The Wee Paper, Buncrana (2026)

21/05/2026

Student Talk

Recently, while walking the streets of Dublin, I happened to notice an unusual piece of art in the window of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD)

Students were busily putting the finishing touches on an art project that intrigued me. They were expressing their anger and disgust at the state of society that they live in, which is denying them a full life.

These were young men and women about to start on their adult lives, NOT full of ambition, NOT full of hope, NOT full of joy.

Why, you might ask, as I did.

Society was holding them back; they had one hand tied behind their backs.

ALL because of the state of housing that they expect should be there to accommodate their lives into the future.

They are being restrained from growing up, getting out and experiencing all the normal things that young people want to discover as they gain their independence from their parents and family.

Is that too much to expect?

The older generation has let them down because they continue to vote for policies that keep housing expensive and out of reach of the next generation.

We are being led to believe that building housing estates like Castle Park, Buncrana would be akin to communism if it were to be undertaken today, and the need was never greater than it is right now.

What is holding us back from solving this problem? It certainly is not money, so what is it?

Tony Grant, May 2026

17/05/2026

On Yer Bike

National Bike Week has passed for another year, but in its wake, we can remember an unforgettable experience with one man and his van who came up from Ballybofey to perform some magic on our bikes.

Watching him move his hands around our bikes was like watching a musician in an orchestra, moving with effortless grace and precision. He got our bikes to join in his orchestra and to hum along to his movements.

He worked on our Sprockets, Shifters, Barrell Adjusters, Gears and Derailers, to name a few.

John Grant is a master craftsman, and my bike hummed all the way home after a visit to his workshop on wheels.

We could do with someone like him in this part of Inishowen, so I hope he will return again soon.

I think his visit should be part of a bigger event next time, in which other groups could join in, such as "road safety" and "bike awareness" could be taught.

Tony Grant, May 2026

14/05/2026

Listen Here

RTE Radio have been chopping and changing its programmes over the past while, and it is paying off as the public are switching off and going elsewhere.

This is a deliberate attempt to dumb down the standard of Public Service Broadcasting in Ireland.

The standard of political debate has decreased over the winter months, and there is a definite attempt to personalise every debate and minimise policy debate.

The two presenters in the afternoon (a man and a woman) would take false titillating swipes at each other in an effort to introduce some form of entertainment in place of serious commentary on public affairs.

Another creeping aspect of RTE Radio 1 is the introduction of right-wing economists, business owners and journalists on their shows.

It is not surprising that the public has switched off in such large numbers over the past few months.

In desperation, I have switched to Lyric FM for some light relief from the puke that I have heard on Radio 1

The public deserves better, as we pay for this service with our taxes.

What surprises me is that there has been no backlash as a result of this dumbing down of our most popular radio station in the country. Not a beep from any section of society. Does this mean that society has already changed ahead of RTE, and the station is only catching up or has apathy gripped the nation so much that we don't give a damn about things like this anymore?

As someone who has enjoyed radio for most of my life, I mourn the death of good radio.

Tony Grant, May 2026

12/05/2026

Church Goers in Dublin

I was in a very long queue to get into the main Protestant Church in Dublin last week. Saturday evening, to be precise, after a pint in The Lord Edward (of Lord Edward Fitzgerald fame) across the road. The bells rang out overhead to the chimes of who knows what. I am setting the scene here for a very special meeting by the looks and sounds of things, and the doors have not even opened yet.

Those gathered were not disappointed as we filed into the great historic church, impressive beyond words.

The person appearing in front of us for the evening was dressed in a black velvet hooded cape, very respectful of the location we were in; it was not a cleric, no, it was Camille O'Sullivan from West Cork, she was paying tribute to the late Sinead O'Connor and Shane McGowan in song and memories.

Memories sometimes too strong for her to remain composed.

She was accompanied on the grand piano and the electric organ by Fergal Murray from Derry, a musical match made in heaven.

Mundy also straddled onto the scene for a number.

Camille invited everyone across to The Lord Edward for the afters.

Some of us had a bus to catch. Yuk!

Tony Grant, May 2026

04/05/2026

Down Not Out

The main stream cooperate media in Ireland distorts real life in our country. It is full of smoking mirrors and panders to a neoliberal “executive government” that is in the pockets of the rich class.
Real government manages a society that caters for all its citizens and not just the privileged.

Individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence.
We now have more income and wealth inequality than ever before.

Health and housing should be a right not a privilege.
We have a tax system that deals with wealth inequality and discriminates against the lowest income earners.

We must ask the question why are their homeless people in Ireland .
Healthy care should not be a commodity is has to be a standard norm.
We must stop the trend of private profit making heath insurance that is creating a two tiered system.
Education should be free to all and at every level, not just to the privileged.

Our society must provide for the benefit of all not just the wealthy. We must recognise that, a just and balanced society, is the goal of good governance, and in essence facilitate the wellbeing of all.

The discriminatory trends that shape the lives of our citizens pander to the wealthy class.

It is not radical to want a better life for all our citizens .
It’s not unreasonable to provide basic needs for our elders ,our developing children and our working population.

Noel King, May 2026

02/05/2026

Derry May Day

Demonstrating, commemorating, or celebrating in our public spaces is a normal part of living in a democracy.

These activities are under threat from governments right across the EU, the UK and here in the Republic.

Governments are hacking away at our democratic values as they restrict our freedoms. By doing this, they weaken our democracy and the social contract that is the glue that holds it together.

People who attempt to hold the government to account are seen as cranks by many people, and yet when these freedoms are gone (and many are gone), these same people moan and groan from the sidelines and bemoan the loss, but continue to vote as they always have done.

The international Mayday Marches are a celebration of workers' solidarity everywhere in the world, so why is there no Mayday march in Buncrana each year?

There are lots of workers in Inishowen, do farmers, teachers, nurses and shop owners not regard themselves as workers anymore?

Neoliberalism, as an economic and political way of running a country, has destroyed communities and standards of living, which is why people can not celebrate May Day. People have been sucked into the new system and are slaves to it.

Most people are not aware of their new situation because they are distracted, others are aware of it ok but they choose to look the other way.

We are witnessing the takeover of a generation (mind, body and spirit) by corporations that plan to dominate the world.

I know most of you know this because we talk about this on the street on a daily basis, but with the politicians in their pockets, we don't stand a chance, so we put our heads down and carry on regardless.

Tony Grant, April 2026

27/04/2026

TRAD

The Donegal Premier of TRAD was shown yesterday (Sunday 26th April) in the Buncrana Cinema to a very enthusiastic and appreciative audience, many of whom were family, friends and well-wishers of Megan and Dallan, from the local area.

The film was shot mostly in Donegal and was written, produced and directed by Lance Daly of "Black 47" (2018) and "Kisses" (2008).

Trad is a musical and life adventure by a sister and her young brother, played by Megan Nic Fhionnghaile and Dallan Woods, who set off from home with their musical talents and, by chance, meet a bunch of carefree musicians led by Harky, played by Aidan Gillan.

Summer is on the way, and schools will soon be out. Can you see yourself in any of these characters?

I saw "the wolf", "the nice guy," "the weirdo," "the mascot." "the hot potato" "the appendage" "leaders and followers"

Another great character in the film is the Donegal scenery that forms the perfect backdrop for great craic and rebellious teenage humour.

An unmissable wee gem of a film that shows how differently Irish culture is perceived around the country.

One scene in this film may be seen as "unreal" or "out of this world". I assure you that it is real. I have been there; it is a place where an attempt was made to mould imagination into some form of concrete reality. I think it will never be fully real; some things are better left in the imagination. It is not visitable by the public for safety reasons, and therefore its location should remain out of sight.

Trad is on General Release in Ireland from the 8th May and should be back in Buncrana the following week.

Miss it and miss out on the most talked-about film this year.

Tony Grant, April 2026

24/04/2026

Trad Feile Weekend

Feile Na hlnse (Festival of the island of Inishowen, or something like that) hosted by Inishowen Traditional Music Project, presents a weekend of events to celebrate the music, song and dance of Dinny McLaughlin (1935 - 2024)

Those taking part:

Aileach band members, Bernard Heaney, Brian McRory and Pat McCabe.

Martin McGinley, Ciaran Tourish, Dermot Byrne, Michael Carey, Michael Gallanagh, Tom Byrne, The Henry Girls.

Inishowen Youth Trad Ensemble, directed by Sean Doherty.

The Bath Street Boys, Oran Kelly, Marty Barry, Oisin Duffy, Aidan Quigley.

Edel McLaughlin

James McEldowney

Ark of Tides - film in the Cinema

Jim McFarland

Mary McGuiggan, Joe McGuiggan, Helen Doherty and Mary Doherty.

And many more.

A wonderful brochure is circulating (see picture above) that is doing a much better job at showing what is on over the weekend.

Enjoy the music and the sunshine.

Tony Grant, April 2026

21/04/2026

John Doherty

John Doherty was hated by the British Government because he challenged them to improve the lives of working people here in Ireland and in England, back under imperial rule from London.

He died on 14th April 1854, 172 years ago.

During his years as a Trades Union activist, he pressured the government to introduce the first ever official annual leave of one day a year with pay.

That was a massive breakthrough for working people at the time. We salute that great achievement and the gains for working people that have been achieved since.

Then along came Bertie Ahern, FF, who neutered the Unions in Ireland, so much so that at times of great social and economic stress in the country, as in the recent oil protests, they were completely sidelined and were only heard on the State Broadcasting Media (RTE) complaining that the protesters were not obeying the rules as they had to. Did you ever hear such a pathetic utterance from a once proud tradition of standing up for the have-nots?

The next time you are strolling along "Death Row" in Buncrana (close to the Angling Centre) stop a moment at the monument to John Doherty, to commemorate the days when individuals were able to stand up in the Union Movement and get support to fight for justice, like fairness in the cost of living, like the cost of petrol, diesel and home heating oil.

The local "self-serving eejits" that are sent to Dublin to represent and defend us from such injustice are nowhere to be seen or heard.

They will be out again looking for your vote when this blows over.

Mark my words.

Tony Grant, April 2026

19/04/2026

The Constitution belongs to the people, yet the Court Services currently charge fees to those seeking to protect their fundamental rights.

Statutory Law can not tax the Constitution, these charges create an unauthorised barrier to the administration of justice.

Take Action

The Oireachtas must ensure that no fees are attached to actions concerning our fundamental rights.

Justice is a constitutional duty, not a service to be bought.

Visit yourtd.ie to find your local representative.

Urge your TD to remove these court fees and uphold the principle that constitutional justice must be accessible to all.

The Constitution belongs to you. Demand that the path to defending our rights remains open.

So says Patrick, he is involved in a group called Fundamental Right Matter and he visits the courts often to help people navigate their way around the system.

Recently a judge accused him of being on a crusade to bring about change, apparently he irritates a lot of people around the courts.

I think he is a man who could be very useful if you have been discriminated against by any public official or are trying to defend yourself and your rights.

Tony Grant, April 2026

12/04/2026

Winners and Losers

Bertie Ahern, through the Industrial Relations Act of 1981, followed Margaret Thatcher and neutered the Irish Unions and assigned them to the dustbin of history.

Fast forward to today, and a FF Taoiseach claims that the government could not find any organisation to negotiate with, and that was the reason the country came to a standstill.

SIPTU even put forward a spokesman, telling rte that they would have to give notice to the government to do what the protesters were doing, whinging to us as to why they could not get involved, without telling us that they had been neutered.

The government created this situation over time, and now the public knows how to really get at any government if they so desire, take to the streets and block the vital energy supplies, just like the Loyalists did in the North to bring down the Sunningdale Agreement.

The government did have a package that they tried to sell to the Irish people. Ministers came on the airways trumpeting their great generosity towards the people, with a miserable 20 cent off a litre of home heating oil at a time when the cost had doubled in the previous days.

What a pathetic bunch of privileged wasters, masquerading as a government of the people.

It has been pointed out here many times that we have an "executive government" that is subservient to the corporations and the EU.

This was proved for all to see when the government would have to get permission from the EU to reduce the price of oil and gas.

We are no longer masters of our own destiny.

We have been shackled.

Who will free us from slavery to the corporations?

Tony Grant, April 2025

The Wee Paper

21/05/2026

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