Maria Craig and Michael Brannigan were married in St. Connell’s Church, Glenties on Saturday 19th March 2005. Maria is a daughter of Terence and the late Mary Craig, Stranaglough, Glenties and Michael is a son of Peter and Carol Brannigan, England. Fr. Patrick Prendergast officiated and celebrated Nuptial Mass. Her father gave the bride away and her sister, Imelda Gallagher, cousin Deirdre Kelly and her friend Donna Mc Gettigan attended her. John Mc Glynn, a friend of the groom, was bestman and the bride’s brother, Damien and a friend, Darren Melly were groomsmen. Bronagh Gallagher and Rachel Brannigan were flowergirls and Aaron Gallagher and J.D. Boyle were pageboys. Readings were by Siobhan Brannigan and Emily Bonner. Orlaith Mc Grath, Laura Farren, Kelly and Christopher Brannigan read Prayers of the Faithful. Pat Craig and Donna Brannigan brought the Gifts to the Altar. The reception was held in the Highlands Hotel, Glenties and the honeymoon was spent in Las Vagas and Florida.

In June 2004 Mgr. Dan Mc Dyer celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of his Ordination to the Priesthood. It is his wish to offer a Mass in Glenties in Thanksgiving to God for those 60 years. He has been invited to come to St. Connell’s Church, Glenties on Tuesday 5th April for a Celebration Mass at 7.30 p.m. followed by refreshments in the Highlands Hotel. There is an “open invitation” to all who wish to join Fr. Dan in this celebration with members of his family, his friends and contemporaries.

There will be a great night of music in the Highlands Hotel, Glenties on Thursday 31st March. The Camino Challenge presents a Traditional Music Session with Denise Boyle and Friends, followed by ‘The Usual Suspects’ with their blend of lively Ballads, Jigs and Reels. After that ‘The Chancers’ and the ‘Dee Tees’ will rock the night away. There will be spot prizes during the night. This promises to be a great night with something for everyone. Starting time is 8.30 p.m. and admission is €7.50. All proceeds go to the Scoil Mhuire Gym Building Fund so come on out and support this worthy cause and have a good time listening to the best music around.

Congratulations to John and Paul Hegarty who were the winners of the Pairs Bowling Tournament in Dunkineely and to Paddy Boyle and Fr. Adrian Gavigan who were semi-finalists. Congratulations also to Christy Hegarty and Pat Walsh who were quarter-finalists in the Convoy Pairs Tournament.

There is Bingo in the Community Centre, Glenties every Tuesday night at 9.00 p.m.sharp. €50 is paid for all Lines and €100 for all Houses. The Jackpot is €50 for the Line and €400 for the House. The committee wishes to thank you all for your support.

Sandfield Pitch & Putt Course has re-opened for the Summer season. For further information ring 9541344.

Daffodil Day in Glenties was on Friday 11th March. The amount collected on the day was €2,777.82. Thank you to all who supplied fresh daffodils, all who contributed and to all who helped to make it the success that it was.

Sincere sympathy is extended to the relatives and friends of Lizzie Mc Menamin, Fintown whose death took place recently.

Congratulations to Mary (Brown) and Richard Perriton, Loughcrillan Road, Glenties on the birth of their third child, which took place recently in Letterkenny Hospital. A baby brother for Joshua and Isabel.

Kieran Gallagher, The Mines, Kilraine and Lauren Mc Hugh, Ardara are holding their First Art Exhibition in Nancy’s Bar, Ardara next Saturday 19th March at 8.00p.m. Everyone welcome.

Sincere sympathy is extended to Brenda Reid and family, Tullyard Road, Glenties on the death of Brenda’s father, Jim Kirwin, which took place recently in Dublin.

Sincere sympathy is extended to John Hegarty and family on the death of John’s sister, Annie Mc Cabe, which took place recently in Dublin.

Sincere sympathy is extended to Kitty O’Donnell, Station Road, Glenties, and family on the death in America of Kitty’s sister, Anna Mangan, which took place recently.

Another 6-week course in Pilates has started in the Dolmen Centre, Kilclooney on Tuesdays from 7.30p.m. until 8.30p.m. Beginners welcome. Anyone interested contact Martina at 086 3846302.

A Cake Sale and Bric a Brac sale is being held by The Friends of Letterkenny Hospital and Crumlin Children’s Hospital in the Dolmen Centre, Kilclooney on Sunday 20th March from 3.00p.m. until 6.00p.m. There will also be games for the children so bring the whole family, as there will be something for everyone. It will be a ‘Fun Day’ for all the family.

Due to the great success of the last Pub Quiz, Ard Patrick Golden Jubilee Committee is holding another Pub Quiz in Molloy’s Bar tomorrow Friday 18th March at 9.00p.m. to raise funds for its 50 year celebrations, which takes place on the estate on the Bank Holiday weekend 3rd 4th 5th June. Teams of four. Cash Prizes. Come along for a great night’s craic and entertainment.

Councillor Terence Slowey welcomes the following road improvement works to be carried out in 2005. The National Roads Authority (NRA) will continue this year on the improvement of the Glenties Ardara road with 250,000 E worth of upgrading work from Kilraine towards Derries / Glenties and also carry out 250,000E worth of work on an 800m stretch from Doohill back towards Ardara. In addition 300,000E of improvement works on the Gweebarra Bends will be done this year.

The Non National Roads programme for 2005 includes 20,000E of improvements to the Glenties / Doobin Road and 17,500E on surface dressing to the Main Road at Sandfield towards Kilclooney and 17,500E on surface dressing the Maas road to Ballyiriston. 24,250E is allocated to surface dress the Glen Road at Mully and 12,000E to finish the Crumlin road as well as 21,000E for the Meenaligg road from Drimnacrosh end towards Ardara. Gallaghers Road on the Glen Road, Glenties will be improved at a cost of 3,500E and the Lugunna Road from Lergynaseragh towards Luganna will be improved costing 24,000E. The Meenalargan Road from the junction with the Glenties / Fintown road will benefit with 9,000E worth of work. The Tullyard road will also have 9,000E spent on upgrading. The Meenavale Road will have 9,700E of work done from the regional road at Meenaleenaghan in, while 7,000E will be spent on Baskins road Cornass Glebe from the main Ardara / Glenties road in. 9,000E of improvements to the road at Loughdoon, 25,500E to the Cronkeeran road from the junction of the Ardara road in, 14,00E to the Summy road from where the work finished last year and this completes the 2005 allocations so far this year.

In addition 20,000E will be spent on the Meenavalley road, 29,000E on the Bruckless / Ardara road, on the worst sections near the new reservoir, 105,000E on the Meentinadae road from the junction of the Ardara / Ardaghey road to after Thomas Gavigan’s house at the Donegal area boundary. The Narin / Portnoo road from the Post Office at Portnoo back towards Narin will be improved at a cost of 70,000E. The Ardara / Narin road will benefit from 165,000E spend starting at the Hillhead. The Cashel road past the Bakery and round to the right will be improved at a cost of 14,000E while 10,000E has been allocated to the Kentucky Cottages road, 35,000E Drumbahill road, Kiltoorish and 22,000E to the Cleengort / Derryloughan Road. Cllr. Slowey will continue working for the upgrading of all roads in the area and said there never seems to be enough money to do as much as we would like.

Scoil Mhuire is presently fundraising for a new gymnasium. An Easter Draw is being held on Wednesday 23rd March in the school at 12.00 noon. The first prize is a Mega Easter Hamper. 2nd Prize is a 50E voucher for ‘Bits & Bobs’. 3rd Prize is a Mini Easter Hamper. 4th Prize is a Perfume Gift Basket. 5th Prize is a Voucher for a Meal in Mc Guinness’ Café + a Bottle of Wine and the 6th Prize is a Voucher for a Meal in Nighthawks Café + a Bottle of Wine. Lines are 2E each and the cards are in the local shops. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to the local businesses for their kind donations.

Scoil Mhuire is also holding a Big Bucks Bingo in the Limelight on Wednesday 30th March in aid of their new Gym Building Fund. The Book has 11 pages and there is no Jackpot sheet. 200E will be paid for a straight line in the first 9 games and 500E for the panel. In the 10th game 500E will be paid for the line and 5,000E for the panel. The prize in the 11th Game will be 200E for the line and 1,000E for the panel. A single book is 20E and a double book is 30E. Doors open at 7.45p.m.

A Cake Sale and Bric a Brac sale is being held by The Friends of Letterkenny Hospital and Crumlin Children’s Hospital in the Dolmen Centre, Kilclooney next Sunday 20th March from 3.00p.m. until 6.00p.m. There will also be games for the children so bring the whole family, as there will be something for everyone. It will be a ‘Fun Day’ for all the family.

The staff and pupils of St. Columba’s Comprehensive School, Glenties have undertaken the task of raising 3,000 E to buy a fishing boat, complete with nets and outboard motor engine for a family in Sri Lanka who lost everything in the tsunami disaster. To do this they need the support of the whole community and any help will be greatly appreciated. The boat will be named The St. Columba. Contact Ann Gallagher at 074-9551172 if you want to make a donation or help in any way.

Best wishes to Treise O’Callaghan, Ruth Gallagher and Jane Baldwin who are competing in the All Ireland Final of the MHI Public Speaking Competition in Trinity College, Dublin this weekend. The girls are students of St. Columba’s Comprehensive School, Glenties and are County and Regional champions. Last year they reached the semi-final of the competition. Treise is a daughter of Tony and Angela Callaghan, Kilraine, Glenties, Ruth is a daughter of Clement and Kathleen Gallagher, Meenacahan, Inver and Jane is a daughter of Dominic and Mandy Baldwin, Rosbeg.

The death took place in Letterkenny Hospital in the early hours of Friday 25th February 2005 of Canon Leo Moore, Narin, Portnoo. His remains were brought to St. Conal’s Church, Kilclooney later that day and to St. Connell’s Church, Glenties on Sunday evening where Fr. Patrick Prendergast P.P. and Fr. Nigel Ó Gallachóir C.C. received them. Fr. Moore served in this Parish from1974 –1981 and from 1989 – 1997 when he retired to his native Narin. Requiem Mass was concelebrated at 12 noon in St. Connell’s Church, Glenties on Monday 28th February by Fr. Patrick Mc Shane (chief celebrant), Mons. Dan Mc Dyre, Fr. Dan Carr, Fr. Patrick Prendergast, Fr. John Mc Loone and Fr. Brian Quinn, who also gave the homily. Fr. Austin Lafferty was M.C. Readings were by Mary Gallagher and James Gildea and the psalm was by Christine (Fletcher) Mc Cool. Nieces, nephew and grandnieces and grandnephew of Fr. Moore read Prayers of the Faithful and brought the Gifts to the Altar. Music and singing was by St. Connell’s Church choir and a number of priests. Burial took place in Kilclooney graveyard. Kitty (of Clogher) Shovlin a school friend of Fr. Moore sang at the graveside.

Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife, Mildred, daughters, Donna and Cleava, son Stanley, grandchildren, Warren, Kirsty, Kayla and Cora, brothers George and Andy, other relatives and friends of Hammy Baskin, Drimnacrosh, Glenties who died at his home on Tuesday 1st March. Burial took place in the Church of Ireland Graveyard in Ardara on Thursday.

Sincere sympathy is extended to Nora O’Donnell, Ard Patrick, Glenties and her family on the death of Nora’s sister, Susanna Cassidy, Ballybofey, which took place last week; also to the Cassidy family, who lived here in Glenties, when their late father, Phil had the chemist shop in Glenties.

Congratulations to Fr. Adrian Gavigan who was the winner of the recent Singles Tournament in Convoy and to John Hegarty, who was a quarter finalist. Congratulations also to Christy Hegarty and Pat Walsh who were runners-up in the Raphoe Tournament.

Congratulations to Patricia and Julian Molloy, Derries, Glenties on the birth of their baby girl in Letterkenny Hospital last Thursday 3rd March 2005.

A Barn Dance will be held in the Highlands Hotel on Monday 14th March. Music is by ‘Cascade’. Dancing is from 10.00p.m. until 1.00a.m. Supper will be served.

The amount raised at the recent Chernobyl Church Gate Collection was 335E. Thanks to all who contributed.

Presentation of trophies to the award winners in the Donegal County Council / Rehab ‘People of the Year’ Awards, which includes local woman Clodagh Duggan, will be made at a Banquet in Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey on Saturday 2nd April. Tickets for the Banquet are available from Clodagh and Maria Rafferty.

The Job Club brings together unemployed people of all ages who are looking for work, giving advice on local employment and training opportunities and will begin on Monday 21st March from 10.30a.m. – 2.00p.m. daily in the Highlands Hotel, Glenties. Membership of the Job Club is voluntary, free, and totally confidential. For full details on the Training given and Allowances paid please see posters.

Three labourers are required for maintenance and caretaking at Naomh Conail GAA Grounds under the Rural Social Scheme. Applicants may apply to Sean Mc Kenna, Secretary, Naomh Conail CLG.

Congratulations to Clodagh Duggan, Mullantyboyle, Glenties who was among the winners of the Donegal County Council / Rehab ‘People of the Year ‘ Awards for 2004. Clodagh is the only lady to be honoured this year and was nominated by a large number of groups and bodies within the community of Glenties for her dedication to the young people of Glenties, Ardara and the surrounding areas. With the help of some friends and neighbours she founded to Cormorants Swimming Club over 20 years ago and it is thanks to her that many of our young people have learned to swim. She is still the main mover and organiser in the Club to this day. She organises buses to take them to the nearest Swimming Pool in Letterkenny and also organises the teachers, the tests, the medals the finances and the annual gala. She is also involved with the formation of the Life Saving Courses at Narin Beach every year. Many parents in Glenties would agree that Clodagh is a very worthy recipient of this award.

The death took place in Letterkenny Hospital in the early hours of Friday 25th February 2005 of Canon Leo Moore, Narin, Portnoo. His remains were brought to St. Conal’s Church, Kilclooney later that day and to St. Connell’s Church, Glenties on Sunday evening where Fr. Patrick Prendergast P.P. and Fr. Nigel Ó Gallachóir C.C. received them. Requiem Mass was concelebrated on Monday at 12 noon and burial took place afterwards in Kilclooney graveyard. Fr. Moore served in this Parish from1974 –1981 and from 1989 – 1997 when he retired to his native Narin. Sincere sympathy is extended to his brother Packie, sister-in-law Molly and family, his housekeeper Mary Gallagher and to all his relatives and friends.

Sincere sympathy is extended to Ann Furey, Ard Mc Gill, on the death of her aunt, Ann Breslin, Glengesh, Ardara, which took place last week.

Sincere sympathy is extended to Breda Lalor, Glen Road, Glenties on the death recently of her mother Eleanor Canning, Mohill.

Sincere sympathy is extended to Alice Brennan, Stranaglough, Glenties, on the death of her father, John Mulligan, Mohill, which took place recently.

Sincere sympathy is extended to Eileen Mc Cahill, Derries, Glenties, on the death recently of her sister Frances Gardener, which took place recently in England.

Ard Patrick Golden Jubilee Committee is holding a Pub Quiz in Molloy’s Bar on Friday 4th March at 9.00p.m. to raise funds for its 50 year celebrations, which takes place on the estate on the Bank Holiday weekend 3rd 4th 5th June. Teams of four. Cash Prizes. Please support the Quiz.

A Retirement Dance for Mr. Arthur Fleury, Veterinary Surgeon will be held in the Central Bar, Ardara next Saturday 5th March. Music is by Frank Mc Gee and dancing is from 11.00p.m. until 1.00a.m.

“The Fashion Event of 2005″ is taking place in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny (tel. 9124369) on Thursday 3rd March in aid of Donegal Gifted Children’s Organisation, which was established to provide for children of high academic ability from 8 years old. For further information on the DGCO ring Kathleen Carr at 086 8402197.

A Concert with Arty Mc Glynn & Nollag Casey is being held in Ionad Teampall Chróine, Dungloe on Thursday 3rd March at 8.00p.m. For advance booking call to office or ring 9522198 / 9522124.

Children interested in taking recorder lessons please contact Crona Regan at 086 4021079.