Raphoe Notes
Raphoe Family Resource Centre provide Computer and internet access, photocopying, CV preparation and weekly employment lists via email. If you need any help on these areas, please call in to us or give us a call. If you are interested in any of our following courses or programmes or would like to join in on any of our groups, please call in to see us or contact us on 0749145796 / 0873641503.
Raphoe Family Resource Centre – Christmas Wishes
Raphoe Family Resource Centre would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas and a wonderful 2025. It’s been our pleasure to work with everyone in the Raphoe community during 2024 and we look forward to what 2025 will bring with excitement!! We would like to thank everyone that has supported us throughout the year and many thanks to all the local businesses who supported our Xmas draw. We will re-open on Monday 6th January 2025.
Looking for Work? – DLDC Employment Support Workshop
DLDC will provide employment support to include:
Weekly job lists
Job searching
Assistance with applications
CV preparation/cover letters
Interview preparation/Mock interviews
Next workshop will take place at Raphoe Family Resource Centre in early 2025, Call in if you need help finding employment!
Walking Group
Do you like to get out and about in the fresh air? Do you enjoy a walk with company? Why not join our walking group? The walking group meet at the Family Resource Centre on a Thursday morning at 10.30AM. (We will be returning early January 2025) Join us in the Resource Centre after for a wee cuppa! Everyone Welcome!
Women’s Group
The women’s group meet every second Monday night at the Family resource Centre from 8PM, join in the fun with a cuppa and a chat . The woman’s group are now finished for the holidays and would like to wish all our members a very happy Christmas and look forward to welcoming new and current members in January 2025. For more info contact Laura on 0749145796/0873641503
Yoga
Yoga with Erin in the Family Resource Centre will return on Monday 13th January 2025. from 10 – 11AM, to book you place or for more info contact Erin on 0874502904.
Little Smiles with Big Dreams Mother & Toddler Group
Raphoe Family Resource Centre’s Little Smiles with Big Dreams Toddler Group will take place every Wednesday from 10.30 to 12 Noon. A great way to increase your little one’s confidence and get to know others of similar age. Cost €2 per child. The group hosts fun activities and workshops throughout the year. Everyone welcome to come along and join the fun! Contact Laura if you have any further queries on 0873350658. Looking forward to seeing you all in January2025!
Raphoe Men’s Shed The Men’s Shed group meet every Thursday at 12 Noon in “The Shed”. We will start back after the Christmas break on Thursday 16th January 2025 and look forward to seeing all our members and welcoming any new members! If you have a few hours to spare why not come along and join in! New members are always welcome for a cuppa and a chat in the shed! For more info contact Marie on 0749145796/0873641503.
Family Support As a parent or guardian, parenting is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do, however the Family Resource Centre recognises at times life throws up challenges and these can be overwhelming. Some examples of the support we can offer; making routines, establishing boundaries and dealing with challenging behaviours.
The Family Resource Centre can help through listening ear, parenting programmes, one to one support, and a drop-in clinic to offer support on issues that are affecting home life.
We also provide sign posting or referrals to other services. For any further information please call Laura our Family Support Community Development Worker on 08733350658.
Seniors Alert Scheme
Raphoe Family Resource Centre is registered under Pobal’s Senior Alert Scheme to provide personal alarms to those over 65 years living alone for significant periods of time during the day, or is a carer to someone else in their household. The purpose of the scheme is to enable older persons of limited means to continue to live securely in their own homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind providing them with a free personal monitored alarm which can be worn as a pendant or around their wrist like a watch. If you feel you or someone you know would benefit from this scheme, please contact us on (074) 9145796 or 0873641503 for more information or to make an application.
S.T.A.R.T Project Would you like to talk to someone about your concerns around drugs/alcohol? Free, confidential – non-judgemental service providing up to date information and practical supports, including CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness practices, Brief Solution Focus Therapy and the Smart Recovery Principles.
Drop-in available:
Finn Valley Resource Centre every Monday 9AM – 1PM
Raphoe Resource Centre every Tuesday morning from 9AM – 2PM
Finn Valley Resource Centre every Wednesday morning from 9AM – 2PM (Individual)
Finn Valley Resource Centre every Wednesday evening from 2.30PM – 4PM (Group meeting)
Donegal town family Resource Centre every Thursday morning from 9.30AM – 1.30PM
Letterkenny CDP Offices every Friday morning from 9AM – 3PM
Letterkenny C.D.P is a Community Development Project providing a Community Response to Alcohol/Drug misuse throughout Co. Donegal. We provide non-judgemental support guidance and education to drug/alcohol users, their families and the community. Contact our Outreach worker for the Finn Valley area, Karen Gallen on 087 388 5080
OTHER COMMUNITY NEWS
Raphoe Tidy Towns
“Raphoe Shop Local 2024” As we move closer to Christmas a very special thank you to all our local businesses & business people here in Raphoe who have provided services and goods to our community over many years. Over these years the local businesses have never let us down when it came to donations or sponsorship for our various community groups and fundraising activities. We are fortunate in Raphoe to still have excellent goods on sale and local services in the various shops, butchers, chemist, the indoor market, street vendors and plenty of bargains especially this Christmas. So please don’t forget our own town and our own people this year and in the new year 2025. Happy Christmas and New year to all our business community.
Christmas Wishes from Raphoe Tidy Towns Volt House Raphoe
The Tidy Towns DEASP Community Employment staff will be on Holidays from Christmas Eve 24th December at 12noon until Monday 6th January 2025. There will be a town litter cleaning service over the holiday period. A sincere thank you to local businesses, churches, schools, the Tidy Towns committee Staff & volunteers & everyone in the community for all their good wishes, texts, messages and gifts presented to Martin Laird on his retirement as Supervisor after 32 year’s service. Welcome to Gary Sweeney the new Supervisor and best wishes for the future in your new job. The Tidy Towns would like to thank all the various residential areas, schools, churches, Raphoe FRC, RCIA Ltd Volt House, all community groups, the Mart, the County Council, local councillors, Tus and Rural scheme staff, county council staff, all local people, all sporting groups, and businesses who have supported our work for the town during the year. Raphoe Tidy Towns committee, supervisor, volunteers & staff extend a very Happy Christmas and Healthy & safe New Year to everyone in Raphoe and district and especially all those from the town and surrounding areas who are abroad this year. As always you will be remembered in a very special way this Christmas and New Year here in Raphoe. We also send best wishes to anyone who is sick or in hospital at this time. The following Christmas poem is dedicated to all Raphoe people wherever you may be this Christmas. Happy Christmas.
A Raphoe Christmas Eve.
The leaves they are all gone now
The air is cold and still
The burn runs through the valley
From Braehead wood and past the mill
The townlands and streets are quiet
The moon shines down below
The stars are shining brightly
In the hearths the fires glow.
The animals are resting
In the stables and the barns
Just like this night so long ago
The night that Christ was born
The children are all dreaming
Of reindeer flying through the snow
With Santa, toys and presents
On his visit to Raphoe
O Silent night, O Starry night
Of Miracles from Heaven above
Please send your new born Son to us
With His gifts of peace and love
The Town Clock in the Diamond
Keeps time for all to know
As the people wait on Christmas
In our City of Raphoe.
By: Martin Laird Raphoe.
St. Columba’s Conference of St Vincent de Paul Raphoe.
A sincere thank you to everyone who has supported our work, helped, volunteered help or made donations of any kind for our ongoing work here in Raphoe. Thanks also to the management, volunteers and staff of the St. Vincent de Paul regional office in Raphoe for all their help and support through the year. Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas & Healthy & Prosperous New Year in 2025. From Gerard Marron President & all the Raphoe SVP members
Christmas Message from Santa Claus to all good boys and girls in Raphoe & district.
Santa Claus has sent a special message to the Volt House for all children of Raphoe and district Co Donegal to be extra good and be in bed early this Christmas Eve. He is pleased to see the star on top of the Cathedral clock tower this year again as it is a great guide for him landing and resting his team of reindeer. Santa Claus and his little elves have been very busy all year. Santa Claus is now ready and expects to visit Ireland & Donegal after midnight this year on his special journey down from the North Pole so be sure to be fast asleep and don’t forget something nice for him to eat and a treat for his team of reindeers too. Santa and his team wish all Raphoe people at home, around the country and all around the world a very Happy Christmas 2024 and a very happy healthy & prosperous new year in 2025. Ho Ho Ho……..
Raphoe Kurling Club
Kurling Club meets every Monday 6.30PM – 7.45PPM in Raphoe Presbyterian Church Hall. All new members welcome. For more info contact Margaret on 0857067208
Wellness Café
Connect in a safe place with friendly people who put the We in Wellness, Drop into Lifford Courthouse on Wednesdays between11.00AM and 12.30PM. For more information telephone 0749141430 Facebook: @donegalwellnesscafes
Donegal Volunteer Centre
Looking to volunteer locally, we have a wide range of volunteer roles available! For more information contact Eamonn on 0871039730/Office 07491 26740
Volt House
Pilates Mondays and Thursdays 7 -8 pm
Tin Whistle Monday 7 – 9pm
Yoga Tuesday 7- 8pm
Seniors Club Friday 10.30 – 12pm
Rinka – Tue 4 30 – 5 15pm ( Strength Club (8yrs – 13yrs) , Wed 6:00pm – 6:45pm ( Dramafit (4yrs – 10yrs) , Fri 4:20pm – 5:05pm ( Dramafit (4yrs – 10yrs)
The Suile Centre is also available for private functions, (kid’s birthday parties,
conference facilities, dance & creative classes etc.)
The Volt House Reception offers printing, photocopying and typing
facilities at very reasonable rates. (074 91 73966) or email
raphoe.volthouse@gmail.com
A heart warming story for Christmas
Dedicated to all Raphoe People for Christmas
Tommy’s Christmas Surprise.
A freckled face that would remind you of a thrush’s breast, pressed hard against the cold small square window pane of the shop that sold everything, sweets, cakes, toys, newspapers and other nick-knacks.
From Halloween onwards Mr Hamilton the shopkeeper stocked a few toys which were placed meticulously as a window display. The bright colours of the toys attracted the children from Raphoe and the surrounding area like a magnet. There was a drum, a small car, dolls, skipping ropes and games of all sizes, but right in the middle stood a bright red shining fire engine. It gleamed so you could see your reflection in it. Some of the other boys at school boasted about how they already had a fire engine some claimed to have one much larger than the one in Mr Hamilton’s window one thing was for sure all the boys in his school were talking about it. Tommy knew in his heart that Mammy and Daddy couldn’t afford such luxury, Santa was his only hope. Tommy rubbed away the cloudy mist that formed by his hot breath on the window with a mitted hand. The mittens that his Mother painstaking sowed to each sleeve of his duffle coat usually dangled unworn.
Clearing the mist, and with large brown eyes, Tommy stared, mouth opened at the shining red fire engine. Each Friday, coming home from school Mammy would instruct Tommy to “Wait there, I have business to conduct with Mr Hamilton.” Every Friday, Tommy pressed his face at the windowpane to make sure that the fire engine was still there. He watched curiously as his Mother handed Mr Hamilton 2 shillings “why”? Tommy wondered was she handing over her wages from the wee extra job she had taken on. This was beyond the comprehension of his 5-year-old mind. Tommy squeezed his eyes tight closed and wished with all his might “please, please might Santa bring me that fire engine”
A sharp wind brushed against his cheek, and turned his nose a deeper shade of red. The sky was heavy with unborn snow. Tommy flapped his arms across his body to keep warm. The ringing of the shop bell, broke the silence, and jolted Tommy back to the reality of the cold afternoon, boarding on darkness. “Let’s go” Mammy said “Come on day dreamer, Granny will have the soup heating on the stove for us.” At the very mention of the hot soup Tommy could almost feel his insides defrosting. Granny as usual was busy in the kitchen baking bread. The large wooden kitchen table resembled a snow scene with flour everywhere. Soon the family had gathered for their evening meal around the now scrubbed table.
As Christmas approached Mammy and Granny cleaned the house as if it was a military operation. Granny placed a cloth over the brush to sweep down the cobwebs. Cupboards were cleaned out and the best china cups, which were only used at special times, were washed in readiness for any visitors who happened to come in. One such visitor was Great Aunt Mary, Granny’s sister. She was and unmarried old maid who wore her hair severely combed back into a bun. Glasses perched at the end of her nose over which she would peer disapprovingly and her index finger would slide along the furniture as a dust detector. She would “tut tut” if any dust was found. Luckily she only stayed for 2-3 days. Daddy took Tommy by the hand down to the railway station to collect Great Aunt Mary. Tommy could feel her eyes bore into his back after he had informed her that he had asked Santa for a fire engine. “Oh dear me you’re far too spoiled” she gasped.
Christmas Eve finally arrived, a dusting of snow added to the atmosphere and excitement Daddy took Tommy into the town. They made a visit to the various businesses including to the Forge in Meetinghouse Street where Daddy would sit and chat to the blacksmith. Tommy believed that Daddy only wanted to keep warm on that bitterly cold day. While in town Tommy noticed that the red fire engine still stood majestically in the shop window.
That night a warm cosy bed beckoned little Tommy. As Granny and Mammy tucked him in they listen as he prayed, “Dear God please let Santa bring me a red fire engine like the one in Mr Hamilton’s window,” they exchanged loving smiles. That night sleep eluded Tommy for hours he tossed and turned several times. The silvery moon shone brightly into his tiny bedroom casting spooky shadows across the room firing his imagination to think about fairies, elves, and little reindeer.
Close on dawn Tommy jumped out of bed and pounded into the kitchen. He stopped abruptly as he gazed at what Santa had left. Tommy wiped the sleep from his eyes and looked again, not believing what was on the table. One green apple, an orange, a sixpence, and one fine red shining fire engine. Tommy was overjoyed, he cheered and leaped around the kitchen until Granny appeared “ Come back to bed Tommy it’s only five in the morning”
“Look Granny, look Granny,” Tommy shouted, “Do you see it Granny the fire engine Santa got me”
“Yes Tommy I see it you most have been a really good boy”
It was past New Year’s Day before Tommy and his Mother walked into town to stock up again with food. To Tommy’s amazement as they passed by Mr Hamilton’s window the red fire engine was still there. Mr Hamilton himself was standing at the door “Hello young man and what did Santa bring you” he said
“A fire engine just like that one in your window” Tommy replied
“Well, well, isn’t Santa Claus a very clever man”
Tommy nodded his head in agreement.
Tommy still has that red shining fire engine that he got from Santa back in 1934. Now many years later he feels that it’s time he passed it on to his little Grandson, whom he noticed was eyeing it up, just as he had eyed it up in Mr Hamilton’s shop in Raphoe many years ago.
Story Copyright: Catherine Laird. Diamond Writers Group The Volt House Raphoe Co Donegal.