The Way We Were

Aoife Doherty delves into the archives to bring you the news and images from yesteryear.

If you have a photograph you would like published, send it to editor@donegalnews.com

1975, SEPTEMBER 27

First book of Irish poetry published in Irish

THE first ever book of Irish poetry published in Donegal has been issued this week.

It has been written by Charles Sharkey, a 21 year old student from Meenala, Gortahork.

The book is entitled ‘Miontragoide Cathrach’ and is a collection of some 40 poems written by him over the past few years.

Mr. Sharkey is at present studying at the National Institute for Higher Education in Limerick.

He received his earlier education at Cashelnagore National School, and later at Gortahork Technical School.

He has been writing poetry for many years and has won many awards all over Ireland for his work. He has won prizes at the Oireachtas and at Slogadh, the All-Ireland youth festival, for his poetry.

Doochary woman reaches 100 years

AS FROM yesterday, Mrs. Kitty Walsh, from Ballynaboy, Doochary, has become one of Donegal’s few centenarians.

Hale, hearty, and full of life, she has a grand sense of humour, a sparkle in her eye and ample energy to do a little jig in her cottage when our photographer called. Her only problem is a slight deafness in one ear.

She is bright and alert, and lives with her daughter Annie about a mile from Doochary along the road to Glendowan.

She is a tremendously interesting person to talk with, has a very retentive memory and can recall her young days and hard times of the period graphically.

She has had her birth certificate since the time she got the pension, to prove her 100 years to anyone.

Another ambitious season for Letterkenny film society

THE Letterkenny Film Society, which has introduced some really novel and highly controversial films to Donegal audiences over recent seasons, launches another highly ambitious programme for the ’75-’76 season in a fortnight’s time. This year’s programme contains no fewer than ten feature films.

It gets under way on Wednesday, October 15, with the screening in the Golden Grill of ‘Claire’s Knee’ which is directed by Erio Rohmer. This is the fifth in Rohmer’s series of ‘Six Moral Tales’ in which characteristically, the accent is on witty and intelligent conversation woven around an atmosphere of summer sensuality.

Winner of the Louis Delluc award as the best film of the year, this seems an exciting choice on which to launch the new season programme.

The Letterkenny committee is anxious to maintain the very high standard set by the founder secretary of the Society, Mr. Jack Hayden, who, due to pressure of work, has had to resign from his role as “organiser in chief.” Fortunately he still acts in an advisory capacity.

2000, SEPTEMBER 29

Record breaking fish landed by rod and line caught in Donegal Bay

THE largest fish ever caught on rod and line in Irish waters was landed off the Donegal coast last Monday by a 75-year-old angler from Waterford.

The catch broke an Irish record that was in place for sixty-eight years.

Mr AlanGlanville from Dunmore East caught the 5291bs bluefin tuna while fishing aboard a local fishing vessel called the ‘Suzanne’ owned by Brian McGilloway as part of a holiday break. The previous day he had caught a 353lbs tuna fish. He came specifically to Donegal after he heard reports from local fishermen saying tuna had been turning up in their nets.

Mr Glanville, an Englishman, was formerly a commercial skipper who settled in Ireland over forty years ago.

Locals in Killybegs are hoping that the catch will generate further interest from fishermen all over Europe who may now come to Donegal Bay in hopes of landing a fish of similar size.

Sisters in Law

LETTERKENNY District Court yesterday had the unusual, if not unique added occurrence, of having two sisters introduced to the court together, as practising solicitors for the county.

Fiona and Mura Browne from St Johnston were introduced to the court before Judge Terence Finn by Letterkenny based solicitor, Mr Kieran O’Gorman.

Mr O’Gorman remarked that it now seemed to be the case that more young ladies than men were being introduced to the court.

The recently qualified Browne sisters are the daughters of Margaret and the late Leonard Browne.

Mura has joined the practice of VP McMullen and Sons and Fiona is with P McRory and Company.

Both girls were educated at St Baithin’s National School and then at the Royal and Prior Comprehensive, before studying Law at UCG.

St. Eunan’s chase first minor title in 5 years

AFTER winning three consecutive Minor football championship titles in the mid-90’s, St Eunan’s, Letterkenny go in search of their first success in this grade since 1995 when they meet Inishowen hopefuls, Buncrana in the county final on Sunday evening in Ballybofey.

After a first round defeat last year at the hands of Glenfin, St Eunan’s have put together a good campaign this season under team manager, Martin Rafferty. To reach the final they defeated Cloughaneely and Four Masters.

Buncrana booked their place in the decider after a first round win over the defending champions, Gaoth Dobhair, a quarter final victory over MacCumhaills and a 3-6 to 2-8 semi-final win over Naomh Columba.

St Eunan’s will be without their influential defender, Damien McClafferty, who has a broken leg. Otherwise. St Eunan’s have a clean bill of health for the big game which comes just a fortnight after the disappointment of losing the senior final against Ardara.

McClafferty was captain of the St Eunan’s College team that won the McLarnon Cup earlier this year.

Team manager Rafferty will look to senior players, Rory Kavanagh and Conall Dunne to lead their challenge but he stressed it would take a huge team effort by his side on Sunday to win the game against Buncrana.