Roundstone News 24th April 2006.

Firstly, I am sure that everybody was well aware that there would be no local broadcast of news from Roundstone last Monday; this was in fact the shock and to show respect of the untimely passing of Christopher Conneely.

My personal sympathies and of course the Community’s condolences to Martina, Chris wife, for the loss of her husband and of course to all the immediate family.

For once I am at a total loss what to say, it’s not just the shock of his sudden death, but Chris has suddenly gone and forgive the pun I will really miss his sort of quiet quirky ways, one could always have a bit of chat about anything, and while talking there was always a boyish grin, its hard to describe except that in his own quite way, like all the Conneely’s he was a good and helpful friend to me on so many occasions, I don’t think I ever saw Chris loose his cool, I think I can only say that Chris in his own way was one of natures gentleman and perhaps a bit of a gentle giant, he has certainly left his mark in his village, like his brother Joe, he will always be remembered in so many ways, and never forgotten. God bless you Chris. And of course may he rest in peace?

Roundstone Youth Club;
Members of the Roundstone youth club (12) took off to Noyelles sous Lens in France, for our annual cultural exchange.

Just to refresh your memory, Roundstone Twinned with Noyelles Sous Lens three years ago.

It was an interesting experience for all of us this time the troops did not want a 24 hour programme of gallivanting around the country, what actually helped to make the trip I think for them was the interaction of the young people of Noyelles mixing in the house that was given to us to do our own thing, well of course we did have a few outings of the area, such as going to Asterixs as well as an activity Centre, and on the cultural side to Arras to visit the under ground passages under the Arras Cathedral which have been in use for 2’000 years.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank a few people who helped to give us a few euros for the trip, the local Lotto gave us Michael Nees Bus, there and back, and a few visitors of the area also subscribed with some helpful funds.

So many thanks to all those that helped us.

I have to say it was a real pleasure being with the troops, trust me when I say its quite an experience being in their company, and Roundstone sure is lucky to have such kids within the community, seriously I would go anywhere with them.

Easter Monday Egg Hunt:
Then on Easter Monday we had the children’s Easter egg hunt and so my

thanks to Geraldine Coyne who is the other youth Club adult leader with me the Errisbeg House Easter egg hunt for the kids was made easy, last year there seemed to be a population explosion of kids, this year there still was a good collection, but a very definite decline, however luckily for them there more eggs available, the kids loved it, well we held our draw of the euro a line for the youth club, and as winners we had Susan from the Fairgreen and she won a lovely clock sculptured from a piece of beech wood, Ashling O’Rielly, Helen Gorham from Carna and Padraic c/o Carmel Flaherty, they all got some lovely prizes, I would also like to thank to all our visitors who came up to my place with their kids and made cash donations to the club.

I must also express my thanks to all the businesses that held the sheets for the euro a line and to the members of the Roundstone Youth Club, and Mary Mongan who had no option in taking over the afternoon to keep the event going in my place.

Yvonne King:
We now have a new gallery in Roundstone, which has been opened by Yvonne King, situated opposite the Harbour in fact the gallery is where Mary King had her grocery shop, and Yvonne is showing her landscapes paintings with limited additions prints, painted Lampshades and of course her jewellery designs. More information of her gallery details will be found on the Roundstone Website

Roundstone Community Going Forward / Marina.
The Roundstone Marina is community owned, and run for the benefit of the community, berth holders and visiting boating people in a project worth €2.6 million to the local economy.

The construction of the 34 berth marina and upgrading of the Greenfield, tennis courts and parking facilities around the hall are included in this exciting new plan.

The development of the site surrounding the community hall and the marina will give further impetus for the Roundstone Community to push for the redevelopment of the hall with better facilities for the village.

The project will extend the summer season for all the Roundstone business, Restaurants, Shops, pubs, B/Bs and hotels.

Roundstone recognises the importance of its regular visitors to the area and encourages their involvement in this exciting undertaking.

To make this project work well, we would like to see the involvement of all the members of the community.

There is so much available to our community when we show a willingness to succeed and move forward.

Tracy McDonagh:
To end off I would like to wish all the very best to Eileen Carrol and Eamon Hession who are getting Married on Saturday in Roundstone and holding their reception at Errisbeg House, and of course to our own Tracy McDonagh, who is the daughter of Paddy the Yank, Tracy is getting married on Friday in Roundstone to Erick Jors, and as father Mc Carthy said last Sunday we need more fathers to bring their babies to church on Sundays, mind you Tracy and Erick live in New York, so we might have to wait for that one, anyway you guys we wish you great happiness for the future, and long life together, and have a great weekend