Gweedore Notes – 27th April 2012

Widespread shock and sadness was caused by the sudden death of Mícheál Doherty, which occurred at his home in Magheraclogher on Monday week last. He was aged 71 years, and he was preparing to go to work in the bog when he suddenly took ill and passed away some time afterwards. The family spent many years living in Glasgow.
In his youth Mícheál played football with distinction with the Gaoth Dobhair team. He was on the Gaoth Dobhair team which defeated rivals Dungloe with the score line 2-5 to 0-6 in the Senior Chahampionship at Letterkenny in 1961. One of the offertory gifts brought to the altar was the medal he won that day. He was very proud of that medal and two of his sons, Mícheál and Nickey went on to play football with distinction.
Mícheál Eoghain Eoin was a good man and his religion was very important to him. He was a true family man totally devoted to his wife, sons, daughters and grandchildren. He will be sorely missed by them. His positive outlook was always being cheerful and looking on the bright and funnier side of life.
His funeral mass was celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Derrybeg on Wednesday April 18th. The church was packed to capacity a clear indication of the high esteem in which the deceased and his family are held. The main celebrant of the mass was Fr. Brian Ó Fearraigh, Seiplineach Phobal Scoil Ghaoth Dobhair and he was assisted by: An Dr. Ró- Oirmh. Pádraig Ó Baoighill, Sagart Paróiste Ghaoth Dobhair, An tAthair Ró-Oirmh. Seán Ó Gallchóir, Sagart Paróiste Ghort a’ Choirce, Rev. Fr. Denis Quinn, P.P., Falcarragh, Rev. Fr. Michael Herrity, P.P., Annagry and Rev. Fr. Hugh Sweeney, P.P., Glenswilly. The first lesson was read by his daughter, Catherine, and his son, Mícheál read the second lesson.  The offertory gifts were brought to the altar by his grand children. Cór Mhuire, Doirí Beaga of which his wife, Gráinne is a member performed during the Requiem Mass. The organist was Baba Brennan and the psalms were sung by Eileen Nic Suibhne [daughter-in-law]. Following the mass he was laid to rest in Magheragallon cemetery. Among the many mourners was Sinn Féin President. Gerry Adams, MLA Pat Doherty, and many other political representatives. He is survived by his wife, Gráinne, sons, Mícheál, Pearse Doherty , T.D., and Nickey, daughters, Catherine, Fionnuala and Tara, grand children, brothers, Condy Doherty, [Magheragallon], Joe [living in Wales], and Owen, [England], sisters, Bridie Sharkey, [Annagry], Maggie O’Donnell [Glasgow], Sheila Boyle, [London], Rosie Doherty,  [Magheraclogher], and Sarah Curran, [Cotteen], in laws, family circle, relatives and friends, to all of whom deep sympathy is extended.

Comhghairdeachas le Frances Nic Géadaigh, RTÉ, Raidió na Gaeltachta  a bhain Pearsa Raidió na Bliana ag Féile na Meán Ceilteach a bhí ar siúl  an tseachtain seo caite.

At the weekly whist drive in Scoil Mhuire, Derrybeg on Monday, April 16th, Síle Boyle, Rann na Feirsde with a score of 173 points won top score prize. First lady’s prize with a score of 173 points was won by Susan McCole, Dore and second lady’s prize with a score of 170 points went to Nóirín Houston, Gortahork.  First gent’s prize with a score of 169 points was won by Hughie Gillespie, Srath na Corcra while second gent’s prize with a score of 163 points was won by Hughie Duffy, Annagry.

The month’s mind mass for the late Cathal McGee, Arduns will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Derrybeg this Friday evening at 7.00p.m.

Dunlewey Soccer Club is running a dance in aid of Relay For Life [ Cancer Association of Ireland] in the Cúirt Hotel on Sunday May 6th.  Music by Séamus McGee and tickets available from the following outlets, An Chúirt Hotel or  Roarty’s Shop, Dunlewey. Further information available by ringing 087 2134438.

A Tea Day in aid of Alzheimer’s Association will be held in the Gaoth Dobhair Day Care Centre, Derrybeg this Sunday starting at 12.30p.m. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

In the CLG Ghaoth Dobhair lotto draw on the 18th April the jackpot prize was not won. The following won consolation prizes: Dinny Ó Fearraigh, Srath Caonach, Greagóir Mac Giolla Easbuic. Kilcar, Joe Diver, Cois Cláidigh, Máire McCole, Carraig a’ tSeascainn, Máire Doohan, Curransport, Grainne O’Donnell, Carrickfinn and Seán hAnraoi Ó Gallchóir, Magheraclogher. In the next draw the jackpot prize will be 950 euro.

The sympathy of the community is extended to Caitríona Gallagher [wife of Hughie Rua Gallagher], Carrick, Derrybeg on the death of her father, John Gannon, Co. Mayo which occurred last week.

A table quiz in aid of the Gaoth Dobhair Branch of St. Vincent de Paul held every Thursday at 10p.m. in Teach Sheáin Óig, Middletown.

Steve Ó Cúláin has been appointed Chief Executive of Údarás na Gaelatchta. A native of Spideal, Co. Galway, Steve has worked with the Údarás since 1980. At the time of his new appointment he worked as Planning and Policy Manager with the ÚÍdarás. He is well known in Gaoth Dobhair and is a regular visitor to the area.  His wife, Nóirín [née Boyle], who taught in Scoil Chonaill, Bunbeg for a number of years is a native of Arduns, Gaoth Dobhair.

Beidh Lá Glantacháin ar siul i Mín Doire Dhamh ar an tSathairn, 28ú Aibreán. Tá an Lá Glantacháin seo a eagrú an Coiste Forbartha an bhaile.   Beidh málaí agus miotóga ar fáil ó bhaill an choiste.

The death occurred at the Arch View Lodge Nursing Home last week of Mrs. Nellie Callaghan, Rosemount, Letterkenny. The deceased, who was originally from Dunlewey, Gaoth Dobhair was aged 95 years. The deceased worked for many years in the administration department at the former Elm Bank premises, Main Street, Letterkenny. She has also been actively involved in a number of fund-raising projects.
Her funeral mass was celebrated in St. Eunan’s Cathedral on Thursday last and afterwards she was laid to rest in the family plot at Conwal cemetery. She is survived by her son, Jim, daughter in-law, Kay, grand children, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends, to all of whom sincere sympathy is extended.

Gaoth Dobhair teacher, Mairéad Nic Suibhne, has been appointed to the board of TG4 by the Minister for Communications, at Rabbitte. Mairéad who is originally from Knockastolar, Bunbeg lives in  Carrick, Derrybeg. She is Principal of Scoil Eoin Pól in Loughanure. A graduate of St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra and Dublin City University, she also holds a PGCE in Primary Education from Jordanhill College, Glasgow. She is a daughter of Mr. Jimmy and Péig Sweeney, Knockastolar.

Any family willing to provide accommodation [two weeks]  for two children from Chernobyl in July should contact Máire at 95 31872 or Bernie at 087 9353953 or Ann at 087 2112013.

Congratulations to Mr. Eddie and Mrs. Mary O’Donnell, Dore who celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on Monday. They were married in the former St. Mary’s Church, Derrybeg on April 23rd, 1952. Eddie, who is better known locally as Eddie Winnie is originally from Cúl an Chnoic, Annagry, while Mary a member of the McGee family hails from Dore. The best man at their weeding was John Winnie O’Donnell, who is Eddie’s twin brother, while the bridesmaid was the late Nellie McDevitt, Loughkeel, Crolly [Mary’s cousin]. They have a family of eight, Fr. Frankie, James, Joseph, Winnie, Anne, Maureen, Patricia and Bríd. They are wished many more happy years together. The Diamond Wedding Anniversary was part of a double event celebrated recently by the family. Fr. Frankie who is serving as Parish Priest in Foxrock, Dublin visited his Dore home to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his ordination.

At last Sunday night’s bingo in Ionad Pobail Chnoc Fola the main prize winners were: 130 euro, Pádraig O’Donnell, Cotteen. The following won 100 euro each: Annie McGarvey, Brinaleck, Michael O’Brien, Derryconnor, Máire McGee, Carrick, Jackie Gallagher, Srath Caonach, Willie Diver, Lunniagh and Anthony Kearney, Cnoc na Naomh.

A presentation function in honour of Pól Mac Aodha, An Charraig, Doirí Beaga, who recently retired as principal of Scoil Phádraig, Dore was held in Teach Jack, Glassagh on Saturday night. It was organised by Craobh an Earagail of Cumann Múinteoirí  Éireann [INTO], and present were his family and teachers from schools throughout the parish. A presentation was made to him on behalf of the union by Anna Ní Chuireáin, who has replaced him as principal in Scoil Phádraig, Dobhar. Bernie Ní Dhuibhir, Cathaoirleach of Craobh an Earagail of Cumann Múinteoirí Éireann presented his wife, Nóirín with flowers.
Pól received his primary education in Scoil Bhríde, Mín a’ Chladaigh where his late father, Seán Mac Aodha was principal. He received his post primary education in Ard Scoil Mhuire, Magheraclogher and in Pobal Scoil Chloich Cheann Fhaola, Falcarragh. He studied in University College Galway from 1974 to 1977 where he graduated with a B.A Degree. From 1977 to 1978 he studied at Colaiste Bean Tiarna na Trócaire  where he gradated with Iár Chéim Bun-Oideachais. He spent the following two years studying at Coláiste Phádraig, Maynooth, and he was presented Ard Teastas Oideachais.
His first teaching appointment was in a Blancherstown school, where he taught for two years. He later moved to teach in Scoil Chomcille, Letterkenny and he spent three years in this school. In 1983 he was appointed to the teaching staff of Scoil Phádraig, Dore when the late Patrick Joe Friel retired. He was appointed principal of the school when Seimí Ó Duibhir retired. During his time as principal he had overseen a major refurbishment and extension of the school which was officially opened four years ago.
Pól is married to the former Nóirín Nic Aodha, Ard na gCeapairí, Doirí Beaga, and they have two sons, Seán and Fiachra and a daughter, Fionnuala Mhic Gaotháin and one grand child, Fianna.

A collection in aid of Multiple Sclerosis was taken up outside St. Mary’s Church, Derrybeg on Saturday and Sunday and the total sum raised was €656-95.  The organising committee wish to thank all the collectors and everyone who contributed so generously.

Beidh Ranganna Scéalaíochta do pháistí bun scoile ag toiseacht sa Chrannóg, Doirí Beaga ar an27ú Aibrean ag 4.30i.n. Sraith sé seachtaine atá i gceist.

Beidh Bean na gCós sa Chrannóg, Doirí Beaga Dé hAoine seo 27ú ón 10.00r.n. go dtí 4.00i.n.

Beidh an tSeirbhís Saor Chomhairle Dlí Náisiúnta trí Ghaeilge leis an Abhcóide, Eithne Ní Dhochartaigh ar fáil sa Chrannóg Dé Satharn 28ú Aibreán idir 2.00 agus 4.00i.n.  Eolas ó 0479532208.

The Donegal Down Syndrome will have their annual church gate collection this weekend, [Saturday and Sunday]. Please give generously and help in the mission of promoting equality, inclusion and choices for Down Syndrome members in the county.

Beidh an chead oíche eile [oíche airneáil]  ‘Cuisle Seanchais – Abair Leat’ ar siúl i Stiúideo Cuisle Ceoil, Ionad Naomh Pádraig ar an 26ú Aibreán ag toiseacht ar a 8 a chlog. Beidh an scríbhneoir agus file clúiteach Máire Dinny Wren de bhunadh Cois Cláidigh i mbun cainte agus filíochta agus i ag inse a scéal féin. Sólaistí ar fáil. Fáilte romhaibh uilig.

Beidh oíche eolais agus na torthaí ar shuirbhé a rinneadh i nGaoth Dobhair ar na mallaibh i gcomhair le Fóram Alcól Dhún na nGall a seoladh go hoifigiúil in Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Dobhar ar an Déardaoin 3ú Bealtaine ag 7.00 i.n.

Beidh oíche eolais ar alcól agus drugaí do dhéagóirí chomh maith le  Tráth na gCeist, Dioscó le manglaim neamh-mheisciúil ar siúl in Ionad Naomh Pádraig do Chlubanna Óige an cheantair Dé hAoine 4ú Bealtaine ag 8.00 i.n.Tuilleadh eolais ar na himeachtaí seo ar fáil ó Mháire no Anelene ag 074 9532949, nó cur ríomh phost chuig ionadnp@eircom.net