Roundstone News 12th December 05
Well in some ways it’s been quite a busy week; well for me anyway, it has also been a sad one
DVD:
It all started off with a few of us last Monday went over Ballyconneelly school to show the DVD of the Gurteen, Dogs Bay beach project to a group of ladies at one their monthly meetings.
Station House Meeting:
Tuesday three representatives from Roundstone Geraldine Coyne, Theresa Welsh and myself went to a “Local Committee supporting Home and School” meeting in the station House in Clifden with the view for people like me and many others I might add who do voluntary work with young people to in form us as to what help relating to young people if needed that is out there, for example the Galway Vocational Education Committee, they work with young people between 16 / 20 years of age who are at risk of dropping out of school or to those that have already dropped out, then there was of course Marie Feeny, (Adolescent Support Group),
Sara McLaughlin, (Family Support Worker) and
Bro Vivian Cotter, (Clifden Community School) and Eily Vaughan and plenty more just to name a few.
I was amazed the amount of help that is available by very qualified people.
We were then split into various group to brain storm for working solutions with the topic “How can we in our local area support our youth” which came in three categories, the home, the school and how to encourage a wider community, then to give some working solutions. This useful and informative gathering will be on going.
Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner
Last Saturday the Roundstone House Hotel hosted the Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner, not so many this year I think there were only 25 persons, however Santee came round to wish them all Happy Christmas, then on to some dancing with Michael and Liam. Some of the photos taken are on the Roundstone website under “Senior Citizens Christmas dinner 05”. A nice evening and as always having other members of the community to support our senior citizens makes the evening.
Ballinahinch Dinner:
Last night 28 members of the community and me had a get together for a night out in the Ballinahinch Castle with dinner and drinks with some dancing, actually this was an occasion that started three years ago for the memory of Joe Conneely, and its been on going ever since. Some photos can be seen on the website under photo events with the title “Ballinahinch Community dinner 05
Pony Show:
Since the news of the Pony show was made known on the website, you might like to now that there is a lot of interest abroad who are prepared to some fundraising for us, which would be most welcome. The Pony Society have still not given us the go ahead for the 9th July, as apparently that within a radius of 70 to 80 miles there are two other shows on the same day, so naturally enough the society may have to give first preference to Ardrahan and Mullingar for the 9th July, other wise we may have to go for the 25th June.
As we speak a website is being built www.roundstonponyshow.com so keep an eye out for all updates, I would like to mention we would like to receive past and present photos for the site if anybody has some.
Christmas Lights:
Thanks to Martin (Dooley) Conneely, Feichen Welsh, Bernard King, James Conneely, Nicholas Griffin, and Michael Mahon as we speak the village lights are being sorted out to replace blown Bulbs with new ones, we are going to be a little late this year to hang them up owing to the non availability of a high Mac, however thanks to Sean Burke, next Sunday is the day to light the village up. One of the big trees in front of Eldon’s will be well lit up instead of the usual Christmas tree.
Ballyconneely Golf Course:
Congratulations to Bridie Conneely who was elected Lady Captain of the Ballyconneelly golf course for the year 2006, I might also add Peter Higgins from Cleggan who owns “Oliver’s Bar” was elected the men’s captain. So congratulations to you both.
Elizabeth Diamond:
On a sadder note, on behalf of the community and my self of course our condolences to the Diamond family on the passing of Elizabeth Diamond who is the mother to Anne Delapp, Bridgie, Kathleen, Michael and two more sons and daughters from America
It never ceases to amaze me the support and respect that people give to each other in moments of sadness, what can I say except May Elizabeth rest in peace.
Stephen Mullen:
And of course our condolences to Pat Mullen and his family and to Evelyn wife of Stephan and leaving behind his young family for his untimely passing.
Stephan (Ballyconneely) died on Saturday evening, you know it’s hard to express ones emotions about a man like Stephen, I and many others always found him cheerful and like all the Mullen’s he had a good sense of humour, it has to be said his passing has certainly left a bit of a void in Roundstone and around the immediate area.
Again what can be said, except that our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time.
May Stephan rest in peace
I wont be speaking to you again until after the new year as duty calls across the water, gosh this is the first time in ten years to leave Roundstone during the Christmas period, oh well have a very happy Christmas everybody, and please play it safe.
Slán Argus Banoc
Ag gui Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain shéanmhar oraibh (A very Happy Christmas and a prosperous new year)
