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The perfect family outing awaits at Oakfield Park this Easter!

Hop onboard Donegal’s biggest Easter hunt as the Easter Express opens for bookings at 10am today on www.oakfieldpark.com

This eggstravaganza takes place at Oakfield Park Raphoe on March 29th, 30th, 31st & April 1st from 12-6pm.

Bounce along and arrive to a welcome from your favourite characters before starting your adventure with a train journey through the magical forest, disembarking at the home of the Queen of Hearts, where you’ll receive your map with instructions!

Enjoy some fun and games at Donegal’s biggest Easter Hunt.

Easter weekend at Oakfield Park, Raphoe, County Donegal

Get ready to discover and count the hidden golden eggs, become a duck detective and quack the clues as you enjoy some fun and games.

There’s so much to see and do along the way, as you wind your way amongst the trees, woodlands & wildlife for a fun-filled family Easter day out. Enjoy egg and spoon races, egg rolling, as well as lawn games, face-painting, a Bunny Hop disco in the dome, plus our free indoor craft workshop where you can delight in card making, decorate your Easter bonnet or egg, ensuring endless entertainment this Easter.

Everyone that completes the Easter Hunt will receive a chocolate surprise from The Easter Bunny.

There’s also a professional photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny in her palace.

Buffers restaurant open during Easter weekend at Oakfield Park

Buffers restaurant will be open throughout The Easter Express, serving a delicious selection of hot & cold dishes, alongside speciality coffees, teas and drinks of choice. No pre-booking is required. Tempting ice- cream and treats will be available from the Vintage Van on the piazza. Make your Easter a memorable one with our mouth-watering treats!

Tickets for this event must be pre-booked as there will be no availability at the gate.

Visit the website and follow the steps to secure your Easter Express tickets NOW! www.oakfieldpark.com/the-easter-express. Train compartments available for groups of 4-6 people.

The post Hop to it and get your tickets for the Easter Express at Oakfield Park! appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Europe’s highest court has ruled that the concentration of certain chemical compounds in Irish drinking water have exceeded European Union safety levels.

The European Court of Justice said that Ireland had failed to meet its obligations under an EU directive on safe drinking water.

According to the court, trihalomethanes (known as THMs) are chemical compounds often found in drinking water, especially in water treatment systems that use chlorine to remove bacteria and contaminants.

They are dangerous to both human health and to the environment, the court said.

Uisce Éireann said it noted the ruling and that it is “determined to address the remaining THM non-compliances effectively”.

Read the full report on www.rte.ie

The post Some chemicals in Irish drinking water exceed EU safety levels appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Over 385,000 public sector workers are in line for a 10.25% pay rise over a two-and-a-half-year period.

A new public sector pay deal was agreed this morning following overnight negotiations between the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the government.

The deal will benefit civil and public sector workers including teachers, gardaí, and HSE staff and will be backdated to 1st January 2024.

General secretary of Forsa Kevin Callinan told RTE News that while unions wanted higher increases, they agreed on 10.25%.

“We would have liked it to be more, but we have succeeded in improving the last government offer on the 11th of January (8.5%) and we have got more money, and we have it sooner,” Mr Callinan said.

The pay rise will cost €3.6 billion over four budget years.

The post National: Pay rise agreed for public sector workers appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Jürgen Klopp will step down as manager of Liverpool at the end of the season.

The German boss announced the shock decision this morning, after nine years of transformative leadership at the club.

Pictured: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp with former Finn Valley AC athlete Conor Bradley at Anfield on January 10th.

Klopp led Liverpool through three Champions League finals, winning one against Tottenham Hotspur, as well as being crowned Premier League champions in 2020.

“I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it,” he said in a statement on the club website.

“I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.

“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.

“After the years we had together and after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together, the respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth – and that is the truth.”

The post Shock as Jürgen Klopp to leave Liverpool FC appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal and Ulster University have entered into a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed to strengthen academic and cultural interchange. 

The agreement outlines key areas of collaboration to advance education and research initiatives and was officially launched by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris, at an event held at ATU’s Letterkenny campus on Monday.

The coordination of this collaboration will be overseen by Professor Malachy Ó Néill, Director of Regional Engagement at Ulster University, and Mr Paul Hannigan, Head of College at ATU Donegal. The two multi-campus universities cover a large geographical area with campuses across six counties in Ireland and Northern Ireland with approximately 50,000 students combined.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Simon Harris TD said: “When it comes to education, we need to adopt an all-Ireland approach and we need to adopt a regional approach. These two universities already have long-standing commitments, but I know they want to do even more in terms of student exchanges, staff exchanges and joint awards.”

The MoU highlights the mutual benefits of collaboration, promoting the exchange of faculty members and technical staff, joint academic programs, student initiatives, cultural exchanges, and research and consultancy collaborations. Both institutions commit to adhering to the principles of collaboration, including openness, sharing of information, and effective working practices.

Speaking at the signing of the MoU, Dr Orla Flynn, President of Atlantic Technological University said, “Our collaboration aims to create synergies and provide mutually beneficial opportunities for the region on both sides of the border.  As two multi-campus universities, we look forward to working with Ulster University colleagues.

“This collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing educational and research initiatives between Ulster University and Atlantic Technological University, aligning with the broader goals of academic advancement and cross-border relations.”

Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice Chancellor of Ulster University added: “Ulster University has for many years collaborated closely with the former institutions which have now combined to form the Atlantic Technological University. Our proximity here in the North West has always enabled Derry-Donegal relations and colleagues at LYIT and our Derry~Londonderry campus have played a major part in the formative years of partnership, while a shared specialism in Biomedical Science has fostered a very meaningful knowledge exchange between Ulster University colleagues in IT Sligo for the past few decades.”

The post Ties strengthened between Ulster University and ATU Donegal appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Main pic: Elaine makes time for a ‘wave’ during her 100-day swim for Dungloe Community Hospital Patient Comfort Fund.

A brave west Donegal woman is well on her way to swimming for 100 days in aid of the Dungloe Community Hospital Patient Comfort Fund. 

Elaine Boyle has already been dipping for 60 ‘odd days’ in the chilly and wild Atlantic Ocean.

“I would like now to continue to 100 days, and in doing so, ask your help to raise much needed funds for the Patient Comfort Funds in Dungloe Community Hospital,” she said.

She has set up a GoFundMe page in order to raise as much money as possible. 

However, for anyone who wants to donate ‘the old fashioned way’, they can do so by dropping in to see Elaine at Annagry Pharmacy.

“Finally thank you to everyone who has already donated, I am overwhelmed and extremely grateful,” she concluded.

The post Brave Elaine’s 100-day swim for Dungloe Patient Comfort Fund appeared first on Donegal Daily.

The developer behind the controversial Meenbog Wind Farm in east Donegal is seeking more time to make changes to its planning application.

Planree Ltd is applying to An Bord Pleanala (ABP) for leave to apply for substitute consent, a form of retention permission under Irish planning law, for 25 deviations from the permitted development.

The site near Ballybofey was subject to  a major landslide in November 2020. 

Thousands of cubic metres of peat and debris entered into a stream and on to the Mournebeg River from the site of the wind farm on the Donegal-Tyrone border.

The company was granted leave in October by ABP, who said at the time that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and an ‘appropriate assessment’ were required. The planning appeals board said ‘exceptional circumstances do exist’ on the site and noted the applicant is making ‘reasonable efforts’ to regularise the planning status of the development.

An ABP inspector’s report added there was no assertion that the subject deviations caused the peat slide in 2020.

MKO Consultants, acting on behalf of the applicant, said that 90 per cent of the engineering works – including access roads, electricity substation, turbine hardstands and borrow pit areas – are already ‘substantially complete’.

Last May, High Court Proceedings were taken by Donegal County Council, alleging that unauthorised works have been carried out at the site with the local authority seeking to restrain Planree Limited and Mid Cork Electrical Limited from finishing the ‘largely complete’ project.

The post Developer of controversial Meenbog Wind Farm seeks planning changes appeared first on Donegal Daily.

An accomplished singer/songwriter with Donegal roots is dreaming of the chance to represent Ireland in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Isabella Kearney, whose mum Barbara Kearney is from Greencastle, is one of six hopefuls competing in Eurosong tonight on The Late Late Show.

The 31-year-old grew up between Australia and Northern Ireland and is now based in Music City, Nashville as a professional songwriter.

Isabella’s entry ‘Let Me Be The Fire’ is a catchy dance track with an important message of support and resilience.

Speaking to Donegal Daily, Isabella said her mum inspired her to apply to represent Ireland.

“It was to make my mum proud, I know that sounds cheesy, but she wanted me to do things to celebrate my Irish roots and show the world Ireland,” Isabella said.

Isabella also entered the Rose of Tralee Sydney selection in 2017 in honour of her heritage.

Barbara grew up in Inishowen in a family of nine. With one brother and six sisters, the girls were well-known locally as the Kearney sisters.

Despite moving to Oz in the 80s, Isabella said her mum never lost the accent!

“Donegal is her heart,” she said, “she talks about it all the time, when we were growing up any chance she could get to go to Donegal, we would be driving there.”

Isabella and her mum spent five years living in Bangor in Co. Down, where her grandmother Frankie Kearney, née Doyle, lived. It was there that Isabella found her passion for performing. She and her cousins would do party pieces for the family and Isabella’s best acts included ‘I’m a Little Teapot’.

She started singing lessons as a child and has certainly come a long way since then. First signing to Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2018, Isabella went on to work with critically acclaimed artists and writers.

Isabella’s songwriting successes have included the single ‘Jealous’ on Jessica Mauboy’s album Hilda and the single ‘Only Thing Missing’ written with The Orphanage on Guy Sebastian’s album T.R.U.T.H.

Isabella also co-wrote the single ‘Conditions’ which was chosen as a finalist on the show Songland and Matt Gresham’s single ‘Who Am I Now’ which was performed on The Voice Australia in 2020 and reached number one on iTunes Australia chart.

Representing Ireland in the Eurovision would be a dream come true for Isabella, she said, having watched the show every year as a child.

“As soon as I had ‘Let Me Be The Fire’, I felt like it could do really well,” she said. “It’s an earworm song that gets stuck in your head. It has a serious topic behind it, I wrote it about suffering from anxiety and depression and not feeling you can reach out, and having someone who will hold you through this.

“I feel that related to Ireland, people are very private and tend to shut people out when they are going through things. I feel this is the modern generation saying we can help you, we’ve got you.”

Listen to a clip here: 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Isabella Kearney (@isabellakn_)

Ireland’s chances of victory at Eurovision 2024 will take centre stage this Friday night in a very special Late Late Show Eurosong, where six hopefuls will battle it out to represent Ireland in Malmö, Sweden in May of this year at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. Donegal’s Aisling Jarvis will also be performing tonight as part of Ailsha’s entry – ‘Go Tobann’.

Viewers at home will have the opportunity to cast their vote for their favourite song to go forward and be performed in front of an audience of over 160 million people worldwide.

The Late Late Eurosong Special airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, Friday, January 26th at 9:35 pm

The post Isabella Kearney hopes to do Donegal mum proud in Eurosong appeared first on Donegal Daily.

McElhinney & Associates Solicitors, Stranorlar are looking for a full time Legal Secretary.

Applicants should possess the following:

• A high proficiency in typing with speed and accuracy.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities in a fast pace legal environment.
• A commitment to maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive legal information and client matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with clients, legal professionals, and team members.

The role will have the following key responsibilities:

• Document management
• Calendar and schedule management
• Client interaction
• Drafting
• Court filings
• Administration support

Training will be provided.

Office hours are Monday to Thursday 9.15 a.m. to 5.15p.m. and Friday 9.15a.m. to 4.00p.m.

Reply in writing enclosing a CV to Jolene McElhinney, McElhinney & Associates, Solicitors, Drumboe Lodge, Stranorlar, County Donegal or by email jolene@mcelhinneyassociates.com

Closing Date: Friday 23rd February 2024

The post Job Vacancy: McElhinney & Associates Solicitors hiring Legal Secretary appeared first on Donegal Daily.

The rescheduled ‘Dip for Donegal’ in aid of ladies Gaelic football will take place tomorrow afternoon in Downings.

The event was due to take place on December 30, however, it was postponed due to inclement weather.

A number of Intercounty teams will be taking part in the Dip for Donegal LGFA at Downings Beach tomorrow at 1pm.

Everyone is welcome to come along and take part.

Please donate at the GoFundMe link; https://gofund.me/d33fe760

“Join our county stars for a dip. All donations accepted and will be reinvested into county teams,” a Donegal LGFA spokesperson said.

#dipfordonegal

The post Rescheduled ‘Dip for Donegal LGFA’ to take place tomorrow appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Information is being sought about a dog that went missing in Letterkenny yesterday.

Rover, a male collie, was last seen yesterday evening in the Garryharry, Glencar, area.

If you know of his whereabouts, please contact 0861081673.

The post Missing dog appeal: Have you seen Rover? appeared first on Donegal Daily.

The Letterkenny Rotary Club Tree of Remembrance project comes to a close for another year with a ‘blessing of the ribbons’ ceremony this weekend.

The blessing was due to take place last Sunday and was postponed due to Storm Isha.

It will now take place at a Christian Unity Service in Conwal Parish Church this coming Sunday (28th January) at 7 pm.

Church members are invited to come to worship Jesus together and to pray for God’s blessing on our communities, our town and the whole world. The Service is based on material from churches in Burkina Faso, where the Christian minority has suffered much in recent years, and this year’s preacher will be Very Rev Kieran Harkin the new Parish Priest at Irish Martyrs.

During the Service, prayers will be offered for the needs of the people who tied yellow ribbons to the Rotary Club’s Christmas Tree in the Letterkenny Shopping Centre, and the Rotary Club are also kindly providing tea after the Service.

The Rotary Club Letterkenny is delighted to announce that it has raised an amazing €8,000 through its annual Christmas Tree Appeal.

The appeal, which was held in Letterkenny Shopping Centre, saw people donating ribbons to be placed on the tree in memory of their loved ones. The funds raised will be used to support two local charities, Vincent De Paul and No Barriers Foundation.

The Rotary Club Letterkenny would like to thank everyone who donated or visited the tree . Your support is greatly appreciated.

The post Postponed Letterkenny Rotary Club ribbon blessing to take place this weekend appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Donegal County Council has paused repair works on public street lights this week to protect the safety of staff.

As a result of the recent storms and power outages, the ESB has issued a Safety Notice prohibiting any activity on its network.

It would appear that in some locations there are significant numbers of lights out in a row or close proximity, leaving areas particularly dark after 4.30pm.

In a public notice, Donegal County Council and its contractor said they are aware of the outages and will endeavour to expedite repairs once the ESB restrictions are lifted.

However, it is important to note that the ESB has advised that when restrictions are lifted there may still be damage on the network, so it is imperative that all checks and tests are carried out as set out in the work procedures and prior to undertaking any action / fault repairs at each location.

Where any abnormal test findings are found, then the Council has been instructed to cease work and notify the Live Working Manager/System Manager.  This will further elongate the repairs process.

In the meantime, public light outages can be reported on the report a fault option through the Council’s website www.donegalcoco.ie

The post Street light repairs delayed due to safety risks appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Only seven per cent of homes built in Donegal since 2009 have an ‘A’ BER energy rating, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

During that period, 34,500 BER audits were completed in the county up until the end of last year.

Of these, only seven per cent had the highest ‘A’ rating, two were rated ‘B1’ while eight per cent had the lowest, or ‘G’, rating.

Kildare (26%), Dublin County (23%), and Meath (23%) had the highest proportion of A ratings while Leitrim (3%) had the lowest.

The post Donegal scores low when it comes to ‘A’ energy rated homes appeared first on Donegal Daily.

The Windyhall Road in Letterkenny will be blocked in various locations on Monday for ‘emergency pothole repairs’.

Donegal County Council confirmed the works will take place from 8am to 4:30pm.

“When patches are complete, sections will be reopened – expect long delays and avoid this area if you can,” a council spokesperson said.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience caused, but the road is in a poor condition and needs emergency repairs as soon as possible.”

Works are expected to be carried out in two sections:  Kilmacrennan Road to Long Lane and An Lagan to Long Lane. Diversion routes will be in place via Long Lane and Glencar Roads. 

The post ‘Emergency pothole repairs’ at busy Letterkenny road on Monday appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Due to company expansion, T&L Gallagher has a number of positions available.

The vacancies include: 

• Utility Foreman
• Experienced Utility Worker 
• Excavator Operator/Tractor Operator
• Experienced Labourer 
• Formwork/Shuttering Carpenters 

Contact Kris on 087 7575384 for more information.

The post Vacancies: Civil Engineering firm hiring for number of positions appeared first on Donegal Daily.

The motorsport community has paid tribute to former Donegal International Rally stalwart, Austin Frazer.

Formerly of Lough Shore Road in Enniskillen, Mr Frazer passed away yesterday.

He was well known in motorsport circles and was a former Donegal International Rally Clerk of the Course (COC).

He also enjoyed notable successes as a co-driver in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Cathal Curley and Austin Frazer with their BMW, winners of the Killarney Rally in the 1970’s.

“We were saddened to hear of the passing of Austin Frazer, a spokesperson for the Donegal Rally organisers said.

“He was instrumental in putting the Donegal Rally on the map as one of the best events in Europe. As COC, he set standards that we still aspire to. Then, winning alongside Billy Coleman and Bertie Fisher in 1977. RIP Austin.”

Mr Frazer is survived by his wife Doreen and son Nigel (Gail).

The funeral service will take place in Enniskillen Presbyterian Church on Sunday at 2pm, followed by burial in Cross Cemetery.

The post Sad passing of former Donegal Rally stalwart, Austin Frazer appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Donations are pouring in for a Newtowncunningham family who lost all their possessions in a lightning strike during Storm Isha.

Keith and Debbie Nesbitt and their three children had their home destroyed in a sudden lightning storm on Monday afternoon.

Debbie and the children, Scott, Zach and Issy, aged between 9 and 15, were home playing board games when lightning struck their roof, setting it alight.

The family fled with just the clothes on their backs. They are immensely grateful that nobody was hurt. But while they stay with Debbie’s mother, they are counting the costs of the damage.

The Nesbitt Family home following Monday’s fire

The house was destroyed by fire, water and electrical damage, with two other homes also struck during the storm.

As the community rallies around those affected, Debbie’s sister Jill Hamilton has set up a GoFundMe to gather donations to help the Nesbitts in their time of need. Almost €4,000 has been raised within hours today.

Jill, who is based in Meath, said that it’s one way of helping to support the family.

“It was the only thing I could do from where I am. We are all feeling a bit helpless,” she said.

“It’s amazing to see how much people care.

“We have a lot of family living abroad and Debbie has a lot of friends around the world who want to donate.”

Debbie and Keith had been building their dream home for 25 years.

“It was their family home, they’ve been in it 16 years, they were just looking forward to their future,” Jill added.

“They have insurance but it won’t cover all of the work that needs to be done. It wasn’t just fire and water damage, a lot of structural damage was caused as well. The electricals were blown out of the walls. They have to redo the whole house down to the bare blocks.”

View the GoFundMe appeal here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mjmeu-help-the-nesbitt-family

Jill adds that her family will be supporting any fundraising campaign that is set up in the community in the coming weeks.

Tonight, residents in Newtowncunningham are invited to attend a community meeting with the aim of setting up a campaign to help all families affected by the fires.

Cllr Paul Canning is coordinating the response and anyone who wants to help can attend the meeting today, Friday, January 26th at 7:30 pm in Trinity Court.

“Everyone is welcome, we need as many volunteers and ideas as possible to help the three families that have been seriously impacted,” Cllr Canning said.

The post Thousands raised for family devastated by lightning fire appeared first on Donegal Daily.

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Curry Cottage Stranorlar is feeling the love this Valentine’s Day!

The award-winning restaurant has unveiled an indulgent menu for couples to immerse in a romantic dining experience with incredible value.

Spice things up with a tantalizing choice of dishes – however hot you like it!

The Valentine’s menu runs for two weeks from 12th February to 25th February. For only €55.95 for two people, enjoy a three course meal, plus a glass of wine or beer per person.

Whether you’re on a date night or having a night with family and friends, the special menu is the perfect chance to try new flavours from mouth-watering tikka dishes to fiery jalfrezis.

Curry Cottage Stranorlar has been recognized for its culinary excellence, garnering three prestigious awards in its first year, including Best Restaurant in Ballybofey-Stranorlar and Best Newcomer in the Irish Restaurant Awards Ulster final.

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Make a reservation now by calling: 0749175663.

Follow The Curry Cottage on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086028505100

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curry_cottage_stranorlar/

The post Spice things up this Valentine’s with Curry Cottage Stranorlar’s special menu from 12th to 25th February appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Donegal’s 2024 Allianz Football League campaign begins this Sunday with a home game against Cork.

The Division 2 match at MacCumhaill Park will throw in at 1.45pm.

TG4 will stream Donegal v Cork live on the TG4 App and www.tg4.ie from 1.40pm. Deferred coverage, presented by Micheál Ó Domhnaill will be shown on TV from 5.40pm.

The post TG4 to stream Donegal’s Allianz League opener appeared first on Donegal Daily.