Monday, May 31, 2010

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Intermediate Football Championship.

No joy for Shannonbridge, on their first venture into the Intermediate Championship, when they lost to St. Rynagh’s, at rain-lashed Ferbane, on Monday evening. After a satisfactory first half, Shannonbridge led by four points to two at the interval. Although St. Rynagh’s equalised in the twelfth minute of the second half at five points each, Shannonbridge remained strongly in the game as conditions worsened. Two scores in the last minute saw the opposition take the points on a score line of 0-9 to 0-6.
Team: D. Kelly, W. Keena(0-1), T. Mahon, M. Darcy, N. Price, E. Kelly, D. Turley, J. Ryan (0-1), J. Egan, P. Moloney, K. Kearns, P. Kelly, E. Egan, A. Kelly (0-3), C. Flannery (0-1). Sub S. Flannery for E. Egan.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.

No jackpot winner last week. There were four match three winners, with the numbers drawn 7, 17, 23, 24. This week’s jackpot is €11,000.
Community Alert



A meeting of the newly formed St. Ciaran's Community Alert will take place on Tuesday next 8th June in Clonfanlough Hall at 8pm sharp. This follows on from the meeting on Tuesday 25th May held in Shannonbridge Hall which was well attended. Community Alert is for the whole community and needs people to get involved for it to be a success, so come along and bring a neighbour.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Pat Killeen - a Tribute

Lovely tribute here from Ciara Macklin - I lifted it from the comments section so that all our readers can see it.

ciara macklin said...
Aunty Pat
Aunty Pat's passing deserves to be marked on this site as is all other news worthy items in the village and parish.
There are few who read this page regularly that would not have known who Patricia Killeen was.
It is fair to say that she was an integral part of killeens village tavern and that it can never be the same without her. All who knew her will remember her with a cigarette dangling from her lips, a tune being played out on the tap as she poured a pint. She never failed to take the time to ask for family and friends, always a ready smile and a birthday cake decorated with fresh flowers from the garden when the occassion arose, produced at a moments notice. Her distinctive voice calling, "Ah how are ya Darlin'" and the famous Aunty pat hug. We all have our own special memories of her and it was a great tribute to her to see so many young tears fall at her passing. It would be hard to imagine that she was not in some way instrumental in the power cut during her funeral mass. She was not one for listening to praise, and natually it was only fitting that if she could not play the organ at her own mass, no one would! Fitting also as Fr John pointed out, that candles were the only source of light for that hour, as it was for many an hour she passed in the church. Gone is that cheery smile, gone are the hugs, the clapping, the organ on Sundays, the Easter eggs and birthday cakes and everything else, Gone but not forgotten, RIP

Monday, May 24, 2010

Shannonbridge Fishing Report dated 24th May 2010
Water level is 2.6 metres and there has been a dry sunny week
with rain on Wednesday.
Snoek Jacobs and Willie Olivier from Belgium were based in
Shannonbridge for a pike fishing holiday.They love pike and
good to hear that what they caught they returned alive & well.
They used a lake boat from their guest-house for transport.
-On 18th May they fished the Shannon using plastic fish
catching 15 pike to 80cm.
-On 19th May they fished the Shannon using dead bait catching
five pike of 82, 72,78 and two measuring 65 cm.
-On 20th May they fished the Shannon with dead bait catching
seven pike measuring 72,70,65,62,61,60 and 50 cm.
-On 21st May they fished the Shannon using squid and turbo-jack
catching 8 pike biggest measuring 93cm.
-On their last day they used a trolling plug catching 3 pike.
-Arais Bukanas night fished the Shannon on 16th May using
worms on the bottom to catch 5 eels best weighed 3lbs.
Returned alive.
-Cliff Mynard Halifax fished Grand Canal on 18th May using
red worm and caster to catch 30lbs of bream and tench.
-Cliff fished Shannon on 19th May using caster to catch 72lbs
of bream and tench.Best bream weighed 6lbs and he had 13 tench
to 6lbs.
-On 20th May Cliff fished the Canal for 2lbs of roach.Cliff
recorded that the fish were spawning.
-On 21st May Cliff fished the Suck using maggot and caster
with a feeder to catch 4lbs of roach and hybrids.
-John Molloy from Pollagh fished the Shannon on 22nd May
using dead bait to catch four pike.Best were 12lbs and 9lbs.
-Newly arrived Keith Bibby from Lewis fished the Shannon
on 22nd May using feeder and maggot to catch 3.25 lbs hybrid.
-On 24th May Arthur Judge Ballinasloe fished the Hot Water
for four hourswith feeder and sweetcorn to catch four tench
and 6lbs of roach.Good fishing and plenty of bites.

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Division 5 League.
Shannonbridge qualified for the Div. 5 final, against Doon, with a good away win over Bracknagh on Saturday last. Shannonbridge had a good start and were leading by 1-5 to 0-1 after ten minutes. Bracknagh got into their stride in the second quarter and closed the gap to four points, but wayward shooting did not help their cause. Shannonbridge, powered on by three goals from centre forward Adrian Kelly, ran out winners by 3-9 to 0-8. Team: Martin Deeley, Joe Duffy, Ciaran Norton, Mark Moloney, Aidan Kelly, Trevor Mahon, Paul Moloney, Mark Carty, Colm Kenny, Gerry Quirke, Adrian Kelly (3-1), Peadar Kelly (0-2), John Guinan (0-2), Eamon Kelly (0-3), Marty Kilduff. Subs: Eddie Egan (0-1) for G. Quirke; Shane Flannery for M. Kilduff; Adrian Coughlan for E. Kelly; John Turley for M. Carty and Niall O’Shea for A. Kelly.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no winner of last week’s jackpot, with the numbers drawn as follows – 10, 12, 23 and 26. There two match three winners. This week’s jackpot is € 10,800.

Football Championship Starts Next Week.
Shannonbridge kick off their Intermediate campaign on Monday 31st May, v St. Rynagh’s, in Ferbane, at 7.30.
The juniors are in championship action the following day, Tuesday 1st June, v Rhode, in Shannonbridge, at 7.30.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Shannonbridge Fishing Report dated 18th May 2010.
The river level on Monday was 2.25 metres on guage
at village bridge.Weather has been generally good turning
overcast in last two days and light rain this afternoon.
>in the first week Dale Lee Steve Parrott Tom Sexton and
Malcolm Spore fished the Suck in a few spots using pole and
maggot to catch roach some rudd and some hybrids for bags of
25 lbs each,
>Declan Connell Ballinasloe fished the Suck using float maggot
catching 35 lbs of roach perch and hybrids.Returned alive.
>John Philips from Wales fished the Suck in a north wind using
feeder/sweetcorn/maggot to catch 12 lbs roach/perch/hybrids.
John also caught 3 pike on ledgered dead bait-8lb,7lb and 5lb.
On 5thMay John fished Grand Canal best catch was a 2lb bream.
On 6th John fished Correen with feeder for mixed bag of 15lbs
and a 10lbs pike wind from north and east.
John fished Correen on 7th May catching 15lbs mixed bag using
maggot and caster with feeder.
>Tony Ross from York fished the Suck at Correen using float and
maggot.On 4th May he caught 19lbs of roach and hybrids and on
7th May Tony had a 30lbs mixed bag with wind from the north.
>Terry Elsey from York also fished Correen using float/maggot.
On 4th May Terry had 17lbs of roach and hybrids.
On 7th May Terry had an 18lbs mixed bag including three bream.
>Henri Janssen,Rene Pesgens and Ger Hubets from Netherlands
fished on the Shannon on 7th May using dead bait to catch
7 pike -87-60-50-84-79-81-60cm.All returned alive.
>Mick Priest Ballyconnell fished Suck with pole and maggot
catching 20lbs mostly hybrids.He had pike attack five times.
Mick visited the Hot Water Stretch very early on 16th May and
met three anglers.One of them told Mick that he had caught
27 tench while night fishing.They spoke good english.
>Five pike anglers from Duleek fished the Shannon on 15th May
using dead bait in cloudy conditions to catch 36 pike.
One of the five Joe Coleman caught a 12lbs trout that took his
dead bait.
>Uwe Bakkel and Gerd Klare from Germany fished the Shannon
on 16th May using dead bait to catch three pike.
>Cliff Mynard from Halifax fished Grand Canal on 16th May in
sun and wind using float and red maggot to catch 7lbs hybrids
rudd perch and roach.Hoping for better was his comment.
Yesterday two tench 4lb and 5lb fancied his bait.
Bike Rally
The annual motorbike rally organised by the local An Ri Dubh Motorcycle Club, based over the weekend at Lukers Pub, was a great success, attracting bikers from far and wide. The quayside carpark was choc full of bikes on Sunday morning.

SHANNONBRIDGE LIBRARY OFFICIAL OPENING
SHANNONBRIDGE LIBRARY AND ACTIVE RETIREMENT GROUP INVITE YOU TO CELEBRATE BEALTAINE IN MUSIC, SONG AND LOCAL HISTORY ON THURSDAY 20TH MAY 2010 8-9.30 pm. ALL ARE WELCOME

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There were no winners of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 7, 16, 17, 18 and there were two match three winners. Next week’s jackpot is €10,600.

Sympathy.

The club extends its sincere sympathy to the Killeen family on the recent passing of Pat Killeen. May she rest in peace.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Late Patricia (Pat) Killeen

Sad news last week with the passing of one of the village's best known residents - Pat Killeen, The Village Tavern. She was laid to rest in Clonmacnoise on Wednesday, following mass celebrated by her brother Fr. John Killeen. May she rest in peace.
Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 16th May 2010 - Ascension Sun C
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Mass or Communion Service each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €435. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 5, C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Michaela, Oisín, Andrea
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €269. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: N.Egan, A.Rohan
Readers for next Sunday: A. & L. Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the late Peg Rocke



We welcome to the table of the Lord the children who received Jesus, the Bread of life, in their First Holy Communion this Sat.
Stephanie Arnold, Celine Gavin, Aaron Brazil
Ciaran Mannion, Aliza Murphy, Darragh O’Shea
Bill Egan, Saoirse Daly, Hannah Egan, Amy Rohan

Congratulations & best wishes to the 25 girls & boys who celebrated their Confirmation on last Thurs

Congratulations & felicitations to Mark Donegan & Mary Harding who were married recently in High Street Church.

Questions people ask
Q. If the triumph of Jesus was complete at the Resurrection, what does the Ascension add to it? (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)
A. The 40 days between Easter Sunday & Ascension Day represent a period of readjustment for the disciples. They needed time to let go of the daily, physical presence of the Lord. It was a period of further instruction when the Risen Lord appeared to them to show them how to recognise his presence in ways such as the breaking of bread (Eucharist), in the forgiveness of sins, and in the leadership of Peter.
¨¨¨¨
Night Prayer Vigil in Clonmacnois Prayer Centre
Fri 21st May beginning with Mass @ 10pm. Adoration follows and finishes at 3.10am. All welcome. Enquiries Dave 085-7746763
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Disabled Drivers Association give thanks for your contributions to their Church gate Collection which came to €231.67

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 9th May 2010 – 6th Easter 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: €480. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: Parents of Confirmandi
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
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 Dessie Keena
Mass on next Sun for the late Mae & Martin Ryan
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €230. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Walshe, R.Gunning
Readers for next Sunday: D.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group D
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy

We will celebrate Confirmation on Thurs 13th May in Shannonbridge @ 3pm;
First Holy Communion on 15th May in Clonfanlough @ 12 noon
We celebrate the Feast of the Ascension on next Sun

Questions people ask (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)Q. What did Jesus mean by speaking of his peace in contrast to the peace that the world can give?A. The beautiful Hebrew greeting, Shalom, includes union with God, harmony with all people and the inner strength of tranquillity. Jesus bestows this divine peace through his victory over sin which repairs the damage done by sin and by the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is significant that Jesus spoke of peace on the very eve of his passion. God’s peace resides in the depths of the soul, undisturbed by storms on the surface.
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Community Alert Meeting
In Clonfanlough Hall @ 8pm on Tues 18th May
¨¨¨¨
Volunteers needed
We are still seeking people to serve as Ministers of the Word and Ministers of the Eucharist. If you are interested please let me know as training is now available. A special word of thanks is overdue to all who serve in any capacity in the Community. Beir bua agus beannacht
¨¨¨¨
West Offaly Training
Now taking names for the ‘Computers for Kids’ Summer Camps, which will take place during July & August. An intensive ECDL course is also being organised in Crank House this summer. For more info call 057-9152003.
¨¨¨¨
Tap Hidden Reserves (Harold S. Kushner)
"People who pray for miracles usually don’t get miracles…But people who pray for courage, for strength to bear the unbearable, for the grace to remember what they have left instead of what they have lost, very often find their prayers answered.…Their prayers helped them to tap hidden reserves of faith and courage which were not available to them before."

Irish Wheelchair Association will have their annual Church Gate Collection next weekend.
THE GOOSE AND THE SWAN STORY
----------------------------

In the midlands village of Shannonbridge there is a nature story that is competing with a phenonem that we know as the Eyjafjallajokull (Icelands Volcano)

This story began to unfold in the spring of 2009 when a white domestic goose from upsteam Clonburn was observed by locals swimming with a family of seven swans. This family consisted of Mam, Dad and their five signets.
In time the locals observed that one signet was unable to fly because of a damaged wing.
Villager, Noel Rocke reported this to the RSPCA authorities in Ballinalsoe.
The next day efforts to capture the winged swan were futile. The sensitive and sensible representative with Beattle type wisdom declared 'Let it be'noting 'if the vet cannot fix the wing the swan will be put down'. Where as it appears to be enjoying life here on the Shannon in Shannonbridge.

For swans, as in human families change is a part of life. For this sexen family, there was ongoing migration and now the only two left are the winged swan and the white goose. They are partners. They now patrol the waters immediatley north and south of the magnificient 16 arch bridge each day.

They greet boaters who dock at the Marinas and appreciate being included when food is shared.
The goose partakes only when the winged partner has been satisfied and she then enjoys a portion.

Each day the goose dictates the movements of the pair. She swins some 25feet ahead of the swan who is not allowed out of sight. When seperation occurs the goose becomes tramatized like a parent seperated from it's child in the supermarket.

Recently back for a visit, I am glad to find the goose and swan story is big news in the village.

Friday, May 07, 2010

Spring
Spring is in the air
Birds are singing everywhere
Snowdrops peeping through the ground
Daffodils dancing all around
Buds are on the trees for all of us to see
Blue bells so blue to say i love you
Grass so green with decorated daisies and dandolines and the sweet scented primroses fills the air with perfume so rare.

The above poem was written for The Shannonbridge Star
by Bridie Carry.
noticed you often have little spiritual urgings on the webpage.
I met a Dublin lady last evening and she gave me
the following which you might like,

Everytime I pass a Church,
I pay a little visit
For when at last I am carried in
the Lord won't say "who is it?"


Regards, Pádraig

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Official Opening of Club Premises.
Saturday, May 1st, was a red letter day in the history of Shannonbridge GAA Club, with the official opening of our grounds by the President of the GAA, Mr Christy Cooney. The club thanks all those who contributed in any way to the achievement of the fine facility we enjoy today. Club members, past and present, and parishioners who laboured over many years to bring this dream to reality, the Offaly Co. Board, the National Lottery and all our many former and current sponsors. On the day, special thanks to Uachtaran Cumann Luth Chleas Gael, Christy Cooney, for taking the time out of his busy schedule, for presenting the medals to the underage teams and for performing the official opening, to Pat Teehan, Chairman of Offaly Co Board for his attendance and words of support, to Fr. Frank O’Hanlon PP for the blessing of our premises, to Kilcormac-Killoughey Under 10s and Ferbane-Belmont Under 12s, to Offaly and Longford Senior Football teams, an Garda Siochana, local landowners for car-parking facilities, the Aware organisation who benefitted from the proceeds of the day, the media, both national and local, the supporters and all who contributed in any way to the success.

Division 2 League.
Shannonbridge overcame Birr in a competitive game, at Shannonbridge, on Wednesday last, eventually running out winners by 0-18 to 0-12. The home side opened brightly and led by five points to nil before Birr got into their stride. They managed to level matters by half-time at eight points each and took the lead three minutes into the second half. Shannonbridge hit back, outscoring Birr ten points to three, helped by two wonder frees, from the sideline, by Anthony Kelly, to end six points clear.
Team Declan Kelly, Willie Keena, Niall Price, Mel Darcy, Paul Moloney, Eamon Kelly, Dermot Turley, John Ryan, John Egan (0-2), Peader Kelly, Anthony Kelly (0-6), Trevor Mahon, Paul Deeley(0-5), Eddie Egan, Ciaran Flannery(0-5). Sub. Adrian Coughlan for Peader Kelly.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
No jackpot winners last week. The numbers drawn were 3, 7, 17, 23 and there were eleven match three winners. This week’s jackpot is €10,400.

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Our Lady of Clonfert Church as normal have a full calendar of events for each day for the month of May. Ann Keena was telling us that she was over there on Tuesday evening and that there was a large crowd.
In the Parish Hall on the other side of the road there are teas and sandwiches available for those that may require something to eat.
People usually visit three times at least in the month.
I was surprised a few years ago when I called in during the day and found about twenty people in the church, praying,lighting candles and doing the Stations of The Cross.The church houses the Statue of Our Lady that was carved around the twelfth century and hidden in a hole in a tree for safety during the Cromwellian times.

My thands to Bridie Carry for two of the postings below.
dew drenched fields provide me with mushrooms gleaming white
while plump and juicey blackberries for my sore eyes are a sight
when comes november of the souls and all the leaves are shed
will you light a candle then for me, as i do for the dead
you have heard this story each word i say is true
From Padraig Turley
I noticed a reference to a visit by Kathy Curley and Dave Ullman. It said she was a daughter of Bess Daly, can I take it that Bess is deceased? Had not heard of her is years. I did not realize that Theresa Lowe was from Clonfinlough. She became a barrister after leaving R.T.E., and I know her in that capacity. Just had not put it together. Take care. Hope to see you soon. Pádraig
Did you know
  • Cream always rises to the top
  • Constant company wears out its welcome
  • True friendship is like sound health. The value of it is seldom known until it is lost
  • Choose your friends with care, that you may have choice friends
  • We tend to criticise our friends for doing things we could do no better
Tuesday's Irish Times tells us that The Royal Canal will be reopening on September 30th 2010.First opened in 1817,some 27 years after work began.It was used as a waterway in 1961 but the last commercial boat or barge was in 1955.The canal is 145.6 km. long,stretching from the River Liffey in Dublin via Croke Park,Mountjoy Jail,Mullingar and reaches the River Shannon at Richmond Harbour.Since closure a number of* unfriendly to boat-traffic bridges* have been built on the canal.After many years of effort by a number of organisations these have been attended to and boats will be free to travel once more.See irishtimes.com Page 3.

And on a Living the Wildlife on RTE1 on Tuesday 4th May there was a close-up of the freshwater fish that inhabit our canals.They also showed the cleaning and maintenance on sections of the canals when the fish are removed by stunning them using eltro-fishing.They are returned to a cleaned section.They mentioned that the record number of fish removed from a 200 metre section is around 28,000 pike tench bream roach rudd perch eels and a variety of hybrids where two different species of fish mate and produce a now recognised hybrid species.

Paudge Bennett celebrates 30 years playing music in Killeens Bar Shannonbridge on Wednesday 5th May. Mick Killeen heard him first back then playing at a wedding and thought that he would suit the pub.

Well done to Shane Lowry on his performance in the Spanish Open Golf Tournament last week.Shane shot a score of 281.The winner Alvaro Quiros score was 271. Watch out Rory McIlroy Shanes a coming.

Our village Butcher Nicky Nugent phoned today to tell us that Moby had just passed by his shop dragging his lead and heading for the river. Mick found himfollowing a Darcy dog and brought him home.

This Tuesday morning Vinney Fennell went for a cycle along the Grand Canal.Between Belmont Lock and Shannonharbour or 'along the line' as
they call it Vinney saw three Herons.Each of them took him away from their fishing or nesting place landing some 60 yards ahead.After a few sessions of this they took to the air and returned to their place.
Vinney has heard two Cuckoos.One is on the Callows near Shannonharbour and the second is between High Street and Belmont.

Meanwhile Aidan Kelly is keeping an eye on the Robin's nest in Killeen's shed and today he told me that three chicks have been hatched out and things are going well.
Meanwhile Mick Killeen found a Swallow trying to built a nest in the beer shed and called a halt.
Mick likes sorting bottles in the yard with the Robin but not cleaning bottles in the shed as a result of swallows you know what.

Weather has been overcast all day.Dublin Airport was closed for some hours as a threat of more Icelandic Dust was feared.
Shannonbridge Fishing Report dated 4th May 2010.
The river level has dropped from 2.8 last week to 2.6 metres this week.
Weather has been fine with a few showers.
>John Keegan Killucan fished the River Suck on 16th April hooking a hybrid fishing with a 16 hook,4 lb line in the middle depth 13 ft.
As he played the hybrid a 12 lb pike attacked it and held on.John landed the pike and returned it alive.
John again fished the Suck on 23 April with float/maggot and caught
7 lbs roach and hybrids in a three hour session.
>Mark Overton Correen fished the Suck with John Keegan on 23 April also using float/maggot.In a three hour session Mark caught 20 lbs roach and hybrid from 8 to 20 ounces.
>Ian Culikers from Holland fished River Shannon on 1st April using dead bait to catch a 61cm pike which he returned alive.
>Tony Ross from York fished the River Brosna on 27th April using float and maggot on a cloudy windy day catching 38 lbs of roach.Could have caught more but for the windy conditions.
Tony fished the Suck on 29th April in rain and wind using maggot and feeder to catch 20 lbs of roach.
Tony fished fished the Shannon on 3rd May using maggot and feeder in very windy conditions to catch 10 lbs of hybrids and roach up to 12 ounces.
>Terry Elsey from York fished the Brosna with Tony Ross on 27th May using maggot and float to catch 40 lbs of roach in cloudy windy conditions.
Terry fished the Suck on 29th April using maggot and feeder to catch 18 lbs of roach on a rainy windy day.
Terry fished the Shannon on 3rd May using maggot and worm to catch 5 lbs of hyrids and two perch over a pound each.Wind caused strong ripple.
>John Phillips from Wales fished the Shannon on 3rd May using dead bait to catch an 8 lbs pike and two i lb perch while fishing alongside Tony and Terry.
>Tom Corbett Ballydangan fished the Shannon downstream of the village bridge in the shallow waters opposite Lacks House using small plug baits to catch two pike weighing 2 lbs each while fishing from his boat.
> Young Luke Corbett fished with his father Tom and caught a 9 ounce baby pike.All were returned alive.

Monday, May 03, 2010

Monday turned out to be a beautiful day after being a little chilly earlier on.The river has been busy for the May Bank Holiday with visitors both on water and dry land.Around noon Jill and Don Kittel stopped off in Shannonbridge by car.They are from Adelaide Australia and were looking forward to going on the Bog Rail Tour which alas is not running again this year.Maybe the World Bank will have a look at it after our banks and Greece has been sorted out.
Anyhow the Kittels told us that Don's Great Great Grandparents fled to Australia from Prussia as a result of a religeous persecution while Jill's family originated in England.
They are based in Athlone and plan to visit Clonmacnois and The Boora Parklands today.
Judging by the Five-Day weather forecast they are in for a few good days with maybe an odd shower of rain on Wednesday.

Thomas Carty was down for the weekend with Margaret and Tom.He went fishing yesterday but caught nothing.Maybe tonight he will get to play a game of 25 if they stay over.

Annie Madden Brackernagh Ballinasloe has passed away and was laid to rest today.Annie was wife of the late Christy Madden and they leave a large family.Mary reminded us that one of her daughters once taught in Shannonbridge school and she also has passed away.
May they rest in peace.

Derek Mooney on radio has a 'Mooney Goes Wild' side to him.This year his radio show fitted cameras beamed on a robin's nest.Recently they fitted cameras on a Blue Tit bird up in Aras an Uachtarain.Our President is patron of an organisation for wild birds.Today on the program The President wished the project well and talked to Derek Mooney. Later the man in charge of the bird/camera project told Derek that at the time President McAleese was recording her best wishes the Blue Tit laid its first egg.Seems that they lay an egg a day and often have a nest of eleven eggs.
It is possible to view the progress on a website but unfortunately I failed to pick it up.Hopefully Rose or somebody can put it on this web.

Tomorrow Tuesday is Rory McIlroy's 21st Birthday.He had a brilliant final round at Quail Hollow yesterday to take first prize.
Congratulations and Happy Birthday.

Sunday, May 02, 2010

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
Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 2nd May 2010 – 5th Easter 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; Adoration on First Fri until 5pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €616. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Aoife, Athene, Saul, Jack
Mass on next Sat for the late Ciaran J.Mannion
Mass on next Sun for Mae Rocke, Nancy & Michael Kelly
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Clonfanlough
Mass on First Fri @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €223.
Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Guinan, A.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: A.Kelly
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan

‘Ceremony of Light’ (Family Preparation) for Confirmandi on Wed @ 8pm in Clonfanlough
We will celebrate Confirmation on Thurs 13th May in Shannonbridge @ 3pm;
First Holy Communion on 15th May in Clonfanlough @ 12 noon
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The Holy Rosary Sisters send their thanks for your generosity to their appeal last weekend. Total proceeds: €793.04.
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Longford Town F.C. will host St Mel’s Cathedral Family Day in aid of St Mel’s Restoration Fund on Sun 9th May at Flancare Park, Longford, starting with Mass @ 1pm followed by musical items.
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Questions people askQ. Why is the Rosary so highly regarded? I find it boring.A. The Rosary is a way of asking Mary to lead us to her Son, Jesus Christ, as she did at Cana. Each decade recalls an event from the early life of Jesus, the light of his ministry, his passion or his glorification. We meditate on these events so as to imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. It is Jesus who is at the centre of the Rosary, just as the centre of the Hail Mary is the name of Jesus. It is a way of keeping the gospel fresh in our minds.
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Volunteers needed
We are still seeking people to serve as Ministers of the Word and Ministers of the Eucharist. If you are interested please let me know as training is now available. A special word of thanks is overdue to all who serve in any capacity in the Community. Beir bua agus beannacht
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West Offaly Training
Now taking names for the ‘Computers for Kids’ Summer Camps, which will take place during July & August. An intensive ECDL course is also being organised in Crank House this summer. For more info call 057-9152003.
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"There is no better opportunity to receive more than to be thankful for what you already have.” (Jim Rohn)