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Inishowen in the pink

inish — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:00:54 +0000

A host of volunteers will be on streets of Inishowen this week as part of a drive to raise funds and awarness for one of Ireland’s deadliest diseases.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as part of the campaign there will be collections across the peninsula later this week.
One of the volunteers taking part in the “Pink Ribbon” appeal, Mary Bradley, said: “We’ll be collecting at Supervalu in Buncrana on Thursday and Friday, and we’ll be on the Main Street on Friday too.
“We’ll be selling the pink ribbons, keyrings, badges and little tokens for shopping trollies.”
She also urged anyone interested in lending a hand to get in touch: “If anyone wanted to give an hour or two that would be great.
“We’d really appreciate the help if we could get it. It really is for a very good cause.”
Around 2,500 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland last year and the disease remains the biggest cause of death from cancer in women in the country.
All money raised from this week’s collections will go toward funding cutting edge programmes by Action Breast Cancer, a branch of the Irish Cancer Society.
They said: “We need you to think of your mum, your sister, your gran, your aunt, your daughter or your friends and act.
“Every euro you raise will help make sure that we can be there for people when they need us.”
Anybody who wants to get involved in the Buncrana collection can contact Mary on 0863491018 or visit www.cancer.ie for more information on the Pink Ribbon appeal.

Man stabbed in Carndonagh

inish — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:00:42 +0000

A man remained in a “serious but stable” condition in Derry’s Altnagelvin Hospital last night after a stabbing incident in Carndonagh on Friday night last.
Buncrana Superintendent Kevin English confirmed to the Inish Times the man was injured when a “row” occurred in a private dwelling in a private estate in the town.
Gardai were called to the disturbance and found a man with serious injuries relating to a number of stab wounds.
The man was removed by ambulance to Altnagelvin Hospital where he remains in a “serious but stable” condition.
Superintendent English confirmed Gardai arrested a man who was detained for questioning at Buncrana Garda Station. He was released on Saturday evening without charge, pending a file being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Gardai are yet to interview the injured man but Superintendent English confirmed they intend to do so when he is deemed medically fit.
It has not been confirmed what type of weapon was used in the incident, which has stunned the town and peninsula.

Greencastle to elect new “Mayor”

inish — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:00:15 +0000

The race for the Presidency may be dominating the news nationally, but Inishowen has a bigger and better election underway!
Three budding local personalities have declared themselves as candidates in the bid for one of the hottest tickets in town – the Mayor of Greencastle.
The gloves are off as driving instructor Pat Gillespie, takeaway owner Shane Carey and vice-president of the Greencastle Community Centre Committee George McGuinness seek votes to determine who becomes first citizen of the picturesque fishing village from November 26 next.
It’s all in good spirit and humour however, as the endeavour is being undertaken to raise much-needed funds for Greencastle Community Centre.
Speaking at their very first “press conference” in the centre last week, the trio enjoyed some good-natured banter as they outlined the benefits of the campaign and revealed how it wouldn’t be a case of “first-time lucky” for the only female candidate, Pat.
“I was Mayor before, 25 years ago, when the community centre was first set up,” she said.
“It was the first, big fundraising event we did and since then, the chain has been lying in a trunk in someone’s attic. When we were deciding on how to raise funds again, we thought on the Mayor of Greencastle and that’s how this has come about.”
When asked why they put themselves forward as candidates, Shane quipped: “Pat put herself forward and we were pushed!”
However, he added he was delighted to be able to help the centre in some way and promised an interesting campaign.
George explained how the community centre was in great need of funds.
He said: “It can be tough to keep it going. We borrowed money for various projects, which we have to pay back and like NAMA, we got conditions put on us as well. The money would be a great help.”
Patricia said: “They want us to show them how the community are behind us and this is part of that.”
The campaign hopes to raise a total of 10,000 euro, although all money raised will be of benefit.
Each euro raised for each individual candidate counts as one vote. So, the candidate who raises the most euros – or votes – will be crowned the new Mayor of Greencastle.
The candidates said when the Mayor was elected, their two-year tenure would be “what they make of it,” although Patricia revealed that in her previous reign as first citizen she was “invited to everything going.”
They added while their campaign is unlike the presidential election in that their votes “cost money” it was all “going to a very good cause.”
And, it was revealed how the local community had already been getting in on the act.
Patricia said: “There’s a wee bit of fun starting up already. Somebody was putting up posters of Martin McGuinness the last night and a person came in and told me they were of Shane.”
And, when asked if any ‘tactics’ would be deployed in the campaign, she quipped: “Well I’ll not be eating any fish and chips for the next few weeks!”
Candidate Carey also wouldn’t confirm whether a vote could be traded for food and Mr McGuinness opted to stay silent on the subject.
The campaign has already kicked off and your votes are crucial. Keep an eye out locally and in local press in the coming weeks for fundraising events.

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Hope for Greencastle ferry

inish — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:00:06 +0000

Efforts are frantically under way to find a solution to the Foyle Ferry crisis after the service was suspended indefinitely at the weekend.
The last ferry from Magilligan docked at Greencastle on Sunday evening leaving Inishowen without a ferry service for the winter months.
Twelve full-time and six part-time jobs have been lost as a result, however it is hoped the suspension will be only temporary with the ferry returning in January.
Managing director of Lough Foyle Ferry Company, Jim McClenaghan, said: “We’re very, very disappointed.
“It’s very sad for the crew and for our customers who travel on the ferry that it had to come to this stage.”
He added, though, that the service shall return: “Hopefully, sometime early in the New Year the councils (Donegal and Limavady) will be in a position to get it up and running again.”
It is believed Donegal County Council and Limavady Borough Council, who have supported the ferry since it began in 2002, can no longer afford to contribute funds from their own budgets.
However, calls have now been made for governments in Dublin and Belfast to intervene to save the service.
Donegal North East TD, Joe McHugh, revealed he had met with Mr McClenaghan on Friday last and was in “ongoing discussions” with the Minister for Transport and Tourism and with Donegal County Council.
Deputy McHugh said: “Cllr Mickey Doherty and I are in ongoing dialogue with Donegal County Council and Minister Leo Varadkar on the Lough Foyle Ferry funding challenge.
“A number of revenue streams are being explored, and Cllr Doherty and I are working step-by-step with the relevant officials in this process.”
Deputy Charlie McConalogue has asked councillors on both sides of the border to work with their national governments to resolve the issue, while fellow
The Foyle Ferry began operating in 2002 and has ferried over two million passengers. In a notice displayed at in Greencastle and Magilligan as well as on the their website. operators thanked their customers: “The company wishes to thank the very many passengers that have supported the service from commencement on the 14 June 2002.
“The directors of the company sincerely hope that the suspension of the service will be temporary and look forward to re-commencing operations in early 2012.”

Jodie “tees up” for a bright future

inish — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:00:38 +0000

A talented young Inishowen golfing enthusiast rubbed shoulders with two of the greatest and most successful names in the sport recently.
Ten-year-old Jodie Harkin from Ardaravan Heights in Buncrana was delighted to meet Annika Sörenstam and Alison Nicholas prior to last week’s prestigious Solheim Cup.
Annika Sörenstam is one of the most successful golfers in history and was the EU assistant captain at the event.
Alison Nicholas was this year’s captain and is a former winner of both the British Women’s Open and the US Women’s Open.
Young Jodie, who plays off a handicap of 36 at North West Golf Club at Lisfannon, was invited to meet the duo at Dunboyne Castle in Meath by the Irish Ladies Golf Union, an experience she described as “very exciting.”
Jodie, the daughter of Joanne and Jimmy Harkin, is a huge fan of golf and took it up at just seven-years-old, beginning at the nine-hole course at Buncrana Golf Club.
Her interest was piqued through both her parents’ involvement in the sport and she is a frequent sight on the course, where she is usually joined by her grandfather, John Larry.
The Scoil Iosagain (Buncrana) pupil explained when she first started out, she found it “difficult to swing with the club,” but got the hang of it and is now on her third set.
She also revealed how she played “every night” during the summer months and last year, trained in the winter programme at Greenmount Golf Academy in Antrim. She also receives lessons from Derek Morrison, the pro golfer at Foyle Golf Club.
When asked who her favourite golfer was, Jodie revealed while she was inspired by Sörenstam and Nicholas, she was a big fan of Irish man Pádraig Harrington. She was lucky enough to meet her idol last year in Adair Manor, Limerick.
Jodie has vowed to continue practicing and everyone in Inishowen is advised to look out for her in the future!

Suicide prevention workshops lined up

inish — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:00:23 +0000

A local community group is taking a hands-on, practical approach to suicide prevention in Inishowen.
“Let’s Talk Drink” in Moville have organised a series of talks and workshops over the next few weeks aimed at educating and training people on what to do if they suspect someone may be at risk of suicide.
The first of these is these is “SafeTalk,” to be held twice so to ensure the workshop is available to as wide an audience as possible.
The talks, at the Caiseal Mara Hotel in Moville, are specifically tailored to helping people recognise when someone is contemplating taking their own life, and to show them where to go for help.
Both will be given by Sarah Meehan from the HSE and are completely free and open to the public.
The first takes place this Thursday from 10.00am to 1.00pm, followed by an evening one on Thursday, October 6 next, from 7.00pm – 10.00pm.
There will then be another, more advanced, workshop later in October and early December.
Hosted by ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), it will be a two-day course aimed at helping attendess build skills in “suicide first aid”.
It offers people the chance to learn skills necessary if you find yourself in an emergency situation where someone is in danger of taking their own life, including learning “how to talk someone down.”
While it follows on from the initial SafeTalk workshop, those interested do not have to have attended that pervious talk to be able to come along to the Assist workshop.
Once again, all are welcome. Dates for this workshop will be announced as soon as they are finalised.
Let’s Talk Drink, who are organising the talks, is an Inishowen-based community initiative which aims to reduce the abuse of alcohol.
It is putting on the workshops “because alcohol can often play a large part in suicides” and Let’s Talk Drink want “to help local people know what to do with someone who is having thoughts of suicide.”
For more information contact

Carn fire station reborn

inish — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:00:12 +0000

Inishowen’s auxiliary fire services received a huge boost at the weekend with the blessing of their new base in Carndonagh.
The town’s old fire station has been reborn as the base for the 14 members of the Civil Defence, who are trained to provide crucial auxiliary or back-up assistance to the peninsula’s main fire service.
The Civil Defence auxiliary fire service for the Inishowen area was set up in 2002, but with no station, had to train weekly in the backyard and garage of one of the volunteers in Glentogher.
However, they soon outgrew the premises and the idea of relocating to the old fire station was mooted by civil defence officer, Edel Flynn.
Ms Flynn then approached Donegal County Council and enquired whether the premises could be transformed.
Discussions then took place between Director of Service John Peoples, Donegal Chief Fire Officer Bobby McMenamin and Ms Flynn herself, where plans were put in place.
Members of the Civil Defence then voluntarily transformed and refurbished the former station, which was blessed by Fr Con McLaughlin and Rev Joe Fell on Saturday last.
Ms Flynn told the Inish Times the service was conducted in a bid to say “well done” and thanks to the volunteers for all their hard work.
The station is set to benefit the entire community and houses a fire appliance bay, kitchen facilities and a training room, which will also be used as a “central meeting point” and training location for other factions of the civil defence, such as search and rescue.

Anti septic tank charge petition launched

inish — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Members of the public are being ecouraged to sign a petition against Government proposals to introduce a septic tank charge.
The charge has been described as “a tax too far” by Sinn Fein Donegal North East TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn.
The petition was launched at a meeting in the Colgan Hall in Carndonagh last week organised by Sinn Fein to “build enough people power” to prevent the charge being introduced.
A packed hall was told by Sinn Fein Donegal North East TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn the numbers attending the meeting showed the level of anger at the proposed charges.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said: “Over 120 people packed into the Colgan Hall tonight. This is a gauge not only of the level of anger at the proposed charges but also of the willingness to fight the government’s plans to attempt to drain more money out of rural communities.”
Deputy Mac Lochlainn added: “For the Government to take advantage of an old EU directive as a means of raising additional revenue is unfair and unjust and is a tax too far.”
Speaking after the meeting, Deputy Mac Lochlainn’s party colleague, Cllr Jack Murray said its purpose was to inform the people of Inishowen of the government’s planned legislation on septic tank charges.
“We also explained the European Court ruling which the Government blames for their charges and outlined how this matter is being dealt with in other parts of Europe.”
Cllr Murray concluded: “Crucially, we want to build enough people power to influence policy decisions by the Minister for Environment before the legislation is presented to Dáil.”

Very bad news

inish — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 07:00:37 +0000

The ferry linking Greencastle and Magilligan is to be suspended after nine years, it has emerged.
On Thursday last, the Lough Foyle Ferry Company announced service, a success with both tourists and commuters, would operating from October 2 next due to “lack of funds.”

Speaking to the Inish Times, Cllr Mickey Doherty said it “should never have come to this.”

He said: “The news didn’t shock me, for I understand the Lough Foyle Ferry Company’s lack of resources, particularly in today’s economic climate.

“But it happened so suddenly, and much sooner than I had expected. A compromise, say, fewer sailings, could have been reached, rather than just acceptance that the service would have to cease.

“I really wish a decision like this hadn’t been left so late. For the last two weeks, the ferry company and their employees have been on a knife edge, not knowing whether or not they were coming or going. It’s an absolute disgrace.”

He added he was hopeful that he could arrange a meeting with representatives from Inishowen, Donegal County Council and Limavady Borough Council within the next fortnight.

“I’m hopeful that something can be thrashed out, because the ferry would be a serious loss to the area. For example, a dozen weddings which would have involved the use of the boat have already been booked in the Redcastle hotel.

“We ought to be promoting tourism, not blocking it.”

Donegal North East TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn shared Cllr Doherty’s sentiments, adding that the impending suspension of the service made “absolutely no sense” to him.

“The news absolutely knocked me out of left field”, he said. “When I was a councillor in Inishowen, we had secured funding for the ferry through the Strategic Transport Fund.”

He added that through his role as a TD, he would back all local councillors to help save the

Sale of the century

inish — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 07:00:29 +0000

“Madness” – just one of the words that could describe the scene as hundreds of bargain-hunters descended on one Inishowen store last week.
Hegarty’s Home Interiors in Buncrana reopened its doors last Wendnesday after being closed for a number of days in preparation for a sale unlike any other seen before in the area.
The 1.5 million euro refurbishing sale was the “talk of the town” as people from all over the peninsula bagged themselves cut-price bargains on a wide range of furniture, gifts and electrical goods.
Store manager Matthew Gleeson said they had “a tremendous response” to the sale, which was part of a huge refurbishing and modernising project at the Main Street shop.
He explained how they had sent out 20,000 invitations to their customers for the first two days, which was then open to the public from Friday onwards.
Speaking on Friday morning he said: “We’ve already had close to 5,000 people through the doors, that’s a massive amount in just a couple of days.
“The original plan was to finish on Sunday but due to the phenomenal success I think we’re going to have to extend it for a few days.”
Matthew said they have even had to take on extra staff for the extravaganza, which took weeks to prepare for.
He explained the thinking behind it: “Myself and Steven [Gleeson] came up with the idea. We just wanted to do something different, to create a stir. We didn’t want to just another normal sale.”
They certainly succeeded in creating a stir, with people especially excited about the great deals on suites, dining sets and matresses – items which in some cases have had up to 70% slashed from their original asking price.
Matthew said: “The Sony TVs have also been very popular. Not only are we offering a really cheap price on top of the range, up-to-date models but we’re also giving away an extended five-year guarantee with them.”
He added that their gift range had been flying off the shelves too, with “a certain amount of people already doing their Christmas shopping!”
Matthew said he was very grateful to staff and customers alike for making the week such a success: “We really couldn’t have done this without the full backing of the staff.
“I’d also like to thank our customers. We’ve had great support from the people of Buncrana and all of Inishowen.”