LAURENTIC BAR IN LINSFORT

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY THE LAURENTIC BAR

It doesn’t seem like a year ago that the Laurentic Bar in Linsfort first opened its doors to the public. How has the past year been for this exciting new business venture on the road to Dunree?

“It’s been a fantastic year,” says manager Jim Porter. “One year on and we have gone from strength to strength, building up a loyal customer base from all over the peninsula and further a field.” The Laurentic staff pride themselves on custom service and Declan and Danny, the two in-house chefs who have been with them from the start, are always adding to the mouth watering choices of food that are available every day. “We have some real delights on the menu.” Begins Declan. “The black and white stir fry with chicken and beef, stir fried in a wok is proving to be very popular. We also offer a sea bass infused with lemon and parsley to keep with the sea faring theme of the pub.”

STEEPED IN HISTORY
The name of the bar has strong links with the sea. The SS Laurentic, which inspired the name, was chosen to carry forty-three tons of gold bullion from Great Britain to Canada. On 25th January 1917. The ship struck a mine and sank within an hour in 40 metres of water. An incredible salvage feat between 1917 and 1924 recovered 3186 gold bars of the missing 3211 with a further 5 being recovered in 1932 by another salvage operation, leaving 20 gold bars still unaccounted for at the bottom of Lough Swilly worth some €15 million at current prices. So if you have a spare afternoon you could have a look around the coast of any that have washed up before going to the pub for a bit of refreshment.

POPULAR SPORT
If you are in the need of some relaxing sporting activities, how about a game of darts? The Laurentic is proving to be so popular for the game that they have had to install a second board in the taproom.

LIVE ACTS
Over the coming week s the Laurentic bar has an impressive line up of live acts to get the feet tapping. Hugh McGonagle, Damian Harkin, Sharon Nixon, Brian Mulland, Robbie Cunningham, Danny McCarron, Kevin McLaughlin and the band Tullagh will all be appearing between now and the New Year. And if you fancy a bit of a flutter, the Dunree Rovers are having a night at the races on the 30th of December.


HERE’S TO THE NEXT YEAR!
Jim puts customer service on the top of his most important list and realises it is the support of his customers that has made this year so successful “The Laurentic has had a wonderful year and I would like to thank all of the customers from here and around the world that have graced our doorway in that time. Here’s to the next year!”


WHAT’S ON LIST

5TH OF DECEMBER- Hugh McGonagle – ANNIVERSARY NIGHT

6th of December – Damian Harkin.

12th of December – Sharon Nixon.

13th December – Tullagh

19th December- Brian Mullan.

20th December- Robbie Cunningham.

21st of December – Hugh McMonagle.

26th of December – Danny McCarron.

27th of December. Brian Mullan

28th of December- Sharon Nixon.

29th of December- Tullagh

30th of December - Hugh McMonagle.
And the Dunree Rovers Night at the races.

31th December – Kevin McLaughlin

5 MINUTES WITH - TERESA MCLAUGHLIN

Teresa McLaughlin lives in Drumfad, Linsfort. Along with her husband Peter and her family, she is running their new company Inishowen Quad Safari. The business started just five weeks ago and is proving to be a massive attraction for tourists and locals alike. There are three tracks depending on your level of experience, ranging from a level surface for the novice, to humps, hollows, trenches and lots of water for the more advanced rider. Open all year, Inishowen Quad Safari is a must for all thrill seekers. They do individual tuition or groups. You can find out more on 087 664 6346

What music do you like?
I like most Country and Western music. I listen to Steven Lynch on Highland radio in the afternoon; he plays both Irish and American Country music.

What would you never throw away?
I don’t very often throw clothes away. I have “Maybe” pile and a “Dump” pile of clothes in the bedroom. Neither of them get thrown away very often….

What book are you reading?
Ugly by Constance Briscoe. It’s a true story about a girl who was abused by her mother. When she was thirteen her mother walked out leaving her with nothing. It is a story of how she survived her terrible start in life.

What was your favourite childhood game?
We used to make our own hopscotch squares on the road and I always enjoyed skipping as well.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
The girls wanted to see Sex in the City but we ended up going to see Prom Night instead. The tag line is: It's Midnight Everyone's Ready To Go Home...But Someone Has Other Plans… You can probably guess it’s a bit of a horror…It’s more fun watching these films with an audience in the cinema.

What is your idea of a good night out?
A good meal and a dance. The last time I went out was to the Laurentic, the new bar that has opened in Linsfort. The food and meal were excellent and the band playing got everyone moving.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
I was in the front of our car with my father driving and I was keeping a sheep calm by holding it in the back seat as we drove home. My dad drove around a corner and the front passenger door flew open. I fell out of the car…. It was my pride that suffered the most…. The sheep was all right though…

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I really enjoy Casualty. For some reason I enjoy the realism.

How do you relax?
I enjoy a long soak in the bath.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
A hairdresser. I don’t know why, I just fancied it.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
One of my daughters is in San Francisco so I try to get there as often as possible.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
The fine singer, Charlie Landsborough and actor John Wayne. My cooking isn’t the best though so I would probably take them out to a restaurant…

Favourite animal?
Toby, our one year old Jack Russell. We have had him since Christmas and he is totally spoilt.

What couldn’t you live without?
I couldn’t live without tea….

Biggest fear?
I am not that keen on snakes, but as there aren’t any in the wild in Ireland I don’t think that is much of a problem.

The world’s most irritating invention?
Alarm clocks. We have one that has different sounding ignition noises from John Deere tractors. On the hour, every hour, it would chime up with the sound of an old classic engine being stared. It has ended up in the shed.

What is your idea of a good night in?
Watching a film and having a Chinese meal.

World’s most useful invention?
The car. It is a must for people living in rural areas.

Personal philosophy?
Mother knows best.

5 MINUTES WITH - MICHAEL DOHERTY

Michael Doherty read his first book on floristry and flower arranging when he was twelve years old. He still treasures the book and it’s influence was the beginning of a long career in the industry. His work has taken him all over the world and he has just started a new job at Writtle College in Chelmsford in the UK as a floristry lecturer. Michael also ran his own freelance floristry company in Inishowen for three years.

A Place Apart, the International Flower Festival has been organised by Michael for the second year and Daniel O’Donnell will be officially opening the event on the 1st of May at 7:30 pm. This is a ticket only event and you can buy these from Loreto house - (074 9362204) get them now though as tickets are limited and they are going fast! The House is open on Friday 2nd of May and admission is only €10…Not to be missed!

What music do you like?
I have a really broad spectrum and it depends what mood I am in. When I am driving, I listen to classical, modern disco, house and liturgical CD’s.

What would you never throw away?
Florists never throw anything away! We will even keep old stalks that are left over from our designs. You never know when they will come in handy.

What books are you reading at the moment?
I am teaching art deco floristry at the moment so I am reading a period flower history book for information. My bedtime read is the Monk who sold his Ferrari by Robin S Sharma. This is a book of oriental wisdom, which advises you to take charge of your life.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I went to see 27 Dresses directed by Anne Fletcher. This is a film about a woman who wrestles with the idea of standing by her sister's side as her sibling marries the man she's secretly in love with. It is a real “Chick Flick” and enjoyable.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
The television page! When I am away I like to know what is going on at home, so I will look up the Buncrana notes on the internet.

What is your idea of a good night out?
I can’t really tell you about that! You will have to ask the friends I go out on the town with…

What is your idea of a great meal?
Having it cooked by someone else. Good friends, good food and good drink!

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I am a bit of a TV head. I enjoy Brothers and Sisters and Podge and Rodge…anything tacky really!

How do you relax?
What’s that? With my new job in England and coming home at weekends for the flower festival, I don’t get much chance to relax. I am partial to a bit of reflexology though in the quieter moments.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I either wanted to be a chef or a florist. I tried being a chef for a few years as a job but got the calling for floristry.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
I would like to go to a secluded beach in the sun. It would have a swimming pool, with fresh water, not salty. I would like total isolation with no phone, for at least 5 days. That’s not too much to ask is it?

Your idea of heaven?
Loreto House. It’s magical at any time of the day.

Your idea of hell?
Teaching 16 –17 year olds the art of floristry!

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Alan Carr the stand up comedian would be my first choice for a fun evening.

Favourite animal?
That would have to be my dog, Willow. He is an adorable six year old whippet.

Biggest fear?
Losing someone very dear.

Biggest thrill?
The day I passed my National Diploma in Floristry.

The world’s most irritating invention?
The plastic bag. They are a hassle and cause loads of environmental problems.

Personal philosophy?
When I die, I don’t want to dwindle away. I want to be sideways in the coffin with a glass of champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other and shouting Whoo Hoo, what a ride!!

What is your idea of a good night in?
Spaghetti bolognaise, rosé wine and a tub of Haagen-Dazs ice cream!

Biggest disappointment?
I think that would be taking so long to achieve what I have; I have gone around the houses a bit! I realise that this is a bonus though.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
The Roman Empire, I like the theatrical feel to it and the style of clothes. They appeared to live a life of pure debauchery. Wine, wine and more wine…..!

World’s most useful invention?
The wheel. The flower festival wouldn’t be happening without it!

Any last words?
Funny you should ask… We need people to take part in the gardening competition at the festival. Anyone interested can ring me at Loreto House.



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