Glenties Notes on August 2nd 2001

The Harvest Fair Festival is being held this year from Saturday September 8th through to Wednesday 12th. This year’s committee have been holding regular Wednesday night meetings for the past few months. The programme of events is finalised and was sent to the printers last week, so hopefully the programmes will be available for distribution this weekend. A number of annual events are included and a number of novel new ones should provide entertainment for all ages. One of the new ones is a laser games battle arena, which is being set up in the Limelight at 4.30p.m. on the Sunday. This is an event not to be missed by the young and not so young. A number of marching bands are organised for the Sunday Street Parade together with vintage cars, ‘Farmers Trot’ and Children’s Fancy Dress. It is so important that local business’ clubs and committees enter street floats in this parade and plans should be well advanced at this stage. Unfortunately last year there was a very poor response so please start working / planning now. A pool competition is being held on the Monday and Tuesday evenings. Winner receives £100. Entries must be given to Alan Kee before Friday 7th September. Cards are in circulation locally for a fundraising event called ‘Message in a Bottle River Race’. Tickets are £1 each and please assist the committee by supporting this event. Guinness Ireland has agreed this year again to be involved as main sponsor and we are grateful. Local sponsorship will be collected shortly and a similar response to last year is expected.

The death took place in Killybegs Hospital of John Haughey, Dr. Mc Closkey Crescent and formerly of Mill Road, Glenties on Thursday 26th July 2001. His remains were brought to his home later that day and to St. Connell’s Church, Glenties on Friday evening. Fr. Patrick Prendergast celebrated Requiem Mass on Saturday morning. Music at Mass was by Sr. Immaculata on the organ. Burial took place in the New Cemetery. His only brother Patsy died in the United States some years ago. Sincere sympathy is extended to his nieces, nephews, sister-in-law, other relatives, friends and neighbours.

We were blessed with a beautiful afternoon for our annual Graveyard Mass in the New Graveyard, Glenties. There was a very big attendance again this year. Fr. Prendergast assisted by Fr. Denis Quinn celebrated the Mass. The graves were blessed before Mass and Rose Molloy recited the Rosary during the blessing.

Mass will be celebrated in Kilraine Graveyard on Thursday evening 9th August at 7.30p.m.

The annual Raphoe Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Saturday 18th August, led by Most Rev. Philip Boyce D.D., Bishop of Raphoe. Confessions begin at 11a.m. Mass will be celebrated at 3.00p.m. with Special Anointing & Blessing of the Sick during the Mass.

On Saturday 21st July 2001 Ann Melly and Patrick Patton were married in St. Connell’s Church, Glenties. Cousin of the bride, Fr. Paul Mc Geehan assisted by Fr. Patrick Prendergast officiated and celebrated Nuptial Mass. Ann is a daughter of James and Breid Melly, Strasallagh, Glenties and Patrick is a son of Patrick and Breid Patton, Letterkenny. Her father gave the bride away and two friends, Michelle Mc Dyer and Jane Mc Groary were bridesmaids. Noel Kelly was bestman and Rory O’Brien was groomsman, both friends of the groom. Amy O’Brien was flowergirl and Patrick Mc Cready was pageboy. Readings were by Sheila Patton and Mary O’Brien, sisters of the groom and Nora Mc Cready read the Psalm. Robert O’Brien, Mary Gormley and Threasa Faulkner read Prayers of the Faithful. Both mothers brought the Gifts to the Altar. The reception was held in The Mill Park Hotel, Donegal and the honeymoon was spent in Rome.