Róise Collins delves into the archives to bring you the news and images from yesteryear.
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December 27, 1975
WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR DONEGAL IN 1976
WITH the black clouds of economic gloom gathering in the near distance Donegal people are wondering what lies ahead for them in 1976. There have been many predictions of a near-disaster time ahead. The forecasts are even more dismal than at the beginning of ’75.
But in a report of the situation then, the Derry People and Donegal News indicated from a survey of business people around Donegal that this county would not experience anything like the severe job losses that were to hit the rest of the country. Happily for Donegal that proved to be correct, and the people seemed to miss the worst of the ’75 economic storm.
But the situation is very much less certain. Rumours circulate of, severe economic problems to be faced in the near future. From around Donegal comes a mixed pattern of opinion. Some aspects of 1976 life indicate that there will be tough times ahead.
And yet there are sufficient bright spots in the picture to once more indicate that Donegal will not suffer as heavily as many other parts of the country. The major bright spot is the great hopes that once more surround the Lirelle factory that seems likely to get under way earlier in the year than most had more recently anticipated.
This – Donegal’s biggest ever factory building – is not yet completed, but worker recruitment is expected to begin shortly. An early opening to this industry would prove a tremendous boon, not merely to Letterkenny but to homes for many miles aground. And it too would brighten the scene for many others, with a greater buoyancy in trade and in property markets.
CONCERN AT WITHDRAWAL OF C.I.E. SERVICES IN WEST DONEGAL
THE very serious consequences of a CIE pull-out in west Donegal has alarmed many people in the area and Coisde Forbartha Knockfola, have written to deputies Cormac Breslin and Joseph Brennan regarding this matter. In their letter to the deputies the Coisde secretary, Mr Padraig Mac Giolla Gairbheth, points out that the withdrawal of both the freight and passenger services could seriously jeopardise the economic, cultural and social future of the area. The lack of these basic facilities could certainly affect the area’s tourist trade which has become one of the main sources of income in the area.
In reply to the letter, the deputies have assured the member of Coisde Forbartha that they have already been in touch with the Minister for Transport and Power and the Minister for the Gaeltacht. They have conveyed to the ministers the importance of this service and the basic results of any alteration in the standard of service.
PRIVATE COMPANIES PULL OUT FROM TWO GAOTH DOBHAIR INDUSTRIES
THE expected withdrawal of private interests from direct participation in two factories in the Gaoth Dobhair Industrial Estate has given rise to some speculation as to the future prospects. But it is generally believed that the long term prospects of both factories are good, and that the increased involvement of Gaeltarra Eireann in their interests will ensure stability, and no reductions in the work force are anticipated.
This week, with a holiday closedown, no comment could be obtained from Gaeltarra Eireann or the factories involved, G.T. Carpets and Europlast Teo.
December 22, 2000
CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR RETAILERS – TRADE UP TWENTY PERCENT
With just three shopping days left traders across Donegal were today bracing themselves for the traditional last minute rush after what has been described as a record breaking Christmas season. The strength of sterling and the general buoyancy of the economy have been cited as the main reasons for the bumper Christmas trade which began for many stores several weeks ago.
Stores in some towns such as Letterkenny have reported an increase in business up to 20 per cent on last year and with the January sales to come traders can look forward to further increases.
Sterling shoppers are being allowed between 25-30 pence on £1 sterling for their purchases. Last month Heatons store in Letterkenny was giving 40p per pound sterling. Northerners can also save up to £12-£15 on a full tank of fuel.
Most of the stores in Letterkenny remained open until 8pm throughout this week to cope with the demand. Dunnes Stores went a step further by opening until midnight on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
Mr Gerard McCormick, chairman of the Retail Committee with Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce said it had been a fantastic Christmas for businesses in the town.
SMOOTH ROAD OPENING AFTER WEEK OF CHAOS
SPEED restrictions were still slowing traffic last evening at the major new roundabout at the Port Bridge accessing the new Neil T Blaney relief road in Letterkenny.
Yesterday, motorists were reacting positively to the relief road from the Port Bridge to Pearse Road which has been designed to ease traffic congestion at the Station Roundabout.
“While it took more than 40 minutes to drive from the Holiday Inn into the centre of town on Wednesday morning, the same journey was a relatively straightforward one this morning (Thursday),” one motorist said.
The roadway opens up a huge land bank and runs past the almost completed County Council offices and tourism offices.
However, some of the views are less than pretty and townspeople are hoping that future development along the road will be sensitive.
RESIDENTS OPPOSE TWIN TOWNS BYPASS ROUTE
Residents along the proposed route of a £23 million bypass for Ballybofey and Stranorlar claimed this week their community would be divided and isolated if the preferred route by the National Roads Authority went ahead.
There was widespread disappointment among residents of Sessiaghoneill, Carrickmagrath, Goland, Dreenan and Edenmore
that the NRA had not agreed to an extension of the Public Consultation Process that ended on
Wednesday.
Determined to challenge the route which planners admitted was influenced by previous “bad planning” in allowing houses to be built on other proposed routes, the residents will engage a top planning legal expert to help their case.
Local curate Fr Joe Coulter expressed his concern that many of those families will have to make lengthy detours as part of the route plan that included blocking access to existing roads.
