| 27th
June |
Changing
Times
By Susan Boyd
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The one thing that is constant in
life is change, it is said. Ardara has been saying
goodbye to its old post office, and acknowledging the
service of a family who ran the postal services in the
village for almost a century. |
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The old post office in Ardara closed its doors to the
public for the last time on June the fifth of this year.
The last letter was posted by Beatty Egan and her
daughter, Pauline McHugh, both former post mistresses.
The last customer was Rosemary Breslin of Cronkeerin and
post office officials removed the 'An Post' . This
building, on the Diamond of Ardara, had served as a post
office since around 1902. So it had been the Ardara post
office for very nearly a hundred years. Peter McCaul was
the first post master, pictured third from the left in
the photograph of the Ardara post office staff, taken in
1906. Being in the time of the British administration,
the Ardara sub post office was then under the control of
Strabane Head Office, County Tyrone. Seven post men were
based at the office then and they delivered the post on
foot. That number is now reduced to two, who deliver mail
in the familiar fast-moving post vans. |
Ardara Post
Office Staff 1906. From left to right : Johnny Fisher,
Tullycleave, Ardara, temporary postman, Johnny Maguire,
Drimaha, Ardara, postman, Peter McCaul, postmaster,
Ardara, Denny Shoulin, Beagh, Ardara, postman, Patrick
McHugh, Kentucky, Ardara, postman, Patrick Maguire,
Drimaha, Ardara, postman, Patrick Breslin, Front St,
Ardara, postman, Frank Maguire, Drimaha, Ardara, postman.
One of the postmen, Denny Shoulin, travelled to and from
work on a white horse - this accounts for him wearing
leggings
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Back in 1906, postmen toiled the roads as
far as the top of Glengesh, Sandfield, above
Carrickatleave, to Tullymore, Tullybeag, and
Meenarillagh, beyond Beagh, over the Nick, and out to
Leconnell and Maghera. Twice a week, mail was delivered
up over the pass of Granny.
The post office was originally in the McCaul family.
Peter was postmaster into the 1950's, and his sister,
Maggie, kept a drapery shop in the same building. On
Peter's death the post office passed to Tom Egan, his
nephew. Tom was an ex-Garda and it was his wife who
operated the post-office until it passed in turn to her
son, Tomás, in the late '60's. After his death in 1971,
his wife, Beatty, continued as postmistress and draper
until 1992. Her daughter, Pauline McHugh, took over the
job and kept the post office on the road until 2001. Thus
the Ardara post office was run by one family for four
generations.
When Pauline resigned from her position, the contract was
put up for tender. In accordance with modern regulations,
the person selected for a job as post mistress/master has
to supply the premises, as well as a kitchen, bathroom,
and sorting-room for the post office staff. The office
itself must have sufficient space for modern office
equipment. Kathie Diver is the new Ardara post mistress,
and the post office is now located in the recently
enlarged premises of Divers' Newsagents.
Beatty saw various changes in her job over the years. The
old manual switchboard was changed to an automatic system
in 1984. Whilst in charge of the manual system, Beatty
and her family were on call for twenty-four hours a day.
During the night, a bell would ring upstairs if someone
rang the post office telephone exchange, and a member of
the family was duty-bound to go downstairs to put the
call through. Practical jokers used to turn the handle of
the phone in the call-box across the road, then run off
when the post office house-light went on. "If there
was a call at night between a boy and his girlfriend, it
could be hours before you got back to bed," mused
Betty. "We used to have fun with the phone operators
in Letterkenny and Donegal. We knew their voices, but we
hardly ever met any of them, " said Pauline.
Kathleen Gallagher, Ardconnell, a former switchboard
operator in Ardara, was the person who formally switched
the Ardara telephone system from manual to automatic.
"She actually had to go up on a ladder to the
control panel behind the barracks to do that,"
recalled Pauline with a chuckle.
The most disturbing change which Beatty remembers was the
introduction of computers. She never really took to them.
"I would not touch them for all the tea in China!"
she said. So her daughter, Pauline, became Ardara's
postmistress in 1992.
"It was a tourist information as well as a post
office," said Pauline. "Tourists would come in
asking for directions to houses they'd rented, how to get
to Narin beach, asking the closing times of shops, the
price of a stamp for a postcard. We could nearly always
get across the language barrier with sign language. I
remember a German tourist who'd had too much Guinness,
and who swallowed the stamp he was licking. I laughed and
laughed. It didn't put him off Ardara, because he came
back again the next summer. It didn't put him off
Guinness either!"
Dishonesty had been almost non-existent. "It only
ever happened once that people tried to break into the
post office at night. I had an iron bar fixed across the
inside of the door and they couldn't get in. I was very
frightened," said Beatty. Pauline recalled three
central Europeans, who had attempted to take the mission
boxes from her post office last summer. After their
departure she had telephoned Glenties Garda Station, and
was informed that the mission boxes of Inver, Dunkineely
and Mt Charles post offices had all been raided. The
miscreants were arrested on the road to Dunglo.
The clientele of the post office more than doubled in
Pauline's time. There was an increase in the services
provided by An Post. The closure of the Loughros Point
sub office meant more business and additional pressure,
as Friday morning queues in the post office became a
regular feature of village life. Christmas queues were
also quite impressive, and although they were
opportunities for good-humoured conversation, it was
difficult for the person working behind the counter. |
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After closing the post office for the last time, a
small group adjourned to the Corner House for a drink,
and here Beatty and Pauline were pleasantly surprised to
find themselves being honoured by the Ardara Town Traders.
Beatty received a lovely bouquet and Pauline received a
picture by local artist, Stephen Bennett. The Town
Traders were represented by Josephine Sweeney, Cathie
Kennedy, and Kathie Diver. In this pleasant way, nearly a
hundred years of Ardara postal history was closed off,
though the postal service in Ardara continues on
different premises and in the charge of a different
family.
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On the
closure of the former Ardara post office premises, on
Wednesday the 5th of June, the Ardara Town Traders'
Association presented popular Pauline McHugh with a
picture by local artist, Stephen Bennett. A sympathetic
and well-liked person, Pauline had been post mistress for
many years, and before that her mother, Betty Egan, had
also served the community in that capacity, also for many
years. Betty was presented with a lovely bouquet.
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Community Notices
Parish Council.
The last meeting of the parish council before the summer
break, took place on June the 12th in the Community
Centre. A letter from Tír Boghaine invited young people
who were completing their sixth class year to take part
in a four-day course in the Ardara Community Centre from
July 9-12. The course would consist of discussions and
talks, which would help N.S. pupils make the transition
to second level education. Application forms are
available through the local National Schools. For more
information about this course, call 073-38462.
The Ardara Playgroup advised the Parish Council that they
were planning a series of children's summer camps for
junior age groups. Further information about the summer
camps is available if you telephone Emily at 075-41341.
Cller. Terence Slowey warned that there could be delays
of traffic on the N56, between Ardara and Glenties, when
repairs to the road commenced. The new County Council
office in Dungloe would be opened in the autumn, and
would be a 'one-stop shop' for the public in this area,
when dealing with County Council matters. Finance was in
place for the designing and building phases of many
County Council projects, but operating costs had not
always been allowed for. This would result in a delay of
the Ardara Sewage Scheme, which was not yet out to tender.
Under the L.I.S., roads serving two farms of land in the
Glenties/Ardara area could be improved, with subsidies
from Clar. This money coud be used to build access roads
to bogs. The farmers must contribute 10% of the total
cost.
The Tidy Town Committee had been presented with €
500. by T. Porter from the Monargan Group Water Scheme
account. The committee reported that the window boxes had
been distributed and that hanging baskets on the Diamond
were in place. Volunteers were still needed to help tidy
the verges on the Glenties and Killybegs approach roads.
The Parish Council chairman congratulated the Town
Traders on their organisation of the Donegal Marching
Bands' Competition in Ardara, and on the success of that
enjoyable afternoon.
There was a lively discussion on a suggested project of
converting the Bord na Mona bog at Kilraine into a
heiritage and conservation site as an educational and
tourist facility. Ms Anne Gallagher, Glenties, indicated
that there was already some interest from the Glenties
Parish Council in making this a joint project, to be
developed by the two adjoining parishes.
The chairman, Stephen McCahill, stated that there would
be a small number of students employed in the local
library and in the Community Playgroup under the summer
student scheme.
A survey of community services would be carried out in
the parish during the summer, and this survey would also
include a voting paper for the election of the new parish
council, who would take office in the autumn. If the
survey and voting papers are not collected, then
householders are asked to ensure that they are returned
to a collecting box in the post office before the end of
August.
Adrian Brennan proposed a joining of the Glenties and
Aredara Parish Councils on matters of joint concern,
especially emergency medical services. It was proposed
that the local doctor should be informed of the concerns
expressed at the Parish Council meeting about the
inadequacies of week-end medical cover.
The Ulsterbank A.T.M. has sometimes ceased to function at
week-ends, causing difficulties for local people and
visitors alike. The stoppages are due to intermittent
electricity flow and, at present, the only solution is to
travel to the A.T.M. at Glenties or Donegal, or to wait
until the Ardara bank opens on Monday morning.
The present Parish Council executive has almost completed
its term of office. Stephen McCahill thanked his team, in
particular the secretary, Donal Haughey. He also thanked
the people who had attended and contributed to the
monthly meetings, which he felt had been lively and well-attended.
Community Games Art
The County Final of the Community Games Art Competition
takes place in Milford on Sunday the 30th of June at 12:00.
U-12 Girls' Gaelic
The Ulster Final for the U-12 Girls' Gaelic team is
scheduled for Saturday the 29th. A bus will leave the
football field at 8 a.m.
I.C.A.
Members of the I.C.A. and their friends wishing to attend
the show in An Grianan on Thursday the 27th of June, are
asked to please assemble at the Diamond at 6:45 p.m.
Playgroup
The community playgroup will be closed from June 25th
until July the 1st. It will then remain open until the 16th
of August and will offer a drop-in service for 3-7 year
old children, Mondays through Fridays, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
The fee is € 3. per morning or € 13. if a child
is attending for the week.
Students
Students holding STI certificates, (Summer Job Scheme)
may contact Emily Whelan at 075-41793, if they are
seeking employment. Work is available in the Community
Centre.
Ardara Show
A new look schedule is now available for the 2002 Ardara
Show, which takes place on Saturday, August 10th.
Completely re-designed, the schedule is available in most
local shops as well as from the show secretary, Niall
Heena (075-41379). This year the Ardara Show, which
returns after a break of one year due to the foot and
mouth scare, will feature over sixty livestock classes
and 114 marquee classes including produce, arts and
crafts, painting and photography.
In the children's section there is a class for the best
anti-litter poster, and as Ardara has entered the Best
Kept Town Competition this year it is hoped that there
will be a large entry. The best poster entries will go on
display after show day.
The show's committee has already agreed prize money
increases in the horse, cattle and sheep classes. ' We
have to recognise that just as our own costs have risen
considerably since the last show in 2000, so have those
of our livestock competitors, and the prize mioney
awarded has to reflect this,' said Niall Heena, show
secretary.
In the horse classes, first, second, and third prize
winners will now receive € 50, € 30, and €
20, compared with £25, £15, and £10 in 2000. In the
open cattle classes € 60, € 40, and € 20
is on offer compared with £35, £25, and £10. Prize
money for the sheep classes goes up to € 30, €
20, and € 10 from the previous awards of £15, £10,
and £5.
'We expect our realistic revision of prize money to lead
to an increase in the number of competitors in many of
the classes so ensuring the continued importance of the
Ardara Show,' said Niall Heena.
Foróige Youth Club
Heartiest congratulations to the Ardara Foróige members
who represented Donegal Foróge Clubs at the annual World
Cup Fun Weekend in Galway on Friday the 21st and Saturday
the 22nd June. Thirty-two teams from all over Ireland
participated. The Ardara team played as 'Saudi Arabia'.
In the soccer competition they won their group section
and progressed through the second round and quarter
finals to make the last four. This was a proud
achievement as they were the only team to field four
girls from the second round onward, and they met some
very strong all-male teams. The semi-final was decided on
a penalty shoot-out, which 'Saudi Arabia' (alias Ardara)
won. In the final they met a team from Galway, with whom
they had already built a friendly rapport. 'Saudi Arabia'
(Ardara) was defeated 1 - 0, conceding graciously to
their sporting rivals.
The day involved not only the soccer competition, but all
of the thirty two teams had to compete in a range of
activities where teamwork, behaviour, fair play and
sportsmanship were judged on a points system. Ardara
excelled and amassed 1,350 points to emerge the 2002 '
World Cup Champions'. The team were presented with a cup,
medals, and € 1,150 of sport and music vouchers. The
friendly deportment of the Ardara young people during the
week-end was commented upon by the organising committee
and other club leaders. So well-done to Martin Sweeney (captain),
Donal Byrne (goal keeper), Natalie Gildea, Maeve
O'Donnell, Catriona McHugh, Ciara Mooney, Adrian McHugh,
Nicholas Maguire, Gareth Concarr, Martin Shovlin, and
Marie Mooney, the group leader.
The club would like to thank Johnny D. and Greta Earley
for providing transport, and John Melly, the bus driver,
Paddy Muldoon of the Ballintra/Laghey Youth Project for
the loan of their jerseys, Donegal District Council Foróige
for their financial assistance, Bernie McTeague, Donegal
Youth Information Centre, Donegal town, for all her help,
and the best Regional Youth Officer in Ireland, Enda
Gillespie of Carrick.
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| 25th June |
Art Exhibition by Local Artists
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 The Ardara Artists' Resource Centre invites
you to attend the offical opening of an exhibition of new
paintings by Jacquette Fleury and John M. Cunningham. A
series of landscape paintings document Cunningham’s
travels from South America to Italy and Spain, and back
to Donegal again. Beautiful dreamlike art has been
created by Jacquette through the use of encaustic - an
ancient art form using melted pigmented beeswax which is
applied to paper, canvas, silk, or glass.
There will be a wine reception from 7.30 - 10 p.m. on
Saturday the 29th of June at the Ardara Artists' Resource
Centre, Wood Road, Ardara.
The exhibition continues until the 16th of July and it
will be open 11am - 6pm Tuesday - Sunday. Admission is
free. For further information contact John Martin at 075
41126 or by e-mail at rosmorehouse@eircom.net
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| 20th
June |
Community Notices
Portnoo/Rosbeg Seafood
Festival
All roads lead to Portnoo this weekend for the 14th
Annual Seafood Festival. Selection of Queen for 2002 will
take place in the Narin Inn on Friday night. Other events
include, Flower Arranging Comp in the Woman's Resource
Centre, Kilclooney, Oyster Opening for ladies and gents,
Children's Disco Festival Arena Narin Inn on Sat, Talent
Comp at Anoras, Sea Angling from Portnoo pier on Sat
morning @ 11am, Historical Walks on Sat and Sunday. Air/Sea
Rescue from Portnoo pier on sat at 3-4pm, Car Treasure
Hunt on Sunday @ 3pm assemble at Barretts Tavern. Outdoor
Music all weekend. Final of Oyster Opening Comp at
Barretts Tavern @ 6pm Sunday and much much more. See
brochure for details. A fact; 2 tons of free seafood is
given out free of charge over the festival weekend. All
we need now is the weather. Hope to see you there!!!!
Dolmen Centre
The coffee shop is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Also
sauna and gym available to non members.
Every Saturday in the Dolmen Centre treat your children
to fun and games with the " scallyways club"
from 12.30-2pm. Everyone welcome.
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| 17th
June |
Community Notices
Care of the Aged
Care of the Aged AGM on Wednesday 19th June in the
Community Centre at 8.00pm
Summer Camps
Ardara Playgroup will run a series of Summer Camps for
National School children during July and August. The
Playgroup will continue during the summer months and will
offer drop-in service for 6 weeks.
If you need further information please ring the Playgroup
at 41341 between 9.00am and 12 noon.
Service for the Dead
The Annual Service for the Dead in the Parish Cemetery
will be held on Sunday 4th August at 2.30pm
Tidy Towns Competition
The first visit of the judges, in the Tidy Towns
Competition, will be any day during the next two weeks.
The committee would like all householders and businesses
especially those on the approach roads to the town to
take stock of their frontages and have a little tidy up.
Remember every little helps to the general improvement of
the area and thus support the tidy town effort.
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| 13th
June |
Community Notices
Congratulations
Congratulations to Margaret McHugh, Leaconnell, who has
been nominated by a pupil for the McDonalds Primary
School Teacher of the Year Award. Margaret is a teacher
in the Niall Mor National School in Killybegs and has
also taught in Fintra N.S and Clonmany N.S. She has been
notified that she has qualifed for the final stage and
has been requested to attend the Official Awards Cermony
in Trinity College, Dublin, on Sunday the 23rd of June,
2002. We all wish her the best of luck.
Ardara Writers' group
Next week from 8 - 10 p.m. on Friday the 21st of June, in
the commercial room at the Nesbitt Arms Hotel, the Ardara
Writers' group will host a session entitled "Publication
- Pitfalls and Positives." Guest speakers will be
established poet and founder member of the Killybegs
Writers' Group, Noell Vial, and Gerry Doherty of Coolmore
Films, Rossnowlagh. All are welcome.
Donegal Workshop Theatre
An error in last week's Ardara notes requires correction.
Donegal Workshop Theatre is not "a now profit-making
group", but is a 'non profit-making group', which
has donated thousands of punts from performances to local
and Third World charities, schools and art events.
Ardara Golf Society
The Ardara Golf Society are holding an outing in
Ballybofey Golf Club on Saturday the 15th of June. This
competition is a qualifying competition for the Ryder Cup
Match in Glenties.
"Cup o' Tae" Videos
Videos of the "Cup o' Tae" music festival in
Ardara are available from the Greenhouse. There is a
complete video of the Sunday night concert, and a second
video includes high lights of several of the weekend's
events, and the Saturday night recitations and music.
Parish Council
The Ardara Parish Council met in the Community Centre on
Wednesday the 12th of June. On the agenda was discussion
on the future of Bord na Móna, Kilraine, as a tourist
project. Representatives from the Glenties Traders and
Tir Boghaine Summer Camp were invited to attend.
St V. de Paul Society
The St Shanaghan Conference of the St Vincent de Paul
Society thank all who contributed to their recent
collection for Uganda, for their generosity. € 600.
was raised.
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Closure of the Former Post Office
There was a small gathering to mark the closure of the
'old' Ardara Post Office. Betty Egan and her daughter,
Pauline McHugh, turned the key in the door at 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday the 5th of June, for the final locking of their
premises, which has been the town post office for nearly
a hundred years. Betty and Pauline received presentations
from the Town Traders, who were represented by Josephine
Sweeney, Cathie Kennedy, and Kathie Diver. It is hoped to
present a fuller report on this subject in the near
future.
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The Late Mr James Breslin
The death occurred at Letterkenny General Hospital on May
the 28th , after a long illness, of James Breslion of
Meenavalley. In the past, James had worked for Coillte,
and was well-known in the Killybegs area where he had
later worked for Cunninghams. He had a keen interest in
politics and enjoyed a discussion, being a staunch
supporter of Fianna Fail for a lifetime.
James is survived by his wife, Anne, his son, Francis,
his daughters, Mary and Caroline, his son-in-law,
Michael, his grand-daughter, Grainne, his brothers and
sisters, nieces, and nephews. Sympathy is extended to his
family.
Magee Bluestack Walk
Over 40 people are taking part in the Magee Bluestack
Walk, a 40k walk from Ardara to Biddy O'Barnes', on 22nd
June.
It is hoped to raise a large sum for people with special
needs. Already a substantial amount has been raised by
the people who intend to walk and by corporate
sponsorship. But more still is required to reach the
target. If you do not feel energetic enough to complete
the full 40k, you might like to walk as far as Glenties,
or any of the other entry/exit routes along the Bluestack
Way. Sponsorship cards and further information is
available from Donal Haughey (075) 41518, Terence Slowey
(075) 41830. The bank account number is 67219090 at the
Bank of Ireland, Donegal Town.
Care of the Aged
The A.G.M. of the Care of the Aged will take place in the
Community Centre on Wednesday the 19th of June at 8 p.m.
Anybody who is interested in this important and friendly
organisation is welcome to attend.
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| 6th
June |
Community Notices
Charlie Bennett Memorial Golf
Classic
There has been a generous response to this fund-raising
and sporting event, to take place on June the 22nd at the
Narin/Portnoo Golf Club. It is in aid of a sheltered
housing project for the elderly in Ardara, which is being
organised by the local St Vincent de Paul Society
committee. Keep the sponsorship/donations rolling in to
Canon A. Laverty, Parochial House, Ardara, or to John
Michael O'Donnell, Doohill, Ardara. There are still a
limited number of places available on the time sheet.
Contact John Michael or Canon Laverty if you wish to
register a team.
Senior Citizens
On Thursday the 30th of May, twenty-six Ardara people
went to the Glenties Day Care Centre, at the invitation
of the staff there. Jimmy Doherty entertained with old-time
dance music and some couples enjoyed a dance or two
before sitting down to a lovely three-course meal. At 2:30
p.m. Aussie Bryson began his comedy entertainment, which
lasted until 4:30 p.m. As well as jokes and comedy
patter, the audience were happy to hear those old
favourites by Marshall : "Living in Drumlister",
"Flea", and "The Drumnakilly Devil".
For some years these humourous poems were out of print
but it seems they have been re-published. Following
Aussie Bryson's entertainment were three games of Bingo,
in which some of the Ardara guests were very successful.
Tea and home-made goodies rounded off a happy visit.
A big, big thank you to Fiona McDyer and all her team at
the Glenties Day Care Centre, for their invitation and
for a great afternoon.
Post Office
The post office on the Diamond in Ardara will be closing
officially at 3:30 p.m. on June the 5th. The "new"
post office premises at Divers' Newsagents, will
officially open in the morning of Thursday June the 6th.
So after 3 p.m. on Wednesday, you should wait until
Thursday to buy a stamp from Kathie and to post your
letter at the new post office.
Fianna Fail dance
On Sunday the ninth of June there will be a Fianna Fail
dance in the Limelight, Glenties. The music will be by
Xcell and there will be dancing from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m.
Pat the Cope, T.D., Mary Coughlan, T.D., and other public
representatives will be in attendance. Admission costs
€ 5.
I.C.A.
During the month of June the I.C.A. will be taking part
in the Dublin Mini-Marathon in aid of Breast Cancer
Research. There will be a sponsored walk organised in
each county by the I.C.A. to co-incide with this event.
The Donegal walk, of approximately two miles, will take
place in Ards Forest Park, Creeslough, at 12 p.m. on
Sunday the 9th of June. Everyone is invited to support
this very worthwhile enterprise. As Beth Herron has
expressed it, "So why not join us? - Don't be square
- (We're not!) - See you there."
Proud Record
Peggy and John Paul McGill of Maghera own a 14 year old
ewe which they and their family know as 'Shakey'. Shakey
received her name in the wake of an illness when she was
quite young, but as the name implies, it robbed her
appearance of all youthfulness. However, Shakey has
brought 13 ewe lambs into this world in 13 successive
years. For the first 12 springs she was the first ewe of
the flock to lamb, but this year she was the last. Both
she and her lamb are doing well.
Ardara Writers' Group
On Friday evening, May 24th, in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel,
the Ardara Writers' Group hosted a most entertaining
session on 'Writing for Film'. Guest speakers were Dieter
Bohnhorst (Inver) of Ross Films Ltd, and Gerry Doherty (Rossnowlagh)
of Coolmore Films. The group wish to thank Dieter and
Gerry, and the staff of the Nesbitt Arms Hotel. Their
June meeting will be announced in the Ardara Notes.
Summer Exhibition
Some of Stephen Bennett's work is on display in the
Heiritage Centre, but there are more of his paintings to
be seen at his studio/gallery in Carn, Ardara, throughout
the summer. You can make an appointment by calling the
artist at 075-41652.
A Lost Vote ?
Jane Maloney, Hillhead, aged over 98 years, is rather
annoyed about not being able to get to the voting station
on election day. Election Day transporters please take
note!
Ardara Women's Group
At their last meeting, Monday the 27th of May, the
Women's Group enjoyed an informal talk from Breda Boyle.
She spoke about her recent world cruise on board the
'Oriana' .Breda has a talent for spotting how humans have
learned to live with their environment. Amongst other
interesting souvenirs, she has a coolie hat from
Singapore - a very practical piece of headgear, even for
Donegal, since it protects from both sunshine and rain!
Road Improvements
Local Councillor Terence Slowey has welcomed the recent
announcement of funding for roads in the Ardara area.
€100,000 is being provided for upgrading of the
Ardara/Ardaghey Road at Meetanadea and Carrickaclieve by
the Department of the Gaeltacht. An additional €300,000
has also been provided by the Department of the
Environment and Local Government for upgrading of this
road.
Four stretches of the N56 have also received funding for
this year from the National Roads Authority. €175,000
has been provided at Glenties for the N56; €850,000
at Kilraine; €310,000 at Doohill, Ardara and €300,00
for the completion of work on the bottom of the Nick.
In addition approximately €200,000 will be available
for Local Improvement Scheme roads (L.I.S.) where some
additional resources are available this year under the Clár
Programme.
Councillor Slowey said that some surface dressing will
also take place on the Loughros Point road this year and
a stretch of the Tullymore Road has already been
completed.
The total allocation to roads in the area this year is in
excess of €2.5 million.
Tidy Town Report
The bridge has already been smartened up with a fresh
coat of paint, and the approaches to the town from the
Killybegs side are showing a marked improvement. However,
it is noticeable where strimming of the verges came to an
end, and householders and business people are asked to
please take stock of the frontage to their property and
to support the tidy town effort. The committee are aware
the weather has not been very favourable, but there is
still time to get out the paint brushes, pick up the
rubbish, and, if you have a grass verge, the strimmer or
the lawn mower. Every little bit helps to improve the
area. The first visit of the National Tidy Towns
Competition judges is not far off. The hanging baskets
will be in place this week on the Diamond and the Bridge.
These baskets have been sponsored by the Ulster Bank, and
Sally McHugh and Margaret Porter have already planted up
a large number of them. The window-boxes will have been
delivered to those who ordered them, but anyone requiring
one can still contact a committee member and place an
order.
A few volunteers have done Trojan work so far to improve
the look of the town. It is over to everyone to put their
best foot forward. The next meeting of the committee will
held in The Nesbitt Arms Hotel on Tuesday the 11th of
June at 9 p.m.
Ladies' Football
The Ardara ladies' football team travelled south to play
in the All Ireland Ladies' Gaeltacht Competition. Their
match took place on Monday, June the second, in Leitirmor
and they played against Connemara, a team which had been
selected from three football clubs in that region. Their
coach, James McBrearty, was satisfied that they had put
up a strong and good game, but they were defeated 4-12, 3-3.
However, the younger players in the Ardara team are
building up experience and confidence for the future. The
team had an enjoyable weekend, staying over in Carraroe
on the Monday night.
Summer Dance
A good crowd enjoyed an evening of barn-dancing in the
Central Bar, in aid of repairs to St Connall's Church,
Ardara, on Monday evening, June the second. Country
Traditions provided their usual bright and pleasant
repertoire of music and there were plenty of dancers on
the floor, some of them having travelled some distance
for the evening. The organisers wish to thank everyone
who supported them so generously and helped to make the
evening so successful.
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| 3rd
June |
Community Notices
Senior Citizens
Ardara Community Alert is at present modifying the Alarm
Call Care Units in the houses of the elderly. Anyone
still wishing to pay the monitoring subcription should
immediately contact 41510 or 41398 for information.
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| 1st June |
Primary
School Teacher of the Year Award |
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Congratulations to Emily Stafford (Herron)
who was nominated by a pupil for the McDonald's Primary
School Teacher of the Year Award. Emily has only been
teaching in the school since last September.
After several day long inspections and interviews she has
now been notified that she qualified for the final stage
and has been requested to attend the official awards
cenemony in Trinity College Dublin on Sunday 23rd June
2002.
I am sure everyone wishes her Good Luck and watch this
space for the FINAL news.
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Ardara Octagenarian Plans
His Summer |
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Many
of us begin to feel our age at around sixty, but some
people are so full of life they just keep on doing what
they love to do until well after eighty years of age,
sometimes despite quite serious health problems. Well-known
Ardara personality and musician, Packie Manus Byrne is
planning a busy summer and doesn't seem to consider his
eighty-five years a disadvantage. By the end of
September, he will have attended three English folk music
festivals, and have completed a tour of English folk
music clubs in London and the Midlands. "The thing
is when you do a thing your whole life, it's hard to
stop, especially when you enjoy it," Packie said.
Packie has already been in England for the National
Festival at Nottingham University from the 14th -16th of
April. His next festival will be the Dorset Traditional
Singers' Festival from the 14th - 16th of June. The aim
of this festival is to preserve the art of traditional
singing ; no money is made. "If the weather is good
it' ll be mostly outdoors," said Packie. "On
the folk-singing scene in England, quite a few people
know me. It's like coming home."
Our octagenarian was some years ago made a freeman of
Sydmouth Folk Music and Dance Festival, having first
attended the festival forty-eight years ago when it was
only of a week-end's duration. At present the festival is
an annual eight-day event, taking place during the first
week of August, and is the biggest folk-music festival in
Europe, with dancers, singers, and performers from all
over the world. Packie is booked into several slots on
the programme with Breda McKinney. She sings, and he
tells stories. They both like to perform in the
traditional style, without accompaniment by musical
instruments. "Although there are changes in England,
in the traditional music world things don't change.
You'll still find the same musicians and the same
welcome, and also new friends and new talents...........Traditional
music people are in a world of their own - they're the
loveliest people. Everything's so casual. There's no
excitement or rows or anything."
In September, Packie and Breda are planning a tour in
London and the Midlands. Breda was born in Belfast,
attended university in Cork, and spent a large part of
her life in Inishowen, where she picked up traditional
singing. Her late grandfather, Paddy Hegarty, was a well-known
traditional singer. Breda is at present a teacher in
England, and has already made a reputation for herself
there as a traditional singer. She and Packie are booked
to perform eight or nine nights in different Folk Music
Clubs. Packie usually enjoys a great degree of
hospitality when involved with people of the music scene
in England. "During the tour I will not be one night
in a hotel or a bed-and-breakfast. I'll be accomodated in
some friend's house or some music-lover's house," he
said happily. He says that the English Folk Music
Festivals are attended by genuine people who have one
intention - to listen, and learn as much as they can
about traditional music and traditional entertainment.
In early May, Packie received news that the first edition
of a music publication, in which he had played an
important role, has been sold out completely, but that a
second edition will be on the market as soon as possible
to cope with the demand. This is remarkable. "A
Dossan of Heather" is not a thriller novel - it is a
book of Irish music and folksongs, as lovingly collected
in Donegal, over the years, by Packie. Quite a number of
the songs are Packie's original compositions.
Some years ago, dedicated musicians from Canada spent a
week working with the Ardara musician, transcribing songs
and tunes in order to publish them and to perform them on
a C.D., which were sold together under the title of
"A Dossan of Heather". Stephen Jones did all
the compiling and writing. Jean Duval was responsible for
transcribing the music and also chose the musicians who
performed the music on the C.D., playing the flute
himself. "He's so bright," said Packie,
speaking of Jean. "I would be playing off a tune. He
would be dabbing at a book with a pencil. At the end of
the tune he'd say 'I'll try that now.' He'd pick up his
flute and play away at the tune, note for note."
It was Stephen Jones' idea to sell the book and the C.D.
together. Educated musicians could read from the notes,
and others could listen to the C.D. and learn to play the
music by ear, whilst the stories (in Packie's words)
about the songs would interest other readers in the
lyrics.
Stephen Jones has a traditional Irish music group in
Montreal. Jean Duval and Stephen Jones got together and
it is their group playing on the C.D. of "A Dossan
of Heather." Because these musicians had previously
been involved with Mel Bay music publishers and recording
company, Missouri, it was to them that they took the
tunes and songs transcribed from Packie's singing, and
playing of the tin whistle.
"A Dossan of Heather" has been reviewed by
Larry Sanger as 'of considerable interest and value to
Donegal fiddle players, containing as it does a rich fund
of Packie's settings of many old tunes as well as a lot
of his own very lovely compositions. This seems to be an
important contribution to the literature about Donegal
music, being very well conceived, meticulously
researched, and well-executed.........Packie's whistle
style is unique, interesting and lovely, like his tunes."
It seems that Irish music is very popular all over the
globe at present, and Irish music books are in demand.
"Even in New Zealand, there is a radio station which
plays only Irish music," said Packie.
Packie feels a great sense of satisfaction at this
success. "But I feel more pleased on account of the
fellas who came from Canada and spent a week here. They
must be more than happy because they did all the hard
work," he claimed.
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