 Scéal Dún-na-nGall ar an Idirlíon / County Donegal on the Net News Vol.6 No.11 November, 2005 Holiday In Donegal! Hire a Guide to Donegal |
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All Blacks in Ramelton There were chaotic scenes in Donegal when the famous All Blacks Rugby Team visited the County to celebrate the life of Donegal Born Dave Gallagher, the Captain of the All Blacks when they first toured Europe one hundred years ago. The success of the All Blacks visit to the County was evident in the thousands of people who turned out to welcome six members of the New Zealand team. Ramelton native Dave Gallagher emigrated from Donegal with his family at the age of five and went on to Captain the New Zealand team on that first European tour when they earned their nickname 'the All Blacks' from their distinctive kit. The visit received huge media coverage in New Zealand and the Dave Gallagher Society is now hoping that Ramelton will become a tourist destination for New Zealanders visiting Ireland. Donegal By-Passed In New Government Transport Plan Donegal North East TD, Niall Blaney, nephew of the late Neil Blaney who founded the Independent Fianna Fail party, met with the Taoiseach recently to express his dissatisfaction about the government's €34 billion transport plan which excludes most of Donegal. There is nothing in the Transport Plan to address the ongoing problems in Donegal as it largely concentrates on improving the transport structure in Dublin. All the different departmental agencies such as the IDA and Enterprise Ireland are all pointing to the one thing - access to Donegal - be that by air, by road, or even by sea but the new plan fails to address these issues. Letterkenny Town Mayor, Damien Blake, said he was glad that Letterkenny was included in the proposed Atlantic Corridor which is supposed to run from Letterkenny to Limerick and across to Waterford but dates have yet to be set for the commencement of the project.  A to Z of the Best Irish Sites Sinn Féin oppose sell off of State Owned Land Sinn Féin Údaras Member Gráinne Mhic Géidigh has said that Údaras Na Gaeltachta owned land in Ballyconnell, Falcarragh, must not be sold until the community is fully consulted. The issue is one that has caused concern amongst the local community for several years. The board of Údaras intends selling the land, however many community organizations have views on the development of the area site for the betterment of the community. Mhic Géidigh proposes that the land is not sold until a proper process of consultation with the community takes place. Discrimination Case against Donegal County Council Donegal County Council has said it is considering an appeal after the Equality Tribunal awarded £20,000 to a council employee who the tribunal ruled was discriminated against because she was a UK citizen. Paula Alderdice from Derry took the case against Donegal County Council after she had failed in applications for promotion to senior positions within the council on six occasions. The case was taken on her behalf by the trade union Impact who said Ms Alderdice should have progressed to senior positions within the council as a holder of an honours masters degree. Impact argued that she would have been treated more favourably had she been from the Republic of Ireland and contended that she had superior qualifications and experience than the successful candidates in her six attempts at promotion. A spokeswoman said that the council was taking legal advice on the case and was considering whether to appeal the decision. She said that no specific request had been received from Impact to discuss the findings of the case but that regular meetings were held between council management and Impact, the largest union among council staff. Siopa An tSean Bheairic Tá relishes, home-made jam, whiskey marmalade, organic chocolates agus dessert sauce anois ar fáil sa Siopa. Is féidir ciseán Nollag a dheánamh. Ceol, Craic agus Comhrá Seisiœn gach o’che De Ceadoine 8-10pm Tá leathanband idirlíon anois ar fáil sa tSean Bheairic, €4 euro san uair. Lack of Education among Donegal's Unemployed Low levels of education as well as low self-esteem are seen as a significant impediments to employment in Donegal, according to a report from the National Economic and Social Forum. The report, 'Creating a More Inclusive Labour Market', was based on surveys of two areas with high levels of unemployment, namely Donegal/Sligo and North Dublin. A survey of personnel working in organisations that provide services to the labour market showed that 92% per cent of personnel said low education among its clients was one of the main barriers to employment; 88% per cent of respondents surveyed said that having no or obsolete skills was also a barrier to employment while 80% per cent said low-self esteem was a problem. Other factors that are considered as barriers to employment in Donegal are access to transport, childcare, low wages, literacy difficulties, lack of flexible work and employer prejudice. The organisations surveyed included FÁS, the VEC, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, Donegal Local Development Company, the County Enterprise Board, trade unions, chambers of commerce and voluntary organisations. The report also states that people who had worked in the fishing or farming industries often do not have the confidence to take up employment in the services sector. The loss of secondary benefits, such as rent allowances and medical cards, exacerbates the unattractiveness of lowpaid jobs, the report says. Naoinra an Fhál Charrach The committee for Naoinra an Fhál Charrach Ionad Chu Chulainn are organising two quiz nights in the Gweedore Bar on November 30th and December 7th at 10pm sharp. These quiz nights are to raise funds for the Naoinra. All parents whose children attend the Naoinra are asked to support these events by attending the quiz nights. Everyone is welcome. Smoking Cessation Officer A smoking cessation officer will be available on Tuesday evenings in Falcarragh Nursing Unit. Phone 1850 200 687 to make an appointment. |
Inch Island from Grianán, of Aileach Clochar Mhuire na nAingeal School Reunion A reunion of past pupils 1957-1966 from Clochar Mhuire na nAingeal, Falcarragh will take place on Sunday, August 6th in Ostán Loch Altan, Gortahork. For further details contact Máire at 07491-31545 or Evelyn at 07491-246684. Action for Cancer Care Donegal Action for Cancer Care say is essential that the people of Donegal are given the services they require in Letterkenny General Hospital, without having to travel to Dublin or Belfast for cancer services. Pressure on the Health Minister for this aim has to be sustained, the group say. Care of the Aged Auction Ardara Care of the Aged are still accepting items of furniture, domestic appliances, unwanted gifts, etc. for auction on December 3rd. There will be a most unusual raffle on the day of the sale. For further information contact Bríd at 074-95 41343 or Breda at 074-95 41246. High Suicide rate in Donegal There has been an alarming rise in the number of deaths by suicide in Donegal over the past 25 years. There were more suicides in Donegal in the past five years than in the entire 1980's according to data obtained from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). According to the CSO figures there were an average of six suicides per year in Donegal in the 1980's and that figure doubled to 124 in the 1990's with a yearly average of 12. In the last five years there has been 83 suicides and the yearly average has risen to 16. It is estimated that for every person that takes their own life, approximately 50 people are either directly or indirectly affected. Ardara priest Fr James Sweeney runs the Tabor House of Counselling outside Donegal Town which provides professional help for people suffering from depression, alcohol and drug addiction. In response to the figures he said that younger men were reluctant to come forward for help and instead turned to drink. He also pointed out that while incomes in Ireland had increased this has not meant that people are happier. Tabor House of Counselling is situated in Drimark, Donegal Town and can be contacted on 074 97 23822 or 087 287 9707.  Traditional Building & Restoration Workshops in Donegal Summer 2006 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 Diane Byrnes. Postal Strike Averted A national postal strike was averted after An Post bosses have agreed to give mediators information on proposed changes to terms of employment for the postmen employed by An Post. The dispute centres on pay increases due for the past two years under the Sustaining Progress programme. Talks between An Post management and the Communications Workers' Union have resumed with the mediator, the National Implementation Body. The CWU announced an overtime ban and closure of selected mail centres which would have caused serious disruption to the mail service. An Post says it will not pay the wage increases unless collection and delivery staff agree to changes in work practices aimed at cutting the company's overtime costs. The top ten earning postmen in Ireland are earning over €70,000 Euro with overtime which is twice the national average earnings.  the view from the Hills... Cloughaneely Sale of Work The Cloughaneely band committee are holding their annual sale of work on Sunday November 27th in the parish hall on Station Road. Anyone who wishes to donate may do so on Saturday, November 26th between and 4pm-5pm. The organisers are looking for bric-a-brac, tapes, toys, teddies, working electrical goods, cakes, buns, scones, pastries, homemade jams etc. Doors open at 2pm on Sunday and admission is €1 euro for adults and children are admitted free. Please support this worthy cause. |
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