Times Gone By : Inishowen

From Derry Journal Archives of August 1991
A group from Buncrana, accompanied by a number of Spanish visitors, enjoying the Rathmullan Regatta.A group from Buncrana, accompanied by a number of Spanish visitors, enjoying the Rathmullan Regatta.
A group from Buncrana, accompanied by a number of Spanish visitors, enjoying the Rathmullan Regatta.

Pickets at Ballyratten dump

Residents of Ballyratten and Clar are again picketing the Donegal County Council rubbish dump at Ballyratten.

For many years, residents have had to endure thick, black smoke from the fires at the dump, the risk of infection from rats and vermin, rubbish blowing from the dump and the pollution of the Clar and Ballyratten rivers.

Phil Doherty, Desertegney, Buncrana (on left), and Owen Doherty (Clonmany) share a joke with Rev. Joseph Morris, Clonmany Show president, at the annual show.Phil Doherty, Desertegney, Buncrana (on left), and Owen Doherty (Clonmany) share a joke with Rev. Joseph Morris, Clonmany Show president, at the annual show.
Phil Doherty, Desertegney, Buncrana (on left), and Owen Doherty (Clonmany) share a joke with Rev. Joseph Morris, Clonmany Show president, at the annual show.
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The residents want Council to announce a date for the long promised closure of the dump, the extinguishing of the fires that burn day and night, and gates erected at its entrance.

Dunree a tourist attraction

A total of 3,602 visitors attended the Dunree Museum during the period June 16 to August 16, highlighting the importance of he museum as a tourist attraction.

The museum is now well sign-posted from Burt to Buncrana as a result of the efforts of a voluntary committee.

John McCloskey, Collon, Carndonagh, with his winning beef heifer (no teeth) at the Clonmany Agricultural Show.John McCloskey, Collon, Carndonagh, with his winning beef heifer (no teeth) at the Clonmany Agricultural Show.
John McCloskey, Collon, Carndonagh, with his winning beef heifer (no teeth) at the Clonmany Agricultural Show.

Michael‘s on his way to stardom

A new charity tape of Buncrana teenager Michael Harkin is already getting lots of airplay on local radio.

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Michael (14), the son of Michael and Teresa Harkin, Leophin, Linsfort, recorded the six song cassette, “I’m On My Way’, at the Forge Brae Studio, Culdaff.

Proceeds from the tape will go towards St Nicholas School for the Mentally Handicapped in Buncrana.

Ann and Sean McLaughlin, Carndonagh, with their daughter, Donna, who was winner of the 1-2 years-old section of the Clonmany Festival bonny baby competition.Ann and Sean McLaughlin, Carndonagh, with their daughter, Donna, who was winner of the 1-2 years-old section of the Clonmany Festival bonny baby competition.
Ann and Sean McLaughlin, Carndonagh, with their daughter, Donna, who was winner of the 1-2 years-old section of the Clonmany Festival bonny baby competition.

The title song was written specially for Michael by local songwriter, Patsy Cavanagh, from Greencastle.

Other tracks include “The Cowboy Rides Away” and “When You Get to heaven”.

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Michael, a third year student at Buncrana Vocational School, hopes to pursue a career in singing.

Already, the first 500 cassettes produced have virtually sold out and more have had to be ordered.

Rev. Joseph Morris, president, Clonmany Sheepdog Association, presents the Junior Hunt Trophy to winner JJ Doherty, Malin Head, who was winner with his dog, 'Moss'. On left are Owen McLaughlin and Denis McGonigle, both from Cloontagh, Clonmany, who tied for second place.Rev. Joseph Morris, president, Clonmany Sheepdog Association, presents the Junior Hunt Trophy to winner JJ Doherty, Malin Head, who was winner with his dog, 'Moss'. On left are Owen McLaughlin and Denis McGonigle, both from Cloontagh, Clonmany, who tied for second place.
Rev. Joseph Morris, president, Clonmany Sheepdog Association, presents the Junior Hunt Trophy to winner JJ Doherty, Malin Head, who was winner with his dog, 'Moss'. On left are Owen McLaughlin and Denis McGonigle, both from Cloontagh, Clonmany, who tied for second place.

Michael’s chosen charity was opened in 1985 and caters for children with disabilities from across Inishowen and the surrounding area.

From Derry Journal Archives of August 1966

No reprieve for ‘Scotch Boat’

The Belfast Steamship Company has turned down an appeal by Derry Harbour Commissioners to reconsider its decision to close the passenger service between Derry and Glasgow next month.

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The Commissioners, in their letter to the company, recalled that the Heysham service to Derry was withdrawn in 1963 and, in 1965, the Liverpool service was scrapped.

The withdrawl of these services from the port, said the Commissioners, meant a considerable loss of revenue and, with the discontinuance of the Glasgow passenger service, a further decline in revenue would be experienced.

Miriam McMullan (18), Gulladuff, Moville, who was selected as the Moville Festival Queen.Miriam McMullan (18), Gulladuff, Moville, who was selected as the Moville Festival Queen.
Miriam McMullan (18), Gulladuff, Moville, who was selected as the Moville Festival Queen.

Record catch by angler

While fishing in the Moville sea angling festival, Tom Le Feuvre, Swilly Gardens, Creggan, boated a fish whose weight, if accepted, broke the existing Irish record.

The fish, a mackerel, weighing 3lbs. 5.5oz., has been sent to the Irish Specimen Fish Committee for verification. The existing record is 3 lbs.

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A 2lbs. mackerel counts as a specimen fish and most sea anglers will fish all their lives without seeing one.

Mr. Le Feuvre is a very keen and active member of the Dolphin Sea Angling Club and he and his son, Brian, miss very few club outings and have made many notable catches.

German visitors in Malin

Recent visitors to Malin during a tour of Ireland were Miss Christine Wolf and Messrs. Helmut Grass and Herbert Dietz, natives of Weingarten, Wurtemburg, in South Germany.

One of their most vivid impressions of the country was the friendliness of the people, especially those of Donegal, writes a local correspondent.

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In the Malin Hotel, they enjoyed the traditional music played by Eugene Crampsey.

Miss Wolf is a primary school teacher, Helmut Grass is a designer and Herbert Dietz a precision engineer. They particularly wanted to see Ireland’s most northern point at Banba’s Crown in Malin Head.