Pony show Queen
I feel sure Paddy would like me to thank all those concerned with the extraordinary event that was held on Friday 27th in preparation for the Pony show for the 13th July,

A great deal of work from Anne Schley organizing the show Queen, we also have to thank Carolanne Joyce (fashion showing from Clifden - The Design Platform, Millars, Hehirs, Fiocca, Passengar, and from Moycullen Okinara,  Siobhan Conneely (Ciuin Health & Beauty) Clifden, Rosie Mannions salon Roundstone, Andrea Deacy and Suzann Schley (Schley Accounting) Clifden,  Ellen McDonagh (Connemara View editor), Clifden, Judges, Kate O’Toole, Micheal Higgins and Grainne
The judges were very fair and thorough in their selection. To Keith O’ Connor on Sound & Lighting,. But our wholehearted thanks go to the Models (local youth from Clifden) and to the sponsors and beautiful queen entries, their preparation and commitment to the night made great entertainment.

Also thanks to Margaret (Canavan) Conneely, Ann Conneely, Mary (Mamie) McDonagh and Catherine Ferrons, Geraldine King and to the escorts and young ticket sellers. , and lets not forget, the other models from Roundstone, Mary Banotti, Paddy himself, and Ann Conneely, modeling for Millars and Heirs, it gave a little spice, it was great fun.
The winning Queen, Edel Dowd from Carna, out of 12 contestants Edel is from Carna, daughter of Ann and Joe Dowd and was presented with a beautiful tiara, especially made for the occasion by Sile McGee.
Edel was sponsored by Paddy Feisti Pub & Eatery, Recess.
We must not also forget that Patrick McDonagh who works for Malachy was crowned King that night and a bowler hat was placed on his head.

Arts Week:
Well it’s been a hectic week for Ann and my self with the start of the Arts week, which kicked off with the opening night Friday with an exhibition of the new works from the residency, which was held here at Errisbeg for the last two weeks. Joe Boske opened the arts week, a very humble crowd, but nice support.

On the same evening we showed the play “Last train to Hollyhead” in fact we showed for a second time the following day, I was surprised just how good it was, very cleverly portrayed. Then there was a session in Eldon’s from various visitors, a superb first day
Then the next day, for the children we had the net fishing competition, down at ervallagh, which was won by Sara Devane with six different types of species, then all the troops then came back to Errisbeg House for a B/Q, following that Carol Reynolds showed all the moths that were collected from the night before, what was interesting 32 different types of moths were collected, the kids loved it, my thanks to carol and Melinda. Then a reading with Des Lally on literature relating to the Ballinahinch, and Connemara, actually relating to Des, our congratulations goes to him, as he has just got his degree in History and Literature, and is now going for his masters.
The last event of the day was the very successful history evening of the Connemara boats, this enacted out through the art of conversation, with the historian Kathleen Villars Tuithal, and the very eloquent Donal Green who is a boat builder from Carna, it was with in trepidation I did not think it would work, but it was enhanced by the music from Fiachra O’Regan, with his pipes, Kathleen Loughnane on the Harp and Mary Staunton on the accordion.

My thanks again to Lynn Hill and Family for opening their house for this event, and a very successful one at that.
The Sunday we were blessed with sun shine, for the kids Disco, all ways goes down very well, with Shane Broughal with his guitar on the streets and finally in the king’s gallery the opening of Yvonne’s new works of which 25% will go toward the Deffribulator

Thursday 3rd July senior citizens tea party Eldon’s Hotel 2pm to 4pm, with Fiachra O’Regan and we are delighted to welcome Eamon de Buitlier’s son Cian who will show a documentary on the building of Galway hooker, that he built himself, filmed by RTE

The next highlight will be on the Saturday 9pm To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s famous prima donna Margaret Burke Sheridan who died in 1958 the Roundstone Arts Festival will host an evening featuring her life and music presented by her biographer, the author Anne Chambers who will also also present an exhibition of the operatic and personal memorabilia of the famous soprano, including some of her fabulous operatic costumes.’ We will be having a reception with a light supper in my own home for what promise’s to be an extraordinary evening; one would call it a Soiree, it’s definitely a must, numbers will be limited, it would be an idea to book a ticket 095 35834.

Days filming in Roundstone:
Thursday we had a visit from Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson shooting scenes here in Roundstone for the new movie called Marley and Me, pity they were not here longer. However, they are still in Connemara, shooting in Clifden on the sky road, then going on to Finny and the Inagh Valley, and as another little promotion for Roundstone Emma Ridge was interviewed on 2fm by DJ Rick O’Shea on the film shooting, just a thought maybe Emma should be made another PRO for the RDC. However Owen Wilson did came back to the village in a big black Mercedes, and purchased some literature from Penny Perrick’s book shop

Pheasants:
Rather a nice little story, Kevin Dooley rescued a lame female pheasant, and put it into an old deep freeze, which had a bit of grain in it, and left it there overnight, the next morning to his surprise an egg had been laid, quick thinking he released her, its mate suddenly appeared, and the good news is, she has laid a few more, close by and is in the process of hatching them out.
Finally, The Jamie Conneely Perpetual cup, soccer teams for all the National Schools will be held next Friday,4th July 5pm weather permitting, just get in touch with Bernard Lee for more details, 0879558462.

Well that’s all from me for the moment, Ann will give a further run down of the arts week as it unfolds, a lot of the photos of the past few days of the Arts week is already on the website.

Last week was a fun one, what with the 60th birthday party, and various other revelries, with a quick trip to Paris, and with fund raising, the artist in residence have arrived yesterday to stay with me for the next two weeks, in preparation for the opening night of the Arts week, I also have as from this morning for two days 10 American artists with their instructor sitting all around  the garden, one has to be very careful should one want to have a pee in the garden, vital to check the area really well, you never know what might pop out of the bushes, anyway its really now back to reality, so talking about fundraising, first off, I would really like to thank everybody who came to our 60th for the extraordinary generosity of donations for the Defibrillator, I know Ann has probably thanked everybody, now its my turn, so thanks everybody, can’t wait for the 70th bash, ha! Ha! Ha! We might go for an Ambulance

Church Boiler:
Father McCarthy showed me the boiler that heats the church, trust me has seen better day’s, with more patches on it, than a patch work quilt, a new one is definitely needed as fast as possible, therefore, a note for the diary, a sale of work will be held on the 13th July after mass, being organized by Nora King, from Whit’s End and other ladies of the village, the venue for the said sale where tables will be erected by the flag poles weather permitting other wise in the Community Hall.
If any body has any unwanted gifts, pot plants, cakes, clothes of good quality, books, jewellery, bric a brac etc, this will also include a super raffle on the day, I gather with some very nice prizes, so if anybody has any thing to donate of good quality, and I have to stress the items must be of good quality, therefore you can drop the items to Eileen or Nora, Whit’s End, and there are other names as drop off points on the posters which are around the village

Arts Week:
As we get closer to the Arts week at the end of this month, and the brochures are now in circulation, people have been asking me about the Riddle Hunt by Car, on Saturday 28th June, each Car and team will be given an envelope on Registration day with 8 questions & Clues relating to Heritage, History, Landscape and place names in Connemara. The entry is €100 per Car, there will be a first, second and third prize of cash and champagne. The trick is that two heads or three are better than one. All the proceeds will be donated towards the Defibrillator for the village.
On the same day in the evening the play “Last Train from Holyhead” is a must, roughly its about immigration, but have to add it is not suitable for children, actually its being shown twice, the Friday of the 27th June and the Saturday of the 28th June
Monday 30th June writers work shop for one day with Penny Perrick, Penny can only take 6 students, therefore if any body would like take part, either ring me 35834, or Penny herself 35832, I think there are two or three places left for the writers work shop for that day.
Tuesday 1st July 10.00 am -12.00 and 2.00- 4.00 pm Adult Poetry workshop by Geraldine Mills.
8-10 participants, this workshop which is suitable for both beginners and more experienced writers will address and revise the basic elements of poetry. Using various prompts to liberate ideas, each session will include in-class exercises, review of participants work and the task of re-writing.  Paper and pen a necessity.

Bats:
Some time ago you may remember that I had to have the roof replaced here at Errisbeg and in the process, all my bats scarped, and as it says in the Arts week programme a bat walk was to take place at my place, if they have not returned for the said day, does anybody now of another venue within the area of Roundstone that has bats. I am hoping within a day or two to borrow a bat detector just to see if there are any bats around my garden, I have noticed a few scouts flying around so please let me know, can’t have a show without the stars.
Ok that’s enough of the hic cups for the Arts week, I am sure it will go well on the day. Keep your fingers crossed.

Knock Pilgrimage:
We have a few more places available on the bus for the Knock Pilgrimage for the 24th June for Roundstone and Ballyconneely, the bus will depart from Ballyconneely at 9.20am and will be in Roundstone in Front of the Roundstone hotel at 9.45, so if anybody would like to go on this pilgrimage, please make contact with me or Catherine Burke. The cost will be €30, our first stop is for a cup of tea or coffee at peacocks, and on the way back we will stop for dinner.

Connemara Roundstone Pony show:
Another note for the Diary, it’s this coming Friday 20th 8.pm the choosing of the Roundstone pony show queen, followed by a fashion show in aid of the Defibrillator for the village. The Marquee goes up tomorrow in preparation for what promises and very professional cracking good evening, up at my place, wine, music, Raffle  and a bevy of lovely ladies, and lets not forget a few lads as models. The tickets are €25 per person, we are hoping to have about 200 people all together, what I can hear on the grape vine, they are selling quite well, any body who wants to attend just make contact with Paddy the Yank, or even myself for tickets for this worth while cause.
Roundstone Village;
Thursday saw some changes in the village, for the first time yellow lines appeared through out with yellow boxes at the top of the old quay near O’Dowd’s and outside Ferron’s petrol pumps.
Some mixed feelings in the village about these lines. Most of our traffic jams occur during the day with either deliveries or traffic going through to the beach’s and on Sunday at Mass time.  We will wait and see the outcome.
Dogs Bay Beach:
Has won the GCC green award for being one of the best kept beaches in Ireland.  Richard and friend’s monthly clean-up and clear water is the main factors in securing this award

A fashion shoot:
Took place in Roundstone on Tuesday last.  Anthony Ryan of Ryan’s Shop Galway took a group of models to the village to take part in this fashion shoot with the harbour and the twelve bens in the background later they went to Errisbeg House for some garden shots.
Rosie Mannion From Rosie’s hair salon did the hair and make up. This photo shoot was all to do with this years Galway races and their promotion and advertisement for same.

The 60th Birthday Party:
www.roundstone.ie (photo events), for pictures taken on the night of the birthday celebrations of Richard and myself. We had a wonderful night and we thank everyone who attended and to all who made donations.
€2,245 was taken in on the night and this is towards a defibrillator for the village, people can still donate at any time towards this worthy cause, we hope to have it up and running by the second week of August. Training for the operation of the defibrillator and CPR training will take place at a later date. Richard will be asking for volunteers, who are prepared to be available and prepared to act immediately if an emergency occurs.

The Roundstone PO
Which has been contracted out to Michael Rynolds of Ferron’s shop comes up for renewal in August.  Hopefully it will remain on but there is always the fear of closing. So the question we should be asking ourselves is do we use it enough.  There are so many different ways to use it now, pay bills ie. Telephone, ESB, Barna Waste and much more, transferring money
to somebody abroad if need to in a hurry etc.  Next time you are in the post office ask Collette about the different facilities available and to ensure that your local post office stays in Roundstone use it more.
Births.
Our congratulations to Diarmuid & Cynthia Vaughan a little boy called Jack born last week.

Dermot McEvilly:
The death of Dermot McEvilly took place last week
Dermot and his wife Kay ran Cashel House for the past 40 years.  Dermot’s death is a big loss to the hotel industry. He was a great friend to Roundstone.
Our sympathies go to his wife Kay, daughter Lucy his sons Frank & Brian and his daughter-in-law Ruth and two grand daughter’s Sahara & Clair
May he rest in peace

Well that all from us for this week, stay cool and keep smiling.