NCDI gala ball

The second Newtowncunningham Community Development Initiative gala ball took place on last Saturday in An Grianán Hotel, Burt. The theme for the ball was a black diamond affair, with guests enjoying a champagne reception followed by an excellent four course meal with wine and dancing with the Streetlife band providing excellent music. The event was to raise funds for NCDI so that the project can sustain itself until we can secure funding from an application we have submitted for a resource centre.  NCDI has charitable status so therefore all who donate monies to their organisation can recoup a percentage of their donation from the Revenue commissioners.  The local businesses rallied to participate in the event and support NCDI.  More details on the ball next week.

Mission

The mission begins in the Church of All Saints, Newtowncunningham on Saturday, May 3 at the Vigil Mass at 7:30pm. One of the mission priests will preach at all three of the weekend masses, which will begin the mission. The week following will be the Visitation week of the mission when every house in the parish will be visited, a prayer said, and a blessing given. There will be a team of missionaries–laity, sisters and priests.

Summer Playscheme

Summer playscheme registration will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, May 6, 7, 8 in the NCDI centre from 10am-4pm, also Saturday, May 10, 10am-1pm. Children from the Newtown address or who attend any of the primary schools or playgroup are eligible to register.  The playscheme will be one week duration and will take place on the week beginning July 7. Registration fee 30 euros per child.  A public meeting will be held on Monday 14April at 8pm in the NCDI centre to begin planning and organising.

Transport talks

The Inishowen Development Partnership is now consulting with the community throughout Inishowen in order to ascertain transport needs in the peninsula and to draw up an effective plan to address those gaps in transport that impact most on the community. This is part of the Rural Transport Programme which is a national programme that supports the provision of public/community transport in rural areas. 

The three consultations arranged are as follows:

Monday, May 12 at 7.30pm, Tullyarvan Mill, Buncrana;

Tuesday, May 13 at 7.30pm,  Bocan Hall, Culdaff;

Wednesday, May 14 at 7.30pm, Quigley’s Point Community Centre.

For further information contact Pauline/John at Inishowen Development Partnership at 07493-62218

Camera Club

A meeting of the Camera Club Inishowen will take place tomorrow, May 1

in Serenity House, Moville starting at 7.30pm. All welcome to join or to just visit us. If you would like anything included in the notes, please tel. Annette Burke on 074 9156221 or email gburke@eircom.net

Sad death

The death took place in Glasgow Royal Infirmary on April 8 of Bella Gallagher (née Cannon of Deerpark). Her remains were removed to the family home in Dennistoun for the wake on Saturday 12.  Funeral Requiem Mass took place on Monday 14 at St Mungo’s Church, Town Head at 12.15pm. 24 priests concelebrated the mass, the main celebrant was her son Fr Dermot (Crossgar, Co Down)

The lessons were read by her sons, Br Brendan, Botswana, and Donal. Prayers of the faithful were read by her daughters, Sister Kathleen (Little Sisters of the Poor) and Mary. The gifts were brought to the alter by her grandsons Paul, Daniel, Martina Kelly and Bridie Robb. Soloist was Mary Corr. Her remains were laid to rest alongside her late husband Jim in the Western Necropolis Extension graveyard.  Deepest sympathy to her sister Polly Devenney, Noel Cannon and the extended family. Month’s mind Mass will be celebrated in the Church of All Saints, Newtowncunningham on Monday, May 19 at 7.30pm.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Oisin McMenamin, Moyle, son of Liam and Rello, who was playing in the Ireland team under 18. They were playing in Sunderland and won by 2:1. Well done.

Taughboyne  ICA

The group were treated to a cookery demonstration by one of their own talanted members in their April meeting of Taughboyne ICA. The talk was entitled, “What’s for tea?” – a problem that bothers most of us from time to time. Recipies were distributed for such things as quick chicken, turkey and tuna dishes and the final triumph, a new way with plums.

The demonstration was followed by a most enjoyable sampling session, members were forced to return for second helpings in order to decide which dish they preferred.  The meeting closed with members agreeing to make good use of the learning experience.  

MS Society

The local branch of the MS Society is holding a churchgate collection on April 26 /27.

Wedding 

The beautiful wedding of Claire Rodgers, Colehill and Norman Graham, Glebe, Carrigans took place in the Church of All Saints, Newtowncunningham on April 5. Chief celebrant was Fr O’Doherty assisted by Rev. Brown, Raphoe. Bridesmaids were, Annmarie Rodgers(sister of the bride), Alma McDaid and Irene Graham (sister of the groom), matron of honour was Tracy Halpenny (sister of the bride).  Bestman was George Graham (cousin of the groom), Groomsmen, Leslie Graham, Trevor Graham (brothers of the groom), Bobby Rodgers (brother of the bride) pageboy was Dara Keaveney, flowergirl was Hannah McGowan. Reception was held in the Milford Inn and the honeymoon was spent in Norway.

Community Services Programme

Inishowen Development Partnership is hosting an information evening on the Community Services Programme application process in the Colgan Hall, Carndonagh on Tuesday, April 29 at 7.30pm.  Kevin Moran from Pobal will be giving an overview of the programme on the night. For further details contact Susan Shorten on 074 93 22218

The Foyle & Donegal Hospices

The Foyle & Donegal Hospices Buncrana Support Group,presents a social evening of Entertainment & Floral Art Exhibits in the Lake of Shadows Hotel, Buncrana on Thursday, April 24 at 8pm. Admission is 5 euro including a savoury supper. Approximately one hundred displays & various prizes (all donated) will be raffled on the night.

Entertainment will be provided by Pauline Saunders, Kathy McCarthy, Stewart Buchanan, James Boyle & Irish Dancing by Aidan & Rachael McGinley, who are all giving their time free of charge. MC on the night will be Nicholas Crossan. Everyone is very welcome. Please bring a friend & support this worthy cause. Tickets are available from any member of the Buncrana Support Group or pay at the door. Further information from Margaret on 9361114

Summer Playscheme

Summer playscheme registration will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6, 7, 8, May 6, 7, 8, in the NCDI centre from 10am–4pm, also Sat 10th May 10am—1pm.  Children from the Newtown address or who attend any of the primary schools or playgroup are eligible to register.  The playscheme will be one week in duration and will take place on the week beginning July 7. Registration fee 30 euro per child. 

Gala Ball 

NCDI is hosting its 2nd Gala Ball. The venue for the Ball has been changed and will now be in An Grianan Hotel, Burt on Saturday, April 26. The evening will begin with a Champagne reception at 7.30pm and afterwards a sumptuous four course meal with wine will be served. This will be followed by an auction of luxury items. A dance will follow.  We need the support of the community at this event as the funds raised will enable the NCDI to continue until we can secure further funding.    

If you would like anything included in the notes, please tel. Annette Burke on 074 9156221 or email gburke@eircom.net

Birthday

Happy birthday to Imelda Devenney, Mill Road who celebrated a very special birthday at the weekend.

Golden Anniversary

Congratulations to Claire and James Boyce, Gortree who celebrates 50 years of marriage today (Wednesday, April 9). They were married on April 9, 1958 in All Saint’s Church, Newtowncunningham.  Bridesmaid was, Phyllis Doran, bestman was Andy Boyce. The couple has 11 children and 22 grandchildren.

GAA Lotto Winner

Congratulations to Mary Gallagher, Colehill who picked the winning numbers in the GAA weekly lotto. The jackpot was 2,200 euro and the winning ticket was sold by Patsy McLaughlin.

Coyle’s Golf Society

Coyle’s golf society had their outing to Portstewart on Sunday 6. Winners were: 1st Edward Lynch 31pts, 2nd Sean Devenney, 30pts 3rd, Shaun Gibson 30pts. Front nine, Jim Mooney, back nine, Colm McConigle, nearest the pin  Robert Allen.

Summer Playscheme

Summer playscheme registration will take place on Tues, Wed, Thurs, 6, 7, 8, May in the NCDI centre from 10am–4pm, also Sat 10th May 10am–1pm.  Children from the Newtown address or who attend any of the primary schools or playgroup are eligible to register. The playscheme will be one week duration and will take place on the week beginning  July 7.  Registration fee 30 euros per child.  A public meeting will be held on Monday 14April at 8pm in the NCDI centre to begin planning and organising.

Derry Bytes/NCDI

Derry Bytes/NCDI Cross Border Youth Border Project will commence with a new programme on Wednesday, April 16 in the NCDI centre. There are 4 places remaining. Participants must be 16 or over.   Training in Computers and newsletter production will be the focus for this 10-week course. Participants wll also have a visit to Stormont and other recreationally activities. Transport, training and refreshments are free of charge, all you have to do is commit to the ten-week programme. Call Shaun on 074 91 56898 to book a place.

Ceili

A Ceili will be held in the Columban Hall on Friday, April 11. Dancing from 10pm–1am.  Music by Martin Doogan.  Admission 5 euro including supper

Mission

There will be a Mission in the Church of All Saints, Newtowncunningham beginning on Sunday, April 27. It will run for two weeks.

Community Playgroup

Anyone interested in sending their child in September 2008 should call in to Newtowncunningham Community Playgroup, Pairc Cholmcille on Thursday 10 from 12.30–3pm and 7–8pm to fill in registration forms.  Please bring your child’s immunisation record on the day. Any queries, contact Pauline on 086 3040498.

Gala Ball

NCDI are hosting their 2nd Gala Ball.  The venue for the Ball has been changed and will now be in An Grianan Hotel, Burt on Saturday, April 26. The evening will begin with a Champagne reception at 7.30pm and afterwards a sumptuous four-course meal with wine will be served. This will be followed by an auction of luxury items. A dance will follow. We need the support of the Community at this event as the funds raised will enable the NCDI to continue until we can secure further funding.    

If you would like anything included in the notes, please tel. Annette Burke on 074 9156221 or email gburke@eircom.net

Birthday wishes

Congratulations and best wishes to Keith Mc Daid, Westfield, who celebrated his 21st birthday in the Cavern bar, Letterkenny last week.

Ceili

A Ceili will be held in the Columban Hall on Friday, April 11. Dancing from 10pm–1am. Music by Martin Doogan. Admission 5 euro including supper.

Big thank you

The family of Emer Toner, Inch Island,  ( granddaughter of Eddie and Margaret Friel, Kildrum, Carrigans) would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported their Christmas swim and helped to raise in excess of 55,300 euros for the Oncology ward, Our Lady’s Children’s hospital, Crumlin, Ronald Mc Donald House, Dublin, and the Paediatric ward, Letterkenny General Hospital.  The family would also like to thank everyone for their prayers and support over the past six months.

First Aiders meeting

A community meeting to organise a team of trained First Aiders who can use the  defibrillator  in emergencies will be held on Monday 7 April at 8pm in the NCDI offices.

Church Mission

There will be a Mission in the Church of All Saints, Newtowncunningham  beginning on Sunday 27th April. It will run for two weeks.

Birth

Congratulations to Debbie and Keith Nesbit,  Rooskey on the birth of their baby boy also to Damien and Aisling Doherty, Castlepark on the birth of their baby boy.

Gala Ball

NCDI is hosting their 2nd gala ball. The venue for the ball has been changed and will now be in An Grianán Hotel, Burt on Saturday, April 26. The evening will begin with a Champagne reception at 7.30pm and afterwards a sumptuous five course meal with wine will be served. This will be followed by an auction of luxury items. A dance will follow, music by the Beefstake Dancers. We need the support of the Community at this event as the funds raised will enable the NCDI to continue until we can secure further funding.  

If you would like anything included in the notes, please tel. Annette Burke on 074 9156221 or email gburke@eircom.net

Taughboyne ICA

Taughboyne ICA had Brendan Farren as a guest speaker in February. He demostrated the art of basket-making and described how he had learnt the craft from an elderly man. He is now trying to revive what had been a dying technique. He grows his own willow and had a lovely display of the various natural colours and different types of baskets such as fishermans, donkey creels, picnic hampers etc.  Members enjoyed his talk very much and felt inspired to attempt to learn the skill in the future.

Birth

Congratulations to Paul and Karen Callaghan, Woodthrope on the birth of their baby boy.

Coyle’s Golf Society

Coyle’s golf society had their outing to Castlerock on Sunday 17. Winners were: 1st Barry Farmer (38pts) 2nd Ricky Wylie (35pts) 3rd Sean Crawford (34pts) 1st nine, Jim Mooney (19pts) 2nd nine, Lawrence Doherty (16pts)  Nearest the pin, Jim Mooney. Thanks to Duffy Express for sponsoring the outing.

Presentation 

Colm Grant and son Rory, Burnfoot presented a defibrillator to Dympna Whoriskey and Lizzie Doherty who received it on behalf of the community. The Grant family, Dympna and friends raised funds for defibrillators after the sudden death of Mrs Grant. There is a course now being run in the area to train up teams on the use of it.  It will be a very worthwhile piece of equipment and thanks to everyone concerned for giving it to the community.

Baptismal Ceremony 

There will be a thanksgiving blessing c eremony for babies baptised last year (2007) in the Church of All Saints on Sunday 24 at 3pm.  here was a total of 29 infants.

Wedding 

The beautiful wedding of Michelle Callaghan and Gareth McClean took place in the Church of All Saints on Thursday, February 14.  The bride was given away by her father  Eamon. Bridesmaids were Geraldine Callaghan, Margaret McCallion and Mary Kelly sisters of the bride. Best man was Johnny Tinney, groomsmen were Allister McNair and Stephen McConnell. Flowergirls were, Alisha Callaghan and Niamh Kelly nieces of the bride. The happy couple, family and friends enjoyed a lovely reception in Kee’s Hotel, Stranorlar. The couple are currently on honeymoon in America.

Gardening classes

The Courtyard Garden Centre is now taking names for their next batch of gardening classes. This seven-week course is specially designed for beginner to intermediate gardeners. Call Gareth on 074 9108958 for more details.

Sponsored swim

There will be a presentation night in Peter’s bar on Friday, March 7 to present the proceeds of the New Year’s Day swim to the Donegal Hospice. Refreshments will be provided.

Summer playscheme

There will be a summer playshceme meeting on Monday, March 3 at 8.30pm in the NCDI offices to discuss the playscheme.

If you would like anything included in the notes, please tel Annette Burke on 074 9156221 or email gburke@eircom.net

Pearl anniversary
Congratulations to Noel and Nora Devenney, Ballyhaskey who celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary at the weekend.

Birthday wishes
Birthday wishes to Marie McNamee, Plaister who celebrated her 18th birthday at the weekend.

Inch Lake project
Inch Lake and Levels Project was among over 90 projects nominated for the exclusive Lama Awards held in the City West Hotel, Dublin on Saturday 19. The project was in the top seven. It was a great achievement for all concerned. Present at the award ceremony was Joe Gating (manager Glenveagh) Gareth Whitmore, (Donegal Creameries) Andrew Speer (Ranger NPWS) Martin Burke.
The the work at Inch Level was praised and described it as an excellent amenity for the community and tourists. The project was nominated for the award by Francis Conaghan on behalf of the Donegal County Council. Well done to all concerned.

Burns’ Night
There will be a Burns’ night in the Presbyterian Hall, Newtowncunningham on Friday, January 25, commencing at 8pm. Admission 10 euros. Music by the Mc Elhinney ceili band.

Fun night
Church of All Saints, Parish fun appreciation night for all (18 yrs and over) will be held on Saturday, January 26 after the Vigil Mass in the GAA complex. Tea served from 8.30–10:30.pm.

Blessing of throats

Blessing of the throats (St Blaise) will be held in the Church of All Saints, on Sunday, February 3 at 7pm.

Whist
Whist held every Thursday night in the Columban hall

If you would like anything included in the notes, please tel. Elaine and Edel on 074 9156221 or email gburke@eircom.net

Foyle Conference
There was a great response to the Far Side of the Foyle Conference in the Everglades Hotel in Derry. It took place on Wednesday, October 17. Mayor John Boyle and Derry City Council Mayor Andrew Thompson were in attendance. The conference was very interesting and we viewed in a slideshow ancient maps of the St Johnston and Carrigans area. We saw a reproduction of the 1777 Taylor and Skinner’s map of the roads of Ireland which has St Johnston on it. We learned that the Vikings used to come up the Foyle wreaking havoc and pillaging which explains the Souterrians in the Foyle area. These were caves made in the ground in which people took refuge from the invaders. We had an interesting discussion on how to develop the Foyle and benefit the communities on both side of the river. Suggestions included a nature walk, ferry and amenity development to make the area more attractive to tourists. The Far Side of the Foyle has been meeting since 2005. Its purpose is to explore the community building and tourism drawing potential of both sides of the River. Information leaflets are available at the St Johnston and Carrigans Family Resource Centre. The leaflets have been produced by the Resource Centre and the Villages Together of Bready, Co Tyrone. The group’s website can be accessed at www.farsideofthefoyle.com. Some who went to the conference enjoyed a guided tour of Prehen House. It was a fascinating trip back to the far distant past.

Castletown School
One of the Homework Club participants at the Resource Centre, Ellie Graham, a Senior Infants pupil at Castletown School, recently won the Irish Cancer Society’s 2007 SunSmart colouring competition. It was part of national competition campaign to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the skin in the sun in order to prevent skin cancer. There were 2842 entrants from 236 schools across Ireland. The winners received sports vouchers and 250 euro worth of sports equipment for their schools. Well done Ellie.

Monreagh School
Monreagh National School, Carrigans, would like to say a warm welcome to its four new pupils Jack McCarron, Zoe Duncan, Anna Harris and Andrew Mullen. We look forward to many years of pleasant years of learning together.

With Thursday, October 11 being National Tree Day the school took a trip to Ards Forest Park, where they spent an enjoyable day on the shores of Sheephaven Bay. The Forester, Michael McFadden explained the differences between broad leaf and coniferous trees and took them for a walk on the newly erected boardwalk. The school says thanks to Coillte for this opportunity. And thanks also to the Gardai from Carrigans for coming into the school to show a video on general safety. Also thanks to Letterkenny Fire Station for sending an officer to give a talk on fire hazards. A new Board of Management is being put in place. The school thanks all those who served on the board in the four years. And it says a special thanks to Mr Leslie Rankin and Mrs Marie Vance (Parents’ Representatives) whose children have moved on to second-level education.

Congratulations to Sinead Mc Gee and Jonathan Hegarty who got engaged last weekend.

Cancer Care

Burt, Killea and Newtowncunningham branch are having a flower arranging demonstration on Wednesday, November 28 at 8pm in the Columban hall. Flowers and arrangements by Josie Coll.

Annual Sale
The Church of Ireland Church is holding its annual sale (bazaar) in the Orange hall on Friday 30 starting at 7:30pm. This year there are excellent raffle prizes such as gift vouchers from 40 euros upwards, hairdressing vouchers, electrical items, (household), Christmas hampers and many more prizes. The is also a cake stall with tea available. Admission is free. Please come and enjoy an evening’s fun and win.

Yoga
Yoga every Thursday night at 8pm sharp in Killea community hall. Qualified instructor. Contact Aisling on 086 2427962 for further details.

To include anything in the notes, please tel. Elaine and Edel on 074 9156221 or email gburke@eircom.net

Bus leaves St. Johnston shool at 9:15am,
Coxtown school at 9:30 and Newtowncunningham school at 9:45. 

Every child taking part will recieve an O’Neill’s kit and bag.

Cost of the camp is 60 euro for the first child in the family and 40 euro for each child after that. If interested contact Kieran Friel on:

(086) 6056655 or (074) 9156555