News on November 22nd 2001

There is great excitement in St. Columba’s Comprehensive School as the students get ready to stage The Rocky Monster Show, their first musical for this millennium. This Show, specially written for schools, comes from the pen of Malcom Sircom who also wrote Ebenezer, the school’s 1999 production. Jim Rafferty and Anne Gallagher have adapted the setting to Ballydaft, ‘a remote village somewhere in Donegal’. The locals are upset by ‘ the strange goings on up at the castle’. Well they might be with characters like Igor, Mrs Danvers, the crazy housekeeper and Professor Fenton, a rock star from the sixties now engaged in genetic research. There is talk of ‘ something in the woodshed’ and the fact that the Professor is related to Baron Frankenstein adds to the mystery. Sixties music abounds and the dancing as ever is lively and varied. Students, parents, past pupils and staff join in this monster rock musical and all look forward to entertaining bumper crowds on December 10th, 12th, 14th and 15th, with a special matinee performance on Sunday 9th, for those children brave enough to come!

Last Saturday 24th November 2001 was a great day for St. Columba’s Comprehensive School, Glenties when Thomas Gildea T.D officially opened their new Sportsfield , which was named ‘Pairc Mhic Giolla De. It will be a great asset for the school and surrounding areas.

Congratulations to Conor Mc Closkey, Pauric O’ Donnell and Sean Solly who recently received the National Diploma in Professional Accounting at Athlone Institute of Technology. Conor is a son of Zeta and the late Seamus Mc Closkey, Main Street, Pauric is a son of Patrick and Mary Rose O’ Donnell, Tullyard Road, and Sean is a son of Geoff and Rose Solly, Station Road, Glenties. The three lads are past pupils of Scoil Mhuire and St. Columba’s Comprehensive, School, Glenties.

Congratulations to Mary and Shaun Paul Byrne, Carn, Ballybofey on the birth on 1st November 2001 of their second child, a little brother for Ruth. Mary is a daughter of Phil and Nora Gallagher, Buncrubog, Glenties.

Congratulations to Fergus and Breege Roarty, Ard Mc Gill, Glenties who celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary recently.

The death took place at his home on Monday 19th November2001 of Neilie O’ Donnell, Meenadina, Glenties. He had been in failing health for some time. His remains were brought to St. Connell’s Church, Glenties on Wednesday morning. Fr. Patrick Prendergast P.P. Glenties assisted by Fr. Daly, Kilclooney celebrated Requiem Mass. Burial took place in the New Cemetery. Neilie is survived by his wife, Annie, sons, Patrick, Tullyard Road, Glenties, Fonsie and John U.S.A. Brendan, Letterkenny, daughters, Nicola, Meenadina, Mary, Meenahalla, Glenties, Aggie, Kilclooney, Margaret, U.S.A., brother, Johnny, Stranaglough, sisters, Madge Gallagher, Station Road, Bridie Brown, Ardconnell, Glenties, grandchildren and other relatives and friends.

The community was shocked and saddened when the news came through of the sudden death in New York on Thursday 15th November 2001 of Francis Melly, Glen Road, Glenties. On Monday 19th Mass was celebrated in New York, where he had lived and worked for the past nine years, before his remains were taken to the airport on the first leg of the journey home, where they arrived on Tuesday. Fr. Nigel Ó Gallachóir assisted by Fr. Eddie Gallagher and Fr. Adrian Gavigan celebrated Requiem Mass on Thursday morning. Francis was buried in the New Cemetery with his father Francie, who died when he was a little boy, and whose remains were also brought home from New York. His mother, Tessie, only brother Mathew, sister-in-law Michelle, nephews, Ryan and Cáilum, uncles, aunts and other relatives survive him.

Patrick Toland died recently in Glasgow. He was the last surviving member of the family of the late James and Mary Toland, Aughla, Glenties and was predeceased by his brothers, John, James and Neil.

Mary Cruise died in Dublin last week. She was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie O’Donnell, who owned O’Donnell’s Hotel, Glenties many years ago (where the Highlands is now). Three sons and three daughters, one brother Mick, two sisters, Katty and Joan survive her. Her husband and brother, Frank predeceased her.

Sympathy to all the bereaved.