The Irish Roots column on yesterdays Irish Times tells us that the population of County Roscommon
in 1841 was more than 250,000.
In 1991 the total was 55,000.

On Saturday 29th August in Birr Theatre & Arts Centre,(www.birrtheatre.com)the Birr Historical Society
will hold a Commeration of Mary Ward 1869. Mary Ward was the world's first motoring accident.
After lectures by Lady Rosse and others, all present will be invited to visit the scene of the accident nearby,
for the unveiling of a commemorative storyboard.

Gillian Biss,Dorset, daughter of Kathleen Holloran, Templedew, is visiting Ireland at present.
Her grand-father Tommy Holloran came to this area from Mount-Shannon.
Gillian is spending this week trying to trace her grand-father's family roots.
Next week Gillian will be in the Shannonbridge and Templedew area.
I am told that she is writing a book.

The television political debate programme "Questions and Answers" presented by John Bowman has been showing
for over 23 years. The final programme was aired last night.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen was on the final programme. As he was wrapping up, Bowman said "Taoiseach, thank you
for joining us, but how long would you expect now to be leader of Fianna Fail...?

There has been widespread welcome for loyalist decommissioning.
The death has occured of Raymond Rooney, the well known Galway City Auctioneer. May he rest in peace.

On Sunday George and Valerie Armstrong from Baltimore stopped off on a river cruiser holiday on the Shannon,
at Shannonbridge. They were accompanied by their daughter Ann and her husband Jeff and their grand-daughters
Abby 8 and Hannah 10. The two girls went off on the Treasure Hunt organised by the Shannonbridge Mid-summer
Festival and were looking forward to the Drum Workshop and Circus School in the afternoon. The adults were
interested in the seven piece jazz band music scheduled for the green area across from the church later.
Valerie, nee Darcy told that her people came from Partry in County Mayo.
The family visit Ireland yearly for two weeks, one week afloat and the second in a self catering home.
George noted three changes since he first started coming -
1.Litter in the streets has disimproved.
2.So much construction
3. Lots of public houses closed.