Santa’s visit to the Children’s School Thursday 22nd: Santa and his elf helper visited the school to wish all the young kids a happy Christmas and to give out some humble presents, I must say Christmas will never be dead while there are children around, the excitement was intense enhanced by the fact that Santee and his helper were in flying form dancing and joking with the kids. There are some great photos on the website under photo events.

School Choir Friday 23^rd: The National School children gave a great musical recital of Christmas carol songs in Eldon’s Hotel; this was part of their on going project of collecting monies for the Earth quake victims in Haiti. So well done to their teachers, for bring them together, it was a charming performance

Blessing of the Christmas Tree: Father Jarleth came out to bless the Christmas tree on a rather windy afternoon, at the same time the placing of red ribbons on the tree in memory of all those that have died, also this year we had for the first time, (well in my time, anyway), a small crib under the tree which was also accordingly blessed. As Siobhan Vaughan dose, after the ceremony offered a glass of mulled wine to everybody, I must say it was very welcome and warming.

Michael Gibbon’s Lecture: Michael gave a talk on the Friday of the 30^th December in the lower Hall on the subject of the Emperor of China, A Pope of Rome all leading up to the lost fort in Roundstone Bay; I suppose you could call the talk the 18^th Century Mystery. Michael is a great speaker, no wonder we had such a good turn out. Michael did not want to get paid but asked for donations only, in Aid of our lady’s Children hospital, which came to about €240, thank you every body and to you Ann for all the arrangements and without saying your very tasty Mulled wine. By the way I forgot to mention, that Michael had a walk with overseas visitors in the Roundstone Area, last Thursday with a group of sixty, its just great to mention this, because the more new visitors into the area, is exactly what we are trying to encourage and work with within the Roundstone area.

Rugby Kick off New Year’s Day: Yesterday, as part of the new events committee for New Year’s Day the brain child of Johnny Sheehan arranged for the very first ever “A Rugby Kick off” competition, through goal posts in the middle of the Harbour, with the “The Penalty Kick” and the “Drop Kick”. This turned out to be a great event and well supported, there were some kickers, but all agreed it was not as easy as they thought, how ever the penalty kick was won by Roddy O’Connor and the drop kick was won by Patrick King earning themselves 2 tickets to the international match between Ireland and Italy on the I think, the 26^th February. Even the kids took part in the Drop Kick, its staggering some of these little kids the power that they have to kick a ball, I sense some future National and International players coming on stream amongst these lads, one of these days. We must take the time to thank people who donated their time and contribution to the stalls, e.g., D.J Mike O’Malley, as the commentator and back ground music, Face Painters, arranged by Mary T .King, Hot home made soup, Ann Conneelly & Siobhan, B/Q manned by Siobhan and Diarmuid Vaughan and Maurice Ryan, as this was a fund raiser for the Connemara Rugby club, the club had their own stall with their calendars and shirts for sale etc. No doubt it these stalls created their own atmosphere. I know that Johnny would like to thank all those that set up the site and goal posts etc, David and Patrick McDonagh, Paul Keaney, John King, Michael Ferron, John Sheridan, Paul Delapp, Martin(Dooley) Conneelly, Paddy shoulders McDonagh and not to forget Francis Ashe, for the use of his electric power in his house on the pier and of course to all the sponsors. Maybe by next week we will know what was donated to the Rugby Club, suffice to say, the sum will not be sneezed at. Great community effort and support was there to help Johnny to have made this event the success that it was. He now informs me this will be an annual event for every New Years Day. Well done to everybody who helped and participated. Some photos will be on the website in a day or two of the event.

Well that’s all from me for this week, just to wish everybody from the Connemara Community Radio, and to all the listeners a very happy and hopefully a prosperous new year. If some of you out there have a New Year’s resolution, like giving up smoking, (as my resolution to stop smoking is now in its third day “oh well, god loves a tryer”), therefore good luck to you all, what ever the goals you are setting out to do. Thank you for listening. Have a great first week of the year 2012 this goes to all our listeners over seas from Roundstone. Well Connemara as a whole!