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