Scéal Dún-na-nGall ar an Idirlíon / County Donegal on the Net News    Vol.9 No.6, June / Meitheamh 2008    Holiday In Donegal in 2008!

Road carnage in the County Four people were killed in Donegal in four days and in three separate road accidents in late May. The deaths occured of mother and daughter, Martina and Louise McLernon, who were killed when they were knocked down by a car while out walking near their holiday home at Meenachung on May 24th. Their funerals took place in Toome, Co Antrim on May 28th. Octogenarian Maggie Barr was killed and three people seriously injured in a two-car crash in Dunlewey on May 25th. She was laid to rest in Magheragallon following Requiem Mass at St Mary's Church, Derrybeg. In later life Maggie Barr had appeared on several Irish language television comedy shows, inclding CU Burn, Gleann Ceo and FFC on TG4. Thirty-four yearold teacher Bernard Doherty from Coolboy, Letterkenny was killed when his car collided with a school bus at Kilross, Ballybofey on May 26th. Mr Doherty, a native of Fanad, was returning from his work in the Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town when the accident occured. His funeral took place in St Columba's Church, Kilmacrennan on May 29th. These fatalities bring the number of deaths on Donegal roads in 2008 to six compared to nine at this time in 2007. Over 300 new jobs promised for Donegal Gaeltacht The Donegal Gaeltacht has received good news with the announcement that Forward Emphasis International is to create 100 new positions at the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park. These jobs are in addition to the 200 already in place at Forward Emphasis' Malin Head plant. The firm provides call handling and back office administration services to the banking and financial services sector. The investment is grant-assisted by údaras na Gaeltachta. The new jobs were announced by the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan. "This decision by Forward Emphasis International to expand to the Donegal Gaeltacht is tremendous news for the area and the local workforce. I commend údaras na Gaeltachta in attracting this company to locate in the Gaoth Dobhair area and on its record of supporting job creating businesses in the Donegal Gaeltacht." Randox Laboratories, a diagnostic equipment firm, has announced it is to create 135 jobs in Dungloe, also grant-assisted by údaras na Gaeltachta. However it will be several years before either company reaches their target job creation figures in Donegal. The Donegal Woman by John Throne A 'Must Read' for everyone with an interest in Donegal Donegal Village in Horror Movie A horror movie is to be shot in Pettigo in September. Aidan Gillen, Dublin-born star of hit TV series 'The Wire' is due in Pettigo in the next few weeks to film his scenes in a €1 million euro feature-length film 'Wake Wood'. The film's other actors include Derry born Eva Birthistle and Scots actor and director Peter Mullen. Dublin-based production company Fantastic Films are making the film through their subsidiary Wake Wood Productions with financial support from the Irish Film Board. Percentage of Single Mothers on rise in Donegal Thirty-two per cent of births in Donegal are now occuring outside of marriage and the county has one of the lowest age profiles for women getting pregnant for the first time in the country. Of the 32 % born to unmarried parents a third were born to parents who also do not share the same address. The Central Statistics Office findings show that a woman in Donegal is on average a year younger when she first becomes pregnant at 27.6 years of age compared to the national average of 28.9 years of age. The statistics also show that the most popular age group for having a first born is between 30 and 34, ten years older than women who became first time mothers thirty years ago. Click Pride.ie for Vintage Style Gaelic Football & Hurling T-Shirts Delivered World Wide Wise Woman Weekend The fourth annual Wise Woman Weekend will take place from June 6th to 8th, 2008 at St Angela's College on Lough Gill, Co. Sligo. This is a weekend of learning, discovery, celebration and fun for women of all ages. Judith Hoad, a founding member of the Wise Woman Weekend, and well known herbalists from Inver, Donegal will be giving her last keynote talk at this year's event. Her talk, entitled " The Last Frontier" is about her experience of the ageing process. Judith will also be available to share her elder wisdom in her workshop " This is My Life". Film maker Kathleen O'Hara, from the Inishowen, is optimstic a film about Judith's work will be ready for public viewing during the event. The weekend includes a diverse selection of activities, including workshops is permaculture garden design, dancing, singing, creative writing, weaving, walks in nature, the Wild Woman Social, mini treatments, yoga, meditation and much more. A weekend pass cost €140, Saturday only €90. Full details of the weekend can be found at Wise Woman Ireland. The Wise Woman Weekend is organised using sustainable principles by volunteers. New Book on War Graves in Ireland A high percentage of the First and Second World War graves in Ireland are in County Donegal with some 247 fatalities buried in 28 sites across the county. In a new book, 'Remembering the War Dead: British Commonwealth and International Wargraves in Ireland since 1914' author and UCD professor Fergus A. D'Arcy, gives biographical details on the 5,700 soldiers, seamen and air force personnel from twenty countries who were buried in Ireland between 1914 and 1946. There were 168 First and Second World War graves registered in Donegal for the period 1914 to 1921 and a further 79 registered between 1939 and 1946, including ten war graves on Cruit Island and eight in Magheragallion Cemetary that includes a Japanese sailor Takeshi Uyenda. There are six soliders and seamen buried in the ancient ruins at Termon Old Graveyard near Maghery close to two unknown German airmen. Among the tragedies recalled in the book are the 17 sailors of HMS Racoon which sunk in January, 1918 on its way to Lough Swilly and who were buried in St Columb's Church of Ireland Churchyard, Rathmullan and the fate of Italian Ernest Moruzzi (61) who washed ashore at Burtonport after his vessel was torpedoed by a German submarine 75 miles off Bloody Foreland. This work is priced €22 euro and can be purchased directly from the Irish Government Publications Sale Office, Sun Alliance House, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, or by mail order from Government Publications, Postal Trade Section, 51 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2: Tel: 0035316476834, or through most booksellers. O'Dochartaigh Clann Gathering this July in Donegal and Derry The O'Dochartaigh Clann are holding a 10 day clann gathering from July 1st - 10th in Derry City and in Inishowen. This year's schedule includes an Opening Banquet in Derry; Derry City Museums and Wall Tours; Co. Donegal Bus Tour; Historical and Genealogy Workshops and Irish Cultural Classes. The first O'Dochartaigh Reunion was held in 1985,and have been held every 5 years since until the recent one in 2005. The Reunion Committee then decided to break with tradition and hold this next one in 2008 to commemorate the death of the last Irish chieftain, our own Cahir Rua O'Doherty who was killed the 5th of July 1608. In 2005 we had over 400 individuals who came from 10 different countries and 39 US states. For further information see O'Dochartaigh Reunion. Turf-Cutting DVD Launched for Charity A Carndonagh charity DVD showing traditional turf-cutting skills in the hills of Inishowen has sold out twice and is now into its third edition with all the proceeds from the sale of the DVD going to the Alzheimer's Unit in Carndonagh Hospital. Members of the McFarland family - Larry, Gerry, Niall and Leo - joined forces with Joseph McElhinney and Harry McDaid to produce this authentic record of an ancient craft for future generations. The film follows the entire process of preparing turf, from 'paring', which is removing the sod above the bank, to cutting, footing and bringing the turf back to keep the home fires burning during the long winter months. Those who've braved the bog in fine weather and foul over the years will no doubt appreciate this tribute to the hard work of our ancestors and generations past. The DVD shows exactly, in every detail, how turf was cut in 1964, from the bikes the men rode out to the bog, to their peaked caps and wellington boots to the old kettle used to make tea on a turf fire in the bog. If you would like to purchase the DVD call Larry McFarland on (00353) 086 894 8241 or email . The DVD costs €12 euro plus €5 postage (Ireland and Europe) or $20 (including postage) to the United States. PLC Course in Carndonagh Community School There are still a few places available in Business Administration with Tourism in the academic year 08/09 (FETAC Level 5). The course consists of modules in Administration, word and text processing, accounting, spreadsheets, databases and communications. Local work placement is included. PLC students may also repeat Leaving Cert Maths, during this course. This course will be of interest to Students with a Leaving Cert who wish to progress to Third level but who have inadequate CAO points, individuals who wish to improve employment chances and Mature student wishing to return to education. For application forms or further information phone the school on 93 74260. Thatched Cottage Survey A survey of thatched buildings is being carried out by Donegal Co. Council to find out what is the exact state of thatching in Co. Donegal. Fidelma Mullane, who is conducting the survey on behalf of the council, has said she is looking at all types of buildings with thatched roofs, from houses to old farm buildings. The Heritage Council is also offering grant assistance for the restoration of certain types of old properties, and this can include buildings with thatched roofs. Over the years many have fallen into disrepair, but with grant aid the hope is that many can be restored to their former glory. Anyone who is the owner of a thatched property is asked to contact Fidelma Mullane so they can be included in the survey. She can be contacted via e-mail at Fidelma Mullane.

Do you know this boy? A John Hinde Postcard of Moville Circa. 1960 Cártaí Poist’/Postcards TG4 Do you recognise the postcard above? Do you know when it was taken or who the boy was? ‘Cártaí Poist’/Postcards, the popular TG4 series, is trying to track down the subjects of a number of postcards from around the county. and would like to identify the people in the postcards as they would really like to make a programme in Donegal again this year. If any readers have postcards from 50’s, 60’s and 70’s or if they know anyone who has been in a postcard email . Paisean faisean TG4-ag lorg daoine! Samhraidh 2008 I láthair na huaire táimid ag lorg daoine don 5u sraith de 'Paisean Faisean' ar TG4. Tugtar €250 don buachailli agus tugtar 'outfit' don cailini. Beimid ag taifeadh i rith an tsamhridh, meitheamh, lúil agus lúnasa. An feidir leat an focal a scaipeadh? Chun páirt a ghlacadh ní gá ach an fhoirm iarratais atá le seo a líonadh agus é a sheoladh thar nais le griangraf. R-phóist ag . Find your Holiday Accommodation Donegal Donegal's Poor Public Transport Donegal Senator Pearse Doherty has said that figures received from the minister of Transport in response to a Sinn Féin Dáil question clearly shows that Donegal is been seriously neglected in relation to spend on public transport. Senator Doherty said: 'In 2006 the government launched in a blaze of publicity their 10 year transport plan. That plan committed to spend €4.4 million euro each day on public transport or €1.6 billion euro each year. However in response to a Sinn Féin Dáil question the minister for Transport has admitted that in Donegal that only €543,000 has been spent on public transport since 2006. These figures speak for them self. That over a two year period Donegal has received just over half a million euro on public transport while the rest of the state has seen an estimated €3,200 million euro spent on public transport is nothing more than a disgrace'. 'This neglect of the Donegal must end, it is our taxes too that pay for the states public transport plan and it is only proper that we get our fair share. Indeed there is a strong argument that Donegal should of received more than our fair share as we have been abandoned by successive governments in investment in public transport and are starting from a near zero base'. A commitment to reintroduce rail into Donegal would be a first welcome step. The connecting of the Derry rail line to the Sligo line and in doing so connecting communities in Innishowen, Letterkenny, Lifford, Stranorlar, Ballybofey, Donegal Town, Ballyshannon and Bundoran to the national rail network will provide Donegal with what the rest of the country have enjoyed for decades. From there we must ensure that our more rural areas also have access to adequate public transport. It is time for Donegal to be treated fairly and it is time for us to not tolerate a situation where the other 25 counties in the state are receiving over 6,000 times more money on public transport than we do. Huge turnout expected to take part in Fisherman's protest Sean O'Donoghue, the Chairperson of the Killybegs Fishermens Organisation, says he expects almost every fishing vessel in the country to take part in a protest against spirralling fuel prices on June 5th. Boats from across Europe are expected to take part in the action which will see vessels in Ireland and europe suspend fishing for a day. The industry claims that it has been particularly damaged by rising diesel costs as 80% of profits are spent on fuel. Recreational Diving, Dive Training and Angling throughout the year in Donegal Shell promotes drilling in Donegal Shell has rejected criticism of its gas prospecting off the Donegal coast, claiming the county will be better off if the company discovers gas. One of the largest rigs in the world is now located 130 kilometres off the Donegal coast, drilling in seventeen hundred metres of water. However the project has proved controversial with many opponents claiming that Ireland's resources are being exploited with little benefit to the country. In Rossport, Co. Mayo Shell have recently submitted their supposedly 'new' pipeline route to An Bord Pleanála. The deadline for observations and submissions to An Bord Pleanala is Wednesday June 25th 2008. (An Bord Pleanala, The Board, 64 Marlborough St, Dublin 1). Everyone can make submissions! Please make a submission if you can or email any advice/ideas for people to include in their submissions. Please forward on to anyone who might be able to help. For information on how to make a submission please see: An Bord Pleanala . Glenties B&B Mary Ita Boyle is the proud proprietor of the Avalon B&B Guesthouse in Glenties. She would like to extend a warm welcome to visitors to the Glenties area. See Avalon B&B or email for tariffs and availability. Electricity Undergrounding Study An important Irish grid study on undergrounding was to have been completed in April. On April 8th the Irish Government announced the appointment of Dutch-based international energy consultants Ecofys, supported by Canadian-based global ground engineering group Golder Associates, to undertake the study, saying it is "expected that the report will be finalised by early June". Progress is eagerly awaited. DonegalCounty.com News on Air and Online DonegalCounty.com & Dún na nGall.com is online for eleven years, making it the longest established website about Donegal. The site receives over a million hits a year. You can hear the Donegal news from Patricia Sharkey, editor of this website, live in Pennslyvannia on 'Echoes of Erin' radio show on Sundays from 1.00-2.00pm and online at Echoes of Erin. Listeners in Brisbane, Australia can catch Sharkey's 'View from the Hills' on Saturdays between 12.30 and 1.30pm on Caomhín O'Seoige's Irish show on 4EB 98.1 FM. If you are in Sydney you can listen to Sydney Irish Radio on 107.3FM on Sundays from 7.30 to 9.00am local time (see Sydney Irish Radio). If you would like to advertise your product or service to a worldwide audience of people with an interest in Donegal email . The Index of the Best Websites on Irish Stuff 11 Years Online! Swilly Gardening Club The next meeting will take place on Monday May 26th at 8pm in The Angler’s Centre. Guest speaker is Clive Alcorn from Alcorn’s Garden Centre, Letterkenny. New members are very welcome. Contact 9361114. The Annual outing is on Saturday 21st of June. Phone 9361114 for further information. School Marks 25th Anniversary Gairmscoil Chú Uladh at Ballinamore, Fintown celebrated its 25th Anniversary with the official opening of a newly extended school building by Tánaiste Mary Coughlan. The new facilities include a modern computer lab, a sports hall, library room, language lab, art room and refrectory. Gairmscoil Chú Uladh first opened on September 6th, 1982 to teach through the medium of Irish. In the first year 23 pupils enrolled and today there are 167 students at the school, testiment to the hard work of local teachers and parents to promote education through Irish in An Ghealtacht Láir. Art Classes in Mullingar International watercolour artist, Ran Ransonis, will be returning to Belvedere House in Mullingar, Ireland this August. ARon is one of the world's most travelled watercolour teachers, giving workshops and private tuition to students on every continent for many years. He has tutored watercolour enthusiasts, from absolute beginners to the more advanced, and has helped them turn blank pages into magical paintings with a few key colours and swift brushstrokes. For more information email .

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