Travelnet

Travelnet is a Rural Transport Initiative led by Truagh Developement Association and serving the citizans of Truagh, Donagh and Tydavnet. Jackie McKenna is the Project Co-Ordinator and is based at Errigal Heritage Centre in Truagh.

Rurual Transport Initiative

Since the last bulletin, progress has been made developing the rural transport system in North Monaghan.  A questionaire was developed and circulated across all sections of the community and the repsonse to this request was very encouraging. Most people requested that the existing bus service running on every Tuesday to Monaghan (vis Davagh Cross, Factory Cross, Derryrellan Cross, Clara, Emyvale, Glennan, Gaslough) continue. Local people made it clear that additional services taking the same route would be welcome on each Friday and Saturday. Younger members of the community (under 18 years) indicated that they would welcome the opportunity for transport to be provided for a Saturday swim at the recently opened swmming pool in Monaghan.

Local transport providers have been asked to register their interest in providing local bus services and three providers have now been selected to operate the new services. The new services will operate on a "door to door" basis picking up passengers at their home or the end of their lane and will start from Tuesday 12th September.

Below is the TimeTable for the door to door bus service operating on a Tuesday and Friday Mornings to Monaghan town. Anyone wishing to travel on the bus can ring the TravelNet office on the day before on (047) 87192 or (047) 86045 to arrange to be picked up at their own home.

Trip to Belfast

On Saturday 27th January 2007, Travelnet ran a very succesful peace building trip to Belfast. Our Tour Guide for the day was Jim McKinnley who gave us a fascinating insight into life in Belfast during the troubles. Over 50 people travelled with us on the day and everybody enjoyed themselves and many expressed an interest in participting in similar peace building workshops in the future. Jackie would like to express her gratitude to all those who helped make the trip such a success. Thanks to Lucy McKenna for recording peoples stories and views, to Gene Flood for keeping everyone entertained on the coach with his stories and poems, Sr Fionnuala Cole, Development Officer and Peace Worker at Blackwater Valley Community Learning Centre for all her help and finally to Jim McKinnley our tour Guide in Belfast.

Music and Song in Derrynoose

On Friday 2nd February 2007 some senior citizans from the Blackwater Valley travelled to Derrynoose to a Tea Party. Everyone was treated to a beautiful meal and an evening of music and dance. We again recorded some stories and recitations. Such was the success of this event that another evening of music song and dance with supper is planned for Clara Hall on April 13th with transport avilable for those wishing to attend.

Contact Jackie on (047) 87192

"A Day of Friendship" at Lough Derg

A group of 24 people from The Blackwater Valley were among the 200 people who visited Lough Derg on Ash Wednesday. The group included people of various traditions from North, South, Eastern Europe and Africa. After Bishop Jackson's challenging and thought provoking homily everybody participated in a prayer service with hymms and music. People were then given the oppurtunity to ask questions and express their views. After sharing  meal all headed back to dry land at 2pm. On the bus home, participant's feelings about their experience of the day were recorded. There was unanamous agreement that this was something the group would like to do again.

Peace Building Tour to Derry

TravelNet are running a Peace Building Trip to Derry on Saturday 14th April 2007. This tour will include a visit to the IOSAS Centre in Donegal, to view the Celtic Peace Garden then on to Columba House in Derry, centre for prayer and reconciliation and finally we will finisht he trip with a tour of the Walls of Derry. Transport is free but there will be a charge of  €20 per person which will include tea/coffee on arrival, a light lunch in the afternoon and cost of guided tour. To book contact the TravelNet office on (047)87192 or (047)86045. Book early to avoid disappointment as places are limited. Bus will leave Tydavnet community Centre at 8.45am, Emyvale Leisure Centre at 9.00am and St. Mellons Sports Complex at 9.15am sharp.

Peace Building Tour to Derry

On Saturday April 14 more than 50 people traveled from the parishes of Truagh, Donagh and Tydavnet to Deryy. The group visited the IOSAS Centre in Muff in County Donegal and were shown around the Celtic Peace Gardens which  covers a six acre site laid out in the shape of the island of Ireland and depicts the lives of the Celtic Saints. The group then  travelled back into Derry and had a guided tour of the wall of Derry. The groups said it would like to thank all who travelled with them and hope they all had an enjoyble day. They also wanted to thank Gene Flood for keeping them entertained and informed on the coach and for his recording of peoples thoughts and stories.

Senior Smart Pass

On Friday 11th May 2007 TravelNet funded a bus to take 47 senior citizens from the parishes of Truagh, Donagh and Tydavnet to the Office of Social and Family Affairs in Dundalk to obtain their senior smart pass for free travel in Northern Ireland.  Many senior citizens had no way of travelling to Dundalk and were delighted that a service was provided to take them.