Dated 13^th December 2006

A friend notified us about an Irish internet for emigrants called Emigrant Online. They claim to be the longest established publishing company in Ireland. One of their regular contributors Cormac Mac Connell was on holiday on the River Shannon in October and one of his pieces is about his visit to Shannonbridge. Check it out on their site which is

http://www.emigrant.ie/about.htm

The good news in the local papers this week is the appointment of Pat Gallagher, Tullamore as the County Manager for Offaly. About ten years ago he was a Labour T.D. for Laois / Offaly and then decided to give up politics to work in Mullingar. Recently he has been County Manager in County Galway. At one time Shannonbridge was allotted European Funding for a floating jetty. Nothing seemed to be happening so a group from Shannonbridge approached Pat Gallagher at one of his monthly clinics. He explained that it was usual to announce a number of projects but the more important ones only got done. Pat Gallagher took it in hand and got the jetty project moved up the list and the work was done. Congratulations to him on his appointment.

The Offaly GAA has selected Niall Mc Namee as football Player of the Year for 2006.

Rory Hanniffy has been selected as the Player of the Year in hurling.

Last Saturday there was a welcome visit from Ray Cadman from Scotland and Sean Fitzsimons from Athlone. Both were reminiscing about when they first met back in the 60’s and Ray as usual told us when saying farewell that we might never see him again.

An interesting article in this month Irish Messenger tells the story of the well visited website called www.sacredspace.ie One lady who worked in a company employing 6000 people often visited the site for a short spell while at work. One day when she tried to login she read the message that told her the site was barred. After some time she went to her supervisor and told her about using the site and her reasons for doing so. The site was restored and made available to the 6,000.

Mary Allen was telling us this morning that one of the OPW men was in Shannonbridge last week and told her that the river level was only six inches short of the record flood. The water has risen a couple of inches since. Brian O Meara on the barge has to walk through floodwater every day and he only has short Wellingtons. At present he is managing to get through on tippie toes. The shower / toilet unit at the jetty is flooded. Yesterday we went to the funeral of Annie Larkin in Clonfert. Annie was a few years short of the century and ran the Clonfert Post Office. Annie was mother of Philip and Padraig Larkin who worked in Shannonbridge power plant. As the flood is across the road at Shannon-harbour we travelled via Cloghan. There is a large flood on the Blackwater and Brosna rivers. When one crosses the bridge at Banagher there is a sea of water on either side. After the funeral one of her neighbours was remembering Annie for her humour. Right to the end when attending a new doctor she always asked ‘Do you think I’m pregnant doctor’? May she rest in peace.

Joe Burke an ESB workmate called in yesterday and he looks right well.

Over 350 people have been killed in accidents on Irish roads this year to date.

Another couple of prayers composed by Sister Estelle Barron –

Lord, sometimes I try to plan my day, forgetting that you – in your Divine Providence, have already planned what is best for me.

Help me this day to submit totally to Your Divine Providence.

Then all will be well.

Lord, help me to realize that there is power in Your Name.

You spoke and the world with all its beauty came to be.

Remind me to call on Your Name in all my needs.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Overcast today with temperatures 11 / 52 and more rain promised for the next two days.

Christmas lights have been erected around the green area opposite the church. To put lights across the street would require permission and insurance.

This morning members of the Shannonbridge Active Retirement group completed their six day painting course and will celebrate tomorrow night with a meal in The Old Fort.

Last Sunday there was an enjoyable Ecumenical Carol Service in Temple Connor in Clonmacnois with tea and refreshments in the visitor center afterwards.

Cliff Richards played at The Point in Dublin on Tuesday and Wednesday 4 /5^th Dec. to a sell-out audience each night. Cliff started singing in 1960’s in London.

Watch out for Irelands Enya this Christmas with her new musical offering.

The paper tells us that 25 % of Irish prisoners are back within bars within a year.

The recent budget doubled the mortgage interest relief from 8,000 to 16,000 for first time buyers.

Old age pension rise of 16 or 18 Euros per week.

Top tax rate cut 1 %. Tax band widened.

Social welfare increase of 20 Euros per week.

50c added to price of 20 cigarettes.

Extra 10 Euro per child per month, paid maternity leave increased to 26 weeks and unpaid leave increased to 16 weeks.