Vol.1 No.6 May, 1999

(This page is archived as it initially appeared online - any broken links are subsequent to publication)

. Large Poitín find in Donegal
. Oideas Gael
. LYIT announces Award
. Fruit of the Loom Plant Closes in Raphoe
. Gweebarra Bay awaits Appeals Decision
. Anti-ESB Pylon Campaign
. The Euro Race is On!

Large Poitín find in Donegal
The Gardai uncovered over 70 gallons of bottled Poitín (illegal alcohol) and 500 gallons of Wash in preparation on a raid on a shed in Drumfries, Inishowen on Good Friday.
This was one of the largest finds of Poitín ever found in Donegal. There were no arrests. The Gardai estimate that the haul amounted to 14,000 Irish pounds worth of liquor as the going rate is about 5 pounds a bottle.
Reports that dead rats were found in the Still were met with amusement as everybody knows that a good Poitín will kill all known germs...

Oideas Gael
Easter Week saw the opening of Oideas Gael's Irish Language classes for 1999. Over seventy people (myself included!) partook in the course which, I can only say, is excellent. Whether you have never heard a word of Irish in your life, learnt it at school many moons ago or or a regular speaker of Irish Oideas Gael can cater for you. There are also cultural activity holidays in: Hillwalking, Dancing, Marine Painting, Archaeology, Celtic Pottery, Bodhrán & Flute Playing, Landscape & Culture.
Fón: 00 353 73 30248 Fax: 00 353 73 30348 or See the online booking facility at Oideas Gael

LYIT announces Award
The Letterkenny Institute of Technology announced the Annual Kay McNulty Mauchly Antonelli Medal for the best Computer Science student on April 29th, 1999 on the occassion of a Lecture deliverd at the Institute by Kay McNulty Mauchly Antonelli, a native of Creeslough, and her colleague Jean Bartik on their work in the early days of electronic computers in the 1940's.
The women were in Ireland to partake on a documentary Oh Kay Computer.

Fruit of the Loom Plant Closes in Raphoe
While attending the above lecture I chanced to visit the Mount Errigal where the largely female workforce from the Raphoe branch of Fruit of the Loom were gathered for a farewell dance. The sight of so many women, now without work and knowing the hardships they will endure, was truly sad.

Gweebarra Bay awaits Appeals Decision
The Gweebarra Bay Conservation Group is still awaiting the decision of the Aquaculture Appeals Board on whether they will allow an oral hearing on the Board's decision to Grant aquaculture licenses in the Bay. Meanwhile the illegal laying down of oyster beds is continuing in the Bay and the visible environmental impact worsening.
The GBCG is currently canvassing candidates in the forthcoming Local and European elections on their opinion of aquaculture developments in the Bay.

Anti-ESB Pylon campaign
The Electricity Supply Board face further opposition from environmental groups from throughout West Donegal on their plans to erect additional cables and pylons in an arc from Letterkenny to Donegal Town which will pass through some of the most spectacular scenery in the County.
Local Conservation groups met in Glenties on April 29th and elected a County wide Committee to lead the campaign and to lobby local councillors and candidates on the issue in the forthcoming local elections.

The Euro Race is On!
A surprize candidate had merged in the Connaught/ Ulster constituency for the forthcoming European Elections on June 11th with Rosemary Scanlon, aka the singer Dana, joining the race for Brussels. Dana's good showing in the 1997 Presidental Election will assure her the Christian/women's vote in the Constituency.
However it is Marian Harkin, former chair of the Council for the West, who will give the sitting MEPs a real challenge in the Election, - she was prominent in getting the region Objective 1 status in Europe and is well known throughout the constituency.

Patricia Sharkey, administrator, Dún-na-nGall ar an Idirlíon

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