 Scéal Dún-na-nGall ar an Idirlíon Vol.11 No.4, April, 2010 Holiday In Donegal! |
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Easter @ ‘The Gallery’ A series of art and music events will take place over Easter in ‘The Gallery’, Glencolmcille. On Easter Sunday, the Gallery presents a preview of exhibitions taking place later this year which will feature recent work by local textile artists Deborah Stockdale and Margaret Cunningham, resident Swedish painter Anna Stromberg and photographer Rik Walton. Also on display will be photographs, interviews and articles relating to local fiddle legend James Byrne. Viewing times are Sunday 4th April 12–1pm and 5-6pm daily from Monday 5th April – Friday 9th April. All Ireland fiddle Champion Sean Magee will give a recital in the gallery at 8pm on Monday 5th April. Sean is a very talented young musician from Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh who won the 2009 All Ireland title in U15 fiddle in Tullamore. He recently released his first CD ‘Ye Fiddlers' Fate’. The week’s programme continues with a gathering of traditional singers at the ‘Singers’ Circle’ hosted by Oireachtas Champion, Maire Ni Choilm from Gweedore, on Tuesday afternoon at 5pm. All singers welcome. The Gallery will also host various music workshops as part of Feile Ealaion Traidisiunta Ghleann Cholm Cille, advance booking is advised. For more information see Ceol sa Ghleann.  Recreational Diving, Dive Training and Angling throughout the year in Donegal Donegal Chamber Orchestra & Chamber Music Society Following a very successful inaugural concert last February, the Donegal Chamber Music Society and the Regional Cultural Centre continues to present Classical Music, in April, through the Szabó-Yélamo Concert Series. The inaugural concert brought a variety of gifted classical music players to the community of Donegal, with established and up-and-coming talents on display. For this second performance the series will present the “VEC String Teachers' Ensemble” with performance of music by Mozart, Borodin and Rossini at the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny on Saturday 17th April at 8pm featuring the Szabo-Yelamo String Duo. The String Duo is comprised of the Hungarian violinist Orsolya Szabó-Yélamo and the Spanish cellist Víctor Yélamo. Both are professional musicians and principal members of the Spanish String Orchestra Concerto Málaga, and are extensively involved in music education across the Northwest. For the Concert on the 17th April, the duo will be joined on stage by local double bass player Michael McGinty and Slovakian violinist Lucia Spacirova, bringing an International flavour to the concert. All the players are involved in music education in County Donegal and are teachers with the Co. Donegal VEC Music Education Partnership, which supports this new concert series. Admission: €10. Advance booking is recommended and anyone interested can contact 074 91 29186 You can also support the orchestra on Facebook.  The Index of the Best Websites on Irish Stuff Online since 1997! Senator Doherty to call for enquiry into 'Lost at Sea Scheme' Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty recently took part in a Seanad debate about TD Frank Fahey’s involvement in the 'Lost at Sea Scheme'. The debate was tabled by Senator Doherty together with Senators David Norris and Joe O’Toole. Speaking at the debate Senator Doherty said: 'This motion deals with the special report by the Office of the Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly regarding the design and administration of the 'Lost at Sea Scheme'. This report instructed the Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service to carry out an investigation into the report and its findings. The government has refused to undertake this investigation. When the Scheme was proposed there was a view within the Department that it might actually facilitate certain people accessing quota while others were forced to pay for it or were unable to get any. Minister Fahey overruled those objections. The manner in which the scheme operated only heightened that concern'. 'Apart from the failure to advertise more widely the Ombudsman found that some of those who applied for the monies following relatives being lost at sea while fishing were in fact written to in order to inform them of its existence. On what basis was it decided to contact those individuals and not others? Of the 67 applicants between June 2001 and the closing of the scheme on December 31st, 2001, only six were accepted. €2.8 million was paid out to those six successful applicants to buy replacement tonnage. Two of the then Minister’s constituents got 75 per cent or €2.1 million of the total funds'. 'It was later discovered that although the scheme did not close until December 31st, 2001, that Minister Fahey had written to his two constituents in October congratulating them on being successful. Apparently Minister Fahey’s two constituents were the people who originally suggested establishing the scheme. It was also found that one of those persons did not actually qualify but he appealed and was accepted in 2003 with one of the reasons cited for the award being the fact that Minister Fahey’s letter of congratulations had created the reasonable expectation that he would in fact receive compensation. I call on the government to immediately implement a process of enquiry into this scheme and its administration. I would call specifically on the two Donegal Senators, Brian Ó Domhnaill and Cecilia Keaveny, to support the passage of this joint motion and to put an end to cronyism and corruption in all its manifestations.'  3 Bedroom, 2 Reception Rooms & Sea Views at Ballyhiernan, Fanad Buy Your Home in Donegal at Tírconaill Property.com Daltaí na Gaeilge is holding an Irish language day on Saturday, June 12th, 2010 at The Irish Centre, Carpenter Lane and Emlen St, Philadelphia, Pa. 19119. Check-In 8:00 – 9:00 am / First Class – 9:00 am. Daltaí na Gaeilge is a non-profit organization that provides a setting where students can learn and practice the Irish language in an atmosphere where 'Irish' is the 'First' language. Satharn na nGael, the shortest of the immersion courses, consists of language classes and workshops for music, singing and dancing, followed by a party with music and other entertainment. The programme is oriented for beginners, but intermediate and advanced classes will also be available. The only requirement for attendance is a desire to learn and a willingness to comply with the Rule: Irish will be spoken at all times, to the best of one's ability. (Don’t worry, English speaking guides will be available.) Cost: Register by May 29th and Save Money! Adult $45.00; Child Under 16 or Full Time Student $20.00. After May 29th the cost is Adult $50.00 Child Under 16 or Full Time Student $25.00. Registration includes all Classes and Workshops, plus Lunch, Dinner and Break Time Tea & Coffee. You can register and pay online at: Daltaí na Gaeilge.  The Donegal Woman by John Throne A 'Must Read' for everyone with an interest in Donegal and it's History DonegalCounty.com News This is the 112th 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. Radio 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. Errigal Cycle Club The Errigal Cycle Club has a cycle every Saturday morning leaving from Annagry Car Park. Helmets must be worn for the safety of all. For more information see Errigal Cycling Club. Walking Weekend Ionad Teampaill Chróine, Dungloe is holding a walking weekend during the May Bank Holiday Weekend from 30th of April to May 3rd, 2010. There are walks to suit everyone. For more information phone 00353 74 95 22198. |
 An illustration of how Errigal, Donegal's most famous mountain, would look from the N56 if the 110kv high voltage power line is allowed to be put up. Government Grants Prospecting License In spite of numerous local groups and individuals objecting the Dept. of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has granted a prospecting License to Mytilus Mining Ltd to prospect for gold, barytes, silver, and fluorite around Glenties, Ardara and Gweebarra Bay, including Special Areas of Conservation and sensitive landscapes such as blanket bog and areas of scenic beauty. The objectors are particularily concerned about the possible impact on wildlife, habitats and heritage sites, human health, ground and surface water and on well water supplies and the potential to pollute the Gweebarra River . The Gweebarra Conservation Group has raised concerns about the potential impact of the plan and has warned about the effects of open cast mining methods using cyanide and mercury to extract such metals and causing a risk of pollution to the water basin, our rivers and streams, the group says. The group has also says that uranium company, Rio Tinto Zinc, were granted a prospecting license in the same area in 1979 and that local objection forced the government to recind the license. They also point out that the government refused a license to prospect for uranium in the same area in 2007 and that the same health concerns are associated with gold mining. The group say that mining would lead to the total depopulation of these townlands as people would be forced people to move away. Other objections point to the impact of mining on tourism ventures and point out that tourism is now the county's number one employer. Tír Conaill Commemoration Committee As part of the 94th Anniversary commemoration of the Easter Rising the Tir Conaill Commemoration Committee launched the annual Easter Lily campaign at the Republican County Memorial in Stranorlar. Hugh Doherty, Chairperson of Tir Conaill Commemoration Committee, Lisa Gallen, Secretary, and Committee Members, were accompanied by Senator Pearse Doherty and Cllr Cora Harvey at the launch at the republican monument at Drumboe. Hugh Doherty used the occasion to welcome Pearse and Cora to the official monument and also as a platform to call on people throughout Donegal to make a special effort this year to wear an Easter Lily and honour Ireland's patriot dead. Hugh Doherty said: 'On this the 94th Anniversary of the 1916 rising we are asking all Irishmen and Women to honour the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for Irish Freedom to wear an Easter Lily and honour Ireland’s Dead. We are also asking people to attend the annual Drumboe Commemoration which has been commemorated since the execution of the Drumboe Martyrs in 1923, one of the few that has continued without stop'. Illegal Dumping Donegal County Council spent almost €650,000 dealing with illegal dumping in 2009. According to the figures provided by Director of Water Environment and Emergency Services, Mr Seamus Neely, the Council issued 191 fixed penalty notice fines under the Litter Pollution Act during 2009. During the same period, only 55 of these fines were paid. Mr Neely outlined that two cases were heard in the District Court for non-payment of litter fines. As a result of these cases, fines totalling €650 plus costs of €1,464 were imposed. In addition, two cases were heard in court for breaches of the Waste Management Act where fines of €1,000 plus costs of €9,462 were imposed. Mr Neely outlined that his directorate along with the council's roads section plan to carry out a collaborative effort to tackle the problem. It is also envisaged that the community and voluntary sector will be involved with the clean-up operations. According to Mr Neely, the council incurs costs in cleaning up litter and illegally dumped material under a number of headings. Last year, the Local Authority spent €316,000 on their Mobile Litter Unit Service. These units are involved in the clean-up of litter and illegal dumping from roadsides, recycling banks and public areas. A further €124,500 was spent assisting voluntary groups involved in litter and waste clean-up activities in their areas. 'This assistance takes the form of grant aid, the provision of materials such as bags, gloves, litter pickers and the supply of skips," said Mr Neely. He added that in addition to this figure, the council spent €107,000 in litter clearance activities at beaches in the county'. Wise Woman Weekend The 2010 Wise Woman Weekend will take place on May 28th-30th in Dromahair, Co Leitrim. Women on their path to wisdom are once again gathering in the North Leitrim Glens in the northwest of Ireland to celebrate all things feminine. All events will take place in the lovely village of Dromahair, Co Leitrim in an area immortalised by Yeats and overlooked by the warrior Queen Meabh. In this area of outstanding beauty you will be seduced by the healing power of nature. 'Stepping into your Power' is the theme this year and many of the workshops are aimed at exploring how we can overcome what prevents us from being the power force we are capable of in our personal, career, business and community life. Marella Fyffe and Valerie Whitworth, from Transition Town Omagh, will be introducing permaculture principles in the workshop "Pathways to a better future" and herbalist Judith Hoad, from Inver, will take us foraging for wild food and medicine. A total of 12 diverse workshops are on offer and the weekend includes the ever popular open mic social and celebrations that remember ancient Irish traditions. Investment in a weekend pass is €140, details about reasonably priced accommodations are on the website and free camping is available – we aim to make this a recession buster event not to be missed. There are only 80 places available so early booking is recommended. The Wise Woman Weekend happens on entirely volunteer energy, operates on a non profit basis and is organised with sustainable principle in mind. A car share facility is available. Full details are available at Wise Woman. Government exploiting Partition to raise Taxes The Government has been accused of abusing partition in applying Vehicle Registration Tax to cars imported from the 6 counties to the Republic. Sinn Féin Councillor Padraig MacLochlainn criticised the Revenue checkpoints saying they caused serious disruption and delays of up to half an hour for people going to work and to school. Foyle MLA Martina Anderson says she has been inundated with calls from people angry at the VRT charge and at the numerous customs checkpoints on the Derry/Donegal border which resulted in 56 siezures in April alone. Ms Anderson says that Sinn Fein MEP’s are trying to ascertain if the VRT is legal. Traditional Dancing There will be an evening of Ceili and set dancing in the Gweedore Heritage Centre on Easter Monday beginning at 8.30pm. Ardara Writers' Group The next meeting will be held on Friday April 9th at 8.00pm in the Weavers' Room of Doherty's Bar, Ardara. Everyone is welcome. 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. An Béal Binn Mar chuid de Éigse Uladh, tá an Coiste ag réachtail an comórtas aithriseoireachta, An Béal Binn ar an tSathairn an 17ú Aibrean, i bPobal Scoil Ghaoth Dobhair. Beidh na réambhabhtaí ag 2.00i.n. agus an chraobh ag 8.00i.n. Tá seacht roinn sa chomórtas: Naíraí; Bunscoltachta Naíraí; Rang a 1 agus 2; rang 3 agus 4; rang 5 agus 6; Iarbhunscoltachta go Teastas Sóisearach; go Ard Teist. Beidh duaiseanna fiúintacha ag dul do na buaiteoirí i ngach roinn agus an príomh dhuais, Corn Cuimhneacháin Phat Uí Rabhartaigh do An Béal Binn agus Corn Raidió na Gaeltachta don iomaitheoir bunscoile/ iarbhunscoile / iarbhunscoile is fearr. Faoi tuilleadh eolas fón Noel Ó Gallachoir ar 074 91 35305.  Dú na nGall.com Online since 1997 |
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