Eye on Donegal Issue 34 - 18th October 2018

The Eye ON DONEGAL

Thrift Shop reopens with new look

Formal and Casual Wear

9 772565 598001

€1.50 34 18th October 2018

More inside

Photo: Louise Histon. See full story inside

PETERS

34

New Manager for Railway Heritage Centre

Donegal Post Office to Move

Philomena Caldwell models the new season’s range in the refurbished thrift shop. Photo: Margaret Gallagher

ISSN 2565-5981

By Margaret Gallagher The newly refurbished St Vincent de Paul thrift shop on Water Street is opening its doors this Thursday (18th) at 10am. The new look, bright modern shop has displays of ladies’, gents’ and childrens’ clothes, bed linen, curtains, shoes, bags, hats, books, toys and much more. The spacious shop area has undergone a complete overhaul and shop fit out and is packed with new arrivals after a three month break. Talking with Frank O’Donnell, President of St Patrick’s Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Donegal Town and volunteer Collette Shovlin, both spoke passionately about the newly refurbished shop. “On the 9th July contractors Liam Duffy moved in and along with Paul Doherty Architects the work progressed without delay. Continued inside…

manshop

DONEGAL TOWN 074 9721270

An Post confirms Dunkineely Post Office closure

Appeal rejected by An Post It has been confirmed that the closure of Dunkineely Post office will not be reversed, after the appeal lodged by the community was rejected by the Government appointed appeals process for Post Office closures. Speaking to The Eye, Pat the Cope Gallagher TD said, “I wish to compliment the very hard working action committee which made every effort to save the Dunkineely Post Office. They mobilised the community and lodged an excellent appeal for keeping the Post office open.”

Riah Hairdressing Relocates See feature inside

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Upper Back Pain

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Upper back pain can be caused by long periods of sitting at a desk or driving, or spending too much time looking at your mobile (“text neck” is actually a thing now). This unnatural head position can affect the muscles and nerves of the neck, shoulders and upper back, and can become fixed in a pattern, leading to discomfort or pain. Our upright posture is affected as the neck curls forwards, putting strain on cervical vertebrae. The shoulders can also begin to slump forwards and restrict the chest and the capacity of the lungs. While this inactivity is mostly unavoidable for many people, some gentle exercise and stretching is always beneficial. Our ancestors were nomadic, and walking is still

the most natural exercise that we can take. Shiatsu therapy can relieve tension in these areas, and help to bring the spine and shoulders back into their natural position, reducing pain and bringing to the receiver an awareness of the importance of good posture and how it will benefit us in later life. To arrange an appointment call Jack 086 212 0329 or contact me through Facebook.

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La Bella Donna Italian Restaurant

Award Winning Quay St., Donegal Town 074 97 21590 www.quaywestdonegal.ie info@quaywestdonegal.ie • À La Carte Menu • Fresh Local Seafood • Chargrilled Aubrac Steaks • Donegal Mountain Lamb • Licensed Bar OPEN: Every day from 5pm Early Bird Menu: 5pm - 6.30pm (Mon - Fri)

Fully Licensed Restaurant

BELLINI COCKTAIL BAR NOW OPEN

PASTA, PIZZA, SALADS, STEAKS, CHICKEN & SEAFOOD PROSECCO ON TAP Bridge Street, Donegal Town Tel: 074 9725790

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Thrift Shop continued from front page We updated our heating system, a new floor has been laid, ceilings were raised, three new windows for our displays were fitted, we have a new front door and the complete building has been painted and new signage erected. Last week John Lewis shop fitters moved in and were ultra efficient completing the fit‑out in just a few days,” Frank said. “The thrift shop which has been in existence for the past forty years ultimately needed a make over and I must say that Aonghus Murphy and Paul Doherty in Doherty’s Architects were a pleasure to work with. There were no major problems during the work and the project was completed within budget. “As well as the newly refurbished shop floor, the kitchen, stock room and office were also redecorated. The office is a very important part of the building where we can meet with people quietly and discreetly. While the work was ongoing for the past three months we still could meet and our twenty or more great volunteers who work in the shop met every Wednesday in the kitchen for a cup of tea and caught up on the progress of the shop.

“The shop could not function without our volunteers who have worked tirelessly over the years and are so committed, I can’t speak highly enough about them. We also have a community scheme worker once a week who helps us with the lifting and heavy work. We don’t have a retirement age and some of our ladies who work in the shop are here over twenty years. “The turnover of the shop is our life line to help our very deserving community in their times of need. Fuel will be very much in demand now coming into the winter and it is very fulfilling knowing we can help people. There are times when people’s poverty is not financial and members of the Society go out to visit the lonely and those who live alone. We conduct a house to house collection at Christmas which helps with the funding at a time when demands are high and we thank all our contributors”, Frank concluded. The Thrift Shop is open three days a week: Monday 6pm - 8pm, Thursday and Friday 10am - 2pm and items may be dropped off at the shop anytime.

We have now moved to Upper Main Street, Donegal Town, (next door to Brady’s Opticians) and look forward to welcoming you all to our fabulous new premises!

Riah Hairdressing

074 9704997

kerry@riah.ie www.riah.ie

Chandpur

INDIAN RESTAURANT Unit 4, Main Street, Donegal Town

Sunday all you can eat buffet 1pm-5pm

€10.95 per person Early Bird - three courses Mon-Fri 5-7pm, only €15.95pp Open: Mon-Sat 4-11pm; Sun 1-10pm TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE BOOKING ADVISABLE AT WEEKENDS

074 97 25452

www.chandpurdonegal.com

Twice winner of Best Indian Restaurant in Ireland

Volunteers in the thrift shop. Collette Shovlin, Maura Robinson, Philomena Caldwell, Judy Hughes, Lindy Henderson, Geraldine Giblin and Frank O’Donnell. Photo: Margaret Gallagher

Free Booklet Launched recalling 1930s in County Donegal

‘Scéaltaí: The 1930s Schools’ Manuscript Collection in County Donegal’, a unique booklet capturing an insight into the folk life, material culture, heritage and folklore of County Donegal in the 1930s was launched at a special event in Dooish National School recently. “In 1937-1938, the Irish Folklore Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Irish National Teachers' Organisation,

initiated a revolutionary scheme in which schoolchildren were encouraged to collect and document folklore, material culture, heritage and local history. Over a period of eighteen months, over 50,000 children in 5,000 primary schools in twenty-six counties were encouraged to collect folklore material in their home districts on themes such as local history and monuments, folktales and legends, riddles and proverbs, songs, customs and beliefs, games and

Kathleen Gallagher, Letterkenny; Margaret McGinty, Glenfinn and Mairead Cunningham, Carrick who all contributed to the Scealtaí project in the 1930’s pictured at the launch of Scealtaí in Dooish NS Ballybofey Photos: Gerard McHugh.

MEEHAN’S

Margret McGinty, Meenagrave, Ballybofey pictured with Joseph Gallagher, Donegal County Council Heritage Officer at the launch of Scealtaí, the 1930s schools’ manuscript collection of County Donegal, in Dooish NS Ballybofey. pastimes, traditional work practices and crafts,” explains Joseph Gallagher, Heritage Officer with Donegal County Council. “As part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan, Dr. Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair was commissioned to research and write this free booklet published by the County Donegal Heritage Office, in association with The Heritage Council,” adds Joseph. Copies of the free booklet will be made available to schools through the Donegal Education Centre.

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Ruby Wedding

We would like to congratulate our parents, Joy and Philip Montgomery, on their 40th Wedding Anniversary on October 7th 2018. Love from Warren, Áine, Zara and Naomi and from grandchildren Margaret and Grace.

LEGHOWNEY NEWS

LEGHOWNEY COUNTRY MARKET We had great interest in our new product last Saturday morning - beautiful local Apple Juice produced up the road in Cashelard Ballyshannon - Clooneen Orchard. It definitely passed the taste test at Leghowney - no added sugar, only thing added is rain. The next Market will be our SPOOKY HALLOWEEN MARKET on Saturday 27th October 10am to 12 noon. We invite kids and adults if you wish to come along in fancy dress. We will be holding our now Annual Best Carved Pumpkin Competition with prizes and treats. Pumpkin soup, Barm-Braic, chocolate apples and lots of treats. Come on down to the Spooky Market for a bite!

SPECIALISING IN HAIRCUTS FOR KIDS

Come and tr y our famous kid’s seat!

BRIDGE STREET, DONEGAL TOWN 087 6418681 OPEN TUES-FRI 10-6, SAT 9.30-5.30 CLOSED MONDAYS

SOMETHING SPOOKY AT LEGHOWNEY HALL Spooky Halloween family evening at Leghowney Hall on Tuesday 30th October 7pm to 9pm. Halloween games, treats and some Halloween Film Fun to suit under 10’s (PG) with popcorn. €5 per child, adults free admission with their little goblins. Tea and Barm-braic served. For further updates and info see Leghowney Community Hall Facebook page. AUTUMN SOCIAL Drumhome Heritage Society will hold an “Autumn Social” in St. Bridget’s Community Centre Ballintra on Bank Holiday Monday 29th October 9 pm to 12 am. Music by “Out and About”. Admission €8 includes supper. All support would be greatly appreciated.

The Olde Castle Bar & Restaurant, Donegal’s leading Seafood Bar; Beef, Lamb, Game in season

The Olde Castle Bar & Restaurant CASTLE STREET, DONEGAL TOWN Tel: +353 (0) 74 9721262 Email: info@oldecastlebar.com

www.oldecastlebar.com

with Nuala Toland

BIG THANK YOU! Donegal Town Community Band says a big “THANK YOU” to the Hooley in Leghowney Community Hall Organisers and Dancers for their wonderful donation of €400 to Donegal Town Community Band following last Wednesday’s Hooley - it is very much appreciated. LAST CHANCE TO SEE WAKE IN THE WEST Leghowney Drama are delighted to present Michael J. Ginnelly’s hilarious comedy, “Wake in the West” on Sunday 21st October at 8pm. This will be the only performance open to an audience before heading Stateside for two shows in New Jersey on Oct. 27th and 28th. Tickets are €10 so arrive early to ensure a good seat.

Riah Relocates

New premises on Upper Main Street will be more accessible to customers Riah Hair Salon on the Main Street is relocating to Upper Main Street next door to Brady’s Opticians. Proprietor Kerry Bonner has been planning the move for some time and opened the new premises on Tuesday this week. Kerry told the Eye that her business has grown and expanded since she opened in 2016. “While I will still retain the same chic theme of my existing premises the big plus is all the services I offer will be on the ground floor. I have a very busy wigs, head wear and scarf business for alopecia patients and cancer patients. In the previous salon these patients had to climb the stairs to be fitted - now its all on the same level. Also there are extra parking facilities”. Riah Hair Salon offers a professional hair styling and wig fitting service. Kerry has also got a Beauty Room available to rent which will complement the services offered in the Salon.

Kerry Bonner ready to welcome customers to her new salon.

Opening hours for Riah are from 9am - 8pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; Wednesday 9am - 6pm and Saturday 9am 5.30pm.

Interior of the new Riah salon on Upper Main Street. Photos: Margaret Gallagher

New Manager for Railway Centre Donegal Railway Heritage Centre has appointed a new manager, Niall McCaughan, who hails from a hill farm in the Glens of Antrim but is presently living in Derry. Niall is married to Karen who is a nurse in the new cancer unit in Altnagelvin hospital and they have three children, Gemma, Andrew and Hannah. Niall comes to Donegal Town with an impressive CV having previously managed one of the largest art centres in Northern Ireland - The Derry Playhouse. During his time there he was involved not only in the arts, but in tourism, heritage, the media and investment, and oversaw the £4.6 million refurbishment of their buildings. He was also a former Director of Visit Derry, Derry's tourism provider and Londonderry Chamber of Commerce as well as having served as a council member on BBC Northern Ireland. Niall told The Eye of his great love of heritage and how he was the chair of Friends of Derry Walls for eighteen years. “When the opportunity to manage the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre presented itself I was really interested. I am familiar with the narrow gauge railway from Ballycastle and would be most interested in the near future in the reinstatement of track out at Biddy’s of Barnes. Every morning as I travel through the Gap to work I take in the amazing scenery and visualize the train steaming through the hills many moons ago. “My remit is to increase footfall in the centre and encourage people to get involved and in joint partnership with the local

community our focus is to have more people come through the door of this gem of a Railway Heritage Centre housed in the original train station in Donegal Town. “We intend to update the museum and work closely with Failte Ireland. There is a very dedicated team and Board with whom I look forward to working, along with the staff, members and the wider local community and also our funders and partners to make this jewel reach its full potential.” Niall went on to say that funding is a challenge and that the centre have recently applied to Pobal for funding which they are hopeful of receiving. With the quirky location he encouraged groups to use the centre for their meetings and to drop in and have a cuppa. There are a number of events taking place over at the station in the coming weeks with a Modern Modelling afternoon on the 20th October, a Halloween Ghost train on the 27th and the Christmas Polar Express with Santa two weekends in December. The opening hours of the Railway Centre are Monday to Friday 10am - 5.30pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm.

Harvey’s Bar & Terrace @ Harvey’s Point

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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Fun Dining by the Lake • Terrace with views over Lough Eske • Casual Dining & Cocktail Menu • Speciality Coffee and Teas • Big Whiskey Selection • Funky Octagonal Bar • Large Gin Palace • Craft Beers Live entertainment • Open Fire most evenings

Casual Dining available 12.30 to 9pm

Est. 1989

Tel: +353 74 9722208 - harveyspoint.com

curtains&blinds

experts in design and installation Curtains • Curtain Poles • Blinds • Wallpaper

Belleek Road, Donegal Shopping Centre Ballyshannon Donegal Town 071 98 58193 074 97 25200 info@decorworld.ie www.decorworld.ie

EXCLUSIVELY AT BRADY OPTICIANS Upper Main Street, Donegal, Co. Donegal www.bradyopticians.com | Tel 074 9721727

WE ARE NOW… Donegal Town Business Park, Drumrooske, Donegal Town

Ph: (074) 972 3636

H

Email: sales@donegalhardware.ie www.donegalhardware.ie Facebook/DonegalTownHardware OPEN Monday to Friday: 8am - 6pm Saturday: 8am - 4.30pm

Donegal Town Hardware Homevalue BLACK WICKER BASKET

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Essentials Fireside Accessories 1. COMPANION SET 10691 WAS €19.95 NOW €14.95 2. COAL CHUTE 10670 WAS €14.95 NOW €12.95 3. FIRE GUARD 10668 WAS €14.95 NOW €9.95 4. WATERLOO BUCKET 10678 WAS €19.95 NOW €14.95

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Home safety

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STAY FIRE SAFE & UP TO DATE WITH LEGISLATION

Did you know? All landlords are required to install carbon monoxide alarms, fire alarms & fire suppressant materials for all rented & commercial properties.

Prices include VAT & PRF charges. Prices are correct at time of print. Pictures are for illustration purposes only. Colours may vary. Offers subject to a vailability. Customer quotas may apply. All rights reserved E&OE. Every effort has been made to ensure products are correctly illustrated and described but errors and omissions cannot be discounted. Prices shown are special offers. We do not guarantee that products may have been on sale for a period of 28 days or more in previous 3 month period. Cash & carry.sale.

OFFERS AVAILABLE UNTIL 20th OCTOBER OR WHILE STOCKS LAST

An Post looking for a new premises to house Donegal Town Post Office A notice in the window of Donegal Town Post Office on Tirchonaill Street is calling for a new retail partner to run the Contract Post Office with preference given to suitable candidates who are proposing to co-locate the post office with a compatible business in a suitable premises.

The sign reads:

Put your stamp on a unique business opportunity in Donegal. An Post is looking for a new retail partner to run a contract Post Office in Donegal, County Donegal. If you have proven retail and business development skills and the ability to access suitable premises, we want to hear from you. Contact Peter Gillespie at 071 9159271 or

email retail.partners@anpost.ie. Completed applications must be received by 5pm on Friday 19th October, 2018. Please note that preference will be given to suitable candidates who are proposing to co-locate the post office with a compatible business in a suitable premises. Applicants should note that competing services are not allowed in the premises in which the Post Office is located. Donegal Post Office which was formerly on the Diamond relocated to the purpose built premises on Tirchonaill Street in 1977. Back then it was a Head Post Office, however in 2008 it was downgraded to a contract post office and for the past ten years has been run by Mary Harley as postmistress.

VAT increase on tourism and hospitality sector

Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has stated the Government has made a serious error by increasing the VAT rate on the Tourism and Hospitality sector. “The increase will have serious consequences for the hotel, restaurant and hospitality sector right throughout Donegal. The VAT hike is especially difficult to understand in the context of the ever increasing threats of Brexit and an ever competitive tourism market,” he said. “Tourism is one of the sectors showing real and tangible growth in rural areas over the past 5 to 6 years, and the growth in visitors has been impressive but it is insignificant in terms of the tourism numbers which our cities and east coast experience each year,” he continued. Pat the Cope added that it is another example of how this Government fails to understand the impact decisions such as this one will have in areas such as the Northwest of Ireland. Even the experts in tourism are predicting that tourism is facing into an uncertain time with many outside threats to the sector, and when one considers the sheer numbers employed in the sector it is complete folly to put the sector under further pressure. “With the Government failing to tackle rising insurance costs and the grossly unfair rates system which are a constant drag on tourism, today’s announcement only adds to the pressure our tourism employers are constantly under especially in rural areas such as Donegal where tourism can be very seasonal. The tourism sector is critical for Donegal but the prosperity and growth in tourism in areas such as Dublin and the East coast has been used to determine the VAT policy for the less well-off areas. It is for this reason that areas such as Donegal and other Western seaboard counties will continue to struggle,” concluded Pat the Cope.

60th

Birthday

Stephen McGrath, Ballybrillighan, Frosses, celebrated his 60th birthday recently. Stephen traveled to his birthplace, Coventry with family and friends to celebrate the occasion. They visited Coventry City stadium and were special guests at a Coventry City versus Sunderland game. After the game Stephen met with present and past players. Later Stephen attended a surprise party where he met with family and school friends.

Stephen and his wife Carmel at the Jimmy Hill Monument at Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

Stephen with Coventry City player Tom Bayliss.

Stephen with family and friends on his memorable trip to Coventry.

Short Stay Ward in Letterkenny University Hospital to reopen

Minister Joe McHugh has secured a commitment to reopen the short stay ward in Letterkenny University Hospital. “I am delighted to confirm that the short stay ward in LUH is to reopen,” Minister McHugh said. “I have pushed for this investment in the hospital in Letterkenny for a considerable period of time and we hope that this development will help to ease the pressure on beds in the hospital. “I discussed this issue with Health Minister Simon Harris at Cabinet recently and we now have assurances that the 19 beds in the shortstay ward will reopen next year. “This decision comes on the back of my request to Minister Harris to review the need for the short stay ward in LUH. “And in real terms this means a need for more nurses at the hospital, and while recruitment is ongoing to secure permanent nursing staff the assurance of the ward reopening means that more jobs will be available in LUH.” The Minister added: “LUH has seen unprecedented levels of investment in recent years with the budget going from €93million in 2012 to €121million in 2017 and thanks to the increasing investment in the hospital we have more than 1,500 staff working there including the equivalent of almost 570 nursing staff working in 2017, compared to 506 back in 2013.”

Gerard is new owner of Mountcharles Garage

Gerard Jordan, Inver has taken over the workshop which was formerly Bernard Meehan Car Repairs in Drumconnor, Mountcharles. Gerard is a son of Cathal and Geraldine Jordan and is no stranger to the business having worked for Bernard for the past thirteen years as the main mechanic. Gerard told The Eye that from a very young age he was interested in car mechanics and completed his apprenticeship in 2011 with Bernard and then progressed on to become head mechanic. The new workshop will be called Jordan MotorworX and offers service and maintenance of all makes and models, NCT and CVRT test prep, on site diagnostics, 4 wheel laser alignment and tyre and exhaust repairs. The workshop is open Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm and on Saturday from 9am - 2pm and can be contacted on 074 9736124 or jordanmotorworx@gmail.com. We wish Gerard every success with his new venture.

Budget fails to address childcare staffing crisis SIPTU representatives have said that Budget 2019 has failed to address the deep staffing crisis in Early Years education. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Martin O’Rourke, said: “The Government claims it wants a high quality, affordable and professional Early Years Sector but fails to deliver on this aspiration. While some measures announced slightly reduce the cost of childcare for some parents it is merely a token gesture. Our members believe that Budget 2019 is ultimately a missed opportunity to deliver for educators and providers. “The childcare sector is in the middle of a staffing crisis. This budget fails to recognise and reward workers in the sector and will do nothing to alleviate this crisis. Low levels of government investment mean that qualified Early Years educators earn an average of just €10.88 per hour. Many workers are also on precarious 15 hour a week, 38 week a year contracts. This is unsustainable.” He added: “Unsurprisingly, this has resulted in a staff turnover rate of 28% per year as educators struggle to make ends meet. The crisis has undermined the drive to improve quality in the sector. Ireland spends just 0.2% of its GDP on Early Years education. This compares to an EU average of 0.7% and 1% in Sweden. This low level of funding is compounded by a competitive ‘market model’ approach which is unfit to deliver such a vital public service.”

Last Timber Shipment of 2018 from Killybegs The MV Afalina berthed in Killybegs on the night of Saturday 6th October having sailed from Finland with a cargo of sawn timber for Belfast and Warrenpoint the previous week. The vessel deballasted overnight, was surveyed and commenced loading her cargo of logs at 06:00 on Sunday morning. The cargo handling equipment is purpose built for loading this particular type of log cargo. It is owned by a UK company but based in Ireland working mainly the ports of Youghal, Passage West, Waterford and Sligo. There are several vessels trading between Scottish ports and these Irish ports with timber cargoes for sawmills in the Republic. The vessel completed loading on the afternoon of Monday 8th and sailed as soon as the deck cargo was secure as the weather forecast was poor for the rest of the week. A log cargo on deck can absorb and trap a substantial quantity of water adversely affecting the stability of the vessel. This is the final vessel in 2018 carrying logs out of Killybegs. The entire crew of the vessel are from Latvia of Russian descent. They spend four months at sea and two at home. Patsy Kelly

PEARSON GROUNDWORKS Hazardous Waste Collection Donegal County Council in conjunction with Bryson Recycling are holding a Free Household Hazardous Waste Collection on Saturday 3rd November at the Laghey Recycling Centre. The types of materials accepted as part of this FREE service include: Old Paints, Paint Stripper/Thinner, Inks, Cleaning Agents, Detergents, Disinfectants, Bleaches, Obsolete Medicines, Antifreeze, Herbicides (weed killers), Pesticides, Insecticides, Aerosols, Waste Oil, Adhesives. All containers, bottles etc. must be labelled and materials clearly identifiable.

DONEGAL TOWN

NEW ROW

074 97 21658 James: 087 9857551 Benny: 087 6331772

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• COAL • ANTRACITE • CALCOAL • BRIQUETTES • Grade A Coal • Nuggets • Triple Heat • Maxi Blend • Doubles • Small Eco • Eco Flame • Small Coal • Eco Stove • Briquettes • Bags of Logs • Household Gas ‑ three sizes Household, 34kg, 47kg

• Fencing

• Gravel drives

Delivery Service Available

Contact Adrian: 087 3680128 Complete your exterior with our prompt and professional service

FROSSES NEWS

with Colm Kelly

Congratulations to Patrick Gallagher from Drimbarron who had a very successful outing at the Great Britain Irish Dancing Championships. A star in the making. The Frosses Golf Society’s Strabane outing was a great success with 23 golfers taking part. The winner was John Burke (Killian) with Mark McCarthy (Cranny Road) 2nd and John Mohan (Lettermore) in 3rd place. The next outing is to Murvagh on Wednesday 7th November at 12pm. The sponsor is Mark McCarthy from the Marine Times. Congratulation to Denise Quigley and Danny Costello who got married in Frosses on Friday last. They had after mass tea in the hall. As far as I am aware this is a first. Happy 81st birthday to Red Jim Gallagher from Gurteens and living in Auckland, New Zealand. Jim has always been a great Donegal ambassador. There will be a Trick or Trot 5K run in Frosses on Sunday 28th October at 12 noon. Fancy dress costumes are optional and there will be refreshments in the hall afterwards. All proceeds are going to the Frosses Hall Development Fund. It’s sure to be a great afternoon’s fun.

Church Spire receives grant

€20,000 in urgent funding to repair spire from Structures at Risk fund. In one of his final acts before being promoted to Minister for Education, Junior Minister for the Irish language, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh TD announced the grant decision of €20,000 for the spire repair fund last Friday morning when he visited Donegal and met with the Rector, Archdeacon David Huss. The Minister called at the church to see the ongoing repair work to the spire, which he described as “a landmark feature of Donegal Town”. Deputy McHugh also called at the parishes’ outreach centre, The Mustard Seed, in New Row, where he shared a coffee with parish volunteers. Archdeacon Huss said he was grateful to the Department of Culture, Heritage & The

CASSIDY’S COAL

Gaeltacht for supporting the restoration work through its Structures at Risk Fund. “Our parishioners have a deep affection for Donegal Parish Church and they will be delighted at today’s news,” Archdeacon Huss said. “I think some of them felt at a low ebb after our Christmas Day lightning strike in 2016, and then the subsequent revelation of extensive damage to our spire and tower. But there’s been a lot of lobbying and a lot of praying since then. Thankfully, today it seems they’ve paid off.” Minister McHugh is pictured with Archdeacon Huss and architect Paul Doherty with the Church spire in the background.

Thrift Shop THE THRIFT SHOP is re-opening on Thursday 18th October 2018 at 10am All welcome Water Street Donegal Town 074 97 23164

AVS Events

Transition Year students from the Abbey Vocational School who attended a fire safety talk with Kevin Coulter recently. Abbey Vocational School Transition Year students who attended a ForoĂ­ge leadership course this week with facilitator Kerrie Waugh.

Quay Street, Donegal Town Tel: (074) 972 2744

Transition Year Public Speaking Workshop at the AVS Irish actor Alan Devine who has starred in a number of major films including Veronica Guerin and King Arthur and in Irish soaps Fair City and Glenroe was at the Abbey Vocational School this week to facilitate a series of workshops on public speaking with Transition Year students.

Unit 13, Millcourt Mews, The Diamond, Donegal Town Tel: 074 97 22862 enrightaine@gmail.com

New Sunday Lunch at Lough Eske Castle

CREATE PERFECT LONG LASHES

Join us in Cedars Restaurant every Sunday and enjoy our NEW three‑course Sunday Lunch menu served from 1pm ‑ 3pm. €35 per adult | €15 per child (13‑17 years) | Children 12 and under complimentary

LVLS ALSO AVAILABLE

Reservations required For bookings contact reservations on +353(0)749725100

EYELASH EXTENSIONS Lough Eske Castle, Donegal Town, County Donegal, F94 HX59 T: +353 (0)074 9725100 F: +353 (0)74 97 23762 Reservations email: reservations.lougheske@solishotels.com www.lougheskecastlehotel.com

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Congratulations to Denise Quigley from Frosses and Danny Costello, Kerry on their marriage in St. Mary’s Church, Frosses on the 12th of October.

Plane Crash in the Blue Stack Mountains From the book ‘Donegal, Past and Present.’ by Joe McGarrigle. With thanks to his daughter Geraldine.

It happened in 1944 on New Year’s Eve, it was a British Sunderland Flying Boat D.W. 10, the twelve crew members belonged to 228 Squadron R.A.F. and they were on a war time mission - to patrol the Atlantic Coast in anti U-Boat operations. Only five crew members survived the crash. Although Ireland remained neutral throughout World War Two an agreement was made with the allies which allowed British aircraft to fly over part of County Donegal to carry out Atlantic patrol duty. The aeroplane was on route to its base in Pembroke Dock in Wales, having been recalled from operating duty due to expected bad weather. They were being diverted to Castle Archdale in Lower Lough Erne. Severe rain storms made visibility practically impossible and after 13 hours hazardous flying the crew were anxious to

reach base but unfortunately the driving rain prevented them from locating their exact position and before they knew it they had crashed into the mountains. It was after midnight. The aircraft was on fire and explosions were going off. Two of the crew, Flight Sgt. Gowens and Pilot J. Gilchrist discovered each other immediately after the crash, both suffering bruises and swelling but not seriously injured. Unable to do anything they planned to wait until daybreak to search for the others whereupon they met up with three other survivors. Warrant officer Richardson was suffering from severe head and body injuries and the other two, Sgt. Hobbs and Flying Officer Trull, could not be moved. It took Gowens and Gilchrist six hours to make the descent and the first cottage they arrived at was that of Mrs. McDermott. Her son Joe along with Gowens headed off on bicycles to the Garda station and before long there was a rescue party to recover the remaining survivors and the bodies of the crew. Some 44 years later, in a ceremony to mark the event, a memorial plaque was placed on the site of the crash and unveiled by the only remaining survivor, James Gilchrist, who

chose a quotation from the poem, ‘For the Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon. It says: “To the end, the end, they remain.”

Kevin Quinlan pictured with Jim Gilchrist at a commemorative event in 2003 At the 2003 event Jim remembered, “We managed to shelter from the wind and rain and away from the burning plane behind a large rock. I inflated my ‘Mae West’ and myself and Arthur Gowans sat on it. As dawn broke, we spotted three other survivors, Joe Trull, Tubby Richardson and C. Hobbs. As we surveyed the countryside, there were no roads, no houses, no noise. Stiff and sore from our wounds, Gowans and myself made our way along the mountain stream to reach McDermott’s of the Croaghs”.

Francie Kennedy’s Tribute to Bluestack Plane Crash Victims

Francie (front) is pictured with Paddy Kelly, Jimmy Martin and Joe Gorman at the plane crash site. Picture at right shows Francie finishing off the memorial. On Easter Sunday 1981, a group of local men climbed to the site of the World War II plane crash in the Bluestacks. Among them was local sign-writer Francie Kennedy who

recalled, “A few of us went up to the site of the crash that day, and when we were there some of us began looking for souvenirs. I said that I would not take a memento until

I had paid my respects to the airmen who died.” The group returned to Donegal but Francie was determined to create a memorial to the crewmen. He said, “The next day, Easter Monday, I got a gallon of paint for road-marking, and with some others went back up to the site. We built a stone altar and I got out my paint and painted a cross and ‘R.I.P.’ on a huge rock. I wore out about four brushes painting the rock, because the stone was so rough. The late Joe Kelly told me that the lettering could be seen from a great distance when he was in his helicopter. This was the first memorial to the men who died, and though it has worn away with the weather, it was very clear when it was first painted.” Among his collection of memorabilia from days gone by, Francie is proud to own a cleat from the doomed plane. Mounted on wood, it is a reminder of the fateful night in January 1944 when the Sunderland crashed, with the loss of seven men.

International Credit Union Day

To celebrate International Credit Union Day on Thursday 18th October 2018 Donegal Town Credit Union will be hosting a Members’ Appreciation Day at our offices that day. We would like to invite you to join us and refreshments will be served in the Credit Union. We also have a fantastic competition for those who visit our office on Thursday 18th October. There will be 3 prizes raffled to those who call into the Credit Union and enter our draw! In addition, those who like and share our Facebook post about International Credit Union Day will also be entered into a draw for two €50 shop local vouchers! We hope you can join us this Thursday to celebrate International Credit Union Day. Everyone welcome.

DONEGAL TOWN CREDIT UNION LTD., MILLER’S HILL, DONEGAL TOWN Tel: 074 9721293 or 9725727 Donegal Town Credit Union Ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. www.donegaltowncreditunion.com

MAIN STREET, DONEGAL TOWN

Tel: 074 9722656

www.skintherapy.me

Tired, puffy eyes? Fine lines appearing?

This great value GUINOT EYE ESSENTIAL KIT is just the answer. You are getting a Full Size Eye lifting cream with a FREE Eye Logic Mask and 30ml size Eye Makeup remover along with this cute Makeup bag!! A gift for yourself or a friend!! All for only €57 – drop in before they are all gone!

Lip Sync Battle Winners “Mixfit” were the winners of the Lip Sync Battle held last Friday in the Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran in aid of Aodh Rua GAA Club and Ballyshannon Musical Society. Pictured are Elaine Groake, Caroline McLoone and Jojo McNulty of the winning group “Mixfit”. Pictured below are judges Geraldine Diver, Michael Daly and Siobhan McGarrigle. Photos Andrea Whelan

The Solace Cancer Support Centre On my recent visit to the Solace Cancer Support Centre to cover their Annual Coffee Morning I was so impressed by their warm welcome and really felt that it would be a wonderful place to have available should you receive an unwelcome diagnosis. Phil Gallagher, PRO of the centre told me that the centre is for anyone with an illness or members of their families and carers - not just for cancer sufferers. I asked could we publish a piece on the history of the centre and the services offered and she kindly gave Margaret the following story. Louise Histon

Sr Magdalene with Phil Gallagher In 1989, a small group of Donegal women who were going through cancer treatment, or recovering from cancer, met on a regular basis over a cup of tea. They found that talking helped cope with their illness as a cancer diagnosis can create a sense of alienation for both patient and family members. Together they could discuss emotional, practical and physical problems in an open and empathetic atmosphere. Within ten years the group had increased

greatly in numbers so they decided to rent a premises and create a designated drop‑in centre. By 1999 these great women got together and decided they needed a secure and permanent “place apart” and to extend their activities. The concept of The Solace Cancer Centre was born and fundraising commenced. A suitable site was identified in St Joseph’s Avenue, Donegal Town, building commenced and the centre opened its doors on 6th September 2007. The Centre is under the leadership of Sr Magdalene Moore, herself a retired hospice nurse, and supported by a group of volunteers. The group has continued to grow and now has a very active men’s group. Due to the growing demand for help and support for cancer sufferers and their families the Centre could not survive without the generosity and kindness of the Donegal people. The Centre is run on donations and is not funded in any way by the HSE.

The Centre is named “The Solace Cancer Centre” as solace is what we all need when we are unwell or need support. It is a registered charity (CHY 635549). The aim and objectives of the Centre are: • To offer emotional and practical support to people with any life limiting condition, as well as their family and friends • To lessen the fear associated with the word cancer • To provide a “drop-in” centre where people with cancer may access support and information • To make sure The Centre is open to all whose lives have been affected by cancer • To continue to develop and meet the cancer needs of the people of Donegal and the wider locality • To offer one to one counselling services, to include bereavement support, by appointment • Complementary therapies such as Reflexology, by appointment • Closed Group Courses • We offer a series of information talks by professionals • We have an extensive library with a large range of reading material. Everything we do at The Solace Cancer Centre is confidential and is carried out in a professional, caring and welcoming environment with total consideration for all concerned. We know that it is difficult to make that move and make the call, but don’t worry, you will be met by a trained volunteer who will chat with you over a cuppa. They will tell you about the services available and it is entirely up to you to decide if The Solace Centre is for you. Come along and see for yourself. The centre is open to all in County Donegal. Margaret Gallagher

“Headstrong” Event SLIDING WARDROBES

Bryson Kitchens Drumlonagher, Donegal Town, Telephone: 074 9725450

PRINTING SOLUTIONS

Students from local schools - Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town and St. Catherine’s Vocational School, Killybegs - recently attended the launch of a programme addressing Ireland’s Teen Suicide rate and Mental Health Stigma The two schools are among the first in Ireland to implement a new mental health programme – HEADSTRONG in association with Cycle Against Suicide. Caroline Lafferty, CEO of Cycle Against Suicide adds: “We have worked with the Mental Health Commission of Canada to introduce HEADSTRONG to our schools here in Ireland as we believe that this programme is invaluable in helping younger people to be brave and speak up about mental health.” Pictured at right are students from the AVS who attended the event in Dublin with their teacher Patrice Rooney (not in picture). Pictured below are St. Catherine’s VS students with their teacher Ryan O’Donnell.

Your Local Photocopier & Printer Agent www.

PrintSupplies.ie 074-9736333

FROSSES, CO. DONEGAL sales@printsupplies.ie

IS YOUR HOME PROTECTED? Ask us about our HOME INSURANCE PRODUCTS

Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

O'DOWD DONNELLY CARBIN

INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. Castle Centre, Bridge Street, Donegal Town Tel: 074-9721862/9722056 Fax: 074-9722282

Britton’s Pharmacy your family

MAIN STREET, DONEGAL TOWN TEL: 074 9721008

www.brittonspharmacy.com

As part of our in‑store URIAGE Promotion Day this Friday 19th October, you can enjoy this fantastic FREE GIFT of a Uriage Travel Kit worth €27.95 with every two purchases made (one to be a moisturiser). Also a Thermal Spa Water FREE with every purchase.

Old Laghey Road, Donegal Town, Co Donegal. Phone 074 9722052 Fax 074 9722468 Email sales@donegalplumbing.ie

ARE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW BUILDING A NEW HOME

Call and see our Large range of Kitchen & Bathroom wall and floor tiles on display in our Showroom

DO YOU NEED SOME ADVICE REGARDING NEW RENEWABLE ENERGY HEATING SYSTEMS Give us a call or email us a copy of your house plans and we will get back to you with a free quotation

www.donegalplumbing.ie | www.irishstoves.ie

E & J Oil Services Ltd. Donegal Tyre Centre Ltd.

Tyre Sales & Fitting Wheel Balancing Puncture Repairs 3D Alignment Specialists

BALLINTRA, CO. DONEGAL Email: Tel/Fax: 074-9734129 info@ejoils.com

Home Heating Oil Road Diesel

We supply all types of tyre Car • Van • Truck • Tractor OPENING Mon-Fri 9am-6pm HOURS Sat 9am-3pm CLAR ROAD, DONEGAL TOWN

Phone: 074 9721482 www.donegaltyres.com

Gardening with Emer WINTER ROSE CARE

With storms becoming the norm the past few winters, it is important to cut back your roses to prevent ‘windrock’. This causes damage to the roots and loosens them in the soil. The taller the plant the more likely it is to catch the wind. Long shoots can also be damaged or broken by the wind, leaving open wounds allowing pests and diseases a chance to infect. By cutting back your Floribunda and Hybrid Tea roses by just a third you can prevent these problems occurring. It is also a good idea to remove any damaged or decaying branches at this stage. A more detailed prune can be done in early spring when the buds are forming. For your climbing roses you can remove an entire branch with old hard wood to leave way for a new shoot to form from the base. Crossing branches, damaged and dead wood should also be cut out.

Standard Roses, i.e. those trained as a ball on top of a long stem, can have any long shoots cut back into the ball shape. Carpet roses will only require a trim to tidy up the shape of the plant. Pruning your roses just twice a year will greatly improve their health and extend their lifespan. Mulching them at this time of year has many benefits too. It replenishes the soil, helps retain moisture, reduces the chance of windrock and suppresses weeds. Well rotted horse manure, farmyard manure, bark mulch or compost can be used for this job. Call in to us at Ashtree Garden Centre for more advice on winter care for your roses and don’t forget to keep an eye out for information on our Pumpkin Festival which will run from Friday 26th to Wednesday 31st October. Emer Campbell FdSc Amenity Horticulture

“Yes Chef” Winners

Donegal Winners at the “Yes Chef ” Competition last week - Aoife White, House Gastro Pub; Jo Roarty, Quay West; Katie Loughman, Blas; Susan and Rana Miah, Chandpur; Craig Loughman, Blas; Debbie O’Reilly, Quay West

Rana Miah from Chandpur winner of Best Dressed Man

INVER NOTES INVER COMMUNITY CENTRE For more information contact the Centre on 9736166 or 086 8246427 Santa’s Grotto Sat 1st Dec and Sunday 2nd of Dec, booking is essential. Visit Santa, get present & visit Mrs. Claus for story time. Photo by Jmac. €15 per child, adults free. Active Group Tuesday Mornings 11am. Karate 7.30pm Wednesday evenings.

Local Dancers win in Brighton Magnificent achievement by the McNelis Cunningham Boyle School of Dance at the Great Britain Irish Dancing Championships last weekend. U12 Seoda Liu Wang Champion U19 Shannon Flanagan Champion U10 Patrick Gallagher 2nd U14 Emily Colangelo 2nd U7 Leah Dorrian 5th U14 Ailbhe Liu Wang 5th U17 Ronan McKiernan 5th U7 Neasa McGurn 7th

U12 Alicia Keys 7th U13 Neasa Boyle 7th U9 Dylan Dorrian8th U11 Fionn Doogan 9th U14 Emma Farren 11th U11 Ciara McKelvey 12th U10 Aoife McKelvey 15th U11 Ellie Campbell 16th U17 Aine McDonald 20th U13 Eva Carragher 21st U17 Ciara McKiernan 21st U13 Caoimhe Gallagher 30th

U12 Champion Seoda Liu Wang

U19 Champion Shannon Flanagan with teacher Shaun Kelly

U14 Girls Emily Colangelo (2nd) Ailbhe Liu Wang (5th) and Emma Farren (11th)

U10 Patrick Gallagher 2nd

Keep Fit Burn calories, increase cardio and strength, tone up, lose weight and in general feel good mentally and physically. Pay as you go, friendly atmosphere, large work area, loads of different types and styles of exercise combined to give you maximum results! Morning classes: Wednesday 6.30am, mixed class; Friday 6.30am, mixed class. Evening classes: Tuesday 6.30pm, ladies only; Tuesday 7.30pm, mixed class. Thursday 6.30pm, ladies only; Thursday 7.30pm, mixed class. Just land in on whatever day suits to the Inver Community Centre or contact 086 8246427 for more info. Disco Friday 26th October for 13 to 15 year olds 9.30 to 12. Inver Community Centre is available to hire for Classes, Meetings, Dances and parties. Please Tel: Breedge @ 074 9736166.

The Salmon Inn BAR & RESTAURANT Seafood a Speciality

Thanks

Now taking bookings for Christmas Parties Mullinasole, Laghey, Co. Donegal Tel: 074-9734040 From NI 0035374-9734040

Authentic MEXICAN Restaurant

Bridie Kelly, Kelly’s Toyota garage, would like to thank everyone who supported her recent coffee morning in aid of Donegal Hospice. It was a great success.

Charity Ball for Breast Cancer Open Friday & Saturday: 5pm-9pm à la carte menu Sunday: 12:30pm - 7:30pm lunch menu served all day

LA FIESTA

North West Breast Cancer and Letterkenny University Hospital are holding their Annual Breast Cancer Charity Ball on Friday 30th November in The Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny. The event will be hosted by Noel Cunningham and music is by ‘The Bentley Boys’. Tickets are €50 and dress is ‘black tie / formal’.

Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday 4-10pm; Friday and Saturday 12noon - 10pm

MERCHANT COURT, THE DIAMOND, DONEGAL TOWN. Email: lafiestadonegal@outlook.com

Tel: 074 9742542

NEW BABY

Congratulations to Kelly and Ryan O’Neill on

the birth of their baby boy Nathan

WHAT’S ON…

DONEGAL TOWN D.A.R.A. A BOWLING TRIP has been arranged for Thursday 18th October to Arena 7 in Letterkenny. A bus is leaving at 9:40am and there will be dinner on return at Quay West at 7:00pm. St Vincent De Paul THRIFT SHOP, Water Street is re-opening on Thursday 18th October at 10am. Tel. 074 97 23164. TEA IN THE TUNNEL The Level 3 Horticulture class in Donegal AETC (old tech) are hosting “Tea in the Tunnel” on Friday 19th October as part of Donegal Social Inclusion Week (The event was postponed from last wek due to adverse weather conditions.) Come along to browse the beds and polytunnel and enjoy a cuppa in the tunnel. Kavanagh’s SuperValu, Donegal Town are holding their ANNUAL CAKE SALE AND COFFEE MORNING on Friday 19th October from 10am - 2pm. All proceeds will go to Pieta House, Simon Community and Alzheimer’s Donegal. Come along for some homemade goodies, coffee and a catch up with friends. The next HOUSE OF STORIES will be on Friday 19th October in the Coach House Bar, Upper Main Street from 8pm - 11pm. All welcome. Donegal Bay Sub-Aqua Club are holding a DINNER DANCE to celebrate their 30th Anniversary in the Abbey Hotel on Friday 19th October. Tickets available from club members. HARVEST SERVICES in Donegal Presbyterian Church on Sunday 21st Oct at 11.30am and in Rantheeny Presbyterian Church on Sunday Evening at 7.30pm Guest speaker is Rev Alan Wilson. Gifts of non perishable food will be donated at both services for distribution in the area. All welcome. Billy’s Annual FUNDRAISING DANCE for Cancer Patients and Their Families. Abbey Hotel Friday 26th October. Dancing 9pm – 1am. Tickets €10. All proceeds in aid of cancer patients. MC Johnny Haughey with Guest Artists and Irish Traditional Dancing. Spot Prizes including Plasma TV. Ashtree Garden Centre will be running their PUMPKIN FESTIVAL from Friday 26th to Wednesday 31st October, excluding Sunday. On Tuesday 30th there will be a magical evening of pumpkin picking by torchlight, storytelling, games and much more. The KIDS KLUB has started again in the Presbyterian Church Hall every Monday evening from 7.00 to 8.00pm. For all national school children - Bible stories, singing, quizzes, games and lots of fun The DONEGAL BRIDGE CLUB has resumed in the Abbey Hotel on Thursdays at 7.30pm. New members welcome. Last week’s winners were: 1st - Frank Shovlin / Brendan Reck. 2nd - Paddy and Alice Carr. 3rd - David Davin / Richard Walsh. BOWLS has reopened every Friday evening in the Presbyterian hall from 8.00pm to 10.00pm Donegal Railway Heritage Centre’s famous annual HALLOWEEN FUN DAY returns on Saturday 27th October from 2pm-6pm for all the family. Come and check out our Spooky event which includes Train Rides, Movies, Party Games, Colouring In, Fancy Dress Competition and much much more. Ideal for young children! €6 Per Child, Family Discount available. More details to follow!

LAGHEY Donegal County Council in conjunction with Bryson Recycling are holding a FREE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION on Saturday 3rd November at the Laghey Recycling Centre. The types of materials accepted as part of this FREE service include: Old Paints, Paint Stripper/ Thinner, Inks, Cleaning Agents, Detergents, Disinfectants, Bleaches, Obsolete Medicines, Anti-freeze, Herbicides (weed killers), Pesticides, Insecticides, Aerosols, Waste Oil, Adhesives. All containers, bottles etc. must be labelled and materials clearly identifiable. PETTIGO OLD TIME AND SOCIAL DANCING in the Termon Complex on Sundays 21st October, 18th November and 16th December at 5.30pm. Light refreshments and bar facilities available. The Templecarne parish ANNUAL VARIETY CONCERT will be held on Thursday 8th November in the Methodist Hall at 8pm. The Forge Family Resource Centre ANNUAL COFFEE MORNING will be held on Friday 7th December in the Methodist Hall from 11am to 2pm. All proceeds in aid of Counselling Services. The WALKIE-TALKIE GROUP meet every Monday morning at 10am at the Methodist Hall for a guided walk followed by refreshments. All levels of walkers welcome. ALLSORTS COMMUNITY SINGING GROUP meet every Monday at 8pm in Pettigo Resource Centre, new members are welcome. Pettigo and Tullyhommon MEN’S GROUP meet every Thursday at 8pm in Pettigo Methodist Hall, new members are always welcome. There will be a SEWING CLASS for 4 weeks in November on Thursdays from 8pm - 10pm. (if numbers are sufficient). To book contact Catherine on 00447763062385 or the FRC on 071 98 61924. A CARERS SUPPORT GROUP will meet for respite activities on the last Wednesday of each month from 8pm in The Forge Family resource Centre. All Carers are welcome. There will be a Link Up PARENT / CARER AND TODDLER GROUP every Thursday in The Methodist Hall, High Street, from 10am - 12 noon. €2 per week. For more information contact Sandra on 071 98 61924. MOUNTCHARLES There will be a MOUNTCHARLES DEVELOPMENT meeting on Thursday the 25th of October at 8.30pm in the community centre to give an update on the Town and Village Renewal project. Everyone Welcome. The MOUNTCHARLES COMMUNITY WALKERS meet every Wednesday in the village at 10am for a walk in the locality and a cup of tea after the walk. Once a month, usually the last Wednesday of the month, they go on tour and have a walk away. All walks are on road except the away walks which are often on tracks. All levels of walkers are welcome.

The FLU VACCINE is now available at the Health Centre, Mountcharles. For an appointment, please ring 074 9735100

BLUESTACK CENTRE & HOSTEL, DRIMARONE BOWLS every Tuesday night at 8pm. All welcome BINGO every Wednesday night at 8.30pm. Check our Facebook page for updates on the prizes facebook.com/bluestackcentre.drimarone ANNUAL HALLOWEEN CHILDREN’S FANCY DRESS PARTY – Monday 29th October from 6.00pm to 7.30pm in The Bluestack Centre Drimarone. The Halloween party is always a great night for the children and will include fun party games such as, the Googley Eye and Spoon Race, Pumpkin Race and the 4 Corners Game, plus the Spooky Haunted House quiz and the Dark Room...are you brave enough to enter the Dark Room??? There will be prizes on the night for the best dressed including Best, Funniest and the Scariest costumes. Join in the fun with our Mini-Disco Dances; refreshments will be served. Everyone Welcome and don’t forget your torch!! CAR WASH & VALETING now available every Friday at the Bluestack Centre & Hostel. To book your car please contact 074 9735564. INVER Inver Rowing Club are holding a TABLE QUIZ in the Rising Tide this Saturday 20th October at 9.30pm Teams of 4. Everyone welcome! FROSSES St Vincent De Paul ANNUAL PARTY Sunday 21st October in Frosses Hall at 3:00pm. Donations of Home Baking would be very much appreciated. Everyone welcome. Trick or Trot 5K RUN – Saturday 28th Oct Frosses Hall, starting at 12noon. Registration from 11.15am chipped timing. Refreshments served afterwards. Entry €10 Individual; €20 Family; €5 Child. Fancy Dress optional! Prizes Galore! All proceeds to Frosses Hall Development Fund. BRUCKLESS & KILLAGHTEE A VARIETY CONCERT will take place in Bruckless Community Centre on Saturday 3rd November at 8pm. Special guest is Vladimir Jablokov. Proceeds in aid of the Bruckless Community Centre. CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING on Saturday 10th November in Killaghtee Hall from 10am - 2pm. All proceeds going to the Good and New Cancer Bus and Killybegs Hospital. ARDARA St. Conal’s Parish Church are holding their ANNUAL DINNER DANCE on Friday 16th November in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel (meal served at 8.30pm) with music by Sean McMonagle. Tickets €25. KILLYBEGS KILLYBEGS BRIDGE CLUB Results for 9th October. 1. Seamus Boyle / Marie Beaney. 2. Paddy and Alice Carr. 3. Doreen Browne / Mary Rouilley. CONVERSATIONAL IRISH CLASSES start Thurs 18th Oct in Maritime Centre 7-9pm. Tel Mary 9741968. The MILLENNIUM ROOM TRAINING RESTAURANT in the School of Tourism reopens to the public on Thursdays, commencing Thursday 18th October. Booking is essential. Tel 074 9186600. ANNUAL TY CONCERT at St Catherine’s V.S. Gym on Thursday 18th October 7pm. Exceptional performances by our own students from singing to dancing to traditional music.

The Eye on Donegal is printed and published by Cavern Design Ltd., Bridge Street, Donegal Town www.eyeondonegal.com 074 9722677 look@eyeondonegal.com © 1993-2018

Sunday 28th Oct Frosses Hall Starts 12noon registration from 11.15am chipped timing

All proceeds to Frosses Hall Development Fund

Refreshments served afterwards. Entry fee: =10 C Individual, = C 20 Family, = C5 Child

Fancy Dress Optional!

FUNDRAISING DANCE A Fundraising Dance will be held in Elliott’s Bar, Lettermacaward on the 28th October in aid of Letterkenny and Galway University Hospital Oncology Departments. This dance has been organised by James (the Baker) Melly. All donations will be greatly appreciated.

Prizes Galore!

DONEGAL - DUBLIN

USUAL SURGERY HOURS FOR LOCAL DOCTORS GROVE MEDICAL PRACTICE TEL: 074 9722234 Mon, Tue, Thurs & Fri: 9.30am - 12noon and 3pm - 5pm Wed: 9am - 12noon

MILLROW FAMILY PRACTICE TEL: 074 9721545 Mon - Fri: 9am - 1pm and 3pm - 6pm

OLD SCHOOL SURGERY

TEL: 074 9721364

Mon - Fri: 10am - 1pm and 3pm - 5.30pm; Tue: Blood Clinic 9.30am - 10am

NoWDOC 1850 400 911

NORMAL OPENING HOURS

Departs from outside Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town every 1½ hours from 1am to 7pm Journey takes approx 4 hours

ULSTER BANK

POST OFFICE

Mon - Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm (Opens 10am on Wed)

Mon - Fri 9am - 5.30pm Saturday 9am - 1pm

DONEGAL - GALWAY

BANK OF IRELAND

Departs from outside Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town 6.25am | 8.40am | 10.40am | 12.40pm | 4.55pm | 7.55pm Journey takes approx 4 hours

DONEGAL - DERRY

Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm (Open until 5pm Mon) Closed daily 12.30pm 1.30pm

AIB BANK

Departs from outside Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town 8.42am | 9.42am | 12.52pm 2.37pm | 4.07pm | 6.17pm | 8.12pm Journey takes approx 1½ hours

Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm (Open until 5pm Mon)

DONEGAL - KILLYBEGS

CREDIT UNION

Departs from outside Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town Mon - Sat: 7.25am | 9.30am | 2.15pm | 4.05pm | 6.15pm Sun: 5.45pm Journey takes 30-45mins

Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 10am - 5pm Wed 10.30am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

LIBRARY Tuesday & Thursday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 5.30pm

MOTOR TAX OFFICE Mon - Fri: 9.15am 12.15pm and 1.15pm to 3.00pm

SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE Monday - Friday 9.30am - 12noon and 2.00pm - 4.00pm

St. John Bosco Centre

Thursday 18th October Starts 9pm Books €10

This week’s jackpot:

€1,100 for 45 numbers

DUNKINEELY, BRUCKLESS, KILAGHTEE NOTES SCÓR NA nÓG COMPETITION: The Club Scór Na nÓg Competition takes place on Saturday 20th October at 5pm in The Clubhouse. Admission free. Anyone wishing to take part should send the forms left in the schools back to, or contact, Charlotte Carey 086 8173361 or Elaine Steel 086 3405523. Categories are: Ballad Group Instrumental Music, Solo Singing, Set & Irish Dancing, Stage Presentation, Recitation and Quiz. Come along and support the competitors.

Greatest Violinist” Vladimir Jablokov. Any member of the Community wishing to take part please contact Eamonn Gillespie on 086 6021305 or Eamonn.gillespie@live.ie. Proceeds in aid of Bruckless Community Centre.

school office during school hours. Thank

INVER GUN CLUB: Inver Gun Club holds a Clay Pigeon Shoot on the last Sunday of each month at Henry’s Quarry on the Ardara-Killybegs Road, starting at 11:00am. All are welcome.

Pony Club members at Deane’s Equestrian

VARIETY CONCERT A Variety Concert will take place in Bruckless Community Centre Saturday November 3rd at 8pm. Special Guest is the “World’s

KILLAGHTEE N.S. FUNDRAISER: Killaghtee N.S. is holding a used clothes collection fundraiser on Friday 16th November 2018. Please leave donations at

you for your support. SOUTH DONEGAL PONY CLUB We are running a series of evening lessons 5:30pm on Fridays throughout October for Centre in Bruckless. There is a half price membership offer at the moment, please ring 087 117 1972 to find out more. After the disappointment of cancelling last week’s lesson due to Storm Callum, we are hoping to meet again this Friday at Deane’s at 5.30pm. Previous bookings will be carried over.

Critical Chef Shortage

Repairs - Upgrades - Maintenance

Installers of • Intruder Alarms, • High-Definition C.C.T.V. • Access Control • Gate Automation Contact North West Alarms on 074 9721687 North West Alarm Systems Ltd Upper Main Street, Donegal Town,

I.S. EN 50131-1:1997 Lic. No. IAS-1098

As chef shortages have been reported around the county over recent months it has emerged that only twelve out of eighty possible places have been filled on two full-time culinary arts courses at the Killybegs campus of Letterkenny Institute of Technology. Donegal’s “no salt” chef Brian McDermott said that the low numbers are reflective of the national trend where the chef shortage has been described by the Restaurant Association of Ireland as being at ‘crisis point’. Dr Dean Duffy, head of the Killybegs catering college, says that the apparent lack of appetite for culinary courses does not paint the full picture. While he acknowledged that nationally colleges are struggling to get potential chefs into the classrooms, he said Killybegs school was taking the innovative approach of going to the student rather than the other way around. Minister Heather Humphreys, in a bid to address what she described as the urgent need for culinary professionals, eased the restrictions on non‑EU chefs working in Ireland. “The message has to go out that there are a lot of advantages to working in the industry such as job security and how rewarding cooking can be,” chef and hotelier Brian McDermott commented. Sandhouse Hotel proprietor Paul Diver, who is also Chairperson of the Donegal Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation told The Eye on Donegal, “A lot of chefs are taking up positions in the many Deli’s around the county as the working hours appear more attractive but it is important that young chefs entering the industry realise just how much conditions in the hospitality sector kitchens have improved over this last few years.”

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Light Party This year on Halloween night (October 31st) from 6.30pm-8pm in Ballintra Methodist Church hall there will be a LIGHT PARTY to provide an alternative to Halloween parties. There will be games, snacks, sparklers, songs and kids’ talk. All kids are asked to come in fancy dress - superheroes, sports stars or princesses. All are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there.

Two views of Donegal Harbour from the past

St. John Bosco Club News & What’s On

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Greene & Ganly Certified Public Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers

Thomas Ganly FCPA CTA

BUSINESS TAX SPECIALISTS FOR EXPERT ADVICE ON ALL TAXES The Glebe, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal Email: greenetax@eircom.net Tel: (074) 9721940

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May 3rd 2018

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Justice at last for the “Lost at Sea” Campaign

May 10th Memorial to Skifjord in Burtonport

2018

Danny Byrne

by Margaret Gallagher immeasurable lossSDAY of her husband and son. said she was delighted for the family and Y THUR After a gruelling decades-long campaign, The paid tribute to Danny Byrne for keeping the family income was gone and Winnie EVER the Byrne family from Bruckless ISHED are faced the challenge of bringing up eight campaign alive all these years when hope PUBL 81 She said, finally set to receive compensation under young children on her own. seemed to have been lost. 1 1 “It is 2565-59 the “Lost at Sea” Scheme. The Byrne family had previously suffered extraordinary ISSN and fantastic for them to get On the night of the 31st October 1981 five other terrible losses on the seas over the this compensation after that length of time. men drowned off Burtonport. Francis Byrne years - Francis Byrne’s father James and People forget there was a huge tragedy at the (40) a boat owner from St John’s Point, lost uncle Danny had died in a fishing tragedy root of this.” 772565 598001 S 9 AREA his life along with his 16 year old son Jimmie off St John’s Point 26 years previously and The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has OUNDING and three other crew members, Desmond his uncle Anthony drowned aged that the Government will make & SURR 18 near confirmed McGovern, Mayo; Jimmy Lafferty, Antrim; Killala, Co. Mayo. an ex-gratia payment to the Byrne family. GAL TOWN and Tony O’Brien, Dublin, when their DONE The Byrne family was denied a grant Talking to The Eye on Donegal Danny E FOR trawler MFV Skifjord sank afterAZIN striking a under the 2001 “Lost at Sea” Scheme, which Byrne, who was only 8 years old at the time reef between BurtonportMAG and Arranmore was set up by former Fianna Fail Fisheries of the tragedy, said “At long last a fishery NEWS Island during stormy weather. Four other Minister Frank Fahy to help fishing families minister has kept his word and done the crew members, Gerry Laverty, Dunkineely; who had lost boats at sea to get back into the right thing - which was to implement the John McGuinness, Killybegs; Eamon Mullin, industry. Ombudsman’s Special Report on the “Lost Killybegs and the boat’s chef Standish Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed at Sea Scheme” - for this my family and I O’Grady, Dublin survived by swimming half officially announced this week that the are eternally grateful to former MEP Jim a mile through rough seas to a small island. er will finally receive their entitlement family Higgins, European Ombudsman, Emily Gallagh love following a tireless O’Reilly, to Minister Michael Creed and to It was an awful tragedy to hitbythe localet under met the the scheme Margar , Inver bycharles fishing community and Winnie Byrne an,campaign Danny Byrne over the years. the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Many said it , dy, Fanagh her, Mount was left a young widowKenne suffering the European Ombudsman, couldn’t be done, but they have done it.” n’s Londis Gallag Emily O’Reilly,

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the roof is on Out at Drumlonagherof Glebe Builders range. for a smaller food Michael Kelly Jnr. with this window service delighted and that they are on schedule say that they are by Margaret Gallagher Ken went on to to Donegal confirmed development. two plaza at Drumlonagher to bring high standard “Plaza” aTown in the turnkey will comprise a to be Donegal As the Supermac’s first Supermac’s t, The Donegal Plaza windows and doors and to open the we saw of over 10,000sq.ft. gets ready for its e Streeas Town 2018 is a lovely town, filling station has mounted a two Bridg locallyeven© 1993county. “Donegal location is storey fitted, speculationn Ltd.,would be m Londis retail shop, and and took it, the incorporating a facility fuel provider the opportunity n Desig donegal.co who the toCaver with drive-through eyeonwould we have another perfect”, he said. bymore to the storey restaurantfour Top Oil fuel pumps with interestingly look@ a great response two - as well as the published77 ‘Under the tree at Spar’? “We have received one car parking spaces, d and advertised for managerial can now confirm 074 97226 in forecourt. Seventy a set down bay for buses, printe The Eye on Donegal fuel provider and positions previously will take place spaces, gal is om be the positions and interviewsare recruiting a full HGV parking five bicycle stands will be on on Done egal.c that Top Oil will We retail store along delivery bay and incorporate next few weeks. The Eye .eyeondon Londis the convenience full-time and part- site. The Supermac’s restaurant will Franchisee the www employees Supermac’s. of with anchor tenant and SuperSubs counter. the Donegal spectrum good variety of jobs on offer from to Papa John’s at the a Papa John’s Pizza of time with a will be great boost of Supermac’s and to deli assistants, By Margaret Gallagher This development who is also a director assistants and chefs more. Anyone Plaza, Ken Foley, Glebe Builders employing entire site, shop while people and much local economy with operators of the the construction forward their Subject to a review to this grounds Koley Ltd, the in during should went in applying of planning 30 employees will have of spoke of how a lot existing interested at Supermac’s, Bundoran Road, the Supermac’s plaza planning application the existing design, a into consideration new when opened new jobs in town. CV to me decision taking for the new library to bring seventy created seventy Donegal Town could In total we hope in retail outlets locally. 6.30am Sligo. be lodged in weeks. Town”, Ken said. open its doors at Donegal will to jobs Award-winning Supermac’s a 24 hour local architect will also operate for breakfast and

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Planning applicati and Community on for new Library could be lodged Building in weeks

Architect’s impression of the new building in 2016 showing its position adjacent to the Credit Union building.

which will house the long awaited library and will also accommodate a number of other community facilities. In a statement to the Eye on Donegal, Donegal County Council welcomed Declan Minister’s McCabe drew up the the initial plans funding announcemen for the Town new building in t. Donegal has 2016 and while these will priority been at the top of the Council’s be revised in line with the funding list of library developments for available quite it is understood County Librarian some years and that & Divisional Manager, is included in Cultúr: substantially unchanged they will remain A Strategic Cultural Services: Vision as for the Eileen Burgess Cultural design was 2020. previously approved In order to deliver Services 2016by the key stakeholders. There were over on this project, 9,800 visits to the Fine Gael TD Joe substantial external library in 2017, local McHugh announced funding was required. up from 8,044 in last week a €2.1 Joe McHugh TD 2016 and million investment the new library said, “I cannot package Minister is expected to generate to develop a thank significant new community Ring highly enough a increase building that he and his department for the work will also provide in visitor numbers and a welcome community have put into getting this over space. There will the line. Libraries be an open plan are a part with of the social fabric area access to a multipurpose of a significant investment community and this space, community meeting ICT/training will do wonders bringing people areas, learning for areas, space for together to learn young people, local from each and other, not just from history much more besides. books, will become a community this new facility hub and a place Continued on Page for people to develop 2 skills and interests.” The Department’s investment in building is €1m the and this will be matched significant contributions by from both Donegal County Council and the local sources. The current library is open part-time 14 hours per week at and is housed in the ETB building on the Mountcharles The current library is housed in the Road. The new library will have “Old Tech” building a floor area of 500sq metres on the Killybegs and will open full Road The Eye on Donegal time including Saturdays. is printed

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ST. JOHN BOSCO CLUB BINGO Thursday night is Bingo Night here at the St John Bosco. This week’s Jackpot is standing at €1,100 on 46 numbers or less. Raffle on the night with tickets priced at €2 each or 3 for €5, bingo books on offer. Come along and be in with a chance to win a line at €40 or €100 Full House. So for a great night’s fun come along and join us at 9pm. Tea/coffee served. THE ST JOHN BOSCO CENTRE If you are looking for a venue to hold an event then the St John Bosco Centre has a lot to offer: there is a spacious hall with stage area, tea/coffee and snack shop facilities are also available by request. Outside we have a large private car park with free parking and we are situated a few minutes’ walking distance from the centre of Donegal Town. For more information please call in to the office or phone Shauna on 087 3581568. BIRTHDAY PARTIES The St John Bosco Centre is an excellent venue for kids’ parties, plenty of space to play, dance, or just have fun, bouncy castle available by request. Anyone wishing to book the hall or to find out more information please contact Shauna on 087 3581568. To avoid disappointment early booking is advised as dates and times are filling up quickly. SOCIAL DANCING Donegal Family Resource Centre have Social Dancing on Monday mornings from 11am – 1pm. Come along for a Jive or a Waltz. PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP Meets every Tuesday (with exception of school holidays) from 10.30am to 12noon. It’s a great opportunity for young children and their parents/carers to meet and encourage friendship, fun and play. SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE Next Dance - Sat 20th October with Mary Ellen, live music and light refreshments, dancing 10.30pm until after 12am. All welcome and admission at the door ST JOHN BOSCO CAR BOOT SALE

Next Car Boot Sunday 11th November. Held on the second Sunday of the month running from 10am to 3pm. Doors open for booters at 8.30am - only €10 a table for the day. For more information please contact Bernard McGlinchey 086 2187609. ST JOHN BOSCO CENTRE OFFICE The office is open Mon - Fri 9.30am to 1.30pm (1pm Friday). Contact number for office during these hours is 087 7846012 or by email anytime to stjohnboscoclub@ yahoo.ie

DONEGAL BAY TIDE TIMES Thursday 18th October

High Tide 1.54am and 2.14pm

Friday 19th

High Tide 3.19am and 3.24pm

Saturday 20th

High Tide 4.11am and 4.13pm

Sunday 21st

High Tide 4.50am and 4.52pm

Monday 22nd

High Tide 5.22am and 5.26pm

Tuesday 23rd

High Tide 5.52am and 5.58pm

Wednesday 24th

High Tide 6.21am and 6.31pm All times are approximate and should not be taken as a seafaring guide

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Musings of Times Past BROGAN’S HALL

Anthony Brogan’s Hall was the centre for every form of entertainment in our village. It replaced another dance hall which had run its course in the 1920’s and 30’s and was, like its successor, called after its owner Vincent Gallagher’s Hall. This must have been closed in the early 1940’s. I have a vague remembrance of being in my cot in the attic of the barracks and seeing my eldest sister standing on a chair on top of a table and craning through the skylight of the room to hear whatever band was playing on some night or other. I subsequently remember as a child of six or seven years of age climbing the wooden steps to the hall and seeing the unswept floor and old admission tickets littered around. The walls were adorned with murals painted, I was told, by a traveling artist, and to my uninitiated, untrained childish eye these murals appeared the essence of elegance. One in particular showed a tall, dark, handsome man in an evening suit, sporting a fine moustache, dancing with an elegant lady in evening dress. Whenever I hear Thomas Moore’s beautiful song “Oft in the stilly night’ my mind invariably floats back to the tattered elegance of Vincent Gallagher’s Hall. I feel like one who treads alone Some banquet hall deserted Whose lights have fled, Whose garlands dead And all but he departed. I am sure there was none of the grandiosity mentioned in Thomas Moore’s song to be found here but to me it had a definite sense of style and the murals evoked and still do a sense of great style and elegance that prevailed in the 1920’s - if not in our village it was in the mind of the traveling, journeyman artist.

Anthony Brogan’s pleasure dome had none of the niceties of its predecessor. It was a long gangly thin shed with a very high stage and corrugated iron roof. It served every possible function,

by Eamon Monahan

bazzaars or jumble sales, dances, concert, fit‑up‑shows, portable cinema where a large white sheet stretched across the stage acted as a screen and a small projector flung the images of greater places and people on to it and we just marveled. I have so many memories of this little hall, which at that time appeared huge to my childish eyes. I remember clearly being entered in a fancy dress parade around 1946. I was dressed up as a skinny brown Mahatma Gandhi. My mother kept a goat tethered at the back of the barracks and with a sheet draped around me and leading our nanny goat sporting a placard saying Gandhi says ‘No Partition’. I was paraded in front of the judges in the hall. I did not have an idea who ‘Gandhi’ was or what partition was and it was years later when I learned what was happening a world away. There was great disappointment in our house when I came second to Frank Gillespie and Grace Callan. Frank was dressed as a chimney sweep and Grace as a bride and emblazoned over their heads was ‘I won the sweep’ referring to the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes run by the McGrath family in Dublin. A photograph of Frank and Grace is still extant, mine sadly has disappeared in time. Anthony Brogan as I remember him was a severe, stooped, little man and did not appear to have many friends in the village. He and his wife were childless and always appeared to mind their own business in an unfriendly kind of way. Tom Brennan ran a small shop across the street selling penny bars, bullseyes, conversation lozenges, lemonade and occasionally the dark bread sold during the war which was made solely from our native, high in moisture Irish wheat. Anyway Tom had to go into Donegal Town one day and he chanced to ask Anthony for the loan of his bicycle. Anthony’s answer to Tom made its way into Village Folklore. “If I was in the habit of lending my bike you would be the first to get it”. Suitably chastened I am sure Tom made alternative arrangements to do his business in our neighbouring town. Anthony’s hall was lit by three big “Tilley lamps”, two hanging over the dance floor and one hanging over the high stage underneath which housed the ladies powder room and the gents toilet such as they were. The Tilley lamp was considered a big advancement in lighting in the 1940’s. Gone were candles and oil lamps with their wicks which gave off a greasy yellowish light which had a definite lack of luminosity.

The Tilley lamp had a round receptacle for kerosene which could be pressurized. This was connected to a metal tube atop of which was a type of white flameproof mantle. The kerosene container was pumped up with a bicycle pump and at the same time a special clamp was put around the tube leading to the mantle. This was lit to heat up the tube carrying the mixture of pressurized kerosene and air. At a certain temperature the mixture would ignite and the mantle would glow a phosphorescent white type of light which was a major improvement on the older oil lamps. We had a smaller version of a wall hung Tilley lamp in our kitchen and the memory of its light and the hissing from the pressurized kerosene still resonates with me.

Anthony’s Tilley lamps of course had to be re-presurised every hour or so, and as the lights might start to fade he would proceed along the hall with a step ladder, climb up, connect his pump and as the pressure built up the lights would strengthen to the cheers and yahoos of the local worthies. Anthony, impervious to all of their cat calls, climbed his steps every hour or so as the dancers circled around him and when finished he would put his step ladder away for another hour or so. No matter what function was held in his hall this same ritual was observed. The band on the stage used its own amplification and this was generally powered by the battery from the band leaders car or van. It is amazing that in this era of arc light, strobe lights, lasers and remote controlled microphones and amplifiers we can still remember the lighting and sound technologies of that era which were hailed as an advancement on what had been used in the 1920’s and 30’s. Continued next week…

Baskin’s Cafe MAIN STREET, DUNKINEELY

074 9737340 Open Mon-Sat 12noon - 10.30pm Closed Sundays

TAKEAWAY & SIT-IN

Niall Mór Notes

SATURDAY STORYTIME: Sat 20th October from 10:30 - 12 noon. Story read to the kids, refreshments and Arts & Crafts. All parents/guardians must stay with the children attending. LAUGHTER YOGA WORKSHOP: Sat 20th October from 10 - 11 am. €8 per person, to book contact Bernadine 087 7474232.

The Wee Black Mare

(Based on a tall tale by John Fitzsimmons, as he returned after delivering fish in Donegal Town) ’Twas a dark and lonely winter’s night My Carbine lamp was the only light And I drove for home with reins held tight And steered the Mare towards Doorin I observed on leaving Donegal Two men with bikes by the Picture Hall And I didn’t like their looks at all So I picked up speed for Doorin I had on me that night lots of loot And I saw those men in hot pursuit So I told the Mare to lift her foot And hurry home to Doorin Then I settled down on the Herring box And I hid my wallet in my socks Like a swift hare skipping o’er the rocks We plan to speed for Doorin So I shook the reins and grabbed my whip And gave the Mare a right sharp clip Saying, “This, my girl, is our last trip Unless we get to Doorin!” Well, she cocked her ears and swished her tail She stretched her back and then set sail Like a Deer she tackled hill and dale And ran like mad for Doorin Round the Minister’s turn she gamely ran With the two Thieves reaching for the tram ’Twas the only time since life began I longed so much for Doorin

HALLOWEEN LEGO CAMP: 30th Oct to 2nd Nov from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. To book contact Bricks 4 Kidz - County Donegal on facebook or call 086 3894833. RELAX KIDS: Thurs 8th Nov 5 - 8 year olds 3:30 - 4:30 pm and 9 - 12 year olds 4:30 - 5:30 pm for 6 weeks. Relax Kids aims to give children access to a variety of simple yet effective techniques for relaxation and stress management. To book contact Bernadine on 087 7474232. CREEL / BASKET MAKING Workshop: Sat 17th & Sun 18th Nov from 10 am - 4 pm in the Niall Mor Centre and costs €40 per person. Places must be pre-booked for this workshop so contact 074 9741863. PARENT & TODDLER GROUP: Meet at the Centre every Tuesday morning from 11 am - 12:30. Everyone welcome.

The Blueberry Tea Room & Restaurant

EST. 1993

Castle Street, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal

(074) 97 22933

(074) 97 23663

Chef proprietors: Ruperta & Brian Gallagher

APPROVED

SAFEPASS COURSE: Sat 24th Nov from 8 am - 5 pm costing €110 per person, all bookings must be prepaid. To reserve a place contact 074 9741863. INDOOR CAR BOOT SALE: Sunday 11th Nov from 9 am - 1 pm. €15 per table and all tables must be pre-booked, contact 074 9741863.

The Blueberry is a family run restaurant. All our food is freshly prepared using only the finest ingredients and fresh herbs, and all our sauces, jams and marmalades are home-made.

Then as she prepared to clear the Glen I thought the wheels would break in ten We shall never see her likes again On the whinny hills of Doorin Through the Town the wee Mare fairly fled All the Guards by·then were snug in bed Passing oul’ Bob Corr’s she turned her head And down the Line for Doorin At the Fiddler’s Forge in old Dromore I could feel the cool breeze from the Shore The glass panels broke in Sheerin’s door As we clattered past towards Doorin In the homes of Munterneese that night There was not a sound or a friendly light But the Thieves had faded long from sight As we galloped on for Doorin Oh! the race that night was long and hard For the roads back then were rough, not tarred What relief to thunder through Gortward And get the smell of Doorin After Miss Kirk’s, Morrow’s and the Shop The weary Mare was fit to drop But she wouldn’t slow and she wouldn’t stop Till we reached home in Doorin Drawing rein at last near the stable door She got rest and drink and food galore And I’ll praise that Mare for evermore She brought me safe to Doorin And I’ll praise the Mare for evermore That brought me safe to Doorin

Fr Noel Burke, Inver, 2002 (presently living in the USA)

The Book Nook with Elaine Lolli

www.theezbooknook.blogspot.com

Donegal town’s spa was “equal to that of Harrogate”

121 years ago, Donegal Town was famed for the waters of its therapeutic spa and for the plentiful supply of fish in the River Eske. Below is of an excerpt from The Belfast and Province of Ulster Directory 1897:

“One Day in December” by Josie Silver On a cold, blustery London day, Laurie looks aimlessly out the misty bus window and locks eyes with a stranger. The undeniable attraction is mutual and instantaneous, but alas, the bus moves on and Laurie is saddened that they didn’t meet at that magical moment. Laurie is so smitten with this elusive man that she spends the next year searching for him at bus stops and cafes until she ironically meets him at her roommate, Sarah’s, Christmas party. Seems that Jack (yes, he has a name) and Sarah are an item. Laurie is crestfallen as she realizes any dreams she had for a life with Jack fade away when she sees the joy in Sarah’s eyes. But the love at first sight these two strangers shared can’t be tossed aside so easily, and for the next ten years these three characters travel down a winding road of twists and turns, secrets and lies, and stunning betrayals in their quest for happiness. This warm, emotional novel is perfect for a cosy evening by the fire, but be prepared for tears, angst and heartache. It examines the “what‑ifs” in life, and how vulnerable we all are when it comes to matters of the heart. Start your holiday reading list with romance!

“Donegal – which gives its name to the County Donegal (anciently called Tyrconnell), is a pretty seaport town about fifteen miles from Stranorlar, and thirteen from Ballyshannon; it is connected with Stranorlar by a narrow gauge line of rail which passes through the romantic and picturesque Gap of Barnes, and is now connected with Killybegs by an extension of same line. Donegal is situated at the mouth of the Eske – a river abounding with fish of every kind – and on a bay of the same name, and boasts of two splendid ruins – one, a well-preserved castle, in whose ivy-clad walls once dwelt “The Lord of Tyrconnell, our brave Chiefs O’Donnell.”

Positive Mental & Physical Health Wellbeing Workshops for over 50s. Raising awareness and understanding of the connection between body, mind and spirit. 2nd block of workshops commence Monday 29th October at Orianna Clinic, Atlantic Marine opposite Killybegs Hospital. To book phone 087 0949900. Facilitators: Denise O’Boyle, Psychotherapist & Dr. Stephen McNally, Chartered Physiotherapist.

Handel’s Messiah Knock Basilica

Saturday 3rd November at 7.30pm RTÉ Concert Orchestra presenting Handel’s Messiah. Tickets available at www.knockmessiah.com

LATIN MASS

St. Patrick’s Church, Drumkeen Every Sunday at 10am (English Mass Sunday at 11.30am) CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING on Saturday 10th November in Killaghtee Hall from 10am - 2pm. All proceeds going to the Good and New Cancer Bus and Killybegs Hospital.

It is seated on the banks of the river Eske, as is also the old Abbey, founded for the Franciscan Friars, in 1474, by Nuala O’Connor, wife of Hugh Roe O’Donnell. It was filled with dead of all creeds – perhaps – many nations – lying side by side under the now broken arches.

It is said that a subterraneous passage, about a quarter of a mile in length, connects the Castle of the O’Donnells with the old Abbey. A very fine sulphurous spa, within five minutes’ walk of the town, boasts of waters equal to those of Harrogate, while every convenience is offered by the proprietor – Mr. James Graham – in the way of constant attendance; and baths at a few minutes’ notice, for which purpose two beautiful marble baths have been procured from Italy.” With thanks to Twisted Limbs and Crooked Branches and the PRONI

Dementia Support Group Dementia Support Group For Families and Carers commencing Friday 5th October and weekly thereafter. 10am – 12pm in Ard Nua, Donegal Hospital Campus (new building next door to Donegal Hospital) Open to all carers including those with family in nursing home care.

Church of Ireland Harvest Thanksgivings Killymard Friday 19th October Rev Alastair Donaldson Mountcharles Friday 19th October and Sunday 21st October.

The information in the “Eye on Donegal” is carefully researched and believed to be accurate but the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions. Advertisements within the publication are not endorsed by the publisher. Neither are any claims made within the advertisements.

www.eyeondonegal.com

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© 1993-2018

In Memoriam First Holy Communion and Confirmation dates First Holy Communion for the children from Scoil Aodh Rua agus Nuala will be held in St Patrick’s Church on Saturday 4th May 2019 at 11:00am.

McCONNELL MARGARET TRUSK ROAD, BALLYBOFEY

7th Anniversary

First Holy Communion for the children from St. Francis School Barnesmore will be held on Saturday 11th May 2019 at 11am Mass in St. Agatha’s Church, Clar. First Holy Communion in Bruckless on Saturday 11th May 2019 at 11am . First Holy Communion in Frosses on 19th May 2019 at 10:00am First Holy Communion for the children from Gaelscoil Na gCeithre Maistri will be held on Saturday 25th May 2019 at 11:00am in St Patricks Church.

Loving memories of a beautiful wife, mother

Confirmation in Ardaghey on 17th February 2019 at 1:00pm

The tears we cry,

and grandmother Margaret McConnell who died on 18th October, 2011. Can be wiped away,

Confirmation in Bruckless on 26th March 2019 at 5pm.

But the pain in our hearts,

Confirmations for the children from the schools of the Tawnawilly Parish will be held in St. Agatha’s Church, Clar on Saturday 18th May 2019 at 12.30pm.

But those we love don’t go away,

Easter 2019 -The Irish Pilgrimage Trust Now accepting applications for the pilgrimage to Lourdes from young people in the North West area with: a medical condition, illness, physical disability, learning disability, social or emotional need (aged 11-30), sick children under the age of 11 years, accompanied by a parent or close relative. Tel: Mary on 087 7962047 by 31st October.

Will always stay. They walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear. Sadly missed and always remembered from husband John, Caroline and John, Shane and Ciara and Lauren, Evan and Regan.

Anniversary Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Stranorlar on Saturday 20th October at 6pm.

Church Times

St Patrick’s, Donegal Town Saturday 6pm; Sunday 9am and 11.30am St. Agatha’s, Clar Saturday 6.30pm; Sunday 10.30am St. Mary’s Killymard Saturday 7pm; Sunday 11am Franciscan Friary Rossnowlagh Saturday 7.30pm; Sunday 11am. Sacred Heart Church, Mountcharles Saturday 6.30pm; Sunday 11am St Mary’s Church, Frosses Saturday: 7pm; Sunday 10am Holy Redeemer Church, Drimarone Sunday 9.30am St. Naul’s Church, Ardaghey Saturday 6pm; Sunday 11.30am St Joseph & St Conal Church, Bruckless Saturday 6.30pm; Sunday 11am St. Mary’s Church, Killybegs Sundays 9am and 11am St. Bridget’s Church, Ballintra Saturday 6.30pm; Sundays 11am Presbyterian Church, Donegal Town Sunday 11.30am (Tea / Coffee from 11am); Methodist Church Ballintra: 10.30am Donegal: 12 noon Inver: 3pm Dunkineely: 10.30am Ardara: 12 noon Church of Ireland Killymard: 9.30am Laghey: 10.45am Donegal Town: 12 noon Killybegs: 9.15am Killaghtee: 10.45am FS Inver: 12 noon FS Donegal Living Hope Church, Old Laghey Road, Donegal Town 7.30pm Wednesday (Bible Study) 11.30am Sunday Apologies if we have omitted any church times. If you would like to see details of other church services in the Eye on Donegal please phone 074 9722677 or email: look@eyeondonegal.com

M. McGROARTY Monumental Sculptor Ltd. HEADSTONES, STONE CUTTING AND RENOVATION WORK

Memorials

Recent Deaths GERRY HARRISON, Behey, Ballyshannon.

Produced by Cavern Design Printing

RITA SCOTT, Clarlougheske, Donegal Town. JOSEPHINE CONNAGHAN, Main Street, Laghey. Ar dheis Dé go raibh siad.

Beginning Experience Programme for men & women who have lost a spouse through death, divorce, or separation, 19-21 October, Esker Retreat Centre, Athenry - Contact Gerry 086 3855090 or Maureen 087 6646896.

The Glen, Mountcharles, Co. Donegal Tel: 074 9735318 Mobile: 087 2362612 E-mail: mmgstone@eircom.net Website: www.mcgroartystone.ie

All types of Memorial Cards printed. Please contact us for our current Brochure, Price List and Samples. Phone: 074 97 22677 Email: printing@caverndesign.com

EYE on SPORT Four Masters Notes Club Lotto: There was no winner of the lotto jackpot €7600 in week 14 of the 2018/19 season draw held in the Abbey Hotel on Monday 15th October 2018. The €50 winners in the lucky dip were Damien Reid, Rossylongan and Dermott Clarke, Drumrooske. The numbers drawn were 9, 10, 19 & 22. Congratulations to all winners. The next draw takes place on Monday 22nd October. Renew Subscriptions, the club would ask all persons that are members of our lotto to pay annual subscription to sellers or to treasurer Paul Timoney 087 2791305. New members are welcome with quarterly and half yearly subscriptions.

Aodh Ruadh results

Full time Results: Intermediate A Final: Aodh Ruadh: 0-7 (7), Glenfin: 1-10 (13) Intermediate B Final: Aodh Ruadh: 1-6 (9), Cloughaneely: 0-7 (7)

Donegal Town F.C. Notes

SUNDAY TEAM - The Sunday Team ended up comfortable winners over Glenea United on what was a perfect day for football at the Hospital Field. The game was far from comfortable however for long periods, as Glenea went in at half time a goal to the good. Ciaran McFadden finished neatly inside the area after a slight mix up in the Town defence. In the second half Donegal came out much stronger and levelled things almost straight away with David Graham nodding home Nathan Ward’s superb delivery. Graham then put the Town in front shortly after when he fired home after great work from Ronan McHugh. Joe McIntyre made it 3-1 on the hour mark when he finished well from inside the area. Graham then sealed his hat trick as Donegal took total control with fifteen minutes left on the clock. The boys are back in action this weekend when St. Catherines come to visit the Hospital Field at 2pm. SATURDAY TEAM - The Saturday team had a great win over Castlefin Celtic winning 2-0. James Kerrigan burst through

to earn a penalty early in the first half, which he converted himself. Gary Ward doubled the lead shortly after with an unstoppable free-kick from 30 yards. A solid defensive performance in the second half sealed the win. The Saturday team have a free weekend this weekend. U16 - The U16’s kept their hopes of qualifying from their Champions League group alive on Sunday morning with an excellent result away to Lagan Harps. Despite going a goal down early on, the lads fought back to secure a 5-3 victory. Alex McCalmont was in excellent form, scoring twice, with Shay Travers and Joe Campbell also on the score sheet. Mark Jordan rounded off the scoring to cap a fine individual performance. Next up is home game versus Gweedore United this weekend. SOCCO-LOTTO - The next socco-lotto draw will be held on Sunday October 21st. The current jackpot is €1,700. Tickets are available from all members and via our Clubify App.

Naomh Brid Notes Naomh Brid Lotto - There was no overall winner of this week’s lotto draw. The jackpot now stands at €1650. The numbers drawn were 6, 8, 14, 19, 24. The €25 winners were Cathal & Mary Kilpatrick, Eamon Gorman, Danny Dorrian, Danny Meehan.The next draw will take place in the Country Inn, Laghey on the 22nd of October.

U13 boys Naomh Brid v Killybegs Div Final.

St Naul’s Notes Nursery - Nursery continues on Saturday morning at 10 am in Inver Community for boys and girls between 6 yrs and 8 yrs.

Under 21 - Our U 21 Team play their first game of the Championship v St Eunans -B Team on Saturday in Letterkenny .

Ladies - Unfortunately our U13s were unlucky in the County semi-Final V Muff. A valiant effort by everyone.

Please come out and support the team at 3pm.

Minor Ladies play Downings on Saturday at 12 noon at home. Underage - Our u 13s were very unfortunate to lose to Killybegs in the the Shield Final. It has been a good season and well done to the team and the management for their commitment .

Slotto - Slotto numbers for the October 6th draw were 4 3 2 1 5 7 6. €80 consolation prize goes to Deirdre Burke Milltown Bar. Jackpot next week is €2960. Monthly Meeting - on Monday 22nd at 9pm. All welcome.

Naomh Brid u13’s took on Killybegs in the Divisional final in Mountcharles on Sunday. They came up against a stronger team on the day, Naomh Brid 1-4 Killybegs 3-8. Congratulations to the boys and management on another season of good progess. Naomh Brid U21’s play Letterkenny Gaels in the Championship at home on Saturday 20th October at 3.00pm. Naomh Brid seniors play Burt at home on Saturday 20th October at 3.00pm. Best of luck to Callum Gallagher who is part of the underdogs panel for the clash against All-Ireland champions Dublin on Friday evening in Parnell Park.

EYE on SPORT

Small World sponsor Four Masters senior ladies

players were absent. All in all, this year was a building block for next year when we hope to compete more tenaciously and move up the league ladder to a more competitive position, of which we feel we are very capable.

Four Masters’ Senior Ladies team and management sincerely thank Louise Gately and “Small World” for generous sponsorship of crested jumpers. This presentation brought the playing season to a close and as the players completed the final game in a long series of matches they proudly displayed their new gear. It was an exhausting season with matches every Sunday from June except for two free Sundays. The focus with this

group of players was to fulfill every fixture and to improve skill and fitness levels. Training twice weekly and matches on Sundays ensured that the latter part of these goals was achieved. The girls showed huge commitment and when we got over a few broken nails and some erring gumshields training went smoothly and huge effort was expended by all. We fulfilled all fixtures even at times when numbers were low and crucial

Huge thanks to all the girls who committed fully to a long season and always gave of their best. A special mention to the management team of Matt Shovlin, who was “Mr. Precision” in securing the pitch, setting up stations and keeping the hydration levels high. Also to Mary Crawford and Sharon Gillespie who not only provided tea, scones and soup on cold, wet nights and cool, refreshing ice-cream on warm summer evenings but kept the spirits up when the scoreboards were not in our favour and tended to the cramping legs and bloody noses. In conclusion, as manager, it was a positive, constructive season where huge improvements were made but most importantly friendships renewed and enthusiasm for playing Gaelic rekindled. Onwards and upwards will be the motto next year but for now we retire to the gym for winter training. Finally, thank you once again to “Small World” for sponsorship of jumpers which will be worn proudly for all to see. Deirdre Dillon

Loughros Point rower is 5th fastest in the world

Karl Lacey leaves Donegal Senior Set up

It’s understood Karl Lacey has left the Donegal Senior backroom team after one season with the squad. Lacey was appointed to a coaching role just months after retiring from playing when Declan Bonner was announced as Donegal Manager in October 2017. The Four Masters clubman who is a lecturer in Letterkenny IT, is believed to have cited family commitments for his departure.

Above: The final result with Patrick in 5th place. Below: Patrick in action in Canada

Patrick Boomer, son of Teresa Gillespie, Portnoo is the 5th fastest offshore rower in the world. He rowed for Ireland in the World Coastal Rowing finals in Victoria, Canada last weekend. Patrick also rowed for Loughros Point, Ardara in the All Ireland Coastal Rowing championships this summer.

EYE on SPORT

Donegal Golf Club Notes Donegal Hire & Sell: 6th/7th October In the Donegal Hire & Sell competition, John Kennedy (14) had a resounding victory when he returned a massively impressive score of 40 pts. In 2nd place was a young man in superb form of late, Tom Geraghty (06), with 34 pts. The veteran, Diarmuid Mc Gettigan, claimed 3rd with a score of 33 pts with Mickey Martin (13) finally ‘delivering’ a score to claim the final podium position with 32 pts (BOT). The Gross Prize was won by Bryan Crawford (11) with 20 gross pts.

it was a very successful weekend for the Sweeney clan with brother David winning the Club Singles on the same day. 2nd place with 38 pts went to John Meehan (07) in a

Congratulations to Mark Butler who had a hole-in-one on the 16th. Mark won the Murvagh Masters the previous week and has been in great form all year so a very fitting and deserved accolade. Well done Mark. L F. Tool Hire Stableford Competition: 13th/14th October. After the heavy rain rendered Saturday a washout, it was a welcome sight to see Murvagh bask in the sunshine on Sunday. In such glorious conditions, a big score was always on the cards and Mark Sweeney (16) duly obliged with a return of 40 pts. Indeed Drumbar FC under 10’s training Saturday mornings from 11:00am - 12:00pm at the pitch and Wednesday nights at AVS Gym from 7:00pm - 8:00pm. All new members welcome.

Tom Geraghty took on a ‘not-as-young’ David Sweeney. With both players having accounted for a few choice scalps on their respective paths it promised to be a tight affair. Played in beautiful conditions the match went all the way to the eighteenth where a half was enough for David to claim the honours. (1 Up) Congratulations to David (Sweetsie) who now has the distinction of winning all the major men’s competitions in Murvagh. Commiserations to Tom who will undoubtedly get another crack at winning this competition in the future. Well done to both players. Thursday Specials. 4/10/18

2018 Matchplay Singles Finalists. BOT with Daire Woods (13). Billy Madden (06) was 4th with 37 pts. The Gross winner was Shaun Meehan (07) with 30 pts. Club Matchplay Final: The final of the Club Singles saw youth and experience collide when young

It was great to see Liam Cassidy return to the winner’s enclosure after he had an excellent 21 pts to win by 4 shots over John Mohan in 2nd with 17 pts. The Member’s Prize went to John Kennedy with 22 pts. Next weekend’s competition is sponsored by Edwin Kirk (Singles Stroke). A reminder that the Presentation Night and Halloween Mixed is on Saturday 27th October.

Donegal Town Rugby Club

Naomh Ultan Notes The U-13 Girls lost to St Michaels on a scoreline of 2-10 to 0-8. This team did very well in their first ever competitive year and most of the team are under age next year. The Club AGM takes place on Saturday November 24th at 7.00pm in The Clubhouse. There was no winner of the Royal Flush Jackpot. Numbers Drawn: 2, 7, 8, 15 Consolation prizes went to: Dermot Alvey, Dunkineely; Mia Gallagher, Mill Road; Alan Kennedy, Brenter. Jackpot Next Week: €3,900. Thank you for your continued support. The Club’s 25 Card Drive has resumed for the winter months and is held on Wednesday evenings in Mary Murrins, from 9pm. New card players Wwelcome. Royal Flush tickets can be bought in Floyd’s Convenience Store, Baskin’s Café and Barry’s Spar, Bruckless. Bingo in clubhouse every Friday night at 9pm. Everybody’s welcome!

Forster Cup Donegal Town 29 Lisburn 14 Donegal Town powered past a travelling Lisburn side in a highly entertaining game at the Holmes. Played in poor handling conditions Donegal dominated from start to finish. Management team of Jimmy Brogan and Lance Feaver were grinning like Cheshire cats by the end of the game as they saw the hard work in pre-season starting to show on the pitch. Team: Rob Hannifan, Keith Anderson, Ciaran Harley, Shane McNulty, Cormac Gallagher, David Rea Corrigan, Dan Meehan, Patrick Forde, Gareth McMurray, Victor Mitchell, David Giblin, Gareth

Marias, Alex Boyd, Hugh Morrow, Ernan Cassidy, David O’Neill. Players are reminded that training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays with some fantastic work from fitness coach Danny Hughes. New players, and old players, are more than welcome to join. The club would like to extend sympathy to the O’Callaghan family on their recent bereavement. The club would also like to extend congratulations to club player Campbell Classon on his inclusion on the Ulster A squad and wish him well for the upcoming season.

EYE on SPORT The Abbey Vocational School U14 Boys’ Gaelic Football team who drew with Colaiste Cholmcille

U16 Donegal Schoolboys Champions League Round 2 Eany Celtic 2-4 Swilly Rovers Eany U16’s were beaten 4-2 by Swilly Rovers this weekend in what was a very competitive and entertaining 2nd round Champions League fixture at Eany Park. Swilly began the tie brightly and were rewarded on the half hour after a shot from the edge of the box beat Eany keeper Oisin Burke. Eany responded well and were unlucky not to draw level when Jack Byrne’s pace saw him go one on one with the Swilly keeper only to see his shot whistle past the post. Swilly managed to maintain their lead until half time but a spirited start to the second half saw Eany equalise after an excellent move between James McNamara and Tom Daly resulted in the goal of the game with an unstoppable finish into the top of the net by Josh Maxwell. Eany could’ve taken the lead shortly after that when Jack Byrne got behind the Swilly defence and picked out Jared Harvey with a pinpoint pass but the keeper was quick off his line and did enough to thwart the attack.

Swilly took the lead again after a huge kickout from their keeper cleared the Eany defence and Oisin Burke could do nothing to prevent a top class finish. Eany almost drew level after Tom Daly’s effort from an excellent Nathan Maxwell free kick went wide but Swilly extended their lead when Eany failed to clear their lines and the visitors were quick to capitalise with a looping header that went beyond the keeper’s reach. Jared Harvey responded quickly with a shot

from distance but the Swilly keeper was well placed to gather. In the 70th minute a biting tackle from Dermot McGuckin in the midfield won possession for the home side and his subsequent pass to Jack Byrne saw the Eany flyer set up Josh Maxwell for a tap in and his and Eany’s second of the game. In the 81st minute Swilly put the result beyond doubt when they grabbed their fourth and final goal of the game to make it 4-2.

Donegal Town Basketball Club News Fantastic news as Donegal Tyre Centre sponsor tops for Donegal Town Basketball Club coaches for the year ahead. As usual the Monaghans have been really generous to our club and the tops are another part of the club moving in the right direction. What can be said of the local company who help out all the local clubs and we are delighted with their generosity which enables us to start looking the part.

Pictured receiving new coaches’ tops from Barry Monaghan of Donegal Tyre Centre is Club Secretary Martina Ryan with Garry, Emmett, Clementine and Darragh.

With our new kits also ordered we will certainly look well for the upcoming season. Barry and Don have always been great friends to our club having both been fine players themselves and no doubt with Barry recently celebrating his Nuptials we will be seeing some Monaghans on court again soon!

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DON E GA L TO W N C RE D I T UN ION