Some recent deaths including
< Louis Bartholemew Ward Taughmaconnell who was born in 1916
and died on 26th December. Known as LB Ward for short he lived
with Jimmy and Nancy Ward. LB'Ward father was James Ward
who was married to a Healy lady.They had three children
Cyril who died ten years ago, LB and Rosalie who lives in England.
Mrs Ward died and James married Rose-anne Killeen who was an aunt
of mine.Jimmy was their only child.
The funeral takes place tomorrow after Mass in Creagh Church.
May he rest in peace.

< Tony Mallon Ballyleague County Roscommon died suddenly on
24th December and is regretted by wife Polly and children
Declan David Deirdre and Diarmuid.
The Mallons lived in Shannonbridge back in the 60's when Tony
worked in the new power plant.Later the Mallons transferred to
their present home where Tony worked in Lanesboro Power Plant.
The burial took place today. May he rest in peace.

The recent cold spell and frost at night tempted a number of people
to take part in a game of football on ice .They used the thick sheet
of ice on the Callows just upstream from the village.

Donald Guinan was mentioning that small birds during this type of
cold weather often die due to a lack of water.

That fire at Christmas in St.Mel's Cathedral in Longford turned out
to b e pretty bad with some millions of Euro damage
and stained glass windows and
artefacts such as St.Mel's Crozier lost forever. Bishop O Reilly
is determined to have the building restored.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 27th Dec2009 – Holy Family C
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Next Fri is New Year’s Day – A day of Prayer for Peace. Mass on the day @ 12 noon: Adoration until 3pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €675. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Athene, Aoife, Saul, Jack
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Bridgie, Jim & Pat Flannery
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Mass for New Year’s Day @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €276. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Maleney, H.Hynes
Readers for next Sunday: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group as arranged
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan

Beannachtaí na Nollag agus Síocháin san Ath Bhliain do gach duine
A special word of thanks to all who contribute to the various collections during the year, and to all who help out in any way in the Church and community. It is much appreciated.

I will attend the sick on next Sat
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER
Give us, Lord Jesus, the eyes of children
To see your birth with Christmas wonder.
Help us to share in the song of the angels,
The gladness of the shepherds,
And the worship of the Wise Men.
Close the door on hate,
And open the door of love, all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift,
And blessing with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil, by the blessing Christ brings.
Make us happy to be your children,
Forgiving and forgiven. Amen.

(Robert L. Stevenson – 1850 – 1894)

Late Mrs Brigid Ryan, Mulllaghature.
Mrs. Brigid Ryan, Mullaghature, passed away during the week in her 92nd year. She is survived by her sons Eamon and Brendan, her daughters -in-law Anne and Attracta, her sister, grandchildren and other relatives. Her funeral took place on Christmas Eve in High Street.
She was a very familiar figure here in Shannonbridge, driving down to morning Mass every day in her red Nissan Micra, until very recently and afterwards shopping in the village.
May she rest in peace.

met.ie is a useful information site for weather updates in Ireland.
Last night we went to bed with frost and for 12.00 noon Mass there
was rain falling making it difficult to walk on roads and pathways.

A group of local boat enthuaisists went for a trip on the river on
Chrismas including Mick Doherty,Kieran and Noel Rock,Mick Killeen
and Ciaran Coakley.

Some of those home for Christmas from overseas include Ken Gunning
from Jersey and his sister Joanne from England,the two Rock brothers
Karl or Berty and Alan, Kate Thornhill from Nepal,Philip Egan from
Australia,Finian and Bernie Kenny from Sydney with their two children
Jack and Niamh, and Josephine Egan from London.

Tom Kelly told us that Kerrill and Angela Thornhill who are
visiting Australia have plans to visit Tom's son Aidan in Sydney
on Christmas Day.They were missing from the tradional tea and mince
pies in Thornhills last night after midnight Mass.

At the Christmas Day Mass Father Hanlon was telling about a pretty
bad fire that broke out in Longford Cathedral around 4.30am on
Christmas morning.

There has been pretty heavy frost in recent days. Aidan Kelly and
friends went shooting near Clonmacnois yesterday and found a swan
frozen in the ice at around 8.30am.They tried to rescue it
but were not able.Checking back around 4.30pm they found out that
the swan had freed itself.

Happy Christmas to you if you have logged on today

Have a listen to singer Susan Boyle at short.ieboyle
Susan appeared on the x Factor talent show on BBC a few months ago.
She ends the year as one of the biggest selling album artists of 2009
worldwide. This is old news.

The Motorway from Dublin to Galway cost 427 Million Euros.

The Irish Roots Column on Monday's Irish Times tells us that the
1911 census information is available at census.nationalarchives.ie
where there is lots of information such as who lived on your street
and names of teachers.It is a free service.
For example I was curious about the Butler Family and the name of
Mr.Butler. Choosing Kings County and Shannonbridge the Census 1911
has John aged 58, his wife Hannah aged 68 and children Michael 14,
Jack the blacksmith 11 and Bridgie aged 9 years.

Terry Wogan finished hosting his Morning Show on BBC radio last
Friday morning after some 40 years.

Recently Eleanor Cunney has been working as producer in the production
of three episodes of Ras na Ruain for TG4.Filming of the three episodes
took five weeks to complete and they will be ready for showing in
February next.

Yesterday Ursula Flanagan of Ballinasloe and Cape Cop was here.
Ursula was home for the wedding of her nephew David Flanagan in
Tubber last week to Emir Dempsey.Ursula was travelling with her
brother Lar from Moate. Both were interested in the recently
published book by Brendan Ryan about the RIC policeing in West Offaly
as a Sergeant Mc Guire who was stationed in Shannonbridge, after the
barracks in Ferbane was burned down in c 1920, was shot dead outside
an undertaker's house in the middle of the night as he knocked on the
front door and Jimmy Claffey arose to answer the knock and lit a candle
which was seen by one of the soldiers surrounding the house and who
was looking in the back door and saw the flame from the match.
The soldier fired his gun and shot Sergeant Mc Guire through the front
door.Mc Guire died a week later and was closely related to Flanagans.

A fire in Guinness Brewery yesterday was brought under control by
several units of Dublin Fire Brigade. Two members of the Fire Brigade
had to go to hospital for treatment afterwards.

Some deaths of note.
Tommy Salmon owner of Salmons Shop in Main Street Ballinasloe has died
and was buried.
Father Aidan Murray Columban Father who worked in the Phillipines and
in recent years in Kilrickle has died.
His funeral will take place in Dalgan Park tomorrow.
Father John Higgins who for a time worked in Peru and taught for many
years in Garbally College before retiring has passed away.
Father John will be laid to rest in the Clonfert Diocese burial plot
in Loughrea.
May they all rest in peace with the Lord.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 20th Dec 2009 – 4th Adv C
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am


Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon to Thurs @ 10am; Christmas Eve @ 9pm
On Christmas Day & St Stephen’s Day @ 12 noon.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €520. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group as arranged
Altar Servers for this week: Michaela, Oisín, Andrea
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Pat Joe Kenny

¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Christmas Masses: Thurs eve @ 7pm, Friday @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €284. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: N.Egan, A.Rohan
Readers for next Sunday: as arranged
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Groups as arranged
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Mass on Christmas Day for the late Michael Kelly (Lakefield)
Sacrament of Reconciliation on Mon 21st Dec, in Clonfanlough @ 7pm, & Shannonbridge @ 8pm, preceded by a Carol Service.

In Clonfanlough Church on Mon 21st Dec some children from the Primary School are participating in a Carol Service @ 7.pm.
The children have been practising very hard for some weeks, so they would appreciate your support – and this is a good way to begin the Christmas season. This Service is not just for the children, so all are invited.
¨¨¨¨
Shannonbridge Community Library
This will be closed on Christmas Eve & New year’s Eve. It will reopen on Thurs 7th Jan. ‘A happy & peaceful Christmas to all our customers.’
¨¨¨¨
Questions people askQ. Why was 25 December chosen for the birthday of Jesus?A. The conception of Jesus at the Annunciation to Mary, nine months earlier, was an older celebration than his birthday. 25 March was a very important date, regarded as the first day of creation and the day of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Thus the conception of Jesus was linked with creation and the cross. Another reason for choosing 25 December was that this date was decreed by the Emperor Aurelian as a feast for the return of the Unconquered Sun after the mid-winter solstice. Christians put their own spin on the feast by celebrating the coming of Christ, the light of the world. (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)
¨¨¨¨
Meaning of Christmas (Fr Andrew Greeley)
"It might be easy to run away to a monastery, away from the commercialization, the hectic hustle, the demanding family responsibilities of Christmas-time. Then we would have a holy Christmas. But we would forget the lesson of the Incarnation, of the enfleshing of God—the lesson that we who are followers of Jesus do not run from the secular; rather we try to transform it. It is our mission to make holy the secular aspects of Christmas just as the early Christians baptized the Christmas tree. And we do this by being holy people—kind, patient, generous, loving, laughing people—no matter how maddening is the Christmas rush…"

On Monday the funeral took place in Menlough of Jimmy Mitchell.
Jimmy is a brother to Maura Claffey -Gus Claffey's wife.
May he rest in peace.
I was surprised to meet a cousin of the late Aggie Craven outside
the church.He and another neighbour were telling how they often
attended the Carnival dancing in Shannonbridge and at Johnstown.

Father Jeremiah Roche who was murdered in Kenya recently will be
buried in Athea County Limerick next Sunday. Father Benny Flanagan
worked with Fr.Gerry during the year that he worked in Kenya back
in the early 1980's in the same parish.
At the Ecumenical Choir in Clonmacnois last Sunday Fr.Benny thought
that my cousin Kaye and myself had met him when we visited Kenya
at that time. Anyhow say a prayer for the dead.

Ciaran Mac Mathuna has died aged 84. Ciaran worked on RTE radio for
many years promoting Irish music and singers and bands. He married
a great singer named Dolly Mc Mahon.His funeral took place Tuesday.
May he rest in peace.

A news item on TV this week showed the floods around Gort and the
famous W.B.Yeats Thoorballylee had about two foot of water around it.

Tuesday evening two men and a woman arrived in and after a good look
around they chose three half pints of Murphy Stout. They told us
that they were from St.Peterbourg in Russia where the temperature is
Minus 22. They had visited Clonmacnois and were on their way to
Galway.No -they were not interested in buying the local Football Team.

The Angling Notes in The Irish Times on Monday 14th had a photo of
six spawning trout found dead 80 metres away from the main channel
during the recent flooding at Claregalway.angling@irishtimes.com
The writer told us that Donal and Connie Connolly of Nonaim Lodge,
Accomodation and Angling,Glann,Oughterard,County Galway, which
specializes in providing angling holidays on Lough Corrib have a new
Telephone Number 085-7364830. Their e-mail address remains the same
info@fishingcorrib.com
Of course Donal Connolly comes originally from Ferbane and Connie,
his wife comes from Shannonbridge -hence the interest.

Foinse is a free Irish language Newspaper distributed free with the
Irish Independent on Wednesday. nuacht@foinse.ie 24 pages of interest.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 13th Dec 2009 -3rd Adv C
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: € Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, C.Casey, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Caitríona, Siobhan, Sarah
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Damien Kenny

¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €230. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Walshe, R.Gunning
Readers for next Sunday: D.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Mass on next Sat @12noon for the late Petie & Earl Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the late Anne & Ciaran Pillion

Ecumenical Carol Service in Clonmacnois
On this Sun 13th Dec @ 4pm. Refreshments afterwards.
All welcome.
Night Prayer Vigil, Clonmacnois Prayer Centre Fri 18th Dec, starting with Mass @ 10pm; then Adoration until 3.10 am. Mass every Wed @ 7.30pm. All welcome
¨¨¨¨
Sacrament of Reconciliation on Mon 21st Dec, in Clonfanlough @ 7,30pm, & Shannonbridge @ 8pm, preceded by a Carol Service.

'Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.' (A survivor of Auschwitz)
¨¨¨¨
Christmas Youth Retreat – Newbridge College
For 16 – 35 year olds. Inspiring talks, Workshops, Great Music,
Meeting new people, Celebration of the Christmas Season.
Just bring a sleeping bag. For more info call 01-6753690.
Visit www.youth2000.ie
¨¨¨¨
Questions people askQ. How does one explain the difference in the preaching of John the Baptist and that of Jesus? John was far more severe and promoted the fear of an impending judgement.A. There are two ways of correcting: the stick of punishment or the candy of reward for improvement. John the Baptist came from a people who expected a Messiah who would immediately rid the world of all evil and sin. Hence the need for complete renunciation of wrongdoing or else face instant condemnation. The approach of Jesus did not expect instant perfection. He put less emphasis on condemnation and more on fanning into flame the possibility of goodness hidden in people. (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)

Words of Wisdom
'The secular mind does not always find it necessary to deny God, but it must always reduce him to a comfortable size. Above all else He must be a manageable God, who does not watch or judge.'
(William K. Kilpatrick, U.S.)
“Words of encouragement fan the spark of genius into the flame of achievement." (Wilfred A. Peterson
"Characters live to be noticed. People with character notice how they live." (Nancy Moser)

New Book - Wild Flowers of County Offaly

Attched reminder received from Amanda Pedlow, Heritage Officer, Offaly Co. Co.
Reminder - Launch of the Wildflowers of County Offaly next Monday 14th December, 8.00pm Aras an Chontae, Charlevillle Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly‏

Reminder - The launch of the Wildflowers of County Offaly by John Feehan, published by Offaly County Council, is next Monday 14th December, 8.00pm, Aras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore. An Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen, T.D. has kindly agreed to perform the launch.

This substantial hardback provides fully illustrated descriptions of every wildflower in county Offaly in John Feehan's unique style.

All welcome. For those that cannot attend the book can be purchased in book shops and via www.mercierpress.ie.

Amanda Pedlow
Offaly Heritage Officer.

Liam Clancy died on Friday 4th December 2009 aged 74 years.
Liam was the remaining member of the ballad group that were known as
"The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.He was laid to rest on Monday
in Ring County Waterford. May he rest in peace.

A Kilbeggan-15-year-old Irish Whiskey was crowned 'World-wide Whiskey
of the Year at the 2009 International Wine and Spirit Competition
Awards Banquet held in London recently.
See offaly Independent Dec 5th page 6 at their website
www.offalyindependent.ie

Tommy and Jimmy Swarbrigg were featured in 'A Little Bit of Showband'
on RTE1 shown on Sunday 6th December.
This was the 4th part in a series.

The Connacht Tribune December 4th has lots of pictures and stories
of the recent floods.
See www.galwaynews.ie

On Tuesday 8th a Chrismas Card arrived from Sydney Australia.
This card has a photograph of Martin Pat Coleman with the famous
Opera House in the background.

Mick Doherty worked in England before teriring to Kilbegley,Moore.
In England he was a machine driver and one day he found a Catalogue
of original photos from the film 'Lawrence of Arabia'thrown out in a skip.
He rescued it and took it home to Ireland.Recently he included it in
an auction at Purcells in Birr.They put a reseve of 2000 Euros on it
and it reached over 1500 at auction.

Mark who works for Shannonbridge Pottery was in the RDS in Dublin
yesterday selling pottery. Sinead Killeen (Shane's wife) was there
with some friends and they bought ten of the teapot and cup items.
A nun saw the Shannonbridge stand and talked to Mark. She was Mary
Connaughton who is a nun and a cousin of the Killeens. Pat tells me
that our grandmother was a Connaughton on my mothers side of the
family.

On Monday 30th November Kieran Hynes appeared on an RTE television
program talking about the floods and the effect it had on his
workplace at Cavanagh Windows in Athlone.The program also had some
photographs of the floods.
Shannonbridge was lucky to have a by-pass road to use during the flood.
Some houses below the Church were in danger of being flooded.So the
road was blocked while two pumps removed the water and discharged it
over the wall into a flooded field. Meanwhile traffic was diverted
by the power plant road coming out parrallel with the rail line.

It was good to see Michael Green home on a brief visit from Boston.
Michael has been in Boston now for 24 years and before he left he
worked at Cahills in Belmont.

Back to the Flood. Pat Duffy was telling us that flood water
reached Saint Ciaran's Well in Clonmacnois which is very unusual.
The article in The Irish Times with the two photographs mentioned
that Clonfert is known as Field of Miracles.
BNM estimated that some 60,000 acres of bog was flooded.
In the middle of all the floods Mary Killeen arrived in from the garden
with a Dahlia flower in full bloom and it was growing out in the open.
Try using rte.ie/player to have a look at past television programmes.

The floods have been all the news around here for weeks now.
There was acouple of photographs in the Irish Times
on Monday 30th November.One showed a flooded Emmanuelle House over at
Clonfert and the other showed Paddy Nevin walking down a flooded street
in Shannonharbour with his back to the camera.
On Friday night at a very enjoyable Christmas Party in the Hall I met
Stevie Kenny who was more or less a Flood Ruler for Shannonbridge.
Stevie walked to the river every day and used his walking stick to
record the changes in river level.Stevie told me that the highest level
was recorded at 18 Feet 4 Inches on 26th November 2009 at measuring
point just upstream from the village bridge.This measuring point runs
to the top of the quay wall and is continued up along the bridge
support wall.The flood was over the highest measuring point so Stevie
had to add 8 Inches as recorded on his stick.On Friday the level had
dropped 13 Inches from its highest point.Best drop was 4.5 Inches in
one day.
Stevie told me that the flood measured in Brackagh downstream was some
10 Inches higher than the 1954 flood.
The graveyard in Clonifeen was surrounded by flood water but the Church
was not covered.

I was mentioning to Stevie Kenny that Brendan Ryan,Ferbane has written a book
about the R.I,C. in West Offaly to be published and launched this week.
This is Brendan Ryans seventh book so far.
Stevie was telling about a Tom Dowd who lived in Clondelara.
Tom was a Wexfordman and an RIC policeman.Stevie remembered Tom Dowd
walking by his house on his way home shouting
"Hurrah for '98",
"Hurrah for Vinegar Hill".
Tom Dowd had a niece Mary Dowd who was married to Johnny Duffy from
Clondelara.

Tom Murphy,a well known fitter/welder at Ferbane Power Plant died
recently and was buried in Clonmacnois last Monday 30th November.
May he rest in peace.

Joe Lyons for many years the chemist in Shannonbridge Power Plant retired recently
and best wishes to Joe on his retirement.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 6th Dec 2009 -2nd Adv C
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat @ 10am, Fri @ 8pm
Tues, 8th Dec, Feast of the Immaculate Conception - a Holy Day:
Vigil Mass on Mon @ 8pm; Mass on Tues @ 12noon
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €444. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Athene, Aoife, Saul, Jack
Mass on Mon eve for the late Ciaran, Maryanne & Brian Flannery.
Memorial Mass for Simon McManus (brother of Eamonn & Ger) on Fri eve @ 8pm.
Mass on Sat morning for the late Denis Lyons.
Mass on Sat eve for the late Brigid & William Duffy.
Mass on next Sun for the late Elizabeth McManus.
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Mass for The 'Immaculate Conception' on Tues @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €185. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Guinan, A.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: A.Kelly
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Mass on next Sun for the late Mary & Ciaran Daly, & Tom Mannion
A special word of thanks & appreciation is due to the kind people who organised & facilitated the recent Christmas Parties in both Shannonbridge & Clonfanlough. It demanded much hard work by many people; but the enjoyment given and shared by the guests is its own reward!
¨¨¨¨
Ecumenical Carol Service in Clonmacnois
On next Sun 10th Dec @ 4pm. Refreshments afterwards.
All welcome.
¨¨¨¨
Shannonbridge A.R.A. Christmas Social on Wed 9th Dec @ the 'Old Fort'. Dinner,@ 7.30pm. Music by Paudge Bennet. Enquiries to 090-96-74117.
¨¨¨¨
Samaritans Christmas Concert
In the Friary Church Athlone on 9th Dec @ 8pm. Adm. €10.00. Tickets available at Music world & usual outlets.
Athlone Samaritans, situated at 3 Court Devenish, are a voluntary organisation, dedicated to befriending the lonely, the despairing and the suicidal, or anyone troubled, who needs to talk to someone in complete confidence; available 24x7 on 1850-609090.
¨¨¨¨
Clonmacnois School is collecting old, unwanted mobile phones for the charity Jack & Jill Foundation. If you have any such phones please leave them at the school.
¨¨¨¨
Ballinasloe Flower & Garden Club
Christmas Flower Arranging Demo in Gullanes Hotel on 9th Dec @ 8pm

West Offaly Training: 9th Dec, 1 day Internet & email Course - €45.
10th Dec, 1 day Introduction to Office 2007 - €45. Call 057-9152003
¨¨¨¨
Questions people ask (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)Q. On a television programme it was claimed that Christmas was a development of the pagan cult of Mithra, a pagan god associated with worship of sunlight. Is there any reason to doubt the traditional belief that the Son of God was born at Bethlehem?A. Pagan myths lack all foundation in historical fact whereas Christianity is rooted in facts about real, historical people and geographical places. Read St Luke’s list of real people and places in today’s Gospel. The incarnation, that is the coming of God in human flesh and blood, is no imaginary myth but historical fact.

New Book on Policing in West Offaly 1814 - 1922

Book Launch - Policing in West Offaly 1814-1922 by Brendan Ryan.
A new book on the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) by Brendan Ryan, Ferbane, will be launched next Friday night at 8.00pm, in the Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society premises at Bury Quay, Tullamore. All are welcome. This important book will shed new light on a force that is often maligned (when it is not being ignored), and how it went about its policing duties in the 100 years leading up to the country's independence.
The book will be on sale at a competitive price of €15.00.

Flooding Recedes.
The river level at the bridge was down to 5.23 meters yesterday. The pumps have been turned off and the road through the village reopened yesterday after 13 days.

1911 Census Shannonbridge - RIC Barracks.
The 1911 Census shows 6 policemen in Shannonbridge - a Sergeant and 5 Constables. Their ages were 45, 44, 35, 30, 26 and 26. Their professions were given as draper's assistant, farmers sons and hardware business, all were Roman Catholics and came from Roscommon, Mayo, Westmeath, Monaghan, Quieen's Co and Tipperary NR. Interestingly, their names were not stated on the census form, just their initials. Presumably this was a "security" measure, although every one local would know who they were! Want to know more? - book launch next Friday.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 29th Nov 2009 – 1st Advent C
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Adoration all day on First Fri until 5pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €462. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 6, E.Casey, D.O’Carroll
Altar Servers for this week: Michaela, Oisin, Andrea
Mass on next Sat eve for the Daly family deceased.
Mass on next Sun for the late James Francis & Leo Coakley

¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Mass for the Holy Souls & for the First Fri on Thurs @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €251. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Higgins, D.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: I.MeEvoy
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group D
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
Station Mass on Tues at the home of C. & A. Kearns, Clonfanlough
Christmas Parties
In Clonfanlough Hall on Sun 29th Nov, beginning with Mass @ 2pm.
In Shannonbridge Hall on Fri 4th Dec, beginning with Mass in the Church @ 6pm. Reply to 087-2410587 before 2nd Dec.
¨¨¨¨
Table Quiz for Shannonbridge Christmas Party on Wed 2nd Dec in Killeens @ 9.30pm. Please support.
¨¨¨¨
Shannonbridge A.R.A. Christmas Social on Wed 9th Dec @ the 'Old Fort'. Dinner, & Music by Paudge Bennet. Enquiries to 090-96-74117.
¨¨¨¨
Prayer Service in memory of those who died by suicide, in St Michael’s Ballinasloe on 4th Dec @ 8pm. All welcome.
¨¨¨¨
Samaritans Christmas Concert
In the Friary Church Athlone on 9th Dec @ 8pm. Adm. €10.00. Tickets available at Music world & usual outlets.
Athlone Samaritans, situated at 3 Court Devenish, are a voluntary organisation, dedicated to befriending the lonely, the despairing and the suicidal, or anyone troubled, who needs to talk to someone in complete confidence; available 24x7 on 1850-609090.
¨¨¨¨
Clonmacnois School is collecting old, unwanted mobile phones for the charity Jack & Jill Foundation. If you have any such phones please leave them at the school.

Questions people askQ. What might I do to get more out of Advent?A. What a pity that Advent has been devoured by the commercial side of Christmas. Advent develops hope in the time of waiting, and hope is a virtue most needed to sustain our faith in the wilderness of scandals and recession. Try to let Christmas wait until Christmas. Let Advent be a time for more reflection and prayer. Get in touch with those areas of life where we struggle, where we experience our incompleteness, where we come to recognise our need of God. Christmas will be properly celebrated by those who know their need of God. Come, Lord Jesus, come. (Fr Silvester O’Flynn)

Late Simon McManus, Lecarrow, Shannonbridge.
The death has occurred of Simon McManus, Carracastle, Co. Mayo and late of Lecarrow. He is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Claire, sister Mary and brothers Eamonn and Gerry. He was laid to rest in Carracastle yesterday. May he rest in peace.

Flooding in Shannonbridge.
The road through the village is still closed due to the flooding. No houses have been flooded yet. With two pumps running constantly and, hopefully, the promise of a few dryer days over the weekend, things are set to improve next week.

New Business in Shannonbridge.
The Shannonbridge Pottery Factory Shop has relocated to the premises of the former Post Office in the village. Full refurbishment and redecoration has been carried and it looks really well. The shop is now open for business - so the very best of luck.

ESB Deceased Staff Mass.
Over 50 former colleagues turned out for the annual mass to remember the deceased staff members of the Shannonbridge Power Station. Afterwards reminiscences and yarns were exchanged over a cup of tea in the hall.

Shannon at Record Level

Watched Hugh Collins, Bord na Mona, wading in to take the water level at the bridge this morning. The water is now at an all-time record high at 5.415 metres.
Widespread flooding of land in the area. The road through the village is closed below the church with two pumps working to keep the water at bay - diversion via the Power Station road around to the Cloghan Road.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 22nd Nov 2009 Kristu Mfalme - B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Mass for deceased members of the ESB on Thurs @ 8pm.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €443. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 5, C.Mannion, C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Caitríona, Siobhan, Sarah

¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Mass for the Holy Souls on Mon @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €510. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: C.Spain, C.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy
Mass on next Sun for the late Lil & Tom O’Connor & family

Clonmacnois Regional Pioneers will celebrate Mass in Clonfanlough hall on Sun 22nd Nov @ 4pm. A short Concert by members will follow immediately afterwards. All members are invited to participate – please contact your Centre for more details. Light refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome.
¨¨¨¨
Christmas Parties
In Clonfanlough Hall on Sun 29th Nov, beginning with Mass @ 2pm.
In Shannonbridge Hall on Fri 4th Dec, beginning with Mass in the Church @ 6pm. Reply to 087-2410587 before 2nd Dec.
¨¨¨¨
Prayer Service in memory of those who died by suicide, in St Michael’s Ballinasloe on 4th Dec @ 8pm. All welcome.
¨¨¨¨
Samaritans Christmas Concert
In the Friary Church Athlone on 9th Dec @ 8pm. Adm. €10.00. Tickets available at Music world & usual outlets.
Athlone Samaritans, situated at 3 Court Devenish, are a voluntary organisation, dedicated to befriending the lonely, the despairing and the suicidal, or anyone troubled, who needs to talk to someone in complete confidence; available 24x7 on 1850-609090.
¨¨¨¨
Stroke Support Group Meeting on 25th Nov @ 7pm in Ballinasloe.
¨¨¨¨
Questions people askQ. I have seen several television programmes claiming that there were other gospels which were suppressed by the Catholic Church. Is this true?A. Yes, there are several works which are called gospels but they differ from the authentic gospels on some important matters. These writings came from heretical sects. Obviously the Church did not favour the use of these misleading writings. Even the whiff of suppressing any writing is enough to excite the imagination of certain writers and television producers who love to attack the Catholic Church as being up to its neck in conspiracies. Conspiracy theories and accounts of unhappy childhood are the most lucrative sellers in the popular market today. Bad news exercises a strange fascination. (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)

Shannonbridge 115 Years Ago.

An 1894 Trade Directory for Offaly gives the following details for Shannonbridge:

Post Office: John Robinson. Letters arrive through Ballinasloe at 9.30 am. Last post out at 5.30pm. Nearest moneyorder and telegraph office - Belmont.

Constabulary Barracks: Peter Clarke, Sgt.

Church of Ireland: Rev. John George Hodges M.A..

Catholic: Rev. James O'Reilly P.P..

National School: F. Murray (Master) and M. Rigney (Mistress).

Private Residents: Richard Cooke, Michael Egan, Joseph Johnson, Woodbank, Rev. James O'Reilly P.P..

Commercial Premises: Maria Doran (Grocer), John Flannery (Draper), Daniel Kenny (Spirit Dealer), Peter Larkin (Blacksmith), George Luker (Hotel Proprieter), F. Murray (Schoolmaster), John Robinson (Postmaster) John Wilson (Grocer).

On the 4th of November Ivan and Mimi Ace and Nat and Kathy Goddard
from Cape Cod stopped off in Shannonbridge.Their hobby is bird-watching
and they had visited Clifden and Connemara
before coming to Shannonbridge. They visited Clonmacnois and the Boora
Parklands seeking out birds.

On November 9th Hugh Gough passed away and was buried in Cavan Town.
Hugh worked for many years for the Central Fishery Board and anglers
fishing for Coarse Fish will be familiar with a whole series of the
fishing maps that he researched and which are still available from
the CFB website.I always associate Hugh with the Rudd fish. Once some
anglers who were fishing here at Shannonbridge,
while Hugh was in the area,caught a number of specimen rudd all over
the specimen weight of 2.25lbs.At that time there were only two people
in Ireland that could positively identify a rudd. So Hugh put the fish
in a tank and brought them to Dublin for identification.
That evening he returned with the fish live in the tank and the
anglers saw their fish being released.
The present Irish Record Weight for a rudd is 4lbs 8 ounces caught by
Hugh Gough on 5th September 1996. Hopefully Peter Andrew James and
John will have good fishing lined up for Hugh and may he rest in peace.

Met Jrff Herman and his wife Maritza Umana from Costa Rica when they
visited Shannonbridge on 12th November.Jeff told us that he was adopted
and Jeff Gutierre was his name before adoption.It is Jeff's third visit
to Ireland and Maritza's first.They told us that coffee,fishing and
farming are the principal occupations.
Jeff said that coffee is not made from a bean,but coffee comes from
a red fruit that tastes like a pear/apple.A thin fruit layer covers
two seeds twined together. These seeds are roasted and then ground.
The banana trees there have an 18 month life-span.The tree leaves
five offshoots or babies at its base.
Their currency is called Colon which was named after Christopher Colon
later known as Christopher Columbus.
Their army was dissolved in 1948 and the country is smaller
than Ireland.Their health insurance is equivalent to 5Euro/month,
This covers doctor dentist hospital operations everything.
No wonder Jeff believes that they are living in Paradise.
Spanish is their language.

On Tuesday 11th a Kathleen from Dublin called to Shannonbridge.
Kathleen told us that her sister who lives in New Jersey USA is
a great friend of Marion Love, a family friend.

Somebody told us recently that Puss Sunday is the 1st Sunday in Easter.
At one time in Ireland it was forbidden to go to dances or to get
married during Lent.Not sure if there was a connection with Puss
Sunday and this.

Tina from Germany tells us that the title of the new HBA book is
Fine Lines - Clear Water. See 30 - October 2009.

Last Sunday was a special day in Perrys Mill in Belmont.As well as
the old mill being on view, a boat builder, a violin maker,and some
other artists based around the mill yard had their products on display.
Tony Kenny was on hand playing his fiddle. Keep it in mind for a visit.

Meanwhile at Clononey Castle a new owner is in the process of making
it habitable and it is good to see some light there at night.
Clononey Castle plan to have an antique Sale and Book Fair starting
on 14th December to Christmas at the Clononey Castle.

Some websites that may be of interest - www.failteireland.ie
and www.discoverireland.ie

The river level is in high flood situation at present and the water
level at the bridge is to the top of the quay-wall. Steve and Liz Nell have
been over from Sheffield for over two weeks.Steve finds that the fish are
difficult to locate with the flood.

Shannonbridge GAA Notes 16.11.09

Shannonbridge GAA Notes 16.11.09

Shannonbridge GAA Annual General Meeting
Shannonbridge GAA AGM will take place on Sunday 29th November at 3.00pm sharp in the club dressing rooms.
We would ask all existing players and members alike to attend in force as this is a very important date in the club’s calendar as we try to set out a plan for 2010.
Of course the club would like also, to welcome any potential new members from around the parish to attend


Shannonbridge/Doon GAA Lotto Numbers
There was no winner of this week's lotto jackpot of 4,600. The numbers drawn were 14, 19, 22 and 23. There were 2 match 3 winners of which were Phil Spollen and Tommy McEvoy. Next weeks' jackpot will be 4,800.

Congratulations
We would like to congratulate Ciaran & Michelle Kenny (Nee Mahon) on the recent birth of their son Cody.

From Jason Mahon

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 15th Nov 2009 -33rd B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €447. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Caitríona, Siobhan, Sarah
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Richard Hynes

¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Mass for the Holy Souls on Mon @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €376. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J. & C. Rigney
Readers for next Sunday: A.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on next Sun for the late Larry & Brigid Rohan

Meeting of Parish P.C. on Mon in Clonfanlough @ 7.30pm

Station mass
On Thurs next at the home of A. & R. Walshe, Clonlyon @ 8pm
¨¨¨¨
Clonmacnois Regional Pioneers will celebrate Mass in Clonfanlough hall on Sun 22nd Nov @ 4pm. A short Concert by members will follow immediately afterwards. All members are invited to participate – please contact your Centre for more details. Light refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome.
¨¨¨¨
Night Prayer Vigil, Clonmacnois Prayer Centre Fri 20th Nov, starting with Mass @ 10pm; then Adoration until 3.10 am. Mass every Wed @ 7.30pm. All welcome.
¨¨¨¨
Christmas Party on Sun 29th Nov, starting with Mass @ 2pm in the Hall. Dinner will follow, and dancing to the ‘Midnight Melodies’

Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe
PlayWell volunteers are being recruited to organise play activities for the sick children. Volunteers should be over 18 years, and have 2 or 3 hours once a week to spare. An introductory meeting and training are planned. For more info call 1890-252682.
¨¨¨¨ Questions people askQ. Jesus spoke of a time when the sun would be darkened and the moon would lose its light. Does this refer to three days darkness when the only source of light will be blessed candles?A. The words of Jesus are in the context of the end of this material universe before the final triumph of God’s reign. It is not meant as a message of terror but of hope in the anticipation of God’s glory. This message of three days darkness is something that is predicted regularly by self-appointed prophets. Invariably the predicted date comes and goes without the darkness. Pay no attention to this nonsense but celebrate Christian hope every time you pray ‘Thy Kingdom come’. (Fr S. O’Flynn)
¨¨¨¨
Church Envelopes - You should receive your new boxes presently. For the Monthly collection you are again invited to make payment for the year or half-year if possible. I also invite those who don’t contribute to the collections to make a start this coming year. A sincere ‘thank-you’ to those who do contribute and those who organise the collections."Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireas na daoine."

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 8th Nov 2009 - 32nd Sun B
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: €675. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Aoife, Athene, Saul, Jack
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Jimmy Coleman & family.
Mass on next Sun for the late Thomas Rocke
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Mass for the Holy Souls on
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €252. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Claffey, B.Coughlan
Readers for next Sunday: D.Boland
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Mass on next Sun for the late Philomena Coolahan

Station Mass
On Fri next at the home of Martina Hackett, Carrowkeel @ 7pm


Multiple Sclerosis Society
Cookery demo, including mulled wine reception, by Neven McGuire in the Shearwater Hotel on Mon 9th Nov @ 7.30pm.
Tickets €20. Contact hotel on 9630400 or Pauline on 086-4077330
¨¨¨¨
Ballinasloe Flower & Garden Club
Gala Fundraising Night in aid of the Therapeutic Learning Centre, Brackernagh, Ballinasloe in Gullanes Hotel @ 8pm, Wed 11th Nov.
¨¨¨¨
Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe
PlayWell volunteers are being recruited to organise play activities for the sick children. Volunteers should be over 18 years, and have 2 or 3 hours once a week to spare. An introductory meeting and training are planned. For more info call 1890-252682.
¨¨¨¨
M.E. Support Group
Meeting in Gullanes Hotel on Wed 11th Nov @ 7pm
¨¨¨¨
Shannonbridge Golf Society
A new society has been formed in the Shannonbridge area for those interested in playing golf. A meeting will be held in Killeens on next Fri @ 9pm. All welcome to attend.
¨¨¨¨
Questions people ask (Fr Silvester O’Flynn }Q. Is it true that some Protestant theologians were involved in writing the texts of the Mass after the Second Vatican Council?A. This is a twist on what really happened. Several Protestant communities expressed great interest in the studies, papers and debates of the Liturgical Commission. So, six Protestant theologians were invited as observers but they took no part in the writing of the texts. Some Protestant communities have used the Roman Lectionary and Sacramentary as a template for their own revisions. Thank God for ecumenical fellowship. ¨¨¨¨
Something to ponder.
‘You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it’s a little thing, do something for others – something for which you get no pay, but the privilege of doing it.’ (Albert Schweitzer)

Best of luck to Johnny and Martin Pat Coleman on their journey to
Sydney starting tomorrow. Johnny has been in Ireland for two months now
and is looking forward to returning home to the girls.
It is Martin's second visit to Sydney and this time he is planning on
a three month visit. Well good for him and hope he enjoys the summer.

Back home the recent rains have brought the river level up again and
there is a good wedge of water on the callows.

The local radio told us today that Olywyn Enright has given birth to
her first baby and congratulations. Olywyn represents Laois Offaly
in Dail Eireann.

The Irish Independent on Saturday has what I think is a very difficult
Sudoku puzzle involving 16 letters and numbers in each block andhas
16 blocks in total. For once I solved the puzzle and decided to post it.
Afterwards I realized that I had forgotten to write
my name in the block. No doubt they will find my fingerprints.

Local radio today also mentioned that Clonmacnois was included in a
list submitted for World Heritage Status.This time they were careful
to mention about full consultation with interested parties.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 1st Nov 2009 - All Saints Sun B
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; also on Mon, All Souls Day @ 8pm
Adoration on First Fri until 5pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €495. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, C.Casey, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Michaela, Oisín, Andrea
Mass on Sat am for the late Kieran & Mary Henry
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Mass for All Souls on Mon @ 7pm; for First Fri @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €284. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Loonam, A.Egan
Readers for next Sunday: D.Boland
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Mass on next Sun for Edward & Brigid Mannion & family deceased.
Enrolment Ceremony for Confirmandi on next Sun.

November is the month of the Holy Souls. We can help them by our Masses, sacrifices & prayers. Visit a Church or Cemetery and pray in union with the Church throughout the world. In the parish 2 Masses are said each week in Nov for the Holy Souls.
¨¨¨¨
Ard Chiaráin Prayer Centre
Mass for the faithful departed on Thurs @ 8pm. All welcome.
¨¨¨¨
An important Meeting of all Pioneers will be held in Moystown GAA Dressing rooms on Wed 4th Nov @ 8pm. A programme for the development & future direction of the Pioneers will be discussed. This meeting is particularly aimed at the 18 - 35 age group.
¨¨¨¨
Hour of Prayer in Ferbane Church from 8-9pm on next Fri, led by young people. A special welcome to young people & young families.
¨¨¨¨
Annual Mass for deceased members of the Defence Forces in St Peter & St Paul Church Athlone next Tues 3rd Nov @ 11am.
¨¨¨¨
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Cookery demo including mulled wine reception by Neven McGuire in the Shearwater Hotel on Mon 9th Nov @ 7.30pm.
Tickets €20. Contact hotel on 9630400 or Pauline on 086-4077330
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough Hall
Volunteers are needed for a general clean-up around the hall on next Sat 7th Nov beginning at 11am. If you are free and can help in any way we would love to have you there.
¨¨¨¨
Being Thankful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brett Blair,
"Our ancestors were not so much thankful for something as they were thankful in something. In bounty or in want they were thankful. In feast or in famine they were thankful. In joy or in misery they were thankful. There is a big difference between being thankful for things and being thankful in all things."

"‘I must do something’ will solve more problems than to say ‘Something must be done.’" (Anon)

Brian O Carroll from Ely Guesthouse was telling me that the actor in
'Three Men in a Boat'that bought the pipes was Gryff Rees Jones.The
other two funny men are Rory Mc Grath and Daire O Broin.
Gryff Rees Jones starred in the series 'Not The Nine O Clock News'
some years ago. Run a Google search for more information.
See the piece below starting with 'The Paul O Grady Show

Good to see The Dalys when they visited Ireland recently.
Linda and Frank - the late Dr 'Foss Daly's children were travelling
with Brian and Dermot and two of Linda's children.

Remember Easter Sunday 2010 falls on 4th April.

The Paul O Grady TV show on Wednesday had an interview with one of the
principles from the Three Men in a Boat series.He was in Shannonbridge
recently and was one of the two men that I served with whiskey, tomato
ketchup, dead-bait and lures, Harp Lager and three Kapp and Peterson
pipes. I did not know his name and was waiting for Paul O Grady to
mention it. But alas there was a funeral from Glebe that evening and
I never did find out.

After temperatures of 19C the forecast is for 15C 13C and 11C for the
next three days. The weatherman that draws the blue lines is busy.

Some reviews for Tales of Ballycumber the play by Sebastian Barry
currently having its world premier at The Abbey Theatre Dublin
include >
"A lyrical work of compelling beauty" (Irish Independent)
"A deeply felt and beautifully staged drama that packs
a strong emotional punch" (Sunday Business Post)

The Offaly Independent tells us that
>a new 50 million Tullamore Shopping Centre gets green light.
It will be built on the old Texas site and it is planned to open
by Christmas 2011.
> Tullamore has a new by pass.A 14Km takes off 6Km south of the town
from the N52 and rejoins the N52 some 3Km north of the town.
It crosses the Grand Canal and the railway and required seven bridges,
six under and one over.

Padraig Turley stopped by last Friday and had two friends along -
Wanda Piontek from Wentworth and Richard Timoney. Wentworth has a
famous golf course and Wanda was telling us that two friends were
debating whether to renew their membership fee of £48,000.

Good to see light in Clononey Castle.The lady owner has been working
on the ground floor and has now commenced work on the second floor.

A snapshot of Dromineer was the winner of "Holiday Snaps"a competition
promoted by Shannon Developments. See a range of short listed photos
and the winning photo at www.shortbreaksireland.ie

Central Fishery Report this week has a number of pike caught by Jean
Firmin from Scotland caught during her fishing visit to Shannonbridge
recently.Try www.cfb.ie

Three young fishermen arrived in Shannonbridge last evening. One of
them told us that his grandfather owned a pub in Ballycumber called
Healys,which is currently closed. I asked him if he knew his grand-
mother's name but he could'nt remember. When I asked him if the name
was Kathleen he remembered. He also agreed that Monaghan was her
surname.By co-incidence Kathleen Monaghan worked in Killeens before
she was married.
The Trio attempted the 'T' puzzle for some time without success.
Then one of them used his mobile facility to Google for T puzzle
and the solution was there in a flash.

Last Sunday there was a Memorial Mass for the late Martin and Mary
Burke.Dermot and Michael were over for a few days for the event.
Chris and Jennie travelled up from Arklow to be with the family and
to visit the graves.

Recently Paddy and Betty O Doherty from Tralee travelled up to here
in search of The Rigney Family who once lived across the street from
Killeens Pub.They had found some information posted on this webpage
when The O'Donoghue Family came visiting.They had been to Clonmacnois
and had failed to find the gravestone.
Betty told us that her Grandfather was a Patrick Rigney from Ferbane
and his wife was named Agnes.Patrick Rigney had a sister Mary, who
lived with a Mary Larkin. Mary Larkin died in 1954. Mary had reared
Agnes in Main Street Banagher in a guesthouse.
Another sister of Patrick Rigney - Agnes also lived in Banagher,and
then worked in Dublin and died a spinster.
Back to Shannonbridge.Mr Rigney was a builder/carpenter.He worked with
Owen Larkin in relocating Creagh Church from Custume Barracks Athlone
to Creagh. Mrs Rigney was a Casey from Ballymahon.
Their children were Father Michael, Matt, Thomas, Josie, Julia a nun,
Bridget who married Charlie O Donoghue and lived in America.There was
a girl who died aged about 16 years.
On a trip to Clonmacnois last week I stopped off at Gus Claffey for
help.Gus told me the location of the headstone.The priest at that time
Father Frank O'Donoghue urged people to use a cross on the tombstone.
The late Martin Flannery,Aughnacabe created the Rigney Headstone.
As I told Betty the best way to find it when going in from the old
cemetery is to walk along with the trees to the left. Look out for
the Damien Kenny Memorial on your LHS.Just down the hill a few yards
is a Peter Kelly grave stone. In front of the Kelly tombstone is the
Rigney grave. A stone with a small cross.
Three of the Rigneys are buried here.
Thomas who died in 1957 aged 65
Matt who died in 1959 aged 65
Josie who died in 1973 aged 82.

Betty Rigney now Betty O Doherty is seeking more information on the
Rigney Family and can be contacted at bettyodoherty@gmail.com

Cool Lines - Clearwater have plans to launch their second HBA book
at the Naas Boat Rally on Monday. A companion book for Cool Metal.
This book deals with wooden boats, barges and tenders.
There is photos and an article on each boat. Book costs 12Euros.
Heritage Boat Association contact geraldineatthecirrus.com

Shannonbridge Fishing Report dated 26th October 2009.
>Mrs Jean Firmin,Scotland,fished on River Suck on 21st October using
dead bait in very windy conditions and caught a 9lbs pike.
>Next day Jean Firmin fished the Shannon in sunshine and landed a dream fish,
a pike that weighed 20.5lbs which was a personal best.
>Andy Henry from England fished the Suck on 23rd October using a lure
in overcast conditions to catch a 6lbs pike.
>Peter Henry fished the Suck with Andy also using a lure to catch a
7lbs pike.Both pike returned alive.
>Brian Collins,Ballinasloe fished on Lough Ree on 10th October, using
a lure to catch a 10lbs pike which he returned alive.
A regular group of visiting German anglers using Athlone Cruiser told
that the pike they were catching were too small to eat.
>The river level remains like a good summer level.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 25th Oct 2009 - 30th Sun B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Thurs-Sat @ 10am; Mon-Wed, Eucharistic Prayer Service
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €452. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Caitríona, Siobhán, Sarah.
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Christina Turley & family
'Months Mind' Mass on next Sun for Marian Daly
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €302. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kilduff, E.Kilduff
Readers for next Sunday: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group D Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Mass on next Sun for the late Bridgie McEvoy

We celebrate the Feast of All Saints on next Sunday.

The priests of the Diocese will be in Knock for 2 days this week for some reflection and input.
Station Masses @ 8pm
Thurs next, at the home of P& M. Srahan, Creevagh
Fri next, at the home of E. & A. Molloy, Glebe
¨¨¨¨
Stroke Support Group
Meeting on 28th Oct in the Health Centre Ballinasloe @ 7pm.
Talk on 'Portion size and healthy eating'.
¨¨¨¨
Questions people askQ. Often at Mass we are told that we are celebrating the feast of some virgin. Were there any married saints?A. Top of the list place Mary and Joseph. Peter was certainly married and probably the other apostles too. Others that come to mind are Mary’s parents, Joachim and Ann, Elizabeth the cousin of Mary, the saintly Queens Elizabeth of Hungary and of Portugal, Margaret of Scotland, the saintly Kings, Louis of France and Edward of England, Monica, the mother of Augustine, Elizabeth Ann Seaton of USA, Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of the Little Flower, Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice, the martyrs Margaret Clitheroe and Thomas More, and many of the martyrs in Ireland, Japan, Uganda etc. (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)
¨¨¨¨
Letter sent by College student to his Dad : Dear Dad, $chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you. Love - Your $on. Father's Reply: Dear son,
I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics and oceaNOgrahy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOur student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh. Love ---- Dad

Shannonbridge Fishing Report Dated 21st October 2009.
Beal King from Switzerland fished here on 28th September, overcast day,
with wobbler catching 5 pike.Best was 75cm. All released.
>Eddie Eeman from Amsterdam fished on River Suck on 3oth September and
used a Rapala to catch a pike 87cm.
>Steve Samseij from Houierighstr also fished the Suck with a Rapala
on the same day and landed a 75cm pike.Peaceful.
>Tony Murray from Ballinasloe fished the Hot Water on 28th Sept on a
sunny day using worms catching 26lbs of roach rudd and hybrids in sun.
>Ray Bates Merseyside caught two pike on the Shannon on 9th October
fishing dead bait.one 30lbs(1.25cm)and one 22lbs from a cruiser.
Great fighters,great condition and both returned alive.
>Swiss angler Wicli caught a pike 70cm on 12th October using a spinner
and had it for dinner.
>Tom Kearney from Rathnew fished for pike on 17th October and caught
a 27.5lbs beauty on the Suck which was returned alive and well.
>Scottish pike anglers Pip and Jean Firmin are here for two weeks.They
use a lake boat for access to Shannon Suck and backrivers.
Pip recorded pike of 7,7,5 and 12.5lbs while using dead bait.
Jean Firminhad a 9lb pike on a silver spoon and a 9lb pike with dead
bait. Yesterday Jean caught her lifetime best when she hooked and
landed a 19lbs beauty while using dead bait.All fish were returned.
Photos available of the 19 pounder later.
The river level remains at good summer level with all banks fishable.
The Dublin Pike Anglers ? held a match here locally last weekend but
I heard no results.















.

Congratulations to Yvonne Keena and Michael Garvey on their engagement.
Yvonne is a daughter of Noel and Ann Keena Shannonbridge and
Michael is a son of John and Angela Garvey Portnick, Ballinasloe

Somebody told me today that a friend of theirs built a large shed
some few years ago towards the end of The Celtic Tiger.
Then the cement blocks cost 1.60 Euro each.
Today the blocks can be had for 60 cents.

Some rain yesterday after a remarkable spell of fine weather.
The forecast is for rain for the next three days and then more sunshine.

Ireland Soccer Team have drawn France for their play off matches in their
bid to get to South Africa

Daithi Rua the Irish Singer and Songwriter was home from Belgium for
a week to help celebrate his Dad's birthday.Daithi is a son of Martin
and Dolores Donegan and Martin celebrated a special birthday with a
family meal in The Fort Restaurant. Daithi got together with his
family and musician friends in Killeens on Thursday night before he
returned to Belgium.He is currently working on his new album and he
expects that it will be available in mid-December.It may be called
Black Fox and will be recorded on The Wild Boar Label,which is based
in Belgium.
Check him out at myspace.com/offaly for his tour dates and news.
You can even listen to some of his recordings. Daithi has the same
information under the www.daithirua.com webpage. Or you can e-mail
Daithi using daithirua@gmail.com

The Bridies are off to Las Vegas this week to entertain.
Catch Maura playing in Casino New York New York in The Nine Fine
Irishmen suite.
Ailish is playing in The Mansion,called M
Maura and Ailish are daughters of Jim and Mai Egan from Cloghan.
Ailish told us that Ma and Da are also going out to Las Vegas with
their girls. Jim of course is a fine box player in his own right.

Best of luck to Eamon Haughey on his retirement from the ESB last week.

Al Byrne, a brother of Gay Byrne died last Friday and will be buried
on Thursday. May he rest in peace.

On Friday evening I noticed a load of large bales of golden straw go
past the window. Soon after the driver called in for tea and a sandwich
He told us that he was from Glann Road Oughterard and he knew Dick and
Doc Gilbert and Donal and Connie Connolly.

Read David Quinn's blog on www.irishcatholic.ie

A white goose has joined up with some swans near the village bridge.
Aidan Kelly has observed lots of trout rising to the fly while shooting
at Mc Ginness'es Scoriff last week. Aidan also shot a wild mink which
is good news as they are causing havoc to wildlife such as fish and
birds. The spelling of Scoriff is a guess. It is a low place near the river.

On Sunday 11th in the Offaly County Football Final Clara 2 - 7 defeated
Rhode 1 - 9.
Yesterday in the Offaly Hurling Final Tullamore defeated Kilcormac/
Killoughey by seven points E.
Last Monday it was surprising to see some people on the river looking
for sun protection and then taking two bottles of Factor 30 even on
October 12th. It turned out that they were part of a film crew who are
filming what I think are edisodes of Three Men In A Boat.
Last week on the Irish Times there was a write up about
the filming under Irishman's Diary.
They had been to Athlone and Clonmacnois and arrived in Shannonbridge
in brilliant sunshine - hence the Factor 30. I noticed Daire O Brian
the comedian was with them.
After lunch two of the men said that they would like to do some
shopping and film it. Mick of course went off to sort bottles while I
served them Ketchup,Bottle of whiskey,fishing lures and bait and three
Kapp and Peterson tobacco pipes.

There was a rumour during last week that Friends of The Earth had plans
to return to Shannonbridge today. No sign of them so far.
It may be as a precaution but Bord na Mona have erected a gate on what
is known as The Old Road. This road was used by the Bianconi carriages
and there was a changing point for the horses on that Old Road.

Good to hear that my sister Doc and her hubby Dick met up with some
old friends during their visit to Lincoln and Omaha last week
including Don and Laurie Killeen. Doc and me met Don and Laurie about
ten years ago when we found their names in the local phonebook.
At that time there were some 19 Killeens listed in the Omaha book.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 18th Oct 2009 - 29B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €561. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 6, E.Casey, D.O'Carroll
Altar Servers for this week: Aoife, Athene, Saul, Jack
Mass on next Sun for the late Mary & Martin Burke

¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €262. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kenny, M.Lantry
Readers for next Sunday: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
'Months Mind' Mass on next Sun for Andy Rocke

Meeting for parents / guardians of children preparing for First Confession & Communion on this Mon @ 7.30pm in School.

Meeting of Parish P. C. in Shannonbridge on Tue @ 8pm
Co Offaly Childminding Initiative will host a number of networking events in the coming weeks, including a coffee morning, childminder outing, etc. For more info call Fiona on 057-9370631.
¨¨¨¨
Ballinasloe Carers Support Group
Meetings: 19th Oct, 16th Nov, 14th Dec @ 8pm in Gullanes Hotel.
New carers are very welcome. For more info call 086-2123949.
¨¨¨¨
Bowling Fundraiser Night at Athlone Leisure World organised by Gallen Community School Parent's Association will be held on Fri 23rd Oct. Team of 4 costs €60. All welcome. For more details please contact the school at 090-6454548
¨¨¨¨
West & South Offaly Homefix
Minor house repair service for the elderly. 'We can help with small repairs & maintenance jobs in and around your home for a nominal charge.’ For more info call Tadhg (Crank House) on 057-9151622.
¨¨¨¨
FAS have various training courses available in Birr. For more info call FAS in Birr on 057-9123940. Check the website: www.fas.ie
¨¨¨¨
Students from Athlone Community College will present a stage performance of ‘High School Musical’ in the Dean Crowe Hall Athlone, 20th to 23rd Oct @ 8pm.
¨¨¨¨
Questions people askQ. Is there any particular reason why Saint Paul placed the name Christ before Jesus whereas we always say Jesus Christ?A. Jesus was the personal name of the Saviour while Christ, meaning the Anointed One or Messiah, was the title later bestowed on him when people accepted him as the promised Messiah. When Paul began writing, some 25 years after the life of Jesus, the messianic title, Christ, was popularly used as his name. Coming to accept Jesus as the Christ was a major factor in the conversion of Paul. This may explain why he frequently placed Christ before Jesus. For the record, his letters refer to Christ Jesus about 89 times and to Jesus Christ about 80 times. (Fr O’Flynn-Intercom)

Ballinasloe Annual Horse Fair last weekend was blessed with fine
weather and the forecast for the next week has sunshine every day.
Billy Barton,Tipshell,Derby was over at the fair and stayed in
Shannonbridge. Mary Craughwell from Athlone who visits here told
Billy that her daughter Lynn is married in England and lives in
Tipshell. It is a small town with three pubs Billy told Mary.
Garry O Neill from Tyrone was interested in a black and white foal
mare on offer at 11,000 Euros.
A Bl and wh mare was on sale for 43,000 and sold for 30,000 with
2000 luck money one person told us.
A 4 year old Cob B+W was sold for 1500 Sterling by Brian Murray,
Kildangan and he was disappointed with the price.
Brian had a Black Cob 14.1 hands and did not get an enquiry.
Someone told that he saw 2 Cobs sold on Saturday for 70,000
The owner bought them at a recent fair in Borris at 60,000
Alan Kenny Tel 087 6463400 had a 4 year old red and white pony
for sale at 2,000. He was offered 1,000.
The man that bought the snuff for the horse told us that horses,
donkies etc must have a passport with a marking sheet indicating
Markings,(whirls and white stripe). They must have a microchip
inserted in their neck with an individual number.
A Hand is 4 inches.A Cob is a heavier horse of 14 Hands.
A Pony is 14.2 Hands and downwards.
A Jennet has a Frog in his hoof.
A Donkey does not have a Frog in it's hoof.

Good news that President Obama has been awarded the Nobel Prize
as his ancestors hailed from Offaly.
Papers here this week claim that Mrs Obama's ancestors also came from
Ballysheil near Belmont and some eight miles from Shannonbridge.

Missed seeing the film 'Flight of The Doves which was shown on TV last
weekend which has Shannonbridge connections as they were filming for
a few days here when it was made.

Gay Byrne has commenced a series of two hour radio programmes going
out on Sunday from 2 until 4pm. Its on Lyric FM 97.8 - 99.4MHZ
You can e-mail Gay at gb.lyricfm@rte.ie

The Irish Catholic www.irishcatholic.ie has an article and photo
on Skellig this week.Page 7.On Wednesday Jimmy Cole from Canada and
San Francisco celebrated his birthday.
Yesterday Danny Farrelly Jun celebrated his 50th birthday.
Martin Donegan celebrated his 60th birthday.A double cause for
celebrations in Shannonbridge.

On Wednesday 7th October Darcy's callow upstream of the bridge was
cut and bailed. The persistent rain during the summer was the reason
for the late harvest.

Met Gary Schultz from Lexington Nebraska this week Gary is a Ford
car dealer and he is in Ireland for 3 weeks with his wife who was a
Harney.Their daughter is married to Patrick Duffy and they live in
Johnstown near Athlone. GTary likes to cycle and he was doing the
circuit coming out from Athlone via Shannonbridge and returning via
Clonmacnois. He is interested in history and plans to cycle to
Clonfert to visit St.Brendan's Church,Emmanuelle House, Our Lady of
Clofert church and 12th century statue,on to Meelick Church 1414 and
around via Banagher Shannonharbour Clononey Castle.

Rashina Tractor Road Run in aid of Resource Centre, Killina
Presentation Secondary School and Rashina National School takes place
on Sunday 18th October 2009 leaving Doon at 11am. Vintage cars are
welcome.For more information contact 087-7947025

ESB power plants at Lanesboro and Shannonbridge were in the news this
week. Both plants may be closed for 3 to 4 months for pipe replacement,
one next year and the other in 2011.

Moore Community Council are organising a Harvest Ball on Friday 16th
October in Moore Hall.A 'Harvest Queen on the Night'will be chosen.
Dancing to Country Comfort from 9pm to 1.00am. Admission 10 Euros.

Offaly Senior hurling semi-finals last weekend results
Tullamore 1 - 17 Birr 2 - 12
Kilcormac/Killoughey 5 - 16 Coolderry 3 - 16

The Dublin Botanic Gardens might be of interest. Have a look at
www.botanicgardens.ie

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 11th Oct 2009 -28 B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €517. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 5, C.Mannion, C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Oisin, Michaela

¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €238. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Egan, B.Dolan
Readers for next Sunday: A. & L.Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy
Mass on next Sun for the late Tim Devery

‘Beannacht leat, a Mhuire, beannacht leat, a Chríost.
Go gcumhdaí sibh ár nanam go dtige sinn aris.’

Questions people askQ. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that true worship is ‘in spirit and in truth’, that is, in the sincerity of a person’s own heart and mind, rather than temples or churches. So, why do Catholics insist on going to church to worship?A. Your interpretation of ‘in spirit and in truth’ is misguided. The apostles and others who knew Jesus firsthand did not consider worship to be a purely personal affair but they continued to go to the temple and to meet in their houses for the ceremony of breaking the bread in memory of Jesus. The Eucharist is worship of the Father, through the Son (who is the Truth), in the sanctifying power of the Spirit. (Fr Silvester O’Flynn) ¨¨¨¨
Night Prayer Vigil, Clonmacnois Prayer Centre Fri 16th Oct starting with Mass @ 10pm; then Adoration until 3.10 am. Mass every Wed @ 7.30pm. All welcome.
Bowling Fundraiser Night at Athlone Leisure World organised by Gallen Community School Parent's Association will be held on Fri 23rd Oct. Team of 4 costs €60. All welcome. For more details please contact the school at 090-6454548

‘The Committee of the Clonmacnois Action Group on 15th Sept met with An Taoiseach Brian Cowen in Clonmacnois NS. This meeting was at his request. The committee conveyed the reasons why the Local Community had rejected the proposed nomination bid for World Heritage Status for Clonmacnois. An Taoiseach confirmed that the bid had been seriously flawed and that it was now stopped. He also agreed that no WH application would be made by the government without the agreement of the local community. The committee requested that he follow up this in writing. An Taoiseach proposed to arrange for a liaison person from the DEHLG to be assigned to the local community. Minutes of the meeting should now be available at local shops.’

Ballinasloe Flower & Garden Club will host a talk on ‘House Plants’ by Catherine Minnnock in Gullanes hotel on Wed 14th Oct @ 8pm

FAS have various training courses available in Birr. For more info call FAS in Birr on 057-9123940. Check the website: www.fas.ie

Students from Athlone Community College will present a stage performance of ‘High School Musical’ in the Dean Crowe Hall Athlone, 20th to 23rd Oct @ 8pm.

Clonmacnois Action Group: WHS meeting minutes

The minutes from the meeting in September about the WHS for clonmacnoice have been sent to me by Derry and are pasted below.

Clonmacnois Action Group
Minutes of Meeting No3 Held at St Ciaran’s School, Clonmacnois
Tuesday 15th September 2009

Attendance:
An Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Noel Higgins, Councillo Sinéad Moylan-Ryan, Andy Costello, Alo Kenny, Patricia Anderson, Noel Hynes, Joe Byrne, Ambrose Cuddy, John Dolan (Chairman), Neil Darcy, Gus Claffey (Treasurer), Tom Fahy, Seán Ascough (Secretary)

Apologies:
Vivienne Holmes, Rev Graham Doyle

Minutes:
1. Meeting chaired by John Dolan who thanked An Taoiseach for coming to Clonmacnois to hear the views of the
Clonmacnois Action Group that was formed from a public meeting in Clonfanlough hall in objection to the current
proposal to have Clonmacnois inscribed as a World Heritage Site. John listed some of the reasons why the local
people have rejected the WH bid proposal. He said it was not a “caveman no” but that there were genuine reasons.
This non exhaustive list included: Farming, planning, graveyard (incl access and extension), living Christian Faith
Heritage (in particular that the Youth 2000 festival could continue), school, roads, quarry, gun club, turf cutting etc.
2. An Taoiseach welcomed the forming of the action group to represent the local peoples’ concerns in a structured
way and said that he could understand fully why the local people had rejected the proposal.
3. An Taoiseach said that he has been following developments and acknowledged that the “so called consultation
process” had been “inadequate” and “not meaningful”. Proof of this he said was in the nature of the unacceptable
proposal that had been brought forward by the Department of the Environment and local Government (DoEHLG),
including how unnecessarily “extensive” it had been. He acknowledged the level of admission in the official system
that the process had been “poorly designed” and that it had ended up with “polarised opposing” views between
people. He said that we are not at an application stage yet but that the “concept put before the people was very
big” and this has now resulted in a serious realisation by the DoEHLG.
4. An Taoiseach said that it needs to be ascertained from UNESCO as to what exactly are the min requirements re
buffer zones/ areas. He said that those zones currently proposed may be appropriate for remote uninhabitated
areas in the middle of a desert but not where people are living. (Later Sean Ascough pointed out that any proposal
based on UNESCO criteria 4 and 5, rather than possibly say criteria 1 and 6 that relate to the “genus loci”, would
lead to lines being drawn on maps that affect people’s livelihoods negatively and would certainly not be acceptable
to the Local Community. He also said that choice of criteria was a political one to be made by the applicant
government, and that the wrong choice had been made here).
5. An Taoiseach said that the overriding issue is what process should be pursued: Is it possible to find a process that is
reasonable and not “totally off-beam”. He said that Clonmacnois is a site of World Importance and it deserves the
honour of World Heritage Status. In the beginning the proposal had seemed like a good idea but as the nature/
limitations of it became apparent it is less attractive now. He said that we need to ask “what is a sensible
proposal?– what passes the test of reasonableness? - can we find one? - and if not then just leave it”. He requested
the local people to have an open mind.
6. John Dolan responded by saying that the people are very angry and that there would be a very big mending job to
do.
7. An Taoiseach said that he would not be happy with any proposal that did not have the support of the local people
and that it would not be forced on the people against their wishes. (Later John Dolan requested this in writing to
the Committee from An Taoiseach). In any event An Taoiseach said it would be a long road and there is no rush.
8. Joe Byrne said that his big concern was what could happen 10 years down the line if the plan were adopted
especially since the management plan can be changed at will. An Taoiseach agreed that this would be a concern of
his also saying that it is hard to “undesignate” a place once it has been designated, though we are “not near that
point” at present.
9. Gus Claffey noted that the Clonmacnois area is already “half sterilised”, e.g. permits needed for ploughing or
sowing early potatoes. He said the graveyard, which is already a feature in the guided tour e.g. the grave of Rory O
Connor the last high king of Ireland, and indeed is the only feature of the World Heritage site in Newgrange, will be
discontinued by not allowing ongoing burials. Noel Hynes recalled to An Taoiseach that there has been a graveyard
committee in place for a long time and a guarantee is needed that the graveyard will be extended. Patricia
Anderson and Noel Higgins concurred and said that there is a half acre across from the existing graveyard that the
owner is prepared to sell. This would serve for 100 years but a cost of €4.5 to 6 million per acre had been quoted by
the Department for archaeological clearance. The graveyard committee has been trying for years but with no
success. Noel Higgins reiterated that since St Ciaran’s time Clonmacnois has been a place of pilgrimage and a burial
ground and he requested that the Christian Heritage element be respected.
10. Sinead Moylan Ryan emphasised to An Taoiseach that the graveyard problem lies with DoEHLG since it is DoEHLG
that are dictating to Offaly County Council that the graveyard cannot be extended. Sinead said that there are no
plots available now for any local person who has not managed to buy one yet. Noel Higgins said that there already
had been two instances where elderly parishioners had died and their expressed wishes to be buried in
Clonmacnois had not been carried out because there were no plots available.
11. Seán Ascough mentioned how well received and assisted the Youth 2000 festival had been by the Local Community
and what a positive experience it had been for all involved. He also noted as an aside regarding how good this
“pilgrimage” had been for the local economy e.g. all accommodation in the area from Athlone to Shannonbridge
was fully booked for the 4 days. Ambrose Cuddy concurred saying that this was a proper use for Clonmacnois.
12. Ambrose Cuddy said that there needs to be a “local nexus” between the DoEHLG and the Local Community. An
Taoiseach agreed this was necessary and proposed to arrange for a dedicated liaison person to be appointed.
13. Gus Claffey noted that the Draft Management Plan had a lot in it regarding road signage but nothing in it regarding
improvement of the local road itself which is as narrow as 12 feet in some places. Noel Higgins concurred saying
that access to the monastic site is a concern of the Local Community’s. He said that suggestions of a shuttle bus
service / bussing people in and out/ access restrictions etc would be a concern: It appeared that the Local
Community would be paying “all the costs and receiving none of the benefits”.
14. An Taoiseach reiterated that the whole proposal as it stands is “on the wrong wavelength and is a non-runner”.
Patricia Anderson observed that early evidence of the poor handling was how Maptec had continually referred to
their previous WH bid for a coalmine in Wales and that they were treating Clonmacnois like a coalmine. Patricia
noted that the committee now understand that the proposal that was put to the Local Community is now
completely dead.
15. Sinead Moylan Ryan impressed upon An Taoiseach that he has a “vital role to play” on behalf of the Local
Community to set up the liaison between the DoEHLG and the Local Community.
16. Sinead Moylan Ryan also said that the Youth 2000 festival has to be allowed to proceed annually. Sean Ascough
mentioned how the National Monuments Service in DoEHLG had attempted to stop the festival on archaeological
grounds and had linked their reasons to the World Heritage bid and DoEHLG policy. An Taoiseach mentioned that
Bishop Colm O Reilly had also written to him expressing concerns regarding the Christian Faith Heritage aspects. An
Taoiseach said that he shared these local concerns too and that all of this was “pushing against an open door” as
far as he was concerned.
17. John Dolan thanked An Taoiseach again for taking the time out from his very demanding schedule to come and talk
to the committee. John said that the committee does not have the mandate from the Local Community to enter
into negotiations and that the committee would be reporting back to the Local Community and seeking their
guidance.
Actions Arising:
• An Taoiseach to issue a confirmation in writing to the Clonmacnois Action Group to confirm that the current
proposal is now dead and that no World Heritage application will be made to UNESCO without Local Community
agreement along the lines of the signature petition that had been lodged by the Local Community earlier.
• An Taoiseach to arrange for liaison person to be nominated to the Local Community from the DoEHLG regarding
any future correspondence.
• Clonmacnois Action Group to issue minutes of today’s meeting to An Taoiseach.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 4th Oct 2009 - 27th Sun B
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: €446. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Siobhan, Caitríona
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €257. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Kenny, A.Kearns
Readers for next Sunday: D.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan

St Ciaran's Youth Club will reopen on Fri 9th Oct from 7.30-9.30pm in Clonfanlough Hall for Registration. All members must register.
New members welcome.
Station Masses
This is the time of year when we celebrate the “Station Masses”, a long-standing tradition in Ireland and an unbroken link with the faith and practice of our ancestors. We are looking for volunteers to host the Station Mass, even if it is not your 'turn', or/and having it for the first time; or you may simply wish to have Mass in your home. We would encourage people to keep the occasion as simple as possible. We do not want this to be a burden on anybody.
¨¨¨¨
Questions people askQ. How can I overcome the habit of personal sin? I hate myself for doing it but yet I cannot stop. A. Many people are burdened with fear of a punishing God combined with an exaggerated notion of sexual sinfulness. This combination of fear and guilt causes the mind to focus on the problem to the extent that it becomes an obsession. An obsession is very hard to control. Be gentle on yourself. Let go of exaggerated guilt, accepting sexual thoughts and desires as so normal that the only time to worry about them is when you no longer experience them! If you praised God for human sexuality, maybe the devil would cease using it as a temptation. (Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap ) ¨¨¨¨
West Offaly Education Project will have night classes as follows:
Clonfanlough Hall: Set Dancing, from Mon 5th Oct, 8.30-10.30pm.
Shannonbridge NS: Hairstyling course from Tues 6th Oct, 7.30-9.30pm. Advanced Excel course from Wed 7th Oct, 7.30-10pm.
Other courses will be available at the following centres:
Cloghan, Ferbane, Pullough, Belmont, Kilcormac.
For more information, or to enrol, call Michelle on 057-9349422
¨¨¨¨
Bowling Fundraiser Night at Athlone Leisure World organised by Gallen Community School Parent's Association will be held on Fri 23rd Oct. Team of 4 costs €60. All welcome. For more details please contact the school at 090-6454548.
¨¨¨¨
Co Offaly Childcare Committee will host a seminar for parents entitled ‘Creating Confident Children’ with Dr Tony Humphreys on Sat 10th Oct in Tullamore Court Hotel from 10am – 4pm. Cost is €20 which includes lunch. For pre-booking (essential) call 057-9135878.

Interview with Sean Lowry.

Came across a major and very interesting interview with former Offaly football star Sean Lowry - check it out here - www.edenderrygaa.com.

Please find below the pope's homily during his visit to Clonmacnois.

Thanks,

Karen.
Many thanks to Karen Downey from the free paper Offaly Independent .The paper this week has two pages commemorating
the visit of Pope John Paul to Clonmacnois 30 years ago. Karen forwarded a copy of the Papal address at Clonmacnois.
You can read the paper at www.offalyindependent.ie

“Dear brothers and sisters, this visit to Clonmacnois gives me the opportunity to render homage to the traditions of faith and Christian living in Ireland. In particular, I wish to recall and honour the great monastic contribution to Ireland that was made here on this revered spot for 1,000 years and whose influence was carried all over Europe by missionary monks and by students of this monastic school of Clonmacnois.
When we look at the works of faith we must give thanks to God. Thanks to God for the origins of this apostolic faith in Ireland. Thanks to God for saints and apostles and all who were the instruments for implanting and keeping alive this faith and who have done God’s work throughout the ages.
Thanks to God for the continuity of the message of the apostles handed down intact to this day. Never forget the wonderful boasts and commitment made by St Columban to Bonafice IV in Rome: 'We Irish ... are disciples of Saints Peter and Paul ... we hold unbroken that Catholic faith which we first received from you.’
Clonmacnois was long the centre of a renowned school of sacred art. The Shrine of St Manchan standing on the altar today is one outstanding example of its work.
This is, therefore, a fitting place for me to express my gratitude for the work of Irish sacred art, several pieces of which have been presented to me on the occasion of my visit.
Irish art embodies in many instances the deep faith and devotion of the Irish people as expressed in the personal sensitivity of its artistes. Every piece of art, be it religious or secular, be it a painting, a sculpture, a poem or any form of handicraft, made by loving skill, is a sign and a symbol of the inscrutable secret of human nature, of man’s origin and destiny, of the meaning of his life and work. It speaks to us of the meaning of the birth and death, of the greatness of the man. Praised be Christ.”

Today a Francis Jensen from Geraardsbergen in Belgium stopped by with
his friend. They had travelled using Ryan Air to Shannon for 50 Euros
return (booked 2 months ago).They hired a car and travelled through
Clare Galway Connemara Sligo Donegal Derry and across to Antrim
and down to Roscommon and Shannonbridge since Sunday.
They have three friends in their home town called Max, Freddy and
Clarke and this trio asked them to call to Shannonbridge and say hello
Their town is called after the Saint Geraard and Bergen means hills
or small mountain.
Anyhow I opened an old phot album and there was Max on Page 2.
Mick remembers that Max was in Shannonbridge with his pals many
years ago and they bought a sheep from Louie Darcy. Max was a
butcher and he killed the sheep out on Lamb Island immediately
upstream from the bridge at Shannonbridge.
Francis told us that nowadays Max is in the antique business
and he also sells paving stones for around patios.
Francis has been in Ireland many times and once imported antique
looking cast metal fireplaces that were made in Athy and he sold them
in many countries.
Francis and his pal will surely need another holiday after the travel.
When they get home he is looking forward to going to Italy in
November with Ryan Air. This time his tickets will cost 5 Euros return.
Anyhow greetings to Max and friends and keep well.

Friday was vote Yes or No day for the Lisbon Treaty.
This morning Frank Keenan telephoned. Frank worked with Electricity
Power Board for over forty years mainly on the construction of new
power plants. He is now retired and living at Retreat Heights in
Athlone. Frank told that Retreat Heights got its name from the 1690's
when Ginkel and his army were approaching Athlone to fight Sarsfield
and the Irish. When Ginkel saw what was arrayed before him he
withdrew his army to a nearby hill now known as Retreat Heights.
Frank has a great knowledge of how some words came about.
I liked the posh word. Steamships sailing to America years ago
from Cobh offered First Class at £53 return and Posh Class at £153
return. The northern seas meant that it was nearly impossible to open
the cabin windows facing north.So they offered cabins Port Outbound -
Starboard Homebound.
Frank has started bridge lessons and promised to visit Shannonbridge
real soon.

The brother in America has great praise for the book 'The Minstrel Boy'
by Hubert Dunne that tells the story of Frances Ledwith the poet and
about the happenings in Ireland around the Rising in 1916.

A puzzle.Place nine dots in 3 rows each directly above one another.
Space the dots one inch apart and each row one inch apart.
You should have a square with nine dots spaced one inch from each
other.
Now draw four straight lines without taking the pen off the page
and connect all the dots.

Another puzzle.
Three people are on Death Row. They are given one chance to escape.
Five stickers - 3 White stickers and 2 Black stickers are produced.
One sticker is put on each prisoner's forehead and the othet two
stickers are burned.
The three prisoners are gagged and placed in one room.
If any one prisoner can say what colour sticker he /she is wearing
they will be released by The Govener.