Donegal Friends ...

D-Town Skate Board Park

2012-01-29T19:45:00.000Z

This is old news, but I think it's still interesting, D-Town Skate Park opened in May 2011, Donegal Town Business Park out in Drumrooske.

The Democrat had a nice article about fund-raising for the park:
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/lifestyle/new_skate_boarding_park_for_donegal_town_1_2673167

The Post has an article about the opening of the park:
http://www.donegalpost.com/2011/07/06/skaters-secure-a-first-for-donegal/

I think this video tells the story better :)

Aurora Borealis

2012-01-24T03:00:00.001Z

Donegal Skies has a great image of the Aurora Borealis as seen up around Fanad Head:

See more at Donegal Skies website.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T16:39:00.001Z

Happy New Year!

Here's a few photos I took of the Diamond when I was home at the end of November. If you wait a minute you'll see the star flash on the first photograph.

If you sick of all that rain, here's the Diamond when it's snowing! :)

http://www.snowify.me/?show=4efe996e6ab7e

Hikes and Walking Trails around Donegal Town

2011-12-21T02:28:00.000Z

John Ward put together a great series of guides about the different walks and hikes around Donegal Town and furhter afield. They're available on EveryTrails.com, and you can download them to your Android phone or Apple iPhone. Photos are by Emmet McCauley.

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/donegal-town-guides

Donegal Fiddle Players

2011-12-12T19:10:00.000Z

Great video from TnaG (the Irish language TV station) about fiddle playing in the county. Hosted by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of the band Altan. The show is in Irish with English sub-titles. It's well worth watching (or listening to).

A Little Taste of Christmas ... Nov 26th

2011-11-20T23:33:00.001Z

This event is happening in the Abbey Hotel on Saturday November 26th 2011. It looks a bit like a holiday market, admission is 2 Euros. Click on the image for more details.

Also the Christmas Lights will be Switch On the next day. Santa and Friends will be there too on Sunday 27th November at 5.00pm!

A Film: Brighter Days

2011-11-19T23:36:00.001Z

A lovely wee video by Daniel McGarrigle about his Grand-Dad's life, narrated by his Grand-Dad Colm Melly.
Like the Film on Facebook

www.facebook.com/sharingstoriesbrighterdays

Visit the Film’s Blog

www.sharingstoriesbrighterdays.blogspot.com

Watch the Film on YouTube

http://youtu.be/gC_T6y9Oy9U

The Roundabout Song

2011-11-19T20:48:00.001Z

Great video from Swilley Driving School, filmed on location in Letterkeny.

Donegal Town 2011 Christmas Fair -- Nov 14th

2011-10-31T22:37:00.000Z

Don't forget that the Donegal Town 2011 Christmas Fair will take place on Monday 14th Nov 2011 in the Abbey Hotel 5.30pm-10pm. Admission is free. There will be Carol Singing & mulled wine.

Laura Thomas & Damien Quinn: The Lark CD

2011-10-16T16:15:00.003+01:00

Laura Thomas is from Donegal Town and is now based in Galway. Listen to the song "Death and the lady " from Laura and Damien's new album The Lark at Reverb Nation.

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_4959496

Original Posting at Donegal Friends.

Serial Twin in Doms

2011-10-10T23:43:00.001+01:00

Serial Twin are playing in Pier One on Saturday October 15th! Go see 'em! RSVP on Facebook. :)

Good Luck Donegal!

2011-08-27T16:06:00.000+01:00

The squad in Donegal Town before heading off to Dublin for the game:

Donegal 2011 GAA Squad

Thanks to Donegal's own Matt Britton for the photograph. You may need to be a friend of Matt's on Facebook to see the full sized photograph.

2011 Donegal Town Food Festival!

2011-08-25T02:48:00.000+01:00

2010 Crowds

This weekend, Friday August 26th - Sunday August 28th, the Donegal Town Food Festival will take place. Met Eireann has a positive weather forecast and if your in the area I suggest you pop in for a visit. It's 2 euro per day, or 5 euro for a weekend pass. It doesn't say where in town, but I presume it's down by the Quay where it was in 2010.

See the website for more details:

http://www.atasteofdonegal.com/

And the full agenda is available at:

http://www.atasteofdonegal.com/timetable.html

And a PDF of the agenda is available at the Donegal Town website at:

http://www.donegaltown.ie/sites/1330/wwwroot/Foodfestivalprogramme.pdf

Happy 2010 Attendees

Food being Prepped by
Tracey Duke
at the 2010 Festival

Thanks to Donegal Town's own Matt Britton for the photographs of the 2010 Food Festival.

On another note, I know I've been wile bad at blogging this year and promoting events and adding news. I know no-one wants to listen to me apolgies, but it's time-consuming, and doesn't pay (the ads don't pull in enough to buy a pint a year), and I'm busy doing other things. And it sometimes get's tough to find the time to spend an hour or so drafting these blog postings, finding photographs, and getting the layout to look good.

So feel free to e-mail me anything you'd like me to post, no blatant adverts please, the blogs about the town and promoting the town. See my Contact page.

Bank Walk

2011-08-25T02:15:00.001+01:00

Tree Name

John Ward wrote a very guide to the Bank Walk on EveryTrail.com:

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/donegal-town-bank-walk

John did a lot of work on this, with a lot detail and pics. The Bank Walk has seen some improvements done recently, with bird houses added to some of trees
And some of the trees labeled so one can identify them.

The only thing I'm not sure of is all the gravel they spread, I liked the old rooty dirt path that was there and that by making the walk a little more accessible that's lost a little of it's charm.

Bench and New Gravel Surfacing

And a big thank you to John for writing that article and helping publicise Donegal Town.

Donegal Town Castle: Heirtage Week 2011

2011-08-15T22:22:00.001+01:00

This Saturday, August 20 2011, marks the start of Heritage Week. Free admission in to Donegal Town Castle and an Arts and Crafts day for the kids.

You can follow the Old Castle on Facebook!

Donegal Wins the Ulster Final.

2011-07-19T22:38:00.001+01:00

Donegal beat Derry on Sunday July 17th, 2011, to win the 2011 Ulster Championship. Next stop the all-Ireland?

The cousin Fergal took some great pics of the game, and our foe Derry put up a good fight.

Donegal and the Flag.

Goal.

Fracas

Getting the ball.

Irish President Mary McAleese congratulating the team. What looks to be, Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness is in the Background wearing the grin and red tie. :)

Fergal has a tonne more photographs of the game on his Facebook album.

Robberies!

2011-07-17T23:38:00.000+01:00

Alert Garda catches thieves who robbed MJ's Pub on Main Street:
http://www.highlandradio.com/2011/07/16/traffic-garda-caught-e3500-pub-robbers-gave-wrong-details/

Ballyshannon District Court heard how Garda John Sweeney who was on traffic duty at Dunkineely became suspicious when he discovered two car occupants gave wrong details.
He studied CCTV pictures of a pub robbery at MJs pub, a short distance from St Patrick’s Church, Donegal town, at 11.20 on a Sunday morning and he recognised the two he saw in the car.
Supt Jim Coen told the court the car was later located at Ballintra halting site and €1,600 of the stolen money was recovered.

And in Leghowney, brazen crooks break into a house while the owners were in bed asleep, raid the house, then steal the owners car:

http://www.donegaldaily.com/2011/07/14/horror-as-creeper-burglars-raid-house-and-make-off-in-victims-car/

Thieves broke into the house around 5am on Tuesday and stole TVs, computers and other electrical goods.The brass-necked thieves then loaded the stolen property into the homeowner's own Skoda car and sped from the scene.

The silver Octavia car with registration number 10 DL 3505 was seen driving in the direction of Ballybofey.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who noticed anything suspicious in the Leghowney area of Donegal in the early hours of Tuesday morning to contact them.

If you saw something, call the Donegal Town Gardaí at (074)9740190 or your local Gardaí.

Farmers Market doesn't have enough Farmers?

2011-07-17T19:11:00.000+01:00

The Donegal Daily is reporting that the Donegal Town Farmers Market may close as there aren't enough vendors selling locally produced produce:
http://www.donegaldaily.com/2011/07/15/donegal-town-farmers-market-could-be-axed/

Businesses in the town claim produce other than that grown locally is being sold at some stalls - and is therefore in breach of the spirit of the market ... if produce other than that grown locally - or which competes against rate-paying established businesses - stall owners could be removed or the entire market closed down.
A council source told us: "It is now clear that the original farmers market idea has been expanded to goods which go against the spirit of what the market should be.
"Inspections will be carried out and orders issued against any stalls in breach of the market's original plan."

Read more at the Donegal Daily, and please ask them to credit me for my photograph that they are using that page (I've a copy linked to here for you to view).

Summer Jobs for Students

2011-07-08T13:49:00.000+01:00

The County Council is offering workplace to up to 30 students around the county:

http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/jobs-tenders/jobs/

Today, July 8th is the last day to apply:

Summer Student Placement Scheme 2011
Donegal County Council

Donegal County Council intends to provide summer work placements for up to 30 students. Applications are invited from full-time students who are currently undertaking a third-level course in Culture, Heritage, Arts, Engineering, Business, Finance or related disciplines. Applicants must have at least one year (third-level) completed and be returning in September 2011 to continue their studies.

Placement Period
Monday, July 25, 2011 – Friday, September 2, 2011

Salary
€302.75 per week (35 hours per week, paid fortnightly)

Location
Likely locations will be Carndonagh, Donegal Town, Dungloe, Letterkenny, Lifford or Milford, County Donegal.

Applications
Only on-line applications will be accepted. Curriculum vitae and covering letter, stating preferred location, to be submitted to:
studentscheme2011@donegalcoco.ie
In view of the timeframes involved, Donegal County Council will award placements on the basis of curriculum vitaes submitted. Depending on number of applications received, Donegal County Council reserves the right to shortlist.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, July 8, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.

Donegal Town Summer Festival!

2011-06-30T22:31:00.000+01:00

The Donegal Town Summer Festival is this weekend, starting June 30th to July 3rd 2011.

To get more information see the Donegal Town Summer Festival Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/DONEGAL-TOWN-SUMMER-FESTIVAL/102274888427
Or the Donegal Town Web site at:
http://www.donegaltown.ie/

If anyone knows of somewhere else where the information is listed, let me know and I'll post it.

Vote for Donegal Town Playground!

2011-06-13T00:46:00.001+01:00

Vote for Donegal Town's Playground

http://www.brennansbread.ie/playground/

If they get enough votes for Donegal Town's Playground, Brennan's Bread pay for a "brilliant renovation". This will include:

The repair and painting of play equipment
Any additional items required to make it one of the best playgrounds in the country such as plants, seating and other playground essentials!

Support your town, and kids and help the playground!

The Bank Walk: Light at the end of the tunnel

2011-05-15T22:39:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Matt Britton for this pic of the bank. Matt said this about the picture and the work done by the Mayor and volunteers:

Light at the end of the tunnel - the "Far Bank" walk in Donegal Town restored to its former splendour ... Major Tom Conaghan just got about 15 people together, a digger, dumper and a few chain saws and its looking great ...

You can also see the picture on Matt's facebook page.

Dungloe Gorse Fire Pics.

2011-05-03T00:25:00.000+01:00

Some pics of the fires around Dungloe that Susie Davitt took:

If your on Facebook, you might be able to see them here. And some video from afar by Donegal Daily.

Bog Fires: Updated

2011-05-01T22:34:00.001+01:00

Some eejits think it's funny to set whin bushes on fire. There's a been a spate of gorse fires around the country, including Donegal:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0501/donegal.html

Fifty troops were deployed in Donegal and north-west Mayo and an Air Corps helicopter, equipped with a bucket, flew missions to drop 1,200 litres of water at a time on the fires near Dunloe ...

Ten units of the fire service are tackling a large gorse fire between Lettermacaward and Dungloe in west Donegal ...

Four houses in the area were evacuated and fire fighters have requested the assistance of the army.

The Donegal Fire Service has said the blaze was started maliciously.

I've also heard from friends that there's a fire somewhere near Ballyshannon or Bundoran, probably started by copy-cats. RTE has some video here of the fires in Dungloe.

An update from Donegal Daily:

http://www.donegaldaily.com/2011/05/02/11pm-update-army-sends-in-troops-and-choppers-as-gorse-fires-threaten-dungloe/

Already thousands of acres of gorse and forestry have been burned around Dungloe, Lettermacarward and Doochery since the fire started yesterday.

There are also serious fires round Fanad with hundreds of acres scorched there too as firefighters try to keep that blaze under control.

Exhausted firefighters are now out at the scene for more than 24 hours at the blaze at the general Upper Rosses area ...
A number of families have already been evacuated from homes across the region as more than 100 firefighters tackle the blaze.

A spokesman for the fire service said they now believe the blaze was started deliberately.

At least one property is believed to have been destroyed already but there are no reports of any casualties ...
Hundreds of locals have also been working throughout the night to protect their properties and to assist in trying to put out the fire.

Motorists are also being advised to avoid the area at all costs, especially the N56, which is covered in dense smoke.

A lot of wildlife is also believed to have perished during the blaze.

Ballintra Girl Dies in Australia

2011-04-20T22:01:00.000+01:00

Elaine Morrow of Ballinatra passed away in diving accident in Australia.
http://www.herald.ie/national-news/tragic-backpacker-was-firsttime-diver-2624787.html

Elaine Morrow (23) from Ballintra, Donegal was on a three-day charter boat trip with pals on Langford Island off north Queensland on Sunday and decided to go scuba diving, but never resurfaced ...

Her distraught family are waiting for the post-mortem results before they can fly their beloved daughter home. However, this is expected to take up to 10 days ...

Mayor of Ballyshannon Brendan Travers said the news of her death had stunned the community.
"When something like this comes out of the blue, it's so hard for people to take. Our thoughts and our prayers are with her family."

Some news!

2011-04-15T04:30:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the drought (the lack of news) here at Donegal Friends. Here's a few news items I thought you might find interesting and an auld pic!

Here's a photograph I took of the town, from the Iron bridge, back in 1992. Click on it to see a larger size and a more recent pic I took in 2005. See any changes at all?

Donegal Town 1992.

And now a few news. Some Donegal (and local) area restaurants won some awards:
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/local/donegal_restaurants_in_the_spotlight_1_2572861

At last Monday night’s awards ceremony the Donegal winners were named as follows; Best Chef: Darren Iddon at Solis Lough Eske castle in Donegal Town, Best Casual Dining; Kealy’s Seafood Restaurant, Greencastle, Overall Best Restaurant, The Mill, Dunfanaghy, Best Customer Service; Harvey’s Point in Donegal Town, Best Gastro Pub, Harry’s Bar, Bridgend, Best Hotel Restaurant; Castlegrove Country Hotel in Letterkenny.

And Jimmy Melly of North West Alarms, in Donegal Town, warns about unscrupulous security alarm installers:
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/local/bogus_alarm_companies_thriving_on_crime_fear_1_2573215

... “Unfortunately there is a large number of illegal operators in the county at the moment who are operating without licence.

“This industry is very, very strict. We are inspected at least once a year. We were the first company to be licensed when the legislation was introduced. People should know that it is illegal for anyone to install an alarm without a licence.

An American lady of African descent who lives in Donegal has Irish citizenship and whom is married to an Irish man, and talks about her experience with racial profiling:

http://www.highlandradio.com/2011/04/04/donegal-based-community-worker-recounts-experience-of-ethnic-profiling/

Speaking on today’s Shaun Doherty Show, she recounted a recent experience when gardai boarded a bus to Dublin and questioned her and another person of colour.

She said it’s ironic that she was travelling to a meeting of a national committee of which she is a member ...

Killybegs Hotel to Close ...

2011-03-22T01:09:00.002Z

Image courtesy of the Donegal Daily

The Bay View Hotel in Killybegs is to close (or is already closed):

http://www.sbpost.ie/news/ireland/bay-view-hotel-in-donegal-closes-its-doors-55200.html

Another hotel has fallen victim to the downturn in the hospitality sector, with the closure of the Bay View Hotel in Killybegs, Co Donegal, writes Gavin Daly.

Bank of Scotland (Ireland) last week appointed a receiver to the company behind the hotel, which closed suddenly last month. According to a notice on the hotel’s website, the Bay View Hotel has been closed ‘‘until further notice’’. The hotel is on the main street in Killybegs, over looking the harbour. It has 40 bedrooms and a leisure centre ...

The Donegal Daily has a slightly take on this:

http://www.donegaldaily.com/2011/02/07/anger-as-killybegs-hotel-closes-with-loss-of-35-jobs/

There were fears the hotel was shut down after a visit from another director to the premises last night.

Local director Bernie O’Callaghan says that he has asked gardai to investigate after equipment went missing overnight. This includes TVs, tills and catering equipment.

Mr O’Callaghan said he was left completely in the dark about the decision of another director from Leinster to send staff home and claim the hotel was closed with the loss of 35 jobs.

Original posting at Donegal Friends.

Saint Patrick's Day

2011-03-20T04:01:00.000Z

Some video by Greg Gorman, taken from the Laghey Blast float during the 2011 Donegal Town Saint Patrick's Day Parade:

If you any photographs or video you like to share, let me know.

The Cannons in the Wild

2011-03-19T18:06:00.002Z

Michael & Nathalie Cannon and their family were recently on TV in the RTE show "Families in the Wild". The Democrat has an article about it at:

http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/lifestyle/entertainment/donegal_family_in_new_rte_series_1_2513327

Following last years success of ‘Teens in the Wild’, clinical psychologist David Coleman is back with a new show based on a similar concept, but this time he has extended his advice and therapeutic work to the whole clan. Families in the Wild sees David (the Irish Dr. Phil), taking three individual families, including the Cannons, away from the stresses and pressures of daily life to the isolation and tranquility of the Kerry wilderness for a week of activities and therapy.

The Cannons on their exploration of the wilds.

I hope ye all had fun, and it was a worthwhile adventure! :)

If your in Ireland you can watch the episode for a limited time on the RTE player at:

http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1093984

Original Posting at Donegal Friends.

Laghey Blast's: Come Dancing Competition

2011-03-19T15:23:00.002Z

Some video from Greg of the Strictly Come Dancing contest held in the Abbey Hotel on 18th March in aid of the Laghey Blast Festival.

The Laghey Blast Festival will be held in Laghey (sometimes spelt Laghy on the maps) on Sat April 30th & Sun May 1st 2011 (the May bank holiday weekend).

Vote for Pavesi

2011-03-13T02:59:00.000Z

Do you like Pavesi (the band)? Vote for them in the Youbloom contest at:

http://t.co/394M1nF

Western Waves

2011-03-06T17:28:00.001Z

A load of new programmes from Western Waves:
http://media.westernwavesfm.org/

And the latest "State of Art" is interesting listen:
http://media.westernwavesfm.org/161-state-of-the-art

Original Posting on Donegal Friends.

Ryan's Bakery

2011-03-06T00:50:00.001Z

Have you tried the new(ish) bakery on Bridge Street? They sell artisan breads (think french breads and the like), specialty meats, cheeses etc.

If your looking for Gluten-free pancakes for Pancake Day (good if you have a Gulten intolerance or have Celiac disease) Ryans's will be selling some (made by Zack) on Pancake Day only.

http://ryansartisanfoods.ie/

For some reason Ireland has one of the highest rates of Celiac's in the world!

Original Posting at Donegal Friends.

Mary's Gone, Thomas & Pearse have Arrived ...

2011-02-27T06:47:00.001Z

Mary Couglan is reported to have lost her seat in the Dáil, and the Green Party
http://www.breakingnews.ie/election/news/coughlan-loses-seat-as-fine-gael-move-closer-to-government-495175.html

Outgoing Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has become the biggest name to lose her seat in the General Election ...

Fianna Fáil is in meltdown, the party could have just 22 or 23 seats, and just one in the capital in outgoing Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.

The Tánaiste is the most high-profile casualty, but other political dynasties are about to come to an end - the names Haughey, Andrews, and Hanafin will be gone.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny will not make an overall majority, but a handful of final seats could decide whether he needs Labour or can try and cut a deal with Independents.
...
But the Greens will be wiped out since none of the party's outgoing TD's or candidates will make the cut.

The Irish Times has more coverage, with a breakdown of the voting coverage:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0226/breaking55.html

As the counters began distributing Ms Coughlan's transfers from her vote of 5,655 the final battle appeared to be between Mr Ó Domhnaill with 5,724 votes and Mr Pringle on 9,139 votes. While Ms Coughlan was expected to transfer well to her running mate the advantage decidedly was with Mr Pringle.

He did not reach the quota but the Killybegs man was elected with 1,175 votes, while Mr Ó Domhnaill with 8,834 votes lost out.

With the final voting tallies of the 3 seats in Donegal South West going to:

Pearse Doherty with 14,262 votes.
Dinny McGinley with 8,589 votes.
Thomas Pringle with 5,845 votes.

In other election news, Gerry Adams the election he fought in Louth:
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/elections/latest-news/gerry-adams-secures-seat-in-louth-2557817.html

As with anything else, we'll just have to wait and see what these results mean for Donegal AND the country. Also, interestingly enough Mary has a Twitter page which hasn't been updated since 2009:
http://twitter.com/marycoughlan

Original Posting at Donegal Friends.

Kee's of Laghey Robbed, Armed Thug captured

2011-02-21T18:19:00.000Z

Looks like Kee's in Laghey was robbed on Saturday night by a man with a handgun. It doesn't appear anyone was hurt, and I hope the attendant isn't too scarred:

http://www.examiner.ie/breakingnews/ireland/man-for-court-in-connection-with-donegal-robbery-494333.html

A man is to appear in court in Sligo later today charged in connection with an armed robbery at a filling station in Donegal over the weekend.

Kee's Filling Station in Laghey was raided at around 11pm on Saturday night by a man wearing a disguise who was armed with a handgun.

The shop attendant was forced to hand over a sum of cash.

A man was later arrested in Donegal town - the cash was recovered and an imitation firearm was seized.

Donegal From Up There.

2011-01-30T16:48:00.001Z

A great pic, taken by Kate out at Biddy's O'Barnes, of Donegal Town from the air in wintertime with a little snowfall.

Donegal Town in Wintertime

See more pics on Biddy's O'Barnes Facebook page. If your on Facebook, befriend Biddy's as Kate has been taken some fabulous photographs of the town, Barnes, & of Lough Eske.

Original Posting on Donegal Friends.

Health Care Cuts

2011-01-28T02:29:00.000Z

Some news articles that show some of the effects in Donegal of cuts to the HSE's budget:

87 year old's home help cut to half-an-hour twice a week:
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/34The-HSE-don39t-care-if.6704171.jp

Letterkenny General Hospital

Four year wait for Orthodontist for some children:
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/Four-year-Orthodontist-waiting-listed.6704393.jp

http://www.highlandradio.com/2011/01/27/orthodondist-waiting-time-at-lgh-now-four-years-for-some-patients/

This article (about parking at Sligo Hospital) claims there's 28 people awaiting admittance:
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/Hospital-car-park-is-34a.6704130.jp

Thanks to Leppre on Flickr for the photograph of the sun beam over Letterkenny Hospital.

Original Posting On Donegal Friends.

2nd Annual Country Weekend at the Abbey

2011-01-27T02:22:00.005Z

The Abbey Hotel is having it's 2nd Annual Country Weekend on February 4th to 6th 2011.

See the Central Hotel's Website for more details?

Original post on Donegal Friends.

Serial Twin: Wirin's Tale Take 2! :)

2011-01-25T01:53:00.001Z

Serial Twin are (once again) launching their debut album 'Wirin's Tale' on Saturday January the 29th 2011 in The Coach House, Donegal Town at 10pm! Unfortunately, the original date was canceled due to the fowl weather. RSVP for the event on Facebook.

See the song "Burn it all" from the album on Youtube:

Buy the album on iTunes or on Amazon, see the Serial Town Website for more buying options.

Original Post at Donegal Friends.

News: Out on the road!

2011-01-24T00:57:00.001Z

Road to Glenveagh

Gardai to clap down on dangerous driving, and irresponsible boy racers, and people with illegal mods done to their cars, hopefully things like those feckin' compressors that make so much bloody noise especially late at night!

http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/Garda-vowed-to-continue-crack.6696900.jp

"We operate what is virtually zero tolerance policy. We just do not let any offence go ignored. We didn't ignore anything and that was our instructions, regardless how trivial or how menial they are. The only way these guys will learn is through education and the only way to teach the guys who do not have the life experiences or the education, is through harsh enforcement," Insp. Harrison stated.

Did you know they now have seat belts on school buses? I didn't. Does it surprise you that most of the wee'un's don't use 'em? All it taks is a collision at 40mph and everyone on the bus not belted in is going to go flying.
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/Seatbelt-scandal.6696918.jp

As few as one in ten teenagers here are wearing seat belts on school buses and unless the trend changes a tragedy involving a school bus could happen on Donegal's roads, it has been warned.

Garda spot checks are being carried out to highlight the problem and the Donegal Road Safety Working Group has warned the possibility of withdrawing bus passes from students who don't wear seat belts could happen.

A farmer up in Convoy has 2 expensive 4x4 quad bikes stolen in the middle of the night:
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/Quads-stolen.6696911.jp

It is understood that the bikes were driving away from the shed at approximately 4.30am yesterday morning and it is likely they were then loaded into a get away vehicle such as a lorry or van.

Speaking to the Democrat last evening Mr Gregg said the quads had been locked in a shed on his premises and the thieves forced their way inside and drove the bikes away up a back lane.

And in nearby Raphoe, a couple's caravan was stole, and it's scuppered their plans to finish work on their house:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12237402

A young couple's efforts to restore a 400-year-old cottage in Raphoe in County Donegal have been jeopardised after thieves stole their caravan worth 10,000 euro.

Helen Hancock and Ian Holyoak were about to sell it to pay for the property's thatched roof, but have now had to abandon their plans ...

"They had to bring a spare wheel as one was tied to the gas tank," she said.

"I felt so secure here, but since this happened I haven't been able to sleep at night. It's so sad."

The Avondale touring caravan was taken sometime over the weekend. The couple had lived in it for two years. Recently, it had been used as a home for volunteers from across the world who were working on the restoration project.

I'd bet these crimes are connected, and possibly by some gang who nip back'n'forth across the border. So if you saw a few quads around 4am, or a caravan toddling about the place in the middle of the night; call the Gardai and tell where you saw it! It might help them narrow down where they went, and whom stole them.

The photo above is one I took on the old road from near Churchhill to Glenveagh. The start is near Derek Hill's gallery which is well worth the visit if your near there. You can't drive the road, but it's a lovely 6k walk to Glenveagh, mostly downhill too (but then you need to walk back!). :)

Original posting at Donegal Friends.

Laghey Blast Fundraiser: 21 January 2011

2011-01-11T00:14:00.001Z

There will be a Quiz in O'Carolans Bar Laghey to fund-raise for the Laghey Blast Festival 2011.You can RSVP or ask questions on their Facebook page.

Table quiz and Raffle on the night.
21 January · 21:00 - 23:30

For more information about the festival see the Laghey Blast Website.

Frozen Donegal Bay

2011-01-03T10:10:00.001Z

A lovely pic of a frozen Donegal Bay by me sister Jeannie:

You can see more on her Flickr page.

Frank Bustard.

2010-12-27T17:35:00.001Z

Frank Bustard of Main Street passed away yesterday, Sunday December 26th 2010. His funeral will be in the Methodist Church, tomorrow Tuesday December 27th. His remains will be interred at the graveyard beside the Quay.

You can view the death notice at rip.ie.

Cheers Frank, the town will miss you.

Picture courtesy of the Donegal Times.

Pavesi & Other NW bands at the Alley in Strabane

2010-12-27T00:51:00.004Z

On December 29th The Alley, in Strabane, will have a concert in aid of HURT a sucide awareness charity based in the North-West.

The bands include

Admission is 5 quid.

More Winter pics!

2010-12-20T19:36:00.000Z

Some more class pics of this weekend's Winter snowfall from Fancis Cassidy.

Bank Walk seen from the Quay

Snow at the Old Abbey


Lough Eske near the entrance to the Castle.

Solis Lough Eske

I asked Francis if he has a 4x4 to get around to take these pics and he said he has a horse outside. ;)

See more of his pics in his photo album on Facebook.

Jobs for Letterkenny

2010-12-19T18:27:00.001Z

75 new jobs over 3 years for Letterkenny:

Up to 75 new manufacturing jobs are to be created in Co Donegal over the next three years as part of a €10 million investment by US firm Zeus.

The South Carolina-headquartered company is to invest in a 3,700sq m expansion of its Letterkenny facility.

The investment is supported by the Government through IDA Ireland.

Sunrise Winter Pics

2010-12-18T18:23:00.001Z

Some lovely pics around the town and out by Laghey by Matt Britton.

River Eske and Donegal Castle

Snow & Trees at Sunrise near Laghey

If you on Facebook, you can see more here.

Original Posting at Donegal Friends.

Sean Needham: A Child Could Save Us All

2010-12-07T03:16:00.000Z

An inspirational song from Sean Needham:

Sean says this about the song:

I wrote 'A Child Could Save Us All' while on a trip to my hometown of Donegal (Ireland) for Christmas. My wife was expecting our first child and I was trying to figure out what life was all about. I'm still working on that one §8-) The animation was created by my good friend and percussionist Rikke

You can download a copy of the song here courtesy of Sean.

Snowy Donegal Bay

2010-12-05T20:54:00.000Z

A wintery Donegal Bay taken during the recent snow, by Matt Britton. To my eye this looks like a picturesque postcard from somewhere exotic!

Snowy Donegal Bay

Donegal Bay

2010-12-05T19:29:00.001Z

A lovely pic of Donegal Bay, taken by Fergal McAllister.

Donegal Bay

If your on Facebook you can see the original and others in his Facebook album.

AVS Leaving Cert Class of '85 Reunion

2010-12-01T02:48:00.000Z

If your in Donegal Town on December 28th at 7:30pm the 1985 Leaving Certificate class will be having a reunion in the Abbey Hotel. If you a Facebook user you can express your interest in attending at the following Facebook page:

Girls 5A

Abbey Voc Sch Leaving Cert Class of '85 Reunion

Here's the notice on the page:

This event will be held in the Abbey Hotel (upstairs) at 7.30 pm on the 28th December 2010. We are hoping that all those who would have done their leaving cert that year or began school in 1980 would come along. Please feel free to bring along your partner. We are hoping to have some fun activities on the night along with photo display on power point. So get your photo's together as soon as you can to enable us to organise this. Any thing you have that might add to the fun on the night please let us know and we can sort that, no problem. Will post admission price at a later date.

So if you started the Tech in 1980 or were in the Leaving Cert class of 1985 (or were in the year at any point) please do come along! If you have any photos to share contact the organiser! One of whom is Pat McGirr the others are Martina & Seamus. I'm not sure which Martian or Seamus can someone post contact info?

Winter in Donegal

2010-11-30T02:22:00.000Z

Don't forget to feed the robins!

Thanks to Matt Britton for the pic! If your on Facebook user see his photo album for more class pics.

Serial Twin: Album Release Party

2010-11-28T22:51:00.000Z

Serial Twin are launching their debut album 'Wirin's Tale' on Saturday 4th Dec in The Coach House, Donegal Town at 10pm.

Snow!

2010-11-28T16:50:00.000Z

Or as Christina Irwin describes it SNOMG!

Here's 2 photpgraphs that Christina took of the Diamond, with the Monument and the Tree (the tree lightening ceremomy is tonight, Nov 28th) and her daughter, and snow!

Pavesi Radio Interview

2010-11-26T16:56:00.000Z

Ronan Hanna and Duck Gallagher of Pavesi talk songwriting with Tracey McAllister at 5pm this Saturday, November 26th, on State of the Art on westernwavesfm.org. You can listen to a of podcast of it afterwards too!

Elections Interviews.

2010-11-23T03:40:00.000Z

If your voting in the Donegal SW by-election, here's some interviews with various candidates that might be worth listening to.

Western Waves interview with Barry O’Neill, Fine Gael, Thomas Pringle - Independent, and Ann Sweeney - Independent.

TV3 Interview with Pearse Doherty - Sinn Féin, Frank McBrearty Jnr - Labour Party, Brian Ó Domhnaill - Fianna Fáil, Barry O'Neill - Fine Gael.

And be prepared for sleet and snow on election day on Thursday.

If you know of any other interviews, let me know in the comment section below and I'll add them tot he list.

Sausages!

2010-11-21T15:39:00.002Z

Enough about this political shindig that's been going, let's get down to some real important business such as Sausages! A great article in the Donegal Democrat and the Belfast Telegraph about two of our local butcher shop; McGettian's & Walsh's.

Donegal Town unofficially became the sausage capital of Ireland recently when Ernan and Diarmuid McGettigan and Edmund and Liam Walsh both received the supreme accolades at the Associated Craft Butchers' Sausage Competition of Ireland which was recently held in the RDS in Dublin ...

The McGettigan brothers won their first All Ireland Supreme title in 2001 for their hickory and maple sausage and are the only butchers ever to win the prestigious title more than once ...

Ernan, whose first supreme title was awarded for his hickory and maple sausage in 2001, is the only Irish butcher to win the title more than once ...

This year he won the double when he was awarded the national champion prize for his traditional butcher's sausage -- a popular choice for celebs Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick when they stop by on their way to their holiday home in the county.

He also scooped the coveted supreme award for his garlic and leek pork sausage.

Ernan, who also does a low-fat variety, pointed out that the sausage is the ideal recession food -- "tasty, nutritious and cheap".

One hundred metres away, Edmund and Liam Walsh who, like the McGettigans, have a lifetime of butchering experience between them, have been notching up successes with their flavoured sausages at regional level since 2002, and won their first National Championship in 2008.

Earlier this month, their venison and redcurrant sausage won gold at the national championships.

"We were delighted because the standard is unbelievably high. Between ourselves and the McGettigans, there is an enthusiasm and also a tradition which is very important," explained Liam.

And I've also heard that Dave Ainsworth's sausages in Killybegs are worth trying too! And funnily enough Dave is quoted in an Irish Times article about election canvassing in Killybegs. I have tried McGettian's sausages and do think they're good and the Mammy likes the Chicken's from Walsh. I didn't know Walsh's did their own sausages and I'll have to try them next time I'm home.

Also, the image above is in a Reuters News article about Ireland and the economy (and no mention of Donegal), it shows Enda Kenny of Fina Gail purchasing (probably) sausages in McGettian's butchers from John Kerrigan. BTW, this is no way endorsing FG or any of the other parties, or implying that McGettian's does. I just though the image was interesting and it was great to see a view of Donegal on an international news site.

When you go vote, do remember this, this is one of the few times that the national media or politicians will care about Donegal. So choose wisely, and also think about the country.

Originally posting at Donegal Friends.

Pavesi Playing in O'Donnell's

2010-11-17T08:13:00.000Z

Pavesi, the Band, are playing in O'Donnell's Bar on Sunday Nov 21st. Show is all ages, starts at 6pm, goes to 10:30pm.

New Open Jam Club For Sligo Musicians Nov 17th!

2010-11-16T02:26:00.000Z

A message from Greg of the Bluestack Jammers that he asked me to pass along to you all.

The Bluestacks Jam Club is coming to Sligo to its fourth venue in The Garavouge Bar Wednesday November 17th at 9.30pm and every Wednesday night after that. The club is all about Jamming with other musicians and started in Donegal last year, So far it operates in 4 venues where over 400 musicians have performed and 10,000 people have came to the gigs.plus 4,000 fans on Facebook. We want to show the world our talented musicians and artistes and we do that by taking videos and posting them on Youtube.

The Club is open to all Musician and live music lovers of all ages who want to network with other Musicians and Jam with them. or maybe you want to start a band and get to know people in the Music business like Recording Studios, Music Venues, Artistes and Managers. So far we've seen some band formations and gigs coming out of this and it doesn't stop there. We've established The Bluestacks Backers, a Multi Member band who perform The 4th Fri of each month @9pm in The National Bar Donegal town, The 2nd Fri monthly in The Bee Hive Ardara at 9pm and every sun in Voodoo Club Letterkenny at 8pm where some 400 plus Musicians have Jammed so far.

This is fast becoming a network of session musicians that can backup any Singer or Songwriter in a professional way. We want to expand this so that at any given time we can have a band on call for any occasion. You maybe in a well established band and want to try something different. We don't expect you to run away and join the our circus forever!! as there will always be someone there to play your position just like a football team.You may only be able to turn up every know and again so that way it suits everybody.If you wanna become a member just send an email titled with the instrument you play or if your a singer do the same to BluestacksJamClub@ymail.com and that way it makes the whole thing much easier for us all to manage. We will put you in contact with all the other members and who knows what that could led to.

The Bluestacks Jam Club was launched back in June 2009 with special guest Johnny Gallagher from The Boxty band who toured all over Europe and has been on several TV shows over there. Also The Mirenda Rosenberg Band have performed. Mirenda has shared the stage with Blues Legends Buddy Guy and Chuck Berry. Donegal singer song writer Sean Needham who supported Bo Didley and Tracy Chapman and was interviewed by Dave Fanning about his new album Time Is A Friend ,plus Mark Black, whose live appearances included Glastonbury 2009, guested and performed with Moya Brennan and Liam O Maonlai at the Spirit Voices Show, and a string of festivals and packed out gigs across Ireland. Also Matt McGranaghan from Kintra a 12 piece Band who have entertained President of Ireland Mary McAleese in Áras an Uachtaráin.Kintra have played the biggest Irish festival in the world in Milwaukee USA back in August this year.

The latest Guest to the club was Elvis Presley's Bass guitarist Jerry Scheff who we put a band together for to play the Frosses Festival Co.Donegal
Jerry played bass on The Doors album L A woman ,John Denver,Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan and many many more.

These Artists became successful as a result of Networking with other Musicians and like minded people and fully support our mission and some times drop by for a Jam , a chat, and a bit a craic and we look forward to you doing the same next Wednesday November 17th at 9.30 pm in the Garavogue Bar and every Wednesday nite after that plus its free entry at the door.

For more Info the see Bluestacks Jam Club on Facebook.

Donegal SW Election 2010!

2010-11-13T21:04:00.000Z

I'm sure you've all heard about the upcoming election in Donegal South West.

TV3 had candidates from the major parties on Vincent Browne's news show called "Tonight". You can watch it here. None of the independent candidates were on the show which might have been a good thing for them!

You can find some background about the by-election on Wikipedia. Here's someone's overview or review of the show or debate, but just remember, that's someone else's opinion, and make your own. But, to be honest, it did come off as a bit of a farce with Mr. Browne not really controlling the debate.

Bartering 2.0

2010-11-08T08:13:00.008Z

Jenni Timony (a relation of mine) has started a new company that will help businesses save money in these rough times. Jenni's started Exponentially, a website and business that helps organisations barter their skills, services, knowledge, and strengths in exchange for other people's or organisations skills & services. In these times this could be a good way to save money and use what you have.

Jenni was recently on the Marion Finucane show, on the radio, talking about her past experiences in business and about her plans for Exponentially. The Democrat has a write-up about it:
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/Donegal-town-woman-launches-new.6564089.jp

You'll need to visit the website to find out more:

http://www.exponentially.ie/

And also Jenni's blog is pretty interesting too, her blog posting about batering is a must read, if your interesting in leveraging bartering:

http://exponentially.ie/blog/?p=40

Anyhow, here's the spiel from Jenni's press release:

Exponentially.ie enables members to conserve cash, utilise spare capacity and expand their customer bases through bartering their services.

"Businesses can really see the value of trying new initiatives such as bartering their services to achieve growth in recessionary times. The idea of paying for services such as perhaps web design or marketing or an energy audit with their spare capacity instead of their cash really resonates with our members" says Jenni Timony, Founder of Exponentially.ie.

Exponentially.ie also provides members with a discussion forum to ask and answer questions, and make trusted new contacts ... "Exponentially.ie was established to help regenerate recession bruised businesses. Membership of our site is a low cost, low risk way to do this by using your spare capacity, and leveraging the power of community"

And one thing she wanted me to add is that they've "added 2 new categories - hotels and alternative therapies so you can barter your businesss skills for nice, relaxing stuff. Also doing a rate for people who have been made redundant to barter their skills and talents."

The Diamond: 1970's

2010-11-06T03:05:00.000Z

Thanks to MajorCalloway over on Flickr for this auld pic of the Diamond. This is looking down the Diamond towards the Abbey Hotel from Main Street.

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat ...

2010-11-05T02:58:00.002Z

The Christmas lights will be turned on, on November the 28th! See the Facebook page for more info and to show your interest in attending.

Christmas lights will be switched on by County Donegal Ladies senior team members, who will be assisted by Santa and his little helpers.
Watch out for the two naughty little elves.

Thanks to me sis Jeannie for the pic!

Donegal Bay

2010-11-01T02:04:00.000Z

I like how designer 406 has used the B&W affect to make her picture of the inner bay and Quay Street appear older than it is:

2010-10-18T03:47:00.004+01:00

Anyone remember how the great fireplace in the Castle looked, or how the grounds used to look before the renovations?? "East Med Wanderer" over on Flickr took this pic while traveling around Ireland in 1970. Click on the pics below to see all the pics.

The Master Fireplace

The Castle Grounds.

The lad in the picture above is looking at the map of the castle that was fasten to a stone plinth.

Donegal Town: 1970's

2010-10-14T10:40:00.003+01:00

Striderv over on Flickr scanned this old postcard of Donegal Town and put it on Flickr, I'd guess it was the early 1970's? Anyone recognise the two women the pic of the Diamond beside the old weigh station hut? See the full-size version here.

News!

2010-10-14T03:31:00.001+01:00

Cannonball Run in Donegal Town!

Donegal Town (& Gweedore) are to get new Libraries:

http://www.irishdigest.com/?p=8662

“Minister of State Michael Finneran has worked with Donegal County Council to ensure that both towns will benefit from wonderful new state-of-the-art libraries. I’m particularly pleased that these projects have now been approved for funding and can advance, Tanaiste Mary Coughlan said ...

Let's hope state of the art also includes access to the Internet.

19 business have gone bust in Donegal this year, however this statitic doesn't tell us much as it doesn't make any comparisons to previous years, nor talk about how many new businesses there have been so far this. However they do state what the national figure is, so I'd imagine Donegal is worse than the rest of the country due to the high unemployment rate:

http://oceanfm.ie/news/2010/07/05/19-business-have-gone-bust-so-far-this-year/

According to Insolvencyjournal.ie, 19 businesses in Donegal, 4 in county Leitrim and 6 in County Sligo were unable to honour their debts in the first six months of 2010.
Nationally, the number of insolvencies is up 27 per cent on the same period last year.

But, some good news on the local economic front, Moll Industires plastic molding plant in Donegal Town is now under local owership. Moll makes medical devices and is an American company based in Texas that recently filed for bankruptcy. Let's hope they'll do well.

http://www.highlandradio.com/

... specialises in molding and assembly for the medical and pharmaceutical sectors was established in 1982, and employs 25 people.

Helen Masterson has been Managing Director of the Donegal company since 2002, and is now leading Moll Industries Ireland Ltd.

She says this move has secured the future of the plant and marks a major new chapter in its business. She says local ownership means management and staff are in full control of the company’s growth, and will focus on quality of delivery and technology.

She says the key priorities will be to strengthen existing operations, and identify new markets for export.’

In a statement confirming the takeover this morning, Ms Masterson says she believes local ownership of such a flourishing business can bring significant inward investment to the locality of South Donegal.

And one last bit of "economic" news, Doug Richards from BBC's Dragons' Den will be delivering a seminar on October 16th in Letterkenny. I don't know how useful these things are, but if you've the money it might be a good place to network with other entrepreneurs:

http://donegalenterpriseboard.blogspot.com/

The “Start here!” seminar will focus on how to start and grow a successful business and draws on Doug’s huge experience both as a businessman and as a successful investor in other businesses in Europe and the US. The one day workshop will help potential entrepreneurs answer key questions before starting or growing a business: how to develop your business model; how to identify your product and market; how to run a low cost marketing campaign; how to treat the recession as an opportunity; and how to make money and secure investment.

See here for additional details.

And one of our own entrepreneurs from Donegal Town was recently on the telly! I'll post about that soon and her new business that can help individuals and businesses save money.

Oh, and about that pic, when I was home at the start of September, a tonne of flash high performance cars went whipping through the town with a Gardai escort. They were part of the Cannonball Ireland Rally!

Killybegs Tattoo Convention

2010-10-09T20:16:00.000+01:00

Next March, the 2nd Killybegs Tattoo Convention will be taking place.

Date:

Friday, 25 March 2011 at 18:00 - Sunday, 27 March 2011 at 18:00

Location:

The Bayview Hotel, Killybegs , Co. Donegal. Ireland

See their Facebook page for more details, if your a biker looks like someone might be organising a bike run too.

Google Street View In Donegal!

2010-10-02T04:18:00.001+01:00

Google Map's Street View now covers Donegal Town! Here's a link to a view of the Diamond when they're setting up a stage for a festival:

Google Street View

It looks like the imagery is all taken in the winter, and not all on the same day or days. Anyone know when about this way? I'm guessing last winter or the winter before.

Anyone found anyone they recognise on Google Street view? The closest I've come (so far) is seeing a friend's rubbish out for the bin man!

What's your favourite view? :)

Carol Anne McGowan

2010-09-20T00:49:00.007+01:00

Have any of ye heard of Carol Anne McGowan of Killybegs? I just heard of her today, when Cyndi posted a video of Carol's on her Facebook page, and I was very impressed! This girl has a great voice and (pardon the comparison it's probably unjust) and reminds me a bit of Leonard Cohen and Cowboy Junkies but with her own unique style.

Anyways take a listen for yourselves and let me know what you think. This amazing video of her's was filmed in the cellar of a friend of her's and edited on a Mac; low budget but not low quality.

If ye hear of any gigs she's doing, let me know and I'll publicise them on the blog!

Keep an eye on her, I think she'll be going places.

You can listen to her and see her videos on MySpace and on YouTube. She's also on Facebook where you can find out where's she's playing next. And besides being a musician she's also an artist:

http://www.carolannemcgowan.com/biography.html

Car Accident near Dunkineely

2010-09-17T19:16:00.002+01:00

Car accident on the Killybegs road near Dunkineely on Friday afternoon. Gardai and the Fire Birgade were on the scene, initial reports claimed 3 cars involved, but later reports said there were 2:

http://oceanfm.ie/news/2010/09/17/gardai-investigate-road-traffic-accident-in-donegal/

Gardai and members of the fire service in Donegal are at the scene of a road traffic accident in Donegal.

The incident occurred within the last hour at the Killybegs side of Dunkineely.

It's understood three vehicles are involved in the accident. The passengers of the vehicles are being taken to hospital for treatment however, the extent of their injuries is not yet known ..

The road is (or was) due to reopen later in the day:

http://oceanfm.ie/news/2010/09/17/road-to-re-open-this-afternoon-following-traffic-accident/

Gardai say the Dunkineely road will re-open later this afternoon following a road traffic accident. ...

It's understood two vehicles were involved in the accident. The passengers of the vehicles have being taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries.

Diversions are in place ... The Dunkineely road is expected to re-open within the next hour while Gardai investigate the incident.

Sean Needham in Concert September 24th 2010

2010-09-17T03:53:00.000+01:00

Sean Needham will playing a gig in the National Hotel, Donegal Town, on Friday September the 24th 2010. This is part of Sean's tour to promote his new album "Time is a Friend" and is in association with the Bluestack Jamclub.

See the video of the title track on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnPDmA9b9pQ

Also on stage and all the way from Denmark, will be Jacob Speake, Niall Rainey, Eamonn Rainey and all the way from Donegal will be Greg Gorman, Morgan Ferriter and possibly Enda Ferriter and Ronan Hanna.

See Sean's Facebook page for more info:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=152118314807663

And his website:

http://www.seanneedham.com/

News!

2010-08-31T14:54:00.002+01:00

Your not going to be hearing from me for a while as I'll be home for a few weeks and with minimal web-access.

Thanks to Matt Britton for the Photograph.

In the meantime here's some news for you:

30,000 show up for the Donegal Food Festival:
http://www.highlandradio.com/2010/08/30/30000-attend-taste-of-donegal-food-fetival/

In excess of 30 thousand people attended the Taste of Donegal food festival at the weekend with organisers claiming that such events are an ideal way of promoting the county.

And a nice article about Fin McCool's surfing school at Rossnowlagh:
http://www.independent.ie/health/diet-fitness/fit-to-be-tried-surfing-2316903.html

The local man behind the school, Neil Britton, says the sport is catching on in Ireland and he's happy to be in Donegal, despite spending time following the waves from Australia to Portugal.
"The surf in Ireland is as good as anywhere in the world and I always thought it would be a great idea to set up a surf school in my home town," he says ...

Contact: For individual lessons and kids camp, the Fin McCool surf shop and school, Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal. Tel: 071-9859020, 086 804 9909, email finmccools@gmail.com

If your Facebook, Matt Britton has some pics of the festival:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=198616&id=649818196&page=6

Dog & Dolphin At Tory Island

2010-08-28T22:12:00.000+01:00

Anyone seen the dog and dolphin swimming together in Tory Island Harbour?

Eat up!

2010-08-27T21:00:00.000+01:00

The Donegal Town Food Festival is this weekend! Go have some nosh and tell me how was it!

http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/Tasting-the-very-best-of.6494789.jp

... the Chairman of the Festival Committee, Ernan McGettigan said, “Primarily I would like to offer a large and sincere Céad Mile Failte to all attending the second Taste of Donegal Food Festival which will once again take place on the picturesque pier area over looking Donegal Bay from tomorrow (Friday) straight through until next Sunday.

“This quality event is a three day celebration of great food, drink and lifestyle products which has attracted over 50 exhibitors from all over the country. These include a wide range of Artisan Food Producers, Wine & Specialist Drink companies, Hotels, Restaurants and much more.

“During the festival we will have tutored wine tasting, along with food demonstrations by some of the top chefs in the country including Conrad Gallagher, Nevin Maguire, Catherine Fulvio and Joe Shannon.

And of course its another festival I'm going to miss! I'll be home on Thursday for 7 days. Who wants to meet for pinta?

Oh no! Oatfield!

2010-08-23T18:44:00.000+01:00

Oatfield sweets is laying off 30 of it's 45 workers:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2010/0823/1224277381196.html

One of the Republic’s oldest confectionery makers has laid off two-thirds of its workforce.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
The Oatfield Confectionary Company in Co Donegal, which was founded by the McKinney family in Letterkenny in 1927, blamed rising manufacturing costs for the job losses.

A total of 30 out of 45 employees will lose their jobs when the company shuts down its “boiling production” in October.

The manufacture of boiled sweets will now be transferred to Oatfield’s sister company Tilley’s in the UK.

And this is something I didn't realise, I thought Oatfield was still locally owned:

The Oatfield buildings are owned by Donegal Creameries and are leased to Dublin-based firm, Candy, which runs the local plant and owns the brand.

Wikipedia has some background on Oatfield:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oatfield_%28confectionery%29

Donegal Creameries PLC purchased the company in February 1999 for £783,750. In 2007 Zed Candy, an Irish confectionery company famous for its Chewing Gum, bought the brand from Donegal Creameries.

The Gardens of Glenveagh

2010-08-22T18:19:00.000+01:00

Nice article in the Irish Times about Glenveagh:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2010/0821/1224276997698.html

... I’ve written before about Elizabeth Temple’s magical walled garden at Salthill, just outside Mountcharles, so won’t again, except to say it is even better than when I saw it last four years ago. And I’ve no room to do justice to the carefully and beautifully restored Oakfield Park, near Raphoe, the home of Gerry and Heather Robinson, so I’ll save that for another time – although let me just mention that if you fancy visiting, you’ll need to hightail it up there before the end of the month, when the season closes for the year.
Glenveagh Lough by Mick Timony
So instead, I’d like to park myself for the rest of this page at Glenveagh Castle Gardens . This is one of the most remarkable gardens on this island. It is concealed in a remote and seemingly inhospitable place, in the middle of Glenveagh National Park in the north of the county ... The setting of the gardens is spectacular, but so also is the planting. Within the sheltered microclimate, frost is rare (last winter was an exception), rainfall is high, and growth is lush. Big-leaved rhododendrons, elegantly-fronded tree ferns, and plump Cordyline indivisa make this a surreal, subtropical oasis in the hostile mountain landscape. Much of the planting dates back to the 1950s, 60s and 70s when the last private owner, Henry McIlhenny, employed – among others – British plantsman and designer James Russell of Sunningdale Nursery, and later, American garden designer Lanning Roper.

... The setting of the gardens is spectacular, but so also is the planting. Within the sheltered microclimate, frost is rare (last winter was an exception), rainfall is high, and growth is lush. Big-leaved rhododendrons, elegantly-fronded tree ferns, and plump Cordyline indivisa make this a surreal, subtropical oasis in the hostile mountain landscape. Much of the planting dates back to the 1950s, 60s and 70s when the last private owner, Henry McIlhenny, employed – among others – British plantsman and designer James Russell of Sunningdale Nursery, and later, American garden designer Lanning Roper.

I was hoping to stop at Oakfield when I'm home in the 1st week of September, but they close for the season on August 31st! Bahh! Oh well, I guess I'll take the opportunity to go to Glenveagh, walk the lough and better explore the gardens. Anyone been to Temple's gardens?

Muggings.

2010-08-21T20:50:00.000+01:00

Woman in her 60's mugged in Letterkenny in broad daylight, her hangbag was stolen and she was beaten up so badly that she's had to have pins inserted into shattered elbow.

This is a particularly brutal attack, and it's surprising that it happened somewhere like Letterkenny. Someone is bound to have seen something, or been in the area at the time. If you think you seen something contact the Letterkenny Gardai. I'd bet that this this fecker has a drug habit, and if he'd do this to an older woman what else might he be capable of? And just cause he did this to Letterkenny, doesn't mean he'll from there, or will limit his activities to there.

If you see something suspicious, call the Gardai, yesterday I was walking home and I see this skanger wander and stagger down the middle of the road, aye he looked suspicion. I'm thinking he was eyeing up cars to break into by his behaviour, and guess what he does? He stick his hand in through a partially open window and pops the lock of a car and hops in. So I called the cops on the fecker, and you see something odd, you do the same.

Here's coverage of the Letterkenny story from the Belfast Telegraph:

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/pensioner-knocked-unconscious-by-mugger-after-going-to-post-a-letter-14919620.html

Retired nurse Anna McDaid, who is in her late 60s, received several fractures, bruised ribs, a dislocated shoulder and a head injury after being mugged for her handbag during the day in Letterkenny, Co Donegal ... Just yards from the post office, she was set upon by a man wearing a grey hoodie-type top.

He demanded her handbag and then struck her several times during the terrifying ordeal which left her unconscious for a number of minutes.

Passers-by found Mrs McDaid in a confused state at McClure’s Terrace and she was brought to Letterkenny General Hospital where she has remained since the Tuesday afternoon attack.

... Mrs McDaid has had to undergo a number of different surgical procedures, including having pins inserted into her left elbow after it was shattered during the attack.

She is also on constant medication and has to take oxygen because she now has difficulty breathing.

Here's Highland Radio's coverage, and an interview with the woman's husband:

http://www.highlandradio.com/2010/08/19/elderly-letterkenny-woman-assaulted-and-mugged/

In Sligo, an 88 year old was attacked in his home and robbed, and a 30 year old man was mugged in the morning by 2 hooded men:

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/pensioner-put-in-hospital-by-brutal-mugging-at-home-2306453.html

Simple Simon's is to reopen!

2010-08-18T02:08:00.003+01:00

Simple Simon's has reopened. There's an article in Democrat about it:
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/Simple-Simon39s-reopens-in-Donegal.6477552.jp

Here's a snippet from the article:

Finbar Rock, owner of Toni’s Bistro nearby, saw the demise of a loved institution as a massive loss to the town. So without hesitation he decided to bring it back in a refreshing new style while at the same time retain the natural stone and old look of the building.

Finbar said: “Donegal is an historic and cultural town and the Diamond is our showpiece. I think it is important that we as business people should try and retain this image and avoid gaudy, plastic signage.

“If it is in keeping with the surrounds, I honestly believe that it will attract more business.”

Indeed this mission statement was proving very accurate as Finbar opened his doors last week. The store has been packed with many of the old faces and a lot of new customers from morning to evening.

Serial Twin: Wirin's Tale

2010-08-18T02:07:00.000+01:00

Serial Twin just released a new album! Get it at Melody Maker in Donegal Town, or on iTunes

See their website for more details:

http://www.serialtwin.com/

Serial Twin at the Coach House

2010-08-15T15:30:00.000+01:00

From Ciaran via Facebook:

Serial Twin are playing a 40 minute set of original songs at Coachfest - at the back of The Coach House, Main St Donegal at 6.30 pm Sunday 15th August.

Burn It All!

2010-07-31T15:46:00.002+01:00

Serial Twin has a new video for their song "Burn It All".

Their new album "Wirin's Tale" due out in 2 to 3 weeks!

Ballintra Dating Agency in Court

2010-07-15T03:49:00.000+01:00

A Ballintra matchmaker is in court for allegledgely not screening clients:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0715/1224274739224.html

A WOMAN who runs a Donegal dating agency has been instructed to allow a District Court judge view files from male clients.

But Mary Mitchell, who runs The Happy Matchmaker agency, was not ordered to allow a dissatisfied woman client, Annemarie McBrearty, see them ... Ms Mitchell of Ballintra, Co Donegal, has been accused of failing to check out men introduced to Ms McBrearty.

Ms McBrearty is suing Ms Mitchell for €6,348.99 for negligence, breach of duty and fraudulent misrepresentation.

Ms McBrearty, of Oldtown, Letterkenny, claims that she paid €600 for 12 "introductions" in Hide allJanuary, 2009. The agency had advertised that "each prospective suitor" would be screened.

Ms McBrearty claimed in an earlier District Court hearing that it became clear after four introductions the "prospective suitors" had not been vetted or screened in any way. She claimed that as a result she was "groped, assaulted and battered without lawful excuse".

Carrot Spit

2010-07-14T01:41:00.002+01:00

Cool pic from Pitmatic at the Balor Theater in Ballybofey.

Carrot Spit
Originally uploaded by Pitmatic

Bad, bad, bad car accident up in Inishowen

2010-07-13T02:25:00.001+01:00

An awful car accident happened north of the county:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/northern_ireland/10594606.stm

Eight people have been killed in a car crash in County Donegal, about 15 miles from the Northern Ireland border.

The two-car collision happened on the Drumfree to Clonmany road at 2230 BST on Sunday.

Seven of the dead were travelling in a black Volkswagen Passat, the driver of which survived. The eighth person to die was the driver of the second car.

It is believed the 66-year-old man had been returning home after playing bingo in Buncrana.

The seven young men who died in the Passat were 21-year-old Mark McLaughlin, from Fahan; Paul Doherty and Ciaran Sweeney who were 19 and from Ballyliffin; Patrick McLaughlin, 21, from Burnfoot; 22-year-old Eamonn McDaid and 21-year-old Damien McLaughlin, both from Buncrana, and James McEleney, 23, from Clonmany ...

People, slow down ad take it easy. There's enough people killed on Donegal roads.

The Irish Times has more details:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2010/0713/1224274591194.html

Stephen Lambert of the National Roads Authority said it was the highest death toll in a road crash since records began. “I have never come across such a multiple road fatality scene and I am finding it very difficult to take in,” he said after visiting the scene.

Saw Doctors on the Diamond

2010-07-09T21:59:00.002+01:00

Thanks to Bluestack Jammers for the vid:

Going to Oxegen?

2010-07-08T15:05:00.000+01:00

Going to the Oxegen festival and need to get there? Looks like Furey's bus of Sligo has a bus leaving from Ballyshannon:

http://www.irishtourist.com/board/19723.shtml

See the schedule at Furey's website:

http://fureysofsligo.com/oxegen.html

Pavesi

2010-06-13T03:03:00.001+01:00

Great new song and video from Pavesi

History of Saint Patrick's Church Tawnawilly

2010-05-31T17:30:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Jumper O'Kelly for posting this on our Facebook page:

The Catholic church in Donegal Town celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of "St. Patrick's Memorial Church of the Four Masters" on 17th March 2010. The church produced a lovely little booklet to celebrate the occasion. The following website (unofficial) has been set up to host the booklet;

It is a lovely booklet and it has many pictures of the chapel from it's construction to modern times.

Donegal Jam Club Contest!

2010-05-30T15:09:00.002+01:00

A (weird) message from the Donegal Jam Club, about their upcoming content!

Bye, Bye Old Water Bus

2010-05-30T14:37:00.002+01:00

Looks like the old water bus is leaving Donegal Town. Anyone know where it's going?

Thanks to Christina Irwin for the pic! I like the way this looks like auld pic.

Icelandic Photo Exhibition in Mountcharles

2010-05-21T19:50:00.000+01:00

Rebekka Guoleifsdóttir, a famous Icelandic photographer, will be having a Exhibition at the Man-Made Gallery in Mountcharles. The Irish Times has a brief article about the show:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2010/0521/1224270751308.html

Rebekka Guoleifsdóttir is a self-taught photographer who lives in Iceland. She is also rated the most popular photographer on Flickr, was named as the “Web’s Top Photographer” by the Wall Street Journal in 2006, and has a first-rate website and blog. “There is nothing I would rather do,” she says of photography, though she divides her working time between photography, knitting sweaters and drawing.
Guoleifsdóttir’s work is personal and often playful, as in the case of the image that put her on the internet map: a striking self-portrait in which she seems to be suspending an apple in mid-air through the force of her mind.
A Nordic Saga features a series of works depicting “neglected dolls, abandoned buildings and a self-portrait”. And yes, she did set off to photograph the volcano when it began erupting. Her vivid images and account can be found online.

If your a photographer you should go see this, if your passing through or by Mountcharles you should drop by. See Man-Made's page about the exhibition for more information. You can see a selection of her photograph on Flickr.

DCC on Tweeter!

2010-05-20T13:35:00.001+01:00

Donegal County Council is on Tweeter!

http://twitter.com/donegalcouncil

Planter Box Man!

2010-05-18T17:23:00.001+01:00

Great article from the Democrat about Laghey Man Sean Gallagher, whose been making a go of it! Sean was a builder and like most builder has seen little to no work in recent years. So Sean started doing something different, and something he likes to do. He creates Planter Boxes, and provides the soil and will come out and install them for ya too.

Sean's now based in Kildare, like many of us he had to leave home for work. But, I'm sure he'd pop up to Laghey, or maybe even trek to Donegal Town if he got enough orders. ;)

Here's the Democrat's Article:

"I came from a farming background in Laghey and was always interested in the concept of self-sustainability. Even before I closed down the building business I had built my own coop and had my chickens and fresh eggs out in the back garden.

"It was great, my wife Aisling and two daughters Ellie and Grace finally found out that not all chickens come from Tesco and likewise with eggs, that they don't come in packets.

"I found people were asking me about self-sustainability and the whole concept of growing their own vegetables. I soon realised that there was a market out there.

"I started producing my own raised vegetable beds which gave people with small urban gardens the opportunity to grow their own produce. With limited space there is a lot to be said for creating raised beds. They need less cultivation because they are rarely trodden on, they have great drainage and the soil warms up much quicker in spring as it is lifted from the cold winter's ground.

Read more at the Democrat's website.

Sean was also on Nationwide last Friday on RTE (May 14th 2010), see the video at:

http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1072650

Go to the 13 minute mark to see Sean, whom I think did really well on Telly. It's hard not to be nervous on camera, and I think RTE should have him do a gardening show! :)

PatchWorkVeg has a website, which provides advise for gardeners and when and how to start planting, and how to get a planter box if your interested. If your on Facebook, you can join the PatchWorkVeg group!

Statue stolen from Solis Lough Eske Castle

2010-05-17T18:48:00.000+01:00

Wow, the nerve of some people! A statue at Solis Lough Eske Castle was stolen over the weekend, sounds like it was out front of the main entrance and was swiped overnight:

http://oceanfm.ie/news/2010/05/17/valuable-statue-stolen-from-five-star-hotel/

Thieves entered the grounds of the Solis Lough Eske Castle Hotel, outside Donegal Town, at the weekend and made off with a statue of a deer sometime between midnight on Saturday and 8am on Sunday morning.

The piece, estimated to be worth in the region of 7,000 pounds sterling, had been on display upon a plinth in the grounds at the front of the hotel.

If you seen or heard anything, contact the Gardaí.

Donegal Stuff!

2010-05-17T17:35:00.000+01:00

So how's the form everyone? Sorry for the lack of postings. I was home for a week, then mad busy when I got back, then I had surgery on my knee and I've just been too busy to attend to the blog. If you ever need anything, or any news that you think need to get out there ASAP, don't hesitate to contact me.

One of the things I missed mentioning was the "Donegal Live" event in Dublin yesterday (Sunday May 16th 2010) whose goal is to promote tourism to Donegal:

http://www.donegallive.ie/

OceanFM says over 25,000 people where there throughout the day:

http://oceanfm.ie/news/2010/05/17/thousands-turn-out-for-donegal-live/

Also, the latest edition of "Donegal - Community in Touch" is available. News about Donegal and Donegal people:

Welcome to the Donegal in Touch e-zine. This e-zine is part of the Donegal Diaspora Project. Through this project Donegal is reaching out and connecting with people in all parts of the world who have a connection to or interest in Donegal. This e-zine is sent to people in all parts of the world.

Please feel free to pass this e-zine on to others that you feel might be interested in it. Any views, comments or contributions to the e-zine are very welcome. The latest edition of the e-zine can be viewed or downloaded via the Donegal County Development Board website - http://www.donegalcdb.ie/ using the following link:

http://www.donegalcdb.ie/publications/DonegalCommunityInTouche-zineIssue7.pdf

I'm sure all you GAA fans will love this old poster they have in the latest edition:

The Bluestacks Jam Club Singer Song Writers Star Challenge €5,000.00 Prize

2010-05-12T03:04:00.002+01:00

A message from Greg of The Bluestack Jammers for you all, see the MySpace page for more details:
http://events.myspace.com/External/Facebook/Event/View/4070679

The Bluestacks Jam Club will be holding The Singer Song Writers Star Challenge over the summer starting Monday June 7th.There will be a €5,000.00 for the overall winner plus recording time in a studio for 4 tracks. The Challenge Will be open to Unsigned Solo artists and Bands. To qualify for it, each artist or band must have their own Guitars and Amps and 10 or more original songs of to a high standard " STRICTLY NO COVERS" as there will be two 30 min heats each Monday night.

Each Applicant also must have 4 or more original tracks on My Space and links sent to BluestacksJamClub@ymail.com and BluestacksJamClub@myspace.com We have Drums and a PA on stage each night as the regular Open Jam Session will take place as normal @9pm.To enter- send an email to BluestacksJamClub@ymail.com with the name of your band , members Names and Email addresses & phone numbers and instruments you play plus your 10 song list. Send us your contact details and phone number. Title the email with " Bluestasks Singer Song Writers Challenge" to Book your entry .

The Winner will be selected by online voting which will cost the voter €3 so its in your interest to let your fans and face book friends know about this event so its very important that you create an event on your own face book account and invite them along as its part of the terms and conditions to qualify for your entry and get as many votes as you can.

We have created a system for you to link your music tracks which you should have on your My Space account.This means that if your fans can't get to see your performance they can listen to your music and vote anyway. So again its important that as soon as you are excepted and qualify for the Challenge that you promote your self to your Face Book Friends and Fans about your taking part in the Challenge as its a FREE tool , Why not use it.

Mon June 7th Act A - Ruairi Friel Act B -----------------
Mon June 14th Act A --------------- Act B------------------
Mon June 21st Act A --------------- Act B-------------------
Mon June 28th Act A --------------- Act B------------------
Mon July 5th Act A --------------- Act B------------------
Mon July 12th Act A ----------------- Act B------------------
Mon July 19th Act A ---------------- Act B------------------
Mon July 26th Act A ---------------- Act B------------------
Mon Aug 2nd Act A Emily Whelan Act B-----------------
Mon Aug 9th Act A ----------------- Act B-----------------
Mon Aug 16th Act A ---------------- Act B----------------
Mon Aug 23rd Act A ---------------- Act B----------------
Mon Aug 30th Act A ---------------- Act B---------------

Once again Donegal is Forgotten!

2010-04-21T19:06:00.000+01:00

How many more examples of this are we going to have?

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/county-wiped-off-crisis-hq-maps-2146203.html

The worst suspicions of Ireland's "forgotten county" have been realised after it emerged Donegal does not exist on the maps of the Government`s crisis response headquarters.

The apparent oversight at the National Emergency Co-ordinating Centre was further proof the Republic's second-largest county does not exist in the minds of central policy-makers, senior politicians claimed.

Charts on the walls of the taskforce HQ, two floors up in Dublin's Agriculture House, show in detail the east, west and south of Ireland.

But in the event of a major catastrophe hitting Donegal or the north, crisis management teams will have to scramble outside the nerve-centre to locate a map of Ulster, it seems.

Volcano!

2010-04-18T17:39:00.000+01:00

The Icelandic volcano is affecting area Airports with both the Donegal & Derry Airports closed:
http://www.highlandradio.com/2010/04/17/ash-cloud-continues-to-affect-donegal-and-derry-flights/

This means all flights in and out of City of Derry and Donegal Airports have been grounded, with Ryanair cancelling all flights into and out of Ireland, as well as internal flights, until one pm on Monday.

However, the crisis could stretch beyond Monday, with holidaymakers from Ireland facing the prospect of being stranded in Europe until next week.

Yours truly, is booked to fly Boston->Dublin on Thursday keep your fingers crossed that I make it! If I can make it, I'll be driving straight down from the Airport to Donegal Town. If anyone needs a lift, let me know. I could do with the company to keep me awake. :)

OceanFM & The Bluestack Jammers

2010-04-18T07:56:00.000+01:00

Tune into OceanFM tonight, April 18th 2010, at 8pm to the Bluestacks Jam club and the Laghey Blast Festival will be feature.

And you don't need to be in Donegal! You can listen to OceanFM on the web at:

http://oceanfm.ie/listen-live/