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| 25th September | Community Notices Parish Council Meeting. The first monthly meeting after the summer break, took place on September the 19th with a good attendance. It was opened with a one-minute silence, in memory of the people killed in the Trades Centre, New York. The clean-up campaign had been successful, with fifty-two car wrecks having been transported by John Fury, and numerous skips were also taken to the landfill site. It was noted that some people have begun leaving old cars and bags of rubbish at the roadsides again, and in Crumlin. That residents of the community should care so little for their environment as to do this, is regrettable. The Housing Engineer for Ardara and Glenties has consulted with some proprietors of derelict buildings in Ardara, and he has required some repairs to be made. The Parish Council chairman reported that the Tax Incentive Scheme hadn't worked too well with regard to Ardara. A letter was received from the Glenties Traders requesting that the Ardara Parish Council should give some attention to the matter of the condition of the Ardara/Glenties Rd. Cller Slowey pointed out that this road was the responsibility of the National Roads Authority, but that the County Council , as the eyes and ears for the N.R.A., were well aware of public dissatisfaction with the road, and had received complaints from a joint representation of the Ardara Parish Council and the Glenties Traders Association during the summer. The Assistant General Manager of the Nesbitt Arms Hotel had written a letter requesting the co-operation of the Parish Council in solving problems of noisy and inconsiderate behaviour in the town late at night. Some young drivers had also been driving at high speed through the village at night. It was proposed by J.Feeney and seconded by J. Maguire that a squad car be located in Ardara in light of these problems. Cller Slowey said that the gardai had been keeping a good check on cars breaking the speed limits in the village, and on anti-social behaviour. The seat outside T.D. Gildea's office was to be re-located, he added. A letter from the County Council informed the Parish Council that Ardara was eligible for a maximum grant of £750. as funding for efforts towards the Tidy Town contest, and that actions taken should be individually costed. The formation of a Tidy Town Committee was discussed, but no decision was taken as yet. Hiring a hedge cutting machine at £14. per hour for the entrance roads to the town was mentioned as being necessary. T.D., D. McGinley, had written to inform the Parish Council of the Udaras decision to purchase a site for an industrial estate in Meena Valley. A resident of the U.S., who has Ardara connections, had sent a donation towards the library, and gave notice of his intention to make a donation every year. The Downstrands Women's Group invited Ardara people to a series of meetings providing information on a social economy programme. A letter was received from Cller Slowey, saying that he was giving his grant of £1000. from the County Council Development Fund to the Ardara Parish Council. The treasurer stated hat there was a bank balance of more than £2000. at present. The formation of a new cross-community play-group was proposed by Emily Whelan, who has already received a favourable response to an application for a three-year staffing grant. An architect for a new building on Herrons Field has been consulted, and the planning process has been begun. A two-storey building is favoured at present by County Council planner, F. Coyle. Ideas for the use of the building include : mother and toddlers sessions, a creche, an after-school service with a computer room, a drop-in coffee shop run for and by young people, a service to look after the children of summer visitors, and, of course, a play school. There are eight sessions of play school per week, involving 27 children, at present. Unfortunately, the hygiene facilities of the premises currently used by the play group, do not meet the requirements of the N.W. Health Board. A committee was formed to promote the new building and its uses. It consists of Emily Whelan, Beth Herron, Rose McCabe, and Ann Marie Travers. Cller Slowey was happy to commence his report with a statement that architects would meet at the Glenties Comprehensive School on September the 21st to discuss extensive additions and alterations to the school buildings. The work is scheduled to begin in March 2002 and will be completed by 2003. There will be a new sportshall to accomodate a basketball court and a gymnasium. All the school windows will be replaced and the buildings will be re-wired and re-plumbed. It is expected that I.T. will be available for use in most classrooms. He continued that 29 people from Aighe, Meena Valley, and Cashel had signed up for a new group water scheme, which would be joined, it was hoped, to a continuation of the extension from Killybegs. Congratulations were in order to those who had painted and worked on the library room. The County Manager has publicly approved a library for Ardara, and the County Librarian, L. Ronayne, will provide some books in the next few weeks. Cller Slowey announced that the up-grading of the 34 km between Mt Charles and Glenties has been costed at £1.9 million per kilometre, that is a total cost of £65 million. A good allocation of funding had been made available for L.A.S. roads this year and re-surfacing was being done in the good weather. At least £150,000. was being spent on roads in the Ardara area this year. There is now a requirement that a minimum of two farmhouses be located on any road to be repaired. Forms were to be filled for repairs on Gaeltachta roads , and Udaras would be billed for them. Schools on national primary and secondary roads were eligible for the provision of rumble strips and orange lights, each installation costing the County Council £4200. Twenty-two schools in County Donegal had qualified for these facilities. The lights are solar-powered and are programmed once a year. A school in Glenswilly had received the first installation in County Donegal. If a school was not located on a primary or a secondary national route, then the County Council would provide a grant of £2000. to defray the cost of the installation, if it was requested. There is a new senior executive planning officer , Ms Julie de Corcy, and applications for planning permission for the Udaras industrial site would have to be submitted to her. In answer to a question, Cller Slowey was of the opinion that the plans for the Ardara sewage scheme run from Drimahy Park down to the river. He would have to consult with Eunan Kelly of the County Council to find out if the scheme extended a little down the Loughros Pt Rd. There is a County Council proposal to provide lighting along the Wood Rd. It was suggested to Cller Slowey that a footpath is also necessary, to accomodate people walking to and from the Resource Centre for People With Special Needs. There are two companies involved in installing a new water reservoir for Ardara, and in building a new road to its site. In the future, it was going to be necessary for the County Council to allocate some funding for the up-grading of the water pipes from Glenties. As part of general business, it was announced that there would be a meeting of the Ardara Traders on Wednesday September the 26th, to consider the possibilities of a Summer School of Music in Ardara. The future planning of the Ardara Walking Festival was to be discussed at the same meeting. Concern was expressed at the less than good facilities and condition of the Ardara Health Centre. The Parish Council chairman had been in contact with various officials in connection with this matter. Having lost a doctor because of the condition of the Health Centre, Dr Sweeney had said that she couldn't take another doctor into her practice until she had a proper Health Centre, stated the chairman of the Parish Council, and planning for the new Health Centre on Malloys field is only in the very earliest stages. There continues to be a lack of school medical officers within the N.W.H.B. region, and there is still no orthodontist, it was reported. Conal Shovelin gave an up-date on the plans for a swimming pool at the Dolmen Centre, Kilclooney. The Feasibility Study for the pool, which would be like a smaller version of Waterworld, with a main pool and a smaller pool, has been completed by Holohan Leisure. They have costed the pool at £3.7 million plus 10% by the time it would be under construction. Government funding would contribute £3 million ; Donegal County Council are asking where the remaining £750,000 is to come from. Applications to the International Fund for Ireland might bring in £250,000., although they would want a guarantee from the government of their contribution before they would get involved, and North West Tourism might contribute the same amount. Holohan Leisure have predicted an annual shortfall in running costs of £40,000. To meet such costs, the Pool Committee have investigated building a wind farm between Narin and Ardara. If this happened, the County Council would receive in the region of £100,000. in rates from the E.S.B., and would then undertake to give annually £25,000. towards the running costs of the pool. However, in the absence of the high voltage line originally planned for the area, and now refused planning permission by An Bord Pleannala, the wind farm would lack a connection to the national grid. Further discussion was deferred until the next Parish Council meeting. Congratulations were expressed to Maggie Gallagher, Beagh, on becoming the most senior lady in the parish at the good age of 100 years. The Millennium Committee reported that sectional drawings had been prepared by Stephen Given, Loughros Pt, of the proposed bogwood sculpture and fountain to be erected on the Diamond. John Couzens expressed thanks to Stephen for having done this skilled work. The drawings have been submitted to the County Council, as requested by them. Aerobics. This class will resume in the Community Centre every Tuesday from 7-8 p.m., as from the 9th of October. Participants are assured of an 'all over body work-out'. Everyone is welcome. Rural Women's Project. Donegal Local Development Company held a workshop as part of its research into the barriers facing rural women. It took place on September the 25th in Ballybofey. We look forward to hearing the outcome of their project. Moby Dick. Britain's only touring theatre stage will be moored at Teelin Pier on Sunday the 30th of September for performances commencing at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and on Momday the 1st of October for performances commencing at 1:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Tickets will cost £4 / £6. Employment Opportunities. Do you have a disability/health problem? Are you interested in getting a job? If you are interested in supported empoyment, contact Claire on 086-3444879, or call to the office at Main Street, Glenties. Confidentiality is guaranteed. Music from Madagascar. Regis Gizavo, the 'Big Box Man', will perform with other special guests in the old school, Carrick, at 8:30 p.m. on Friday the 28th of September. This is part of an African Cultural Project in association with the Donegal County Council. World Heart Day. The slogan for September the 30th is "Let's go walking on World Heart Day. It will do your heart good." The Ardara I.C.A. are organising a walk from the Diamond, starting at 3 p.m. that day. Come along and bring the family. Fatima. A pilgrimmage to Fatima will take place from the 13th -20th of October. There is a direct flight from Dublin airport, with a limited number of seats left. More details are available from 073-30035. Sinn Fein. There will be a meeting in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel on Sunday the 30th of September at 4 p.m. Children's Swimming Classes. These lessons will resume in Letterkenny in the near future. Forms are available from "The Present Day" gift and stationery shop, Main St, Ardara. Please fill in the forms and hand them back in, at the shop, as soon as possible. Water Safety Classes for Comprehensive students resume on Sunday the 30th of September in Ballyshannon. Contact Ms Cloddagh Duggan at the Comprehensive School to enrol for these classes. Top of page |
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| 18th September | Enthusiasts Enjoy
Pony Drive |
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| Despite a restricted season due
to Foot and Mouth precautionary regulations, the
Castlederg Pony Driving Club held four successful pony
drives locally during the summer : in Ardara, Inver,
Dunkineely, and in Portnoo. On Sunday the second of
September, fourteen ponies and gigs were gathered with
their owners and drivers in Kilclooney, outside the
Tavern. Later in the afternoon people at Narin and Rosbeg
wondered if their eyes were deceiving them as the pony
drive bowled by, bringing to mind a little of how the
roadtraffic must have looked in days gone by. What was very apparent was the enjoyment of both horses and their drivers, and the interest of many older men, who had worked with horses in the past. This is a hobby for enthusiasts. As James Byrne of Ardara put it, "All you need is any kind of a horse and a gig." There is usually a pony drive in the Castlederg area every second Sunday throughout the summer. On average about twelve to fifteen ponies and gigs participate, sometimes as many as twenty. " The Pony Driving Club would welcome new members, both men and women," said James. "Pony driving is a relaxing hobby and it is good to get young people interested in it."
Some initial expense is involved. A light gig would cost about £200, a horse would cost from £500.- £800., and the harness would set you back £200.- £300. In summer the horses need some outdoor grazing, but they are stabled in winter and require oats and winter fodder. |
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Patrick Billingsly of Benroe, Bruckless, is proud of his horse, Dan, a three year old stallion, which he has owned for a year and a half. He owns twenty-five horses at present, keeping them for riding, and breeding them for sale. Now would be a good time to buy a horse, as Patrick says that prices are down a bit at present. | |
| Also at the pony drive on Sunday in
Portnoo, was Mr. William Kelly of Letterkenny. He was
driving a two year old mare with a strong strain of the
American pacer breed in her. A small number of pacers
were imported into Ireland some time ago, but it is now
illegal to export them from the U.S.A., unless it is to
Canada, and they are quite difficult to obtain. The gene
pool in Ireland being limited, avoiding the in-breeding
of pacers is a problem, Mr Kelly said. The mare he was
driving was of a light build and a bright brown colour,
and looked like a racer. True to her stock, she was
amongst the first horses to arrive at the finishing point.
It must be said that racing during a pony drive is
strictly out of order, but some horses just enjoy a run. Top of page |
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| 17th September | Community Notices Parish Council The first meeting since the summer break, takes place at 9 p.m. on Wednesday the 19th of September, in the Community Centre. All members of the community are welcome. Daniel O'Donnell Concert A bus will travel to Kincasslagh for this concert on September the 27th. Contact Greta Earley to reserve concert tickets and to book a place on the coach. Call her at 075-41744 or 075-41154. The Late Packie Gavigan The death occurred on Monday the 27th of August, after a short illness, of Packie Gavigan, Scadaman. He was in his mid-eighties, and died in Letterkenny General Hospital. Packie had been a farmer in Ardara most of his life, though he had worked in earlier years as an assistant in a local grocery business. Over the years he formed many friendships with people visiting Ardara from other countries, and, true to his sociable nature, he often invited friends to stay with him. He was a true friend to those he knew. He took a great interest in the annual Ardara Show, and was a keen exhibitor of garden produce in his younger days. He was popular with his nieces and nephews. Packie is survived by his brother, Jamie, Kilgole, and his two sisters, Annie Boyle, Clooney, Lough Fad, and Kitty Doherty, Belcruit, Kincasslagh, and his nieces and nephews. Three Generations from Ardara in Mini-Marathon Three generations of the McHugh family, Front St, Ardara, strolled out in Dublin with six other team members, pushing two and a half year old Sarah in her buggy. Sarah's grandmother, Ann, has participated in the ten km walk many times and says that it is a good way to raise money for good causes. Local people had been very generous with their sponsorship. This year the "Ardara Ladies" raised £i838. for the Ardara Resource Centre for People With Special Needs, in the Wood Rd. Ronan Molloy, secretary to the Ardara committee responsible for the founding of the Centre, was presented with the cheque in Nancy's, and said that it would be used for phase two of the project, a residential house for about six people. Janet Connolly was the star-walker of the "Ardara Ladies" and completed the course in 68 minutes. It was her first marathon and she had been in training for the event. Her team mates were proud of her achievement. The members of the team were : Clare Molloy, Karen Doherty, Pauline McHugh, Lauren McHugh, Jenny McHugh, Suzie McHugh, Sarah McHugh, Ann McHugh, and Janet Connolly. Narin and Portnoo Golf Club There will be a Development Classic on September the 29th. Teams of four are invited to participate at a fee of £100. per team. To register, ring Sean Murphy at 075-45107, before September the 23rd. Pony Drive James Byrne, Ardara, had two ponies and gigs taking part in the pony drive from Killybegs in the afternoon of September the ninth. Frank McHugh, Downstrands, Desmond Henry, Dunkineely, and the McGuinnesses and Friels of Killybegs also participated. The course of the drive was from the 'Holly Bush Inn' in the direction of Ardara, turning right to the townland of Corker and then turning back out to the Five Points, and from thence, back to the 'Holly Bush'. Eleven ponies and gigs formed the cavalcade and they had a fine cool afternoon for their outing. This was the last of the pony drives in our area this summer. There have previously been drives in Ardara, Dunkineely, Inver, and Portnoo. Ardara Walking Festival A meeting regarding the future of the Ardara Walking Festival will be held in the Community Centre, on 17th Sept 01, at 9.00 pm . All those intested are invited to attend. With Donegal now holding a festival in October it is important that we keep our festival for March. The festival has been a success for the past number of years but due to FMD was cancelled last year. The current committee are resigning unless they receive more support. If that happens the festival will almost certainly move from the Ardara area. Top of page |
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| 14th September | Missing
in WTC The folowing statement is released on behalf
of Kay McHugh-Owens. The families of Owens and Vigiano
are devastated as they await word of Joe and his brother
John. They are the only children of Mrs. and Mrs. Vigiano.
Joe is the father of three (one a newborn) and John the
father of one. |
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| 4th September | Community
Notices New Priest |
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