Newsletter 8th August
Festival Carnival Parade :-
As usual the Festival Carnival Parade on the closing Sun. attracted a very large no. of people who filled Main St for the spectacle. There was the usual mix of floats, Marching Bands and what not else. All of the following participated in the Parade :- As is the custom, the Dungloe Band was given the honour of leading the Parade and they were followed by all of the following :- Young GAA players, proudly carrying the Dungloe and Donegal flags,The Fire Brigade, proudly proclaiming that they raised no less than 6'625 Euro for the Donegal Hospice, The Keadue Band, proudly led once again by Paddt Ferry, with his son, Patrick, on the triangle, and younger daughter, Orla, helping to carry the banner with these words on it :- " Our Keadue Mary, Jemma ", Paddy's older daughter and the outgoing " Mary from Dungloe ", Old O' Donnell's Farm, The young Maghery Band, led by Michaela Treacy,The Crickamore Band, led by Jackie Greene, The Naomh Crona Band, An Clochan Liath - St Crona's Band, Dungloe, led by Marion Mc Hugh, The Cope Express Train, with the new Little Miss Mary and her escort on board, Cartoon characters, with Shannon Mc Intosh from Germany particularly enjoying Mickey Mouse, St Mary's Pipe Band ( Banna Piob ). Leim a' Mhadaidh, Co. Dhoire ( Limavady, Co. Derry ), who never fail to appear each year, RNLI Lifeboats, taking up a collection, with the huge throngs showing their generosity, Sam for the Hills, Quads, Bikes and Vintage Cars, The Sen. Maghery Band, led by Anne Marie O' Donnell, " I'm outa here before the charges ", Banna Ceoil na Dubhchoraidh ( The Doochary Band ), most welcome in Dungloe again after a long absence, Mini Limo - Can't Get Van Taxed, Dungloe Car Breakers, The Mullaghduff Band, Motorbike - Nama took my Tractor, Headless Cyclist - I've lost the head over Mary, The very well turned-out and very authentic Indians - How, Doc . and the new Community Childcare Facility, Spraoi Le Cheile float, with all the Marys and the 2010 " Mary from Dungloe ", Jemma Ferry, on board. Watching the parade from a vantage position in mid Main St was Kate Ferguson, Derry " Mary " and " Mary from Dungloe " 2009. The Parade went down Main St and then came back up again, making for double enjoyment for all those in attendance.
Doochary Band Back In Dungloe :-
It was just great to see the Doochary Band back in Dungloe once again after a long absence. and they did very well on their Festival Carnival Parade appearance. My own memories of the Doochary Band in Dungloe are back in the time when they were led by the famous Jack Mc Kelvey. At that time and, indeed, before that, they always appeared in Dungloe along with all the other Bands on both St patrick's Day and for the Easter Sun. Band competitions. Hopefully we shall see them back in Dungloe more often now and a couple of dates for their calendar are st Patrick's Day and Easter Sun., 2012. And well done to their tutor also, Charlie Greene of Cnoc na gCaorach, who is doing a great job with them.
Patrick 18 :-
Heartiest congrats are extended to Patrick Mc Brearty. who celebrated his 18th birthday on Fri. of last week, 5th Aug. A son of Seamus ( SuperMac ) and Carol Mc Brearty ( nee Conroy ), he is, of course, the toung football protege starring for Donegal in their great run through the 2011 Championship. Apparently, whenever his parents are asked where he got his football prowess from, they both claim that it was from their side. Perhaps the truth lies in a mixture of both. Seamus ( SuperMac ) was a great soccer player in his time, while the Conroy blood from Carol runs thickly through his veins as well. His mother, Carol, is fondly remembered from her time in Dungloe. And best wishes are extended to Patrick in the All-Ireland semi-final, and many happy returns of the day as well. He will begin his Leaving Cert studies next month, having opted for a Transition Year beforehand. He was taught in Carrick Tech. by Brendan Boyle, " Iniscrone ", Carnmore Rd, Dungloe.
Spraoi Le Cheile :-
New Community Childcare Facility :-
Services Offered,Opening Hours and Rates :- Baby Room :-Proposed Opening Hours :-8am-6pm :-160 Euro per week;Toddler Room :- Proposed Opening Hours :- 8am - 6pm :- Rate :- 125 Euro per week, Naionra :- Opening Hours :- 9.15am-12.15pm :- Rate :- 30 Euro per week;and Afterschool :- Opening Hours :- 2pm-6pm :- Rate :- 60 Euro per week. The Sensory Room is equipped for special needs' children and children with behavioural problems.
Art & Craft Camp :-
There will be an Art & Craft Camp in St Mary's Hall, Kincasslagh from Mon., 15th Aug., La 'le Muire sa bhFomhar until the following Fri., 19th Aug. 12 noon - 3pm each day. Price : 30 Euro per child. ( Please note that the prices are basedon the cost of art supplies ).. 4-6 yrs, 7-10 yrs and 11 yrs plus. Drawing, Fabric Painting, clay, paper Mache, Finger Painting, Sand Art, Oil, Acrylic, watercolour and Glass Painting. Contact Michelle on 0872414057 to book your child's place. Followed by an exhibition of all the children's work on Sun., 21st aug., at 11 o' clock am in the morning. Class run by Michelle Doherty.Niamh Rodgers & sharon Quested.
Well Done, Debbie :-
Heartiest congrats are extended to Debbie Rodgers, Burtonport, on being selected as the 44th " Mary from Dungloe " in succession to Jemma Ferry. A daughter of Joe ( Jun. ) and Mary Rodgers ( nee Bonner ), all are indeed very proud in the Rodgers' and Bonner families and extended familiesAll in Dungloe are very proud too, as Debbie becomes the 4th Dungloe " Mary " to win the " Mary from Dungloe " title outright. The other 3 were Maire Mc Cole, Sarah Mulholland and Lisa Mc Kelvey. Here's wishing Debbie a very good and enjoyable year as the new " MFD " and we all know that she will make a great ambassador for the festival & town.
Maghery Festival :-
Deep Sea Angling Competition :- Deep Sea & Rock Fishing :-
Adam Jun. Winner :-
Heartiest congrats are extended to Adam Ward of Keadue on winning the Jun. section of the Deep Sea Angling competition ( Deep Sea & Rock Fishing ) at the Maghery Festival on Sat. of last week,6th Aug. One of the highlights of the Festival, this particular competition attracted great interest and a very good entry. Weigh-in took place in the Strand View Bar & Lounge afterwards, with refreshments laid on for one and all as well. Adam used to live on the Quay Rd in Dungloe before moving to Keadue. No doubt, we'll be hearing more re him in the future.
Pauline's New CD :-
Pauline Glackin has a new 13-track CD, entitled " The Rose ", on release at the present time. Please make enquiries in the office upstairs in Ionad Teampall Chroine, Chapel Rd.
Charity Fundraising Night :-
There will be a Charity Fundraising Night in Beedy's Bar & Lounge, Lr Main St, Dungloe on Sat. of next week, 20th Aug., starting at 6 o' clock pm. Local Bands will be putting on a concert to help raise money for the Donegal Pet Rescue and the Irish Cancer Society.. Do please come along and show your support. The following are some of the local Bands that will be taking part :- Sabotage, Not That Famous, Cookie ( the 1-man Band ), Crossfire, Mojo GoGo, Inner Light and many more. plus great peizes to be won on the night as well.
Coffee Morning For Somalia :-
The Coffee Morning for Somalia in Ionad Teampall Chroine on Wed. of last week, 3rd Aug., was very well supported. A huge big " Thank You " to all who attended and supported and also to all those who donated food as well. A sum of 800 Euro was raised for the poor famine-stricken people of Somalia.
Wolfs Here :-
Wilkommen toRalf, Gabi and Maura, who are all here on an extended 6-week holiday from Duisburg in Germany. Bainigi sult agus taitneamh as bhur laethe saoire.
Patsy the Yankee :-
Great to see Patsy the yankee out walking at Upper Main St last weekend after his spell in hospital and period of recuperation at home. Keep it up, Patsy, and it won't be long before you are back to full fitness and good health again.
Dungloe Band :- Success By 4 :-
Heartiest congrats are extended to the Dungloe Band, who literally had a field day on Sun. last. They arrived home in triumph on Sun. evening, accompanied by a motorcade, with horns tooting wildly. They marched up Main St, proudly holding aloft the 4 Cups they had won earlier in the day :- 1 - Grade C Majorettes - Abbey/central Hotels - donegal 2011 ; 2 - Grade C Drum Major - Abbey/Central Hotels - Donegal 2011 ; 3 - Grade C - 2nd - Four Provinces - Abbey/Central Hotels - donegal 2011, and 4 - Grade C - M & D - Abbey/central Hotels - Donegal 2011. This young Band is one that Dungloe should be very proud of. Not that long on the road altogether, they have taken great strides and have shown tremendous improvement all along the line from Day 1. Well done to all the young members of the band and all those who are looking after them so well and taking such an interest in them. We're all very proud of you.
New Shorefront Pitch :-
Work continues unabated on the brand new pitch at the shorefront in Dungloe. There will be a big fundraising effort next year. This will be another great facility for the youth of the area when completed.
Graveyard Services :-
The graveyard services in both Dungloe and Maghery took place on Sun, last. And not a drop of rain either. In fact the sun even came out intermittently during the service,which was conducted by Fr Nigel O Gallachoir, S.C., assisted by Fr Meehan, P.P., and Fr John Joe Duffy, C.C., St Crone's Arranmore. This is the day when the dead and the living are all gathered together in the one place, around the cruciform old St Peter's Church, which was built as far back as 1858. The prayers were recited by FrO Gallachoir, who also blessed all the graves during the recitation of the Rosary by Frs Meehan and Duffy. An t-Athair Nigel welcomed everyone to the 2 services, especially those who had travelled some distance to be there and thanked them for never missing out on this very special day every year. He also thanked his fellow priests., Frs Meehan and Duffy, James Shovlin for the amplification, the collectors for the upkeep of the graveyards at the gates and everyone for tending to their graves and having them look so clean and tidy and presentable for the occasion.
