Aoife Doherty delves into the archives to bring you the news and images from yesteryear.
AUGUST 9, 1975
Donegal’s first youth pilgrimage to Rome
DONEGAL’S first ever Youth Pilgrimage to Rome will take place early next month, when 20 young post-primary school students will join with young people from other Northern Dioceses of Kilmore, Dromore, and Clogher in a specially arranged pilgrimage that will take the youth to world-famed centres of the Eternal City.
The general Raphoe Diocesan Pilgrimage to Rome from September 6 – 13 headed by the Bishop of Raphoe, Most Rev. Dr. MacFeely has been booked out for several weeks.
In fact, the number of additional information sought indicated that the organisers should try to accommodate everyone as far as possible and arrange a further pilgrimage and this will set out on September 28.
There are still a number of vacancies available on this pilgrimage.
Derry girl is 1975 Mary from Dungloe
NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD, Maureen Temple of Derry is the 1975 Mary From Dungloe.
Her selection from 21 finalists was announced at 12.42 am on Monday morning last in Ostan na Rosann, Dungloe, by TV and radio personality Gay Byrne who compered the crowning ceremony.
The announcement marked the climax of the 15-day festival during which the Rosses capital was the Mecca of many holiday visitors. The closing weekend, aided by the warmest weather of the year, saw local accommodation taxed to the utmost and also marked the biggest concentration ever in the area of camping visitors, availing of the excellent outdoor conditions.
The new Mary, who wore the Derry sash in the final, had won nomination following her selection as ‘Miss Civic Week’ in the city’s own festival held earlier in the year. She is a clerk typist with Dupont and her hobbies include an interest in judo and outdoor sports.
Second in the competition was the Philadelphia Mary, Ellen Britton (20), and the third place went to Louth Mary, Collette McGahon (18).
On the judging panel for this year’s test were Mr and Mrs Ted Bonner, Mr P.J. McAllister (Guinness Group Sales). Mr. Eamon P. Hoy, (N.W. Tourism) and Kathleen Watkins.
The 21 finalists were introduced onstage by Mr Byrne and then withdrew.
Following the selection, the 1974 Mary, Mirabel Lopez del Hoyo crowned the new Mary and handed over the Mary sash, Mary cloak and Spiceland Medallion.
Championship semi-finals in Falcarragh and Donegal
EXCITEMENT heightens in Donegal football circles this weekend with the semi-finals of the Senior Football Championship being played at Donegal Town and Falcarragh.
All four remaining teams really fancy their chances in what is a very open race for the title (St. Joseph’s would go on to defeat MacCumhaill’s in the final).
At Ballybofey later in the day there is a replay of the St. Michael’s, Dunfanaghy, and St. Naul’s, Mountcharles, quarter-final of the Junior Championship.
The winners of this go on to meet Four Masters in the semi-final.
AUGUST 8, 2000
Once a festival bonny baby and now a festival queen
A photography student from Manchester who was a bonny baby at the Mary from Dungloe festival has returned 21 years later to be crowned as the Millennium ‘Mary’.
Shirley McGlynn, 21, a student at Dun Laoghaire College in Dublin lifted the title on Sunday night out of the sixteen entries from around the world.
Shirley, who works part time in the local Ostan na Rosann Hotel, scooped top honours at the festival’s bonny baby show in 1979. In her stage interview with Daniel O’Donnell, Shirley spoke of her love for Ireland.
The family, who have strong west Donegal connections, moved to live just outside Dungloe two years ago but Shirley resides in Dublin most of the year. Her Manchester roots saw her being selected to represent that city.
The bubbly student whose hobbies include cycling, belly dancing and of course photography gave Daniel O’Donnell a few belly dancing lessons much to the amusement of the 1,000 strong audience in the festival dome.
Her party piece was singing the song, Caledonia. She told Daniel of her delight at meeting all the other girls and said she was overwhelmed at how special they were all made to feel during their stay in Dungloe. She said it was the most enjoyable.
Wedding Bells
The wedding of Bridget and Eunan Doherty took place in St Columba’s Church, Kilmacrennan. Bridget is the daughter of Suzanne and Kevin Neely, Aghawoney, Ramelton. Eunan is the son of Kathleen and Jim Doherty, Legnahoorey, Kilmacrennan. The bridesmaids were Ann Marie Murray, Marjo Morning and Katherine Crossan. The best man was Michael Doherty and the groomsmen were Roy Tease and James Doherty. Sarah Murray was the flowergirl and Kevin Murray was the pageboy. Father Michael Conaghan officiated at the wedding ceremony and the reception was held in the Lagoon, Termon.
Mulligan the menace
TWO goals from lively striker James Mulligan earned Finn Harps a morale lifting win over the Irish League outfit, Portadown in their final pre-season friendly match at Ballybofey on Saturday night.
The home side can take some heart from their win as they travel to Terryland Park tonight (Friday) for their opening game of the new season in the League of Ireland.
After defeats by Grimsby Town and Leicester City and draws with Limavady and Derry City this win sets Harps up for a good league opener and the players no doubt will be lifted after what was a deserved win over a useful side.
Harps fielded a near full strength team with Fergal Harkin and Shane Bradley the only notable absences through injury. Trevor Scanlon replaced Bradley alongside Declan Boyle in the centre of defence.
Reports in some of the national papers towards the end of the week however would suggest that Bohemians player Graham O’Hanlon could be filling that role sooner rather than later.
