The community spirit is strong among staff and volunteers from Greencastle Community Centre who will be heading off soon to Kilkenny as finalists of the prestigious IPB Pride of Place Awards – which takes place on Saturday 30^th November 2019.

The IPB Pride of Place Awards is a national competition which started in 2003 and celebrates community group contributions to local society and the creation of civic pride. 

Susan McAleer, Manager of Greencastle Community Centre, said it is a fantastic achievement to have been selected as a finalist in this year’s competition – and that the trip to Kilkenny will cap off a ‘hugely successful’ year for the group that has a strong tradition of community involvement, volunteerism and action.

“We’re really delighted and excited to be traveling to Kilkenny as a finalist in this year’s Pride of Place Awards – which is such a huge achievement for our centre and a great example of how the staff, committee and volunteers have all come together to promote the work we do”, she said. 

“Indeed, the community spirit, friendly atmosphere, dedicated staff, Board of Directors, committee and volunteers have all contributed to making the past year such a huge success.

“2019 has not only been a great year with the introduction of lots of new classes, hobby courses, accredited training and counselling at the centre, but also because of several successful fundraising campaigns which – as always – have been well- supported by the local community. 

“We’re also currently operating at full capacity – which is great because it tells us we’re providing the opportunities people from the local community need and want.

“2019 has also seen the introduction and development of our new ‘Musical Memories Singing Group’ – the first one of its kind in Donegal and arguably the country – which is a wonderful group helping many local people living with Alzheimer’s. As well as offering support for family members, friends and carers, this hugely popular group has also been commended by specialists in Alzheimer’s care – and we’re so proud to facilitate the group here in the centre!

Musical Memories Singing Group

“We’re also really looking forward to 2020 when we’ll be welcoming another full-time tenant to the centre with the opening of a new childcare facility in January (including pre-school & afterschool activities) which will be a fantastic asset for our local community.”

In July 2019, judges from the national Pride of Place competition visited the scenic fishing village where they met members of the development group to find out more about their determined drive to develop a multi-purpose community centre for the people of the local area. 

Pride of Place judges visited Greencastle Community Centre

The judges experienced first-hand the range of services provided in the centre including training and counselling services (all delivered by volunteers) and were treated to a choral performance by members of the newly formed Musical Memories Singing Group.

Shauna McClenaghan, Joint CEO of Inishowen Development Partnership (IDP), which supports a range of events and activities at Greencastle Community Centre, said it is a tremendous achievement to have been shortlisted for the finals of the national competition.

“I’m really delighted Greencastle Community Centre has been selected as a finalist in this prestigious competition”, she said.

“This well-deserved recognition is testament to the hard work and dedication of all the staff and volunteers from the centre who have done so much to transform it into a wonderful space for everyone to enjoy.

“The Pride of Place Awards is about promoting and celebrating the best in community development – and it aims to recognise the selfless efforts of so many people who are making their areas better places to live, work and socialise.

“I therefore hope the staff and volunteers really enjoy this very special evening! Indeed, they should all be very proud of themselves as they make their trip to Kilkenny for the gala awards ceremony – as they have all done so much to improve their community and instil a fantastic sense of civic pride in their local area.

“Indeed, they all epitomise the amazing sense of community spirit that exists across the Inishowen peninsula – and are an excellent example of a local group committed to creating positive civic change!”

The organisers of the Malin Head Christmas Craft fair were left saddened and bewildered this week after their community craft fair sign went missing.

The large roadside sign was taken from outside the Malin Head Community Centre sometime over the past weekend.

The sign was built at a “great cost” according to a community association spokesperson, as it was supposed to promote the Malin Head Craft Fair on Sunday. The event is one of the Malin Head Community Centre’s main fundraisers of the year.

Malin Head Craft Fair Sign

“The Committee and Organisers of next Sundays Craft Fair are left stunned and disappointed at the disappearance of one of their new roadside signs,” the spokesperson said.

“The Group are bewildered on why the sign was removed from a post outside the community centre!”

The group is appealing to anyone in the community to help locate the sign to get it returned before Sunday.

“If anyone has spotted the Craft fair sign could they contact any committee member, sadly we are unable to pay a reward at this time but they would get into the Craft Fair this Sunday for free.”

If anyone has any information in relation to the missing sign then please contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074-9320540.

Donegal County Council has welcomed some eco-friendly changes after installing 36 Solar Photovoltaic panels to the roof area of the County House, its main headquarters in Lifford.

This initiative is part of the Council’s ongoing drive to improve energy performance throughout its operations.

“Solar PV converts energy from sunlight into electricity,” explains Peadar Espey, Facilities Manager with Donegal County Council.

New 36 solar PV panels installed on the roof of the County House in Lifford as part of Donegal County Council’s drive to energy performance improvement.

“The installation of these solar panels is part of our overall drive to achieve energy performance improvements throughout all our premises.  The solar PV system will generate approximately 8,350 kilo Watt hours (kWh) of electricity per annum.

“Since installed in late September the system has generated 636kWh with the highest production for a single day at 27kWh. When the days are longer and brighter from April to September the installation has the potential to generate over 60 kWh per day,” explains Peadar.

Emmett McCabe and Peadar Espey from Donegal County Council Facilities Management and Energy Team with Barry Sharkey and Emmett Sharkey from North West PV, the Solar PV contractor.

The Council’s initiative is in line with its ISO 50001 accredited Energy Management System which was first achieved in October 2016 and has been retained following a number of extensive independent audits.

“We are fully committed to transitioning to a low carbon, climate-resilient society and the work we have being doing over the last number of years to improve our energy efficiency and reduce our carbon emissions forms an important part of the global fight against climate change.

“The use of this type renewable energy will assist Donegal County Council in helping achieve national targets of reducing carbon emissions by 30% and improving energy efficiency by 50% by 2030 under the national Climate Action Plan 2019” concludes Peadar Espey.

Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh has heralded sports funding worth almost €250,000 for a new hockey pitch at Royal & Prior Comprehensive in Raphoe and gym and training equipment at Letterkenny IT.

“The Royal & Prior and Raphoe Hockey Club have a strong tradition producing top sports talent, including Olympians,” Minister McHugh said.

“A grant of €112,500 has been approved – a huge reward for the school and the community. Now they have got the green light for special resurfacing works to the hockey pitch as part of funding through the Regional Sports Capital programme.

“I want to thank Minister for Sport and Tourism Brendan Griffin and the Department for seeing the benefits of this project especially as this comes on the back of €1.4m for dozens of clubs in the first round of Sports Capital last week.”

Some €112,500 funding was approved under the Regional Sports Capital Programme for Royal & Prior and Raphoe Hockey Club while Letterkenny IT was approved for €98,000.

The Minister said: “This is a huge boost for LYIT as well, providing new gym and outdoor equipment for the teams, clubs, students and everyone else using their facilities.

“In the long run it will help keep people involved in sport, encourage more people to keep fit and train.”

Minister McHugh added: “Hockey is riding the crest of a wave with our women’s team going from strength to strength and bringing players from across the island to compete in the green shirt and set their sights firmly on Olympic glory in Tokyo 2020.

“I hope the investment on the ground in Royal and Prior will reap more rewards by providing a top quality surface to help the current crop of players excel and to encourage more young people to take up the sport.

“Raphoe and the Royal and Prior have a brilliant sporting tradition with the likes of Richard Eaton and Sabrina Barnett in hockey, Olympic badminton star Chloe Magee and family not to mention all those behind the scenes, coaching and playing sports and knows where these top class facilities will take the school and the local team. I wish you every success.”

Fine Gael election candidate Councillor Martin Harley said: “This is tremendous news for the area. There is a big community in the county who are so supportive of the sports at Royal & prior and the Raphoe Hockey Club. It is a great boost for everyone associated with hockey and with only a small number of applications being approved it’s a sure sign of how the Government will support sports in the regions.”

Connolly Motor Group has today announced an agreement to acquire the assets of J.J. Reid Motors in Donegal.

J.J. Reid Motors, based in Letterkenny, is North Donegal’s main Volkswagen dealer.

The company traces its origins back to 1962, when the late politician and businessman JJ Reid founded a filling station in Stranorlar. The company joined the Volkswagen Group as its Service Dealer in 1963, the company was then appointed main dealer for north Donegal in 1964. Mr Reid passed away in January 2019 at the age of 86.

Connolly Motor Group has heralded the takeover of assets at JJ Reid Motors as a strategic acquisition for the business.

The company anticipates that it would grow staff numbers in Letterkenny from 12 to 21 as it builds on its investment.

Kevin and Neil Connolly of Connolly Motor Group

The acquisition remains subject to approval of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

The acquisition of the Volkswagen dealership in Donegal, if approved, would increase the number of full-time employees at Connolly Motor Group to almost 300.

The acquisition would see the motor group – which is one of the biggest in the country and run by brothers Kevin and Neil Connolly — expand its representation with Volkswagen Group brands.

It already runs hugely-successful Volkswagen dealerships in Ballina and Sligo as well as Audi dealerships in Galway, Ballina and Sligo. And it announced over the summer that it is to open a new SEAT dealership in Sligo in October.

Neil Connolly, Connolly Motor Group Director, said: “With existing Volkswagen dealerships in Mayo and Sligo, Connolly Motor Group has a great relationship with VW and our significant knowledge of the brand ensures our customers benefit from the very best offers and services.

“The acquisition of J.J. Reid Volkswagen would be a strategic acquisition for our business, further strengthening our offering to our customers in the region and creating economies of scale in a highly-competitive market. Being part of a group provides us with the additional benefit and financial stability that comes with having multiple dealerships.

“We are proud to be a family-owned group, and the foundations of our success are the people who work with us, the manufacturers we represent and, of course, our valuable customers who are at the heart of everything we do.”

Volkswagen Ireland Brand Director Gerrit Heimberg said: “The North West is a very important region for Volkswagen. And we would like to thank the staff of JJ Reid’s for serving this area so well in the past number of years. But the Volkswagen brand remains in safe hands thanks to the appointment of Connolly Motor Group. Volkswagen has a long-standing relationship with this motor group, and we know they will ensure a smooth transition for existing JJ Reid’s customers to the new Connolly’s Letterkenny business. They will, no doubt, continue the success and professionalism they bring to their Ballina and Sligo businesses.”

An outbreak of a flu-like illness has left Letterkenny University Hospital under severe pressure today.

A spokesman confirmed the Emergency Department at the hospital is extremely busy this week with a significant increase in the numbers of patients presenting with respiratory and flu-like illness.

Patients with flu require isolation to prevent the spread of infection and this is a significant challenge.

The spokesperson added “Actions are underway in the hospital to alleviate the waiting times for patients requiring hospital admission include additional reviews and early discharges.”

Hospital management say they regret the delays experienced by their patients.

The spokesperson added “We are committed to treating everyone who presents at our ED but we do so strictly in order of medical priority and apologise for the long wait times currently.”

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta announced today that Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh 2019 will be presented to Ciarán Thompson on Saturday at the Donegal GAA Banquet.

Ciarán, 24, is from Glenties and captain of Naomh Conaill where he plays midfield.

He’s also on the county panel, where he plays midfield or half forward.

Ciaran is currently studying in Letterkenny IT, where he’s in the final year of a degree in Sport and Exercise Performance.

Thompson said: “I’m delighted to receive this prestigious award.

“I’d like to thank my teammates, coaches and management in Naomh Conaill for all their support.”

Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh is presented each year to the player of the Donegal Championship, as selected by a committee of 12 sports journalists in the county, chaired by Damien Ó Dónaill of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Announcing the winner today on Barrscéalta on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Damien said:
“Ciarán was chosen, in particular, for his performance at the end of this year’s championship. The final between Naomh Conaill and Gaoth Dobhair had to be played three times to separate the teams, and Ciarán, as captain of Naomh Conaill, showed tremendous leadership, which was crucial to their win.”

“He’s a talented player, improving year after year, and able to create inspirational scores off his left foot when needed. He’s a workhorse in midfield for Naomh Conaill, and he’s very deserving of this award.”

Edel Ní Chuireáin, Manager of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta in Donegal, said:
“The GAA brings communities together, and helps to build community spirit. Séamus Mac Géidigh understood how important that was, and so it’s fitting that for the fourth year in a row this year’s award will go to a young man from a Gaeltacht club. Communities, particularly rural communities, need leaders like this, and I’d like to congratulate Ciarán Thompson on this well-deserved award.”

Broadcaster Séamus Mac Géidigh was synonymous with Donegal GAA, and the voice of Gaelic Games in that county until his untimely death in 2016. This award was established to honour his memory. Recipients to date are Michael Murphy, Mark McHugh, and Odhrán Mac Niallais.

Ciarán will be presented with the award at the annual Donegal GAA County Banquet and Award night on Saturday 23 November.

The award was created by sculptor Redmond Herrity using Donegal Granite carved in the shape of Errigal, with an image of Séamus engraved to the front.

It’s time to start thinking about Christmas party season.

Venues across Donegal are already booking up for key dates this December.

And Sister Sara’s Superpub in Letterkenny is doing something a little different this year.

Not only are they offering great value on the luxury 3-course Christmas lunch, but they have launched a Christmas Party Buffet Menu and are hosting private party functions.

With delicious food to suit all tastes from Sara’s Kitchen and after-dinner entertainment, Sister Sara’s is an ideal choice for work parties, family get-togethers and any Christmas celebration. No party is too large or too small!

Check out the newly-launched Christmas party menus from Sister Sara’s for 2019. To book any date, just call 0749122238

Visit: www.facebook.com/sistersaras

Environmental walkover surveys are due to be carried out at Fintra bridge next week as part of a major upgrade for the problematic route.

Progress is continuing on the bridge upgrade, which is a vital access route for parts of South Donegal.

The long-awaited upgrade was raised in the Dáil by Pearse Doherty TD this week, after which it was confirmed that environmental survey works to identify a preferred route will be carried out next week while a consultation event on the route selection will take place early next year.

It’s expected that the project will then progress to Part 8 planning with the purchasing of lands for the route to go ahead in 2020.

Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty and Councillor Noel Jordan have both welcomed news of the upgrade plans, but commented on how progress has been “painfully slow” to date.

Teachta Doherty said: “As many people in the area will know, the bridge at Fintra is an old structure and is quite narrow meaning that its design poses a particular challenge for larger vehicles travelling along the route.

“Similarly, the route also consists of a series of very dangerous bends and notorious accident black spots with realignment works urgently needed to improve road safety along the stretch which remains a vitally important artery connecting Killybegs with Glencolmcille.

“In the Minister’s reply to my Dáil Question, he confirmed that the Department remains committed to assisting Donegal County Council in upgrading the route, referencing that €150,000 had been allocated to the project this year with €22,264 of this drawn down to date while it’s understood that further monies will be made available as the project progresses.

“The Minister also confirmed that Environmental walkover surveys will be conducted next week on 26th November and that these works will assist the team working on the project to identify a preferred route before the being put out to consultation early next year.

“It’s anticipated that the project will proceed to Part 8 planning following which land purchases will then take place in 2020.

“Understandably, while progress on this project has been much slower than I and many others would have preferred, I am nonetheless glad to have received news of these latest developments.”

Cllr Noel Jordan added: “The road is of huge importance, not just for local residents and those living throughout the region, but it also is used by the many tourists who come to the region to visit the many attractions found here such as Sliabh Liag.

“While the pace of progress to date has been painful slow, I am happy to have received this latest update from the Minister and I now intend to continue to work closely with my colleagues in Donegal County Council as well as the local communities to hopefully see this project finally completed.”

Job Vacancies: Due to continued expansion, Total Splicing Solutions Ltd is seeking to recruit for a Technical/ Administrative Support Role for an immediate start to join their existing team.

Duties to include providing technical and administrative support to existing teams including Mapping & Operations, Health & Safety & general Office Management.  

Strong IT skills essential & experience in Autocad/ Mapping Software an advantage. 

Position based in Donegal Town with occasional travel to Dublin and other parts of the country where required. (Travelling & accommodation expenses will be covered)

Must have good communications skills & the ability to work under pressure as part of an existing team. Experience of working in Telecoms/ Utilities Sector an advantage.

May also be a suitable opportunity for a recent graduate.

Full, clean driving licence essential.

Terms and conditions negotiable depending on qualifications and level of experience. Initial 6-month contract with a view to a permanent position.

Please apply with CV to: recruitment@totalsplicingsolutions.ie

Deadline for Applications: Friday 29th November 2019 @ 4pm

Gardaí have issued a warning after three notable incidents of dangerous driving were detected in the Inishowen and East Donegal on Tuesday.

A person was arrested on Tuesday evening in Ardravan, Buncrana after failing the roadside oral fluid test for drugs.  The Buncrana Road Policing Unit confirmed that the driver had tested positive for cocaine.

Also, in St. Johnston, a driver was caught speeding at 127km/h, which was 47km/h over the 80km/h speed limit. The detection was made in an area in which local residents have expressed concerns over speeding, gardaí said.

An Garda Siochana Donegal – incidents in Buncrana and St Johnston

Earlier in the day, a motorist was caught speeding at school time in Tooban, Burnfoot. The driver was travelling at 98km/h in a 60km/h zone.

Both speeding drivers will face fines and the suspected drug driver will appear in court at a future date.

Gardaí issued this warning after Tuesday’s incidents: “Please always adhere to speed limits and never ever drive under the influence of drugs/alcohol. A fine or a Court appearance could be what you will face if detected breaking road traffic laws and that is if you are fortunate enough not to lose your life or to cause someone else to lose their life first!”

Over 4,350 bed days have been lost at Letterkenny University Hospital because of delayed discharges so far in 2019, new figures show.

A lack of home help hours has been blamed for the number of patients who have to stay extra days in hospital, even though they have been deemed well enough by doctors to go home. However, without a lack of step-down care or community-based respite support they are unable to leave.

Figures revealed to Fianna Fáil show 197,160 bed days have been lost for the first ten months of the year nationwide. 6,519 bed days have been lost in the north west’s hospitals at Sligo and Letterkenny since January 1^st 2019. Each bed day is a 24-hour hospital stay for a patient.

Fianna Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Marc Mac Sharry commented, “Until the government get serious on delivering home care supports we are going to see a rise in bed days lost. Since the start of this year we have lost 2169 bed days in Sligo University Hospital and 4350 in Letterkenny University Hospital. We have 6519 bed days lost in the North West.

“Behind these numbers are people in hospital, who do not need to be there and do not want to be there, but the required step-down services are not in place to support their discharge from hospital.

“As well as the mental health and physical health detriments to the patient there are knock-on consequences for other services in the hospital which become stretched.

“What we need is more home support hours, home care packages and respite support for families.  It is only once these measures are in place that we will see an easing of the delayed discharge numbers,” concluded Deputy Mac Sharry.

DONEGAL LADIES will have four away games in the 2020 Lidl Ladies National League Division 1 – but will have two home doubler headers with the senior men’s footballers. 

Donegal – who will be again under the stewardship of Maxi Curran, following his reappointment on Sunday – will begin with an away game against Mayo on January 26 before making a long trip to Waterford a week later.

Donegal will have home games against Galway, reigning Division 1 holders Cork, and All-Ireland champions Dublin.

On February 9, the Donegal v Galway ladies game will precede the Allianz League meeting of the same counties.

On March 1, Donegal ladies will face Cork as the curtain-raiser to the Donegal-Monaghan clash in the men’s Division 1.

The LGFA has also confirmed that the top two finishers will progress straight to the finals in each of the divisions.

The 2020 Lidl Ladies National Football League Finals will be played on the weekend of April 18/19.

Division 1:

Round 1: January 26 2020 

Cork v Westmeath

Dublin v Tipperary

Galway v Waterford

Mayo v Donegal

Round 2: February 2 2020

Mayo v Dublin

Tipperary v Cork

Waterford v Donegal

Westmeath v Galway 

Round 3: February 9 2020

Donegal v Galway

Dublin v Cork

Mayo v Waterford

Tipperary v Westmeath

Round 4: February 23 2020 

Cork v Mayo

Dublin v Galway

Waterford v Tipperary

Westmeath v Donegal

Round 5: March 8 2020

Donegal v Cork

Galway v Tipperary

Mayo v Westmeath

Waterford v Dublin

Round 6: March 22 2020

Donegal v Dublin

Galway v Cork

Tipperary v Mayo

Westmeath v Waterford

Round 7: March 29 2020 

Cork v Waterford

Galway v Mayo

Tipperary v Donegal

Westmeath v Dublin

Relegation/Playoff Dates:

April 4/5

April 11/12

Final:

April 18/19

DONEGAL’S MINORS will open their 2020 Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship bid with a game against Down.

Donegal, who will be under the charge of Luke Barrett in 2020, will face the Mournes on April 25.

Barrett was ratified as Donegal’s Minor manager at the last meeting of the Donegal county committee with his father, Shaun Paul, named as the Under-20 manager.

The draws for the Ulster minor and U21 championships were made by the Ulster CCC last night and dates have now been pencilled in for both competitions.

The draw for the 2020 EirGrid Ulster Under 20 Championship is as follows:

Round 1 – Saturday 8 February

Doire v Fear Manach

Quarter Finals – Saturday 15 February

An Cabhán v An Dún

Dún na nGall v Muineachán

Ard Mhacha v Tír Eoghain

Aontroim v Doire/ Fear Manach

Semi Finals – Friday 28/ Saturday 29 February

An Cabhán / An Dún v Dún na nGall / Muineachán

Ard Mhacha / Tír Eoghain v Aontroim / Doire / Fear Manach

Final – Saturday 7 / Sunday 8 March

The draw for the 2020 Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship is as follows:

Preliminary Round – Saturday 18 April

Doire v An Cabhán

Round 1 – Saturday 25 April

Fear Manach v Aontroim

Dún na nGall v An Dún

Muineachán v Ard Mhacha

Tír Eoghain v Doire / An Cabhán

Qualifier Round 1 

Saturday 2 May

Round 2 / Qualifier Round 2 

Saturday 9 / Sunday 10 May

Qualifier Round 3

Saturday 16 / Sunday 17 May

Semi-Finals

Friday 19 – Sunday 21 June

Final

Saturday 4 / Sunday 5 July

A 56-year-old motorcyclist died when he collapsed during an off-road scramble in fields around Donegal.

Victor McAlonan had been out with three friends and an instructor riding motorbikes on February 11th, 2017 at Downniesbar, near the village of Glen neat Lough Salt.

The men had been in good spirits and had already been riding their VJP Pro bikes for a period of time.

Under instruction of Paul McGuigan of Dirtbike Tours in Tyrone, the men decided to come down a descent.

Victor McAlonan was at the rear of the group.

Mr McGuigan told an inquest into the death of Mr McAlonan at Letterkenny Coroner’s Court that after about 40 metres, he looked back and could only see three bikers.

He said ” stopped to do a head-count and I said “we’re a man down.”

Mr McGuigan went back to locate Mr McAlonan and found him with the 100 kilogramme bike lying on the lower part of his body.

He was unresponsive and he could not find a pulse from the victim.

He said there was no sign of a collision or an impact and it appeared that Victor had only traveled half a metre from where he last left him at the start of the descent.

The emergency services were contacted and members of the emergency personnel rushed to the scene.

Because of the steepness of the terrain, the ambulance could not access the victim and a paramedic managed to get a lift on the back of one of the off-road bikes ridden by Mr McGuigan.

A decision was then made to summon an emergency helicopter and the casualty was put on a spinal board and winched on board the chopper and taken to Letterkenny University Hospital but was pronounced dead.

Mr McAlonan’s nephew Richard said his uncle was not carrying any weight and that he was not aware that he had a heart condition.

Pathologist Dr Hajnalka Gyorffy said there were no external injuries including bruising on the body of Mr McAlanon from Main Street, Cullybackey, Co Antrim.

However, she added there had been significent findings of heart disease.

Coroner Dr Denis McCauley said it was his finding that Mr McAlonan died from natural causes as a result of coronary deficiency.

He added “If he had been walking down Portrush it could have happened. We don’t think that the accident contributed to his death. The signs are that his heart stopped as a result of heart disease.”

He paid tribute to the emergency services including Mulroy Coastguard for attempting to save Victor.

RAMELTON’S Catherine Grier was part of the Irish Deaf Women’s Futsal team who were placed ninth in the recent World Deaf Futsal Championship in Winterthur, Switzerland

It was Ireland’s first appearance at this level and Grier scored three vital goals for Ireland in the tournament. 

Ireland were drawn against three strong teams known as the death group and in their opening game they were unlucky to lose to Russia 3-2 on a last minute goal.  

They suffered a 7-3 defeat by a very strong German team.  In the last group game Ireland came back from 4-1 in arrears to draw 4-4 with Spain. 

That elusive winner which would have put Ireland through to the quarter-finals, never came despite all their efforts.

Ireland then faced Switzerland and finished on a high by beating them by 13-1, the country’s highest-scoring match ever. In the last game for Ireland they faced Finland and won 6-3. 

The hugely impressive Brazil won the World Deaf Futsal Women’s Champions after beating European champions Poland by 4-0 in final.  Grier picked up player of the match for an impressive performance against Spain and she is also ranked 10th in the world at goal scoring.

Pictured are Catherine Grier and Kirsty Kelly Mayo after their impressive 13-1 victory over hosts Switzerland.

DONEGAL Town’s David Kelly is a finalists for Motorsport Ireland’s Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award.

Kelly (24) is  named alongside Derek Mackarel (23), from Clones, Co Monaghan, and Josh McErlean (20), from Kilrea, Co Derry. 

All three drivers are in the running for the prestigious Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver Award, which has a prize fund of €100,000. 

The three drivers were drawn from nine candidates who were nominated on the back of their performances this year. 

All the finalists faced a rigorous selection process which included interviews from a panel of judges comprising representatives from Irish motorsport, Sport Ireland and the media. 

Kelly’s standout achievements during 2019 include winning the junior category of the Fastnet Rally. He also had wins on the Cavan and Midland Stages rally events, as well as claiming second overall in the junior section of the Killarney Rally of the Lakes. 

The Donegal driver, who works as a purchasing manager in his family’s construction business, also competed outside Ireland, taking part in four rounds of the BTRDA Fiesta ST Trophy. 

The winner of the Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award will receive €100,000 worth of support to contest rallies nationally and internationally in 2020. 

Coupled with Sport Ireland and Motorsport Ireland’s €50,000 investment, a further €50,000 has been pledged by the Team Ireland Foundation. 

The award winner will also receive assistance from Billy Coleman co-ordinator Sean McHugh.

Additional support from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy as part of a training and development plan to progress the winners’ career will also be available, and the winner may apply for funding for a second year of support upon satisfactory performances in their award-winning year. 

Both award runners up will receive support to compete in stage rallies at home and abroad up to an amount of €15,000 each.

The overall winner of the 2019 award will be announced at the MIS Motorsport Champions of Irish Motorsport Awards ceremony, which takes place on Tuesday, 10th December at the City West Hotel, Dublin.  

The award is presented annually and is supported by Sport Ireland and Motorsport Ireland. 

A FUN – and free! – Skills Day, organised by the Finn Harps Schools Programme, takes place this Saturday.

The event takes place at DMG Motors, Donegal Town, the main sponsors of the Finn Harps Schools Programme, from 10am-1pm.

On the day there will be skill tests and games to be run by Finn Harps Schools and Academy coaches. 

Donegal Road Safety Group will have a stand in operation with loads of great tips for the winter.

“The Finn Harps Schools and Academy programs have been going from strength to strength past number of years, and our Skills-Day is another part of this success story,” Finn Harps Academy Director Kevin McHugh said.

“DMG motors have been very supportive of all our programs and we are hosting the skills day from their Show-Room in Clar, Donegal Town.

“It’s designed for players and non-players of all abilities who want to either try out football for the first time or test their skills in a fun environment.”

Finn Harps first team players and coaches will also be in attendance with a range of prizes on offer in the various competitions.

McHugh said: “With the help from DMG, we would like to think as a club and especially our Schools and Academy programs that we are providing multiple pathways and educational services for girls and boys from every corner of the county and north-west in general to get started into football and then use our pathway and setup that we have created to continue their journey”

Legendary balladeers The Wolfe Tones are on their way back to Donegal for a highly-anticipated show in the Mount Errigal Hotel Letterkenny.

The band has announced a Christmas gig in the Mount Errigal on Monday 30th December 2019 and tickets are already in demand.

After 56 years on the road, the performance of arguably Ireland’s greatest ballad singer, Tommy Byrne, will once again be a memorable experience – Joe McDonnell, Kevin Barry, The Ballad of James Connolly, Grace, Streets of New York, as well as many other ballads, will provide a not to be missed Wolfe Tones experience.

The ticket pre-sale opens on Eventbrite this Friday 22nd November at 9am. A limited number of tickets are available in the pre-sale, with prices discounted to £22 – €25. Click here to visit the Eventbrite page.

General sale opens on Saturday 23rd November at 9am. Tickets are £26 – €29.50 and available from the Mount Errigal Hotel reception, Ticketmaster.ie and Eventbrite.

The Wolfe Tones have entered an unprecedented 56 years on the road.  Starting off in Dublin in 1963, the group continue to tour and pack venues across the World. 

Emerging from the ballad boom of the early 1960’s, The Wolfe Tones started out on a career which has taken them to the heights of not just Irish, but international entertainment.  They’ve received numerous international honours, including the freedom of both New York and Los Angeles, as well as the City of Philadelphia’s greatest honour, The Liberty Bell.

The Wolfe Tones have in their ranks arguably Ireland’s most prolific song writer and composer of his generation, Brian Warfield.  Brian has written songs that have become standards with Irish groups across the World, his ballads are sung from concerts to sports stadiums across the globe. 

From Celtic Symphony to Rock On Rockall, join the Wolfe tones for a Christmas concert in the Mount Errigal Hotel Letterkenny on Monday 30th December 

The Wolfe Tones are iconic, they have been the soundtrack to generations of Irish across the World for the last 56 years.  Their journey continues, Brian Warfield, Noel Nagle and Tommy Byrne make up The Wolfe Tones, and they remain a ‘must see’ Irish group. 

One thing is for sure, The Wolfe Tones will once again make the rafters ring in their own inimitable style.  Wolfe Tones’ shows sell out, as always, early booking is advised to experience a night to remember in the company of true legends of Irish music.

Ticket Pre-sale: On Eventbrite this Friday 22nd November at 9pm. A limited number of tickets are available in the pre-sale, with prices discounted to £22 – €25. Click here to visit the Eventbrite page.

General Sale: Opens on Saturday 23rd November at 9am. Tickets are £26 – €29.50 and available from the Mount Errigal Hotel reception, Ticketmaster.ie and Eventbrite.

A collective of drama and performing arts groups from across the county have launched a campaign to secure dedicated space for rehearsals and prop-building.

The #GiveUsSpace campaign was launched today with an open letter, which puts the dire situation faced by arts groups in the spotlight.

Six of Donegal’s largest and most successful drama and musical theatre ensembles say that finding a place to practice is the greatest challenge they face in a production.

For others, the cold, unsuitable places where they are forced to rehearse has given rise to health and safety issues or put entire plays at risk of being cancelled.

“The current situation is terrible – with no building that is dedicated to the performing arts that can facilitate the large number of groups and societies who are in such great need of it,” the letter says.

“We are blessed here in Donegal with fantastic facilities that cater for many sports.

“However, what is sorely being missed is a place, especially for children who have not got such a keen interest in sport, where children and adults can develop both personally and artistically.

“Currently these artistic spaces are cold, dank warehouses or school study halls. It would be hard to expect a football team to train on a tennis court and to then expect good results.”

The type of warehouses used by the local theatre groups for practice and prop building

The letter has been signed by Workhouse Theatre Company, Triumph Dance and Performing Arts, The Lifford Players, Letterkenny Music and Drama Group, Letterkenny Pantomime Society, Letterkenny Musical Society and The Butt Drama Circle.

The groups are united in their call for something they say Donegal has never had before – a safe and suitable centre for groups to create good productions and to give audiences the best possible experience.

“We meet for rehearsals in my living room in St. Johnston,” says Ed Flanagan of the Lifford Players Drama Group. “It’s not big enough. My garage is what we use for props and it’s pretty cramped as well. Unless a group has its own theatre, there’s nowhere for them.”

The Lifford Players’ last production entertained over 1,000 people and Ed is keen to point out the high standard of productions that are self-funded and performed on a voluntary basis.

“Bringing theatre to the masses cannot be underplayed,” he says, “it’s big for tourism, it’s big for local people and for families.”

The Lifford Players perform Dancing at Lughnasa in 2018

The ideal creative centre for such groups would contain two rooms and a workshop for building props. Warmth, suitable flooring and tea-making facilities are just some of the features which the groups dream of having.

At other times, basic facilities such as toilets have been unavailable for groups who have only had access to warehouses in the past.

Iarla McGowan, Director of Workhouse Theatre Company, who is leading the #GiveUsSpace campaign, says he has experienced some very unsuitable practice spaces in recent years.

Workhouse Theatre Company

“You’re meeting in a leaky warehouse that is noisy, cold and there could be a shaky set in the back of the room ready to tip. People have to get in their cars and drive into the town to go to the toilet.

“Our arts scene is excellent, but what goes on behind the scenes is messy and unsafe.

“You have all these great groups in Donegal who have been pulled out by the generosity of businesspeople.

“The lack of rehearsal space nearly jeopardised our last Workhouse show. It was only at the 11th hour we managed to find a space in a yoga studio to practice – and this was largely down to the kindness of a (then) stranger who could see what we were trying to achieve and believed in it,” Iarla says.

Workhouse Theatre Company Summer YouthLab had to go outdoors due to a lack of functional space

The Letterkenny Pantomime Society will be marking its 70th anniversary in 2020. Over the decades they have rehearsed in pubs, hotels, the church, football clubs and schools.

“It’s always a struggle to get space,” says Patrick Doherty from the Pantomime Society. Their upcoming play, Cinderella, will have a cast of almost 200. The age range varies from as young as four to cast members in their eighties.

“At the minute the small kids are out at Illistrin NS. They are very good to give us the place but a big cold hall and it’s not ideal,” Patrick says. “Sports clubs have their facilities, but we were out making our props in an old shed at St. Conal’s, during the winter with the rain coming in.”

The Letterkenny Music and Drama Group come against the same problems when they go to build a set.

Pluincead Ferry says, “Every year we are begging people to give us room. I’ve been in shows since 1984 and we are so lucky in that we have the Convent for our practices. But we have been all around the town for set space and it’s an awful nuisance.”

Letterkenny theatre groups using alternative spaces for rehearsals – the Letterkenny Music and Drama Group relies on Loreto Letterkenny

The #GiveUsSpace open letter is being circulated to local politicians and Donegal County Council today. The letter says that drama, musical theatre, dance and performing arts groups have been neglected when it comes to the allocation of facilities.

Iarla says: ” People think there is ample space around Letterkenny but this is not the case.

“People might ask ‘why not use the theatre or the arts centres?’ But the answer to this is that there is no adequate or conducive places to rehearse within them – especially for casts over a certain number. This is a familiar pattern across the county.

“We have great buildings to perform in but nowhere suitable for the actual making of these productions which might take a year to workshop, practice and build before it comes to showtime.

“It really has got to the point where a large rehearsal space, a prop building area and a set store is made available for the growing number of groups and all under one roof.

“Why? so shows can be made safely and that those involved can be the best they possibly can be.”

Letterkenny Music and Drama Group rehearsing on the stairs of An Grianan Theatre

Andrea Emmett, founder of TRIUMPH Performing Arts, adds that a shared creative hub would enable groups to collaborate more and be more supportive of each other.

Andrea has been teaching dance at TRIUMPH for three years from the Aura Leisure Centre.

Triumph Performing Arts practising without mirrors in the Aura Leisure Centre Basketball Court

“If we didn’t have the Aura we wouldn’t have TRIUMPH. But I have to book space outside of the time that fitness classes are on. This leaves only Saturdays available,” she says.

“The last day the dancers were practising for an All-Ireland final. We were given a quarter of the basketball court to practice, with basketball going on around us.

“There is a great emphasis on fitness across Donegal but nowhere to support practising the arts. We need somewhere that puts the arts first.”

Those behind the #GiveUsSpace campaign are passionate about the necessity that any future building project would have to include input from the theatre societies.

Iarla says: “It is vital that when this centre is built it is built in the right way for future generations – and in consultation with the theatre makers here in Donegal. If people are not given a good experience of theatre and performance when they are young then they are not going to have a keen interest in it in later life. This can then have a damaging effect on theatre audiences.

“This centre will be used to help that young boy or girl who might not have an avenue to express themselves through which others might have through sport. This is to nurture their personal development. Whether they be the next theatre maker or theatre goer. Both are equally as important.

“Theatre and drama groups have put up with the struggle to find space for far too long now. It is now vital for our community that something now changes.”

The #GiveUsSpace Open Letter, launched on 20th November 2019