Beslan Tragedy felt in Donegal
The murder of over four hundred people in the Ossetian town of Beslan was keenly felt by
several young Russians studying in Letterkenny.
A special prayer service for those affected by the tragedy will take place in Letterkenny Institute of Technology on September 16th at 10 a.m.
Glenties Harvest Fair
The annual Harvest Fair in Glenties will run from the 9th to the 12th of September. Traditionally the Harvest Fair Day was looked forward to by young and old for weeks beforehand and was a three-day event. First there was 'the gathering' day; then there was the 'Fair day' itself and then there was 'the scattering' on the following day. This year the Fair Day is on the 13th.
Is ESB an abbreviation for 'Erasing Scenic Beauty'?
The Director of the Screig Gallery, Fintown has hit out at the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) Networks division for erecting three 11 metre tall poles next to the Gallery without consultation or notice. The new poles, which carry double the voltage at 20KV, are even more of an eyesore than the previous poles which were much shorter and half the diameter.
'We have visitors from all over the world who come to avail of our
Dún-na-nGall.com Genealogy services as well as to visit the Screig Gallery. We came here because of the view and we haven’t spent the last seven years building up the business for the ESB to wipe it out with these poles which are not even EU regulation distance away from these buildings. What would visitors think about how much we care for our environment? If we don't appreciate it - nobody else will. The ESB is a semi-state company - it's our money. I think it is a disgrace what ESB Networks have done.'
A spokesperson for the Alternative to Pylons group in the area, said
'The money for this line renewal comes from the European Union and it would be no additional cost to the ESB or to local residents to move the line behind the Gallery and the Playschool in Fintown. This is typical of the ESB’s gung ho attitude. The impact on tourism was one of the reasons An Bord Pleanála turned down the ESB’s plans to put pylons across West Donegal two years ago and here we have the ESB blatantly ignoring the wishes of local enterprise yet again.'
Pierce Doherty of Sinn Féin has asked the ESB to supply the actual costs of putting the poles out of sight at the Udaras Business Park in Fintown while Fine Gael Deputy Dinny McGinley has protested to the CEO of the ESB and has set up a meeting between ESB Networks, Searc.ie and the Gallery.
Centre Without Walls Project
Raphoe Youth and Community Project has recently been designated a cross border 'community hub' of the Centre Without Walls Project based in Strabane, Co. Tyrone. The Project can now offer ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence), CLAIT (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) and Lou Tice Personal Development courses free of charge. The courses will commence in mid September and are limited to ten people on each course. Childcare costs will be subsidised. It is advisable to book early so please contact Lorraine at 91-45796 as soon as possible. Further courses are available through the Centre Without Walls Project in Strabane. For further information please contact 048-71382869.
Coming To The Balor Theatre, Ballybofey
One of the most successful acts at this year's Edinburgh Festival will appear at The Balor Theatre, Ballybofey on Friday September 24th. 'Peacefire' is set during the 1994 IRA ceasefire and stars New Yorker Macdara Vallely whose self penned monlogue is accompanied by a hip-hop soundtrack created by Ivan Goff and Dj Eddie Fitzgerald.
Cross Border Courses
Participants are invited to participate in 'Introduction to Conflict and Mediation skills', 'Citizenship - Social, Civic and Political Education' & 'Exploring Diversity' courses which will run in the Finn Valley this Autumn. For more details contact the Peace and Reconciliation Group on 048 71369206.
Autumn Irish Dance Classes
Irish Dance Classes have resumed in the Church of Ireland Hall Derrybeg on
Wednesdays at 5pm and Saturdays at 12 noon.
Irish Dance classes have also resumed in Burtonport Community Centre on Mondays at
5pm. Beginners Welcome. For further information contact Eilis Boyle at (074) 95-43430.
Local Poet at Carndonagh Library
Carndonagh Community Library is delighted to present local author and poet Matthew Sweeney on Friday, 10th September at 8 p.m. A native of Ballyliffen, now living in London, Matthew will be reading from his new book 'Sanctuary'. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.
Cockhill Ceili Club
Ceili classes in Cockhill Community Hall, Buncrana will be held every Thursday at 9pm. New members are very welcome.
St. Johnston Social Evening
A Social Evening will be held on Thursday, September 30th from 7.30 -10.00 pm. Anyone requiring transport to the Resource Centre should phone 074 9148551. Please come along for an evening of chat, dance, music and song.
Mountain View Cottage, Derrylougháin , Gweebarra
Available Autumn 2004
Charles Macklin Autumn School
The 14th Annual Charles Macklin Autumn School takes place on the weekend of 8th-10th of October in Culdaff with a variety of historical and social talks, drama, story telling and music planned for the weekend. There will also be Essay and Art Competitions for secondary and primary schools with the winning entries on display. There are prizes for the best overall poem and best collection of poems in the popular Adult Poetry Competition. Please send entries to Anne McDaid, Main Street, Culdaff, County Donegal.
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Girls at the Glenties Harvest Fair
A Thousand Donegal homes without Water
Donegal County Council is calling on the Department of the Environment to increase grant aid to people waiting on connection to the water supply in the County. At present there are houses in Rareagh, Drumoghill, Glenmaquin, Glenvar and Downings which don't have water with as many as 1,000 homes in such a position in the County overall.
At the first Council meeting of the term, Cllr Ian McGarvey recounted the story of an 88 year old woman in the Isle of Doagh who was forced to run a four inch pipe half a mile up the road, at her own expense, to be connected to a water supply.
Mr Jim Holohan, Director of Water, Environment and Emergency Services in the Council, says a request has been sent to the Department asking that the ceiling of €6,475.66 per grant be removed.
Taughboyne Countrywomen's Association
The Taughboyne Irish Countrywomen's Association Guild started their new season on the 8th of September with Deirdre Conway demonstrating the art of pressed flowers. There will an evening with an American theme, soap making, yoga, bowling, and much more in the coming months. Meetings take place on the second Wednesday of every month in Killea Parish Church Hall, Main Street, Carrigans at 8.00 pm and the new President, Fiona McCrabbe, would be delighted to welcome new members.
Cumann Cáirdeas
The next get-together is on Tuesday September 14th in oifig Pobail le Chéile, Gortahork from 10.30am-1pm. Beidh ceardlann againn le Maureen Ó Sullivan ar 'Ceramic Painting'. Eolas Rosemary Níc Pháidín ar (074) 918011.
ESB Contractors erecting 11 metre electricity poles outside the Screig Gallery, Fintown
and obscuring the view of Screig Beag on August 18th, 2004.
Dunfanaghy Walks
The walk on 12th September is to Errarooey and Ray and on the 19th to The Green Road - Altar Hill to Colmcille's lough, weather permitting; the walk on the 25th is around Horn Head. All walks meet at Dunfanaghy Workhouse. For information phone (074) 9136540.
Phillip Moss has No Style
Such the self-punning title of Phillip Moss' current exhibition of paintings at the Letterkenny Art Centre which runs until October.
Janet Pierce at Ceardlann na gCroisbhealach
'Idir Eatharthu' is the title of Janet Pierce's exhibition of paintings by
at Ceardlann na gCroisbhealach, Fál Carrach which opens on October 2nd and runs until Nov. 13th. See Janet Pierce.com for images of Janet's work or email Ceardlann@eircom.net.
Donegal Protest Rally Planned
A protest at the unemployment crisis is being planned for on September 25th with the organisers hoping that trade unions, chambers of commerce and political representatives will join forces with reduntant workers to protest at the fact that almost 5,000 jobs have been lost in the County over the last eight years.
The idea to hold the rally followed a meeting of workers' representatives at Unifi which announced its intention to close its Letterkenny operation with the loss of 300 jobs.
Incineration once again?
The question of whether incineration should be an option in Donegal has raised its head again. Cllr Francis Conaghan brought up the subject at the reconvened Donegal County Council meeting: 'There are challenges facing us regarding the provision of suitable landfill sites and I know that this is a political hot potato.'
Currenly one landfill site situated at Ballynacarrick, near Ballinta, is serving the whole of County Donegal.
Recycling is on the increase nationally with a rise from 3% to 16% per cent but it needs to be greatly expanded in County Donegal before incineration is considered an option.
A public review of the County Development Plan is underway and members of the public, groups and business are invited to submit suggestions and proposals relating to the Development Plan to Francis Coyle, Donegal County Council Offices, Lifford before September 24th.
A to Z of the Best Irish Sites
Tullyarvan Mill
The Thomas Doherty (Miller) Exhibition of 400 photos of Buncrana and the North West will be on view at Tullyarvan Mill, Buncrana until December 2004. Anyone who wishes to have a copy of any photograph in the exhibition can call to reception at the Mill.
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