DONNELLY

The Village of Donnelly is located approximately 5 km east of Falher, Alberta which is approximately 115 km northeast of Grande Prairie near the junction of Highway 2 and 49. Donnelly has a population of 377 people (2004 stats) and is a farming community.

In 1912, the Mission St-Jean Baptiste de Falher was opened 5 km from the current location in Falher. When the railway came to the area in 1915, the settlement was named after Father Constant Falher, a Roman Catholic Oblate missionary who was born in the town of Josselin Brittany, France in 1863 and came to Canada in 1887 arriving at Grouard in 1889. He was known for his ability to speak the Cree Language and referred to the area around Falher as the "Happy Hunting Ground" of the Indians. At that time there were a large number of fox in the area.

The colony then divided into what is known as the Village of Donnelly and the Town of Falher. A group of 14 settlers from Grouard arrived in the Donnelly area in 1912. They carved their names in a board from their wagon and attached it to a tree. The cross still stands at Masonneuve Park located about 2 km south of Donnelly.

The name "Donnelly" was named after an official in the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway, when the station was established in 1915. A few years later, in 1917 Donnelly had its first post office with A. Cote' the first postmaster. In 1956 Donnelly became a village.

There is no hospital in Donnelly or RCMP. The closest community with those services is McLennan.

Club Des Pionniers. A seniors club. Many play pool, shuffleboard, lawn bowling, crib tournaments as well as many functions in the community are held here. (780) 925-3884.

Toursime Smoky River Tourism. 4923-3st (780) 925-2900.

Mud Bog Competition is held each year the Saturday and Sunday around Father's Day in Donnelly. The competition attracts quite a crowd, located next to the Sportex on the west side of the village. Ball diamonds and tennis courts are also located here.

Special Events: Every second year a the Smoky River Agricultural Fair is held in Donnelly in mid August, and the Annual Father's Day Demolition Derby is held each year in June.

2008 EVENTS OF THE PEACE COUNTRY

In the winter of 2005, the Donnelly Corner Esso and Restaurant closed its doors after serving the area for decades.

The Smoky River Historical and Genealogical Society. The research library is an archival collection, research books and local history books. It is the largest Francophone genealogical and historical research centre in Western Canada. Open Monday to Friday. (789) 925-3801.

Steam engine tractor on display on main street Donnelly next to the Smoky River Historical and Genealogical Society.

Guy / Donnelly Sportex located on the west side of the Village. Rec Hockey is very popular. It has approximately a 200 seating area. Also used for the Fair and Gymkhana. Smoky River Agriculture Fair (780) 925-3889.

Ecole Georges P. Vanier junior/senior high school. Grade 7 to 12. Approximately 400 students attend this school. Students are bussed in from Falher, Girouxville, Guy and McLennan. Falher has the Elementary school in the area and Donnelly has the Jr/Sr High School. (780) 925-3959.