Last Friday in Clonmacnois there was a presentation presented by Lakelands

And Waterways Ireland of a joint plan to make the waterways from Belleek to

the Shannon mouth more used by people. The plan was launched by Brian Cowen

In a marquee set in the field where the late Pope’s helicopter landed with music,

Food by The Fort Restaurant, and attended by a variety of people connected in one

way or the other to tourism. The local paper The Offaly Independent had reporters and

cameras in attendance and you can now see The Offaly Independent is now available

on line at www.offalyindependent.ie See page 10.

Friday night I met some people The Irish Philosophical Society who were down for a

Conference in Clonmacnois School on Saturday. This group meet twice a year and of course

I went along for the day. There were nine speakers and a discussion afterwards. They had

dinner at The Fort on Saturday night. On Sunday they had a boat-trip to Clonmacnois.

Their website is www.philosophy.nuim.ie/ and for membership contact gavan@aosanach.com

Monday and Tuesday I met a pair of interesting characters. One was O Crothuir who now works

In Bulgaria and The Philippines and the other was a Kennedy from Wexford. Kennedy told us

That he was a block layer and stonemason and that he had been asked to go to the Aran Islands by O Crothuir to plan a fireplace and wall for a Hill, like Doctor Bill in Lisdoonvarna.

Anyhow Kennedy told me that he wrote poetry and had a number of poems in a folder. A number of his poems were printed in @Where the Hazel Falls’ which was published by Electric Publications, Gorey.

One of his poems was dedicated to Liz Murray and as my mother was Liz Murray I asked the writer

if I might put it on the Shannonbridge webpage and he agreed. Incidentally my two brothers shared the same birthday as our mother on 17^th October. Here is how it goes.

Liz Murray

Crisp early morning grass

As worlds pass by

Oblivious to who or what reside

Between the walls

Of every railing which defends

Those outside from those within

But if one was just to stop and think

The protection of these walls

Are nothing more

Than safety for those inside

From the dangers they face

In every waking moment from themselves

And the multitudes that pass unknown

So pass as you may

With sneering glances

If with the help I may receive

Perhaps I’m more equipped

To take my chances. ( written on 29^th Dec 1992.)