Roundstone News 25th October 2004

Well, what can I say, I hope everybody had a great weekend, because after this week is over, the village really dose start to close down, which I always find it quite sad, but that is the way it goes for us.

Tidy Towns:
Anne and myself went down to Westport, last Thursday 22nd October to support Ireland West Tourism for the presentation of the 2004 Tidy towns Awards for the Western Region, Mr Dick Roach TD, in his new role as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and local Government was the guest of honour, with Mr Donal Hogan, Managing Director for Super-Value being one of the sponsors, they both spoke very well, talking about community effort spirit, creating a better environment and pride in ones village. Dick Roach ended his speech with the words Community Effort works; these words were very well received from everybody in the room.
Roundstone will enter again for the Tidy Towns 2005,with this in mind that was the reason why Ann and I attended the presentation to get ideas from the various towns, to bring back to Roundstone.

Summerfest:
I got a message from Simon Ashe, who is one of the organisers of the Summerfest, Simon asked me to let everybody now that the sum of 3,500 was raised for the RNLI, and obviously this could not have been done without everybody putting their hands in their pockets for this worthy cause, any way, on behalf of the Summerfest gang, they thank you, but also thank the committee, and their co workers for their work in
Towards this sum, good job all round.

Mary Joe Worley:
Managed to reach the finals last Friday, but unknown to us the phone lines have been open for the last eight weeks for your vote, therefore there was the possibility of lost votes, however, Mary Joe is still a strong contender, mean while only four can now go through to the next stage, so it is important to vote for Mary Joe now, all you have to do is to text GLOR G 53500 until the 12th November which is I think the last programme, so lets keep her in the running, by sending the text vote.
I saw the programme last Friday, Mary Joe has a great voice; anyway we will keep our fingers crossed for her.

Christopher McDonagh:
Do you remember last week on the RTE news about the Celtic Festival Regatta event that took place in New Orleans, it was cancelled for a few days because of floods, unknown to me at the time, a certain Danny Flaherty originally from Ard in Carna, is the main organiser for the festival and some of the events are rowing races on a lake in New Orleans, I am told a few of the contestants were from the west of Ireland.
On a point system, the Curragh races taking part all over the west coast, the overall winners during the regatta season are selected and as a prize, they receive an all expenses paid trip there and back to New Orleans, with accommodation, but the deal is the winners would be asked to take part in a Curragh rowing race during the festival, well I have just found out that Paddy McDonagh, shoulders was invited to referee, the race, the same way he does here in Roundstone, naturally enough his wife Mary and young Christopher went with him, now bare in mind these races take place on fresh water, which makes it quite a different row compared with salt water, young Christopher (16) Dannys son, Liam (14) and other local lad, took part in an open age group three oar currach race, they came third up against I might say some serious contenders, talking about serious contenders two of the committee members were Olympic medallists in their own right, and were in the same race, so, its always nice to be able to give a little praise to young people who accomplish something particuley a local man and as Chris is the youth chairman for the youth club, makes it for me even better, so well done Chris
Paddy was telling me also a little about Danny Flaherty, and I also got little snippets as the family were site seeing about the famous Bourbon Street, he said it was quite an eye opener, and a sight for saw eyes I wonder what he meant by that?
Anyway back to Danny, apparently Danny pays out of his own pocket the winners expenses, while in New Orleans and he himself comes over to Ireland during the Regatta season, to Kerry, Donegal infact all long the west coast, buying curraghs, and it seems he is a great ambassador for the west of Ireland in New Orleans, he seems to do Trojan work in keeping the traditional Curragh rowing alive in New Orleans and to that end he needs a vote of thanks.
You might like to know that Tng has made a program of this years Celtic Festival in New Orleans, and will be shown sometime in December, Paddy will let me know when it can be seen on the television

Diarmuid Vaughan:
Our congratulations to Diarmuid Vaughan who is about to get married to Cynthia Conneely on Friday the 29th October, hey, what can I say, except Diarmuid and Cynthia, I hope you both have a great day, and a happy life together which comes not only from myself, but well wishers from the community, talking about the Cynthia Conneely, a farewell party was given two days ago by Malachy Kearns for Cynthias brother Diarmuid who is leaving for Australia on the 9th November for one year, so we wish him luck as well, and hopefully he wont go native.

Christmas Fair:


The Roundstone Christmas Fair

Saturday 11th and 12th December 2004
Opening approx 12.00-12.30 until 6.00pm.

Display of local crafts and design
* To display your produce please contact
Richard de Stacpoole at 095 35834/0868215153
*Rental of tables will cost 20
All proceeds will be donated to the local youth club