Connaughton family celebrations in Mountbellew will be on the double

IT will be celebrations on the double for the two Paul Connaughtons, senior and junior, in Mountbellew on Friday night week (February 4) as Deputy Paul celebrates his retirement while Paul Junior launches his general election campaign.[private] A great gathering of the Fine Gael clan is expected to turn up for the double event in The Malt House, Mountbellew. The guest of honour will be Dr James Reilly, Deputy Leader of Fine Gael. There will be no shortage of nostalgia and many trips down memory lane as great stories of election wins, of defeats, stories of strange happenings out on the canvass will be recounted, and a moment, silence will be observed for the many absent friends who have departed this life over the years. Mountbellew-based musician Seamus Dullaghan and his band, who will supply the music, has the unique distinction of having played at every Fine Gael function in Mountbellew since 1975 when the first social was held after the by-election that year. There are high expectations that the party will do well in East Galway when as expected the electorate will get the chance to vote in the general election, which now looks set to be held on February 25. Deputy Connaughton said he hoped that many people from across the political divide, as well as friends and neighbours will attend what promises to be a great night out. The political landscape of East Galway has got its only real shake up in 30 years now that Deputy Connaughton, Deputy Ulick Burke and Deputy Noel Treacy have decided to retire leaving only Deputy Michael Kitt to carry the torch for that generation.[/private]