Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise Duit - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!         Scéal Dún-na-nGall ar an Idirlíon / County Donegal on the Net News Vol.6 No.12 December 2005    Holiday In Donegal in 2006!

Sharkey's Sponsor Art Exhibition Sharkey's Service Station, Gweedore Road, Dungloe (no relation to the editor of this Newsletter!) are celebrating a year in business by sponsoring an exhibition of works by artists living in the Dungloe area. The exhibition opened on December 3rd and features the work of Heidi Nuygen, Kevin Gallagher, Ian Gordon, Johnny Gallagher, Kerstin Gronvall, Michelle Doherty, among others. Ó Searcaigh's 'Art of Friendship' exhibition at An Grianán An exhibition of 81 artworks by leading Irish artists and writers was opened by the poet Cathal Ó Searcaigh at An Gailearaí, Falcarragh on Saturday 19th November. The artworks were auctioned in An Grianán Theatre on December 3rd and raised €50,000 for Cathal's education project in Katmandu. Writers who sent handwritten work include the Nobel prizewinner Seamus Heaney, the Booker prizewinner John Banville, Brian Friel and Frank McGuinness. The artists involved included Robert Ballagh, Alice Maher and local artists Ian Gordon, Sarah Lewtas and Teresa Kennedy. Cathach Books in Dublin, headed by Donegal man Enda Cunningham, helped with the valuations of the literary pieces. Cathal Ó Searcaigh said he's been touched by the help the 'Art of Friendship' project received. 'The enthusiasm of the artists and writers themselves in agreeing to contribute has been heart lifting.' he said. Cathal Ó Searcaigh, Donegal's most famous contemporary poet, spends several months in Nepal every year and has been involved in a number of adult education projects there. Honoured at Oireachtas na Gaeilge Gaoth Dobhair woman, Kitty McGarvey (nee Gallagher) was honoured at this year‘s Oireachtas na Gaeilge in Co. Cork, for her long association with the event. Cití Eoghain Eamoinn is a well known traditional singer and was a gold medal winner at the Oireachtas in the nineteen forties. Her late sister, Áine Bean Uí Laoi was also a well known singer and was adjudicator of Corn Uí Riada at the Oireachtas on a number of occasions. At the Oireachtas in Co. Cork, Cití was presented with a piece of Dublin crystal by Áine Ní Chuirreáin, presenter of ‘Barr Scéalta‘ on Raidió na Gaeltachta. Christmas Lights & Car Boot Sale at the Port The Burtonport Christmas lights will be illuminated on Saturday, December 10th. The next car boot sale will be held in St. Columba‘s Church Community Centre on Sunday, December 4th at 1pm. TThe sale is being co-ordinated by the Burtonport Festival Committee. Do You Live in Pittsburgh? Do you live in the greater Pittsburgh area? Then listen live to Patricia Sharkey's Broadcasts from Donegal on WEDO 108FM on Sundays from 1-2pm. The 'Echoes of Erin' show is hosted by Diane Byrnes, former Grand Marshal of the Pittsburgh St Patrick's Day Parade and the doyen of everything Irish in Pittsburgh. If you want your Irish Goods or Services to reach the Pittsburgh Irish then advertise on 'Echoes of Erin' by emailing . A to Z of the Best Irish Sites Recycling Site Donegal County Council intended to remove the paper and plastic banks at the recycling plant in the car park at Lower Main Street, Dungloe. However the topic got a lively airing at the Glenties Electoral Division Area Meeting. The Councillors were not pleased about the lack of notification because they were 'the voice of the people', as Councillor Alcorn put it. Thanks to the Councillors intervention the paper and plastic banks were not subsequently removed. Glenswilly in the Ulster Intermediate Club final Glenswilly will meet Monaghan champions, Inniskeen, in next Sunday‘s final in the Ulster Intermediate Club championships. It will be a great occasion for the club as they have never gone to the final before. Two died in Tragic Cliff Accident 21-year-old Niall Anderson from Cashelard near Ballyshannon fell down a 90ft cliff in Rossnowlagh shortly before dawn on November 27th. His friend Alan Gallagher (19), Cloghore, Ballyshannon was rushed to Sligo General Hospital where he died on December 1st. The tragedy occured near the Smuggler's Creek Bar as the friends waited for a taxi home after a night out. Congratulations to Ardara Hoteliers Congratulations to Marie and Paul Gallagher, Nesbitt Arms Hotel, on being selected as finalists for the Fáilte Ireland Irish Welcome Awards.