started the game well and Shane Kelly bagged a goal midway through the first half to give the Bridge a lead of 1-2 to 0-4 at the interval.

Shannonbridge had some good performances on the day with Alan Gunning shinning in the back line while up front Mike Devine was effective at full forward and contributed a good point.

Ultimately it was to be lack of discipline and persistent fouling that was to allow Cappincur back into the game to level proceedings in the end.

Shannonbridge now face a relegation play off to see if they can retain their Junior A status.

Team: Martin Deeley, Billy Kenna,Alan Gunning, Kieran Norton, Paul Maloney,Vincent Darcy,Mark Maloney,Philip Egan, Kieran Coughlan, Chris Duffy, Peter Kelly, Mel Darcy, Declan kelly, Mike Devine, Shane Kelly, Subs Gordan McEvoy and Edward Egan

Senior Football championship put on Ice

Shannonbridge were due to play Clara on Thursday evening last but the game was cancelled due to Offaly Senior Footballers continued involvement in this years Championship.

Shannonbridge GAA club would like to congratulate Our County Men for reaching our first provincial final in nine years. We are all to well aware of the huge personal sacrifices these Men make in order to play for our County and wish them the best of luck in the qualifiers against Laois.

Other Footballers who are also making sacrifices are the Club Players in our County. Shannonbridge played their first round of this years championship along with a number of other Clubs in Mid April.

It now looks like it could be mid August before our club and others play another round, that's a period of Four Months between games. This is an extremely long period of time to wait for another Championship match to be played.

Clubs all over the County are experiencing difficulty maintaining moral in their camps. Some Clubs can not get more than Ten training, while others called off training for periods due to lack of interest.

There must be a compromise reached between the clubs and County management. Of course we want to give our County every possible chance to succeed but will the cost be to the standard of the club Championship in Offaly.

In other Counties such as Dublin, Cork, Tyrone, Kerry the Club championship goes ahead regardless of how the County is progressing in the All - Ireland series. It also gives County management an idea of how fringe players are performing and see if they are worthy of a call up to the Offaly team.

Cork's senior hurling championship is semi final stage, I think their success speaks for itself. After all is the club not the feeder for our County teams.

-Conor Killeen

On Thursday Lisa and her husband from Prosperous called in on their way home from Salthill. Lisa had been a patient with Pat Killeen in Saint James’ Hospital in Dublin and when she saw the sign at Creagh they branched off for Shannonbridge. She is feeling much better and it was good to see them.

Yesterday two couples from Norway who are on a cruise holiday on the River Shannon stopped off at Shannonbridge. Their names were Harald and Laila Johnsen and Leif and Eli Tirevold from Bergen, Norway. They told us that they use the word Skal or Skaal as a toast and were enjoying the river. Eli wore a sweat shirt with a large sailing ship named Statsraal Lehmkuhl etched out in relief. He said that he sails regularly on this ship and that the ship was on a visit to Dublin last week but he was unable to go as they were coming to Ireland on holiday.

The Mass on Saturday night was a 36^th Anniversary Mass for the late Mrs Winifred Darcy Shannonbridge. Her daughter Joan was telling that she inherited her mother’s goose and gander when Mrs Darcy died. The goose is still alive and the gander died last Christmas.

Remember the two couples that set out to cycle from Salthill to Sydney?. Well the Tuam Herald of 13^th July devoted half of their Page 4 to their exploits so far. By now they are well into Russia. Their website is www.salthill2sydney.com if you wish to keep them company. I even feature in one of the pictures when they stopped in Shannonbridge.

Got a phone call at the weekend from an angler Keith Moon that wants to book self catering for July 2007. Just in case anybody else wants to contact their favourite B+B the telephone numbers have got an extra couple of numbers.

For example what was 0905-74249 is now 090-9674249 and as usual when you get into Ireland you drop the first 0.

Good to see Alan Rock home at the weekend and Bridie Carry tells us that Patricia Carry is home at present.

Weather continues to be good with the weatherman today promising showers in the west. Lucky we live in Shannonbridge.

Looking forward to hearing the trio ( Una Mc Lochlainn, Lorraine Kenny and Colin Killeen ) that played for the wedding of President McAleese’s Aide-de-comme last week in Portumna are playing in Shannonbridge tonight. Next gig will probably be in the Aras. Padraig Henry says he would rather hear some real music.

On 20^th July a group of fifteen who are swimming the length of the river Shannon arrived in Shannonbridge. They are swimming for forty minutes at a time at a rate of four Kilometres per hour and they hope to reach Limerick tomorrow Tuesday.

Members of Banagher Sub Aqua and the Army from Athlone were in attendance to help if needed. The swim is in aid of Saint Hilda’s in Athlone and another charity.

On Friday last I noticed two strange birds picking up feed from the shed roof in the yard.

So Rose Ryan was called and she immediately identified them as two ring collared doves. The adult had a distinct dark ring around its neck but the younger bird had not developed its trademark. They are neighbours of Rose Ryan and nest in a tree near the Church.

Clonony Castle is on the market with an asking price of 700,000 Euros according to the Offaly Independent 22^nd July, page 9. The auctioneer and sole agent is Helen Cassidy at 094 – 9546868.

The same paper has a feature on Sarge’s Place, the new name for Cahill’s Bar in Belmont which is being guided by Trevor Malone, a son of Paddy Malone.

On Friday night Bobby Finn opened a brand new Moycarn Lodge on the banks of the River Suck near Ballinasloe. It is a purpose built bar and restaurant with a private floating jetty for customers. Landlubbers are provided with a new roadway which has its entrance about 200 metres the Shannonbridge side of The Pines.

Wishing them both the best of luck in their ventures.

Karl Hoystead celebrated his 21^st birthday on 21^st July. Happy birthday Karl.

Shannonbridge Active Retirement Group has plans to visit Galway for the day on Friday 11^th August. Contact Kieran Kelly or Pat Keohane if you wish to travel.

Padraig Turley and his wife, Dublin and Clerhane called in on Thursday evening on their way west for the weekend. Padraig told us that his aunt Sister Monica Claffey,

1, Beechmount Park, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 will be celebrating her 90^th birthday on August 1^st.

And yesterday May Blehein, Gurteen celebrated her 95^th birthday. Her husband Michael is 93 years old and they are celebrating their 70^th wedding anniversary later this year. We know them better as Maureen Thornhill’s parents.

Congratulations to you both.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report … Dated 24^th July 2006.

The warm weather continued with a few drops of rain on Saturday.

The river level remains steady at just over two metres.

Some young anglers holidaying on cruisers enjoyed some fishing. Greg Treacy aged 12 years from Dublin used worms to catch five perch in five minutes. His sister Andrea, aged 13 years. Also used worms to catch five perch and experienced a bite every few seconds. The fish were returned alive and well. Their friend Patrick Bolger from Wexford used a spinner to catch 10 perch and a small pike in the bay at Shannonbridge.

Mick Hemming from Stowbridge fished the Grand Canal on 16^th July and used chopped worms to catch 12 lbs of mainly tench. On 18^th July Mick fished at the Hot Water outlet at Shannonbridge power plant and used a cocktail of red and white maggot to catch 25 lbs of roach and hybrids.

David James from Stowbridge fished the Hot Water on 16^th July and used pole and maggot to catch a fine bag of roach.

Kevin Boltz from Bristol found the Grand Canal to be very clear and he fished the Hot Water on 21^st July. He caught two tench that weighed 4 lb and 4.5 lbs. Kevin used feeder and worm.

Bob Tilley from Bristol fished the Hot Water on 21^st July and used pole and sweetcorn to catch two tench and a bag of rudd and hybrids. The next day he fished on the River Suck and used a feeder and maggot to catch 15 lbs of roach, hybrid and perch.

Local angler William Kenny used his boat and spinners to go trolling for pike on 23^rd July on the River Shannon. He caught 15 pike with the best weighing 8 lbs. When he was stopped for lunch he fished for perch and caught 24 perch with one perch weighing over 2 lbs.

Aidan Kelly from Shannonbridge had a 12 lbs pike when trolling a dead bait from a boat on 16^th July. This weekend he went bank fishing on 23^rd July using maggot and float and caught 42 perch which were returned alive.

Catch of the week was on 19^th July when John Gleeson from Tipperary and Gerry Casey from Moore had a session on the Hot Water stretch. On a sunny and warm day they employed various methods and bait including float and leger and corn, maggot and worm. They caught 150 lbs in total which included 11 tench. Best tench of 6 lbs 4 oz was caught by John Gleeson while Gerry was delighted to land a hybrid that weighed 3 lbs 2 oz. A dream of a day and a night.

Phyllis O Leary from Rath and Chicago stopped by to say hello last week. Phyllis knows my brother Jim and Maureen and family and of course Noreen Kitt.

At the weekend a German couple stopped by. They were first in this area some six years ago and on their first trip they had a caravan and were looking for overnight parking which was found. They now come to Ireland every three years and they still have a Murphy Stout drip mat with my name on it. This time they wrote their names on a paper but it seems to have gone missing.

Joe Coleman telephoned from Leeds on Saturday. He is in good form and plans to come on holiday here in September. Ritchie Browne had a puzzle or conundrum or whatever.

DAMRUOY.

On Monday Michael Freeman from Dublin was in Shannonbridge. He told us that around 1965 he met George Brent in The Clarence Hotel in Dublin in the company of Paddy Prendergast, the horse trainer. Paddy Prendergast was training a filly for George Brent which was named Clinging Vine. The horse won her the next day and Michael said that there was a photograph of George and the filly in the paper the following day. Michael had seen George in many of his films and enjoyed meeting him.Tel Dublin odeddri

Basil and Louisa Mc Mahon from Beaumont called in on Monday with their two brown curly dogs named Grouse (8 years) and Cassi aged two years. The dogs are Irish Water Spaniels and were known as The Shannon Spaniel or Rat Tailed Retriever. They have long tails with no hair on the tails. They also have webbed feat and at one time were trained to tow a net across a river.

Sorry to hear of the death of a school mate Joe Langan from Balle County Mayo.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report …Dated 17^th July 2006

Weather has been very good for the week as regards sunshine and no rain.

The river level has remained constant at 2.2 Metres.

Bunthe Biedermann from Liechtenstein fished on the River Shannon on 7^th July in overcast conditions and used a Number 3 spinner to catch four pike measuring

57 cm, 45 cm, 43 cm and 40 cm. He also caught 30 quality perch.

Eva Stein from Bonn fished the River Shannon on the 11^th July in fine weather and used a Number 4 spinner to catch her first Irish pike which measured 60 cm.

Tony Clayton from Leeds fished the Hot Water stretch on 10^th July on a very hot day and used red maggot on the leger to catch 60 lbs of bream, roach and hybrid. Fish up stream.

His friend Dennis Duckett from Leeds also fished the Hot Water stretch and used red maggot on the leger to catch 40 lbs of bream, roach and hybrid also from upstream.

On July 11^th Dennis Duckett fished on the River Suck on a very hot sunny day and caught 6 lbs of mixed bag using leger and red maggot. Dennis reckoned that it was too hot and would be better early morning. ( how about trying some nigh

On the 15^th July four of the Leeds group fished the Hot Water stretch at the power plant on a warm day and used red maggot on the leger.

Dennis Wood had 65 lbs of tench and hybrids.

Gary Pickard caught 60 lbs of roach and hybrids up to 2 lb.

Neil Whittaker had 40 lbs of roach and hybrids.

Dennis Duckett caught 25 lbs of roach and hybrids.

Padraig Dolan, Creggan fished on the River Suck at Correen on 13^th July on a hot day and used a small Mepps to catch an 8 lb brown trout.

Yesterday 16^th July Swawel Studzinski from Shannonbridge and Poland fished near the village bridge in Shannonbridge in sunshine. Using a green and gold spoon lure he caught three pike measuring 80 cm, 75 cm, and 72 cm. All fish were returned alive and well.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 16th July 2006 - 15th Sun B
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. clonmacnoispn@eircom.net

Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon, Tues @ 10am; Wed - Fri @ 10.45am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €446. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: E.Quinn, P.Corbett
Altar Servers: Brian, Ruaidhrí, Ailbhe, Tara, Mary Ann
Mass on next Sat eve for Winifred & Hubert Darcy & family deceased.
????
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €185. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Norton, H.Darcy
Readers for next Sunday: D.Boland, C.Higgins
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 4
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the Egan family deceased (Clonlyon)

Blessing of Graves
We hope to have Mass with the Blessing of graves in the 'New Cemetery' in Clonmacnois on Fri 4th August @ 7.30pm.

Summer Youth Festival @ Knock with Youth 2000
This will take place from Thurs 27th July to Sun 30th July. This Festival is a joint effort of Youth 2000 & Knock Youth Ministry.
This Festival will include talks, prayer, sharing, fun & games, and promises to be a great opportunity for young people from all around Ireland to explore their Catholic faith and make many new friends.
Youth 2000 is an organisation of young people (aged 15 - 35) who work to spread the good news of the Catholic faith in Ireland .
There is no charge for the festival - donations only. Special buses available from some locations - just bring a sleeping bag.
Contact Ann at 094-9388100 or Catríona at 01-6753690
More info to be found in Church porch. Visit www.youth2000.ie
????
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
????
12 EASY RULES - How to make a delinquent child!
(Portsmouth Area Family Concern)
1. Begin at infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way, he will grow up to believe that the world owes him a living.
2. When he picks up bad language, laugh at him. This will make him think he is clever.
3. Avoid the use of the word 'wrong'. It may cause a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing, that society is against him & he is being persecuted.
4. Pick up everything he leaves lying around, books, shoes, and clothes. Do everything for him so that he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility on others.
5. Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on. Be careful that the cutlery and drinking glasses are sterilised, but let his mind feast on rubbish.
6. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. In this way they will not be too shocked when the home is broken up later.
( to be continued)

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 9th July 2006 - 14th Sun B
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. clonmacnoispn@eircom.net

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €552. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Killeen, A.Keena, J.Kelly
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: S.Grennan, S.Quinn
Altar Servers: Dean, Michael, Shannen, Nicola, Kayleigh
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Jimmy Mooney

????
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €161. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Kelly, K.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 3
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy

Blessing of Graves
We hope to have Mass with the Blessing of graves in the 'New Cemetery' in Clonmacnois on Fri 4th August @ 7.30pm.

Questions people ask
Q. Will the recently discovered Gospel of Judas cast doubts on the other gospels & some of the Church's teaching?
A. The document you refer to was written at least a hundred years after the life of Christ, probably even much later. There are several other so-called gospels, which are of historical interest but lack the authenticity of faith that is to be found in the four gospels which were accepted by the Church as inspired by the Holy Spirit. So, don't expect any change in our fundamental beliefs.
( Fr O'Flynn - Intercom)
????
Summer Youth Festival @ Knock with Youth 2000
This will take place from Thurs 27th July to Sun 30th July. This Festival is a joint effort of Youth 2000 & Knock Youth Ministry.
This Festival will include talks, prayer, sharing, fun & games, and promises to be a great opportunity for young people from all around Ireland to explore their Catholic faith and make many new friends.
Youth 2000 is an organisation of young people (aged 15 - 35) who work to spread the good news of the Catholic faith throughout Ireland. It is one of the New Movements in the Church referred to and welcomed in recent years by the late Pope John Paul. Youth 2000 runs regular weekend residential retreats for 15 - 35 year olds as well as prayer groups, school retreats and parish missions.
There is no charge for the festival - donations only. Special buses available from some locations - just bring a sleeping bag.
Contact Ann at 094-9388100 or Catríona at 01-6753690
More info to be found in Church porch. Visit www.youth2000.ie
????
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
????
Lough Derg
3 Day Pilgrimage
You may begin your pilgrimage any day from 1st June to 13th Aug
Cost: €45.00, which includes boat fare & accommodation

Some recent deaths include the retired Superintendent Brendan O Callaghan, Athlone Also Father Reg Wilson, Ballinasloe and Idaho USA who died in Mullingar while on holiday with his sister Mary Doyle, Prospect Court, Mullingar.

May they rest in peace.

The corncrake people say that one new male bird has been calling in Woodbank on the Egan farm. In all some seventeen birds have been heard calling. The inspector looking after the project this year is from England and he is amazed at the cooperation and help from the farmers where male birds have been found.

On a visit to Ireland at present are Andrea Collin and her sister Angelina from Chicago who are friends of Siobhan Killeen. Unfortunately they were only able to stay one night in Shannonbridge.

Paul Mc Ginley was at the airport on Friday thinking that he had missed the cut in the European golf played at The K Club. A friend rang to tell him that he had made the cut and he ended up sharing third place.

A couple from Armagh stopped off in Shannonbridge today and the lady said that the voluntary tourist office in Shannonbridge was one of the best tourist offices she had ever come across. Well done to Dolores who is holding the fort. They had a very interesting 1970 AA book on Ireland with maps and descriptions and pen drawings of lots of places. I spotted four views of Clonmacnois as well as the Clonfinlough Stone and The Nunnery.

Hopefully they will appear here sometime. I noted that Cloghan was translated into The Stepping Stones in the guide.

On Sunday Ann Walsh was in Shannonbridge and she told me that she is a sister of the late Donie Walsh from The Stella Maris Hotel that was in Galway. Donie was in school in Ballinasloe about my time there but he died in 1985. Ann told me that years ago she was the nurse who helped transfer yours truly from Tullamore to a Dublin hospital for which I thank her.

Padraic Turley was telling that his aunt Sister Monica Claffey from The Rocks will be celebrating her 90^th birthday on 1^st August and hope she has a great birthday and best wishes.

Met a couple on the Shannon twice this week who are from Rosmuc and they told me that it is their tenth year to take a holiday on the Shannon and of course they enjoy it.

On the radio program Late Date during the week Val Joyce was giving out ‘The Saints of The Day ‘as he usually does and I took a bit more notice when he announced that the following day 8^th July was the feast day of Saint Killeen who died in 689 AD in Germany. At one time he was in Clonmacnois and one of the churches there was dedicated to Saint Killeen. The cathedral in Wartburg in Germany is dedicated to Saint Killen.

Sad to hear that Val Joyce is getting the boot from the midnight to 2 am radio slot at the end of the month. He will be missed by many including the saints.
Today was fine here after some rain at the weekend.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report … Dated 10^th July 2006.

Generally weather was good and fine and without rain until Saturday.

The river level at Shannonbridge was 2.24 metres on Tuesday, 2.17 metres on Friday and 2.30 metres on Sunday.

Tony Murphy from Ballinasloe fished two short periods on the River Shannon at Shannonbridge and used leger and red maggot to catch a mixed catch of roach, hybrids, bream and perch.

Heinrich Nissen fished from a cruiser and used spoon lures to catch three pike.

Mick Wright from Leicester fished on the River Suck on Sunday 3^rd July and used pole float and caster to catch 20 lbs of roach and hybrid.

Next day he fished the Boathouse stretch on the Suck and used the same tactics to catch 25 lbs of mostly roach and hybrids. Weather was very hot on both days.

On Tuesday he also fished on the Suck and caught 10 lbs of roach and hybrid with pole float and caster.

On Wednesday Mick fished at Devenish Island and had a poor day at an unfed peg and perhaps his float and caster tactics were wrong.

On Thursday he fished the River Brosna and caught fifteen mixed fish using pole float and caster.

Lou Brummitt from Boston fished alongside Mick Wright on those five days.

On Sunday Lou used a pole hemp and tares and caught roach and hybrids.

On Monday he caught 20 lbs of roach and hybrids at The Boathouse stretch.

Back on their favoured swims on the River Suck on Tuesday Lou used pole hemp and tares to catch 25 lbs of roach hybrid and perch.

On Wednesday at Devenish Island in overcast conditions he used the same methods and caught 25 small fish.

On Thursday on the River Brosna Lou had 25 small fish for a poor days fishing.

Yesterday Sunday 9^th July two of our local anglers fished from a drifting row boat at various points on the four mile stretch between Shannonbridge and Clonmacnois. They fished with light tackle and caught 15 pike and over a dozen good perch. The heaviest perch weighed over 1.5 lbs. A very enjoyable days fishing.

The Shannonbridge Power Plant is in production but I have heard no reports of catches from there.

Yesterday Michael, a holidaymaker on the River Shannon stopped off at Shannonbridge and moored his boat. In the process his Nokia mobile phone slipped from his pocket and fell into the river. Bye bye Nokia, or so it seemed.

Some time later he recounted his misfortune to Colin Killeen in Killeen’s Village Tavern.

Colin volunteered to go in search of the Nokia and Michael showed him where it dropped in. So on with the wet suit and into the Shannon went our Colin. Soon he had recovered the Nokia along with six fishing lures, an aluminium ladder and 65 cents in loose change.

The sun shone brightly and in a short time the Nokia was working once more.

Today I thought that the Nokia people might like to hear about their product. To get their contact number I contacted the help line 11 8 11 and they gave me the only contact number that they had 01-2602547 which rang out as if connected to a Fax machine.

After a few attempts I failed to contact Nokia which is a little disappointing for a company in the communications business.

Welcome home to Sister Mel Kenny Clondelara and Fiji Islands who is spending some time with her family.

Jimmy Gunn he of Frater and Gunn fame arrived in Shannonbridge at the weekend. You remember that Watty passed away in January and Jimmy told us that there were 500 people at his funeral and most of them were musicians. A fitting farewell.

Goood to see Padraig Harrington finish alone in second place in the French Open on Sunday and this no doubt puts his name firmly on the Ryder Cup team v USA.

Today I spotted in the Mill Hill Fathers magazine that Father Paddy Kenny of Mill Hill, Kidlawn, Freshford, Clonmacnois and Kashmir in India celebrates 60^th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood this year. Congratulations and well done.

Bookmaker Michael Scotney and his wife Aubrey and some friends from Cambridge are on holiday. Michael was the one that organised the sweep for the charity race nights in Hayden’s during the gala fishing week for many years.

On Monday evening Dave from www.proudirish.eu called in with a camera and sound and talked for a while about the pub etc. He is at present filming and recording material along the River Shannon which he hopes to put on to six cd’s or DVD or whatever and will then market them on the web. He will be on a link also from www.emeraldstarline.ie webpage. After filming Dave asked me if I would come on the boat for a few hours on Tuesday. So I agreed and he picked me up in the afternoon. But their cruiser was now in Lanesboro. We cruised from Lanesboro to Dromod and the producer did some more recordings. There was a traditional music group waiting to be filmed in The Purple Onion. Dave kindly drove me home at that stage. I will keep you informed on progress.

They plan to return to the area to photograph George Brent, the grocery shop, Clonfert Cathedral, Meelick Church and Our Lady of Clonfert at the weekend.

The river level on Tuesday rose slightly to 2.24 metres.

The previous weekend was fine and sunny and a good time for John Joe Sheridan from Ballysheil and now Wales to revisit Shannonbridge. John Joe was remembering working as a youth in Killeens and Johnny the pony. Drawing turf, collecting bottles and delivering goods were a new way of getting to know the area and the people for John Joe. He recalled going out shooting teal with JJ Killeen and the characters that lived around Shannonbridge at that time. If Jim wants to contact him John Joe has a code phone number when you reach England – maeodimne

On that weekend there was a memorial Mass in Moore for Annie Mulvey that married the late Jimmy Galvin Cloniffeen. Annie Mulvey was a daughter of Jack and Brigid Mulvey from the house in the trees across from Clonmacnois. Probably Columper.

At the service was Patrick Joseph Mulvey, Brighton, son of John Mulvey and grandson of Jack and Brigid. He told us that his parents lived in Scotland and had 17 children. His mother Sarah, who is 86 years, is still living in Scotland. Seamus and John Galvin, sons of Jimmy and Annie were also at the Mass. Leo Galvin son of Jack and Brigid and who now lives in Ballintubber also attended the Mass.

Tessie Coughlan, nee Greene, Lissaniskea, Belmont died on Monday 26^th June. Tessie was one of the Greene family from Blackwater and was married to the late Pat Coughlan. They had two children Donal and Patricia. Tessie had a remarkable gift at dressmaking and helped fit dresses on many a bride. At the funeral Mass Father Murray told that on his visit to the corpse house he found one of Donal’s children dancing around the coffin in a tribute to a loved Granny. May she rest in peace.

Heat Merchants Athlone had a staff outing and used a limousine bus with bar to go dining in Millars and visiting Shannonbridge afterwards. All organised by Dermot of Marketing.

On Thursday night the Shannonbridge Active Retirement Group held their party night. Members from Cloghan, Belmont, Ferbane, Pullagh, Ballinahowen, Moore, and others joined with the local group for a whale of a night. After Mass supper was served in the Community Center and afterwards D’ Boys provided the music for singing and dancing. Jim Egan from Cloghan on accordion and Tony Kenny from Ferbane on fiddle and vocals also joined in. Jim Egan was telling that his two daughters Maura, fiddle, and Eilis, accordeon, are part of "The Bridies" along with Brenda Courtney from Limerick, Michelle Mulhaire from Galway and Michael Galvin from Killarney.

The Bridies have departed for America and will be playing Las Vegas, Denver and The Milwaukee Fest among others. Will they fit in Saint Marys ? They will be back in Birr on 30^th September.

Sister Marie did not hire the limousine bus with bar for the pilgrimage walk to Clonmacnois on Saturday. But she did have excellent weather and Kieran Kelly to drive his car in front of the score or more. It was a time for remembering Captain Kelly and Joe Egan and The Holden Family and The Mannions at the butt of the hill, and the houses behind the Esker such as Claffeys, Dalys, Mc Manus, Joe Claffey, deserted Corrigeen, Brian Flannerys, Egans old home and more. One of the things that were missing was the stone walls that were a feature of the road to Clonmacnois. But some years ago the road was widened and someone from the Offaly County Council came bearing gifts. New concrete post fencing instead of the stone walls and even more. They kindly came ant loaded the old stone walls onto trucks and bore them away freely. Some patches of stone wall were saved and someday walk to Clonmacnois and observe the difference. Sad to see many of the miniature flowers that lived on the stone walls are now at ground level where the walls used to be.

Kieran Kelly provided a great service by carrying coats and jackets in his car and the welcome drink of water on the stops along the way. We visited Saint Ciaran’s Well which has been newly rebuilt but nare a sign of water in the well. Lots of wildflowers in bloom with a great mat of dog daisies at one of the stop points.

Joan and Danny Farrelly celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary at the weekend and the lovelight still is burning brightly. Congratulations and long may it continue to burn.

Couple from Tullow called into Shannonbridge on their way home from an Andre Bocelli concert in Galway City. Unfortunately the concert was cancelled due to a sore throat.

They live near the Mc Quinn family in Tullow and they knew that there was a Shannonbridge connection and so they came to see Shannonbridge. A Garda Mc Quinn was once stationed in Shannonbridge and married Vinnie Luker and they lived in Tullow.

Garda Mc Quinn is now dead but Vinnie and her children are still living in Tullow.

Weather has been sunny and warm and the forecast is for more of the same. Last evening there was the occasional drop of rain but we escaped any great rain like fell around.

Rose Ryan was telling in the Library on Thursday evening (7to9pm ) that Pat Watson was very good at the musical drama and art weekend recently when Pat came along to read some of his stories. Hopefully he will come along to the Library soon to repeat the experience. You’ll come now wont you.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report….Dated 3^rd July 2006.

The weather remained generally good for wishing with the occasional sunny spell that seemed to make the fish more aware. The river level today is 2.21 Metres on the gauge at Shannonbridge.

Cliff Mynard from Halifax fished the River Suck on 26^th June in good weather and used float and caster to catch 48 lbs of roach and hybrids. Cliff and his lady were on a short visit but will be back for a longer stay in August.

Rolf Frei from Zurich fished on the River Shannon on 28^th June and used a blinker to catch a pike of 53 cm.

Horques Kleinburger from Hori also fished on the River Shannon on 28^th June in fine weather and used a blinker to catch a pike of 71 cm which was a great experience for him as it was his first pike.

David Feeley and his daughter Kathleen fished on the River Suck and on the River Shannon for two weeks. They found a lot of pike in the water and the biggest weighed 12 Lbs. They caught bream up to 5 lbs weight and had bags weighing 55 lbs and 63 lbs. Their favoured bait was three red maggots and they found fishing was better when there was a ripple on the water.

Mick Wright from Leicester is back in town. On his first outing on the River Suck yesterday he used pole float and caster to catch 22 lbs of mainly roach.

Pat and George Pearson from Surrey were fishing Shannonbridge last week. They fished three days on the River Suck. Two days were OK with mixed bags of roach and hybrid weighing 15 – 20 lbs. The third day was very sunny and they struggled to catch 5 lb plus hybrid and roach. For two days they fished the Hot Water stretch at Shannonbridge. They caught good tench to 5 lbs plus hybrids and roach. They found pike to be a problem. Fishing was a big improvement on last year.

Two of our local anglers decided to repeat a night fishing experience this week. On the previous occasion they had a super catch but for some reason this time the fish did not want to know. That’s fishing for you but well worth a try.

On Friday 30^th June Manfred Reimann and his family were enjoying their second cruising holiday on the Shannon when they saw a large pike belly up in the water about four miles upstream from Lanesboro. The fish weighed 10.1 Kilo and measured 1.15 Metres. One set of gills was torn and brown coloured and they reckoned that the pike was only dead a very short time. Manfred promised to e-mail a photo to Shannon Fisheries when he returns home.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 2nd July 2006 - 13th Sun B
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
E-mail. clonmacnoispn@eircom.net

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Adoration on First Fri until 6pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €488. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Moran, M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: C.Mannion, P.Duffy
Altar Servers: Darragh, Graham, Megan, Ciara, Amy
Mass on next Sun for the late Hugh Kelly
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Clonfanlough
Mass on First Fri for the late Kieran Kelly @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €191. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: T.Rohan, A.Rohan
Readers for next Sunday: D.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 2
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan

Congratulations & best wishes to Lorraine Halligan & John Guinan, who were married last weekend in Clonfanlough. Ad multos annos
Blessing of Graves
We hope to have Mass with the Blessing of graves in the 'New Cemetery' in Clonmacnois on Fri 4th August @ 7.30pm.
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Our Greatest Need
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator;
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist;
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist;
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer;
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Saviour.
(Source unknown)
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Summer Youth Festival @ Knock with Youth 2000
This will take place from Thurs 27th July to Sun 30th July. This Festival is a joint effort of Youth 2000 & Knock Youth Ministry.
This Festival will include talks, prayer, sharing, fun & games, and promises to be a great opportunity for young people from all around Ireland to explore their Catholic faith and make many new friends.
Youth 2000 is an organisation of young people (aged 15 - 35) who work to spread the good news of the Catholic faith throughout Ireland. It is one of the New Movements in the Church referred to and welcomed in recent years by the late Pope John Paul. Youth 2000 runs regular weekend residential retreats for 15 - 35 year olds as well as prayer groups, school retreats and parish missions.
There is no charge for the festival - donations only. Special buses available from some locations - just bring a sleeping bag.
Contact Ann at 094-9388100 or Catríona at 01-6753690
More info to be found in Church porch. Visit www.youth2000.ie
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The Irish Cancer Society: ' Many thanks for your contributions of €200. to the recent Church gate Collection in Clonfanlough.'
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Focal Scoir
"I prefer to do right & get no thanks, rather than do wrong & get no punishment." (Marcus Cato)