The first rounds of the 2012 Debating Science Issues competition were held recently, involving four Donegal Schools. The motion under debate was “The potential benefits of using embryonic stem cells to develop new medical treatments mean we have a moral obligation to support this type of research.”

Friends and family gathered at the Orchard recently to enjoy a retirement party that was held for Carmel Whelan who has spent three decades working in both the Letterkenny General Hospital and the Hospice. Carmel had spent 21 years working in catering in the Letterkenny General Hospital and had subsequently spent nine years working in the Hospice. She was very well respected and though of among her colleagues in the areas that she worked.

A group of Transition Year students have set up a new business which has turned out to be a ‘piece of cake’ to them.

Two Donegal students reached the final 15 in a national writing competition.

The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) and An Post have recently jointly launched the Post Office of the Future Competition.

The Family Resource Centre in association with Donegal Local Development Company Limited’s Volunteering in the Community Programme is pleased to announce the launch of the Raphoe On-line Community Diary at 7.30pm on Tuesday 21st February in the Family Resource Centre.

Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay Cloch Cheann Fhaola is sending a letter to the president of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, to voice their concerns about the burdens imposed on rural Ireland by recent amendments to the national Water Services Act.

This year the Annual Frosses Tractor Run takes place on Sunday 11th March in aid of two local charities, Donegal Town Hospital and the Donegal Branch of MS.

On Ash Wednesday, February 22, February there will be a Day of Friendship and Prayer on Lough Derg.

A new policy for post-primary school transport will have a disruptive impact on rural communities, a Finn Valley parent said.

THIS week sees the start of a number of charity events taking place thanks to a Letterkenny bar to help a young girl travel to receive treatment for Cerebral Palsy in Hungary.

A Fun Walk or Run will take place on Sunday, February 19 to raise funding for the Irish Cancer Society.

Donegal Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill has confirmed that Údaras na Gaeltachta are offering a number of apprenticeship places, worth €2,000 each to applicants who may wish to obtain a trade qualification.

Learning has gone global through participation by schools in the Irish Aid WorldWise School Partnership programme. Students from the Royal and Prior Comprhensive, Raphoe, learned this first hand when they took part in the WorldWise Forum on January 26 in Croke Park.

Donegal Macra’s County executive are hosting a Table Quiz and Music Night in the Tramore Inn Downings this Saturday, February 11 at 8pm.

The first Annual Oíche Fhéil Bhríde Celebration in the new Church of the Holy Family parish centre took place on Tuesday night with a big crowd attending what was a very enjoyable evening.

Leghowney Foroige Club hosted a St Bridget’s Cross making evening last Friday, January 27 in Leghowney Community Hall.

The second staging of the Drimarone Open Darts Tournament took place in the Bluestack Centre, Drimarone on Sunday 29th of January. With 76 entrants this again turned out to be a very successful and enjoyable event for both young and old. There were plenty of local entries along with a good representation from all over the county and further afield and there was a very high standard of darts on show throughout the day.

Traditional musicians around Donegal and beyond were saddened to hear of the passing of Ardara fiddle legend John ‘The Tae’ Gallagher last week. At his burial on Wednesday, musicians had travelled from near and far to be in attendance. Wonderful music was performed at the event which marked the event of the passing of a master musician.

The Annual General Meeting of the Donegal Waterbus was held on Wednesday, January 18. There was a good attendance and no changes were made to the committtee.