Donegal County Development Board
Transcription
Donegal County Development Board
Dún na nGall - pobail i d’teagmháil Donegal Community in Touch Issue 17 November 2012 / Samhain 2012 Welcome Fáilte When I had the first hundred copies of The Irish Emigrant, I was amazed. It’s hard to imagine that you can DONEGAL BuSiNESS 6 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL 8 DONEGAL COMMUNITY LINKS 10 Message From The Mayor Céad Míle Fáilte For 25 years, Liam and his wife Pauline produced the weekly e-newsletter, sending it out to a vast network of Irish emigrants and paving the way for subsequent e-news publications. The couple won a Golden Spider for Significant Contribution to the Internet in Ireland and Ferrie was the first recipient of the Irish Internet Association Net Visionary Award in 1999. There was a newssheet sold outside church on Sundays and people would buy it and send it abroad. This newssheet, the Moville Emigrant, used to arrive at our doorstep in Scotland and we would devour it. Anyway, the Moville Emigrant kept going through our minds and we decided to set up the Irish Emigrant. We tried to repeat the tradition. What the Moville Emigrant did for us the Irish Emigrant would do for people from all counties. I knew there were people out there who wanted to know what was happening in Ireland. 2 EDUCATION AND LEARNiNG7 Liam Ferrie, editor of the world’s longest-running e-newsletter in the world, The Irish Emigrant, retired in February 2012. ‘I think of myself as being born an emigrant. I was born and educated in Scotland but there is a Donegal connection on both sides. My mother was from outside Moville. We were brought back there every school year for the holidays and I fell in love with it. My grandfather’s brother John lived in the house that is now Ionad Cois Locha in Dunlewey. My father’s first cousins also lived in Dunlewey; Manus was a weaver, Paddy a sheep farmer and Sophie looked after the two of them. NEWs grow much beyond having 2800 in circulation but we eventually reached 23000-24000. I keep in touch with home while abroad. I got the Derry Journal sent to me every week in London. In 1963, my second cousin from outside Moville came over to London to work. I took him to Westminster Tower. We saw two lads sitting at the top with a transistor radio listening to a hurling match from Ireland. They couldn’t get reception anywhere else!’ I was over the moon last year (2011), when I got a letter from the President of N.U.I Galway offering me an honorary degree. Another proud moment was when we invited President Robinson to our office and she accepted. Retiring then, turned out to be easier than I expected. The main rewards were the kick out of doing the Irish Emigrant newsletter and the feedback, as well as getting to know people, so I miss that. Overall, though, I couldn’t see myself going back to that time, but if someone else wanted to take it up… Liam was interviewed by Kevin Smith from Ballybofey who is currently studying English at Trinity College Dublin. It is with great pride that I introduce to you this edition of Donegal Community in Touch. Since being elected Mayor of Donegal, I have been kept busy but have enjoyed every minute of it. In July, one of my first official duties was to welcome a delegation from the FAI, which included John Delaney, Ray Houghton and Giovanni Trapattoni. Following on from that there was a Civic reception held for the Donegal Hurling Team who won the Lory Meagher Cup. September saw the launch of The Gathering Ireland 2013 which aims to attract overseas visitors to Gathering events around Ireland and it’s up to us to tell everybody that Donegal is the place to visit. In my year as Mayor, I intend to bring awareness to mental health problems and the way sport can play a vital role in helping recovery and I would like to congratulate Jim McGuinness and the Donegal team on winning The All Ireland 2012. This has given everybody a great boost and I am sure you were all watching and celebrated after the final whistle. I hope, wherever you are, you are safe and well and keep in touch with your loved ones at home. Le Gach Dea Ghul Cllr Frank McBrearty An Meara Contae Dhun na nGall Continued Inside News DONEGAL GATHERING 2013 Seafest In anticipation of this momentous year ‘Donegal Gathering’ has been established so that we, as a county, can fully play our part in these exciting times. Cllr Frank McBrearty stated, “As Mayor of Donegal, I am delighted to be involved in the Gathering. We want to invite anyone with a connection to Donegal to come, visit and be part of our unique celebration.” Having internationally promoted over 35 events in 2012, Donegal Gathering is now calling every man and woman to get actively involved in encouraging friends and relatives to visit Donegal in 2013 as part of ‘The Gathering’. County Manager Seamus Neely says “Communities, villages and towns throughout Donegal are organising a packed calendar of gatherings, festivals and events to welcome people from all over the world. This is something which has never taken place before. It is a unique opportunity to really experience Donegal like never before and to reunite with family and friends both old and new.” 2013 introduces ‘The Gathering’. Its aim is to urge the 70 million people worldwide of Irish descent, and even those who just want a touch of Irishness, to make a trip to the Emerald Isle next year to be part of ‘The Gathering 2013’. So what can you do? It’s about asking anyone who has Donegal blood, a link to Donegal, or even just a love of our county – to join us for a series of amazing and diverse events throughout 2013. The Gathering website has 28 events already planned for Donegal which is the fifth largest in Ireland to date, and this number is continuing to rise. You can view these events on: www.thegatheringireland.com A new ambassador page has been added to the website which features interviews with many famous Donegal faces such as Daniel O’Donnell, Shay Given, Moya Brennan, Rory Kavanagh and this list is growing by the week. In this page they talk about what the Donegal Gathering means to them. All these interviews can be viewed on: www.thegatheringireland.com There has never been a better time to visit Donegal so spread the word to family and friends! Earagail Arts Festival Indian Ambassador to Ireland visits Donegal County Council The Indian Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Debashish Chakravarti visited County Donegal in early October and this visit provided an opportunity to discuss the many links between India and Ireland. Mayor Frank McBrearty used this occasion to showcase Donegal as both a tourist and investment destination. Photo: Liam Ward Director of Service, Donegal County Council, the Mayor of Donegal, Cllr. Frank McBrearty Jnr with the Indian Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Debashish Chakravarti and his wife Mrs. Adity Chakravarti on a visit to the Council Offices Donegal Community in Touch Page 2 News DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL CIVIC RECEPTION HONOURS DANIEL O’DONNEL County Manager Music legend Daniel O’Donnell was accorded the county’s highest honour at a Civic Reception hosted in his honour by the Mayor and members of Donegal County Council at the County House, Lifford on the 22nd June 2012. Mayor McBride commented: ‘I am delighted that one of my final acts in my term as Mayor of the County of Donegal will be to confer this tremendous honour on Daniel O Donnell in recognition of his great achievements in music and as a wonderful ambassador for the county.” He added ”I trust that this award will adequately reflect the great esteem in which Daniel is held by the people of the County for the entertainment and joy his music has given us and the marvellous work he continues to do. Daniel is the fifth recipient of a badge and pin specially commissioned by the Council. The badge (and lapel pin) is reserved exclusively for those on whom the Freedom of the County is conferred. The badge is a silver replication of the County Badge granted to the Council County by the Chief Herald of Ireland as part of a Grant of Arms to the County. Please visit: www.danielodonnell.org TIR CHONAILL GAELS GAA CLUB IN LONDON CELEBRATES 50 YEARS The recent 50th Reunion held in Mac Cumhaill Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal was organised by Eddie McGinty. Tir Chonaill Gaels GAA Club in London has been home from home for many Donegal people whilst Daniel O’Donnell pictured with his wife Majella, former Mayor Noel McBride and Seamus Neely, County Manager they were in London, and it was awonderful opportunity to acknowledge that and a meet up with past members now living back in Donegal. Please visit: www.tirchonaillgaels.com Jackie Green, Peader Duffy, Tom Mohan and Mickey McGrath with a ball that was bought in Holborn in 1963 which was bought by Peader Duffy and his brother Mick. Balls in them days were scarce, each team had to buy their own ball. This one cost £7, 7 Shillings and 6 pence a lot of money in them days DONEGAL HURLING TEAM HONOURED WITH CIVIC RECEPTION At a civic reception on the 23rd July in the County House, Lifford, the Donegal Hurling Team that won the Lory Meagher Cup in 2011 were honoured. The Lory Meagher Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the GAA since 2009 and is an extension of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, the premier knockout hurling competition. The winners of the Lory Meagher Cup are promoted to the Nicky Rackard Cup competition the following year. Please visit: www. gaa.ie Donegal County Council hosts reception for FAI Donegal County Council hosted a reception for the FAI on the 19th July in the County House, Lifford. This reception was hosted in recognition of the FAI choosing Donegal as the location for their 2012 Festival of Football and AGM. The reception was attended by FAI officials and well known football personalities including FAI President Paddy McCaul, FAI CEO John Delaney, Republic of Ireland Senior Manager Giovanni Trapattoni, Assistant Manager Marco Tardelli and former Ireland international player, Ray Houghton. Mr. Seamus Neely, County Manager stated that “it is fitting for Donegal County Council The Donegal Hurling Team pictured with Mayor Frank McBrearty, elected members and official from Donegal County Council to host this reception for the FAI. Donegal is the destination of choice for the FAI in terms of hosting the 2012 Festival of Football and AGM.” He further added that “Donegal County Council has been working in partnership with the FAI since 2007 through programmes such as Football for All, Project Futsal and Show Racism the Red Card”. The Mayor of Donegal Cllr. Frank McBrearty also praised the FAI for coming to Donegal and stated that “these visits by the FAI officials will provide them with an opportunity to meet the many volunteers in the various clubs in Donegal and the success of soccer in Donegal is without doubt a testament to their hard work and dedication”. Ray Houghton meeting MacDaragh Heaney at the FAI reception at Donegal County Council Donegal Community in Touch Page 3 News DONEGAL END 20-YEAR DROUGHT GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final Donegal 2.11 - Mayo 0.13 Donegal ended a 20-year wait for Sam Maguire with a deserved four-point defeat of Mayo in the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship final at Croke Park on Sunday September 23rd 2012. The men from Tír Conaill did all the damage in the first 11 minutes, a period in which they had established a 2.01 to 0.00 lead, Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden both hitting the net in a remarkable start to a game that never quite reached those heights again. Mayo fought back and were the better side for large parts of the second and third quarters, but they lacked the creativity and guile to unlock a mean Donegal defence in which the Mc Gee brothers, Eamon and Neil had outstanding games. DONEGAL NY BEAT RANGERS FOR INTERMEDIATE CROWN The Donegal NY team who won the Intermediate Championship and will return to Senior standing for 2013 For Mayo, the heartache and their agonising wait for their first All-Ireland title since 1951 continues, this latest loss in Croke Park adding to a horrendous sequence of six successive All-Ireland final defeats since 1989. The homecoming in the Diamond in Donegal Town on the Monday will long be remembered by the estimated crowd of 20,000 despite it being a very wet and cold evening. The victorious team then went on a tour of the county from Tuesday to Thursday and were greeted and acclaimed by thousands of supporters in every town and village throughout Donegal. Michael Murphy holds aloft the Sam Maguire For more information visit: www.donegalgaa.ie TIR CHONAILL GAELS WIN THE LONDON SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE Manager, Jim Mc Guinness celebrates after the final whistle The Tir Chonaill Gaels pictured following their 1-15 win to Kingdom-Kerry Gaels 1-8 GROUND ZERO 360° EXHIBITION IN LETTERKENNY Donegal County Council’s Regional Cultural Centre is proud to host Ground Zero 360° a very important exhibition on the events of 9/11 in New York. This incredible touring exhibition has been shown all over the United States, and in a number of major Irish venues over the course of the last year. The exhibition in Letterkenny has a special feature on remembering New York born Damien Peter Meehan whose parents are from Donegal Town. Ground Zero 360° was launched by Mr. Dinny McGinley T.D. Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on Sunday 9th September 2012. The exhibition opened to the public on Tuesday September 11th and continues until Saturday October 27th. On September 11, 2001, New York City was shaken to its core when two jet airliners crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. Dublin photographer Nicola McClean, who was working in the downtown area at the time of the attack, captured the chaos, confusion and panic that surrounded her. NYPD Bronx Commander Paul McCormack, originally from Stranorlar, was one of the first on the scene. Over the following 10 years, McClean and McCormack worked together to create Ground Zero 360°, a stunning panoramic installation of photographic images and artefacts that provide a unique insight into the hearts and minds of New Yorkers in the days that followed the attacks. The exhibition is made possible with the financial support of Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Donegal County Council. For further information see: www.groundzero360.org The Diamond in Donegal Town packed for the homecoming of the All-Ireland Champions Cllr Frank McBrearty, Minister Dinny McGinley TD, Nicola McClean, Cllr Dessie Larkin, Micheal OhEanaigh (Photo Clive Wasson) Donegal Community in Touch Page 4 News Tip O’Neill Donegal Diaspora Events 7 & 8 September 2012 Buncrana The Turning of the Sod on the Drumfries Community/Heritage Centre which, Tip O’Neill’s grandmother, Eunice Fullerton, attended in the 1860s by Tip’s grandchildren in the presence of the O’Neill family, the local community and by the local elected officials Local musicians welcoming the O’Neill family to their forebearers home in Drumfries The Tip O Neill Diaspora Schools Essay / Art competition display The presentation of Irish American Partnership Bursaries by Michaela O’Neill Daniel to five local Buncrana Primary Schools at a special reception at the Tip O’Neill Diaspora Gala Awards. Principals of the schools included Róisín Walsh – Drumfries, Margaret Farren – St Oran’s, Rosemary Dunne - St Mura’s, Sinéad Mc Laughlin - Scoil Íosagáin, Úna Ní Mhaoildeirg – Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha (Tip 2) The O’Neill family with Cllr Frank Mc Brearty, Mayor of Donegal and Cllr James Gill, Mayor of Buncrana, following the unveiling of the Tip O’Neill monument Niall O’Dowd’s guests at the first Tip O’Neill Diaspora Award John Hume with his old PEACE friend Tip O’Neill Pat Hume presenting the first Tip O’Neill Diaspora award on Niall O’Dowd Professor Paul Arthur delivering the lecture to an audience in the presence of John Hume who was instrumental in delivering peace to the country Donegal Community in Touch Page 5 Donegal Business OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GREEN ECONOMY – INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RENEWABLE ENERGY AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IRELAND Donegal County Council hosted a major international conference on Renewable Energies and Opportunities in the Green Economy. The conference, which took place on 12th September 2012 in Donegal Town, addressed opportunities for Ireland in emerging offshore energy markets, policies, electric transportation, biomass and smart technologies. The conference placed a particular emphasis on the whole area of ocean energy including wave, offshore wind, and tidal and the possibilities relating to this sector for Donegal and for Ireland. It also addressed emerging policy, both National & European, for this sector and looked at reviewing existing development in Ireland and internationally and looked at the resources provided by Killybegs with regards to servicing a future offshore energy industry off the west coast of Ireland. A number of renowned experts in the area of renewable energy addressed the conference including Neil Doherty from Sgurr Energy, Sustainable Engineering Worldwide, Paul Williamson from Maine Wind Industry Initiative and Jouko Parviainen from Josek Ltd in Finland who talked about Biomass Developments & Technology. Michael Lamblin, director of Interreg IVC gave the opening address on the state of play and perspectives on Interregional co-operation. The successful conference was attended by 150 delegates who came from Maine US, Cornwall UK, Scotland, Sweden, Finland, Spain, Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, Derry and a large local representation of businesses and industries in the renewable sector. For more information click below: CO2 Good Practices Free “ ” “Like us” on Facebook and keep in touch with the project CO2 “View the CO2 “Get the Free Conference” Free Newsletter” ERNACT celebrates 21st anniversary with special event in the European Parliament The ERNACT regions network, jointly founded and managed by Donegal County and Derry City councils, welcomed the Commissioner for Research Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan Quinn, to their 21st anniversary event in the European Parliament on the 18th September. The purpose of the event was to highlight the economic development, broadband and future digital services infrastructure needs of the ERNACT regions, including Donegal. The event presented an opportunity for the Council team, including the County Manager, Seamus Neely, and Director of Development, Michael O’hEanaigh, to highlight Donegal’s Smart Economy needs with relevant European Commission staff. Information Systems, presented the success of the County in transforming its broadband infrastructure over the past ten years. ERNACT has been successful in securing some €50million from EU international innovation programmes for 26 projects and involving partners in 130 regions. Donegal County Council, as a key instigator of the ERNACT network has benefitted substantially from this funding over the years. The European Headquarters of ERNACT is located in Donegal – in the CoLab innovation centre on the LYIT campus in Letterkenny. For further information visit: www.ernact.net Brian Boyle, the Council’s Head of Donegal Delegation pictured with Cmr. Geoghegan-Quinn in Brussels New state of the art Science Park for the North West The SEUPB has awarded the North West Region Cross Border Group £12 million towards the development of the Northwest Science Park. The project is being developed in partnership between the Northern Ireland Science Park, Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT), and Ilex. The state of the art science park will house high-tech research and development units and has the potential to create hundreds of jobs and millions of pounds for the local economy. The North West Regional Science Park will be built at the Fort George site in Derry~Londonderry and in Letterkenny. It is expected to be completed by 2015. Paul Hannigan, President of LYIT says that the proposed science park would add significantly to work already being done at the institute and has the potential to create many jobs. Donegal Community in Touch Page 6 education & learning ‘BIRDIE’S LAB’ – A FITTING TRIBUTE TO A DONEGAL WOMAN A life-journey that encompassed Manorcunningham, New York city and Burnfoot was commemorated with the opening of a new science lab at Letterkenny Institute of Technology on Tuesday last (25/9/12). New York-based philanthropist Nataly Stenzler Ritter visited the college to officially dedicate a lab in the new science block in memory of her former nanny and lifelong friend, Birdie Curran Docherty, a native of Manor. Born Bridget Curran in May 1911, Bridget later crossed the Atlantic to America, like many before her, and found work as a nanny. ‘Birdie’ was a childhood nickname she proudly carried all her life. It was in her role as a nanny to the Stenzler family that a lifelong friendship was established with Nataly Stenzler Ritter. “Birdie was, and is, such an important part of my life,” recalled Nataly on Tuesday. “Birdie came to work for my mother in New York city when I was three years old. Birdie lived with us in those days but she was much more than a nanny – she was a very special person who was integrally involved in my life. She was a second mother to me. My father died when I was just 17 and I always remember how much Birdie was there for me when I needed her.” Birdie worked for the Stenzler family for over forty years. Even after she married Albert Docherty, a Liverpudian-Irish sailor, she continued to work with the Stenzler’s. Birdie and Albert returned to Ireland in 1975 and set up home at the Rockhead, Burnfoot. Albert passed away in 1989 and Birdie survived him by twenty years, passing away in November 2009 at the age of 98. When Birdie passed away, Nataly decided she wanted to do something in her honour. Having consulted with Birdie’s niece Kathleen, it was decided to make a contribution for the provision of a lab in the new science block at Letterkenny IT. Nataly Stenzler Ritter pictured with members of Birdie’s extended family from Cavan, Longford, Greencastle and Carndonagh at the unveiling of ‘Birdie’s Lab’ Paul Hannigan, President of Letterkenny IT, was delighted with Nataly’s decision to generously contribute to the new science lab: “This is a first for Letterkenny IT and we are indebted to Nataly and to Kathleen for choosing us in the first place. It is very much appreciated and it is a beautiful link with Birdie. In many ways the story of Birdie’s life is the story of Donegal. We’re privileged to have been considered and it is an honour to have Nataly here in person to open ‘Birdie’s Lab’.” Nataly Stenzler Ritter picture with Seamus Neely,County Manager, Henry McGarvey, CEO Pramerica, Cllr Dessie Larkin and Mr Paul Hannigan, President of LYIT Article extracted from Dónal Campbell piece in Inishowen Independent on 27th September 2012 TAOISEACH OPENS NEW SCIENCE LABS AT LYIT New science labs signal LYIT’s continued growth A suite of new science laboratories at the Letterkenny Institute of Technology was officially opened today by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The new facility adds over 1,000 sq m of fully-equipped science laboratories with a total of 8 labs. This represents an investment of almost €4 million from the Government and LYIT. The need for the new laboratories is a result of the continued increase in student numbers at LYIT, 55% in the last 5 years, with currently over 3,000 people studying at the college. An Taoiseach commented that. “This is a great occasion for Letterkenny Institute of Technology, for higher education and indeed the North West Region. I am delighted to be here to open this state-of- the-art science building that will put LYIT graduates in the fast lane to a successful career in the sciences” Paul Hannigan, President of LYIT, referred to the continued increase of students and expansion of courses, “We anticipate our student numbers will steadily increase, especially in science, and we now provide over 100 courses in many areas up to Masters level. This year we have entirely renewed our curriculum to reflect the latest academic and industrial standards. The new science facility means that we are now one of the most modern campuses in Ireland. I would especially like to thank Mary Daly, Estates Manager, and her team on completing this valuable project.” For further information visit www.lyit.ie An Taoiseach Enda Kenny pictured with Paul Hannigan, President of LYIT and Mr Henry McGarvey, CEO Pramerica An Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaks to students in the state of the art science building Donegal Community in Touch Page 7 Social & cultural REMEMBERING THE 24th BATTALION The 24th Infantry Battalion was a unique Donegal Battalion of the F.C.A. Its roots go back to 1947 and the number of personnel that have served in the unit reach into all aspects of the people and life of Donegal. The men and women who have served have many fond memories of summer camps, field days, guards of honour, shooting competitions and friends made for life. The 24th Battalion ended in 2005 with the formation of the Reserve Defence Force and was replaced by the 58th Reserve Infantry Battalion. Recently a group of former members got together to form a 24th Battalion Association with the objective of having some form of social gathering each year to remember the 24th and meet old friends and comrades. Former members are spread worldwide with one working with the UN in Afghanistan and another a senior officer in the New Zealand Defence Forces. The next meeting will be held in Rockhill on Monday the 5th of November at 8.00 pm to elect a steering group committee. Former members are encouraged to attend. It is planned to have the official launch of the association early in 2013. You may email your enquiries to [email protected] Special Reception hosted for the Australian Ambassador to Ireland in Glenveagh National Park The ties between Australia and Donegal are deep and old. To celebrate and acknowledge this and as part of The Donegal Gathering, Donegal County Council were honoured and delighted when Australian Ambassador to Ireland Mr. Bruce Davies visited Donegal. Along with his wife and some friends, Mr Bruce accepted a warm céad míle fáilte to join in special reception hosted to strengthen our Donegal Australian bonds in the most fitting setting of Glenveagh Castle on the grounds of Glenveagh National Park in May this year. Mr Bruce and guests enjoying the reception in Glenveagh National Park (Photo Ray McDermott) The Archives of the Donegal Board of the GAA Donegal County Archives has been fortunate to receive donations and loans of archives of both local and national significance over the years. The decision by the Donegal Board of the GAA to deposit its large collection of historical material to the County Archives was a foresighted and generous one. The collection’s contents are many and varied, cover the county, and relate to football (including ladies), hurling, camogie and handball; to Ulster and All-Ireland and National League matches as well as to club and league matches. Included are minute books dating back to 1933, annual convention reports, Finance Committee reports and correspondence, divisional boards minutes and correspondence, various committee reports, yearbooks and magazines from clubs, bye-laws and regulations from 1928; booklets outlining fixtures and players’ lists; photographs, programmes, tickets, posters, notices, newspapers; and fundraising and social events’ documentation. With the financial assistance of the Heritage Council, a colourful illustrated booklet outlining the history of the GAA in Donegal and listing the items in the collection has been produced to coincide with the launch of the Archive. The Archive and the accompanying booklet were launched on the 19th October, in MacCumhaill Park Social Club in Ballybofey. A small exhibition of a selection of archives remains there until January. For further information please email: [email protected] Donegal Community in Touch Page 8 Social & cultural A Lively Oideas Gael summer in Gleann Cholm Cille and in An Coimín. This summer’s Oideas Gael schedule of activities, made Gleann Cholm Cille, once again, a lively summer destination with up to a 1,000 participants enjoying the wide range of courses offered by the organisation. Gaeilge and a number of its learners attended the programmes over the summer also. Cultural and language enthusiasts from thirty-four different countries, attended courses and took part in the wide range of activity holidays in this picturesque southwest Donegal valley and in An Coimín, An Ghaeltacht Lár. This summer, in particular, attracted some high profile guests, with the former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese participating in the summer school for her fifteenth year in a row. We were also delighted to have Daniel O’Donnell attending our Irish course in July and his interest, commitment and great sense of fun made him a favourite with both the Irish and international attendees. Oideas Gael was again chosen this year as a Fulbright student destination with six adult Irish learners from the USA having been awarded the prestigious scholarship to study in Ireland. Oideas Gael is also honoured to be associated with the United States’ leading Irish Language organisation, Daltaí na We were pleasantly surprised to have our Minister for Tourism, Leo Varadkar, TD, take the course in mid-August. His subsequent interview on ‘The John Murray Show’ enthusing about his Donegal holiday can be accessed from the homepage of Oideas Gael. Visit www.oideasgael.ie The Gathering at Oideas Gael Plane to Pedal Donegal County Archives has been fortunate to receive donations and loans of archives of both local and national significance over the years. The decision by the Donegal Board of the GAA to deposit its large collection of historical material to the County Archives was a foresighted and generous one. The collection’s contents are many and varied, cover the county, and relate to football (including ladies), hurling, camogie and handball; to Ulster and All-Ireland and National League matches as well as to club and league matches. Included are minute books dating back to 1933, annual convention reports, Finance Committee reports and correspondence, divisional boards minutes and correspondence, various committee reports, yearbooks and magazines from clubs, bye-laws and regulations from 1928; booklets outlining fixtures and players’ lists; photographs, programmes, tickets, posters, notices, newspapers; and fundraising and social events’ documentation. With the financial assistance of the Heritage Council, a colourful illustrated booklet outlining the history of the GAA in Donegal and listing the items in the collection has been produced to coincide with the launch of the Archive. The Archive and the accompanying booklet were launched on the 19th October, in MacCumhaill Park Social Club in Ballybofey. A small exhibition of a selection of archives remains there until January. EDAL P O T PLANE For further information visit: [email protected] Photo capturing the celebrations taken after Donegal won the All Ireland at The Heritage, a pub/restaurant on McLean Avenue in Yonkers, bordering on Woodlawn in the Bronx, with the combined neighbourhoods being one the most vibrant Irish community in New York. The Heritage is owned by a grand Donegal man, Eugene Collum, and is HQ for the Donegal GFC NY. www.facebook.com/pages/Donegal-Football-NY Donegal Community in Touch Page 9 Community Links A Groundbreaking Tribunal to Examine the Irish Famine, 20th – 21st April 2013, Fordham Law School, New York City A Famine Tribunal will be held at Fordham Law School, New York City, in April 2012. The Irish Famine of 1845-1952 (also known as the Great Hunger) is one of the most catastrophic famines in modern history. It is estimated that over one million people died, two and half million emigrated within ten years, and almost 300,000 smallholdings disappeared. The Tribunal will assess the Great Irish Famine within a legal framework. Even to this day, the Irish Famine (also known as the Great Hunger) remains one of the most lethal famines in modern history in terms of deaths and dislocation of population. The object of the Tribunal is to assess the impact of the Irish Famine on the Irish population, its political, economic and cultural legacies within a legal framework. The Tribunal will bring together expert witnesses and lawyers from Ireland, Britain and the U.S. to explore this tragedy from a unique and groundbreaking perspective. It will also offer students and teachers in related academic fields the opportunity to explore this tragedy from a unique and ground-breaking perspective. For further information, please contact us at [email protected] OWN A PART OF DONEGAL SPORTING LIFE Most of you will know that Finn Harps FC represent Donegal in the League of Ireland. What many might not know, is that the Club is a co-operative society which is wholly owned and administrated by its own supporters and volunteers. Shares can be purchased by any company, organisation or member of the public anywhere in the world. Please see details of how you can own a part of Donegal Sporting Life: Become an owner of Finn Harps Football Club Finn Harps are also dedicated to working in partnership with local agencies to bring community and economic benefits to Donegal. Finn Harps has introduced a comprehensive community programme which offers qualified coaching to schoolchildren while also delivering important information on topics such as healthy diet and lifestyle, road safety and football against racism. The club is currently building a new stadium which will host concerts and events generating long term revenue streams to the Donegal economy. Harps launch Road safety programme Finn Harps are committed to developing young talent from Donegal and offering the county’s best a platform to play at national level. The Club currently has six players who have represented Ireland at underage level. Finn Harps recently announced a link up with LYIT where our young footballers can pursue third level education whilst also fulfilling their sporting potential. Please see LYIT Scholarship Programme Finn Harps and LYIT launch Soccer Scholarship programme. Derry Genealogy Centre: ‘One-stop’ shop and point of contact Derry Genealogy Centre has now added (as of 16 October 2012) an additional 90,000 records to its online database at www.derry. rootsireland.ie. Transcripts of a number of important 17th, 18th and 19th century census returns and census substitutes for city and county of Derry – Hearth Money Rolls of 1663, Protestant Householders Lists of 1740, Religious Census of 1766, Flax Growers Lists of 1796, Tithe Applotment Books of the 1820s and 1830s, and 1831 Census Returns – can now be searched and viewed. Derry Genealogy Centre can now claim to be a ‘one-stop’ shop and point of contact for anyone tracing roots in North West Ireland. Our database now contains the bulk of pre-1922 civil birth and marriage registers for the city and county of Derry, the early baptismal and marriage registers of 85 churches (the earliest dating from 1642), gravestone inscriptions from 117 graveyards, and census returns and census substitutes dating from 1901 back to 1663. The centre offers a free advice service to anyone tracing their roots in the North West. For further information on this e-zine or on the Donegal Diaspora Project, please contact: Maria Ferguson Email: [email protected] /maria. [email protected] Tel: +353 (0)74 97 24466 Roisin McBride Email: [email protected] Tel: +353 (0) 74 9172461 For further information email: [email protected] Donegal Community in Touch Page 10
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