 Scéal Dún-na-nGall ar an Idirlíon / County Donegal on the Net News Vol.9 No.9, September Holiday In Donegal! |
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371 jobs lost in Donegal 371 jobs were lost in Donegal between January and August of this year according to the Small Firms Association. The number signing on for unemployment benefit in the county is now 13,000, a rise of 41% in a year. Currently there are 247, 000 unemployed in Ireland, up 73,000 from this time last year, the largest yearly increase since records were maintained. Jeanie Johnston bypasses Donegal Donegal County Council has denied claims that it is to blame for the cancellation of a visit by the 'Jeanie Johnston' ship to Rathmullan during August. The replica famine ship did not berth because of fears over the condition of Rathmullan pier. Locals claim the council allowed the pier to fall into disrepair so that large vessels can no longer dock there. The ship berthed at Derry Quay instead. No Smoke without a Fireplace! Ann Sweeney, the proprietor of Ireland's first alcohol-free hotel, the Carraig Rua in Dunfanaghy, has launched a campaign to reverse the smoking ban in Irish pubs. She said her 'New Ireland' party is to seek to have comfortable smoking rooms in pubs and has issued a call to smokers throughout Ireland to get in touch with her as she wants to take the issue to the European Court following a legal judgment in Germany that overturned the ban on smoking in bars in some instances. Ms Sweeney believes that the Irish law which says smoking can only take place in open air shelters is unconstitutional. She said: "I find the Government's double standards fascinating. If it insists on raising revenue with heavy taxes on tobacco products, then there is an obligation that smokers be treated the same as drinkers and proper facilities should be put in place for them." She added that bar trade in rural Ireland has fallen by two-thirds since the smoking ban.  The Donegal Woman by John Throne A 'Must Read' for everyone with an interest in Donegal and it's History Philadelphia Ceili Group Concert Beoga are a five-piece traditional band based in County Antrim. The band was drawn together after jamming in a ferocious music session at the All-Ireland Fleadh in August, 2002. Their unique sound features the twin duelling accordians of Seán Óg Graham and Damian McKee, along with four times All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray and pianist Liam Bradley. In 2005, Beoga were nominated by Irish Music Magazine for the best traditional newcomer's award. With the addition of one of Ireland's premier young singers, Niamh Dunne, Beoga are expanding their reputation as one of the most exciting acts to emerge from Ireland in recent years. The Band will play at the Commodore Barry Club, Mt Airy, PA on Saturday, September 27th at 8.30pm For more information email ceiliconcerts@gmail.com. Government must act to save our Island Communities Donegal Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty has met with Comhdháil na nOileán to discuss the development of the islands off the west coast of the country. Following the meeting Senator Doherty said it is clear that the islands do not feature in the plans of Government policy makers and that neglect of the islands is a major problem. Senator Doherty was on a tour of the west coast to gather information for an Oireachtas report which he is compiling on how to develop the counties along the west coast, both in economic and social terms. There must be a focus on increasing accessibility to the Islands which meets the needs of the island communities. 'One of the major problems facing the islands is the overly restrictive nature of local authorities when it comes to granting planning permission for locals to build homes. Many locals have to head to the mainland as a result of this. The Department of Environment needs to establish a set of guidelines for granting planning permission on the islands which balances the need to sustainable population growth while maintaining the natural beauty of the islands. Local authorities need to listen and respond to the needs of the island communities.' Senator Doherty concluded.  Recreational Diving, Dive Training and Angling throughout the year in Donegal DonegalCounty.com News on Air and Online DonegalCounty.com & Dún na nGall.com is online for eleven years, making it the longest established website about Donegal. The site receives over a million hits a year. You can hear the Donegal news live in Pennslyvannia on 'Echoes of Erin' radio show on Sundays from 1.00-2.00pm and online at Echoes of Erin. Listeners in Brisbane, Australia can hear the 'View from the Hills' on Saturdays between 12.30 and 1.30pm on the Irish show on 4EB 98.1 FM. If you are in Sydney you can listen to Sydney Irish Radio on 107.3FM on Sundays from 7.30 to 9.00am local time (see Sydney Irish Radio). If you would like to advertise your product or service to a worldwide audience of people with an interest in Donegal email info@Dun na nGall.com. Donegal Rowers raise money for Hospice Two brothers rowed from Donegal to Limerick to raise money for the Hospice. Mike and Martin O’Boyle, from Mountcharles, rowed 371 kilometres from the Erne Estuary at Ballyshannon to Limerick via the Shannon-Erne waterway. The brothers claim they are the first rowers to complete this route. They raised more than €20,000 for Irish hospices in the process. Film-maker Aidan Haughey videoed the trip - see Headland.  Click Pride.ie for Vintage Style Gaelic Football & Hurling T-Shirts Delivered World Wide Chamber calls for Domestic Water Charges Chambers Ireland is calling for the introduction of water charges for domestic consumers following a report by FORFÁS, Ireland´s National Economic Development Authority & Advisory Board, which says a number of urban areas could experience water shortages over the next five years. Businesses want domestic users to be metered for water use in the same way that they are. Toni Forrester, CEO of Letterkenny Chamber, says the burden of water charges should be shared between business and domestic users. But, in a county where it rains incessantly and many households have their own private well water, any moves to charge for domestic water will be met with opposition. Twice as many Births as Deaths in County Donegal According to the Central Statistics Office the number of children born in Donegal in 2007 was 2,114 (1079 boys and 1035 girls). Of these 68% per cent were born to married couples and 15% to unmarried couples who were co-habitating. There were 14 births per 1,000 people in Donegal, a little below the national average. The average age of all mothers at the time of birth was 30.7 years, the average age of unmarried mothers was 26.5 years. The Statistics show there were 1,040 deaths in Donegal in 2007, 540 of them men and 500 of them women. This represented a rate of just under 7 deaths per 1,000 people. Of these 293 deaths were caused by cancer; 394 were caused by heart problems and other diseases of the circulatory system. A further 132 people died as a result of resirpatory disease while 46 died from external causes, including injuries systained in traffic collisions and other accidents. A further 175 died from suicide. Turf-Cutting DVD Launched 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 the sale of the DVD 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. |
 Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney reading his poetry in support of the Save Tara Campaign Poets and musicians perform at Tara On August 24th the Save Tara campaigners presented an international gathering of poets and musicians opposed to the routing of the M3 motorway through the Tara Valley. It was organised by singer Susan McKeown and poet Paul Muldoon. Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney and Pulitzer prize-winner Paul Muldoon, read their poetry and were joined by Grammy award-winner Susan McKeown who was accompanied by Aidan Brennan. Steve Cooney also sang his song ‘The Money Mad Mile’. The event took place in the local churchyard to an audience of 250 people who listened intently to Ireland’s most celebrated poets read for Tara and speak about the importance of place and heritage. Seamus Heaney reminded those present of the importance of speaking aloud and enunciation – if a thing is not said it will not be remembered. He read his poem on bogs containing the archaeological remains of the past and also one of the Sweeny poems celebrating the landscape. Seamus Heaney said: “for the past two millennia those generations regarded Tara as a place invested with sacred as opposed to secular value. Protest against the loss of this value remains an imperative”. In an interview with Diarmaid Fleming for a BBC documentary in 2008 he said the motorway: "literally desecrates an area - I mean the word means to desacralise' and, for centuries, the Tara landscape and the Tara sites have been regarded as part of the sacred ground". He referred to the 1916 Proclamation having summoned the Irish people "in the name of the dead generations" and said: "If ever there was a place that deserved to be preserved in the name of the dead generations from pre-historic times ... it was Tara". Bundoran Surf 'n' Music Weekender 'Sea Sessions' a Surf 'n' Music Weekender, will take place in Bundoran on the 19th, 20th and 21st of September, 2008, featuring a Surf Contest, Surf Movie and Art exhibition, Search and Rescue diplay, Red Bull DJ roadshow, Street performers plus many more. Musicians include David Kitt, Donal Dineen, Kila, Republic of Loose and Asian Dub Foundation. The 'Sea Sessions' marquee is situated 200 yards from 2 of Irelands finest breaks, 3D and the point Bundoran. Weekend ticket €55 (plus booking fee) - see Sea Sessions and Sea Sessions @ myspace.  Find your Holiday Accommodation in Donegal Seen But Not Heard Donegal County Museum, Letterkenny, will host an exhibition 'Seen But Not Heard', a century of childhood in Ireland, from September 11th. Admission is free. No Non-Denominational Cemetery in Donegal The lack of a municipal cemetery in Donegal has come into focus again as residents are complaining that the Council is failing to fulfil its obligations to citizens by providing a cemetery for those of no religious persuasion. Rather Donegal residents who wish to be buried outside of a church cermony must be buried in Derry while the nearest crematorium is in Belfast. Mullaghduff Band Fleadh Winners Congratulations to the Mullaghduff Band who won an All Ireland medal in the Senior Flute section for the third year running at the Fleadh Cheoil in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Environmental Pollution A report by the Friends of the Irish Environment says that as a result of agricultural pollution the marine ecosystem has being severely damaged in Donegal Bay and in Killybegs Harbour where 'dead zones' exist from agricultural fertilizers and sewage draining from the land into the sea. However the Irish Cattle and Sheep farmers Association has described the group's comments as 'wide of the mark'. ICSA claims that it is Donegal County Council who are responsible for the high nitrate levels in Donegal Bay. Inishowen man in European Transplant Games Hugo Boyce from Clonmany is aiming to add a European title to the gold medal he won at last year’s World Transplant Games when he competes in the European Transplant and Dialysis Games in Wurzburg, Germany. Hugo won a gold medal at last year's World Games in Bangkok and is hopeful of winning again at the European Transplant and Dialysis Games which take place from August 31st to September 5th. Tour de Fanad A Tour de Fanad fun cycle will take place on September 14th from Fanad Light House to Kerrykeel. Registration is at 1.00pm. Letterkenny to gain City Status? Letterkenny Town Council has passed a motion to explore the possibility of Letterkenny gaining city status. The motion was brought by Mayor Jean Crossan, to look into the requirements of any given place to become a city. The town already has a Cathedral which is known to be one of the requirements. The granting of planning permission for an access road into the former Unifi factory site in Letterkenny has fuelled speculation that as many as 1,000 new jobs could be created at the site. Plans are believed to include a private hospital; a business park; a retail warehouse park, hotel and car showrooms. New Drama Studio The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy is opening a new studio in Ramelton Town Hall this month. Classes begin on Wednesday September 10th. To Book call Angela on 0749558100. Shell to Sea Update The arrival of the giant pipe-laying ship, the Solitaire, is imminent in Broadhaven Bay. The ship has been laying in Killybegs Harbour for many weeks awaiting good weather. Activists from all over Ireland and further afield have congregated and numbers have swelled, which when taken with the ever-defiant local community, has given Shell and its partners in crime a lot to think about. The new and improved camp is located within a stone's throw of Glengad beach where Shell intend to landfall their pipe with the aid of a giant winch which will drag it to shore. The camp is complimented by an office and a house one mile away where activists can also stay. The Shell to Sea campaigners will never accept this gas project in its current form and are committed to the original Shell to Sea aims which are as follows: 1) The refining of the gas on an offshore platform, negating the need for any raw gas high pressure pipeline, as recommended in 2002 by Mr. Kevin Moore, Senior Inspector with An Bord Pleanala who said simply that this was the 'wrong project in the wrong place' for many reasons. 2) The reclamation of the natural resources from the oil and gas companies and the reviewing of the current but outdated licensing and fiscal terms which amount to the 'Great Gas Giveaway', which means that the people of Ireland benefit nothing from the exploitation of Irish Natural Resources. 3) The restoration of civil liberties to citizens and supporters, and the defence & vindication of the rights of those engaged in the legitimate protest and opposition to the Shell Corrib Gas Project. The atmosphere is resurgent in the area, with a fresh burst of confidence evident among both locals, national and international Shell to Sea activists. This is a golden opportunity to reinvigorate the fight against this project in a meaningful and effective way. Shell can only hold onto the rented Solitaire for a limited period of time and all efforts to hinder its progress will seriously damage Shell's plans. The choppy waters of Broadhaven Bay will hopefully aid us in our actions but your help is needed too! See Rossport Solidarity Camp.  The Index of the Best Websites on Irish Stuff 11 Years Online! |
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