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Building a 'better you' at Zest Fitness Studio Muff

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  I’d been attending Zest here in Muff for almost a year when I saw Gerard’s post about the forthcoming ‘6-Week New Year, New You Programme’ starting early January. I was initially hesitant but decided to commit and give it a go. It was about getting more in control of my physical health as I had a few stumbling blocks healthwise during 2025 (Cholesterol mainly!!), so my mind was set on trying to work on the fitness to support other areas of my health. This programme at Zest aimed at: “Building consistency Getting stronger and more confident Improving your nutrition without dieting Feeling better and improve your energy No extremes. No fads. Just simple, sustainable coaching that works.” And so, I paid the fee and started a series of ‘strength classes’ that first week of this new year. I wasn’t trying to find or create a ‘new me’ I was simply trying to improve the existing ‘me’. The six weeks now complete and looking back over the time I can honestly say this was a...
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Christmas Dance at Muff Community Hall with Shunie Crampsey

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 There really is something magical watching people dancing. From contemporary songs to the very traditional 'Shoe the Donkey', it was all things dancing this Sunday night. The people of Muff and far beyond showcased true magic on the dancefloor tonight at St. Mary's Hall here in the village.  Shunie Crampsey has been providing the music and song here in the community hall monthly for the past 18+ months. Tonight was the Christmas dance and it showcased the importance of music and dance for the soul. People coming together to sit and listen, to get up and dance, to just talk. And a fabulous supper was enjoyed by all, catered by The Cabin.  Events like this show what community is all about. And the community within the village hall tonight felt very strong and very festive. People came from all over Inishowen and Derry to enjoy the dance. And no doubt will return in the future to do likewise. Huge thanks must go to all the members of Muff hall who work hard behind the scene...
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Christmas Dance and New Years Eve with Shunie Crampsie

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2025 has again been a fun one of dance, music and song on monthly Sunday nights in St. Mary's Hall Muff. Shunie Crampsie has been entertaining the village folk and more for a while now, and he is looking forward to bringing more of the same in 2026. Shunie told me recently that he finds a great 'community spirit' at the gatherings in Muff hall. He enjoys coming to play and says it really is 'something special' that is ongoing in the hall on these Sunday nights. 'At other places I play' he said, 'people enjoy one genre of music and dance one kind of dance'. But here in Muff Shunie says, 'they do all sorts of dancing and allow me to play all sorts of music.' Post covid many folk felt isolated, and others were frighted to return to social engagements. These tea-dances in St. Mary's Hall have allowed many who felt 'isolated' to return to enjoy fun evenings such as these.  The next such night is the annual Christmas Dance  and it takes...
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Muff UNPLUGGED launch with Cliona Hagan

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It certainly wasn't your normal or average Tuesday night in Muff village. But it might well become such! Earlier tonight saw the first in a series of 'UNPLUGGED' music nights at the 'Visit Muff Liquor' visitor centre in the village. Renowned singer Cliona Hagan and her husband Simon Sheerin played an acoustic set to a full house in the Muff Liquor home. Starting the night off in the 'For the Better' bar was Inishowen duo ' The Two Bucks '. These bucks never disappoint, and tonight was no exception. They served to whet the musical appetite of all there ahead of Cliona and Simon taking to the stage area around 8pm in the 'Main Room'.  Having popped upstairs to the mezzanine area prior to the main gig I was very delighted to meet Cliona and Simon who were very excited to be playing this acoustic gig in our wee village. Both were so warm and friendly that they really did blend right in with our village life here in Muff.  I have no shame in admi...
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Functions and Events at IOSAS Centre

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  Situated on the Lenamore Road, Muff, the IOSAS Centre and Celtic Prayer Garden welcomes visitors and tourists on a daily basis (closed Mon and Tues). A welcome haven to go and enjoy some 'time-out' or treat oneself to a lovely lunch, or just coffee and treats at the Sanctuary Cafe there. The Celtic Prayer Garden is both welcoming and peaceful. But the centre is more than that. It offers conference space and can host business meetings, conferences, workshops and more. All can be accompanied with lunch or snacks. It really does offer a business friendly service. Recently we had a delightful family celebration there. With a mass in the garden oratory to begin, followed by the most delicious spread of food, soup, hot food, sandwiches, tray bakes (divine they were) and tea/coffee. A party of 60 were welcomed into a very family-friendly environment and a most enjoyable afternoon was had. Many guests on the day had made their maiden trip to the centre and all said they would certai...
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Ronan Keating visits Muff

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 The village of Muff was entertained with a visit from Ronan Keating last night. Locals and staff alike were allowed to chat and enjoy Ronan and his crew.  Just before 8pm, Claire, manager at The Muff Liquor Homeplace welcomed Ronan and his crew to the premises. Ronan took time and walked around the interior before chatting and allowing photos with customers.  Ronan had been filming in Derry yesterday and has been in the North West this past week. He was very eager himself to return to T he Muff Liquor Co . Just over a year ago, himself, Ryan Tubrity and Russell Crowe all arrived in the village as part of the opening day at T he Muff Liquor homeplace. A very busy and crowd filled day was had on that occasion. Last night Ronan blended in with the locals and made his own way around the premises with Claire as the perfect host. The staff were kept busy with cocktail making for both customers and the celebrity crew. Ronan happily posed for photographs and chatted freely. Hi...
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Mura gets ready for retirement!

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  In just over one weeks’ time, our village will have another retiree. A retiree who has given so much to Muff. He moved to Muff from neighbouring Fahan in 1989. Although working in the village prior to this, Mura McLaughlin has long since established himself as a permanent fixture, community member and one of the hardest working members of Muff village. Mura was a Customs Man from 1981 through to 1992. He then proceeded on a career with Irish Life. In the early 90’s Mura began volunteering in the village and was always there to lend a hand at the preparation and delivery of festivals and more. And of course you could find him on the dramatic stage too. In 2007 Mura began working with what is now Muff Community Development. And in 2011 he became manager there. Mura has a team of committee members behind him and a team of workers alongside him, but he himself has been instrumental in much of the development that has taken place in our community in the past 25 years. The fabulo...
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