More commercial defections from town - but is there light at end of the tunnel?

OPINION

Not so long ago, at the end of last year, we were writing of regeneration of the town centre, citing the new businesses that were setting up shop there. But that was then, this is now - the bleak days of February, and an exodus of sorts has begun.
Moving out is Horans on Main Street, The Present Company, Quay Street and Michelles, Mill Court Arcade. Already gone, after only a few months, is Baby’s Kingdom out at Euro House. So once more, we have a plethora of retail units for let and lease around town, before we take into account the imminent arrival on the market of new developments at the old cinema and Neros.
As Donegal Town stands at present, it is primarily a tourist destination, providing the services and functions that complement the needs of the influx of visitors that flood into town from St. Patricks Day till the end of September. So while hotels, restaurants, bars and gift shops are busy, other retail is not so successful, the shopper preferring to go to the bigger centres where all their needs can be met with little movement and comparative comfort.
This is why movement towards large scale development in the town centre is so important. If Donegal Town is ever to be more than a service provider to the hospitality sector, it is vital that a commercial magnet must be put in place to attract the floating shopper. The success last week of Keeney Construction in winning the bidding battle for the mart site is hopefully the start of a resurgance that the town desperately needs. We are confident Mr Keeney will deliver!

Neros complex nearly full

All units but one in the new Nero complex have been taken up and should open soon. Unit one is an amusement arcade; Unit 2 and 3, a Cafe Bar; one unit is the porch entrance for the new Indian restaurant upstairs - while one is still for letting.

Ramblers commemorate 60th anniversary of flying boat crash on Blue Stacks

60th anniversary walkers - Stewart McCrea, Enniskillen; Michael Leonard, Joe McDaid, Geraldine Carty, Martin Keown, Bernard McGlinchey, Rev Andrew Kingston, Enniskillen and Shane Timoney. Picture taken after descent at Croaghs.

To commemorate the crew members who died in the plane crash at the top of the Blue Stacks the Ramblers organized a memorial service at the site on Saturday 31st January.
Of the 23 people who had planned to climb only seven turned up due to very bad weather conditions. They were Stewart McCrea, Enniskillen, Michael Leonard, Geraldine Carty, Martin Keown, Bernard McGlinchey, Rev. Andrew Kingston, Enniskillen, and Shane Timony.
At 500m, a snow blizzard and gale force winds made climbing conditions very severe. With great difficulty the intepid bunch reached the site, where Rev. Kingston officiated and laid a wreath. Despite the artic conditions, the group sang hymns and participated in a service with Bernard McGlinchey giving a detailed account of what happened on that terrible night in 1944, a night on which the same weather conditions prevailed.
After some hot sustenance, the group took off down the other side of the mountain, following the footsteps of Jim Gilchrist, 60 years previously, arriving in the Croaghs at 4 p.m. where they received a warm-hearted welcome from Joe McDermott - just as the plane survivors received in 1944 from the same family. After a brief chat, the group was collected by Rambler friends and brought back to base.
At 9’clock on the Saturday night, Jim Gilchrist rang Bernard McGlinchey to ask if the memorial service had been called off as he had seen the weather forecast. He was delighted when the Lough Eske man replied no and described the details of the day. Jim was delighted that the memorial service had taken place and was highly appreciative of the efforts this group this had made to access the summit.
Bernard McGlinchey would like to thank everybody who made the effort to get up the mountain that day to hear the words spoken by the Reverend Kingston at the crash site.
‘Father, we remember Jim today, now the only known survivor. As we also remember those who died here, or subsequently, we recall the words of your Son Jesus, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend”.’ Text & Photo supplied by Bernard McGlinchey

Credit Union Primary Schools Quiz

Once again the local heat of the National Credit Union school’s quiz was hosted The Donegal Town branch in the Central Hotel. This year there was a tremendous response with almost every Primary School within the Credit Union’s common bond area participating. The standard as usual was very high and tie breaker questions were required to separate the teams.
Jim Mc Cabe on behalf of Donegal Town Credit Union thanked all the participants, their teachers and their parents. Refreshments were served.
Winners:
1st (under 11)……Scoil Aodh agus Nuala Donegal Town
2nd (under 11)…..Gaelscoil na Gceithre Maistir Donegal Town
1st (under 13)….. Scoil Aodh agus Nuala Donegal Town

2nd (under 13)…..St. Peters N.S. Mountcharles

Pub Tipsters Competition

Lisa Hughes, Manager of Graham’s Bookmakers, Donegal Town, presenting €500 to Donie McIntyre, Charlie’s Star Bar. Donie won the Pub Tipsters competition held by Grahams over the six weeks leading up to Christmas.