WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 88

Digging A Way Out

There's a man who has been by himself in a prison cell with a dirt floor, crude stone walls, and there's two windows one of which looks out towards the ocean. All of the sudden, he hears a scratching noise, and he looks down at the ground that is furthest away from the window facing the ocean. He sees the ground moving, and he starts to think he's losing his mind. But soon the ground breaks, and up pops a head with long hair and a beard... it's a prisoner.

And the prisoner says "Sssh. Listen. A group of us have been tunnelling for about six years, and we've finally reached your cell. We have ways to cover up my entrance into this, but now it's all on your shoulders, man. All you have to do," he said while pointing out the window towards the ocean, "you just start digging here and go down about six feet and about 75 feet in that direction and there is freedom, and we're out of here!"

"Oh, I love that! That's great; I want to be free!"

"Okay, I'll check back with you in a few weeks."

Two weeks later, he pops back in to check on his friend's progress, and his friend nods back with great affirmation. "Yeah, I've done it."

So the man who was providing the instructions pops down the hole, and two seconds later pops right back up and says, "What have you done?!?!?"

"Huh?"

"I told you to dig in the direction towards the OCEAN! This tunnel that you dug goes back under the wall and into the prison yard."

"Well, the digging was easier in the other direction..."

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 87

Footsteps
Deep in his slumber, one night a man had a very real, yet surreal dream. He dreamt that he was walking along the beach with God. As he looked up at the sky, he saw all the scenes of his life flash by along with two sets of footprints: one set for himself, and another for God.

After all the scenes had flashed before him, he looked back at those footprints and noticed something quite disturbing: At the most difficult times in his life, he saw only one set of footprints.

This deeply troubled the man, so he turned and said to God: “You said that if I followed you, then you would always walk with me through thick and thin. In looking back, I see that during the most painful times there is only one set of footprints. Why did you leave me when I needed you the most?”

“I love you and would never leave. It was during those times when you suffered the most that I carried you.”

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 86

It Hurts

A man suffering from great pain went to see his doctor. “What seems to be the trouble?” the doctor asked. “I hurt all over, doctor,” replied the man. “Whenever I touch here,” he added touching a spot near his heart with his finger, “it hurts! And if I touch here,” he added touching his nose “ouch! – it also hurts!” The Doctor looked on, perplexed, as the man continued. “When I touch here,” he said touching his stomach it hurts like hell!” Then he leaned toward the Doctor and touched his eyelid “Oooouch,” he yelled.

The doctor conducted a complete physical examination. Finally he said, “Sir, I can find nothing wrong with the areas you have shown me. The trouble is you have a broken finger!”

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 85

The Ointment

A young woman, newly married, moved in with her husband and his mother. She found her new mother in law very critical of everything she did. Whatever she did, the older woman put her down, complained about her and generally made her feel like she had no value. Finally in desperation the young wife went to see the herbalist, a wise old woman who lived in the village. She opened her heart to the healer and begged for some potion that would kill her mother-in law off. The herbalist gave her an ointment and told her that she must rub it into the older women’s feet for half an hour a day for a month.

After three weeks the young daughter in law turned up at the healer’s house asking for an antidote. The mother in law had completely transformed and the two women had resolved all their differences and there was a lot of love and affection between them both. The healer smiled explaining that the herbs were harmless and that the loving attention the daughter in law had shown the elder woman was what had worked the miracle.

A SHINE OF RAINBOWS SCREENING GETS INISHOWEN SUPPORT

It was a case of “All Aboard” as 75 people from all areas of Inishowen eagerly made their way onto two McGonagle coaches last Wednesday and headed to Belfast for the first Irish screening of the long awaited film A Shine of Rainbows.

This was the first opportunity for local Inishowen people, who were involved in the making of the film, had to see the finished product on the big screen.

Aideen Doherty, the Area Manager for Community and Enterprise with Donegal County Council, who was instrumental in bringing the film to the peninsula was keen to point out that this is a screening and not the premiere. “This event here in Belfast is the Northern Irish Screening and part of the Cinemagic International Film Festival. Inishowen will hopefully have the premiere of the film some time early next year somewhere in Inishowen. This will give everyone a chance to see the movie” She tells us.

Aideen, like everyone else on the two coaches were all looking forward to seeing people they knew on screen. The bus had its fair share of local celebrities. Adam Downey played Jack, Kelly and Laura O’Hara Farren, who were in the school and Michael Gomersall, who doubled up for John Bell. Paul Carlin and Dennis Kelly both spent a lot of time on the bus and boat scenes and Christine Carlin was a visitor to the orphanage “I had a great time on the set, it was a great experience” she says.

HENRY GIRLS
The Movie House Cinema in Belfast had an area set aside for the filmgoers and light refreshments were served to a melodic backdrop of music from the Henry Girls, who, because of their equipment had got there earlier on their own and set up. The Henry Girls had performed at the opening night at the Los Angeles Film Festival in September where Aiden Quinn was the guest of honour. The band Lorna, Joleen and Karen McLaughlin collaborated with LA composer Keith Power and wrote their own original material for the film and their music is a vital part of the chemistry of the film and gives it the authentic Irish feel.

Lorna tells us “Its a very exciting time for all us Inishoweners to get a chance to see Inishowen in its full glory.” By the time curtain was called the auditorium was completely full. The lights went down and the audience fell silent. As soon as the film started it was like seeing an old friend. The scenery was so familiar “Wow, we see that scenery every day. We are so lucky.” Said one enthusiastic viewer in the row behind. The makers of the film stress that there were very few scenes that required computer graphics. “The only times were when a rainbow was introduced to a scene, everything else was as Vic filmed it.” Tina Pehme, the director tells us.

The film was enthralling throughout (see Film Guide) having magical scenes, drama and humour in bucket loads which held everyone’s attention all throughout the 100 minutes of local cinematic beauty. After director Tina said that as soon as Aideen had shown her the peninsula, there was no doubt in her mind that Inishowen was to be the backdrop of the film. “Idea came about in 2000 after reading the book written by Lillian Beckworth. It is set in the Hebrides of Scotland in the 1950’s and the Inishowen landscape matched that perfectly.” She tells the audience after the film and continues. “We got some of the sets looking really authentic. After we had built the King Fingal standing stones they looked so real that we even had tourists coming along and taking their photos next to them and asking us for the history.” The realism comes across on the film too with added special effects around the stones to make them that bit more scary for children to enjoy.


ATTENTION TO DETAIL
The attention to detail was astounding. Every item in the film had been carefully selected for it’s period credibility and items of clothing had been made especially for the film. The Moville Clothing Company made the authentic shirts and local sewers like Anne Marie Monagle took great pleasure in creating the extra items. “I really enjoyed making the clothes and it was fun getting them just right.” She says, “Especially the neck ties and curtains in the cottage where Marie and Alec lived with Thomas. I would say that though as I made those.” She laughs.

The film crew also know how lucky they were with the weather. “It was filmed in one of the driest recorded periods for Inishowen. The local papers thought it was hilarious to see us with the rain towers brought in especially for some scenes.” Tina continues.

John Bell was at the opening and giving answers to questions asked by members of the Cinea Magic Film Club “It’s far more challenging than being asked questions by adults.” He confides. He was asked what his favourite moment when filming? “I really enjoyed the shaking bits.” Says John. “ I had to pretend that there was an earthquake and wobble about. All of the effects for that scene were added on later.” He replies. “It was great fun, although you do feel a bit daft at the time.”

SEQUEL?
Could there be a follow up to the film? “It’s definitely a possibility says Tina. The book didn’t have a sequel so there is nothing to stop us developing the relationship between Alec (Aiden Quinn) and Thomas (John Bell) further.” She says just before John jokes “We could do a horror film and call it “A Shining of Rainbows.”

Tina laughs and continues after saying that she had missed John’s jokes. “The film has won two awards so far, the Children’s Jury Award at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival and Best Dramatic Feature Heartland Film Festival and there is talk of the film being released by the Fox network so it will be seen worldwide. Vic Sarin is already opening the film in India as we speak, so it is already being seen by a wide audience.” She concludes.

HOMEWARD BOUND
Everyone is talking about the film as the coaches are being boarded outside of the cinema, which is always a great sign.

“The film is so family friendly and sweet, Malin head looked great, as always.” Says Christina Galbraith. As the McGonagle coaches smoothly head back to Inishowen to drop off a very fulfilled film audience Aideen Doherty sums up the feelings of the night.

“The film captured a moment in time for Inishowen that we will have forever.”

Read the Review

Read more about filming at Malin Head

A SHINE OF RAINBOWS REVIEW

FILM REVIEW

From the opening scenes where Thomas (John Bell) had his crayons broken by school bullies, you knew he wasn’t going to have an easy time of things in the stunning new film A shine of Rainbows, shot locally in Inishowen.

Tomas is a frail, shy eight-year-old boy who has been living a solitary life in a drab orphanage, sad, friendless and alone. Then a joyous burst of colour comes into his world in the form of Maire O'Donnell (Connie Nielson), whose smile and spirit light up the darkest room and Tomas's heart. Tomas is soon on a boat, full of Inishowen extras, sailing to wind-swept Corrie Island (or as we know it Malin Head), where he meets Alec, her reticent husband who cannot hide his disappointment with the boy. What follows is a depiction of childhood shyness and insecurity. Thomas has lacked a reliable male role model all through his life, which leads him to have a fear of men and especially pipe smoking silent men like Alec. This doesn’t help Thomas’s already intense stammer as he attempts to communicate with the new authority figure in his life.
Maire introduces Tomas to the wonders of his new world and this is where the glorious Inishowen scenery comes alive on the screen. She shares with him the secret of the seals, the mystery of the stone giant and shows him that you can find magic anywhere- if you really look.
In this rugged and enchanting world that Director Vic Sarin portrays through his lens, Tomas thrives. He befriends a pair of island children and rescues an orphan seal pup that join him on his journey of self-discovery. Slowly, Alec too begins to see in Tomas what Maire always has.
Tragedy is never far away though and it won’t be long before you are reaching for your hankies. At some points the film is unrelenting and truly heartbreaking, but all the more memorable for it. The films intentionally slow pace sets the scene extremely well about an uncertain boy maintaining hope and believing, against all odds by overcoming inner-obstacles.

The family attraction for the film mixed with our glorious local scenery and a fine collaboration between the Henry Girls and musician Keith Power who do the musical score for the film, makes it a wonderful cinematic experience. What we have here is a thoughtful family film that doesn’t cop out on harsh realities, giving a little something to old and young viewers alike. The award winning film will be on general release in spring 2010.

Read about the first screening in Belfast


More Pics from the Premiers in Buncrana
More pics from the Premiers in Buncrana

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 84

Expect An Answer

As a drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community of farmers was in a quandary as to what to do. Rain was important to keep their crops healthy and sustain the way of life of the townspeople.

As the problem became more acute, a local pastor called a prayer meeting to ask for rain.

Many people arrived. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in. As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles and socializing with friends. When he reached the front his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the meeting.

His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He noticed an eleven year-old girl sitting quietly in the front row. Her face was beaming with excitement. Next to her, poised and ready for use, was a bright red umbrella. The little girl's beauty and innocence made the pastor smile as he realized how much faith she possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.

All came to pray for rain, but the little girl had come expecting God to answer…

CLAMPED MOTORISTS

Shopping motorists were clamped coming out of Derry in Bridgend this week for not having car tax. Some ask why the drivers from the Republic were let into the North in the first place and not stopped on the border by the police and turned around before they had chance to shop and spend in the North...........

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 83

On The Other Side


A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was leaving the room after paying a visit, and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side." Very quietly the doctor said, "I don't know." "You don't know?" the man said.

"You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door, on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining. As he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear."

"I know little of what is on the other side of death," the doctor continued, "but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough. And when the door opens, I shall pass through with no fear, but with gladness."

Scoil Mhuire Cookery Evening

Boxer William McLaughlin gets a Civic Reception in Buncrana

WIZARD OF OZ IN BUNCRANA

Greasepaint Productions

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 82

A Change of Perspective

This story was related by author Catherine Ingram

I was with a close woman friend in a grocery store in California. As we snaked along the aisles, we became aware of a mother with a small boy moving in the opposite direction and meeting us head on in each aisle. The woman barely noticed us because she was so furious at her little boy, who seemed intent on pulling items off the lower shelves. As the mother became more and more frustrated, she started to yell at the child and several aisles later had progressed to shaking him by the arm.

At this point my friend spoke up. A wonderful mother of three and founder of a progressive school, she had probably never once in her life treated any child so harshly. I expected my friend would give this woman a solid mother-to-mother talk about controlling herself and about the effect this behaviour has on a child. Braced for confrontation, I felt a spike in my already elevated adrenaline.

Instead, my friend said, "What a beautiful little boy. How old is he?" The woman answered cautiously, "He's three." My friend went on to comment about how curious he seemed and how her own three children were just like him in the grocery store, pulling things off shelves, so interested in all the wonderful colours and packages. "He seems so bright and intelligent," my friend said.

The woman had the boy in her arms by now and a shy smile came upon her face. Gently brushing his hair out of his eyes, she said, "Yes, he's very smart and curious, but sometimes he wears me out." My friend responded sympathetically, "Yes, they can do that; they are so full of energy."

As we walked away, I heard the mother speaking more kindly to the boy about getting home and cooking his dinner. "We'll have your favourite—macaroni and cheese," she told him.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 81

The Buncrana Christmas tree lights Committee have a choice this year....where to put all of the new lights in the town....


The Choice

A beggar asked a wise man for charity.

"I'll give you better than that; come with me," was the reply. The wise man took the beggar to a merchant, and asked him to find a job for the beggar. The merchant knew and trusted the sage and didn't hesitate to give some merchandise to the beggar and asked him to travel and sell them in another city.

A few days later, the wise man was walking through the city and was surprised to see the beggar back at his old post and in a miserable condition. Surprised, he asked him about the matter.

The beggar informed him: "While travelling, I found a blind eagle in the desert, and I was very curious how it got food though it was blind. I observed it for some time, and to my big surprise, another eagle came and fed it. I thought to myself, God is taking care of that blind eagle in this desert and He will also take care of me! So I returned to the city and give the merchant back his goods."

The wise man asked him: "But tell me, why did you choose to be the blind eagle, not the other one, who could fly, chase, and take care of others?"

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 80

The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey

A man and his son were once going with their donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed them and said: "You fools, what is a Donkey for but to ride upon?"

So the man put the boy on the donkey and they went on their way. But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said: "See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides."

And thus the man ordered his boy to get off, and got on himself. But they hadn't gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other: "Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along."

Well, the man didn't know what to do, but at last he took his boy up before him on the donkey. By this time they had come to the town, and the passers-by began to jeer and point at them. The man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at. The men said: "Aren't you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey of yours?"

The man and boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and they thought, till at last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey's feet to it, and raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders. They went along amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to Market Bridge, where the donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused the boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle the donkey fell over the bridge, and his fore-feet being tied together he was drowned.

"That will teach you," said an old man who had followed them "Please all, and you will please none."

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 79

Things Aren't Always What They Seem

Two travelling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.

When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel: "How could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him", she accused. "The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die."

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it."

"Then last night as we slept in the farmer's bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead."

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 78

The son’s letter

A mother passing by her son's bedroom was astonished to see the bed was
nicely made, and everything was picked up.
Then, she saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow.

It was addressed, 'Mum'. With the worst premonition, she opened the
envelope and read the letter, with trembling hands.

"Dear Mum,

It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope
with my new girlfriend, because I wanted to avoid a scene with Dad and
you.

I've been finding real passion with Stacy, and she is so nice, but I knew
you would not approve of her, because of all her piercings, tattoos, her
tight motorcycle clothes, and because she is so much older than I am.

But it's not only the passion, Mum. She's pregnant.

Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods,
and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter.

We share a dream of having many more children.

Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt
anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves, and trading it with the other
people in the commune, for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want.

In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS, so
Stacy can get better. She sure deserves it!!

Don't worry Mum, I'm 15, and I know how to take care of myself.

Someday, I'm sure we'll be back to visit, so you can get to know your many
grandchildren.

Love, your son, Nicholas.

P.S. Mum, none of the above is true. I'm over at Jason's house.

I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the
school report that's on my desk.

I love you!

Call when it is safe for me to come home."

OFFICIAL OPENING OF VALU CLEAN IN BUNCRANA

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 77

The Elephant and the Fly

A young man and his teacher were walking through the forest. The disciple was disturbed by the fact that his mind was so restless.

He asked his teacher: "Why are most people's minds restless? What can one do to still the mind?"

The teacher smiled at the student and said:
"I will tell you a story. An elephant was standing and picking leaves from a tree. A small fly came, flying and buzzing near his ear. The elephant waved it away with his long ears. Then the fly came again, and the elephant waved it away once more".

This was repeated several times. Then the elephant asked the fly:
"Why are you so restless and noisy? Why can't you stay for a while in one place?"

The fly answered: "I am attracted to whatever I see, hear or smell. My five senses pull me constantly in all directions and I cannot resist them. What is your secret? How can you stay so calm and still?"

The elephant stopped eating and said:
"My five senses do not rule my attention. Whatever I do, I get immersed in it. Now that I am eating, I am completely immersed in eating. In this way I can enjoy my food and chew it better. I rule and control my attention, and not the other way around."

Something in the young man clicked. "I understand! If my five senses are in control of my mind and attention, then my mind is in constant unrest. If I am in charge of my five senses and attention, then my mind becomes calm".

"Yes, that's right", answered the teacher, " The mind is restless and goes wherever the attention is. Control your attention, and you control your mind".

Remez Sasson

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 76

The Blue Ribbon
A teacher did a class project honouring her students. She gave each of them a blue ribbon and told them how they had made a difference to her. Then she gave them three more ribbons and told them to honour other people who made a difference to them and then go back and see what impact it had.

A student went to a junior executive in a nearby company who had helped him with his career planning. He gave him a blue ribbon, thanking him for making a difference. Then he told him about his project and gave him two extra ribbons. “Can you find somebody to honour, give them a blue ribbon and the extra blue ribbon to give to a third person, then please report back to me and tell me what happened."
Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who was a bit grouchy. He told his boss that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius. The boss seemed very surprised. He told his boss about the project, gave him a blue ribbon and the last extra ribbon and told him to pass it on to some-one who made a difference to him.

That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and told him, "The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. I was thrilled! He gave me an extra ribbon to honour some-one and I want to honour you. I am so busy and I’m not always there for you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough marks in school or for your bedroom being a mess. But I want you to know that you make a big difference to me. Beside your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!"

The startled boy started to sob, he couldn't stop crying. He looked up at his father and said through his tears, "I have been contemplating suicide, Dad, because I didn't think you loved me, but now I know you care."
We all make a difference, but we don’t always realise this. Who would you like to acknowledge today?

Paul's Party at Trasna House Ballyliffin

Buncrana GAA Fun Day

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 75

A Most Important Question

A young woman worked hard at College. She was studying to be a nurse. During the second month of nursing school, her professor gave the class a pop quiz. The young woman was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until she read the last one:

"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

The student thought that surely this was some kind of joke. She had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark haired and in her 50s. “How am I supposed to know her name?” she thought to herself.

She handed in her paper, leaving the last question blank. Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward their quiz grade.

"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello." The young student never forgot this lesson throughout her career.

She also learned the cleaning women’s name was Ruthie.

WEDDING OF FRANCES BOYLE AND PATRICK BARR

Burt Chapel

Patrick and Conail next to an engraving of their father's name. Padraig MCDevitt was told that the roof of Burt Chapel couldn't be built, he proved them wrong by building in in a shed in Buncrana.

Posing on the General Lee car supplied by Hollywood American Car Hire

Interested in Burt Geneaology?

The Burt page on The Donegal Genealogy Resources website has recently been updated to include extensive details of Burt Cemetry.

A large number of headstone inscriptions, including photographs, family links and also some links to the 1911 Census have been added.

Every effort has been made to catalogue and identify as many graves as possible in the Burt Graveyard, in an effort to help preserve the identities and locations of the people buried there for future generations and also to enable emigrants from Burt to find and see their family graves.

Go to their site...

LOCAL IMAGES

Photographic exhibition by Thomas “The Miller” Doherty

A unique photographic collection of Buncrana throughout the years is now on display at the Inishowen Art Gallery, Milltown Business Park, Ardaravan.

Thomas “The Miller” Doherty from Ballymagan Buncrana, has been snapping and collecting old images of Buncrana and local residents since 1944. It started when he worked for Neil Farren who was the chemist in the town. “Neil was also a professional photographer as well as a chemist and was a real inspiration to me.” Thomas explains, “He saw I was interested in taking pictures and bought me my first camera, a box brownie.”

“Neil and I would go out to the Plaza on the Main St and Neil would take photos of people dancing and enjoying themselves.”

“As the pictures were taken I would take the film to Neil’s wife and she would develop them straight away in the shop. It’s hard to believe now, but thanks to a state of the art Roll Head printer, those photos were ready by two in the morning when the Plaza closed. Neil and I would be outside the Plaza doors with the pictures ready for sale. We sold hundreds of them.” He remembers.

Thomas, who is a long time member of the Buncrana West Inishowen History and Heritage Society, explains how the exhibition came about.

“I was talking to Adam Porter who runs the Inishowen Art Gallery about this year being Heritage Year and we thought it would be a great idea to set up the exhibition to celebrate the fact. Adam is showcasing Inishowen based artists in his gallery so this exhibition complements it well.”

Thomas also hopes people will be generous and put some money in the donation box in aid of the Foyle Hospice. Copy of the prints will also be available and all of the proceeds from these will also go to the Hospice.

“There isn’t a family in Inishowen that hasn’t been affected by illnesses such as cancer so the hospice is a vital part of the community and is well worth supporting.” Neil reminds us.

The photos Thomas has in his vast collection are of people of Buncrana dating back over 100 years. There are also street scenes. “It’s amazing how many people who look at the images see someone that they know or are related to”

Thomas also takes his show on the road and has done slideshows in local schools and the Buncrana library and is keen to expand his collection “ If anyone has old photo’s of the town and people from the area I would love to see them.” He says. “I can take a copy instantly and give them straight back. Photo’s are very precious and they become more valuable over time, and I realise their value to families.”


Adam Ported is delighted to have the photographs in his new purpose designed art gallery in the HML complex at Ardaravan. “Thomas has gathered the most comprehensive collection of local photographic history and we are delighted to have it here at the Inishowen Art Gallery. I think it will be a real draw for local people to come in and is bound to awaken some old memories.

Thomas agrees “Photo’s are for sharing” he concludes.

The exhibition is on now at the Inishowen Art Gallery, Milltown Business Park, Buncrana. For more information please contact Adam on 086 3552500

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 74

A Betting Man

A man and his wife went to visit friends in another part of the country and were taken to a racecourse. Fascinated by the sight of horses chasing one another around a track, the two of them kept betting all evening till they had no more than two dollars left.

The following day the man prevailed upon his wife to let him go to the course alone. There was a horse with a fifty-to-one odds on it in the first race. He bet on the horse and it won. He put all the money he won on another long shot in the next race and again he won. He kept doing this all evening and his entire earnings came to fifty-seven thousand dollars.

On the way back home he passed by a gambling den. An inner voice, the same that seemed to have guided him in his choice of horses, said, "Stop here and go in." So he stopped, went in, and found himself standing in front of a roulette wheel. The voice said, "Number thirteen." The man put the entire fifty-seven thousand on number thirteen. The wheel spun, and the croupier announced, "Number fourteen."

So the man walked back home with nothing in his pocket. His wife called out to him from the porch, "How did it go?"

The husband shrugged his shoulders. "I lost the two dollars," he said.

LORRAINE MCCONALOGUE AND CONAL DEVLIN GET MARRIED