Dated Monday 18^th December 06

Gay Byrne on his two hour radio programme on Lyric yesterday mentioned two of the most difficult things to do.

1. Climb a wall that’s leaning towards you.
2. 2. Kiss a woman that is leaning away from you.

Go try it yourself if you don’t believe him.

What I found difficult yesterday was to find an address for Mick Peake, Mick Baritt / Andy Barton, and Peter Warwick as I have mislaid their contact and just wanted to send Christmas Greetings to them.

Yesterday a Dublin hubby asked the mott what she would like for Christmas.

Any chance of the widow’s pension she replied.

Gay Byrne also had the story of Bishop Empery in mufti going on a visit to Kerry.

He met one of the natives and asked him if there were much Protestants in Kerry.

Our man replied that there would be some but there are much more rabbits.

RTE TV is broadcasting Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve from Sydney in Australia. Keep an eye out for some old faces in the congregation.

Television on Saturday showed Minister Tom Parlon on a visit to the floods at Shannonharbour and Phelim Kerins was in the accompanying group. Phelim was in Shannonbridge yesterday and told us that he had got 62 phone calls since the programme. Today Brian from the barge tells us that the river level has dropped 1.5 inches in 24 hours.

Maybe they have the power after all to be sure.

Tony Ellis was telling yesterday that three Galway coarse anglers were fishing at the harbour marina in Ballinasloe and were catching good roach this size. He also saw a number of anglers fishing on the Grand Canal near Clononey Castle.

Some recent deaths include Jack Nallen, Minella Arms Clonmel and late of Banagher. Jack made a great name for himself with a string of greyhounds called Ollies Pal, Ollies Quare Rebel.

Doctor Pat Corboy, Clara who was renowned for bone ache and arthritis. My brother Jim told us that he also liked shooting and one day he went to shoot opposite Clonmacnois at Kieran Mulveys. The late Kieran did not like Pat Carboy’s attire as he said ‘who is the b*****ks in the white coat’? Sure we will get nothing with him with us.

Pat Daly, Bloomhill, brother of the late Fr. Tommy Daly New Zealand has passed away and was laid to rest in Clonmacnois on Saturday.

Freddie Marsden, drummer with the Gerry and The Pacemakers back in the Sixties has died. The Beatles were guests at his 21^st Birthday Party and the group had three songs in a row that went straight to No 1. How Do You Do It, Love Me Do and You’ll Never Walk Alone which was later adopted by Liverpool Soccer Club as their own theme song. May they rest in peace.

On December 15^th there was a very enjoyable Glory of Christmas concert held in St. Brendan’s Church in Birr. Carol O Sullivan soprano and John Molloy bass were featured with a local combined choir of 34 ladies and 7 gentlemen. It was great to know many of the carols chosen and they also included selections from some of the musicals. Met an old friend Frank Mulvey of Ballysheil and now Birr. Frank has a hobby of fixing and selling washing machines. Some other faces in the large crowd included Noel Byrne, John Boland, Tony Hogan Eileen Gleeson, Olivia White and our own Michael and Marie Donegan. Michael has just completed his third yearly Birr Revue which is on sale for Christmas.

The following night Thursday was party night for Shannonbridge Active Retirement who went for a meal in The Fort Restaurant with dinner at 8 followed by music and dancing until after midnight with Hugh Collins on guitar guiding a great host of talent. There was a silent collection for the children in Kenya which the group have undertaken to sponsor at their weekly meetings. At present five children are attending secondary school from funds collected.

Ireland continues to go mad with another five people killed in car crashes at the weekend bringing the total to 475 to date.

This morning was very foggy and fog has remained all day.

In rugby over the weekend the Munster, Ulster and Leinster teams were all winners.

In soccer Man U who was 9 points clear leaders starting the week ended Sunday by being defeated by West Ham and they are now only two points ahead of the premiership.

Some babies for Christmas for

Mr and Mrs Liam Fallon – a girl.

Mr and Mrs Adian Carry – a boy.

Mr and Mrs Oisin Seal (Fidelma Mc Manus) – a boy.

Mr and Mrs Seamus Flannery – a girl.

Congratulations to everyone.

The Newsletter has an appeal from the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Cork who are looking for discarded mobile phones with batteries – not chargers – which they plan to recycle and use in their work in the Third World countries. Post them to Mobile Phone Recycling, P.O. Box 23, Western Road, Cork. Ireland