Donegal Community in Touch - Ezine- July Edition

Dún na nGall - pobail i d’teagmháil 

Donegal 

Community in Touch 

Issue 19 July 2013 / Iúil 2013 

Welcome 

Fáilte 

Cathal Goan 

Growing up in Belfast 

in the 1960s, Donegal 

held a special place 

for me imaginatively. 

We lived for a large part of that decade with our 

grandparents who were from the neighbouring 

townlands of Kildoney and Cloughbolie some three 

miles north of Ballyshannon. 

Their conversation with 

visitors about their homeplace 

resonated with names of friends 

and family, heroes and villains, 

placenames and events that 

were at once familiar through 

repetition and yet remote in time 

and distance. Snippets remain 

of barely understood exploits 

including my great uncle Red 

Willie Goan’s role in a court 

case that went all the way to 

the British House of Lords and 

where Brehon Law and Magna 

Carta were invoked in a dispute 

over salmon fishing rights in 

the Erne Estuary. Visits to 

Cloughbolie on summer holidays 

only increased the sense of a 

special place apart. Kilbarron 

Castle was a favoured haunt 

for fishing and imagining the 

horrors associated with “The 

Murder Hole” , not to speak 

of learning about its historical 

connections as the birth place 

of Mícheál Ó Cléirigh of the Four 

Masters. 

I think I have been lucky in 

never losing that sense of 

enchantment; if anything it 

has increased as I have grown 

older and as I got to know other 

parts of the county, particularly 

Gaeltacht areas around the 

Rosses and Gaoth Dobhair. I 

met my wife Maighread Ní 

Dhomhnaill at the Irish College 

in Rann na Feirste where she 

has very strong family ties. Over 

the years we have returned 

there often and now consider 

ourselves blessed because we 

have a small home there, right 

on the site where Maighread’s 

own great grandmother was 

born. It is a place apart for 

renewal and restoration and 

we go as often as possible to 

breathe in the salt air, relish the 

special quality of silence and of 

conversation and give thanks for 

the connection. 

Cathal Goan 

Cathal Goan is a radio and television producer. Cathal played a main role in the 

launch of TG4. He was Director-General of RTÉ in 2003 – 2010. 

NEWs 2 

DONEGAL BuSiNESS 10 

EDUCATION AND LEARNiNG 12 

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL 14 

DONEGAL COMMUNITY LINKS 15 

Message From The Mayor 

Céad Míle Fáilte 

I hope this issue of Donegal 

community in touch finds you all 

well. By the time this is published 

I will have just finished my year 

long term as Mayor. I have had 

an incredible year as Mayor of 

Donegal, it has been busy but 

very enjoyable. 

I dedicated my year as Mayor 

to promoting sport and positive 

mental health and this all came together when I held the 

conference SAM at the end of May with some of the best 

speakers in the business including Donegal person of 

the year Jim McGunniess. Being away from home can be 

hard especially for the younger generation that has been 

emigrating due to the present economic climate. Thankfully 

there are many sporting clubs around the world that bring 

the Irish community together and this can be a valuable 

lifeline to many. 

Just recently we honoured some of our Olympians, Para 

Olympians, Natalie McCarron and former Manchester United 

and Celtic player Paddy Crerand with Civic receptions. We 

also welcomed The Lord Provost Sadie Doherty to Donegal 

were she was also bestowed this honour. 

The year of the gathering has also been a great success here 

in Donegal as there are over 170 events planned with many 

people making the journey home to attend. These events will 

help us promote Donegal and show visitors what the county 

has to offer. We are continuing to strengthen our links with 

the Donegal Diaspora around the world and in particular 

Boston as Eugene O’Flaherty, Michael Patrick McDonald, 

John Cullinane and Senator Therese Murray visited us. 

One of my last official duties as Mayor was giving Patsy 

McGonagle The Freedom of the County. Patsy has dedicated 

his life to Athletics here in the Finn Valley and has been 

Team manager to the Irish athletics team at three Olympics 

now. I felt it was important to give this honour to somebody 

that doesn’t usually get the recognition that they deserve. 

I would just like to finish off by wishing good health and 

happiness to all of the Donegal Diaspora and remember to 

visit us soon. 

Le Gach Dea Ghul 

Cllr Frank McBrearty 

Continued Inside 

An Meara Contae Dhun na nGall

News 

DONEGAL-IRISH DIASPORA CONFERENCE 

On the 4th – 5th june 2013, the donegal-irish 

diaspora/hands of history conference took place 

at the letterkenny institute of technology in co. 

Donegal. The event addressed the history, legacy and 

experiences of the irish diaspora bringing together 

politicians, journalists, writers, and academics from 

ireland, scotland, new zealand and america. It also 

focused on present day migration from ireland, the 

diasporas’ shared history and a point to a shared 

future. It was attended by over 150 delegates. 

Left to right: Donegal County Council Manager Seamus Neely, 

Prof. Frank Talty (UMass Lowell), Director of Service Donegal 

County Council Michael O’hEanaigh, Massachusetts State 

Representative Eugene O’ Flaherty, Former Mayor Frank 

McBrearty, Writer and Broadcaster Frank Galligan, Sr Lena 

Deevy (Director, Irish International Immigration Centre 

Boston), Boston Globe Columnist Kevin Cullen and Writer 

Michael Patrick MacDonald. 

Welcome 

Opening the conference, Former Former Mayor Frank McBrearty and Donegal County Manager Seamus Neely discussed how the 

strong immigration patterns in Donegal over the past 400 years have left a worldwide Donegal community and Diaspora. They 

stressed the importance of this community to the county and how efforts are being made to make the connection with them. The 

links that have been developed in America, in particular Massachusetts, through the Tip O’ Neill Centenary celebrations and 

Golden Bridges Awards were discussed. 

Massachusetts State Representative Eugene O’Flaherty speaking to 

Mayor McBrearty and Mr Paul Hannigan 

Left to Right: Sr Lena Deevy (Director Emeritus, IIIC Boston and 

Former Mayor Frank McBrearty. 

Donegal Community in Touch Page 2

News 


Day 1 

Chairing the first session of speakers, Prof. Paul Arthur stressed how the conference would build upon the recent 100 th Anniversary 

celebrations of Tip O’ Neill and how this debate would be broadened to look at the experiences of the Diaspora globally in 

Scotland, New Zealand, and America. Dr. Nollaig Ó Muraíle discussed the links that Ireland had with the rest of the Europe in the 

16 th and 17 th centuries. Prof. Tom Devine then explored the experience of the Donegal Irish since the Great War. In particular he 

detailed the sectarian discrimination that the Catholic Irish suffered in Scotland. Exploring the Venniconian Kingdoms, Dr. Ian 

Adamson discussed Donegal’s migratory links to the rest of the North West of Ireland, also focusing on Ulster Scots migratory 

patterns from the 5 th to the 17 th centuries. 

Prof. Paul Arthur (University of Ulster). 

Dr Nollaig O Muraile (NUI Galway) and 

Former Mayor Frank McBrearty 

Prof. Tom Devine OBE (University of Edinburgh). 

Dr. Ian Adamson OBE (Ullans Academy). 

Chairing the second panel of speakers, Dr. Patrick Fitzgerald noted how the papers would challenge the dominant perceptions 

of Irish migration to America and further afield. Prof. David Emmons discussed Butte, and the Donegal Connection focusing in 

particular on the political and economic influence of the Irish in Butte. In her paper exploring the history of Irish migration to New 

Zealand, Prof. McCarthy discussed the experiences of Irish migrants who were committed to asylums in New Zealand. 


News 


Left to right: Dr. Patrick Fitzgerald (Mellon Centre for Migration 

Studies, Ulster American Folk Park), Prof. Angela McCarthy 

(University of Otago) and Prof. David Emmons (Prof. Emeritus 

University of Montana). 

Left to Right: Prof. Angela McCarthy (University of Otago) and 

Former Mayor Frank McBrearty. 

Panel Discussion 

Immigration Reform United States Case Study 

Chaired by Writer and Broadcaster Frank Galligan, the panel discussed the current debate of immigration reform. Sr Lena Deevy 

and Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen argued that in the current economic climate, the experience for Irish immigrants in 

America is changing. Massachusetts State Representative Eugene O’ Flaherty noted that for the first time in Washington, the issue 

is being taken seriously with a Bi-partisan group working on the issue. 

Left to Right: Massachusetts State Representative Eugene O’Flaherty, 

Prof. Frank Talty (UMass Lowell), Writer Michael Patrick MacDonald, 

Boston Globe Columnist Kevin Cullen Sister Lena Deevy (Director 

Emeritus Boston) and writer and broadcaster Frank Galligan. 

Left to Right: Writer Michael Patrick MacDonald, Boston 

Globe Columnist Kevin Cullen and Sister Lena Deevy (Director 

Emeritus, IIIC Boston) 

Day 2 

Opening Day 2 of the conference, Chairman of the Donegal CDB Peace and Reconciliation Partnership, Cllr. Dessie Larkin 

noted the links that the county has built up with its Diaspora world-wide thanks to the Peace III Partnership and Donegal 

Diaspora Project. 


News 


Panel 1: Educational Links 

Chair Paul Hannigan, President of the LYIT, noted how the LYIT has worked closely with the County Council on a number of 

initiatives and the LYIT’s desire to see these initiatives brought forward for the future development of the LYIT and Donegal. 

Prof. Frank Talty detailed the educational partnerships that have developed between the University of Massachusetts in Lowell 

and Irish universities. He detailed how this had been done through a number of business, research and cultural collaborations. 

Massachusetts State Representative Eugene O’ Flaherty then discussed a number of American policy initiatives which have 

encouraged American companies to invest in the North-West region. He noted how these policies were crucial in an effort to 

continue to underpin the Irish Peace Process and maintain community development. He also detailed how American companies 

have benefited from investment in the North-West region. 

Left to Right: Prof. Frank Talty (UMass Lowell), Paul Hannigan 

(LYIT), and Chairman of the Donegal CDB Peace and Reconciliation 

Partnership Cllr. Dessie Larkin. 

Massachusetts State Representative Eugene O’Flaherty. 

Panel 2: Present Day perspectives on the Diaspora 

Chair Michael O’hEanaigh, Director of Service for Donegal County Council, noted the links and relationships that have already 

been built up between Donegal and the Diaspora and stressed how the county is keen to see these sustained and developed for 

mutual benefit. Michael Patrick MacDonald discussed his experience of g rowing up in an Irish-American neighbourhood in 

South Boston. Exploring the Changing Face of the Irish Diaspora, Kevin Cullen explored how the experience of Irish immigrants 

in Boston has changed since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York, detailing how this has impacted on the social and cultural 

landscape of Boston. 

Professor Frank Talty (UMass Lowell) enjoying the sunshine during 

the conference 

Left to Right: Boston Globe Columnist Kevin Cullen and Writer 

Michael Patrick MacDonald. 


News 

CIVIC RECEPTIONS 

Civic Reception honours Pat (Paddy) Crerand 

Mr Pat (Paddy) Crerand was honoured 

at a civic reception on the 7th June in 

recognition of his sporting achievements 

over the years with teams like Celtic and 

Manchester United, as well as his long 

career in radio and television broadcasting. 

Pat Crerand was born to Irish immigrants in Glasgow in 1939. 

His father was Michael Crerand from Newtownstewart and his 

mother was Sarah ‘Tim’ Boyle from Gweedore where he spent 

much of his childhood. He married Noreen Ferry and they have 

three children, Patrick, Lorraine and Danny. 

After six years at Celtic (120 appearances, 5 goals), he signed 

for Manchester United on 6 February 1963, making his 

debut against Blackpool. He helped United to the league 

championship in 1965 and 1967 and won winners’ medals in 

the 1963 FA Cup Final and 1968 European Cup Final. 

He retired from playing in 1971, having appeared in 401 games, 

scoring 19 goals for United. Today, he appears regularly on 

MUTV, Manchester United’s television channel, as a cocommentator 

as well as appearing as a pundit on the phone-in 

show ‘The Paddy Crerand Show”. 

Paddy Crerand pictured with County Manager Seamus 

Neely at the civic reception held in his honour 

Mr. Crerand was joined by his family and invited guests at this 

special event. 

reserved exclusively for those on whom the Freedom of the 

County is conferred. 

Donegal County Council host civic reception to 

honour Donegal woman Lord Provost of Glasgow. 

Cllr. Sadie Docherty a woman with strong 

family roots in West Donegal, who holds the 

prestigious role of Lord Provost of Glasgow, 

was honoured with a Civic on the 7th May 

2013. 

She is only the fourth woman in history to hold the position of 

Lord Provost of Glasgow since the year 1450. The Lord Provost 

is also Lord-Lieutenant of Glasgow, and therefore the Queen’s 

official representative in the City. 

“Cllr Sadie Docherty is a wonderful ambassador for Donegal 

and is always positive and proud of her connections to our 

county”. 

Cllr. Sadie Docherty, whose father came from Carrickataskin in 

Gweedore and immigrated to Scotland in the mid 1950’s, was 

first elected as a Labour Councillor in 2007. Speaking of her 

Donegal connections the Lord Provost has said ‘I am proud of 

my Donegal lineage. Both my parents and grandparents are 

from Gweedore which is a wonderful part of the world and my 

husband, Willie and I remain regular visitors.’ 

The Mayor of Donegal Cllr. Frank McBrearty Jnr is delighted to 

be in a position to honour the Lord Provost on this occasion. 

Cllr Sadie Docherty, Lord Provost, pictured with her family and 

elected member at the Civic Reception 


News 

CIVIC RECEPTIONS 

FREEDOM OF COUNTY BESTOWED ON PATSY MCGONAGLE 

Patsy McGonagle was accorded the 

county’s highest honour at a Civic 

Reception hosted in his honour by the 

Mayor and members of Donegal County 

Council on the 14th June 2013. 

Patsy was joined by his family and invited guests at the special 

event to confer the Freedom of County Donegal in recognition 

of his achievements and his massive contribution to athletics at 

a local, national and international level. 

Patsy has served as a Director and as Athletics Chair at 

Finn Valley Athletics Club for many years, inspiring and 

encouraging countless people within his work. He is also 

known for his well publicised work with the Irish Olympic 

team serving as the Athletics Irish Team Manager during the 

London 2012 games and the Irish Track and Field Manager at 

the Sydney and Beijing Olympic Games. 

Mayor of Donegal, Cllr. Frank McBrearty Jnr is delighted to be 

in a position to host this event saying “I am delighted that one 

of my final acts in my term as Mayor of the County of Donegal 

will be to confer this tremendous honour on Patsy McGonagle 

in recognition of his great achievements and contribution to 

athletics. His dedication, energy and passion for, not only 

Patsy McGonagle pictured with family members and 

former Mayor Frank McBrearty 

sport and athletics, but for his own local community is a real 

inspiration to us all”. 

Patsy will be the sixth recipient of a badge and pin specially 

commissioned by the Council. The badge (and lapel pin) is 

reserved exclusively for those on whom the Freedom of the 

County is conferred. 

Civic Reception honours Donegal Woman 

World Kickboxing Champion Natalie McCarron 

Carrigans native Natalie McCarron 

created history by becoming the first 

ever Irish Lady Professional Kickboxing 

Champion of the World by winning the 

ISKA Featherweight title. 

Natalie was honoured at a civic reception in the County 

House Lifford in late April in recognition of her sporting 

achievements.. Natalie was joined by her management, trainer 

Paddy Toland, and invited guests, at this special event that 

recognised the wonderful achievements of this Donegal woman 

in sport. 

The former Mayor of Donegal Cllr. Frank McBrearty Jnr 

was delighted to be honouring Natalie for her outstanding 

achievements at the civic reception. “Natalie has reached the 

highest levels in her chosen sport and it is a great honour for 

me and the elected members of Donegal County Council to have 

the opportunity to acknowledge her achievements with this 

Civic Reception”. 

Natalie McCarron pictured with County Manager Seamus Neely, 

former Mayor Frank McBrearty and trainer Paddy Toland. 


News 

RE-OPENING OF DONEGAL CRAFT VILLAGE AND 

BROCHURE LAUNCH BY DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL 

The Launch of the new brochure and an 

official re-opening of the Donegal Craft 

Village took place in the Craft Village 

courtyard, Lurganboy, Donegal Town on 

Thursday morning (May 9th). The event, 

hosted by the Mayor Councillor Frank 

McBrearty and Donegal County Manager, Mr. 

Seamus Neely, was attended by the Elected 

Members, public figures; staff involved in the 

refurbishment project, contractors as well as 

the Craft Village tenants. 

The Craft Village was constructed in 1986 and has been since very 

popular amongst the locals, as well as the tourists. 

The refurbishment works commissioned by Donegal County 

Council was put out to tender in November 2012. It has been agreed 

that the tenants would temporarily cease trading and vacate their 

premises for the period of the reroofing works. The work started 

on site on Monday 7th January 2013 and the contractors were 

appointed to vacate the site by 8th March 2013. During this period 

the buildings remained closed for its usual business. 

The renovation works involved the removal and disposal of 

the existing pitch roof coverings and the construction of a new 

insulated panel roof to all the units. Remedial and replacement 

works were also carried out to decayed timber, rain water drainage, 

fascias, barges, flashings, chimneys and parapets. 

The Mayor Councillor Frank McBrearty stated: ‘This was another 

positive economic development supporting the small business 

sector in South Donegal where the Councillors are pleased to be 

taken the lead role with supporting the craft industry’. 

As initially intended, all tenants were back in their premises 

and open again for business on Friday, 8th March 2013. In the 

recognition of these major improvements, Donegal County Council 

has also commissioned a new brochure that will be available 

in both – printed and PDF format. The brochure features all six 

artists: Claire O’Presco – Handweaving, McGonigle Glass, Michael 

Griffin – Raw Studio, Niall Bruton – Jewellery & Sculpture, Johnny 

McCabe – Painting Artist, a new addition to the Craft Village since 

2012 – Sandrine Salvador – ‘The Enchanted Earth’ Ceramics, as 

well as ‘Aroma’ Coffee Shop & Mini Bakery – Tom Dooley and 

Arturo de Alba. 

Donegal County Manager, Mr. Seamus Neely: ‘This re-launch is 

a great opportunity to refresh the profile of the Craft Village that 

will add to the tourism product our County has on offer. Donegal 

County Council will be strongly involved in the marketing activities 

promoting the Craft Village as part of the Donegal Tourism Ltd 

marketing campaign. The centre will also be cross-promoted on 

the new tourism website govisitdonegal.com, supported by the 

social media channels’. 

Information on the Donegal Craft Village is also available on: 

www.donegalcraftvillage.com 

For further information, please contact: 

Anne Marie Conlon, tel. 074-91 72207 

Or email: amconlon@donegalcoco.ie 

Co. Manager Seamus Neely-taking weaving lessons under the 

watchful eye of Clare O’Presco. 

Photo ‘Gabrielle’s Diary’ Donegal Post 

l Kelly, Mayor Frank McBrearty, 

Michael Kelly, Contractor for the Craft Village 

and Cllr Sean McEniff. 

Photo ‘Gabrielle’s Diary’ Donegal Post 


News 

Donegal TV Launch 

To coincide with the Year of the Gathering, 

a number of stakeholders from the Tourism, 

Community, Education and Public Sectors in 

Donegal, supported the launch of Donegal TV 

(based at the CoLab in Letterkenny Institute 

of Technology) in April 2013. The initiative 

was led by Paul McLoone, former Manager of 

Fáilte Ireland NW, and Shane Wallace, MD of 

Wallace Media. 

The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award 2013 

The second conferral of the Tip O’Neill Irish 

Diaspora Award will take place on the 20thth 

September in Buncrana. This award will be 

presented to a member of the worldwide Irish 

Diaspora, in recognition of the success and 

achievement attained in their particular field. 

Buncrana Town Council and Donegal Town 

Council will announce the name of the 2013 

recipient of the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora 

Award at a press reception before the end 

of July . Niall O’Dowd, editor of the Irish 

Voice and a prominent member of the Irish 

Donegal TV broadcast four 30 minute 

pilot programmes on Thursday evenings 

throughout April 2013 at 7pm on the Sky 

Information Channel, which were available 

online and also to viewers of Sky. The 

programmes featured Donegal people at home 

and abroad, tourism locations in Donegal, 

and special programmes on Letterkenny and 

Ballyshannon. The programmes were well 

Busy summer for Donegal Gathering 

As the year of the Gathering approaches the 

halfway stage and summer has already given 

us some teasers as to what we might hope 

to expect, the Donegal Gathering is really 

beginning to blossom and bloom. With over 

170 exciting Gathering events on our Calendar 

of Events, the majority of these events will be 

taking place throughout the summer months. 

The diversity and variety of these events 

must be seen to be believed, with nearly all 

of the gatherings being community-based, 

grass roots initiatives that demonstrate the 

positivity and enthusiasm of the people from 

this region. Our community groups at home 

and our Donegal Diaspora worldwide are 

at the heart of the success of the Donegal 

Gathering. 

The connectivity that is at the heart of 

The Gathering, has been further embellished 

in Donegal through the establishment 

of our very own dedicated website. 

You can follow the Events Calendar on 

www.donegalgathering.com to plan how you 

can connect to the Donegal worldwide family 

and plan your visit around some of the many 

gatherings and events that provide something 

for every visitor. This user-friendly and 

highly interactive website allows you to keep 

Diaspora, was the worthy recipient of the 

inaugural Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award 

in 2012 which was presented to him by Mrs 

Pat Hume. There will be a range of events 

happening on September 20th and 21st for 

the second Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award, 

including the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora 

conference and local Schools Arts and Essay 

competition display. 

For further information visit: 

http://donegaldiasporaaward.ie/ 

received and attracted audiences of over 

100,000 viewers. 

Donegal TV plans to run another series of 

programmes in autumn 2013. 

Visit http://www.donegaltv.ie/ 

for further information. 

up to date with what’s happening around 

the county and to shorten the distances 

between those who avail of this service 

whether you are in Bangkok or Bundoran. 

Perhaps you might reach out through your 

own international network of friends, family, 

colleagues or people that you are connected 

to via social media, to invite them to visit the 

county of your forefathers and to experience 

some world renowned Donegal hospitality. 

Hugo and Carmen O’Neill pictured at the Feile Grianan Ailigh-Solstice Festival at An Grianan of 

Aileach Fort on the 22nd June. 

The O’Neill’s were welcomed by former Mayor Cllr Frank McBrearty, Michael O’hEanaigh, 

Donegal County Council and Kevin O’Connor, Donegal County Council. 

Niall O’Dowd, 2012 Recipient of the 

Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award 


Donegal Business 

THE DONEGAL FOOD STRATEGY 

Putting Donegal on the Food Map 

Following the launch of the Donegal Food 

Strategy last July, the Donegal County 

Enterprise Board (DCEB) has been actively 

working with a wide range of stakeholders 

from the food sector in Donegal to drive 

awareness of the economic potential of food 

to our county. 

The core objective of the food strategy is to act as a central 

platform for establishing Donegal as a “food county” – a 

place with a vibrant food culture and food economy. The 

Donegal County Enterprise Board offers training and business 

development support to new start up’s, as well as established 

food businesses. 

A recent event which was organised as part of initiative - The 

Donegal Food Network, involved a lunch which was hosted by 

Chef Keelan of Rathmullan House and Rick LeVert of Kinnegar 

Brewing. 

Donegal Food Ambassador and award winning chef - Gary 

O’Hanlon, was on hand to support the event and offered his 

personal experience of how he works with local suppliers and 

how he feels it has great benefits both socially and commercially. 

As we continue to develop the food sector in Donegal and the 

wider appreciation of what Donegal food has to offer a number of 

other events are in the diary – 

:: Craft Beer & Food Masterclass – 16th July 2013 

:: A Taste of Donegal Festival – 23rd to 25th August 2013. The 

Food Coast will be hosting new artisan producers at the 

festival. 

:: Donegal Chowder Cook Off – 24th August (Winner will 

represent Donegal at the National Chowder Cook off in 

Kinsale 2014) 

:: The Donegal Food Network – 24th September 2013. Hosted by 

Gavin O’Rourke of Harvey’s Point Hotel. 

For further information email emccarron@donegalenterprise.ie 

Chef Kelan McMichael shares his experience of working 

with local produce as he prepares Kerrykeel Dexter 

Beef which he prepared using Kinnegar Brewing Devils 

Backbone Beer. 

In the Greenhouse: Left to right, Gary O’Hanlon - Donegal 

Food Ambassador, Kemal Scarpellio – The SlowFoodCo., 

Declan McConnelough-The Haven Smokehouse, Kelan 

McMichael – Head Chef Rathmullan House, Thomas 

Hughes – Donegal Rapeseed Oil, Sam & Cathy Dill – The 

Dill Family Farm, Ursula Donnelly – Donegal County 

Enterprise Board, Rick LeVert – Kinnegar Brewing, Charlie 

Doherty – Doherty Potatoes and Eve – Anne McCarron – 

The Food Coast. 


Donegal Business 

DONEGAL CONTINUES TO DEVELOP LINKS INTERNATIONALLY 

Executives from Donegal 

County Council recently 

met with representatives 

of Jilin Province, North 

Eastern China to explore 

opportunities across 

cultural, education, political 

and economic links. 

Jilin Province has an area of some 

187,000sq. km, a population of 27million 

and an industrial base ranging 

across automotive, petro-chemical, 

agricultural, products, food processing, 

pharmaceutical, electronics and 

information, agriculture and livestock 

and equipment manufacturing. The area 

through representatives based in Dublin 

over the past year been developing links 

with Donegal, particularly through 

Letterkenny Institute of Technology and 

their CoLab with representatives from 

Letterkenny Institute of Technology 

visiting China in this regard. 

The President of Zhida International, 

which is a Dublin based company with 

the objective of developing Chinese 

and Irish links, Ms. Wynne Liu has 

been working extensively with Donegal 

representatives over the past period of 

time, with a view to developing links 

across areas of common interest. 

Recent meetings have agreed to explore, 

inter alia, twinning opportunities 

between the two areas at a political level 

and also to assess export opportunities 

for businesses based in Donegal and 

which could conceivably take advantage 

of an Irish Food Showroom which is 

being established as part of a free trade 

zone area in Shanghai. 

If any business in Donegal feels that 

they may have an interest in exploring 

this area further please contact the 

Community & Enterprise Division of 

Donegal County Council at County 

House, Lifford by emailing Aideen 

Doherty at: 

aideen.doherty@donegalcoco.ie 

Donegal Restaurants flying the flag at the recent 

Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) Awards. 

At the recent RAI awards there was a 

strong Donegal representation at the 

finalists in Dublin on the June 10th. Two 

national awards made their way back to 

Donegal following the prestigious event. 

Castlemurray House of St. Johns Point was 

awarded the Best Sustainable Restaurant 

of the Year attributed to standing out 

as demonstrating best practice in 

sustainability. 

Wherever you are in the world you can keep up to date with The 

Food Coast on Twitter @Donegal-Food. It would be great to 

hear about the Donegal Food Treasures you come across as they 

make their way around the globe. We can also share the latest 

news if you subscribe to our quarterly newsletter by emailing 

your details to emccarron@donegalenterprise.ie 

While Sargasso of Letterkenny was awarded the national Bord 

Bia Just Ask Restaurant 2013 award. The Just Ask campaign 

aims to encourage the public to ask when eating out to look for 

information on where the food comes from and to encourage 

chefs to provide this information on their menus. 

The Donegal Food Ambassador – Gary O’Hanlon a native of 

Donegal is now head chef with Viewmont House in Longford, 

was also celebrating with his Donegal peers when he was 

awarded the Best Chef in Leinster 2013. 

Well done to all on helping to put Donegal on the Food Map! 

Donegal Food on Twitter: @Donegal_food 

Castlemurray House of St.Johns Point was awarded the Best 

Sustainable Restaurant of the Year 


education & learning 

Visit by Boston Businessman 

to Letterkenny Institute of 

Technology (LYIT’s) CoLab 

Boston businessman John Cullinane and met with CoLab 

staff and promoters of business located at CoLab. He and 

his colleague, Frank Costello, are pictured here with LYIT 

personnel and representatives of CoLab client businesses. 

Mayor of Donegal, Cllr Frank McBrearty; senior Donegal 

County Council officials; Steve Orr, Northern Ireland Science 

Park; and Willie McCarter, formerly Chairman of IFI, also 

attended the meeting which was organised in the context of 

the Donegal Diaspora Project. 

Mr Cullinane is President of The Cullinane Group Inc, 

and was founder of Cullinet Software Inc, one of the first 

companies to specialise in computer software products, 

have a public offering, and be listed on the New York Stock 

Exchange. As a result, Mr Cullinane was named three 

times as The Wall Street Transcript’s CEO of the Year in the 

computer software products industry. 

Launch of Health 

Innovation Corridor 

On 9 May, John Andy Bonar, Head of Development, 

represented Letterkenny Institute of Technology at the 

launch of the Health Innovation Corridor by MEP Martina 

Anderson in Derry. 

The initiative is based on the Massachusetts model of 

connected healthcare and involves linking together higher 

education institutions, research institutes, hospitals and 

industrial partners across the North West Region from 

Derry, Donegal and Sligo. 

Newcastle Business School 

(NBS)/Doctor of Business 

Administration (DBA) 

Michael Margey, Head of School of Business at Letterkenny 

Institute of Technology (LYIT), has initiated a strategic 

partnership between Newcastle Business School in 

Northumbria University and the School of Business at 

LYIT, involving bringing the first ever Level 10 Doctoral 

Programme to the North West Region. 

The DBA programme is expected to commence in October 

and will be part-delivered at LYIT, with appropriately 

qualified staff of the School of Business also co-supervising 

the NBS Doctoral students. On 21 May Professors Sandra 

Corlett and Teresa Waring delivered NBS Research 

Supervisor Training to LYIT staff and met with 10 potential 

DBA candidates. 

Back row, left to right: John Andy Bonar, LYIT; Frank Costello, Costello & 

Associates; Peter Campbell, Lone Star State; Ian Harkin, Arklu; Caitlín Uí 

Chochláin, Donegal County Council; Thomas Cullen, Pocket Heroes; Edwin 

Masterson, IPR Matrix; Charlie Boyle; Service Sells; David O’Neill, Uppidee; 

and Aaron Nepgen, final year Design student. 

Middle, left to right: Patsy Donaghy, LYIT; Grace Ann McGarvey, Grace Ann 

Consultancy; Aideen McCarter; Steve Orr, NISP; Michael Margey, LYIT; Willie 

McCarter; and Michael Heaney, Donegal County Council. 

Front, left to right: Donna Maskery, Donegal County Council; Seamus Neely, 

County Manager, Donegal County Council; Paul Hannigan, LYIT; John 

Cullinane; Cllr Frank McBrearty, Mayor of Donegal; Henry McGarvey, LYIT 

Governing Body Chairman; and Anne Tuohy, Room Junkie. 

[Photo Clive Wasson] 

Visit by Notre Dame University, Maryland, USA to Letterkenny 

Institute of Technology 

Notre Dame Maryland group at their welcome dinner at Castle 

Grove on Friday, 15 March. 


education & learning 

Busy July in Gleann Cholm Cille 

As well as hosting a busy schedule of Oideas Gael courses, Gleann Cholm Cille offers 

numerous other events this summer including the launch of Patrick McGinley’s latest 

novel and also the unveiling of an innovative heritage project led by Associate Howard 

Goldbaum of The Reynold’s School of Journalism, University of Nevada at Reno. 

‘Cold Spring’ 

Glen born author Patrick McGinley has lived most of his life in southern England 

but has never lost contact with hi family and neighbours in Cill Áthnaid, Gleann 

Cholm Cille. His best known novel ‘Bogmail’ has just been reprinted and was 

made into a successful three-part BBC series called ‘Murder in Eden’, recently 

shown again on TG4. Last year his memoir, ‘That Unearthly Valley’ was a 

popular book choice nationally and internationally. His latest novel ‘Cold 

Spring’ is a tale of survival in a remote valley close to home. 

The book will be launched by writer and critic Tony Glavin in Foras Cultúir 

Uladh on Thursday 11th July. Beidh fáilte romhat! 

Voices from the Dawn is an innovative technological gem presenting the 

rich heritage of Ireland in a novel and exciting way. Associate Professor Howard Goldbaum has been 

persuaded to launch his major research undertaking in Glencolmcille on Tuesday 16th July. Those interested 

in learning about ad viewing our rich archaeological and pilgrimage sites (including a number from County 

Donegal can have a preview by visiting www.voicesfromthedawn.com 

Further information on these events and other activities call Oideas Gael at: 074 97 30248 or email: 

oideasgael@eircom.net 

Massachusetts Senate President 

visits Donegal 

On Friday, 10 May, a high 

level delegation from the 

State of Massachusetts 

visited the CoLab at 

Letterkenny Institute of 

Technology. 

The delegation was led by Therese Murray, 

President of the Senate of the State of 

Massachusetts, and consisted of her senior 

advisors and representatives from University 

of Massachusetts, Mass Life Sciences Institute 

and Mass Technology Collaborative. 

This visit organised in the context of the 

Donegal Diaspora Project is part of the 

ongoing development of enterprise for mutual 

benefit between Donegal and Massachusetts. 

Massachusetts Delegation Visit to LYIT 


Social & cultural 

Unpacking Donegal’s Cultural Baggage 

The County Donegal Heritage 

Office, Donegal County Council 

and the County Donegal 

Heritage Forum in partnership 

with The Heritage Council will 

be commissioning the research 

and publication of a booklet 

on the cultural migration and 

material culture of Donegal 

communities abroad as part 

of the implementation of the 

County Donegal Heritage Plan. 

The booklet will focus on selected 

historical migration patterns to America, 

Canada, Scotland, England, Europe and/ 

or Australia but the emphasis will be 

on documenting and illustrating case 

studies involving the material culture of 

Donegal people abroad. 

We would like your help in identifying 

the material heritage of Donegal 

communities abroad. This may include: 

• heritage objects (such as suitcases and their contents, small 

household items or tools) that people took with them at the 

time of their migration; 

• emigrant letters that people sent back home; 

• the material imprint that immigrant Donegal communities 

left on the landscapes of their adopted homeplaces (such 

as houses similar to those back in Donegal, placenames or 

Emigrants on board a tender ship (1930s) Image courtesy of NI Libraries, 

Bigger & MacDonald Collection 

graveyard inscriptions which refer to Donegal); and/or 

• material evidence of the retention of the Irish language by 

Donegal immigrant communities in their adopted land. 

If you have any information that you think might be useful or 

if you would like to be considered as one of the contributing 

writers to the booklet, please email heritage@donegalcoco.ie or 

by telephone at: 00353 749172576 as soon as possible. 

Scholarship in Memory of Boston Academic – Margo Nason 

The family and friends of Margo Nason 

are offering a scholarship in her memory 

to a participant in the Oideas Gael 

Summer School (July 20-27) for Irish 

Language Study and Sean-Nós Singing. 

The scholarship covers fees for the 

week of classes as well as self-catering 

accommodation in a house nearby. 

Application for the scholarship is open to 

anyone who is studying Irish, is familiar 

with sean-nós singing and is interested in 

learning some of these traditional songs 

in Irish from one of the best sean-nós 

singers in the world. 

Margo Nason spent many summers at 

Oideas Gael, immersed in the language 

and culture of this beautiful corner of 

Donegal. She loved being part of the 

sean-nós singing class with Gearóidín 

Bhreathnach, a class which is unique in 

Ireland and the world. This scholarship, 

in Margo’s memory, aims to give someone 

the opportunity to discover and enjoy the 

classes and experiences which meant so 

much to her. Margo was born Margaret 

Deil Wilson on July 17, 1941, in New 

Jersey, USA. Her academic credentials 

were always top-notch; she was 

Salutorian of her class at Millburn High 

School, double-majored in Psychology 

and Philosophy at Antioch College in 

Ohio, and earned her PhD in Psychology 

at Harvard University 

Applicants for the scholarship 

should submit a 100 word request for 

consideration to Edith Wyndham at 

edie@zianet.com 

The late Margo Nason 


Community Links 

The Gathering Cultural Services 

Family History Roadshow, Lifford 

As part of the celebrations for The Gathering 

2013, Cultural Services Division of Donegal 

County Council is organising a series of family 

history roadshows, on the theme of ‘How to 

Research Your Family History’. The County 

Museum, Library and Archives Services are 

providing guidance to the public on the wide 

variety of sources available to those interested 

in researching their own family history. 

Admission to all roadshows is free. 

The first roadshow was held on Tuesday 11th 

June in the Training Room, County House, 

Lifford. Niamh Brennan, Una Mathewson 

and Caroline Carr provided demonstrations 

on the use of the online sources such as 1901 

and 1911 Census and Griffith’s Valuation, and 

advice was given on tracing family history 

using the internet’s many resources. 

The other roadshows will take place later 

this year, in venues around the County. The 

next roadshow is planned for Central Library, 

Letterkenny during Heritage Week in late 

August. All events will be well publicised in 

the media in advance. 

The Library Service is currently developing 

a guide to the genealogy resources available 

from Library Services, Archives and Museum. 

This guide will be available in August and 

is part of the Hands of History project 

supported by the European Union’s European 

Regional Development Fund, through the 

EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 

managed for the Special EU Programmes 

Body by Donegal County Council. 

For further information contact Niamh 

Brennan by email: archivist@donegalcoco.ie 

Family History Roadshow 

NYPD footballers win Breezy Point Cup 

NYPD Football Team, 

Breezy Point Cup Champions 2013 

The New York Police Department 

Gaelic Football Club had a 

tremendous weekend, taking home 

honors in the Breezy Point Corn 

Cois Farraige Cup competition; a 

charity event set up to help rebuild 

Breezy Point after the devastation 

of Superstorm Sandy in 2012. 

The NYPD GFC were victors in 

the Junior Football competition, 

defeating Manhattan Gaels in the 

final, on a scoreline of 1-7 to 1-03. 

Among the many stars of the tournament 

for the side were club President, Peter 

McCormack, from Ballybofey, County 

Donegal, and his daughter Hanna, Vinny 

Mannion, from Fairymount, County 

Roscommon and his 1 son Gavin and Captain 

of the victorious side, Phil Birmingham. 

The “Boys in Blue” made it to the final 

undefeated, under the leadership of 

Bainisteoir Paul Hurley, from Fingal, County 

Dublin, and his assistant, Ira Goldman (a 

Donegal man from his mother’s family). They 

did a wonderful job keeping the team focused 

for several hours during this tournament. 

The NYPD football club was set up to help 

with various charities. Their next major 

fundraiser is the annual challenge game 

against the FDNY on Friday June 28th, 6 pm, 

at Gaelic Park in the Bronx. The money raised 

that evening will go towards TJ Cunningham, 

a young child in Ireland who travelled to 

America for treatment for medical ailments. 

The NYPD is making a trip to Dublin and 

Donegal in October 2013, as part of the 2013 

Gathering when several matches and charity 

events are planned. 

To follow the NYPD, check out their website, 

www.nypdgaelicfootball.org 


Community Links 

Global Diaspora 

Forum held in Dublin 

The Global Diaspora Forum was held in Dublin 

on the 14th and 15th of May 2013, providing a 

platform to discuss and debate how migration 

and connectivity affect us all. 

Now in its third year the European strand of the two day forum 

in Dublin which was co-hosted with Washington, is an initiative 

begun by former US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to celebrate 

diaspora communities working in association with the United 

States Department of State, United States Agency for International 

Development. 

Kingsley Aikins, former Chief Executive of the Worldwide Ireland 

Funds was co-chairperson of the Forum sharing his experience and 

knowledge in working with the global Irish community. 

The Business Editor of the Economist Robert Guest noted the ‘Diaspora 

networks are much more tightly connected to each other which 

has profound consequences for the world…’. Importantly national 

governments continue to recognise the value and potential of our 

diaspora, making active efforts to identify and connect with these 

highly skilled individuals and to link them to national economic 

development projects. 

Monreagh Ulster Scots Centre host 

visit from East Tennessee University 

The Monreagh Ulster Scots Centre at Carrigans 

played host, recently, to a team of students and 

lecturers from East Tennessee University on an 

educational field trip to the North West. 

The students were interested in finding out more about the rich, 

cultural heritage of the Lagan area of East Donegal, particularly 

the musical, linguistic and industrial influences of a region that is 

renowned for its outstanding beauty of lush, green, fertile land, 

known in former times as the Lowlands of Donegal. The students are 

studying traditional American music as part of an honours degree 

in Appalachian Studies, the only university degree of its kind in the 

world. 

The group were greeted by the Centre Manager and staff of Monreagh 

Ulster Scots Centre, and by the Director of Community, Culture and 

Planning at Donegal County Council, Michael O’Eanaigh. Local man 

and chairperson of the Centre, Stewart Buchanan, was also on hand 

to provide some much appreciated musical accompaniment, as the 

students performed on fiddles, whilst others demonstrated their 

traditional dancing talents. You can see the visit for yourself at our 

youtube channel: youtube.com/monreaghcentre 

Tennessee vist 

Tennessee vist 

For further information on this e-zine 

or on the Donegal Diaspora Project, 

please contact: 

Maria Ferguson 

Email: diaspora@donegalcoco.ie 

/maria. ferguson@donegalcoco.ie 

Tel: +353 (0)74 97 24466 

Roisin McBride 

Email: rmcbride@donegalcoco.ie 

Tel: +353 (0) 74 9172461

Donegal Community in Touch - Ezine- July Edition

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