News Archive
September 2002

Community Notices

Methodist Harvest Services
There will be three Harvest Thanksgiving Services in the Ardara Methodist Church, Ardara, next weekend. The first is at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, September the 29th, and will be led by the Rev Colin Weir. The second is at 7 p.m. the same day, when the guest speaker will be the Rev Mervyn G. Ewing. The Rev Robin Waugh will speak at the third service on Monday the 30th of September at 8 p.m. All are very welcome to attend these services.


Car Boot Sale
On Sunday the 29th of September at 12 noon, there will be a car boot sale at the Dolmen Centre, Kilclooney.A fee of € 10 per booter is payable and bookings may be secured by calling Tim at 075-45010. Bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis, and no traders should apply. There will be no admission charge.


Guitar Classes
Enrolment for winter guitar classes is taking place. To register, call Francis Cunningham at 073-39720, or John at 075-41284.


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Community Notices

Foróige
The Foróige youth club will resume in the Community Centre on Wednesday the 25th of September at 7 p.m. for 12 -18 year olds. Due to the lack of leaders , the number of places will be limited to 30. Anyone interested in becoming a leder should come along on Wednesday night or the following Wednesday. Training will be provided.


Changes Brought by Damage to the Brain
A talk entitled "Understanding Changes Brought About by Damage to the Brain" will be given by Dr Pat Jensen, neuropsychologist, on Thursday the 26th of September at 8 p.m. in the Cheshire Home, Long Lane, Letterkenny (adjacent to the main gate of the General Hospital). The talk is being given under the auspices of the Donegal branch of Headway Ireland, the National Association for Acquired Brain Injury. Admission is free.


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Community Notices

Daniel O'Donnell and Donegal Shore Festival
There will be a bus leaving from Ardara for the Daniel O'Donnell and Donegal Shore Festival at Kincasslagh on Thursday the 26th of September. Contact Greta Earley at 075-41744 for travel bookings and concert tickets.


Tidy Town Report
The Ardara Tidy Town Committee have received their report and the points obtained in the National Tidy Towns competition.The over-all results were disapponting and the comments echoed many of the points mentioned in the recent parish survey and in a letter received recently by the Parish Council from a visiting holidaymaker. Some of the work had been delayed by the wet weather and has been dealt with since the visit of the adjudicators on the 4th of July. In the landscaping section many shops and houses were admired for their hanging baskets and window boxes. The Diamond garden and the hanging baskets on the bridge reflected the efforts of the committee.

A special mention was made of the derelict buildings in the Diamond area, especially the one which the ajudicators felt detracted from the beauty of the Heiritage Centre, and the dereliction which exists further along the Main St in the West End. The judges felt that this was a serious challenge for the committee in the future. Areas receiving unfavourable comment were the appearance of the Ulster Bank, litter and untidiness, residential areas and approach roads.

In the general sum-up, the adjudicators welcomed the town back into the competition, appreciating that the committee had been in existence for only four months at the time of their entry appplication. They said not to be despondent over this year's mark of 165 out of a possible 300, as the committee has the ability to make substantial increases in the years to come, and obviously have the necessary enthusiasm.

Great credit is due to everyone involved in this years effort. The committee will soon be publishing its newsletter with full details of the report, and its plans for next year's entry. It would like to congratulate Glenties on winning the over-all north-west award.


Hospice Coffee Mornings
Hospitality will be offered at the home of Brid and Jimmy O'Donnell, Lough Hill, also of Chris Mulraney, Cronkeerin, and in the Heiritage Centre on the morning of Thursday the 19th of September. Proceeds are in aid of the Donegal Hospice, and all are very welcome.


Legion of Mary National Pilgrimmage
A coach will leave the Diamond at 9 a.m. on Sunday the 29th of September for the Legion of Mary National Pilgrimmage to Knock. To book a seat please contact Theresa Breslin, Ard Chonaill at 075-41477, or any member of the Legion of Mary. The cost of € 24, payable in advance, includes travel, a morning snack and an evening meal.


Parish Council Meeting
At the A.G.M. of the Ardara Parish Council, the out-going treasurer, Emily Whelan, gave her report, stating that the current account balance stood at € 5681. 18.

In the secretary's report , Donal Haughey stated that the census figures for Ardara show a decline in population of 10 %. This would adversely affect public services, national schools, utilities, investment and employment in the area. Empty buildings in the centre of the village were becoming more derelict by the day. However, there were some positive achievements. This years walking festival, the "Cup o' Tae" music festival, the new library, the Ardara Show had all been very successful. Some improvements to local roads were being carried out and new housing would be available on Molloys' field in the not too distant future. Ardara had entered the Tidy Towns Competition for the first time in many years. These developments could be built on in the future.

The chairman's report included a thank you to Francis Coyle and Karen McCormack, officers of Donegal Cpunty Council, whose efforts on behalf of Ardara had been very helpful. The out-going chairman, Stephen McCahill, welcomed the new developments taking place in Ardara on Herons' field and on Molloys' field. He regretted that there had been few participants in the Town Renewal Scheme, which, however, was not of any benefit to elderly or retired home-owners as they don't get any tax rebate. The Ardara Walking Festival is now one of the three biggest walking festivals in the county. The "Cup o' Tae" Festival was scheduled to take place again next year, celebrating three well-known Ardara figures of Irish culture : John the Tae, Packie Manus Byrne, and Josie the Post. The library had run out of space for all the books being donated by local community members and their friends abroad. Foroige had a large number of members, and more adult help was required in order to keep the organisation successfully running. Ardara's Millennium celebration had been most enjoyable, and had also been the envy of neighbouring villages. Stephen thanked local county councillors for their work : Francis Brennan, Thomas Gildea, Terence Slowey, and the late Charlie Bennett. The premature demise of the latter had been a great blow to the community. He also thanked the out-going secretary, Donal Haughey, and treasurer, Emily Whelan.

Cller T. Slowey thanked the out-going chairman and committee for their hard work. He further reported on County Council work as it impinged on the Ardara parish. He stated that the repairs to the N56 between Ardara and Glenties were almost complete, and that the repairs between Ardara and Killybegs should be finished by next year. The status of the Ardara/ Ardaghey road was uncertain at present. Seven houses would be allocated at Ard Connell in the not too distant future, while another twenty houses were in planning for Molloys' field. Very considerable funding for the improvement of L.I.S. roads (roads serving at least two farms) were available. Application forms have to be filled in by December for approval of funding to be made available in the following year.The time scale for the construction of the Ardara Sewage Scheme was outlined at the last Donegal County Council meeting. The contract document was to be ready by December 2002, and construction of the sewage treatment scheme was to begin in December 2003. The scheme would cost € 4 million and Ardara was at the top of the list for funding allocation. The new town water reservoir was on-line, and two more reservoirs were to come on-line to pressurise the system to Monargan and Meentinadea.


Results of the Ardara Parish Council Election
The following people have been elected to represent their townlands on the Parish Council :

Elected representatives from various parish organisations are :
Mildred Baskin, Community Centre Trustee;
Sean McKenna, Garda Sergeant;
Shiela Sweeney and Marie Mooney, Community Centre committee;
Hugh Breslin and John Kennedy, Ardara I.F.A.;
Tommy Porter and Joseph Gallagher, Ardara Show Society;
Tony Breslin and Mary Breslin, South West Donegal Communities Partnership Ltd.;
Jack Maguire and Paul McHugh, Ardara Heiritage Committee;
Margaret Crossey and Breda Boyle, Ardara Care of the Aged;
Emily Whelan and Ann M. Travers, Ardara Playschool Committee;
Stephen McCahill and Mary Kelly, Ardara G.A.A. Club;
Emily Whelan and Louise O'Brien, Ardara Women's Group;
Donal Haughey and Terence Slowey, Ardara Walking Festival Committee;
Stephen Bennett and Brid Breslin, "Cup 'o Tae" Music Festival.

The Ardara Town Traders are represented by
Eamon McNelis, Conal Doherty, Michael Kennedy, Paul Gallagher, Terence Molloy, Mairead Darnell, and Kathy Diver.

Newly elected officers are :
Donal Haughey (chairman),
John McBrearty (vice-chairman),
Ann M. Travers (secretary),
Patricia Slowey (assistant secretary),
Finbar Boyle and Gwen Breslin (joint-treasurers),
Stephen McCahill (P.R.O.).

It was noted, that, according to the constitution of the parish council, any representative who without good reason consistently missed parish council meetings, could be replaced by a seconded representative of that townland or organisation.

Mary Breslin moved that the Ardara Parish Council should establish Irish classes for the winter months. Emily Whelan proposed that a sub-conmmittee for the Community Centre be formed from the Parish Council, and that this committee should report to the Parish Council. Beth Herron asked for a progress report as regards the communications mast which was to be sited on the community centre. The chairman will clarify this sissue at the next parish council meeting, which is scheduled for the second Wednesday in October.


Parish Council Survey Report
Four students on a summer employment scheme (Stephen Given, Lee Watters, Karena Boyle, and Marilyn Reynolds) had collated the results of some three hundred returned questionnaire forms on services within the parish. Stephen Given reported their findings to the Parish Council.The purpose of the survey was to assist the new parish council in dealing with the various issues that people are dissatisfied with or feel can be improved. Under the heading of Donegal County Council there was, predictably, considerable dissatisfaction expressed with the condition of local roads, and some with signposting and over-grown grass verges and hedges along the roads. Regarding the North Western Health Boards responsibilities, people feel strongly that one doctor is not enough in such a large area, and that there is a clear need for better facilities for the doctor. Satisfaction with An Garda Siochana was quite high at 64%, but a crack-down on under age drinking, late night speeding, and illegal parking was requested. The E.S.B. was highly rated in satisfaction at 90%. Though satisfaction with telecommunications was good, attention was drawn to the quality of coverage for mobile phones, and to the slowness of the internet service. People in general were happy with the G.A.A., but queried the necessity of holding all meetings in pubs. There was considerable dissatisfaction at the effects of state bodies to attract industry to Donegal and to Ardara in particular. It was stressed that not enough is being done to keep tourists in the area or to promote Ardara as a parish rich in history and scenery. A number of practical suggestions included that the town needs public toilets. The main point under environmental issues was the need for the new sewage treatment plant. General satisfaction was expressed with the preservation of culture in the area, especially with the "Cup o' Tae" Festival, and the other town festivals. Under town appearance there were some favourable comments, but "a number of unoccupied derelict buildings in the town are an eye sore and a disgrace to their owners." As an environmental issue, re-cycling needs to be encouraged, and a textiles and paper bank is required. Farmers should be encouraged not to burn their round bale plastic and to collect it for re-cycling, as this is a new service free of charge. It was felt that queues at the bank are getting longer and slower and the dissatisfaction rate for banking facilities was at 61%. One comment compared the ATM to the doctor at the week-ends - if you need either you will have to go to the next town! Overall, the satisfaction rate of all issues covered in the survey was at 55%, and the dissatisfaction rate was at 45%.


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New Leader of Ardara Parish Council
By Susan Boyd

Community Notices

National Pilgrimage to Knock
The Legion of Mary National Pilgrimage to Knock takes place on Sunday 29th September. A coach will leave the Diamond at 9.00am. To book a seat please contact Teresa Breslin, Ard Chonaill (41477) or any member of the Legion of Mary. Cost of travel and meals on the way €24.


Mental Health Association
The Mental Health Association thank those who supported their collection last weekend. €673.00 was taken up.


Hospice Coffe Mornings
Hospice Coffe Mornings on Thursday 19th September with Jimmy and Brid O'Donnell, Loughill and in the Heritage Centre.


Barn Dancing Classes
Barn Dancing classes resume on Tuesday 17th September in the Central Bar. Beginners class 9.00pm. Advanced classes 9.30pm. For more information contact Jacinta at 41680.


GAA
Ladies Football team play Sperrin óg in the quarter final of the Ulstaer Club Championship in Greencastle, Co Tyrone.
Congratulations to the Under 16 ladies team on reaching the County Final.


Dearcadh
Those interested in submitting items for publication in this year's Dearcadh are reminded that October 19th is the final date for same.


NIGHT CLASSES

St. Catherine's Vocational School, Killybegs
F.E.T.A.C. Accredited Courses -
Childcare - level 2 (Full and Part-time)
Business / Secretarial - level 2 (Full and Part-time)

Enrolment evening on Thursday 19th September at 7.00pm.
Courses begin on Monday 30th September.


St. Columba's Comprehensive School, Glenties
The following Night Classes will be available in the above school for the Autumn Session, pending adequate numbers:

Introduction to Microsoft Word
Basic Computers
Yoga
Gaeilge-Cómhra
Conversational French / Spanish
Bible Study
Intermediate Computers
Beginners Bridge
Colour Me Beautiful

Also a chance to do two subjects in the Leaving Certificate,
Mathematics at Ordinary Level
History at Higher Level


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Portnoo RNLI
Fund Raising Event
Photo's by Paul McGinley

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Community Notices

Killybegs X-Ray Unit
The amount raised in Ardara for the X-ray unit in Killybegs Community Hospital was € 5,412. 00. The organisers thank evreyone who contributed for their generosity.


Computer and Video Course
The Kilclooney Dolmen Centre is now recruiting for its next computer training course which is due to start at the beginning of November. The course includes local research and instruction in video filming. A training allowance is paid. For further information or to register, phone 075-45966, or 075-45010, call in at the Dolmen Centre.


Lough Derg Retreat
There will be a bus going to Lough Derg for the one-day retreat on Sunday the 22nd of September. To book a seat phone 075-41396, or 087-2452979.


New Parish Council
Newly elected members of the Parish Council attended the first meeting of the next three-year period, in the Community Centre, last Wednesday evening. The names of the new committee and a summary of the results of the recent parish survey will be published next week.


Fiddle and Guitar Lessons
Music lessons on the fiddle and guitar will recommence on Saturday the 14th of September at 10:30 a.m. in the Glenties Community Centre. For more details contact Ernan at 075-41037.


Kilclooney Pony Drive
Sixteen horses and gigs gathered for the pony drive on Sunday the 8th of September, commencing from Kilclooney Tavern in the mid-afternoon. The route was around Rosbeg, and everyone enjoyed the spin, though the weather was cool. Frank McHugh, Rosbeg, James Byrne, Ardara, Patrick Billingsly, Dunkineely, were horse owners who had one or more horses in the drive. There were several participants from the North, and from Letterkenny and the north of the county.


Night Classes
The Comprehensive School is offering a wide range of night classes this autumn. Among them are opportunities to do Leaving Certificate Mathematics and Leaving Certificate History. These courses will be taught over two years : mathematics at Ordinary Level and history at Honours Level. Other courses on offer are 'Introduction to Microsoft Word - Basic Computers' ; upholstery; yoga; Gaeilge-Comhrá; conversational French/Spanish; bible study; intermediate computers; beginners bridge; ' Colour Me Beautiful'. For further details check with Glenties Comprehensive School at 075-51172, or the advertisement in this paper.


Show Meeting Report
The 2002 Ardara Show was one of the best attended for a number of years. At a meeting of the Show Committee on Monday, Chairman Joe Gallagher reported on the success of the August 10th event. "Everybody appeared to be very happy with the day, and the weather was kind to us."

Rain in the week prior to the show meant that parking on the showfield had to be drastically restricted, but the fine weather on the day of the event ensured that there was a large attendance, with many remaining for the final event of the day, the tug-of-war. Treasurer, John Couzens, indicated that gate receipts were the highest for many years and, although there were still a number of invoices to pay, he was optimistic that there would be an overall profit.

The meeting also discussed next year's event which could be influenced by the showfield being on the market. Despite the uncertainty, it was felt that plans still had to be made for 2003. A detailed discussion on the matter is expected to take place at the show's AGM in October. Other matters discussed at Monday night's meeting included the storage of show equipment, the poor condition of some cups and ways of securing new sponsorship.
The likely date for the 2003 show is Saturday August 9th.


Coffee Morning
A coffee morning in, aid of the Donegal Hospice, will be held in Chris Mulraney's, Mt Zion, Cronkeerin, at 11 a.m. on Thusday the 19th of September. All are very welcome.


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Community Notices

New Parish Council
All newly elected members must be present for the First Meeting in the Community Centre at 9.00pm on Wednesday 11th September. New Officer Board will be elected and results of the recent Parish Survey will be addressed.


Lough Derg One-Day Retreat
Bus going to Lough Derg for One-Day Retreat on Sunday 22nd September. To book a seat, ring 075-41396 or 087-2452979.


Ardara ICA
The Ardara ICA will resume monthly meetings on Wednesday 11th September at 8.30pm in the Community Centre. New members will be most welcome.


Advanced Course in ECDL Spreadsheets
Advanced Course in ECDL Spreadsheets starting in St. Catherine's Secondary School, Killybegs tomorrow 10th September. Interested? Contact Marie at 073-31799 or Ann at 075-31214 as soon as possible.


Ardara GAA
The Monthly Meeting of the Ardara GAA Club takes place in Doherty's nonight at 9.30pm.


Community Centre
Community Centre opens for business for the school year this coming Wednesday 11th September. All bookings for the centre through Neily at 41341 or 41608.


Show Meeting
A Show meeting will be held in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel tonight 9th September at 9.0pm.


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Community Notices

New Parish Council
The first meeting of the newly elected Parish Council will take place on Wednesday the 11th of September in the Community Centre at 9 p.m. A new officer board will be elected to run this Council for the next three years at the meeting. The recent survey of the parish will also be addressed. All newly elected members will by now have been notified of their election. The Parish is indeed indebted to the four wonderful students who organised and co-ordinated the election and the survey of the Parish under the summer student scheme. We wish the new Parish Council every success.


Thank You
The people attending the Woodhill Resource Centre would like to thank everybody who purchased their hand-made goods, which were on sale at the recent Ardara Show. Your kind support is greatly appreciated.


Community Centre
The Ardara Community Centre is now open for autumn and winter bookings. Contact the Centre at 075-41341 or the chairperson, Sheila Sweeney, at 075-41598. The Centre opens for National Schools and Comprehensive School children on Wednesday the 11th of September.


Fiddle and Guitar Classes
These classes will re-commence at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday the 14th of September in the Glenties Community Centre. For details contact Ernan at 075-41037.


Ardara Golf Society
A golf outing in Dunfanaghy Golf Club will take place on Saturday the 7th of September. The draw for partners is at 2 o'clock sharp.As this is the last outing before the Rider Cup, all members are asked to attend.


Domican Academy of Irish Dance
A new class is taking place in the Central Hotel, Donegal town every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. The class opened on August the 20th, but all new members are welcome. For all enquiries phone 072-29365 or 087-990 4612.


Barn Dance Classes
Classes for complete beginners in the art of barndancing, will resume in the Highlands Hotel, Glenties, in September. The tutor is Edie Bradley. Anyone interested should contact Pauline at 075-51585.


"Sponsored Slim"
Bernie McGill, Aighe, is doing a sponsored slim for the Oncology Unit in the Letterkenny Hospital. Over the next year she is hoping to lose 7 stone, and would appreciate it if people would sponsor her efforts. Very few families have not had experience of at least one family member who has received treatment for cancer, so this cause is receiving generous support.


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Wedding Ceremony on Iniskeel Island

By Susan Boyd

Community Notices

Irish Dancing Classes
Irish Dancing classes will resume on Thursday 5th Sept in the Hotel. Beginners welcome.


Barn Dance
Fund Raising Barn Dance in aid of X-Ray Unit, Killybegs Hospital, in the Central Hotel, Donegal, on Monday 7th October.


Playgroup
The Playgroup opened on Monday at 9.30am. Places are available for the afternoon session, 12.30 - 3.00pm. Morning session is full.


Bluegrass Music Festival
Bus to Bluegrass Music Festival, Omagh, on Sunday 8th September. Phone Patsy at 087-2452979.


Chiropodist
The Chiropodist will be in the Community Centre on Tuesday from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Please phone Breda at 41246 for an appointment.


Music Classes
Kenneth Baker Music Classes begins in the Hotel on Tuesday 10th September. Enrolling Wednesday 4th Sept., from 6.00 - 7.30pm


Comprehensive School
St. Columba's Comprehensive School, Glenties, will re-open as follows:
Tuesday 3rd Sept, 1st years only
Wednesday 4th Sept., 1st, 3rd and 5th Years
Thursday 5th Sept., all years except Repeat Students.


Ceili Club
The Ceili Club, Glenties, thank those who supported their recent dance in aid of the Oncology Unit in Letterkenny Hospital. The amount raised was €3,610.00.


Barn Dance Classes
Barn Dance Classes for complete beginners will resume in the Highlands Hotel, Glenties in September. Tutor is Edie Bradley. Anyone interested should contact Pauline on 075-51585.


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Community Notices

Ardara on Highland Radio
Don't forget Packie Keeney's show on Highland Radio tonight comes from Ardara. Tune in from 11pm to 1am to hear Packie talk to and about the locals.

Listen to Highland Radio

Sponsored Slim
Bernie McGill is doing a sponsored slim for the Cancer Ward in the Letterkenny hospital. Over the next year she is hoping to lose 7 stone. Any sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.


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