| 25th
April |
Community Notices
Public Meeting
to Discuss Local Roads.
A meeting, organised by Ardglen Sinn Fein, to bring
attention to the condition of the roads in the Glenties-Ardara
area, will be held in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel, Ardara, on
the 25th of April at 8 p.m. All candidates in the
forthcoming elections and representatives from the
various roads' organisations (Donegal County Coumcil, N.R.A.)
will be invited to attend. All members of the public are
welcome.
Church of Ireland Golf Classic.
This Golf Classic takes place at Narin and Portnoo Golf
Club on Saturday next, the 27th of April. The Classic
organiser, Mavis Goodall (née Walker), hopes to raise
funds to pay for part of the renovation work being
carried out at present on the Ardara Church of Ireland.
There are still a few slots on the time sheet for teams
of four at € 130. per team. Sponsorship may also be
given at € 50. per tee. Ring Sean at 075-45107. The
presentation of prizes will be in the clubhouse at 10 p.m.
April the 27th.
Dalriada Singers.
An excellent evening of musical entertainment is promised
by the Dalriada Society on Friday the 26th of April in St
Connell's Church, Glenties at 8:30 p.m. The organiser is
Shaun Ryan. All proceeds will be in aid of the Donegal
Hospice.
Ante-Natal Classes.
All expectant mothers are welcome in the Glenties Day
Care Centre on Monday the 22nd of April at 7 p.m. to take
part in ante-natal classes.
150th Birthday?
After some discussion, doubt, and research by the Rev. G.
Freeman, Ardara, it has been conclusively proven that the
Glenties Church of Ireland (included in the parish
grouping of Ardara, Glenties, Lettermacaward, Iniskeel
and Glencolmcille) will be at least 150 years old on June
the 16th of this year. At the outset it was noted that
Canon David Crooks said in his recent book, "Living
Stones" that the church was built about 1860.
However the church has a lectern bible dated 1852 and
also a communion set with the same date. The clinching
document, found on the R.C.B.files, states : ' This
indenture is made the sixteenth day of June one thousand
eight hundred and fifty two between the Most Honourable
Francis Nathaniel Marquis Conyngham of the first part,
the Honourable and Right Reverend Richard Lord Bishop of
the United Diocese of Derry and Raphoe of the second part...and
the Reverend John Baxter Thomas Clerk the Incumbent
Robert Hamilton of Drumsilla.....Farmer and Alexander
Hill of Gortnamuclagh....Farmer the Churchwardens duly
apppointed of the Church lately erected at Glenties.' The
firm of solicitors who drafted this document originally
are Wilson and Simms of Strabane, still in existence
having been founded in 1850.
Does anyone reading this know anything about the Revd
John Thomas Baxter? At the moment he is a mystery. Does
anyone know whether there are any descendants of the two
churchwardens to be found?
It does seem as though there will be a big birthday to
celebrate later this summer.
Heiritage Centre.
Conal Doherty opened the doors of the Heiritage Centre at
Easter time, serving teas, coffees, and sandwiches. Last
weekend, a chef, John Sweeney of Gweedore, began in the
restaurant, serving lunch from 12:30 until 6 p.m. daily.
The menu is mouthwatering, with starters like seafood
chowder, mussels, prawn salad, continuing into main
courses like chicken stir-fry, lasagne, baked salmon
supreme, steak, and finishing with a selection of
desserts. There is also a 'special' which varies from day
to day. Mention must be made of the 'Heiritage Burger'
and the Ardara steak sandwich - two local specialities.
Later in May, during the 'Cup o' Tae' music festival, the
restaurant hours will be extended in order to serve
evening meals also.
Congratulations.
Five pupils from Meantinadea School took part in the
Ulster Irish Recitation Competitions in Gweedore recently.
Aaron Breslin, Cronkeerin, Cian Brennan, Magumna, Paul
Gallagher, Ardara, Ella Heatley-Mulhall and Reuben
Heatley-Mulhall, Cnoc na gCasrán, represented the Ardara
area at 'An Béal Buin'. Three out of these five children
reached the finals. Aaron Breslin, aged six, succeeded in
winning third prize in his section. He also receivd a
second placing in a special section for children who live
in the 'Breac Gaeltacht.' His achievement is the more
notable when it is considered that most of the children
in this competition are living in Gaeltachta where they
are totally immersed in the Irish language.
Congratulations to all five youngsters.
"Dolores and P.J. Get Hitched."
Due to popular demand this original and delightful play
will be staged in the Community Centre (Market Hall),
Glenties, on Sunday the 28th and Monday the 29th @ 8:30 p.m.
All members of the public are cordially invited to attend
the wedding. R.S.V.P. before the weekend!
Money Advice.
The South Donegal Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS),
will be holding an information evening in the S.W.Donegal
Communities Partnership Ltd, Resource Centre at the
Carpet Factory, Killybegs, on Thursday the 9th of May at
7:30 p.m. This information evening is open to anyone
interested, but in particular to anyone experiencing
financial difficulty. The service is free, confidential,
and non-judgemental. Anyone wishing further information,
or to arrange an appointment should contact Anne Cullen,
Money Advisor, at 073-40941 or 086-826 95 92.
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| 16th April |
Community
Notices
The Late James
Christopher McNelis.
James Christopher of Monargan, Ardara, died on April the
3rd in Letterkenny Hospital after a brief illness. The
funeral was attended by a large crowd at the Church of
the Holy Family on Friday the 5th of April. James was
born in Burkestown, Loughros Point, on the 18th of
November 1920. He attended Crannaghboís National School,
later emigrating to London to return twelve years
afterward with his Limerick-born wife, Mary Ita O'Connor.
They spent many happy years together in Monargan, two
miles from Ardara.
James was a talented weaver and was employed as a hand
weaver for Magees, Donegal town. He was a very keen
fisherman and enjoyed working in the bog. He was a witty
man, and his friends enjoyed his sense of humour. He had
a great love of salmon-fishing, and of the place where he
grew up, Loughros Point and Loughros Mor.
Deepest sympathies are extended to his wife, Mary Ita,
his sisters Mary Ellen Gallagher, Loughros Pt, and Teresa
Lecerf, Canada, his brothers Packie and Martin, Loughros
Pt, his brother-in-law, Mick O'Connor and family, west
Limerick, his sister-in-law, Mary McNelis, Loughros Pt,
and his brother-in-law, Charles Lecerf, and nieces and
nephews.
Dalriada Singers.
The Dalriada Singers conducted by Shaun Ryan, may be
heard in concert at St Connal's Church, Glenties, on
Friday the 26th of April at 8:30 p.m. All proceeds will
go to the Donegal Hospice. Admission costs € 8. and
€ 4.50 is the concessionary price.
Monster Poker Classic.
At the Narin Inn, Narin, on the 21st of April, starting
at 7 p.m. sharp, there will be a Monster Poker Classic in
aid of the lifeboats. The entry fee is € 25. For
further details contact Una at 075-45255.
Dolmen Centre Draw.
The following are the Dolmen Centre Draw results for
April.
A luxury solid teak garden set was won by John Joe
O'Donnell (Dl 1119), Dunglo, Co. Donegal.
Newbridge cutlery was won by Betty and Maurice Crotty (DL114),
Narin, Portnoo.
Mirrored clocks went to Terence and Patricia Slowey (DL
807), Tullycleave, Ardara, Eamonn and Grace Harkin (DL76),
Letterkenny, Dominick Deeney and Niall Bourke (DL 235),
Dunkineely.
Framed mirrors were won by Anne Furey (DL 1266), 22 Ard
McGill, Glenties, Kathleen O'Donnell (DL 726), Portnoo
Rd, Ardara, Margaret McHugh (DL 981), Drimnacrosh,
Glenties.
Framed pictures went to Jimmy Friel (DL 99), Milford,
Chris Laughlin (DL 407), Meenagowan, Lettermacaward,
David Barrett (DL 1122), Ballybrollaghan, Mountcharles,
Felim O'Muiri (DL 46), MFV Veronica D602, Chris Cochrane
(DL 890), 38 Taunton Ave, Belfast, John and Louisa
Shovlin (DL 872), Altnagapple, Ardara.
The committee wishes to thank everyone for their
continued support and looks forward to the final draw
next month with the top prize of the villa in Spain.
Ardara Tidy Town Committee.
The Tidy Towns Committee are in the process of filling
out application forms for entry into the Tidy Towns
Competition. Members of the judging panel for this
competition will take a look around the town in June,
then a second tour of inspection in July, and a third in
August. A church gate collection in aid of the Tidy Town
Committee took place on April 13th and 14th and the money
will be used for paint and other necessary expenditure.
Visitors are more likely to stop in a town or village if
it looks attractive, is bright and clean, and has a
welcoming appearance. The committee plan that the bridge
should be painted in the next two months and FAS workers
have already started on a number of projects around the
town. At the Resource Centre in the Wood Rd they are busy
making the window boxes - it's not too late to order one.
(Contact Jack Maguire, Front St, Ardara.) The Ulster Bank
has indicated that it will sponsor hanging baskets on the
bridge and around the Diamond. Margaret Porter and Sally
McHugh will prepare the hanging baskets and window boxes
during May, so that central Ardara will be 'blooming' in
June. Some fresh paint and some cleaning-up of litter are
requested of householders in order to contribute to this
up-grading of our image. Since January 2002, there is an
on-the-spot litter fine of € 125. and there is also
an intensified anti-litter action by all local
authorities. In response to a letter from Cller Terence
Slowey, it is hoped that Donegal County Council will
replace the dead trees on the Diamond. The Committee has
also asked the County Council to supply additional litter
bins in the Front St and Pearse Rd.
"P.J. and Dolores Get Hitched."
This play, written by two sisters from Glenties, was
enacted with considerable success in Iniskeel Hall,
Portnoo, on April the 10th, 11th, and 14th, to full
houses. Because of the record crowds it is hoped to stage
it again in the near future. Spectators found it
enjoyable and funny. It was set in the late '80's and
surprise! surprise! girl meets boy in the 'Limelight',
Glenties. Six months later the pair are still in love,
but Dolores is pregnant, so the families of the couple
become involved in wedding preparations. A little
confusion makes itself felt at the ceremony, but by the
time the reception is reached all is resolved, and the
play is brought to a "happy ending". The
dialogue has a local flavour fully appreciated by the
audience, as was the performance of the actors, who
acquitted themselves very well.
Ardara Parish Council.
There will be a spring clean-up towards the end of April,
and the Parish Council secretary will be applying to the
County Council for a number of rubbish skips. Plastic
bags, gloves, and skips will be available to active
people who wish to take a hand in tidying up the area
they live in. Arrangements for the disposal of large
items and car wrecks will be announced at a later date.
The Walking Festival Committee reported a financially
rewarding and popular week-end. There had been
complimentary feedback on the festival and the local
scenery from the walkers, and the organisers felt that
next year they might plan for three days of walking.
About three and a half thousand euros had been raised by
the Walking Festival in aid of Ardara Parish Council
funds, so that the profit from the festival will go back
into the community. There is a need for more local
qualified guides. Trainees have to be at least 18 years
of age and spend two weekends gaining necessary
experience either at Gartan or Sligo outdoor centres. The
training weekends can take place locally, provided there
are enough trainees from the area to make it worthwhile.Once
qualified, walking guides would have the opportunity to
make a small income, especially in the tourist season.
Both the Heiritage Centre and the Greenhouse are
finishing renovations and the chairman of the Parish
Council congratulated the proprietors of both premises on
the pleasant changes they had made.
Cller. T. Slowey reported that € 3 million has been
named as the sum available for repairs on the entire
length of the N56. A County Council committee would
decide on which stretches were most urgently in need of
repair and would advise National Roads Authority
officials. They would announce in the next two weeks,
where the money was to be allocated. The six new houses
in Ardconnell are progressing, and two of them are roofed
already. Work on the town reservoir had proceeded with a
minimum disruption of water supply to the town, and when
the contracting firm had finished their part, the County
Council would connect up the pipes. The terms of the Town
Renewal Scheme, which allows for tax breaks to owners
making improvements to town properties, have been changed
to make them slightly more favourable to people taking up
the scheme.
Visiting Choir.
The Church of Ireland congregations of Ardara,
Glencolumbkille, Glenties, Inniskeel and Lettermacaward
came together in Iniskeel Church on the 14th of April for
what was a musical treat; sung Holy Communion under the
direction of Michael McCracken, who is the Organist and
Director of Music for the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity,
Downpatrick, Co. Down. The music was lead by the choir
"Cadenza" whose members come from Co. Down and
south Belfast. The setting used for the service was that
by Martin How. The choir sang as the gradual the anthem
"The Lord is my shepherd" to music by Malcolm
Archer, since the theme of the day was "The Good
Shepherd." The highlight for some was to hear psalm
23 sung to Anglican chant. It is hoped to persuade
Cadenza to come back sometime, although it might be
difficult as they are in great demand. The celebrant and
preacher was the Rector, Rev. Gordon Freeman, assisted by
the Rev. Michael Classon.
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