Gardaí in Donegal have issued an alert after a local woman almost fell victim to a banking phishing scam.

The woman recently received a call from someone pretending to be from the bank reporting fraudulent activity. The scammer then asked her to grant remote access to her computer to fix the issue. This allowed the caller to harvest the woman’s personal banking details.

The scammer almost managed to set up a fraudulent beneficiary onto the woman’s account to steal money, but alarm bells rang when she received an activation text from her bank.

Gardaí took to Facebook today to warn the public of this latest scam:

“Please advise elderly or vulnerable neighbours and friends of the fact that these scam calls are very common. Advise them to hang up should they receive such a call and to contact their bank directly. Advise them against giving personal details out over the phone regardless of who is calling. Genuine banks/businesses will not ask for personal details and they certainly will not ever request remote access to your PC.”

Gardaí confirmed that the caller’s number in this case started with 0044123.

They received the following details from the bank on the case: 

“The lady concerned received a call from someone who informed her that the amount of €39 had been taken from her account.

“She was instructed to dial 1 if she wished to further discuss this deduction. She did so and she was transferred to someone who informed her that someone had tried to spend money from her account.

“The lady agreed to grant remote access to her PC to the caller and she then was instructed to log into her banking online facility. When this was done, the caller harvested the lady’s personal information. They set up a fraudulent beneficiary onto her account.

“To set up a beneficiary on an account an activation code is required and this was sent to the phone of the lady in question by text. She did not supply the caller with this code and therefore no funds were transferred to the fraudulent account.”

A Donegal driver received a shock last weekend when a glass bottle was thrown at their car.

The bottle hit a back window, shattering glass all over the back seats.

It was a stroke of luck that the driver’s young children weren’t in the car at the time.

The incident occurred in Quigley’s Point at 8.15pm on Friday night.

The man was on his way home passing along the river opposite the local bar when the bottle was launched at his car.

Photos: Oisin Brady, Quigley’s Point

Photos: Oisin Brady, Quigley’s Point

Sharing an appeal on Facebook, driver Oisin Brady said: “Why they threw a bottle beats me maybe not intending to hit my car but it did. I seen the two of them run off when I shouted at them, I chased them a bit but they disappeared up the field along the river and gone.”

The incident was reported to Gardaí, who Oisin said took two bottles away as evidence.

Oisin added his thanks to the people who helped him after the infuriating incident.

“Thanks to the men locally who were there support and help me look for them last night. Great community spirit locally as I lived here for year, these two scumbags do not reflect the people in Quigleys Point!”

Anyone with any information which can help the investigation is asked to contact Gardaí in Buncrana on +353 74 9320547.

Donegal County Council is preparing its gritters to treat all main roads in Donegal tonight.

Met Eireann is forecasting a risk of frost tonight as temperatures fall to lows of 3C to 0C.

“Patchy frost early in the night, in mainly light, south to southwest winds,” said the national forecaster.

“Tomorrow, Tuesday will start out cloudy and rather misty, with some patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle. The rain and drizzle will clear during the afternoon and it will become mostly dry with a few bright or sunny spells and just a few showers along western and northern coasts,” said the Met Eireann report.

Donegal County Council confirmed that all routes will be gritted from 8pm on Monday night.

Donegal gritting route index as follows:

• 06: Inishowen West
• 04: Inishowen South
• 01: National Primary North
• 02: National Primary Central
• 03: National Primary South
• 07: Milford South
• 08: Milford North
• 09: Cill Ulta East
• 10: Cill Ulta West
• 11: Na Rosa
• 12: Binswilly
• 13: Stranorlar North
• 14: Stranorlar East
• 15: Stranorlar West
• 16: Donegal West
• 17: Donegal North
• 18: Donegal South
• 19: Donegal National Secondary
• 05: Inishowen East
• BT: Buncrana Town
• LT: Letterkenny Town

This Christmas, before you pour fats, oils and greases from the turkey down the sink, just stop and think what it might be doing to the water network.

A recent survey reveals that 58% of the public do pour fats and oils down the sink – and Irish Water is campaigning to reduce the levels of blockages that they cause.

Fats, oils and greases (FOGs) seem like liquid when poured but, once they cool along the pipes, they can cause blockages in homes, businesses, the public sewer network and wastewater treatment plants, and can even lead to overflows of sewage that can damage the environment.

When FOGs combine with wipes and other sanitary items that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, fatbergs can form. Irish Water cleared thousands of fatbergs from the wastewater network this year.

Speaking about the campaign Anthony Skeffington, Irish Water said, “We have cleared almost 8,000 reported sewer blockages already this year caused by FOGs being poured down the kitchen sink combined with inappropriate items such as baby wipes being flushed down the toilet. Thousands of other blockages were removed in the course of planned works on the network. This demonstrates the size and scale of the challenge we face to keep the sewer network blockage free.

“Our message is simple. This Christmas we want to remind the public not to use their kitchen sink as a bin. ‘Think before you pour’ and use a GunkPot or a similar reusable container to collect FOGs and help to prevent pipe blockages and protect the marine environment.”

Two building projects are set to progress in the New Year at the Royal & Prior Community and Comprehensive in Raphoe.

Minister for Education Joe McHugh announced the plans today, saying the projects will “make a real difference to the school.”

The Department of Education and Skills has approved funding to convert part of the school into three science labs and a prep area, one art room and one construction studies room.

Separately, the school has been included in a border communities project funded through the Department of Foreign Affairs, and supported by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Simon Coveney.

Minister McHugh said: “The school will see upgrade work to the sports hall where former Olympian Chloe Magee learned her renowned skills on the badminton court and which has left school staff and students facing serious health and safety concerns.”

The project is being funded through in the Department of Foreign Affairs as part of a wider investment in sports facilities in border communities.

Minister McHugh said: “I would like to commend both An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Simon Coveney for their initiative in this area. The investment will ensure that Royal & Prior has a deeper place in the local community, across Donegal and on both sides of the border as it becomes an even more important location for sport as evidenced in the successful bid for €112,500 Sports Capital funding to develop the Raphoe Hockey pitch.”

The Department of Education and Skills’ Building Unit will support the border school project by assisting with expertise required for the planning.

As Santa Claus takes off on his annual journey around the world tonight – he’s going to be extra prepared for travelling around Donegal this year.

That’s because two of his reindeer have been living in the county all December to get to know the area – and to find out where all the good boys and girls are living. 

With so many towns and back roads to cover tonight, Comet and Blitzen were dispatched to Donegal on a special mission this month.

The reindeer were based at Wild Ireland sanctuary in Inishowen until Christmas Eve. But every night, there have been bizarre sightings of animals flying to and from the sanctuary.

Come morning time, the pair are back enjoying their breakfast hay as they build up their energy for their most important night of the year.

Matthew Hyndman Photography: @mhyndman_97

Wild Ireland owner Killian McLaughlin says the only possible explanation for the magical happenings is that Comet and Blitzen have been out on recce missions for Santa.

Killian couldn’t believe it when two surprise arrivals landed at the park on 1st December. But the animal lover couldn’t help but take in the special guests – and they fit right in since reindeer were once native to Ireland up to 10,000 years ago.

“Ever since they arrived there have been some strange things going on here,” Killian told Donegal Daily.

“The bears, the wolves, the monkeys and Naoise the lynx have woken up to find extra gifts to eat for breakfast, and we simply can’t explain where they are coming from.”

The reindeer were a big attraction at Wild Ireland this month as families came to see the pleasant animals and learn some great facts from Killian and his team.

Did you know?

Santa’s reindeer are all female!

Killian explained: “Reindeer are the only species of deer that both male and female reindeer grow antlers. They grow a fresh set every year. male reindeer shed their antlers before Christmas. Females retain their antlers until spring to defend their babies from predators. So unless Santa had a magical way of making sure his reindeer kept their antlers, his reindeer must have been female.”

“Reindeer have huge noses which have lots of veins, which help them warm the cold air as they breathe in. When it gets really cold, their noses fill with blood, giving them a bright red nose!

“Reindeer have a tendon in their feet that clicks when they walk, this means that they can hear each other so can stick together in a blizzard or dense fog.

“Reindeer were once native to Ireland. Their fossils are often found with the great Irish elk fossils. They died out when the climate warmed about 10,000 years ago. With global warming, reindeer may face a similar demise in the rest of the world.

“Reindeer will eat carrots but their favourite food is Lichen, moss and ferns,” Killian said.

So, to all the boys and girls around Donegal, you can sleep well tonight knowing that Santa is guaranteed to find you with the help of his trusty crew members Comet and Blitzen.

Killian McLaughlin with the three wolves of Wild Ireland Donegal. Photo: Northwest Newspix

One of the bears at Wild Ireland. Photo: Northwest Newspix

The rest of the Wild Ireland residents will be taking a well-earned Christmas break until 27th December when the reserve opens to the public again.

It’s been a special few months for Wild Ireland, which opened at the end of October to bring Ireland’s once-native animals back to the Donegal countryside. Many of the animals are rescued from unsuitable backgrounds, including circuses and the illegal pet trade, and while they are unable to go back to the wild, they have been given a home in a unique sanctuary.

Killian said he has been overwhelmed with how popular Wild Ireland has become.

“The interest that people have in the animals is amazing. And we are so impressed with how people are really respecting the place.

“The animals are thriving in their new homes,” Killian said.

Barbary Macaques at Wild Ireland Donegal. Photo: Northwest Newspix

There’s a lot to look forward to in the New Year too, as the three brown bears will be celebrating their fifth birthday in January 2020. The bears will soon be treated to a newly revamped closure thanks to funds donated to Wild Ireland’s GoFundMe campaign.

The parishioners of Donaghmore in Donegal will be lighting candles together at a special time this Christmas Day to remember loved ones who have passed away.

The new initiative invites families to unite and share a prayer together from their own homes at 3pm on December 25th, while the church bells have been set to ring at St Patrick’s Church and at St Mary’s Sessiaghoneill at the same time.

Remembrance candles are currently on sale in local shops, with proceeds going towards church funds.

The thoughtful project is being headed up by Niall Gallen, who said: “Christmas is a tough time on most families who have lost loved ones, and I thought how poignant it would be if all households united and shared in a special prayer at a certain time on Christmas day.

“The idea of the church bells was suggested by a friend of mine when I told him about the candle. Church bells echoing out over our graveyard sounds so lonely but also so powerful as a community is united at that particular time of day

“This year in our parish there has been, like so many parishes, so many tragic deaths, and I think everyone will be thinking how tough for their families as they face their first Christmas without them. The candle and prayer is also a small gesture to let these families know that people are thinking on them at this difficult time.

“Also candles could be sent to families members outside the parish or abroad to allow them to share and join also at the special time of 3 o clock.”

Details on where to purchase remembrance candles are provided in the poster below:

Businessman Johnny Harte left his native Raphoe many years ago but his heart will always be close to The Diamond. He travels the world with his business Five Farms Irish Liqueur but always keeps in touch with home. This is Johnny’s My Donegal. 

What is your favourite place in Donegal and why?

Beltany Stone Circle outside Raphoe. It is a very spiritual place and it doesn’t matter what religion you are. Our ancestors built this monument and we are all descended from them. It is a special place.

Who is the one person in Donegal that you look up to and why?

My Mother. She is 89 but never complains and never has. She used to have a saying that went along the lines “ the old people used to say” and only recently did she say “I am one of them now” but we don’t think so.

What’s your happiest Christmas memory in Donegal?

I’ll have to be careful here but a long time ago Santa for some unknown reason decided to leave our toys not under the tree like every year but beside our beds. When the time came to go downstairs it was decided to keep the lights out so as not waken Mammy or Daddy. When discovering there was nothing under the tree there was huge conservation until Mammy arrived with the suggestion that maybe Santa had been tired and did we look upstairs at the bottom of the bed. When the light went on in the bedroom … well little faces lit up because Santa is a great man.

If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?

The Donegal Railway Heritage Centre

Rebuild the railways. They should never have been taken out.

What has been Donegal’s proudest moment in recent years?

Donegal winning the 2012 All Ireland football final. In Style.

If you found a magic wand that allowed you to grant one wish for Donegal, what would it be?

Three months of Sunshine in the Summer.

What is your favourite Donegal-made product?

It used to be Oatfield Emerald Sweets but now it has to be Hanna Hats.

Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?

Daniel O’Donnell. I’ve been lucky enough to travel around the world and I don’t know how many times I’ve come across people from Kansas city to Auckland who have been touched by the genuine kindness of Daniel O’Donnell.

What is your earliest memory associated with Donegal?

Is when my father took me to see Donegal play Offaly in the 1972 All Ireland football Semi-Final. I’d been to see Donegal before but not in a setting like Croke Park. The disappointment was overwhelming when we lost and Daddy bought us Kentucky Fried Chicken to cheer us up. It’s still my favourite fast food!

What has been the biggest compliment you’ve ever received?

A few years before my Dad died he said to me one day “ you sound like your grandfather now” . I never met my grandfather James Harte but I met people growing up who revered him.

Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?

Patsy McGonagle

Patsy McGonagle. I don’t think anyone has done more work for sport in Donegal. He worked at all codes. I was not one of his star sports prodigies but I was lucky enough to be trained by Patsy at, Gymnastics, Soccer and Skiing!

What is your favourite Donegal restaurant/bar?

Friels Bar and Restaurant in Raphoe.

What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?

Aye surely. You never really know if someone is agreeing or having you on.

What is the biggest challenge facing the people of Donegal today?

I would say that access to the larger economy in the state has held Donegal back. The county needs to have a motorway link to Dublin to allow business thrive.

What is your favourite food that you associate with Donegal?
Answer… Spuds. New potatoes, butter and a raw onion.

Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
Can’t think of any.

Who is your favourite Donegal entrepreneur?

Tim Kelly , The Kelly Group. Tim never forgot his roots and has given employment to so many people in Donegal in Britain over the years. A true gentleman.

If you had a hundred million euro to improve something in Donegal what would it be?

There is an ancient Chinese saying that a society should be judged by how it treats its weak and its old. I would spend all the money to ensure all our weak and all our elderly are properly looked after.

Where’s the most unusual place you’ve logged on to Donegal Daily?

Ballina, New South Wales , Australia.

Nomination for best dressed Donegal person?

Raj Meehan, always only the best gear.

Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of? (example: our culture/language)

Our music. Clannad, Enya, Rory Gallagher and Micky Joe.

What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?

Seeing ideas come to fruition. Procrastination is the curse of progress.

FINN HARPS have snapped up former Shamrock Rovers player Ryan Connolly, the announcement giving supporters a surprise Christmas present.

Connolly says he is ‘buzzing’ at the prospect of returning to League of Ireland football again.

The 27-year-old Castlebar man took a step back from senior football in 2019, but Harps boss Ollie Horgan has secured the services of the former Derby County prospect.

“I’m buzzing to be given the opportunity by Ollie and Finn Harps to play again,” Connolly said. 

“After taking a year out I’ve never been more hungry to play and push on with Harps. I just can’t wait to get going.”

Connolly has also lined out for Ayr United, Longford Town, Sligo Rovers, Shamrock Rovers and Galway United, whom he captained.

Horgan said: “When I spoke to Ryan it was clear he was itching to get back on the pitch and we’re happy he’s signed with us. 

“He’s a talented player and has been known to chip in with a few goals too which aren’t easy got in the Premier Division. 

“We’re doing our best to build a squad to compete next year and it’s great to have Ryan as part of that.”

ON THE weekend of the 2019 Winter Solstice at last Sheephaven Sub Aqua Club divers got a decent break from the progression of Atlantic storms that have been dominant over the last number of weeks. 

With the fourth winter storm of the 2019-2020 season to hit Donegal passing through mid-week we had clear skies and slack southerly winds that allowed for the first boat dive in many weeks on Saturday morning. 

The Sheephaven diver’s fortunate enough to take advantage of this opportunity put out from Mevagh boatyard to the nearby First Narrows and caught the low-tide slack water at Dundoan Rock. 

The divers conducted a 40-minute dive to a maximum of 24 metres, with reasonable in-water visibility of no greater than 5 metres horizontally. 

Water temperature at 6 degrees Celsius is about as cold as it gets at this location, although it can get much colder further up Mulroy Bay – where there is more fresh water and the shallower depths prevent any thermal circulation. 

There was some fish life present, with Conger Eels observed along with a number of Butterfish and a few Lobsters and their attendant Shrimps. 

Sunday morning saw a collection of Santa clad divers taking to the water in PortnaBlagh for the 2019 Sheephaven Santa Swim, on what turned out to be another fine winters’ morning, where the near freezing air temperature was lower than that in the water, which was recorded at 7 degrees Celsius.

The Sheephaven diver’s snorkelled across the bay to the Golf Course Point in near calm sea conditions and just relaxed for a while on a near perfect Winter Solstice day. 

THOMAS Kelly was the winner of the Gents Club Stroke competition at Dunfanaghy Golf Club on Sunday.

There was another busy weekend of action at the club with Kelly being off Jim McLaughlin for the top prize.

The Gents Open on Saturday was won by Shane Scanlon and Ciaran Haran while Wednesday’s Open Stableford was won by Ger Dalton.

Gents Club Stroke – Sunday 22nd December 2019

1st   Thomas Kelly (12)                  64
2nd Jim McLaughlin (11)               66 BOT
Gross: Daniel McColgan (4)          72
​3rd David Alcorn (11)                    66 BOT
     CSS:67

Gents Open 4 Ball Better Ball Stableford – Saturday 21st December 2019

1st   Shane Scanlan (5) Letterkenny    42 pts BOT
Ciaran Haran (15) Letterkenny
2nd J P Clarke (7) Letterkenny            42 pts BOT
Ronan McClafferty (12) Portsalon
CSS: N/A

Gents Open Stableford – Wednesday 18th December 2019

1st   Ger Dalton (10)           27 pts
CSS: 34 pts (Reduction only)

Gents Senior Open Stableford Monday 16th December 2019

1st   Tommy Greally (16) Letterkenny     39 pts
2nd Sean Gilroy (26) Letterkenny            37 pts
Gross: Colin Higgs (9)                                 28 pts
3rd Patrick Doherty (13) Letterkenny     34 pts
CSS: 36 pts

A DONEGAL County Councillor has organised volunteers to keep a watch on Church car parks during Christmas Masses following a spate of recent break-ins.

Newtowncunningham-based Councillor Paul Canning has arranged for some local people to keep a watching brief during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses at the All Saints Church, Newtowncunningham and the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Killea.

“It’s sad that we have to actually do this in the season of good will,” Councillor Canning said.

“I know this is a little extreme on Christmas week, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Cllr Paul Canning

On Sunday, thieves broke into three acts outside St Mary’s Church in Castlefin, St Columba’s Church in Drumoghill and Carnone Presbyterian Church in Castlefin.

Handbags, an Apple iPod as well as children’s medication was taken during the series of thefts, which resulted on windows on vehicles as well as a boot lock on another being broken.

Councillor Canning said: “I would also urge people not to leave anything in their car that would be seen or of interest to the burglar.”

Gardaí have issued similar warnings.

Garda Grainne Doherty said: “These people are chancers and we are asking people not to take any chances with their vehicles and valuable items in the run-up to and over Christmas.

“We are asking people not to leave any valuables in cars when they are attending church services over Christmas and also to park their cars in well-lit areas.

“Don’t simply put handbags and other valuables in the footwells of cars as these people know they could be there. Our message is not to take any chances.”

FRIDAY 20th December, the last Friday before Christmas means for most people a ‘big night out’ when people are ‘larging it’ to the extreme.

A lot of workplaces host their Christmas parties with a result this being the booziest day of the year, leading to an increase of drink-fuelled violence.  

However, this was not the case for Lifford-Strabane\s very own ‘Marathon Man’, Gerard Campbell. 

Gerard’s only battle was with The EAMS ‘Black Eyed Friday Marathon’ which started at Carrick Castle, Carrickfergus before taking runners towards Gideons Green.  

This was Gerard’s 52nd Marathon, 8th Marathon this year to date in a fine time of 4hrs 5mins.  

On Saturday 21st December, Lifford Strabane AC’s Joshua Stuart celebrated his 200th Parkrun in Derry. 

This athlete is an avid parkrun runner taking in parkruns in various locations such as Derry, Strabane and Scotland.  

A special word of thanks to the committee of Lifford Strabane AC for organising Christmas Parties for members of the club.  The club would also like to acknowledge Paul Harkin proprietor of Harkins Gala Ballybofey & St Johnson who very kindly sponsored the ‘Pizza Night’ organised for the juvenile athletes. 

Holiday Notice

Juvenile Athletes – Training resumes on Monday 6th January 2020 for all juvenile athletes. Senior Athletes – Tuesday 7th January 2020. All of which are subject to change with individual coaches advising their athletes!  All sessions are coach led.  Lifford Strabane AC caters for all abilities.

Couch to 5K Programme commencing Tuesday 7th January 2020.  Training will be on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings lasting for 5 wks.

Save The Dates

Lifford Strabane AC 2020 5k Spring Series dates confirmed: 13th January 10am Carrigans, 26th January 10:15am Raphoe with the final race on 9th February 10:30am Lifford.  

Our race series is an early start in the racing season.  It’s a great opportunity for all athletes to set down goals for the incoming years races and to evaluate were they are in terms of racing.  €8 per race or €20 when pre-registering for all 3 races.  Technical top for those pre-registered for the race series.

The committee would like to take this opportunity to wish all at the club a Very Happy & Peaceful Christmas!!  We look forward to seeing you all return in 2020 with new goals!!

Planners behind Donegal County Council’s new EU-funded TrailGazers project visited the Algarve recently to explore the best practice for developing Donegal’s tourist trails.

The TrailGazers project was launched in Donegal this year to look at new and innovative ways that walks and recreational trails can better link with the surrounding local and rural communities to enhance economic and social development.

Project partners from Donegal, joined teams from Ireland, the UK, Spain, Portugal and France at a  transnational meeting at the University of Algarve in Portugal to see first-hand the impact of trails in Loule, Albufeira and Lagoa municipalities.

Members of the group examining how the right type of investment in trails can help local communities, increase visitor numbers and provide sustainable community trail management during their meeting in Portugal.

The meeting explored how the right type of investment in trails can help local communities increase visitor numbers and provide sustainable community trail management while protecting the area’s natural and cultural assets.

The economy of the region of the Algarve is mainly driven by tourism, receiving more than a third of the total tourists in Portugal. More than 80 km of boardwalks and trails were constructed the last decade to promote the natural capital of the region and to protect it from mass tourism.

There are over 30 trails at different stages of development, conserving natural and cultural heritage and giving thousands of tourists the opportunity to discover the landscape of Algarve.

The São Lorenço trail is located in Quinta do Lago golf resort, bordering the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the best practice examples of public private interest to maintain and develop tourism destinations in protected areas. The Paderne trail was developed in such a way so as to ensure conservation of riverside flora and fauna in Albufeira and at the same time providing a linear corridor that connects the urban areas and beach. The Seven Hanging Valley trail, located on the coast of Carvoeiro village, was recently elected as one of the European Best Destinations.

According to Loretta McNicholas, Research and Policy Manager with Donegal County Council “Recent trends indicate an increase in nature-based tourism activity across the Atlantic Area.  Nature-based tourism is an alternative to city tourism and sea and sun mass recreation, generating positive socioeconomic impacts. However, negative environmental impacts due to over tourism and uncontrolled stepping on fragile ecosystems, socio-cultural impacts associated with interactions between people with differing cultural backgrounds, and economic impacts due to high living costs within the community are often not sufficiently considered.

“This project will examine how the right type of investment in trails can assist local communities, increase the number of visitors and provide sustainable community trail management plans that protect the area’s natural and cultural assets”.

This project is co-financed under the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme through the European Regional Development Fund.

If interested in finding out more about this project or how to become involved contact Loretta Mc Nicholas, Donegal County Council at lmcnicho@donegalcoco.ie .

Cloughaneely’s Language Planning group has announced the nominees of the first-ever Irish-language Employee of the Year Awards.

Over 200 people attended the awards ceremony where Mary Duggan of the Gweedore Bar in Falcarragh was announced as the overall winner of the competition, scooping up a commemoration cup and a cheque for €200.

Sile Collum who works in Falcarragh Service station took second place and Liam McClafferty, the well-loved barman in Ostan Loch Altan was in third.

The overall winner of the young people’s section of the competition was Aine Jackson of Ostan Loch Altan. Chelsea Gleeson of The Gweedore Bar was in second place followed by Shane McLafferty of Eurospar Gortahork in third.

Two special recognition awards were also presented to non-native speakers, one to Sile Ni Ghallchoir of DNG Kelly and the other to Tara Ni Fhearraigh of Café Batch.

Caitlin Nic Aoidh of TG4 presented the awards and hosted a ceremony that entertainment provided by some of the young talent from the area.

The awards aim to recognise employees who promote the use of Irish in the workplace and who provide Irish-language service to customers. A total of 18 nominations were made.

Speaking at event, Micheal Mac Aoidh, Cloich Cheann Fhaola Language Planning committee said businesses in the Gaeltacht are beginning to realise the importance of the Irish-language to their businesses.

He said “Many visitors to the Gaeltacht want an opportunity to speak Irish in the shops and restaurants they frequent. Even those without Irish want to hear it spoken. These awards aim to reward employees who offer customers an Irish-language service and who promote the language within the workplace”.

Ten others were also recognised at the event. They were Seán Ó Gallchóir, Cloughaneely Golf Club; Bríd McCurry, Pobal Le Chéile; Carmel Duggan, Èurospar Gortahork; Grace Ferry, Èurospar Gortahork; Bríd Collum, Circle K, Falcarragh Service Station; Paddy McHugh,An tSeanbhearic; Liam Mac Eachmarchaigh, Óstán Loch Altan; Síle Uí Ghallchóir, Manus Kelly -DNG auctioneers; Mary Bean Uí Mhúrraigh, the Gweedore Bar; and Síle Bán nic Aoidh, Greenes shoeshop.

FORMER Donegal GAA star Michael Lafferty and his family will get the runners underway on Thursday for the annual St Stephen’s Day 5k at Finn Valley AC.

This will be the 49th staging of the race, which has become a firm favourite with families, athletes, walkers and joggers.

A run/walk, a community, social occasion, it has attracted as many as 800 to come out after the Christmas festivities for a breath of fresh air and take the opportunity to meet up with some who have come home for the holiday period.

Each year Finn Valley have been privileged to have a prestige personality to fire the start gun and set them on their way at 12 noon. 

The likes of Jason Quigley, Philip Deignan, Frank McGlynn, Sinead Jennings, Caitriona Jennings and Larissa Muldoon from the world of sport performed the duties.

There was local lady Cora Harvey, while Mayor of Donegal, who will be a competitor this year, Pat the Cope Gallagher and local personality Mickey the Post Gallagher to name but a few who have also carried out the honour.

This year, Lafferty and his family will fire the gun.

Lafferty was Donegal captain in 1983 when they won the Ulster SFC and he also played in 1974 when Donegal topped the province.

Having helped fire Sean MacCumhaills to a Donegal SFC in 1977, Lafferty was also the team trainer of the All-Ireland winning Donegal Under-21 team of 1982.

In 1992, Lafferty served as a selector to Brian McEniff when Donegal won their first ever All-Ireland title. 

Thursday’s event is also a race and Olympic champions Mo Farah and Vivian Cheryuiot, Kenya hold the course records but at its core it is a people event and therein lies the success and longevity of it as a now-hardy annual.

There is an open invite and entry is open until 11.30am on St Stephen’s Day. 

Start time is 12 noon. Adult entry is €10, children’s entry is €5 with a family entry available for €25.

After a hugely successful launch in 2018, the Christmas carol service returned to Raphoe Mart last week.

Farmers, mart staff and families gathered on Friday for an evening of songs and poems, directed by none other than Mart manager Anne Harkin.

It was a truly special evening as the community brought some wonderful Christmas spirit to the mart ring.

See all the photos by Clive Wasson below:

Anne Harkin and her choir at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

The community enjoying the singing at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

The packed showring at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Choir members at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Hilary Leeper and Paula Wauchope singing at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Some of the crowd at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Santa during his visit at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Jake McKnight recites There’s More to Christmas at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Charlie Meehan at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Odhran McHugh reading Chrismas Spirit at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Cara Eaton reading Chrismas giving at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Ella Thompson reading the Bells of Christmas at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Mart manger, Anne Harkin directing her choir at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

The choir at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Daisy Leeper, reading Chrismas Lights at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Some of the crowd at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Valerie Maxwell serving her last cup of tea in the amart canteen after years of service at the Raphoe Livestock Mart Community Carol Service on Friday last. Photo Clive Wasson

There is a major water outage in the Killygordon and the Cross area this evening, Christmas eve.

Local county councillor Patrick McGowan said that Irish Water has been informed.

Workers have located the fault and say that householders will have their supply back between 6am and 10am on Christmas morning.

The Christmas spirit was so strong among the pupils and staff of Little Angels Special School that they simply had to share it with others!

The Letterkenny school community has been enjoying a packed calendar of Christmas events, carolling and fundraising over the past few weeks. And they recently brought all that excitement together to record a Christmas music video.

This lip sync edition of Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ is sure to brighten your day:

Little Angels Band Aid Lip Sync from Little Angels School on Vimeo.

The video was recorded last week, as Little Angels held a successful GOAL Christmas Jumper Day and SVP food appeal.

Over €530 was raised for Crumlin Children’s Hospital on the day and a van load of food was collected for people in need this Christmas.

Well done to all!