A matter of Record - The Donegal Democrat down the years

Another delve by Michael McHugh into the Democrat archives begins with a plan, one of the many, it must be said, that have adorned the pages of the paper over the past 100 years.
A curiosity would be to calculate how many plans ever came to fruition at the end of the day.
And for those that did succeed, how many years or indeed decades past, before they ultimately came to fruition.
As it happens this week, the ‘Demo’ had an edition of the paper on the shelves, one hundred years ago to the day, June 1, 1923.

Donegal Democrat, June 1, 1923 - 100 years ago
Bundoran Notes - Sligo Railway
The building of the Railway from Sligo to Ballyshannon is the all absorbing subject now. There have been so many failures in connection with the project that people were beginning to despair of any chance of success.
Now however a gleam of hope has appeared.
The force that covertly opposed the project hitherto, has disappeared or has been rendered ineffective, the home government is favourable and it is stated that the cash can be our downfall.

If that be true why not apply for powers at once and let the work begin.
The establishment of the line will crown Tirconaill and employment never was more needed.
(Whether the oft proposed Sligo Rail line link to Bundoran and Ballyshannon would have meant rail services to the north west lasted longer than 1957 and 1959 (County Donegal Railway and different rail gauge) is a matter of conjecture one hundred years on, but hard nosed businessmen and shareholders were the order of the day, not the Green party pointing out the merits of lower carbon emission by greater use of public transport!)

These spectacles were all the rage in the Democrat edition of May 25, 1923

Falcarragh District Court - Irish Largely Used during the hearing of cases
A number of important and interesting cases were heard at the above court on Tuesday, 22nd inst.
District Justice Walsh who had been attending a Commission in Dublin for some time past, and whose place was ably filled during his absence, who like Mr Walsh himself, is a splendid Irish scholar, and is anxious to make use of the Irish language wherever possible, was present.
The court was crowded as many people were anxious to hear the arguments of two of Tirconaill’s most eloquent solicitors, Mr W Kelly and Mr PJ Ward T.D., and certainly they were not disappointed.
The verdict of the jury, however, was that honours were about equal regarding the merits of both these gentleman and the chances are, that both will be heard very frequently for the time to come in this court

Donegal Democrat, June 3, 1983 - 40 years ago
IDA aided 250 small firms in 16 years
Since 1967 approximately 250 small industry projects employing in excess of 1,000 have been assisted by the IDA in Co. Donegal, a seminar organised by the IDA and the County Development team and held in the Ballyraine Hotel, Letterkenny last week, was told by IDA Regional Manager, Mr. Michael Feeney.
The seminar on how to start or develop your business attracted an attendance of approximately 170 people, including owners of small manufacturing companies, budding entrepreneurs and representatives of community groups from the region.
Mr Feeney said that it was likely that the bulk of future small industry projects for Donegal would come from people living in the county.
He added that despite the severe economic climate which put a strain on all businesses, he was very pleased with the level of enquiries for assistance.

Donegal Democrat June 7, 1963 - 60 years ago
Donegal romp into McKenna Cup Final - Armagh crushed at Ballyshannon
Donegal 1-12 Armagh 0-7.
Playing with verve and determination, Donegal at Fr Tierney Memorial Park, Ballyshannon on Sunday, pleased their huge following at home with a convincing 1-12 to 0-7 win over Armagh in the semi final replay of the Dr. McKenna Cup competition.
Donegal with the wind advantage in the first half, were somewhat slow settling into their game but once they did, they soon recaptured most of the football 'finis' that had brought them to the Dr Lagan Cup final recently.
Fitter, faster and more methodical they steadily built up their scores until the half time whistle came to find them leading by 1-11 to 0-0.
The score could have been much greater than that but it was enough to give promise of a rousing second half when Armagh got the wind.
Donegal - S. Hoare; F. Gallagher, B. Brady, B. McFeeley; S. O’Donnell, J. Hannigan, P. Kelly; S. Ferriter, P.J. Flood; D. Breslin, M. Griffin, D. Houlihane; J. Campbell, P. Ward, H. Lafferty. Sub: D O’Carroll for H. Laverty.

The Grand Central Cinema offering in the War Years back in June of 1943

Donegal G.A.A.’s tribute to Pontiff
Because of the death of His Holiness, Pope John XXIII, the Donegal County G.A.A. Executive cancelled the quarter final of the county 13-a-side tournament between Sean MacCumhaill’s and St. Eunan’s Letterkenny listed for MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey, on Wednesday last.
The game, together with one semi-final of the competition, Kilcar v Donegal Town will be played on Sunday next.

Rayburn cookers were an essential item back in June of 1949 and on offer from Dunlevy & Co., Donegal

Donegal to have new library Headquarters
By 12 votes to 7, Donegal County Council adopted a recommendation from the G.P. Committee, that stages 1 and 2 of a five-stage development plan for the Co. Library be proceeded with.
The total cost of the scheme is in the region of £57,000 and the first two sections will cost £43,000.

A Democrat advert for "adding machines" back in June of 1963

Included in the first two sections are the building of a new library headquarters, a delivery van, a mobile unit, two new branches, a basic reference stock and new book stocks.
Half of the cost of the loan charges will be borne by the Library Council.
The County Manager, Mr J.D. Williams said the two stages would mean an increase of 5d. in the £ and the new headquarters would cost 1/2d. In the £.