Saturday, September 27, 2008

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 21st Sept 2008 - 26thSun A
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Mon-Thurs, Eucharistic Prayer Service @10am. First Fri: Mass @ 10am. Adoration until 6pm.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €445. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Athene, CaitrĂ­ona
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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €260. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Walsh, R.Gunning
Readers for next Sunday: A.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy

Meeting of Parish P.C. on Mon @ 8pm in Clonfanlough

The sick & housebound will be attended as usual on Friday
There will be a special Mass for those affected by suicide, in any way, and for all those who have died as a result, on Fri 10th Oct @ 8pm in Shannonbridge Church, which will include a talk given by a member of the HSE. This will be followed by a cup of tea in the Hall, and an opportunity to meet counsellors in this area, to discuss and ask questions etc. All those with any interest or concern in the problem of suicide are invited to attend. Members of the local GAA Club will be present to help in any way.
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Co Offaly Childminding initiative
Childminder Network night in Tullamore on 7th Oct. Info on tax exemption will be available at Edenderry on 14th Oct @ 7.30pm. For booking a place please call Fiona on 057-9370630.
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Success Depends Upon . . . . . . . . . . . (Ruth Scott) "Success depends above all, upon people. Build relationships, teams, partnerships—and motivate people to contribute. Cultivate leadership, creativity, and excellence. Listen, seek new ideas and advice."
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Wise Thoughts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Johann von Goethe "All truly wise thoughts have been thought already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, till they take root in our personal experience."
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Live for Something . . . . . . . . . . . (Thomas Chalmers) "Live for something. Do good, and leave behind you a monument of virtue that the storms of time can never destroy. Write your name in kindness, love, and mercy on the hearts of thousands you come in contact with year by year, and you will never be forgotten. Your name and your good deeds will shine as the stars of heaven."
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"Life is a quarry, out of which we are to mould and chisel and complete a character." (Goethe)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 21st Sept 2008 - 25th Sun A
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: €327 Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Megan, Michaela
Mass on next Sat eve for Pat Joe Kenny & family deceased
Mass on next Sun for the late Oliver Macklin
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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €232 Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Guinan, A.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: A.& L.Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on next Sun for the late Ciaran & Margaret Egan


Many thanks to all who helped in any way to prepare for and celebrate Pattern Day in Clonmacnois last Sunday; and to all those who provided refreshments. Iit is much appreciated.
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Important Public Meeting
There will be an important public meeting held in Clonfanlough Hall on Monday Night @ 9am.The purpose of the meeting is to highlight and discuss the implications of World Heritage Status for Clonmacnois, as it may greatly affect the people of the area both now and in the future.
West Offaly Education Project
Will hold an information / enrolment evening (on proposed Night Classes for Shannonbridge), on Tues 23rd Sept from 7.30 - 9.30pm, in the National School.
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Way to Happiness . . . . . . . . .( Dr. Norman Vincent Peale) A successful businessman carries a unique business card on the reverse side of which is stated the philosophy which has brought happiness to him…and to hundreds of others…
The card reads: The way to happiness—to keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give
much. Fill your life with love. Scatter sunshine. Forget self, think of others. Do as you would be done by. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.
As you read these words you may say, "There is nothing new in that." Indeed, there is something new if you’ve never tried it.
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Wedding Celebration
Congratulations & best wishes to Kerrill Thornhill & Angela Cuthill, who were married last weekend in Shannonbridge Church.
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Co Offaly Childminding initiative
Childminder Network night in Tullamore on 7th Oct. Info on tax exemption will be available at Edenderry on 14th Oct @ 7.30pm. For booking a place please call Fiona on 057-9370630.
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Youth 2000 Retreat in Tullamore. Fri 26th to Sun 28th Sept for those aged 16-36. Call 086-3634545 or 087-6982547. Visit www.youth2000.ie

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Public Meeting, Clonmacnoise World Heritage Site Bid.
Last night's well organised meeting in Clonfanlough Hall drew a huge crowd of about 250. Thanks to the ad hoc committee Edel Anderson, Niall Darcy, Anthony Kelly, Noel Higgins, Dermot Nally, Patricia Anderson and Sean O'Asceogh. The meeting, which was chaired by Noel Higgins, was addressed by local reps Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy, Eamonn Dooley and Sinead Moylan-Ryan and by Rev Graham Doyle, Rector of Athlone. An apology was recieved from Connie Hanniffy who was out of the country.

A general discussion followed; the main theme was that while nobody was opposed to the proposals for a WHS status for Clonmacnoise it should not come at any price. The previous week's presentation did not constitute consultation, did not address the concerns of the community and that the time frame could not be acceptable. The site is not under any threat and is well cared for by the OPW. It was agreed that the County Manager be approached with a view to delaying the process to allow meaningful input by the local community. A petition to this effect was drawn up and signed by more that 250 people.

The question of representation was discussed. The proposed Buffer Zone covers a wide area on both sides of the Shannon. Also several interest groups are involved including farming, tourism, local residents, grave yard committee etc. The ad hoc committee, plus the public representatives, were mandated to continue in the interim until a broad based committee could be proposed, probably consisting of reps from sub-groups comprised of area or interest groups.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Important Public Meeting.

A public meeting will be held in Clonfanlough Hall next Monday night 22rd. Sept at 9.00pm. The purpose is to discuss the implications for the local community of Clonmacnoise getting World Heritage Site Status. Issues include planning applications, grave yard restrictions, farming practices, entry to site for local people etc.
Everyone needs to attend and have their opinions heard.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Bid for Clonmacnoise.

A meeting was held in Clonfanlough Hall last Monday 15th Sept as an information and consultation exercise in relation to the above proposals.
Presentations were given by consultants ERA Maptec (who are handling the bid) Dept of Environment, Heritage and Local Gov., OPW and Offaly Co. Council.
Some of the main points include:
A Core Zone stretching from Shannonbridge to North of Long Island, North of Clonmacnoise. The area to include the callows, eskers, Mongan's Bog and Finn Lough.
A larger outer buffer zone would also apply, to protect the vista from Clonmacnoise.
No new restrictive legislation would be put in place. Existing regulations would continue to apply.
A study to establish where a new Visitor Centre should be sited, preferably at some distance from the site, to manage visitor numbers and traffic.
A Question and Answer session followed the presentations.
Some of the concerns raised were:
Lack of adequate notice for the meeting and the extremely tight time scale - Draft submission to UNESCO by end of this month.
Absence of Local Political Reps from the meeting, - apparently they had only received knowledge of the meeting earlier that day.
Absence of a structure that would allow the local community to be formally involved in the decision making process.
Impact on acquisition of a new grave yard.
Impact on planning, farming, roads and access to the site etc.

Adult Education Courses in Shannonbridge.

Dont forget the Open Information Evening in Shannonbridge School next Tuesday 23rd Sept from 7.30 pm to 9.30pm.

Tidy Towns Adjudication Report.

The marks for Shannonbridge for 2008 under each heading

Overall Development Approach Max 50 Awarded 35.

The Built Environment " 50 " 38

Landscaping " 50 " 36

Wildlife /Nat. Amenities " 50 " 24

Litter Control " 50 " 31

Waste Minimisation " 20 " 7

Tidiness " 30 " 18

Resedential Areas " 40 " 29

Roads, streets, back areas " 50 " 33

General Impression " 10 " 7

Total 400 258.

Under general impression the adjudicator said "It is good to see it still retains it's unique charm and that any development has been suitably restrained and respects the town's unique character and charm".
Copies of the report are available in the shops in the village.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Wedding.
Congratulations to the man without whose expertise this site would not function, Kerrill Thornhill and his new bride Angela (Ange) Cuthill, all the way from Tasmania, who were married in Clonmacnoise last Friday. A novel experience for the wedding party was the boat trip to Shannonbridge for a reception in the Old Fort Restaurant. And the weather was fine for the occasion - Child of Prague to the rescue again.

Pattern Sunday.
Last Sunday was Pattern Sunday and there was a big turnout despite the awful conditions - it lashed rain all day. There was a noticible rise in the level of the Shannon yesterday.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Late Mrs. Violet Coleman, Sydney, Australia.
News from Australia last week of the passing of Mrs. Violet Coleman in Sydney. She was the wife of Shannonbridge native Johnny Coleman and sister in law of Kathleen Quinn. She and Johnny last visited Shannonbridge in early 2007. Her funeral took place in Sydney and mass was offered in Shannonbridge to coincide with that. May she rest in peace.

Late Gordon McEvoy, Clonlyon.
Sad news last weekend of the unexpected death of Gordon McEvoy. Gordon was the eldest son of Declan and Ann, Clonlyon. After requiem mass in Clonfanlough, he was laid to rest in Clonmacnoise on Monday last. May he rest in peace.

Tidy Towns 2008.
A big well done to our Tidy Towns Committee on the 2008 results. Shannobridge marks were up by 17 on 2007 to 258 points. The village came 3rd (out of 11) in its category and 6th (out of 21) in the whole county. The overall county winner was Clonbullogue with 287 points, so further advancement up the ladder is the objective for next year.

Shannonbridge Action Group.
The first information bulletin from the recently formed Shannonbridge Action Group - Rachra, A Community Taking Responsibility - is now available from the shops etc. The broad based committee have an exciting porgramme of projects in train for the development of tourism / community amenities etc to enable Shannonbridge to reach its potential into the future.
Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 14th Sept 2008 - Triumph of the Cross A
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: €481. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Moran, M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, N.Duffy, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Ciara, Dylan
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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €391. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Higgins, D.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: D. Boland
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group D Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy

Youth 2000 will have a Prayer Vigil from 11pm to 4am on 19th/20th Sept in the Prayer Centre, Clonmacnois, starting with Mass.
For more information contact Helen on 086-1678027.
Youth 2000 Retreat in Tullamore Fri 26th to Sun 28th Sept for those aged 16-36. Call 086-3634545 or 087-6982547.
A public consultation meeting in Clonfanlough Hall, @ 7pm,
Mon 15th Sept, re World Heritage Status for Clonmacnois.

"The Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government, in conjunction with Office of Public Works, is currently progressing the nomination bid of Clonmacnois to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Present at the meeting will be the consultants progressing the World Heritage bid on the behalf of the DoEHLG, ERA-Maptec, as well as representatives from the DoEHLG, OPW and Offaly County Council. These representatives will be available to answer any questions that will arise from the floor.

All are welcome to the meeting and any feedback/comments on the proposed nomination of Clonmacnois to the World Heritage List would be much appreciated."
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West Offaly Education Project
Will hold an information / enrolment evening (on proposed Night Classes for Shannonbridge), on Tues 23rd Sept from 7.30 - 9.30pm, in the National School. Courses on offer will include Computers for Beginners, Intermediate Computing, Art, Interior Design, Tai Chai etc. For more info call Jolene / Michelle on 057-9351392.
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Ireland’s biggest Coffee Morning, Thurs 17th September
In aid of the Hospice, in Killeens, 10.30am - 1pm
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Co Offaly Childminding initiative
Childminder Network night in Tullamore on 7th Oct. Info on tax exemption will be available at Edenderry on 14th Oct @ 7.30pm. For booking a place please call Fiona on 057-9370630.
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Wedding Celebration
Congratulations & best wishes to Ciaran Shrahan & Claire Meehan, who were married last weekend in Kilbannon Church (Tuam)
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Tuition given in Piano/Keyboard, all grades, in Ballinasloe town
Call 086-8452523.

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 7th Sept 2008 - 23rd Sun A
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: €440. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Ailbhe, Aoife
Mass on next Sat eve for the Halloran family deceased
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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €191. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: C.Spain, C.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Mass on next Sun for the late Lena & Michael O'Shea

Shannonbridge A.R.A.
Will resume meetings on Tues 9th Sept @ 10.30am. New members welcome.

Feast of St Ciaran, Tues 9th September
Mass in Clonmacnois @ 7pm

Clonmacnois Pilgrim Walk & Pattern day Mass
Sun 14th Sept; the Pilgrim Walk will start @ 11am from Ballinahown Hall. For more info call Fr Patsy on087-6505882. The Bishop & concelebrants will lead the celebration of Mass @ 3pm.
After Mass, light refreshments will be served in Ballinahown Hall, accompanied by musical entertainment, (led by Angela Bannon).
(We ourselves hope to provide a cup of tea for those unable to go Ballinahown).
Again, we are asking all our trusted helpers to carry out their usual duties on the day.
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A public consultation meeting in Clonfanlough Hall, @ 7pm,
Mon 15th Sept, re World Heritage Status for Clonmacnois.

"The Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government, in conjunction with Office of Public Works, is currently progressing the nomination bid of Clonmacnois to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Present at the meeting will be the consultants progressing the World Heritage bid on the behalf of the DoEHLG, ERA-Maptec, as well as representatives from the DoEHLG, OPW and Offaly County Council. These representatives will be available to answer any questions that will arise from the floor.

All are welcome to the meeting and any feedback/comments on the proposed nomination of Clonmacnois to the World Heritage List would be much appreciated."
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West Offaly Education Project
Will hold an information / enrolment evening (on proposed Night Classes for Shannonbridge), on Tues 23rd Sept from 7.30 - 9.30pm, in the National School. Courses on offer will include Computers for Beginners, Intermediate Computing, Art, Interior Design, Tai Chai etc. For more info call Jolene / Michelle on 057-9351392.

The Ganley School of Dancing resumes on 10th Sept in Dun na Si Moate @ 7pm

Car Boot Sale on Sat 13th Sept in Ballinasloe Showgrounds. Gates open @8am

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Late Joe Kelly, High Street.
The funeral took place today of Joe Kelly, High St. Belmont, after requeim mass in High Street Church. Joe was a brother of Teesh Coughlan, Shannonbridge. May he rest in peace.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Moby.
The village's favourite terrier is recovering well from a traffic mishap on the bridge last week. Mick advises that he is nearly ready to start rambling again.


Rory Quinn heads for the Big Apple.
The producers of the play "A Great Little Woman" which had a succussful run in the Town Hall Theatre, Galway last November are taking the production to New York for ten days from 20th September. The play, a really hiarious comedy, stars Shannonbridge man Rory Quinn. Wish Rory all the best on his acting debut in the New World.

Late Mrs. Catherine Curley, Rhode.
The death occurred recently of Mrs Catherine Curley (nee Camon, Cloghan), Rhode and late of Corrigeen, Shannonbridge. She was the widow of the late Brian Curley. May she rest in peace.

Her passing severs another link with the now deserted hamlet of Corrigeen on the banks of the Shannon. In the 1950s the village had a population of 40 - 45, but difficulties with flooding from the river, especially that of 1954, led to the eventual abandonment of the houses by the latter half of the 1960s. The story is detailed in the Clonmacnois Millennium book - Clonmacnois, St. Ciaran's People, starting on page 66.