Guth & Tuairim, Samhain/Nollaig 1983

DUNGLOE The Scribe. Some people call them slot machines, others call them one-armed bandits. Some are critical of them, but mos t people (young and old) at on stage or another, have put money i nto them. Mor e of ten than not, t hey put more in than they get out. The other day I was only yards from an i r r ate woman who stood gambling at one of the said machines whil e she "filed" in ten pence pieces with such a speed that I was certai n they wer e mad hot and burning a hole in the palm of her hand. She exchanged £1 after £1 for lOp pieces. Finally, she had none left. She was annoyed and demonstrated this in no uncertain terms - she lifted her left leg, pulled it back and with a very keen aim and great effort she s ucceeded in kicking the machine. Simultaneously, with a closed right hand she delivered a nice blow t o the upper section of the same machine, uttering a few words, which were, some might feel, very apt. Now, it would be unfair of me to hide from you that which she really said. So her it goes: "You've let me down again. To hell with you. You're constipated this past week." I got such a fright that I didn't wait to hear any more. As quick as my two feet could carry me I headed out the door. When I related the story to a friend, she wondered who· might supply the laxative(s). What crossed my mind was would the machine survive, or indeed, would chese machines be allowed to survive? Signal Honour for Mayor That great Donegal man, Willie John Cunningham, has once again proved to all of us the amount of muscle this lovable giant continues to exerci se in New York. For it was on his personal recommendation that an i nvi t ation has been extended to the Young Mayor of t he Ros s es to lead the 1984 St. Patrick's Day Parade 5 in the City. At the t i me of going to press, we are unable to confirm if, in fact, the invitation has and will be accepted. An unofficial report suggests that he wil l probably accept on one condition - that it costs him not hing , or even less. Bachelor Contest The heat s which took place ar ound the count y t ook pl ace with such rapidity that t here was no time to drag them out. After about a score of such heats the finalists arrived for the big night in Ostan. Unfortunately t is event was not run- off. It couldn't even be dE''SCribed as a walk- off or a stroll- off but perhaps an accurate description woul d ce a snail's pace." Quite apart from the audience, it must have been a bitter disapp.ntment for Daniel Bosco and his County Fever , who were overshadowed by The Bactelors . But they did have the pleasure of "backing" a few of them. In fact , they backed every one of them by virtue of their hiddert, yet elevated position . However, for the dancers, Daniel and the boys playeu brilliantly. The winner, Danny McCart..y from Gr eencastle and "most" others seemed well pl eased . The contest, whi ch was designed to be a big "boost" for t r.e 2.ocal Gaelic c:u: t urned out t o be everytr.i ng out t hat . I f nothing el se , it was successi ul in r a isir.g an amount wh...ch :i.s Lttder stood as being close to suf ficient to meet their requirements. 'l'he vord is that next year's event vill be bigger and brighter and for the vi nner there vill be an extre - a trip to .~ ~~~~y~~~!o~~ards ~ This "local" event, vhich I understand vas the first '2 MULLAGHDUFF Must apologise to all our local readers who looked forward to last month's notes and got none . They were censored by the Editor! ! Congratulations to Richard Christie on hi s s uccess in the local heat of "Bachel or of the Year" and for a very worthy per formance i n the final at Ostan. Our hear t s go out t o Danny Dunleavy and Johnny Hanl on who were very dis appointed - but t hen the age is against t hem! The whist drives in t he Community Centre have really taken off-there is a great night's crack to be had every Thursday night. Francie Mhici Owen is taking card playing lessohs from Kieran McBride! Why are the shops in Annagry charging more for the loaf then the shops in Bunaman, Calhame and M'duff? It is rumoured that Noel F. is taking up a teaching post in Belcruit! - That's love for ya! ! Clare Duffy's great run of success is continuing in Donegal athletics - surely a star of the fut ur e. Good to see Colm back home after his spell in hospital in Belfast. Bonner's wasn't the same without him. Anita B. (Ballymanus) has gone into the knitting business . Anybody looking for wooly jumpers or selling sheep can contact her at Ballymanus. (Sorry about the slighting of Mullaghduff in last month's issue. The staff of G. agus T. are actively searching the office for a Russian infiltrator . - ed . ) Work in progress on the electric bus which was built by AnCO, Gaoth Dobhair for Comharchumann Thorai. The bus vhich vas originally a milk-float has nOY been completed and shipped to the Island. AnCO vish to thank everybody vho gave parts, material and advice for the construction of this unique bus which is now in service as the first public transport on the Island. In the photograph AnCO trainees, Shaun McGrath, Anthony Egan and Tommy Moran are putting the finishing touches to the vehicle under the supervision of Michael Diver, Engineering Instructor. GLENTIES ever, vas a tremendous success. While it vasn't vell ~ attended it proved to be one of the best nights ever h o Dungloe. The atmosphere vas great vith Patsy anc1 John ~ on stage. The list of avards (too long for this space)~ was vell received and I suppose there vere no local surprizes. Well, there vas one. In acknOYledging :S the great efforts of all, it vas a pity that it vasn't "i seen fit to give an avard to the teach(er vho vas sole)ly ~ Some of the pupils of Glenties Comprehensi ve School responsible for the magnificent vork transformation ~ carried out to the grounds of the Primary School. ~ spent Halloween in France on an educational tour to This vork was carried out in a considerably shor t period~ coincide with the mid-term break: The Ardara-Glenties th t i t · t l.k th ~ Roadrace was held on 21 Oct. Fi rst home was of time and i n a manner a vas qu e , JUS 1 e e c ...., . . one responsibl e . For t hat r eason, I vill not use his ~ ~ Aidi:u1 O'Donnell, Main Str~e~, Glenties. name here . I knOY he di dn't do vhat he did t o get § ., Pupils from the Mrs. McNeili s School of musi c an avard but I feel he should have been mentioned. ~~travelled to Frosses on the 28 Oct:, t~ the monthly If t here'vere more like him ve v ould have a bet t er ~-~ C'. C.E . session. ~ext C. C. E. Session in Fros ses Hall it ~~will be held on Friday the 18 Nov. October 31 was the c ommun Y• · ~ ~ f t f t · 1 f th H01Jever it was a night to remember and next year's '(ij cl osing date or accep ance o ar i c es or e vill no'doubt be a sell-out. "' <'· December issue of "The Rat Pit" , . edi ted by John F. Deane Watch this column next month for a special Christmas § ~ and Fran~ Gilligan. This magaz...ne f eatures poetry Contest. Until then, take care. God bless. and stor ies .