Garda Barracks:
Just a little up date as to our progress re the potential closure of the Garda Barracks, we have petitions for signing to the objection of the potential closure all over the place, a big push for signatures was at yesterday’s mass with the help of father Jarleth. Letters have been sent to various political friends of Roundstone, to the commissioner and to the Minister of Public works. Whether our efforts will bare any fruit, god only knows, but at least we will have our voice heard in support for the other areas of Connemara. We have had some feed back from various ministers, saying they will do what they can. Surely the powers that be must see that area’s like ours is potently putting the village and its community at risk, however we will fight on. Through RDC we will arrange to hold a public meeting with all the communities coming together at an appointed time, and try to ask the Superintendent, Commissioner, County Councillors and TD’s if they would also attend. I am sure Roundstone of course would offer the Community Hall for this next strategy. Letterfrack have held a public meeting with 250 people turning out, so now Roundstone must have a public meeting to support the other communities of Connemara. We will see. At after Mass there were representatives looking for signatures for the on going battle to save the rights to cut turf on the bogs. Honestly if we are not heard, our entire heritage in one form or another will be taken away with the stroke of a pen.
Innishnee:
On Saturday a few of us went to have a look to see what could be done with the Innishnee grave yard for its cleaning, maintenance and some restoration as we now have an easier chance with the new government scheme TUS to enable a bit of man power to take this project on, having lived in Roundstone so long I had no idea just how beautiful an area Innishnee is, wonderful scenery on the grave yard side and there is a lovely easy right of way 5K walk which is perfectly accessible for bike riders as from the new bridge, Barbara and Jim McEleney who have a B/B in Innishnee gave us a guided tour, with Carol Reynolds because of her knowledge of wild life etc, this was part of a research to create a heritage walks around the Roundstone area as well as three cycle routes all of different levels. I have always regretted about how we should be getting stories from our senior citizens of by gone years before they pass on , as it happened on this occasion we met up with Paddy Folan from Innishnee who was on a walk about, being in his 80’s we got talking ,he was telling us about life on the island and in particulaly re the now gone National school that was there, and its various teachers, some great stories and walked away thinking, that Innishnee must have had a very vibrant Community at one time, so am quite determined to seek out more information with a recorder, what was interesting Paddy was all for it, perhaps the radio might be able to come to my rescue with a recorder and archive some of Paddy’s stories and archive all the information relating to the bygone years of Innishnee.
Congratulations:
To Dermot McDonagh and Anne Marie on the birth of there second child, last Friday a 7lb baby boy, so congratulations to you both and long life to the lad.
50/50 Draw / Local lotto:
This week’s 50/50 draw went to Ballyconneelly with winnings just over €200. No winner from the local lotto which is now standing at €5800 with a roll over next week of €250.
Just after I have finished this short broadcast, Ann is going to cut in and read a letter to you, sounds intriguing! This broadcast of tonight’s news I have had to pre record, I will not be able to hear what Ann has to say, however I will get a copy of the said letter and pass it on to you later date.
