Donegal Democrat down the years - A matter of Record

Something that would most certainly be loathed upon today and is also illegal, the Democrat of the day did at least manage to put the “sports” reference in quotation marks.

The piece was included by a local notes correspondent, under the heading of Donegal News, with other regular items from the locality, also included.

And 40 years ago, the council demanded compensation from Maggie Thatcher for the British Army blowing up bridges in Donegal from the North.

Journalist Michael McHugh continues his journey through the archives of the Donegal Democrat:

93 years ago - Donegal Democrat, June 14, 1930

Donegal News

A series of cock fights took place not far from Donegal town during the week, and were witnessed by a large gathering of people.

There were some interesting battles and the “sports” displayed great enthusiasm as the contests between the birds developed into apparent eagerness as to which of the contestants should carry off the victory.

The contests were between birds from Donegal and Killymard and the venue chosen was admirable for the “sport”.

The Killymard birds were the victors beating Donegal by two matches.

One of the Killymard birds won no less than five battles, an enthusiastic “sport” declaring it to be the real Carnerna of the pit.

85 years ago - Donegal Democrat June 11, 1938

Fishing at Ballyshannon

There has been exceptionally good catches of salmon in the Estuary at Ballyshannon lately on Friday of last week, one crew caught 80 salmon while the boxes of the Erne Fishery Co. are, we understand, proving very lucrative.

80 years ago - Donegal Democrat - June 12 1943

An Taoiseach in Ballyshannon

On Thursday night, An Taoiseach Mr Eamonn de Valera addressed a monster meeting in the diamond, Ballyshannon.

This was the fourth visit to the Town, on the Erne since 1918.

The first occasion on which he came here was just two years after the 1916 Rising, an event in which he played such a glorious part as leader in Boland’s Mill.

The 1918 meeting at which he spoke was held outside the Rock Hall, where a platform was erected.

In 1927 and 1938 he came to Ballyshannon on election campaigns and addressed large crowds from a window of Mrs James McGonigle’s premises in Castle Street.

In 1932 on his way back from Letterkenny where he had been addressing an election meeting, he paid a visit to the ‘98 Hall, where a ceilidhe was being held in his honour and spoke at some length.

On Thursday night last it was obvious that he still holds the grip of the imagination of the people and that tehIrish people still love “The Felons of Our Land” (and who alive today can lay greater claim to that honour than Eamon de Valera) from the large number of people,some of whom came long distances to listen to him at a time which was well past the midnight hour, he having travelled from Sligo at the request of many Ballyshannon supporters.

There were not a few of the local members of the old I.R.A. in attendance, all of whom wore their medals awarded them in recognition of the prominent role they played in the fight for freedom.

On arrival at the platform, Mr deValera received a thunderous ovation, Mr Thoms McShea, Bundoran presided.

On the platform were: Mr B.M. Brady, T.D., Mr Liam Diver, O.S., Killybegs; Mr Joseph Brennan, Dunkineely; Mr P. McGonigle, O.S., Ballyshannon, Mr W. Travers, Bundoran.

55 years ago - Donegal Democrat June 13, 1958

Twin Towns New Golf Links opened

On Tuesday week, play commenced on the new 9-hole golf course on the outskirts of Stranorlar on the shores of Lough Alan.

The course is delightfully situated amid scenery as picturesque as any to be found in Donegal. The new golf course will add to the amenities of the two towns and should do much to attract visitors and holiday makers.

Before the first ball was driven off by Mr John J Kennedym, Stranorlar (captain of the club), Mr W.H. Raitt, P.C., Stranorlar (club president) addressing the large gathering present, thanked those who had helped in any way in making the club and he wished the Club and its members the very best of luck. He then called on Mr Kennedy to drive off, a ceremony which drew hearty applause.

Mr Kennedy presented the ball afterwards to Mr Raitt as a memento of the occasion.

80 year ago - Donegal Democrat, June 14 1963

Rossnowlagh

Solemn High Mass was celebrated at the Franciscan Church Rossnowlagh, on Wednesday for the repose of the soul of Pope John XXIII. Celebrant was Rev. Fr. Enda Keane, OFM, The Father Guardian, Rev. Fr. Anthony Murphy, OFM was deacon. Rev. Fr. Finian Roche, OFM, sub deacon and Rev Fr Ralph Lawless, OFM, master of ceremonies.

With the work almost completed, the new addition to the Franciscan Monastery at Rossnowlagh is now open. The repository has been transferred to the new position of the building, in a large spacious room specially appointed for the purpose.

Arrangements have been made to have the County Museum accommodated in the former repository. New wall cases have been provided by the Co Donegal Historical Society and when rearranged the museum will be one of the best in the Irish Provinces.

A record number of 5,000 vehicles passed through the Cloghore Customs Post enroute to Ballyshannon, Bundoran and Rossnowlagh on Sunday.

The beaches at Rossnowlagh, and Bundoran as well as Creevy were crowded on Sunday. Thousands of people enjoyed the brilliant sunshine and there were many bathers. Rossnowlagh had one of its greatest crowds ever.

50 years ago - Donegal Democrat, June 15 1973

Dungloe

Among the first on record to dig this year’s potatoes in the Dungloe area is Mr Owen Duffy, of Meenmore, who was fortunate in avoiding the damage caused by April frost which wrought such widespread havoc in the Rosses.

40 year ago - Donegal Democrat, June 17, 1983

Maggie told to cough up £111,000

Over £111,000 is to be demanded from the British Government by Donegal Co. Council in compensation for damage caused to six cross border bridges when they were blown up by the British Forces.

The claims include a sum of £70,000 for damage to Meenragh bridge near Ballybofey and over £64,000 for two bridges at Pettigo.

The decision that the Council would pursue the claims was taken after members discussed a motion tabled by Clr. Susan McGonagle calling on them to make their own claim rather than channelling it through the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The claim of £111,000 is for 50% of the total amount of each bridge and is made up as follows:

Meenreagh Bridge, Ballybofey - £70,000

Letter Bridge, Pettigo - £36,960

Shruhangarva Bridge - £36,000

Lettercran Bridge, Pettigo - £27,600

Cronalaghey Bridge/culvert - £2,500

The County Bridge, Tober, Ballyshannon - £1,000.

The article later continued that at one stage during the meeting Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher alleged that Clr Sean McLaughlin was constantly interrupting every speaker.

“There was a face to face confrontation between the two of them, with colleagues prepared and ready to intervene if it developed into fisticuffs.

Scorcher! Heatwave temperature breached on hottest Donegal day of the year

And it could be even warmer today

“However this was avoided and when the meeting resumed, Clr McGonagle said that the British Army had no permission to blow up the Meenbog bridge. They had not contacted the Garda forces in Letterkenny, nor the Department of Foreign Affairs.

They had merely phoned the Sergeant in Ballybofey and told them that they were going to blow up the bridge. The Sergeant and a few gardai arrived at the scene.

The motion was carried unanimously.