Amber Barrett and Tyler Toland have been named in the Ireland Women’s national team taking on England and France in the EURO 2025 qualifiers.

Head Coach Eileen Gleeson has selected a 26-player squad for the trip to Carrow Road to face European champions England on Friday, July 12th before hosting France in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday, July 16th.

Milford woman Barrett finished her debut campaign at Standard Liège with 19 goals, while midfielder Toland from St Johnston has been with Blackburn Rovers since last summer after joining from Spanish side Levante.

Over 10,000 tickets have already been snapped up for the game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and fans are encouraged to secure their seat now to support the Girls in Green for their first return to Cork since 2012.

It will be the first time in 12 years that the WNT will have played a home fixture outside Dublin and it will be their seventh game overall in Cork – following five previously in Turner’s Cross and one in Flower’s Lodge.

The France game will be the 13th meeting at senior women’s level and the third time that the game will be hosted in Cork following on from an International Friendly in 1994 and a EURO qualifier in 2011 – both of which were in Turner’s Cross.

UEFA have confirmed that all games on Match Day 6 of the group stage will kick off at 19:00 CET (18:00 Irish Time).

The post Amber Barrett and Tyler Toland on Ireland squad for EURO 2025 Qualifiers appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Comedian Jimmy Carr was gutted to miss the launch of the Muff Liquor Company brand home launch his week, but that didn’t stop his jokes flying!

The stand-up star says he’s merely an amateur ‘muff’ lover but gave a nod to the Muff experts here in Donegal who celebrated the new chapter of the spirits brand on Tuesday.

Jimmy, who is an investor in the company, sent a hilarious video message saying: “I’m unfortunately stuck in London but my mind is fixated on Muff.

“I can’t stop thinking about Muff, and not just any Muff, the Muff Liquor in County Donegal.”

This week’s launch boasted all-star guests including Oscar-winning Gladiator actor Russell Crowe, Boyzone legend Ronan Keating and presenter Ryan Tubridy. The ‘Muff Men’ investors, as they call themselves, also includes popstar Ed Sheeran.

Ronan Keating, Russell Crowe, Ryan Tubridy and Muff Liquor company founder and CEO, Laura Bonner. Photo by Joe Dunne

The Muff Liquor Brand Home, which includes a shop, visitor centre and bar, is expected to open to the public by the end of August.

Despite missing the launch party, Jimmy Carr’s tongue-in-cheek video applauded the mighty Muff move into the USA.

Founded by Greencastle woman Laura Bonner, the Muff Liquor Company recently secured a US distribution agreement with Lucas Bols to bring their award-winning Muff Irish whiskey, vodka, and gin to American shelves. To meet this demand, the company confirmed that an initial shipment of 30,000 bottles destined for the US market.

It’s hoped that Jimmy will make the journey to the border village soon to enjoy a taste of Muff.

“Hopefully I’ll see you all soon,” he hinted.

Watch the full clip here:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Muff Liquor Company (@muffliquorco)

The post Watch: Why Jimmy Carr can’t stop thinking about Muff! appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Tata Consultancy Services in Letterkenny has been selected to manage the government’s automatic enrolment pension scheme.

The global delivery centre in Donegal was the preferred bidder to provide administration on the historic scheme, which was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas.

The scheme will now be sent to the President for his signature, after which it will be passed into law.

The Bill provides for a new retirement savings scheme for workers who are not already members of a pension scheme.

The first enrolments are set to happen in 2025. All employees not already in an occupational or equivalent pension scheme, aged between 23 and 60, and earning over €20,000 across all of their employments, will be automatically enrolled.

Ireland is the only OECD country that does not yet operate an Auto Enrolment or similar system as a means of promoting pension savings.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will cut administrative work required by employers. The organisation will identify and enrol participants, collect and pool contributions, arrange for the investment of contributions, manage participant accounts including opt-outs, suspensions and opt-ins, and facilitate the payment of savings at retirement.

TCS has been the pensions administration provider for NEST in the UK since 2011. Although distinct in design, NEST (the National Employment Savings Trust) is the UK Government’s equivalent of the Auto Enrolment Scheme. It currently services approximately 13 million participants.

TCS’s global delivery centre in Letterkenny employs close to 1,400 people and provides a variety of services including pension administration, cyber security, IT support, and customer service.

Commenting at the passing of the Bill, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said: “Auto-enrolment is a truly transformative policy that I am proud to deliver for Ireland. It will make sure that hard working men and women across the country will be able to save for their future, with help from their employers and the State. I am delighted that this historic legislation has now passed both Houses of the Oireachtas and look forward to it being enacted shortly.”

Minister Humphreys continued: “I am also pleased that we have concluded the procurement process to source a managed service for the provision and operation of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Scheme and look forward to engaging with TCS as our preferred bidder for these services.”

The Minister added: “Auto Enrolment has been talked about for decades – now it is finally happening. With the completion of these two major milestones, the AE train is fast approaching its destination and we are very much on track for delivery of this landmark initiative for the people of Ireland.”

The post TCS in Donegal to manage historic state pension system appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Main pic: The Naomh Conaill squad after winning the 2023 Donegal Senior Football Championship.

Champions Naomh Conaill and St Eunan’s will again be the plum ties in the group stages of this year’s Michael Murphy Sports Donegal Senior Football Championship.

The draw was made last night in the Abbey Hotel, Donegal town, and also threw up some interesting ties in the Intermediate and Junior Championships.

The 2022 beaten finalists, St Eunans, will play Kilcar at home in the first round and that will be followed by a tricky away tie to Naomh Conaill in Glenties

The current county champions, Naomh Conaill, are away to Cloughaneely in the first round.

The sixteen clubs will play four games each in a league-type format

The top four qualify automatically for the quarter finals and the teams placed 5th to 12th are involved in play-offs. The bottom four will be involved in a relegation playoff.

The senior is as follows:

Round 1

Naomh Náille V  Gleann tSuilí
Sean MacCumhaill V  Ard an Ratha
Naomh Adhamhnáin V  Cill Chartha
Na Ceithre Maistír V  Gaoth Dobhair
Cloich Ceann Fhaola V  Naomh Conaill
Aodh Ruadh V  Na Dunaibh
Naomh Mícheál V  Na Cealla Beaga
Gleann Fhinne V  An Clochán Liath

Round 2

Na Cealla Beaga V  Sean MacCumhaill
Ard an Ratha V  Naomh Mícheál
Cill Chartha V  Naomh Náille
Naomh Conaill V  Naomh Adhamhnáin
Gleann tSuilí V  Cloich Ceann Fhaola
Na Dunaibh V  Na Ceithre Maistír
An Clochán Liath V  Aodh Ruadh
Gaoth Dobhair V  Gleann Fhinne

Last night’s draw was made from Groups A and B – teams can only play each other once in the group stage.

In Round 3, the home teams will be drawn from Group A with the away teams from Group B.

For Round 4; the home teams shall be drawn from Group B with the away teams drawn from Group A.

The draws for Rounds 3 and Round 4 draws will take place in August/September, after Round 2 and Round 3 fixtures, respectively. 

Groups for draws:

Group A
Naomh Náille
Sean MacCumhaill
Na Ceithre Maistír
Aodh Ruadh
Naomh Adhamhnáin
Gleann Fhinne
Cloich Ceann Fhaola
Naomh Mícheál

Group B
Gleann tSuilí
Cill Chartha
Na Cealla Beaga
Naomh Conaill
Gaoth Dobhair
Ard an Ratha
Na Dunaibh
An Clochán Liath

Intermediate Championship

The Intermediate Championship will be drawn into one League of 12 teams. All clubs will play two games at home and two games away in the League stage of the championship.

1 – Bundoran
2 – Burt
3 – Red Hughs
4 – Malin
5 – Termon
6 – Naomh Columba
7- Na Rossa
8 – Naomh Muire
9 – Gaeil Fhánada
10 – Milford
11 – Letterkenny Gaels
12 – Buncrana

Round 1: Bundoran v Burt; Red Hughs v Malin; Termon v Naomh Columba; Na Rossa v Naomh Muire; Gaeil Fhánada v Milford; Letterkenny Gaels v Buncrana
Round 2: Burt v Red Hughs; Naomh Columba v Bundoran; Malin v Termon; Naomh Muire v Gaeil Fhánada;  Buncrana v Na Rossa; Milford v Letterkenny Gaels
Round 3: Bundoran v Red Hughs; Termon v Burt;  Naomh Columbav Malin; Na Rossa v Gaeil Fhánada; Letterkenny Gaels v Naomh Muire; Buncrana v Milford
Round 4: Malin v Bundoran; Red Hughs v Termon; Burt v Naomh Columba; Milford v Na Rossa; Gaeil Fhánada v Letterkenny Gaels;  Naomh Muire v Buncrana.

The four quarter-finals pairings will be first v eighth; second v seventh; third v sixth; fourth v fifth. The winners of each quarter-final will be drawn randomly to decide the semi-final pairings. All knockout fixtures are to be played at neutral venues.

The bottom four clubs will play off over two rounds to decide the club to be relegated.

Junior Championship

Eleven clubs will take part in the Junior A Championship.

Group A

1 – Pettigo
2 – Carndonagh
3 – Naomh Colmcille
4 – St Mary’s Convoy
5 – Robert Emmets
6 – Naomh Bríd

Group B

7 – Naomh Padraig Lifford
8 – Naomh Ultan
9 – Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin
10 Urris
11 -Moville
12 – Bye

Group A fixtures
Round 1: Pettigo v Carndonagh; Naomh Colmcille v St Mary’s Convoy; Robert Emmets v Naomh Bríd
Round 2: Carndonagh v Naomh Colmcille; Naomh Bríd v Pettigo; St Mary’s Convoy v Robert Emmets
Round 3: Pettigo v Naomh Colmcille; Robert Emmets v Carndonagh; Naomh Bríd v St Mary’s Convoy
Round 4: St Mary’s Convoy v Pettigo; Naomh Colmcille v Robert Emmets;  Carndonagh v Naomh Bríd

Group B
Round 1: Naomh Padraig Lifford v Naomh Ultan; Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin v Urris
Round 2: Naomh Ultan v Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin; Urris v Moville
Round 3: Naomh Padraig Lifford v Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin; Moville v Naomh Ultan
Round 4: Urris v Naomh Padraig Lifford; Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin v Moville.

The Junior Championship will be made up of two groups – Group A will have six clubs and Group B will have five. The first team in each group will progress to the semi-finals. The two quarter finals pairings will be between teams who finish second Group A v third from Group B; and second from Group B against third from Group A.

The winners of each quarter-final and the two group winners will be drawn randomly to decide the semi-final pairings. All knockout games will be decided at neutral venues. The winners will be promoted to the 2025 Intermediate Football Championship

The post Draws made for 2024 Donegal GAA Club Championships appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Celebrations rang through Letterkenny town centre yesterday afternoon as the Letterkenny Chamber marked the phenomenal growth of the ShopLK scheme over the past two decades.

The event at An Grianan plaza kicked off a series of festivities planned for the coming weeks and months to commemorate ShopLK’s 20th birthday.

Guests from the business community and wider Letterkenny community came together to reflect on the ShopLK initiative’s history and team effort in keeping shopping local. The event highlighted the importance of ShopLK vouchers and promotions in supporting local jobs and promoting Letterkenny as a thriving retail destination.  Music, burgers, and ice cream added to the party atmosphere.

Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh, Donnan Harvey, Claire McDonough, Chamber President, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Letterkenny Mayor and Liam Ward, Director of Community Development & Planning Services. Photo Clive Wasson

Ann Louise McClintock, Marie Shields, Emma Boylan and Claire McDonough, Chamber President. Photo Clive Wasson

Toni Forrester, CEO – Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce, with Leonard Watson and Paddy Doherty at the Letterkenny Chamber’s event to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Shop LK Vouchers at An Grianan Theatre on Wednesday last. Photo Clive Wasson

Established in 2004 by the Letterkenny Chamber, ShopLK has grown from strength to strength. Gift card sales have seen year-on-year increases, solidifying ShopLK Gift Cards as the preferred gift option for any occasion and a popular employee reward. ShopLK voucher sales reached an impressive €5,740,277 in 2023.

As ShopLK gift cards are only redeemable in Letterkenny, this brings profit to the town and supports local jobs. Records show that at least one third of customers using the card, often spend up to 4 times the value so last year’s spending could be a potential injection of up to €20m.

Stay tuned to ShopLK social media for more.

See all the photos from the birthday party here:

Cllr. Gerry McMonagle, Letterkenny Mayor and Paddy Doherty, Divisional Manager, Community & Enterprise Division Donegal County Council enjoy an ice cream. Photo Clive Wasson

Joe Gibson perfoming with Banjo. Photo Clive Wasson

Briann McBride, Claire McDonough, Chamber President, Pat Brady, Patrick McBride and Amanda Johnston. Photo Clive Wasson

Kalie McDevitt, Jimmy Kavanagh, Kristine Reynolds and Sarah Marie McDevitt. Photo Clive Wasson

Margaret Coyle and Mary Devlin. Photo Clive Wasson

Ann Louise McClintock, Anne Condon and Clare McNickle . Photo Clive Wasson

Patrica McBride and Jimmy Kavanagh. Photo Clive Wasson

Ella and Sarah Moen. Photo Clive Wasson

Kristine Reynolds, Siobhane Grant, Leona Ferguson and Claire McDonough, Chamber President. Photo Clive Wasson

Anne Condon, Toni Forrester and Frances Spears. Photo Clive Wasson

Claire McDonough, Chamber President and Shane Grant, PGIM. Photo Clive Wasson

The post Picture Special: Letterkenny celebrates 20 Years of ShopLK success appeared first on Donegal Daily.

One of Donegal’s best known service stations has gone on the market.

The Barnes View Filling Station and TSA Tyre Centre in Ballybofey are being sold for an undisclosed sum.

The business was jointly owned by popular local man, Pat Maguire, who passed away in 2019.

Established in 1980, and still operating, it includes a vacant forecourt shop and is situated on a large 2.63 acre plot on the busy Donegal Road. There is around 1.564 acres of undeveloped zoned land to the rear of the properties.

The sale is being handled by Letterkenny-based auctioneers, Donegal Estates. 

The TSA Tyre Centre and Barnes View Filling Station in Ballybofey.

The post Prominent filling station and tyre centre goes on the market appeared first on Donegal Daily.

From disability support to rural tourism, the Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC) will help boost a wide range of Donegal community groups through flagship programmes in the coming years.

DLDC recently launched its new LEADER 2023-2027 and Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2023 – 2027.

LEADER and SICAP are flagship programmes of DLDC, focussed on community development, nurturing small business innovation, supporting the climate agenda and combatting social exclusion and poverty in our catchment areas in Co. Donegal.

The Community Development team at DLDC

Margaret Larkin, Padraic Fingleton join the LEADER team at DLDC, Esther McCleary, Sinead McLaughlin, and Anne Marie Rodgers

Through LEADER, DLDC’s catchment area has been allocated €3.9 million to invest in local communities and rural enterprises over the next four years. The previous 2014-2022 LEADER programme saw many achievements in Co. Donegal, such as supporting the award-winning No Barriers Foundation in the purchase of its first ground-breaking Exoskeleton, which improved disability support in Donegal, supporting rural youth with the refurbishment of Killygordon Youth Club, and boosting rural tourism with the funding of the Sliag League Allure passenger boat in Killybegs. Other notable achievements include the enhancement of local heritage sites and the development of community-led renewable energy projects.

Through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2023 – 2027, supports are provided to communities and individuals to tackle poverty and social exclusion through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies. The programme provides training and employment support to individuals, helping them to secure jobs or further education opportunities, supporting community groups in capacity building, allowing them to serve their local areas better, and launching targeted initiatives aimed at reducing social isolation among the elderly and other vulnerable groups.

Margaret Larkin, Head of Operations, DLDC, Johnny Loughrey No Barriers Foundation, Padraic Fingleton, CEO, DLDC, Sinead McLaughlin, Rural Development Manager, DLDC

Padraic Fingleton, CEO, Donegal Local Development Clg said: “We are delighted to officially open our new LEADER and SICAP programmes. Last year, we successfully tendered for and secured both programmes, which is a testament to the hard work of our teams on the ground over the past few years. As we transition into the new programmes, our goal is to build upon the accomplishments of our previous work and introduce new initiatives to improve and empower communities across Donegal. We are excited to collaborate with individuals, communities, and businesses to bring about long-lasting positive change.”

Further information on LEADER and SICAP is available at www.dldc.org.

The post Multi-million programmes to empower communities in Donegal appeared first on Donegal Daily.

This year’s recipients of the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards were announced today at a special event hosted by Donegal County Council in the Inishowen Innovation Hub in Buncrana.

Arranmore Island native Caroleann Gallagher, Boston-based philanthropist Billy Higgins and investor and entrepreneur David McCourt have been named as the 2024 recipients of this prestigious award which recognises those who have excelled in their chosen field whilst honouring their contribution to Ireland and its Diaspora.

Caroleann Gallagher who grew up on Arranmore Island and is now based in Chicago, has excelled in her career in law and in recent years launched The Coogan Gallagher Scholarship, for Leaving Cert students from the Gairmscoil in Arranmore which sees them receiving €3,000 to assist them as the embark on their new life after school.

Billy Higgins was born and raised in South Boston Mass USA, and is a businessman and community leader who is renowned for his charitable endeavours and the founder of the Southill Children’s Fund in Boston in 1985. He has done immense work in supporting the education of children with special needs both in Boston and Ireland and has donated to the Patient Social Fund of the Ballaghderg Pre-School for Children with special needs in Donegal and has continued to support the school and its work for many years.

David McCourt is the founder and Chairman of Granahan McCourt Capital and the Chairman of National Broadband Ireland. National Broadband Ireland is currently working in partnership with the Irish Government in the largest Public Private Partnership in European telecoms to deliver the country’s National Broadband Plan.

The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora award was first initiated in 2012 as a means of commemorating the centenary of the birth of the late Tip O’Neill who served as speaker of the US House of Representatives. His maternal grandparents were native to County Donegal. Tip’s son Tommy O’Neill, alongside his wife Shelly O’Neill, return home to Donegal each year for the awards ceremony.

Speaking at today’s announcement chairman of the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award Committee Nicholas Crossan said: “I am very proud to be announcing the awardees for the prestigious Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award. We in Donegal continue to see the benefits of this fantastic initiative as we continue to build and develop the strong links with our Diaspora throughout the world.”

Chief Executive of Donegal County Council John G McLaughlin said “our diaspora and their connection to Donegal is a vital part of our global Irish identity we are dedicated to continuing to work to further develop our links abroad and continue to build strong global connections for the betterment of Donegal. It is my honour to welcome the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awardees to Donegal for 2024 and to congratulate David McCourt, Caroleann Gallagher and Billy Higgins on their successful careers and achievements.”

The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards has evolved into a celebration that is a key event in the Donegal calendar of events. Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Niamh Kennedy announced the other events leading up to this year’s Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards including Love Donegal Day on the 25th September, Disrupt by the Sea on 26th September and an audience with Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awardees at Ulster University Derry the on the morning of the 27th September.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Niamh Kennedy said, “The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards, Love Donegal Day and other supporting events continue to showcase Donegal as the very best place to live, work, invest and do business”.

Cllr Kennedy concluded by congratulating this year’s awardees on their achievements and contributions in their fields.

The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards ceremony will take place on Friday, 27th September, at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana, County Donegal. Tickets for the awards ceremony are available for sale now via EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tip-oneill-irish-diaspora-awards-2024-tickets-920659777177

The post Awardees announced for prestigious Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award appeared first on Donegal Daily.

A crowd of more than 10,000 people are expected to descend on Rossnowlagh on Saturday for the annual Orange Order Parade.

The south Donegal seaside town traditionally sees their march on the last Saturday before the main July 12th celebrations.

More than 50 Orange Order Lodges from Donegal, Cavan, Leitrim and Monaghan, as well as visiting Orangemen from Northern Ireland and further afield, are expected to gather for the annual march.

This year will see numerous international Orange visitors to Rossnowlagh as they are in Northern Ireland to attend the meeting of the Imperial Grand Lodge. This will include visiting Brethren from Australia, America and Canada.

The event is expected to start at 12.30pm near St John’s Parish Church.

The lodges will then hold their annual demonstration before a religious service takes place at 3pm. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Brian Russell, Rector of Drumholm Parish.

The event will be led by Donegal Orange Order County Grand Master David Mahon.

Extra Gardaí will be drafted into the area to cater for increased traffic and crowds across the weekend.

The post Over 10,000 expected in Rossnowlagh for annual Orange Parade appeared first on Donegal Daily.

The body of a missing fisherman was recovered off the coast of Galway last night.

The man, aged in his 50s, was recovered from the water after being reported missing near Inishbofin island.

Malin Head Coast Guard was alerted by radio shortly at approx 10.15pm on Wednesday evening that a fisherman was overdue and presumed missing.

It’s reported that his boat had not returned to shore for two days.

The station initiated a search in the area of Inishbofin involving Coast Guard rescue helicopter R118 and lifeboats from Clifden RNLI.

Rescue 118 later confirmed the discovery of a body, found by local community members on the northern shore of the island, shortly before midnight.

A garda spokesperson said the body has since been removed to the mortuary in University Hospital Galway where a post mortem will take place in due course. A file will be prepared for the Coroner’s Court.

The post National: Fisherman’s body recovered following search coordinated by Malin Head Coast Guard appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Main pic: Anne McHugh, Chief Executive of Donegal ETB and Chairperson of ETBI’s Chief Executive Forum; Minister Charlie McConalogue and Councillor Donal Coyle, Chairperson Donegal ETB. Credit: Marc O’Sullivan.

The Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) is calling on the government to commit to tackling inequalities in the education sector.

This, they say, can be done by supporting the priorities laid out in the #SupportYourLocalETB campaign. Representatives from Donegal ETB met with members of the Oireachtas at a briefing event in Buswells Hotel, Dublin, last week where they expressed their concerns.

Donegal TDs in attendance included Deputy Thomas Pringle, Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn and Deputy Charlie McConalogue.

The event marked the official launch of the #SupportYourLocalETB campaign and was organised by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the representative body of 16 ETBs nationwide.  The four priorities outlined in the #SupportYourLocalETB campaign that ETBI and its members are calling for government support on include: 

1.     Increase the number and profile of Community National Schools nationwide;
2.     Increase in the Deputy Principal allocation in ETB post-primary schools with DEIS designation;
3.     Increase in funding for Further Education and Training (FET) so that funds reflect the proportion of learners, and ring-fence €600m in funding for the FET Colleges of the Future project, due to commence in 2028;
4.     Restore funding for youth work to pre-austerity levels and ensure pay parity for youth workers.

 Launching the campaign at Buswells Hotel, last week, ETBI General Secretary Paddy Lavelle told invited TDs: “The 16 ETBs across Ireland provide education and training opportunities for over 450,000 people. We do this through running primary and post-primary schools, and providing Further Education and Training opportunities, including apprenticeships. We are also heavily involved in youth work.”

 “Donegal ETB and all ETBs nationwide offer excellent, equality-based, inclusive educational opportunities to learners of all ages. We are proud to support Ireland’s diverse population of learners – and have a proven track record of doing so. We are delighted to launch our #SupportYourLocalETB campaign and our political priorities for the coming year. We are calling on the Government to commit to supporting our work.

 “TDs can also raise these issues at local and national levels of Government, and ensure these priorities are included in their party’s manifesto for the next General Election”, Mr Lavelle said.

 ETBI’s priorities for the next year are available to read here: https://we.tl/t-H9JS5oMXiJ

The post Donegal ETB urges government to tackle inequalities in education sector appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Donegal TD Thomas Pringle has pressed the Government to address issues with an SEAI grant scheme to ensure that the most vulnerable people won’t lose out.

It has emerged that homeowners who qualified for Enhanced Home Energy Upgrade loans before the SEAI grant announcement for defective block homeowners will not be able to carry over eligibility for these enhanced schemes.

“This of course targets the most vulnerable and socio-economically deprived in County Donegal,” Independent TD Thomas Pringle told the Dáil today.

“As an example, the dry lining grant aid will be halved under this scenario, and external insulation by almost 50%.

“Many other headings will see homeowners reduced by 20% to 30% on average. It’s affecting those on: Working Family Payment, One-Parent Family Payment, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Carers Allowance, Disability Allowance.”

Deputy Pringle told Tánaiste Michael Martin that the issues are “an own goal”.

Addressing the Tánaiste, Deputy Pringle said: “Once again your government has stumbled blindly into yet another defective blocks fiasco of your own making.”

Deputy Pringle asked: “Will you speak to your ministers and make sure it’s changed and made more responsive?”

In his response, the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, said he will talk to the minister and ask the minister to engage with Deputy Pringle.

The post Most vulnerable defective block homeowners losing out on SEAI scheme, Dáil hears appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Last year’s Lough Swilly Marina Fun Day raised a fantastic €6,500 for the local branch of the RNLI.

Mr John McDaid, Director of the Marina, is pictured presenting a cheque to volunteers at Lough Swilly RNLI. Funds from last year also provided a new public access defibrillator for the Fahan area which is located at the marina. 

Also in the picture is Gary McLaughlin, Marina Manager, who organised the fun day and musician David Craig who looked after the entertainment.

“Many thanks to John, Gary, David and the team for making this a very enjoyable event and for raising much needed funds for the local lifeboat station,” a Lough Swilly RNLI spokesperson said.

The post Lough Swilly Marina Fun Day raises thousands for local RNLI appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Today, Judith McCarthy makes history by becoming the longest serving Local Authority Museum Curator in Ireland.

It is exactly 30 years to the day since she was appointed Curator of Donegal County Museum in Letterkenny.

Her colleagues paid a special tribute to her, and presented her with a lovely cake.

“We are so proud of her work over the years,” they said.

“Work from dealing with Dry Rot and building our extension, the hard work with blood, sweat and tears required to become one of the pioneering first museums in Ireland to be awarded accreditation under the Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI) and to achieve our 3rd Maintenance of Standards.

“From being a Board Member of the National Museum of Ireland, and now Fort Dunree, to investigating Souterrains, making friends with a six legged lamb to working with Donegal groups and  communities, becoming an expert on Community Co-Production, working on  local, national, international projects and so, so, so, much more – what an extraordinary Curator she is!”

And so say all of us – happy birthday Judith!

Judith was treated to a well deserved cake to mark the occasion of her 30 years in the Donegal County Museum.

The post Judith marks 30 years as Curator of Donegal County Museum appeared first on Donegal Daily.

Now that the local and European elections are out of the way, the search has begun to elect a new Mayor of Dunkineely.

Do you have what it takes to succeed the wonderful Margaret Duddy who has held the position since 2016?

Candidates will compete to raise money for their chosen charity and local projects and events.

Entrants must be 18 or over and live in the Dunkineely, Bruckless, St. John’s Point area.

Email dunkineelycommunity@gmail.com if you think you have the right stuff!

Beach Clean

Our next clean will be at Killuran, St. John’s Point on Saturday 6th July at 12 noon.

As always, we will provide gloves, pickers and bags. We suggest you bring sensible shoes, a coat, suntan cream and water.

We hope to see you there!

Bruckless NS

Bruckless N.S. celebrated the recent renovations of their old toilet facilities in glorious sunshine on Wednesday 19th June.

Board of Management members, parents, neighbours and staff were entertained by music provided by all the pupils, ably lead by Mrs. Mary Maguire (conducting) and Mr. Mark O’Driscoll on accompanying accordion.

The new entrance and works were officially opened by Fr. Rory Brady. In his speech, Mr. Lorcan O’Toole (Principal), acknowledged the work of his predecessor, Mr. Daire Diver, in applying for the works to be completed under the guidance of Peter McFarlane (building consultant). Mr. O’Toole also noted that there is still more to come.

The work included new heating, insulation, a universal/wheelchair accessible toilet, a new secretary’s office, a principal’s workspace, new entrance door and reception area.

Also, at a minimum cost to the school and after nearly 100 years, a staff room was added to the plans after some observation of the plans by Mr. O’Toole.

The work was completed by Paul Breslin construction. The project is another step in the modernisation and future proofing of Bruckless N.S. and its near 100-year-old building. The project has reignited pride in the school and further empowered a sense of belonging and enhancing the well-being of pupils and staff alike.

Active Retirement

The Killaghtee Active Retirement Association meets every second Wednesday (exc. January, July and August) at the Dunkineely Naomh Ultan GAA Centre (F94 A977).

We welcome visitors wanting to know about the group and its activities, as well as those individuals wishing to become members.

For more information please feel free to contact the Secretary, Robin Tweed at 085 220 1009 or by e-mail at: Robin.Tweed.KillaghteeARA@gmail.com

Come Work for Us

We have an opportunity, for the right person to work in the community, through the TÚS Initiative and gain some experience or learn new skills. If you are aged between 21 and 60+, unemployed and receiving an eligible welfare benefit payment, you may qualify to work at DCL. If interested, please contact us at dunkineelycommunity@gmail.com for more Information on the TÚS Initiative.

Church Services

Methodist Church: Normal Sunday Services will be held at 10:30am in Ardara and 12 noon in Dunkineely. Please note the change of times.

Catholic Church: Church of St Joseph and St Conal Newsletter available online at: tiny.cc/PBNL Church of Ireland: The Killaghtee service will be at 10:45am.

The post Search begins to find new Mayor of Dunkineely! appeared first on Donegal Daily.

A little dog found alone and frightened in the Fullerton Dam in Buncrana has been lapping up lots of love and care with a kind-hearted local family.

The dog, affectionately named ‘Benson’, was discovered in the Illies on Friday. After several attempts by concerned members of the community to catch him, local couple Jodie and Eamonn Harkin were finally able to secure him safely on Saturday afternoon and take him to the vet.

Benson was found in the Fullerton dam in the Illies but was too frightened to let people approach him. Photo: Lost and Found Dogs Buncrana

On inspection, it appeared that Benson had been living rough for a very long time.

With no microchip and no sign of an owner coming forward, the Harkins took Benson into their home until another vet trip on Monday revealed serious health issues.

Jodie said: “He was deemed to be in a very poor condition and is over 10 years old.

“He has cataracts in both eyes, an ear infection, a urine infection, worms, multiple broken teeth and gum issues plus signs of prostate cancer and heartbreakingly they believe the black burn on his back is from having boiling oil poured onto him.

“From his condition we believe he’s been living rough a very long time, although we hadn’t intended on keeping him we do want to give him a chance for the rest of his days, however long that will be.”

Benson soon after being secured by the Harkins

Jodie and Eamonn already have three rescue dogs and were moved by the thought of Benson’s life so far.

They are now taking careful steps to groom him and have him neutered to remove any possible cancer.

After a three-hour-long surgery on Wednesday, Benson is being treated with plenty of cuddles and chicken in his adopted home.

They will need to wait 28 days to see if an owner claims Benson, but Jodie says the vet feels this is unlikely given his condition.

Benson is now recovering with antibiotics and painkillers

With a lot of interest in Benson’s welfare on the Lost and Found Dogs Buncrana Facebook page, the Harkins decided to set up a GoFundMe for people to help pay towards Benson’s growing vet bills. More than €1,200 has been donated by animal lovers so far.

Benson will need another surgery in a week’s time, depending on his recovery.

“He will likely have to have on going treatments / medications so the fundraiser is allowing us to focus on giving the cuddles and not worrying about how we can pay for everything,” Jodie said.

“It’s so sad that he’s had an awful life so far; but he’s fought this long, let’s give him a chance to be healthy and happy with a safe home for the rest of his little life.”

Visit the GoFundMe appeal here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/e8ze2t-bensons-vet-bills?utm_content=ai_control_ios

The post Benson’s new lease of life thanks to Buncrana animal lovers appeared first on Donegal Daily.

A kind-hearted Ballybofey woman has opened her beautiful rose garden this week in aid of a local charity.

Nora Singh’s Rose Garden is situated at 85 Blue Cedars, on the Glenfin Road, and will be open until next Sunday, July 7, from 10am to 6pm.

Ably assisted by her husband, Jeet, her bright and colourful plot attracts hundreds of visitors every year with all donations going to local charities.

It has been described as a ‘gem of a rose garden in a modern housing development’ and has been a hive of activity this week 

And, it features a huge range of varieties in every colour and with fragrances that will knock your socks off!

This year, Norah wants to gift all visitors’ donations to the local Ballybofey branch of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

For further information, buzz over to Nora’s Rose Garden Facebook page, or call 087 790 0490.

Proud Nora Singh with some of her beautiful roses.

The post Nora’s Rose Garden buzzing for Alzheimer Society this week! appeared first on Donegal Daily.

In a throwback to the Celtic Tiger era prices, a six acre field in east Donegal has gone on the market for a cool €1,000,000.

Advertised as a ‘building site’, the ‘fully serviced’ plot at Magheramore, Manorcunningham, does not come with planning permission.

Situated on the main Letterkenny to Derry road next to the Churchlands estate, however, it does boast spectacular views over Lough Swilly and the Big Isle.

According to the selling agents, Sherry FitzGerald Paul Reynolds, planning permission had been obtained on part of this land, but has since lapsed.

“Currently, housing development is ongoing and (Manor is) quickly becoming a place to live and commute to the major towns, such as Letterkenny,” the auctioneer’s sales literature stated. 

“Near neighbouring villages remember the era of industrial time fondly and would embrace any new technological advances.”

The post East Donegal field goes on the market for a cool €1 million! appeared first on Donegal Daily.

When a well known Gladiator rolls into Derry city on his way to Donegal, there was only one place to take him for a hearty feed – Paul’s Butchers on Culmore Road.

Aussie actor Russell Crowe landed in Derry on Tuesday en route to the Inishowen Peninsula for the opening of the Muff Liquor Company.

Chauffeur Jarlath Malone wrote on Facebook: “When a Gladiator tells you he’s hungry there’s only one place I would take him.

“He said his ciabata was muchius lovelius and next time he’s in Derry he’ll call again for another one.”

Jarlath Malone and Russell Crowe in Derry this week

Paul’s Butchers also took to Facebook to say: “When Russell was in town he had to swing by Paul’s for a Steak Ciabatta meal deal as that’s ‘where everyone told him to go for a good bite on the go’.”

Crowe’s slight diversion to Paul’s could explain a lot for those who were patiently waiting on him in Donegal at the launch of the Muff Liquor Company brand home.

Crowe is now officially one of the ‘Muff Men’ who have invested in the company.

Russell Crowe, Ronan Keating and Ryan Tubridy with Muff Liquor CEO Laura Bonner at the opening the new headquarters in Muff, Co. Donegal. (North West Newspix)

Four other ‘Muff Men’ investors are comedian Jimmy Carr, former RTE Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy, popstar Ed Sheeran and former Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating.

Jimmy Carr couldn’t make the launch night and sent a message, saying: “I’m unfortunately stuck in London but my mind is fixated on Muff!

“I can’t stop thinking about Muff, and not just any Muff, The Muff Liquor in Co Donegal.”

The post Russell Crowe enjoys a ‘Derry nice’ feed on the go! appeared first on Donegal Daily.

A debut goal from Sean Patton helped Finn Harps to a narrow win over Kerry FC at Finn Park on Thursday evening. 

Finn Harps 1 – 0 Kerry FC 

By Stuart Connolly

Chance after chance went astray as Patton bagged the only goal of the game late in the first half to strengthen Harps’ position in the playoffs.

After the stalemate at Bishopsgate, Darren Murphy made three changes to his side, with Kevin Jordan able to make his first appearance of the campaign. Sean Patton was unveiled as a new signing on Wednesday afternoon, on loan from Derry City, and he went straight into the starting eleven. And 16-year-old Gavin McAteer was handed his first start of the season, 24 hours after he signed a three-year deal with the club.

Samuel Aladesanusi was the only change for Kerry FC, and it was those in green who had the chances in the early exchanges. Sean McGrath was able to get a couple of shots off, but on both occasions, the ball glided into the gloves of Tim-Oliver Heimer. 

Similar to the away side, Harps’ first two opportunities fell to the same player as Patrick Ferry found himself in the right areas, but one effort was blocked by Andy Spain, and from the corner that followed, he headed narrowly wide with just over a quarter of an hour gone. 

With 20 minutes gone, the base of the post was struck, and the woodwork can either be your best friend or your worst nightmare. But on this occasion, it came to Harps’ aid as Ronan Teahan’s long-range strike kissed the base of the upright with Heimer rooted to the spot.

Just prior to the half hour, Ferry was thwarted once again, this time by Aaron O’Sullivan after a precise pass that split the defence from Gavin McAteer. 

Fast forward a few minutes, and the duo were paired again as Finn Harps broke the deadlock. McAteer found Ferry in acres of space down the left, and after a short run forward, his through ball was perfect for Sean Patton to roll into the bottom left corner.

It could have been a two-goal lead prior to the interval, but a flash shot from Success Edogun drifted wide as stoppage time approached.

Gavin McAteer in action for Finn Harps’ in their victory over Kerry FC at Finn Park. Pic: NorthWest NewsPix.

Ten minutes into the second half, Patton was in the thick of the action again, and two opportunities fell into place for the former Finn Harps Academy player. McAteer served up the first for him, but his strike was deflected wide, while the second shot floated into the grasp of O’Sullivan. 

With 20 minutes to go, Harps continued to create and find the right space, but that final touch evaded them quite often. With just shy of ten minutes to go, after what seemed like a conveyor belt of half chances, one big chance fell at the feet of McAteer, but with the goal at his mercy, he rushed his shot and sliced it agonisingly wide of the post.

That miss was almost punished instantly as Kerry FC countered, but Ryan Kelliher’s low drive fizzed past the post.

Unfortunately, the game ended on a sour note as a skirmish commenced after the final whistle. A whole host of players and coaches got involved, and it all ended with Conor McCarthy, Kennedy Amechi, and Kevin McHugh being sent off.

Finn Harps: Tim-Oliver Heimer; Jamie Watson, Matthew Makinson, Noe Baba, Kevin Jordan(Stephen Doherty 74); Ryan Rainey, Tony McNamee(Max Johnston 90), Patrick Ferry(Max Hutchison 90), Gavin McAteer (Conor Tourish 89); Success Edogun, Sean Patton.

Kerry FC: Aaron O’Sullivan; Sean O’Connell, Andy Spain, Ethan Kos, Samuel Aladesanusi; Sean McGrath, Ronan Teahan(Graham O’Reilly 76), Nathan Gleeson(Cian Brosnan 70), Daire McCarthy; Ryan Kelliher, Kennedy Amechi (Okwuy Okwute ht).

Referee: Glen Geraghty

The post Lively Patton goals on his debut to give Harps victory appeared first on Donegal Daily.