NEWTOWNCUNNINGHAM SPORTS DAY

The Soccer Power E-Book gives you:

Squats - to develop base leg strength
Lunges - to develop single leg strength
Hip Lifts - to develop abdominal and glute strength
Integrated Plyometric Jump Training - to develop power and speed
Total Body Multi-Joint Exercises - for time efficient training and strength gain effective work outs
Planks - to develop core strength (also getting the indirect benefit of creating six pac abs)
Interval Soccer Cardio - work outs that mirror the energy systems in the game
Proper Technique and Progression - cornerstone to the program

Check it out.....

NEDS POINT FORT AND THE DONEGAL SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM

LINK 2 IN LETTERKENNY

Link2 in the Courtyard Shopping Centre in Letterkenny opened its doors this October and has a great selection of gift ideas this Christmas. Paul and Keith Harvey had been working in music retail in Letterkenny for seventeen years and really know and appreciate their customer base. They saw a gap in the market and decided to branch out on their own, selling gadgets and novelties as well as music and DVD’s.

Link2 has a superb selection of all the top Irish CD’s including the new albums from Ronnie Drew, Enya and Snow Patrol. Don’t forget the comedy gem Nob Nation 2 –The Recession Album and DVD’s from Conal Gallen, Tommy Tiernan and Brendan Grace. There are loads of others to choose from and include all the chart stuff as well.

Novelties
At office Christmas parties it is customary to have a Chris Cringle and it can be difficult to think of a gift for a colleague who you may see every day, but not know that well. There are all sorts of fun ideas at Link2 such as the tight-git wallet (only €7.99) or the swearing punch ball (for €9.99). Guaranteed to break the ice and get a laugh before your first glass of wine takes effect.

Gadgets Galore
What is it about boys and their toys? How does a remote control helicopter make a seemingly well-adjusted man go weak at the knees? How many fathers buy a remote control car for their son and end up only giving them a turn very reluctantly? Link2 has a wide range of gadgets including the latest remote control helicopters, which they demonstrate in the store every Saturday and Sunday.

Ideas for Kids
Of course kids love gadgets too. What about a popcorn-maker at €34.99 for a healthy and fun treat or there is a rocket lava lamp (at €19.99) to create the right atmosphere for your moody teenager. They also have all the Sesame Street Puppets as seen on the Late Late Toy Show including Bert and Ernie and Oscar for €20.

On-Line
Paul and Keith have recently launched Link2 on-line too and you can purchase items at http://www.link2.ie/. This website only shows a few of their in store items but more are being added.

So when you are in Letterkenny, why not pop into Link2 in the Courtyard Centre and grab a few innovative and different gifts.

5 MINUTES WITH - ANN GILL

Anne Gill works for the HSE and runs Good Morning Inishowen, based in Buncrana. The service is a telephone link line for older people in the peninsula. The service is expanding and will soon be providing their service all over the county with offices in Gortahork and Donegal Town.

The Good Morning Service provides a daily or weekly telephone call to older people living in the community, and it is staffed by fully trained and vetted volunteers. The main aim of the call is to ensure that the older person is safe and well in their own home, answer any queries and provide up to date information
Anyone over the age of 65 who has a telephone can receive a call; just contact Anne or Joan at the Good Morning Office in Buncrana (074 93 21598). Calls are made each morning between 9:15am and 1pm. The service continues to welcome all new volunteers and anyone interested can also contact the office and speak with Anne or Joan, who will be delighted to hear from you.


What music do you like?
As Dana said, all kinds of everything. The music depends on the mood. I am listening to Meatloaf at the minute and reminiscing. What does that say about me?

What would you never throw away?
Photographs and items that remind me of something important. Meatloaf CD’s for example!

What book are you reading?
I’ve just finished Celia Ahern’s, Thanks for the Memories and I’ve just started reading Claire Allen’s new book, Feels Like Maybe. I read Eamonn Holmes’ autobiography recently too and really enjoyed that

What was your favourite childhood game?
Chinese ropes, French tig, playing in the river at the back of the ESB in the Picture Hall Field. The memories are just fantastic, always outdoors. We moved further away from the house as bedtime came and pretended we couldn’t hear our parents calling.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
The last film I saw was Sex and The City… typical woman! It was good for a laugh.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
For some crazy reason, property and jobs. I tend to avoid the sports pages.

What is your idea of a good night out?
Good friends, good food, good laugh, prompt taxi, next day off. As simple as that!

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Arriving late for an interview to get on a course at Magee. When I was asked for my name, I couldn’t remember it. Just blank. The panel found it more amusing than I did.

Have you a favourite TV programme?
At the minute I am enjoying the Irish Apprentice. I prefer Sir Alan to Bill Cullen though, he’s more suave. I admit to being a Big Brother fan, it’s stress free viewing we can all watch in the house. Total chill out.

How do you relax?
That’s easy, shopping. Time with my nieces and nephews, walking Basil the dog and chatting with friend is also high on the list. I also go to meditation classes and have started an Irish language class this year too.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to work with older people. I attribute this to spending so much time with my granny. She was great craic and had lots of friends.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
I spent a week in Glencolmcille Gaeltacht and really enjoyed that. I would like to go to Paris or Hawaii but generally spend most of my holidays in Galway or Mayo.

Your idea of heaven?
I worked weekends for years, so Saturday and Sunday off is heaven. A long lie in, a good book, a leisurely breakfast and meeting family and friends later.

Your idea of hell?
Not enjoying my job, not living in a town and not laughing…

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Anthony Hopkins-to look at, but if he chatted, that would be a bonus. Bette Midler, she is a wonderful actress and singer. George Best would be easy to look at too.

Favourite animal?
My dog, Basil. He came from the Rainbow Re-homing Centre.

What couldn’t you live without?
My phone, family, car, friends, work….

Biggest thrill?
Achieving something I have been working on for a long time. I love to set flowers in spring and watch then develop.

Do you have a hobby?
I play cards regularly with friends, that’s always good fun.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
The 1920’s Great Gatsby era. Women were becoming more independent and the fashions were great. All those long beads, long cigarette holders and short skirts.

World’s most useful inventions?
The phone and the car. Both are invaluable to me.

What do you have for breakfast?
Wheaten bread or toast and a banana. Maybe cereal at the weekends.

What is the best/worst piece of advice you have been given?
All advice is good. It might not be the right advice at the time and you don’t have to take it on board, but it might be useful when it’s recalled later.

Personal philosophy?
Treat others as you would like to be treated and smile, it costs nothing….

THE ORCHARD BAR - GLENEELY

EDITORIAL FOR THE ORCHARD BAR IN GLENEELY

The Orchard bar in Gleneely is a bright and cheerful family run pub, owned for three generations by the McLaughlin’s. First Grandfather Hugh then Patsie and now Darren. The building is steeped in history and had been sympathetically modernised recently, reflecting the original character of the building in the 1930’s with a long sweeping bar leading through the three spacious, open plan rooms.

A warm welcome
It is very much home from home and as soon as you walk past the sweet smelling roses and hanging baskets at the door you are made welcome by the staff. High standards of cleanliness are needed in a place that serves food and Darren’s eye for detail in the rest rooms and bars means that all you have to do is relax and take in the old charm atmosphere. The smoking area has a pool table and even a map of Inishowen painted on to an outside wall to show visiting tourists places of interest when they decide to leave the comfort of their surroundings.

Bar Menu
A picture on the wall shows an aerial view of the village taken this year, showing that the Gleneely community has grown considerably in the recent past and the Orchard Bar has seen the number of locals increase. The choice of good quality food on the menu is a step above the usual too because on offer are wraps, baguettes, paninis and their special mouth watering 12” inch stone baked pizzas. It was also refreshing to see that the menu also caters for vegetarians.

Food is served on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 5 and 10 pm. If you fancy a great breakfast The Orchard Bar does a great fry on Saturday and Sunday too.

Live music
Live music comes from bands around Donegal and Derry. Phil McCafferty from Letterkenny is playing soon and other regular are Sean Rae, The Cavanagh Brothers and Inspiration. If you don’t want to wait for the bands to come on then on the wall next to the giant bottle tops and picture of the Guinness Toucan, is a guitar. Feel free to pick it up and start singing.

Check out their bebo page

OLD PIER FAHAN

SWILLY SUB AQUA CLUB

LOUGH ESKE CASTLE PATIO

SOLIS LOUGH ESKE CASTLE HOTEL

Lough Eske castle before the refurbishment

After

More pics of the patio

Lough Eske Castle traces its roots all the way back to the late 1400’s and the famous O’Donnell family that founded the nearby town of Donegal. The original castle was first built around 1474. A date stone of 1621 remains on the property to this day. The current Lough Eske Castle was constructed in the 1860s on the site of an old Brooke mansion, but was destroyed by fire in 1939.

DIARMUID GAVIN WELCOMED IN CARNDONAGH

Diarmuid Gavin talking in Carndonagh

Diarmuid Gavin with the playground committee in Carndonagh

The stage in the Áras, Carndonagh Community School last Wednesday was lush and brimming with the best plants the season had to offer. The plants and shrubs were supplied by Carndonagh garden centre and set the scene for one of the most innovative garden designers in the world of horticulture, Diarmuid Gavin.

Fresh from his success at last weekend’s Irish Film and Television awards where he won the IFTA for ‘Best Factual Entertainment Show,’ Diarmuid arrived in Carndonagh this week to begin a series of consultations with local schools and community groups. These sessions will form the design concepts for the Barrack Hill town park taking into consideration the thoughts of over 130 participants from the area.

The celebrity gardener and landscape architect was asked to take on the challenge of satisfying a whole community by the playground committee in the town. Together they have teamed up with the Public Art Office and the Community and Enterprise Section of Donegal County Council to design and create what will be one of Ireland’s most imaginative and ambitious community spaces and play parks.

Denis McGonagle on behalf of the Council welcomed Diarmuid and commented that the park was a long time coming. “It’s amazing to have someone of Diarmuid’s calibre involved in the park, which will be a flagship for Inishowen. Everyone will get the chance to contribute on the project and it is important to remember that this park, when completed will belong to and be maintained by the community”

Aideen Doherty from Donegal County Council was extremely positive about the open evening. “The talk gives everyone a chance to see who Diarmuid is and where his influences come from,” she said.

Besides hearing from people at the open meeting, Diarmuid will be consulting with groups of children and teenagers from schools as well as older members of the community. Dermott is used to dealing with exacting clients but not 130 at one time. “This is the most clients Diarmuid has ever had to deal with!” Aideen exclaimed, “But if anyone can get the community to agree on the finished project, it’s Diarmuid”.

His contributions to the Chelsea flower show have given him the reputation of being innovative and a little controversial especially with his “Colourful Suburban Eden” also known as the bubble gum garden, where he placed hundreds of brightly coloured plastic balls on sticks around a foliage backdrop. “Some of his ideas can be a bit frightening,” said Mary Reilly from the Inishowen Organic Network “but I love his work. It gets your mind going and his ideas are never boring or conventional,” she stressed.

A relaxed and casually dressed Diarmuid addressed the attentive crowd. “ This is by far the most people I have ever consulted with on a project,” said Diarmuid. “Satisfying a whole community is top priority and listening to everyone’s needs will be the key to the success of the project,” he continued “There are three main issues for this project – budget - practicality and safety. Some of the school children have come up with fantastic ideas and it is a question of taking these on board and making them a reality. There are a few issues on ideas such as the iPod docking station and the possibility of making the park look like the set on I’m a Celebrity- Get Me Out of Here, which relies heavily on rope bridges and tropical trees, but I am sure we will come to a suitable compromise!”

It is apparent that Diarmuid will no doubt get a few tongues wagging with his ideas but this is something that excites him in his development as a designer. “When I left the Botanic gardens in Dublin, I came across a book called “Paradise Transformed, the Private Garden” by Guy Cooper and Gordon Taylor. The radical imagery of their designs really had a big influence on me and I knew that that I was better suited to garden design than any other aspect of gardening,” he said enthusiastically.

“The completed Barrack Hill Park will have to feel real and be rooted in the soul. It cannot be imposed on the town.” He emphasised.

Diarmuid will be returning to Carndonagh in April and will have a rough draft of the plans to run past everyone who is involved in this fantastic project which will help to lift the profile of not only Carndonagh but the whole of the peninsula.

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!

CLIVE WASSON

Clive Wasson with his helium filled balloon used for aerial photography

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

ME AND MY MOTOR-JOHNNY MULREANY

Name: Johnny Mulreany
Address: Bundoran
Car: 1961 Vauxhall VX 490 1.508 cc

Johnny is a long time member of the Donegal Vintage and Classic Car Club. The club has been active since 1990 and has built up a regular membership of over 100 fans of classic cars, tractors, vans, small trucks, motorbikes and static engines. All of the events throughout the year are very family orientated and a great venue for social chatting. If you would like to know when the next event is, give Eunan Kelly a ring on 087 2366924

How long have you had the car?
I bought the car about four years ago and have nurtured the car since then.

What got you interested in old cars?
Like most people who spent half their lives with old cars, I grew up with a passion for them. I am also a mechanic by trade so that helps too.


Has the car won any competitions?
Yes it has and I think one of the reasons is that the car is in its original condition. That answers your next question as well about whether I restored it myself!


Is it reliable?
Yes it is and if things do go wrong it takes no time at all to fix them. Vauxhalls have plenty of room under the bonnets to work on the engines. Try looking into the engine bay of a Viva; you could have a party in there.


Best thing about the car?
It is very powerful and surprises other drivers when I leave the traffic lights. It is also lovely to drive as it has upgrades such as the bench seats and a floor change gear lever


How often do you wash it?
Very often. In summer I tend to go out once a week to shows around the country and it always gets a wash then.


If you were the Minister for Finance what would you do to help motorists?
I would cut the tax on petrol.


What would you really like to be driving around in?
I have a favourite car that I would like to be driving around in. A Ford Mk 2 Consul.