TOURISM ‘BADLY HIT’ BY US CRISIS

Paul Diver, secretary of the Donegal Branch of the Irish Hotel Federation, spoke to Donegal Times about the effects he felt the act of terrorism visited on New York would have on our tourist industry. He said that in his case there was an instant fall-off in U.S. visitors, with some tours immediately cancelling and those that travelled had much reduced numbers. As General Manager of the Sand House Hotel which is approaching the end of its season, he felt the repercussions for this year would not be as severe for him. However, Mr. Diver said he was deeply apprehensive about 2002. In his opinion, it will take at least three years before things start to get back to normal.

Matt Britton, Market and Opertions Manager with the McEniff Group, concurred with this view and said that all marketing strategies should be immediately switched to the home market, the U.K. and Continental Europe. He felt there would be a very small number of travellers crossing the Atlantic over the next few years. This, he felt, would have as much to do with the economic reprecussions of the tragedy as with a fear of actually flying.

Donegal Town Community Chamber Public Meeting

Donegal Town Community Chamber will hold a public meeting on Monday 1st October 2001 in the Millpark Hotel, Donegal Town at 8pm. This meeting is being held solely to seek support for the appointment of Community Development/Enterprise Officer for Donegal Town.

The Community Chamber was set up in 1999 to, among other things, promote and aid the social and economic regeneration/development of the town and it was always accepted that to be successful with such development, it would be essential to have a full-time salaried Development/Enerprise Officer. Over the past two years efforts were made to obtain funding for the employment of such a person. Funding was sought from Agencies, Corporate bodies and large businesses such as banks, but all to no avail.

The Community Chamber have now progressed towards the point of being ready to recruit such an individual. Very careful consideration has been given to the job specification and the person appointed will initially be expected to develop a strategic plan for Donegal town and area so as to make it more attractive for industrial and commercial development. He or she will also have the remit of assisting local community and business groups in developing their plans and also identifying sources of financial and technical support for them.

The job specification is, of course, much more expansive and detailed and it, and the person specification, will be outlined in detail to the public meeting. The Community Chamber are satisfied that they have a comprehensive plan prepared for the employment of a Community Development/Enterprise Officer and they realise the importance of being able to assure the meeting of the viability of the plan. Such assurance will be essential since what is being sought at the meeting is financial backing to pay the salary of the Development/Enterprise officer over the next four years. It is felt that such a period of four years would be realistic and give the incumbent the necessary opportunity to make a success of the job. The incumbent, would, of course, be also expected to explore and establish means of making the position financially self-sufficient within a reasonable period of time.

A certain number of businesses in Donegal Town have already given financial commitments over a four year period. Hopefully the meeting will bring forward many other businesses and groups who will be prepared to make a commitment for the development of the town.

In a recent interview, concerning this forthcoming meeting, the Chairman of Donegal Town Community Chamber, Ernan McGettigan set out what the Chamber was trying to do and he had this to say: “We have already had a favourable response from a number of businesses and I am very confident that the businesses and even community groups will come forward and offer some kind of funding. I know we need a lot of money to actually promote and get the right individual. But it is the way forward for Donegal Town. Other towns have done it and have succeeded. There is no reason why Donegal Town can’t do the same”.

Invitations have been sent to all members, groups and businesses and also to local T.Ds. and public representatives to attend. Many have already responded and indicated that they will be present. Michael Heeney, County Director of Community Enterprise, Feargal Reidy, Enterprise Officer Donegal County Council and Caoimhin MacAoidh of the Donegal Local Development Company have also been invited.

Those intending to be present should note that the meeting will start at 8pm. sharp. John Durcan, PRO, Donegal Town Community Chamber.

Pictured at a presentation to Frank Murray who retired from the Gardai after 28 years service: Back: Sean McGowan, Eamon McCooey, Kevin Mitchell, Joe Murray, Michael Burke, T.J. Welby, Brendan McMonagle. Middle: Larry Walsh, Tony Arnold, Tom Needham, Kevin Egan, Frank Martin, Louis Brown, Ignatius McCready, Tom McPartlan, John McFadden, Pat Heeney, Matthew Shovlin. Front: Joe McLaughlin, Paul McHugh, John Carr, Frank Murray, John Sweeney, Dermot McHugh. Photo: Conor Sinclair

Cassidy Family Reunion

The Cassidy twins - Parents Pat and Marie Cassidy with twins Emma and Dawn;
godparents Marie and Peter Gallagher, Killybegs; John Cassidy and twin sister Kathleen Daly.

Sunday the 26th August 2001 was a very special day for proud parents Pat and Marie Cassidy who, along with family and friends, gathered in Saint Patrick’s Church, Gurteen, Co. Sligo to witness the baptism of their twin daughters Emma and Dawn, born on the 18th April this year.

The twins were baptised by Fr. Doherty P.P., Gurteen. Their godparents are Marie’s sister Brid and husband Peter Gallagher, Killybegs and Pat’s brother John and sister Kathleen Daly, who are also twins. John and Brid were also Pat and Marie’s bestman/bridesmaid. Among the many family members present were the children’s proud grandfather, John Boyle, Dunkineely and Pat’s sister Mary Sherrit who lives in London.

Now living outside Boyle the couple are originally from Donegal. Marie is the daughter of John and the late Bridget Boyle, Dunkineely. Pat is the son of the late William and Kathleen Cassidy, Clogher, Barnesmore.

Pat and John, along with a number of their relatives, are presently compiling a history of this branch of the Cassidys who have lived in Clogher since their great-grandfather John Cassidy, born in Drumbar 1802, married Kitty McGinty, Barnesmore. They settled in the townland of Clogher in 1825. They had a least six children. The family would like to hear from their many descendents so that they can include them in their family tree.

Francis Cassidy 1835/1899 married Sally Freel 1836/1912 Inver, daughter of Francis Freel and Katie McCraken. They lived in the townland of Aughlim. They had ten children.
Sisters Jane and Sara Ann Cassidy married brothers Patrick and Brian Meehan, sons of James Meehan/Sally Freel, Inver. Jane and Patrick lived at Doorin Point. They had ten children. Sara Ann and Brian emigrated to Georgia U.S.A. in 1882/83. The first of their four sons was born on the sailing ship during the voyage.

John and Pat’s grandfather was Hugh Cassidy 1851/1946. Hugh was married twice. His first wife Annie Mulreney, Screen, 1863/1884 died in childbirth with their first child. His second wife was Mary Ann Kennedy, Rushiehill, Inver 1866/1952, daughter of Charlie Kennedy and Madge Gildea who was born in Clogher.

This branch of the Cassidy family are holding a family reunion in Donegal Town on the weekend of October 25th - 28th. The family will meet in the Central Hotel on Thursday night the 25th. Mass in St. Agatha’s Church, Clar on Friday 26th.

On Saturday the 27th, a football team comprising of Cassidys will play a Four Masters selection in Tirconaill Park, Donegal Town, in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association.
Then on Saturday night there will be a Ceili in the Central Hotel and the family would like to extend an invitation to the many Cassidys in the Donegal area to join them and hopefully this will become an annual Cassidy Clan meeting.

For further information please contact the following people. John Cassidy (087-9196933); Peggy Hegarty (21282); Donald McMullin (22343)
Visit our website on: www.geocities.com/Cassidyfamilytree