Congratulations to Olivia and Eamon Oates, Sligo on the birth last Monday of their second child, a baby sister for Erin. Olivia is a daughter of Christy and Una Hegarty, Mullantyboyle, Glenties.

There is a Pilgrimage going to Medjugorje on the 9th May for 7 nights. The cost is €669 fully inclusive. If you are interested you can contact either Noreen Feeney on 074-9541689 or Johnny Farren on 087-6613365.

A sincere ‘Thank You’ is extended to all who joined us in the Community Centre for tea and buns last weekend in aid of the Hospice. A special thank you to everyone who donated towards the raffle and to those who baked. A total of €1,655 was raised. The winners in the raffle were: 1st Prize – Johnny Rodgers, Derries. 2nd Prize – Breda Lalor, Glen Road and 3rd Prize went to Harry Reid, Tullyard Road, Glenties. Your support was very much appreciated.

Congratulations to Thomas Melly who graduated with Distinction in Quantity Surveying from Letterkenny IT. He also received the Student of the year award at the graduation ceremony. Thomas is a son of Martin and Noreen Melly, Letterilly, Glenties and is a past pupil of Kilkenny National School and St. Columba’s Comprehensive School, Glenties.

Piano lessons are available in Ardara and Glenties. If interested contact 087-7551595.

Downstrands Family Resource Centre
Internet and E-mail – 5 week course in Community Centre Glenties, starting Wednesday 4th March 10.00am – 12 noon. and in Women’s Centre Kilclooney on Thursday 26th February 7.00 – 9.00pm. Cost €30. Other classes being arranged are Desktop Publishing and Basic Computers (Fetec Level 1-3). The cost is €40.

To book a place or for more information on any of these classes please contact 074-9545879. Classes will be run subject to demand

Next Friday 27th February, a Big Country Irish Night in aid of Fintown Developments will be held in the Limelight, Glenties. The Developments to benefit from this event are – Halla Colmcille, Pairc Acla and Fintown Harps. The programme includes local bands and artists, Elaine Boyle, The Cufflinks, Pat Gallagher, Shaun Mc Monagle and Paddy Mc Devitt. Admission is €15.

The death took place in Harbour Lights Nursing Home Bruckless on Friday 13th February 2009 of Owen Campbell, Silverhill, Glenties. His remains were brought to his brother Con’s home in Lacklea later that day and to The Church of the Holy Family, Edeninfagh on Sunday morning. Fr. Shane Gallagher assisted by Fr. Aodhan Cannon concelebrated Requiem Mass at 11.00a.m. Burial took place afterwards in Edeninfagh Graveyard. Owen is survived by three brothers, Con, James and Padraig and one sister, Bridget O’Donnell, Kilcar, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends to whom sincere sympathy is extended. His brother, Charlie and his sister, Mary predeceased him.

‘Fetac Level 5’ 3 day Course in Occupational First Aid will be held on 30th, 31st March and 1st April. Call Glenties Community Centre on 074 9557880 for details. Limited places are available.

The new swimming term will be starting towards the end of March. Anyone wishing to be included, please call Bernie at 086 1005465 and leave their name. The cost will be €100 for an 8 week term. Swimming is in Ballyshannon on Tuesday evenings. A bus will leave Glenties at 5.00p.m. sharp and return at approx. 8.00p.m.

A Pub Quiz will be held in Paddy’s Bar on Friday 13th March in aid of Tidy Towns. Please support.

Weight Watchers in the Highland Hotel on Wednesdays 5.30p.m. – 7.00p.m. New members will be very welcome.

Michael Gallagher, Pat Ward and James Griffin

A sincere thank you is extended to all who joined us in the Community Centre for tea and buns last weekend in aid of the Hospice. A special thank you to everyone who donated towards the raffle and to those who baked. A total of 1655 euro was raised.

Winners in the raffle were :

• 1st prize: John Rodgers, Derries
• 2nd prize: Breda Lalor, Glen Road,
• 3rd prize: Harry Reid, Tullyard Road.

Your support was very much appreciated

Congratulations and best wishes for many more years together to John and Bridget Hegarty, Meenalargan, Glenties who were 65 years married on Monday 16th February.

The death took place in Brindley Manor Nursing Home, Convoy on Wednesday 11th February 2009 of Bella Toland, Ard Mc Gill, Glenties. Her remains were brought to her home on Thursday and to St. Connell’s Church, Glenties on Saturday morning. Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr. Pat Prendergast. Burial took place afterwards in the New Graveyard. Bella is survived by two nieces in Scotland, other relatives and friends to whom sincere sympathy is extended. Her husband Jimmy predeceased her in October 2004. Three brothers, Joe, James and Danny and two sisters, Mary and Sarah also predeceased her. Bella (nee Toland) was originally from Strasallagh but moved to Bangonbouy when she got married and later she and her husband moved to Ard Mc Gill.

Sincere sympathy is extended to the relatives and friends of Owen Campbell, Silverhill, Glenties who died on Friday 13th February 2009.

Thanks to all the family members, friends and neighbours who supported the Concern Fast this year. 83 students from all years in the Comprehensive School completed the Fast, which was organised by Mr. Moore’s second year history and CSPE class. The 23 students in the class completely organised the fast themselves and are a credit to their parents. Just over €3000 was raised and this money shall be put to good use in the developing world.

If you suffer from Pains, Migraine, Sports Injuries, Trapped Nerves, Headaches, Sciatica or if your baby suffers from Colic, you can have a Free Consultation & Examination at the Highlands Hotel, Glenties on Saturday 21st February from 9a.m. – 5p.m. If interested ring 074-9725544 for an appointment.

There will be a Fundraising Coffee Morning in the Dolmen Centre on Tuesday 24th February 10.00a.m. – 1.30 p.m. All proceeds will go the Ros Barrett’s fundraising for The Hope Foundation.

The Community Alert A.G.M. will be held on Thursday 19th February at 8.00p.m. in the Glenties Day Centre. All members are requested to attend.

Three members of the Glenties Area Rural Resource Centre Committee met with their local councillors in Donegal County Council Offices in Dungloe recently to seek their support for the GARR Centre project.

They outlined the plans for a centre that would cater for the recreational, educational and economic needs of the Glenties area. It is intended that the proposed Centre would house a new library, a youth cafe, an internet and video conference centre, meeting rooms, micro recording studio and mini community radio station along with broadband wired serviced offices for letting. All of these amenities would make the area more attractive for start up businesses, be a resource for those involved locally in the tourist and other enterprises and enhance the reputation and attractiveness of the Glenties area.

The delegation accknowledged that this is a long term project involving hard work, not least in the mammoth task of seeking funding in these difficult times, and said their first job is to acquire a premises and the old fire station has been identified by the committee as the most suitable site. Its acquisition from the council was the main focus of the meeting with the councillors. The councillors were very supportive of the project and assured the committee members of their help and co-operation. Further meetings are planned with council officials and with library service personnel .

If you know of a neighbour, friend or relative with Alzheimer symptoms have them join us for a Social Day every Thursday in the Glenties Day Centre. Transport and lunch will be provided. Contact Catriona at 087 7653914.

‘Fetac Level 5’ 3 day Course in Occupational First Aid will be held on 30th, 31st March and 1st April. Call Glenties Community Centre on 074 9557880 for details. Limited places are available.

A Table Quiz in aid of Tidy Towns will be held in Paddy’s Bar on Friday 6th March and a Table Quiz will take place in the Community Centre on Friday 10th April at 7.00 p.m. also for Tidy Towns.

Sincere sympathy is extended to the family relatives and friends of Maureen O’ Brien, Stranorlar who died recently in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Her remains were taken home for burial on Friday 6th February. Her husband Dr. John O’ Brien predeceased her some years ago. Three brothers, Charlie, Jimmy and Paul and two sisters, Nellie Mc Dermott and Nan Mc Gill also predeceased her. Maureen nee Dunleavy was the last surviving member of the family of Joe and Agnes Dunleavy, Meenahalla, Glenties.

The 11.00 a.m. Mass in St. Connell’s Church, on Sunday 15th February will be celebrated as the Family Mass.

The Sacrament of Confirmation for the Parish of Iniskeel will be administered for 5th & 6th Classes in St. Connell’s Church on Sunday 29th March at 11.00 a.m.

The children from St. Riaghan’s, Kilkenny N.S. and Scoil Mhuire will receive their First Holy Communion on Saturday 2nd May at 11.00a.m. Mass in Glenties and the children from Edeninfagh N.S. will receive their First Holy Communion on Sunday 3rd May at 9.30a.m. Mass in Edeninfagh.

The GARR Centre [Ní neart go cur le cheile].
In these times of economic doom and gloom it is inspiring to see people come together to plan for a brighter future for their area. Three members of the Glenties Area Rural Resource Centre Committee met with their local councillors in Donegal County Council Offices in Dungloe recently to seek their support for the GARR Centre project. They outlined their plans for a centre that would cater for the recreational, educational and economic needs of the Glenties area. It is intended that the proposed Centre would house a new library, a youth café, and internet and video conference centre, meeting rooms, micro recording studio and mini community radio station along with broadband wired serviced offices for letting. All of these amenities would make the area more attractive for start up businesses, be a resource for those involved locally in the tourist and other enterprises and enhance the reputation and attractiveness of the Glenties area. This is a long term project involving hard work, not least the mammoth task of seeking funding in these difficult times. The committee’s first job is to acquire a premises and the old fire station has been identified by the committee as the most suitable site. Its acquisition from the council was the main focus of the meeting with the councillors, who were very supportive of the project and assured the committee members of their help and co-operation. Further meetings are planned with council officials and with library service personnel. We wish the committee every success. The GARR Centre committee members are; Francis Brennan, Anne Connaghan, Anne Gallagher, Martin Breslin, Anne Mc Gill, [Treasurer] Michael Ward, [Acting Chairman] Christopher Nethercoat [Secretary].

Scouting Ireland
If you are interested in the setting up of a Beaver / Cub Troop in Glenties, come along to a meeting in the Highlands Hotel on Wednesday 18th February at 8.00p.m.

Downstrands Family Resource Centre – Night Classes
Beginners Cake Decorating with Oonagh Fields, starting on Tuesday 17th February in Resource room in the Dolmen Centre from 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. The cost is €65 for 8 weeks. The Resource Centre is currently taking names for other classes – Internet & E-mail – mornings in Glenties and evenings in Kilclooney, Creel making in Portnoo. To book a place or for more information on any of these classes please contact 074 9545879 or see posters locally. Classes will run subject to demand and will start before the end of February.

Pat Ward, Michael Gallagher and James Griffin are taking part in a 500-kilometre cycle challenge from the 19th to the 24th July in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation.

We would be most grateful for any support you could give us by way of donation or sponsorship. Tea and scones will be served in the Community Centre after mass on Sat.14th and Sun.15th Feb.

Your support would be appreciated.