Next week is Social Inclusion Week with an important series of events in Donegal.
Here, there is an introduction by the Mayor of Donegal Cllr Noel McBride and below that a full list of events.
BY CLLR NOEL MCBRIDE:
“It gives me great pleasure as Mayor of Donegal to introduce our annual Social Inclusion Week Programme. This week of events give us the opportunity to celebrate and showcase the very positive work that is being undertaken at a local level to combat poverty and social exclusion. It also gives us the opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of inclusion and diversity in Donegal. I wish every success to the week of events and would urge everyone to make use of the wide range of local services and facilities available and to become increasingly involved in your local community. I would like to thank the organisers and all the participants of Social Inclusion Week 2011 and hope that you will join in and celebrate this exciting programme of events.”
Monday 19th September
Launch of Social Inclusion Week
Council Chamber, County House, Lifford 11am Official launch by Cllr. Noel McBride, Mayor of Donegal and Mr. Seamus Neely, County Manager
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Your Waste
Donegal Travellers Project, Letterkenny 2pm An information session presented by Donegal County Council’s Waste Awareness Officer with members of the Traveller community Suzanne Tinney (074) 91 76276 / suzanne.tinney@donegalcoco.ie
Launch of Donegal Library LGBT Resource List
Caiseal Mara Hotel, Moville 7.30pm – 8.30pm Moville Men’s Group in conjunction with Donegal Library service launch a resource list of books, novels and DVD’s available through the libraries including details of Donegal based support groups, LGBT activities and helpful phone lines and websites. The launch will include a talk on how families and friends of LGBT people can best support them. David Simpson (074) 93 81224 / davidsimpson924@gmail.com
Rural Mens Health Event
Tulnaree, Carndonagh 6.30pm – 9.30pm Health check to raise awareness of mens health issues Joe Sweeney (074) 93 62218 / joe@inishowen.ie
Tuesday 20th September
Plain English Training with NALA
CouncilChamber,DonegalCountyCouncil,Lifford 10am-4.30pm A one-day intensive course provided by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) using a mix of presentation, examples, discussion and exercise to introduce participants to plain English and equip them with the techniques to use plain English as a means of providing information in easier to read and understandformats. Placesarelimitedsobookearly!Freeofcharge. Donna McGroarty (074) 91 72497 / dmcgroarty@donegalcoco.ie
Book Club for Men
Buncrana Community Library 11am – 11.45am A male only book club with free admission. Sinead McLaughlin (074) 93 61941 / sinead.mclaughlin@donegalcoco.ie
Anti-Racism Workshop
Milford Community Library 10.30am – 11.30am This lively and interactive workshop facilitated by drama therapist Ailbhe Hines, will provide a starting point for young people, from which to explore the language of racism and diversity. Karen Sheehy (074) 91 53927 / ksheehy@donegalcoco.ieTuesday 20th September
Rosses Writing Group
Leabharlann Phobail na Rosann, Dungloe 10.30am – 1pm This Adult Writing Group meets regularly every Tuesday morning for an informal writing workshop. It is open to everyone who has an interest in writing, even those who may not have written before. The emphasis is on sharing and writing stories and having fun while doing so! Margaret Sweeney (074) 95 22500 / margaret.sweeney@donegalcoco.ie
African Drumming
St. Mary’s National School, Pettigo 10am – 12.30pm A two and a half hour workshop by Play Percussions for primary school children. Martina Doyle (071) 98 61924 / theforgefrc@eircom.net
Rhyme Time
John Bosco Centre, Donegal Town 11am – 12noon Nursery rhymes, songs, stories and poems followed by colouring. Free admission. Rory Gallagher (074) 97 25329 / (071) 98 29665 / rgallagher@donegalcoco.ie
Basic Book-Keeping (for those entering self-employment) Inishowen Development Partnership Office, Buncrana 6.30pm – 9.30pm Mary McGeehan (074) 93 62218 / mmcgeehan@inishowen.ie
Intercultural Platform Open Evening
Port na Failte, Letterkenny 6.30pm – 9pm The Intercultural Platform invites the general public to call into Port na Failte and be shown around by members of different cultures. You will have the chance to sample home cooking from different cultures. So come along and get involved. The event is free of charge and child friendly. Karin White (074) 91 26550 / kwhite@donegalcoco.ie
Committee Skills Training
Inishowen Development Partnership Office, Buncrana 7pm Best practice training on committee skills. John Jackson (074) 93 62218 / john@inishowen.ie
Course Information & Registration Evening
Donegal Family Resource Centre, Upper Main St., Donegal Town 7pm – 9pm This event aims to enable everybody within our community to avail of cost- effective training, up-skilling or recreational courses inc. Basic & Intermediate Computers, Digital Photography, Occupational First Aid, Conversational Spanish, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Basic Counselling, Cookery, Painting, Healthy Gardening, Parenting and Genealogy. Courses part funded by the VEC and the Department of Social Protection. Kathleen McHugh (074) 97 25337 / donegalfamilyresource@eircom.net
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Information Event
Niall Mór Community & Enterprise Centre, Killybegs 8pm – 9pm Information event with local community groups and members of the public provided by Suzanne Tinney, Waste Awareness Officer, Donegal County Council.
Margaret Doherty 087 279 2151 / margaretdoherty@dldc.org
Wednesday 21st September
Social History Exhibition
Moville Branch Library 9.30am – 5.30pm A small exhibition depicting the social history of the town of Moville. Gerard Duddy (074) 93 85110 / gduddy@donegalcoco.ie
Stories from Two Rooms Book Launch
Port na Failte, Letterkenny 2pm – 4pm Over the period of six months, people from different cultural backgrounds left their stories, poems and pictures in Port na Fáilte’s ‘Leave Your Story Room’. During the same time, the Intercultural Port na Failte Writers Group created stories. A selection of these stories were edited, translated if necessary and published in an edition called Stories From Two Rooms. The book launch will include readings from some of the authors and refreshments will be served. Everyone welcome. Karin White (074) 91 26550 / kwhite@donegalcoco.ie
Rhyme Time: Storytelling and Crafts
Central Library, Letterkenny 11am – 12noon A lively and joyous 60 minutes for pre-schoolers & parents. Fiona Truelove (074) 91 24950 / central@donegallibrary.ie
Kindy Drama Workshop
Pettigo Community Playgroup 11am – 11.45am Aimed at pre-schoolers and their parents, this fun workshop includes singing, story telling and playing games. Martina Doyle (071) 98 61924 / theforgefrc@eircom.net
Coffee Morning & Information Sharing
1 New Park Carndonagh 10am – 1.30pm An awareness-raising event promoting the work of LIFELINE in providing support for women and children experiencing domestic violence in Inishowen. Mary Doherty (074) 93 73337 / info@ldvs.org
Alcohol Harms – Developing Understanding,
Building Inclusion
Enterprise Fund Business Centre Letterkenny 10am – 12.30pm An event aimed at highlighting social inequalities related to alcohol and presenting the findings of two recent, local studies conducted by the North West Alcohol Forum in relation to brain injuries in chronic drinkers and the impact on children and families.
Eamon O’Kane (074) 91 25596 / 087 234 3840 / eamon@nwaf.ie
Rhyme Time
Carndonagh Community Library 11am – 11.45am A fun filled morning of song and dance with your toddler. Belinda Glackin (074) 93 73701 / belinda.glackin@donegalcoco.ie
Coffee Morning & Story Telling
K&M Connolly, Malin 11am – 1pm This fun-filled coffee morning will target older people who do not usually attend social functions or events. Eleanor Farren 086 8370154 / efarren67@hotmail.com.
Presentation of Junior Achievement Certificates
County House, Donegal County Council, Lifford 11am – 1pm Caitlín Uí Chochláin / 087 9084888 / caitlin.uichochlainn@donegalcoco.ie
Primary School Workshops
Pettigo National School 12.15pm – 2.15pm A fun workshop for 5-12 year olds aiming to help develop clear speech, social skills and the ability to mix with others by fun speech exercises, movement to music and improvisations. Martina Doyle (071) 98 61924 / theforgefrc@eircom.net
Launch of Staying Safe Booklet
Inishowen Development Partnership Office, Buncrana 2pm Information booklet about drugs and alcohol abuse. Aimed at young people at risk. Sean McGrory (074) 93 62218 / sean@inishowen.ie
Trans People are Family Too
Public Services Centre, Letterkenny 2pm – 4pm A transgender awareness session facilitated by Vanessa Lacey of Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI). Sinead Murray 085 8503830 / dili.sinead@gmail.com
Challenging Attitudes Towards Racism,
Sectarianism and the Structures That Support
Them Seminar
Letterkenny, Venue TBC 9.30am – 2.30pm This seminar seeks to contribute to the understanding of what constitutes racism or sectarianism and to explore ways and means of challenging this. Guest speakers will set the current context, followed by workshop discussions to document strategies to support the implementation of the Donegal PEACE III Action Plan. Angela Holohan (074) 91 28792 / angelaholohan@cwc.ie
Building Bridges – Higher Education, Foreign
Direct Investment and Regional Development
Letterkenny Institute of Technology Day 1 of 2 10am – 7pm Letterkenny Institute of Technology is proud to celebrate its 40th anniversay! This unique, 2-day conference with leaders in business and education from all Ireland and Europe will explore the importance of links between higher education and industry in regional development. Entitled “Building Bridges – Higher Education, Foreign Direct Investment and Regional Development”, we are delighted to announce that President Mary McAleese will address the conference. Other speakers include:
Jan Muehlfeit, Chairman Microsoft Europe; Colm Long, Director Online Operations, Facebook; Gerard Kilcommins, Vice-President, Global Operations, Medtronics, and President American Chamber of Commerce; Professor Richard Barnett, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ulster;
Danny McCoy, Director General, IBEC; Tim O’Connor, Business Advisor, former Irish Consul to the US and former Secretary General to the President of Ireland. Sheila King sheila.king@lyit.ie
Thursday 22nd September
Building Bridges – Higher Education, Foreign
Direct Investment and Regional Development
Letterkenny Institute of Technology Day 2 of 2 9.30am – 2pm Letterkenny Institute of Technology is proud to celebrate its 40th anniversay! This unique, 2-day conference with leaders in business and education from all Ireland and Europe will explore the importance of links between higher education and industry in regional development. Entitled “Building Bridges – Higher Education, Foreign Direct Investment and Regional Development”, we are delighted to announce that President Mary McAleese will address the conference. Other speakers include: Jan Muehlfeit, Chairman Microsoft Europe; Colm Long, Director Online Operations, Facebook; Gerard Kilcommins, Vice-President, Global Operations, Medtronics, and President American Chamber of Commerce; Professor Richard Barnett, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ulster; Danny McCoy, Director General, IBEC; Tim O’Connor, Business Advisor, former Irish Consul to the US and former Secretary General to the President of Ireland.
Sheila King sheila.king@lyit.ie
Family Support Group Information Session
Community House, 2 Errigal Road, Letterkenny 10am – 12noon This family support group meets each Thursday morning and is an opportunity for those concerned about a loved ones drug and/or alcohol use to meet in a confidential, non judgemental environment to get advice, information and support. All welcome!
Tanya McBride 086 0800 680 / lkennycdp@eircom.net
Information Day for Marginalised Women
Letterkenny Womens Centre 10am – 3pm An information event, targeting marginalised women to highlight the services provided by Letterkenny Women’s Network, Donegal Domestic Violence, Donegal Rape & Sexual Abuse and Letterkenny CDP. Refreshments will be served. Mary Maguire (074) 91 24985 / marymaguirelwc@hotmail.com
Working Together to Make the Future Happen
Jacksons Hotel, Ballybofey 2pm – 5pm This interagency event is being coordinated by Donegal Local Development Company, Donegal County Council and County Donegal Citizens Information Service and is targeted at unemployed people and will offer information, advice and support on a range of issues from welfare entitlements to keeping busy while unemployed. This drop-in event will also provide workshops on CV preparation, interview skills and emigration preparation. Keynote speaker TBC. Donegal Local Development Company (074) 91 27056
Library Quiz
Carndonagh Community Library 4pm A visual quiz for primary school children from various cultural backgrounds. Belinda Glackin (074) 93 73701 / belinda.glackin@donegalcoco.ie
Port na Failte’s Share a Film Night
Port na Failte, Letterkenny 6pm – 7.15pm Port Na Failte’s Share A Film Project in collaboration with Donegal Travellers Project presents a new short film “Barrel Top Day’s” (running time 30 mins) bringing us a slice of Traveller life. Through a series of loosely related tales from Travellers now living in Donegal, the film tells the story of life on the road. It recalls barrel top wagons, begging, selling from house-to-house and the stories are enriched with old archive material and photographs. The film will be introduced by Donegal Travellers Project’s own Anne Friel. Refreshments will be provided. This event is free to all! Karin White (074) 91 26550 / kwhite@donegalcoco.ie
Children’s Crafts
Buncrana Community Library 6pm – 7pm A fun hour of crafts facilitated by the library staff, admission free and all welcome! Sinead McLaughlin (074) 93 61941 / sinead.mclaughlin@donegalcoco.ie
Open Mic Night at Port na Failte
Port na Failte, Letterkenny 7.30pm – 10.30pm Letterkenny Open Mic Night is an opportunity for all to share their individual talents in a safe, non-judgemental environment. We encourage singer song writers, singers, poets, spoken word, dancing, mime, DJ skills. Anyone can come along and put their name on the board and be part of the evenings entertainment or just to enjoy the atmosphere. Free virgin cocktails & snacks!! Mary Healy 086 775 2142 / maryechealy@eircom.net
Illuminate Exhibition Opening
Carndonagh Community School 7pm Exhibition of photography work developed by students as part of North 55 Illuminate Project on themes of immigration, dislocation and sense of place. Denise McCool (074) 93 62218 / denise@inishowen.ie
The Open Book Club
Carndonagh Community Library 7pm – 8pm A new book group for men and women to encourage lively debates on books and literature. All welcome! Belinda Glackin (074) 93 73701 / belinda.glackin@donegalcoco.ie
IT Training for Farm Families
Inishowen Development Partnership Office, Buncrana 7pm – 9.30pm Targeted IT training for farm families to include training on registration requirements with the Department of Agriculture. Targeted at small holders in Inishowen who are not Teagasc clients.
Joe Sweeney (074) 93 62218 / joe@inishowen.ie
Social Inclusion Football Blitz
Ballyare Football Grounds, Letterkenny 7pm – 9pm A football blitz targeted at socially excluded individuals and groups with the aim of bringing people together to enjoy and compete through the medium of sport. Facilitated by the FAI and the Letterkenny Town Council, in association with community groups such as Donegal Travellers Project and Port na Failte. Ciaran Martin (074) 91 94297 / ciaran.martin@donegalcoco.ie
Enterprise Awards 2011
Jacksons Hotel, Ballybofey 7pm- 9pm The Enterprise Awards 2011 are hosted by Donegal Local Development Company for long-term unemployed people who have set up in business with the support of the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme. Louise Brogan 086 812 4250 / lbrogan@dldc.org
Friday 23rd September
Rhyme Time
Buncrana Community Library 10.45am – 11.30am A fun filled morning of song and dance with your toddler Sinead McLaughlin (074) 93 61941 / sinead.mclaughlin@donegalcoco.ie
Coffee Morning with Older People
Training Room, County House, Lifford 11am Donegal County Council welcomes older people from the community to the County House for storytelling & home-baked refreshments. Donna McGroarty (074) 91 72497 / dmcgroarty@donegalcoco.ie
Culture Night at Port na Failte
Port na Failte, Letterkenny 6.30pm – 11pm Port Na Failte, as part of Culture Night 2011, invites everybody to call in and to enjoy performances, food and chat with people from five continents. Free event but bring your own wine if you wish! Karin White (074) 91 26550 / kwhite@donegalcoco.ie
Social History Exhibition
Moville Branch Library 9.30am – 5.30pm A small exhibition depicting the social history of the town of Moville. Gerard Duddy (074) 93 85110 / gduddy@donegalcoco.ie
Away with the Fairies
Central Library, Letterkenny 6pm – 6.45pm & 7.30pm – 8.15pm Hotter than a blazing turf fire and livelier than a jig, a seanchaí comes leaping away from the fireside with a whirlwind performance of wild and witty anecdotes from the celtic-twilight-zone. Sancho first performed these tales in Istanbul and has presented them across Europe. Many of these stories have regional variations from Gdansk to Gibraltar, from Milford to Moscow, and Sancho will relate this Irish folklore to the European tradition and connect it with tales from the continent.
Karen Sheehy on (074) 91 53927 / ksheehy@donegalcoco.ie
Womens Hour
Ionad Teampall Chróine An Clochán Liath 8pm-9pm An informal evening of chat and discussion in a relaxed setting on the theme of ‘women and public life’. Light refreshments will be served. Noirin Clancy (074) 91 72901 / noirin.wipl@gmail.com
Class Visit
Moville Branch Library 11am An opportunity for children to visit and explore the library. Gerard Duddy (074) 93 85110 / gduddy@donegalcoco.ie
Saturday 24th September
Sports Ability Day
Aura Leisure Centre, Letterkenny 10am – 2pm This event hosted by Donegal Sports Partnership provides an opportunity for people with disabilities to come along and try various sports which they may not have previously tried. People of all abilities are welcome to come along and bring their friends and families. It is hoped that following this event that people may identify sports that they may wish to participate in on a regular basis. Therese Laverty (074) 91 16078 / sidoactivedonegal@gmail.com
Naíonáin le Chéile: Early Childhood Identity
and Belonging Programme
Letterkenny TBC 10am – 4pm This new programme developed by Donegal County Childcare Committee supports early childhood educators working with children aged 0-5 in areas such as diversity, individuality and identity. Bridgid Casey (074) 91 32416 / bridgidcasey@donegalchildcare.com
Storytime
Bundoran Community Library 11.30am – 12.30pm Stories, songs and poems for 4-8 year olds followed by craftwork. Free admission. Marianne Lynch (071) 98 29665 / marianne.lynch@donegalcoco.ie
Week Long Events
FAS Information Week
FAS Training Centre, Ballyraine, Letterkenny
19th – 23rd September 10am – 4pm
FAS invites jobseekers, employers and service providers to visit the Training Centre where advice and information on all services especially the suite of supports and programmes available to jobseekers with disabilities will be available.
Margaret Devenney (074) 91 20592 / margaret.devenney@nw.fas.ie
After School Computers
Resource Hall, Pettigo
19th – 23rd September 3.30pm – 4.45pm
An after-schools club teaching computers to children Sandra Johnson (071) 98 61911 / littlesmarties@live.ie
Equality Exhibition presented by the EU Commission in Ireland Central Library, Letterkenny 19th – 24th September (during library opening hours) Ciara Cunnane (074) 91 24950 / eudirect@donegallibrary.ie / www.donegallibrary.ie
Port na Failte Radio
19th – 24th September
www.westernwavesfm.org/portnafailte Port na Failte’s Radio Show will broadcast a Social Inclusion Week Special featuring interviews with participants, world music, programme announcements and much more. Tune in to www.westernwavesfm.org/portnafailte. Karin White (074) 91 26550 / kwhite@donegalcoco.ie
Week Long Events
Round the House and Mind the Dresser
Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny
19th-24th September 10am – 4.30pm (Mon – Fri) & 1pm – 4.30pm on Sat
This exhibition gives visitors an opportunity to learn about Irish traditional music, song and dance from the 1700’s until the present day and showcases the tradition through historic and contemporary photographs, texts and musical instruments.
Caroline Carr (074) 91 24613 / ccarr@donegalcoco.ie
Book Promotion
Ramelton Library, Back Lane, Ramelton
20th – 24th September (during library opening hours)
A display of fiction & non-fiction titles to introduce you to a life less ordinary. Phyllis Loughrey (074) 91 51414 / ramelton@donegallibrary.ie
This Then Exhibition
Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny
11am – 5pm Tuesday to Friday & 1pm – 5pm Saturday
Derry-based artist Locky Morris, probably best known in Donegal for his large-scale public artworks, such as Pole Star in Letterkenny, presents “this then”, a great selection of his studio work from the past three decades. You can also visit the Hands on Room which is a free drop-in space, where families and people of all ages can find out more about the Locky Morris exhibition and make their own unique artworks.
Regional Cultural Centre (074) 91 29186 / www.regionalculturalcentre.com
Landmarks
Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny
11am – 5pm Tuesday to Friday & 1pm – 5pm Saturday
Landmarks is a very striking community cross-border photographic art project. The subject matter of the photographs is the defunct Lough Swilly Railway Line that literally connected Derry and Donegal. Regional Cultural Centre (074) 91 29186 / www.regionalculturalcentre.com
Book Promotion
Milford Community Library
20th – 24th September (during library opening hours)
A display of fiction & non-fiction titles to introduce you to a life less ordinary. Karen Sheehy (074) 91 53927 / ksheehy@donegalcoco.ie / www.donegallibrary.ie
