Coronation Street Star
calls to Alzheimer’s Office, plays golf and visits the Magee Shop

Johnny Briggs, the actor who played Mike Baldwin in Coronation Street, visited the Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s office in Donegal Town on Thursday 3rd August. He was there to take part in a Golf Classic in aid of the society organised by Nora and Tommy Gallagher, which was held at Donegal Golf Club in Murvagh.
Speaking to the Times, Nora Gallagher commented “I am delighted to be able to give something back to the Alzheimer’s Society who have been instrumental in organising the care and attention given to my mother, an Alzheimer’s sufferer, over last four years. We are delighted that Johnny Briggs is able to be present and find it very appropriate as he played Mike Baldwin, an extremely popular character in Coronation Street, and portrayed to millions of people the difficulties encountered by those suffering from the disease, as well as their families.
Julie Mundy, co-ordinator of the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland Donegal Branch, paid tribute to Nora and Tommy for organising such an event. She also stated that the importance of support for carers cannot be overestimated.
The opening of the new office in Mill Row, Donegal Town last November has afforded those with Alzheimer’s, their families and carers an opportunity to benefit from the supports available locally, including information and a drop-in service.
For further information, contact the office on 074 9722795. The objectives of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland are •To Raise public awareness and provide information •Provide quality dementia-specific care •Support carers and families of people with dementia •Campaign for better statutory services, including specialist services for younger people with dementia •Represent the views, needs and concerns of all affected by dementia •Influence public policy in regard to care and support services.

GOLF AND AUCTION
Next day Johnny led a total of 64 teams in a sponsored golf competition at Murvagh. He later visited the Magee shop where staff member, Stephen Harron presented the former Corrie star with a Donegal tweed jacket. Then it was back to Murvagh for the presentation of prizes at which an auction took place with the top price of the night, €4,600, being paid for Roy Keane’s autographed jersey and two tickets to any game in Old Trafford next year. They were purchased by local plumbing contractor and sport’s fanatic Gregory McGrory. In total, the day raised over €41,000 - a fantastic achievement. Well done to all involved - and to Johnny who fulfilled a full programme with enthusiasm, willingness and good humour.

At a presentation night in Kees Hotel on 29th May, celebrating 25 years service with VEC were back row: John Gallagher; Peter Boyle; Coleman Lee; Rosemary Quinn; Mary Keaney; Jimmy McGroary; Malachy Sweeney; Charlie McInern.
Front: Mary Walsh; Mary Ann Kane; VEC Chairman Terence Slowey; VEC President Sean O’Longain; Deirdre McGrath,
Ann Marie McCormack and Margaret McGroary.

Twins from Ardara turn public payphones into information hubs

The public payphone is set to become a central point of knowledge in a world that craves up-to-date and accurate information on demand, thanks to the innovative vision of twins from Ardara. For many years now the death of the public payphone has been proclaimed time and again through changes in the public’s desire to utilise newer means of communications, including mobile and internet technologies.
However, the public payphone is now fighting back and the recent launch of a partnership between Eircom Card and Payphone Services, and a local Donegal company, One Touch Ireland (OTI), has turned the humble payphone kiosk into a hotbed of information for tourists, visitors, businesses, consumers and local communities. Based in Ardara, OTI has become the largest provider of touch screen based information in Ireland.
Set up by twins, Adrian and Declan Brennan, in 2003, the company has developed a unique product that has really taken off with all types of businesses, including hospitality, professional and retail. The company has now branched out to offer communities a means to promote the facilities their area has to offer, both locally and nationally, at a minimum cost.
Concerning the partnership, Adrian Brennan said Eircom recognised that the Infor Point systems would be a major boost to revitalising their payphone infrastructure. “Within weeks of making contact with them we had an outline agreement in place and now the roll-out of Phase One is complete,” Mr Brennan said.
The installation of One Touch Ireland’s ‘Info Point Touch Screen’ systems into Eircom’s onstreet payphone network, will regenerate local infrastructure as well as attracting new users for a number of exciting applications located within each kiosk,
The deal, worth in the region of €1 million over three years, combines Eircom’s on-street presence with One Touch Ireland’s promoter’s customer base numbering close to a thousand, reaching an audience of over a million users each year. Suitable sites in Donegal are presently being identified.
Free to use and navigatable in six languages, the touch screen kiosks are an instant point of attraction for anyone seeking information on a plethora of categories, including event and travel guides; accommodation; hospitality; retail; professional services and the local community - to name only a few.
One Touch Ireland will be allying the Eircom kiosks to their existing nationwide network of over 200 ‘Info Point Touch Screen’ - providing the largest, and only, network of such capability in Ireland.