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.