Just back from the official opening of the new Business Park Road, which will link the new roundabout at Pramerica / Windy Hall on the Kilmacrennan Road with the IDA Business Park at Lisenenan and through to the Kiltoy/Gortlee area. The road will be a great relief for traffic in the area, and will take a load of the minor road which linked the area through Gortlee previously.

The road is properly open- when the tape was cut, the road was opened to all traffic and will remain open, unlike some other road openings (I’m referring to some outside Donegal over the last few years).

But nothing ever passes off smoothly….

The photo above shows Sinn Fein councillors Gerry McMonagle (in Blue jacket) and Tony McDaid working to change a tyre on Cllr McDaid’s car. Tony had the dubious honour of having the first breakdown on the new road!

Most of you in Donegal will be aware of this, but I post here in case anyone has missed it.

The Donegal Action for Cancer Care group (DACC) are hosting a major rally and demonstration here in Letterkenny on Sunday, May 14th at 2pm. The march is going from the Market Square to the Town Park, where there will be a rally with a number of speakers (no politicians though).

I have supported the campaign for Cancer Services here in Donegal before, both on this site (1, 2, 3) and in other places, and I will be supporting the march on Sunday.

Some reports in the local press are expecting up to 10,000 (this article from the Democrat has some details) to attend on Sunday, and numerous groups have rolled in to support the march. I believe that 10,000 is a reachable number, and I would call on anyone who can make it on Sunday to turn up.

The Gardai and Council have been working with the group, and the Quality Court hotel on the Main Street are giving their Multi Storey car park free for the use of the march.

There’s not really much more to say about this. Current provision, and current plans for provision for Cancer Services in Donegal are totally sub-standard. All we are asking for in Donegal is equality of service.

Update: This Highland Radio Article has details on the preparations, such as traffic restrictions and parking plans around the town.

We’re still waiting on the final details, but just to get the word out, plans are almost finalised for the first Letterkenny Comedy Fesitval, which takes place at the end of July (weekend of the 29th and 30th).

Daithi Ramsay (in An Grianan Theatre) has been working on this for a good few months now, and has a number of great acts lined up to play in different venues around the town (not just in the Theatre).

More details should follow, hopefully this week. This is another great event for what should be a big summer in Letterkenny, with the Donegal International Rally in June, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in August and the Letterkenny Reunion, at the start of August.

Update: Found online: Arj Barker is coming for the Comedy Festival, according to listings on his website.

Update: More acts found on their own websites: Emo Philips, Doktor Coca Cola McDonalds, PJ- Naked Camera and Kitty Flanagan

Update: Another act coming to Letterkenny: Brendan Burke

Update: The festival is officially being launched on Wednesday, June 21st. It will be called the Smithwicks Comedy On Tap festival. I’ve seen the draft programme, and it’s great. More details here as soon as all is confirmed.

Update: Line-up and listings are now available. Here’s some detail from the An Grianan theatre website:

Update: All tickets are now available from Ticketmaster, on this special page