MOVILLE RAFT RACE

5 MINUTES WITH - JACKIE CARTIN

Jackie Cartin lives on the border of Muff and Derry and is originally from the Brandywell in the heart of Derry. She is a specialist in Natural Nutritional Education and Consultancy. Her company Pure Products and Services, is an umbrella for her many different activities. Jackie designs and delivers cookery classes and workshops on healthy living and lifestyles for local community groups and schools. Jackie enjoys introducing practical, user-friendly alternatives to junk food to people. One of the classes is a Natural Approach to Weight Loss where one satisfied client lost eleven stone over the course of one year. Jackie finds the classes in the schools have a positive impact on the children and she hopes that her natural approach will help in the long term with diabetes, obesity and mental health. Also under the umbrella group is her fresh and frozen ready meals catering for vegetarians and vegans. Check out the full menu on her website http://www.pure4life.org/ or you can contact her on (0044) 7742922543 or on myspace.com/pureproductsandservices

Jacqueline lives with Martin McDaid and their children Sam, Leah and Seosamh. You can also get a chance to see Jacqueline at Natural Health Fair on the 21st March at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, which is on between 10am and 4:30 pm.

What music are you listening to at the moment?
The new remastered Astral Weeks by Van Morrison, which was originally recorded in 1968. I am also enjoying Grainne Duffy (from Castleblaney in County Monaghan). It is bluesy soul music and I am also listening to some classic jazz from Imelda May.

What books are you reading?
I read anything on nutrition and have a lot of reference books from when I was studying for my Nutritional Therapy exams. I use them a lot. I have a cook book by Nomi Shannon called The Raw Gourmet, which I dip in and out of. I also have a book called End the Struggle and Dance with Life by Susan Jeffers, which is always floating around the house somewhere. I like to browse through it as it keeps me focussed.

What was your favourite childhood game?
I loved being out of doors and cycled a lot. I come from a very large family of 11 children and I shared a bedroom with 5 sisters. We could always rustle up a rounders team.

What was the last film that you saw at the cinema?
Perfume – It’s a story of a man with a superior sense of smell who attempts to create the ultimate perfume and how his world takes a dark turn in his quest.

What would you never throw away?
I don’t have anything left from my childhood… everything was worn out. It would have to be the memory of my first pair of Wrangler Dungarees with their wide flares. The dungarees have gone but the memory remains…

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Coming from a large family, we had lots of embarrassing moments so I was well seasoned to them from a young age. Things like that tend to wash over me.

Favourite TV programme?
This could fall under the heading of “Embarrassing moments” I like Desperate Housewives, the X Factor and a bit of reality TV like Big Brother. I can’t believe I have just admitted to that…..

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to be a nurse and I suppose I am still going down the caring route with my training as a nutritionalist.

Any holiday memories?
Martin and I decided to go away for a week to the Island of Rhodes. It was a total chill out on a hired a motorbike. I was riddled with guilt afterwards though and I still remember the look on my children’s faces as we left them behind with family for the week. We have taken them with us ever since.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Barbara Wayne, the founder of the College of Natural Nutrition in Bristol, Bob Marley, the Dalai Lama and Van Morrison could give us a song.

What do you do for a special treat?
More than I realise when I think about it… 15 friends and I had a pampering spa weekend in Enniskillen recently. We love to go out and about in the campervan and as we have to test new food for our vegetarian takeaway business, it’s a good excuse to have a lot of friends around to sample the food. That is a real treat as we love cooking.

Favourite animal?
I love animals but couldn’t keep one, as I would feel guilty keeping it enclosed.

Biggest thrill?
The Dragon Khan in the Port Adventura Park, in Salou in Spain. The ride is the longest in Europe and the name is based on Chinese mythology. The Dragon Khan was the reincarnated spirit of the evil Prince Hu of Beijing. His fury was unleashed each time a human dared to climb onto his back….scary stuff…

Biggest Challenge?
Going back to school. I started from scratch seventeen years ago.

What charity would you support?
I give to charities that have holistic approaches to overcome problems. I give to Aware Defeat Depression.

The world’s most irritating/most useful invention?
Although I love the juicer, it does tend to be very difficult to clean. I have some great seed sprouters that are my favourite at the moment. They are glass jars with metal lids that sit on their side so the sprouted seeds don’t sit in water… they are very easy to wash…

Best birthday present?
I had a wonderful surprise 40th birthday trip to Paris.

Favourite past-time?
My daughter is really interested in baking at the moment so I spend a lot of time with her in the kitchen. We enjoy coming up with tasty new recipes for our take away business. If I get a chance I like to get on the bike and go for a cycle too.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
For the music and the fashion, it has to be the 1960’s

What do you have for breakfast?
I have a fresh slice of lemon with inishOh! Water followed by porridge and green juice made from celery and cucumber.

Do you have a favourite cartoon character?
I love puppets…When I was young I watched Andy Pandy and the flower pot men.

What was your first paid job?
I worked in a chip shop called Wheelers in Derry when I was 15 years old. I worked until 1.30 in the morning and got paid 96p and hour.

Worst household chore?
All of them… I am not very domestic.

What is the best/worst piece of advice you have been given?
The worst is “Take these tablets.” The best advice was “Listen to your first instincts.”

Personal philosophy?
Live not to eat but eat to live… Natural nutrition fuels your body….

Slalom race at Swan Park

More information on the Foyle Paddlers Canoe Club website

CABLE AND ACCESSORIES - EDITORIAL

Stephen McKeever demonstrates the smooth action of a Click switch.

Damian and Stephen are able to find stock easily in the well-designed warehouse.

Stephen cutting a piece of armoured cable to length for a customer.

Cable and Accessories offer a professional and friendly service to both complete novices and main contractors in the electrical industry.

Why are Cable and Accessories so successful?…… They listen to their customers.

Cable and Accessories are a trusted name in the electrical supply industry and hold major contracts with the ESB and Regional Health Boards.

The reduction of waste is a key factor in the company…. you can walk in and buy single items…… Sometimes you just need one 13 amp fuse, one light switch or a bulb.


CABLE AND ACCESSORIES ELECTRICAL WHOLESALERS

Cable and Accessories, the electrical wholesaler is proud to have a newly opened branch here in the peninsula. Centrally located on the Milltown Business Park in Buncrana, Cable and Accessories caters for both the retail and wholesale electrical market.

Established 25 years ago in Derry, they have now grown to be the largest independent electrical wholesaler in the North of Ireland, with well-established premises in Derry, Letterkenny, Omagh and Limavady. At present they employ 42 people around the country. Expansion plans won’t stop there either as they are planning to open more outlets around the country over the coming months.

Partnerships
Cable and Accessories value their capacity to build up and establish a working relationship and partnership with their trade customers. One of their selling points is that they will provide quotes for tendering purposes. This supports their customers to accurately price small and large contracts which can be an advantage in a successful tender.

Open to both the trade and public.
Making both retail and wholesale customers feel at ease is important to the success of the company. There’s no such thing as a silly question and if you have any product queries, Damian and Stephen are there to help. Damian has 26 years experience in the electrical industry and although Stephen has a long way to catch up in years, he makes up for it in enthusiasm. Between them they make a friendly and dynamic team.


Armoured cables
If you are considering underground cables for outdoor lighting and water pumps, Cable and Accessories are the only stockists in Inishowen that stock armoured cables. These cables are vital to ensure that the protective covering isn’t damaged by stones when buried. Stephen and Damian will cut the heavy-duty cable to any length saving you money and sparing any waste.

Reducing waste
The reduction of waste is a key factor in the company, with this in mind you can walk in and buy single items instead of multi packs. Sometimes you just need one 13 amp fuse, one light switch or bulb.

Get an account
Getting a customer account at Cable and Accessories enables the buyer to go into any of the outlets around the country to buy what they need, which frees the contractor to be mobile in any part of the country.

Nationwide back up of products
If for any reason the item you are looking for is not in stock in the Buncrana unit they have a fully stocked 20,000 square foot warehouse in Derry and an express delivery service. The item you require can be sourced and delivered to you in a matter of hours. The Buncrana branch has access to the companies HGV lorries and vans which; operate around the country, ensuring you get the products you need when you need them.

Stockists of household names
Cable and Accessories have sourced top quality brand named products that reflect their reputation for supplying the industry with the best.

Click wall accessories
Click are a world leader in products such as junction boxes, flush mounted switch and socket boxes, cable clips and connector strips. All Click products are manufactured to the highest quality levels and comply with all relevant British and European standards. Guarantees of up to 20 years against materials or manufacturing faults show how confident they are with product quality.


Hager
Hager is part of a dynamic, global company and is a world-class manufacturer of voltage distribution and electrical equipment. Their products cover all residential and commercial electrical installations, and ensure quality and flexibility to the installer and end user. They also offer a unique service of design solutions to meet customer needs, in the areas of energy distribution, building control, connection systems and cable routing. They are the main suppliers of MCB’s (Miniature Circuit Breakers) for the main fuse box in the house.

Robus
Robus is one of the leading brands of LED fixtures and includes LED products for both exterior and interior use. The new range of durable and corrosion resistant outdoor lighting products available from Robus includes bollards, bulkheads and wall lights. They also supply efficient, over-door convectors.

Dimplex
Dimplex heating systems cater for the domestic and commercial market. They produce high-energy efficient products such as heat pumps, electric under-floor heating and condensing gas boilers. Dimplex is an established world leader, with hundreds of products dedicated to energy efficient usage and comfortable lifestyles.
Their line-up covers heat pumps and solar water heating; commercial heating and air curtains; water heating; award winning electric fires and suites; portable heaters and domestic heating solutions for all around the home.

Ansell
Ansell Lighting design and manufacture lighting products that fall into six distinct groups. These are display, amenity, floodlighting, industrial, commercial and emergency lighting. Their design expertise provides multiple solutions for almost every interior and exterior application that includes a commitment to fulfilling the increasing requirement for products that are energy efficient.

Pyrolix and Response Burglar Alarms
With a home security system, your home is two to three times less likely to be broken into than a home without one. Cable and Accessories stock two class-leading companies Pyrolix and the wire free Response system. Call into the store and see what system suits your property.


Opening times
The unit is Open from 8 am to 5pm Monday to Friday….. They don’t close for lunch.

KEEP WARM THIS WINTER

With the weather getting very cold over the last few weeks and the nights getting longer, we need to ensure our house is warm and comfortable for the winter. There are lots of practical cost efficient ways to keep your home cosy making sure you keep the draughts out and the heat in. Putting up a well-fitting curtain over the front door and using draught-proofing strips between the part of the window that moves and the frame and along the bottom of the back and front doors can help and of course insulating the loft is another effective way of making your home more energy efficient.

For older people, make sure that you eat regularly and have good food such as warming soups and stews and don’t forget, plenty of hot drinks. Keep yourself warm by wearing layers and keep as active as possible. Warm dressing gowns, slippers and blankets are useful for all the family.

Having a fire with a back boiler or a range in the kitchen not only adds warmth to the house, but can also give your home a heart.

Andy McLaughlin (Mac’s Coals)
Andy McLaughlin started working in the family coal business along with his father when he was 16. The business has been serving the heating needs of the peninsula for over 40 years. Andy has a drive in cash and carry in Buncrana and has opened a small depot in Carndonagh. Mostly though Andy serves his customers through his coal delivery service, six days a week. Mac’s offers keen rates for delivery of tons and half tons of coal as well as delivering slack and peat, cosyglow, doubles, anthracite and ecologs. You can contact their head office on 074 9361542.

Fuelog
With the price of oil becoming more unpredictable these days and with talk of global warming, a lot of people are looking at the wood burning stoves for an efficient and cleaner way of keeping their homes warm. John McCloskey has been in the business of supplying high performance clean burning logs for the last five years. He has two logging machines that can cut the logs to the size customers need whether it is a big stove to keep your outside shed warm or smaller logs for ranges and open fires. John has seen the demand for logs rise since he has started and delivers all over the area, from Derry, to Muff, Burt, Burnfoot and up to Malin and Moville and Glengad. Some people buy it loose and get a better price, otherwise John bags the logs in red netting to keep the wood dry and stop condensation. John can be contacted on 0862899369.

MOVILLE SUMMER FESTIVAL - EDITORIAL 2008

MOVILLE SUMMER FESTIVAL

Ideally situated on the western shore of Lough Foyle, Moville is accessible from all areas North and South and is frequently visited by people from all over the world. Originally just one street, Moville has grown into a thriving town with a diverse mixture of businesses, industries and services that are successfully providing employment and self-sufficiency for the area.

Over the last few years Moville has successfully run some diverse festivals. Last year was the hugely popular Dylan Fest and they were also one of the first towns to host an “Oyster Festival”. The one event that everyone looks forward to every year is the popular Summer Festival. Started in the 1950’s as a Sea Angling Festival the event has grown to be one of the most popular events of the year and it also includes the Moville Regatta.


HOW IT BEGAN

The Moville Summer Festival was originally The Foyle Sea Angling Festival and was started by Father Rafferty in the 1950’s. It also holds the accolade for being the oldest festival in the peninsula.

Local men, Father Rafferty, Jim McGettigan and Tony Meehan were concerned at the plight of the families of the many fishermen lost at sea. So much so, they decided to start the Angling Festival to raise money for the families. This proved to be such a success that the Festival continued year after year. Angling Clubs from all over the North, Bangor and Co. Down used to attend and one regular visitor was Father Willy McDonald who travelled from Southampton every year, even during the years of the troubles.



QUOTES

This year we have fantastic live bands performing outdoors at the festival. It’s bigger and better than ever! Eddie Harkin – chairman of the festival

“I wouldn’t miss this wacky event for the world. I come over every year from Scotland and have a fabulous time” – Larry Lumley, sunbathing on the street in Moville


GRAND OPENING

Although events begin on Wednesday with the treasure hunt, the festival isn’t officially opened until 7:30 pm on Friday the 1st of August. Not that that will deter anyone from starting the celebrations. Ash McFadden from Greencastle’s Inishowen Maritime Museum & Planetarium will be setting off some of his rockets to mark the start of the weekend. This, like all things that happen in the festival are subject to weather conditions and if the wind is up they might have to find something else to mark the opening as the rockets tend to get blown out into the Foyle. Ash always remains positive though and he will be studying the wind reports up until the moment of launching.


PRE FESTIVAL FUN

Even before the official opening of the festival there is still plenty to do. If you have a car and an inquisitive mind then you night like to join in the Car Treasure Hunt that starts from McGettigans bar at 6 pm tomorrow Wednesday 30th. The list of questions will tax your brain as you scour the countryside for clues. Although the finishing time is supposed to be 9 pm, we would imagine that there will still be people lost for a few hours afterwards as they try to solve the clues.

THINGS TO DO

If you have a cute baby then why not enter the Bonny Baby Competition at 3pm on Saturday. This year the organisers have opened up the event to include loads of categories, even including children up to 4-7 year old. This section is aptly named “Masters of the Universe”.

There are some old favourites to look forward to on Saturday. After the regatta Cruiser Race which starts at 2pm, the vintage tractor and building display will be on show at Quay Street near the pier. The old Massey engines are sure to rekindle a bit of nostalgia for some and show us what life used to be like when we were more open to the elements.

All aboard
Sunday may see people thrashing around in the Foyle if some of their home made rafts sink into the murky water. If you stand around the pier at 4pm then you will witness a large group of hardy men, women and children who are not afraid to risk their dignity whilst straggled across a few rusty 52 gallon drums. There has never been so much fun in the water. For anyone participating and not suffering hypothermia, there will be a presentation to the winners afterwards.

A bit of history
For those of you who like to keep on the move there will be an historic walk around the town tracing Moville back to 1754 when the property on which the town of Moville now stands was purchased by Samuel Montgomery, A Derry merchant, who was Sheriff of the City in 1754. He built “New Park” in 1776 - the family residence ever since. The walk begins at 12 noon on Saturday the 2nd.


All the fun of the fair
All through the weekend there will be a fairground to excite the children and turn the stomachs of the parents, as they are reluctantly forced to sit in with their offspring. A bouncy castle will give a bit of welcome relief to adults, as generally they are not allowed to bounce as it ruins it for the toddlers, as they tend to fly uncontrollably in the air.


Live music
Live music will be playing all around the centre of the town over the weekend. There will be stages on James Street, Market Square and the Malin Road. The committee have booked come choice acts this year, which include a Bon Jovi tribute band, a Robbie Williams tribute and Flash Harry, a tribute to Queen.


In the bars
For people not wanting to stand outside, most bars around the town will be will be hosting live sounds. Check out the Waterfront, Caisal Mara, The Town Clock, Rawdons, The Trawlermans, Rosatos Bar, and the Corner Bar to see what’s on over the course of the festival. If it’s boogying the night away then McGuire’s and the Bar -a -Cuda will be venues for DJ action.

Late Licences – but please be sensible
Late licences have been obtained for the duration of the Festival and the committee wishes to emphasise that the Moville Summer Festival promotes sensible drinking and requests that stewards and gardai are co-operated with at all times.


DID YOU KNOW?

Last year one band controversially pulled out of the event because the Strippendales were performing. However a recent survey showed that 10 out of 13 Movillians were relaxed about male strippers.

The first steamboat service Derry to Moville started in 1832, this has nothing to do with the festival but wouldn’t it be great to see it back in action. What an attraction it would be for the festival….

The Gaelic name for Moville was originally Bun an Phobail (pronounced bunafobble) ("the foot, or end, of the parish). What a great name.

The Moville Festival is the oldest in the peninsula, dating back over 50 years.

5 MINUTES WITH - CATHAOIR RUA Ó DOCHARTAIGH

Imaging if a well known, charismatic figure from Inishowen history could come back and answer the 5 Minutes with Questions…. Well imagine no more. This week Cahir Rua is (sort of) with us.

Cahir was elected taoiseach in May 1601 when he was only 14 years old. He was made the Lord of Inishowen between 1601 – 08. All was well until George Paulet, the governor of Derry, accused him of planning a rising when in fact he was only cutting down trees to repair his castle in Buncrana. When Cahir appealed to the Lord Deputy Arthur Chichester in Dublin they locked him up until he produced a surety of several thousand pounds. When he retuned to Inishowen he was so infuriated that he decided to rebel and, with his men, burnt down Derry. Cahir was killed for a reward and the gallant hero’s head was placed on a spike above the main entrance to Dublin Castle where it remained for many years. Meanwhile, his quartered body was put on display in Derry as an example to any would-be insurgent. All of his lands and properties were confiscated by Chichester who then became the new “lord” of Inishowen.

What music do you like?
Oh, my all-time favourite has to be The March of the Kings of Laoise. It’s such a rousing tune! Our pipers used to play it as we were marching into battle. Yes, what a piece!

What would you never throw away?
My trust. I trusted the English and they conspired against me. They goaded me into warfare when all I wanted was peace and stability for the people of Inishowen.

What book are you reading?
“The Last of the Name” by Charles McGlinchey. It’s all about my people and what became of them when I had to leave them. It’s a wonderful book! This is my third time reading it. I am also reading the new book out by Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh named Seven Races of Inishowen O’Doherty. It’s a great read. Check it out on www.seoirse.com.

What was your favourite childhood game?
Blind Man’s Buff with my little sisters in the castle at Elaghmore. You could hide in hundreds of places there!

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I see the odd DVD. I’m not a cinema person. Too tall. I’m 6ft 8”. Everybody behind me screams to lie down or something! I saw “The Fighting Prince of Donegal” recently. You know, Hollywood hasn’t a clue about historical accuracy. Red Hugh O’Donnell was a giant…like myself.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
The political features, usually. But I despair at the quality of leadership in Inishowen sometimes. No teeth!

What is your idea of a good night out?
Oh, much the same as it always was: a good roast on a spit and a barrel of claret for me and my friends...and some nice harp music, of course.
.
Most embarrassing moment of your life?
When Paulet, the Governor of Derry, struck me on the face in front of all those people. But he got his just deserts in the end. He actually gave my beloved Inch, which was legally mine, to some military upstart. That was the beginning of it.

Have you a favourite TV programme?
Don’t watch TV much, but I really enjoyed a series a few years ago on TG4 (Irish is my first language). It was about two Donegal undertakers – “C.U. Burn” I think it was called. I laughed till I cried.

How do you relax?
Now? Well, I just kind of float around up here. It’s heaven, you know! I don’t think I was too relaxed in my earth days. Do you know any 21-year olds who relax?

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I was fortunate. We had lots of servants and maids in the castle. But when my father and I were taken hostage by the O’Donnell in 1593, they made me sweep the dungeon.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
Scotland! I have relations in the Western Isles and haven’t seen them for ages. It’s a home from home over there!

Your idea of heaven?
Where I am right now! But I suppose I’d love to be riding on my horse over the hills of Inishowen and taking it all in. That’s heaven too.

Your idea of hell?
I suppose, it would be to see Inishowen - which used to be teaming with poets and storytellers and musicians – become an urban concrete jungle where people imitated the worst aspects of foreign ways and turned there backs on all things Irish.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Pádraig Pearse: for his poetry and romantic outlook. Gráinne Mhaol, the female sea pirate: for a bit of craic. Paganini: to enliven us all with his magic fiddle!

Favourite animal?
The horse! I was reared in the saddle. I love horses!

What couldn’t you live without?
The company of my darling wife Mary and our beautiful daughter Onóra.

Biggest fear?
Dark, mysterious figures in the woods.

Biggest thrill?
Burning Derry to the ground! But we only killed a couple of soldiers who resisted us. We let the rest go. You should have seen them run in their long nightshirts!

The world’s most irritating invention?
I think it’s that little squarish thing you see people with all the time, stuck to their ears – mobile phones, I think they’re called. Hate them!

What is your idea of a good night in?
Me, Mary and Onóra, sitting around a big log fire in our castle with one of our best story-tellers telling us about the legends of Aileach!

Do you have a hobby?
I used to be a great letter-writer – in Irish. I loved the sound of the quill pen on dry parchment. They told me I was a great letter-writer.

Biggest disappointment?
That we didn’t save Inishowen as an independent country. We could have gone alone, trading with Spain and France. They were crazy about out fish and our poteen. A salmon washed down with a drop of old “Inishowen” was something hard to beat.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
I think the Irish War of Independence in the 1920s. Despite all, we did it! It’s not all that we dreamed of, but, hey, we are fairly independent now!

World’s most useful invention?
It must be the wheel. But the man who invented tar for the roads deserves to be knighted!

What do you have for breakfast?
In my youth we had hot, wheaten farls with butter. We usually drank buttermilk with it. Hmmm…scrumptious!!!

What is the best/worst piece of advice you have been given?
The worst was, undoubtedly, when one of my men in the swamp near the Rock of Doon, told me that it was safe to go forth. But it wasn’t. That’s when the assassin’s bullet pieced my skull and left my people without their chieftain.
The best was the day, my friend Feidhlimí Riabhach Mac Dáibhid introduced me to my future wife, Mary Preston. “Marry her, Cahir, or I’ll marry her myself!” he said.

Personal philosophy?
My philosophy is simple: despite my military experience it would always say “live and let live!”

INDIAN CHARITY GETS A BOOST

CARNDONAGH CHARITY SHOP RAISES MONEY FOR INDIAN CHARITIES


Last Friday, the Action With Effect charity shop in Carndonagh, closed after successfully raising over €8700 for Indian charities. The Independent spoke to Catherine White about her efforts to raise money for the organisation, which provides humanitarian aid to lepers, orphans and destitute children.

“I became involved with the charity after taking part in a historical fundraising walk around Carndonagh,” Catherine explains. “I had been talking to Anthony Conaghan from Carndonagh on the walk, who is involved in Action With Effect. Later I met Eamon Melaugh from Derry, who invited me to visit India in September 2006 to volunteer with the work that is being supported over there,” she tells us. “The project works in three areas north of Delhi; Derhadun, Hardwar and Rishakesh, where there is great work being done and of course, loads more to do,” she continues.

Action With Effect works with the very poorest and most destitute people, including lepers and children. Lepers are considered untouchable and are outcasts. They are physically unable to work and even if they could no one would employ them. Their only means of support is begging and they live in degrading misery in conditions of abject squalor where they face a bleak future of shame and humiliation. Millions of destitute children never go to school and face a distressing future of stunted social and economic deprivation.

BUILDING HOUSES

Action With Effect has so far build over 50 houses for lepers, as well as 12 schools for impoverished kids. So far they are putting 2000 children through education, which is the way for a child to break out of the poverty cycle. An orphanage has been built as well as a hospice to provide more humane conditions for lepers.

Having seen the conditions that people are living in first hand, Catherine is only too happy to put in a bit of graft to raise money for the charity. “The children have such terrible lives,” she tells us passionately. “Some of them are no better than slaves and have been sold into bonded labour and expected to work 15/16 hours a day in exhausting physical work such as breaking rocks. The charity rescues as many children as possible, but of course they need money. They are completely reliant on the generosity of people here in Inishowen and Derry. They receive no other funding from anywhere and every penny raised goes straight to those that need it,” she continues.


MOTIVATION
So what made her decide to run a shop? “Well, I got the idea of running a charity shop from Mary McCallion from the IRDL who had successfully raised money for breast cancer before Christmas.” Catherine informs me. “I was able to take the shop over with all the fittings intact which was great. It has been very successful and I have been overwhelmed by the level of support I have had. Inishowen people are so generous, visiting the shop often and making donations. It was also great fun, meeting people and having the craic,” she smiles. “I am absolutely delighted to have raised this money to send out to India. I know it makes such a difference” she concludes.

For more information about the work of Action With Effect or to make a donation call 048 71364029 or e-mail action with effect

5 MINUTES WITH - DEIRDRE BRADLEY

Deirdre Bradley is the new Exhibition manager for North West Exhibitions Ltd based in Buncrana. Until recently you would have seen her in the tourist office in the town where she worked for the Chamber of Commerce. Deirdre worked there for four years and absolutely loved the position, especially the contact with local business people and community groups in the area. Whilst working for the Chamber of Commerce Deirdre set up gala dinners, fashion shows, award ceremonies and trade shows. This gave her the confidence to accept her new role as exhibition manager and to enjoy the challenges that the new position brings. In the two weeks since joining the company, Deirdre has been busy organising the Ideal Homes Exhibition that will be taking place in Coshquin on the Derry /Donegal border at the end of May. There will be 116 stands in the 27,000 square foot building, for showcasing products and services supplied by businesses all over Ireland.


What sort of music do you listen to?
I like all styles. It isn’t very often that I buy any music though; I usually listen to local radio stations. Either the ICR or Highland. You get music and also the local chat too.

What would you never throw away?
I can’t throw away greetings cards! I keep all of them, get well, good luck, and birthdays. I put them all into a big box. I even have the baby cards for when my four children were born!

How do you relax?
I like nothing more than a glass (or bottle!) of red wine to share with good company – friends and family.

What book are you reading?
I don’t have much time for sitting and reading books. I am looking through an awful lot of interior and homes magazines though. I am picking out names and company contacts for the run up to the big show this year.

What page of the newspaper do you turn to first?
It seems a bit strange now that I have my new job, but it is the employment section. It’s just a habit I suppose! I also have a habit of reading the paper from the back to the front.

What is your idea of a good night out?
An evening out with friends is perfect. Organising the evening can sometimes prove to be difficult though as we are all so busy. We were out in the new Sunrise restaurant in Buncrana on Saturday. This has been the first week we have all been free since November of last year!

Have you a favourite television programme?
I always watch Desperate Housewives. I think it is good fantasy fun and so detached from any lifestyle we are accustomed to.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I always wanted to become a mummy! It seems strange to think about it now, but whenever the travelling community came into Carndonagh I would wish that they would leave a baby at the bottom of my road so I could take it home and look after it. I suppose it was always inevitable that I would have children, and I have four. Later on though in my adult life I wanted to get into event management, so I am now in my dream job.

Where would you like to go on your holidays?
With the weather as it is at the moment I would like to go anywhere hot and sunny, preferably an island

What is your idea of heaven?
Waking up every day, happy in your own skin. To wake up excited and be doing something that is a pleasure

What is your idea of hell?
To be materialistic and just do things for money. To put up with a well paid job at the expense of your happiness and a feeling that you have to keep up with the Jones’s.

Are there any famous people you would invite around for dinner?
I think that I would invite people from community groups instead of any celebrities. People who work for the benefit of the community have great stories to tell.

What are your main strengths?
I like to think that I am good with people and before you ask me what my weakness is, it’s paperwork!

5 MINUTES WITH - EMMA MCDERMOTT

Emma MCDermott is the dynamic assistant manager of Inishowen Community Radio (ICR). Emma loves travelling and is just back from Los Angeles where she was volunteering at two radio stations (KCRW and The sound of young America). Since her return, Emma has been kept busy setting up the hugely successful Sports Show (3-6pm on Sundays) which gives live, up to date reports, on sports happening throughout the peninsula. In the next couple of weeks the intrepid Emma is off to India to put together a documentary about the Dalits of India (also known as untouchables), which will be funded by the Simon Cumbers Media Challenge Fund.

What have you been downloading on your iPod?
The last download of iTunes was some dance music called Ghetto Blaster by Armand van Helden. It’s very “get up and go!”

What book are you reading?
I have just finished reading The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It’s an American best seller about creative visualisation and the laws of attraction. I found it quite inspiring and I believe that what we believe can effect our destiny.

Have you been to the cinema recently?
When I was in L.A. I went to see Kings, which is an Irish Language film by Tom Collins of Derry, based on the lives of five Irishmen in America. It opened up my eyes to how hard a life it was for the immigrants. I also had a bit of fun watching Fred Claus. Fred is Santa’s big brother…

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I always go the horoscopes. Oh I hope that doesn’t make me sound too new agey, I know its just a bit of fun!

What is your idea of a good night out?
A few drinks with friends and maybe end up dancing.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
I was on a beach with my mate in Bali and was pure white because of the lack of sun from the Irish winter. I overheard someone say, “Look, its Casper and his friend”…. I have used fake tan ever since!

What is your idea of a great meal?
I love Indian food. Good company makes it more enjoyable.

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I don’t usually sit still long enough to watch the box. I do make a point of watching Shameless every Tuesday though.

How do you relax?
As I said I don’t like sitting still so I am never in the house long enough to relax. I do like walking, and visiting friends can be very therapeutic.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I always wanted to work in the media. I strayed away from my ideal by studying IT, but got back on course joining the radio station.

What is your ideal car?
A black Audi A4 convertible.

Apart from Inishowen(!) where would you like to go for your holidays?
It would have to be LA. I have always wanted to visit and when I am there I love it! I always feel fully charged when I come back. The life style and people are great.

Your idea of heaven?
Somewhere warm! After saying that I am going skiing next week!

Your idea of hell?
Somewhere where people complain all of the time and can’t drive properly.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Adam Brodey from the O.C. programme, (because of his acting talents) and Larry Mullen Junior from U2 (because he is good with the drumsticks!)

Favourite animal?
Chimpanzee- I always wanted one when I was young as I thought they were cute.

Biggest fear?
Spiders! I hate them with a passion. I was in Australia a few years ago and had to endure Huntsman spiders, they are as big as your hand and poisonous as well! My friends would chase them round the house trying to hit them with a shoe.

Biggest thrill?
It used to be roller coasters but I have found skiing. That’s far better.

The worlds most irritating invention?
The umbrella. I get fed up with being poked in the eye!

Personal philosophy?
If you want something, go for it.

Any last words?
How did you get those 120 candles on to my birthday cake?

COMING HOME?

Coming Home - Diaspora

Are you originally from or connected to the North West of Ireland and interested in coming back?

You are therefore,according to Ireland North West, our Diaspora!

The Diaspora project currently being undertaken by Donegal County Council and Derry City Council is aimed at people who are living and working in other parts of the country or the world who want to return at some point.

The project aims to encourage individuals to come back to work, set up a business or be influential in an investment decision into the region.

If you are interested in coming home, setting up a business or would like to know about other ways which you can support development in the North West region - from wherever you are - then they want to hear from you.

Over the course of this project we will be running a number of events both nationally and internationally aimed at keeping our Diaspora informed about what is going on and encouraging them to get involved in what's happening at home.

The North West has a real opportunity to develop a sustainable and competitive economy for the future and we want to make sure that everyone who cares about the region has a part to play in that.

For more information go to Ireland North West

To get updates on what is happening and to get invited / informed of our events please register your details

Or Email diaspora@donegalcoco.ie

or diaspora@derrycity.gov.uk

FOYLE RIVER DERRY

Derry might be busy with last minute shoppers,but there is still peace and quiet on the River Foyle walk out of the city.

DERRY TODAY

Guildhall

Guinness delivery at the Gweedore pub