Its time to clear out some reminder notes from my shirt pocket before it gets its Christmas wash.

Willie Joyce from Birr called in on 4^th December and was in great form. He is still at the furniture selling in Birr and I think Aughrim or Ahascragh.

Liam Duffy, Clondelara, celebrated his 21^st Birthday on 5^th December and belated birthday greetings to Liam.

That weekend a daughter of the late Frank Kinlough was in Shannonbridge for a weekend visit but I did not get a chance to talk to her.

By now most people will have heard of the pig scare due to dioxins in the pig feed.

On 10^th December a Lady phoned the Joe Duffy Radio Show and told that she had sent a Galtee Xmas Gift Parcel to her daughter in America. After hearing of the dioxins found in the pig-meat she phoned the Galtee contact number to voice her worries, and to enquire if their pork products in the gift parcel would be all right. A woman with an American accent that answered the phone assured her that the parcel was fine, as the rashers were Danish and their sausages were sourced in America. Galtee are one of the leaders in pork and bacon products here in Ireland. Nice one Galtee. Enjoy as they say in America.

On Friday 12^th December the Annual Senior Citizen’s Party took place in the Community Center, after the special Mass. The Ladies Group and Helpers that organised the event had ordered a traditional Christmas Dinner of turkey and ham, a choice of plum pudding or trifle, from The Fort Restaurant. Tea or coffee was served with Christmas cake prepared by Catherine Curley. There was a Christmas Present for each of those attending. There was music and dancing and singing for a few hours afterwards making for an enjoyable night.

The death occurred on 12^th December of Mrs Ina Green, America, Falty, relic of the late Patrick Green. My sister was telling us that Ina’s mother Kate Green was a sister of the late Jack Mulvey, who lived across from the old castle at Clonmacnois. One of the women had a cure for baldness and included in the ingredients was rum and olive oil. May they rest in peace.

It was good to see Eugene Carty and his son Brendan home from Boston to attend the wedding of his niece Bernadette Carty, daughter of Tom and Margaret Carty, to Conor Griffin in mid December. The wedding ceremony took place in Abbeyleix Church with the Reception in Durrow Castle in Laois.

Congratulations to the newly weds.

The death occurred on 10^th December of Sheila Smith, Roscrea, and mother of Dymphna O Carroll from the Ely House Guesthouse in Shannonbridge. May she rest in peace.

A bit of religion from Mary Craughwell of Athlone Cruisers. Mary was telling us one Saturday night recently that she often attends the Sunday Market in Clara. She has got to know a settled Lady Trader well over the years. This Lady Trader is very religious. Mary asked her if she ever handled goods that fell off a lorry. The Trader asked what she meant. Mary asked her if she ever handled stolen goods.

The Lady Trader said that she had.

Mary asked her how she was so religious and was able to sell stolen goods.

The Lady Trader replied that she went to Confession.

The Irish Times on Monday contains a regular little gem entitled “Where’s That” written by Flann O Riain. The column on 15^th December dealt with Coskeam. It is named after Coisceim Choiligh, the Irish for “A cock’s step” The name Coskeam is found in counties Clare, Cavan and Meath.

The article that day had a note added telling of the death of Flann O Riain. May he rest in peace.

Already this week the Shannonbridge Carol Singers have been busy singing their Christmas Carols and collecting funds for their chosen charity which is The Tullamore Hospice. Oliver Hilliard, Sean Kelly, Martin Donegan and Johnny Deeley were to the fore. This year Shannonbridge Pottery produced a 100 mug special that features a photograph of Saint Ciaran’s Church, Shannonbridge on each mug. These were presented to the carol singers and sale of the mugs will be added to the Hospice Fund as well as donations. Well done to all concerned.

Don’t forget to keep the used stamps for the Missions. Sister Marie from Ard Chiarain will gladly accept them and pass them on.

Good to see The Crib erected in the Church today by Stevie Kenny family on Tuesday.

Congratulations to Mark Donegan, Shannonbridge and Mary Harding, Belmont on the recent announcement of their engagement.