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 | Anna Maguire pictured at her 100th birthday party this afternoon receiving a letter and cheque from the President delivered by Bishop Denis Nulty. In the centre of photo is Peg Byrne, a neighbour of Anna’s from Trinity Street for many years. |
Some birthday parties have stripograms or singing telegrams but there was nothing so vulgar for birthday girl Anna Maguire when she threw a party to celebrate her 100th birthday at the Boyne Valley Nursing Home at Dowth this afternoon. She had a young bishop kneel at her feet to read out a letter from the President. (Read More) | |  | Mmm, I think you’re doing it wrong Mr. Minister. Seven year old Michella Flanagan Owens from Beechwood Drive, Marlay’s Lane, Drogheda, seems unimpressed with Minister Fergus O’Dowd’s fishing technique when he tried his hand with a rod at a Fisheries Awareness Week event at Oldbridge. Also in the photo are Michella’s Dad, Kevin and David Byrne of Inland Fisheries Ireland. Photo: Andy Spearman. |
The recent Fisheries Awareness Week (11th - 19th May) has been hailed as a resounding success by organisers and participants. The aims of the Inland Fisheries Ireland’s initiative were to encourage adults and children alike who may never have fished before to take up fishing and encourage those who had stopped fishing to take it up again. (Read More) | |  | Georgina Carpenter (18), a pupil at Our Lady's College, Drogheda who won a Special Merit Award in the Texaco Children’s Art Competition 2013, receives her award from Enda Riney, Chairman of Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited. |
Three talented Drogheda students are amongst five young Louth artists who have been presented with top awards in this year’s 59th Texaco Children’s Art Competition. Pictured is Georgina Carpenter (18), a pupil at Our Lady's College, Drogheda who won a Special Merit Award in the competition. Presenting her with the award is Enda Riney, Chairman of Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited. (Read More) | |  | Jeff Rudd (left), Chairman of the newly formed Louth branch of Direct Democracy Ireland (DDI) pictured at the branch’s inaugural meeting earlier this month with DDI founder and Secretary Peter Whitehead, Party Leader Ben Gilroy and Financial spokesperson Clare Leonard. Photo: Andy Spearman. |
“People are sick of the never-ending game of non-musical chairs being played with the seats of power”
Direct Democracy Ireland (DDI) is a new political party whose stated aim is to restore democracy to the people of Ireland. A Louth branch of the party was formed recently and Drogheda man Jeff Rudd, who has been selected as Branch Chairman, says they intend to field candidates in the next local elections. (Read More) | |  | Minister Fergus O’Dowd TD speaking with Carol Murphy and Karl Dennis who are participants in the Momentum programme at the Barbican Centre. |
Employment incentive schemes come and go but often they are regarded as being more a means of masking the true figures than doing anything about the underlying problem of unemployment, especially among young people.
One scheme however seems to be bucking that trend for the simple reason that it has something to offer both parties in the employment equation. (Read More) | | -728px225201315257.jpg) | One of last year's festival walks at Donore. |
The Boyne Valley Walking Festival, which gets underway in May 31 st, is now in its third year and the organisers are once again hoping to attract hundreds of people, local and from further afield, to witness the wonders of the Boyne Valley in the best possible way – on foot. (Read More) | |  | Model Michelle McGrath at the launch of the Drogheda Motor Show |
The full line up has just been announced for The Drogheda Motor Show which takes place on the 7th, 8th and 9th June at the Southgate Centre, Drogheda.
The show is a collaboration of the motor dealers of Drogheda to provide a better customer experience for those seeking a Brand New Drive. (Read More) | |  | Minister O’Dowd – welcomes fibre network to Drogheda |
Drogheda now has one of the fastest online speeds in the country thanks to the next generation of high-speed broadband which was launched today.
Minister Fergus O’Dowd has welcomed the development saying “To be at the forefront of this high-speed technology puts us firmly in the driving seat when it comes to attracting more business to the town”.
“Drogheda is one of the first locations in the country to be connected to the Eircom fibre network, and estimated speeds of up to 70 megabytes per second (Mbps) are now available to homes and businesses,” said Minister O’Dowd.
“I have received a lot of enquiries about this service since I announced it last October and this is a terrific boost for most of Drogheda. (Read More) | |  | Cllr. Imelda Munster with fellow Sinn Féin party members at the square in Crossmaglen, South Armagh. |
Sinn Féin Cllr Imelda Munster has said the issue of a border poll has ignited the imagination of local communities living along the border corridor in addressing the social, economic and cultural issues that affect them on a daily basis. Cllr Munster was speaking after taking part in a car cavalcade from Creggan in North Louth into Crossmaglen along with other SF members from Drogheda. Commenting at the event in Crossmaglen, Cllr Munster said: “The initiative of the People's Referendum in these areas is a fresh, grassroots approach to the issue of a united Ireland and the debate, which has arisen surrounding the demand for a Border Poll. (Read More) | |  | Pictured (l-r) showcasing their apps at the Netwell Centre at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) were Lisa McGowan from Scoil UiMhuiri, Nadine Weldon from Scoil Ui Mhuiri, older Participant, Pat Kilboy, from Blackrock, Co Louth, Barrett Akpotor from St Olivers Community College and Lorna Byrne from Ofiaich College. Picture Conor McCabe |
A unique inter-generational project linking secondary school students and older people in the north-east has produced four smart phone apps that have been shortlisted for a European Award.
The specialised inter-generational apps were showcased at the Netwell Centre at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) on Friday (May 17). (Read More) | | The reorganisation of public hospitals presents a major opportunity for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Minister Fergus O’Dowd believes. “The Higgins Report, which will lead to the ultimate reform of our health services, will deliver improved outcomes for patients and efficiencies across the board,” said Minister O’Dowd. “Having spoken to senior people in the Department, The HSE and the hospital, I have been assured that the report outlines the chance for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to grow its range of services in the long term. “We now have the opportunity to become one of the top hospitals in the country. (Read More) | |  | Helena Conlon with one of the trout she caught at the Ladies Fly Casting Day at Killineer Reservoir and her instructor Gavin McKeown. Photo: Andy Spearman. |
May 17, 2013 | By Andy Spearman |
Drogheda Life has been following the activities of Fisheries Awareness Week a bit because, like many people there’s that little bit of hunter gatherer lingering deep inside that every now and again compels me to close down the laptop and get out into the fresh air.
The couple of events I’ve attended have been enjoyable if a little wet for this time of year which we jokingly refer to as ‘summer’ but, up until yesterday, there has been a significant ingredient missing from the proceedings witnessed - fish.
Okay, there were fish in the canal and river but not on the bank or in the angler’s nets and that surely is the idea of angling – coaxing fish out of their natural habitat and on to terra firma, at least temporarily. In the eternal battle of wits between man and fish it seems that the fish is, more often than not, the victor. (Read More) | |  | Gerald Nash TD |
Drogheda is all set to become one of the first towns in the country to benefit from the next generation of high speed eFibre broadband.
Eircom's 'Network for a Nation' programme is designed to extend the fibre optic network necessary for high speed broadband out to communities across the country over the next two years.
Various deadlines for the switch on have come and gone and the latest date mentioned for the switch on of Drogheda’s fibre optic cables is next Monday, May 20 th. It remains to be seen whether or not it will happen. (Read More) | | They do like a festival in Duleek. So much so that there will be festival events taking place throughout the month of June with activities for young and old all done in the name of charity. This year’s proceeds will go to Duleek and Bellewstown Ladies GFC, Duleek Community Centre Building Fund and St Cianan's Boxing Club.
White Collar Boxing
On Saturday, 1st June there will be White Collar Boxing in the festival marquee. The contestants are now in their third week of training and the competition is said to be hotting up.
The atmosphere in St. Cianan's boxing club is electric with all 20 competitors, training hard and all hoping to lift the coveted trophy. Come and see who will be victorious on the night. Ring Ladies are needed so If you would like to get involved please contact 086 3127469. Tickets are on sale now at €10 from Duleek Festival Office. (Read More) | | June 21 st is the longest day of the year and it is also the day that Inver Colpa Coastal Rowing Club plan to embark on their longest voyage to date – The Oars of Hope 2013 Challenge - from Drogheda to the Isle of Man and back.
The purpose of the Oars of Hope is to raise badly needed funds for three local charities – the Drogheda Branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association, The Boyne Fishermen’s rescue and Recovery Service and the Drogheda Special Olympics Club.
Inver Culpa Chairman Stuart Heslin told Drogheda Life that training for the big event is going well with club members putting in super-human efforts to win a place on the squad of sixteen to make the crossing. (Read More) | |  | Deputy Gerry Adams |
Sinn Féin President and Louth TD Gerry Adams has expressed concern that the hospital reform reports published on Tuesday do not provide the necessary clarity for patients, their families, health professionals and local communities. Speaking during Leaders Questions this morning he said: “There is a serious information gap between the proposals in the reports and the detail of what services will be allocated to which hospitals.” (Read More) | |  | Eddie Kennedy of The Drogheda Special Olympics Club is delighted after a recent win. The whole club is delighted to be Drogheda Motor Show’s charity partner. |
As arrangements for this year’s Drogheda Motor Show go up a gear, the organisers announced today that their Charity partner this year will be The Drogheda Special Olympics Club.
Drogheda’s motor dealers have always supported local charities through the show and this year they are delighted to be working with the local group as they try to raise awareness and funds for their own new clubhouse. (Read More) | |  | Cllr. Frank Maher - like a terrier with a bone. |
In 1970 the Beatles had a number one hit called ‘Long and Winding Road’. It could have been written for Councillor Frank Maher for whom the road to ‘taking in charge’ of Riverbank Estate by the Council has been very long and torturously winding. The album and title song from which ‘Long and Winding Road’ comes is called ‘Let it Be’ but that’s never going to be Councillor Maher’s theme tune. Like a terrier with a bone he’s been on the case of both the Borough Council and Menolly Homes, once one of the biggest developers in the country and now one of Nama’s biggest clients, to get this matter seen to. The councillor’s dogged persistence seems like it might have paid dividends and this week come news that the ‘taking in charge’ of Riverbank Estate has moved a step closer. (Read More) | |  | Transition year students Conor Smith and Nadine Weldon from Scoil Ui Mhuiri, Dunleer, share ideas with Sean Farrell from the Great Northern Haven, Dundalk during the development of the inter-generational apps. |
They say you should never try to teach your granny to suck eggs but did anyone’s granny ever want to learn that particular skill? Much more interesting to the grannies, and granddads, of the 21st century is the use of computer apps to improve their quality of life. (Read More) | |  | Mark Carolan of Drogheda Coarse Angling Club introduces youngsters to the joys of angling at the Boyne canal on Saturday last. |
Saturday saw the start of Fisheries Awareness Week events in the Drogheda area when a group of around 20 young people attended an event on the Boyne Canal hosted by the Drogheda Coarse Angling Club which was designed to give them an insight into angling as a hobby.
Given the inclement weather and the fact that the fish were not in the mood to play, the youngsters certainly learned some of the fundamentals of angling – the virtues of patience and resilience being uppermost.
Mark Carolan and other members of the club made up for the lack of fish by demonstrating to the keen youngsters some of the skills of the angler but still the fish refused to comply. (Read More) | |
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