Ramelton man's journey into the hearing world

Ramelton film production company ‘Soft Irish Rain' premiered its new documentary at the Bridge Bar on Thursday evening with proceeds going to Ramelton Tidy Towns.

A large audience gathered to see Anita Guidera and Don McMahan's film documentary about Ramelton fashion designer Liam Grier. Liam recently fulfilled his life-long dream of being able to hear.The documentary beautifully captures his journey from the deaf world to the hearing world following his operation to receive a cochlear implant.

Speaking after the screening, Anita Guidera said that she and Don McMahan of Soft Irish Rain were delighted by the response. ‘It was its first public screening and we were really delighted by the reaction of the audience and their generosity. A total of €150 was raised for Ramelton Tidy Towns which is fantastic because we all know the great work they are doing,' she said. She added that the film would not have been possible without the incredible cooperation of its main subject, Liam Grier.

“We knew that someone learning to hear for the first time would make a great story but in order to tell it well we needed to have the trust and cooperation of Liam. We got that in spades and it is his generosity and honesty that really makes it,” she said.

The Chairman of Ramelton Tidy Towns, Joe Birney, was generous in his praise for the producers. ‘I'm delighted that Anita and Don chose to raise funds for our Tidy Towns fund. The documentary was beautifully made, very informative and I wish them every success with this and with future projects. We are delighted to receive the proceeds from the event.'
Happy New Ear can be viewed on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLzuv6dpObU.

Another Treemendous Day in Ramelton!

Saturday 21st of January saw another day of tree planting in Ramelton, but this time with a difference. Last time out on Saturday 10th of December 2011 over 750 trees were planted but on this occasion only 5 trees were put in the ground.  These however were mature lime trees planted along the Lower Mall path and were only made possible by the very generous sponsorship of Kevin and Marie Mc Fadden, The Mall; Jim & Alice McDonnell, The Mall; Andrew Gamble, The Mall; the Jordan Family, Woodside and the Stewart Family, Back lane.

A good crowd of volunteers turned up on a blustery mid winter's morn and just as well as all hands were needed to lift the trees into place.  Dave Kenny, Ramelton's Town Druid, kept the troops well briefed on the proper use of the metal stakes, steel ropes, rubber tubing, organic poultry manure, topsoil and timber support stakes.  Never one to miss an opportunity for a good one liner Dermot Mills was overheard saying “Between metal stakes, wooden stakes and mistakes I'm getting hungry for one of Eunan Gormley's T-bone steaks”.

Joe Birney, Ramelton Tidy Towns chairman, thanks all the passersby that stopped to help and also for all the offers of future help that were received on the day.  Thanks also go to the Monday Night Football club for their donation of €200 on the day and to PJ Black for his offers of help.  Joe Diver looked after all the digger work and Andy Hunter carried the loads of topsoil.
An official ceremony will be held at a later date to thank the sponsors and to photograph them alongside their trees.

Can everyone who took photographs of the day please send them to rameltontidytowns@gmail.com .

Retirement Thanks

P.J. Cavanagh would like to thank the following people on the occasion of his retirement from the Garda Síochána, All the members of the Gardai that I have worked with over the years  in particular Joachim McAteer, Peter McGrath, Ollie Connolly, Tony Connolly, John O'Connor, Joe McManus, Sharon Keating, Enda Jennings, Tom Lynch, Kieran Jackson, Paddy Battle who have made my  time in Ramelton and Rathmullan a very enjoyable place to work; 

To the members of the Garda Representative Association who I had the great honour of working with - the late Mick Lawless who was without doubt the greatest union man that the Garda Síochána ever had; Paddy Keavney, P.J. Fitzgerald, Eugene Drumm, Tom Crawley, Gareth Horkan, Joe McNulty, Joe Sweeney, Noel McGoohan, Liam Ruxton, Martin Rochford, Sean McGowan, Hugh Smith, John Ferry,  P.J. Kelly. The efforts of these people made the benefits we have today steadfast and non interfereable;

The the members of the Garda Síochána who thought me to be a community police man ; Tom Calpin, John Mulroe, Jim McWeeney, Mick Duke, Mick Galligan, Joe Bradley, Joe Deeney, Frank O'Donnell, Roddie Hayes, Connie Mc Fadden and Pat McHugh;

To the organising committee of the retirement function and to Seamus Durkan and staff  of the Lennon Lodge, Steve Dunworth and staff  of Steve's Cafe, Peter Hughes and Martin Horkan for the music, John McAteer, Kevin O'Malley, Donna McBride for the photographs, to Dee's Craft Cakes for a splendid cake which was a classic, all the speakers Joe McManus, Peter McGrath, Sharon Keating, Philip Gillespie, Bosco Gallagher, John Cavanagh, Christy Murray, Eugene McGovern, Brian Smeaton, 

For all the presentations from the Garda Síochána, The I.P.A, The G.R.A, Unit C, Ramelton Town Band, Swilly Rovers, and my family;

And to all all those that send cards and left in gifts and good wishes its greately appreciated ;

Finally, I would like to thank the people of Ramelton who have made me feel at home this last 32 years and who have put up with me. 

To the Tirconaill Tribune who have always been supportive of all my ventures a special thank you.

Dog Litter

The two dog litter bins located along the Shore Road and the Lower Mall sponsored by Hairy Hounds have greatly improved the walking environment along the Shore Road.  Dog owners are reminded that free dog litter bags are available at Kevin McFadden's shop and from the CE scheme office and they are thanked for their cooperation in the proper disposal of dog litter. 

Ante Natal Classes

Ante Natal Classes will commence in The Health Centre Ramelton on Wednesday 8th February at 3pm running for 4 weeks.
Classes will cover expectant Mothers from Ramelton, Rathmullan, Milford and Kilmacrennan. Please contact your PHN for further information - Ramelton : Sarah McFadden/Caroline McAteer 074 9151527; Rathmullan :Sandra Ferry / Sharon Stewart 074 9158322; Milford/Kilmacrennan : Sinead McClafferty 074 9153108  

Tennis A.G.M.

The Annual General Meeting of Ramelton Tennis Club will be held on Tuesday 7th February. The meeting, which starts at 8pm, will take place in the Town Hall. All club members are encouraged to attend and make the most of this annual opportunity to contribute your views on the future development of your club.

Under 16 Tennis.

All juniors under 16 please note the date for the girls and boys singles tournament is Sunday February 12th. Entries to Mary at 087 9773957, by 6pm Saturday 11th please.

Ramelton Country Market

This Saturday in Ramelton Town Hall, 11am-12.30 with a selection of home bakes & freshly baked breads (sour dough, focaccia, etc), savoury food, vegetarian food, organic fruit & veg, handmade sweets, preserves, crafts, handmade soaps, flower arrangements, plants etc!  Fresh meat etc available from Lennonside Butchers, who also attend the market. Our Tea Room is also open, so come along & enjoy a catch up with your friends over a cuppa & tasty home bakes!  Don't forget orders can be placed by contacting 0879699715.  Like us on Facebook.

Quiz

Pub Quiz in aid of Scoil Mhuire N.S  Ramelton in Conway's Bar Wednesday 8th February at 9.30 sharp. All welcome.

Community Centre

Ramelton Community Centre is now taking bookings on the following number for hire of rooms for Birthday Parties, Meetings, Indoor Football, Fitness classes, Snooker, Cookery classes, etc. Text or call the following number for more details:  086 724 04 95.
Zumba class will continue in the Ramelton Community Centre every Thursday night 8-9pm, only €5!

Care of the Aged

The Ramelton Care of the Aged committee are having their AGM on this Thurs February the 2nd at 7.30pm in the Robertson School. everyone welcome.

Community Games AGM

The Ramelton Community Games Annual General Meeting takes place on next Monday, February 6th at 7.30 p.m. in the Community Centre. Once again we will have a large number of children participating in a wide variety of sporting events this year. As a result many new volunteers as possible are required to help out with the organization and training. All are welcome to attend Monday night's meeting.

No Uniform Day

A local national schools ‘No Uniform Day' in aid of Ramelton Community Games will take place next Friday, February 10th. €2 per child or €5 for a family.

Dave Gallaher Society Big Night

John Diver was the popular winner of a bronze statue of the famous Dave Gallaher, worth €3,700, in the Dave Gallaher Society's Grand Draw on Friday night. John is the first private owner of one of the limited-edition statues in the Northern Hemisphere. Based on interest for the statue from some very high profile sports people and organisations in France and the UK, John is one of a very select few to own this unique piece of Irish sporting heritage. 

Speaking at Ramelton Town Hall, Kevin Shields from the society was delighted with the outcome. “The society is delighted that John, with his renowned interest in all sports, has won such an exceptional prize. We would like to thank everyone who bought tickets, businesses who contributed prizes, Jean Winston, Seamus Durkan, Karen and Breffni Dunworth, Dom McDaid, The Ben Reel Band and everyone who made the evening a fantastic success”. A large crowd enjoyed the Dave Gallaher exhibition and a good night was had by all. Anyone who has not collected their prize should contact a member of the Dave Gallaher society to arrange delivery.

Results of Dave Gallaher Society Grand Draw
1. Prize   Bronze Statue of Dave Gallaher: John Diver
2. Prize    Canvas Print of Dave Gallaher painting: Moira Mills
3. Prize   Framed Print of Dave Gallaher painting: Evelyn McNamee
4. Prize    Print of Dave Gallaher painting: Danny O'Donnell
5. Prize   Mulroy Meats Voucher: Catriona McGrath
6. Prize   Bottle of Gin: David Love
7. Prize   Bottle of Rum: Mary Anderson
8. Prize    Bottle of Champagne: Willy Russell
9. Prize   Bottle of Champagne: Andy Gamble
10. Prize   Box of Luxury Chocolates: Aodhan O'Neill