Shannonbridge

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 22nd Feb 2009 -7 B
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 Ash Wed @ 8pm;
With the blessing & signing of Ashes at both Masses.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €501. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, C.Casey, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Sarah, Siobhan
Mass on next Sun for the late James Joseph McManus

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €249. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Walshe, R.Gunning
Readers for next Sunday: A.& L. Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Mass on Ash Wed @ 7pm with the blessing & signing of Ashes
Mass on next Sun for the late Francie Devery

Station Mass
Fri 27th Feb at the home of C. & N. Daly, Ballyhearth @ 7.30pm
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Questions people askQ. What would you recommend me to do for Lent?A. The gospel mentions three areas of life, prayer (God), fasting (self) and almsgiving (others). Make more time for God each day, time for prayer, Mass, reading scripture, availing of a retreat or good lecture. By fasting we discipline our appetites. Lent is a great time to motivate ourselves to cut back on anything harmful to health like smoking or too much drink. Almsgiving is a call to be more responsive to the cries of the hungry and needy. A collection box at home or in the place of work can be a daily reminder that even to give a little can help a lot. Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
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TEMPERANCE SUNDAY
‘Proverbially, Ireland is a land that combines the smile and the tear.’ So said Pope Pius XII in 1956. He went on to lament the fact that, as a result of intemperance, more tears were shed in Irish homes than ought to have been the case.
Many of us are only too well aware from painful, personal experience that the Pope’s observation was true. Like every gift of God, alcohol is good. It has its place in times of celebration and relaxation. However, it is also a drug that can be devastating in its consequences. What comes to us as a gift can be a curse for some, unless it is wisely used.’ (from a statement of the Irish Bishops)
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Youth Holy Hour & Prayer
Sat 28th Feb in Ferbane Parish Church, 8 – 9pm. All welcome
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Fundraiser for Re-Hab
Fri 27th Feb in Scannells, Cleaghmore, Ballinasloe, 10am – 4pm
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"Lord, grant me the hindsight to know where I have been,the foresight to know where I am going, andthe insight to know when I have gone too far."

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 15th Feb 2009 -6 B
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: €504. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Megan, Andrea, Aoife
Anniversary Mass on next Sun for Eugene Sheehy

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €280. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Guinan, A.Guinan
Readers for next Sunday: D.Boland
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Mass on next Sun for the late Tommy & Rose Rohan

Questions people ask:
Q. Why did Jesus tell some of the people he cured to tell nobody? Surely we are called to give witness to the works of God?
A. There are two reasons for what is called the ‘messianic secret’. The Messiah was popularly expected to be a political leader at the head of an uprising, an expectation that would have impeded his true mission. Secondly, too much excitement about miracles would only generate a mass hysteria, making it very difficult to get his teaching across; especially his mission to suffer and die on our behalf, and his message to us to ‘take up our cross and follow him’.
(Fr O’Flynn – Intercom)
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Viatores Christi
Would you like to use your skills to make a difference?
Since 1960 Viatores Christi has aimed to respond to needs overseas and at home by giving people an opportunity to share their lives and skills with those in need. People from all backgrounds and professions join in being Catholic lay Missionary development workers – who want to challenge themselves to make a difference in the world, however big or small.
If you are interested in learning more, there will be an Information & recruitment session in St Mary’s Presbytery Athlone on Wed 18th Feb @ 7.30pm. For more info call Martin on 01-8689986.
Also you may visit www.viatoreschristi.com
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Dealing with Stress in today’s Society
The West Offaly Education Project will run a 6-week Course on this topic beginning on Tues 24th Feb in Gallen Community School Ferbane from 7.30 – 9.30pm. This Course is for men only.
The fee is €40.00. For more info call Michelle on 057-9351392, or Steve on 057-9151622.
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Co Offaly Childminding Initiative
Has organised an exciting Calendar of events for Childminders.
Pleased contact Fiona on 057-9370630 for more info

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The Republic of Ireland soccer team defeated Croatia 2 – 1 in the game played at Croke Park last evening. Croatia scored in the first minute and team captain Robbie Keane scored both the Irish goals.

The Irish rugby team play Italy in Rome on Sunday and trainer Declan Kidney is using the same starting team as played against France last week. Match starts at 1.00pm Irish time.

The radio news today told of the death of playwright Hugh Leonard aged 82 years. Hugh’s best known play was ‘Da’. He wrote a popular weekly column in the Sunday Independent. Some thirty years ago Hugh owned a cruiser on the river and was a frequent visitor to Shannonbridge. May he rest in peace.

Had a phone call today from Ed Brown from England. Ed has been tracing the Coughlan Family Tree as his mother was a Coughlan. He is still searching for a copy of the book by Brendan Ryan called ‘A Land by the River of God’.

The Moore Foroige Club produced an interesting pamphlet a few years ago. They had a page of an interview with Patrick Kenny about cutting the turf and making the hay and churning and making the butter. Funny but he told them as he remembered those times and there are no funny additions.

There is a reprint of an interview with Patrick’s father, the late Willie Kenny from the Athlone Observer of September 1985. Look for Celebrating 100 years of Life in Moore.

Found a Name Origin Card on the name Liam. Here is what it says-

Shortened version of

William which

originated in Ireland

where the name is very popular.

A true man, bursting

with energy and life

force, he makes the most

of what comes his way

and uses his talents to

the full.

You can’t go wrong with

this man.

Another card tells –

Liam meaning

‘desiring protection’

Does not always admit to

his true feelings

He is a commanding Figure

His ability to plan ahead

Is legendary.

Weather has continued to be bright and sunny with frost at night.

Rain is forecast for the weekend.

A sign that summer is nigh came in an e-mail yesterday from an angler in England looking for bait supplies for his holiday in The Harbourmasters Guesthouse in Shannonharbour starting on February 28^th.The biggest bait (maggots and worms) distributor in Ireland delivers twice a week from Easter to October.

Both the River Shannon and Suck have a high winter flood but there are places to fish. Our visitor will hopefully enjoy good fishing on the Grand Canal.

Yesterday at 11.00pm a controlled explosion was used to demolish Boiler 1 in Shannonbridge Power Station as part of the demolition of the old plant. There was a fog in that area and all that was heard was a muffled noise.

Monday, February 09, 2009

The 6-Nation rugby tournament started at the weekend. Ireland played against France in Croke Park in a fantastic game coming out winners 30 - 21.. See www.irishtimes.com and read ‘Ambition and Belief, it’s all back’ on Monday’s paper. Other results were England 36 Italy 11 and Wales 26 Scotland 13.

Ireland plays their next game against Italy next weekend in Rome.

Pat Mc Manus and Maura Dolan / Kelly were married on Friday last and congratulations to the happy pair.

Father Balfe celebrated Mass in the parish at the weekend. He told while on his way to Clonfinlough he noticed that someone had parked their car neatly in a drain a fair reflection on the frosts at night.

Father Balfe told a story about a painter in Longford that regularly thinned down his paint with turpentine and was able to out-price his competitors. The local church needed to be painted and the local painters were asked to quote for the work. Our friend had the lowest quote and got the job.

He erected scaffolding and was painting the outer walls when suddenly there was a great clap of thunder and lightning followed by very heavy downpour of rain. Our friend fell to the ground and lay looking up as the rain washed the paint from the walls. There was a loud clap of thunder and a voice spoke to him from the heavens

‘Repaint Repaint and thin no more.

At the end of Mass Father Balfe recited that beautiful poem ‘I see His Blood upon the Rose’

Paul and Sonja Barnes are returning to England. Paul first came to this area some twenty years ago when with permission from Bill Turley he camped on the bankside of the River Suck at Raghrabeg. Later he had a caravan home parked in Raghrabeg. Some twelve years ago he rebuilt Turleys old home and worked with a number of people in the area.

He moved to Correen to work at Rafferty’s Garage and lived in what was Paddy Kelly’s old home. At Tom Raffertys Paul specialized in car washing and valet- ting the cars for many years.

Wishing Paul and Sonja contentment on their return to England and hope that they visit this area again and again.

Just to mention that Daithi Rua was accompanying Moya Brennan on her tour of Britain from 13^th March to 20^th May. Check out their websites to find out when they are playing in your area by visiting www.daithirua.com or www.moyabrennan.com

A friend helped erect about nine bird nesting boxes in the garden. Most of them were attached to trees with the entrance hole facing to the south. Last year three birds used the nests and were not interested on boxes nailed to walls or with chopped up straw added for bedding. Consider erecting some boxes but do it soon.

We had a snowfall in Shannonbridge on Saturday night but the sun had melted it away from the roadways early. Some folks with warm hands erected a snowman in the garden that stood all of three foot tall. He was a vegetarian as he had a carrot stuck in his face.

Patrick Kenny told us that a 2,000 year old skeleton was found in the bog and that he was Scottish.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

GAA news from Club PRO, Jason Mahon

Congratulations.

Congratulations to Niall & Sinead O’Shea, Clonfanlough on the great news of the birth of their son Sean O’Shea last week.

Club membership
A reminder that club membership is due for the coming year. This membership costs 20Euro for singles & 30Euro for families of 2 adults & 2 minors. This can be paid to club registrar Declan McEvoy or Niall Price. This is one of the cheapest if not the cheapest club membership in the county. Any players not paying membership this year will not be eligible to receive compensation in the unfortunate event of loss of earnings due to injury etc! Any previous non-members in the locality are more than welcome to join. Membership also entitles people to priority in attaining tickets to Offaly matches through the club.

Fundraising Bowling night
Shannonbridge GAA would like to inform everyone about their annual fundraising bowling night which will take place in Athlone leisure world on Friday, 27th March 2009.

Look out for bulletins in the coming weeks in which all details will be published.

Walking track

Shannonbridge GAA are exploring the possibility of constructing a walking track and accompanying floodlights around the GAA playing field and would like to hear feedback from members & locals alike.

This would have great benefits for all ‘keep-fit’ enthusiasts making walking easier at night time and also much safer than on the roads.

Championship draws for 2009

The draws for championships for the coming year were made in Tullamore last Tuesday night and Shannonbridge Senior & Junior B teams have been drawn in the following groups:

Senior championship group 1 – Rhode, Shamrocks, Shannonbridge & Ballycumber.

Junior ‘B’ football championship group 1 - Erin Rovers, Tullamore, Doon, St Rynagh’s & Shannonbridge.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

The death has occurred of Mrs Molly Coleman, Kilcummin, nee Kelly, relic of Kevin Coleman.

May she rest in peace.

Shannonbridge Active Retirement Group have recommenced their Tuesday get-together after Mass in Shannonbridge at 10am. New members are welcome. At present the meetings consist of a cup of tea and a biscuit or scone and a chat. They use the meeting to plan activities and outings etc.

Some few flakey bits of snow in the air but not staying on the ground. Last night I heard a man from Arklow on the Late Date radio program requesting a tune at 1.00am. He had just come in from making a snowman on his lawn as a surprise for his children in the morning. He was freezing with the cold after his work.

Remember to feed the birds and give them a drink in the cold weather.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Today Olav Bjorshol and Marieanne Behn from Norway called in after visiting Clonmacnois.

They told about a friend named Haakon Melberg who at one time came to Ireland and stayed in Cork. Haakon wrote a number of books on the origin of language.

Back home in Norway they have fairies like in Ireland. Haakon collected a great number of Irish stories, many of them about fairies. These were very popular in Norway. Haakon is now dead and Olav told us that a group from Ireland went to Norway and accepted the collection of stories collected by Haakon. Olav believes that they are on display somewhere in Dublin.

I told them about our local fairies at Cloniffeen and hope that they find The Cloniffeen Fairies that was in The Shannonbridge Star years ago.

Olav once sailed around Ireland and told that when he was in Dingle Bay he got lost and was afraid of hitting rocks. He remembers that the dolphins escorted him out of the bay to safety on the sea.

Marieanne has warm hands and they were enquiring if I knew the name of the mineral that gives relief to warm hands.

They were on their way to Galway and Connemara.

Notices have been distributed telling of that Shannonbridge Power Station is presently being demolished by Robinson and Birdsell.

The first boiler will be collapsed on 11^th February 2009 @ 11.00am.

An exclusion zone will be put in place. There will be a short loud crack when the explosives are detonated.

The Offaly Independent January 31^st 2009, see www.offalyindependent.ie under Entertainment has a story titled World premiere at Abbey for Offaly playwright.

Martina Carr from Banagher new play ‘Marble’ will have its world premier on February 10 at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. Carr has written twelve plays to date. She has been Writer-in-Residence at the Abbey Theatre and Trinity College, Dublin and is a member of Aosdana.

Marble is a compelling study of marriage, friendship and the power of the subconscious.

The local paper also tells that a pottery class has been set up to take place in the studios attached to Belmont Mill. See under five things to do. Remember www.belmontmill.com

Mark Donegan celebrated his birthday at the weekend. Home for the bash was his brother Daithi Rua and his girlfriend. Daithi is looking forward to working on a long tour of Britain. See details under his website www.daithirua.com Daithi is a son of Martin and Dolores and is looking forward to meeting many anglers that he met when they fished in Shannonbridge. All the venues are listed in the website,

Also home for the weekend was Rory Quinn. Rory told us that he may be performing in a play in Mountbellew during Lent. He promised to give us more details nearer the time so that you can go and see the play.

Shannonbridge Mid-summer Festival takes place this year on the weekend of 28^th June 2009.

River is in full flood and the forecast is for snow for the next few days.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Recently Joe Molloy telephoned to say he was working on a project based on the Parish of Clontuskert. He was enquiring about a Lynch family that had some 400 acres in the Rachra area. This family dated back to about 1700 and also had land in Clontuskert. They had a flat bottomed ferry boat based at Correen Ford that was used to transport stock and fodder across the River Suck.

A map from about 1803 showing a proposed layout for the Martello Fortifications at Shannonbridge shows the rivers and fields west of the village. The name of the landowner is written in three places as Alex Lynch. The land concerned was later owned by the Reddy Family and presently is owned by the Darcy Family.

Making enquiries I was told that the Reddy Family came from Streete in County Westmeath and that John Reddy was an M.P. They originally lived in the house beside the last location for the Post Office when Fitzpatricks and Ritchie Brown were postmasters. Later the Reddy Family lived across the street in the house with the three stone steps since demolished. That house was originally an R.I.C. police barracks.

If you have any information on the Lynch Family Joe Molloy would like to know.

Last Sunday the evening Mass in Clonfad was celebrated as a memorial for the late Father Tom Ryan. Father Tom died on 30^th January 2007. Members of his family travelled up from Tipperary to attend the Mass. May he rest in peace.

During the week a story in The Philadelphia Enquirer on Tracing Your Roots had a local interest for Offaly. A mother and daughter had visited Ireland last summer hoping to find some information on their Offaly forefathers. A Condron man immigrated to Hartford, Connecticut in 1890 and they were hoping to find where he came from. The mother is pictured on the Bog Train trip at the turf cutting stop. They also visited Clonmacnois and took a trip on the River Shannon.

The holiday relief priest in Shannonbridge last weekend and for the next couple of weekends is a Father Balfe. When Mick showed him a picture of a school class photograph taken in Garbally with his class mate Sean Balfe in the line up, Father Balfe said that he was a cousin of Sean Balfe but had never met him. Sean Balfe is working overseas at present and we have tried to e-mail him to tell him of his cousin.

Weather has been sunny this past few days with frost at night. The river level has risen again to a good flood level. Birds are hungry but they are singing away merrily.

The newspapers tell us that some 300,000 people in Ireland are now signing for unemployment.

Monday, January 19, 2009

There is a notice board erected on the pub beside Killeens announcing an exclusive new development of six luxury 3 bed-roomed town houses in prime location, (which is that site). Each two storey house will have a floor area of 1020 Square Feet approx. It looks like there will be three houses in a cluster at the front and three more in a cluster at the rear. The auctioneer is Pat Finn and there may be more information available at www.myhome.ie

Some websites that may be of interest include –

www.belmontmill.com which is the old Perry's Mill and the new Studios area which has been set up alongside.

http://www.irishwildflowers.ie which is a remarkable collection of names of wild flowers with a photograph of the flower and its name in Irish and English all in neat alphabetical order.

www.galwaynews.ie browse and buy photos from The Connacht Tribune newspaper group.

This site contains over 150,000 images of Galway.

www.irish-trophy-fish.com has the 2008 Irish Specimen Fish Report 2008. This shows a list of specimen size fish caught in river, lake and sea.

www.offalyindependent.ie is now a free newspaper. This week it tells us that 5,500 people are signing on in Offaly. There is an interesting article titled Seeking the lost castles of Offaly. From the twelfth century to the mid 1600’s, there were around 220 castles in Offaly. Now they are trying to find where a number of these castles were located. Read on.

Interested in a 1977 Honda ‘50’ which the owner claims is driving like new for 200 Euro.?

Phone 086-3927372

Last week Jim Killeen from Melbourne was back in Ireland and called to say hello. Jim had been over in Ireland last October and had visited Clonmacnois. Remember that he was telling us that he had organised a get- together of Seven Jim Killeens on one occasion. In October after visiting Clonmacnois I asked him if he had seen the St. Killeen Church in Clonmacnois. He had not heard of it. But this time he had done his homework and was able to find the remains of the Church without any help.

Last October Jim told us that he had visited Galway and Connemara after leaving Shannonbridge.

In Galway he heard and met a Canadian harpist, Moira Kelly, who is living in Galway. Since October Jim has kept in touch with Moira. The reason for his return was to ask Moira to marry him. The good news is that she agreed. So congratulations to Jim and Moira.

Jim might be interested in an article in the Irish Times titled President Salutes saint’s cementing of Irish-German ties

This tells of the visit of President Mary McAleese to the German city of Wurzburg, where she paid tribute to St. Killian, the Cavan-born monk martyred there in the seventh century. And there’s more.

Mark Lyons, son of Tony Lyons, Kilcock was married on January 2^nd. Jerry Lyons was home from America for the wedding and a week ago he visited Shannonbridge with Eamon and Catherine Lyons. The fourth Lyons boy/man is Noel. The Lyons parents came from Shannonbridge. Denny Lyons was from Templedew House, behind Louis Darcy’s home. And Marie-anne Lyons was a Darcy from Shannonbridge.

Recently I saw a Doon / Shannonbridge programme of a football match about twenty years ago. There were some old photographs included and one of them was a picture of the 1936 Shannonbridge Team that won an Offaly Junior Title in 1936. The player’s names were listed.

Back L. to R. Kieran Kenny, Glebe, John Lyons, Templedew, Peter Guinan, Clonfinlough, Paddy Reid, Shannonbridge, Fr. John Bannon, Clonfinlough, Tom Johnson, Woodbank, Bill Dolan, Clonlyon, Gus Egan, Clondelara.

Front L. to R. James Devery, Clonlyon, Owen Egan, Clonlyon, Bill Burns, Leharrow, Michael Joe Reid, Shannonbridge, Frank Higgins Clonfinlough, Michael Shea, Clonfinlough.

Some 14 spectators were also named as Paddy Kenny, Raghrabeg, Team Manager, Mick Kelly, Team Trainer, Joe Mahon, Clonfinlough, Joe Redican, Clonfinlough, Pat Joe Mc Dermott, Clonfert, Kevin Coleman, Shannonbridge, Tom Kelly, Clonfinlough, Tommy Coleman, Shannonbridge, Kieran Egan, Clonlyon with hat, Kieran Turley, Clondelara, Michael Kenny, Ballinasloe, Tom Kelly, Leharrow, Bill Maher, Leharrow, and Jack Connaughton, Moystown.

Louis Darcy who showed me the programme told that Joe Redican was the only Offaly man ever to win a League Medal, when he played with New York against Cavan in 1950.

A photograph taken some 30 years ago shows four Shannonbridge youngsters on the footpath just up from Killeens. The kids are Jim Killeen, Dara Moran, Eilis Killeen and Colin Killeen. The background shows a good view of the Old Forge, where the Health Center now stands. My brother John told me that Peter Larkin was the Blacksmith in that forge followed by Jack Butler. Bill Kilroe was an assistant to both Peter and Jack and prepared the fire on the circle that was used to fit the iron rim to the cart wheels, and this was located near the drain on the road to the Power Plant.

There is a nasty old virus type cold/flu staying around. After Christmas I brought it to bed for four days but the bugger got fond of me. So I got up but it has stuck with me.

I reckon that the person in charge of controlling the level of the river also got the flu as there was a high flood when I went to bed and four days later the water was gone from the callows and the level was down to summer level. But today I see a pair of swans swimming in the flood behind the house.

Personally I think that there should be more photographs on the Shannonbridge web page allowing people to share all types of photographs relating to the area. Dream on.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Adult Education Courses, Shannonbridge - Reminder.

The Open Information Evening for the West Offaly Education project will take place in the school on next Tuesday night from 7.30 to 9.00 pm.

Appeal for Information - Castles in Offaly.

The Heritage Office of Offaly Co Council is trying to track the exact locations of 60 castles (out of a total of 220) in the county, which are now either demolished or partly demolished. A new book on castles in Offaly is being prepared and this is part of the collection of information. The castles in question are listed in this week's local press and include Raghra (Shannonbridge) and Clonlyon (Gerald). Any information to Amanda Pedlow, Offaly Heritage Officer, apedlow@offalycoco.ie or 057 9346839.

Shannonbridge / Doon GAA Lotto.

A big congratulations to Rita Kenny (Shannonbridge) the winner of the local lotto last week - € 8,000.

Shannonbridge Taxi Service.

Good news for travellers! A recent addition to the services available from the village is Paddy's Minibus Hire, Shannonbridge. Run by Paddy Treacy, both 14 seater minibus and car hire are available. Paddy's phone number is 087 6453109 - best of luck with this new venture.

OByrne Cup / Shield.

No luck for Offaly v Carlow last weekend, when they lost on a scoreline of 2.11 to 0.13. Shannonbridge players Kieran Flannery and Jason Kelly played well for the full game. There are some good photos of the lads in action in the Midland Tribune this week.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 11th Jan 2009 - Baptism of Our Lord B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €588. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A. Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, C.Casey, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Oisín, Michaela
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Kieran Kelly
Anniversary Mass on next Sun for James Higgins

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Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €253. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Loonam, A.Egan
Readers for next Sunday: C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan
Mass on next Sun for John Loonam & family deceased

Parish P.C Meeting this Mon In Clonfanlough @ 8pm

Mass in Prayer Centre Clonmacnois, next Wed @ 7.30pm

Study Theology from Home
'Spend time learning more about the Faith, take up the study of theology through distance learning, either for its own sake or for a degree. The Priory Institute, under the care of the Dominicans, is offering a programme of theology especially for lay people, with a network of student support services all around the country.
For more information, write to:
The priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24.
Tel 01-4048127 /4048124.'
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Youth 2000 will have a Vigil Service from 11 to 4am on 16/17th Jan in the Prayer Centre, Clonmacnois, starting with Mass. All welcome to pray for the renewal of faith & evangelisation of Ireland. For more information contact Kay Looby on 085-7114205.
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Questions people ask
Q. If Jesus was without sin, why did he come to John for baptism?
A. That very question was raised by the Baptist. Jesus replied that it was fitting that they should do all that righteousness demands.
Maybe righteousness suggests a holier-than-thou attitude. But to Jesus it meant being at rights with God and people. He did not wait on the riverbank until sinners were perfectly washed. He entered the muddy waters of human life. His beautiful name, Jesus, means saviour of the sinner. His desire to make people righteous drove him to join the repenting sinners in the river. Fr O’Flynn – Intercom
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Lourdes Invalid Fund Collection
Will be taken up next weekend. If you wish to travel as an assisted sick pilgrim this year please contact Fr Scanlon, Cloghan.
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Shannonbridge Library is open in Health Centre every Thursday eve from 7 to 9pm
Shannonbridge ARA will resume Meetings in the Hall on Tuesday 20th Jan after Mass.
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CAO Information night for mature students, (as well as students with a disability), in Tullamore Court Hotel Thurs 15th Jan @ 7.30pm

Friday, January 09, 2009

New Folklore Book.
A new book entitled "Death Customs in Rural Ireland (Traditional Funerary Rites in the Irish Midlands) was launched just before Christmas. This book has quite a local flavour, being based on the collected folklore of James Delaney and covering mostly South Roscommon, Westmeath , East Galway and Offaly, with particular reference to Clonmacnoise. It details the traditional rituals for deaths, wakes, funerals and burials and features information collected from such as Jack Connaughton (Bemont) Bill Egan (Clonfanlough) and Thomas Horan (Ballyduff).
The author is Anne Ridge, the publishers are Arlen House and the book is available from local bookshops at €15.00.

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Weather at present is running with frost at night and mainly dry with some sunshine during the day. The river level has dropped back well and two of our local anglers went pike fishing last weekend. They caught four pike all in the 10 lbs range but were hoping to meet some 20 pounders.

The cold weather means the birds are hungry and looking for food and drink. Somebody recently was enquiring what was the Irish for some common bird. Birdwatch Ireland are presently getting people to carry out a bird count and there is lots of information on their website www.birdwatchireland.ie

I found some old stamps and many of them featured a bird identified in Latin English and Irish. The following are some samples.

-Saxicola Torquata or Caislin Cloch or Stonechat

-Erithacus Rubecula or Spideog or Robin

Columba Palumbus or Colm Coillle or Woodpigeon

Motaculla or Glasog Shraide or Pied Wagtail

Panus Caeruleus or Meantan Gorm or Blue Tit

Tuntus Philomelos or Smolach or Song Thrush

Tundus Menula or Con Dubh or Blackbird

Regulus Regulus or Ciorbhui or Goldcrest

Vanelllus Vanellus or Pilibin or Lapwing

Accipter Nisus or Spiorog or Sparrow Hawk

Alcedo Atthis or Cruidin or Kimgfisher

Crex Crex or Traonach or Corncrake

Morus Bassanus or Gainead or Gannet

Charadrius Hiaticula or Feadog Chladaig or Ringed Plover

Anatidea or Biorearrach or Pintail.

Anser iformes or Ge Fhionn na Graonlanne or Greenland White Fronted Goose.

That’s all for now. Remember to feed and water the birds.

Monday, January 05, 2009

Latest GAA News from Conor Killeen

Wedding Bells

Shannonbridge GAA club wish to congratulate Colm Kenny and Deirdre Keenaghan who tied the knot on Saturday last in Ferbane Church. Colm has been a great servant of the blue and gold both as a Player and as a very successful Manager when he led our under 21 side, Shannongaels to their first county title in 2003.

The club would like to wish the newly weds all the very best in the future.

Engagement

There was more good news on the Wedding front as club P.R.O Jason Mahon and Karen Kelly announced their engagement over Christmas.

Jason has been involved with the club as an official for the past two years. Best of luck to you both in the years ahead.

Happy new year

Shannonbridge GAA club would like to wish all players, Officials, Management, supporters and all involved with the club a happy and prosperous new year.

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 4th Jan 2009 - 2nd Sun Christmas B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Feast of the Ephinany, Tues 6th Jan, a Holy Day
Masses: Mon @ 10am; & Mon eve @ 8pm.
Tues @ 12 noon. For rest of week @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €464. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Price, C.Curley, P.Anderson
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Siobhán, Caitríona, Athene
Mass on next Sun for the late Michael Brennan
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Mass for the Epiphany on Tues @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €178. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kilduff, E.Kilduff
Readers for next Sunday: A.& L.Devery
Altar Servers for Epiphany, Group C; next Sunday: Group D Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Mass on next Sun for the late Sonny Egan

The Year to come – some central Feasts in 2009
The centre of the whole liturgical year is the Paschal Triduum of the Lord, crucified, buried and risen, which will culminate in the solemn Vigil of Easter, during the holy night that will end with the dawn of the 12th April – Easter Sunday.
Every Sunday, as a weekly Easter, holy Church makes present that great and saving deed by which Christ has forever conquered sin and death. From Easter there comes forth and are reckoned all the days we keep holy: Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, 25th Feb;
the Ascension of the Lord, 24th May; and Pentecost, 31st May;
First Sunday of Advent, 29th November.
Likewise, in the feasts of the Holy Mother of God, of the apostles and saints, and in the commemoration of all the faithful departed, the pilgrim Church on earth proclaims the resurrection of Christ the Lord.
¨¨¨¨
Generous Donation
In recent years safety ramps & railings have been put in place at the Church entrance doors in Shannonbridge to the value of €6,500
Liam Fallon of Bridgeway Engineering Ltd completed this work, and has donated the project to the Parish. We are very grateful and appreciate this generous gesture.
¨¨¨¨
Wedding Celebrations
Congratulations & felicitations to Colm Kenny & Deirdre Keeneghan who were married last weekend in Ferbane Church.
Also to Muireann Ryan & Lorcán Scally who were married last weekend in Shannonbridge Church.
¨¨¨¨
Theology from Home
We are offering a 15-week programme of theology through distance learning, starting Feb 2009. We follow the method of the Open University – participants receive a ‘Pack’ with the full text, and are linked with one of our nine centres around the country.
For further information, please call
The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24.
Tel 01-4048124, or 4048132
Email: enquiries@prioryinstitute.com

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 28th Dec 2008 - Nativity B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Next Thurs is New Year’s Day – A day of Prayer for peace.
Mass on the day @ 12 noon; on the First Fri @ 10am, with Adoration all day until 5pm.
Masses: Tues, Wed, Fri, and Sat @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €656. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 6, E.Casey, D.O'Carroll
Altar Servers for this week: Sarah, Siobhán

¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Mass for New Year’s Day @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €267. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kenny, M.Lantry
Readers for 1st Jan: D.Boland; for Sunday: A.Coughlan
Altar Servers for 1st Jan & next Sunday: As arranged Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
Ten Commandments of Home Rule
1. If you sleep on it - make it up.
2. If you wear it - hang it up.
3. If you drop it - pick it up.
4. If you eat out of it - put it in the sink.
5. If you step on it - wipe it off.
6. If you open it - close it.
7. If you empty it - fill it up.
8. If it rings - answer it.
9. If it howls - feed it.
10. If it cries - love it.
(The Fight, J. White, IVP, pp. 121ff)

¨¨¨¨
Missionaries of the Sacred Heart
'Are you discarding used mobile phones? We can recycle them to support our work in Third World countries. Phones with batteries (but not chargers) can be posted to: Mobile Phone Recycling, P.O. Box 23, Western Road, Cork.'
¨¨¨¨
The Rev Graham Doyle sends Christmas & New Year greetings, and extends his gratitude to those who contributed to the collection for charity at the Carol Service. Amount collected was €330.00
¨¨¨¨
Irish Wheelchair Association
Seeks volunteers to take part in their 23rd International Sponsored Walk from 8th to 17th April in Poland, visiting many places of interest.
If you have an interest contact Peadar Doogue on 087-2824556.
¨¨¨¨
Annual Mummer’s Festival
In New Inn leisure centre on Sat Jan 3 @ 7.30pm for senior groups;
On Sun 4th Jan @ 2.30pm for junior groups.
¨¨¨¨
I will visit the sick & housebound on Friday.

New Year.
The new year was ushered in with a fireworks display in Shannonbridge last night. Brilliant!.

O'Byrne Cup.
Offaly Senior footballers have their first outing of 2009, under the new management of Richie Connor, when they take on Dublin in Tullamore on Sunday next. Best of luck to Shannonbridge's Ciaran Flannery who will make his debut at right half back.

Late Michael John Kelly.
The death has occurred of Michael John Kelly, Taughmaconnell. He was the father of Sean Kelly, St Kieran's Park, Shannonbridge. His funeral took place last Sunday in Taughmaconnell. May he rest in peace.

Congratulations.
Congrats to Colm Kenny and Deirdre Keenaghan, Ferbane, who were married in Ferbane last Saturday.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Its time to clear out some reminder notes from my shirt pocket before it gets its Christmas wash.

Willie Joyce from Birr called in on 4^th December and was in great form. He is still at the furniture selling in Birr and I think Aughrim or Ahascragh.

Liam Duffy, Clondelara, celebrated his 21^st Birthday on 5^th December and belated birthday greetings to Liam.

That weekend a daughter of the late Frank Kinlough was in Shannonbridge for a weekend visit but I did not get a chance to talk to her.

By now most people will have heard of the pig scare due to dioxins in the pig feed.

On 10^th December a Lady phoned the Joe Duffy Radio Show and told that she had sent a Galtee Xmas Gift Parcel to her daughter in America. After hearing of the dioxins found in the pig-meat she phoned the Galtee contact number to voice her worries, and to enquire if their pork products in the gift parcel would be all right. A woman with an American accent that answered the phone assured her that the parcel was fine, as the rashers were Danish and their sausages were sourced in America. Galtee are one of the leaders in pork and bacon products here in Ireland. Nice one Galtee. Enjoy as they say in America.

On Friday 12^th December the Annual Senior Citizen’s Party took place in the Community Center, after the special Mass. The Ladies Group and Helpers that organised the event had ordered a traditional Christmas Dinner of turkey and ham, a choice of plum pudding or trifle, from The Fort Restaurant. Tea or coffee was served with Christmas cake prepared by Catherine Curley. There was a Christmas Present for each of those attending. There was music and dancing and singing for a few hours afterwards making for an enjoyable night.

The death occurred on 12^th December of Mrs Ina Green, America, Falty, relic of the late Patrick Green. My sister was telling us that Ina’s mother Kate Green was a sister of the late Jack Mulvey, who lived across from the old castle at Clonmacnois. One of the women had a cure for baldness and included in the ingredients was rum and olive oil. May they rest in peace.

It was good to see Eugene Carty and his son Brendan home from Boston to attend the wedding of his niece Bernadette Carty, daughter of Tom and Margaret Carty, to Conor Griffin in mid December. The wedding ceremony took place in Abbeyleix Church with the Reception in Durrow Castle in Laois.

Congratulations to the newly weds.

The death occurred on 10^th December of Sheila Smith, Roscrea, and mother of Dymphna O Carroll from the Ely House Guesthouse in Shannonbridge. May she rest in peace.

A bit of religion from Mary Craughwell of Athlone Cruisers. Mary was telling us one Saturday night recently that she often attends the Sunday Market in Clara. She has got to know a settled Lady Trader well over the years. This Lady Trader is very religious. Mary asked her if she ever handled goods that fell off a lorry. The Trader asked what she meant. Mary asked her if she ever handled stolen goods.

The Lady Trader said that she had.

Mary asked her how she was so religious and was able to sell stolen goods.

The Lady Trader replied that she went to Confession.

The Irish Times on Monday contains a regular little gem entitled “Where’s That” written by Flann O Riain. The column on 15^th December dealt with Coskeam. It is named after Coisceim Choiligh, the Irish for “A cock’s step” The name Coskeam is found in counties Clare, Cavan and Meath.

The article that day had a note added telling of the death of Flann O Riain. May he rest in peace.

Already this week the Shannonbridge Carol Singers have been busy singing their Christmas Carols and collecting funds for their chosen charity which is The Tullamore Hospice. Oliver Hilliard, Sean Kelly, Martin Donegan and Johnny Deeley were to the fore. This year Shannonbridge Pottery produced a 100 mug special that features a photograph of Saint Ciaran’s Church, Shannonbridge on each mug. These were presented to the carol singers and sale of the mugs will be added to the Hospice Fund as well as donations. Well done to all concerned.

Don’t forget to keep the used stamps for the Missions. Sister Marie from Ard Chiarain will gladly accept them and pass them on.

Good to see The Crib erected in the Church today by Stevie Kenny family on Tuesday.

Congratulations to Mark Donegan, Shannonbridge and Mary Harding, Belmont on the recent announcement of their engagement.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 21st Dec 2008 - 4th Sun Adv B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon - Wed, Sat @ 10am; Thurs & Fri @ 12noon
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €516. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for Christmas: Group 4, S.Grennan, P.Duffy
Readers for next weekend: Group 5, C.Mannion, C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Megan, Andrea, Aoife
Mass on Sat eve for the late MaryAnn, Ciaran & Brian Flannery
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €300. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Egan, B.Dolan
Readers for Christmas: I.McEvoy, A.Kelly
Reader for next Sun: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for Christmas & next Sunday: As arranged. Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: P.Darcy
Mass on Thurs for the late Michael Kelly (Lakefield)

'To talk well & eloquently is a very great act, but an equally great one is to know the right moment to stop.' (W.A. Mozart)

TIMETABLE FOR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
Shannonbridge Clonfanlough

24th December 24th December
Christmas Eve night mass @ 9pm Christmas Eve night mass
@7pm
Thursday 25th December Thurs 25th December
Mass for Christmas Day @ 12 Noon Mass for Christmas @ 10.30am

Thurs 1st Jan 2008- New Years Day Thurs 1st Jan 2008
Feast of Mary Mother of God Feast of Mary Mother of God
Mass for peace @ 12 Noon Mass for peace @ 10:30 am

¨¨¨¨
Gifts Without Cost
Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value:
* Mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion, tell someone, "I love you."
* Give something away-anonymously.
* Forgive someone who has treated you wrong.
* Turn away wrath with a soft answer.
* Visit someone in a nursing home.
* Apologize if you were wrong.
* Be especially kind to someone with whom you work.
* Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy. (C. Swindoll, Growing Strong, pp. 400-1)
¨¨¨¨
Beannachtaí na Nollag agus Síocháin san Ath Bhliain do gach duine

A special word of thanks to all who contribute to the various collections during the year, and to all who help out in any way in the Church and community. It is much appreciated.

'When giving Christmas gifts think & buy Fair Trade and thus help producers in poorer countries.'

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 14th Dec 2008 - 3rd Sun Adv B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Each day @ 10am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €510. 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: Michaela, Oisín
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Damien Kenny.
Mass on next Sun for the late James F. & Leo Coakley
••••
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €273. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: K.Kenny, A.Kearns
Readers for next Sunday: A.& L.Devery
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan
Mass on next Sun for the Devery family deceased

Station Mass
Mon @ 7.30pm at the home of C. & M. Claffey, Aughincabe

Carol Service: in Clonmacnois this Sun @ 4pm. All welcome
Sacrament of Reconciliation on Fri 19th Dec, in Clonfanlough @ 7pm; Shannonbridge @ 8pm, preceded by a Carol Service
••••
A special word of thanks & appreciation is due to the kind people who organised & facilitated the recent Christmas Parties in both Shannonbridge & Clonfanlough. It demanded much hard work by many people; but the enjoyment given and shared by the guests is its own reward!
••••
Youth 2000 Christmas Retreat
For young people aged 16 - 35 @ Newbridge College, Co Kildare from Fri 19th Dec to Sun 21st Dec; "an opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new friends.
Call the office on 01-6753690, or Mark on 086-8550417 for more info. Donations only, no charge." Visit www.youth2000
••••
Holy Hour of Quiet & Reflection for young people
Ferbane Church, Sat 20th Dec, 8-9pm. 'We invite all young people to a space of peace in the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist' - "Come to me … and I will give you Rest."
••••
Questions people ask (Fr O'Flynn - Intercom)
Q. What is the Jesse tree and its relationship to Advent?
A. Jesse was the father of King David. The Jesse tree refers to the line of Jesus’ human ancestors. ‘A shoot shall spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of its shoots’ (Isaiah 11:1). In Advent, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus, a tree, or a banner representing a tree, may be erected. Each day, or once a week, something is attached to recall a person or event from the time before Christ. In the Middle Ages it was a popular way of teaching Old Testament history. It is much closer to the real meaning of Christmas than the popular Christmas tree.

Q. The parents of Mary were Joachim and Anne. What of Joseph? Q. The names of Mary’s parents are not given in the Bible but come from Christian tradition. Matthew 1:16 lists Jacob as the father of Joseph, whereas Luke 3:23 calls Joseph the son of Heli. It is possible that Jacob and Heli were different names for the same person, something not unusual at the time. These genealogies were not compiled for reasons of historical accuracy. Matthew’s purpose was to trace Joseph back, through David, to Abraham. The universal scope of the Gospel of Luke prompted him trace Jesus back to Adam. Neither written texts nor popular devotion tell the name of Joseph’s mother.
••••
Prayer Centre Clonmacnois: Prayer Vigil 19/20th Dec, 11pm to 4am, starting with Mass. All welcome. Enquiries to Dave on 085-7746763

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 7th Dec 2008 - 2nd Sun Adv B
Tel (090) 9674125 Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am
Shannonbridge
Masses: Tues-Thurs, Sat @ 10am; on Fri @ 6pm
Mon, 8th Dec, Feast of the Immaculate Conception - a Holy Day:
Mass on Mon @ 12noon & 8pm.
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €688. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Moran, M.Murphy, M.McManus
Eucharistic ministers: Group 4
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, C.Casey, E.Quinn
Altar Servers for this week:
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Denis Lyons.
Mass on next Sun for the late Elizabeth McManus
¨¨¨¨
Clonfanlough
Mass for the 'Immaculate Conception' on Mon @ 10.30am
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €120. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: E.Egan, A.McEvoy
Readers for next Sunday: C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group A Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: D.McEvoy
Mass on next Sat @ 12noon for the late Earl & Petie Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the Late Anne & Ciaran Pillion

Carol Service: in Clonmacnois next Sun @ 4pm. All welcome.
Christmas Party in Shannonbridge Hall
Fri 12th Dec, starting with Mass in the Church @ 6pm.
Please reply quickly, as the organisers need to know how many are coming, by calling 087-2410587.
¨¨¨¨
Ballinasloe Flower & Garden Club,
A Christmas Demonstration, by J. & G. Donnelly,
Wed 10th Dec @ 8pm, in Gullanes Hotel
¨¨¨¨
Youth 2000 Christmas Retreat
For young people aged 16 - 35 @ Newbridge College, Co Kildare from Fri 19th Dec to Sun 21st Dec; "an opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new friends.
Call the office on 01-6753690, or Mark on 086-8550417 for more info. Donations only, no charge." Visit www.youth2000
¨¨¨¨
Holy Hour of Quiet & Reflection for young people
Ferbane Church, Sat 20th Dec, 8-9pm. 'We invite all young people to a space of peace in the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist' - "Come to me … and I will give you Rest."
¨¨¨¨
Irish Cancer Society
Presentation on 'Understanding the emotional effects of a cancer diagnosis.' In Mullingar Park Hotel on Tues 9th Dec @ 7pm.
For more info call 01-2310533.
¨¨¨¨
The weight of a snowflake (Appleseds.org)
Not too long ago in a place not too far away, a field mouse asked a wise old owl what is the weight of a snowflake. "Why nothing more than nothing," answered the owl. The mouse went on to tell the owl about the time he was resting on a branch in a fir tree, counting each snowflake until the number was exactly 3 million, 471 thousand, 952. Then with the settling of the very next flake—crack. The branch suddenly snapped, tumbling mouse and snow to the ground. "Humph …Such was the weight of nothing," said the mouse
So the next time you think your contributions, your acts of charity, your works for justice, your gifts of love, and your talents are nothing, or that they are small in comparison to those of others, remember that when one is added to another, and then to another and so forth, great things can happen from nothing. In the same way, what seems to be ordinary can be transformed into something extraordinary with just a little extra nothing. Your mission is to create great things once again out of nothingness, to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Friday, December 05, 2008

Niall Mellon Township Trust
Just a quick note from Cape Town in South Africa to say that we (all 2000 of us) finished our building blitz today, and met our target of building 250 houses for the people of Khaylitsha township in Cape Town.
The work was extremely tough in temperatures up to 34 degress celsius, but very rewarding.
Thanks to everyone who helped me with fundraising and who made donations to allow me to take part in the project,
Michael

Thursday, December 04, 2008

GAA News from Club PRO Jason Mahon

Shannonbridge GAA Annual General Meeting

The Shannonbridge AGM was held on Friday last, 28^th November in Shannonbridge national school in which there was a very good turn-out between members and players alike.

Chairman Tom Moore thanked all who contributed throughout the past year, especially Roger Ryan who excelled in his first year as Club Secretary, Olive Costello as Treasurer and particularly Frank Guinan for his tireless work both in selling lotto tickets and his work out at the playing field. As has been stressed in previous years, without Frank the club would struggle to exist.

It was seen as a mixed year for the Bridge, on the playing field our Seniors importantly retained their senior status for another year, the championship got off to a flying start defeating near neighbours Ferbane by 6 points in Doon, before losing narrowly to Leinster kingpins Rhode by the minimum in O’Connor park before finally succumbing by 6 points to Tullamore in the final group game where a loss by only 3 points would still have guaranteed us a place in the quarter finals of the championship.

Our Juniors were very unlucky in the ‘B’ championship, missing out on the knockout stages cruelly on score difference after both Rhode & Tullamore were impressively defeated, we lost by 3 points to eventual champions Clonmore Harps and drew with Ballycommon in the final group game.

Off the field the club can be satisfied with its efforts, fund raising was achieved in the form of a bowling night last March and very successful golf classic held in Ballinasloe in August. Plenty of thanks must go to Jim Killeen, Vinnie Costello and Roger Ryan for all their efforts collecting sponsorship and arranging the fourballs etc..

The club wishes to thank all who contributed to spot prizes, sponsorship and to all who took part.

Minor secretary Ger Corbett gave a very good run-down on the underage grades. Once again from U-12 to minor, the club’s youngsters competed with neighbouring Ferbane, and the club would like to thank Ger & Tony Rohan for their efforts during the year as well as thank Ferbane GAA.

A lot of praise must also go to those who helped organise what was a very successful under-8 tournament at the sports field during the summer. There was a terrific turn-out of youngsters and we would also like to thank other clubs such as St. Rynaghs, Doon, Ferbane, Castledaly and Tubber for contributing to a brilliant occasion for all concerned. A special word of thanks must go to John Ryan, Tony Rohan, Ger Corbett and Noel Mannion who were out at the field throughout coaching sessions and helped make it happen.

We would like to thank outgoing senior football management team Michael Mahon, Mick Devine & Mick Flanagan for their efforts last year.

A lot of thanks must go to Junior manager Tom Moore and his selectors Niall O’Shea & Frank Guinan for all their work this year.

Special word of thanks

The club wishes to extend its deepest gratitude towards outgoing chairman Tom Moore for his tireless work done throughout the club, especially in the past 5 years that he has been chairman. Tom is and has been a great ambassador for the club throughout the years both as a player, team manager & as a club officer and we are delighted that he will remain on in another capacity within the club.

Thanks a million Tom.

Club Officers for 2009

The club would like to announce the following as club officers for the coming year.

Chairman – Dennis Loonam

Vice-chairman – Frank Guinan

Secretary – Roger Ryan

Assistant Secretary – Jason Mahon

Treasurer – Olive Costello

Club Registrar – Declan McEvoy

PRO – Jason Mahon

County Board Delegates – Noel Rocke & Tom Moore

Senior & Junior team secretaries – Jason Mahon & Tom Moore

Club membership

Club membership is now due for the coming year, it can be paid to registrar Declan McEvoy, players representative Niall Price or any committee member.

It will be €20 for singles and €30 for families (2 adults & 2 children U-18).

Management for 2009

Mick Devine has been announced as the Senior football manager for the coming year. Mick was part of the management team for the last year and his knowledge and experience will be priceless as we attempt to make our mark in the county next year.

We wish him the best of luck!!

His selectors and junior management team have yet to be confirmed.

	Michael Thornhill Invited
	♫
	Megan Donohoe Invited
	♫
	Ann Clarke Invited
	♫
	barry crawford Invited
	♫
	KEVIN HULTON-SMITH Invited
	♫
	Siobhan Killeen Invited
	♫
	alison.munson Invited
	♫

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James Killeen	Fw: Two More‎ - On Wed, 2/11/09, Eamonn Killeen wrote: From: Eamonn Killeen …	Feb 11
James Killeen	FW: Ethan‎ - On Tue, 2/10/09, Brendan Scanlon wrote: From: Brendan Scanlon …	Feb 11
Bsmit555, me (2)	July‎ - Betty and Ken, Thank you for your note and keep trying for the ticket change. I will let you know …	Feb 10
Penny, me, Mail (3)	we 'a-doored' Shannonbridge‎ - This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification Delivery to the following …	Feb 9
Penny Tolchin	Stand back from the (pool) table‎ - This kid's a whiz! Amazing	Feb 9
Penny Tolchin	Creative Genius w/Adobe CS4‎ - Only $700 and about 10 years out of your life to build this program. But, WOW! Enjoy. xox p And …	Feb 8
Penny, me, Mail (3)	Folks in the Kitchen @ Killeen's‎ - This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification Delivery to the following …	Feb 8
Penny, me, Mail (3)	Anything you need? !!!‎ - This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification Delivery to the following …	Feb 8
Penny, me, Mail (4)	Killeen's 9-08‎ - This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification Delivery to the following …	Feb 8
Paul Bourke	Irish Angling Update Ezine‎ - Irish Angling Update \| Issue 18 \| 04 February 2009 \| Irish Angling Update ezine The recent snow …	Feb 4
Ann, me (5)	Hi Derry‎ - Dear Derry, Many tks for the info, will give a call to Bishop Cassidy's secretary, over the …	Feb 2
Penny Tolchin	Fwd: Stella's road to famine house‎ - Mission accomplished! Jim got the photos and really enjoyed them. Hugs to all, p Begin forwarded …	Feb 1
James, me (3)	Looking for Condron‎ - Today Mrs Kieran Kelly Leharrow, told me that her ancestors were Condrons and her Granny had a …	Feb 1
Penny Tolchin	To O'Brien's Bridge & Lough Derg Way walk‎ - 9-18-08 Lough Serg Angling contest 9-18-08 Lough Derg Way View 9-18-08 Lough Derg Way - 10 9-18 …	Jan 31
DKSIR	Friday‎ - Thanks for the email Der. The stove isn't needed and if the current one got hooked up we …	Jan 30
darren, me (2)	Looking for Rapala Lures‎ - Darren, Sorry but we do not stock the Rapala range. Regards Derry Killeen On Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at …	Jan 28
Penny, me, Mail (3)	The tomb & Burren & friends‎ - This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification Delivery to the following …	Jan 28
me, PMDF (2)	mbutle"Mary, Dermot Killeen has invited you to open a Google mail account‎ - This report relates to a message you sent with the following header fields: Message-id …	Jan 28
Penny, me, Mail (4)	A spirit of introspection & awesome end to a beautiful day‎ - This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification Delivery to the following …	Jan 28
Penny Tolchin	On the road, again!‎ - 9-17-08 Welcome to Ireland, Dude! - 2 Leamanagh Castle-LordLady Inchaquin - 32 Leamanagh Castle …	Jan 28
Penny, Mail, me (4)	More memories‎ - Forwarded message From: Mail Delivery Subsystem	Jan 28
me, DKSIR (3)	Photos‎ - Ken and Betty The stove has not been connected. I heard Mick asking the local plumber Sean Bailey …	Jan 26
Michael McCullagh	Address Sean Balfe‎ - Dear Derry, The email address for Sean (John) Balfe is below. best wishes Michael jxbalfe1@yahoo …	Jan 26
Lynda, me (3)	Cottage booking‎ - Thank you Kind Regards Lynda Original Message From: Dermot Killeen [mailto:derry …	Jan 23
me, Vinny (2)	photos‎ - Hey Der. Gonna try to attach some photos of the Sculptures in the Lough Boora Parklands and if …	Jan 19
Penny, me, Mail (3)	Stella's road to famine house‎ - This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification Delivery to the following …	Jan 17
Penny, me, Mail (5)	Holy Island adventure‎ - This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification Delivery to the following …	Jan 17
Penny, me, Mail (5)	More great memories‎ - This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification Delivery to the following …	Jan 17
Penny, me, Mail (5)	Memories‎ - This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification Delivery to the following …	Jan 17

To: jbutler1@sgfl.org.uk (6)	Sent Mail Inbox Fishing Bait‎ - Dear Mark, Thank you for your enquiry. Irish Angling Services who deliver bait to most of Ireland …	Feb 25
To: James, John, barry, ...	Sent Mail Parish radio series‎ - On Monday evening on Midlands Radio 103 from 7.00pm to 8.00pm Irish time Claire O Brien is …	Feb 23
To: barrycrawfo., John, ...	Sent Mail Vacant dates for Killeens Self catering bungalow Shannonbridge on 23rd February 2009‎ - The vacant dates for the Bungalow self catering are – Weeks before 11th April 2009, From 25th …	Feb 23
To: Dave Turner (2)	Sent Mail Inbox Re: Re:‎ - Dear Dave, Thank you for your mail and glad to hear that someone else is interested. I have typed …	Feb 23
To: James, John, Padraig, ... (4)	Sent Mail Inbox Michael Reddy MP Kings County‎ - For faraway friends who may be interested in belated results of the second round of the 6-Nations …	Feb 22
To: Michael Thornhill	Sent Mail failed to attach this to webpage DK‎ - For faraway friends who may be interested in belated results of the second round of the 6-Nations …	Feb 19
To: Carty, JohnD (2)	Sent Mail Inbox Michael Reddy‎ - Thanks John for the information. I hope to put it on the web for people that may be interested …	Feb 18
To: barry, Benny (3)	Sent Mail Inbox FW: What Starts with F and ends with K‎ - Forwarded message From: James Killeen Date: 2009/2/16 …	Feb 18
To: jean Pryde (4)	Sent Mail Inbox Emailing: untitled, untitled3, untitled4, untitled5, untitled 1, untitled 2‎ - Jean, Thank you for your e-mail. Unfortunately the two weeks after yours are booked by a couple …	Feb 18
To: eworli, James (5)	Sent Mail Inbox Shannonbridge‎ - Shannonbridge, 10th February 2009 Dear Eva, My sister showed me your letter and cartoon of the …	Feb 14
To: DKSIR (2)	Sent Mail Inbox Colman Hernon‎ - Dear Ken and Betty, We heard of Colman's death Friday morning. I first met Colman about 25 …	Feb 14
To: jjameskil (3)	Sent Mail Inbox Looking for Condron‎ - Jim, The people looking for Condron had the account in the Philadelphia Enquirer which I tried to …	Feb 11
To: Bsmit555 (2)	Sent Mail Inbox July‎ - Betty and Ken, Thank you for your note and keep trying for the ticket change. I will let you know …	Feb 11
To: James, John, ... (3)	Sent Mail Inbox we 'a-doored' Shannonbridge‎ - Forwarded message From: Penny Tolchin Date: Mon, Feb 9, 2009 …	Feb 9
To: stmarycherryhill (3)	Sent Mail Inbox Folks in the Kitchen @ Killeen's‎ - Forwarded message From: Penny Tolchin Date: Sat, Feb 7, 2009 …	Feb 8
To: James, John, ... (3)	Sent Mail Inbox Anything you need? !!!‎ - Forwarded message From: Penny Tolchin Date: Sat, Feb 7, 2009 …	Feb 8
To: James, John, ... (4)	Sent Mail Inbox Killeen's 9-08‎ - Forwarded message From: Penny Tolchin Date: Sat, Feb 7, 2009 …	Feb 8
To: Lynda, Dave, DKSIR, ... (3)	Sent Mail Inbox Photos‎ - Please find attached photos of Killeen's self-catering Bungalow, Shannonbridge. Regards …	Jan 30
To: darren bradley (2)	Sent Mail Inbox Looking for Rapala Lures‎ - Darren, Sorry but we do not stock the Rapala range. Regards Derry Killeen On Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at …	Jan 29
To: stmarycherr., James, ... (3)	Sent Mail Inbox The tomb & Burren & friends‎ - Forwarded message From: Penny Tolchin Date: Wed, Jan 28, 2009 …	Jan 28
To: Ann Clarke (5)	Sent Mail Inbox Hi Derry‎ - Dear Ann, Thank you for your note. I will mention it to some of the neighbours from Moore that …	Jan 28
To: mbutleMary Butler (2)	Sent Mail Inbox mbutle"Mary, Dermot Killeen has invited you to open a Google mail account‎ - I've been using Gmail and thought you might like to try it out. Here's an invitation to …	Jan 28
To: stmarycherr., James, ... (4)	Sent Mail Inbox A spirit of introspection & awesome end to a beautiful day‎ - Forwarded message From: Penny Tolchin Date: Wed, Jan 28, 2009 …	Jan 28
To: James, stmarycherr., ... (4)	Sent Mail Inbox More memories‎ - Forwarded message From: Penny Tolchin Date: Tue, Jan 27 …	Jan 28
To: Lee, Lynda A (Sandwi. (3)	Sent Mail Inbox Cottage booking‎ - Dear Lynda, Thank you for your mail and the cottage is now reserved for Dale Lee and Party for …	Jan 23
To: vinnydesign7 (2)	Sent Mail Inbox photos‎ - Sorry but I failed to attach photos. Derry	Jan 19
To: stmarycherryhill (3)	Sent Mail Inbox Stella's road to famine house‎ - Forwarded message From: Penny Tolchin Date: 2009/1/5 Subject …	Jan 17
To: James, john, Glynn, ... (5)	Sent Mail Inbox Holy Island adventure‎ - Forwarded message From: Penny Tolchin Date: Mon, Jan 5, 2009 …	Jan 17
To: James, john, Glynn, ... (5)	Sent Mail Inbox More great memories‎ - Forwarded message From: Penny Tolchin Date: Mon, Jan 5, 2009 …	Jan 17
To: James, Glynn, john, ... (5)	Sent Mail Inbox Memories‎ - Forwarded message From: Penny Tolchin Date: Mon, Jan 5, 2009 …	Jan 17
To: kidadam, James (9)	Sent Mail Inbox Jack Kenny‎ - Dear Al, Dont go on plannining your future like that- think positive.When you are over next time …	Jan 14
To: Wilson, John (4)	Sent Mail Inbox Greetings‎ - Dear John, Thank you for your greeting and I wish you and yours a Bright and Prosperous 2009. I …	Jan 6
To: James, john, Glynn (3)	Sent Mail Inbox Finally getting to photos‎ - Forwarded message From: Penny Tolchin Date: Mon, Jan 5, 2009 …	Jan 6
To: James, John, jean, ... (4)	Sent Mail Inbox (no subject)‎ - John Wilson first came to Ireland in 1983 with his grandparents and stayed in Grouse Lodge He …	12/25/08
To: James, John, Peter, ... (4)	Sent Mail Inbox More photos‎ - Forwarded message From: Wilson, John Date: Thu …	12/25/08
To: DKSIR (2)	Sent Mail Inbox Merry Christmas‎ - Dear Ken and Betty Thank you for your greeting. We have just finished the turkey and ham and plum …	12/25/08
To: kidadam (3)	Sent Mail Inbox Jack Kenny of Cappaleitra‎ - Pat Kenny, a son of Jack was here yesterday and I passed on your envelope. Best Wiashes for …	12/20/08
To: kidadam	Sent Mail (no subject)‎ - Dear Al, Thank you for your Christmas cards. I will pass on the envelope to Jack Kenny. Sorry …	12/18/08
To: James, jean, John (2)	Sent Mail Inbox Fw: Cavan Divorce‎ - Jim, This is from Padraig Turley, a nephew of Joe Claffey Der Forwarded message …	12/18/08
To: DKSIR (2)	Sent Mail Inbox Happy December‎ - Ken Thanks for your e-mail. I just got one from Tim Cahill. The boat is more roomier than the …	12/11/08
To: Tim Cahill (2)	Sent Mail Inbox Vacation‎ - Dear Tim, Thank you for your note and glad that you got the golf book. The Open Days are more …	12/11/08
To: barry, James, jean, ... (4)	Sent Mail Inbox 50 deposit cheque‎ - Barry, Your letter dated 1st October arrived on Wed 15th with your cheque and letter. A notice …	12/6/08
To: James, jean, Padraig (2)	Sent Mail Inbox FW: Word Puns‎ - Forwarded message From: Alfie Sexton Date: Tue, Nov 18 …	11/18/08
To: jean Pryde (4)	Sent Mail Inbox Holidays 2009‎ - Shannonbridge 17th November 08 Dear Jean, Pip and Girls, Thank you for your letter and cheque for …	11/18/08
To: Sid Tolchin	Sent Mail (no subject)‎ - Shannonbridge, 17th November '08 Dear Sid and Penny, The sister Pat is wondering how you are …	11/17/08
To: Hansjörg Egger	Sent Mail (no subject)‎ - The old thatched houses had a layer of bog scraws, which were cut from the top of the bog, and …	11/15/08
To: James Killeen	Sent Mail Mickey Larkin‎ - Jim, Pat was telling me tonight that you were interested in the tribute to Mickey Larkin. I put …	11/14/08
To: James Killeen (2)	Sent Mail Inbox FW: FW: Drawings (a must see)‎ - Forwarded message From: Alfie Sexton Date: Sat, Nov 8 …	11/11/08
To: James Killeen (2)	Sent Mail Inbox FW: Funny one..]‎ - Forwarded message From: Alfie Sexton Date: Sat, Nov 8 …	11/11/08
To: James Killeen (2)	Sent Mail Inbox FW: EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH‎ - Forwarded message From: Alfie Sexton Date: Sat, Nov 8 …	11/11/08

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

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