On Friday evening everything seemed to come right for the annual open air Mass in Clonmacnois cemetery for the deceased. Some of the local papers told of the event beforehand and people came from many a big area. Fathers O Hanlon and PJ Fitzpatrick blessed the graves while the Rosary was recited. Even the amplification was spot on and after Communion a voice was heard remarking ‘there was just enough’. There was a similar open air Mass on Monday evening in Glebe cemetery. Glebe is a bit like our local Cloniffeen graveyard.

I noticed that the film ‘The Flight of The Doves’ which used Shannonbridge as one of the locations is now available on DVD and costs 10 Euro. Columbia Pictures have a www.cthe.co.uk on the cover.

My sister Doc was telling about a pilgrim Mass last Sunday on Maimeam Mountain in Connemara when those attending climbed up the mountain to the altar site where Mass was celebrated and there was tea and a picnic afterwards. Maimeam translates as the path of the birds.

Speaking of birds John Monaghan was telling me recently that at Mc Keown’s sandpit mid way between Shannonbridge and Ballinasloe sand has been placed to cover off the sandpit as one travels from Ballinasloe. This year birds have used this as a nesting place.

The young neck ringed dove was on our shed roof on Friday and I noticed it kept its ground when the other birds were disturbed in their feed.

Becoming Jane, a film about Jane Austen’s life Starring Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy has just finished filming in Ireland. A lavish ball from the 18^th century was recreated in Charleville Forest Castle near Tullamore. Due for release next year.

Mick Kinsella, ex ESB was in Shannonbridge on his boat today. Mick looks right well and told us that he keeps his boat at Lowtown and uses the canals and the River Barrow more than the Shannon.

In The Midland Tribune of 2^nd August Jonathan Fanning has an article bannered ‘Shannonbridge Native earns Top Award’. He tells about John and Freda Sheehan and their new award winning restaurant in Killarney. It is adjacent to Killarney golf course and is aptly named ‘Par 4’. Recently it clinched the coveted Leading Restaurant Award.

Freda is a daughter of Louis and Mairead Darcy of Templedew and well done on winning such a great award.

Had a little rain this Tuesday afternoon and temperatures are have dropped back somewhat.