Well Christmas & New Year is all behind us and 2011 is looming with the help of god we will all get through it without too much hardship. Roundstone was busy, busy for the New Year with lots of the regulars returning to ring in the New Year with us and to enjoy the wonderful weather we experienced, calm, mild, and spectacular views to be seen all around.

New Years Day:

Malachy & Gifty hosted a lovely coffee morning and for the more heartier a few hot toddies and a lovely spread of homemade food for the 60 with visitors who came along to hear Michael Gibbons talk and after to go along with him for a walk along the headland of Inishnee, to listen to Michaels was so informative on St Brendan’s graveyard and all aspects of ancient life in Inishnee. I myself was honoured to be asked by Malachy to open the Michael Gibbons talk, adding a little bit of information on the Monastery the Old store and on Roundstone in general.

DeCourcey/Vinter wedding.

Paula de Courcey married Tim Ventar from South Africa on the 27^th of Dec. what made it outstanding from all other weddings that I attended was to be in the company of 5 generations of one family. Grandparents Martin & Agnes were in top form apart from having 8 children 28 grandchildren they now have 3 great grandchildren and most of them were at the wedding so it was a great gathering of the clan for the De Courcey family. Paula was beautiful as always and she was flanked by her three lovely bridesmaids in their Kelly green dresses Seanen & Imelda did them all proud and we had a wonderful meal and party at the Salthill Hotel, Tim’s parents, brothers and friends who luckily enough were able to make it through from Namibia despite the bad weather were overwhelmed and I should think frozen but bearing up well. They are lovely people and a pleasure to be with. Congrats to Paula & Tim and a long and loving life together where ever they spend it together be, it in Australia, Namibia or Roundstone.

Mice race

A fundraising night for Cancer Care West and our forthcoming St Patricks Days parade

Took place in the Shamrock Bar last night with the Organisers Marian, Shelly & Katrina Keane held a mice race with lots of other activities to keep everyone entertained to raise funds for Cancer Care West, and this years St Patricks Day Parade.

A good crowd turned out to support this great cause I apologise to the girls, my intentions were to be there but I had been at a birthday dinner earlier with a designated driver, one enjoyed too many glasses of wine and got too comfortable on my return home and dozed off. I know you always do a great show and well done to you all.

Christening :

Clare Ferrons and her husband Stephen had their son baptised over the holidays calling him Seamus Michael. They were home from Australia for the occasion to be with all their family. Michael John & Catherine had a busy but wonderful time I cannot imagine what it was like having so much family under one roof 15 adults and 7 grandchildren.

I would think a week’s holiday on Inisboffin after that would do wonders.

Get well wishes:

To Mary King (O’Toole) Mrs Biddy Woods, Barbara King well on the mend after her operation Sam Reynolds who is back home after his operation on his knee and is in a brace but doing well.

And well done to Big Tom (Conneely) who is back on his motor Bike again after his treatment.

We look forward to having them all well and up and about and healthy for 2011 and that goes for all people who are feeling under the weather or confined to their homes at this time.

Ann’s late Roundstone News December 20^th 2010

Roundstone is experiencing the coldest spell since 1947 so I am told I was not around at that time so I cannot comment.

But like everyone else in west Connemara we are grounded. The local lads are out on the village street clearing off the frozen solid snow that is making it almost impassable for vehicles other than the four wheel drive and it is hazardous to walk out there. I have never seen so many people sporting walking sticks which are a safe idea.

But despite all that, we are having a good time.

Saturday night we had a retirement party for James Conneely our school bus driver hosted by RDC and a lovely hand painted local Pottery lamp was presented to him. James have been taking our children safely to Clifden Community School for many, many years, He has been driving for C I E for 40 years and has never had an accident. James, a wonderful man will be sadly misses by all the school going children; He is one of the quietest kindest and wonderful fatherly man you could put your children’s welfare in. May he have a long and well deserved retirement?

Sunday Santy made his annual visit to the hall to visit the Roundstone children who were there in abundance, with their mammies and daddy’s Maurice Ryan who was in charge with Diarmuid Vaughan they both did a wonderful job for the children’s party with the adults who had hot ports and mulled wine.

Later we had the blessing of the Christmas tree and the placing of the red ribbons in memory of our dead with our thanks Siobhan for the mulled wine it was well appreciated on that very cold evening and what a nice turn out of people too.

The Christmas lotto went ahead too despite the weather and we were delighted with the great turn out. Over 30 prizes were given out although the big one that everyone was wishing for goes forward to the New Year €11,450.00

Robin Wood got the biggest hamper and Pat Mc Cann received €200 on the roll over draw.

Nicky, Roy & Margaret Griffin at the request of the lotto O’Dowd had some lovely finger food with the mulled wine which was flowing.

So all in all Roundstone was a good place to be grounded.

Richard is giving €20 to the best photo and he will be putting all the shots entered up on the web in 2011 for all to see Roundstone in its full glory.

Sadly we learned today of the death of Bernard McDonagh, Bernie as we all knew him, he had been in home in Moycullen for the past year but sadly passed away in Merlin Park Hospital on Saturday the 18^th in the morning.

May he rest in peace.

Roundstone national school stayed closed to day but if it is open by Thursday Santa said he would fit in a visit from his tight schedule on Thursday next.

Birthday wishes to Mickie (Mikie) Conneely whose birthday is on Wednesday next, we wish him the very best from his Roundstone friends and a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you home again soon. .

Also well wishes to Tom Conneely (Big Tom) Mikie Conneely Letterdyphe and to Bridie Conneely for their speedy recovery