‘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 […]


Donegal phase of Riverine to begin in January


CONSTRUCTION on the Donegal phase of the long awaited Riverine Project will commence in January. The scheme, which will link Lifford with Strabane via a new bridge and community park, was granted €9 million last year after more than a decade of setbacks. Donegal County Council has now begun inviting tenders from contractors to carry out the work. […]


Brendan Quinn back with cracking new album


IRISH folk singer Brendan Quinn is marking 50 years of music releases with a new studio album. The collection, titled ‘Hubbin’ It’, 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 Malone (drums), Jimmy Smith […]


Laugh out loud comedy at the Balor


THE Butt Drama Circle returns to the stage this week with the comedy The Two Loves of Gabriel Foley. Gabriel Foley is a middle-aged bachelor farmer, who lives with his elderly mother. He has been unlucky in love many times, much to his mother’s frustration. She thinks she’ll never get rid of him. Then he […]


National Learning Network to hold open day


A Letterkenny man with aspirations of opening his own business says the support of National Learning Network is helping him edge closer to his dream. Michael King spoke to the Donegal News ahead of an open day in Letterkenny on Wednesday. “I am 18 and I am on the Employer Based Training programme at National Learning Network […]