News from around the 32 Irish counties

DONEGAL
The darts fraternity in the north-west will be keeping a close eye on the BDO World Darts Championships with Martin McCloskey taking to the oche this week. McCloskey, who is a native of Carnhill in Derry, has lived in Letterkenny for the last 15 years and throws locally for the Glencar Inn team in the Letterkenny League, Wilkin's of Churchill in the Churchill League and Durkan's from Ramelton in the Farn League. On Monday, in his debut at the Lakeside Center, he will open against 11th seed, Steve West of England. West is currently ranked at the top of the BDO rankings. McCloskey will be the first man who plays out of Donegal to participate in the BDO Championships since Gerard Porter, a native of the Twin Towns, in 2006.
(Source: Donegal Democrat)

DUBLIN
Dublin’s Lord Mayor is expecting good things for the capital in 2010, despite the challenges that remain.  Emer Costello said that next year will be a "difficult one" but there should be more optimism than in the year gone by.  Ms Costello explained: "When I look back on 2009, it has been a difficult year, but still there have been things worth celebrating.  "There have been two examples in recent weeks -- the opening of the new Luas line in the docklands was a really fabulous day for the city and then the other good news was the Samuel Beckett Bridge," she said.  Ms Costello, who will remain in the Mansion House until next June, says she is "very much aware of the challenges facing everybody".  But she added: "As I've been visiting different areas it has struck me that there's a strong sense of community and Dubliners are very resilient."  The Lord Mayor has had a busy festive period with Christmas Day actually being "one of the busiest working days" she has had yet". The Mansion House has been a hive of activity over the season with a live crib and a concert among other events. Many of the events have been held to collect money for the Lord Mayor's Relief Fund, which normally raises around €20,000 for city charities.
(Source: The Evening Herald)

FERMANAGH
The Cornagrade housing estate in Enniskillen, which has around 650 houses, is to get a £47,000 facelift. The funding, which has been announced by the Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie will enable environmental improvements within the estate. In particular, the investment from the DSD Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund will facilitate the construction of 13 car spaces in Riverside, eight car spaces in Carnmore Rise; an improved traffic flow in both areas; and improved pedestrian safety. Local residents were consulted on how the program could create a safer area. Local Mags O'Reilly who lives in Riverside, summed up their feelings: "We are delighted that it is going to happen.
(Source: The Fermanagh Herald)
 

GALWAY
Two down, one to go. The odds are decreasing sharply on a Galway racing syndicate landing an incredible £1m sterling bonus after Go Native pulled off another successful big race cross-channel raid at Kempton on St. Stephen’s Day. The Docado Syndicate will now be keeping their fingers crossed over the next ten weeks that their pride and joy stays on course for the third and final leg of the WBX £1m bonus, the Champion Hurdle, at the prestigious Cheltenham National Hunt festival.
(Source: Galway News)

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