  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! From Scéal Dún-na-nGall ar an Idirlíon ~ County Donegal on the Net News Vol.8 No.12 December, 2007 |
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Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy Bunaíodh Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy sa bhliain 1994 le ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar shaothar agus ar oidhreacht Frankie Kennedy, ceoltóir fliúite as Béal Feirste a bhunaigh an sárghrúpa ceoil traidisiúnta Altan agus a bhí ar dhuine de na ceoltóirí traidisiúnta ba mhó in Éirinn. Fuair sé bás sa bhliain 1994 agus gan é ach 39 bliain d’aois. Beidh Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy ar siúl ón 27ú Nollaig 2007 go dtí 2ú Eanáir 2008 i nDún Lúiche, Gaoth Dobhair i nGaeltacht Dhún na nGall agus seo an áit is ceart duit a bheith má tá suim agat an chuid is fearr den cheol agus den amhránaíocht thraidisiúnta a chluinstin i gceann de na ceantair is áille in Éirinn. Ach, ní ar an lucht éisteachta amháin a dhíríonn imeachtaí na Scoile féin óir cuirtear béim mhór ar an fhoghlaim fosta. Cuirtear clár iomlán de ranganna ar fáil agus bíonn siad á dteagasc ag cuid de na ceoltóirí traidisiúnta is aitheanta in Éirinn. Bíonn ráchairt mhór ar na ranganna i gcónaí, mar sin is anois an t-am le clárú orthu. Mar pháirt de chlár foghlama na bliana seo, tabharfaidh an cartlannaí agus an láithreoir raidió le RTÉ, Ian Lee, léacht faoi shaothar na mbailitheoirí béaloidis Alan Lomax agus Peter Kennedy agus labhróidh sé faoina gcuid oibre i nDún na nGall sna 1950í agus 1960í. Ar chlár seanma na bliana seo, beidh coirmeacha ar siúl sa trathnóna ag 4pm in Ionad Cois Locha le ceoltóirí ar nós: Maighréad agus Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Liz Doherty, Daithí Sproule, Tara Bingham, Dermot Diamond agus Paddy McMenamin. Tá an t-aisteoir Adrian Dunbar ar dhuine d’aíonna speisialta na bliana seo agus glacfaidh seisean páirt sa léiriú a dhéanfar ar amhráin thraidisiúnta ar an 31ú Nollaig 2007. Beidh na coirmeacha oíche, a thosaíonn ar 8.30pm, go léir ar siúl in Ionad Cois Locha, Dún Lúiche, agus cuirfear tús le clár na bliana seo le The Roscommon Flute Players faoi stiúir John Wynn ar Aoine an 28ú Nollaig. Ar lá na bliana úra beidh an ceolchoirm bhliantúil a bhíonn ag Altan ina mbeidh rogha de na ceoltóirí agus amhránaithe traidisiúnta is fearr as Dún na nGall agus as an chuid eile de Chúige Uladh ar an ardán. Cuirfear críoch le himeachtaí na Scoile leis an cheolchoirm Ceiliúradh ar Shaol Francie Mooney a léiríodh don chead uair ar an 22ú Samhain ’07 ach de bharr an oiread sin suime, socraíodh é a réachtáil arís. Beidh breis is tríocha. ceoltóir ar an stáitse ag ceol amhráin Gaeilge a chum nó a d’aistrigh Francie don stáitse daichéad blian ó shin. Le linn an imeachta, reáchtáiltear ranganna sa lá agus coirmeacha ceoil san oíche agus bíonn cuid de na ceoltóirí traidisiúnta is fearr as gach cearn den domhan i láthair ó bhliain go bliain. Orthu siúd bheadh leithéidí: Paddy Glackin, Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill, Liam O’Flynn, Tommy Peoples, Séamus Begley, Dónal Lunny, Seán Keane (Chieftains), Arty McGlynn, Paul Brady, agus Altan. Crúthaíonn an Scoil breis is 5000 oícheanta leapa agus cuireann an imeacht go mór leis an gheilleagar áitiúil agus le cúrsaí turasóireachta i nDún na nGall. Tig daoine ó achan chearn d’Éirinn, agus ón tSeapáin, ó na Stáit Aontaithe, ón Ghearmáin, ón Iodáil, ó Albain, ón Pholainn agus ó Shasain le gnéithe den chultúr bheo i nGaeltacht Dhún na nGall a bhlaiseadh. Féic - Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy nó r-phoist Scoil Gheimhridh. 
The Frankie Kennedy Winter School was established in 1994 to celebrate the achievement and legacy of the Belfast flute player Frankie Kennedy, founder of traditional group Altan and one of Ireland's foremost traditional musicians who died prematurely, aged 39, in 1994. The 14th Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy takes places from December 27th, 2007 until January 2nd, 2008 in Dunlewey, Gweedore in the Donegal Gaeltacht - the place to be at the end of the year if you want to hear brilliant traditional music and song in one of Ireland’s most scenic locations. At the School there will also a full programme of music classes taught by some of Ireland’s leading traditional musicians. Demand for places in the classes is always high, so now’s the time to enrol! The education programme’s inaugural lecture will be presented by archivist and radio presenter Ian Lee on the work of folklorists Alan Lomax and Peter Kennedy and the work they did in Donegal in the 1950’s and 60’s. This year’s programme includes afternoon recitals (4pm) at Dunlewey Lakeside Centre with Maighréad and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Liz Doherty, Daithí Sproule, Tara Bingham, Dermot Diamond and Paddy McMenamin, an outstanding line-up in anyone's books. One of this year’s special guests is actor Adrian Dunbar who’ll take part in the traditional song recital on December 31st, 2007. The 8.30pm evening concerts also take place at the Dunlewey Lakeside Centre and this year begins with The Roscommon Flute Players led by John Wynn on Frida, December 28th. The perfect start to a new year is the annual Altan gig showcasing the best of traditional music and song from Donegal and the rest of Ulster. By popular demand the concert series closes with Ceiliúradh ar Shaol Francie Mooney, a concert which was first staged on the 22nd November ’07 to celebrate Irish songs composed or translated by Francie Mooney performed by over thirty musicians and singers. Not to be missed! The classes, evening concerts and afternoon recitals feature many worldclass traditional musicians and singers, including Paddy Glackin, Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill, Liam O’Flynn, Tommy Peoples, Séamus Begley, Dónal Lunny, Seán Keane (Chieftains), Arty McGlynn, Paul Brady, and Altan. The event generates over 5000 bed nights and makes a significant contribution to the local economy and to tourism in Donegal. People travel from all over Ireland and from Japan, the United States, Germany, Italy, Scotland, Poland and England to experience the living culture of the Donegal Gaeltacht, a fitting memorial to the late Frankie Kennedy. For more information click on the banner above.  Eco-Friendly Beauty Products direct from Ireland Donegal Councillors want more Holiday Homes Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty has attacked proposals by Fianna Gael and Fianna Fáil to increase the number of holiday homes in the county in the proposed County Development Plan from 20% to 30% of the dwellings in any one townland. However there is no political party endorsement for the proposal as councillors are saying they are acting individually and any proposed changes are subject to Public Consultation. At a closed meeting of councillors and planners the increase was proposed by ianna Fáil's Cllr David Alcorn and seconded by ianna Fáil Cllr Enda Bonner. It was also supported by Gweedore FG councillor Padraig Doherty who chaired the meeting. There were angry exchanges between councillors at a subsequent meeting on building restrictions in the Plan. Cathal Ó Searcaigh and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill host Workshops for Writers The Irish Writers’ Centre and Foras na Gaeilge are presenting Workshops for Writers in Irish facilitated by Cathal Ó Searcaigh and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill on Saturday and Sunday, the 15th and 16th of December, 2007 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. This is a unique opportunity for emerging authors working in the Irish language to workshop with two of Ireland’s greatest contemporary writers in the language. Participation is free but places are limited. To book tel. (01) 8721302 or email Foras na Gaeilge. Á reáchtáil ag Áras na Scríbhneóirí i gcomhar le Foras na Gaeilge Oidí: Cathal Ó Searcaigh agus Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill. 11.00—16.00 Dé Sathairn, 15ú Nollaig, 2007 agus 11.00-16.00 Dé Domhnaigh, 16ú Nollaig,2007. Tabharfar gach cabhair d’ábhar scríbhneóirí conas luí isteach le ceard na scríbhneóireachta. Cé go mbeifear ag díriú isteach ar obair atá ar na bacáin beidh ar ghach duine bheith sásta píosa nua scríbhneoíreachta a thriail i rith na deireadh seachtaine agus é a léamh amach ós comhair a chomhleacaithe. Ní mór píosa samplach scríbhneóireachta a chur isteach le gach iarratas. Ní ghearrfar aon táille as an gceardlann. Cuir litir iarratais go dti: Áras na Scríbhneóirí. Fón: (01) 8721302 nó r-phoist Foras na Gaeilge.  The Donegal Woman by John Throne A 'Must Read' for everyone with an interest in Donegal Bishop Boyce Records the Rosary Following the success of the Irish language CD “An Paidrin Pairteach (The Holy Rosary)”, Most Rev Philip Boyce, Bishop of Raphoe, will launch a new double CD album entitled “The Holy Rosary” in St. Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny on Thursday December 13th at 10.30am. The CD released on the GRH label was recorded live in St. Eunan’s Cathedral with the Most Rev Philip Boyce reciting “The Joyful Mysteries”. Also featured on the album are Fr Willy Bradley, reciting “The Luminous Mysteries”, Fr Kevin Gillespie, “The Sorrowful Mysteries” and Fr Joseph O’Donnell, reciting “The Glorious Mysteries”, while the well known Belfast born recording artist Pauline Glackin is featured on vocals accompanied by St. Crona’s Church Choir. Featured answering the Rosary on the CD are Mary Cannon, Isobel McHugh, Breeda McClintock, Maria Harvey, Bridget Harvey, Monica Gorman and Sally McGrath members of the Legion of Mary, in Letterkenny along with Geraldine McKelvey and Amy Bradley. Also included is the voice of the late Pope John Paul II reciting The Angelus. “The Holy Rosary” CD was produced by Connie Harley for GHR Records and the project was devised by Donal K. O’Boyle along with sound engineer Percy Robinson. All proceeds from the sales of the CD will be donated to “Action Prostate Cancer”. For further information contact Donal on 074-9103316 or GHR Records on 074-9521888. The last days of the Donegal Pub Pubs in Donegal are continuing to go out of business due to the introduction of the no smoking ban and the implimentation of early morning breathanalysis. Forty three alcohol licences were lost in Donegal in 2005-2006 due to the closure of rural pubs. These pubs are not accessible due to the lack of public transport and taxis in rural Donegal, where isolation is an increasing problem. Donegal News Down Under You can listen to Sydney Irish Radio 107.3FM on Sundays from 7.30 to 9.00am local time - see Sydney Irish Radio while Brisbane listeners can catch Caomhín O'Seoige's Irish show on 4EB 98.1 FM with Patricia Sharkey's 'View from the Hills' on Saturdays between 12.30 and 1.30pm. Internet Wars Ireland has the third fastest-growing internet audience in Europe, according to new figures from ComScore. Ireland's internet users jumped by 16% per cent in September, rising to almost 1.5 million unique visitors aged 15 or older, up from nearly 1.26 million a year earlier. Russia topped the charts with 23% per cent growth in the year, with 14.6 million unique visitors. Spain came in at number two. It's worth noting that these figures exclude traffic from public computers such as those in internet cafes, or access from mobile phones or PDAs. However, Ireland is still lagging in internet penetration, with only 45% per cent of those aged 15 and older going online, compared to the top-rated country, the Netherlands, which has 82% per cent of its population aged 15 and over online, and the European average of 37% per cent. |
 The Salmon Leap on the Gweebarra River Christmas Holiday Events The Dungloe Christmas parade and the turning on of the Cristmas lighting in Dungloe Main Street will take place on Sunday, December 2nd at 5 pm. All floats and people interested in taking part in the parade are asked to meet at the National School car park 30 minutes before the parade starts. Everyone is welcome to take part. Ray NS are holding their annual Christmas bazaar in the Resource Centre on Friday, December 7th at 7.30 pm. Stalls include cake sale, teas and door prize. Admission adults €1 euro, children free. The Rathmullen Senion Citizens Christmas Party will be held in the Milford Inn on Wednesday December 5th at 7.30pm. Transport to the party will be provided and anyone interested in availing of this transport please tel. Lorraine on 086-8886071. Clondehorkey Parish Christmas Sale will be held in the Community Centre, Massinass, Creeslough on Friday 7th December at 7pm. There will be the usual stalls- cakes, Good As New, Christmas Stall, Bottle Stall etc. Santa will be there and everyone is welcome. Come and start your Christmas at Seanscoil Tráighéanach, Cloughwally, gifts, crafts, knitwear, cakes, Christmas wreaths, jewellery, basketry, etc. Christmas music, mince pies and mulled wine on Sunday, December 9th, from 12 to 3.30 pm. The forthcoming pantomime at the Balor Theatre is set in 'Pantoland' where four intrepid children are sent in a quest to save all the pantomines in the land. This will be the last panto to be staged in the Balor and already the final night is sold out, with the other nights filling up quickly, so hurry up and book your tickets. The Donegal Chamber Orchestra's Christmas concert is on Friday, 14th December in St. Eunan's Cathedral, Letterkenny at 8:30pm. The Chamber Orchestra's Artistic Director is Victor Yelamo and the orchestra will accompany the Donegal Youth Choir conducted by Shaun Ryan with soloists Tine Verbeke (soprano) and Orsolya Szabo (violin/director). The concert will include Christmas carols and music by Corelli, Vivaldi and Purcell and Admission is free. Ta Seoda (Gailearaí Ealaíne agus Ceardaíochta) ag reáchtáil Margadh Ealaíne agus Ceardaíochta sa Chrannóg, Doirí Beaga ar an 15ú Nollaig, nuair a bheas Daidí na Nollag ag tabhairt cuairt ar an Chrannóg. Uaireanta oscáilte 12 go 4 p.m. Ealaíontoirí ar bith ar mhaith leo tábla a chur in áirithe iarrtar orthu scairt a chur ar Marjorie no Mary Ní Dhubhchain ag 087 7635588. Tá na táblai soar do dhuine ar bith ar mhaith leo ealaín nó ceardaíocht a dhíol. Beidh Aonach Ceardaíochta na Nollag (Christmas Craft Fair) ar siúl in Ionad Naomh Padraig, Dobhar ar an Domhnach an 2ú Nollaig ón 11 – 6p.m. Failte roimh dhaoine ar mhaith leo stalla a ghlacadh ar cíos ar an lá. Early booking is advisable. Cuir glaoch ar Mháire ag 074 9532949. Santa will arrive in Carrowmenagh Community Centre on Sunday, December 16th at approximately 4.30pm. All children's names for Santa must be phoned to: Betty – 9382878, Celia – 9385770 or Catherine – 9381150 before Sunday, December 9th please. The annual Christmas Concert will take place in Carrowmenagh Community Centre on Friday, 28th of December at 8pm. Christ Church, Buncrana is holding its Annual Christmas Sale in the Church Hall on Saturday, December 1 at 3pm. Grand draw; mystery prize; cake stall; bric-a-brac & crafts. Check out the Gifts from Donegal available Here.   Holiday Accommodation in Donegal The Philadelphia Ceili Group The Philadelphia Ceili Group and the Commodore Barry Club are preparing to celebrate their 50th anniversary with the very popular 'Irish Christmas in America' show which will take place on Saturday, December 15th at 8.30pm at the Commodore Barry Club, Carpenter Lane and Emlen Street in West Mount Airy. Philadelphia. Marking its third consecutive year of holiday performances 'Irish Christmas in America' will grace the stage of the Irish Center of Philadelphia on Saturday December 15th at 8.30pm for a heartwarming and entertaining presentation of seasonal cultural traditions from the Emerald Isle. Produced by Oisín Mac Diarmada of the award-winning traditional group Téada, the cast also includes one of Ireland’s leading female vocalists, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh of Danú and Téada’s Sean McElwain and Tristan Rosenstock on guitar and bodhran respectively. Acclaimed harpist Gráinne Hambly and uilleann piper Tommy Martin, along with dancers Abbey Magill and Sienna Hickey, round out the ensemble, which also features evocative images and engaging narrative. Mingling ancient traditions with the contemporary artistry of some of Ireland’s finest performers, this enchanting show brings the spirit of Christmas on a distinctively Irish journey throughout America. Advance tickets are $20 for each show and $23 at the door on the night of the concert. Tickets are available at the Commodore Barry Club - tel. (215) 843 8051 or email philaceili@aol.com Echoes of Erin 20th Anniversary Tour of Ulster News from Ireland can be heard every Sunday from 1.00-2.00pm in Pennslyvannia on 'Echoes of Erin' WEDO 810FM and online at Echoes of Erin. The show will be running for 20 years next February and to celebrate the show's host Diane Byrnes, doyen of everything Irish in Pittsburgh, is organising The Echoes of Erin 20th Anniversary Tour of Ulster which will take place in June, 2008 for 12 days. Check out the exciting Intinery!  The Index of the Best Websites on Irish Stuff - Ten Years Online! The Flight of the Earls Celebrations in Switzerland 2008 The Ulster Earls journey through Switzerland in 1608 will be remembered in an exciting programme of events around St. Patrick's Day in several Swiss locations. The events have been organised by His Excellency, Mr James Sharkey, the Irish Ambassador to Switzerland and the Flight of the Earls Celebration will be the centre piece of the Irish Embassy's St. Patrick's Day Festival 2008 in Switzerland. The Embassy is planning events in Basle, Lucerne, Andermatt-San Gottardo and Lugano i.e. in the main centres along the route taken by the Earls and their families during their historic transit through Switzerland. They are also introducing the theme to the annual Zurich St Patrick’s Day celebrations. In early March 'The Flight of the Earls' exhibition direct from Donegal County Museum will go on exhibit in Basle, giving the Irish and European background to the Earls journey. On St.Patrick's weekend there will a concert, seminars, workshops and classes involving accomplished musicians and dancers from Ireland as well as the Swiss Conservatory at the Swiss Conservatory of Music in Lugano from march 14th-16th. The St Patrick’s Celebration in Geneva is on March 15th and in Zurich on March 16th. Both venues to be confirmed. On St. Patrick's Day the James Joyce Foundation, Zurich plays host to the Donegal County Museum exhibition on the Flight of the Earls. Also on St.Patrick's Day there will be an unveiling of a memorial to Earls crossing of the Alps at the church of San Gottardo/ Andermatt dedicated to the Irish saint, Saint Columbanus and the concluding event wil be held in Lucerne on the evening of March 17th, 2008.  Inishfree Charters provide recreational diving, training and angling throughout the year Seomra a Sé TG4 and Dearg Films are producing four nights of live television drama in March, 2008. The four scripts, all set in a hotel room (Seomra a Sé), will be broadcast live from the Solas Studios in Conamara. Owing to the live nature of the performance and the confined setting, live television drama owes as much to the theatrical tradition as it does to television. Once the most popular form of television drama, it has become a rarity because of the difficulty in co-ordinating not only a group of actors and stage-hands but a studio full of cameras and technicians. TG4 and Dearg Films are delighted to announce a writer's workshop for those who wish to submit scripts for Seomra a Sé. Please reserve your place email Aoife Scott. I mí Márta 2008, léireoidh TG4 agus Dearg Films ceithre oíche do dhrámaí teilifíse beo. Thar ceithre oíche, craolfar ceithre script, gach ceann acu sa láthair céanna, seomra óstán (Seomra a Sé) ó Stuideo Solas i gConamara. Toisc gur chur i láthair beo atá i gceist, tá fiacha mór ag drámaíocht beo teilifíse don amharcalnn. Tráth dá raibh bhíodh drámaí beo mar an modh chur i láthair is coitianta, ach tá sé imithe i léig go mór anois toisc na deacrachtaí a bhaineann le grúpa aisteoirí agus teicneoirí a chomhordú i suíomh stuideo. Tá áthas ar TG4 agus Dearg Films ceardlann scríobhneoireachta a fhógairt dóibh siúd a bhfuil ag iarraidh script a chur isteach do Seomra a Sé. Chun tuileadh eolas a fháil, r-phoist Aoife Scott.  Click Pride.ie for Vintage Style Gaelic Football & Hurling T-Shirts Delivered World Wide Music in Creeslough Music Classes are being held in the Day Centre (beside St. Michael's Church) on Tuesday evenings from 6.00 p.m. until 7.00 p.m. Singing from 7.00 p.m. until 8.00 p.m. Beginners welcome. For further information please ring 074-9138234. |
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