Sunday, January 31, 2010

Noticed on the TV programs for today that our own George Brent stars
in 'The Spiral Staircase' tonight on BBC2 at 12.55. Also starring are
Dorothy Mc Guire and Ethel Barrymore.

Gay Byrne told on his radio show today on Lyric FM that a new book
called The Final Years by Brian Mc Williams is about to be launched.
The late Brian wrote Weather Eye for many years on the Irish Times
and his wife and son have put together a number of these columns
for the book.He looked at weather in lots of different and amusing
ways and should be worth a read.

The weather here today has been sunny but not too warm after a cold
frost last night.There is a que of birds waiting to use the bird
feeders.
Last night Ciaran Guinan - he who once drove the train on the sadly
no longer operating Blackwater Bog Train trips - was telling us after
Mass that the Cluny Sisters had 12 schools in Haiti at the time of the
recent earthquake. Nine of the schools were destroyed, according to
Sister Maeve, who is the Superior of the Cluny Sisters.
And Sister Maeve is a Connor from Clonfinlough, a sister of Ciaran and
Peter etc.
On Saturday 23rd January Dennis O Brien contacted the Cluny Sisters
and offered a lift to Haiti to Sister John and a companion in his
private jet plane,flying out Sunday and returning Monday.
They were also offered room for luggage they wanted to bring along.
Being Saturday the nuns contacted parents of pupils attending their
school in Mount Sackville who were doctors or chemists. The response
was marvellous and they were able to take along an assload of medicine and
medical supplies with them on the trip.
Dennis O Brien operates a mobile phone company and they have services
and buildings in Haiti. These were not harmed in the earthquake as
they were built earthquake proof.Dennis allowed the sisters to sleep
in one of the buildings during their stay.
A bit of local connection with the disaster and if you want to help
see the previous note below.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Shannonbridge GAA Notes

The draws for the 2010 GAA Championships have been made.

Intermediate football Groups:
Group 1: Shannonbridge, St. Rynaghs, Raheen, Clonbullogue, Clara, Kilclonfert.
Group 2: Doon, Rhode, Bracknagh, Ballyfore, Birr, Durrow.

Junior B Football Groups:
Group 1. Tullamore, Rhode, Shannonbridge, Ferbane, Kinnitty, Erin Rovers, Coolderry.
Group 2: Ballycumber, Daingean, Raheen, St. Rynaghs, Durrow, St. Brigids, Doon.

Four teams from each group advance to the quarter finals.

In Senior Hurling Belmont are in a group with Kilcormac/Killoughy, Birr, Kinnitty, Shinrone and Shamrocks.
The other group sees neighbours Brosna Gaels making their debut in the Senior Grade, so best of luck to them.

Junior A Hurling, Group 1, includes Belmont with St Rynaghs, Killeigh, Tullamore, Raheen, Ballinamere, Kilcormac / Killoughy.

Friday, January 29, 2010

On Thursday 28th January 2010 Paul Clements,author,journalist and
travel writer called to Shannonbridge.
Paul had his travel writer hat on and told that he was commissioned
to write about places and attractions for a travel book.
He has written a number of books and presented one titled -
The Height of Nonsense to Shannonbridge Library.
This book deals with the Highest Point in each county in Ireland.
It is an amusing book as he travelled around Ireland trying to locate
the highest points.
The highest point in County Offaly is located in the Slieve Bloom
Mountains called Arderin.
The Roscommon high is located in the Arigna Mountains.
Find out the other points yourself from the book.
The book has almost 400 pages including a great Bibliography of
books on Ireland.Printed by Collins Press www.collinspress.ie
Paul Clements had a copy of the book titled 'Where the River Shannon
Flows' by Richard Hayworth and he is anxious to find out any news
on the late Richard Hayworth.That book has a good black and white
photograph of the village bridge in Shannonbridge taken from the
roof of the Fort Restaurant where the Moran Family then lived.
Richard Hayworth thanks the late Mrs Moran for allowing him onto
the roof of the building to take the photograph.
Paul reckons that Richard Hayworth was in Shannonbridge sometime in
the Forties and again in the Sixties. Paul would welcome any news
of Richard.Contact clementsrp@googlemail.com

Shane Lowry the golfer from Clara is named 'Sports Star of The Week'
in today's Irish Independent Newspaper for his performance last week.
Well done Shane and keep up the good work this week.
John Hardiman was showing me an interesting printout on
John Gately Downey 1827 - 1894
Born in Castlesamson County Roscommon in 1827 Downey left Ireland
for America in 1842 when he was 14 years old.
His proffession was given as Apothecary, or a Druggist.
He worked in California and was Governor of that state for a term.
A town in California is named after Downey.
To get to Castlesampson you branch left off the
old Ballinasloe / Athlone road just past Carty's Shop.
To get more information on John Gately Downey use -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/john_gately_downey
Today Friday 29th January G.R.Robinson Belmont the Mineral Water and
Bottlers for many years in this area closed for business.
One of the delivery workers was telling
that the G.R. stood for George Russell.
The original George Russell came to work
in the Perry's Mill in 1867.
He came from England as a Master Miller.
Perry's Mill has ceased operating for some years
and is now open to the public to visit.
One of the artifacts on display there is a large bound ledger
with the names of the employees and their weekly wages.
On the first line of the first page is
George Russell Robinson and his weekly pay was £1-10-0.
Hopefully there will be more to add to the G.R.Robinson story later.

Ferbane Bridge Club WEB SITE address is
http://sites.google.com/site/ferbanebridgeclub/
The club hold regular sessions of bridge on Tuesday and Thursday
nights commencing at 8.00pm sharp.
For about two weeks at Christmas time and from end of May to mid
September they have a break.
Cluny Emergency Relief Appeal for Haiti notice pinned to the Church
noticeboard tells that The Sisters of Cluny have been in Haiti since
1864.Yes 1864.They have 82 Sisters in 14 Communities there at present.
The Sisters are involved in primary and secondary education;
health care;women's promotion and social development.
Because of the utter devastation,the Cluny sisters in the Province of
Ireland & Great Britain wish,in solidarity with their community in
Haiti to do something very specific,manageable,achievable and
realistic within the next six months (Jan-June 2010) in respect of a
feeding programme for needy children and their families and for this
they need ..... your help.
All donations welcome
Bank details:AIB Blanchardstown:Cluny Missions;
Account no 03353010:Sort code 932515
Contact:The Provincial,Mount Sackville,Chapelizod,Dublin 20Cluny Emergency Relief Appeal for Haiti notice pinned to the Church
noticeboard tells that The Sisters of Cluny have been in Haiti since
1864.Yes 1864.They have 82 Sisters in 14 Communities there at present.
The Sisters are involved in primary and secondary education;
health care;women's promotion and social development.
Because of the utter devastation,the Cluny sisters in the Province of
Ireland & Great Britain wish,in solidarity with their community in
Haiti to do something very specific,manageable,achievable and
realistic within the next six months (Jan-June 2010) in respect of a
feeding programme for needy children and their families and for this
they need ..... your help.
All donations welcome
Bank details:AIB Blanchardstown:Cluny Missions;
Account no 03353010:Sort code 932515
Contact:The Provincial,Mount Sackville,Chapelizod,Dublin 20

Monday, January 25, 2010

The death has occurred of Michelle Kenny, Clonbonniff, Belmont. Michelle is daughter of Tony (formerly of Clondelara) and Bernie Kenny. She is survivied by her parents, three brothers, sister and extended family, including her grand parents Brian and Josephine Kenny, Clondelara.
The death has also occurred of Phil Ryan, Derryholmes, wife of Eamon Joe Ryan. Both funerals took place to High Street cemetary. May they rest in peace.
Last evening I noticed what appeared to be a group of people gazing
around the shop.I asked if they had been in Clonmacnois.
One of the m told me that they were all over from England to celebrate
Una Murphy's birthday.
Una was born in Birr and now lives in The Potteries in Englang.
Some 70 Friends from Stoke and Stratford -o-Avon travelled over for
the party which was held in The County Arms Hotel Birr. I am not sure
whether the party lasted for four days or whether it ended at four
in the morning.Heard that they had Elvis as a guest at the party
or was it Paul Murphy.
Anyhow at Christmas some of them had seen 'Three Men
Go to Ireland' on TV recently and they came to have a look at the
locations. They had looked around the bridge and were looking at
the shop.They did not buy any pipes but a souveneir sweater.
They took photographs. Hopefully more people will get the same idea.
Belated Birthday Greetings to Una Murphy and thanks to Una and her
friends for taking time out to visit Shannonbridge.
The weekend weather was very foggy and there was a good deal of
frost last night.Nice bit of sunshine this morning lifted the fog.

Note the meeting on the parish newsletter this week regarding
a meeting on Wednesday night 27th January if you would like to live
in Shannonbridge.
Good to Offaly golfer start off the year with a great display in his
first competition an Abu Adabi finishing fourth. This puts Shane into
the top hundred golf rankings for the first time.Position 89.
Well done Shane and keep up the good work.

The A.T.Cross staff and friends held a get together in Gullanes at
the weekend.About 150 people were expected to attend.It was a surprise
when over 350 people turned up to make it a great night .
A.T.Cross closed their pen factory in Ballinasloe too many years ago.

The anniversary Mass for the late Father Tom Ryan was celebrated in
Clonfad Church on Sunday evening.Father Tom was a popular priest
in the area where he worked until his death three years ago.

Laura Keena Shannonbridge celebrated her "21" Birthday with her
family and many friends on last Friday night.Daughter of Noel and
Ann Keena Laura is presently working in the new Tesco Stores in
Ballinasloe.Congratulations to Laura on the occassion.

At last weeks table quiz in Killeens the half-time raffle was run
in aid of the Haiti Disaster fund. It realised 364 Euros.
At the weekend Masses the congregation were asked to add a donation
for Haiti to the collection baskets. Father O Hanlon plans to only
take half of a normal weeks collection and sent the rest to Trocaire.
The pool players in Killeens are holding a Haiti tournament with an
entry fee of 10 Euros.Over 30 names have entered so far.

The Laois Kildare football teams really got warmed up yesterday
with seven players sent off.

An old Les Dawson tribute on TV yesterday had Les on a large stage
in a theater with a grand piano. He read out a note to say that
Gennie Jones was in the balcony and she is 1ll. Les proposed that
they sing Happy Birthday to Gennie and started playing the tune on
the piano.After a few lines a stage hand came over and whispered
in his ear. Les stood up and told the audience that sorry but
Gennie Jones is ill.
The Offaly Independent this week has some items of interest.
Shannon's Tudor Castle to get facelift turns out to be Clononey Castle.
Built around 1500 by The Mac Coughlan clan and was ceded to Henry VIII.
The present owner is Rebecca Black and permission was granted to carry
out conservation and construction works,cap the parapet wall,fit a
roof/deck area,fit windows and doors,install bathrooms and kitchen.
A preservation order has been on the castle since 1940.

Obama could visit Offaly this summer the Offaly Indo tells us.
www.offalyindependent.ie


The Glasson hotel and golf course have added a new banqueting suite
opening April 2010. Visit info@glassongolf.ie
w:glassongolfhotel.ie

Rahan/Muclagh have a new parish website www.rahanparish.ie
Clara also have a new website www.mylocalnews.ie

Offaly is a "hidden gem" according to top travel guide Lonely Planet.
They describe Banagher, Shannonharbour and Shannonbridge all as
"sleepy towns"

And the New Bridgestone food guide has 25 Offaly entries.
www.bridgestoneguides.com

But the headline that really caught the attention of local eyes went
"Clonmacnois wrestler set for royal rumble in the Midlands"
This is in the Sports section and tells about Eamon O Neill known as
"The Celtic Warrior".He will be performing at the Radisson Hotel in
Athlone on Tuesday,February 9th next.
Reading further we learn that 'The Celtic Warrior is Eamon Shrahan
from near Clonmacnois. Eamon joined the proffessional ranks in 2002
in Portsmouth England.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 24th Jan 2010 -3 C
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Mass or Communion Prayer Service each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €634. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
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 Tom & Geraldine McManus

¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €306. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: T.Rohan, A.Rohan
Readers for next Sunday: A.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Mass on next Sun for the late Sonny Egan

Mass every Wed eve @ 7.30pm in the Prayer-Centre Clonmacnois.
Adult Education Night Classes in Clonfanlough Hall
Open Information Eve, Tues 26th Jan in the Hall @ 7.30pm.
¨¨¨¨
Shannonbridge Action Group
Public Meeting in Shannonbridge School on Wed 27th Jan @ 7.30pm regarding an ‘Opportunity for an Affordable Site for Development.’
¨¨¨¨
Umbra Clothing Collection – Tues 26th Jan, 9am- 12 noon
Supporting Education in Kitui. Collection of all types of clean, dry clothing, also bed linen, curtains, towels and shoes.
At Shannonbridge and Clonfanlough Hall Car parks.
For more info call 086-8582529.
¨¨¨¨
Questions people askQ. This is the year of Gospel of Luke. What is special about Luke? A. The opening words that each evangelist quotes from Jesus are a good indication of that writer’s special insight and purpose. In Luke the first words we hear from the adult Jesus are about the Spirit anointing him for a mission to the poor and those who are generally regarded as less favoured. He is the evangelist of the Holy Spirit. Luke emphasises compassion and mercy. Among those blessed by God are people regarded as outsiders ... sinners, lepers, Samaritans, women, shepherds, tax collectors. Watch the verbs in Luke as he tells of the gracious actions of God and the prayerful reactions of people. (Fr O’Flynn)
¨¨¨¨
‘Shannonbridge Carol Singers thank all those who supported their collection at Christmas for the Offaly Hospice - €330 in total.
¨¨¨¨
'If there were no God there would be no atheists'. (Chesterton)

'Every man is a builder of a temple called his body.' (Thoreau)

'All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.' (Emerson)

'Happiness is a wondrous commodity; the more you give, the more you have.' (Voltaire)

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Ken and Betty Smith from California are regular visitors
to Shannonbridge. Last week I got a fright when I heard
that they were in Haiti.
Then an e-mail from Ken told how near they were to being there
and how fortunate they were.They changed their booking to the
previous week.
Today Tuesday Maureen Kelly arrived home after visiting with
her son Jason in New York.Maureen looked jet lagged after the flight
but she took time to check the Health Center of which she is
caretaker.She was surprised to find a dead bird,a blue tit,resting
on a window. During the recent cold spell the bird must have gained
entry. Maureen told us that Jason is in great form and she enjoyed
the short visit.

Mrs Mary Glennon, 105 years of age, from Moore died on
Friday 15th January and her funeral has taken place on 17th January.
May she rest in peace.

Ray Walsh tells me that comments are being posted on the
www.athlone.ie web-site including some on the recent BBC TV
program 'Three Men Go to Ireland'

On Sunday last a group of 14 local people travelled to Dublin
to attend an afternoon concert in The National Concert Hall.
Titled "Top Hat, White Tie, & Tails" the concert was given by
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra of some nine musicans and two vocalists
and four dancers. It was a very enjoyable show and many of those
attending were able to make use of the free travel on rail and bus.

The RTE Vanbrugh Quartet, made up of artists in residence at
University College Cork,are touring Ireland on a February Tour.
They are scheduled to play Cork / Shannonbridge / Navan / Dublin
and Kilkenny.
They will play Shannonbridge on Friday 5th February at 8.30pm
in The Old Fort Resturant.Tickets are 20 Euros each and includes
a glass of wine.Booking 090 96 74973
They will feature String Quartets by Mozart,Shostakovich and
Beethoven.
Pre concert meal available from 6pm.

Good to see Clare Kennedy from Birr at the weekend. Clare has two children
and has her own Ladies clothes shop in Birr.Clare is a daughter of
Joe Kennedy and the late Sally Kennedy.

Seems that you need a good mobile phone or a fast computer to download
Amhran na bhFiann from Nokia free. From http://short.ie/6d5vdO

John Grenham in his Irish Roots feature in the Irish Times yesterday
tells us that there are some excellent developments on the National
Library site (www.nli.ie)

Pat Killeen spotted a death notice on the paper last week for
McDonald (nee Murphy) Maura,Booterstown,County Dublin. Maura Murphy
was reared in Ballinasloe and her father Jack Murphy was a teacher
in Garbally College. Pat remembered the last time that she had met
Maura was many years ago when Pat and Doc were in Switzers shop in
Dublin. Walking up the stairs she met a woman that looked familiar.
She asked her was she a Murphy and sure enough it was Maura.
Maura leaves a husband Sidney,five children and a sister Deirdre.
May she rest in peace.

West Offaly Education Project have an Awards Night and Enrolement
Evening on Thursday 21st of January in Shannonbridge National School
at 7,30 p.m.They have eight courses on offer and are open to running
other courses if there is interest and sufficient numbers.

Ray Walsh has a car that tells the temperature. Last evening while
travelling from Tullamore to Cloghan he noticed that the temperature
was minus 1C. Some twenty minutes later in Shannonbridge it read 5C.
A plus for Shannonbridge no doubt.

Monday, January 18, 2010

An article on a recent Irish Times told that 'Nokia users abroad dig
the sound of "Amhran na bhFiann".
It seems that a free download teaches the words of Amhran na bhFiann.
Some 25,000 people had already availed of the download.
Anyone can download it from http://short.ie/6d5vdO
Methinks that our Irish teams might do well to avail of the offer.
As the National Anthem is being played it is embarrassing to watch
the TV cameras viewing the players faces and so many mouths shut.

Next time join in the singing and enjoy the game.
All you need is a mobile phone.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 17th Jan 2010 –2 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: €586. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 6, E.Casey, D.O’Carroll
Altar Servers for this week: Aoife, Athene, Saul, Jack
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €215. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Halligan, M.Kelly
Readers for next Sunday: A.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Mass on next Sun for the late Brigid Rigney

Week of prayer for Christian Unity: begins Mon 18th Jan, and continues until Mon 25th Jan, feast of Conversion of St Paul.
BIBLICAL THEME: You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:48)

Clonmacnois Prayer Centre: Mass on this Wed @ 7.30pm
Theology From Home
The Dominicans are offering a theology Programme specifically for lay people. We follow the method of the Open University – participants receive a ‘Pack’ with the full text, and are linked with one of our nine centres around the country.
For further information, please call
The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24.
Tel 01-4048124, or 4048132
Email: enquiries@prioryinstitute.com
¨¨¨¨
Athlone Community College
Open eve on Mon 18th Jan @ 7pm
¨¨¨¨
Annual Mummers Festival (Rescheduled) takes place in New Inn Leisure Centre on 23rd Jan starting @ 7pm.
¨¨¨¨
‘Many thanks for your support for the Christmas Carol Concert in Clonfanlough, and your donations which realised €166.50, and has been sent to help needy children in Kenya.’
¨¨¨¨
West Offaly Education Project enrolment eve for Night Classes:
In Shannonbridge N.School on Thurs 21st Jan @ 7.30pm.
For more info call Tony or Jolene on 057-934900.
Intermediate Computer Course begins in Crank House on 21st Jan
¨¨¨¨

Questions people askQ. At the wedding in Cana there were 6 jars, each holding 20 or 30 gallons, about the equivalent of 800 bottles today. Are we to take these figures literally? A. The Gospel of John shows Jesus bringing several Jewish institutions such as the temple and the Sabbath to fulfilment. The miracle at Cana involved water, not any water, but water set aside for ritual purification before a meal. This water represents the Jewish religion with its many ritual washings as preparing for the wedding of heaven and earth which occurred in Jesus, true God and true man. Six jars are one short of the perfect number, seven. The huge amount of new wine expresses the lavish generosity of God inviting all people to union with Christ. (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)

Friday, January 15, 2010

Shannonbridge GAA Club News


Following the recent Annual General Meeting the Officers and Committee for 2010 are:

Presidents: Rev. Fr. F. O’Hanlon, Frank Guinan, Kieran Rohan.
Chairman: Damien Brazil.
Vice Chairman: Joe Duffy.
Secretary: Roger Ryan.
Assistant Secretary: Jason Mahon.
Treasurer: Olive Costello.
Assistant Treasurer: Declan Rohan.
Registrar: Declan McEvoy.
Executive Committee: Denis Loonam, Mark Carthy, Des McEvoy, Tom Moore, Noel Rock, Tony Rohan.

Team Management:
(Intermediate) - John Dowling (Manager), Niall O’Shea, Des McEvoy.
(Junior B) – Tony Rohan (Manager) Tom Moore, Frank Guinan, Frank Flannery.

Membership:
Membership is now due and can be paid to Declan McEvoy or any committee member – Family €30, Adult €20, OAP/ Student €10.

Club Lotto.
No winner in last week’s draw. Jackpot for this week is €7,000.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 10thJan 2010 – Baptism of Jesus 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: €501. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 5,C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Michaela, Oisín, Andrea
Mass on next Sun for the late James Higgins

¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €259. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Noble, D.Fitzgerald
Readers for next Sunday: A. & L. Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group D
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the late John Loonam & family

Gallen Community School will reopen on Thurs 14th Jan. Further updates on Midlands Radio 3. Swine flu injection in school postponed until further notice.

Questions people askQ. What do you think of postponing the Baptism of children until they are old enough to make their own decision? A. Depriving a child of Baptism shows a very poor regard for the treasures of Christian life. Baptism is the first of the sacraments of Christian Initiation, the others being Confirmation and First Communion. Initiation into Christian beliefs, values, thoughts and behaviour begins in early childhood. A Christian home is the ideal setting. Parents who value their faith and Church membership would desire to pass on this faith to their children as much as they would seek the best schooling and medical care for them.
¨¨¨¨
Athlone Community College proposed open eve for Mon has been postponed.
Shannonbridge ARA will not meet on this Tuesday.
Prayer Centre Clonmacnois will not have Mass on this Wed.

¨¨¨¨
West Offaly Education Project enrolment eve for Night Classes:
In Clonfanlough Hall on Thurs 14th Jan @ 7.30pm
In Shannonbridge N.School on Thurs 21st Jan @ 7.30pm.
Courses on offer include FETAC Level 5, Business Studies, Computers etc. For more info call Tony or Jolene on 057-934900.
¨¨¨¨
Lourdes Invalid Fund Church gate Collection
Next weekend 16/17th Jan
¨¨¨¨
Night Vigil in Clonmacnois Prayer Centre
Fri 15th Jan beginning with Mass @ 10pm, weather permitting.
¨¨¨¨
The greatest dangers of our time?
General William Booth once said that they were:

“Religion without the Holy Spirit;
Christianity without Christ;
Forgiveness without regeneration;
Morality without God;
Heaven without Hell “

Friday, January 08, 2010

Three Men Go To Ireland.

This is now on tonight Friday 8th @ 11.05.

Three Men Go To Ireland.In his report (see below) Derry failed to mention that he starred in the programme himself! Well worth a look - should be re-run on next Sunday night, on BBC2, at 11.05pm - so if you missed it, tune in.
Posted by Rose at 8:08 PM

Joanne said...
You can watch it if you go to bbc.co.uk/iplayer .... click on BBC 2 and then type in 'three men'It's episode 2 !

Is this Joanne Gunning keeping an eye on us?

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Today 7th Jan 2010 I asked Mary to make a list of the birds feeding
on the shed roof and the peanut feeders.Here is her list -
20 Goldfinch, 8 Chaff Finch, 1 Green Finch, 1 Robin, 1 Linnet,
1 Willow Warbler (new arrival), 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Dunnock,
2 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 6 Starlings, 6 Crows,
2 Black Birds, 1 Willy Wagtail,

A phone in quiz on radio today asked "Spideog is Irish for robin,
true or false ?"

Was trying to think who co-starred with Donal Donnelly in the original
Philadelphia Here I Come and came up with the name Patrick Bedford
which the cousin Kaye confirmed last night.
At the John Dolan viewing last evening I remembered the last time that
I spoke to John was on a small lake on Lough Corrib when we had gone out
to see the remains of a monastery founded by a nephew of Saint Patrick.
When we pulled in the boat we noticed another lake boat already moored.
As we walked towards the monastic ruins a voice hailed from the trees
"How are they all in Shannonbridge"?. It was John Dolan and his son in law
who had landed on the island for a lunch break after fishing on the
lake. Our God has a special place for fishermen
and John was a good one.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Last evening at around 5.00pm it was turning into cold and freezing.
I was trying to give fresh water to the little birds when I heard a
solitary shot ring out.It was a shock to hear what I presumed was
somebody firing a gun at wildfowl. Later someone told us that the
film people had to use a gunshot in one of the scenes and that was
probably what I had heard.

Yesterday a good friend and a great fisherman,Tom Coulson,phoned from
England but unfortunately I was not present to take the call.
Hopefully he is making plans to come fishing in these parts later in
the year.

A notice on today's paper tells us that Dorothy Moore passed away in
Kenya on December 5th.She was the widow of the late Eamonn Moore,
Ballinasloe.Eamonn was for many years the manager of Bord.Na.Mona.
in this area.May they both rest in peace.

Actor Donal Donnelly has died from cancer in Chicago aged 78 years.
Born in England Donal worked for many years in Dublin.Back in 1964
he was nominated for his role as Private Gar in the original staging
of Brian Friel's play 'Phiadelphia Here I Come'
His burial will take place in Chicago. May he rest in peace.

Our editor Kerrill got a note from Jill Charters England looking for a picture or portrait of Killeens Village Tavern.
Hopefully she can record 'Three Men Go To Ireland' which is being reshown
on Sunday night next at 11.05pm.

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

The Irish Times Magazine of January 2nd had an interesting list of
personalities that passed away in 2009.These included the following -
Darren Sutherland b.1982, Karl Mullen b.1924, Vincent O Brien b.1917,
Christopher Nolan b.1970, Anna Manahan b.1924, Frank Mc Court b.1930,
Tony Gregory b.1947, Hugh LOeonard b.1926, Nuala Fennell b.1935,
Ciaran Mac Mathuna b.1925, Liam Clancy b.1935,Stephen Gately b.1976.
The list did not include some late deaths such as
Justin Keating who died at his home in Kildare New Years Eve b.1930,
and of Cardinal Cahal Daly who was buried in Armagh on 5th January.

Today 5th January news has come along of the death of John Dolan,
Creagh, Ballinasloe,well known garageman, fisherman and shooter and
owner of the 24 Hour service station cum shop cum food outlet at
Creagh in recent years.
May they all rest in peace and say a prayer for them if you will.
Three Men Go To Ireland.
In his report (see below) Derry failed to mention that he starred in the programme himself! Well worth a look - should be re-run on next Sunday night, on BBC2, at 11.05pm - so if you missed it, tune in.
Heard on Monday that Martin Pat Coleman has arrived home
safe and sound from Australia.He must have felt a great change from
summer in Perth to a cold winter in Ireland.

Phil Taylor won an exciting 15th World Darts Championship on Sunday
defeating Simon Whitlock from Australia.

An item on the BBC N.I. news on 4th Jan told us that some 10,000
Placenames of Northern Ireland and their history, may be lost forever
if funding is not found.Many of the placenames are in the Irish
Language and the English translation is given.The examples shown were
interesting and hopefully funds will be found.

December past was the coldest December in Northern Ireland since 1981.

Words We Use column in Mondays Irish Times has some lovely Fairy Words
from Ann Friel,Fanad,Donegal such as
>Fairy Horse is her word for ragworth
>Fairy Sheaf is the last sheaf cut at the harvest,because once upon
a time it was offered to the fairies to appease them
>Fairy soap is the common milkwort - the roots and leaves were used to
make a lather for washing the hands
>Fairy tickles are freckles.

For the past few days El Zorreno Films have been working on a 10-15
minute film which is under sponsorship of Offaly Film Commission.
It is hoped to have a screening in Tullamore Omniplex in April / May.
The locations used are Ely House in Shannonbridge and locations in
Pullagh. It seems that a Garda car is involved and yesterday
Oliver Darcy saw a Garda car coming from Clonmacnois with a large
camera sticking out the window photographing a car following.
They promised to let us know more details come April / Maytime.

Amazing Grace is the title of the new book by Brendan Grace,the
comedian.

Last Friday on BBC television the second part of a two part trip
on the River Shannon was shown.Titled "Three Men Go To Ireland"
this hour long episode involved Gryff Rees Jones,Rory Mc Grath
and Daire O Briain taking a boat trip on the Shannon from Athlone
to Limerick. They stopped at Shannonbridge,Portumna,visited Leap Castle
crossed Lough Derg to Ardnacrusha and to Limerick.They had a trip to
Innis Mhor on the Aran Islands. The y filmed the episode last October
and they had sunshine all the way. Gryff and Rory called in to Killeens
and bought three long shafted Kapp and Peterson smoking pipes.
Somebody told me that it should be available under a Google search.

The birds are hungry and need water.Three or four blackbirds,a thrush
and a linnet have joined the gang of regular birds feeding on the roof
of the shed in the yard.
The Callows in places have flood -water and sheets of ice. The sunshine
shining through the trees look great but baby its cold outside.
Gay Byrne is still turning out a fine radio program every Sunday 2 - 4
on Lyric FM or 97.8 - 99.4 MHz

Marion Finucane had an interesting talk with Frank Kelly actor and
comedian on Sunday.Frank was telling how his father and a civil servant
called Arthur Booth were the founders of Dublin Opinion.
Frank wrote his own version of 12 Days of Christmas which was a hit.
He presented The Glen Abbey sponsored radio programme for two years
and later for five years.
Frank won a Jacobs Award for acting and at the presentation he met
the Taoiseach Jack Lynch.Presenting his award Jack Lynch told Eamon
that he had never met anyone that sang The Banks of My own Lovely Lee
better than Eamon Kelly. To celebrate Jack Lynch bought a bottle of
Paddy Whiskey and they drank it.
Look up Dublin Opinion sometime

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 3rd Jan 2010 – 2nd Sun after Christmas C
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Feast of the Ephinany, Wed 6th Jan, a Holy Day
Masses: Mon,Tues @ 10am; & Tues eve @ 8pm.
Wed @ 12 noon. For rest of week @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €441. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Caitríona, Siobhán, Sarah
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Kieran Kelly

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Clonfanlough
Mass for the Epiphany, a Holy Day on Wed @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €256. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: C.Healy, T.Milner
Readers for next Sunday: D.Boland
Altar Servers for Wed & next Sunday: Groups as arranged
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy
Mass on next Sun for the late Jimmy & Lish Devery

The Year to come – some central Feasts in 2010
The centre of the whole liturgical year is the Paschal Triduum of the Lord, crucified, buried and risen, which will culminate in the solemn Vigil of Easter, during the holy night that will end with the dawn of the 4th April – Easter Sunday.
Every Sunday, as a weekly Easter, holy Church makes present that great and saving deed by which Christ has forever conquered sin and death. From Easter there comes forth and are reckoned all the days we keep holy: Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, 17th Feb;
the Ascension of the Lord, 16th May; and Pentecost, 23rd May;
First Sunday of Advent, 28th November.
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Theology From Home
The Dominicans are offering a theology Programme specifically for lay people. We follow the method of the Open University – participants receive a ‘Pack’ with the full text, and are linked with one of our nine centres around the country.
For further information, please call
The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24.
Tel 01-4048124, or 4048132
Email: enquiries@prioryinstitute.com
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Hope For the New Year
‘To leave the old with a burst of song; to recall the right and forgive the wrong; To forget the things that bind you fast, to the vain regrets of the year that's past; To have the strength to let go your hold of the not worth- while, of the days grown old; To dare go forth with a purpose true, to the unknown task of the year that's new; To help your brother & sister along the road; to assist with their work and lift their load; To add your gift to the world's good cheers is to have and to give a Happy New Year.’

Friday, January 01, 2010

The death occured of Cardinal Cahal Daly in Belfast on Thursday December 31st 2009.
Cardinal Daly was aged 92 years. Some forty years ago he was Bishop of our diocese Ardagh and Clonmacnois.
May he rest in peace.