 Scéal Dún-na-nGall ar an Idirlíon Vol.11 No.1 January, 2010 Holiday In Donegal! |
|
New Year's Greetings Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Daoibh - Nollaig faoi shneachta agus anois Athbhliain faoi shneachta againn anseo i Dhún na nGall. Weather Causes Christmas Chaos In 2009 Ireland was sunnier and wetter than usual everywhere with Malin Head recording its sunniest year since 1960. However the year's end saw a very different picture with a severe frost lasting 3 weeks which has left many of Donegal's back roads in a treacherous state. Many thousands of people have been trapped in their homes since before Christmas. The county's main roads are gritted and can be navigated with care but 5,000km of back roads are not gritted due to lack of salt and thousands of families are still stranded at home. Only 900km of Donegal's 6,300 km road network has been salted during the past month. Sporting and social activities were cancelled and Mains water supplies are also affected with bursting pipes lowering levels in the County's resevoirs, causing the Council to turn of water supplies at night. The Donegal Mountain Rescue Team is delivering emergency supplies, including food and medicine, to people in isolated communities around Glenties. Donegal Mourns Young Garda Donegal residents were shocked to learn of the tragic death on December 13th of a young Garda, Gary McLoughlin (24), who died following a collision with a speeding car which the Gardai were attempting to apprehend at Lisfannon. Garda Gary McLoughlin, from Ballinamore in Leitrim, and his colleague, Garda Bernard McLoughlin (no relation), were taken to Letterkenny General Hospital where Garda Gary McLoughlin died from the injuries he sustained in the accident. His colleague is in a stable condition and the driver of the other was put under garda supervision in the hospital. It subsequently emerged that the driver of the other car should have been serving a six-month prison sentence at the time of the crash, that he has 79 previous convictions, including dangerous driving and drink driving and that he was previously banned from driving for 15 years. Garda McLoughlin was the second garda to die while on duty in Donegal in 2009. Garda Robbie McCallion (29) sustained fatal injuries in another car collision when he went to investigate the theft of a car in Letterkenny in March. He later died of his injuries in Beaumont Hospital on April 7th, 2009. Bundoran Market Bundoran's Saturday street Market has moved from Bundoran Retail Park to the Market Square Shopping Centre (above Super Valu, & opposite Grand Central Hotel, Main Street, Bundoran). The Market will now be run on the first and third Saturday of every month. Any traders who wish to participate in the next one can contact Sean Carty at 086 3903655 or Jim McLaughlin at 087 9730539. Indoor spaces are available to those with crafts and farmers market stalls. Tents can also be supplied for outdoor stalls (market & farmers market).  Recreational Diving, Dive Training and Angling throughout the year in Donegal Oideas Gael agus Beo! Oideas Gael, the Irish language teaching organisation based in Gleann Cholm Cille, has been awarded the contract for the publication of the online Irish language magazine WWW.BEO.IE . The magazine, which is in existence since 2002, is published each month and reaches over 10,000 unique users per issue. Its extensive archiving function and articles from prominent Irish language journalists has ensured that is it featured widely in textbooks preparing students for Leaving Certificate and A-levels. Liam Ó Cuinneagáin, director of Oideas Gael ( www.oideas-gael.com ), expressed delight at the outcome and claimed that it was well-deserved recognition for the editorial team, past and present, as well as the high quality of journalism presented. He thanked Foras na Gaeilge for its approach and professionalism during the process. Tá Oideas Gael thar a bheith sásta go bhfuil an conradh don iris ar-líne bronnta orainn áthuair. Is aitheantas é ó Fhoras na Gaeilge don phainéal eagarthóirí agus scríbhneoirí a bhí linn ón tús. Déanfar uasghrádu teicneolaíochta suntasach ar an suíomh lastigh de chupla mí chun an sprioc lion na léitheoirí a mhéadú go substaintiúil. Tá sé mar mhisean againn an chuid is fearr de scríobh na Gaeilge a chur ar fail don phobal Gaeilge in Éirinn agus ar fud na cruinne. Feic Oideas Gael.  The Index of the Best Websites on Irish Stuff Online since 1997! Balor Theatre, Ballybofey On January 11th, 2010 Maeve Higgins brings her 'Blabbing Away!' show to the Balor Theatre, Ballybofey. One of only a few Irish comedienne's, Maeve Higgins has gained a reputation for pan faced humour and she is pleased to have lots of new things to blab about to the Ballybofey audience! Her new stand-up comedy show 'Blabbing Away' is part fact, part advice, part recipe and part stupidity! Adm €15 The Route Back Home 2010 A Family History Festival will take place in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim in October, 2010. The Festival will include workshops and seminars pertinent to Ulster Genealogy, including the role of Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). As anyone who has attempted to search for their Donegal ancestors knows, finding out information about them before 1800 is far from easy. The loss of so many records in the destruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland in 1922, coupled with less than systematic record keeping presents problems that are not easy to overcome. Nonetheless there is a large body of information out there that can be utilised by historical and genealogical researchers. To book a place on 'The Route Back Home 2010, see The Route Back Home 2010.  3 Bedroom, 2 Reception Rooms & Sea Views at Ballyhiernan, Fanad Buy Your Home in Donegal at Tírconaill Property.com Sceal na Gaeltachta Tá fógartha ag an Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta Éamon Ó Cuív inniu, go mbeidh Foras na Gaeilge ag earcú daoine d’fhonn 16 post san eagras a líonadh gan mhoill, faoi réir dheimhniú chomhréitigh sa Chúirt Oibreachais. Lonnófar na poist sin i mBaile Átha Cliath agus i nGaoth Dobhair mar seo a leanas: - 3 phost nua i mBaile Átha Cliath, eadhon, Príomhoifigeach Cúnta (Príomhthéarmeolaí) móide beirt Ardoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin 5 phost nua i nGaoth Dobhair, eadhon, Príomhoifigeach (Stiúrthóir Foilseachán, Foclóireachta agus Téarmeolaíochta), Príomhoifigeach Cúnta (Eagarthóir, an tAonad Foclóireachta), beirt Innealtóir Grád III (Eagarthóir Cúnta) móide Ardoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin,agus - 8 bhfolúntas le dílarú go Gaoth Dobhair, eadhon, Innealtóir Grád II (Eagarthóir), triúr Innealtóir Grád III (Eagarthóirí Cúnta), Ardoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin, beirt Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin móide Oifigeach Cléireachais. Ag eascairt as comhréiteach a thángthas air sa Chúirt Oibreachais maidir leis na bhfolúntais atá le líonadh i nGaoth Dobhair, is féidir le foireann reatha an Fhorais atá lonnaithe i mBaile Átha Cliath cur isteach ar na poist sin agus má bhíonn an rath orthu, beidh siad in ann feidhmiú sna poist sin i mBaile Átha Cliath ar bhonn pearsanta. Chuir an tAire in iúl go raibh sé an-sásta go raibh an Foras agus na Ranna cuí mar aon leis na ceardchumainn in ann teacht ar chomhréiteach sa chás seo ar chur chuige a shásóidh clár díláraithe an Rialtais i ndáil le Gaoth Dobhair agus a chuirfidh leas na foirne reatha san áireamh freisin. Ag cur fáilte roimh an gcomhaontú, dúirt an tAire, “Mar áisínteacht de chuid an Fhorais Teanga, a bunaíodh ar 2 Nollaig 1999 nuair a tháinig an tAcht um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann 1999 i bhfeidhm, is é an sainordú atá ag Foras na Gaeilge ná an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn i ngach gné den saol ar fud oileán na hÉireann. Is cúis áthais dom mar sin go bhfuil comhaontú faighte maidir le cúrsaí foirne mar go gcuirfidh sé ar chumas an Fhorais láidriú iontach a dhéanamh ar na seirbhísí Gaeilge a chuireann sé ar fáil.” Tuigtear go mbeidh na poist á bhfógairt ag an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí go luath. Welcome to Ireland! Senator Cecilia Keaveney is pleased that mobile phone company 'Vodaphone' have stopped sending the message 'Welcome to Ireland' when people cross the border from Derry into Donegal. Up until the end of December when people crossed the border they automatically received a message which read ‘Welcome to Ireland'. People were offended given they felt that the six counties is in Ireland. The Senator raised the issue i with the company who said they were obligated to include the message when roaming was taking place. This, however, was not the case in law and, following further consultations with the Senator, the company have now changed the message. However the question of roaming charges persists with people in Border counties paying way more for texts and calls between adjacent counties north and south than those in the rest of the Republic pay between the various counties.  Lough Finn with Achla mountain shrouded in snow and mist © |
 The Hills of Donegal covered in snow - January 1st, 2010 © 'You Have Disgraced Yourselves Again...' The annual Donegal County Council budget meeting turned into a travesty of democracy when the Council's 10 Fianna Fail councillors met alone and passed the budget for 2010 without the councillors from any other party being present. While the meeting was a quorum the Councillors voted without telling the other Councillors that the meeting was in progress and the others remained oblivious to the vote until a member of the press informed them. The budget meeting had adjourned to allow the various parties to discuss the issues but while Fine Gael, Sínn Fein, Labour and Independent councillors were in another room, the Council Budget meeting reconvened in the Council Chamber with only the 10 Fianna Fail councillors present. This led to angry scenes when the other parties heard of the debacle. Mayor Brendan Boyle may now face a vote of no confidence when the Council reconvenes later this month.  The Donegal Woman by John Throne A 'Must Read' for everyone with an interest in Donegal and it's History Race to catch the first Salmon Anglers from all over Ireland converged on the Drowes River outside Bundoran on January 1st in a race to catch the first wild salmon of the 2010 season. Traditionally the Drowes River, which rises in County Leitrim, has produced the first salmon in Ireland each year and this year was no exception. Brian McEvoy caught the first salmon in less than three hours and it was the Enniskillen man's second time to catch the first salmon of the year. The Minister for Natural Resources, Conor Lenihan, has approved regulations governing the wild salmon fishery in 2010. In the Ballyshannon District, the Duff, Drowes, Eany and Glen rivers will open subject to bag limits, while in the Letterkenny District, the Owenea, Owentocker, Gweebarra, Crolly and Crana rivers will also open subject to bag limits. The Eske in the Ballyshannon District and the Clady in the Letterkenny District will be opened on a catch and release basis in 2010 -  Click Pride.ie for Vintage Style Gaelic Football & Hurling T-Shirts Delivered World Wide Dumping in Lough Foyle Senator Cecilia Keaveney is concerned at the Port of Derry Company's plans to increase the amount of dredge dumping in Lough Foyle. The Company has a permit to dispose 15,000 tonnes and the port authority now wants to increase this to 80,000 tonnes of dredge spoil. Senator Keaveney said the increase could have 'huge implications for the Foyle and its users, and in particular for the aquaculture industry'. She said she was alarmed that neither Brendan Smith, the Fisheries Minister in the Republic, nor his Department had any information on a request for a licence to expand dumping in Lough Foyle. 'To approve an increase in the existing license to 80,000 tonnes with no consultation is contrary to the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement' said Senator Keaveney. Save the Hills of Donegal Donegal Alternatives to Pylons has advised local land owners that their statutory rights are not affected by An Bord Pleanála's decision to grant planning permission for a high voltage power line between Binbane and Letterkenny and betwen Glenties and Gweedore. The environmental group is addressing landowners in the following townlands - Binbane, Meenacahan, Cloghervaddy, Meenagranoge, Meenybradden, Croagh, Meenadreen, Carrickstlieve Glebe, Monargan Glebe, nugborough, Gortnacart Glebe, Corraness Glebe, Garvegort Glebe, Kilrean Lower, Kilrean Upper, Tullyard, Gortnamucklagh, Letterilly, Loughcrillan, Stranagloch, Meenalargan, Straboy, Shallogan More, Shallogan Beg, Drumnalough, Drumconcoose, Meenamalragh, Stracashel, Meenachuit, Clogher East, Meenanarwa, Boultypatrick, Lughveen, Montymeane, Stranagoppoge,Meenasrone North, Bellanamore, Meenmore East, Meenadoran, Tievedeevan, Kingarrow, Cummrick, Meenatinny, Meeniroy, Meenacung, Altinierin, Altadush, Tullyhonour, Treankeel, Meenadaura, Ballygallan, Drumenan, Killymasny, Cark, Lenalea, Kirkneedy, Ballystrang, Rareagh, Listack, Corravaddy, Stralongford, Glentilid, Dooballagh, Corranagh, Listellian, Ardnagappary, Meenderrygamph, Dore, Arduns, Crolly, Cronaguiggy, Meencorwick, Bunawack, Lettercau, Ardmeen, Crohyboyle, Crovehy, Craghy, Oughtmeen, Croaghnashallog, Meenleckanalore, Croghbolie, Drumlaghdrid, Meenacarn, Galwolie, Boyoughter and Cloghercor. Alternatives to Pylons argue that views around Buncrana, Letterkenny, Donegal Town, Ardara and Killybegs have already been ruined by pylons and turbines and the group say landowners should not be intimidated into signing any documents presented to them. Alternatives to Pylons is demanding the same service as Dublin where power lines are put underground. 'ESB are offering land owners small sums of money but how much money is worth losing your health for?' the statement asks. 'The proposed 110kv power line would be anything from 60 metres to 200 metres away from the existing 38kv and would create a sterile corridor between the two power lines. This would curtail farming practises as it is very unhealthy to live near or graze animals between power lines. The fact is the ESB wants to put these power lines over our hills and bogs for wind turbines. There are many studies which show that property prices go down by 30 per cent where pylons and turbines are and tourists will stop coming if the landscape is lost. Why should wind companies profit while farmers, home owners, tourism ventures, B&B owners, hoteliers, pubs and restaurants lose money? Other small countries like Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark put all power lines underground as they consider them dangerous and European Directives prohibit pylons in sensitive landscapes'. Alternatives to Pylons has been informed that the ESB and wind profiteers are approaching landowners to persuade them to allow pylons and wind turbines on their land but what they are not telling them is that they will be sued if their neighbours develop 'wind turbine syndrome' or cancers from the high voltage power lines. Also owners should know that no insurance company will insure lands where poles, pylons or turbines are erected and if an accident or landslide were to happen it would be the landowner who would be liable. Donegal already produces more wind energy than any other county in Ireland, ten times more than Wicklow or Mayo, for instance, which are just as windy. If anyone in these townlands wants to contact the group you can do so by emailing DonegalATP@gmail.com. The group is asking people who care about Saving the Hills of Donegal to join them on Facebook.  Dú na nGall.com Online since 1997 Santa's Sleigh seen over Greencastle? The Inish Times has reported the sighting of a 'glowing ball of fire' in the sky over Greencastle on Christmas Night. Margaret Davern was travelling with three children when they saw an orange ball of light in the sky above them. 'I looked up and it seemed to be travelling down towards us. I tried to brake but the roads were really slippy so I pulled in. We jumped out of the car and it started to come down towards us. It was about the height of the buildings and really difficult to explain. It was really big and bright, slightly bigger than a football and there was what seemed to be a glowing light or fire in the middle, like there was something inside it. I took a picture of it and it started going back up again towards the sky, in the direction of Shroove. It got smaller and smaller until it was just a tiny light like a wee star. It was the strangest thing I’ve ever seen.' Did you see the unidentified object? If so, contact the Inish Times at 0749341055 or email The Inish Times. 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. DonegalCounty.com News This is the 109th Donegal on the Net Newsletter. The Newsletter is now online for twelve years and is one of the most popular County 'blogs' in Ireland with over a million hits a year. If you would like to advertise here email Donegal County.com. 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. In Sydney you can listen to Sydney Irish Radio on 107.3FM on Sundays from 7.30am to 9.00am local time. |
|
Genealogy Education Gaeilge Media Music Property Projects Services Shopping Sport Writers Books Email Us |