Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada Win Radio Award

The Cumann Gaelach (Irish Society) in Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada on Arranmore Island have won first prize in Comórtas Raidió Gael Linn with their programme on Inishkeeragh Island. The programme focuses on the history of Inishkeeragh, the type of life people had there and the reasons why it was abandoned in the fifties. 

Micí Eddie Ó Gallachóir, Paddy Bhidí Ó Dónaill, Madge Uí Bhaoill and Willie Mhicí Ó Gallachóir were interviewed about the time they spent on Inishkeeragh. The pupils and teachers are very grateful to the interviewees for sharing their stories and time so generously with them. Four students, accompanied by their teacher, went to the RTÉ studio in Derrybeg on the 8th May 2014 to take part in the programme ‘Rónán Beo’ when the winners were announced live on air.

The school won a prize of €650 and a beautiful trophy. The school won first place in this same competition in 2011 and came in second place in 2012. Both students and staff are delighted with their achievement this year. Following Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada into second place was Coláiste Pobail Cholmcille from Tory Island with their drama called “Tóir ar Taibhsí” - between humor and terror in this drama about the events that occurred when young people went one night into a haunted house. This was very liked with the judges and they recommended the acting and the quality of language in the play.

Congratulations and well done to both schools on their unique achievements.

Story - Donegal VEC

Photo - Gael Linn

Projector Fund Raiser

Tickets are available to win a hamper in aid of projector for Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh. Tickets are on sale at the Post Office & Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh. A big Thank you to Colaiste Árainn Mhór who sponsored the hamper. €2 per line. Draw will take place on Friday 6th June during our jumble sale.

Jumble Sale

There will be a Jumble sale on Friday 6th June in the Community Centre. You can help by donating any items, e.g. any unwanted/unused gifts, scented candles, ornaments, pictures, clock’s, frames, books, cds, toys, board games, unused make up sets/perfume, electrical goods that are no longer in use but in working order. These items can be dropped into the hall on or before Friday 23rd May. The items do not need to be new but they must be in working order / fit for re-use and clean. Your support would be very much appreciated. Contact 0749520024 for more information.

Bealtaine Festival at the Day Centre

As part of the Bealtaine Festival the day centre will host an open day on Wednesday 28th May. The theme for the day is "Reminiscences of the Past". Clients of the day centre are asked to bring in anything used in their daily life. These can be old pots, cameras, washboards, churns and many other items that were used in everyday life when they were young. We would also invite members of the public who have old memorable items to bring them in, either on the day or the day before. Many of the items used have wonderful memories and stories attached and are a source of history. All of the items will be returned on the day. We would also appreciate an hour of our local musicians time on the day if you can come along. The Bealtaine Festival is an annual event which celebrates creativity as we age.

Arranmore Pipe Band Easter Collection

Many thanks to all who supported our church gate collection on Easter Weekend. We raised €1107.66. This will be used to purchase equipment and  new uniforms for new members. Thank you for your continued support.

Choir Practice

There is choir practice each Tuesday evening in the chapel at 7.00pm. All are welcome to join in.

Fish Handling and Smoking Course

There will be a fish handling and fish smoking course with Hal Dawson in association with Taste4Success Skillset beginning on Monday 19th May. Please call 07495 20024 to book your place on the course.

Clean Coast Árainn Mhór beach clean-up

Clean Coast Árainn Mhór will be holding a beach cleanup on the 17th May. Meeting point is at the community hall at 1.00pm. Please join in to make all of our beaches clean and tidy so they can be enjoyed by all! Bígí linn!

Donegal islands to go to the polls on Thursday May 22nd

It has been confirmed that Donegal’s islands will go to the polls one day ahead of the mainland in the European and Local Elections. Voters on the six Donegal islands, which have a total electorate of 753, will cast their ballots on Thursday May 22nd, with the rest of the county voting on Friay May 23rd.

It’s also been confirmed that on polling day, all papers will be placed in the same ballot box, and on Saturday May 24th, all ballot boxes will be brought to the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny, where the votes will be segregated and verified.

The European votes will then be sent to the count centre in castlebar, while votes cast in the local elections will be transferred to the individual count centres in the five electoral areas.

NOTICE OF POLL ON THE ISLANDS

I HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that Polling will take place on the Islands, as set out here-under on: 

THURSDAY, 22ND MAY, 2014

166   ARAINN MHOR S. N. – ATHPORT (10.30 a.m. – 7.30p.m.)      ATHPORT – AC
(Aphort N. S.) 

167 ARAINN MHOR S. N. – LEADHBGARBH - (10.30a.m. - 7.30p.m.) ARAINN MHOR – AG (Leabgarrow N. S.)

196 OILEAN GABHLA –Teach Seamus MacSuibhne - (11a.am. - 3p.m.) AN BUN BEAG – BS (Gola Island – House of James Sweeney) Nos. on Reg. 352-379 incl.

198 INIS BO FINNE – IONAD POBAIL (11a.m. – 3p.m.) INIS BO FINNE – BL (Inishbofin Community Centre)

199 INIS FRAOICH – Teach Philomena Currid (11a.m. – 3p.m.) INISFRAOICH- BM (Inishfree – House of Philomena Currid)

214 TORAIGH S. N. (11a.m. – 3p.m.) OILEAN TORAIGH – CR (Tory Island – N. S.)

GERALDINE O’CONNOR
EUROPEAN/LOCAL RETURNING OFFICER.


Story - Highland Radio News

Fundraiser Raised Smugglers Roof

Ownie Greene, Wee Neily Boyle and Paddy Dhonal in Smugglers in 2007

May Day Weekend came to the island with a hint of mist in the air.  After weeks of settled weather the Atlantic front came in with rain showers and the ever present wind.  In the 70’s, there were many ferrymen taking passengers to Arainn Mhor for a fare.  These were the days before the ferry service, and the only set time was the mail boat leaving Arainn, at 10 each weekday morning from Leabgarrow pier.  The Neily Phils had that contract, and still do; Danny still collects the mail from Noreen and Danny Martin each morning and delivers the mail from across the sea.    His brother, Wee Neily RIP passed away in 2012 and Sunday 4^th May saw the 2^nd remembrance day, a sponsor day for Donegal Hospice.  The day was a fitting tribute to Neily who was a great musician.  Neily played the accordion along with stalwarts Paddy Dhonal and Ownie Greene and he was also a member of the pipe band, playing the bagpipes.  

Dodging the showers the musicians from near and far came to play their part and they brought young and old with them.  Mary (James Mickey Mhor) Rodgers began the musical extravaganza with Trad na nOg, a collection of fine musicians and singers, singing sean nos and playing traditional Irish Music.  Unforgettable tunes such as Mary Black’s ‘Katie was sung so beautifully that it is still in my head days later.  

Bands from around the Rosses came from Mulladuff, Keadue, Crickamore, Dungloe Seniors, Maghery and of course Arainn Mhor Pipe band marched in and performed superbly.  Smuggler’s Night club AKA John Neilies, Neily Phils, the hall, and the disco was the venue.  It was a tight squeeze but the MC, Tubbsy, Thomas Costello, who cut his DJ teeth at the venue kept the tempo up and bands moving.  The bands prepared outside in the mist and waited their turn to perform in the crowded dance hall.  The Stacamor’s were there to support their family, providing refreshments for the bands.  Helen came from Manchester to be there with her brother’s, Mum and uncles.  Helen was accompanied from Manchester by Joe Eddie, Kathleen Gaughan and Tony Patsy.  Tony obviously didn’t tell his son, Patrick where he was going for the weekend as I am sure Patrick would have insisted he would have to tag along. 

There was a range of instruments from whistle, recorder, accordion, flute, melodica, bagpipes and of course the drums.  The tunes were a mixture of the old reliables such as ‘Mary from Dungloe’, Wearing of the Green’ and Roddy Mc Corley to the haunting melodies from the Mulladuff flute band.  The children were a joy to watch, some mesmerised, more dancing like there was no one watching.  Barney Og Grady kept his family on their feet, moving with the rhythm just like his Grandad, Barney the Dancer RIP. 

Darren Boyle and his co dancers

  

His cousin Darren O' Donnell, The Maghery band enchanted the crowd with a marching performance in the floor space that remained, to perfect timing with the band.  The bands played on down

towards the pier where both Red and Blue ferries freely carried the bands to the mainland once more.  The ferries ran till late in the evening allowing mainlanders to enjoy the island craic. The Arainn Mhor pipe band with Alec leading the charge and Patrick Poolawaddy on the lambeg drum played magnificently along with my nieces Rachel, Maggie
and many others.

Arainn Mhor Pipe Band

 A session followed with the Mickey Mhors, a musically talented Port family, who played with our regular island performers, Paddy on accordion and Connie on drums. 

Cian & Aoibhe Sweeney

€3,400 was raised on Sunday with donations and a raffle which had prizes galore.   A signed Celtic football shirt was auctioned to Cian Sweeney who was determined to get it and he did at €105. It was a fun day out and thanks to all who played their part.

Words by Shirley Gallagher  

Photographs by Mary Rodgers 

Smugglers full to capacity

Arranmore Utd Bring Season to Close

Arranmore Utd brought their season to a close away to Donegal Town at the weekend. Donegal came away with the 3 points needed for them to cement 2nd place and join ourselves in division 1 next year!

Missing one or two players due to injury Arranmore made a couple changes from the Milford game. To be fair to Donegal they came out of the blocks at blistering pace going up 3 - 0 with only 35 minutes gone. Arranmore got 2 back when Conor Proctor finished at the back post.

Arran started the 2nd half brilliantly attacking from the start and came close through Chris and Rocky. Then came the sucker punch as Donegal Town broke and won a dubious penalty to make it 4 - 1. To be fair Arranmore continued playing football and created numerous chances with Gavin and Conor going close before the home keeper performed heroics to deny Rocky from a free. Mark Ward grabbed a 2nd for the islanders when Chim did well putting pressure on the keeper who couldn't collect. The game was played out with Arranmore making more chances and Donegal content to sit back to guarantee promotion.

Thanks for all the support all year at games and through Facebook!
Roll on next year for division 1 football!!

On a side note, good luck to Glenree Utd in their playoff this coming weekend against Mulroy Celtic.

Next up, JBH 2014, Saturday May 31st and Sunday 1st June Rannagh Park.....  :)

By Arranmore Utd

Cumann na mBád, Árainn Mhór, Kayaking Session

The next Cumann na mBád kayaking session will take place on May 17th. Places are limited so be sure to book early through the Eventbrite page to avoid disapointment. Members only, membership forms available from Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh.

11am to 12pm Ages 8-12. €10
1pm to 2.30pm Ages 13-16. €15
3pm to 5pm Ages 17+ €20

All sessions are weather permitting.

Cruinniú Eolais - Meeting

Beidh cruinniú eolais ar siúl in Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh ar an 8 Bealtaine 2014 ar 8:00in, chun eolas a scaipeadh ar an phobal faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 agus chun plé a dhéanamh ar an phróiseas pleanála teanga. Cuirfear fáilte roimh chách. Scaipígí an scéal!

26th May 2014 is Date set for Island Community Council Election

Island Votes for its 1st Community Council

Following the resounding success of the poll counted on the 19th April, an election for 16 Island Councillors for the Inaugural Island Community Council will take place at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh from 9.00-19.00pm on Monday 26^th May 2014.

James O'Neill, Muintir na Tire

Muintir na Tire's Officer James O Neill will preside and carry out count.  Island Needs Analysis questionnaire will be distributed in public places and online and will collated by the steering group on the day.  Further information to follow.  

Thanks to the steering group, Shirley Atsyspro (Chairman), Denis O'Donnell (secretary), Paula Killeen (Treasurer), Annie Bonner, Frances Early & Bernie Green for their time and effort in making this a reality.  Also to John Mc Hugh, Conal Kavanagh & Michael Early for their participation in collecting polls which created a democratic mandate for the council.

Steering Group Denis O' Donnell (Secretary), Shirley Gallagher (Chairman), Paula Killeen (Treasurer), Annie Bonner and Frances Early at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh. April 2014

Island Council Celebratory Dinner at the Glen Hotel

A celebratory dinner will take place following the inaugural Island Election at the Glen Hotel.  Everyone is welcome to join in the celebration however pre-booking is essential.

Starter

Egg Mayonnaise              Seafood Cocktail

Main

Roast Beef                          Turkey & Ham

Dessert

Bailey's Cheesecake       Black Forest Gateau

Tea/Coffee

Cost €22 per head

Special Dietary Requirements can be catered but please contact Annemarie on

074 9520505/ 0876348401 or email annemarietheglen@gmail.com

Book before Monday 12th May 2014

Reference Island Council Dinner