Gardaí are investigating the theft of a valuable antique flute and electronics from a Letterkenny home last week.

The burglary occurred at Ballymacool Woods between last Wednesday and Thursday, 3rd – 4th July.

The perpetrators smashed the rear window of a home to gain entry.

A number of small electronics were taken along with an antique wooden flute.

Gardaí are appealing to the public to report if they saw anything untoward in the estate between 11am on Wednesday 3rd July and 2.30am on Wednesday night/Thursday morning 4th July.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda station on 0749167100, the Garda confidential telephone line on 1800 666 111.

An inspirational Donegal woman has released her third book on the debilitating impact of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.).

Valerie Moody from St Johnston is bedridden with severe M.E. (commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), but she dedicates herself to raising awareness of the disease and campaigning for local supports in Ireland.

Valerie was joined by friends, family and special guests at her home on Saturday 6th July for her third and final fundraiser.

John Andrew Moody, John Moody, Valerie Moody, Dinny McGinley, Ian McCracken and David Moody at the launch of Many Days a 3rd book by Valerie Moody telling of her experience of M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Photo Clive Wasson

Using a typewriter in bed, Valerie wrote her third book ‘Many Days’ highlighting the problems of M.E. sufferers. Her latest release has been praised as an important account which aims to change how M.E. is diagnosed before treatment can be discovered.

Valerie Moody with her guests at the launch of Many Days her 3rd book telling of her experience of M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Photo Clive Wasson

In her speech, Valerie described M.E. as a terrible disease “that creeps silently into homes and communities unnoticed and robs the individual of almost everything except life itself especially in the more seriously affected particularly in the initial stages.”

She said: “This disease should never be allowed to exist unchallenged without medical intervention.

“This sadly is where the M.E. community is at today.

“No M.E. experts, no M.E. Clinic, no help.”

Linda Elliott and Winnie Lyttle with Valerie Moody at the launch of Many Days a 3rd book by Valerie telling of her experience of M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Photo Clive Wasson

Valerie added: “The M.E. Community are a forgotten people remaining invisible to our governments and our medical establishment.

“We do need more input, more funds available for research, a better understanding of our disease and symptom recognition and definitely more empathy and acceptance within our medical establishment.”

In her newest book Many Days, Valerie has written 71,000 words to give a voice to the M.E. Community.

She said that Saturday’s launch was her own humble attempt to enlighten and encourage change.

The book was officially launched by Former Donegal Minister Dinny McGinley. Proceeds from the event will be donated to M.E. research.

See more photos from the special event, by Clive Wasson, below:

Some of the crowd enjoying a cup of tea at the launch of Many Days a 3rd book by Valerie Moody telling of her experience of M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Photo Clive Wasson

Dinny McGinley speaking as he launched ” Many Days” a 3rd book by Valerie Moody telling of her experience of M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Photo Clive Wasson

May Lowery and Iris Long at the launch of Many Days a 3rd book by Valerie Moody telling of her experience of M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Photo Clive Wasson

Cauldwell and Loraine Smyth at the launch of Many Days a 3rd book by Valerie Moody telling of her experience of M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Photo Clive Wasson

Irene Moody, Alan Moody, Barbara Moran and Dorothy Moody at the launch of Many Days a 3rd book by Valerie Moody telling of her experience of M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Photo Clive Wasson

Valerie Moddy at the launch of Many Days her 3rd book telling of her experience of M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Photo Clive Wasson

Ian McCracken, MC and Dinny McGinley at the launch of Many Days a 3rd book by Valerie Moody telling of her experience of M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Photo Clive Wasson

Drew Nelson, David Moody and Lesley Matthews at the launch of Many Days a 3rd book by Valerie Moody telling of her experience of M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Photo Clive Wasson

Lorraine, Cameron and Kate Beck at the launch of Many Days a 3rd book by Valerie Moody telling of her experience of M.E. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Photo Clive Wasson

Donegal Mountain Rescue team is currently on a call-out to assist a walker who has been injured.

The walker became injured near Malin Head this afternoon and requires assistance.

Update:
The injured walker was found and brought safely off the hill at approx 8pm.

Donegal County Archives has received a gift of five legal deeds relating to Lough Veagh House and two photographs of Lough Veagh House, Churchill.

The archives have been hailed as invaluable additions for the study of local and family history in this part of Donegal.

Niamh Brennan, County Archivist thanked Mr. Charlie Callaghan, who is the owner of the archives and a relative of the Johnston family, for his kind and generous donation which she described as “unique and invaluable additions to the Estate Papers Collection in the County Archives”.  She also thanked Mr. Ray McDermott for his work in making this important deposit happen.

Photo of Lough Veagh House against the backdrop of the old landed estate, now Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre.

She explained that these records can be viewed at County Archives in Lifford by prior appointment by calling 074 74 9172490 or emailing archivist@donegalcoco.ie .

The documents deposited include Conveyance: Land at Lough Veagh conveyed to John Stewart by Daniel Chambers and Elizabeth Chambers 1845; administration of the Will of John Stewart of Lough Veagh house, Churchill, who died on 24 April 1881, in which he bequeathed ‘all his real and personal estate’ to his ‘beloved wife Bridget Stewart absolutely’ and appointing George Forbes Fallon of Letterkenny as sole executor, revoking all other Wills’; Probate of Will of Edward Daniel Hewetson who died 10 May 1906. The Will was made on 30 November 1901. He grants an annuity of £180 to his wife, and the remainder of the property to his sister Catherine E Johnstone. (Johnston); probate of Will of Elizabeth Hamilton Johnston(e), nee Hewetson, died 8 October 1950. Date of Will: 23 July 1947; and two colour photos of Lough Veagh House.

Pictured at the handover of the archives at Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre, site of Lough Veagh House and grounds are: Niamh Brennan, Donegal County Archives; Ray McDermott, Charlie Callaghan and Cllr Michael McBride.

Note books and admission registers can be accessed at the Find My Past website, for a fee if you register online.

Also the website can be accessed for FREE (but please book public computer in advance) if using your local library in Co. Donegal. There were workhouses in Ballyshannon, Donegal town, Carndonagh (Inishowen Workhouse), Milford, Letterkenny, Glenties, Stranorlar and Dunfanaghy. Survivals for registers vary with each workhouse.

For a list of what has survived, see http://www.donegalcoco.ie/…/archi…/countyarchivescollection/

Niamh Brennan noted that Donegal County Archives has been collecting archives relevant to the county’s history, culture and society for the last 20 years and has built  up an impressive collection of archives of both public and private origin.

Whoriskey’s award-winning Eurospar in Ramelton are currently recruiting for the following position:

Part-time Fresh Food Operator

The main duties will include:

· Maintaining & Developing existing pre-pack range

· Fresh Food Displays

Successful candidates must:

· Have experience in a similar role

· Have a flair for food and have good presentation skills

· Be customer-orientated

· Be flexible

· Have the ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment and have the ability to multitask

To apply please email an up to date CV to whoriskeyseurospar@gmail.com  before July 22nd 2019.

Two fantastic fundraisers have gathered €2,740 for the Raphoe and East Donegal branch of Riding for the Disabled.

Mr Graham Bell recently held his 70th birthday party in aid of the volunteer group. He and his guests gathered €2,040 to make a very generous donation to his chosen charity.

The money was gratefully received following a presentation by Mr & Mrs Bell with Adeline Temple, Suzanne Carroll, Jacqueline Witherow and Isobel Roulston from Raphoe and East Donegal RDAI.

Mr & Mrs Bell with Adeline Temple, Suzanne Carroll, Jacqueline Witherow and Isobel Roulston from Raphoe and East Donegal RDAI

Also in June, the Tir Conaill Riding Club hosted a charity ride-out at Lough Eske to raise €700 for the group. The members took part in a 16km trek across the Bluestack Mountains before Mr Noel Cunningham and Harvey’s Point Hotel provided a beautiful lunch afterwards. Raphoe and East Donegal RDAI are very grateful to all concerned for their kind contribution  and generous hospitality.

Tir Conaill Riding club

Raphoe’s Riding for the Disabled is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through the provision of horse riding and carriage driving.

Gardaí are investigating after a takeaway van was scratched and damaged during the Lennon Festival in Ramelton last weekend.

The food van was parked at Gamble Square when it was scratched all the way around the sides and the stabiliser of the unit was damaged.

The criminal damage incident is thought to have taken place between 11am and 1.45pm on Saturday 6th July.

As this was a busy time of day when the festival was getting underway in Ramelton, Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with any information to contact Milford Garda Station on 074-9153060. 

GEMMA McGuinness is prepared for any obstacle that North Korea throw at Team Ireland when the two teams clash in the 2019 Summer Universiade Women’s Football Semi-Final on Thursday evening in Salerno, Italy.

The Derry City attacker is one of three Donegal representatives, with Zoe Green and Zoe McGlynn in Dave Connell’s 20-woman squad that has reached the last four of the competition. 

McGuinness, a student at Ulster University, is honoured to be able to represent her county and country on the world stage. 

“It’s such an honour to be given this opportunity, especially to be with the two girls,” McGuinness said, 

“Since none of us are playing in the Women’s National League in the Republic of Ireland we don’t get seen as much as some of the other players in the squad so it makes it even more special to be here with this great group.”

McGuinness has made two appearances off the bench thus far for the Girls in Green and has been enjoying being in the Universiade environment. “

She said: It’s been absolutely brilliant so far from everything from the food to the first class facilities. It’s been a brilliant experience overall.”

Looking ahead to North Korea, McGuinness is confident that the hard work that the side has put in up until this point will pay dividends in their pursuit for a first football medal.

She said: “It’s going to be a tough game without question, but we’ve taken everything else in our stride thus far. 

“The level of coaching we have received has been unbelievable from the preparation in Ireland and the work we have been putting in since we arrived here will have us ready for what the Koreans have to offer.”

You can watch Team Ireland’s semi-final match against North Korea, live on FISU’s streaming service FISU.tv. Registration is free for the service.

2019 FISU Summer Universiade – Semi Final Fixture

10/7 North Korea v Ireland, Stadio Arechi, 5pm (4pm Irish Time) Live on FISU.TV

2019 FISU Summer Universiade – Results

Ireland 1-0 Brazil

Ireland 2-1 South Korea

Ireland 0-0 China (Ireland win 4-1 on penalties)

A new project is set to begin this month to replace over 3 kilometres of old and damaged water mains in Tamnawood, Lifford.

The works along the N14 and onto L-2414-1 will commence in early July and will be carried out on behalf of Irish Water by Farrans Construction.  The project is expected to be completed by late September 2019.

The works will involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply. Where the existing service connections on the public side are lead these will be replaced as part of this improvement work.

Customers in these areas will benefit from a more reliable water supply due to reduced leakage and bursts.

Irish Water, working in partnership with Donegal County Council, has said this project may involve some short-term water shut offs and reductions in water pressure.  The project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned water shut offs. Following these improvement works water supply may take 2-3 hours to return as water refills the network.

Explaining further what’s involved, Irish Water’s Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead Declan Cawley said: “The replacement of water mains will include laying water service connections from the public water main in the road to customer’s property boundaries and connecting them to the customer’s water supply.  We will try to minimise the impact on customers by having short section of works at a time. Traffic management may be in place during this time, but local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times.”

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after a young man sustained cut injuries in an altercation on Market Square Letterkenny. 

The incident occurred at around 12.30am in the early hours of Friday morning.

A young man became involved in an altercation with another youth. He received cuts to his arms in the attack, which gardaí believe were caused by a broken bottle.

Gardaí are investigating the assault and appealing to anyone who has any information on the matter to please contact Gardaí on 074-9167100 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111. 

FOUR-TIME Irish champion Paddy McShane begins his bid for National Under-18 Championship glory on Friday night.

Letterkenny ABC’s McShane faces Karl Sheridan from Crumlin in a 49kgs quarter-final at the National Stadium on the opening night of U18 Championship action.

McShane boxed recently for a Donegal select in Boston, recording a 4-1 split decision win over Francis Scatia.

McShane goes up against Sheridan with the reward a place in Saturday’s semi-final against the winner from the other quarter-final, which sees Ryan Dunne (Jobstown) and Eric Walsh (Marble City) collide.

Before his departure for Boston, McShane outlined his disappointment at a defeat in Dublin to Oisin Mulhall earlier in 2019.

“I didn’t box my best but I have to hand it to him, he deserved the win,” he said. 

“I’m a bad loser and don’t take defeats well. I’m going alright again. I haven’t been boxing well for the last while, but I want to stop that and get a bit of form back.”

Raphoe ABC’s European bronze medallist Leah Gallen has an Under-18 final to look forward to. Gallen is gearing up for a July 20 showdown with Mary Enright of Setanta at 69kgs. 

A sum of cash was taken during a break-in at the Irish College in Loughanure last weekend.

Gardaí are investigating the burglary which is believed to have occurred on Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

The perpetrator gained entry through a window at the back of the college and took a small amount of money.

If anyone noticed anything in that area between 9.30pm on Saturday 6th July and 9am on Sunday 7th July that may have arisen suspicion is being asked to call Milford Gardaí on 0749153060 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111. 

It’s the ultimate boyhood dream – owning your own racetrack.

Now that dream can become a reality and all for the price of an average three-bedroom semi-detached house in Dublin.

This stunning renovated country cottage in Castlefin in Co Donegal comes with its very own go-karting track set over a whopping eight acres of land.

And for just €325,000, you can live in this traditional-style cottage and develop the go-karting business.

Or you can simply live in the cottage and invite your family and friends around in the evening time to practise your driving skills to become the next Lewis Hamilton.

The track, which to 1,000 metres in length, has been designed so users can reach speeds of up to 55 mph.

And the cottage is straight off the winner’s podium also.

The picture-postcard cottage located at Sessiagh requires no renovation and is ready to move into.

Internally, this two-bedroomed cottage home has a very distinctive finish, benefits from having an oil fired central heating system, and a solid fuel stove.

Over the years the cottage has been a very well maintained family home.

It has been decorated using traditional red brick and the bedrooms finished to a very high standard.

It boasts wooden floors and cast iron radiators and a traditional stove.

There’s no need to worry about places to park when your friends call around for an evening on the go-karts.

There is ample car parking space as well as outhouses which can be developed by the new owner.

The full accommodation comprises of:

• Entrance Hall: 2.53m x 2.75m
• Tiled flooring and double radiator.
• Living/Family Room: 5.11m x 9.01m
• Tiled flooring, solid fuel stove and cast iron radiator.
• Kitchen:
• Tiled flooring, Antique Brick Kitchen, solid wooden worktop, Stanley range, Belfast sink.
• Gallery: 6.05m x 2.54m
• Velux window.
• Dining Room: 2.64m x 5.13m
• Tiled flooring and cast iron radiators.
• Main Bathroom: 2.75m x 1.89m
• Tiled walls and flooring, WC, wash hand basin, electric shower and double radiator.
• Bedroom 1: 4.64m x 2.62m
• Double bedroom with wooden flooring and double radiator.
• Bedroom 2: 2.71m x 4.67m
• Double bedroom with wooden flooring and double radiator.

If you think this cottage and its unique go-karting track is for you then contact Ronan McAnenny on 04871886910.

Havard University students have presented their vision for the North West city region at a presentation in Cambridge, MA after months of design research including fieldwork in the northwest. 

The group of students, which are led by Carndonagh native and Havard professor Gareth Doherty, will conduct an in-depth research project centring on the Letterkenny and Derry North West City Region.

From the introduction of novel crops such as orange trees, to alternative forms of urban-rural development, the students imagined how the Northwest city region might develop considering the impacts of Brexit and other impending challenges such as climate change, sea level rise, and population increase.

The proposals are one of the three main components of an 18-month sponsored research project that Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council have embarked upon with Harvard GSD.

The project’s findings will be finalised by the end of 2019 and presented in the Northwest in Spring 2020.

Most recently, the project included a Harvard GSD studio course this past Spring, taught by Professor Doherty together with Niall Kirkwood, Professor of Landscape Architecture and Technology at the Harvard GSD.

Speaking of the studio, Professor Kirkwood said: “The richness of the land and landscape of the Irish North-West, the warmth and intelligence of the people and the vision of the agency and community leaders made the whole studio experience a compelling and creative endeavour for Harvard Design School faculty and students alike.

“In turn, this enabled the resulting planning and design work to project large ideas and themes far into the decades as well as provide smaller scale practical solutions for the villages, towns and cities that we were engaged with. I came to learn and admire all those stakeholders involved with shaping and enhancing their collective futures.”

The work was aimed at sparking conversations around key contemporary issues such as borders, migration, and climate change, as highlighted by María Bellalta, Dean, School of Landscape Architecture at the Boston Architectural College.

She added: “Through the studio, GSD Faculty and students offered pointed arguments for how regions and communities separated by political boundaries may reposition their future planning strategies to include programmatic frameworks that depend on not only economics, industry and innovation but which also stimulate renewed social encounters.

“The studies were both speculative and practical, yet consistently founded on the notion of a shared productive boundary or a ‘city region’, and tending toward a cooperative approach, over separate existences.

“The studies have ingeniously provoked insight in all of us, over the multiple spatial and cultural divides we encounter today, and which we must (re)-design as part of our global and ever-expanding arena.”

The design proposals were presented to a panel of distinguished experts in different fields.

Katy Hayward, Reader in Sociology at Queen’s University Belfast and an expert on Brexit said: “At a time of acute uncertainty about what Brexit might mean for the Irish border, there is a particular need for innovative and imaginative approaches.

“This is precisely what these students have offered Ireland’s North-West region.

“Their engagement with the terrain, people and planners in the region itself has helped them produce an array of fantastic ideas and designs.”

Eunan Quinn, Senior Planner with Donegal County Council who participated in the expert panel alongside Karen Philips, Director of Environment and Regeneration with Derry City and Strabane District Council said: “This work brings a fresh perspective on the region’s landscape and seeks to define the place-based issues that the two local authorities’ can continue to work together on.”

Karen Phillips agreed, she added: “This is a unique project and has the potential to bring new thinking and fresh insights that can only enrich plans for the future development of the city region.”

JAMIE BRENNAN’S FORM has been one of the highlights of Donegal’s 2019 – but the Bundoran flier isn’t getting ahead of himself.

Brennan netted goals against Tyrone and Cavan as Donegal retained the Anglo Celt and now they head for the Super 8s earmarked as a genuine contender to Dublin’s crown.

“It’s nearly like a two-part piece,” Brennan told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.

“You have to just focus now on another three games. 

“You just have to be ready week-on-week and these are exciting times.”

Brennan has grabbed plenty of headlines in recent weeks, but his feet are firmly on the ground.

He said: “For me, I just try to focus on my own game. I don’t really look into what other people are thinking. It doesn’t bother me and I just keep it to myself.”

Listen to the full interview below …

KATY HERRON has become the second Donegal player to sign up for a move to the Women’s AFL for the 2020 season.

Herron has agreed a contract with the Western Bulldogs and will join Glenfin clubmate Yvonne Bonner in Australia for the 2020 campaign. Bonner will be heading into her second term with the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

Herron, a 28-year-old midfielder is one of two international rookies signed by the Bulldogs, the other being American soccer player Danielle Marshall.

“Sport is a huge part of my life and to get the opportunity to focus solely on that and play in Australia is very exciting,” Herron said of her impending move to the VU Whitten Oval.

“I am very appreciative of the support the Club has shown me so far and I can’t wait to meet everyone in person.”

Herron is a key member of the Donegal senior ladies panel that has just won a third successive Ulster title and is gearing up for the All-Ireland series.

The Bulldogs’ AFLW List Manager, Michael Sandry, said of Herron: “Katy’s work rate in her Gaelic football was what really stood out to us initially.

“Her repeat efforts in transitional running is exceptional and something we think will be really valuable in our team. 

“Katy has quickly adapted to the oval ball and is able to kick on both sides of her body, which we also value highly.”

DALE GORMAN netted a cracker last night as Leyton Orient secured a 2-2 draw with Hull City in Marbella.

In Orient’s latest pre-season run-out, Gorman struck the net with a wonderful 29th minute free-kick, which cancelled out an earlier goal by Reece Burke. Gorman drilled in after James Brophy was fouled.

Hull hit the front again through Keane Lewis-Potter, but Josh Coulson’s header earned the O’s a draw.

Gorman and Orient are back in League Two this season after winning promotion from the National League.

The club is still coming to death with the sudden death last month of their promotion-winning manager Justin Edinburgh.

Ross Embleton is the current interim head coach at the club.

That Gormo strike!

Here are the O’s goals from this evening’s friendly with @HullCity in Marbella. #LOFC #OnlyOneOrient pic.twitter.com/inUcqUMYXd

— Leyton Orient (@leytonorientfc) July 9, 2019

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Nicholas Crossan has officially launched the Gum Litter Taskforce’s gum litter education campaign in Buncrana.

The Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) has been successful to date in changing the public’s behaviour by encouraging correct gum disposal through a targeted education and awareness campaign.

Nicholas Crossan Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council peddling away to keep Buncrana clean and tidy

The 2018 campaign maintained an all-time high of 93% of people stating that they regard chewing gum as litter, up from 74% when the campaign first began in 2007, pointing to the attitudinal impact which the campaign has had to date.

Speaking at the launch, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Nicholas Crossan said: “The Gum Litter Taskforce’s gum litter education campaign is a fantastic initiative which harnesses community spirit and channels it towards achieving a common goal, that of ridding our streets of littered gum.

“I am delighted to see local communities from right across the county coming together again this year under the GLT banner in an effort to make a positive change within their respective localities.

“The GLT campaign has made some very positive inroads to date on this issue and I hope that the campaign will continue to do so again this year.”

Research commissioned by the Gum Litter Taskforce and conducted by Kantar Millward Brown during the 2018 campaign has highlighted the campaign’s positive effect on people’s behaviour towards gum disposal.

The latest results show that 88% of people said that they always dispose of their gum correctly, up from 54% when the campaign first began.

Paul Kelly, Chairman of the GLT added: “Since its inception, the GLT campaign has sought to educate the public on the correct manner in which to dispose of used gum in a bid to tackle improper gum disposal.

“The latest research results have shown how this ambition has been made a reality, with 88% of people now saying that they always dispose of their gum correctly.

“Going forward, we will look to build on these positive results further still and will continue in our efforts to fully rid our streets of littered gum.

“Today’s launch is part of a broader nationwide campaign which includes an advertising campaign and a school’s education programme, Bin It!”.

ILLIES GOLDEN Gloves boxer Carleigh Irvine scored a win last night in her first ever international bout.

Irvine defeated Italy’s Lambo Mariagrazia in a schoolgirl international at St Brigid’s BC in Edenderry.

Irvine was victorious in the 46kgs contest,.

At the weekend, Irvine won the 46kgs Irish Cadet title when she overcame Angelina Duffy from Glin on a 4-1 split decision. 

Irvine will now go to the European Championships in Tblisi, Georgia, next month as part of the Irish squad. 

A lovely Setter dog has been found in Letterkenny.  

The male dog (see above) was found on Wednesday morning before being transported to the dog shelter.

If this is your dog, she can be reclaimed at the Dog Shelter, Glencar, Letterkenny.

The dog shelter can also be contacted at 074 91 25159 between 10.30am and 1.30pm daily (except Sundays).