Race Night: On behalf of the organisers of the Race Night which was a fundraiser for community projects through the Development council, we would like to thank every body who supported this Roundstone Race night which was held in the Shamrock Bar on the 29th October 2011. This event was supported not only from Roundstone, but Cashel, Cleggan, letterfrack, Clifden, Ballyconneelly, Recess and Oughterard which made it a successful one, the total raised was €8’000 therefore after expenses €5.470. Thanks to one and all, this money will go along way to help the Community Council, which will enable us to commence work in landscaping, the creation of a picnic area and to have the present car park up graded. We feel that the year 2012 will be a very important one for the Roundstone community council, because of Monty Halls great escape is expected to bring a lot of trade to the village therefore there is a great deal of work to do, i.e. Hill walking, cycle routes, a tidy town, sailing club, Fund raising, community centre, the car park, beach cleaning and the tour de Bog etc. So we are all going to have to work together to make sure that Roundstone / Connemara is well worth visiting for our visitors. Which just reminds me, we have a Tidy towns meeting on the Thursday 10th November 8.30 pm Lower community Hall and all would be welcome for your impute to keep the momentum moving along for the year 2012
Car Boot Sale: On the Sunday 30th, for the very first time we had a car boot sale in Roundstone so we have to thank the organisers, Mary T. King and Barbara & Jim McEleney, they had a very successful Car boot sale which was held in the Community Hall, because of the inclement weather 16 tables all told. The sum of €508 was raised, which will be used for next year’s Tidy Towns for plants etc. While i think about it, there will be a car boot sale in Oughterard, in aid of St Vincent de Paul, on the 13th November 12pm to 2pm, same as us €15 if you only have a few things these can be sold for you, just ring 091 552092, they supported us, that’s why this is going out on air.
Halloween Fancy Dress: Still carrying on during the weekend, Sunday evening, Patrick and Mary McDonagh hosted a Halloween fancy dress party in the shamrock bar, again this was very well attended with a lot more costumes this year, and really got into the spirit of the proceedings. So there you are, a busy few days of entertainment before the dreaded winter.
Martin Paul O’Donnell: Congratulation to Martin Paul who graduated last week from NUIG to enter the world of accountancy, actually come to think of it, all Martin’s & Ellen’s O’Donnell’s children are now accountants. Having been part of your life in the youth club days Martin Paul, it could be pay back!!, anyway congratulations man, and the very best of luck to you for the future. And while we are on the subject of x youth club members, Lisa Coyne has just left for Australia, where Lisa will be with the Aussies for a year working on various projects, so we wish her all the very best
Gurteen Graveyard: Just a little reminder we will be having next Sunday 13th at 2.30 weather permitting of course Father Jarleth will be saying a mass on Gurteen and blessing of the gave yard in memory of all soles. So there is a bit more time to have your family graves tidied up, if they need to be.
Wine Tasting: Yesterday Michael and Carol Reynolds hosted a wine tasting evening in Eldon’s Hotel with a selection of some interesting wines in preparation for Christmas, also Eldon’s will close as from today for a few weeks and will reopen on the 1st December
Oireactas: Congratulations to Patrick Devaney from Carna who gained first place in the Senior Sean- nós dancing who incidentally is also a spoon and Bodhran player and has appeared as a quest for the Irish Nights on many occasions. Second came Proinnsias Hernon and for the under 18’s his brother Brendon Hernon came first, and for the under 12’s our own Maeve O’Neill came second, and as part of the singing competition for the under 12’s Seamus Flaherty with his extraordinary voice came first, Seamus is also an accomplished Harpist and Dancer. And finally our own Fiachra O’Regan got top prize in the slow Airs with his Uileann Pipes
If you think about it thanks to Christina and her Irish nights introducing all these young people and giving them a platform to perform has really brought them to excel in their art, what great ambassadors you all are for Connemara, well done to you all.
Local Library The local Library in the community Hall has now been given a high tec printer scanner which was a great help in the printing of the Race Card booklet, talking to Caroline Sweeney the Liberian, says it would be very useful for the community to use during opening hours should anybody want to avail of it, it will be very useful to have all sorts of printing done on our door step. The library is becoming multi purpose now, all sorts of events for the kids are happening, actually on Saturday a Jean Parker from Moycullen came down to the Hall to do some story telling, and role playing with poems and games with the kids. Photos of this event can be seen on the Roundstone website under photo events
Gurteen & Dogs Bay: While I am thanking and congratulating people, I would just like to thank Patrick McDonagh and Big Tom’s son Martin for their help in getting all the rubbish off the beaches, on Saturday and to Mickey Mac for the loan of his land drover. Mighty Job.
RDC: At our monthly meeting with the community council, the Garda barracks came under discussion, we will set a date for a public meeting, mean while all the petition sheets will be sent to the commissioner with a covering letter (See below). We will also be holding a public tourism meeting and do some brain storming for the year 2012. A lot done, a lot more to do.
The letter that will be sent to the Commissioner
Dear Commissioner
On behalf of the Roundstone Development Council and the community, we are writing to express our dismay at the possible closure of the Roundstone Garda Barracks
In recent years Roundstone village has taken on a new lease of life with the introduction of various cultural activities, the creation of the Roundstone pony show grounds, the children’s play ground, Heritage walks and cycle routes, all with the aim of promoting tourism and ultimately enhancing village life.
Even though we are considered a small community (as the Census tells us), for six / seven months in the year we quadruple in size, and we are still growing with visitors descending during the high season swelling in numbers to at least 5’000
The barracks is a vital institution for the village. Not only is it an essential part of our civic life, but for our many senior citizens and summer visitors, it provides a badly needed sense of security. The existence of the barracks acts as a definite deterrent against anti/social behaviour and to have this deterrent removed would leave us feeling extremely vulnerable.
It should be noted that over the last few years we have had our fair share of troubles, but thanks to the Garda being stationed in the barracks during that time, action was taken to control the disruptive behaviour.
There are 26 Garda in Clifden alone; surely one or two could be allocated to our barracks for a certain amount of time each week, providing an essential link with our community and demonstrating especially to our youth a sense of respect and order which any civilized society , large or small requires.
Superintendent, we are asking you very seriously, to think about the effect that such a closure would have on our community.
CC: The Superintendent CC: Minister of Public works C.C Ruari Quinn TD
C.C Eamon O’Cuive TD
Finally, our condolences on behalf of the village and of course me to Betty Crane, whose sister in Law Brenda Casey, was buried today in Mullingar. May she rest in Peace.
