Ann Sweeney – 16th April 2003

From: Ann Sweeney 16th April 2003
Hi All,

Hope you are all well and happy! Well, I just want to send my final last greetings from Syndey, Australia. Can’t believe I’m leaving here, the time has gone by so fast its unbelievable!! I’ve had the best time here in Sydney. I played my last game of rugby on Saturday, nearly got a try – it was so close but got tackled just by the line but my mate got it so that was alright! We got beaten in the end but never mind!

My old man Harry took me out last week for a lovely meal in this posh restaurant. It was so funny, you should have seen us waited on hand and foot (the way it should be right?) and then Harry brought me up the Sydney Sky tower. Amazing views of Sydney – sure I was spoilt! Today was my last day working for him. I’m going to really miss going for our daily swim in the pool and the spa!! Sure it was great!!

On Sunday I played my last gaelic match. I’m going to really miss all the Clan Na Gael girls! We meet down to our local (for those of you who don’t know it) the Cock and Bull The girls wrote a poem about me it was so funny! and we all sang the green and red of Mayo it was so nice, great nite was had by all!!,

So, my bags are packed and I’m ready to go!! New Zealand here I come! Can’t wait to do my skydive, should be amazing. I’ve got to go as we’re having our farewell dinner in the house and meeting the girls for a few farewell drinks, get the tissues out!!!

take care,

all the best,

Ann

Telecoms Campaign


Muintir a’Chorráin, in partnership with Achill Community IT Centres, is campaigning for an improvement to the telephone system in Currane.
Our focus is on the lack of ISDN availability, due to the distance from the exchange at Achill Sound, which prevents any meaningful use of the internet at the IT Centre as well as hampering any business ventures in Currane.
The solution is to install a small Exchange in Currane. Not only will this provide digital services for those who need them, it will also solve the capacity, quality and reliability problems faced by all telephone users here.
Several letters have been sent to government ministers and two meetings have been held with Éamon Ó Cuív. The Minister supports the campaign and has indicated that funds are available, all that is needed is a politically acceptable mechanism for allocating the money.
The campaign must keep up the pressure, especially with cutbacks being made in all areas, but there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Community Employment

The FÁS scheme finished on the 1st November. 14 participants were employed, 10 mainly on outside work and 4 working inside.
The work carried out was as follows:
• The entrance to Casadh an Taoille was made wheelchair accessible.
• The parking area around the Church was lined out and the cattle grid was removed and re-welded.
• The flower beds around the Church were dug and new flowers and shrubs set.
• The inside and outside of Glór na dTonn, the Church porch, the store room, and parts of Casadh an Taoille were painted.
• The ground outside exit doors was painted with special safety paint.
• A wall was built around the Cillín at Gob na bPáistí in Mewillian.
• A sign was erected around the Cillín at Clochán.
• A new fence was erected around the football pitch at Bollinglanna and new shrubs were set.
• The road to Aith an Aoil was maintained on several occasions.
• In Glór na dTonn the floor was swept and washed weekly, the toilets and kitchen cleaned daily, tables, chairs and stage moved as required and fixtures and fittings repaired or replaced as necessary.
• A meals-on-wheels service was provided daily, along with day care on a Wednesday.
All participants took part in training schemes such as Health & Safety, Stonework and Tiling, while some took part in an ECDL computer course.
The new scheme starts on 2nd December and an ambitious programme of work has been drawn up.

Minister opens Casadh an Taoille


Ar an 21iú de Deire Fomhar thug an t-Aire Pobal, Tuaílle agus Gaeltachta, Éamon Ó Cuív, cuairt ar an Corrán le Casadh an Taoille, ionad gniomhaíocht, a oscailt go h-oifigiúil.
Chuir Micheál Seoighthe, Cathairleach Mhuintir a’Chorráin, failte oifigiúil roimh an Aire, athreoraí turas den Ionad IT, seomra dochtúra, seomra cruinnithe, cístin agus teach niachán.
Ina dhiaidh sin i Glór na dTónn, labhar an Cathairleach faoi an obair agus ar na feidhmeána eile a chuireadh ar bún le cuig bliana dheag anuas. Chuir sé feabhas ar shaol an phobáil.
Mhól an t-Aire Muintir a’Chorráin ar a gcuid oibre. Nuair a labhair sé faoi bhas Donncha Ó Gallcobhair, bhí gach duine paírtéach leis in a bhrón. D’admhaigh sé an méid obair a rinne Donnchá ar mhaitheas an Chorráin agus an pharáiste nuair a d’eirigh sé as cursaí pólaitiochtá.
Labhair an t-Aire freisin ar eolas ón tuairisc Commisiun na Gaeltachta. Gheall sé cuidiú leis na Gaeltachtaí a bhfuil lág chun an teangá a neartádh agus a chur chun cinn.
Chun bióuchás a ghlacadh leis, bhrón Micheál Seoighthe an t-Aire le pictúir “Breacadh an lae sa Corrán” ó Jane Steger-Lewis.
Tareis an oraíd agus an brontánnas, cás an t-Aire le toscaireacht ó Muintir a’Chorráin a bhí ag cuir siós faoi rudaí atá ag teastaíl sa phobáil cosuil mar boithre, ceibheanna agus teileachumairsáid.

Muintir a’Chorráin goes Online!

Muintir a’Chorráin, the Currane Community Development Company, now has pages on Currane.net. (Search for Muintir a’Chorráin to find them or look at the stories tagged Glór na dTonn). Here you can find out about the activities of the company and how it is trying to develop the area for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. Highlights include the Dressing Rooms Fundraising Appeal, the Community Employment Scheme, a campaign for improved telecommunications and the opening of the enterprise Centre, Casadh an Taoille, by Minister Éamon Ó Cuív.