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Although Eire, being a neutral country, played no active part in the Second World War, its effects were nevertheless felt. A state of emergency existed, goods were rationed and work scarce. Despite the many difficulties of the time, the Twin Towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar were once again to the fore, being the first community in Donegal to introduce a festival atmosphere to the county. Below, you can read an extract from the 1946 Civic Week Souvenir Booklet, and by following these links, you can see a list of the organising committee members , local businesses who supported the project and a special introduction in Old Irish. NB: Sponsors of the B&S Civic Week donated four guineas per advert, a massive sum in those days when money was in short supply. This typifies the business/community spirit of the Twin Towns to this day. |
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The Civic Week in the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar is an experiment in Citizenship. Its elements consist of Irishmen of every class and creed and every shade of political opinion. They have been brought together through their mutual interest in Education and Culture; for this is the key-note of its exhibitions and lectures - the main attraction of the week. From its inception its promoters have met with criticism which is more than off-set by the vigour and enthusiasm of its committees and sub-committees. Its greatest critics say that it is premature and this appears to us as an attenuated concept of the planning and construction which is recognised as all-important if rural and village life in Ireland are to survive the allurements of migration and emigration.
Our Civic Week is without precedent in the County. It is but natural, therefore, that our procedure is largely governed by the limited time and material at our disposal. Already, within the framework of our organisation, we see the nucleus of potential annual events: Language Week, Drama Festival, Carnival Week, or when the present Emergency is past, a Shopping Week. With regard to this latter event we take this opportunity of assuring the business community of our twin towns that, if ever they wish to organise such a project, then their generosity towards our Civic Week will not be forgotten, since each page of advertisements in this booklet represents a donation of four guineas. It is not possible for us at this early stage to record our warmest thanks to each individual benefactor of our Week, but we take this opportunity of thanking them collectively for their ardent support and encouragement. To our Visitors we extend a hearty welcome for our ideals are those so aptly expressed by Thomas Davis:
J.C.MacDonagh, |
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