Radio Birthday: To kick off this week’s news, congratulations to the Connemara Community radio, the radio celebrated its15th year of broadcasts, the radios birthday was last Saturday, long may it last for another 15 years. So well done to all the volunteers and the official staff in keeping the radio going, it’s such a vital link for Connemara as regards communication for the surrounding area’s.

Irish Nights; Last Wednesday was the opening season with Christina Lowry of the Irish nights in the community Hall, considering the down pour of rain, and what we thought lack of people, there was a good turn out for this popular event. The musicians were Marcus Hernon and his family, (actually Marcus Hernon’s two sons Brendan & Proinnsia who were performing on the 5^th July for President Mary Mc Aleasse,) then there was Michael Folan on the accordion, and of course Brendán on the fiddle, Johnny Mhairtín Learaí sang and step dancer and singer Seamus O’Flaharta, Maeve O’Neil who won the Galway Flead in Clifden this year as well as our own Dillon King dancing and who incidentally now plays the whistle with many more musicians and singers. The Irish nights will now be an on going event from now on each Wednesday 8.30pm until the end of August. Well done Christina.

Selection of a Pony Show Queen for Roundstone: Which was held in the Shamrock bar last Friday, the girls were, Fiona Foley who works in Ryan’s Bar from Carna, also from Carna, Nicola, Sallóg and Amanda McNally from Ballyintuber. Finally our international Judges selected Fiona Folly as the 2011 show queen, and as part of the nights entertainment 5 local lads dressed up as ladies for their selection, and were interviewed by disc jockey Mike O’Malley, it was hilarious for the spectators, not sure for the lads, certainly dignity went out the window, but it was all in good sport and just added to the evening, there was a male winner selected again by our Judges, but we will just leave it at that

Roundstone Pony Show: Well the sixth Pony show ended yesterday in glorious surroundings and perfect weather, with a very large crowd, helped along with the Dog show, the Arts and crafts, Sheep judging (results I do not have as yet.) and there were other stall holders, so there really was some thing for every body for the day. Too many names to mention to thank on Paddy’s behalf to all the volunteers, one and all did a stalwart job, but just a special mention to thank Anne Marie Conroy from Clifden, who ran the Arts and Crafts competition again I do have the results and will put them up on the website under the news section later, surprisingly out of 36 entries very few local arts and craft exhibitors, many the exhibitors came from outside our area, also to thank Mary Theresa king who took control of the dog show section with the help of Mary Banotti, and more importantly to Brian Mullen who handled all the entries and the creation of the catalogue, with the back up of our community Office secretary Regina King. Any way for the ponies, and stewards of the ring, Jane Needham and Henry Whyte, Junior Championship which was sponsored by Clifden Mart, was won by Declan O’Flynn from Annaghdown, County Galway with “Cool Sunset” Reserve Champion, Padraic Folan, Invern, Co Galway. Pat O’Neil from Ballyconneelly with “Lllaunurra Heather” won the RDS Breeders Championship Qualifier. The Foal Championship sponsored by Colm Lally, West Wide Recover was won by Declan O’Flynn with “Ballylee Coli Champ” and the reserve Foal champion was won by Feichin & Kerry King from Ballyconneelly With “Bunowen Castle Lady Holly” and finally the all important Championship: sponsored by our president of the show, John Luskin and of Corrib cruises, Cong this was won by Cathy Snow Coyne, Letterfrack with her stallion “Moorland Snowy River” and the Reserve Champion was Jane Andrews from Clifden with “Coral Misty’s Jane”. So congratulations to you all, as I say all the results will be on the Roundstone website as well as Paddy’s show website www.roundstoneponyshow.com. Then to end off the day as has always been the show tradition, the prize winners and champions paraded through the village.

A great day Paddy, and congratulations for the huge success of the 2011 show, and your entire endeavour to maintain a standard of excellence and professionalism, not only for the judging, but also the time keeping, and the smooth running, making it a joy for all our visitors that attended. heh !! You could say you paid off the devil Paddy for the good weather for this show. Next event on Paddy’s show grounds is the All Ireland Dog Show on the 1^st August commencing 1pm sharp, not to be missed.

50/50: Last weeks draw which was held in the Roundstone house hotel was won by Stephan Blades and Kate Ferron with winnings of €651, the attendance was won by Des English, and non attendance Andrew Scott. The next draw for the 50/50 will be held in Eldon’s Hotel, and this guy’s will be a big one for some one, as a lot of tickets were sold on the show grounds yesterday.

Roundstone Regatta: The next big event in Roundstone of course will be the Roundstone Regatta, 24^th & 25^th July. Weather permitting we will have on the Sunday the regatta Mass on the pier 12pm thanks to Father Jarleth, Father Jarleth is bringing back the Saturday Mass as from the 23^rd for one month only for the time being at 8.40pm

Have a great week you guys across the water