‘Old style policing’ makes welcome return during crisis


EUNAN Walsh, as the Sergeant in Charge of Letterkenny Garda Station, has been working on the front line since day one of the pandemic. What he has witnessed most during that time is the growth of community spirit and the appreciation of the public for a Garda’s work. When the pandemic hit last March, Sgt […]


Hospital getting ready for return to ‘normal’ services


SCHEDULED surgeries and out-patient appointments will be scaled up at Letterkenny University Hospital over the coming weeks following a drop in numbers of Covid-19 cases. The majority of elective surgeries and out-patient appointments were cancelled late last year due to the significant surge in Covid-19 cases. Mr Sean Murphy, General Manager, said the hospital remains […]


New business activity in Creeslough


FOUR new businesses are being established along Creeslough’s main street, bringing some vibe and employment back to the village. The green shed beside McNulty’s Pub on Main Street is now occupied by the Creeslough Community Association while the old Creeslough Hardware has been converted into a showroom and stores for Donegal Log Cabins. Last month, […]


Looking back on a steep learning curve


FOR school principal Damien McCroary, the phrase “every day can be a school day”, perfectly sums up the past academic year. In that time Covid-19 has presented considerable challenges to Mr McCroary, his staff and students at St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny, including closures, cancellations, remote learning and more. Leaving Cert students returned to the classroom […]


Pandemic helped Letterkenny company grow nationwide


THE Covid-19 pandemic, and the resulting restrictions, have had a negative effect on many businesses across Donegal – but the new reality has also created a small number of opportunities. As an essential business, Letterkenny-based CBM Signs adjusted its business model to create a full range of Covid-19 warning signage and protective perspex screens for […]


Letterkenny IT’s ‘sportsman’ retires


AFTER a career of public service spanning close on 43 years, Paddy Gallagher celebrated his last day at Letterkenny Institute of Technology on Friday last. Former colleagues and family members participated in the celebration by going online to congratulate and pay tribute via a series of zoom calls. Paddy Gallagher joined the staff of Letterkenny […]


‘Pushing things along’ despite Brexit and pandemic


A DONEGAL man is responsible for overseeing daily operations at one of Europe’s and UK’s fastest growing recruitment agencies. Falcon Green is a specialist construction and engineering recruitment agency, which employs more than fifty office-based staff with 1,100 operatives working on sites across the UK and Ireland each week. Joseph Sweeney from Gweedore founded the […]


Is the traditional Irish wake a thing of the past?


IT’S been almost a year since Ireland started putting restrictions in place to limit the spread of coronavirus. For undertakers like Paschal Blake, it’s been a challenging time as the pandemic has caused extra pressure. “It’s been quite a difficult year and one which has been particularly harrowing for families,” he said. Mr Blake, who […]


‘Important we stay safe but also have to try and live’


THE pressures of leading the people of Leitirmacaward and Doochary through the pandemic has kept Fr Adrian Gavigan busy for much of the past year. A native of Glenties, Fr Gavigan (44) was the first priest in the Raphoe Diocese to organise a car park mass last summer. The mass, held in the grounds of […]


Covid-19 cases in hospital drop to five month low point


THE number of Covid-19 patients in hospital in Letterkenny has fallen to its lowest level in almost five months. According to latest figures from the Health Service Executive, there were 13 patients with Covid receiving treatment in LUH, continuing a downwards trend. This compares with 99 this time last month, January 23, while there were […]