Michael Cunningham is the Corncrake Field Worker for West Donegal, here he writes about the remarkable Corncrak, and how we can all protect this beautiful visitor from Africa.

On the 7th of June 2013 Moya Brennan and Cormac De Barra are set to release their brand new album ‘Affinity’ which features both Moya and Cormac trading talents on harps, vocals, keyboards and bodhrán and backed by a host of incredibly talented local musicians. ‘Sailing’ is the elegant lead single to be taken from the much-anticipated 12 track album which has been independently produced by the duo and mixed by John Reynolds and Tim Oliver. Moya and Cormac will make three special appearances to celebrate the release of the album in both Dublin and Donegal.

Following on from its successful food champions’ initiative in 2012, Fáilte Ireland will open nominations for the 2013 programme on Tuesday 4th June and is calling for Donegal businesses to get involved.

The hospice movement in Ireland is calling on the public to support their local hospice and give generously on Hospice Sunflower Days next month.

SAT 25TH MAY AT LYIT

Falcarragh based poet, Aidan Hayes (pictured), will launch his latest collection of poems, called “Occupational Hazard” in Letterkenny this week.

There are few areas in Ireland that can boast such a wealth of internationally renowned musical talent as Gaoth Dobhair. The likes of Enya, Clannad, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Altan to name but a few. Then Brendan de Gaillí has danced his way around the world with Riverdance. To celebrate this great talent the Luinneog Lúnasa Festival will take place again this year. It will be held from the 8th to the 11th of August, and this is the fourth year for it to be held.

Muff native Blathnaid Logue is supporting SAM, the national conference on Sport Aiding Mental-Health which will take place in Jackson’s Hotel on Friday 31 May.

The best known GAA stars in Ireland, among them Karl Lacey and Michael Murphy, will join forces as ambassadors for Ireland West Airport Knock this coming summer.

The National Library of Ireland (NLI) has partnered with the US Embassy, the National Archives and the JFK Presidential Library and Museum in Boston to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1963 visit of President John F Kennedy to Ireland, as part of a larger programme of events remembering this historic occasion.

Healthwise Pharmacy in Gaoth Dobhair is celebrating after being shortlisted as a finalist within the Irish Pharmacy Awards 2013.

There’s no better time to dust off those picnic baskets and hit the great outdoors. After all food always taste better in the fresh air! In Ireland there is no shortage of perfect picnic spots to spread a rug for an al fresco feast. Have lunch at a lake, banquet on a beach, or get peckish in a park. Here are some suggestions to whet your appetite. But for a hamper load of inspiration check out www.discoverireland.ie. Don’t forget to pack the hang sangers!

County Donegal Youth Orchestra are travelling to both Carndonagh and Ballyshannon to give a number of free family concerts to mark the end of what has been a very successful year for this group of talented young musicians.

An eerie stranger from another era, attired entirely in black, probes the darkness with a lantern, making his way amidst the neglected monuments of an ancient graveyard and offering his audience the opportunity to enter the realm of phantoms and their ilk.

Druid arrives to An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny with not just one but two remarkable plays by Tom Murphy. DruidMurphy: Conversations on a Homecoming and A Whistle in the Dark return with a string of 5 star reviews and a host of awards, including Best Production from this year’s Irish Times Irish Theatre awards.

The schedule for this year’s Ardara Show on Saturday August 10th will include a number of changes to classes in the prestigious livestock area. In the horse section there will be an award for the Best Family Pony, introduced by Donal and Jenny Byrne, confined to Ardara.

As part of Derry City of Culture 2013 the Donegal Designer Makers presents, HOME, an exhibition of craft, applied art and design at the Craft Village (off Shipquay Street) Derry which was opened on the 3rd of May by the Major of Derry Kevin Campbell.

Following its successful inaugural run in 2012, the Bundoran Lifeboat Soapbox Race returns for its second year on Sunday the 2nd of June, at Astoria Road in Bundoran where last year’s winner Ogie O’Kelly will be fighting hard to retain his title!

‘YOU ain’t got a thing, if you ain’t got that swing’, well in this case Derry-Londonderry will have it and everything else in abundance when the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival rolls into town this week.

Donegal people in the Celbridge area and friends, were privileged to come to close terms with “Sam” on Saturday the 13th of April.