Original gigs at The Balor this weekend


The Balor, Ballybofey underlines it’s reputation as a premier venue for original music this weekend. Monthly original music night The Ghostlight Sessions enjoys its final outing of 2022 on Friday, November 4 while Castlefin singer-songwriter Mickey Duffy launches his album Making Changes on Saturday, November 5. The Ghostlight Sessions has attracted top quality acts from […]

Pay parking generated €400,000 in six months


DONEGAL County Council has generated almost €400,000 through pay parking in the first six months of this this year with Letterkennny bringing in the highest income. Figures obtained by the Donegal News reveal that €398,828 was generated through pay parking across six areas of the county up to the end of June. Letterkenny was the […]

Brendan Quinn to launch new album in the Balor


IRISH folk legend Brendan Quinn will launch his new album ‘Hubbin’ It’ in the Balor Arts Centre on September 22. The collection 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 […]

Tommy draws inspiration from The Sopranos


MUSICIAN Tommy Bonner has invoked the spirit of The Sopranos for his latest single. The Ballybofey singer and songwriter releases ‘I Can Hear Dan Grimaldi Weeping’ on September 9, a reference to the actor who played twins Philly and Patsy Parisi in the hit crime drama. According to Tommy he was inspired to write the song after hearing […]

Cracking weekend of music ahead at The Balor


THE Balor, Ballybofey, hosts two great music gigs this weekend. Seven-piece ska/jazz ensemble The Piseogs play on Friday while Saturday sees the return of monthly original music night The Ghostlight Sessions headlined by four-times Northern Ireland Music Prize-nominated Malojian. Dubbed “A fantastic traditional leaning ska and rocksteady band” by Duff Guide To Ska (NYC), The […]

Appeal for help to find missing Ballybofey woman


Gardaí are seeking the public’s help in tracing the whereabouts of 25 year-old Edel McGirr, who is missing from the Ballybofey area of Donegal since Sunday, January 9 2022. Edel is described as being 5’ 1” in height, of medium build, with greenish blue eyes and copper coloured hair. Edel was last seen in the […]

Volunteers preparing to sleep out in aid of homelessness charity


A group of hardy souls will brave the elements tonight (Friday) to raise money for homelessness charity Focus Ireland. The sleepout is being organised by Nuala Malone and Shaun McGlynn of Profitness in Ballybofey. “I remember when I was young homelessness was something really rare that you’d only encounter occasionally when you made a trip […]

Butchers are taking on a Himalayan task


A DONEGAL butcher is using a two-metre high solid wall of Himalayan rock salt bricks to dry–age premium beef sourced from local suppliers. The translucent blocks were imported by McConnell’s Butchers, Ballybofey, from mines in the foothills of the Himalayas in Pakistan’s Punjab region. Each of the 360 salt blocks was individually hand cut. Shane […]

Sister’s love helped dream come true for Donegal couple


MARIE and John McPhilemy’s daughter Lucy returned to Dooish National School this week. She soon turns eight and, like all parents, the couple remember the day she was born. But, in the eyes of the law, Marie and her daughter are strangers. Marie, who lives in Ballybofey with husband John, is a mother through altruistic […]