Parishes to press ahead with sacraments for children


THE Bishop of Raphoe has given the go-ahead for Communions and Confirmations to take place from the middle of August despite current health guidance saying ceremonies should not take place at this time. In a letter to Priests of the Raphoe Diocese at the weekend, Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ., said that sacraments for children will […]


Earagail Arts Festival planning for 2022 and beyond


THE 2021 Earagail Arts Festival hybrid programme of live, digital and virtual experiences was one of the most important ever delivered in its 33-year history according to Artistic director, Paul Brown. This year’s festival, which featured works by international and local artists, played to full houses and reached into all parts of Donegal over the […]


An insight into how travel has changed during pandemic


A LETTERKENNY travel agent took to the sky and sea for the first time in almost 18 months as non-essential international travel is finally back up and running. Emma McHugh and Caroline Kerr from Atlantic Travel in Letterkenny were among eight travel agents who were invited to a Norwegian Cruise Line in Greece to test […]


Performance highlights depopulation of Gaeltacht areas


A KERRY musician led an outdoor performance on Magheraclogher Beach in Bunbeg on Monday night to draw attention to the depopulation of Gaeltacht areas and the planning laws causing it. Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich from the Dingle Peninsula has personal experience of planning difficulties having battled for 15 years to build a modest house on his […]


Ardara man at centre of plans to revitalise Melbourne


A DONEGAL man is spending tens of millions of dollars to help bring back vibrancy and excitement to one of Australia’s largest cities. John Cunningham from Ardara is Head of Creative Urban Places at the City of Melbourne. His team have come together with the Victorian Government to deliver Flash Forward, a programme to transform […]


New Zealand charity continues to support good causes


A Letterkenny youth group and a cathedral restoration project are among the latest causes to receive large donations from New Zealand. Details of the financial gifts awarded by the Hugo Charitable Trust, a charity set up by Raphoe farmer Hugh Green, are contained in the organisation’s latest annual report. Good causes ranging from individual efforts […]


Numbers waiting for breast cancer screening is 6,800


THE NUMBER of women waiting for breast cancer screening in Donegal has risen to 6,800, according to new figures from the HSE. The BreastCheck service is facing major backlogs due to Covid-19 and although screenings resumed late last October they were again suspended in early 2021 due to high levels of the virus in the […]


Lifford Hospital to close for four months


  LIFFORD hospital is to close for four months before reopening as a respite and short stay facility. The development marks the end of long-term patients being admitted to the unit. The closure will enable the HSE to carry out €0.5m renovations to prepare the building for its new function. Concerns had been awakened in […]


New €20 million fishing vessel arrives in Killybegs


A new €20 million fishing vessel arrived back in her home port of Killybegs on Tuesday. The ‘Antarctic’ is one of the most modern and high tech pelagic fishing vessels in Europe. It is owned by Teresa and Eamon McHugh who operate the Antarctic Fishing Company. Sons Eamon J and Gerard are also deeply involved […]


Major operation by Gardai ahead of bank holiday weekend


GARDAÍ say they will be maintaining a visible presence across Donegal over the bank holiday weekend. A major operation will swing into action tomorrow with extra checkpoints and patrols concentrating on main roads. Superintendent Michael Finan, Letterkenny, said officers will be out in great force as we head towards the August Bank Holiday weekend. He […]