Roise Collins delves into the archives to bring you the news and images from yesteryear.

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MAY 31, 1975

DONEGAL BAKERY INDUSTRY TREATENED BY CROSS-BORDER COMPETITION

SHOCK NEWS in the cross-obrder trading activities that continue to seriously worry Donegal shopkeepers is that now the entire £1 14 million bakery industry of the county is threateed with closure.

The reason is that they are being asked to operate under what appear to be grossly unfair conditions, making it almost impossible for them to compete.

It seems that there could be a heavy spate of redundancies in the bakery trade very shortly unless some effort is made to rectify the unfair position. Already some bakeries have had to lay off workers, and one bakery has closed down.

And this week bread vans from across the border were arriving in Donegal offering their bread to shopkeepers. Imported loaves from Derry and Strabane bakeries will clearly lead to lost jobs to Donegal workers. It is a stark fact that has suddenly hit the trade.

HALF MILLION POUND BRIDGE OVER MULROY BAY ‘UNREALISTIC’

A BRIDGE over Mulroy Bay which would connect the peninsula of Fanad and Rosguill, would cost nowadays in the region of £500,000 of which the County Council would have to contribute a quarter. It would be unrealistic to spend this money at the present time.

This was the view expressed by the Deputy Co. Manager, Tom O’Reilly, when he replied to a question from Harry Blaney at this week’s meeting of the County Council.

Mr. Blaney had asked what, if anything, had been done in connection with the proposed feasibility study for erection of a bridge on Mulroy.

When told that it was an unrealistic proposition, Mr. Blaney asked if the councillors realised what a new bridge there would mean. A contribution of £125,000 from the council was a very small amount at the present time, and would be money well spent.

FOUL MOORINGS IN RATHMULLAN PORT

THE future of Rathmullan as a docking port is seriously threatened by foul moorings. Recently a continental ship lost its anchor which became entwined there in some obscure manner. It is felt that if this type of issue continues then ships will be discouraged from using it. The anchor which was lost cost well in excess of £1,000.

At last Monday’s meeting of Donegal County Council, Cllr William McCafferty proposed that the council ask the Commissioner of Irish Lights to remove the moorings. He claimed that they had already caused considerable damage to boats and were a serious danger to shipping.

Cllr McCafferty had written to the Department of Transport concerning the removal of the foul moorings. They had written back stating that the power to remove a wreck lying within – or approach to – a harbour lay with the Harbour Authority. Should there be no Harbour Authority the responsibility lay with the Commissioners of Irish Lights. The department added that the moorings were clearly marked on the chart and were not a danger to navigation. They had turned down a request in March 1973, to remove them.

JUNE 9, 2000

SHOCK AS FIRM PULLS OUT OF LETTERKENNY MOVE

THE Industrial Development Agency’s strong promotional programme to secure new industries for Donegal, will continue at full pace, despite the disappointing news this week that a major European healthcare project will not now be locating in the region.

The company, which IDA Ireland had hoped to secure for Letterkenny, has opted instead to locate in the UK, citing proximity to its main market as the principle factor governing its decision.

Last March IDA lodged a planning application for a 175,000 sq ft building on 15 acres of land at its Business Park at Ballyraine where US firm PacifiCare recently commenced operations.

While the application was welcomed as being “very promising news” at the time, this week’s setback has been viewed as a “severe body blow” for the region.

However, yesterday IDA Regional Manager, Mr Joe McHugh remained upbeat about the prospects of attracting new industries to the region.

“There is a very competitive process to secure quality industrial investment for County Donegal and it must be remembered that neither Ireland, nor Donegal, will secure every project that visits the country. It has to be expected that some of these companies will say no for whatever reason.

“Some will also say yes, and Letterkenny has been successful in the recent past in attracting a significant number of jobs to the town through PacifiCare and Prumerica Systems Ireland Limited. IDA Ireland has also helped to bring two smaller companies (Ebylls and Sterling Fluids) into Letterkenny in the recent past so it’s not all doom and gloom,” Mr McHugh said.

“The change from a traditional sector economy to a new modern economy will not happen overnight. There will be set backs but we are making progress,” he added.

ELEVEN BLUEFLAG BEACHES FOR DONEGAL

BLUE Flags will fly over  11 of Donegal’s beaches this year, following the announcement of the awards by An Taisce. However, one of the county’s most popular bathing beaches will not be flying the flag.

Downings will not receive the EU flag that denotes a quality bathing beach as it failed to meet the criteria laid down for the blue flag award. The beach failed due to its noncompliance with bathing water quality and the uncontrolled vehicular access to the beach.

Donegal received the second highest number of Blue Flags for its beaches, second to County Kerry. They were awarded 13 Blue Flags.

The successful beaches in Donegal this year were Bundoran, Portsalon, Rossnowlagh, Narin, Carrickfinn, Fintra, Lisfannon, Murvagh, Marble Hill, Kilahoey and Culdaff.

Donegal County Council submitted 14 Donegal beaches to the monitoring body, An Taisce, for the Blue Flag award.

The other two beaches that failed to meet the required standard were Rathmullan and Shrove.

The local authority will spend in the region of £300,000 on beach management and cleaning programmes this year.

Ballyheerin beach will be monitored throughout the summer with a view to it acquiring a Blue Flag in 2001.

Ireland overall has had its number of Blue Flags reduced by ten this year, to 70.

Some of the reasons cited were the presence of coliform in bathing water, cattle excrement on beaches and uncontrolled motoring on beaches.