Its been a rather sad week within the surrounding parishes, therefore, I would like to express on behalf of Roundstone offering our condolences to the immediate family’s of the passing of Mary Conroy, mother to Padraic Conroy who was only buried a week ago of (Lehenagh,Cashel) also John O’Donnell (Cashel), Mrs Mary McDonagh (Cashel), Michael McDara Joyce (Recess)brother of Martin Joyce (Cushatrower), and Festy Mitchell (Calla) who is J.J.Mitchell’s father. So as I say our condolences to all the family’s from Roundstone. May they all rest in Peace.

Theresa O’Donnell: On behalf of the village and of course myself, condolences to the immediate family on the passing of Theresa O’Donnell, who passed away suddenly last Tuesday 1^st February in morning and was buried in Gurteen on Saturday 5^th February, it is with sadness she has now left us, its not much of a consolation, but as some one said, a beautiful parting, it was on St Bridget’s day, at the breakfast table and getting ready to go to mass, just quietly slipped away. I have heard over the last few days some nice things about her locally, she had great respect for her faith, working in the church for many years as Sacristan as well as part of the pastoral council which was founded by Fr John McCarthy in the year 2004, reared 10 children, worked hard all her life, particulaly during the time when her husband Joseph passed away a good number of years ago. A extraordinary and gentle lady in my eyes. For as long as I have known her, there was never a cross word. Father John McCarthy came to Theresa’s funeral service assisting Father Jarleth; it was nice for all of us to see him there, as I am sure Theresa was from above. May Theresa rest in Peace.

L.to R: Bridie Davis, Catherine Burke, Theresa O’Donnell, (RIP2011), Joan King, Richard de Stacpoole and Fr John McCarthy PP (Retired 2010)

Buzzy/ Joseph Mannion: Congratulations to Joseph Mannion, eldest son of Jose and Josephine Mannion of Murvey on reaching his 21^st Birthday of which he celebrated the event in the Shamrock on Friday, as with his younger sister Lucy who reached her 16^th birthday. Golly where dose the time go, I had the privilege of being their youth Leader for a number of years, any way Happy birthday to you both, may you have many more. I also gather that Patrick Conneelly, son of Pat and Margaret Conneelly will be celebrating his 21^st on Thursday, I suddenly feel ancient. But also not to forget birthday wishes for tomorrow to Jose Mannion, Lucy’s Father, and a little dickey bird to me that it’s Happy Birthday to Barbara Lewis de Courcey today.

Pony Show Car Raffle: In aid of the Roundstone Pony show the draw for the lucky winner of a brand new Ford Fiesta 2011 car, which was put up by the show committee some time ago the winning ticket will now be drawn this Friday coming, 12^th February in the Shamrock Bar, as an added bonus over €2’000 worth in additional prizes to be won. Paddy and his committee have always been a good one to combine a fund raiser with another charity, so as part of the St Valentines evening for the car Draw, the Shamrock Bar have organised other entertainments, such as a live DJ, a Mr and Mrs Perfect Competition, a raffle in aid of Cancer Care West with lots more, all kicking off around 8 to 9pm, with the draw for the car around about 10.30pm under the supervision of some respected community members as supervisors, in fact Paddy himself will be in attendance as his committee will be presenting a donation to Cancer Care West of €200. To keep the pony show events through the year is costly; your support is not only good for the community but helps to keep these events ongoing for future years, therefore your support is vital and would be appreciated, it will be a fun evening “you never know it could be you” and oh by the way, there are still some tickets for the car available through out the week and on the Saturday evening up to the draw.

Best of luck for the draw to all.

Roundstone Website: As was mentioned over the last two weeks, the Roundstone website has being going through some changes i.e. up graded with a change of the format, particularly with the accommodation, B/B and the forth coming events 2011 pages side of it, well; our webmaster informs me that it has now been completed as from today, but warns me like all things new there could be the odd glitch, as other items in the menu will change, as time goes on he has had to concentrate in getting up on the site as a priority the Accommodation and B/B sections, the site will look good in the end therefore I have to express my thanks to all that have supported the website over the years.

Roundstone Library: The Roundstone Library, which has for some time now has been placed by the lower harbour, this venue now will be closed during next week, simply on the grounds that the library will be re allocated to the lower community Hall, I suppose thinking about it, with all the money that has been spent in the lower Hall’s refurbishment, it gives it another use to keep the hall active for the use of the community.

Cashel Credit Union Quiz: Congratulations to the four representatives from Roundstone National School who came second, they were, Eamon Mongan, Erin Freeman, Peter Collet, and Mary Coyne, talking about Mary Coyne, our Mary won an essay writing competition with GCC in conjunction with green Schools, about Recycling at Home, so well done to all our young troops and keep up the good work, the national school will get the green flag yet.