Shannonbridge footballers defeated Tullamore last week to qualify for the final of the Mick Casey Cup. The game was played today against Rhode in Geashill and Rhode won by 3 – 10 to 0 – 10 Pts.

Ah well Mick Casey was The Iron Man from Rhode and it is probably right that they won the game.

As well as that they scored nine more points than Shannonbridge.

For the last few weeks some ten members of Shannonbridge Active Retirement have attended a computer course at Crank House in Banagher and last Thursday they completed the course and were presented with their diplomas. Watch your posts as Bridie Carry is looking for a laptop or computer to get her fingers going.

Today a group of Shannonbridge Active Retirements set off for a three day break at The Galway Bay Hotel.

Tomorrow night in Galway sees the opening performance of the play ‘ Great Little Women ‘ which stars our own Rory Quinn on stage. Hopefully our Active Retirement Group and others will find time to go along to Galway’s Town Hall Theatre any night from Monday to Saturday next week. Check with the theatre for tickets before you go and support Rory as the theatre has a limited number of seats.

Colm Craven from Dromalga, Moore and Leixlip Dublin called today. Colm told me that the Craven Family were down for his father’s anniversary Mass. Martin Joe Craven was a teacher in Moore. Colm’s mother Ag Craven died two years ago. Their home in Dromalga is now on the market.

I was surprised that Colm did not know Paul Burke the coarse fishing man as both of them live in Leixlip. Colm drives a taxi and he told me that some 20,000 people now live around Leixlip.

Dana the singer, and who later represented Ireland in the EEC parliament, has been featured on television radio and newspapers recently as she has written her Autobiography called ‘All Kinds of Everything ‘.

The Bold Ian Paisley gave it a boost at Stormont Castle and Pat Kenny had her singing on The Late Late Show. It brought back memories of the young teenager singing a winning song for Ireland in the Eurovision.

The song was on everybody’s lips for years afterwards and it was called ‘All Kinds of Everything’.

Dana starred in the film ‘The Flight of The Doves’ which also starred Ron Moody and Jack Wild. Ron and Jack had just completed the musical ‘Oliver’. The Flight of The Doves was the story of three tinker kids running away from a wicked stepmother in Dublin determined to find their kindly Grandmother in the West of Ireland. There was a search for the missing children and to get to the West they had to cross the River Shannon. For over a week the cameras were busy at Clonony Castle, Banagher, Shannonharbour and Shannonbridge. One of the policemen was the late Brendan O Reilly and I remember that they took over Killeens Bar to shoot some shots. One of those was Garda Brendan O Reilly talking into a phone reporting that he was calling from Killeens pub and that the children had been spotted. The sister Doc counted the number of takes that they did on this little detail. Poor Brendan had to repeat it some 53 times. The weather was fine and sunny and they were taking their time. If you see the film the market scene starts with the late Tom Coleman releasing a handful of young hens in front of the camera.

Dana was the oldest of the three kids in the film. The film was based on a Walter Macken book.

Some time afterwards Dana came along to do a Guest Spot at Shannonbridge Carnival.

Clean out and descale your old kettle by heating 75% brown vinegar and 50% clean water. Bring the mixture to the boil before introducing it to the kettle.

Dinnity Dan the funny wee man

Who keeps all his wealth in his pocket

Four buttons, a box, and the keys of two locks

And the chain of his Grandmother Margaret’s locket.

A big piece of string

Is a most useful thing

A watch without hands

And a few rubber bands

And a little toy boat

That his grandfather made.

* Thanks to Teesh Coughlan for the above. She has promised many more of the same.

There was an Anniversary Mass in High Street at 8.00 pm last weekend for the late Lena Shea.

Afterwards the family visited the grave in Clonmacnois. Standing around the graveside they recited five decades of the rosary. This is a tradition in their family.

A site that may be of interest is www.waterwaysireland.org

Belated thanks to Eddy De Stichere from Belgium who was on the Shannon on a cruiser early in October.

Eddy told me about a Flemish TV program on the Shannon where people hire a cruiser in Carrick on Shannon and travel downstream to Banagher leaving their cruiser at the base in Banagher. It is noticeable that they have also hired some pedal bikes to see areas away from the river. These included an ancient burial mound in Sligo, dog racing at Mullingar, eating out at a castle and the local Bog Rail Tour.

In Shannonbridge they show the host of starlings gathered on the electricity wires near a pole. Then there is a shot of yours truly sitting in Killeen’s Shop busily reading a copy of The Yellow Pages and later talking with Colin to the girl with the bike. So natural looking. Still don’t know why we had to go over it 60 times.

Anyhow Eddy at first we were not able to see it but a friend told us about the button. It’s easy. Thanks again.

GAA News from Jason Mahon

Offaly Senior football league, Division 1 Semi-final replay:
Shannonbridge 3-09 Tullamore 1-08

On Saturday afternoon last, Shannonbridge impressively downed senior football champions Tullamore in a very eagerly contested replay at the grounds of Erin rovers in Pullough in front of a sizeable crowd given the time of year.
Shannonbridge were unable to field a number of senior players due to injury, most notable absentees were Karol Kelly, Dermot Turley, Shane Flannery, Niall Price & Paul Deeley whereas Tullamore were almost at full strength albeit they were minus the services of goalkeeper Ken Furlong.

Indeed it was Tullamore who started brightest and led 1-02 to no score after 12 minutes of play, their goal coming from a penalty which was converted by the impressive Paul McConway who was plying his trade at centre forward for the day.

Shannonbridge hit back with points from Fergal McEvoy & Jason Kelly, with a Gearoid O’Grady point sandwiched in between & from then on it was all one way traffic, a well-taken goal by Jason Kelly just before half time bringing the sides level 1-05 apiece at the interval.

The bridge started the Second half just as they ended the first, in complete control and a goal and a point in quick succession from McEvoy & Roger Ryan respectively put the 4 point up and never looked back. A very clever follow-in goal after a clanger from the Tullamore keeper from substitute Cheesy Kelly put the bridge 7 points up and the game was over as a contest from then on.

It was as good a performance seen from a Shannonbridge side in years as they both attacked and defended impressively was a unit. There were also several excellent individual displays, Declan Kelly in Goal, Mel Darcy & Rory O’Connor in defence were very solid, Jason Kelly put in a very hard hours work throughout the park and Roger Ryan(0-02) & Fergal McEvoy excelled in the final third, The latter accumulating an impressive tally of 1-04.
Team: D. Kelly, W. Keena, P. Maloney, M. Darcy, K. Flannery, E. Kelly, R. O’Connor, J. Kelly, P. Egan, J. Egan, R. Ryan, D. Finn, D. Corbett, F. McEvoy & A. Kelly.
Subs: P. Kelly for D. Finn, J. Ryan for P. Egan, E. Egan

They will now meet county kingpins for the last few years Rhode in the final. There was excellent support from Shannonbridge at the game and we hope to see more of the same at the final. It would be very nice to reward them with a piece of long awaited silverware for all their efforts.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 4th Nov 2007 - 31st Sun C
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: €451 Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.McManus, C.Slattery, A.Corbett
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 2, N.Duffy, E. Quinn
Altar Servers for this week: Ailbhe, Aoife
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Tommie & Geraldine McManus
Mass on next Sun for the late Thomas Rocke


Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €325. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Claffey, B.Coughlan
Readers for next Sunday: C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group D
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: B.Coughlan

Meeting of Social Group in Clonfanlough Hall on Tues next @ 8pm

The priests of this Diocese will be in Knock this week for some important meetings & soul-searching.

Kairos Communications
'The pilgrimage & Pattern day at Clonmacnois will appear on An Evening Prayer RTE 1 after the late News & Weather on the following date:
Tues 6th Nov, All the Saints of Ireland.'

Ard Chiaráin
Mass for the Faithful Departed on Thurs 8th Nov @ 8pm.
All are welcome to attend.

Christmas Parties
In Clonfanlough Hall on Sun 25th Nov starting with Mass @ 1.30pm.
For Shannonbridge on Fri 7th Dec; as this day is the eve of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation, we will start with Mass in the Church @ 6pm, which is for everyone.

Prayer Centre Clonmacnois
Mass on Wed & on the following weeks @7.30pm. All welcome.

Offaly Co Childcare Committee
Will hold the following events over the coming months: An Early Years Workshop, Equality & Diversity Seminar, Child Protection Training, Arts & Crafts Workshop, Fire Safety Training.
For more info contact Tracey on 057-9135878.

Co Offaly Childminding Initiative
Fire Safety Information night for Childminders on 28th Nov in Tullamore, 7-10pm. Cost: €10. Call Fiona on 057-9328109.

Table Quizzes resume in Killeens on next Wed @ 9.30pm and will continue each week for some worthy cause.

M.E. Support Group Meeting on Wed 7th Nov in Gullanes Hotel @ 7pm. Guest speaker is Clover Kreger - speaking on nutrition
Monster Auction in Moate Community Centre this Sun @ 2pm.
Monster Auction in Emerald Ballroom Ballinasloe next Sun @ 1pm.

Bob Browne from Manchester, who is seeking information on The Coughlan Family from Clonascra, telephoned tonight to say that an O Neill man had contacted him with information on the Coughlans. Bob also wanted to know what Clonascra meant in English. So I rang Danny Edwards who said it was “The Meadow f The Scraw2.

Scraw being rough ground. Danny also said that a Stephen Mc Neill, Tullamore has an amount of information on the headstones in Clonmacnois. He is connected to the Heritage Information Center in Tullamore, which has its base in the Tullamore Dew buildings.

I notice that arguscarhire.com advertise on a regular basis on the Irish Times.

The company is still in the control of the Turley Family. Joe Turley was born in Raghrabeg near Shannonbridge. Their phone number is 01-4534699.

The new Athlone Town Shopping Center opened yesterday. I understand that the Royal Hotel was knocked down and that site and the hotel carpark form most of the area for the center.

The Athlone Advertiser is a free weekly paper. This week there is an advert for –

Sale 2.2 acres in Clonmacnois. Secluded area and excellent land. No planning.

Offers over 50K Euros. Tel 087 – 681820.

The advertiser has a story about the new Mobile Library now serving many areas in Roscommon and the library even works on Saturdays. Good for them.

A table of weekly and forthnightly stoppings is printed. Glad to see that they have included Clonfad and Moore. Hope the Moore people using Shannonbridge Library on Thursday Evenings from 7 to 9 will continue to do so. More members are welcome

The mobile Library has even got access to the Internet.

Birdwatch Ireland have started a four year survey on bird population on Nov 1^st.

Some 14,000 members are taking part counting a wide variety of birds. Look at their webpage for more information.Youmight even help in the survey.

Kinnity Castle is for sale with an asking price of 9.8 Million Euros. Some papers had articles on the spookiest castles in Ireland this week. Offaly had two castles featured – Kinnity and Leap Castle.

Spirit Radio Ltd have got planning permission to erect a 125 metre high radio station mast at Doon Demesne. It seems the talk / music station will be built in Doon and employ

26 staff ( 16 full time, 10 part-time.

Good to see the cousin Frances and her daughter Emir and husband Andrew Plews on a short visit last week from Manchester. It was a surprise birthday gift for Frances who has moved her base from the Isle of Mann to Manchester. She got a surprise when they called to visit on Friday 26^th Oct as Pat, Mary and Mick were gone to Dublin in a group of 18 to attend a tribute concert to Artie Shaw. Very enjoyable evening was had by the concert goers. The Manchester trio had to make do with walking Moby to the bridge. Glad that they made a return visit before going home.

Two funerals in Moore this week.

Jimmy Hardiman, brother of Pat and John, who worked for many years in England and returned home a few years ago and bought a house on the Circular.

Michael Joe Grenham whose brother Frank died in the last few months has died.

Sorry I have not got more details.

Welcome to Garda Fergal O Toole who I believe has been appointed to Shannonbridge.

At present he lives in Athlone.

The Dublin City Marathon last weekend had 15 brothers and sisters from Birr taking part.

Well done to the O Donoghue Family for completing the 26 miles.

Today Mick and Noel Kirby from Castletown-Geoghan and wives and daughters visited Shannonbridge. Mick Kirby was the contractor employed to built St Ciarans Park and the four houses across from the Church back in the early 1960’s. Noel brought along his saxophone and his brother sang a selection of songs. One of the many memories shared was about one of the workers on the site called Jerker Murray. Jerker used to call into a house in the village on a cold morning where he got a cup of tea. The son of the house came in one morning and noticed some eggs in Jerker’s coat pocket. He asked Jerker to show him how they hurdled in Westmeath and he got two hurleys and a hurling ball. With perfect timing he jostled into Jerker and the eggs were smashed.

Mick Kirby told us that he once played minor hurling with Brian Cahill over in Castletown.

The ten adult computer students continue to attend afternoon lessons in Banagher on Thursday afternoons.

Best wishes to Darcy Domestic & Industrial Maintenance, Clonmacnois, Co. Offaly

Phone Padraig on (087) 2370502 for oil and gas servicing and efficiency testing.

Little White Guest

You have come to my heart dearest Jesus,

I am holding You close to my breast ;

I’m telling You over and over

You are welcome, O Little White Guest.

I love You, I love You, my Jesus

O please do not think I am bold ;

Of course, You must know that I love You,

But I’m sure that You like to be told.

And now that You’ve come, dearest Jesus,

To nestle so close to my breast,

I whisper, “ I love You, my Jesus”

You are welcome, O little White Guest.

I’ll Whisper, “I love You, my Jesus,”

And ask that we never may part;

I love You, O kind, loving Jesus

And press You still nearer my heart.

And when I shall meet You in Heaven,

My soul will lean on Your breast;

And You will recall our fond meetings,

When You were my Little White Guest.

Yesterday Brian and Josephine Kenny from Clondelara gave me the After Holy Communion above which they first heard used by the late Brigie Butler Shannonbridge.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report dated 30^th October 2007.

The river level rose slightly to 2.46 metres after some heavy showers on Saturday.

The power plant continues to provide welcoming hot water for fishing and some

Anglers have made a late trip with good results.

- John Nee from Mountbellew and his friend Simon Scott from Moylough fished the Upper Suck on 20^th October using swimfeeder and red maggot catching about 70 rudd,

roach and hybrids each. As John said it was a fish a cast and they planned to try the same

swim again. They also promised to come and fish Shannonbridge some day. Their priority that day was to get some red maggots.

- Fischer Bernd from Germany fished the Shannon on a sunny 22^nd October using

a Mepps 3 to catch one 60 cm pike and two good perch.

- Tony Doolan and Philip Keogh from Athlone took their lake boat to Shannonbridge on

26^th October and used it to go trolling dead bait as a lure for pike. The weather was drizzly rain early on turning fine in the afternoon. This was their first trip and they were

satisfied with the days catch of 12 pike best weighing 14 lbs. All returned alive and well.

- Nick Wallis from Colchester is a regular visitor to Shannonbridge and recorded three of

his catches. The weather was fine and he used a swimfeeder and maggot to effect.

On 26^th Oct at Correen Ford he had 35 lbs of roach and rudd. It was hard at first but soon they came on feed.

On 28^th Oct again at Correen he caught 30 lbs of roach. Fish were biting all day.

On 29^th Oct Nick went to Shannonharbour and caught 45 lbs of roach. Bites every cast.

- Pip and Jean Firmin from Scotland completed their second week of pike fishing and

were happy with their first visit to Shannonbridge. Next year Pip plans to use the trolling of dead bait much more.

The Correen pike anglers Peter Hines and Mark Oberton have being trolling and bank fishing for pike. Mark finds that when bank fishing he is inclined to catch pike up to 3 lbs. Bigger ones are caught from the boat.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 28th Oct 2007 - 30th Sun C
Tel (090) 9674125
Fax (090) 9674267
Mass times: Shannonbridge - Weekend, 8pm (Sat), & 12noon Sun;
Weekdays, 10am. Clonfanlough - Sunday, 10.30am

Shannonbridge
Masses: Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat @ 10am,
Thursday 1st Nov,feast of ALL SAINTS is a Holy Day; Mass on Wed eve @ 8pm & on Thurs @ 12 noon.
Fri 2nd Nov,feast of All Souls, is also the First Fri. Mass also @ 8pm, with Adoration all day
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €428. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Kelly, M.Killeen, A.Keena
Eucharistic ministers: Group 2
Readers for next Weekend: Group 1, D.Finnerty, P.Corbett
Altar Servers for this week: Brian, Caitríona
Mass on next Sat morning for the late Mary & Kieran Henry
Mass on next Sat eve for the late Christina & John Turley

During Oct we say the Rosary, each eve, Mon - Fri, @ 7pm in Shannonbridge Church. Please come & support each other in praying for the needs of families & the care of the world.

Meeting of Parish Pastoral Council on Tues @ 8pm in Clonfanlough
Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €227. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: M.Loonam, A.Egan
Readers, for All Saints: A.Coughlan; for next Sun, C.Norton
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group C
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: A.Rohan
Thurs 1st Nov, feast of ALL SAINTS. Mass @ 10.30am
Fri 2 Nov, feast of All Souls is also the First Fri; Mass @ 7pm

Kairos Communications
'The pilgrimage & Pattern day at Clonmacnois will appear on An Evening Prayer RTE 1 after the late News & Weather on the following dates:
Thurs 1st Nov, feast of All Saints;
Tues 6th Nov, All the Saints of Ireland.'

Knock Marriage Introduction Bureau
The aim of the Bureau is to introduce people considering marriage to a suitable partner. For further info contact the Bureau at Knock.
Phone 094-9375960, or see www.knockmarriagebureau.com

Offaly Co Childcare Committee
Will hold the following events over the coming months: An Early Years Workshop, Equality & Diversity Seminar, Child Protection Training, Arts & Crafts Workshop, Fire Safety Training.
For more info contact Tracey on 057-9135878.

Co Offaly Childminding Initiative
Fire Safety Information night for Childminders on 28th Nov in Tullamore, 7-10pm. Cost: €10. Call Fiona on 057-9328109.

Offaly Mentally Handicapped Assoc.
'Many thanks for your contributions to the recent Church Gate Collection: Shannonbridge,€97.36; Clonfanlough, €125.'

Darcy domestic & industrial maintenance
For domestic & industrial maintenance, for tiling & timber flooring, contact Padraig on 087-2370502

Last week a grandson of Bridget Coughlan was in the area trying to get information on the Coughlan Family. His name is Edward Browne and he lives in Manchester. Tel 0161 796 1228.

The family he was tracing came from Clonascra and were children of Peter Coughlan and Catherine Nally.

Their children were

Mary Coughlan born 1880,

Anne born 11-8-1882

John born 26-4-1884

Bridget baptized 24-9-1886

Patrick “ 18-3-1888

Helen “ 29-1-1889

Catherine “ 17-1-1892

Elisabeth “ 28-4-1894

Rose “ 24-7-1896

Sarah “ 27-6-1900

Someone thinks that three of the girls were Mrs Mc Guinness Cloniff, Mrs Srahan Cloniff,

And Mrs Treacey of Garryduff. Most of the baptismal data was in the Ballinahowen Church Records.

Contact Edward Browne if you have any information on the family.

“ “ “----------------------------------------------

One day Michael Heenan from Christchurch, New Zealand came along. The Heenan family went from Birr to Dunedin between 1848 and 1850. Michael is a keen rugby follower and is President of St Albans Shirley Club in Christchurch. E-mail sasclub@xtra.co.nz I asked Michael if he ever heard of the late Father Tommy Daly who was working in Christchurch and he told me that he was in his parish. If you have any Heenan history you can e-mail at the St Albans Club.

Congratulations to Frank Kelly and his bride Clare who got married last Saturday in Galway.

Welcome home to Colm Kenny from Australia and congratulation on your engagement.

Best wishes to Vincent and Ger Darcy and family who moved into their new home which they built in the Old Street which is the roadway to the right at the bottom of Gunnings Hill past Ard Chiarain.

Look out for The Ard Chiarain Weblink soon on the Shannonbridge website and consider the facility for a private retreat or a few days reflection.

Patrick Kenny from America went into the chemist in Ballinasloe and left his bicycle lying against the lamppost and when he came out there was his bicycle lying against the lamppost and it gone.

Cormac Mac Connell and some friends were revisiting Shannonbridge last weekend. Cormac writes the few lines for www.emigrant.ie/article.asp and he has an account of his last visit to Shannonbridge on the issue of October 27^th 2006

Met Brian Kenny Clondelara and his daughter Carmel on Sunday. Brian greeted me with a prayer that went –

Dear Jesus,

In Whose life I see,

All that I long for

And failed to be

Let Your clear light

Forever shine

To save and guide

This life of mine.

Carmel had a prayer that the late May Rock gave her when the first Chipper was opened in Shannonbridge on the 1^st June 1984 by Ignatius Green. Carmel and her sister Pauline were helping Alec.

The prayer May Rock taught Carmel went –

O Precious Mother Mary,

Mother of Divine Grace,

You can always find a way

When there’s no way.

Please help me,

You can’t say you can’t

You won’t say you won’t

So you will

Won’t you.

I contacted the Offaly Independent about their notice that the paper was available on their website.

They tell me that only the front page is available. They will post out a weekly copy to anybody that is interested but there is a charge.

Someone told me that there is a lot of information for people who are tracing their families that emigrated to America USA under www.ellisisland.org If you find any of my granduncles or grandaunts let me know..

Ray Walsh tells me that there are some wonderful aerial pictures of places in Offaly to be found under Straid meaning street on the County Offaly Website. Try www.occ.ie or a variation.

Pictured on the papers last week was Pecker Dunne in hospital in Ennis. Pecker has kept the other patients amused playing on his guitar cum banjo.

Sad news this week of the death of Brendan Mc Williams Wexford who wrote a very entertaining Weather Eye column on The Irish Times for some twenty years. Many of the columns may be read on The Irish Times website, Ireland.com. You can also visit his own website brendanmcwilliams.com

Say a prayer for the people of California that the fire and winds may abate.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report Dated 23rd October 2007

A generally fine dry week with some rain yesterday.

The river level is 2.3 metres and there is a good flow of water.

Hot water is flowing from the power plant.

-On a dry 16^th Oct Pascal Remon from France fished on the Shannon

using a Rapalla lure to catch a pike measuring 110 cm.

- Tony Murray from Ballinasloe visited the Hot Water Stretch on 7^th Oct

and used maggots to catch 20 rudd and 6 perch. In a brief visit on 21^st Oct

Tony used maggot to catch 2 bream, 1 bronze bream, 5 rudd and 2 perch.

The weather was fine on both visits with a bite in the air on second day.

- Chris Bradley from Birr fished the Brosna at Shannonharbour on 20^th Oct

using maggot and caster to catch 3 bream and 2 roach on a good day.

- Pip Firmin from Scotland fished the Shannon and Suck from 14/10/07 to

20/10/07 trolling dead roach to catch 7 pike to 8 lbs. Weather was dry all week.

On 21^st Oct Pip trolled dead roach on the Shannon in mild overcast conditions

Catching 2 pike of 6 lbs and 20 lbs. His first twenty pounder gave him a hell

of a scrap. All pike were returned alive.

- Pip’s wife Jean Firmin fished the Suck and Shannon for three days using a

medium sized Big S lure. On 16^th Oct she caught a 6 lb pike near the bankside.

On 19^th Oct Jean caught an eel weighing 1.5 lbs and on 22^nd Oct two 6oz perch

went for the Big S lure. Bloody greedy perch. Her weather entries for the three days

were Sunny, Overcast and Miserable.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 21st Oct 2007 - Mission Sun C
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: €402 Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: G.Brennan, D.Deeley, C.Quinn
Eucharistic ministers: Group 1
Readers for next Weekend: Group 5, C.Mannion, C.Doolan
Altar Servers for this week: Megan, Michela.
Mass on next Sat eve for the McGuinness family deceased

Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €215 Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: B.Kilduff, E.Kilduff
Readers for next Sunday: I.Maleney
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group B
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: K.Kelly
Mass on next Sun for the late Brigid McEvoy.

Station Mass - Fri eve next @ 8pm
At the home of C. & K. Norton, Clonmacnois
During Oct we say the Rosary, each eve, Mon - Fri, @ 7pm in Shannonbridge Church. Please come & support each other in praying for the needs of families & the care of the world.

Meeting of Parents / Guardians of First Communion children
In Clonmacnois School on this Mon @ 8pm.

This Sun is Mission Sunday. Pope Benedict reminds us that the absence of God in the lives of millions is the greatest suffering. People are hungry for God, not just for bread & freedom. Please help missionaries to reflect God's Love with the support of your prayers, offering of suffering and a financial contribution.

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith
A French laywoman, Pauline Jaricot, founded this in 1822.
She wished to help not only French missionaries but all missions and missionaries, especially the poorest.
In 1922 it became the primary organisation of the Church for helping the missions under the patronage of the Pope. Pope Pius XI instituted Mission Sunday in 1926 and ordered that it be observed in all Churches, including those in mission territories.


Shannonbridge Development Group
There will be a meeting of the Shannonbridge & Area Development Group on Wednesday 24th October @ 8pm in the Shannonbridge Community Hall. The meeting will be hosted by West Offaly Partnership and Tipperary Institute of Technology, and will focus on various and trends and issues that have and will effect the village and the surrounding area. All are welcome to attend.


Clonfanlough Social Group
There will be a meeting of the Clonfanlough Social Group held this Monday in the Clonfanlough Community Hall @8:30pm.


Last Friday in Clonmacnois there was a presentation presented by Lakelands

And Waterways Ireland of a joint plan to make the waterways from Belleek to

the Shannon mouth more used by people. The plan was launched by Brian Cowen

In a marquee set in the field where the late Pope’s helicopter landed with music,

Food by The Fort Restaurant, and attended by a variety of people connected in one

way or the other to tourism. The local paper The Offaly Independent had reporters and

cameras in attendance and you can now see The Offaly Independent is now available

on line at www.offalyindependent.ie See page 10.

Friday night I met some people The Irish Philosophical Society who were down for a

Conference in Clonmacnois School on Saturday. This group meet twice a year and of course

I went along for the day. There were nine speakers and a discussion afterwards. They had

dinner at The Fort on Saturday night. On Sunday they had a boat-trip to Clonmacnois.

Their website is www.philosophy.nuim.ie/ and for membership contact gavan@aosanach.com

Monday and Tuesday I met a pair of interesting characters. One was O Crothuir who now works

In Bulgaria and The Philippines and the other was a Kennedy from Wexford. Kennedy told us

That he was a block layer and stonemason and that he had been asked to go to the Aran Islands by O Crothuir to plan a fireplace and wall for a Hill, like Doctor Bill in Lisdoonvarna.

Anyhow Kennedy told me that he wrote poetry and had a number of poems in a folder. A number of his poems were printed in @Where the Hazel Falls’ which was published by Electric Publications, Gorey.

One of his poems was dedicated to Liz Murray and as my mother was Liz Murray I asked the writer

if I might put it on the Shannonbridge webpage and he agreed. Incidentally my two brothers shared the same birthday as our mother on 17^th October. Here is how it goes.

Liz Murray

Crisp early morning grass

As worlds pass by

Oblivious to who or what reside

Between the walls

Of every railing which defends

Those outside from those within

But if one was just to stop and think

The protection of these walls

Are nothing more

Than safety for those inside

From the dangers they face

In every waking moment from themselves

And the multitudes that pass unknown

So pass as you may

With sneering glances

If with the help I may receive

Perhaps I’m more equipped

To take my chances. ( written on 29^th Dec 1992.)

Shannonbridge Fishing Report Dated 16^th October 2007.

The river level reads 2.3 metres after a fine dry week with sunshine.

Some rain early Sunday morning dried off early and sunshine is promised

every day until next Sunday.

Some pike anglers were looking to see the law relating to the size of pike which

Have to be returned alive.

Hot Water flowing at the power plant.

- Mick Bracebridge from Rye, Wales fished in sunshine on 9^th Oct on the Suck

using a herring bait to catch a 23 lbs pike for a good fight. Released alive.

- George Whyborn from Rye fished on the Shannon at Clonmacnois on 8^th Oct

using a waggler and red maggot in the wind to catch 20 lbs of hybrids.

- Mario Sidler from Switzerland fished the Shannon on 7^th Oct in mixed weather

using wobbler and blinker to catch three pike and 15big perch.

- Oliver Mc Kiernan from Dublin fished on the Suck on a cloudy 11^th Oct using

a split plug to catch 8 Jack Pike and 4 Perch. Next day he fished the Shannon and

caught a 5 lbs pike. All fish were returned alive.

- Stuart Paterson Warrington fished on the Suck last week using caster and maggot

and totalled 200 lbs of roach for his last five days. Stuart reckons that fishing is better

in overcast or cloudy conditions.

- John Paterson Warrington fished the Suck alongside Stuart and caught 160 lbs of roach

and two pike in five days using the waggler and caster and maggot.

- Paul Eatwell Warrington fished with the Patersons and over five days on the Suck

he caught 180 lbs of roach.

- Hans Gafner from Switzerland fished on the Shannon on 13^th Oct using a wobbler

to catch three pike which he returned alive.

- Evwin Heinemann from Germany fished on the Suck on a sunny 13^th Octusing dead bait

to catch a fine pike that measured 1.02 metres.

- Michael Daly from Belmont fished at Clonmacnois on a sunny 1^st Oct using dead bait

to catch a 7 lbs pike which was returned alive.

- Paul ‘n’ Cynth Airey from the Bed and Breakfast in Ahascragh fished the Hot Water

at Shannonbridge on a dry 14^th Oct using feeder maggot and worm catching perch to 12 Ox

rudd to a pound and roach. About 25 lbs in total.

- Pascal Debailleul from France fished the Shannon on 10^th Oct with a Rapalla lure to

catch a 60 cm pike.

- Rainer Scheibe from Germany fished the Shannon on a dry / sunny 14^th Oct using a Big S

to catch two pike of 70 cm and 90 cm.Return alive.

- Oheu Stephan from Germany fished with Rainer and using a Big S caught two pike

of 70 / 50 cm and one good perch.

- Kai Klasen from Germany fished the Suck on a rainy 14^th Oct using a tailor-dance

lure to catch a brown trout of 33 cm. His first brown trout.

- Horst Herres from Germany fished the Suck on a dry cloudy 13^th Oct using an Abu plug

to catch his biggest pike that measured 77 cm or 3 Kg.

- Markus Buergi from Switzerland fished the Shannon on a sunny windy 15^th Oct

using a twister lure to quickly catch 10 perch measuring 30 cm.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report Dated 8^th October 2007.

Some light rain today after a fine sunny week. The river level is 2.35 metres.

Good news that the local power is back in operation and producing electricity

and hot water for the fish. There is a good flow on the rivers.

On Friday October 12^th the Chief Executives of Waterways Ireland and of

Failte Ireland will attend the launch of Lakelands & inland Waterways at

Clonmacnois Heritage Center at 5.30pm. This is an initiative to promote the

inland counties and their waterways – stretching from Belleek to Limerick.

- Paul Cox from England fished on the Grand Canal at Ferbane on 29^th September

using lunchmeat sweetcorn and maggot to catch 18 lbs of roach perch and rudd.

- On 1^st Oct Marc Edelman from Switzerland fished on the Shannon with a wobbler

catching three pike weighing 18 lbs, 16.5 lbs and 13 lbs. All returned alive.

- Schmied Yosef from Austria fished on the Shannon on a sunny 2^nd October

using Gummi lures to catch three pike. One measured one metre.

The other two were 80 cm. All returned alive.

- Alexander Kubicu from Austria fished on the Shannon on a sunny 1^st October

also catching three pike measuring 85, 70, 70 cm.

- Dariusk Greoski from Poland fished on the Shannon on 25^th September in sunshine

and used dead bait to catch his first pike that measured 96 cm.

- Mass Mir-hosseini from England fished on the Shannon on a fine 7^th Oct

using a dead trout to catch his first pike that weighed 21 lbs.

- John Wilkinson from Hartfordshire fished on a fine 7^th Oct using smelt and herring

to catch four pike weighing 4, 5, 7 and 12 lbs.

- Eric Van De Meer from Holland fished the Shannon on a sunny 7^th Oct using a

Rapala lure to catch five pike ( best was 95 cm ) and some good perch. All returned.

- Three Cheshire anglers – Stuart and John Patterson and Paul Eatwell, who are

based at Ashbrook Guesthouse started their fishing Sunday 7^th Oct on the Suck

using maggots to catch 40 lbs of roach in sunshine.

On Monday 8^th the trio fished on the Shannon in light rain using maggots to catch

50 lbs of roach and skimmers.

Clonmacnois Parish Newsletter
Sunday 7th Oct 2007 - 27th Sun C
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: €487. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: A.Ryan, L.Turley, M.Mitchell
Eucharistic ministers: Group 3
Readers for next Weekend: Group 3, M.Killeen, O.Costello
Altar Servers for this week: Ailbhe, Aoife


Clonfanlough
Last Sunday's Offertory collection: €250. Many Thanks
Church Cleaners: J.Egan, B.Dolan
Readers for next Sunday: H.Coughlan
Altar Servers for next Sunday: Group E
Eucharistic minister for next Sunday: N.Egan.
'Months Mind' Mass for Lena O'Shea on next Sun

Station Masses @ 8pm
Wed next at the home of Celia Molloy, Glebe
Fri next at the home of M. & G.Claffey, Creevagh
During Oct we will say the Rosary, each eve, Mon - Fri, @ 7pm in Shannonbridge Church. Please come & support each other in praying for the needs of families & the care of the world.

A Day for Life - today 7th Oct
'Day for Life' is our annual celebration of the sacredness of human life from the womb to the tomb. The Catholic Church is pro-life, and it is at the heart of what we believe. Please read the leaflet & say the prayer, which is printed on it.

It is proposed to have the Christmas Party in Clonfanlough Hall on Sun 25th Nov, and in Shannonbridge on Fri 7th Dec.

Anniversary of the canonisation of St Oliver Plunkett
Takes place on Fri 12th Oct. It is a National Day of Prayer in Thanksgiving for the peace thus far achieved.
A new DVD on his life & heroic martyrdom, plus an interview with the Italian lady who was miraculously cured through his intercession, is now available for €10.00. It plays for 68 minutes. It is available from St Mary's Parish, Drogheda, (tel. 041-9836908.)

Aware - Helping to fight depression.
Public Lecture on Stress Management in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore on Mon 15th Oct @ 8pm. Speaker is John Bannon.
Adm is free, and all are welcome.

Mental Health - "Let's talk about it"
AIT, in the Earl of Ross Lecture Theatre, Sat 13th Oct, 9am - 4pm.
Cost is €15. 00, including a light lunch.

Offaly Co Childcare Committee
Will host an Early Year's Learning Workshop for Parents in Dooly's Hotel, Birr on Wed 24th Oct from 7 - 10pm. Cost is €10.00 per person. Contact Catherine on 0579135878 to secure a place.

Ballinasloe Flower & Garden Club
In Haydens Hotel on Wed 10th Oct @ 8pm, a Gala Demonstration in aid of Social Services B'sloe, by Richard Haslam, Branch Flowers, Galway. Adm is €10.00.

GAA News from Jason Mahon

Shannonbridge man to referee Senior county final.

Shannonbridge GAA wishes the best of luck to Damian Brazil who will referee his first Senior football county final on Sunday, 7th October between Tullamore & Shamrocks. This is a great achievement for the Clongowny man who has been refereeing for the most part of the last decade. In what is promising to be a cracker of a final between two neighbouring clubs, there is no doubting Damian is the right man for the job.

Congratulations
Shannonbridge GAA wishes to congratulate Senior goalkeeper Declan Kelly on his recent engagemant to Caroline. We wish them both every bit of hapinness in the future.

Senior League semi-final
Just a reminder to all surrounding the club that Shannonbridge will contest the 2007 Senior league, Division 1 semi-final against senior championship finalists
Tullamore following the conclusion of the championship. Shannonbridge's last major honour was of course winning the 1998 Division 1 title following 3 titanic battles against near neighbours Doon, in which the 2nd replay in the epic battle wasn't played until October of the following year.

Shannonbridge Active Retirement have made definite plans to take a three night break

In Galway from 11^th to 14^th November staying at The Galway Bay Hotel. This hotel is

Offering a special package for three nights B+B and dinner at a cost of 210 Euros per

Person sharing. Contact Kieran Kelly immediately if you are interested.

The Retirement group are planning to start a computer course on Thursday 11^th October

In Crank House in Banagher.

The group meet on Tuesday morning in the Community Center or old church.

Art classes are planned for the new year.

The Athlone Blog has been praised by the Guardian Newspaper. The Sean Lightholder

Blog on life in the Irish Midlands can be found at www.irelandlogue.com

When is Ballinasloe Fair Week ? This evening I contacted Martin Ryan, publican

In Ballinasloe and he told me that it commences on the weekend before the first Tuesday

In October. Ballinasloe have a blog dedicated to the Ballinasloe Fair Week.

On Wednesday the remains of Michael Kilmartin from Culliagh were removed from the funeral

parlour. He was married to a Naughton from the filling station / store.

The burial took place on Tuesday of Ann Hennelly from Caltra. She was the mother of

Ann Loughnane from Clonfad.

News this evening of the death of Dermot Cullen Ballinasloe who for many years was a great lead

In many Ballinasloe musicals. Oklahoma comes to mind in particular.

May they all rest in peace.

Shannonbridge Fishing Report Dated 1^st October 2007

Weather has generally been good with some wind, sunshine, and the odd shower.

The river level at Shannonbridge is 2.37 metres. Coarse anglers are scarce.

- Desrieux Jean from France has been coarse fishing on the Shannon and Suck

for two weeks using maggot and caster he caught 300 lbs of roach. He went pike

fishing on a lake boat on the Shannon on 20^th Sept using dead bait and caught two pike

weighing 8 lbs and 9 lbs. Then on 29^th Sept he caught two pike of 5 lbs each when

fishing on the Grand Canal.

Desrieux commented that the cost of hiring a rowboat was very expensive.

- Clement Meerts fished the Shannon on a rainy 23^rd Sept and using Rapala lures

he caught 12 pike from 40 cm to 65 cm. All returned alive.

- Clement Meerts from Belgium fished the Suck on a fine 25^th Sept using a Rapala lure

to catch four pike. Two measured 30 cm and two measured around 70 cm.

- Jem Sloep and his three companions from Holland told that from Saturday to last

Wednesday they had caught 113 pike while fishing the Shannon and Suck using

Shads spinners. They still had two days of fishing remaining.

- Gerard de Groot from Holland fished the Shannon on a sunny 28^th Sept using

dead bait and caught 8 pike from 57cm to 101cm. All swim away.

- Jan Loeffen from Holland fished on the Suck on a cloudy 29^th Sept and using

dead bait Jan caught three pike from 38cm to 60cm. Returned alive.

- Jen Van Volen from Holland fished the Shannon and Suck on a sunny/cloudy

30^th Sept using dead bait and caught 5 pike from 45cm to 72cm. His first Irish

pike which were returned alive.

- Katja Schmitter from Switzerland fished on the River Shannon today using

a 28 gram Toby copper and silver lure to catch a 15 lbs pike. She was unaware of

the fishing laws regarding releasing pike alive.