Tuesday and the level of the Shannon has risen to 4.72 metres. Brian tells us that there is water around the old crane at the quayside. Looking for bird nesting boxes in the garden yesterday I noticed a little flood water on the left hand side and a wetting on the right side. Boxes were in bad shape and Ned has taken one of the better ones and will use it as a model to make a handful. Pat arrived home last night with a baby crocus ready to bloom. Within an hour of the warmer air it broke forth into a golden beauty.

The Irish Times today has a free poster of Irish Scientists. Of course the Parson Telescope man from Birr is featured along with Beaufort of the wind speed table and about ten others. Buy the paper and get your own poster.

In the Irish Independent today there is an account of the tragic death of young James Higgins who started school in Shannonbridge but transferred to High Street school this September when Shannonbridge lost its school. Tributes from teachers, pupils and Father Murray, Ferbane. One teacher recalled that when school finished on Friday James said “ See you on Monday Miss”. Say a prayer for the Higgins Family at this time.

Today on JK’s Ensemble on Lyric FM radio with John Kelly our host John remarked

“I went off the air for about 10 seconds, but I can assure you, you missed nothing”

News of the death of Rene O Driscoll who worked in Portiuncula hospital and lived in Correen Castle before moving to a house near Moate. Death notice will be in the papers tomorrow. May she rest in peace?