For the forth year now the village lights were sorted out on Saturday and were put up, on Sunday I might add for the first time we had a lot of help, so there is no harm to mention the names of all the helpers, because if we could have this sort of support for the following years, it makes it so easy Martin J. Conneely, Nicholas Griffin (Who by the way was the main organiser this year), Seamus Lowry, Joey O'Donnell, Michael Mahon, Paddy King, Bernard King, Pat Conneely, P.J Linnane and Denis Keane. We are also very lucky to have Sean Burke for the last three years with his Hi-Mac, without him it could be difficult, thanks a lot Sean. And thanks to all the lads it showed good community spirit.
Also the Christmas tree is up by the flagpoles in its full glory, there was going to be another tree at the bottom of the village, but the said tree has some how mysteriously disappeared, which is rather a pity, and while we are on the subject of lights and decorations, get a load of what Sean de Courcey has out side his house two wonderful huge snowman and lights, to die for, Sean likes to do things in a big way and be very different, its great.
Continuing with the de Courcey family its nice to welcome back Kevin de Courcy, Sean and Imeldas son, Kevin has been in the states for last few years, and Kevin is tying the Knot in Marriage on the 29th December, both of them will be living in Galway for a few years, Kevin was telling me that hopefully they will eventually come back to live in Roundstone, interesting thought, what goes around comes around, any way we wish them both well.
Forum Board meeting:
The board of Directors of Forum had their meeting on the Wednesday in the Community Hall, where Martin J Conneely and Yvonne Keane, as Representatives of the Roundstone Development Council. Martin Conneely gave a presentation on behalf of the Development Council of the works done and ongoing works in Roundstone, which was very informative for the board. I might quickly explain a little about Forum, Forum represents the north and west Connemara Rural Projects, the board is made up of representatives of state bodies and voluntary groups, and the groups meet 4 to 6 times a year in different communities to discuss work plans etc.
Senior citizens Party:

Which was held on the Wednesday in the Roundstone House Hotel, I think there were 25 for the dinner, then music and dancing afterwards, the Christmas party for the senior citizens is always a nice one.
Kitty Ryan:
Well the celebration of the retirement of Kitty Ryan on Friday was an extraordinary evening with a great turn out locally, starting off with mass, with the national school kids singing under the guidance of Josephine Roach and Nicola Spokes, with a very brave young man called Ian McDonagh went up to the alter to sing, a great little voice singing seems to be in the McDonagh family there were was also readings from past pupils and parents, and of course Father McCarthy also spoke a few words in his usual eloquent way.

It has to be said that the parents association in conjunction with the board of management had arranged a great tribute for Kitty.

After mass everybody was invited back to the Roundstone House Hotel, were some food and drinks were served, music, and dancing, then the presentation of a cake from Scoil Eainnea, a wonderful evening with I would say the whole community wishing Kitty well, lets face it 45 years as Roundstone principle teacher, is quite an accomplishment. Happy retirement Kitty, and the best of luck to the new teacher Nicola Spoke, who seems to have settled in rather well, judging by the reaction from the kids, and not to forget Josephine Roach who has been elevated to Principle status. Good luck to you both. (see photos on website)

Christmas Fair;
The Christmas fair on Saturday in the community went quite well with ten tables all told from food exhibitions to video Stalls to hand made cards, cloths and wood work etc. Sunday was very quite trade wise however at least everybody covered their tables, Roughly about €500 was made for the youth Club from the sale of the raffle tickets for a Hamper which by the way was won by Mary King at the lower part of the village, the money is badly needed for the club, and the troops worked well over the last two days to make sure everything ran smoothly. See photos on the website)
Richard de Stacpoole