 Scéal Dún-na-nGall ar an Idirlíon Vol.10 No.7 July, 2009 Holiday In Donegal! |
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Cabaret Craiceailte na Miosa Seo Teach Hiudai Beag, An Bun Beag, Gaoth Dobhair, De Sathairn seo, 28 Meitheamh 2009, 9pm. Ceol le Séamus Ó Béaglaíoch - Sár bhoscadóir agus sár amhránaí as Cíarraí. Beidh aoí cheoltóirí eile le Seamus fosta Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh - Sár fhidleir agus sár amhránaí as Cois Cláidí ón ghrúpa Altan; Tristan Rosenstock - ón ghrúpa Téada; Na Campbells, Vincie, Jimmy agus Peter Campbell as Gleann na nGleanntach agus Enda Reilly - Amhránaí Ceoil Tíre/Rac Cheoil as Tamhlachta í mBaile Atha Cliath. Buaiteoir Chomortas Ceoil 'Ronan Beo' ar RnaG nios luaithe i mbliana. Beidh aoi cheoltóirí eile ann ar an oíche. Ceol ag tosnú 9pm. Cead isteach : €5 Euro. At the Cabaret Craiceáilte on Saturday June 27th, acclaimed button accordionist, Seamus Begley, will be joined by Donegal's Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and others in a night of memorable trad music and singing. Also on the Cabaret bill is Enda Reilly, a folk singer who represented Ireland in the Nós Úr Song Contest. Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí, host and organiser of the cabaret series began the cabaret last year to provide a forum for musicians and singers who perform in Irish. The Cabaret will begin at 9pm, Saturday, June 27, at Teach Hudí Beag’s pub in Bunbeg. Admission is €5 euro. Gweedore Flooding While the rest of Ireland and Donegal was bathed in glorious sunshine, an almighty black cloud hung over Gweedore on the afternoon of June 23rd when incessant heavy rain fell for three hours, causing flash flooding and much structural damage. Roads, bridges, homes and commercial premises were badly damaged in the townlands of Derrybeg and Bunbeg. Senator Pearse Doherty called for a rapid response in the aftermath of the flooding and invited the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, to visit Gweedore to see the extent of the damage with a view to providing funding for the clean up operation. Many roads are now closed due to flood damage. Donegal Deputy Dinny McGinley raised the matter in the Dáil and also called on the government to make emergency funding available to aid the necessary repairs. Flash flooding is not a new phenomenon in Gweedore. Five people drowned after flash floods when the Coitin river burst its banks in August, 1880. Project Kelvin The 'Project Kelvin' fibre optic cable to improve connectivity between Ireland and the United States has been brought ashore at Portstewart, Co. Derry. The project is backed by €30m euro funding and will connect Letterkenny, Monaghan, Castleblaney, Dundalk and Drogheda, as well as parts of Counties Derry and Antrim, to the T1 cable. Communications Minister Eamon Ryan predicts the project will help create jobs and attract investment into Ireland. Women Shun Council Elections Following the recent council elections Letterkenny Town Council now has no women on the nine council seats. This reflects the situation across Donegal and Ireland as a whole, where fewer women partake in politics than in any other part of Europe. In the greater Letterkenny Electoral Area all seven seats were also won by men. Cllr. Dessie Larking made reference to the imbalance, stating that that it was 'very unfortunate' that there is no woman on the council. Donegal Co. Council has now just three female councillors out of twenty-nine, Sinn Fein’s Cora Harvey and Maire Therese Gallagher and Fianna Fail’s Rena Donaghey. Perhaps it is the fact that county councillors effect so little change that more women don't stand for election? There are 883 councillors in Ireland, more than the number of public health nurses for instance and, even though councillors have little power any more, they are very generously renumerated. It's time the county council system was overhauled, the number of councillors halved and their wages likewise. Then, maybe, we would not get people standing who view the council elections as the first step onto the gravy train that is local and national politics in Ireland.  Find your Holiday Accommodation in Donegal Glenties Shines Again Glenties is celebrating winning the top award in the 'Small Town' category of the Tidy Towns competition 2009. The town has won the award on several occasions during the 52 year history of the award. The competition is organised by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Northern Ireland Amenity Council. Towns are judged on cleanliness, outward appearance of buildings, presentation of roads and public facilities and the natural environment. Newcastle, Co. Down is the overall winner of Ireland’s Best Kept Town competition, 2009. Ennis, Co. Clare won the Best Kept Large Urban Centre category and Loughhall, Co. Armagh won the Best Kept Village Category. Oakfield Park, Raphoe The 100 acre Oakfield Park estate in Raphoe is open to the public on Wednesdays to Sundays from now until the end of August. Oakfield House dates from 1739 and the landscaped gardens are spectacular. There is also a miniature railway based on the old Co. Donegal Railways with over 4km of narrow gauge track and a miniature steam engine. The train operates on Saturdays and Sundays only and should prove popular with families. Oakfield Park now boasts a new nymphaem and the gardens include a formal walled garden and kitchen garden, parkland, woodland and riverside walks amid abundant wildlife. Admission is €5 euro and €3 euro for children/ students/ seniors. More details from 074 91 73068 or email Oakfield Park.  The Best Websites on Ireland & the Irish Turf-Cutting DVD 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 sales going to the Alzheimer's Unit in Carndonagh Hospital. Members of the McFarland family - Larry, Gerry, Niall and Leo - joined forces with Joseph McElhinney and Harry McDaid to produce this authentic record of an ancient craft for future generations. The film follows the entire process of preparing turf, from 'paring', which is removing the sod above the bank, to cutting, footing and bringing the turf back to keep the home fires burning during the long winter months. Those who've braved the bog in fine weather and foul over the years will no doubt appreciate this tribute to the hard work of our ancestors and generations past. The DVD shows exactly, in every detail, how turf was cut in 1964, from the bikes the men rode out to the bog, to their peaked caps and wellington boots to the old kettle used to make tea on a turf fire in the bog. If you would like to purchase the DVD call Larry McFarland on (00353) 086 894 8241 or email The McFarlands. The DVD costs €12 euro plus €5 postage (Ireland and Europe) or $20 (including postage) to the United States. TwinTowns Wellbeing Integrated Network A Womens' Health & Wellbeing Programme was delivered in the Finn Valley College, Stranorlar. Evaluations were very positive with suggestions for further courses for children and teenagers, men, and cooking healthy nutritious meals for the elderly. Further courses are planned for September. Register your interest by contacting Mary McNulty on 086 126 9804. DonegalCounty.com News 103 This is the 103nd Donegal on the Net Newsletter, online for eleven years and one of the oldest blogs in Ireland with over a million hits a year. You can hear the Donegal news live in Pennslyvannia on Echoes of Erin radio show on Sundays from 1.00-2.30pm EST. Listeners in Brisbane, Australia can catch the Donegal on the Net News 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 to a worldwide audience email info@Dun na nGall.com. |
 Arranmore Seascape by Celine McGlynn oil on canvas, 54 x 73.5cm Inishowen Traditional Music The 10th Inishowen Traditional Music Project takes place on June 26th to 28th in Culdaff and Glengad. There will be music workshops, for advanced, intermediate and beginners, as well as gala concerts with Slide on Friday night; a Tribute to local greats on Saturday night and the workshop students performing on Sunday afternoon. For information or to book a place on workshop telephone 087 7528639. For concert tickets ring McGrory’s on (+353) 74 937 9104. Cathal Ó Searcaigh agus Cairde Cuireann Cathal Ó Searcaigh dhá oíche ar leith cheoil is filíochta i láthair mar chomhthéacs do sraith léitheóireachtaí óna bheathfháisnéis nua-scríofa, atá díreach réidh le foilsiú. One of Donegal’s most celebrated poets Cathal Ó Searcaigh hosts two very special evenings of poetry and music to accompany readings from his own, imminently published, memoirs on Saturday 18th at 10pm in Amharclann Uí Shearcaigh, Gortahork. Admission is €10. See Maggie Dan’s for more details.  Recreational Diving, Dive Training and Angling throughout the year in Donegal Earagail Arts Festival The 21st Annual Earagail Arts Festival takes place from July 4th to July 19th in numerous venues in County Donegal. This vibrant arts festival includes a lively mix of music, theatre, exhibitions, film, children's entertainment and family shows. Over 25,000 people will attend events ranging from art exhibitions to live music concerts during the two-week run of the festival. Festival highlights include 'The Muse of the Seven Sisters' on July 11th - €10/€8 per workshop / performance in the Drawing Room of Glenveagh Castle and an evening concert of Poetry and music with Celia De Fréine, Paul Perry, Nessa O’Mahony and Dermot Mc Laughlin. On July 11th and 12th July there will be a tour of some artists' studios in Donegal starting at 10am in An Gailearaí, Falcarragh. The cost is €15 per day. An Gailearaí will provide 2 one day guided tours of local artist’s studios. Participants will all travel by minibus accompanied by An Gailearaí staff and lunch will be available at Ionad Cois Locha, Dunlewey. Numbers are limited and booking is essential, please contact An Gailearaí for itinerary. For further information: +353 (0)74 9165594. Tabharfar deis don phobal turas a thógáil thart ar na stiúideonna atá ag físealíontóirí sa cheantar. Is deis iontach é seo léargas a fháil ar shaol an ealaíontóra agus tuiscint a fháil ar na modhanna oibre agus na modhanna cleachtais a bhíonn ag físealaíontóirí. Taistileoidh na rainnpháirtithe ar bhus agus cuirfear lón ar fáil dóibh in Ionad Cois Locha. Ní mhór áít a chur san áireamh roimh réidh. Tuilleadh eolais le fáil ón nGailearaí. For more information see Earagail Arts Festival. Gortahork Charity Bazaar Good Clothes, wedding dresses, evening wear, books, unwanted gifts, etc are wanted for a Bazaar in aid of The National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght, which will be held on Sunday 19th July in the Parish Hall, Gortahork from 2 – 9pm. The Drop off point any time before that date is McGeevers Gala, Gortahork or Tel 0851395034. Different Things Artlink Gallery, Fort Dunree, Buncrana in association with the IMMA National Programme will show a selection of art from the IMMA Collection, including Carlos Amorales’s Dark Mirror from July 4th to August 2nd, 2009. Talks, workshops and family activities will be scheduled and supported by Department of Education and Science, for details call Artlink on +353 (0)74 936 3469 or email Artlink.  The Donegal Woman by John Throne A 'Must Read' for everyone with an interest in Donegal and it's History Rycycling Row Inishowen residents are annoyed that they now have to pay to use Carndonagh's recycling centre. Citizens Against Recycling Charges (CARC) oppose the charges and held a protest outside Donegal County Council's offices. A petition to 'Keep all recycling brought to Carndonagh Centre free of charge' was signed by 3,500 residents with 1,000 of them from Carndonagh alone. The group believe that there will be an increase of fly-tipping and, with more backyard burning, toxic fumes are being released into our atmosphere. But if local citizens don't pay for recycling who will? It now costs €10 euro for private vehicles, without trailers, to recycle paper, cardboard, plastic, milk and drinks cartons, waste engine oil, cooking oil, mixed metals with a €10 euro charge to deposit bulky items, such as single mattress, dinning chairs buggy, high chair, rocking horse large toys, ironing boards, etc. A charge of €20 euro applies for bigger items such as double bed, chest of drawers, table, double mattress, bath, sofa, shower, wardrobes and carpet, etc. Some items are still free of charge, such as glass bottles, jars, food and drink cans, aerosol cans, textiles, household batteries, mobile phones, etc. The council is holding special collections for hazardous waste at the various civic amenity sites on Saturday mornings in July. The Great Gas Robbery Fishermen Pat and Jonathon O’Donnell were arrested while working at their fishing grounds in the waters off Erris, Co.Mayo at the end of June. In two separate incidents, Jonathan was arrested, and his boat tugged, while Pat was injured by Gardai and has been taken to hospital. Both were arrested for ‘loitering’ in the sea, their workplace. One Shell to Sea protester, Willie Corduff, required hospitalization after an encounter with masked men at the Shell compound at 4am on Thursday April 23rd. The fishing boat of another key Shell to Sea activist, Pat O’Donnell, was boarded at 2am on Thursday 11th June by four masked and armed men who proceed to sink the boat, leaving the two men on board to fend for themselves. What is striking is the almost complete failure of the Irish media to investigate any of these stories in a serious way. These incidents make a mockery of guarantees made to local fishermen while they are going about their work, following the recent sinking of Pat O’Donnell’s vessel, the Iona Isle, by masked men. The fishermen have a lawful right to fish in the bay, and neither Shell nor the Gardai have been able to show any legal reason to stop them from doing so. The fishermen are opposed to the damage being done to the bay by Shell’s underwater pipe laying works, and particularly the danger from their discharge pipe to the environment of Broadhaven Bay. The Solitaire, the largest pipe-laying ship in the world, has now arrived in the Bay and hundreds of Gardai have been deployed to the area as well as two ship of the Irish Navy. Upwards of 40 Gardai have moved into place below the Rossport Solidarity Camp, and have stated their intention to deny access to the public beach and to the sea, but they have failed to state any reason for this. Shell to Sea spokesperson Terence Conway said: 'Pat O’ Donnell was illegally arrested twice last year from his boat. The Gardai are aware that these were illegal arrests as Pat's boat is not only private property, but also his workplace. This stance has been vindicated by the fact that Mr. O’Donnell has not been charged, never mind convicted, of any crime from these incidents.' At least 156 private security personnel work, on what Shell calls, the 'Corrib Project'. The level of force being deployed to impose the Shell pipeline project on the local population is a testimony to the long running resistance of the people of Erris, a resistance that so far has not been broken by dozens of arrests, violence and the most vitriolic of attacks from paid hacks in the mainstream media. For more information see Shell to Sea. |
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