Congratulations to the Tidy Towns Committee who came away from the awards with a Gold medal and a special award for their outstanding contribution to the competition over the 50 years of the Tidy Towns competition.

This year’s report can be downloaded from here

On Friday 22nd August 2008 Gillian Mc Devitt and Aidan Fallon were married in St. Connell’s Church, Glenties. Fr. Pat Prendergast, Glenties assisted by Fr. Whitney, Strokestown officiated and concelebrated Nuptial Mass. Gillian is a daughter of Jim and Sandy Mc Devitt, Glen Road, Glenties and Aidan is a son of the late Aidan and Peg Fallon, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. Her father gave the bride away and her sisters, Rachael and Aimée Mc Devitt and her friend, Ann Molloy attended her. The groom’s brother, Martin was bestman and his friends, Enda Hanley and Dermot Dolan were groomsmen. Readings were by Brian Mc Devitt, uncle of the bride and Ann Mc Namara, sister of the groom. Sarah Barry, Sean Rockett, Laura Mc Bride, Martin Murphy, Grainne Boyle and Colin Hanley read Prayers of the Faithful. The bride’s mother, Sandy Mc Devitt and the groom’s sister Marie Fallon O’Kane brought the Gifts to the Altar. A reflection was read by Patricia Fallon, sister of the groom. Music and singing was by Denise Boyle, Ted Ponsonby and Jenifer Dalton. Adam Kemp and Thomas Donoghue were ushers. The reception was held in the Mill Park Hotel, Donegal Town and the honeymoon is being spent in Italy.

Congratulations to Eamon Bonner, Mill Road, Glenties and Paula Murrihy, Tralee who were married in Tralee on Friday last.

The death took place in Letterkenny Hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning 24th August 2008 of Paddy Joe Boyle, Letterilly, Glenties. His remains were brought home later that day and to St. Connell’s Church, Glenties on Tuesday morning. Fr. Pat Prendergast, Glenties, Fr. John Mc Loone, Frosses and Fr. Hugh Sweeney, Glenfin concelebrated Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Readings were by Paddy Joe’s son, Liam and Liam’s wife, Lara. Prayers of the Faithful were read by his niece, Loretta Gleeson. The Gifts were brought to the Altar by his grandchildren, Conor Mc Crudden, Mark and Emma Boyle. Music was by James O’ Malley on the organ. Burial took place afterwards in the New Graveyard. Paddy Joe is survived by his son, Liam, daughter, Geraldine Mc Crudden, sister Mary Mroz, grandchildren, in-laws, niece, Loretta, other relatives and many friends to whom sincere sympathy is extended. His wife Bridget predeceased him in December 2005 and his sister, Una died as a baby.

Rehearsals for a Halloween Musical will begin on Saturday 6th September at 2 – 4 p.m. in the Community Centre in Glenties. Any children interested, please attend on that day. There will be a once off membership fee of 10 Euro per child to cover costs.

The Bonner / Cannon School of Irish Dancing has resumed classes in the Highlands Hotel on Tuesdays – Beginners and junior pupils – 4.00p.m. Advanced class – 5.00p.m.

The Harvest Fair Festival gets under way on Wednesday 10th September. This year the Official Opening is by Margo, 2007 Donegal Person of the Year at 8 p.m. There is a Treasure Hunt at 6 p.m. and also a Children’s Movie Night in the Highlands Hotel at 6 p.m. A one Mile Street Race is at 7.30p.m.

Cllr. Terence Slowey has been informed by the Roads section of Donegal County Council that the closing date for the receipt of completed application forms for the 2009 Local Improvement Scheme Roads is the 31st October 2008. Application forms and full details of this or other schemes are available form Cllr. Slowey’s Office at 074 9541830 or 087 2242591.

A bus will leave Doochary next Sunday 7th September for Rossnowlagh. It will stop at the Highlands Hotel, Glenties for passengers at 12.45 p.m. Anyone wishing to book a seat contact Jean Mc Kelvey at 9546257.

The Ardara / Glenties / Portnoo Lifeboat Committee would like to thank everyone who made their recent Raft Race such a success especially the teams who took part, raised a great deal of money for the R.N.L.I. and provided much entertainment on the day. We appreciate the effort that was put into making the rafts and the taking part in the race. We would also like to thank the following – the local Gardaí for their help, Frankie Mc Hugh and Michael Mc Loughlin, Lackagh for the use of the field, Mr. and Mrs. Capper for supplying the power, Frank Connaghan for the use of his lorry, the residents and boat owners for their co-operation, the people who manned the safety boats, the judges, Phil Mc Grenaghan, Alan Watson and Conal Melly. Thanks also to M.C. Peter Miller, Maria Harkin who took care of the registration, Tommy Barrett and Joseph Molloy for their contribution, Dr. Kieran Harkin who offered his services on the day, the publicans and business people of Ardara, Glenties, Narin, Portnoo and Rosbeg for their contributions and help and to all who came to support us on the day and gave donations. You are all helping to save lives at sea. We look forward to the 2009 Raft Race. The winners of the adult race on “The Black Pearl” raft were Colley Bonner, Dermot Bonner, James Mc Loone and Henry Gillespie, Glenties. The winners of the junior race on “The Chemical Cousins” raft were Patrick Boomer, Conal Boomer, Campbell Classon and Fiona Gyo, Rosbeg and Portnoo.