Oliver and Patricia Keenaghan from Ferbane revisited Shannonbridge this week.
They told us that their neighbour in Delvin Park Peggy Mc Guire has become a
Great-grandmother with the birth of Calum Mc Cormack, a new baby for Mark and Emer.
Congratulations to all.
Many people have had burglar alarms fitted in their neighbourhood and as we were talking Oliver's mobile
notified him that his alarm had operated. They reckoned that it was the cat that had
entered through an open window. Anyhow end of visit and they returned home to check.

On 10th July Peter and Gillian Biss and their friend Richard Hewitson arrived in Shannonbridge
on the Holleran Family Tree search. In Mountshannon they found the house where Tommy Holleran lived.
Tommy Holleran came to Shannonbridge years ago and lived in the house that is now Supermacs.
He married Rose Claffey, a sister of Mike Claffey,
and they lived in the cottage at Templedew. Rose Claffey lived in a house
down Price's Lane, down behind the old church. They had five children -
> Gretta who married Johnny Lyons Templedew House and they went to work at a Mullingar stud farm.
> Lilian was married and lived in Ballinasloe and is deceased.
> Kathleen worked for some time before going to England. Gillian Biss is her daughter.
> Billy died in 2001 and is buried in Clonmacnois with his parents, where the family recently
erected a new memorial stone to their memory.
> Jack was the youngest and he emigrated to England and he is now dead.
Tommy Holleran died 14th November 1963 aged 86 years.
We took a nostalgic trip to have a look at the old Holleran homes but failed to locate
the ruins of the Lyons home as it was raining.
Gillian was wondering what Templedew translated into.
Master Lane called the area Teamphall Dubh or The Black Church. Dubh is black and teamphall is church.
There is the remains of an old church in that area where Mass is celebrated yearly butthat area
is known as Cloniffeen.
Anyhow best of luck to Gillian on her search.

There was horse racing at Roscommon racecourse on Monday and Tuesday. There was thunder and lightning
in Shannonbridge on Monday afternoon and heavy rain but none in Roscommon.
Anyhow Mick waited until Tuesday evening to go racing.
A horse bred in Ballygill, Taughmaconnell owned by Martin Donnellan and trained by Adrian Sexton
won the 8.00pm race at odds of 14 / 1.

Silverline Cruisers are offering people the chance to visit Clonmacnois each Sunday in July /August
on the "River Queen" a 50 seater passenger boat. Departing Shannonbridge @ 14.00hrs and departing
Clonmacnois at 15.45hrs. The trip takes one hour and costs 8 Euro one way and 12 Euros return.
Children cost 5 Euro and 7 Euro. See www.silverlinecruisers.com

The Parish Priest of the neighbouring Moore Parish Bishop Cassidy has resigned and the occasion
was marked at Masses in Clonfad and Moore this week. Wishing him well in his retirement and good
to hear that he plans to live in nearby Ballinasloe.

Shannonbridge Tourist Office opened this week under the charge of Alona Rock. Tel 085-8323262.

On 7th July Joe Burns, New Jersey and his brother William Burns, Florida stopped off in Shannonbridge.
They are sons of the late John Byrne who was born in Stirabout Hollow near Cloghan in 1875.
Their mother was a Mary Barnville who owned a pub in Birr.
They told us that the Grandparents Byrne are buried in Clonmacnois. The family donated a window
to Shannonbridge church in the 1960's.
The Byrnes are related to the Temples of Shannonharbour, the O'Donoghues Glue Pot Pub in Ballingarry,
to Dooleys in Birr and the Leary Family.
William was last home 50 years ago but Joe is a regular visitor. They promised to update us.