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.