Dated 27^th March 2007.

For the weekend the parish churches and schools were visited by Father Des Arigho from the Holy Ghost Missions. He is a son of the late Jack Arigho who played rugby for Ireland and who was later the rugby correspondent for The Sunday Press.

The good weather has continued and the forecast is for rain on Wednesday. The flood has eased back a little but with Easter only two weeks away and with rain promised, it would be good to see it lower.

Three local deaths of note from the locality.

On Sunday morning Mick Ryan, from Doon known as The Private Ryan was found dead in his bed. A great supporter of the GAA and a friend to a pint bottle of Guinness and twenty Sweet Afton cigarettes and a large circle of friends. Removal from funeral home on Tuesday with burial on Wednesday. As a mark of respect to Mick Ryan the Shannonbridge / Doon lottery draw was postponed until Thursday night.

Mrs Cahill, Bloomhill has died and her burial took place this Monday.

Joe Hickey, Ballinahown has died. Joe was a well known Bodhran player and often teamed up with Timmy Devery, accordion player as guests with Paudge Bennett.

Joe carried his bodhran in a special case and prior to playing he took the shin drum to the kitchen and held it in front of the fire until it was in tune to his satisfaction. He was a gentle giant who played with Timmy on a live radio programme from Shannonbridge some years ago. He was dead nervous playing for the radio man and took two shots of whiskey in preparation. At one Christmas session Tim and Joe were playing in Killeens Bar. Noel Keena got a bodhran and sat down beside Joe to join in .After the set was ended Joe said to Liam “one bodhran player is enough”

May they rest in peace.

The Offaly Under 21 football team had a successful practise match against Clanna Gaels club team in the Shannonbridge GAA grounds yesterday. Good to hear that our local boys on the panel David Corbett and Kieran Flannery both got a game. They were preparing for the Leinster Final due to be played in the next couple of weeks.