News Archive
July 2001

Review of the ‘Wizard of Oz’
By Susan Boyd.

Ardara audiences were delighted to see the first production of the Ardara Community Centre Theatre Group on the 17th 18th & 19th July.

This production has the unique hallmark of not only being a first, but also of numbering 88 children aged from 6 – 13 years in the cast. The main hall in the Community Centre was filled to capacity for the three performances, during which the audience showed their genuine appreciation of the singing and acting with many rounds of warm applause.

The old story of “The Wizard of Oz”, in which Dorothy discovers, after many adventures and encounters with strange characters, that there’s no place like home, is almost a classic. However, the scarecrow who longs for a brain, the tin-man who wants a heart, the cowardly lion in search of courage continue to delight adults and children alike.

Dorothy, played by Michelle McHugh (10), amazed the audience with the impact of her opening song “Somewhere over the Rainbow”. The scarecrow (Caoimhe Haughey, 11) was decidedly unscary , and the tin-man (Stephanie Bennett, 12) was definitely in need of a taste of oil, the cowardly lion (David Walters, 8) gave a very enthusiastic performance. Glinda the good witch, portrayed by Orla Heena (10), had an excellent stage presence, whilst the wicked witch (Caitriona Feeney, 13) had a spine-chillingly sinister cackle. As the wonderful wizard who turns out to be not quite so magical as he is encouraging, Noel Gallagher (13) did a very good job. The supporting cast were extremely visual and vocal ; with performers of this calibre the Theatre Group surely has a bright future.

Between the efforts of Pauline McHugh and Deidre Bonner , the costumes were pleasing and in keeping with an earlier period in time. The younger children’s costumes were bright and pretty : the costumes of the witches and the trees of the forest were, in contrast, appropriately dark and gloomy. The lighting and sound were professional and effective. The sound system was especially important given the less than good acoustics in the Community Centre.



All aspects of the show were under the expert guidance of the producer, Deirdre Bonner. During the months of rehearsal the children’s desire for this to be a wonderful production had lightened her task. The expressive manner of the children’s singing was the result of her careful coaching and musical ability. It is hoped that Deirdre will be available when the Theatre Group begin classes again in November and start thinking about their next production. .



After three nights of warm and responsive audiences the children were sad that it was all over. But, for sure, there’ll be no sad faces at their forth-coming party ( Saturday 28th July at 5pm in the Community Centre ), when they will be able to experience the show all over again on video.


Top of page

Variety Concert
On Friday the 3rd of August there will be a variety concert in the Dolmen Centre, starting at 9 p.m. sharp. The programme includes Aussie Bryson (“Nice Day for Cutting Turf”), Vincent and Jimmy Campbell (as featured on R.T.E.), and various artists. There will also be traditional music and Irish dancing. Admission will cost £5. Tickets are available from the Dolmen Centre. For further information call 075-45010 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.


The Wizard of Oz
It was with regret that the young people and adults associated with the production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ packed up their props, and returned the Community Centre to its usual state. The main hall of the Centre had seen a full house for each of the three performances of the show, and Ardara people were delighted at the spontaneity and joy of the children’s acting and singing. Much credit is due to the work of the producer, Deirdre Bonner, and the SNEAS committee. Happily the show has made a profit, which will leave the group finances in good shape to plan another production next winter.


Presentation
At a disco in the Nesbitt Arms on August the 5th between 9 and 11 p.m., the U-13 Girls’ Soccer Team, who did so well in winning the Ulster title, will be presented with their trophy and medals. This being a fund-raising evening, all are welcome, both old and young.


Dolmen Centre Gym
Membership subscriptions for the gym in the Kilclooney Dolmen Centre are available on a three-monthly, six-monthly, or yearly basis, or at the rate of £2-50 per hour. The main hall is available for badminton at £10 per hour.


Fun Club
The Scallywags Fun Club for children aged 6-12 years continues for the month of July in the Dolmen Centre. Activities include art and crafts, face-painting, action stories, and games. It starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Telephone 075-45010 or 075-45022 for further information.


Engagement
Congratulations to Ian Stevenson, Ramelton, and Mary Boyd, Lackaduff, Ardara, who recently announced their engagement.


Ardglen Sinn Fein
The secretary of the Ardglen Sinn Fein reports that ‘An Phoblacht/Republican News’ will be available at newsagents in the Ardara area from Friday the 27th of July at the price of 70 pence. It covers a wide range of national and international issues. Their web address is http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp


Summer Camp
Tir Boghaine in association with the Ardara Parish Council are holding a summer camp in the Community Centre from the 7th until the 10th of August, the hours being 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. The cost is £5. per child. The children will be between 10 and 14 years old, and the maximum number in the group will be twenty. The children should bring a packed lunch. Parental consent forms must be completed for each child.

Further information is available from 075-41518. Preference will be given to children living in Ardara and Downstrands, which is the area covered by Tir Boghaine.


Congratulations
Congratulations to John G. Curran, Kentucky Rd, who has been conferred with a B. Arch. (Hons) degree in the Duncan of Jordonstone College, University of Dundee.




Top of page

AP/RN

An Phoblacht/Republican News will be available at newsagents in the Ardara area from Friday 27th July price 70p. AP/RN is Irelands largest selling political paper covering a wide range of National and International issues.

Top of page

Sinn Fein
There will ba a Sinn Fein meeting in the Nesbitt Arms tonight, Sunday the 22nd july at 5.00pm new members are welcome to attend.
Anyone wishing to contact Sinn Fein can do so at the Address below
ardglenSinnFein@hotmail.com

Top of page

Ardara GAA
Summer Camp

The Annual Ardara GAA summer Camp which caters for Children from the Ardara and Glenties parishes commences on Monday next the 23rd in Pearse Memorial Park Ardara. The camp which is open to children from the ages of 7 -12 will run from 10 am - 3 pm each day. The participants will receive coaching in Gaelic Football , Hurling Camogie and rounders and will be attended by top coaches as well as appearances by county senior players . There will be an award scheme  for the participants with a sports day at the end of the camp.

Participants should take a packed lunch and there will be a tuck shop available at the venue. The cost of the camp for the week is £20 with an additional £10 for every additional child in a family. A bus will pick up participants in Narin and at the Post Office in Glenties  at 9.30.am. each morning and along the route .

All enquiries to James Mc Hugh 087-2222277 or John Mc Connell 087-2701098

Top of page

“Cast of 88 Children to Perform ‘Wizard of Oz’”
By Susan Boyd

On the 18th, 19th, and 20th of July, the people of Ardara and the surrounding area will be treated to a performance of that old family favourite, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, in the Ardara Community Centre. A performing arts group (SNEAS), mostly made up of young people in the 7-14 age group, have been rehearsing since mid-winter in order to stage this musical, assisted and supported by a number of dedicated adults.

The group began earlier in the winter with music lessons playing the tin whistle, guitar, keyboard, flute, violin, and recorder. Traditional and modern music, songs in Irish and in English were all grist to their mill. Deirdre Bonner kept everyone learning, and also included classes in movement, drama, and dance.

A committee of adults was elected and a statement of aims recorded. If they attain their goals, the group will continue to promote drama and music and to stage more productions in the community, with more adults taking part both on- and off-stage. They wish to see people from all groups in the community involved, and whole families also.

The children are very, very enthusiastic. “Being involved in a stage production helps to build confidence in children. It increases their self-esteem and their ability to work co-operatively as part of a group. They build friendships and generally improve their social development,” said Kathleen Boyd, secretary to the Community Centre Theatre Group (SNEAS).

The young people have been rehearsing in two groups. “ Performing with a wonderful supporting cast will be Michelle McHugh as Dorothy, Orla Heena as Glinda, Noel Gallagher as the wizard, Caitriona Feeney as the wicked witch, Caoibhe Haughey as the scarecrow, Stephanie Bennett as the tin-man, and David Waters as the cowardly lion”, said Deirdre Bonner, the production manager. She is the main creative driving force behind this project and has produced ‘The Wizard of Oz’ with a youthful cast before, so has a good idea of how she wants the show to be. Deirdre is a national school teacher and is a native of Dungloe. She recently did some support teaching at Cranaghbois school near Ardara.

The committee of the Theatre Group is made up of Deirdre Bonner, Marita McLoone, Brid Cunningham, Kathleen Boyd, Catherine Watters, Gwen Breslin, and Pauline McHugh. This committee was formed by the parents to assist with fund-raising in order to provide a stage in the Community Centre, and to pay for lighting and sound effects for the performance. They have received a good deal of help and support. Goods or services have been given by Udaras na Gaeltachta, the local national schools, business owners in Ardara, Fleming Engineering ( St Johnston), James Byrne ( Hillhead, Ardara), Donegal Hardware ( Donegal town), and Donegal Creameries (Letterkenny) . The Arts Organiser of Donegal County Council has pledged financial support with the lighting and sound costs, as has T.D. Thomas Gildea.

This musical represents a great community effort and will also be a wonderful evenings entertainment. The doors will open at 8 p.m. for an 8:30 p.m. start in the Ardara Community Centre on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of July. Tickets will cost £3. per adult and £1:50 per child. There will be a reduction where there are more than two children in a family group.

Top of page

Cronkeerin Sponsored Walk
On June the 3rd a sponsored walk was held in Cronkeerin in aid of the registered charity, ‘International Aid Trust’, which, among other things, enables street children from Ukraine and Belarus to attend a summer camp at Myaki for a two week holiday. The walk was a huge success and a total of £700. was raised. A cheque for this amount will be forwarded to the co-ordinator of the International Aid Trust. Much credit is due to the walkers and their sponsors alike. Their effort will be much appreciated.

This trust is not affiliated with the ‘Friends of Chernobyl’, another most worthy and noble cause, which has a good record for sponsored fund-raising and hosting children in this parish.



Cller Slowey received information in reply to questions asked at a recent County Council meeting:

Ardara Water Supply
Two separate contracts are being awarded for the work of increasing the storage capacity of the Ardara Water Supply complete with access for construction and maintenance works. The total cost of the work will be in the region of £160,000. It is expected that construction will begin in the next 4-6 weeks and be completed in September/October this year. There will be some disruptions to the water supply during construction work.

Ardara Sewerage Scheme
Cller Slowey learned that this scheme will be advertised for tender when approval of the contract documents is received from the Dept of the Environment and Local Government, which will also have to approve the appointment of a contractor to construct the scheme. Construction could begin late this year/early next year if departmental approval is gained.



Ardara Library
The Community Centre will provide a room and shelves, and the County Council will provide a collection of books for children and adults. A representative from the Ardara Community Centre has received training in the Central Library to enable her to fun the facility on a day- to- day basis. The library centre will open in the near future. If members of the public wish to donate books to the library, they may leave them at the Credit Union office in Ardara. It is hoped that the library centre will open in the near future


Udaras Industrial Site at Meenavalley
Cller Padraig Doherty, a member of the Board of Udaras na Gaeltachta, said at a recent County Council meeting that they had agreed to purchase an industrial site at Meenavalley, Ardara, though the decision is subject to planning permission.


“In St Conall’s Footsteps”
The County Council will provide funding towards the publication of a second edition of this book by Dr Lochlann McGill, later this year. This second edition will be dedicated to the memory of the late Cller Bennett. It is hoped that there will be copies of this book available in the Ardara library in the near future.





Church Fete and Auction
July 18th is the date selected for this annual fund-raising event, to take place at the Ardara Rectory, beginning at 2 p.m. There will be stalls of home produce, crafts, cakes, bric-a-brac, raffles. Tea and cakes will be served al fresco. Various games and competitions are being organised for the fun and enjoyment of the children. Don’t miss the auction, which is scheduled for 3 p.m.


“The Wizard of Oz”
The news is out. A scare-crow, a wicked witch, a cowardly lion, a tin man, a wizard, and a little girl called Dorothy are due to call at the Community Centre on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of July. Doors will open at 8 p.m. for this performance of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ by the Ardara Community Centre Theatre Group (SNEAS), and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets will cost £3. per adult and £1:50 per child, with a reduction where there are more than 2 children per family. There are 88 young people in the cast of this production and it will be something to see and talk about for some time to come.


Congratulations
Congratulations to Elizabeth Henry (nee Morrow) and her husband, Norman on the birth of their baby boy, Alexander, in Letterkenny Hospital recently. Mother and baby are both well.

Top of page

Engagement
Congratulations to Mags Coughlan and Paul Lough on their recent engagement. Mags is a teacher in St. Conal's National School, Narin.

Exhibition
Ardara Artists Resource Centre, in association with Earagail Arts Festival, invites you to attend a reception today, July 8th, to mark the opening of an exhibition by four leading international photographers.
Reception from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at the Centre, Wood Road.

Community Games
Community Games meeting takes place in the Community Centre on Wednesday, 11th July, at 9:00pm to organise a team for Mosney. All parents welcome.

Garden Fete
St Conal's Church of Ireland hold their annual Garden Fete in the Rectory grounds on Wednesday, 18th July, at 2:00pm. There is also an auction, so if you have anything suitable that you want to dispose of, please bring it to the Rectory. Your support will be appreciated.

Learning Disability Centre
Blessing of the Learning Disability Centre, Woodhill, will take place on Tursday, 10th July, at 11:30am. Everyone is invited and light refreshments will be served afterwards.

Mass & Blessing
Father Paul Montague, who was ordained to the Priesthood last Sunday for the Diocese of Armagh, will celebrate Mass in the Church this coming Tuesday evening at 7:30pm and after the Mass will give his blessing to anyone who wishes to have it.

Top of page

ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD
Paul Montague, who has a home in Cloughbois, was ordained for the archdiocese of Armagh at the Church of St. Malachy, Ballymacihoy, Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone on Sunday the 1st of July by the Most Rev. Gerard Clifford DD., Auxiliary to the Archbishop of Armagh. Fr. Paul had spent many holidays in the Ardara area as a boy. Since that time, he has proved himself in the world of business, both in Ireland and in New Zealand, where he managed a chain of shops. A number of people from Loughros Point attended the ordination ceremony at Ballymacilroy and the reception in Monaghan which followed.

SENIOR CITIZENS
The visit to the Carrick Day Centre on 5th June was a great success. The Ardara visitors were treated to a lovely lunch, to music, dancing and bingo. They enjoyed renewing old friendships and making new ones, also the opportunity to see the new sheltered housing section in Carrick. Sincere thanks are expressed to the staff of the Carrick Centre for their warm hospitality.

Fortyfour people participated in the trip to Doon Well on 12th June. They lunched at Teach Jack, Derrybeg and spent some times at Leo's.

The church gate collection for the Care of the Aged totaled £466.91. The committee is grateful to everyone who contributed.

COUNTY COUNCIL FUNDING FOR ROADS
The following allocations for road repairs have been made by the County Council for local roads. This funding is for the year ending in April, 2002; Rosbeg, £7,500, Maghera, £4,250, Drimitten, £5,000, Kilcashel, £5,000, Ballygheny, £6,500, Loughros Point £22,000, Glengesh, £22,000, Lough Fad, £20,900, Summy, £12100, Moagh, £4,300, Circle Road, Ardara, £6,000, Magumna, £23,100, Stravalley, £7,500, Owenteskna, £25,300.

SUMMER CLEAN UP
The Parish Council Committee are pleased to report that a lot of large domestic items have been transported to the County Council landfill site and that 25 car wrecks have been removed from the local landscape. Quite a number of people made a good effort to clean up their local beaches and roads. In some places skips will not be available until the weekend of July 7th and 8th. Thank you to all those who cheerfully helped in this task

WOMEN'S GROUP
As part of a programme organised by Tir Beoghaine Teo, half a dozen women from the Ardara Women's Group took a day trip to Tory Island on Sunday, the 1st of July.
In the group was contingent of women from Northern Ireland who had also been booked in for dinner at the Atlantique Restaurant the preceding evening, along with members of local women's groups. The trip to Tory proved to be an exciting when a transfer to the ferry in a smell open boat became necessary. A memorable time was had by all

DONEGAL SUMMER CAMPS
A multi-activity and sports programme for young people is being offered in Donegal Town at the Bosco Centre. The first week takes place from 2nd July until the 6th July and the second will be from 9th July till the 13th July. For further information call 073 23134.

WIZARD OF OZ
Rumour has it that there are a group of people working very hard to make possible a visit from a wizard to Ardara. It seems odd, bit a lion, a tin man and a little girl are also mixed up in this. As more information comes to hand, it will be made available to you.

RAMBLING SENIOR CITIZENS
The Ardara Senior Citizens have got summer 'jizz' and have been out rambling and raiding as far away as Carrick and Kilmacrennan. Their visit to Carrick Day Centre was a great success. A group of about twenty people left Ardara at 11.00 am. on the 5th of June in Patsy McHugh's mini bus. The men were in a minority of three, but were more than capable of holding their own.
On arrival in Carrick the group were treated to a three course lunch by the friendly staff of the
Day Care Centre and a personal welcome and greeting from Fr. Eddy Gallagher. They were then entertained with traditional Irish music and got their feet to do some enthusiastic dancing, in addition to the usual foot tapping. A game of bingo was on the programme. This was also an opportunity to see the new sheltered housing section attached to the Carrick Day Centre. 'We were interested in seeing that the new sheltered housing was like. It was nice to see how it had been planned and built. The interior decoration and design was beautiful," said Breda Boyle, chairperson of the Ardara Care of the Aged. She expressed her sincere thanks to the Carrick staff for their warm hospitality.

Top of page

Ardara Show
cancels all classes

Following a decision taken in May to cancel all the livestock classes at the Ardara Show, scheduled for August 11th, the organising committee has now decided not to proceed with a suggested plan to stage the craft and produce section in the Community Centre.
The decision was taken at a poorly attended open meeting held on Monday June 18th, called specifically to consider the proposal.
The decision to cancel all 70 livestock classes was taken last month (May) following a recommendation from the Irish Shows Association, of which Ardara is a member, that all affiliated shows should cancel their events for this year.
The ISA's recommendation followed an evaluation of all the information then available from the Department of Agriculture, and as a gesture of total support for the steps being taken to eradicate foot and mouth disease.
However, it was thought that the 100-plus crafts, produce, and children's classes, which normally take place in a giant marquee on the showfield, might go ahead in the local community centre.
After considerable discussion at the recent meeting, it was decided that the section, if staged on its own, would gain limited support. It was also decided not to hold the annual show dance
'Quite simply, the show is a one-day event which brings together a number of attractions. It was felt that running just one part of the event in isolation was unlikely to be successful," said Niall Heena, secretary.
'We now have to concentrate on coming back in 2002 with a bigger show than ever before," he added


Top of page

Skips from Donegal Counbty Council for next Saturday are at the following locations

Owenea Bridge
Edergole
2 at Loughros Point (1 at Kilcashel X roads & one at the road over to the pier).


Bags & gloves can be obtained from:

John Couzens
Marie Mooney
Terence Slowey


Top of page

Senior Citizens
The Chiropodist will be in the Community Centre on Tuesday, 3rd July from 2:00pm - 5:00pm.
Due to the demand for chiropody there is now an appointment system in place to avoid long waiting time. Please phone Breda at 41246.
Routine three month chiropody checks are free but more frequent checks must be paid for unless in urgent need.

P.T.A.A.
No meeting this month.

Top of page