Glenties Notes on July 7th 2005

Best wishes to our new Post Mistress, Edel Breslin, who took over her new position on Friday last. Edel is from Cork and is married to local man Michael Breslin, Glen Road, Glenties. Best wishes also and many thanks to her predecessor, Nancy Mc Loone, who has retired due to ill health. Nancy served the community well for many years and has always been more than helpful during those years.

The 25th Annual Patrick MacGill Summer School & Arts Week will be held in Glenties from Sunday 17th – Friday 22nd July. The Theme this year is ‘A Plan for Ireland 2005 – 2030’. All events on Sunday take place in the Highlands Hotel. During the week all morning and afternoon events are in the Hotel and evening events are in St. Columba’s Comprehensive School. The Official Opening by H.E. The French Ambassador M.Frederic Grasset is at 8.30p.m. followed by The Fifth Annual John Hume Lecture delivered by Mrs. Nuala O’Loan, Police Ombudsman for N. Ireland will be in the Ballroom of the Highlands Hotel. Patrick MacGill Poetry Awards is at 5.30p.m. and the Opening of Exhibition of Paintings by Johnny Boyle is at 6.15p.m.

Among the well-known names on the guest list this year are – Dr. Diarmuid Martin, Dr. Robin Eames, Joe Little, Brid Rodgers, Seamus Brennan, Fr. Peter Mc Verry, SJ, Dr. Mick Loftus, Joan Burton, George Lee, Michael Mc Dowell, Liz Mc Manus, John Gormley, Noel Demsey, Ruairi Quinn, Mary Lou Mc Donald, Dr. Garret Fitzgerald, Martin Mc Guinness, Mark Durkin, Mary Hanafin, Pat Rabitte and many more. As well as the Lectures at night there will be lots of things to do during the day, Art Classes, Painting and Sketching Courses for adults and children, Exhibitions and Workshops. Among the exhibitions will be a new exhibition of Donegal Photographs by local man Denis Tynan.

Colm Melly, Glenties has written a book about life in Donegal from the thirties to the present day. It will be launched on Monday 18th July at 5.30p.m. in the Highlands Hotel, Glenties at the MacGill Summer School.

On Saturday 25th June 2005 Mary Ford and Brendan Gormley were married in St. Connell’s Church, Glenties. Fr. Larry Crowe, a friend of the groom, officiated and celebrated Nuptial Mass. Mary is a daughter of Michael and Peggy Ford, Letterkenny and granddaughter of the late Andy and Mary Mc Nelis, Ardconnell, Glenties and Brendan is a son of Tony and Marie Gormley, Tallaght, Dublin. Her parents gave the bride away. Jean and Paul Gormley, sister and brother of the groom were bridesmaid and bestman. Readings were by Sean and Michael Ford, the bride’s brothers. Her friend, Julie-Ann Somers, read Prayers of the Faithful. The parents of the bride and groom brought the Gifts to the Altar. The reception was held in Harvey’s Point Hotel, Lough Eske, Donegal Town and the honeymoon was spent in Dubai and Thailand.

The Swimming and Water Safety Classes in Narin and Portnoo have been rescheduled to avoid a clash with the GAA Summer Camp in Ardara. The week will be running from 25th – 30th July. All are very welcome.

Congratulations to the boys and girls from Fintown who received their First Holy Communion on Sunday 29th May 2005. They were – Conal Mc Geehan, Siobhan Mc Devitt, Catherine Mc Gill, Sarah Timoney, Liam Brennan, Liam Mc Devitt, Catherine Bonner, Pádraig Ó Baoill, Edel Ellis and James Mc Kelvey.

Sincere sympathy is extended to the family, relatives and friends of Joe Coyle, Jnr. formerly of Tangavane, Glenties, who died in Scotland last week.

Sincere sympathy is extended to Mary Ita Boyle, Maas, Glenties on the death last week of her brother, Seamie Harkin, Rosbeg and also to his family, relatives and friends.