This is the current edition of the quarterly newsletter from the island of Arainn Mhor in Co Donegal, Ireland. An Charraig (meaning 'The Rock' in Irish), is Arranmore Island's newsletter and aims to promote island activities while also focusing on its survival and future job opportunities. The newsletter will promote community events, stories and updates at home and abroad so that we can remain connected wherever we are. It is supported by the online blog http://arranmorenewsletter.blogspot.se For people interested in Arranmore Island, its way of life and promoting its future. The newsletter will include stories from abroad that may help the promotion of Arranmore and its longevity. It will link in with out, and out with in.

1. The An Charraig newsletter promotes the island activities with a focus on its survival and Future Job Opportuni-
ties. An Charraig will promote community events, stories and an update for islanders at home and abroad so that
we can remain attached wherever we are. We hope it will be a one stop shop for people interested in Arainn, its
way of life and promoting its future. The newsletter includes stories from abroad that may help the
promotion of Arainn and its longevity.
Keep up to date at http://arranmorenewsletter.blogspot.se/
Contact sgallagher@syspro.ie or 00353 85 8555792 or fb Shirley Atsyspro.
Donations for Print Copy gratefully accepted.
Edition 2
Meithmeath 2014
MUINTIR NA TÍRE Arainn
Mhor Island Community
Council Election Day
Monday 26th May 2014
More on page 2
Inside this Issue
Gairmscoil 3
Tuarascáil an Cruinniú 3
Cumann na
mBád, Árainn
Mhór
4
JBH 5
New Business 7
Low Carbon 9
Community
Power
10
Youth &
Elders
10
Swell 12
12
12
Following the resounding success of the poll
(266-4) counted on the 19th April, an election
for 16 Island Councillors for the Inaugural Is-
land Community Council will take place at
Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh from 9.00-19.00pm
on Monday 26th
May 2014.
The poll proposed that Arainn Mhor Island will set up a community island
council based on Muintir na Tire Community Council model. This resulted
in the setting up of a Steering Group to facilitate the election of an Arainn
Mhor Council (“the Council”). The Council will be set up and run accord-
ing to Muintir na Tire’s guidelines and regulations. The system used by
Muintir na Tire is a tried and tested model and has proven very successful in
other communities such as Bere Island. Information on Muintir na Tire is
available at (www.muintir.ie).
The main aim of the Council is to represent everyone on the island and to
give a voice to every person. It is imperative to the success of the Council
that all the people of Arranmore are fairly represented and the Steering
Group are inviting all members of the community to actively take part in the
process. The steering group have created a number of sub committees and
will request that a member from each is co-opted onto the council. This cre-
An Charraig Distribution
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James O'Neill, Muintir na Tire

2. ates an equal opportunity umbrella for
all sectors of the community.
The election will be confidential and we
ask that voters elect 5 people they would
like to represent them on a local, region-
al, national and international stage. We
ask voters to consider having all parts of
the community represented, young and
old, male and female, native and non na-
tive. Muintir na Tire's Officer James O
Neill will preside and carry out the
count.
Part of the Community Council's remit is
to discover what the island wants so an
Island Needs Analysis Questionnaire has
been distributed in public places and
online and will collated by the steering
group on election day. The purpose of
this questionnaire is to find out what you
feel should be done to make things better
for you, your family and everyone in the
community. The information gathered
from this questionnaire will be used by
the new Muintir Island Community
Council to decide what work will be un-
dertaken in the community, subject to
resources and funding and will help the
Community Council to prioritise particu-
lar projects. We have added a few that
might help people decide what is a prior-
ity however other suggestions are very
welcome.
If you would like to have a say in the
development of your community, please
come out on the day or submit a postal
vote. Contact arainnmhorsteering-
group@gmail.com or post on sustainable
islands group for further details. Voting
by postal is available until 25th May.
Continued from front page
Page 2An Charraig
VOTE
ON
26th
May
2014
TV3 will be filming some of the event so
anyone who does not want to be on film,
please let steering group know and this can
be sorted on the day. The people with the
highest votes will be asked to they want to
sit on the council and these will be called in
strictest confidence. Should they wish to sit
on council, their names will be an-
nounced. The island community council
will meet with Muintir na Tire's James
O'Neill and decide who will be the chair-
man /mayor for next three years. A celebra-
tory dinner will take place following the in-
augural Island Election at the Glen Hotel.
Thanks to the steering group, Shirley Gal-
lagher (Chairman), Denis O'Donnell
(secretary), Paula Killeen (Treasurer), Annie
Bonner , Frances Early & Bernie Green for
their time and effort in making this a reali-
ty. Also to John Mc Hugh, Conal Ka-
vanagh, Patrick O Donnell & Michael Early
for their participation in collecting polls
which created a democratic mandate for the
council.
Shirley Gallagher
Steering Group Chairman
John Lenty and Hughie Ban at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh

3. Page 3An Charraig
Bhí cruinniú ar siúl in Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh ar an 8
Bealtaine, 2014 08:00in. Rinne Nóirín Uí Mha-
oldomhnaigh, Bainisteoir, Comharchumann Oileán Árainn
Mhór Teo cur síos don lucht éisteachta (95% mná) faoi stair
na Gaeltachta agus an tionchar a bheas ag Acht na Gael-
tachta 2012 ar an Ghaeltacht.
Labhraítear an teanga don chuid is mó, i measc daoine ata
ag dul anonn in aois. Sa bhliain 1992, d’fhreagair 86 % de
daonra an oileáin go raibh an Ghaeilge a labhairt acu ar
bhunús laethúil. Fán bhliain 2006, laghdaíodh líon na
gcainteoirí laethúla Gaeilge go 55%. Faoi láthair labhraíonn
50 % de phaistí scoile an Ghaeilge taobh amuigh de ghnáth
uaireanta scoile. I measc na cúiseanna taobh thiar de na
hathruithe luaigh sí brú an Bhéarla, an imirce agus ais-
imirceach. Léiríodh an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an stádas
Gaeltachta ó thaobh saol chultúrtha agus eacnamaíochta na
ndaoine agus an oileáin. Míníodh go mbeidh gá plean
gníomhaíochta pleanála teanga a chur i bhfeidhm ar mhaithe
le cur chun cinn agus cosaint teanga. Chuir Nóirín in iúl
nach bhfuil i gceist brú a chur ar an phobal i dtaca le
pleanáil teanga ach deir sí go gcaithfidh an pobal an cinne-
adh a dhéanamh faoin teanga agus faoi stádas Gaeltachta sa
todhchaí.
A meeting was held at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh on the 8th
May 2014 ar 8:00pm. Nóirín Uí Mhaoldomhnaigh, Manag-
er, Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór informed the audi-
ence, which was 95% female, of the history of the Gael-
tacht, and the changes as a result of the 2012 Gaeltacht
Act. The language has steadily declined with the older 'third
' generation the principal speakers. At the 1992 census 86%
of the population spoke Irish daily with it decreasing to 55%
in 2006. 50% of island children speak Gaelic beyond the
school gate. She acknowledged the many reasons that
changes had occurred in the use of the language on the is-
land including emigration, return of emigrants and predomi-
nance of English. She explained the potential cultural and
economic impact that losing Gaeltacht status could
have. But an action plan is needed to foster the use of the
language. Nóirín highlighted that there is no intention of
enforcing language planning; usage of the Irish language
and retention of Gaeltacht status is a matter that the commu-
nity must decide upon. In fact she highlighted that the action
plan needed to be positive and that there should no enforc-
ing rather a promotion of our cultural heritage.
Tuarascáil an Cruinniú ó Acht Ghaeltacht (2012)
Nóirín Uí Mhaoldomhnaigh
Report on Meeting on Gaeltacht Act (2012)
Shirley Gallagher
Fír as Gael Linn leis Muinteoír Maire Nic Chathmhaoil ,
agus foireann Aideen Ni Ghallachóir, Erin Nic Eachmhar-
caigh, Caragh Nic Gabhainn, Aine Nic Eachmharcaigh
Comhghairdeas le Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Arainn Mhór!
Máire Nic Cathmhaoil Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Dhún na nGall
Bhain An Cumann Gaelach i nGairmscoil Mhic Diarmada
ar Oileán Árainn Mhóir an chéad duais i gComórtas
Raidió Gael Linn leis an chlár a rinne siad ‘Inis Caorach’.
Dhírigh an clár ar stair Inis Caorach, an cineál saoil a bhí
ag daoine ansin agus na fáthanna ar tréigeadh é sna
caogaoidí. Cuireadh agallaimh ar Mhicí Eddie Ó
Gallachóir, ar Phaddy Bhidí Ó Dónaill,ar Mhadge Uí
Bhaoill agus ar Willie Mhicí Ó Gallachóir fá laethe a n-
óige ar Inis Caorach. Tá na daltaí agus na múinteoirí
fíorbhuíoch dóibh uilig as a gcuid scéalta agus a gcuid
ama a roinnt leo go fial fláithiúil. Chuaigh ceathar de na
daltaí agus múinteoir dá gcuid chuig Stiuidió RTÉ Raidió
na Gaeltachta ar an 8ú Bealtaine 2014 le páirt a ghlacadh
sa chlár ‘Rónán Beo @3’ nuair a fógraíodh na buaiteoirí
beo ar an aer. Bhain an scoil duais de €650 agus corn
galánta. Tháinig an scoil sa chéad áit sa chomórtas céanna
sa bhliain 2011 agus sa dara háit in 2012. Tá áthas an
domhain ar na daltaí agus ar fhoireann na scoile gur éirigh
chomh maith sin leo i mbliana.
The Cumann Gaelach (Irish Society) in Gairmscoil Mhic
Diarmada have won first prize in Comórtas Raidió Gael
Linn with their programme on Inishkeeragh Island. It
focused on the history, the lifestyle and the reasons why it
was abandoned in the fifties. Micí Eddie Ó Gallachóir,
Paddy Bhidí Ó Dónaill, Madge Uí Bhaoill and Willie
Mhicí Ó Gallachóir were interviewed about life on
Inishkeeragh. The pupils and teachers are very grateful
to the interviewees for sharing their stories and time so
generously with them. Four students, accompanied by
their teacher, went to the RTÉ studio in Derrybeg on
the 8th
May 2014 to take part in the programme ‘Rónán
Beo’ when the winners were announced live on air. The
school won a prize of €650 and a beautiful trophy. The
school won first place in this same competition in 2011
and came in second place in 2012. Both students and
staff are delighted with their achievement this year.

4. As part of the Bealtaine Festival the day centre will host
an open day on Wednesday 28th May. The theme for the
day is "Reminiscences
of the Past". Clients of
the day centre are asked
to bring in anything
used in their daily life.
These can be old pots,
cameras, washboards,
churns and many other
items that were used in
everyday life when they
were young. We would
also invite members of
the public who have old
memorable items to
bring them in, either on
Cumann na mBád, Árainn Mhór
Page 4An Charraig
Cumann na mBád, Árainn Mhór is a club on the island of
Árainn Mhór, Co. Donegal, Ireland whose aim is to promote
boating of all kinds to islanders and visitors. The organisation
is an Irish Sailing Association (ISA) affiliated club on the is-
land of Árainn Mhór, whose aim is to instill a love of the sea
and our beautiful #island environment through boating of all
kinds. #sailing #kayaking
Courses available but Places limited, book early to avoid dis-
appointment. Members only.
All sessions are weather permitting.
Cumann na mBád was founded in 2013 by Comharchumann
Forbartha & Fostaíochta (CFFAM)
Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh, Fal a’ Gabhann, Árainn Mhór, Co.
Dhún na nGall
Seamus Bonner
Telephone:07495 20024 Mobile - 087 0983749
@ Trá Leadhb Garbh Jul 6 – Jul 11 all-day
The Irish Water Safety
Association in associa-
tion with Comhar-
chumann Forbartha &
Fostaíochta are organis-
ing the following lessons
on Arranmore:
Lessons in, Swimming,
Survival, Rescue, Resus-
citation.
€30 first child, €20 second child and €10 third child.
Seamus Bonner
Telephone:07495 20024 Mobile - 087 0983749
the day or the day before. Many
of the items used have wonder-
ful memories and stories at-
tached and are a source of histo-
ry. All of the items will be re-
turned on the day. We would
also appreciate an hour of our
local musicians time on the day
if you can come along. The
Bealtaine Festival is an annual
event which celebrates creativi-
ty as we age.
Irish Water Safety Swim Week
Cian & Aoibhe Sweeney at Wee Neilies
Good Luck to all doing
Exams

5. JUNE BANK HOLIDAY (JBH) 2014 Rannagh Park, Arainn Mhor
Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June by Conal Kavanagh
Page 5An Charraig
Check out Group
SUSTAINABLE islands
on
facebook/Linkedin
Group A
Real Lypis
Tory
Glasgow Gaels
Ballay
Group C
Midland Warriors
FC Palatico
Clannad International
WoodCarvers
Group B
St Anne's
Gallagher Tunnelling
Arranmore United
Rebels.
Group D
Finn Harps
Barhale
Deamos Dreams
Stonecutters
We are soon approaching the JBH which will be an
exciting weekend for the Island. We are again full
with 16 teams coming from all parts of the globe as
far as USA, England, Scotland and Ireland of course.
The competition has been running successfully now
for the last 13+ years and it keeps going from
strength to strength.
Thanks to the football club committee
Hugh Nancy Rodgers (Chairman) Sinead Mc Cauley
(Secretary), Sally Brady (Treasurer), Conal Ka-
vanagh (Assistant Treasurer), Frankie Rua Early,
Danny Neil Gallagher, Danny Winnie Rodgers and
Ruan Reynolds.
The competition kicks off on
Saturday the 31st of May @ 11:30.
The final is at 6 o clock on Sun 1 of
June.
The entrance fee is €250 per team
with prizes as follows
winners €1000
2nd €500
3rd & 4th getting €250 each
The teams are as follows and divided
into their groups
Bernard (Lenty) Gallagher, Real
Lypis’s Captain, 2013 Winning
team said ‘winning the JBH tour-
nament last year was the best feel-
ing in the world and I look for-
ward to 2014 and may the best
team win’
Arranmore Utd won the Division Two League title and this
year was the first time the Islanders won a trophy on their home
patch, Rannagh Park. Their previous most recent success was
the 2006/07 CT Ball Division Two. They were presented with
the cup on Saturday 19th April 2014.
Arranmore United Win the League

6. May Day Weekend came to the island
with a hint of mist in the air. After weeks
of settled weather the Atlantic front came
in with rain showers and the ever present
wind. Wee Neily RIP passed away in
2012 and Sunday 4th
May saw the 2nd
re-
membrance day, a sponsor day for Done-
gal Hospice. The day was a fitting tribute
to Neily who was a great musician. Neily
played the accordion along with stalwarts
Paddy Dhonal and Ownie Greene and he
was also a member of the pipe band,
playing the bagpipes. Dodging the
showers the musicians from near and far
came to play their part and they brought
young and old with them. Mary (James
Mickey Mhor) Rodgers began the musi-
cal extravaganza with Trad na nOg,
a collection of fine musicians and singers,
singing sean nos and playing traditional
Irish Music. Unforgettable tunes such as
Mary Black’s ‘Katie was sung so beauti-
fully that it is still in my head days lat-
er. Bands from around the Rosses came
from Mulladuff, Keadue, Crickamore,
Dungloe Seniors, Maghery and of course
Arainn Mhor Pipe band marched in and
performed superbly. Smuggler’s Night
club AKA John Neilies, Neily Phils, the
hall, and the disco was the venue. It was
a tight squeeze but the MC, Tubbsy,
Thomas Costello, who cut his DJ teeth at
the venue kept the tempo up and bands
moving. The bands prepared outside in
the mist and waited their turn to perform
in the crowded dance hall. The Arainn
Mhor pipe band with Alec leading the
charge were the final band,
€3,400 was raised on Sunday with donations and a raffle
which had prizes galore. A signed Celtic football shirt
was auctioned to Cian Sweeney who was determined to
get it and he did at €105. It was a fun day out and thanks
to all who played their part.
Words Shirley Gallagher
Photographs Mary Rodgers
Fundraiser Raised Smugglers Roof
Ownie Greene, Wee Neily Boyle and Paddy Dhonal in Smugglers
in 2007
Smugglers full to capacity

7. NEW BUSINESS ON ARAINN MHOR
Residential Creative Writing Courses
Write On Arainn Mhor.co.uk
The Write On
Arainn Mhor
creative writing
course in Done-
gal , run by Shei-
la Gallagher,
provides peace
and tranquillity
in a nurturing
environment. Set
on an idyllic
island in the
northwest coast
of Donegal, it
provides the perfect opportunity to have a calm space where
you can have some ‘me time’ – something of a luxury in the
chaotic world in which we live. It gives you time to relax,
restore , reconnect. This course is loose enough to allow
creativity to emerge and flourish, and structured enough to
develop style and content.
By Wee Sheila (Dhonal) Gallagher
BRU/HOSTEL NOW OPEN
Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh are de-
lighted to announce a new partner-
ship with Grassroutes to provide
electric and hybrid bikes for hire
on the island. The bikes are availa-
ble to hire from the community
centre daily from 9am to 9pm
Monday to Friday and 1pm to 9pm
Saturdays. Rates: e-bike €15 for 3
hours, hybrid bikes €10 for 3
hours. Bikes are an excellent way
to see the island and there are nu-
merous routes to explore. To book
call 087 0983749 or call in to see
us. Seamus Bonner
Brú Árainn Mhór, Arranmore Islands hostel is now
open! A great place to stay and right on the shore front
and within walking distance of the ferry. For more in-
formation please call 00 353 87 3976340 Frank Green
Mojo GoGo are delighted to announce the return of the 3rd annual
ARANMOJO FESTIVAL at Early's Bar, Arranmore Island on 16th
-17th August 2014. Only 200 Tickets will go on sale for this years
f e s t i v a l & t i c k e t s a r e p r i c e d a t € 2 2 . 5 0
Visit www.aranmojofestival.com for full festival details. It's going
to be an Amazing Weekend at Early's Bar & We hope to see you
all there. Jerry Early

8. Page 8An Charraig
Edward Mary Eddie ‘RED’ Gal-
lagher won the World Championship
Tug’o’War with Team Clonmany B
in Castlebar, Co Mayo in February
2013
Red said ‘it’s nice to come home
with this lot!!! had the time of my
life at the world championships, it
will stay with me forever’.
The Arainn Mhor pipe band came
out to meet the world champions and
to wave off the Beaver Islanders who
were sad to leave the island.
There was a HUGE PARTY In
Killeen's on EASTER Monday,
where Annette, Edward’s sister put
on a spread fit for world champi-
ons. They later had to prove them-
selves by pulling Arainn men up
the Plohog brae!
Edward Gallagher worked hard
training for the last number of
months along with his Clon-
many B teammates to achieve
a World class performance in
indoor tug’o’war.
Page 8
WORLD TUG’O’WAR CHAMPIONS VISIT ARAINN

9. Page 9An Charraig
‘This is my house’ says Michael, ‘we installed this boiler in 2012, it is a 14kW unit heating 6 double radiators with con-
stant hot water, costing €1500 in pellets for 1 years heating. We last bought €300 of oil in 2011.’
Islander, Michael Kavanagh has been involved in renewable for the past 8 years. Michael provides a full
service for retrofits, new builds and insurance quotations and full works carried out. This includes job
specification, supply, installation, and maintenance of wood pellet stoves, boilers and flooring.
Pellet stoves work on the same principle as an oil boiler so when retrofitting your house or building there is
no need for additional pipework in your hotpress as your pellet stove is computerised and has everything
built into it. Therefore it is easier to install a pellet stove into your existing building than a solid fuel stove. The wood pellet
stoves are Italian designed and made and size ranges from dry (room heater only) 5-12 kW and from 12-33kW for boilers (hot
water systems).
Pellet stoves are more efficient than oil, coal, gas or turf boilers. You can heat an average house (1500sq feet) for €21/week
including constant heat and hot water with pellets. This heat can be controlled to suit each individual customer. Michael can
provide wood pellets all year round.
Michael ‘s background is in carpentry having worked all over the world but specialises in solid wood flooring from supply,
installation and restoration. Michael can provide all wood products for internal woodwork including doors, architraves and
skirting etc.
For further information please contact Michael
T:086 8543305
E :mkflooring@gmail.com
S:Kavo1888
W: www.lanordica-extraflame.com
Low Carbon Renewable
Technology in Donegal

10. An Charraig Page 10
The Youth & Elders Project explores important ques-
tions about our relationships, our societies and our way
of living. In 2012, we set sail on the Lovis, exploring
the Baltic Sea and our relationships with ourselves and
each other and how to reconnect the generations..
In 2014, we journey to an Irish island, Arainn Mhor, in
Co Donegal to reunite, to engage with ourselves, each
other and with islanders. Islanders still to group togeth-
er in youth and elders from 8 to 80. Emigration has
always been part of our lives so community matters.
We will explore the importance of family, values and
c o n n e c t i n g o n a n o t h e r l e v e l .
We are creating the space for a series of explorations
of these crucial issues, inviting the participation of
everyone from all spans of life, and we are always on
the lookout for those who are ready to support each
other’s projects, and collectively illuminate a better
future
Trip to Arainn Mhor island
€350pp for 12dayss
20th July- 1st August
To include
Accommodation -12 nights
Food - communally cooked
Volunteer time to island community council
Outdoor activities land and sea
Music lessons & concert
Art of hosting
Payment secures place.
For bookings please contact Shirley at
E:sgallagher@syspro.ie
S:shirleyatsyspro T : 0 0 3 5 3 8 5 8 5 5 5 7 9 2
'One sailing ship called Lovis, 31 brave sailors, four
countries, the wide field around the topic of youth and
elders, seven days of crossing the Baltic sea. For me
this sounds like an invitation for stories to be written.'
Anna Hanschmidt Let the story continue....
By Shirley Gallagher
By Adrian Begley
Youth & Elders 2014
Arranmore Island is no stranger to the sporting world or people
achieving great successes in sport. From soccer to tug-o-war,
darts, sailing and rowing, over the years the island has been well
represented in various different fields of sport. The latest sporting
area that now sees Arranmore get regular mention is in motorsport
and in the world of rallying in particular.
Rallying is a form of motorsport where specially prepared cars are
raced over what is known as a 'Special Stage' with the competitors
covering the distance the fastest being the winners. Each car has
two people onboard, the driver and the co-driver who reads spe-
cially prepared notes which describe the road ahead and tells the
driver how fast he or she should be driving to achieve the best
time.
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather Tom Begley, Jordan
Murphy is now a regular co-driver. Jordan has long had a keen
interest in the sport having been attending the motorsport events
from a young age with his uncle. At the age of sixteen he began
competing as a co-driver and now having just turned eighteen has
already competed in some very well known motorsport events
right throughout Ireland such as the Circuit of Ireland and Ulster
International rallies and gathered a collection of trophies having
several podium wins in the last fifteen months having competed
alongside drivers like Malachy Loughran, Stephen Smith and most
recently Stanley Ballentine.
Jordan’s events are now a real family affair with his uncle, parents,
brother and sisters, grandmother and cousins all travelling to
watch him compete. He arranges his sponsorship to be able to take
part in the events and has made it a real island affair receiving
sponsorship from the likes of Smugglers Nightclub as well as his
now regular sponsor Dominic Sweeney and Arranmore Ferry.
Rallying and indeed motorsport is Jordan’s life and so much so
that this year he will be going to Swansea University after is Leav-
ing Cert examinations to begin a degree in Motorsport Engineer-
ing. With Jordan already making a name for himself in racing cir-
cles and moving to Swansea this year it will only improve his
chances of succeeding in a challenging sport and there is no doubt
we will be seeing much more of Jordan in the motorsport world
internationally in years to come. So keep and eye out for this very
driven and determined young man as he continues to help put Ar-
ranmore on the map in the very competitive world of motorsport.
Islander Jordan Murphy wins Circuit of Ireland ERC

11. The island of Arranmore in Co
Donegal has a programme of
measures to ensure that it can
become independent of imported
energy, create and safeguard jobs
on the island and keep money in
the island economy.
The IEE funded project Smarter Multi Level Govern-
ance (SMILEGOV) is examining the major barriers to
creating a low carbon society on islands. It is bringing
together the various stakeholders and the multilevels
of governance required to achieve the EU target of
20% reduction in Carbon and 20% increase in renewa-
ble energies by the year 2020, ie less than 6 years from
now. The crux of the project is to engage all stake-
holders including islanders to agree to the Pact of Is-
lands. The pact asks for commitment to examine and
agree an island energy action plan within 12 months of
signing the document. The project will showcase 50
projects during its lifetime; we want to be one of those
50.
Points of Interests
Information Gathering. Dr Shirley Gallagher has re-
cently attended the Friends of the Earth Community
Power Workshop, EU Community Energy Confer-
ence, as well as the Green Awards Ceremony at Dou-
bletree Hotel in April 2014. The island project and its
driver were both nominated in their relevant categories
Community and Leader. April saw Shirley travel
along with Michael Kavanagh another islander to Bir-
mingham to meet other Pioneers in Practise (PIP).
Both have been accepted onto the European funded
Climate KIC Scholarship. There are 300 pioneers
throughout Europe in 2014, 30 from Uk, 9 from Ire-
land and 2 from Arainn!
Shirley and Michael are currently working on Lough-
borough University’s Strategy for Energy Research.
They are currently based at the Enterprise Office.
There are 11 schools on campus which is >400 acres.
There are strong links with industry and it has a very
exciting energy research programmes.
We have a strategy to work with the media, including
T V 3 , I r i s h R a d i o I n t e r n a t i o n a l
(www.irishradiointernational.com), and our blogspot
An Charraig ) as well as our facebook groups Sustain-
able Islands and Linkedin Sustainable Islands as well
as Twitter @shirleyatsyspro. The hashtag is
#cyclisle. The Arainn Mhor sustainability project has
been finally given a name-we needed one as finalists
in the National Green Awards– ReGen Arainn Mhor.
By Shirley Gallagher
SMILEGOV UPDATE
An Charraig Page 11
Báid Farantóireachta Árainn Mhór supported ReGen Arainn
Mhor and will be presented with certificate at an Island Commu-
nity Council Event www.arranmoreferry.com
Maith thuBad Dearg
UK’s 1st Roadside Hydrogen Pump for Hydrogen
Fuelled Vehicles in Loughborough University
Offshore Islands Gaelic Football
Weekend 2014,
ArranmoreIsland, Co. Donegal
Saturday 5th—Sunday 6 September 2014
The annual offshore islands Gaelic Football Weekend 2014 will
be held at Rannagh Park, Arranmore Island from Saturday 5th
September to Sunday 6th September. Islands participating this
year include Arainn Mhor, Inis, Mor, Inis Meain, Inis Oir, Inis
Tuirc, Clare, Whiddy and Bere. For more information please
contact Conal Kavanagh on 087 2930091.

12. Haven't got your Glastonbury tickets? Missed
out on your favourite band this year? Don't
worry, we will have our own music festival on
the island in July.
Swell Festival is taking place at the holiday vil-
lage on Arranmore from 11-13th July 2014.
The festival has an amazing line-up including
an array of talented local bands and musicians;
Duke Special, In Their Thousands, Farriers,
The Wood Burning Savages, Mark Black, The
Heads of State, The Capitol and Rosie Carney,
to name but a few. The full line up for the
weekend can be seen on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/swellfestival) or website
(www.swellfestival.com).
The festival will have two stages; the main
stage for music and a 2nd stage, the Ardán na
Fia stage for arts. Where you can enjoy poetry,
spoken word, live art, DJs, installations, sculp-
ture, sound baths as well as other activities. The
Bluestacks Jam Club stage will run throughout
the festival, which gives all festival goers a
chance to perform themselves if they like.
There will be a Preacher's Pulpit onsite too, for
those of you who wish to spread your views!
The Swell in conjunction with CFFAM will
provide other activities to cater for the whole
family. A number of activities will be available
for younger children at Ionad an Chrois Bheal-
aigh, as well as a number of traditional games
on the campsite. Watersports (weather permitting) and
bike hire are provided through booking through CFFAM.
https://www.facebook.com/arainnmhor T07495 20024.
.Electric Bike hire is run through CFFAM in conjunction
with Grassroutes Ireland.
Tickets for the festival are now available through the
website (www.swellfestival.com). There are a number
of ticket options available; the non-camping weekend
pass for €40, the weekend pass with 2 nights camping for
€50 and weekend pass with 3 nights camping (including
entertainment on Friday night) for €60. There are also a
number of self-catering options available (in conjunction
with the Arranmore Holiday Village) starting at €480 for
4 people.
Under 12s will be admitted free if accompanied by par-
ents and guardians and 12-18 year olds must be accom-
panied by an adult over 25 years old.
Come and join us for a week-
end filled with music, art and
entertainment. It's going to be
swell!
Thanks to John and
his team for supporting the printing of the
newsletter for this
An Charraig Page 12
SWELL UPDATE BY MARIE (SAMMY) GALLAGHER
Edition 2
Meithmeath 2014