Conkers find brings the memories flooding back


By Brian McDaid I look in shock at our old tree, some of its limbs are broken down. The ones that are still intact have no leaves left on them which would suggest that life has gone out of our tree. Advertisement Well, it’s not really our tree. It’s located along the lane way at […]


In the footsteps of Colmcille…


THE third annual Slí Cholmcille Walking Pilgrimage/Retreat has taken place, and was a resounding success. Initiated in 2022 by Fr Brendan Mc Manus SJ, this year’s Walking Pilgrimage / Retreat was led by Jim Deeds, an experienced and inspiring spiritual guide. This year’s pilgrimage/retreat took place from July 21 to July 28. Advertisement Twenty participants embarked on […]


Women’s only multi-sport fun event raises €5,000


AN annual women’s only multi-sport fun event has raised €5,000 for local women’s charities. Taking place on April 27, Donegal Sports Partnership, with sponsorship from Arthur McMahon of Donegal Oil Company, hosted the second Women’s Only Multi-Sport Adventure Challenge at Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre. The event aimed to promote outdoor activity among women […]


Donegal Native Barry Gallagher announced as RTÉ news2day presenter


THIS autumn, first time television presenter Barry Gallagher aged 24 from Donegal is the newest addition to the news2day team.  news2day is RTÉ’s news service designed specifically for children, featuring Irish and international news of interest to a young audience. Following a call out by RTÉ to media and journalism graduates across the country, and a comprehensive audition process, Barry […]


Artist awarded for ‘outstanding work’


BY DIONNE MEEHAN DONEGAL artist and curator Daniel Nelis has been awarded the RSA Guthrie Award for his painting titled ‘Dark Turned Fields’. Daniel, who is from Gartan, has been practising as a visual artist for over ten years. Advertisement The RSA Guthrie Award is awarded for outstanding work by an artist under 35 years […]


Gartan singer dazzles on big stage in Dublin


GARTAN’S Anna Gallagher has dazzled the audience in one of the main roles in a concert performance of Evita. Anna, a primary school teacher in Termon, played one of three Eva Perons in the National Concert Hall in Dublin recently. The National Symphony Orchestra partnered with Irish Youth Musical for the concert performance which was produced by […]


New Director Appointed to Donegal ETB’s OTEC


Donegal ETB has appointed Marty McCann as the new Director of its Outdoor Education and Training Centre (OETC) in Gartan. Gartan OETC is the ETB’s 87 acre estate nestled in the heart of Co Donegal. In 2021 almost 4,300 students benefited from a wide range of outdoor education and training programmes there. Advertisement Marty has […]


Gartan girls dipping their toes in new swimwear venture


GARTAN sisters Áine Boyle and Sally Anne Sherry have launched a sustainable swimwear company creating swimsuits from regenerated nylon.  Áine and Sally Anne grew up swimming with the Swilly Seals and both worked in the old Letterkenny Leisure Centre in their teenage years. “We would have swam four to five days a week as kids […]


‘I couldn’t get it right when I was dancing’


IN March 2017, Charlie Boyle received news that almost nothing can prepare you for – he was told that he had motor neurone disease (MND). It kills a third of those who have it within a year, rising to a half by the end of year two, with no known cure. MND is often referred […]