McGroarty's Sold

Negotiations that have been on-going since the failed auction at the beginning of October have borne fruit and McGroartys Bar has been sold. The purchaser is Phonsie O’Donnell, Glenties, based in New York and the price paid was around the £1million mark. The new owners will take over the Diamond premises on December 3rd. We wish the McGroarty family well in their retirement.

DONEGAL TIMES
Person of the Year

Last year we used a panel of local worthies to pick Eamon Harvey as our Donegal Times Person of the Year for his voluntary work with youth and to honour his appointment as coach to the Irish Paralympic team in Sydney. This year, we would like you, our readers, to make the decision. Below is a form onto which we would like you to write the name of the person you consider would deserve this honour. These forms should be returned to us before Friday 30th November. The only constraint is that the person must come from within this papers circulation area, whose perameters are Ballintra, Barnes, Frosses and Dunkineely

Click here to e-mail us with your nominee and reason for nomination.

The Late Michael McHugh

Inver lost another of its sea-faring men with the sudden death of Michael McHugh, Cranny. Known locally as ‘Red Michael’ he was a familiar sight as he cycled daily around the area. In his youth, he was a brilliant oarsman. His love for the sea lured him to Inver Bay where you would find him in his punt with his nets, pots and lines hoping for a good catch and, like so many seamen, come evening he could be found in a cosy corner of The Rising Tide spinning a yarn about his catch or the one that got away. He would relax with his pint and packet of Woodbines and it was in such surroundings that Michael became known to the many visitors to the area and became friends with young and old alike. There was a large attendance at his wake, removal and funeral Mass at St. Nauls Church, Ardaghey. His relations took part in the ceremony doing readings, prayers of the Faithful and Offertory procession which included a model punt and lobster pot made by Charley Furey, his nephew, symbols of his life and love for the sea. The Doherty sisters from Meenanery, who provided the music and hymns for the service, paid a moving tribute to Michael by singing ‘The Voyage’ and ‘Sailing’ as his remains were taken to St. Naul’s Cemetery for internment.

To his wife Lilly, son Eamon, family relations and many friends, we extend our sincere sympathy.

Fr Ownie interviews Jim White

Last Sunday week, hotelier ‘extraordinaire’ Jim White was guest on the Father Ownie programme on North West Radio - sort of a mutual admiration society. Mr. White was very upbeat on the show, saying that his group of 12 hotels was 15% up this year and if no further terrorist acts take place - 2002 could be even better. He said - while Americans probably won’t cross the Atlantic, more English, Dutch and Germans will come here.

Fr. Ownie quoted Lynch Hotels, midweek doing a dinner bed & breakfast rate of £29.99. Jim said this was to generate cash flow and fill rooms - said his group did the same - if things were slack it would advertise ‘Specials’ - directed especially towards Northern Ireland - 60-70% of business came from there.

Jim said that the Central had now 114 bedrooms and the Abbey 94, and that it was his job to fill these rooms. When Father Ownie put it to him that he had already spent the guts of £20million in the town, Jim said he couldn’t verify that - he would have to talk to his accountant as he was not very good at figures.

Fr. Ownie praised Mr. White, saying how good his businesses were for the town. Jim replied that spin-off for local industry is colossal - the Waterbus had great season because of the hotels - also the Castle, the Railway Restoration Society and Magees.

Wrapping up, Jim said “it depends very much on what happens next as to what the coming year will be like, but hotels geared towards the U.S. market, like Jurys will suffer most, rather than superior 3 Stars like us.” Jim added “we spend more than £500,000 a year on promotion - we sell Ireland as a new destination - clean air, no litter, good food, good music, good drink. Sell it clean - sell it green”.

Stephen Breslin - Star of the Future

At the age of 11, Stephen Breslin, son of Seamus and Patricia of Ardeskin Heights, Donegal Town has made a name for himself on the classical music scene. From the early age of four, a time at which most children are still singing along with ‘Barney’, Stephen was showing an interest in classical music. “When Stephen had his homework finished we would find him in his room listening to Pavarotti. “Seamus and I dismissed this, thinking it would pass” Patricia commented. But it didn’t, and they decided to take him out to see Noreen Thomas, who, after hearing Stephen sing, advised them to bring the young man further. “Noreen recommended we bring him to Ann McNulty at Dublin School of music. At first we thought this was a long distance to travel, but when Stephen was ten years old we made the appointment”, Patricia said.
When Ann McNulty had heard him sing, she said his voice was excellent and recommended he start right away. Stephen has since travelled to Dublin every second Saturday for the last fifteen months.
His big break came when he shared the part of “Oliver” in the Bosco Centre last April. Eileen Kennedy, who was musical director of this show, recommended Stephen to Jim Rafferty, conductor of ‘Elijah’ which was performed in St. Eunan’s Cathedral as part of the Centenary celebrations. Jim was impressed.
“When Eileen introduced Stephen to me and I heard him sing, I knew he was the boy for ‘The Youth’. This is a small but effective part and he had a clear treble voice that had no difficulty soaring to high A. Stephen has a keen interest in classical music which is unusual at the age of 11.”
Stephen’s collection of music ranges from Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert and lots more - a lad with a very bright future in the classical field.