 Scéal Dún-na-nGall ar an Idirlíon Vol.11 No.5, May, 2010 Holiday In Donegal! |
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Ballinamore National School Reunion Pascal Mac Aodháin is looking for past pupils of Ballinamore NS, Fintown to participate in a Reunion during the June Bank Holiday, 2010. Please get in touch by emailing Pascal Mac Aodháin.  Recreational Diving, Dive Training and Angling throughout the year in Donegal Bealtaine Festival So Who Do Think You Are? As part of the Bealtaine Festival, Celebrating Creativity in Older People, the Cultural Services Division of Donegal County Council and the Civil Registration Service are participating in 'So Who Do Think You Are?' genealogy sessions in the Central Library, Letterkenny from 11am - 1pm, every Wednesday during May when experts from all the services will be on hand to offer advice on your genealogical & historical research on your ancestors. Florence Blackburn, Executive Registrar, Civil Registration Service, HSE, Letterkenny said, 'From school registers, rate books and voting lists to the records of the Workhouses of Donegal, the County Archives holds more family history that you might have ever have thought'. For further information T. (00353) 74 9124950. Irish Musicians play Benefit Gig for Alternatives to Pylons Moya Brennan, Paul Brady, Oscar Winner Glen Handsard and Mundy are among the musicians playing a series of benefit gigs for Donegal Alternatives to Pylons in Leo's Tavern, Meenaleck, home to world renowned musicians Enya, Clannad and Moya Brennan. The first concert takes place on May 3rd, 2010 and more gigs will be announced in the coming weeks - a perfect excuse to visit Donegal this summer! In spite of ten years of local opposition, power companies ESB and Eirgrid have obtained planning permission to erect a 110kv high voltage power line across 102km of Donegal's most spectacular scenery. As well as threatening Donegal's scenic beauty and our tourism revenue, the power line brings fears about human and animal health, property devaluation, environmental impacts and private property rights. Tourism is Donegal's biggest employer and there are many more sustainable tourism jobs which could be created if we keep Donegal's scenery intact. This power line is not to bring power into Donegal but to take it out from proposed industrial wind factories which would destroy our hills with thousands of tonnes of concrete and make our townlands uninhabitable, all for private profit at the expense of those who live here. Donegal already produces more power from wind turbines than any other county in Ireland, ten times more than Wicklow or Mayo, for instance while the Midland counties and Dublin have no turbines at all! There has to be some regulation of the wind energy industry if the West of Ireland is to be saved from industrialisation. In Roscommon and Sligo landowners have refused access to the same power companies for over ten years but recently Judge Mary laffoy delivered a High Court verdict that the ESB (but not Eirgrid) have the right to enter peoples' provate property under the 1927 Rural Electrification Act. Now Donegal Alternatives to Pylons and anti-pylon groups from throughout Ireland are fund raising to take a case to the Supreme Court to 'Save Our Scenery'. Donegal and its people are not renewable! Support the Campaign and join Donegal Alternatives to Pylons on Facebook.  The Index of the Best Websites on Irish Stuff Online since 1997! Irish Airspace Closed by Volcanic Ash Flights to and from Donegal and Derry airports were affected by the general closure of Irish airspace following the volcanic eruption in Iceland on April 14th, 2010. Airspace over Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe was closed as the Met Service warned that the ash cloud from the volcano could damage aircraft' engines. The volcano erupted under a glacier in the Eyjafjallajokull region of southern Iceland and is continuing to erupt. However this is not the first time that this volcano affected the lives of people living in Donegal. In 1821 ash from the same volcano fell on the hills and fields of County Donegal, causing much consternation among the local population who lived in thatched cottages which they feared might catch fire. In folk memory the falling ash from the 1821 eruption was called 'the big soot' and continued to fall for two years so it is likely that we will have more disruptions to air travel in the coming months. Rosses Martyrs' Commemoration The Rosses Martyrs' Commemoration will take place on Sunday May 2nd at 2.30pm and will be addressed by Senator Pearse Doherty. The 'Rosses Martyrs' were four IRA volunteers who died between 1921 and 1924 - Mary McBride, Owen Boyle, Comdt. Neil 'Plunkett' Boyle, and Capt. Con 'Beezer' Boyle. The event will commence at 2.30pm at Kincasslagh Hall and a march will proceed to the grave of Comdt Neil ‘Plunkett’ Boyle in Kincasslagh graveyard. Comdt. Neil 'Plunkett' Boyle, was the last man to be killed in the Civil War, being shot dead by Free State soldiers. Eoin Boyle died on Hunger strike in Newbridge Internment Camp, aged 21. Mary McBride and Capt. Con 'Beezer' Boyle died shortly after release from prison, due to the harsh conditions they were held in. Fógraí Éigse Theileann “An Ghaeilge – Bás nó Beatha” ar siúl ón 30 Aibreán – 1 Bealtaine. Díospóireacht, léachtaí, siúlóidí, turas farraige chuig aillte Shliabh Liag agus ceol. Clár agus eolas ó Féile ‘Colmcille sa Ghleann’ ar siúl i nGleann Cholm Cille ón 4-7 Meitheamh le ranganna Gàidhlig, damhsa ar an tsean-nós, ceolchoirm, léachtaí. Urraithe ag ‘Colmcille-Foras na Gaeilge’. Clár iomlán ar fáil ó Oideas Gael nó glaoigh ar 074 97 30248. Tá eagrán Mhí Aibreáin de Beo! 2010 ar fáil anois ag Beo.ie. Bain sult as! Daltaí na Gaeilge Daltaí na Gaeilge is holding an Irish language day on Saturday, June 12th, 2010 at The Irish Centre, Carpenter Lane and Emlen St, Philadelphia, Pa. 19119. Check-In 8:00 – 9:00 am / First Class – 9:00 am. Daltaí na Gaeilge is a non-profit organization that provides a setting where students can learn and practice the Irish language in an atmosphere where 'Irish' is the 'First' language. Satharn na nGael, the shortest of the immersion courses, consists of language classes and workshops for music, singing and dancing, followed by a party with music and other entertainment. The programme is oriented for beginners, but intermediate and advanced classes will also be available. The only requirement for attendance is a desire to learn and a willingness to comply with the Rule: Irish will be spoken at all times, to the best of one's ability. (Don’t worry, English speaking guides will be available.) Cost: Register by May 29th and Save Money! Adult $45.00; Child Under 16 or Full Time Student $20.00. After May 29th the cost is Adult $50.00 Child Under 16 or Full Time Student $25.00. Registration includes all Classes and Workshops, plus Lunch, Dinner and Break Time Tea & Coffee. You can register and pay online at: Daltaí na Gaeilge.  The Donegal Woman by John Throne A 'Must Read' for everyone with an interest in Donegal and it's History Turf-Cutting DVD for Charity A Carndonagh charity DVD showing traditional turf-cutting skills in the hills of Inishowen has sold out twice and is now into its third edition with all the proceeds from sales going to the Alzheimer's Unit in Carndonagh Hospital. Members of the McFarland family - Larry, Gerry, Niall and Leo - joined forces with Joseph McElhinney and Harry McDaid to produce this authentic record of an ancient craft for future generations. The film follows the entire process of preparing turf, from 'paring', which is removing the sod above the bank, to cutting, footing and bringing the turf back to keep the home fires burning during the long winter months. Those who've braved the bog in fine weather and foul over the years will no doubt appreciate this tribute to the hard work of our ancestors and generations past. The DVD shows exactly, in every detail, how turf was cut in 1964, from the bikes the men rode out to the bog, to their peaked caps and wellington boots to the old kettle used to make tea on a turf fire in the bog. If you would like to purchase the DVD call Larry McFarland on (00353) 086 894 8241 or email The McFarlands. The DVD costs €12 euro plus €5 postage (Ireland and Europe) or $20 (including postage) to the United States. Gorse Fires Wreck Havoc Gorse (Whin bushes) and heather fires have wrecked havoc with wild bird nests and exhausted local firefighters in south and West Donegal in local weeks. The extended sunny period in the first two weeks in April made all the undergrowth bone dry but some fires are believed to have been light maliciously. It was traditional to burn the heather to create new growth during the months of February and March but by April wild birds are nesting and the fires will have affected populations of wood cock, grouse and pheasant. Fire crews from Glenties, Dungloe, Gweedore and Falcarragh have been flat out putting out the fires which have destroyed hundreds of acres of blanket bog. There have been calls to train local volunteers in the best methods of fighting gorse fires to help ease the strain on the fire services. Eírigí Tír Chonaill spokesman Micheal Mac Giolla Easpuig said this would allow locals to assess the severity of the fire before calling out the fire crews. The fire service in Donegal has responded to over 200 calls to gorse fires in less than two weeks during April.  Dún na nGall.com Online since 1997 |
 Walkers on Donegal's Derryveagh Mountains Donegal Walking Events Donegal has one of the most natural walking environments in the world, including mountain trails, beach walks, forest walks and river walks, untouched and spectacular with plenty of fresh air. Ionad Teampaill Chróine, Dungloe is holding a walking weekend during the May Bank Holiday Weekend from 30th of April to May 3rd, 2010. There are walks to suit everyone. For more information phone 00353 74 95 22198. The ‘Walk it-Log it’ Donegal Walking Week will launch in the Glenveagh Visitiors Centre at 6:30 pm on Wednesday 5th May. This year's Donegal Walking Week takes place from the 23rd to 30th May, 2010. Danny Nee of the Donegal Sports Partnership says 'Walking is one of the most natural and fundamental physical activities and its benefits are very much underestimated, it is a healthy enjoyable activity and an environmentally friendly means of transport. Health walks are an ideal way to get fit if you don’t wish to go to the gym or exercise classes'. One of the most spectacular sites for walking in Donegal is the grounds of the Glenveagh Castle and it is fitting that one of Ireland’s national jewels will host the launch of the web site and Donegal Walking Week on Wednesday the 5th May at 6.30pm in the Glenveagh Visitors Centre. All are welcome. Gweebarra Conservation Group The Gweebarra Conservation Group has raised concerns about the potential impact of the government's plans to grant mining licenses in Gweebarra and in Inishowen and has warned about the effects of open cast mining methods using cyanide and mercury to extract such metals and causing a risk of pollution to the water basin, our rivers and streams, the group says. The group has also says that uranium company, Rio Tinto Zinc, were granted a prospecting license in the same area in 1979 and that local objection forced the government to recind the license. They also point out that the government refused a license to prospect for uranium in the same area in 2007 and that the same health concerns are associated with gold mining. The group say that mining would lead to the total depopulation of these townlands as people would be forced people to move away. Other objections point to the impact of mining on tourism ventures and point out that tourism is now the county's number one employer. Wise Woman Weekend The 2010 Wise Woman Weekend will take place on May 28th-30th in Dromahair, Co Leitrim. Women on their path to wisdom are once again gathering in the North Leitrim Glens in the northwest of Ireland to celebrate all things feminine. All events will take place in the lovely village of Dromahair, Co Leitrim in an area immortalised by Yeats and overlooked by the warrior Queen Meabh. In this area of outstanding beauty you will be seduced by the healing power of nature. 'Stepping into your Power' is the theme this year and many of the workshops are aimed at exploring how we can overcome what prevents us from being the power force we are capable of in our personal, career, business and community life. Marella Fyffe and Valerie Whitworth, from Transition Town Omagh, will be introducing permaculture principles in the workshop "Pathways to a better future" and herbalist Judith Hoad, from Inver, will take us foraging for wild food and medicine. A total of 12 diverse workshops are on offer and the weekend includes the ever popular open mic social and celebrations that remember ancient Irish traditions. Investment in a weekend pass is €140, details about reasonably priced accommodations are on the website and free camping is available – we aim to make this a recession buster event not to be missed. There are only 80 places available so early booking is recommended. The Wise Woman Weekend happens on entirely volunteer energy, operates on a non profit basis and is organised with sustainable principle in mind. A car share facility is available. Full details are available at Wise Woman. DonegalCounty.com News This is the 113th Donegal on the Net Newsletter. The Newsletter is now online for twelve years and is one of the most popular County 'blogs' in Ireland with over a million hits a year. If you would like to advertise here email Donegal County.com. You can hear the Irish news live in Pennslyvannia on Echoes of Erin radio show on Sundays from 1.00-2.30pm EST. Radio Listeners in Brisbane, Australia can catch the Irish news on Saturdays between 12.30 and 1.30pm on Caomhín O'Seoige's Irish show on 4EB 98.1 FM. In Sydney you can listen to Sydney Irish Radio on 107.3FM on Sundays from 7.30am to 9.00am local time.  Radio News from Ireland every Sunday Citizens Against Recycling Charges Citizens Against Recycling Charges (CARC) have written to members of Donegal County Council and all the members of the Seanad arguing for the recinding of increased recycling charges in the County. Carndonagh's Recycling Centre worked for a decade as an exemplary facility taking back most materials. People appreciated it and separated and returned their household waste. This centre was the only one in County Donegal which was free of charge for all recyclates. The official recycling ratio was 31% all over the county in 2008. In May 2009 the County Council imposed charges of between €10 and €60 Euro and more on most of the materials brought to the Recycling Centre. Some substances are no longer taken at all. The consumer price for recycling and ordinary waste removal are now identical in the county, whether brought back or collected. The results of which have been dramatic. The amenity sites are almost abandoned. Fly tipping and back yard fires have increased since. One after the other of such scandals could be seen in the local media and poses a real threat not only to our tourist industry. Not a fraction of that damage already caused by discouraging people from recycling can really be paid off by any of those charges at the centres. The recycling ratio in Donegal is down to 15% at current stage, which is the second last rank after Carlow (13%). As Carndonagh had previously been the only recycling centre in Donegal taking back most of the materials for free, we conclude that about half the amount of household recycling in the county had come from just one free centre, where therefore recycling has decreased by even 90% in result of those charges. Donegal County would well be able to achieve the Irish Government's target of 75% of household waste being recycled until 2013 if the six existing Recycling Centres would just work free of charge for all materials brought back. The politics need a u-turn in that matter else Ireland will also be paying increasing fines towards Europe for not forfilling waste recycling targets. People should be encouraged for recycling, not being charged for. Ireland needs its own recycling industry. Instead of paying twice when we are shipping the recyclates abroad and then reimporting the raw materials again, we could create sustainable jobs in the country. For further information email Charlie Williams, Spokesperson of Citizens Against Recycling Charges (CARC). Aighneachtaí á lorg ag Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Leitir Ceanainn Tá sé ar intinn ag Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Leitir Ceanainn dréachtú a dhéanamh ar a dara scéim faoi Alt 11 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003. Is é príomhchuspóir an Achta ná a chinntiú go mbeidh infhaighteacht níos fearr agus caighdeán níos airde de sheirbhísí poiblí ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge. Beidh an Scéim úr, a chlúdóidh an tréimhse 2010-2013, ag leanúint ar aghaidh ó chéad Scéim na hInstitiúide a foilsíodh sa bhliain 2007 agus a bhfuil fáil uirthi ar shuíomh gréasáin na hInstitiúide ag www.lyit.ie. Tá cuireadh a thabhairt anois d’iomlán pháirtithe leasmhara na hInstitiúide moltaí a chur faoinár mbráid i ndáil le feabhsú breise a dhéanamh ar sholáthar seirbhísí trí mheán na Gaeilge san LYIT. Ba chóir moltaí a chur chugainn go leictreonach, más féidir é. Déanfar na moltaí go léir a fhoilsiú ar shuíomh gréasáin LYIT. Moltaí le ríomhphost chuig: gaeilge@lyit.ie no moltaí sa phost chuig: Rachel Akkoç, LYIT, Bóthar an Chalaidh, Leitir Ceanainn, Contae Dhún na nGall. Is é an 5.00 i.n. ar an Aoine, 14 Bealtaine 2010 an dáta deiridh ar a nglacfar le moltaí/aighneachtaí. Tá eolas faoi LYIT agus a seirbhísí ar fáil ar an suíomh LYIT. Is féidir tuilleadh eolais maidir leis an Acht a fháil ar shuíomh gréasáin An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe & Gaeltachta.  3 Bedroom, 2 Reception Rooms & Sea Views at Ballyhiernan, Fanad Buy Your Home in Donegal at Tírconaill Property.com 20th CELT Weekend, May 8th & 9th, 2010 The 20th CELT Weekend takes place in the Woods in East Clare. This is a wonderful Opportunity to Learn a traditional Skill. Up to 15 of Ireland's top traditional skills professionals will be offering training courses at Bealkelly Oak Wood,Tuamgraney, Co.Clare by the shores of Lough Derg on 8th and 9th May. CELT (Centre for Environmental Living and Training) have been hosting Weekend in the Woods two or three times a year since 2001 and it has grown in popularity as more and more people want to learn how to make something useful from local natural or recycled materials - a wooden chair, a table, a basket, fire-irons, a copper jug, a felt bag - or how to build using local natural materials - dry-stone walls, wattle and daub, cob and cordwood structures. Other courses on offer for adults include Leatherwork, Longbow making, Fishing for beginners, Needle-Felting, Silversmithing - and, for youngsters aged 8 to 14 years, Woodcrafts and Rustic Art. The event is once again supported by The Heritage Council and Department of Environment with additional assistance from Muintir na Coille (Coppice Association) and Woodland League. According to a CELT spokesperson, the May event is very special because the woodland will be carpeted with bluebells and with hope for good weather, many folk will be camping (for free, but for participants only). Over a hundred people are expected to attend from all backgrounds and all parts of the country. Locally grown organic food is available and there will be the usual CELT tea shop for cakes and other refreshments throughout the weekend - and not forgetting the clay oven used to make tasty pizzas on Saturday evening. For further information phone Sarah or Bob on (00353) 61-640765 or see CELT Weekends. Fund-Raising for The Backstoppers 2010 has already started out to be a dangerous and tragic year for St. Louis' Police and Fire Departments and neighboring communities. John McAteer writes that they have had 4 LODD (Line Of Duty Deaths) and one Police Officer Paralyzed since November, 2009. That is 4 too many and Backstoppers has been very busy tending to these families. The McAteer family has signed up for the 5k Memorial Run to benefit The Backstoppers on May 30th, 2010. Please find it in your heart to go to John's fundraising page and sponsor them. All donations are 100% tax deductible for US citizens. If everyone gives $10 or $20 it will make a huge difference to the families of the fallen. For more information see McAteer Fundraising and The backstoppers. |
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