Arranmore Challenge Fixtures now available for June Bank Holiday weekend 2015

Courtesy Mat.Loughnane

Arranmore Pipe Band at Rannagh Park

The Arranmore Challenge is an annual 7-a-side football tournament held every June Bank Holiday weekend. 16 teams compete over the 2 days for the cup and bragging rights.

The current reigning champions are Finn Harps.

For further details http://arranmorechallenge.com

 

2013 Champions Real Lypis Courtesy Hugh Early

Groups

groupA	groupB	groupC	groupD
Finn Harps Youths	The Rebels	Midland Warriors	St. Annes
Tory Celtic	F.C. Palatico	FC Internazionale	Damo's Dream
Stonecutters	Riverside F.C.	Real Lypis	Northern Tunnelling
Barhale	Arranmore Utd.	Gallagher Tunnelling	Clannad Celtic

Group Games

Day 1, 11:30	Finn Harps Youths	-	-	Tory Celtic
Day 1, 11:55	Stonecutters	-	-	Barhale
Day 1, 12:20	The Rebels	-	-	FC Palatico
Day 1, 12:45	Riverside FC	-	-	Arranmore Utd
Day 1, 13:10	Midland Warriors	-	-	FC Internazionale
Day 1, 13:35	Real Lypis	-	-	Gallagher Tunnelling
Day 1, 14:00	St. Annes	-	-	Damo's Dream
Day 1, 14:25	Northern Tunnelling	-	-	Clannad Celtic
Day 1, 14:50	Finn Harps Youths	-	-	Stonecutters
Day 1, 15:15	The Rebels	-	-	Riverside F.C.
Day 1, 15:40	Tory Celtic	-	-	Barhale
Day 1, 16:05	F.C. Palatico	-	-	Arranmore Utd
Day 1, 16:30	Midland Warriors	-	-	Real Lypis
Day 1, 16:55	FC Internazionale	-	-	Gallagher Tunnelling
Day 1, 17:20	St. Annes	-	-	Northern Tunnelling
Day 1, 17:45	Damo's Dream	-	-	Clannad Celtic
Day 2, 11:30	Finn Harps Youths	-	-	Barhale
Day 2, 11:55	Tory Celtic	-	-	Stonecutters
Day 2, 12:20	The Rebels	-	-	Arranmore Utd
Day 2, 12:45	F.C. Palatico	-	-	Riverside F.C.
Day 2, 13:10	Midland Warriors	-	-	Gallagher Tunnelling
Day 2, 13:35	FC Internazionale	-	-	Real Lypis
Day 2, 14:00	St. Annes	-	-	Clannad Celtic
Day 2, 14:25	Damo's Dream	-	-	Northern Tunnelling

Cian Sweeney to represent Donegal Town in NFTE Regional Final

Cian Sweeney

Cian is the winner in the junior competition of Foróige NFTE, Donegal town, and will attend the regional finals at LYIT, Letterkenny on Thursday 19^th March 2015.  The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is a cutting edge, world recognised, youth entrepreneurship education and development programme.  It is managed and provided by Foróige in Ireland.

For anyone that knows Cian, his first love is machines with motors.  They come in all shapes and sizes but mostly if there is a boat attached, you will have his attention.  But he will settle for cars and interestingly now sewing machines.  Cian attends Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí with his siblings, Cormac and Aoibhe.  His other interests include playing the bagpipes and is planning to join the Arranmore Pipe band at the earliest opportunity.

When he saw his Mother, Arranmore woman, Annette (Mary Eddie) Gallagher making the most intricate patchwork for gifts for her friends and family he had an idea.  He wanted to enter the Foróige NFTE competition to make money making Christmas decorations. 

Annette supported his venture by helping him with costings; materials, labour and she also supplied the material from her various sources garnered from around the world.    The fabric used was sourced from New York City, Glasgow, Dublin, Limerick and Buncrana.  The patterned fabric from the different sources provided a unique look to the craftwork made by Donegal Town's Enterprising youngster.  Cian also sourced local tweed from Hanna Hats.

In Donegal Town, at the Foróige NFTE final, Cian was interviewed by a 2 judge panel, Susan O'Reilly - Bank Manager of Bank of Ireland and Nathalie Cannon - Administrator for Foróige in Donegal Town.  He came armed with his dossier which included photographs and a set of accounts.  He was unable to show his craftwork as he had sold out of produce at the Christmas market and had borrow ones to show the judges.  When asked 'Would you change anything about your business? Cian responded 'No, but I would expand my product line to make crafts for all occasions and not just for Christmas'. 

Donegal Town's youth officer, Kerry Gallagher remarked "Cian gave a fantastic presentation at the local business plan competition and completely wowed the judges with his enthusiasm and skills. His products are amazing and they could tell how much time and effort he puts into his business. Cian is an exceptional young person and we are very proud of him in the DECK Youth Project. We wish him all the best in Letterkenny where we have no doubt he will impress the judges with his products"

Cian is preparing for his next launch which is coming soon.  We wish Cian the luck of the Irish as he attends the regional final on Thursday 19th in LYIT in Letterkenny.

Story: Shirley Gallagher

Photos: Annette Gallagher

Arainn Mhor's Children's Christmas Party 2014 at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh on Sunday 21st December at 2pm

Colour in the picture of Santa Claus by printing and using pencils or using Paint on the Computer

It is now 20 years ago since the Children's Christmas party was formed by Margaret Baoille, Mary, Anne and Bernadette Boyle and Shirley Gallagher.  We raised enough money in the first year to have another party the following year. That tradition has continued as various children have grown and different Mothers have managed the party down through the years.  Bernadette Boyle has been the longest serving member having only stepped down when Brendan went to secondary school.

It is managed so much more professionally now.  Last year, John Greene was the DJ and Santa Claus had a beautiful grotto created by the Begleys.  Margaret Mary made our first one with wallpaper lining which was very artistically decorated.   Santa came by fire brigade and young and old gathered at the Ionad to see Santa, and catch up with each other.  Many islanders return for the festive season and ensure their children meet with their cousins and friends living on the island.  The list of children is printed so they know when their turn is to see the Santa Claus and there are gifts for the children that are hand picked!  

The party will run from 2-4pm on Sunday 21st December, the shortest day of the year, just days away from Christmas Day.  

Cost per child €10 includes present, photo, selection pack and a drink. 

Family Concessions will be announced nearer the date.  

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL so to avoid disappointment please book your child's place by contacting the Committee

The Committee now includes Siobhan Bonner Moose, Bernadette Mc Mahon, TC Boyle Gallagher and Mairead Murphy Gallagher.  An event has been created in Facebook but payment is essential to ensure your child's place.  Click to goto Facebook Event

 

Once Hallowe'en is over it will be time to sing

You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town  

from http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics

 

See you soon!

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