BACK IN BUSINESS Following a spate of pub closures in west Connemara over the past few years the lights went on in one wellknown establishment just before Christmas. Paddy Festy's in Recess has opened again. This time the pub is under the management of Bríd Hopkins who has worked in Keane's of Maam for many years. Paddy Festy's has been closed on a few occasions over the past year but it attracted a large crowd on re-opening night and has had a steady business over Christmas. However, there is no sign of a re-opening of An Seol Mór - formerly Macs - in Carna, or of Peacocke's in Maam Cross. Both have been closed for the past number of weeks, and Peacocke's is in Receivership.

'Unfortunately, I think a lot of Councillors, and a lot of County Council officials too, have the wrong picture of Connemara in their heads', Ó Cuaig said.

'There is a fallacy out there that things are "ok back there" and that we are heing looked after hand and foot.' Councillor Ó Cuaig said that anybody who saw the poor condition of the roads, looked at the black unemployment statistics, and the huge decline in schools numbers must realise that communities were in serjous trouble. How would we have all of this happening in places in Connemara if the rosy picture sometimes painted was true.' Councillor Ó Cuaig asked.

Seosamh Ó Cuaig said that places such as Roundstone, Recess and Ballyconneely were going down fast. 'Look at the pub closures and look at the number of holiday homes in some townlands. The people have spoken with their feet.'

Councillor Ó Cuaig said he hoped that County Manager Pat Gallagher had seen the true picture of what was happening in Connemara since he had corne to Galway County Council.

Cúradh Chonnachtach 30/12/2005

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