Roundstone News 11th October 2004

Pastoral Group:
Met up again with Father McCarthy, to further our responsibilities re the church, this time, again in the absence of the parish Priest, an extra job is to replenish the seboriums with bread for communion and the workings of the ìThurbileî when ever there is a funeral, and on top of that the group have now been asked to go to Recess on Monday the 18th to perform ministerial duties of the mass, to show the people of Recess how it is done, so that a pastoral group can be started there.
We would also like to welcome Neil MacKay to the group which now makes us eight.

Joe Conneely:
It was a year last Friday since the untimely death of Joe Conneely, and as an act of remembrance Mass was said for him, and after mass Ann gave a light buffet supper for everybody.
Saturday, a group of 30 people met up on Dogs bay for a long walk to the point with the passing of Joeís yacht, ìThe silver Dipperî with Orla, Pat Conneely and Marrion Creanes husband Mox Henderson at the helm.
We eventually all met up at the grave yard, for some private thoughts of our own and also remembering other members of the community who had passed away over the years, it was quite a moving moment, anyway as a further tribute to Joe and to all those that have passed on, tales of Roundstone from the past and its people were almost relived over a few pints, particularly from Joe Creane who had some wonderful memories, Joe had some sad stories some incredibly funny, he had us all in stitches, and of course it sparked off other stories and memories from the other walkers. My goodness looking at it now after hearing all these stories there certainly have been some wonderful and colourful people in Roundstone, thank god there are still few more characters in the village today and hopefully for a long time to come
In some ways for the family a sad day, but it was also a wonderful day for them there was such comaradie and on going support for the family.
Joe will always be remembered and certainly never forgotten.


The cottages;
As part of the Roundstone Development plan 2003 to 2006, one of the projects was the landscaping of the lands around the cottages, up by the church and the dispensary this week Colm Wallace from the Galway County Council who instigated funds with the help from our local lotto to up grade the area, in conjunction with the FAS scheme, the good news is Colm met up with Martin J. Conneely who is our chairperson and Donal Nee the FAS supervisor met a couple of days ago to view the works that have been done in the area to date, it transpired the works were as Colm had envisaged, and was very happy the way the money was being spent and as a result he will now look into further funding for a ride on mower and a strimmer to maintain the green areaís, the funding of trees and some benches etc in fact talking about trees we are meeting up with Peter Cunningham from Dangan Nurseries tomorrow to advise us on what would be the best type of trees to plant, good things are coming our way, and its thanks to people like Colm Wallace in his funding, that will certainly encourage all of us to take care of our amenities, it is also hoped that there will be a housing committee to implement the up keep of the said grounds.

Dates to Remember:
Sunday the 31st October, Disco for the Kids 4.30 pm to 6.30pm, also some prizes for the best Halloween costume, and lots more fun, plus the fact that after the disco ìTrick or Treatî. It will not stop there, something for the adults in Eldonís you got it a fancy dress party to the music of Clifden based local band the ìAmpsî, 10.30 pm
.Mary Joe Worley:
Friday the 22nd October 8.30pm on TG Mary Joe will need that all-important vote, if she is to go through to the final of this competition for the best country singer.

Kitty Ryan:
As you all now, Kitty Ryan after forty-five years has retired as principle teacher, in fact from teaching all together.
On the 10th December 04 an invitation to all past pupils and friends of Kitty Ryan. It will start off with Father McCarthy saying mass at 8pm on the 10th, then afterwards to the Roundstone House Hotel for a party in her honour, the reason why this going out now, is that photographs are being sought from past pupils, for display purposes, so if anybody has any, the parents assioation would like to borrow them for the night, or if it helps pass them on to me, and I will scan them, and give them directly back to their owners. Kitty has been involved with a lot of peopleís lives over the years; I feel once again, this evening is a must to have more stories from the people of Roundstone

Senior Citizens:
Are off on their annual trip tomorrow to the Down Hill Hotel in Ballinar, to visit the Ceide Fields, and also visiting other historical sites, they will be away for three days, so we wish them well, and hopefully have fun.
Fergus Burke:
I have just been told that Fergus Burke from Rosscahill passed away yesterday, Fergus was a friend of mine and of Roundstone, he is very well known for his artistic work with photography; in fact I did an exhibition of his work during the sixth Arts week, a few years back
So our condolences to all his immediate family for their sad loss from myself of course and a good majority from Roundstone
To end off on a nice note
Congratulations yet again to young Marty Vaughan who came second in the Scottish National under sixteen dancing competition, he is, I have to say a real ambassador representing the youth of Ireland.
Well done Marty.

Congratulations to Fiacra OíRegan who reached his 21st birthday on Saturday, and still on birthday wishes, the big 50 was reached by John OíKeefe yesterday, welcome to the club John, and happy birthday you guyís

Richard de Stacpoole