A list of suspects including Sean Dunnion, Conor Reid and Joe Lacey, along with wife Emer, ensured that one of Donegal’s best known characters, Joyce McMullin, was totally taken by surprise when he arrived at Pier 1 for a quiet drink with the three aforementioned boys, only to find there a big assembly of relatives and friends intent on celebrating his 40th Birthday. The levels of deception, trickery and plain spin that had got the All Ireland medal winner to this location would have been worthy of the legendary ‘Comical Ali’ himself.
It was a great night especially for the McMullin family, with Jimmy and Mary and their two children Jessie and Gerry coming all the way from New York. They were joined by Joyce’s sister Eilish who came from Slough outside London, accompanied by her daughter Maria. Also there was his mother Bridie, sisters Maureen, Rosaleen and Breege, sister-in-law Marie and their families, as well as many members of the Galligan family. Congratulations Joyce - hopefully another 40 years to look forward to!

Official opening of Cara Pharmacy by Micheal Leonard

The Cara Pharmacy branch in the Donegal Shopping Centre (previously McSharry’s) was acquired by Canice Nicholas MPSI and Ramona Wylie MPSI, both graduates of Queens University Belfast, in September 2002.
Their mission is to provide an excellent service in the provision of healthcare in Donegal, and to offer their extensive professional advice to all customers. They aim to help patients come to terms with their ailments by giving a thorough explanation of their drug management and counselling on other methods of intervention to improve overall quality of life.
Prescriptions can be delivered to house-bound patients and repeat prescriptions can be collected from the surgery.
The pharmacists at Cara Pharmacy can also provide one to one home visits for those who are immobile or have difficulty using prescribed equipment.
The Pharmacy is open late from 9am. - 7pm. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdays; from 9am. - 8pm. on Thursday and Friday with the aim to facilitate customers who work or are busy during the day.

Jim Gilchrist Returns to Donegal

Jim Gilchrist’s first introduction to Donegal was that of slamming into one of its mountains at midnight in a large warplane. This was in 1944 and the WW2 Sunderland, with a crew of 10, was returning from a mission over France, when bad weather forced it to divert and head for Castle Archdale, near Beleek. However, it was not to make it to this destination - at 11.45pm on 31st January, the massive flying-boat collided with a peak of the Blue Stacks, exploded and burst into flames. Five of the crew managed to escape the inferno, including Jim. The rest of this story is well known - and that fateful night saw the start of a relationship between Jim Gilchrist and the people of Donegal that was to last to the present day.
Next weekend, 26th April, Jim, now 84, returns to this town and, in his honour, a three prong walk will take place up the Blue Stacks to the crash site. Groups will leave from Glenties, Drimarone and Lough Eske and, with the assistance of the Air Corps, the man himself will be choppered to the top, arriving at 12 noon approx (weather permitting).
Later in the evening, at a reception in the Millpark Hotel, Jim will make three presentations: to Dunkineely Boys Brigade, Donegal Community Chamber and the Bluestack Ramblers. At this reception, Jim has indicated that he would like to meet as many of the people of Donegal as possible. Any person wishing to make the walk up to the crash site next Saturday 26th or attend the function in the Mill Park is asked to contact John McGroary on 086-6059220 or Bernard McGlinchey 086 6040020.

Magnificent New Foyer area opens in Abbey Hotel

The magnificent new foyer of the Abbey Hotel opened its doors last Saturday in time for the busy Easter holiday period.
The impressive reception area is decorated by marble pillars that soar upwards thrown into relief by the sparking lights of a myriad of suspended chandeliers (supplied by Lights ‘n Shades). A large fireplace is framed by arches taken from St. Columbas Hospital, Sligo, dating back to 1845. Luxurious couches dot the floor area and little nooks and crannies (‘for young lovers’ said foreman John Fox) are a feature of the layout. The curtains are by Magee and the woodwork by Glebe Builders. “We tried to source locally as much as we could” said hotelier Jim White. Both Mr. White and business partner Liam Clancy are ‘very happy’ with the finished product. “We were finished within schedule, everything has worked out well - we now hope to have 30 bedrooms completed by the beginning of June” states Mr. White, who finished by congratulating Liam and partner Claire on the birth of a baby daughter Ella last week.

Opening of Barnes Community Resource Centre

The new road may have by-passed Barnes but community spirit certainly hasn’t. When Minister Mary Coughlan cut the tape to open the new Community Resource Centre, it was the culmination of many months of dedication and effort by the populace of this area. Located at the old Barnes National School, the centre also boasts floodlit outdoor facilities that can be used for basketball, tennis and 5-a-side football, with more to come.
Carmel Boyle, MC on the night, firstly called on Fr. Peoples and Rev. Fox to confer the official blessing. She then thanked the Mill Court restaurant for the buffet served on the evening.
Following her declaration that the facility was officially open, Minister Mary congratulated the community for the team spirit shown and said she was happy with her part in securing funding for the project.
Local Foroige members were present for a sponsored Pyjama Marathon to take place 8pm - 8am. as part of the opening. The members presented a cheque to Special Olympics Committee, Paula Ryle, Joe Murray and Bert O’Neill. This was money they had collected from the marathon sponsorship. McGettigan’s Butchers were thanked for sponsoring the bacon and sausages for the young volunteers’ breakfasts, which was hosted by Jon and Linda Geary in the Krusty Kitchen.
For further information on use of facilities contact Carmel Boyle on 23171 or Una Sweeney on 22080.