Donegal ETB Adult Education Classes

Art classes are due to start in October in water colours, acrylics and oils. Anyone interested in taking part are asked to contact Mary on 0876104782. Tutor: Kate Gallagher.

Donegal VEC name change

Fógra ar Athrú Ainm. Tá ainm Coiste Gairmoideachais Chontae Dhún na nGall athraithe anois go Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Dhún na nGall.
County Donegal VEC has now changed its name to Donegal ETB - Donegal Education and Training Board.

Dementia Care

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland are seeking carers with an interest of caring for people with dementia. No specific qualifications are necessary as training will be given in dementia care to suitable candidates. if interested contact Julie Mundy on 0749725372 or 0879040327. Positions available in Arranmore.

Faulty Street Lights

Please report faulty street lights - including pole number and location of light - to Comharchumann 07495 20533 for inclusion on the list of ESB repair/maintenance works due to take place in a fortnight.

Beach Cleanup

Clean Coasts Árainn Mhór beach cleanup, Saturday 27th September at 1pm. Meeting at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh. Come along and support!

Choosing Freedom, the conscious pursuit of personal values: Dr. Shirley ...

Centenary of Scoil Aphoirt

Aphort School 1925c. (Arranmore Links)

There will be a meeting to discuss plans to celebrate 100 years and the centenary of Scoil Aphoirt. The meeting will be held in Aphort school this Thursday, 25th September, at 4pm. Anyone interested in being on the committee is very welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you there. The clothes collection for fundraising will end this Friday. Please drop all your unwanted clothing into the school on or before Friday, 26th September. Thank you.

Irish Classes

Léirithe suime - Ranganna Gaeilge

Expressions of Interest - Irish classes

Enrol now with Comharchumann Arainn Mhór for Irish classes due to commence in Autumn 2014.

Tel; 0749520533

Road Repairs

Tá an comharchumann ag cur liosta do bhóithre chontae an oileáin a bhfuil poill iontu, i gceann a chéile don Co Co. Déan teagmháil leis an chomharchumann chun na bóithre chontae ar a bhfuil obair chothabhála ag teastail orthu a chur ar an liosta.

An comharchumann is on behalf of Donegal Co Co, compiling a list of county roads on the island which require pothole repair works. Contact an comharchumann to add county roads which require maintenence works to the list.

County Roads are roads which are maintained by the Council.
Non-county roads are not maintained by the Council.

Lifeboat Church Gate Collection

Thanks to all who supported the Lifeboat church gate collection. The amount raised was €761.

Scoil Aphoirt

To raise funds for our school, we are collecting unwanted clothes, shoes bedding, mobile phones, soft toys etc. We would really appreciate if anyone who may have unwanted clothes etc. to drop them into the school. We will be taking clothes until Friday 26th September. Go raibh maith agaibh.

FAS Vacancies

There are several FAS vacancies in the Day Centre in October. This is training scheme designed to retain people who are long term unemployed to return to work. Please call 0876651518 for further information.

ALL-IRELAND GAA GLORY FOR ARRANMORE MEN

Arranmore Island caused a huge shock by winning the Island All-Ireland Gaelic football tournament on Arranmore yesterday afternoon.

This hugely popular annual event brings all the islands together in September of every year. Representing Donegal, Arranmore have had a very poor record in this tournament and had never progressed past the group stages. However, on home soil, the lads defied the odds and hopefully have paved the way for the Donegal minor and seniors to bring more All-Ireland trophies back to the hills.

Despite Arranmore being a soccer stronghold, many of the island lads have sporadically represented GAA clubs in Donegal, Derry and Dublin as well as further afield in Chicago, London and New York. This weekend, Arranmore men and diaspora made a huge effort to come home and along with members of Arranmore Utd, they gelled and played some absolutely scintillating football.

Arranmore lost their first group game to defending champions Clare Island from Mayo but managed to qualify for the semi final as they narrowly beat Whiddy Island from Cork. Despite being down 6 points in the semi-final against Inis Bofin from Galway, the Arranmore men scored 10 unanswered points to progress to the final where once again they were up against Clare Island. Both teams were lead onto the field by the Arranmore pipe band and a huge crowd of 600 Gaels were treated to a memorable final.

In a hard, physical but fair match both teams traded blow for blow and score for score which had the spectators on the edge of their seats. Clare island who were going for four in a row started the better. But the underdogs, who had huge support from the locals and from other Islands, slowly but surely turned the screw and ran out very worthy winners on a score line of 1-14 to 1-11 with player of the tournament Benny McGarvey scoring 8 points.

Other notable performances from the islanders were Shane and Blaine McGuckin, Daniel O’Donnell, Declan and Conor Proctor. When referee Myles Sweeney blew the final whistle there was both joy and disbelief from Arranmore and indeed other islands. Huge credit must go to Conal Kavanagh, Chris McGuckin and Neil Gallagher for gelling the team together at such short notice.

This annual event brings the islands together and this is a very special event which gives islanders a chance to both compete and socialise once a year. Upwards of 300 islanders from all over Ireland travelled to Arranmore which boosted the local economy greatly.

Arranmore didn’t fare out as well in the ladies tournament which was won by a very young and talented Clare Island side. Next year the tournament will be held in Inis Turk in County Mayo where Arranmore will proudly defend and represent Tìr Chonaill.

Story by Donegal Daily

Pipe Band AGM, September 11th 2014

Photo: Maureen McCafferty

The Arranmore Pipe Band will hold its AGM on Thursday 11th September at 8pm in Killeens. Could all parents and members please attend. There are important issues to be discussed and the date has been moved forward to accommodate the new students starting college later this month. It is important that as many people as possible attend. Thank you.

Lifeboat Church Gate Collection

Thanks to all who supported the Lifeboat church gate collection. The amount raised was €761.

Community Walking Leader Training

CFFAM in association with Rosses CDP, the Irish Heart Foundation and The Green prescription are organising community walking leader training next month. Call 07495 20024 to book.

Duration: Weekend (11 hours total)

Community Walking Leader Training is primarily aimed at people wishing to lead a walking group or promote walking in the community or workplace. The course comprises of a weekend of training and a 4 week leader challenge.

All weekend courses start at 9.00am on Saturday morning and finish on Sunday afternoon (please see timetable below).

Course Content
Current recommendations for health enhancing physical activity for adults, and how they relate to walking
The main elements of a health-enhancing walking session
Prescribing walking programmes suitable for people of different fitness levels
Advice on issues such as posture, technique, stretching, intensity, clothing, etc.
Safety issues
Planning walking sessions and programmes
Developing a Slí na Sláinte route
How to start your own walking group
Practical walking sessions
Weekend Training Course

Saturday 9am Morning session
11am Tea/coffee
11.20am Morning session continued
1pm Lunch
1.40pm Afternoon session
3.20pm
Break
3.40pm
Afternoon session continued
5pm Close

Sunday 9am Morning session
11am Tea/coffee
11.20am Morning session continued
1.20pm Lunch
2pm Close

4 week leader challenge

Once participants complete the Community Walking Leader Training Course they will be set a challenge of leading a 4 week walking programme within their community to put their training to work. You will be provided with a logbook to record your progress for the challenge. Once we receive your completed logbook you will be certified as an Irish Heart Foundation community walking leader.

Local leaders forum
As a follow up to the training, you may be asked to meet with the Local Sports Partnership representative responsible for walking in your county. This will be a chance to meet up with your fellow leaders and to share your experiences and ideas on promoting walking in your community. The Local Sports Partnership, in conjunction with the Irish Heart Foundation, will provide support and advice to you as a trained community walking leader.

GAA Weekend

Arranmore is the 2014 host to the All Islands GAA Weekend on Friday 5th September. Anyone wishing to donate baked goods and desserts for their Friday evening buffet, can drop them off at the Day Centre on Friday 5th September no later than 2pm. Many thanks in advance for your contribution.

All Island Football Weekend on Arainn Mhor from Friday 5th until Sunday 7th September 2014

Donegal V Mayo

250 islanders expected on Friday evening on the island of Arainn Mhor.  Arainn Mhor last hosted this evetn 10 yearss ago.  An Evening Meal is available for all visiting islanders where the draw will be made.  Games will kick off on Saturday at Rannagh Park at 9am starting with Ladies Football.   Please note there will be a TV crew on the island during the festivities. 

Unfortunately, this year the Galway teams are unavailable due to a clash with their champions league, so this weekend’s football will miss Inis Oir and Inis Mor.  

 

Aranmore Pipe Band on Rannagh Park

The Arranmore Pipe Band will be out in force to play the teams on.  There will be plenty of ceol agus craic at the various establishments throughout the island.  The Island weekend has been in existence for many years and it is generally on the 2nd weekend in September.  Last year it was held in Inis Oir where the players and watchers alike got sunburnt on the Saturday.  I swam with a sea full of jellyfish.  But a very squally Sunday had us racing for the ferry back to Doolin just in case we got stuck in as the atlantic waves rose higher. 

Rannagh Park, to the right of the 1st pier beyond Aphort strand

7 Mens Teams	5 Ladies Teams
Arainn Mhor – 2 teams	Whiddy
Clare	Inis Mor
Inisbofinne	Inis Bofin
InisTuirc	Clare
Whiddy	Arainn Mhor
Bere Island

The island of Arainn Mhor, Rannagh Park is at 9 o'clock position with ferry pier at 3 o'clock position

The Committee

Conal Kavanagh, Marian Quinn, Sadie Bonner, Sally Brady, Marjory Early O Donnell, Sheila Phost, Alec Brown, Patrick Poolawaddy O Donnell, John Sailor Boyle, Michael Early. 

Last Minute Accommodation can be booked through Conal Kavanagh T:087 2930091

Written by Shirley Gallagher, who is sad she will not be there for a mighty weekend.

Photos Courtesy of the Web