In pictures: The late Maria Gallagher remembered in Burtonport with calendar launch

There was a full turnout at St Columba’s Community Centre in Burtonport for the official launch of the 2026 calendar in memory of the late Maria Gallagher, Lower Keadue, Burtonport. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery

The evening began in St Mary’s Church, Kincasslagh, with Maria’s first anniversary mass, celebrated by Rev Fr Pat Ward, PP.

Maria’s former colleagues in the local Scór Group were in attendance and sang a couple of hymns in her memory. They then returned to the Community Centre for the official launch of this beautiful calendar, which features some of Maria’s great local photographs, a note from Daniel O’Donnell and a poem written by Carol Alcorn, one of her friends.

Among the large attendance were Maria’s family from Dunmore, Co Galway and people from various areas, who were friends. Tea, coffee and goodies were served by the staff of the centre.

MC for the evening in the centre was David Alcorn and he paid tribute to Maria for her input since she came to live in this area many years ago and also thanked her husband Paddy for organising the event in her memory and for ordering the calendars, which are now on sale at €10 each and proceeds will go to two most worthy causes, Gemma’s Legacy of Hope and the Donegal Hospice, two excellent causes and at the end of the night, that a total of €2,000 was collected.

The official launch was performed by Maria’s friend and fellow photographer, Noel Newell, Meenbanad. Noel spoke to Maria’s special eye for photographs, some of which appeared on Virgin Media TV and other places. He encouraged all people to buy calendars as a special gift for Christmas. Calendars can now be purchased in the following locations: the Cope Kincasslagh, Maple Burtonport, Cope Supermarket Dungloe, CJ’s Dungloe, AIB, Patrick Johnny Sally’s pub, Mace Crolly, St Columba’s Community Centre and Phil Ban’s in Arranmore. Sincere thanks to all who helped organise such an excellent night.