Saoirse Gallagher, Ava Maguire and Éabha Campbell delve into the archives to bring you the news and images from yesteryear.
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February 7, 1976
DOUBTS REMAIN ON GAOTH DOBHAIR AIRSTRIP
The future of Gaoth Dobhair’s much-needed airstrip is still uncertain. After many months of negotiations, the dispute still drags on. The majority of sheep farmers on whose common ground the new strip was to have been sited have agreed to give up their grazing rights. Only one objector now remains.
The Chairman of the Gaoth Dobhair Airstrip Committee, Mr Tom McBride, told the Derry People and Donegal News that he was hopeful a solution could be arrived at in the near future, but at the moment he was not terribly optimistic.
He said, “Ninety-nine per cent of the people who had grazing rights on the commonage have agreed to give them up. But we have now reached an impasse, as one tenant still refuses to move out. There is nothing we can do about it, and we certainly won’t try to force him. However, it is a great pity that the airstrip cannot get going ahead. It could be a terrific asset to the area in many, many ways.”
Mr McBride also felt that the area could benefit greatly from the tourist influx which an airstrip would bring. He pointed out that growing numbers of French and German businessmen were looking for quiet spots to get away from their worldly cares.
Gaoth Dobhair has a lot to offer these people. The beaches in the area are second to none; fishing is top-class; mountaineering is there for the taking; and many other things. In fact, the area is a natural haven for people who are lovers of outdoor sports.
Mr McBride concluded that the money for the project had already been allocated, but fears were growing that if this delay continued the sum allocated would be insufficient. Costs of labour, materials, etc., were all spiralling so fast that soon the costs would be well outside the estimated figure.
DONEGAL SPORTS STAR AWARDS
A group of sports organisers in Donegal are anxious that a series of Donegal Annual Sports Star awards should be made in various sports. They are anxious to find the volume of interest that would be taken in such a scheme by the various sports organisations around the county. They say that there would be sponsorship readily available to meet the expense of providing the awards, and that the presentation would be at a major function that would help heighten youth interest in sporting activities.
Gaelic Games, soccer, rugby, snooker, badminton, tennis, car rallying and camogie are among the sports that could be included. They ask organisations interested to contact the Derry People and Donegal News in Letterkenny.
LAND PRICES TO REACH RECORD LEVEL
Land prices in the coming year are expected to reach a record level in Donegal, and it is thought that
selling prices may reach £700 per acre.
This increase will not be confined to land sales, and it is expected that the farmer who rents land will have to pay almost treble the price of two years ago.
These are some of the trends which Mr. George Robinson, of the leading auctioneering firm of John King Robinson and Sons, Letterkenny, felt could happen in the coming year.
His firm were responsible for many land sales during the past year, and what is believed to have been the biggest ever in the county by public auction — the sale of the property known as the Big Isle, of 217 acres at Manorcunningham, which changed hands for £140,000.
February 9, 2001
BRUTON VOTE SPARKS NEW BATTLE IN FINE GAEL
As the campaign for the leadership of Fine Gael got underway yesterday (Thursday) following the resignation of Mr John Bruton, rifts were again emerging within the organisation in Donegal. The county’s only Fine Gael TD, Deputy Dinny McGinley supported the ‘no confidence’ motion on Wednesday which was adopted by 39 votes to 33.
Nominations for the leadership will close next Monday at 6pm and the election is to be held at 11am on Friday next. The Mayo deputy Enda Kenny is to compete with Michael Noonan and Jim Mitchell for the post.
Following the decision to out Mr Bruton, Letterkenny based County Councillor Jimmy Harte called on the party hierarchy to re-consider its decision to “impose” Councillor Sean Maloney as a candidate for the next general election.
ROBINSON IS DONEGAL PERSON OF THE YEAR
Dunfanaghy born businessman Mr Gerry Robinson was this week awarded the Donegal Person of the Year accolade by the Donegal Association in Dublin.
Mr Robinson left his native county at the age of nine to live in London’s East End where his father, a carpenter, could get work to feed his ten children. Educated at St Mary’s Seminary, Grange-over-Sands, in the north of England, he went on to become one of the most powerful media figures in Britain.
His love for his native county saw Mr Robinson, his wife and four children return regularly for holidays. In the last year, the family have taken up full time residence near Raphoe.
DEPARTMENT WITHDRAWS FUNDING FROM GLENBOE COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP
The Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs has confirmed this week it is to withdraw funding from Glenboe Community Action Limited on February 21.
A new community development project will replace the existing Glenboe project, set up by the Derry-based Holywell Trust Agency. The move follows the failure of the Glenboe group to enter into voluntary liquidation following an emergency general meeting on January 22.
It is understood that the new community development will be located in new premises.
