Aoife Doherty delves into the archives to bring you the news and images from yesteryear.
January 3, 1976
A big year of development for Letterkenny
A NEW twenty-five million pound factory; a new swimming pool; extensions to two major local industries; many fine new houses; new link roads; four top class schools; developing sports clubs, and last but not least 24 pubs.
That is the picture of the old Letterkenny of ‘75 and, with the arrival of ‘76, perhaps it wasn’t half as bad as the prophets of doom would have us believe.
From an industrial, social, sporting and cultural point of view it would seem that Letterkenny is progressing.
Lirelle ( Ireland) Ltd.) have located their massive £25 million factory in the town and when completed it will provide hundreds of jobs. During ‘75 two of the town’s leading firms, the Oatfield Sweet Co., and Donegal Bacon had extensions added to their existing factories. The Oatfield Company has grown tremendously in recent years.
Uneasy at decline of GAA in Donegal post-primary schools
THERE was unease among delegates at the Donegal GAA Convention on Sunday when the Minor Board Secretary, Mr. Pat Conaghan, Letterkenny, made it clear that there was a serious decline of games in post primary schools in the county.
This, he said, was having a serious effect on the county minor team.
He pointed out that over 1,600 boys took part in more than 200 games in the five championships run by the Minor Board, and games were of good standard.
But he also indicated friction had arisen between the Minor and Senior Boards, and the Minor Board sought to operate independently financed by a fixed grant from the Senior Board.
Lack of finance had impaired their efforts at spreading the game to other areas.
Gaoth dobhair Community School debate continues
WHEN will that long, often heated, debate about the siting, size and shape of the proposed Community School building for Gaoth Dobhair come to an end? Some say it will be endless or perhaps until the present plans are out of date, fade from reality and disappear into the folktales of the district
At the moment it is claimed that the school building will get under way by next April and will be completed in 18 months.
Yet debate continues at a non-slacking pace.
On Wednesday night there was another lively session featured between spokesmen for two opposing Parents’ Associations and relayed over Radio na Gaeltachta.
At their annual general meeting many parents were dissatisfied because that committee had demanded a 600-pupil school.
“We wanted a school as soon as possible for our children and one that could be extended eventually,” one person said.
“A week ago the Headmaster stated that he was very pleased with the results of the present school and we accept it will be better with the one building.”
January 5, 2001
New Year’s resolutions
AS the bells rang out the old many of us were busy making New Year’s resolutions.
Reporter, Catriona Gallen took to the streets to Letterkenny to find out if this century brings with it any renewed vigour to keep our resolve to give up smoking, keep fit or enjoy life more.
The intentions are as ever good, but on the third of January for most, the resolve was already waning and many were reluctant to leave behind the traditional indulgence of the festive season.
Sheila and Robbie Gallagher from Scotland have made this New Year’s resolution to squeeze in some exercise. Sheila and Robbie were taking in the shops of Letterkenny having spent Christmas and New Year snowed in on Arranmore.
Elaine and Deirdre Doherty from Churchill have resolved that they won’t be keeping their New Year’s resolutions, giving up well before the end of the first week of January.
Elaine says: “My mum told me to give up shopping but I haven’t done it.
How could you when the January sales are on?”
Donegal counts cost of Great Millennium Freeze
DONEGAL County Council is facing a bill of approximately £150,000 for its four day snow clearing operation during the Christmas period, it has been confirmed.
However, there has been strong criticism of the local authority from public representatives of rural areas who have claimed that the council is operating a ‘double standards’ policy.
While main roads were passable, back roads were in bad condition with Gardaí warning people to stay at home if possible.
Cancellations and disruptions were common place.
Some of the older generation believe it was the worst snowfall since 1947 but the Met Office has said 1983 was as bad. Whatever, the reality was that Donegal ground to a halt last week as temperatures dipped to minus 10. Many families were stranded, especially in hilly areas.
Donegal loses again in IDA job drive
DONEGAL continues to languish in the wake of the Celtic Tiger economy, Deputy Dinny McGinley warned.
He was commenting following the publication of the IDA’s Annual Report which showed that there had been a loss of over 1,000 jobs in Donegal and the North West over the past five years.
He called for the introduction of a special tax incentive status for the county to redress the regional imbalance.
Over 23,300 new jobs were created by IDA supported companies during the past year, which was an all time record and well ahead of the performance of any of the previous years.
There were employment increases in every region except Donegal , and the North West which saw a net job loss of 96 for the year.