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.