As we are coming very close to Christmas, the build up is humming in Roundstone, as there are not a lot of visitors around, there seems still to be a buzz in the preparations, the selling of Christmas trees and slowly but surely the erection of lights, and various other decorations and a few community party’s.


National School Kids:
The two teachers in the National School, Malachy and Ashling brought the kids up to the church last Tuesday, to sing in the Choir for the Feast of the Immaculate conception, I have to tell you its was a very moving event, with such a beautiful arrangement of songs, lets hope we are able to bring the kids to the church more often. Well done to kids and of course to their teachers. Talking about the National School Kids, a note for your Diary Ashling was telling me about a Nativity play that will be produced, apparently a play with a difference, on the 22nd December, so as adults your support would be appreciated. Ann will give you more details on that next Monday.

Santa to Roundstone:
The high light of the week was yesterday with a visit of Santa with his friends, the Pink Elephant and a grinnch down to the community Hall which was turned into a grotto for Santa, Christmas tree the same said tree will then be placed by the flag poles tomorrow, plenty of sweets, drinks, tea, coffee and hot port for the adults, and all for free, there really was a terrific community atmosphere with other community members from the various area’s, which was helped with DJ mike’s disco, bouncing castle. A raffle with the first prize €200 for night out in a hotel, which incidentally was won by Stephen King known a Stephen bobby from Murvey, 2nd prize Bottle whisky, 3rd Bottle of Baileys, and the Kids sellers prize was won by Jamie Devane. It has to be said that Maurice Ryan and his family did an incredible job, no mean feat to organize some thing like this, believe I now. I am sure that Maurice would like me to thank on his behalf, Johnny Sheean, John Leyne, Siobhan Vaughan, Feichin & Theresa Welsh, Oliver & Eileen Coyne, and Ashling & Maura Ryan, Ann Conneely, Trish O Donnell, and to Pious Rudolf delapp, who drove Santa and his gang to the Hall then through the village, and of course the Businesses and last but not least, all the children that sold tickets, and to those that bought tickets on the day. A truly fantastic day, and so nice to see the hall used to its full potential. So hope fully Santa will visit again for the third time next year. Congratulations to all concerned. I did take some fantastic photos, but not sure how it happened, when downloading on to the computer, I pressed the wrong button and deleted the lot, should have gone to spec savours, perhaps some one from the village can send up a few to me for the website.

Church quilt:
A most beautifully hand made quilt depicting the three wise men, which is a reproduction of a stained window designed and made by a Father Wilson from California, was given to a Barbara Gieskes Nee Folan from Eralough, Barbara has requested that by donating it as a gift to the Star of the Sea Church in Memory of her mother, who was a regular church goer in her day. It’s absolutely gorgeous and beautifully hand made what a lovely thing to hang in the church for the memory of a departed person, i.e. the Folan Family. I hope I can get it hung as soon as possible by the crib in the church. I have just photographed it and will have it put up on the website in a day or two; providing I have my glasses’s on and not push the wrong button on my computer.
 

                               

Mens Party:
Thanks to Forum another party was arranged for the men over 55 for a dinner and music in Glynsk House last Saturday, unfortunately I was not able to attend, but I did hear it was a most enjoyable and appreciated evening and why would it not be, everybody was picked up, no one had to drive, music was with the Canavan’s, the food I gather was just fantastic, and as another bonus a visit from apparently a very humorous Santa. There were about forty men indulging in this evening, not just from Roundstone but from all over. From Roundstone there were about 23. So there you are ladies, even the lads can have a night out. Outings like this, was an extraordinary thing to do for the communities of the various areas, well done Forum.

Shamrock Bar:
To continue with the build up to Christmas, next Saturday, Mary and Patrick McDonagh are having an open party to celebrate the reopening of the Shamrock, its one year to the day on Saturday 19th since they opened, if I know these two, the evening promises to be quite something, actually while I am taking, apart of congratulating them, they both have done a hell of a job in running the shamrock, particular through the summer, attention to detail has been their forte.
So good on them.

Lotto and Senior Citizens Party:
Next Sunday i.e. the 20th is the big Christmas Lotto which will be held in O’Dowd’s, also the Senior Citizens Dinner, which will be held as is annually in the Roundstone House Hotel, but this time much earlier, in fact it will start after Mass

Well that all from me for this week, I wont be speaking to you again until the new year, as I will be with my immediate family for the first time in eight years across the water, so it just remains for me to wish everybody a very happy and fun Christmas, just don’t do anything that I would not do ha! ha!. It would be wise at this time of the year there are some very odd people travelling around trying to sell things, so be vigilant particular for our senior citizens who are the most vulnerable to possible break in etc.
A special Happy Christmas to all those that that follow the news on Roundstone across the water on the Roundstone Website.