Tag: Blog

New Business Park Road Opens

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Posted on by Damien Blake

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….

Letterkenny Business Park Road Opening

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!

Donegal Action for Cancer Care Demonstration

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Posted on by Damien Blake

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.

Letterkenny Comedy Festival 2006

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Posted on by Damien Blake
Letterkenny Comedy Festival Brochure

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:

Thurs 27 July

Cock & Bull
8pm, An Grianan Theatre Tickets €22

Arj Barker, David O Doherty, Dave McSavage with mc John Moloney
9pm, The Casbah, Main St, Letterkenny. Tickets: €16

Jason Byrne, Kitty Flanagan, Paddy Taylor with mc Gunther
10pm, The Orchard Inn, High Rd, Letterkenny. Tickets: €16

Jim Jeffries, PJ Gallagher, Colin Cole with mc John Henderson
10pm, The Central Bar Courtyard, Main St, Letterkenny. Tickets: €16

Fri 28 July

Apres Match
8pm, An Grianan Theatre, Tickets €22

Steve Hughes, Angelo Tsarouchas, Ian Coppinger with mc David O Doherty
9pm, The Central Bar and Courtyard, Tickets: €18

Jason Byrne, Arj Barker, Sarah Millican with mc Dave McSavage
9pm, The Cavern Veranda, Lower Main St, Letterkenny. Tickets: €18

Kitty Flanagan, Neil Delamere, Brendan Burke with mc Sean Collins
9pm, Sister Sara’s, Port Rd, Letterkenny. Tickets: €18

Reg D Hunter, Kieran Toland, Brian Joyce with mc M.C. Colum McDonnell
10pm, The Casbah, Main St, Letterkenny. Tickets: €18

Danny Bhoy, PJ Gallagher, Andrew Lawrence with mc Karl Spain
10pm, The Orchard Inn, High Rd, Letterkenny. Tickets €18

Sat 29 July

Emo Philips plus David O’Doherty with MC Gerry Mallon
7pm, An Grianan Theatre, €22

Reg D Hunter, Kieran Toland, Brian Joyce with mc M.C. Colum McDonnell
7pm, The Orchard Inn, High Rd, Letterkenny. Tickets €18

Arj Barker, Reuben, Eleanor Tiernan with mc John Moloney
8pm, Sister Sara’s, Port Rd, Letterkenny. Tickets €18

Angelo Tsarouchas, Kitty Flanagan, Anne Gildea with mc Ian Coppinger
9pm, The Casbah, Main St, Letterkenny. Tickets: €18

Steve Hughes, Kevin Gildea, Dr Cocacolamcdonalds with mc Bernard O Shea
9pm, The Cavern Veranda, Lower Main St, Letterkenny. Tickets €22

Danny Bhoy, Sean Collins, Carol Tobin with mc Andrew Stanley
9pm, The Central Bar and Courtyard, Letterkenny. Tickets: €18

The TV Set
9:30pm, An Grianan Theatre. Tickets €22

Adam Hills, Sue Collins, Dave McSavage with mc Günther
9:30pm, The Orchard Inn, High Rd, Letterkenny Tickets: €18

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

Mayor’s Ball 2006- Quick Round Up

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Posted on by Damien Blake

Anyone who has been reading this site over the last few weeks will have seen pieces on the build up to the Mayor’s Ball, which took place on Friday night past in the Mount Errigal Hotel.

The evening went fantasticaly well, better than I could ever have hoped for. We sold all the tables with over two weeks to spare, and have secured substantial sponsorship from a number of local businesses. On the night, everything went to plan (okay, timekeeping was a little out, but that’s to be expected!) and I’m fairly sure everyone enjoyed the night.

I’m drawing up a list of people, businesses and organisations to thank, and I hope to have some photos from the night online over the next few days.

We raised well over E40,000 for the Donegal Hospice, including over E17,000 in the auction (both Martin Mooney paintings sold for E5,500 each) and almost E9,000 in the draw. The previous Mayor’s Ball record was E32,000. We’re still tallying up the cash, and waiting on some money in, so I’ll be back with an update on the total when we get it finalised.

The response to the event was absolutely phenomenal. I’d like to thank everyone who helped out in any way- organising, selling or buying tables, working on the night, bidding, donating or attending. The night went perfectly, the meal was great, the band and dj got a great reception, and my MC Pascal Blake somehow managed to avoid having a heart-attack.

To everyone involved- thank you!

Martin Mooney: Art for Charity Auction

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Posted on by Damien Blake
Cllr Damien Blake in Martin Mooney's Studio
Cllr Damien Blake with Martin Mooney

As I said before, I was away from the radio most of the morning (so I missed most of the discussion about Dr McDaid).

I was away from the radio as I was visiting local artist of world-renown, Martin Mooney, at his home near Ramelton. Martin is providing two pieces, and his wife Trudy is providing one piece, to be auctioned to benefit the Donegal Hospice during my Mayor’s Ball on May 5th.

Martin was contacted by Sally Blake, who has been a huge help in organising the event. Sally, and her mother Molly, are sponsoring two of the pieces, and Martin is donating the other piece. Molly receives regular respite care in the Hospice, and Sally and Molly wanted to make this contribution in return for all they have received.

Martin is an extremely highly-regard artist. Some of his work is available to view here and here. Louis Walsh considers him “the best investment in art”. These pieces (below) are highly prized, and will not only make a great investment but would fit perfectly in practically any home.

Cllr Damien Blake with Martin Mooney Cllr Damien Blake with Martin Mooney
Click either photo to view a larger version

They will be auctioned on the night of the ball (May 5th), but I will also be accepting bids in advance. If you would like to bid, give me a ring on +353 87 997 3668

My huge thanks to Martin, Trudy, Sally and Molly for their generous donations.

Update: Don’t forget- our charity auction on eBay for two sets of Bruce Springsteen tickets ends in two days time! We have seating and standing tickets up for bids

Letterkenny Educate Together School Approved

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Posted on by Damien Blake

A huge congratulations today to Kathryn Daly and all involved with the Letterkenny Educate Together group, as their school has been officially sanctioned to open in Letterkenny in September.

Educate Together Schools are multi-denominational, parent-led schools with a strong focus on inclusion and bringing children of differing religious, cultural and social backgrounds together. After the development of Letterkenny in recent years, most people would agree that this new school is very welcome, and fills a real need locally.

Kathryn, together with a very hard working committee, have put a huge effort in to this project. They have more than 40 children registered to start in September, and are now working to finalise a location for the school. I’m sure they will be as succesful in that as they have been at every stage of this project.

Update: More information on Educate Together is available on their website.

Mayor’s Ball Charity Auction

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Posted on by Damien Blake

The 2006 Mayor’s Ball is taking place on Friday, May 5th, in aid of the Donegal Hospice. Sales of tickets and tables have been very good so far. We have limited numbers of individual tickets left, at E75 per person, and a few corporate tables for ten, at E750. If you would like to be a part of what promises to be a fantastic evening, for a great cause, please get in touch with Francis in the Town Council on 074 919 4222.

As part of the evening, we have been given a number of items for auction and raffle. Among the items which have been donated are tickets for the Bruce Springsteen concert in Dublin, which also takes place on May 5th. As the concert and the ball clash, we have to do something else with the tickets.

So they are now up for auction on eBay. Any fans of Bruce Springsteen from anywhere in the world can bid for the tickets for the next ten days, and I will post them out. All proceeds (100%) from the sale of the tickets will be going directly to the Hospice.

To bid on the tickets, please visit this eBay page for 2 balcony seated tickets or this page for 2 ground floor standing tickets.

As these items are going for auction for a very worthy charity, I’d appreciate if anyone reading this could either stick a link on their website, or send a few emails. As I say, 100% of the auction price will go to the Hospice.