International journalist, publisher and author of novel 'Pretty Ugly'
Sometimes a person walks into life or into the fabric of a town and leaves an indelible mark, a lasting legacy if you will – that seems to sum up Aidan Hayes in Falcarragh. Taking his last breath last week at the age of 78, Aidan led a fascinating and colorful life, one in which […]
It was a wet and stormy night in Gortahork, Donegal when Charlie Cannon died. For eight minutes. Before he came to life again. Shocked and amazed, people around him wondered – had they just witnessed a miracle? But before answering that question, let me take a step back in time. The Loch Altan Hotel on […]
More than 100 people packed into Ionad Naomh Fionnan community centre, Falcarragh, Donegal recently to support selfless volunteers known as ‘First Responders,’ ordinary people who receive basic medical training and help in emergency situations. Attended by infants and the elderly alike, the ‘Light Up A Star’ event, hosted by Buíon Cheoil Sinsear Chloich Cheann Fhaola, the […]
by Sean Hillen Probably never in the annals of musical history has a Ukrainian saxophonist-cum-accordionist, a classical violinist and an Irish bodhrán player come together as a highly-entertaining trio. But they did this week at a celebratory Yuletide event at Garradh Colmcille in Falcarragh attended by women, men and children representing diverse nationalities including Canadian, […]
What a theatrical triumph this past weekend for local amateur drama company, The Cloughaneely Players, who meet close to my home here in the scenic northwest corner of Donegal. Not only did they host a superb re-enactment, complete with costumes and wigs, of James Joyce’s classic short story ‘The Dead’ set in 1904 in a […]
Thankfully, mercy of mercies, the Irish Presidential election is almost over. In a few hours, people throughout the Emerald Isle can breathe a sigh of relief. And get on with everyday things, knowing full well that the winning candidate will have barely a whisper of an effect on their day-to-day lives. They may, however, be […]
Is Sinn Fein’s decision this weekend to support Independent candidate, Catherine Connolly, in November’s Irish Presidential elections a case of the tail wagging the dog? It certainly seems so. After much dithering and delay, Ireland’s third ranked political party – which not so long ago could have topped the polls nationwide and emerged as the […]
Sinn Fein’s President Mary Lou McDonald today described on national airwaves that her political party’s long-awaited, soon-to-be-named Irish Presidential candidate would be a ‘game changer.’ Having used this grandiose, hifalutin phrase, that’s exactly what supporters and would-be supporters of Sinn Fein will be expecting that person to be – a unique choice who will shock […]
Avid gardeners, herbalists and Nature lovers from countries as diverse as South Africa, England and Ukraine as well as many parts of Donegal gathered this week in Killybegs to share their knowledge about health-giving herbs and plants. The well-attended event at the Niall Mór Community and Enterprise Centre was part of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation […]