FOLK musician Sean Keane and Gaoth Dobhair’s Eve Belle are among the acts set to perform at the Balor Arts Centre this weekend. Hailing from the village of Caherlistrane near Tuam, Sean Keane was born into a musical family that also includes his sister Delores. Together with Frances Black amongst others, he was a founder member of […]
Brendan Quinn to launch new album in the Balor
IRISH folk legend Brendan Quinn will launch his new album ‘Hubbin’ It’ in the Balor Arts Centre on September 22. The collection was recorded in Billy Robinson’s studio in Ramelton and features a string of top musicians. Among them are ex-Altan members Dermot Byrne and Ciarán Tourish alongside Pat Crowley (keys), Nicky Scott (bass), Kevin […]
Tommy draws inspiration from The Sopranos
MUSICIAN Tommy Bonner has invoked the spirit of The Sopranos for his latest single. The Ballybofey singer and songwriter releases ‘I Can Hear Dan Grimaldi Weeping’ on September 9, a reference to the actor who played twins Philly and Patsy Parisi in the hit crime drama. According to Tommy he was inspired to write the song after hearing […]
Hospital under ‘significant pressure’ this morning
LETTERKENNY hospital’s emergency department is under significant pressure today with high attendances and long waiting times. There are currently 43 patients on trolleys between the emergency department and other areas in the hospital. As of 8am this morning there were 11 patients with Covid-19 being treated while yesterday 113 people attended the emergency department. Advertisement […]
‘When others were isolating, I was falling in love’
SINGER and songwriter Maria McCormack is back with what she describes as her “first proper love song”. ‘How Sweet It Is’ is the third single from her upcoming new album, a long anticipated follow-up to her very successful 2019 debut offering ‘I Choose To Love’. Maria, who provided support to Dubliner Damien Dempsey when he played in Gaoth Dobhair […]
Councillor questions plans to cut speed limit
A Letterkenny councillor says he is unsure whether plans to reduce the speed limit on the Four Lane Road are workable. A public consultation is ongoing into proposals to drop the maximum permitted speed from 100kph to 60kph. At the moment, with work ongoing, the speed limit is 50kph. Construction on the new road layout […]
Conal Gallen back with new comedy play
THE wedding of the year takes place this coming Friday (and again on Saturday) as The Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey hosts the world premiere of Conal Gallen’s brand new comedy play Knot Again. Written by father and son team of Conal and Rory Gallen, Knot Again features a host of characters familiar to audiences from […]
Investigation launched into major fish kill
INLAND Fisheries Ireland is investigating a major fish kill incident in the Glenagannon River in Inishowen. Environmental and Fisheries Officers from the North-Western River Basin District were alerted to the incident by a member of the public via its 24-hour confidential hotline number on Friday. Following patrols conducted along the river Inland Fisheries Ireland has […]
Donegal musicians tuning up for Buckfest
A number of Donegal bands are preparing to rock out at a mini festival taking place in Strabane shortly. Buckfest – a play on the famous Buckfast wine which was a staple of any night out for young people of a certain age growing up – will see four groups take to the stage of the popular Dicey […]
International award for Donegal composer
THE judges at an international film festival were so impressed by a Donegal composer that they created a new award category for him. Orrie McBrearty’s score on ‘Other Land’ was named Best Soundtrack at the Portuguese Surf Film Awards. The Castlefinn man created the music after being approached by film maker Alice Ward. Advertisement Other Land follows […]