Roundstone News 19th June 2006

Ballot Paper:

You may remember last Monday Ann touched on a ballot paper that has gone out to all those that are on the Register of Electors with the question “Are you in favour of further large scale Holiday Home Developments in Roundstone” Yes or No which by the way have to be in by the 21st June, the reason why I am bringing this up again is because I have had a few phone calls over the last few days from a few people why they had not received a Ballot paper the answer is that either they have moved away or have not registered with the Galway County Council, so as we have quite a good few 18 / 19 year old and older who are perfectly entitled to vote at all levels, they should be encouraged to get registered, not only for the sake for their country but also at local level. I would also like to point out the registered list of Electors was updated and came into force 15th February 2006 to the 14th February 2007.so there you are guys please make sure you go on to the Electoral List.

Arts Week:

The tenth Anniversary of the Roundstone Arts week 29th June to the 2nd July programmes are now out in circulation.

Four exciting Artists for the Residency arrived yesterday, John O’Connell, Sara Keyne, Mogs McDonnell and Felicity Williams and eventually their works for the next two weeks will be shown in the stable Gallery at 6pm on the 29th June up at my place at Errisbeg House, this exhibition will also represent the opening of the arts weekend and then this will be followed at 8.30 music with Joe Chester & Emmet Scanlan also in the Hall of Errisbeg House.

I do not normally pick out one artist explain the work, but this time a new idea has emerged.

FELICITY WILLIAMS

British artist Felicity Williams works in the public realm constructing installations that reveal and highlight society today through public participation and contribution - a plural _expression, identity and sculpture. Engaging local people in place-specific projects she explores and considers the disintegration of meaning today and the influence art can have in the social and political sphere. 
   
Williams’s background is in visual art, studying in Cardiff, Coventry and Dublin. She has been working in regenerating urban areas in England and Ireland for the past 5 years. Currently in the early stages of a percent-for-art commission (Breaking Ground, Ballymun Regeneration Ltd.) called Belief Street and a multidisciplinary work for Aberystwyth, Wales called Talking Point 2, Williams continues her social and studio based practice whilst living in Dublin.

Info on project 

A Postcard Novel is an artwork that is happening now in Roundstone, it incorporates dialogue and visual imagery. Felicity is inviting all who are interested and have something to say, to take part by participating in a brief social exchange and writing a postcard in contribution to this artwork. Each text will be responded to by the artist on the reverse side of the postcard and will enter the public realm when the work is exhibited as an open book in the arts week (exhibition opening 6pm? Thur 29th June in …..). The viewer will need to engage to decode the correspondence between the dialogue and imagery, stories and pictures.

A Postcard Novel uses and moves beyond the momentary function of a postcard and documents everyday life for individuals in Roundstone, exploring its community, environment, current news, politics and village talk. This simple opportunity to take part in a process making room for individual thought opens a forum for public dialogue and in engaging it forces us to look and experience something bodily, something real.

If you are interested in this work and would like to write a postcard or hear more about it phone the artist Felicity Williams on 0857138918 or email felicitywilliams@hotmail.co.uk (or contact arts week organizers?). There are posters around the town with these details on them.

Felicity is very eager to met and speak with people in Roundstone about taking part in this project so if you know a group or anyone who might be interested please let us know. (apostcardnovel@hotmail.com)

Roundstone Pony Show;

I went to have a look at the progress of Paddy the Yanks show grounds yesterday, I must say the grounds are really coming into shape, it’s a fantastic site with ample parking, with an office, and events tent and some public Porta Loos will be put in to place.

The various classes are beginning to fill up so hopefully it will be a full house; we will also have a donkey, of which yours truly is sponsoring, so hopefully we will have some of the finest donkeys in the west on show for two trophies.

And some cash one for the finest Donkey and one for Donkey and Foal. This could be a fun class.

Talking about Pony Shows I was talking this morning to a Roundstone Man Caillin Conneely, who got a second with his yearling Filly at the Galway County Show, so here is a contender for the Roundstone Show, Caillin was telling that there is good back through the Country for our forth coming show, Well done Caillin, and good luck for the show at Corrandulla, in fact good luck to all our own people from Roundstone taking part at that show

Queen of the show:

Martina Conneely, Joanne Conneely Organizers, Friday 7th July 8pm with a disco, each girl sponsored €100, The Crowned Queen will receive a Sash, and on the show day the sum of €300. The runner up will receive €200.The Judging panel will consist of 2 females and one male. So there you are girls, the cue is starting, with all sorts of possible queens.

Saturday Eve of the Show:

Finest Man and Finest Woman, and the contest will be some goofy sport, to select the contenders.

Community Hall:

Last year the community hall as part one of a refurbishment, and as stage two I am delighted to announce that through the Roundstone Development Council under the 2006 Sports Capital Programme, Eamon O’Cuiv T.D made representations to John O’ Donoghue T.D Minister for Arts Tourism and sport, well we have been granted €28,000, and straight from the horses mouth so to speak there is the possibility of a further €5,600.

Also through the Roundstone Development Council, with the help of Christina Lowry, the Galway County Council, through Councillor Fidelma Healy Eames allocated the sum of €2,000 in preparation for the forth coming Irish nights, which has allowed us to strengthen the stage, new stairs to the stage and to repair the two podiums, the work is being carried out by Michael Connolly, so far he has done a fine job, it looks great.

So there you are very soon we will have a community hall to be proud of that in time could serve the surrounding areas in one way or another.

To end

Off on a nice note, our congratulations to Damien O’Malley and Tracy on the birth of their daughter “Faith” weighed in at 9lbs and 12oz, naturally enough let us not forget Betty and Martin in their new title of Granny and Grandpa. So there you are congratulations to you all.

Sorry can’t end off just yet, I have just got wind that a very special Roundstone youth club member Martin Paul O’Donnell, known as Mortch between us all, weigh hey! Has reached his 17th Birthday today, hey Mortch have a good one, dying for your 18th, pints are on you then. Any way a very happy birthday man, please don’t kill me for putting your 17th on the air.