Kathy Curley and Dave Ullman from Rhode Island visited the area recently.Kathy's mother was Bess Daly,sister of May,Bridget,Margaret and the late Kerr Daly.

Recent visitor that we know as Mary Kate Flannery of Crevagh has returned home to the United States.

My pocket lotto ticket stubs tell me that The Irish Times Weekend Section on 10th April had an artice on George Brent.

Aidan Kelly was trimming trees on Morans Island near the mouth of the River Suck on last Wednesday when he found a duck's nest with eight eggs.All the eggs had been broken and Aidan believes that a mink caused the damage.

That lady often seen in Hiney's Bar in Ferbane Bridget or 'BB' O Reilly
was an aunt of Joe Hineys.BB died on 22nd April in her 91st year.
May she rest in peace.

On Friday morning the cousin Pat Butler telephoned.He was in great form and watches Spanish soccer on television.He has problems with cattarracts on the eyes and plans to have them removed.Pat lives in Lysterfield near Curraghboy.

On Friday last the death occured of broadcaster Gerry Ryan aged 53.
Gerry Ryan hosted a popular three hour radio show five days a week.
The All Ireland Drama Festival in Athlone commenced on Friday night and Mary Craughwell told us that Gerry Ryan had been scheduled to open it.
May he rest in peace.

On Friday the wedding of Mark Donegan and Mary Harding was consumed in High Street church with photo session in Shannonbridge and reception in Athlone.Many of Mark's music friends attended and his brother Daithi Rua was home from Belgium as best--man.Tony his twin brother had to make do with the part of a groomsman.Good to see Mark's aunt Marion who was home for the wedding.Congratulations and best wishes to Mark and Mary on their marriage.

News came through on Friday morning that Jonathan Slattery had finally reached Perth in Australia tired.

The wind on May-Day 1st May tells what type of a summer we will have is an old belief.Tom Turley tells us that there was a westerly wind yesterday morning.
Bridie Carry remembers that Charles and Bridie Carry first came to live in Shannonbridge 45 years ago on 1st May.At that time they had four children and three more were born in Shannonbridge.
Bridie told us that a Postman from Donegal predicted on the Nationwide programme during the week that thre would be a fine summer.

Four regular visitors from Ashton-on-Mersey near Manchester arrived in Shannonbridge yesterday.Geoff Williams, Keith Oates,who has had a Man.City season ticket since he was 16,Peter Wellock and Brian Kelly make up the foresome.Brian Kelly is someway related to Sean and Rose Gunning.They are staying at Ely House guesthouse.

The Connacht Tug of War Championships 720Kg and Novice takes place at Onagh Taughmaconnell on Sunday 9th May at 2.00pm.The venue is opposite the Sky Valley Rovers FC grounds.

Gay Byrne is taking a break from his Sunday radio show and today Frank Mc Namara stepped into the breach from 2 til 4 on Lyric FM.
I hear that Frank is married to a Lowe from Clonfinlough so we wish him the best of luck in the venture.

Midlands Tours have circulated a leaflet see www.midlandstours.com
They offer Daily Tours year round departing from Athlone mornings and evenings lasting 3-3.5 hours.

On Irish Times on Wednesday the story of 'Stunning'Viking necklace found in Clare.A Viking necklace1,150 year old was found in a Burren cave.Dr.Marion Dowd archeologist describes Glencurran cave as a'treasure trove' for archaeologists.The necklace is the largest Viking necklace to have been found in Ireland.Normally Viking necklaces that have been found have five to six glass beads,but this has 71 glass beads covered with gold foil,There is no parallel for it in Ireland and it is puzzling on a number of fronts.Dr.Dowd said the necklace could have been the result of a trade with Vikings from Limerick and Gaelic chieftains in the Burren.
Picture a white hi-ace Viking van pulling up and a fat Vitng coming to the cave-door.I have a few necklaces here that you might be interested in.Nice dog you have.Does it bite? Do a Google search

Shannonbridge GAA opened there pitch officially yesterday with a voluntary bucket collection for Aware Charity. Interesting programme giving history of teams and events through the years.
No doubt Declan and Rose will give a fuller account