The largest Irish festival in the world is getting underway in the US. The North West is being well represented at the Milwaukee Irish Fest, with a Derry Donegal Showcase.

The showcase is being supported by Failte Ireland North West.

There are also representatives from key statutory agencies , business persons, musicians, artists and performers, with the intention being to promote the North West, tell the region’s unique story, and explore its US connections.

Thje Derry Donegal Showecase explores the Columban Exhibition, telling the story of St Colmcille and how he left Derry and Donegal to bring Christianity to the wider world.  Derry’s history as an emigration port is being highlighted, as is Derry’s history as a World War 2 base

There will also be genealogists there to help people trace their family tree and guide them through emigration records.

A Gaeltacht Tent will promote the Irish language and promote summer schools in Donegal, and a special film tent will showcase opportunities for filmmaking in the region, we well as showing films and animations which were made in Donegal and Derry.

Donegal’s Mayor Noel Mc Bride says it’s vital that the county and the region is represented at events such as this……..

Police in Derry have confirmed that A 32 year old man and a 31 year old man are expected to appear at Derry Magistrates Court next month charged with behaving in a threatening manner onboard an aircraft, being drunk onboard an aircraft and using threatening or insulting words towards aircraft crew.

The charges relate to an incident onboard a flight from London to City of Derry airport yesterday afternoon.

The men were arrested after the plane landed.

An investigation has been launched into a suspected spate of arson across Inishowen.

In the last week it is understood that two houses, a barn and Cockill School were targeted, the suspicion is that it is the same person or group of people responsible for all the attacks.

Local Deputy Padraig MacLoughlainn says it is a very worrying development and is appealing to anyone with any information to contact gardai before a life is lost:

There is hope that a resolution to the issue which forced the closure of Laghey Post office in South Donegal may be in sight.

The facility was closed last month due to what was described by An Post as unforeseen circumstances.

A group was formed to campaign for its re-opening claiming that its closure was a major blow to the area and meant locals had to travel to Donegal town for Post Office services.

Members of that group are due to meet with An Post Officials this week with spokesperson Joe Gatins hopeful that it will re-open in the near future:

A difference of opinion has emerged between Stranorlar area councillors over how to deal with safety concerns for students attending Finn Valle College.

It emerged this week that a new footpath will not now be in place for the new school term despite a commitment made earlier that it would.

A temporary route through Drumboe Woods is being proposed but councillors disagree on the idea.

Greg Hughes reports….

Almost 58,000 people, the vast majority of them secondary school students, receive their Leaving Cert results today. Of those, just over 2,200 are in Donegal.

A total of 2,205 people sat the Leaving Cert exams in Donegal in June,  1,128 female and 1,077 male. A further 148 students sat the Leaving Cert Applied.

Results will be available at schools from this morning and from midday, students who are not in a position to collect their results in person from their school can access them through the State Examination Commission’s Internet results service, or by telephone.

As students tot up their points, the anxious wait now begins for the first round of CAO offers next Monday.

A number of helplines are being offered, including one by the Youth Information Centre in Letterkenny.

It’s spokesperson is Martin Keeney…..

Passengers using the Belfast to Derry railway line are to be taken by bus between Coleraine and Derry for up to two years because of concerns over safety.

The disruption will affect a third of trains using the route.

It’s also emerged that a complete refurbishment of the track between Derry and Coleraine has now been put back for at least five years because of the current financial crisis.

The direct rail service between the two cities will be diminished during part or all of Derry’s year as UK City of Culture in 2013.

East Derry MLA, John Dallat, said the former Minister for Regional Development, could of addressed the neglect of the Northwest, but he didn’t….

Retired GAA  broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh says he will announce next week whether he will run as a candidate in the Presidential election.

The 80 year old says he’s been approached by a number of political parties, and has not ruled out putting himself forward as a candidate.

Mr O Muircheartaigh, who turns 81 on Saturday, says his age will not be a factor in whether or not he decides to run for the Aras.

Meanwhile, Northwest MEP, Jim Higgins has said that the right to vote for the President of Ireland should be the right of every Irish citizen.

He says it’s unfair that there are so many Irish people having to move away because of the economic crisis, but who will have to give up their right to vote

And Mr Higgins said he thinks Irish people living abroad would welcome the opportunity to vote….

A footpath leading to the new Finn Valley College will not be ready for the new term in 2 weeks time.

Earlier this year, in the run up to the General Election, former Tanaiste Mary Coughlan claimed that money was available and that the footpath would be completed before the new college opened.

But work on the footpath is not expected to begin until next week, meaning it won’t be ready until mid-October.

Sinn Fein Cllr Cora Harvey has said that the footpath should of been completed by now…..

Meanwhile, It’s now expected that the footpath won’t be ready until mid-October.

Cllr Frank McBrearty has said that a temporary footpath will be put in place in the meantime……

470 children were killed or injured on Donegals roads between 1997 and 2009, a new study reveals.

The RSA released the figures yesterday, as part of its research into child fatalities and injuries on the nations roads.

The research also showed that 56% of all child casualties in Ireland between 1997 and 2009 were pedestrians and cyclists.

Eamon Browne, of the Donegal Road Safety Working Group, said although the figures are worrying, a lot is being done to address them….