On Wednesday evening at Vimy Mc Quinn’s removal to the church in Tullow the family told us that she celebrated her 90^th birthday last May.

Back home in Shannonbridge the news awaited of the death of Mary Burke Shannonbridge some fourteen months after the death of her husband Martin. Mary had worked for many years in Killeens Bar and shop. Her funeral is this weekend with removal on Sunday and burial on Monday. May she rest in peace.

The river level has risen to 2.63 metres on Thursday. Lots of rain forecast for tomorrow and some very high tides along the west coast. Up to 45 feet is forecast.

Five stupid anglers in a white van visited Raghrabeg at the weekend and brazenly tried to drive down a field to the River Suck. You guessed it - the van sunk,

The Ballinasloe Credit Union has a website

www.ballinasloecreditunion.ie where you might find the 2008 calendar. Sorry the photographs are not black and white but almost so as Liam Jordan has a special touch with colour.

Easons have opened a two storey outlet on Society Street Ballinasloe which Bob found very good. He ordered a book and they had it for him in three days.

Sorry to hear of the death of Mons John Conneely from near New York and Tuam.

Funeral leaving funeral parlour in Tuam tomorrow. He was a classmate of the brothers.

Some recent local deaths include –

- Betty Tom Perry, Belmont aged 94 years, widow of the late Tom Perry has died and her funeral Mass takes place in High Street Church this morning. Burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery. May she rest in peace.

- Paul Dooley, Ballinasloe, Aged 97 years, was buried last Sunday in Creagh after Mass in Saint Michaels. Paul once owned the Dooley Pub in Ballinasloe across from Haydens Hotel. May he rest in peace.

- Mary Bridget Mc Intyre, Cloghan was born in May 1911 and worked in Lynches Shop in Cloghan. After the Lynch family Baby ran a popular accommodation base for visitors.

Her funeral takes place today after Mass in Cloghan. May she rest in peace.

- Vimy Mc Quinn, nee Luker, Tullow and Shannonbridge has died in Beaumont Hospital. Removal of her remains to Tullow this evening with funeral after Mass tomorrow in Tullow. Vimy was a sister of the late Eric Luker. May she rest in peace.

- Two brothers from Tyrrellspass, Daniel (39) and Anthony (41) Dowdall, were drowned in the River Shannon at Athlone on Friday last. The search was called off after one body was recovered on Saturday. On Sunday morning a group of sub-aquavists were training in the Shannon and found the second body. May they rest in peace.

Ballinasloe Credit Union Calendar for 2008 looks like a local winner. It features some fifteen black and white creations from the lenses of Liam Jordan. Clonmacnois has two entries and a good shot of Shannonbridge bridge taken from the west bank downstream caught my eye as well as a spider web in the early morning mist. Join the Credit Union in Ballinasloe. The calendar is worth the effort.

Congratulations to Irelands new Cardinal Sean Brady from Armagh. Already he is having a word in the Popes ear inviting him to Ireland. Cardinal Brady invited all his classmates to Rome for the ceremony and friend Benny was one of those who went to Rome.

Enjoyed a supplement on Shakespeare in the Irish Independent last week with samples of Sonnets, Great Speeches, his women, the soaps, Macbeth, The Globe Theater, and getting to grips with blank verse. Shakespeare used De Dum De Dum De Dum De Dum De Dum

Quite a bit and it worked for him. Try it yourself.

Sunshine today and we were promised rain.

No fish catches entered in the fish catch book since last report. A neighbouring town fished one of their pike competitions at Shannonbridge recently, and sorry that they did not record their catches.

Rumour that one angler caught a pike that weighed 26 lbs. All fish were returned alive.

Yesterday two French pike anglers told that they had caught 92 lbs of pike in one day recently and one big bream. Again they did not record their catches.

The river level remains at about 2.5 metres and the weir at Athlone has four gates open.

Likewise at Meelick. So there is a good steady flow of water.

John Carty from Banagher who worked on Bord na Mona has died aged 85 years and was buried on Saturday November 18^th. May he rest in peace.

The electrical supply to the floating jetty at Shannonbridge still remains unconnected.

This winter Waterways Ireland at Scariff have decided not to leave the two customary rubbish bins at the quayside at Shannonbridge. A phone call to 061-922033 promised that the engineer in charge Niall Moore would return my call. Still waiting a reply for over a week.

Noticed buttercups in bloom in Darcys Callow on 6^th November.

Young birds are busy feeding on the peanuts but there is still no sign of a goldfinch.

Someone told us that while there is natural food available they will not bother with bird feeders. We have a crow with a sore leg that has been using the back shed roof where the bird feeders are located. Funny enough the smaller birds seem to have accepted this crow.

Normally they scatter when crows swoop down.

Most popular pub names in England are 1. The Crown. 2. The Red Lion. 3. Royal Oak.

4. Swan. 5. White Hart.

Suggestion for a sign –

If We See You Smoking At The Bar

We Will Assume You Are On Fire

And Will Take The Appropriate Action.

The Revenue Commissioners tell us that there are almost 450 fewer pub licences in Ireland issued or removed last year compared to 2005.

Dick Warner who produced some brilliant series of film on the Shannon and Grand Canal and other waters stopped off in Shannonbridge last Monday.

On 20^th November Philip Treacy from Ahascragh, the hat designer, was awarded with an O.B.E. for his work by Queen Elizabeth of England.

Visiting Ireland for four days recently were Lada Dobrkouska and Pavel Novotny from Czeckislovakia. They stopped off at Clonmacnois and Shannonbridge and they were planning to visit Galway and The Cliffs of Moher. They spoke excellent English.

Pavel was the man and Lada was the lady.

Met three Americans visiting Ireland last week. Chris Saxton from Idaho and his wife Christine Doering from Frankfurt and their friend Terence Russ from Wayne New Jersey

The three were all interested in foreign coins and they were over two hours looking at a large bag of coins. They have great interest in castles, coins and Newgrange.

Some years ago somebody asked a parent how his son was getting on.

The reply went something like this –

“ He is getting on great now. He is paying for three cars, and he is walking”.

A solution recommended for descaling kettles is an equal amount of vinegar and water boiled together and used it soak the scale in the kettle for one hour after the two have been brought to the boil and introduced to the kettle.

Gemma Henry Clonellan, Ballydangan died on November 19^th. Gemma had spent 14 years in Portiuncula Hospital after passing out at Crazy Prices in Ballinasloe.

May she rest in peace.

Some 13 members of Shannonbridge Active Retirement group had an enjoyable three nights stay at Galway Bay Hotel recently.

The week before eight members qualified for Certificates after completing a computer course in Crank House in Banagher.

The newly built Athlone Town Shopping Center was opened some ten days ago. It is built on the site of the old Royal Hotel and grounds and extends into the ESB yard further back.

Ireland still awaits a new manager for the Irish Soccer Team.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 18th Nov 2007 -
33rd Sun C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am


Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €571. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Megan, Michaela
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Richard Hynes

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Clonfanlough
Mass for the deceased on Mon @ 7pm.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €256. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Higgins, D.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: Confirmandi.
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on Tues will be offered for the Holy Souls at the request of the Active Retirement Association

Station Mass
On Fri next at the home of A. & S. Ryan, Woodbank. @ 8pm.

Christmas Parties
In Clonfanlough Hall on Sun 25th Nov starting with Mass @ 1.30pm.
For Shannonbridge on Fri 7th Dec; as this day is the eve of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation, we will start with Mass in the Church @ 6pm, which is for everyone.

Support Fair Trade
Often poor people in developing countries do not get a fair price for their products. Our Diocese, along with groups like Trócaire, Concern, Oxfam, ICTU are promoting Fair-trade Products.
On the weekend of 1/2 Dec we hope to have a lady speak on 'Fair Trade' at all the Masses, and after Mass you will be offered a cup of tea or coffee in the adjoining Hall, where you can also see a selection of Fair Trade products.

Questions People Ask
Q. What kind of place is purgatory?
A. Don’t think of purgatory as a place but as a process. Don’t think of purgatory as a punishment but as a journey towards perfect contemplation of God’s glory.
‘All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter heaven.’ (Catechism # 1030).
It stands to reason that a lukewarm person is not as fully prepared for the light of God as the genuinely holy person. Thank God for this opportunity of purification that we call ‘purgatory’.
Fr O’Flynn - Intercom

'A Prayer & Healing Service will be conducted in St Ronan's Church, Taughmaconnell on Mon eve 26th Nov @ 6pm.
Eddie Stones, Clonfert, & Ivanka Ivankovic, one of the Visionaries from Medjugorje, will lead the Service.' (Fr S. Neylon)

Yesterday three men from Hungary stopped by after visiting Clonmacnois.

Tama’s Kiss, Tama’s Peter and Be’la Szabo are from Gyor.

They told us that a Bishop Walter Lynch of Clonfert Diocese left

Ireland in 1653 and went to the Continent of Europe.

There he met a Bishop Janos Pusky and went to Hungary with him.

Bishop Lynch took a painting of Our Lady and Child with him.

Bishop Lynch died in 1663. On 17^th March 1697 the picture that

Bishop Lynch had taken from Ireland shed tears of blood.

The picture is on display in Gyor Cathedral and many people have

gone on pilgrimage to Gyor to visit the Holy Picture.

Bishop Lynch was connected to the family that owned

Lynch Castle in Galway City which has been turned into a bank.

The three men were on their way to meet Bishop Kirby of Clonfert.

Tama’s Kiss is hoping that more people will make the pilgrimage

to Gyor from Ireland. With air flights and a seven day stay in Gyor

there would be a coach and guide provided each day travelling to

Venice and a number of other places of interest.

Tama’s was giving an estimated price of 500 Euros to cover the

Flights, hotel, buses and guide based on 40 people travelling.

Gyor is a city comparable in size to Galway.

A travel agency in Dublin G.L.A. in Abbey Street have organised

Tours to Gyor and Tomas was hoping that Bishop Kirby will have

Some more local travel agency possibly in Ballinasloe interested.

Tama’s Kiss will have more information available and his contact

e-mail is kiss.tam@citromail.hu

One of the men was a photographer and they have promised to forward

some photographs to this site.

Some churches are connected to the Gyor Shrine such as Fahy Church in Galway, Donnycarney Church Dublin and other churches in the USA and other countries.

Afterwards the priest cousin told us that he had spent a week in that

area visiting Gyor and Vienna etc last year and he said he would like to revisit

as he found it very enjoyable and interesting.

Will keep you posted if more information comes along.

Drama in Galway says RADDAR our theatre reviewers.

This is what they reported back. –

Congratulations to our own Rory Quinn, Shannonbridge

who is treading the boards all this week in

The Town Hall Theatre, Galway.

Rory plays the lead role in Michael Foley’s play

‘A Great Little Woman’ which follows a day in the life

of Jem Carroll, an unemployed Dublin painter.

With a cast of eight, the play centres around the Pub,

The Social Welfare Office, the Turf Accountants and home.

There are also dealings with a sinister Loan Shark.

It’s a real roller coaster day and very funny throughout,

especially the pub scene.

The play runs until Saturday and is well worth a visit.

RADDAR.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report Dated 13^th Nov 2007

Weather remains great and the river level has been around the 2.38 metres for ages.

The Hot Water is flowing and anglers are scarce.

- Paul Doherty from Ballinasloe fished at Poolboy on 31^st October spinning a Toby lure and

caught a 6 lb pike which he returned alive.

- Shane Naughton from Ballinasloe fished at the Hot Water stretch on 7^th November

and used worm to catch 10 fish for a bag weight of 30 lbs. He enjoyed the day.

- James and Vin Kinsella from Dublin fished the Hot Water on two occasions.

On 8^th Nov they had 30 roach, rudd, bream and hybrid and were attacked by a pike.

All returned alive for a good days fishing.

On 10^th Nov they only caught 6 fish for a bad day. Pike attacked. Conditions were

overcast and windy on both days.

- John Gleeson from Tipperary was pike fishing on Sunday 11^th Nov and caught two

pike in double figures. Weather was fine with sunshine.

The death occurred of Mrs Deirdre Troy, Lusmagh during last week , when her car went off the road near Mullingar. She was a daughter of Adain Quigley from Cloghan and her funeral took place yesterday. May she rest in peace. Adain worked on the first steel erection for Shannonbridge Power Station back in the early 1960’s.

Congratulations and best wishes to Noel Kelly Clonfad, Oldtown and to Maureen Murray, from Gurteen, Sligo and Detroit USA who got married on 13^th October in Detroit. Willie and Maureen tell us that at present they are on honeymoon touring Australia until Christmas. Santa Claus is taking the newly weds to Ireland on Christmas Eve.

“The Country in The City” – a history of the Offaly Association in Dublin 1957 – 2007 has just been published. Written by Paul Rouse the book has very many B+W photographs of various functions such as football, hurling and social happenings.

One of the photographs from back in the early years has Andy Ford in the group.

Andy was married to Margaret Devery from Leharrow and they later emigrated to America. Cost of the book is 15 Euros.

Des Leary gave me a two liner for names of local townlands between Blackwater and Garrymore.

* Blackwater, Clonever,

Lecarrow, Leharrow. *

Liked the story told by Arnold O’Byrne to Gay Byrne and used in his column in the Sunday Independent yesterday

Fellow in Belfast walking down a dark and deserted street. Suddenly, a slight sound behind him and the barrel of a gun in his back.

And a voice said: ”Don’t turn round,

And don’t make a sound. Just answer this question: are you a Protestant or a Catholic?”

This was a bright and fast thinking chap, and he said: “Actually, I’m Jewish.”

And the voice said: “I must be the luckiest Arab in Belfast.”

Wonder will the Shannonbridge Jazz followers attend The World’s Biggest Big Band

Swing and Jazz Concert in The Concert Hall in Dublin on 29^th and 30^th March 2008.

That’s Saturday and Sunday and tickets cost from 40 to 45 to 55 to 65 Euros each.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 11th Nov 2007 - 32nd Sun C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €482. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Ciara, Dylan
Mass on Fri for the lateThomas Turley & Maureen Tobin.
Mass on next Sun for the late Jimmy Coleman & family


Clonfanlough
Mass for the deceased on Mon eve @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €273. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: C.Spain, C.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: C.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Mass on next Sun for the late Edward & Brigid Mannion & family

Election of new B.O.M for Clonmacnois School
Re: Election of Parent's / Guardian's representatives.
This week a letter will be sent to all Parents / Guardians of children attending the School to seek permission to circulate their names for nomination to the B.O.M., in keeping with the requirements of the Data Protection Act. You are free to answer 'Yes' or 'No'.
The reply should be returned to the School before next Thursday.

Support Fair Trade

Fair Trade Changes Lives



Often poor people in developing countries do not get a fair price for their products. Our Diocese, along with groups like Trócaire, Concern, Oxfam, ICTU are promoting Fair-trade Products. These have the special Logo, which you see above, and guarantee that the producers in developing countries get a fair price for their products, e.g. tea, coffee, bananas, etc.
On the weekend of 1/2 Dec we hope to have a lady speak on 'Fair Trade' at all the Masses, and after Mass you will be offered a cup of tea or coffee in the adjoining Hall, where you can also see a selection of Fair Trade products.

Christmas Parties
In Clonfanlough Hall on Sun 25th Nov starting with Mass @ 1.30pm.
For Shannonbridge on Fri 7th Dec; as this day is the eve of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation, we will start with Mass in the Church @ 6pm, which is for everyone.

The Table Quiz on next Wed in Killeens will be in aid of the Shannonbridge Christmas Party. Please support.

Youth 2000 will have a Vigil Service from 11pm to 4am on 16th/17th Nov in the Prayer Centre, Clonmacnois, starting with Mass. All welcome to pray for the renewal of faith & evangelisation of Ireland. For more information contact Helen on 086-1678027.

Shannonbridge footballers defeated Tullamore last week to qualify for the final of the Mick Casey Cup. The game was played today against Rhode in Geashill and Rhode won by 3 – 10 to 0 – 10 Pts.

Ah well Mick Casey was The Iron Man from Rhode and it is probably right that they won the game.

As well as that they scored nine more points than Shannonbridge.

For the last few weeks some ten members of Shannonbridge Active Retirement have attended a computer course at Crank House in Banagher and last Thursday they completed the course and were presented with their diplomas. Watch your posts as Bridie Carry is looking for a laptop or computer to get her fingers going.

Today a group of Shannonbridge Active Retirements set off for a three day break at The Galway Bay Hotel.

Tomorrow night in Galway sees the opening performance of the play ‘ Great Little Women ‘ which stars our own Rory Quinn on stage. Hopefully our Active Retirement Group and others will find time to go along to Galway’s Town Hall Theatre any night from Monday to Saturday next week. Check with the theatre for tickets before you go and support Rory as the theatre has a limited number of seats.

Colm Craven from Dromalga, Moore and Leixlip Dublin called today. Colm told me that the Craven Family were down for his father’s anniversary Mass. Martin Joe Craven was a teacher in Moore. Colm’s mother Ag Craven died two years ago. Their home in Dromalga is now on the market.

I was surprised that Colm did not know Paul Burke the coarse fishing man as both of them live in Leixlip. Colm drives a taxi and he told me that some 20,000 people now live around Leixlip.

Dana the singer, and who later represented Ireland in the EEC parliament, has been featured on television radio and newspapers recently as she has written her Autobiography called ‘All Kinds of Everything ‘.

The Bold Ian Paisley gave it a boost at Stormont Castle and Pat Kenny had her singing on The Late Late Show. It brought back memories of the young teenager singing a winning song for Ireland in the Eurovision.

The song was on everybody’s lips for years afterwards and it was called ‘All Kinds of Everything’.

Dana starred in the film ‘The Flight of The Doves’ which also starred Ron Moody and Jack Wild. Ron and Jack had just completed the musical ‘Oliver’. The Flight of The Doves was the story of three tinker kids running away from a wicked stepmother in Dublin determined to find their kindly Grandmother in the West of Ireland. There was a search for the missing children and to get to the West they had to cross the River Shannon. For over a week the cameras were busy at Clonony Castle, Banagher, Shannonharbour and Shannonbridge. One of the policemen was the late Brendan O Reilly and I remember that they took over Killeens Bar to shoot some shots. One of those was Garda Brendan O Reilly talking into a phone reporting that he was calling from Killeens pub and that the children had been spotted. The sister Doc counted the number of takes that they did on this little detail. Poor Brendan had to repeat it some 53 times. The weather was fine and sunny and they were taking their time. If you see the film the market scene starts with the late Tom Coleman releasing a handful of young hens in front of the camera.

Dana was the oldest of the three kids in the film. The film was based on a Walter Macken book.

Some time afterwards Dana came along to do a Guest Spot at Shannonbridge Carnival.

Clean out and descale your old kettle by heating 75% brown vinegar and 50% clean water. Bring the mixture to the boil before introducing it to the kettle.

Dinnity Dan the funny wee man

Who keeps all his wealth in his pocket

Four buttons, a box, and the keys of two locks

And the chain of his Grandmother Margaret’s locket.

A big piece of string

Is a most useful thing

A watch without hands

And a few rubber bands

And a little toy boat

That his grandfather made.

* Thanks to Teesh Coughlan for the above. She has promised many more of the same.

There was an Anniversary Mass in High Street at 8.00 pm last weekend for the late Lena Shea.

Afterwards the family visited the grave in Clonmacnois. Standing around the graveside they recited five decades of the rosary. This is a tradition in their family.

A site that may be of interest is www.waterwaysireland.org

Belated thanks to Eddy De Stichere from Belgium who was on the Shannon on a cruiser early in October.

Eddy told me about a Flemish TV program on the Shannon where people hire a cruiser in Carrick on Shannon and travel downstream to Banagher leaving their cruiser at the base in Banagher. It is noticeable that they have also hired some pedal bikes to see areas away from the river. These included an ancient burial mound in Sligo, dog racing at Mullingar, eating out at a castle and the local Bog Rail Tour.

In Shannonbridge they show the host of starlings gathered on the electricity wires near a pole. Then there is a shot of yours truly sitting in Killeen’s Shop busily reading a copy of The Yellow Pages and later talking with Colin to the girl with the bike. So natural looking. Still don’t know why we had to go over it 60 times.

Anyhow Eddy at first we were not able to see it but a friend told us about the button. It’s easy. Thanks again.

GAA News from Jason Mahon

Offaly Senior football league, Division 1 Semi-final replay:
Shannonbridge 3-09 Tullamore 1-08

On Saturday afternoon last, Shannonbridge impressively downed senior football champions Tullamore in a very eagerly contested replay at the grounds of Erin rovers in Pullough in front of a sizeable crowd given the time of year.
Shannonbridge were unable to field a number of senior players due to injury, most notable absentees were Karol Kelly, Dermot Turley, Shane Flannery, Niall Price & Paul Deeley whereas Tullamore were almost at full strength albeit they were minus the services of goalkeeper Ken Furlong.

Indeed it was Tullamore who started brightest and led 1-02 to no score after 12 minutes of play, their goal coming from a penalty which was converted by the impressive Paul McConway who was plying his trade at centre forward for the day.

Shannonbridge hit back with points from Fergal McEvoy & Jason Kelly, with a Gearoid O’Grady point sandwiched in between & from then on it was all one way traffic, a well-taken goal by Jason Kelly just before half time bringing the sides level 1-05 apiece at the interval.

The bridge started the Second half just as they ended the first, in complete control and a goal and a point in quick succession from McEvoy & Roger Ryan respectively put the 4 point up and never looked back. A very clever follow-in goal after a clanger from the Tullamore keeper from substitute Cheesy Kelly put the bridge 7 points up and the game was over as a contest from then on.

It was as good a performance seen from a Shannonbridge side in years as they both attacked and defended impressively was a unit. There were also several excellent individual displays, Declan Kelly in Goal, Mel Darcy & Rory O’Connor in defence were very solid, Jason Kelly put in a very hard hours work throughout the park and Roger Ryan(0-02) & Fergal McEvoy excelled in the final third, The latter accumulating an impressive tally of 1-04.
Team: D. Kelly, W. Keena, P. Maloney, M. Darcy, K. Flannery, E. Kelly, R. O’Connor, J. Kelly, P. Egan, J. Egan, R. Ryan, D. Finn, D. Corbett, F. McEvoy & A. Kelly.
Subs: P. Kelly for D. Finn, J. Ryan for P. Egan, E. Egan

They will now meet county kingpins for the last few years Rhode in the final. There was excellent support from Shannonbridge at the game and we hope to see more of the same at the final. It would be very nice to reward them with a piece of long awaited silverware for all their efforts.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 4th Nov 2007 - 31st Sun C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €451 Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, N.Duffy, E. Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Ailbhe, Aoife
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Tommie & Geraldine McManus
Mass on next Sun for the late Thomas Rocke


Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €325. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Claffey, B.Coughlan
Readers for next Sunday: C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group D
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan

Meeting of Social Group in Clonfanlough Hall on Tues next @ 8pm

The priests of this Diocese will be in Knock this week for some important meetings & soul-searching.
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Kairos Communications
'The pilgrimage & Pattern day at Clonmacnois will appear on An Evening Prayer RTE 1 after the late News & Weather on the following date:
Tues 6th Nov, All the Saints of Ireland.'
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Ard Chiaráin
Mass for the Faithful Departed on Thurs 8th Nov @ 8pm.
All are welcome to attend.

Christmas Parties
In Clonfanlough Hall on Sun 25th Nov starting with Mass @ 1.30pm.
For Shannonbridge on Fri 7th Dec; as this day is the eve of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation, we will start with Mass in the Church @ 6pm, which is for everyone.
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Prayer Centre Clonmacnois
Mass on Wed & on the following weeks @7.30pm. All welcome.

Offaly Co Childcare Committee
Will hold the following events over the coming months: An Early Years Workshop, Equality & Diversity Seminar, Child Protection Training, Arts & Crafts Workshop, Fire Safety Training.
For more info contact Tracey on 057-9135878.

Co Offaly Childminding Initiative
Fire Safety Information night for Childminders on 28th Nov in Tullamore, 7-10pm. Cost: €10. Call Fiona on 057-9328109.

Table Quizzes resume in Killeens on next Wed @ 9.30pm and will continue each week for some worthy cause.

M.E. Support Group Meeting on Wed 7th Nov in Gullanes Hotel @ 7pm. Guest speaker is Clover Kreger - speaking on nutrition
Monster Auction in Moate Community Centre this Sun @ 2pm.
Monster Auction in Emerald Ballroom Ballinasloe next Sun @ 1pm.

Bob Browne from Manchester, who is seeking information on The Coughlan Family from Clonascra, telephoned tonight to say that an O Neill man had contacted him with information on the Coughlans. Bob also wanted to know what Clonascra meant in English. So I rang Danny Edwards who said it was “The Meadow f The Scraw2.

Scraw being rough ground. Danny also said that a Stephen Mc Neill, Tullamore has an amount of information on the headstones in Clonmacnois. He is connected to the Heritage Information Center in Tullamore, which has its base in the Tullamore Dew buildings.

I notice that arguscarhire.com advertise on a regular basis on the Irish Times.

The company is still in the control of the Turley Family. Joe Turley was born in Raghrabeg near Shannonbridge. Their phone number is 01-4534699.

The new Athlone Town Shopping Center opened yesterday. I understand that the Royal Hotel was knocked down and that site and the hotel carpark form most of the area for the center.

The Athlone Advertiser is a free weekly paper. This week there is an advert for –

Sale 2.2 acres in Clonmacnois. Secluded area and excellent land. No planning.

Offers over 50K Euros. Tel 087 – 681820.

The advertiser has a story about the new Mobile Library now serving many areas in Roscommon and the library even works on Saturdays. Good for them.

A table of weekly and forthnightly stoppings is printed. Glad to see that they have included Clonfad and Moore. Hope the Moore people using Shannonbridge Library on Thursday Evenings from 7 to 9 will continue to do so. More members are welcome

The mobile Library has even got access to the Internet.

Birdwatch Ireland have started a four year survey on bird population on Nov 1^st.

Some 14,000 members are taking part counting a wide variety of birds. Look at their webpage for more information.Youmight even help in the survey.

Kinnity Castle is for sale with an asking price of 9.8 Million Euros. Some papers had articles on the spookiest castles in Ireland this week. Offaly had two castles featured – Kinnity and Leap Castle.

Spirit Radio Ltd have got planning permission to erect a 125 metre high radio station mast at Doon Demesne. It seems the talk / music station will be built in Doon and employ

26 staff ( 16 full time, 10 part-time.

Good to see the cousin Frances and her daughter Emir and husband Andrew Plews on a short visit last week from Manchester. It was a surprise birthday gift for Frances who has moved her base from the Isle of Mann to Manchester. She got a surprise when they called to visit on Friday 26^th Oct as Pat, Mary and Mick were gone to Dublin in a group of 18 to attend a tribute concert to Artie Shaw. Very enjoyable evening was had by the concert goers. The Manchester trio had to make do with walking Moby to the bridge. Glad that they made a return visit before going home.

Two funerals in Moore this week.

Jimmy Hardiman, brother of Pat and John, who worked for many years in England and returned home a few years ago and bought a house on the Circular.

Michael Joe Grenham whose brother Frank died in the last few months has died.

Sorry I have not got more details.

Welcome to Garda Fergal O Toole who I believe has been appointed to Shannonbridge.

At present he lives in Athlone.

The Dublin City Marathon last weekend had 15 brothers and sisters from Birr taking part.

Well done to the O Donoghue Family for completing the 26 miles.

Today Mick and Noel Kirby from Castletown-Geoghan and wives and daughters visited Shannonbridge. Mick Kirby was the contractor employed to built St Ciarans Park and the four houses across from the Church back in the early 1960’s. Noel brought along his saxophone and his brother sang a selection of songs. One of the many memories shared was about one of the workers on the site called Jerker Murray. Jerker used to call into a house in the village on a cold morning where he got a cup of tea. The son of the house came in one morning and noticed some eggs in Jerker’s coat pocket. He asked Jerker to show him how they hurdled in Westmeath and he got two hurleys and a hurling ball. With perfect timing he jostled into Jerker and the eggs were smashed.

Mick Kirby told us that he once played minor hurling with Brian Cahill over in Castletown.

The ten adult computer students continue to attend afternoon lessons in Banagher on Thursday afternoons.

Best wishes to Darcy Domestic & Industrial Maintenance, Clonmacnois, Co. Offaly

Phone Padraig on (087) 2370502 for oil and gas servicing and efficiency testing.

Little White Guest

You have come to my heart dearest Jesus,

I am holding You close to my breast ;

I’m telling You over and over

You are welcome, O Little White Guest.

I love You, I love You, my Jesus

O please do not think I am bold ;

Of course, You must know that I love You,

But I’m sure that You like to be told.

And now that You’ve come, dearest Jesus,

To nestle so close to my breast,

I whisper, “ I love You, my Jesus”

You are welcome, O little White Guest.

I’ll Whisper, “I love You, my Jesus,”

And ask that we never may part;

I love You, O kind, loving Jesus

And press You still nearer my heart.

And when I shall meet You in Heaven,

My soul will lean on Your breast;

And You will recall our fond meetings,

When You were my Little White Guest.

Yesterday Brian and Josephine Kenny from Clondelara gave me the After Holy Communion above which they first heard used by the late Brigie Butler Shannonbridge.