Monday, May 30, 2011

Shannonbridge GAA Notes

Division Four League.
Shannonbridge defeated St. Bridgid’s by a five point margin, at Shannonbridge, on Wednesday evening last. In difficult conditions, after an evenly contested first half, the teams were level at five points each. Paul Moloney opened the scoring after three minutes, followed by points from Paul Deeley, John Guinan, Anthony Kelly and Roger Ryan. The home side started strongly in the second half with points from Deeley, Mark Carty and Ryan. John Guinan scored a point and followed up with a goal bound shot which was well saved. St. Bridgid’s were unlucky to hit four wides in succession and Shannonbridge finished comfortably 0-11 to 0-6.
Team: C. Kelly, M. Kilduff, T. Mahon, K. Norton, Aidan Kelly, Adrian Kelly, C. Kenny, J. Killeen, M. Carty (0-1), P. Moloney (0-1), R. Ryan (0-2), Anthony Kelly (0-2), J. Guinan (0-2), P. Deeley (0-3), R. Doolan. Subs: S. Flannery, P. Kelly, J. Turley, L. Duffy, G. Quirke.

Fixtures.
Division Two League v Ballyfore, on Wednesday 1st June, at Ballyfore, 7.30pm.
Division Four League v Raheen, on Thursday 2nd June, at Shannonbridge, 7.30pm.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 11, 13, 14 and 28 and there were no match three winners. An extra €200 has been added to this week’s jackpot making a total of €8,200.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 29th May 2011 – 6 Easter A
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: €610. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Altar Servers for this week: Oisín, Andrea, Stephanie

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Clonfanlough
Mass for the First Fri will be on Thurs @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €250. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Claffey, B.Coughlan
Readers for next Sunday: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 2
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
Station Mass at the home of P. & W.Kelly, Carrowkeel on Fri @ 8pm
Anniversary Mass for Aggie O’Shea on next Sun
50th International Eucharistic Congress
In Ireland, 10th to 17th June 2012. In preparation, the Congress Bell will be brought to each Diocese in turn to alert people to the importance of the Eucharist & the Congress, and as an invitation to faith, prayer, reconciliation, and to mission.
It is expected the Bell will be in Clonmacnois on Sun 17th July 2011, Each parish is seeking 12 volunteers to carry the frame that holds the Bell. If you would like to be involved please let me know.
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Ballinasloe Regional Novena – 3rd – 11th June
Times of Sessions each day: 7.30am, 10am, 8pm.
Theme for the Novena: “The Eucharist – food for all”.
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Offaly Holy Land Pilgrimage: 19 – 28th Oct 2011.
Direct from Dublin, 10 days - €1,145 P.P.S. half board, including all taxes. For further info contact Fr Tom Cox, Ferbane, 090-6454309
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Lough Derg 3-Day Pilgrimage
You may begin your pilgrimage on any day of the week from Wednesday 1st June until Saturday 13th August.
Cost: €55 includes boat fare and accommodation
For bookings or further information. Tel: 071 9861518
Visit: www.loughderg.org Email: info@loughderg.org
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St Ciaran’s Community Alert is now processing applications for the Seniors Alert Scheme for personal & home security equipment.
If you qualify for the above, please contact a member of the committee to process your application.
If you are interested in receiving Broadband Internet come to a meeting in Shannonbridge old School on Wed 1st June @ 8pm, and hear about the Rural Broadband Scheme, which could benefit you.
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National Eucharistic Congress, Knock, 25th June 2011
A bus on behalf of the ‘Cluster Parishes’ will go to Knock on that day, leaving Shannonbridge @ 8.30am, and going via Cloghan & Ferbane. Every parish is asked to be represented on the day.
If you wish to go, please give your name to D.Finnerty or T.Rohan.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Obama takes a shine to Shannonbridge Pottery

During his recent visit to the Moneygall, Barak Obama took a detour into one of the local shops to buy a present for his Mother in Law. He ended up buying some pottery from none other that our own Shannonbridge Pottery. There was a clip on the news about it last night. You can watch it on this link to the RTE player, its at about 22 minutes 30 secs: http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1099176

They have sent on some photos which are attached:
1) The hat box that President Obama actually purchased with the 50 euro
2) The 4 piece mug set with the Obama family Christian names on them which we gave as a present.
3) Tara Fanning daughter of the owner of An Siopa Beag with the mugs before President Obama got them.
4) Maria and Mary of An Siopa with a turkey platter outside An Siopa Beag.
The design is called Shamrock Brushes. Shannonbridge purchased it from the creative dept of the New York Times. The artist is a journalis, Sue Chastain

Well done on the scoop Charlie!




Sunday, May 22, 2011

Shannonbridge Motorcycle Rally

The third annual Shannonbrige Motorbike rally was the highlight of last weekend. Based at Lukers Pub and organised by the local An Ri Dubh Club, it attracted over 450 motorcyclists.

Shannonbridge GAA Club

Division Two League.
Shannonbridge got back to winning ways with a 4-10 to 3-6 victory over Durrow, at Shannonbridge, on Thursday evening. A dream start saw the home side go into a three goal lead, after Trevor Mahon was hauled down for a penalty, converted by Karol Kelly. This was quickly followed by Kelly’s second goal and a third, in a move started and finished, by Philip Egan. Durrow goals in the seventeenth and twenty eight minutes closed the gap at half time to 3-4 to 2-2. Points on the restart by Kieran Flannery and Paul Deeley, followed by Kelly’s third goal put the game out of Durrow’s reach who scored their third goal in the twenty first minute. Team: R. Ryan, W. Keena, R.O’Connor, K. Egan, S. Flannery (0-1), C. Killeen, P. Moloney, J. Egan (0-1), P. Egan (1-2), P. Deeley (0-1), T. Mahon, D. Corbett (0-2), K. Flannery (0-3), K. Kelly (3-0), D. Kelly. Subs: N. Price, P. Kelly, K. Kearns, R. Doolan.

Division Four League.
Shannonbridge and Doon shared the spoils, at Doon, on Sunday in a game made difficult by high winds. Shannonbridge had first use of the elements to lead at half time by 1-7 to 0-1. Their scorers were Anthony Kelly (0-4), Peadar Kelly, (1-1) and Jim Killen (0-2). Martin Deeley replaced the injured Marty Kilduff after twenty minutes. Doon outscored Shannonbridge by 2-5 to 0-2 in the second half, their goals coming from Mel Rigney and Paul Heavin, who held on for a well deserved draw despite the loss of Peadar Kelly, to a second yellow card, in the closing stages. Final score 1-9 to 2-6.
Team: C. Kelly, S. Flannery, K. Norton, M. Moloney, M. Kilduff, P. Moloney, Aidan Kelly, C. Kenny (0-1), J. Killeen (0-2), P. Kelly (1-1), R. Ryan, A. Kelly (0-4), J. Guinan, P. Egan, R. Doolan. Subs: M. Deeley (0-1), D. Fitzgerald, A. Devery.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 11, 12, 14 and 17 and there were two match three winners. This week’s jackpot is €7,800.
Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 22nd May 2011 – 5 Easter A
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: €659. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, V.Hynes
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Siobhán, Sarah, Alisa, Ciarán
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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €189. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Loonam, A.Egan
Readers for next Sunday: A.& L. Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy
Station Mass: Fri next @ 8pm at the home of Mary K. Dolan, Clonlyon

We hope to have Mass & the Blessing of the Graves on Sat 30th July @ 7pm in Clonmacnois
Clonfanlough Social Group will have their summer Social on Fri 17th June @ 7.30pm in the Clonfanlough Hall


We welcome to the Table of the Lord the children who will receive Jesus, our Bread of Life in their First Holy Communion this weekend:
Katie Moran, Jenny Darcy, Enya Daly, Ffion Anderson, Rosanna Egan, Nisha Ellis, Jenny Arnold
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50th International Eucharistic Congress
In Ireland, 10th to 17th June 2012. In preparation, the Congress Bell will be brought to each Diocese in turn to alert people to the importance of the Eucharist & the Congress, and as an invitation to faith, prayer, reconciliation, and to mission.
It is expected the Bell will be in Clonmacnois on Sun 17th July 2011, Each parish is seeking 12 volunteers to carry the frame that holds the Bell. If you would like to be involved in Clonmacnois please let me know.
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Ballinasloe Regional Novena – 3rd – 11th June
Times of Sessions each day: 7.30am, 10am, 8pm.
Theme for the Novena: “The Eucharist – food for all”.
‘Take time out - to find inner peace and reconciliation.’
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Free Electrical Recycling in Shannonbridge GAA Grounds,
Tues 24th May, from 9am to 12noon only. Please do not leave items at grounds before or after these times; the collection will be supervised. This collection is supported by Offaly Co Council, Shannonbridge Tidy Towns Committee & Shannonbridge GAA Club

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Intermediate Football Championship.
Shannonbridge made the trip to Ballycommon, on Sunday, to take on nearby Rhode in the second round of the championship. Electing to play with a stiff diagonal breeze in the first half, Shannonbridge found scoring difficult and were two points in arrears, 1-4 to 0-5, at the break. Kieran Kearns replaced Niall Price for the restart and in a Shannonbridge attack Peadar Kelly was unlucky to see his goal bound effort rebound off the post. A goal by Trevor Mahon after twenty minutes, was quickly followed by Rhode’s second goal and they ran out comfortable winners on a score-line of 2-12 to 1-6. Team: D. Kelly, N. Price, R. O’Connor, C. Egan, S. Flannery, W. Keena, P. Moloney, J. Egan, T. Mahon (1-1), P. Deeley (0-2), K. Kelly, P. Kelly, D. Corbett, P. Egan, K. Flannery (0-3). Subs: K. Kearns for N. Price and C. Killeen for P. Kelly.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 12, 15, 21 and 26 and there were four match three winners. This week’s jackpot is €7,600

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

New Rural Broadband Scheme for Shannonbridge

The midland authority sent the email below looking for people in Shannonbridge who are interested in getting broadband access. Send an email to kerrill @ gmail.com if you want a copy of the information mentioned or contact details for the midland authority.

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The Rural Broadband Scheme was launched by the Department of Communications on May 5th. The RBS is aimed at individuals who have been unable to secure a broadband service from a service provider for various reasons, the one we are most familiar with being ‘line of sight’.

The Midland Regional Authority is working with Local Authorities within the region to promote the scheme in partnership with the Department of Communications. It is in this regard that I contact you and attach the following:
· RBS flyer to raise awareness for the scheme
· RBS Brief for use in newsletters / e-mails / websites
· A FAQ about the Scheme
· A County Map detailing eligible areas
· An application form

I would appreciate if you could assist with:
· Promoting the scheme on shannonbridge.com and adding to the parish newsletter
· identifying a local champion to promote the scheme within Shannonbridge and assist in the organising of a community information evening before June 10th.

The closing date for receipt of applications is July 29th
I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
********************************
Sarah Morgan
Planning Policy & Research Officer
Midland Regional Authority

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 15th May 2011 – 4 Easter A
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 – Sat @ 10am, Tues @ 8.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €598. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Darcy, M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, M.Anderson, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Athene, Saul, Jack
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Dessie & Sonny Keena
Mass on next Sun for Margaret & Edward Cogavin & family deceased
Station Mass at the home of Nan Rocke on Fri @ 7pm

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €242. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: Parents of First Communicants
Readers for next Sunday: D.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 3
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on next Sun for the late Peg Rocke
First Communicants Mass on next Sat @ 12 noon.
Meeting of Parish P.C. on Mon in Shannonbridge @ 8pm
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Community Smoke Alarm Scheme
Smoke Alarms are available from Offaly Co Council to qualifying homes in the county. Contact Edel Boyd for more information & applications. Tel 057-9357457 0r eboyd@offalycoco.ie
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Ardagh & Clonmacnois Youth Ministry Conference
Sat 21st May, in St Mel’s Pastoral Centre Longford, 10am-4pm.
Theme: ‘Rooted & built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith’.
The purpose of the conference is to invite young people to dialogue and to listen & hear the needs of young people of the Diocese.
Guest speaker for the day is Fr Noel Kehoe, who works in a Redemptorist Youth Ministry in Cork. (see www.scala.ie)
The day is aimed at both young people (16 & over) and those working with / interested in young people.
The Parish will cover the cost of those wishing to attend.
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Many thanks for your contributions to Trócaire during the recent Lenten campaign. As a result of your generosity we have sent €3100.00 to Trócaire.
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Night Prayer Vigil in Clonmacnois Prayer Centre
Fri 20th May, beginning with Mass @ 10pm. Adoration follows and finishes at 3.10am. All welcome. Enquiries Dave 085-7746763
Mass every Wed @ 7.30pm.
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Prayer for Choice of State in Life
“Lord, in your wisdom, you have given a task to each of us.
Lord, I ask you; pour your light into me,
So that I may know the way along which you will lead me.
Lord, what will you have me to do?
Take me by the hand, lead me; you see all things in the future.
Make known to me your will, and then give me the courage and strength to follow you.”

Focal Scoir: ‘Tá an fómhar fairsing, ach tá an meitheal beag.’

Friday, May 13, 2011

Shannonbridge Fishing Report Dated 13th May 2011.
>On 9th Jan 2011 Patrick Fahy,Ballymahon fished River Suck in sunshine after frost using a dead smelt to catch a 22lbs pike at 12.30pm.Returned alive.
>On 10th Feb 2011 Domenic Cottrell,Navan fished the Shannon in fresh weather using a dead roach to catch a 13lb 13 oz pike.Returned alive.
>James Cottrell,Navan also fished the Shannon on 10 to 12 Feb 2011 using dead roach to catch four pike 2x14lbs and 2x12lbs.All returned alive.
>Alan Casey,Dublin fished the Shannon on 19th Feb 2011 with a dead roach to catch a 22lbs pike which was returned alive.
>Stephen O Meara,Maynooth fished the Shannon from the floating jetty on 18th March using dead mackerel on a cloudy breezy day to catch four pike weighing 10,8,5 and 4lbs.Returned. >John Coleman,Birdhill fished the Such on 27th March using maggot and corn on a fine day to catch 15lbs of roach and hybrids.Returned alive.
>Felix Lindbuchl,aged 8years from Germany fished the Shannon on a sunny 20th April using a wobbler to catch three pike 70cm each which he returned alive.
>Dave Kemp Bradford fished the Suck on a fine 16th April using leger and worm to catch three bream,hybrids and roach .Total weight for short time was 17.5lbs.
>Dave Kemp fished the Suck on 17th April 2011 using float and maggot to catch hybrids and roach for a 14lbs bag.Sunshine.
>Dave Kemp fished the Suck on a hot 19th Aprilusing float and maggot to catch 21.5lbs of roach and hybrids.
>Dave Kemp fished the Suck on 20th April using feeder corn and worm to catch 2bream,4skimmers roach and hybrid for a 15lbs catch weight.
>Steve Nell Sheffield fished the Suck on 20th April 2011 using deadbait and leger methods to catch a 28lbs pike which Steve said was 'a real Croc'.The Croc was released safely.
>John Mc Cormack,Athlone fished the Grand Canal on a sunny 22nd April 2011 using sweetcorn maggots and float to catch 9tences and roach perch and bream fishing from 2 to 6pm.Tench about 3lbs each.
>Degraux Bewoit,Belgium fished the Shannon on 3rd May,using lures and softbait to catch 5 pike weighing 3lbs each.'I'll be back' says Degraux.
>Leherissier Pascal from France fished at Shannonbridge on a windy 3rd May 2011 using lures and dead bait to catch 5 pike.
>The Parrott Family Steve alan Dave and Jim from Kent England fished the Suck from 1st May to 6th May with North East winds using brown crumb maggot and caster catching hybrids to 3lbs,roach to 1.5lbs,catching over the week 200lbs of silver fish.Good week although wind hurt.
>Andrew Low,Wilmslow England fished the Grand Canal in overcast wet weather using pole and red maggot to catch 40lbs and 50lbs of bream roach tench and eel in mid channel.

River level on 1st May on gauge at Shannonbridge read 2.45metres.On
9th May the reading was 2.2metres.
Death announcement.Molloy,Sr.Phelim,St.Louis Convent Monaghan (daughter of P.C.Molloy Clonmacnois) died May 11th in Drumbear Nursing Home.Funeral Mass in convent chapel on Saturday
with burial in Latiurcan.May she rest in peace.

Recently John O Sullivan,creator and writer of 'Only Fools and Horses'died in England.
May he rest in peace.

Tony Buckley,Tullamore was fishing on the Shannon near Shannonbridge.He put the keys of his car on his line as an extra weight while fishing for pike.And it worked.A pike took the bait and the line broke.The kind pike left the keys.

Visiting Clonmacnois last Sunday the sister Doc and our cousin Maureen noticed a bird flying near a tree.They had a look and saw a birds nest with four fledglings.

This week Joerg and Wodi Falkeusee Germany arrived to revisit Shannonbridge by boat.One of their first enquiries was for Moby our dog who they always brought for walks everytime they were in Shannonbridge.They were saddened to hear that Moby had died.Joerg had some fancy dog treats for Moby in his pocket.They showed us a number of photos of Moby including one of him standing alongside a pint of Guinness.He was a professional dog actor of course.

Reading the bits of information on the walls at Clonmacnois Visitor Center last Sunday.One that caught my eye was that in 1070 the head of Conchubar ua Maeil-Scheechlainn was forcibly carried from Clonmacnois by Toirdelblach,who was compelled to return it,for he was smitten with a miraculous disease,imparted to him by a mouse that issued from the head and ran under his garment.

Old Cures
Foul Foot in cattle.Cattle suffering from a rotten hoof.Dig up the track where the animal walked and turn it upside down.No need for a vet says Patrick Kenny.

To cure ringworm in cattle burnt oil was used.

Wart Cure.Get a snail and stick it through the thorn on a blackthorn tree.

Relic of Saint Theresa was used for a variety of cures.

Clay from St.Ciaran's Church Clonmacnois mixed with the seed or shook in the four corners of the field used as a cure for wireworm.
Father Murray,St.Mary's Church Athlone kindly forwarded a copy of a History of that parish by Gearoid O Brien.In the book about over a page deals with Father Kieran Kilroe,who was born in 1798 in Shannonbridge,son of Thomas Kilroe.Educated in a school in Ballinasloe.In 1818 went to a clerical college in Bayeaux,where he remained for seven years.He spent a short time as a proffesor in a college in the south of France before Dr.McGovern called him home and appointed him to a curacy in Mohill.Appointed a curate in St.Mary's c1927.He was made Administrator in 1834 and in 1845 he became Parish Priest of St.Mary's.Fr Kilroe was a member of Athlone Town Commissioners from 1845 to 1855.Fr.Kilroe conducted a Latin school in Athlone in the early 1830's.Fr.Kilroe with his curateof 24years,Fr.Patrick Dardis was responsible for the erection of the present St.Mary's Church in Athlone between 1857 and 1862.Fr.Kilroe died in 1865 and the day after his funeral Fr.Dardis died.

St.Mary's Parish book has a lot of interesting meanings for the townlands in the parish.
-Ardnaglug ,the height of the bells.
-Athlone, the ford of Luan and refers to two popular versions.Like Snam Da En(Swim two birds)
-Ballykeeran, road of the rowan-tree.
-Kilnafaddoge, Cill na bhfeadog,church of the plovers or Coill an bhfeadog,wood of the plovers.
-Moydrum, Magh Droma,plain of the ridge.
And there are more.
By coincidence a man from Inistioge in Kilkenny named Cuddy told me recently that the translation for Inistioge is Island of the Young Virgin or Virgins.

The book also has information on priests that served in St.Mary's.Ones to catch the eye
-Father Patrick Reddy,native of Shannonbridge born c1845.Ordained outside Maynooth 1867/68
served in Athlone 1878-1881,Cloghan 1895-1905.Died 15th August 1905 and is buried in Clonmacnois.He went to Canada with Bishop Conroy in April 1875 on a visit.
In a letter dated 2nd November 1882 to Bishop Woodlock,in reference to St.Mary's,Athlone,Father Reddy says"as a relative of the two priests that built St.Mary's I must always continue to take a friendly interest in it.
Fr.Patrick Lane son of John Lane N.T. and Kate Agnes Gallagher,Shannonbridge,
Fr Mark Mimnagh Fr Donal O Lehane Fr Aidan Ryan Fr Sean Tynan and Fr Francis O'Hanlon all worked at some time in St.Mary's.

John Count McCormack was born the fourth of eleven children of Andrew McCormack and Hannah Watson on 14th June 1884.He was baptized in St.Mary's on 23rd June by Fr.McGeoy.Pages of interesting news on Mc Cormack and other items on Athlone.
stmarysparishathlone@eircom.net

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Shannonbridge GAA Notes

Fixtures.
Intermediate Football Championship v Rhode next Sunday, 15th May, in Ballycommom, at 12 noon.
Division Two League v Durrow on Wednesday 18th May, in Shannonbridge, at 7.30pm.
Division Four League v St. Bridgids on Thursday 19th May, in Shannonbridge, at 7.30pm.

Congratulations.
To the Shannonbridge / Doon ladies football team on their League Final win last Sunday, when they defeated St Vincent’s on a score of 1-17 to 1-9.

County Board € 100 Euro Tickets.
The club are currently selling their annual quota of Co. Board tickets, with the first draw scheduled for 7th June. If you can help by purchasing a ticket, or a share, please contact any member of the committee. All support greatly appreciated.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 7, 16, 22 and 27 and there were three match three winners. This week’s jackpot is €7,400

Sunday, May 08, 2011

At Easter weekend John and Anne Denham arrived by boat in
Shannonbridge.They attended the ceremonies in the church on Easter
Saturday and by chance I saw Anne Denham return on Sunday morning and
help herself to a bottle of Holy Water that had been blessed on
Saturday night.What was she doing stealing the Holy Water me
thinks.Her husband John came and explained her actions.
Anne and her crew of four had travelled from Clontarf Yacht Club *see
cysc on her boat 'Echinus' with eleven other boats on a journey to the
Shannon River travelling along The Royal Canal passing Poolbeg,Spencer
Dock,Croke Park,the M50 Viaduct,the 12th Lock,Castleknock,Richmond
Harbour,Clondra and joining the River Shannon.They plan to return via
The Grand Canal.
The Clontarf Yacht Club boats last travelled this same route in 1925
and there are pictures of some of thw 1925 boats on their website.Do a
search for cysc to view pictures.
Anne Denham is a native of old Dingle in Kerry and she likes to carry
a bottle of Holy Water with her on her travels so I suppose it was in
order to take a bottle of Shannonbridge Holy Water for the return
trip.May it bring her all the luck in the world.
On May 2nd Catriona Lane was returning to Dublin after a visit to
Connemara when she spotted the sign for Shannonbridge.She diverted off
the Motorway and stopped in Shannonbridge.
Catriona is a daughter of Cormac Lane,a son of the teacher Master Lane
who lived and taught in Shannonbridge for many years.Lanes lived in
the house opposite Nicky Nugent's Butcher shop.
Catriona told us that her father died 25 years ago.Three of her uncles
and aunts died young -
Brendan, Cait and Moira.Two of her uncles became priests Father
Michael and Pat.Father Pat appears in the Clonmacnois film in the
visitor center at Clonmacnois.John Lane employed a woman to help with
the housework and both came from Inisboffin in the Aran
Islands.Catriona remembers her parents taking her and the family for a
holiday in the West of Ireland years ago.They visited Inisboffin and
located the two ladies that had worked for the Lane Family and
revisited them many times.
Catriona has photographs of her grandfather John Lane with the whisker
moustache and has promised to forward one for the Shannonbridge
website.
Catriona is anxious to find out more on her family
and intends to call back to Shannonbridge soon.
Doc Cunney was telling us that our sister Pat had a pin cushion made
by Cait Lane and that she gave it to my sister Doc.She remembers that
Master Lane was fond of crosswords and encouraged his pupils to create
croowords.The Irish Independent newspaper once had a competion for
crossword creation.John Lane got his pupils to enter and the sister
remembers winning a fancy pen for her effort.
John Lane included Shakespeare Plays in his English classes and Bill
Burns told Doc that he had read four Shakespeare plays under Master
Lane.
Alice Egan told us that the other teacher with Master Lane was Miss McDermott.
Recently Mike Naughton visited Shannonbridge.Mike is a close relative
of the late Tommy Naughton and of Tom's brother Kieran who was drowned
in the Shannon after a mishap with his boat.
Mike would like to have photographs of the late Tommy and Kieran and
you can contact Mike at his e-mail address naughton@bc.edu

Met a man on 28th March who told me he was returning a head to
Clonmacnois which had been given to him by a friend that knew he was
interested in such items.
Saint Ciaran's Well is beside the roadway about half a mile before you
reach Clonmacnois.For many years the well was in an open field
surrounded with about four icons or statues.One of the statues had its
head broken off and was found lying in the grass.
The well has dried up over the years possibly due to bog drainage.
Anyhow good news from the well is that the Office of Public Works have
made an agreement with the owner of the field and the corner of that
field has now been fenced off.As well the stonework of the well has
got a make-over and steps leading down to the well made safe.Hopefully
with the return of The Head further work can go ahead and water will
return to Saint Ciaran's Well.

Dubarry the shoe manufacturers in Ballinasloe have a catchy 2011
Spring Summer Catalogue this year.They have used some Shannonbridge
photographs on pages 60 and 61.See www.dubarry.com
Recently by chance I came across Bruce Crooks and David Crooks who
were visiting from Rockhampton,Queensland,Australia.
I asked them if they had any Irish connections.
I thought that they said Kilroy and as it happened Dermot Kilroy
Tullamore was buried that day.When I told them about Kilroys Shops
they said it was the Kilroe Family.It turned out it was the Kilroe
Family Shannonbridge that they were interested in.For many years
Kieran and Bill and Katie Kilroe lived ina two storey house directly
across from the Parochial House.Bill used to help the village
blacksmith Jack Butler by sitting on the wooden bench and working the
bellows by drawing on the rope.Kilroes were farmers and had a number
of isolated fields and callow land by the river.
The local contractor the late Jimmy Galvin replaced the two storey
house with a bungalow.Kieran died and later Bill (1957) and Katie
lived on her own.
At some time some cousins came visiting from Australia.They invited
Katie to come live with them
in Australia and Katie accepted the invitation.
Away she went taking one piece of furniture with her.This was a table
belonging to Father Kilroe the priest that built Saint Mary's Church
in Athlone.
Alice Egan remembers Katie having the table wrapped and prepared for
the journey by her neighbour the late Leslie Price. Father Murray in
Saint Mary's tells us that Father Kilroe finished building St.Marys in
1868 and it was officially opened in 1871.Father Kilroe I heard spent
almost a year in America to raise money to build the church.
Anyhow Australia was too much for Katie and she missed the neighbours
and Mass and the less hot weather.So she came home again and lived in
the bungalow until her death.
Bruce and David Crooks were anxious to visit the Kilroe grave at
Clonmacnois but failed to find it.
Next day I went with them hoping to get directions from Gus Claffey or
Tom Moore.No Gus or Tom around so we started looking for the
gravestone.I set off looking for an unkept grave and found dozens of
these.Bruce and David were doing their own looking around and one of
them found it in a well kept plot with a brown marble surround and a
marble tombstone in memory of the late Martin and Mary Burke.I knew
that Mary Dnoghue was connected to the Kilroe Family and they are
buried in an unused grave in the Kilroe plot.The Kilroe stone was
cleaned and the writing was clear.
If you have any information on the Kilroe Family you may send it to
David and Bruce Crooks who believe they are perhaps great great
nephews of the late Katie give or take a 'great'.
Contact crooksy@westnet.com.au
Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 8th May 2011 – 3 Easter A
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: €432. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Oisín, Andrea, Stephanie
‘Months Mind Mass’ for Jim Higgins on next Sat eve

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €290. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kilduff, E.Kilduff
Readers for next Sunday: A.Kelly
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 2
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy

Shannonbridge ARA
Will hold an Art Exhibition & Cake Sale in the Parish Hall on Sun 8th May @ 12.30pm. Your attendance would be greatly appreciated.
Prayer Service for Vocations
On Sat evening 14th May @ 5pm in Clonmacnois. This is the eve of Vocations Sun which is on 15th May.
All welcome.
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QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK (Fr O’Flynn – Intercom) Q. My faith has gone very dead. Scandals in the Church haven’t helped but I don’t lay all the blame there. Missing Mass no longer bothers me like it would have years ago. Any prayers I say are mechanical. Have you any suggestions? A. The world we live in has gone very secular and it is all too easy to drift with the flow. One has to make very deliberate efforts today to nurture faith. Just as our diet has a huge effect on our physical health, our mental diet dictates the wellbeing of our mind and soul. Drop into a church more often to adore the Lord. Read the scriptures as a source of developing a personal listen-and-talk relationship with God. Break out of self-centredness by offering your services to a charitable or sporting organisation. There are many Retreat Centres where you might avail of a helpful programme. Above all, humbly pray for the gift of a lively faith.
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Music Workshop by Liam Lawton
St Mary’s Athlone, on Tues 10th May @ 8pm
St Mary’s Newtownforbes, Tues 17th May @ 8pm.
This Workshop will be devoted to a new ‘Glendalough Mass’, composed to meet the requirements of the new Missal due to be in use by next Dec. Adm with music books & C.D. is €15.00.
The Parish will meet this cost for those wishing to attend.
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Many thanks for your contributions to the Lenten Alms, €750. This money is used by the Diocese for promoting Catholic Education (training & payment of Catechists etc), and supporting ‘Accord’ (Marriage programmes etc) and ‘Cura’ (counselling in crisis pregnancies etc)
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Irish Wheelchair Association will hold its Church gate Collection next weekend. Support appreciated.
Shannonbridge Action Group public meeting on 12thMay in the School building @ 8.30pm. All welcome. Come & have your say.

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Shannonbridge GAA Club Notes

Intermediate Football Championship.
Shannonbridge narrowly lost out to Durrow in a well contested first round game at Ballycumber on Friday evening. In ideal conditions, this was a tight contest all through with the teams level on six occasions. Shannonbridge opened with four points in the first twelve minutes from Karol Kelly, Paul Deeley (2) and Darragh Corbett, who was making his intermediate championship debut, scoring a great point from near the corner flag. Shannonbridge led at half time by 0-7 to 0-6. Conor Killeen replaced the injured Trevor Mahon at the interval. They increased the margin to two with points from Deeley, John Egan and Corbett going into the last quarter. However Durrow hit back to level at ten points each, their second score rattling off the crossbar and over. A great point by Kieran Flannery was soon followed by the decisive score of the game, a goal for Durrow in the twenty third minute. Shannonbridge hit back with points from Kieran Flannery and top scorer Deeley but two late points closed the game for Durrow with the final score 0-13 to 1-12. Not a win, but a good team performance that gives plenty of positives for the campaign ahead.
Team: L. Griffin, P. Moloney, R. O’Connor, M. Darcy, S. Flannery, W. Keena, N. Price, J. Egan (0-1), T. Mahon, P. Deeley (0-6), P. Egan, P. Kelly, D. Corbett (0-2), K. Kelly (0-1), K. Flannery (0-3). Sub: C. Killeen.

Shannonbridge / Doon Lottery.
There was no winner of last week’s jackpot. The numbers drawn were 2, 20, 21 and 27 and there was one match three winner. This week’s jackpot is €7,200.

Sunday, May 01, 2011

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 1st May 2011 – 2nd A
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: €450. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 6, ? D.O’Carroll
Altar Servers for this week: Siobhán, Sarah, Alisa, Ciarán
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Michael Kelly and Mae, Nancy & Brigid.
Anniversary Mass for Pat Killeen on next Sunday

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Clonfanlough
Mass on First Fri @ 7pm
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €415. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kenny, M.Lantry
Readers for next Sunday: N.Kenny
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group 1
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Today is a wonderful day for us as Christians. In Rome Pope Benedict, on Sun 1st May, will beatify his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. We can now address him as Blessed John Paul. It is significant that the beatification takes on Divine Mercy Sunday. Since the early years of his priesthood, Blessed John Paul had a deep devotion to the Divine Mercy. In the year 2000 he established the Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday.
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Easter Reflection.
Jesus says to us as he said to Thomas: “see my wounded hands and side; see the proof of my love for you; so cease doubting and believe”.
Those who care about others pick up a lot of wounds as they go through life. Perhaps there are no great wounds, but only a multiplicity of little ones – a host of scratches, wrinkles and welts. Yet these are only the visible wounds.
What about the many invisible wounds: the furrows left on the mind and soul, by hardship worries and anxieties?
These wounds are not things that we should be ashamed of. They are the proof or our love. Will anyone see these wounds and come to believe in our love because of them? Even if no one else sees them the heavenly Father sees them, and he is proud of us. (Flor Mc Carthy SDB)
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Shannonbridge ARA
Will hold an Art Exhibition & Cake Sale in the Parish Hall on Sun 8th May @ 12.30pm. Your attendance would be greatly appreciated.
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Dóchas – Offaly Cancer Support Group
Annual 4mile run/walk in aid of the above will take place on Sun 1st May @ Tullamore Harriers starting at 11.30am. Entry fee €15, or with a sponsorship card. Cards available from Pat Corbett, local coordinator or Dóchas @ 057-9328268. All support greatly appreciated.
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St. Ciaran’s Community Alert is holding its AGM on Thursday 5th May in Clonfanlough Hall at 8pm. Come along and keep informed of what is happening. If you would like to avail of personal & home security equipment through the Seniors Alert Programme, or avail of smoke alarms through Offaly County Council please give your details on the night or leave details into Garda Station. Light refreshments on the night.