Christmas wreaths sold to remember those no longer with us


Barbara Smith at the Fruit and Veg stop at Killross junction with Christmas wreaths that the family made in their home near St Johnston. Barbara says they sell the wreaths every year in the run up to Christmas and have roadside conversations with people who remember those that are no longer with us.  


Long-lasting memories don’t come wrapped in rolls of Christmas paper


By Sabrina Sweeney  Christmas can be a funny old time of the year, full of contradictions. I’ve spoken to so many people over the last couple of weeks, all saying they wish for a return to a more relaxed time, with more energy left to enjoy the build up to the festivities. Advertisement There was […]


Dreaming of a white Christmas


FOR those dreaming of a white Christmas it doesn’t look likely it will be on the cards this year with Met Éireann predicting wet but mild conditions. This week we took a look back through the archives to see when the hills of Donegal were covered in white for Christmas. One of the heaviest snowfalls […]


The spirit of Christmas


Kathy O’Connor has been organising the ‘Christmas Day Dinner for People on their Own’ appeal for 18 years now. People can come along to Conwal Parish Hall in Letterkenny and enjoy a sit down meal and more importantly, some friendly company on Christmas Day. Meals are also distributed around different parts of the county to […]


Parenting: Enduring the mischief of Elf on the Shelf


By Louise Flanagan The Elf on the Shelf is one of the most contentious Christmas traditions out there. A lot of parents bemoan the festive arrival of an elf in their home – probably because he gets up to all manner of mischief throughout the month of December. Advertisement We have an elf in our […]


Thousands of Ukrainians to spend second Christmas in Donegal


BY JEROME HUGHES HAVING fled her war-torn country in October last year, Scoil Cholmcille pupil, Yeva Borodina, has had a difficult childhood but her future is looking brighter. The 10-year-old Ukrainian is about to spend her second Christmas in Letterkenny with her mother, Tetiana. Advertisement Unfortunately for Yeva, her father remains back home in Zaporizhzhia, […]


Love over hate at Christmas


by Louise Doyle THE power of love is proving greater than any message of hate as ‘one love’ signs now appear alongside previously spray painted anti-Ukraine graffiti at various locations in Letterkenny. There was huge upset and disgust after black spray painted graffiti appeared on walls around the town displaying offensive phrases as well as the ‘Z’ […]


Cribs from around the world on display in Raphoe


by Kate Heaney CRIBS collected from all around the globe are on display in St Eunan’s Church in Raphoe creating a seasonal and unusual exhibition. The bulk of the diverse, 51-strong Exhibition of Cribs, were purchased by a local man who was more than happy to share them with the local community. Advertisement Fr Eamonn […]


More women in higher paid roles than men in Council


by Kate Heaney THE report on Gender Pay Gaps in Donegal County Council, published this week, shows that on average females occupy higher paid roles in the council than males. The report highlights the percentage difference between what men and women are paid on average in the organisation, irrespective of roles or levels. Advertisement While […]


Hospice lodges plans for long-awaited extension


by Kate Heaney DONEGAL Hospice, which celebrated 20 years serving patients and their families in Donegal in March, this week embarked on a long-awaited extension and upgrade to their premises at Knocknamona in Letterkenny. The hospice which served so many people of the county, have lodged a planning application this week for four new apartments […]