 Scéal Dún-na-nGall ar an Idirlíon / County Donegal on the Net News Vol.10 No.2, February, 2009 Holiday In Donegal! |
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Alternatives to Pylons Dozens of submissions from groups and individuals in Donegal and other counties have been sent to An Bord Pleanála objecting to the ESB and Eirgrid’s plans to erect an 110kv power line on 20 metre (60ft) high poles and pylons from Binbane to Gweedore and from Glenties to Letterkenny. As well as individual objectors, environmental groups such as Alternatives to Pylons, Gweebarra Conservation Group, Rosses Anglers and Coiste Timpeallachta Ghaoth Dobhair have submitted objections in which they point out that the Environmental Impact Statement compiled by ESB and Eirgrid is woefully inadequate for this type of development. Given that Eirgrid and ESB Networks can upgrade an 110kv line to 220kv or even 400kv without seeking further planning permission, these groups believe it is essential that this planning application is rejected. The proposed route would go through some of the wildest and unspoilt areas in Donegal, including Natura 2000 sites and proposed SACs protected under EU law. This would pose a danger to human and animal health and a definite threat to farmers’ and tourism providers’ livelihoods as well as affecting the flora and fauna and property prices in the affected zones. The proposed line would run parallel to the existing 38kv line, creating a sterile corridor of between 35 and 200 metres through 100 of Donegal’s Townlands, many of which are within ‘scenic amenity zones’ in which the County Development Plan envisages ‘preserving the natural beauty and the character of the views and prospects from existing roads’. The ESB attempted to get planning permission in 2000 but lost their case at a Bord Pleanála Oral Hearing when objectors voiced the same concerns about human and animal health, the sterilization and devaluation of farmland and property and the loss of tourism revenue. Today, the protestors claim, there is even more local opposition to the ESB being granted Planning Permission in 2009. Many of the objectors believe there will be no advantage to Donegal from increasing the voltage on the grid by such a high percentage and instead the landscape would be forever marred by the blight of electricity pylons. In addition to pylons the ESB propose to use wooden poles soaked in creosote which is a terrible pollutant, now banned by the EU. The route maps used by the ESB and Eirgrid in their planning application are out of date, showing, for instance, the long gone workhouse and fever hospital in Glenties, and they have omitted new houses along the route. In many instances the ESB describe houses adjacent to the proposed line as ‘derelict’ when they are, in fact, inhabited. The protestors believe the ESB’s proposals are to facilitate wind farm developers and that, therefore, the ‘polluter pays’ principle should be employed and the line put underground alongside existing roads, thus creating much needed employment in the County. Tá os cionn 20 aighneacht seolta ó ghrúpaí, agus ó dhaoine aonaracha, i gCondae Dhún na nGall, chuig an Bhord Pleanála, ag cur in éadan cuid pleananna BSL agus EIRGRID, chun líne cumhachta 110kv a thógáil ar chuaillí 20 méadar (60 troigh) ar airde, agus píolóín ón Bhinn Bán go Gaoth Dobhair agus óna Gleanntaí go Leitir Ceanainn. Tá aighneachtaí ina éadan seolta isteach ag daoine aonaracha, grúpaí timpeallachta cosúil le ATP, Grúpa Caomhnaithe Ghaoth Barra, Íascairí na Rosann, agus Coiste Timpeallachta Ghaoth Dobhair, ina ndeir siad nach bhfuil an Ráiteas Tionchar Chomhshaoil atá curtha le cheile ag BSL agus Eirgrid sásúil ar dhóigh ar bith den chineál seo forbartha. Is féidir le Eirgrid agus BSL líne cumhachta á uasghrádú ó líne 110kv go dtí 220kv nó fiú 400kv gan cead pleanála eile á iarraidh, agus síleann na grúpaí seo go bhfuil sé ríthábhachtach go ndiúltófaí don iarratas pleanála seo anois. Má cheadaítear an t-iarratas seo, beidh na píolóin le feiceáil i gcuid dena ceantracha is deise sa chondae, suíomhanna Natura 2000, agus áiteacha a bheadh caomhnaithe faoi rialacha an Aontais Eorapaigh. Cuirfidh siad sláinte na ndaoine agus na n-ainmhithe i gcontúirt, agus cuirfidh siad isteach ar shlite beatha na bhfeirmeoirí agus na ndaoine atá ag braith ar thurasóireacht, gan trácht ar fhásra nádúrtha agus luach na dtithe sna ceantracha ina mbeidh siad lonnaithe. Bheadh an líne atá molta, ag rith comhthreomhar leis an líne 38kv atá ann cheana féin, rud a chruthódh bealach fuar gránna de thart ar 35 agus 200 méadar, fríd 100 baile fearainn sa chondae, go leor acu atá lonnaithe, i gceantracha lena bhfuil clú na háilleachta ag baint, dar le Plean Forbartha na Condae. Rinne BSL iarracht cead pleanála a fháil sa bhliain 2000, ach chaill siad á gcás ag Eisteacht Béil de chuid an Bhoird Phleanála, nuair a chur daoine aonaracha agus grúpaí a bhi ina éadan in iúl go raibh imní orthu maidir le sláinte na ndaoine agus na n-ainmnithe i gcomharsanacht na bpíolóin, díluacháil na dtaillte agus laghdú ar an teacht isteach ó ghnó na turasóireachta. Deir an lucht agóide, go bhfuil níos mó daoine áitiúla in éadan cead pleanála thabhairt do BSL an uair seo. Creideann cuid mhór den lucht agóide nach bhfuil buntáiste ar bith don chondae, voltas an ghrid a mhéadú leis an chéadatán atá beartaithe, agus go mbeadh an tírdhreach millte go deo ag gránnacht na bpíolóin leictreachais seo.Tá sé i gceist ag an BSL, cuaillí adhmaid báite i 'creosote', truaillitheoir atá coscaithe ag an AE, a úsáid, fosta. Tá na léarscáileanna atá in úsáid ag BSL agus Eirgrid, ina n-iarratas pleanála as dáta, mar shampla tá An Teach Oibre agus an tOtharlann Fiabhrais sna Gleanntaí, nach bhfuil linn níos mó, le feicéail, cé go bhfuil tithe úra ar an bhealach fágtha ar lár. Tá sé ráite ag BSL i gcuid mhór cásanna gur tithe tréigthe atá in aice an líne beartaithe, cé go bhfuil daoine go fóill ina gcónaí iontu. Creideann an lucht agóide, gur chun sochar forbraitheoirí feirmeacha gaoithe atá pleananna an BSL, agus dá réir sin gur cheart prionsabal ' an truaillitheoir a íocann' a chur i bhfeidhm sa chás seo, agus an líne a chur faoi thalamh gar dona bóithre atá ann cheana féin, rud a rachadh i ngleic le riachtanais fostaíochta sa chondae. New Radio Station in Donegal i RADIO has won the radio contract for a new North-West regional radio youth service. The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has signed a contract with i Radio Limited (trading as i102-104fm) for a regional youth radio service for the north-west of Ireland. Aimed at 15-34 year olds, the service will cover the counties of Galway, Mayo, Longford, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The station's music output will be predominantly centred on contemporary hits and will also give prominence to new music and more specialist genres such as alternative rock and RnB/urban sounds. Ranganna Ceilí Tá na ranganna céilí le tosach i Mín an Aoire. Bíonn ranganna ar siúl achan oíche Mháirt i dTigh Uí Dhómhnaill, ag tosach ag 8.30i.n. Is iad Connie Mc Kelvey agus Ann Conaghan a bhíonn i mbun múinteoireachta. Beidh costas de €5 ar na ranganna. Ceilí Dancing Classes are starting again in Meenaneary every Tuesday night at 8.30 pm in O' Donnell's Bar. Connie Mc Kelvey and Ann Connaghan are the dancing masters and a fee of €5 per night applies. Everyone is very welcome. Céilí Classes will resume in the Highlands Hotel, Glenties from 8.00 to 9.30 pm on Thursdays. Everyone is welcome. Reelan - The Crooked Picture Reelan is a newly formed Irish Traditional music group of guitar, concertina, fiddle and song. The Crooked Picture is their dazzling debut album with all of the tunes and songs newly composed by Sandie Purcell, the band's fiddle player. The music has a strong tie to the momentum of the tradition and the whole band have created a new, fresh sound with their arrangements. Andy Meaney's energetic guitar playing drives the wonderful melodies, with skilful playing by Sharon O' Leary on concertina and Aoife Mullen also on fiddle. The haunting voice is that of Rossagh Purcell, the lead singer, with additional backing vocals by Sandie. Like the River Reelan, in Co. Donegal, Reelan will sweep you up with the energetic flow of their music.  Recreational Diving, Dive Training and Angling throughout the year in Donegal Farmers and Finance BMW Small Holder Skillnet is currently arranging a financial skills training course at a venue in the Ballyshannon area. This course will be suitable for farmers or farm family members. The training event will focus on financial management skills, including, understanding farm accounts, book keeping, preparing cash flow and tax efficiency. The course will be held on an evening in February. For further details and enrolment, please contact Gerry on 0719858252 or 0876858550. Places are limited. Baby Boom in Donegal The Health Service Executive has confirmed that 2,044 babies were born in Letterkenny General Hospital in 2008, an increase of 65 on 2007. The figure includes 11 sets of twins and 2,022 singletons. The busiest month was April, when 194 babies were born, while the quietest month was June when there were 151 births. It was the first year that the hospital's maternity unit passed the 2,000 births mark. The number of births in Letterkenny General Hospital has been rising over the last number of years with 1,791 births in 2006 and 1,979 births in 2007. Music, Writing and Rights The local MEAS/Respect Group based in Main Street, Donegal, is offering three Courses starting next month. MEAS provides services for immigrants in the Donegal area and has developed a programme of Civic Values and Human Rights which should stimulate a lot of interest from the public. This Course runs for ten weeks and comprises three inter-related training topics – Democracy, Constitution and Human Rights within the context of the Irish political system while the Traditional Irish Music (8 weeks) and Creative Writing (10 weeks) classes will commence in March. Enrolment for all classes takes place at the MEAS office (upstairs over the National Bar) Main Street, Donegal Town on Monday, February 16th from 6 – 8 pm. Further information: 086-0621489. RNLI Irish lifeboats rescued an average of 19 people a week in 2008 according to the RNLI. The figures show that the Arranmore Island lifeboat launched 37 times last year, with 32 rescues and that the Lough Swilly Lifeboat was launched 32 times and carried out 31 rescues. Arranmore Island was the fourth busiest RNLI station in the country. Ionad Teampall Chróine Crochet Classes will commence on Wednesday in the afternoons from 2 - 4pm. Ionad Teampall Chróine also run Art Classes on Monday Morning and Wednesday night and Yoga on Monday morning & night. Please Telephone 074 9522198 for further information. Fiddle Classes willcommence at Ionad An Mhachaire, Maghery on Tuesday at 6.30pm and Wednesday, Burtonport at 6pm. Contact Geraldine 086 8180080. Art classes through the medium of Irish will commence at Meenamara School on Friday mornings at 9.45am -12 noon. Date to be decided. Telephone Sean at 087 2188023 to register your interest. Donegal Garden Society The Donegal Garden Society will be holding its AGM on Monday, 2nd February, commencing at 9pm in the Garden Room, Salthill, Mountcharles. Please come along and if you have any ideas or want to have any item raised at the meeting, and contact our Chairman as soon as possible. The Chairman would like to take the opportunity to thank his fellow committee members for their help during the year and also to those members who opened their gardens for the Donegal Garden Trail and those who had garden evenings for the Society's members. These garden visits were wonderful social events. A reminder that a number of the Society's calendars are still available from the Newsletter Editor, Hadie Coyle.  Find your Holiday Accommodation in Donegal Bocan Drama Club Culdaff’s Bocan Drama Club will stage its first play in Bocan Hall in 16 years on February 15th with a production of Lynn Doyle’s 'Love and Land', first performed in 1913. The proceeds from the production will be put into the parish funds and the play is being co-directed by Catherine Wallace and John O’Kane. The play will also be performed on Friday, February 20th and Sunday, February 22nd after which it will go on tour around the Inishowen peninsula. Admission is €8. |
 Beltany Stone Circle, Donegal © Tom Kumpf Donegal's New Grange? One of Ireland’s most significant archaeological sites, the Beltany Stone circle located just outside Raphoe, has the potential to become a major tourist attraction. This megalithic monument dates from 2000BC and is situated two miles south of Raphoe on a prominent hill top. The Irish name Beltany is from 'Baal Tine' - 'Baal's fire' and suggest that the pagan practise of sun worship was celebrated on this site. The stone circle is 44.2m in diameter and contains 64 stones which have an average height of 1.8m, though there were probably many more stones originally. The circle also contains a tumulus which may have been a burial cairn. There is also a 1.9m (6ft 3in) high stone standing outside the circle to the South East of the site. The Beltany stone circle and the land surrounding it is now owned by the Office of Public Works, and the chairperson of the Beltany Heritage Group, Mary Harte, hopes that this will lead to more people visiting the site. Built over 5,000 years ago, experts believe that the stone circle was a megalithic tomb similar to Newgrange in Co. Meath. Ms Harte said 'The research that we’ve carried out has led us to believe that the stone circle was a passage tomb similar to Newgrange. The monument was a passage tomb in which the cremated remains of an important person lay. It was designed so that at a particular time of the year the sun would shine down the passage and we believe that this happened in Beltany on the 21st of December during the Winter solstice.' However, despite the archaeological significance of Beltany Stone circle many Donegal people are unaware of this important archaeological site. Ms Harte said that the Beltany Heritage Group had been working hard to promote the site. 'There are a lot of foreign people who visit the site especially from France and Germany, as there are similar sites on the continent. We would like more local people to visit the site and we are trying to get them interested in the site as it is something that they should be proud of as it is part of their heritage,' she said. Balor Arts Centre Wins National Award As reported in Dun na nGall.com's January Newsletter, the Balor Arts Centre was nominated for the Best Arts Building at the Local Authority Management Association (LAMA) awards 2008. On January 24th the Butt Hall, designed by Ballybofey architects Carr and Company, won the national award. The Butt Hall complex cost €6m with 95% per cent of the costs being raIsed directly from the community. The new Hall was built on the site of the original Butt Hall which stood on the town’s Main Street for 75 years and was synonymous with 'the Ballroom of Romance' in the 1950's, 60's and beyond. The building was officially opened in July, 2008. It hosts over 100 top quality theatre events each year as well as providing educational and community arts services through the Balor Developmental Community Arts Group.  The Index of the Best Websites on Irish Stuff Online since 1997! Women's Groups Ballybofey and Stranorlar Womens' Group will meet in the Network office 10, Donegal St., Ballybofey on Monday, February 2nd at 7.30pm. There will be a talk on a topical issue and all women are invited. A cross-border programme run by Inishowen Womens' Information Network and Mid Ulster Womens' Network has a very limited number of places left for any women interested in attending. The course is run in 3 stages - Looking at individual experiences of the Troubles, Impact on the Wider Community and Facilitating Community Programmes. The course commences at the end of January. Childcare and transport costs are provided. For more information contact Jackie on (074) 93 29494. Centenary Celebrations for Gortnacar Gortnacart National School, Ardara, celebrates its Centenary in 2009. The school committee is putting out an appeal to all past pupils to join them in celebrating this great occasion. NS Ghort na Ceártan moved to its present site in 1909 to replace an older building on the other side of the road. If you are a past pupil and are anxious to renew acquaintances with your classmates the committee would like you to contact the school. If you have any photographs, stories, etc, you should forward them to the school no later than February 27th as it is intended to publish a commemorative book. The re-union is planned for June 27th and 28th, 2009. Please contact any family member who is a past pupil in Ireland or abroad. For more information please contact the school on 074 9541799 or email Gortnacart National School. Cúrsaí Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Dobhar Tá na cúrsaí seo leanas ag toiseacht ins na seachtainí amach romhainn in Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Dobhar. Beidh na cúrsaí ar siúl oíche amháin sa tseachtain, ag brath ar éileamh. Dreamweaver (ag cruthú suíomh idirlíon bunasach), Cúrsa Garchabhair agus Defibrillator (Fetac level 5), Internet / E-Mail, Blogs, Ceamara Digiteach, deich seachtainí. Fraincis, Fual agus ceannasach, ocht seachtainí. Ta na cúrsaí seo pairt chistithe ag Coiste Gairmoideachais Dhún na nGall. Beidh Pilates ag toiseacht Déardaoin 29ú Eanáir – dhá oíche sa tseachtain, Dé Luian; 7.15 – 8.15p.m. agus Déardaoin, 6.30 – 7.30p.m. Rang Comhrá Gaeilge (Conversational Irish Classes) ag toiseacht Dé Céadaoin 28ú Eanáir idir 1.00 agus 3.00p.m. Bunchúrsa Ríomhaireachta (Fetac 3) ag toiseacht Dé Luain 2ú Feabhra, ón 7.00 go 9.00p.m. seo cúrsa 10 seachtainí. Kickboxing- Cúrsa ocht seachtainí ag toiseacht Dé Céadoin 4ú Feabhra, 7.30 go 9.00p.m., 13 bliain suas. Clárú agus tuilleadh eolais ar na himeachtaí seo uilig ar fáil ó Mháire ag 074 9532949, nó cuir ríomh phost ar Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Dobhar. Oíche Shóisialta: Beidh Oíche Shóisialta na Féile Bríde ar siúl in Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Dobhar Dé Satharn an 31ú Eanair ag toiseacht ar 8.00p.m. Beidh ceol agus craic, Crosagaí Bhríde, paidreacha, bruitiní agus cuideachta. Cead isteach €5 euro agus soar chead isteach do pháistí, Beidh fáilte romhaibh uilig.  Click Pride.ie for Vintage Style Gaelic Football & Hurling T-Shirts Delivered World Wide Water Quality in Donegal Dr. Donal Casey, Donegal Co. Council’s Senior Chemist, is working on an EU programme to improve water quality in the County. In a meeting with Donegal County Councillors he explained the EU Water Framework Directive which sets out new standards which must be met by 2015. He disclosed that water in large parts of the county, including significant areas of Inishowen and the Finn Valley, were not meeting the new water quality criteria and that failure to comply could mean fines and penalties may be imposed from Brussels. Dr. Casey described the River Bredagh as 'an absolute disgrace' and that there is an immediate need for a new sewage treatment plant in Moville. Figures released this week show that only 40-50% of areas sampled in Donegal, including lakes, rivers and coastal areas up to a mile out to sea, are satisfactory. The EU is determined to get member states to clean up their waters and, according to Donal Casey, significant areas will have to be managed and improved. Currently water quality is measured in five categories: high, good, moderate, poor and bad. From 2015, only water that is classed as being of 'high' or 'good' quality will be acceptable. In all other cases, efforts will have to be made to improve the quality of water. In order to comply with the directive a range of measures will be implemented, from new and enchanced ways of treating sewage, managing land and building works, and protecting habitats and areas of special amenity value. Donegal is part of the North Western International River Basin District which takes in all of Donegal, plus large parts of Fermanagh, Cavan, Derry, Monaghan and Tyrone. A draft River Basin Management Plan for the north-west has just been published and it will now go out for public consultation with submissions being invited. It is hoped to publish an adopted plan by the end of the year and to begin a six year plan of action in 2010. Creative Writers' Group A Creative Writers' Group will meet in The Womens' Centre, Kilclooney on alternate Thursdays from 2.30 - 4.00pm. The next meeting is on January 29th, 2009. The cost is €25 for 8 weeks. For information on the above class phone the Dolmen Centre on 074-9545879.  The Donegal Woman by John Throne A 'Must Read' for everyone with an interest in Donegal and it's History Tirhugh Resource & Learning Centre The following courses are being offered through Tirhugh Resource & Learning Centre, Ballyshannon. Courses include, Tai Chi, Yoga Beginners and Intermediate, Creative Digital Photography, Painting, Childcare FETAC Level 5, First Aid FETAC Level 5, Computer Courses (Evening) Sage Accounts, Sage Micropay, Internet & Email, Improvers Computers, Language Courses (Evening) French, Spanish, Irish Beginners and Intermediate. Computer Courses (Daytime) Sage Accounts, Thesaurus Payroll, ECDL, ICS Accredited, Beginners Computers. For further information please telephone 0719852476 or email Tirhugh Centre or call into Tirhugh Resource Centre, The Mall, Ballyshannon to discuss your course requirements. Tirhugh Centre opening times are 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4pm Fridays. Tara Landscape for UNESCO Tentative List Tara campaigners have submitted an application to the Department of the Environment asking that the Tara landscape be place on the Tentative List of potential sites to be nominated for World Heritage Status. Minister Gormley announced his intention to update the list of potential sites (it has not been updated since 1992) and the Irish Republic has only 2 World Heritage sites at present. These are Scellig Michil and The Bend in the Boyne (including Newgrange). According to the Department’s guidelines, the submission includes details on UNESCO World Heritage criteria, a definition of what constitutes Outstanding Universal Value in a World Heritage context, an explanation of authenticity, integrity and significance on a global basis. Campaigners have expressed concern about the integrity of the site, saying: 'The integrity of part of Tara’s core area, however, is now being adversely affected by the building of the M3 motorway through the Gabhra Valley, particularly by the Blundelstown interchange within the universally recognised core area of Tara’s landscape'. The submission emphasises the importance of nominating the wider landscape, including the Gabhra Valley, rather than confining the World Heritage Site to the crown of the hill and says: 'The Hill of Tara, therefore, represents the ritual and political focus of a larger territory or landscape'. Save Tara campaigners are celebrating the feast of Imbolc (St Brigit’s Day), one of the four ancient Celtic festivals of Ireland, at Tara on Sunday February 1st. They intend to mark the festival by walking sunwards around the Hill with lights or lanterns at dusk, paying homage to the ancient festival while highlighting the continued destruction of the Tara Complex due to the M3 Motorway. People are invited to gather in the Hill of Tara car park at 4.30pm. A number of campaigners appeared again in Navan District Court on January 28th, only to hear that the case was to be mentioned again on 22nd April. A date for the hearing should then be decided. The case will last a number of days as there will be about 30 witnesses and video footage will be available as evidence. A Judicial Review heard by the High Court in late 2008 was successful – the documents that had been requested by the defence lawyers were produced by the State. Save Tara Campaigners have also written to all the TDs, asking that, due to the dire economic circumstances, the M3 be halted and that the Meath Master Plan be implemented instead. This would have a more sustainable, viable and environmentally-friendly option. In the present climate, continuing with the M3 is akin to economic madness. For further information see Save Tara Campaign. |
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