Abbey Hotel wins hospitality award

Brian Cunningham, Patricia Wilson and Jim White of the Abbey Hotel pictured with a ‘Good Hospitality Award for 2005’ which was presented to the Abbey Hotel
The management and staff were awarded for consistently showing the highest standards
of welcome, friendliness and excellence of service. Photo: Jason McGarrigle

Fianna Fail Cumann AGM

The AGM of the Cumann was held in the Central Hotel on the 22nd February, chaired by Cllr Jonathan Kennedy who oversaw the election of members to officer positions in the cumann.
The positions were filled as follows: President, Andy Brogan PC; Chairman, Maurice MacMahon; Vice-Chairman, Rory Kennedy; Secretary, Paul Keeney; Assistant Secretary, Marie O’Connor; Treasurers, Pauric Mullooley & Michael Kelly; Youth Officer & PRO, Jason McGarrigle. Delegates to the Comhairle & Dail Ceantair, Lena McNulty and Sally Bonner.
The new executive took their positions at the top table and a very productive meeting was chaired by the newly elected Maurice MacMahon. Councillor Jonathan Kennedy updated the members on the issues affecting Donegal Town that are before the council at present. He assured the cumann members that he, along with Minister Coughlan, was working extremely hard for the people of Donegal Town to ensure that all issues such as planning, development and employment were given full, speedy and effective consideration at council and government levels.
Anyone interested in becoming a member of their local Fianna Fail cumann can email stpatrickscumann@eircom.net or text or phone PRO, Jason McGarrigle, on 086 1928897 for further details.

Inver Notes

By Sean Paul McHugh

The Abbey Vocational School are bringing their play “Blithe Spirit” by Noel Coward to Inver Community Centre on Friday 10th March at 8.00 pm sharp. Anyone who missed it in the school last month should come to see it as you are definitely guaranteed a good laugh!!
Happy birthday to Ann McHugh, Inver, Rachel and Ashling Gallagher both Drimnakillew, Natasha Byrne, Michael and Ultan Mullin, Laura Shallow, Caroline Cannon, Seamus Kelly, Gregory McDaid, Jimmy McGready, Brendan McCready Junior and Bernadette Kearney who are all celebrating their birthdays this month.
Also Happy 21st Birthday to Sean Og Ward who was surprised by a party last Sunday with some family, friends and workmates making it a night to remember.
Congratulations and best wishes to Tanya Cannon (Ardaghey) and Jonathon Doran (Newtowncunningham) who were married last Saturday week in Ardaghey.
St Nauls under 16s match last Saturday was cancelled. The next match is against Ardara at home on Saturday 18th March. The under 12s also kick off their league away to Bundoran on Monday 20th March.

Michael Mulroe getting a surprise for his 60th. All his family came home and had a great party in
Castlemurray to celebrate the big event.

Leghowney Drama Notes

Leghowney Drama Group got off to a good start on Sunday night with their hilarious comedy by Sean Cree, “Wedding Fever”. Despite bad road conditions all the old fans were there for the opening night and there was laughter aplenty. The cast are really enjoying this play and producing great personal performances on stage. By the time you get your Donegal Times there will be only two night left - Wednesday 8th and Friday 10th. This comedy is definitely worth seeing if only to see the man-eating bear. No more clues! Come along and Leghowney Drama will do the rest – see you there! John Cassidy
Editor’s Correction: Leghowney Drama was founded in 1937 not 1967 as printed in last issue.

Caolan Gaffney with Principal, Mrs MA Kane presents a cheque for €800 to Alex Reid on behalf of class LCA2 to help build a second school in the Gambia, West Africa. The money was raised on a raffle for a car trailer built by the students under the supervision of teacher Eamonn Griffin which was won by Seamus Sheeran, Drimarone Coop. This was one of several events held by the AVS students and staff to help build a number of schools in very deprived areas in Gambia as part of the celebration of the centenary of the County Donegal VEC. The project is under the leadership of Robert and Bernie Dunlevy, Altilow, Lough Eske. The first school at Sanchaba was opened last September.

Drimarone Notes

The winner of the Drimarone Development Association weekly draw was Geraldine Carty.
Aerobics Class commencing this Monday night 6th March in the Bluestack Centre from 7.30pm – 8.30 pm. Come along and get fit for the summer of 2006.
Drimarone Drama Group presents ‘A Big Hearted Man’ a three act comedy by Kevin Walsh for four nights only, Thursday 23rd, Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th of March – Not to be missed!!
Deepest sympathy is extended to the McGroary family, Drumborty, on the death of John Joseph McGroary in England. Ar Dhéis Dé go raibh a h-anam dhilis.
Deepest sympathy to the Dunlevy family Selacais and especially Sean Dunlevy (Meath) on the death of his wife Josephine in County Meath. Ar Dhéis Dé go raibh a h-anam dhilis.
The month’s mind mass for the late Fr Neil Boyle will take place this Friday March 10th in the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Drimarone, at 8.00pm.
Brid Curristin

Darren McGettigan, pictured signing a copy of his book ‘Red Hugh O’Donnell and the Nine years War’ for his granduncle John McGettigan. Pictured at back are Darren’s cousins Cathal Bonner, Ann Cahillane, Mary O’Donnell, Madge Robinson, Frank & Freddie McGettigan.

Letter to the editor

Dear Editor,
A little story I remember about the late Seamus O’Brien.
About 25 years ago the Boat Club took on to clean-out the pier side of the bay. I got an old dumper truck of my father’s and was scooping up the muck at a great rate, aided by members of the club. Noticing the tide coming in fast, I said to the boys - ‘It’s time to get out’ - ‘One more load’ they pleaded.
One too many, the machine stuck, embedded in the deep glar, with water around it. We did everything we could to shift it - to no avail. Plenty of brainy boys there scratching their heads perplexed.
Seamus was standing on the pier watching this performance. For a while he let the boys at it, pushing, shoving, pulling, swearing - getting nowhere. Then he simply said “throw her into reverse and back her out”
Though sceptical, I did as he said - and out she rolled as sweet as you like!
Yours etc,
Jess Gallagher, Lights n’ Shades