Recentt Deaths

Denis OGrady, Ballinahown passed away last week after a long illness. Denis worked for many years as a Supervisor in Shannonbridge Power Station, where he was highly regarded by all. He was laid to rest in Clonmacnoise last Sunday.

News today of the death of Johnny Coughlan, Ballylamon, Belmont - funeral arrangements later. Johnny was well known for his interests in sport including badminton and Belmont GAA, where he was active as player and organiser for many years.
May they rest in peace.

Coffee Morning for Hospice.

Congratulations to Liz Duffy and team who staged a very successful coffee morning in Killeen's last Friday for the Hospice. They raised the brilliant total of € 1,000 for this very worthy cause - well done to all.

Stephen Kelly Memorial Motor Cycle Run.

Many local bikers were among a large number who took part in the annual memorial bike run for Stephen (Ned) Kelly last Saturday, which was a fund-raiser for another very important charity - Aware.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery

Shannonbridge / Doon GAA Club Lottery

The jackpot was not won this week; numbers drawn were 9, 12, 16, and 24. There were four match three winners - Rose Ryan, Shannonbridge; Brendan McManus, Lecarrow; Sean Ryan, Doon and Jessica Keenaghan, Doon. Next week’s draw is on Tuesday night with the jackpot at €9400.

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

New Club Website.
Check out the club’s new website at www.shannonbridgegaa.com. For all your club details, including Club details 2010, Club Lotto, Fixtures / Results, Multimedia (photos / videos) Club History and Match Reports. If you have any items of interest that could be included (e.g. photographs etc) please contact Jason Mahon, Site Administrator.

Division Two League.
Shannonbridge had a comprehensive win over Ballyfore, on Saturday evening, at Shannonbridge, with a final score of 1-22 to 0-3. Team: D. Kelly, W. Keena, R. Ryan, M. Darcy, P. Moloney, N. Price, D. Turley, J. Ryan (0-3), J. Egan (1-0), K. Flannery (0-4), K. Kearns (0-2), S. Flannery (0-4), P. Kelly (0-3), A. Kelly (0-4), E. Egan (0-2). Subs: A. Coughlan, A., Kelly, P. Deeley, K. Norton.

Division Five League.
Durrow conceded a w/o on Sunday morning.

Fixtures.
Division 5, Friday 2nd April, 6pm, v Doon at Shannonbridge.
Division 2, Sunday 4th April, 12noon, v Doon at Shannonbridge.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 28th March 2010 – Palm Sun C
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon - Wed @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €372. 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 Paddy Duffy

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €238. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Loonam, A.Egan
Readers for next Sunday: D.Boland
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group as arranged
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy

I will attend the sick & housebound on Wed

A thought for Holy Week: God does not ask about our ability or our inability, but our availability. (The Arkansas Baptist)
HOLY WEEK CEREMONIES

Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper with a Vigil of Adoration Shannonbridge: 9pm; Clonfanlough: 7pm

Good Friday: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion:
Shannonbridge: 7pm; Clonfanlough 5pm
Also in Shannonbridge @ 3pm: STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence.

Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil and Mass:
Shannonbridge: 9pm; Clonfanlough: 7pm
Please bring a candle for the Renewal of Baptismal Promises.

CELEBRATION OF RECONCILIATION: Monday 20th March
Clonfanlough: 7.30pm; Shannonbridge: 8pm
Confessions also possible after the Good Friday Ceremonies.

Please bring your Trócaire offerings to the Ceremony on Holy Thurs or Good Friday

Many thanks for your contributions to the Lenten Alms, €850. This money is used by the Diocese for promoting Catholic Education (training & payment of Catechists etc), and supporting ‘Accord’ (Marriage preparation programmes etc) and ‘Cura’ (counselling in crisis pregnancies etc)

Stroke Support Group will meet in the Physio Dept in Portiuncula Hospital on 31st March @ 7pm.

Tidy Towns Meeting: in Health Centre on Mon 29th March @ 9pm. All welcome.

Church Gate Collection on next weekend for Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland

Offaly Suicide Awareness Talk in High St Hall on 13th April @ 7pm

Mike Doherty was reading a book about fish behaviour and noted that a pike can know that there is another fish in distress within a two mile radius. Hence his concern for the illegal fishing using live fish as bait.No doubt you would send out a distress message if you had a great big ugly treble hook stuck into you like the live fish bait.

''Never ask a fox to mind the hens'' says a Maguire and Patterson matchbox.

Looking back at the early years of Local News on www.shannonbridge.com
the death of Bob Monkhouse was noted. 'They all laughed when I said I was going to be a comedian. They're not laughing now.

Turraun a townland near Ferbane is a condensed word for 'tabhair dom aran' or 'give me bread'

www.discoverireland.ie/offaly has lots of local information.
www.loughbooraparklands.ie is a place to visit when you next stay in Shannonbridge. Have a look at their website now.

Shannonbridge and Clonmacnois Mid Summer Festival takes place from
Thursday 24 -- Sunday 27th June 2010.
Various indoor and outdoor events in both Clonmacnois and Shannonbridge.

Good dash of rain fell this evening and I noticed that the daffodils
planted on the approach fingers to the Cloghan Roundabout have stretched in the last week and many are now in full bloom.

At the Tidy Town table-quiz on Wednesday Bridie Carry and Kathleen Price
formed a team and won the first prize. And better still they won two of the three prizes
that were set up for the raffle. Not bad going and not a Madge or a Michael in sight.
What will happen next week when Madge and Michael link up with them again.?

This morning a phoecall to tell us that Roscommon County Councillor
Tony Ward has been successful in having 10,000 Euros allotted for footpaths at Shannonbridge on the West Bank.Tony has also arranged to have the new lights, erected in the past few months, to be connected with the system. Good for you Tony and for Shannonbridge.

Patsy O Hagan one of the great County Down Football stars back in the 1960's has died. Patsy has lived for many years in Claregalway and no doubt had a part in building their team strength. May he rest in peace.

Canon Paddy Heneghan from Oughterard has also departed this life and was laid to rest today in Oughterard.May he also rest in peace.

Larry Gogan presents 'Just a Minute Quiz' on radio where a contestant
tries to answer as many questions as they can in sixty seconds.
This week Shannonbridge's Niall Price competed and scored eleven.
His prize was a heap of CD's and tickets to a Willy Nelson concert.
About ten days ago he also took part and got a score of thirteen correct answers. Well done Niall.

Rena Brett and Brenda Grace from Kilkenny are on a mid-week break at The Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone this week.Today they visited Clonmacnois and called in to Shannonbridge. Rena is a daughter of Denny Hayes Kilkenny who worked in developing the forestry in this area.
Rena was born in Durrow but her brother Declan was born in Athlone Hospital while the family were living in Shannonbridge.Denny Hayes is now 95 years young and wants to get a computer.His son Declan had a career in the Army and is now retired and living in Clonakilty in Cork.
The mid-week break was to celebrate Rena's birthday.Thanks for calling to Shannonbridge.The Hayes family lived where the four new apartments were built next to Nugents.

It must have rained heavy last night as there was lots of water on the roadside this morning.Noticed that two daffodils are in full bloom near one of the trees on The Green.Liz Duffy is organising a coffee morning on Friday morning as it is Daffodil Day with funds raised going to Cancer.

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Fixtures.

Division 2 league game, against Ballyfore, in Shannonbridge, next Saturday at 5.00pm.
Division 5 league, also at home, 12.00 noon on Sunday, with Durrow providing the opposition.

Correction. Tom Dick and Harry will be staged in High Street Hall on next Sunday night 28th March in aid of Haiti Disaster.Judging by the
number of people failing to get a seat at the final scheduled show on last Sunday night you would be well advised to get there at 8pm for an 8.30pm start.

On Sunday night singer Brendan Shine was on television telling about his grand-uncle a Father Coyle who was based in Alabama USA in 1921.
Father Coyle was shot by a Protestant Minister who was a member of the Klu Klux Klan.

Yesterday around 11.30 there was a sudden shower of hailstones.
Vinnie Fennell who lives near Moystown was enjoying a cup of tea on the back porch and watching two mares and their foals in the field behind the house.As he watched Vinnie noticed one of the mares moving fast across the field to her foal.As she reached the foal the hailstones started to fall.

Louise tells me that a new swan has arrived at the bridge in Shannonbridge.The Cappaleitra Goose with her swan cygnets is not one bit pleased and shows her anger anytime the new swan comes near.

Last Sunday Gay Byrne played 'The Buckets got a Hole in it' which was recorded in 1946. He assured listeners although the present series of two hour programmes finish in April he will be returning in October.

Patrick Melia bought an old house near the old Jimmy Dunphy slaughterhouse and has done a marvelous renovation job to the house.
Patrick was telling that his address is Moneenagunnell, Belmont.
The placename is either 'The Land of the Fairies' or 'The Land of the Little Candles' he has been told.

Shannonbridge Active Retirement group are making plans to visit Glendalough in May. Non members will be welcome to come along.Details and date will be placed in the church bulletin in coming weeks.

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Doon / Shannonbridge GAA Club Lottery

The jackpot was not won this week; numbers drawn were 3, 7, 13, and 28. There were six match three winners. Next week’s jackpot is €9200.

The Pope's Letter to the people of Ireland is about twenty pages long.
It is available at catholicbishops.ie

The weather people were a bit out for our area as we have had sunshine
for the past three days.The bit of rain that fell mostly at night has
turned the grass in the green area across from the Church into a -
you guessed it - A GREEN AREA.

Eilis took her children to Shannon-harbour yesterday and then to
Ferbane where the kids enjoyed the kids playground.Once you drove to Belmont and onto Ferbane, coming into the town at Hiney's Corner.
For a number of years there is no entry to this road from Ferbane.
Instead you use the by-pass road which takes off from the fire station
and joins the Belmont road near the Church. The Kids Playground has
been built alongside this by-pass. Eilis thought that the use of
timber was a good idea for the various swings etc.

On Saturday night Fergal and Eilis took me to High Street to see the comedy -'Tom,Dick and Harry'. Playing to a packed house for the third night this is a funny and very enjoyable fast moving show.
Cast of nine including Colene Killian, Paddy Egan, Ian Mc Evoy,
Vincent Fennell, Carmel Ferris, Jerry Corcoran, Fergus Claffey,
Sharon Newman, Sean Dolan and is directed by Brendan Ryan.
The fourth showing is on tonight Sunday.They have planned to stage an extra show on next Saturday night 27th March at 8.30pm. Take my advise
and go see it and go a half hour early as tickets are sold on the door and to get parking and a good seat. As well as that the charity chosen is for the Haiti Disaster.

The Fishery Protection Officer was in Shannonbridge on Friday and gave us his mobile phone number to contact him about this illegal fishing with Live Fish as bait. A number of people that rang him including myself were more than disappointed to be connected to an answering machine. I left my name on the machine about seven hours ago without an answer. Again last night a number of people were telling about the amount of fish being caught and presumably taken away by these unwanted
''Anglers'' that have chosen to visit Shannonbridge recently.
Today's Gospel has the story of the woman caught committing adultery and Christ saying 'if there is one of you who has not sinned,let him be the first to throw a stone at her' and how this applies to these 'anglers'?

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 21st March 2010 -5th Lent 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: €409. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Aoife, Athene, Saul, Jack
Mass on next Sat eve for Francis Coleman & family deceased
Mass on next for the late John Joe Egan & Margaret O’Shea

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Clonfanlough
Mass for LENT Mon @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €306. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kilduff, E.Kilduff
Readers for next Sunday: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group D
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on next Sun for the late Cis & Jim Shea

Parish Pastoral Council
Meeting on Mon 22nd March @ 8pm in Shannonbridge.
Clonmacnois Primary School
A meeting for parents / guardians, wishing to enrol their child / children in St Ciaran's N.S. Clonmacnois, will be held in the school on Tues 23rd March @ 7pm. Any parents wishing to enrol their child are invited to attend.
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Service of Reconciliation (Confession)
For First Communion children: Thurs 25th March @ 7pm.
For all others: Mon 29th March: Clonfanlough @ 7.30pm; Shannonbridge @ 8pm
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Ardagh & Clonmacnois Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2010
27th May - 1st June - 5 nights - fully inclusive Price €715.00.
Booking Forms available now for the pilgrim section from
Joe Walsh Tours143 Lower Baggot St, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-2410811 / 2410812.
Pilgrimage Director: Fr Noonan, Moate; Tel: 6481180
Invalid Section: Fr Scanlon, Cloghan; Tel: 6457112
Flights departing from Knock.
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Questions people ask (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)Q. I always understood that before Easter is the best time for confession but now I’m told that Divine Mercy Sunday, after Easter, is the time Jesus wants us to go.A. Your traditional idea is more in keeping with the wisdom of the Church’s liturgical year. The Sunday Gospels this Lent are great stories of divine mercy: the parable of the gardener who gives the fruitless tree another chance, the banquet for the Prodigal Son, and the mercy of Jesus towards the woman condemned to death. The choice of these stories is to move us to celebrate God’s forgiveness in preparation for sacred triduum when we celebrate the Last Supper, the Passion and the Resurrection of the Lord.
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Portiuncula Hospital Committee
Are organising a march to ensure that the present services & jobs that are currently provided by the hospital will remain in place.
‘Please show your support by joining the march on Sun 28th March @ 1pm at St Michael’s Square, Ballinasloe.’

Welcome to Ireland Veri and Roger Bury from Holland who are visiting
for the first time.Today they stopped off on their journey to visit
Clonmacnois which they enjoyed very much in sunshine,and later came
to Shannonbridge.They did not travel on the new motorway and enjoyed
the scenery on their way.

The Offaly Independent tells us that the National Library digital
archive has 34,000 historic photographs from the cameras of Lawrence,
Poole,Independent Newspapers,Easons,Stereo Pair,Clarke,Tempest and
Keogh.One of the photographs on the paper is of Clonmacnois and there
is one of a Pig Fair on the street at Edenderry taken sometime between
1880 and 1914 showing a wide street with lots of donkey and carts with
high creels.

The Connacht Tribune tells us that the late John 'Tul' Dunne,
Ballinasloe has been honoured by having a roadway in Ballinasloe - just
across from his home in Brackernagh - named John Dunne Avenue.
It is the link road to Ard Mhuire where the Family Centre is located.
John Dunne was an excellent gaelic footballer and later he
successfully trained the County Galway Football Team.

Good to hear that the Garda have nabbed a non national who had stolen a
number of outboard engines from boats at Oughterard.The stolen engines
were shipped to Lithuania within two days of being stolen.
The thief was imprisoned for 20 months and disqualified from driving
for five years on another charge.
A main player in the thefts has yet to come before the courts.
In Oughterard there has been a custom of mooring lake boats with the
engines in position for years until now.

A notice in the C.T. that the final swine flu vaccination clinics
in Galway took place on Thursday 18th March.

A new Rail Service from Limerick to Galway commences on Tuesday
30th March over a 36 mile track.The old line closed to passengers
in April 1976. It had limited freight service up
until the early 1990's.

From C.T. Days Gone By 1935.
The railway gates at the level-crossing at Claureen,Tuam were broken
to bits when the 8.20pm train dashed through them.
It is stated that the train was over twenty minutes behind time.

This week's C.T. or Connacht Tribune came with a 'Discover Ireland'
-spring edition courtesy of Bord Failte Eireann.

The Cripple of Inishmaan - a comedy by Martin Mc Donagh will be staged
in Hayden's Hotel Ballinasloe for four nights wed 24th Mar to Sat 27Mar
at 8.00pm. Admission is 12Euros.
. Cast includes John Boland,Paddy Broder,Marie Ruane,Sarah Fahy,
Mary Cuddy,Barry Healy,Aidan Carrig,Thomas Costelloe,Patricia Cormac.
The play is directed by Eamon O Donoghue.
Sounds interesting and worth a visit.

In the Obituary Section of the C.T. this week is an Irish prayer.

Luireach Phadraig

Criost liom
Criost romham
Criost i mo dhiadh
Criost istigh ionam
Criost fum
Criost os mo chionn
Criost at mo lamh dheas
Criost ar mo lamh chle
Criost i mo lui dom
Criost i mo sheasamh dom
Criost i gcroi gach duine
ata ag cuimhneamh orm
Criost i mbeal gach duine
a labhraionn Lom
Criost i ngach suil a
fheachann orm
Criost i ngach cluas a
eisteann liom

Some good rain this evening and more forecast for four of the next five days.

The good news is that Fishery Enforcement Officer was in Shannonbridge and told us that he found one non national angler? fishing with live bait at Shannonbridge last Saturday
and confiscated his fishing gear.

Papers tell us that the High Crosses at Monasterboice in Louth
may be moved to a visitor center for protection.Ther is a foot long
crack in Muiredach's Cross and others are being effected by weather.
The site dates back to around 500 AD and was founded by Saint Buite.
At present about 100,000 visit Monasterboice each year and are shown
around the site by volunteers.

A new £80 Million Grand Canal Theatre has been built
in Dublin's docklands. It has 2,111 seats and opened on
Thursday 18th March with the Russian State Ballet presenting
Swan Lake.

A new gas-fired 350MW power plant is to be built at Lumcloon
on the site of the old Ferbane Power Plant.

Daithi Ban,better known as David Butler from Kilkenny has been
travelling around Ireland in recent weeks promoting the Irish Language.
He was in Galway for the Saint Patrick's Day Parade as the mascotfor
rith.ie,the 1,600 Kl run which began in Belfast ten days ago.
Rith is the Irish word for run and Ban is the Irish for white.
Shannonbridge has its own Daithi Rua withRua the Irish word for red.
Have you visited Daithi Rua's website or heard his new CD called
Black Fox.

It was good to see two hire cruisers arriving in Shannonbridge on
Thursday evening.

Today while trying to contact the fishery man Brian Mc Manus in Birr
I must have used an incorrect carrier as Brian Mc Manus from
Lansing,Michigan USA answered and said 'you have the
wrong e-mail address.

The National Library of Ireland have an amount of information
on their webpage www.nli.ie including about 1000 photographs
from all around the island as they put it.Found lots of pictures
of Clonmacnois,Birr Castle and Tullamore.

Some birthdays. The cousin Tessie Donnelly had her birthday recently
and the family took her to see County Clare for a few days.
She was in awe as she thought that Shannon Airport was the highlight
in County Clare and she learned differently.
Alo Moran celebrates his birthday on Saturday 20th March.
Over in San Diego Brendan Daly will be celebrating his birthday on
Sunday 21st March.He will have good weather for it as his wife Theresa
told us that it was a pleasant 80 F there today.
And on Monday Pauric Henry will be having his 54th Birthday.
Best wishes to you all.

Mick Killeen went to the opening night of 'Tom,Dick and Harry'
in High Street Hall on Thursday 18th and enjoyed the performance
with the local players playing to a full house.
It runs until Sunday night and starts at 8.00pm.
Get there early and get your tickets at the door.

Portiuncula Hospital Action Committee have a circular going around
to say they are organising a march to ensure that the present services
and jobs that are currently provided by the hospital will remain
in place.They appeal for families friends and neighbours to march on
Sunday 28th March at 1pm in St.Michael's Square,Ballinasloe.

Bit of an easterly wind blowing on Thursday morning but the rain
and higher temperatures hopefully will produce some green grass.
One of the old tractors in the Saint Patrick's Day parade had a small
trailer in tow and on it was a cock of hay.

Noel Flannery has in interesting letter in Thursday's Irish Times
regarding the pay cut backs.

Some basic information on St. Patrick`sDay----

St.Patrick`s Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century.

The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years .

On St. Patrick`s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning

and celebrate in the afternoon.Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance , drink and feast --

on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

Above was the wording on a Saint Patrick's Day Birthday Card that Dorothy Gilbert created
for our sister Pat Killeen yesterday.
It was neatly decorated with tall hat and shamrock etc. This girl has promise and she sent it on this morning as promised.

The Cheltenham Racing Festival started on Tuesday 16th March.
I watched the first race on TV.For many days the Paddy Power Bookmakers
had placed large adverts with their money-back offer on bets on any
other horse in the first race if Dunguib won the race. Dunguib was the
4 to 9 favourite in that first race. Dunguib finished third.

The countryside remains a burnt brown colour due to the frost and lack
of rain recently. The five day forecast has rain predicted for four of
the next five days.If night temperatures rise there will be many happy
lambs running around.

One farmer who is feeding some grain to their animals told us that many
birds are also chasing the grain including five hen pheasants and one
happy cock.

Seven of the so called 'Fishermen' were back fishing on
the floating jetty for Patrick's Day and several boat owners had to
chase them off their boats.One owner saw a keepnet with almost
three rings of coarse fish and pike in the catch. Another owner came
to the church after Mass to ask what can be done about this illegal
carry on by this bunch.

Yesterday some eight Americans arrived in Shannonbridge using Carrig
Coaches and guide.They were mostly Harrington Family from Idaho.
Brianna Harrington told us that her sister Katie is attending school
in Saint Patrick's College in Carlow and that the rest of the family
had come over to visit her.Their forefathers had emigrated to America
and worked in the copper mines many years ago. Brianna told that her
name is the feminine version of Brian. John Milroy from Chicago was
also on the party and his family have Clare background.
They had visited Clonmacnois on a lovely sunny morning and were on
their way to Galway. One of the ladies had 'Book of Famous Irish Pubs'
as her guide and was collecting autographs as she went.
Noticed photographs of the late Jimmy Hennessy outsite the famous
thatched pub in Ferbane and one of Hough's Pub in Banagher.

Saint Patrick's Day is Pat Killeen's Birthday and family and friends
gathered in Portiuncula Hospital today to celebrate the occassion.
It was great to see one of the staff wheeling around a trolley and
glasses and bottles of Paddy Whiskey for the patients to celebrate
our national feastday.

George Brent the actor was George Nolan and his family lived in
what is now Nicky Nugent's the Butcher. His son Brian and daughter
Susanne carried the surname Brent and Susanne has written a number
of books - do a Google search on them.Thanks to Lorraine Mc Kenna
for her message on George's birthdate last Monday.

Shannonbridge GAA Lotto

Doon / Shannonbridge GAA Club Lottery

The jackpot was not won this week; numbers drawn were 4, 10, 15, and 25. Match three winners were Mary Kenny, Mark Carty, Kathleen and Johnny (Shannonbridge), Pat Joe Kelly (Clonfanlough), Martin Ryan, Phil and Kevin (Doon). Next wek’s jackpot is €9000.

Derry, it's been raining for days now, floods and high winds at the Jersey shore. So this afternoon I made lunch, had a nice cup of hot tea and decided to take a little rest on the sofa. Turned on the TV ( to the movie channel) and guess what?

It's George Brent's birthday!!!!

All day they're going to show his movies! Isn't that neat? I forget what you said his name really was, was it Nolan?

Please wish Pat a very happy, pain-free birthday on Wednesday

And a happy St. Patrick's Day to all. from Jim and Lorraine
Above is a note from Jim and Lorraine Mc Kenna from Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Some further fishing news.
Two of the local boat owners last Saturday observed ten fishermen ?
on the floating jetty.About half of them were fishing for small fish
such as perch and roach.The others were using these as Live Bait to
catch a number of pike which were stored in keepnets.One pike was
estimated to be in the 14 to 16 lbs scale.
There is a law against the use of live bait, that is a full live fish
with hooks stuck into it and released to swim around.A fish like this
is in distress and pike pick up the distress signal I am told.
The group seemed to have an amount of tackle and were generally
using two rods each. See previous report today.

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Div.5 League Kilclonfert 2-05 Shannonbridge 0-06

Shannonbridge's second team travelled to Kilclonfert on Sunday morning last and despite a gallant second half performance, lost out by five points in an entertaining game played in sunny conditions. Indeed, had the Bridge not kicked so many wides, this game could have had a different outcome. In a low scoring first half, Kilclonfert made the most of the scoring chances whilst the Bridge were wasteful in their shooting. Points from Gerry Quirke & Shane Flannery where the only scoring returns in a half in which we dominated possession with Kilclonfert leading by 1-02 to 0-2 at the interval. After half time the Bridge upped the ante, with midfield pairing Colm Kenny & Adrian Kelly dominating the exchanges and with ten minutes remaining, the Bridge were level 0-05 to 1-02 – Shane Flannery scoring the 3 points. A missed penalty failed to deter Kilclonfert however and they scored 1-02 in the final few minutes to secure the win.
Team: M Deeley, J Duffy, K Norton, J Guinan, A Kelly (Badger), P Maloney, E Casey, A Kelly, C Kenny (0-1), G Quirke (0-1), P Kelly, M Kilduff, J Turley, Packie Brazil and S Flannery(0-4).
Subs: J Mitchell & P Carroll.

Div. 2 Football League – Saturday 13th MarchDaingean 1-07 Shannonbridge 0-15

John Dowling’s men travelled to Daingean on Saturday last in a bid to get their 2010 campaign off to the best possible start. They duly obliged with a hard-fought, four point, win over their counterparts, in a very open game played in cold, tough, conditions. Daingean got off to a great start and led by 0-3 to 0-0 after five minutes. But the Bridge soon got into gear and after fifteen minutes led by 0-6 to 0-3, their scores coming from two frees by Anthony Kelly, Eddie Egan with three very good points from play and one out on the wing from Kieran Flannery. Excellent midfield play from John Ryan, aided by good attacking play from wing backs Paul Maloney & Dermot Turley (0-1), helped the Bridge to a 0-9 to 0-4 interval lead. Anybody expecting the second half to be a formality received a stiff awakening when a Daingean attack, straight after the re-start, resulted in a goal which brought the deficit back to two points. In a scrappy second half, Kieran Flannery waded in with a couple of beautiful points from the wing, just when they were needed. Excellent shooting from veteran Anthony Kelly also helped keep the Bridge ahead throughout the second half and once they pulled away in the final few minutes there was only ever going to be one winner.Best for the bridge on the day were Niall Price, John Ryan, Paul Maloney and in the forwards Kieran Flannery, Anthony Kelly & Eddie Egan.Team: D Kelly, W Keena, T Mahon, M Darcy, P Maloney, N Price, D Turley (0-1), J Ryan, J Egan(0-1), S Flannery, C Kearns, K Flannery (0-3), P Kelly, A Kelly (0-6, 4f) and E Egan (0-4).Subs: A Coughlan for M Darcy, R Ryan & A Kelly.

Fishing Report dated 15th March 2010
Aidan Kelly Shannonbridge fished the Hot Water stretch on 3rd March
and used a spoon bait to catch a 6lbs pike which was returned alive.
Aidan reckoned that the water level was a bit too high at that time.
Christy Ryan Tullamore fished the Shannon for the first time 12th March
where Barry King once erected fishing stands and legered dead mackerel
to catch two pike weighing 8 lbs and 10 lbs which were returned.
Locals John and Gerry fished the Suck a week ago without a bite.
Bob Galligan saw them fishing and reckoned that chances were slim as a
nasty wind was blowing from the east.Come Patrick's Day they will give
it another try.
Read on The Star on Friday 12th March that three Ballinasloe
pike anglers had a number of pike while fishing the Shannon upstream.
Near Clonmacnois they stopped for a meal and cast out bait on the
bottom.Shane Treacy used a wired pollen on the bottom and hooked and
landed a fine 35 lbs pike which he photographed and weighed and put
back in the water alive and well.
Heard of some anglers ? fishing from the floating jetty on Friday
had a variety of coarse fish and pike in keepnets.
Fish catch log-book at Killeens awaits to record your catches.
River level is at a good summer level.
Sad to hear of the death of Mick Wright from Leicester who was a
regular visitor to Shannonbridge.May he rest in peace.

Shannonbridge Golf Society

The recently formed Shannonbridge Golf Society had a very successful and enjoyable outing to Birr Golf Club on Saturday. Thirty three players took part in a team scramble competition with the winners as follows: 1st. Mick Kitt, Larry Rohan and Hubert Darcy, 2nd. Cathal Rogers, Oliver Hilliard and David Fitzpatrick, 3rd. Jim Killeen, Harry Gunning and Ciara Finn. Many thanks to Mike Horan, Birr Golf Shop, for his sponsorship.
The society's committee is: Captain - Jim Killeen, Secretary - Oliver Hilliard, Treasurer - Mary Kelly, Handicap Secretaries - Vinnie Costello and Cathal Rogers.
Looking forward to the next outing.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 14th March 2010 – 4th Lent 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; also on Tues @ 8pm, Vigil Mass for St Patrick. Mass on the Holy Day Wed @ 12noon; this Mass will be said for the late Darren Egan.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €514. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, C.Casey, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Michaela, Oisin, Andrea

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €229. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kenny, M.Lantry
Readers for next Sunday: A. & L.Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Feast of St Patrick is next Wed, a Holy Day; Mass will be said for the late Joe Darcy @10.30am.

Questions people askQ. What is the role of the elder son in the parable of the Prodigal Son?A. If we overlook the elder son we fail to see the original purpose of the parable which was addressed to the people who were scandalised by the fact that Jesus attracted sinners and broke a pious taboo by eating at table with them. The elder son’s favourite word is ‘never’. He never went away, he never asked for more … but he never shared his father’s compassion. He represents people who cry out for justice but never show any forgiveness. The ability to forgive is the surest sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
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Night Prayer Vigil in Clonmacnois Prayer Centre
Fri 19th March beginning with Mass @ 10pm. Adoration follows and finishes at 3.10am. All welcome. Enquiries Dave 086-7746763.
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Offaly Co Childcare Committee
Will hold an information night on the “Free pre-school year” on Mon 22nd March from 7.30 – 9pm in Birr, Tullamore & Edenderry.
For more info call 057-9135878.
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Reflection for Mother's Day - from Brazil
She walks along the edge of the river with a bundle on her head.
All day she washes clothes to earn only a pittance.
She catches cold and doesn't complain.
She makes the child's milk,
She sweeps the house and cleans the table,
And clears out the shelves when he is asleep.
She is the woman of the house with no time to rest.
She makes the lunch, she makes the supper,
And some time later at night she still hasn't lain down to rest.
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Shannonbridge GAA Club thanks all who supported their recent social & raffle. A huge’ thank you’ to all the sponsors of the raffle prizes. All your support is greatly appreciated.
Shannonbridge Tidy Towns will hold their AGM on Mon 15th March @ 9pm in the Health Centre. All welcome.
Fair Trade Reception in the Halls: Many thanks to all who organised & prepared the teas, and supported the event.

Noticed a snippet on the Irish Mail that The Late Late Show has been
broadcast for over 47 years,making it the longest-running chat show
in television history.The first episode aired in 1962 live from
RTE'sStudio 1.The Late Late Show's first host,Gay Byrne,had the job
for the first 37 years of its life.
I was reading this while listening to the same Gay Byrne present his
two hour show on Lyric FM (97.8 - 99.4MHz) which he presents on Sunday
from 2.00pm until 4.00pm until the end of April.
On todays programme Gay was remembering interviewing Patrick O Hagan
and his son Johnny Logan on the Late Late Show.Patrick had become a
charismatic and The Holy Ghost used to descend on him.During these
times Patrick went silent. And it happened on the Late Late Show.
Gay continued the interview and after the show Shay Healy remarked
to Gay that this must be a first. To have Father,Son and Holy Ghost
on the Late Late Show.
People contact the show with requests <> and it was
good to hear a request to play 'Up a lazy river' for Pat Killeen.
Gay mentioned that Vic would be 107 today and I assume he meant one
Victor Sylvester.
A request for Kay Duddy, Portumna was sent in by her sister which was
read out and played.About an hour later there was another request from
the sister asking for a mention for Kay as she had not heard the first
request.
Gay was at the new run of 'Philadelphia Here I Come'which is now on
in Dublin.Like myself he was at the original production in 1964 with
Paddy Bedford and the late Donal Donnelly acting the inner and outer
parts of the one character.
Gay had an interesting popular list of Irish expressions that get
Googled on the internet including Cute Hoor, Donkeys Ears,Arseways
and Eat your head off. Sorry but I missed the first ones.
Catch him live on Sunday from two to four Irish time.

Must have taken up incorrectly that handy way of finding out when
time changes.A good neighbour pointed out that it was the way to
find out when Easter Sunday falls.
The neighbour reckons that time saving change occurs on the last
weekend of March and the last weekend in October.

An e-mail to the RTE Late Date programme during the week told about
a dog going into a telegraph office and taking one of the pads wrote
WOOF WOOF WOOF
WOOF WOOF WOOF
WOOF WOOF
and handed it to the clerk.The clerk read the message and noted
that there were only eight WOOF'S in the message.You can add an
extra WOOF for the same cost he told the dog.
Then it would make no sense said the dog.

Spring Forward Fall Back.
Talking about time change today Martin Donegan
was giving the formula for the Spring Change as
Spring time change is on First Sunday
After the First Full Moon after the Spring Equinox.
Is there a similar formula for time change in the Fall ?

Martin was telling us that a Cappaleitra Goose (not a gander)
came down the river last year and took five swan cygnets
under her wing as it were.They are still swiming merrily around
except there are now only three cygnets left.
Martin has been taking photographs of this occurence and will
send some to this website.

I had been noticing a robin in the yard during the winter.
When I was near the bottle sorting area it was there.
When I was filling the nut feeders some forty feet away it was there.
Now two different robins are building nests in two different stores
in the yard and all is well.

Brian Carroll and Kerrill Thornhill our website editor met up in the
past few days and that information leaflet on Shannonbridge is
available for downloading from the Shannonbridge web page.

Passing a few minutes last evening in Ferbane in Centra foodstore
I noticed a book of poetry by a local author.
The first poem was titled 'The Road to Ballinasloe' I think.
It told in verse the true story of Kieran Feeney sitting on the side
of the road and two Jehovah Witnesses stopping their car and trying
to show Kieran the way to God.Kieran was happy enough with his own way
and the two J.W. went away. A few minutes later their car stopped
alongside Kieran and one of them asked him if he might show them the
way to Ballinasloe. Excuse me says Kieran but are'nt you the two that
were going to show me the Way to God only a few minutes ago.
He tells it very well in verse.

Weather has been fine and sunny lately with some frost at night.
Forecast is for a rainy Sunday.
Mick Killeen and a Robin bird have struck up a great friendship
while sorting bottles. Only yesterday Mick discovered that the robin
has made good headway in buildin a nest in one of the stores.
It is a safer location than two years ago when four baby robins
lost their lives to frost in a nest built on top of a concrete wall.

This week Enniscorthy in County Wexford celebrates its 1500th birthday.
According to a radio programme this week the town was first founded
by Saint Senan when he founded a monastery there on the banks of the
River Slaney.In more recent times the Kinlough Family
with Shannonbridge connections lived there.
Congratulations on this historic milestone.

Jimmy Galvin was telling us that his uncle Jimmy Galvin was married
to Nan Mulvey from Columper,the other side of the River Shannon from
Clonmacnois.Kieran Mulvey was a sister of Nan and he had pet names
for his drinks. Pints were Sheepdogs and Shorts were Terriers.
It must run in the family as Kieran's father Jack Mulvey many years
ago,ordered 'Two lemonades for Brownie and Derby'. I felt foolish
when I filled two glasses of red lemonade from a syphon bottle,
and discovered that it was two pints of Guinness that he required.

On the Late Date radio show last night the host was telling that in
England the first Farthing Coin displayed an emblem of a rose.
Cromwell came along and replaced the rose with a robin.There were
four farthings in a penny and 960 farthings in a Pound.
The new five cents decimal coin was similar in size to the farthing
and a few years ago a customer paying with loose change included a
farthing with a robin.
The announcer also told us that the singer Gilbert O Sullivan has
plans to do a big tour of Ireland 'Alone Again Naturly'.
He told us also that over in San Diego the songs of Woodey Guthrie
are being sung by Joe Rafael and going down a treat.

I asked Sis Flynn from Coole near Ferbane if she had any old rimes
of interest. She searched an old Autograph Book and found these -

'Goodbye sometimes the words are said,
In sorrow and regret,
Implying in their very tones,
Would that we had never met,
Some fond endearing words one day,
Remembrance will recall,
And perhaps just for the old lones sake,
A few sad tears will fall.

~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~

Of all the birds that fly in the air
Walk on the earth,or swim in the sea
From Paris to Peru
From Rome to Japan
The most foolish of all in my opinion
Is a man.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~

This book may fall asunder
Its pages die with age
This ink may lose its lustre
Upon each shimmering page
But she who wrote these verses
Shall ever ever be through
All the world rivers
A faithful friend to thee.

~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~

When the chime of Memn's bells
Peeling through the mist of years
Brings the music of the past
Softly sweetly to your ears
Will you listen to them dearest
Till perchance you catch a strain
That will bring you back an echo
Of a once familiar name.

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Doon / Shannonbridge Club Lottery.

The jackpot was not won in this week’s draw – there were eight match three winners. Numbers drawn were 2, 7, 12 and 22. The jackpot for next Monday night is €8,800.

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Club Social Night.

Over one hundred club members and supporters enjoyed a very successful social in the Old Fort Restaurant on Saturday night. The committee would like to thank the following for their generous sponsorship: The Old Fort Restaurant, KPW Print Ballinasloe, Charlie Hoystead, Shannonbridge Pottery, Lukers, The Thatch Restaurant, Crinkle, Declan Rohan, Killeen’s Village Tavern, Gem Garden Centre, Michael Mahon, Nicky Nugent Family Butcher, Tullamore Golf Club and Paddy Treacy Bus Hire. Thanks to our ticket sellers and to all who supported the raffle and social. Draw prize-winners were: 1st. Eamon Dooley, Ferbane, 2nd. Elizabeth Flaherty, Cloghan Hill, Birr, 3rd. Nicola Hogan, c/o Sinead Moylan, 4th Padraig Shrahan, Clonmacnois, 5th. Pakie Brazil, Clongowney, 6th. Mags Slevin, c/o Declan Kelly, 7th. Michael Brazil, Athy, 8th. Martina Nolan, c/o Gerry Quirke, 9th. Antoinette Sheridan, Ballycumber, 10th. Dermot Turley, Garrymore.

The club awards were presented for the 2009 season. The Senior Player of the Year award went to John Ryan and the Junior Player of the Year was Eddie Egan. A special award went to Damien Brazil in recognition of being named Offaly Referee of the Year 2009. Congratulations and well done to all three.

Fixtures.

Shannonbridge kick off their league campaigns next weekend with the Intermediate team away to Daingean, on Saturday, at 4.30pm. The junior team play Kilclonfert, at the away venue, on Sunday, at 12 noon.

Sympathy.

The club would like to express their sincerest sympathies to the following on their recent bereavements:
To Elaine and Declan Rohan on the death of Elaine’s father Kevin Kenny. And also to Gerry Quirke on the death of his grandfather Matthew Quirke.

Last week Roger T.Johnson from the University of Minnesota and friends
stopped by on their way to visit Clonmacnois.The University has a
Twin City Campus and Roger works in the Department of Curriculum and
Instruction.He reckons that his family have Scottish background.

On Thursday Tony Lyons from Kilcock used the new Dublin to Galway
Motorway to visit Shannonbridge and his relations and friends.
Tony looks right well.

On Saturday Ali from Sudan was in Shannonbridge. Ali told us that
cotton is the main crop in Sudan and although there is some cotton
manufactured in Sudan, nevertheless some 80% raw cotton is exported.

Ciaran Guinan told us that The Cluny Appeal for Haiti is going well
according to his sister Sister Maeve in Mount Sackville.Recently
she was interviewed about Haiti on a local radio in Kilkenny and
there was a great response. Brian Cody of the Kilkenny hurlers and
Dermot Healy who trained Offaly to win their first All Ireland
Hurling Final both were to the fore in helping out.One school ran a
No Uniforms Day and all the studends took along Five Euros for Haiti,

Clonfad School that was is situated at the third branch road going from
Shannonbridge to Ballinasloe.It has now been a private residence for
many years.The road that branches off North at that point is known as
'The Old School Road'.Many many years ago an old school was situated
some 200 yards along this road on the Right hand side. I had never
heard of it until recently.Two of the teachers were named Mr Ward
and Miss Kelly?

Brian Carroll of Ely House guesthouse in Shannonbridge has been busy
producing an information leaflet titled Shannonbridge and West Offaly.
The kind of helpful information for visitors and others on what to see
and do when based in Shannonbridge.Such as Clonmacnois,Clonfert,
Banagher,Shannonharbour,Clonony Castle,Birr Castle,Ferbane,Lough Boora
Parklands,Belmont and of course Shannonbridge. Produced with help from
Lakelands,Inland Waterways Ireland,Shannon Development and Offaly
County Council, it is hoped that it will be possible for people to
download the leaflet from their computers on possibly this webpage.
Will keep you updated on progress.

Today Monday arrived with sunshine and it was great to hear Johnny
Byrnes whistling as he walked along the footpath. On enquiry Johnny
told me that he had spotted a fine cock pheasant strolling around
Michael Fitzpatrick's garden alongside The Bungalow self-catering
house. Johnny was whistling at the pheasant.

Coming from Ballinasloe yesterday I noticed that there is a definite
Wet Patch on the Callow past The Fort Restaurant looking towards the
River Suck. River level are well down but the Wet Patch tells that
there is a lot of water in the ground.

Papers at the weekend had the news that money has been allocated
once more for The Save The Corncrake campaign.

Sean Fitzsimons -he of Sean's Bar Athlone celebrates
his 80th Birthday on March 27th.
I like the bit on the announcement that says 'No Presents - only
Your Presence.

Over in San Diego on 23rd March a Brendan Daly originally from Rashina
also celebrates his birthday.
Happy Birthday to Sean and to Brendan.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 7th March 2010 -3rd Lent C
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge: Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12 noon, Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough – Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon-Wed, Fri, Sat @ 10am; Thurs @7.30pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €475. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
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 Nugent

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Clonfanlough
Mass for Lent on Mon @ 7pm.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €386. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Egan, B.Dolan
Readers for next Sunday: D.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Mass on next Sun for the late Mary Gabbot

If you wish to go to Lourdes as a sick pilgrim let me know asap

Tidy Towns
Litter pick up will take place on Wed eve, 10th March @ 5.15pm.
Please meet at the Church. All support greatly appreciated!
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Training for ministers of the Eucharist & the Word
This will soon be offered to the Parish. We would be very happy to welcome new members to the existing teams, as some of these are no longer available. We also need people for music ministry. Please let us know if you have an interest.
‘Those who can, do; those who can do more, volunteer.’
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Laois/Offaly Palliative Care Team
Remembrance Service on Fri 12th March @ 8.15pm in the Church of Sts Peter & Paul, Portlaoise.
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Dóchas Nasumu Clothing Collection
Mon 9th March between 9am & 12noon at Shannonbridge Hall Car park. All used clothing as well as footwear, household linen etc will be welcome for orphans in Africa. For info call 086-8689377.
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Questions people askQ. When people have a run of accidents or bad luck is it a sign of God punishing them for past sins?A. The notion that God punishes us with misfortunes is not what Jesus taught. See his response to your question in today’s gospel. The victims of Pilate’s savage reprisal and those who were crushed when a tower collapsed at Siloam were no worse than other people. God might permit something to happen to bring people to their senses in an act of loving correction. But God is not in the business of dishing out punishment. As today’s psalm puts it, the Lord is compassion and love. (/Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)
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Ballinasloe Flower & Garden Club
Talk on ‘Spring in the Vegetable Garden’, Wed 10th March @ 8pm in Gullanes Hotel.
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Many thanks to those who supported the recent Table Quiz for Trócaire. €202.00 was realised.

Looks like March third was a lucky day to be born.While Joe Turley and
his friends and neighbours gathered for a cup of tea and cake and
pavlova and whatever your having after Mass in Shannonbridge,
they heard that a Mass was celebrated in Ard Chiarain was in
remembrance of the late Michael Moran and as
birthday celebration for Michael Greene,Cloneish,near Clonfad,
who was one up on Joe Turley as he is 91 years.
Meanwhile in Ballinasloe Brigie Cassidy,who lived and worked
in Shannonbridge before moving to Ballinasloe, celebrates a special
birthday today. Happy Birthday to you all.

Todays paper has a photograph of a Chinese vase that was sold at an
auction in Sheppards Auction House, Durrow, County Laois.
The vase had an auction guide price of 100E to 150 Euros and was sold
for 110,000 Euros. See Irish Times front page.

Some light rain falling this morning as forecast.
The bird feeders were almost empty this morning with a little help
from some acrobatic crows. Anyhow keep feeding the birds.

Table quiz tonight is in aid of Trocaire the third world charity.

Bob Galligan was walking with his sheepdog under the bridge at
Shannonbridge one cold morning last week and he noticed a handful
of foot long icicles hanging from the roof over the towpath.
Bob travelled to the village today using his lake boat.He said that
there was water in the drains but the river was back to summer level.
Near the mouth of the River Suck Bob saw six anglers fishing,
presumably for pike.

Shannon Airport now has clearance for private jets according to the
news today.

Tomorrow the 3rd March Joe Turley celebrates his 90th Birthday.
Wishing Joe all the best.

Looking forward to hearing the Rob Cunney Band in Shannonbridge
this coming Saturday night.

Davey Rafter was telling today that he heard two farmers recently
lamenting loosing a number of concrete drinking troughs in the
recent heavy frost.An old man that overheard their conversation
told them that there was no need to let the tanks crack.
All they had to do was to put a tennis ball floating in each tank.

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Doon / Shannonbridge GAA Lottery

There was no winner or match three in this week’s draw for a jackpot of €8200. The numbers drawn were 1, 22, 24, 25. An extra €200 is being added to next week’s draw, bringing the jackpot to €8.600.

Club Dinner and Social Reminder.

The club dinner and social takes place in the Old Fort Restaurant this Saturday night 6th March. Tickets from any committee member.

Good to hear from Lorraine Mc Kenna from Pottstown,Pennsylvania.
Lorraine holidayed in Shannonbridge for a number of years in the past.
Some months ago Lorraine underwent spinal surgery and is only just
getting back to using the computer.
She wants to know how all her friends in Shannonbridge are getting on.
She and her friend Debbie have plans to attend the Passion Play in
Germany in June. Someone told us that Father Cox in Cloghan is hoping
to get a group to go and see the play.

This morning Sister Maeve Guinan from the Cluny Sisters was here in
Shannonbridge and said that they were delighted with the response
from the area to their appeal.She said that they have large tents and
containers and are getting the children off the streets where ten of
their schools were destroyed in Haiti.
She will keep us updated on whats happening.Afterwards I met a man
who is planning a fund raiser for Haiti and he will keep the Cluny
Appeal in mind.

The Black Fox is the name of the new CD from Shannonbridge's own
Daithi Rua who is now based in Belgium.He completed a tour of Ireland
on Sunday in Cork and has returned to Belgium.
The CD is well worth a listen and 'Loving All The Rain','Go Then'
'Prayer To Saint Valentine' and the title track 'Black Fox' are worth
a listen.Visit www.daithirua.com to find how to order, or have a sneak
listen on 'U'Tube.Anyways visit his website.

First of March today arrived with sunshine and a mild mild day.
Long may it continue.