Congratulations to Dave Brubeck in California on his 87^th birthday. John Creedon on RTE’s Late Date radio tonight told us that the composer of Take Five willed the royalties to the Red Cross when he died. Of course John played the tune and added to the Red Cross Fund.

Congratulations to Michael and Nanny Anderson who celebrated 50 years of marriage this week. They enjoyed the Senior Party organised by Liz Duffy and her team.

Those attending gathered for Mass at 6.00 and then went to the Village Hall where a three course hot meal was served with Turkey and Ham, a choice of deserts and tea or coffee with Christmas Cake. During the dinner everyone was presented with a Christmas gift, After the meal the band Guess Who played music for dancing and singing. A great night was had by all.

Tom Carty had an interesting Black & White photograph taken outside Fitzpatricks Shop with the old forge and the shed alongside clearly shown. Three men in the photograph are Johnny Flynn, Oliver Darcy and Shem Fitzpatrick. Hopefully we can put it on this site soon.

On Thursday night the annual Mass for ESB deceased staff was celebrated in Shannonbridge Church. The list of those dead was read out and a few new names have been added since last year. May they all rest in peace.

The river level on Friday morning was 3.85 metres. On Friday a couple of birdwatchers from Clonakilty visited Clonmacnois and called in to Shannonbridge. I offered to show them the small birds that are usually around our bird feeders in the back yard. When we got to the kitchen some twenty crows and jackdaws and such had landed on the roof and there was not a small bird to be seen. Lucky enough the man said that they were one of his favourite birds. His wife was amazed at the sight of the callow in bright sunshine with a sweep of floodwater surrounded by golden coloured grass.

Sorry to hear of the death in Alaska of Dennis Heatley. Dennis and his brother Michael were regular coarse fishing visitors to Shannonbridge for many years.

May he rest in peace.

Dave Petz, golf’s foremost authority on the short game and putting will be opening his new school at Killeen Castle in June 2008. See killeencastle.com pelzgolf.com

Not sure if it is Petz or Pelz. Try it out for yourself.

Best of luck to BWIL – (Black & White Interiors Ltd) who are planning to open for business soon in Main Street, Shannonbridge, They hope to rent the former space occupied by Mags the hairdresser in the days before Supermac.

Sam Ikhimioya is a Design Consultant and their slogan reads – Alternative Living Homes for the Future

Consult them about Furniture, Art & Craft, Architecture, Manufacture, Interior Design

And Timber Frame Housing. www.bwil.ie e-mail:bwil@eircom.net

Kieran Fallon and the other jockeys who have been on trial in England accused of fixing races had their case thrown out of court on Friday. Fallon is top jockey to Aidan O Brien.

He will now be allowed to ride in England as a ban had been in force.

Greetings to Martin Grenham Birmingham who looks at this page now and again according to his brother Michael and his sister in law Madge. Keep on looking.

Drugs really hit Ireland in the past week.

About two weeks ago after a party in Waterford two men went into a coma.

One of the men Kevin Doyle has died and was buried on Thursday. Another man John Grey remains in a critical condition.

Last Sunday model Katy French collapsed in a house in Meath. She died Thursday.

May they rest in peace.