50 YEARS AGO
April 6, 1957
LETTERKENNY BOXER CHOSEN
The promising young Letterkenny boxer Malachy Price has the singular honour of being the chosen by the Ulster Council IABA as the only boxer outside of Belfast to travel to Dublin to take part in the Irish Juvenile Championships. Young Price's recognition was one that could not be denied following his outstanding performance in battling his way to a provincial final win in the 5st 7lb class at Belfast last week. An extremely keen fighter, he has been associated with the boxing world for the last couple of years and trains assiduously for bouts. With only two defeats (both very doubtful), his chances are good. In his weight, it would be difficult to find a more competent performer in Ireland.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
An unusually brilliant display of the phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis or "Northern Lights" was to be seen from Creeslough recently. The whole sky from points between due east and due west and upwards practically to the zenith was all aglow. The extremities of the display were marked by two large patches of deep purple colour. Many people say that such a celestial occurrence is likely to be followed by a period of rough weather.
ROAD ACCIDENTS DOWN FOR FEBRUARY
The Minister for Home Affairs announced that the number of road accidents for February were the lowest in four years for the same period. During February, four people were killed and 224 injured in 194 road accidents. The number killed shows a decrease of nine when compared to January but is the same as the figure for February last year. There was a decrease in the total number of accidents for the month, the figure being 13 less than January and 62 less than the figure for February 1956. The number of people injured in February was 18 less than in January and 90 less than February last year.
FREAKY FISH
While fishing for trout near Kilmacrennan, one local angler caught a remarkable brown trout. The trout, which is small, is curiously deformed and has a very peculiar shape of head. It has also several curvatures of the dorsal column, and in the opinion of several experienced anglers is a most unusual freak. The fish is being preserved for expert examination.
ABSTINENCE FILM
A motion picture, which presented scenes from rallies held by the Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart in Cork and Dublin, was shown in the Mount cinema, Mountcharles. It was held by the local Pioneer Association. The picture was well attended and created interest which, it is anticipated, will reflect in increased membership.
GAELTACHT INDUSTRIES PHOTOGRAPHED
A photographer, representing Gaeltarra Eireann, visited the Kilcar and Glencolmcille Gaeltacht area last week and photographed the various phases of the Round Tower tweed and kindred cottages industries of the Donegal Gaeltacht - knitting, embroidery and other skills. He took pictures of handloom weavers, working on the looms in their cottages, weaving Round Tower tweed, and knitters knitting the Fair Isle garments by the firesides and hearths of their cottages. He also took pictures of the tweed factory and spinning mill at Kilcar, as well as the handloom weaving mart at Glencolmcille.
25 YEARS AGO
April 3, 1982
NEW BISHOP OF RAPHOE
The new Bishop of Raphoe, Most Rev. Dr. Seamus Hegarty, was ordained in St Eunan's Cathedral in Letterkenny this week. After his ordination, he paid a unique and worthy tribute to his predecessor, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony McFeely. Thousands of people of the diocese flocked to the Cathedral town for the ceremony. Also in attendance were his eminence, Cardinal Tomas O'Fiaich, the Papal Nuncio, the Bishop of Derry, and representatives of the Government.
DONEGAL FIRE OFFICERS' STRIKE
The four-month long dispute by fire officers was stepped up this week when Donegal's three officers came out on a one-day strike as part of a national protest. The officers, who have been on a go-slow since December 1, are supporting a wage claim and calls for a change in working arrangements within the County Council. The fire officers have an issue with present need for the Chief Fire Officer to report to the County Manager through the County Engineer, instead of being able to directly contact the County Manager. The strike was also to express dissatisfaction with the rate of progress being made on pay negotiations.
LEAGUE COMMENCES
There should be no shortage of football this Sunday as the 1982 All-County Football league commences with 42 football teams setting out in the quest for the honours. The league "throw-in" will see over 800 players competing in one of the most prestigious competitions in the County. All the teams and their officials will be anxious on the day. Sunday will end the long closed season for most teams. This time off, while not helping the fitness, will have brought a renewed appetite for football to all players and a keen desire to win will create a very competitive atmosphere.
NO BRIDGEND HOSPITAL
The Department of Health has told Donegal County Councillors that there is no chance, in the immediate future, of a hospital being built at Bridgend. In a letter to the Council, the Department said the development of Letterkenny's General Hospital, which will be completed next year, was the priority project for Donegal. Its planning was undertaken on the basis that it would serve the entire county, including Inishowen.
While the Department accepted that the distance to Letterkenny from some parts of Inishowen were greater than would normally be the case for a general hospital, the problem was not peculiar to Inishowen alone. On the grounds of practicality and given the population of the peninsula, it was impossible to justify a hospital at Bridgend.
OAK TREE FOR NEW BISHOP
Two sapling Irish oaks have been planted in the grounds of Stranorlar Vocational School this week to mark the ordination of Fr. Seamus Hegarty. The trees were blessed by Fr. Shiels, school chaplain, in the presence of the staff and students. Fr. Shiels reminded the students of the significance of the oak in both the pagan and Christian Irish tradition, symbolising strength, growth and stability. The tree is also the emblem of Donegal's own St. Colmcille.
