Author name: highlandnews

Uisce Eireann says it is liaising with Council to secure date to meet with Glenties MD Councillors

Uisce Éireann says it is liaising with Donegal County Council to find a date suitable for the utility’s Operations Management in Donegal to meet with members of the Glenties Municipal District to discuss water service operations in the area. At a recent meeting, members expressed dissatisfaction at the level of communication, with suggestions that a […]

Uisce Eireann says it is liaising with Council to secure date to meet with Glenties MD Councillors Read More »

Almost €2.2 million allocated to four childcare settings in Donegal

Four Donegal childcare services will share almost €2.2 million to deliver 165 additional early learning and childcare places in Donegal. The funding is being delivered through the Building Blocks Extension Scheme announced by Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley. Creeslough Community Childcare Services will get €500,000 for a community extension to deliver 44 additional

Almost €2.2 million allocated to four childcare settings in Donegal Read More »

Concern after large quantity of rubbish is dumped in SW Donegal forestry

A South West Donegal councillor says it’s disheartening after a group of volunteers found a large amount of rubbish dumped in forestry between Ardaghey and Ardara at the weekend. Cllr Michael Boyle is part of a group that has been carrying out an annual clean-up on the 15 km stretch for the past number of

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Derry Dublin air service could be restored by October 2026 – McConalogue

Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien has agreed to meet with senior officials from City of Derry Airport in June to discuss the restoration of a Derry to Dublin air service. Confirmation of the meeting cam following a meeting between Minister O’Brien and Junior Sports Minister Charlie McConalogue. Minister McConalogue says Department of Transport officials have commenced

Derry Dublin air service could be restored by October 2026 – McConalogue Read More »

Education Minister promises to look into need for a new site for Scoil Mhuire in Milford

The Education Minister has promised to look into the need for a new building for Scoil Mhuire in Milford. Minister Helen McEntee was responding to Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn in the Dail. He told the Minister a new school is desperately needed, as the current building is in a serious state of deterioration with children

Education Minister promises to look into need for a new site for Scoil Mhuire in Milford Read More »

Nursing Homes Ireland CEO says there’s no clear vision for long term residential care

There’s serious concern over the failure of Sláintecare to tackle the future of nursing home care. Nursing Homes Ireland is warning of disappearing promises and no priority for nursing homes in health policy. It says the plan published last week offers no clear vision for long-term residential care. Nursing Homes Ireland Chief Executive, Tadhg Daly

Nursing Homes Ireland CEO says there’s no clear vision for long term residential care Read More »

Market rents in Donegal 3.1% higher in Q1 of 2025 than a year previously

The latest rental report conducted by daft.ie shows that market rents in Donegal were on average 3.1% higher in the first quarter of 2025 than a year previously. The average listed rent is now €1,231, up 90% from the level prevailing when the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. Market rents in the three Ulster counties rose by

Market rents in Donegal 3.1% higher in Q1 of 2025 than a year previously Read More »

West Donegal councillor calls for farmers to be on standby during gorse fires

A West Donegal councillor has suggested having farmers on standby in the case of gorse fires to help the fire services. It’s after a fire broke out at Killahoey beach in Dunfanaghy on Saturday afternoon. Local farmers assisted fire services by carrying water in slurry tanks. Cllr Michael McClafferty says the move would be beneficial

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Local councillor seeking more involvement in the drawing up of a plan for Magheraroarty

  A local councillor is calling for clarity on what plans are being prepared for Magheraroarty. Last year, Donegal County Council agreed to install a modular toilet facility and look at other works that could be done in the area. When questioned about progress on the issue, officials told Cllr Dennis McGee, who is from

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DNA analysis continuing to be carried out on farmyard of missing Michael Gaine

DNA analysis is being carried out on Michael Gaine’s farm in county Kerry, after partial human remains were discovered on the missing man’s land. The farmer has been missing since March 21st and the search was upgraded to a homicide investigation last month. Jerry O’Sullivan reports from Carrig East:

DNA analysis continuing to be carried out on farmyard of missing Michael Gaine Read More »

Donegal has third highest number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for over a year

48,000 people claiming the Jobseeker’s Allowance have been doing so for a year or more. A quarter of them are in Dublin, according to figures released to the chair of the Oireachtas Social Protection Committee, John Paul O’Shea. Cork has the next highest figure, followed by Donegal, Galway and Louth. The Fine Gael TD says

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7-year-old boy dies after getting into difficulty at Sligo beach

A 7 year old boy has died after getting into difficulty at Lissadell beach in County Sligo yesterday afternoon. He was airlifted to Sligo University Hospital by Coast Guard helicopter ‘Rescue 118’ but died shortly afterwards. The tragic incident comes just one week after two teenagers died after getting into trouble in the water in

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Police in Derry appeal for information following road traffic collision

Police are appealing for information and witnesses following a road traffic collision in Derry yesterday. Police were on patrol in the Glengalliagh Road area around 10.05pm, when they observed a white Toyota Altezza driving erratically from the Leafair Park area, in the direction of Ballyarnett roundabout. The vehicle appeared to make off from the marked

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Fire service and local farmers extinguish fire at Killahoey Beach

Tributes have been paid to the Fire Service after a fire at Killahoey beach in Dunfanaghy was brought under control this afternoon. Fire brigade units from Falcarragh and Letterkenny were helped by local farmers. It’s believed the fire may have started from a campfire. Cllr Michael McClafferty says if the fire had happened during the

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Funding cut to Echo Echo in Derry must be reversed – MLA

The Assembly has been told the future of the Echo Echo Theatre Company is in doubt following the withdrawal of funding. The company, which is based on the city’s walls, has not received anything from the Arts Council’s latest Annual Funding Programme. Calling for funding to be restored, Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin urged Minister Gordon

Funding cut to Echo Echo in Derry must be reversed – MLA Read More »

Further calls for Gardai to be stationed full-time in rural parts of Donegal

There are further calls for Gardai to be stationed full-time in rural villages in Donegal. Councillor Pauric McGarvey says an increase in thefts and anti-social behaviour in rural parts of the county warrants additional resources being deployed. With a new policing model set to be rolled out in Donegal over the coming months, he says

Further calls for Gardai to be stationed full-time in rural parts of Donegal Read More »

Water conservation restrictions to come into force in East Donegal

Water conservation restrictions will be in place in parts of East Donegal over the coming days. Property owners in Doneyloop, Halftown, Skelpy, Drumdoit, Calhame, Castlefinn and surrounding areas are advised of possible supply disruptions. Restrictions will be in place nightly from 10pm to 7am, beginning tonight and lasting until May 27th.

Water conservation restrictions to come into force in East Donegal Read More »

Repairs to burst water mains ongoing in Castlefinn and North Inishowen

  Repairs to a  burst water main in North Inishowen are continuing this afternoon, with  supply disruptions possible in Ardmalin, West Town, Bamba Crown, Keenagh and surrounding areas. Works are scheduled to take place until 8pm this evening. Uisce Eireann is also investigating reports of a supply disruption to Cooley, Moville Meanwhile, repairs to a

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Mullooly believes the future of CAP is secure

Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly says the European Commission’s decision to streamline the inspection process  under the Common Agriculture Policy payments is significant, and addresses many of the concerns that farmers had been expressing about the process. In particular, he says farmers whose total CAP payment is €2,500 or less will now be exempt

Mullooly believes the future of CAP is secure Read More »

Donegal now has the joint highest number of Blue Flags in the country with 14

It’s a positive year for Donegal, with 12 beaches retaining their Blue Flags, while two marinas have also secured the designation. Rathmullan retains the blue flag it’s held for some years, while Greencastle has regained the flag it temporarily lost because of breakwater construction work. The 12 beaches to retain their Blue Flags are Bundoran,

Donegal now has the joint highest number of Blue Flags in the country with 14 Read More »

Status Orange Fire Warning in place until Monday as dry spell continues

Another Status Orange Fire Danger Notice for gorse, heather, dried grasses, and other vegetation has been issued for County Donegal, with the warning effective until midday on this coming Monday, May 19th. Landowners and the public are being urged to take all necessary precautions to prevent wildfires, and to report any unattended fires without delay.

Status Orange Fire Warning in place until Monday as dry spell continues Read More »

Donegal water supplies under pressure as good weather set to last

As the good weather continues, the people of Donegal are being urged to conserve water. Uisce Eireann have identified Letterkenny, Buncrana, the Twin Towns, Carrigart, and Downing as under pressure areas. While Milford, Kerrykeel and Ramelton remains under a hosepipe ban. Below average rainfall levels since last September has compounded the strain on reservoirs. Uisce

Donegal water supplies under pressure as good weather set to last Read More »

Market Square, Buncrana discovered littered with glass and bottles

A Buncrana Councillor says it is everyone’s responsibility to take their rubbish home. It’s after the Market Square area of Buncrana was discovered littered with bottles, glass and other items of rubbish on Sunday morning. Councillor Joy Beard has hit out. She says it is utterly unacceptable that the area was left in such a

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Questions raised over DCC’s representation on national islands committee

Donegal County Council’s representation on a national islands committee was the subject of a discussion this week at a Glenties Municipal District meeting. The council’s representative on the committee is Cllr Anthony Molloy, with Cllr Michael Cholm McGiolla Easbuig, who unsuccessfully contested the nomination, claiming it was a decision based on politics rather than who

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Concerns raised over school traffic warden cover in Lettkenny-Milford MD

Donegal County Council have confirmed that there is no facility to provide cover for school traffic wardens who are on leave. Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh put the question forward in a meeting of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District, as two schools are now without. One vacancy is as the result of leave, however the latter is following

Concerns raised over school traffic warden cover in Lettkenny-Milford MD Read More »