Dated 26^th February 2007

Apologies for lack of input recently but a new update of Google and Blogger left access to the website beyond my reach and also Father O Hanlon’s weekly parish bulletin. Thanks to David and Cary hopefully we are back on track. Thanks to Bill from Bath who telephoned last week to ask why the web was not updated.

The weekend of the 17 /18^th February last turned out to be most enjoyable as about seven cousins from Ireland joined with his family and friends in celebrating John Francis Killeen four score birthday. The party was held in the Manchester United football grounds and of course we travelled into the event in a luxury eight seater limousine with champagne on route, A guide took us on a detailed tour of the stadium and dressing rooms and we had photo line-ups in the seats used by the manager and team.

Afterwards we had a steak dinner in one of the bar / restaurants that are used to service a number of the reserved boxes that only cost 60,000 a year I heard. Our waitress had an Irish accent and Bridget told us that she was from near Ballymote. A three piece second generation group played live music that would make you homesick. At the party was Louisa Killeen who is a daughter of Vincent and a grand daughter of John Francis. Louisa told us that she has been working in Dublin for four years and lives in Drumcondra. She has promised to hit Shannonbridge some weekend soon hopefully. John Francis was delighted to receive a birthday greeting from the manager Alex Ferguson.

On our way to the airport we stopped off at the Boat Show in Ballsbridge. I was telling Brendan Smith from Silverline Cruisers Banagher about travelling up by train and attempting to use the toilet at the railway station but failed when an entrance fee of 30Cents caught my eye. I had not got 30C so I held my ground. Brendan told that he had a similar experience during that week and also did not have the 30C. In his case he needed to use the facility and he approached a uniformed employee and told his story.

The man asked if he had any money and Brendan produced a 50 C coin which the uniformed gent took and then opened an independent entrance and allowed Brendan free access to the 30C facility for 50C if you understand the gist.

On the plane to Manchester I noticed a face I recognised but did not know his name. At baggage retrieval we met again and he told us that he was Tom Kenny, a nephew of Pat Gleeson and of Mrs Michael Ryan of Mullaghature. After coming home Mrs Ryan told that he was on his way to meet relatives that had only recently come to light. I think their parents were drowned on the ship Mauritania.

Good to see Michael and Claire Green and their daughter Courtney (11) home for a visit from Boston.

Just home the past week is Tom Mc Evoy who has been looking at cattle in Sydney Australia since early December. Tom had also planned to visit Perth but stayed in Sydney. He met Johnny Coleman and family and Johnny and Mrs Coleman are planning a visit to Ireland and England in July.

Also home this week is Mr O Rourke from New York – sorry I have forgotten his Christian name – the brother of Mrs Tom Guinan and the late John Joe O Rourke from Correen.

Some recent deaths include –

Myra Macklin, sister of the late Oliver Macklin whose funeral Mass took place in Shannonbridge with burial in her native Rush in County Clare.

Anthony Hynes brother of Kieran Hynes.

Paddy Kenny Clonmacnois who lived in a house across from Pat Duffy.

Peter Murphy, Wexford father of Eileen Gill Templedew and Paddy Murphy who is a regular visitor to Shannonbridge when gardening permits.

Kieran Molloy Glebe who was a brother of Mrs Maureen Cahill from Belmont.

Mrs Theresa Kenny nee Higgins Liberty Ballydangan wife of the late Michael and mother of Theresa Kenny.

May they all rest in peace.

Saturdays rugby international against England in Croke Park was played in great spirits and of course Ireland winning 43 to 13 points was icing on the cake.

Later on Saturday night Lorraine Devery Tim Devery’s niece celebrated her 21^st Birthday in Shannonbridge with her many friends. Lorraine is a great player on the accordion and wishing her all the best on her birthday.

Cousin John was telling us that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was in Roscommon last week and stopped off for a while in Millars of Ballydangan. He was also in Roscommon Town and visited Ballinasloe to turn the sod on a new 25 Million nursing home and assisted living facility that is being built in River Street Ballinasloe opposite Murrays Shop.

John Toher had his picture taken with Bertie and he told us that Bettie’s father worked in All Hallowes College in Dublin for fifty years. Toher remembers him obliging the students by taking in chocolate for them as they were not allowed out on the town.

Two regular fishing Moore boys were fishing in Shannonbridge at the weekend. They caught a 5 Lb pike while fishing from the jetty and were going to fish the afternoon at the Hot Water outlet at the power plant. The flood waters eased back well but then stopped and may have risen slightly. Some new bird feeders picked up in Manchester last weekend are being well used and at times over fifty birds are feeding or waiting.

Enjoyed a bridge card tournament in Athlone on Saturday and Sunday which marked the setting up of the first contract bridge tournament by four ladies 75 years ago.