Turlough Park attains Green Flag status

Fri, Jun 30, 2017

In early 2016 An Taisce sought nominations from local authorities throughout the 32 counties of Ireland to submit application for Parks and Open spaces to be considered for a prestigious award known as the Green Flag. The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting a benchmark standard for the management of these recreational outdoor spaces around the world.

Hanley Hound is climbing Croagh Patrick for the Irish Cancer Society

Fri, Jun 30, 2017

Seven year old Hanley, is currently training with his owners Emma and Brian to Climb Croagh Patrick and raise vital funds for The Irish Cancer society. Hanley, with the help of his owner Emma is currently strength training so that his little legs will take him smoothly up Croagh Patrick without too much stress.

Team of Mayo artists craft a living ‘outdoor room’ in museum woodland

Fri, Jun 30, 2017

A striking new willow structure made by a group of Mayo artists is wowing visitors at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, following its official unveiling last week. Teach Saileach/Willow House is a large bee-hive shaped ‘outdoor room’, woven from living willow and other natural materials using traditional skills. It forms an impressive new woodland structure for museum visitors to explore and will also be used as an outdoor classroom for education programmes.

Community Diary

Fri, Jun 30, 2017

There's lots going on around Mayo in the next few weeks and there's something for everyone, so why not check out what's happening in our Community Diary. 

Celebrate our maritime heritage this summer

Fri, Jun 23, 2017

Off the longest county coastline in Ireland, around scores of islands, as many lakes and along 100 rivers, the inhabitants of Mayo have taken to their boats and exploited our county's waterways in a sustainable manner for hundreds of years. That strong heritage is etched on our crest and is alive and celebrated today. Irish traditional boats in general took on distinctive regional characteristics and the designs of crafts were shaped by purpose, available materials and historical circumstances. Because of our geographical size, Mayo has been a focus of academics studying our many contributions to traditional boat typology.

Ring gets the call up to the first team

Fri, Jun 16, 2017

Thirty-seven years after he was first elected to public office in the old Westport Urban District Council, Michael Ring was promoted to a front bench position as part of new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's first cabinet. The Westport native was handed the position as Minister for Community and Rural Affairs on Wednesday evening, having served as a Minister of State twice since 2011, most recently as Minister of State for Regional Economic Development.

Company fined after fatal accident at Corrib Gas Tunnel site

Fri, Jun 16, 2017

On Tuesday in the Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Rory McCabe imposed a fine of €300,000 on Wayss & Freytag Ingenieurbau AG. The company, Wayss & Freytag Ingenieurbau AG, pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 12 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, contrary to Section 77(2) and Regulation 31(b) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007.

Two year time frame for IWAK SDZ master plan

Fri, Jun 16, 2017

The process of putting a master plan in place for the strategic development zone (SDZ) at Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) will take in the region of two years to complete, the elected members of Mayo County Council were told this week at their June monthly meeting which was held in Carancon Parish Centre. At the meeting the members voted to defer the making of a new local area plan for the airport following the announcement a fortnight ago of the SDZ designation being approved by the Cabinet.

McGowan will not put family future at risk in glamping quest

Fri, Jun 16, 2017

The Ballina based owner of the Quirky Glamping site in Enniscrone, Co Sligo, has said he will not put his family’s financial future at risk in order to get the project off the ground.

Almost €20,000 in funding distributed to forty two sports and community groups by Mayo Sports Partnership

Fri, Jun 16, 2017

At a recent Mayo Sports Partnership Board meeting close to €20,000 was allocated to 42 clubs/organisations in Mayo through the Partnerships 2017 special participation grant scheme. Special guest at a recent presentation evening, Minister Michael Ring commended all involved in grassroots sport throughout the county, saying: “Supporting clubs and organisations through this annual small grant scheme by Mayo Sports Partnership recognises the vital role that sport is playing in our communities. Without volunteers sport just would not happen and it is vital that we continue to support them in their hugely important work."

Calls for pyrite remediation schemes for Mayo following publication of report

Fri, Jun 16, 2017

Two Mayo senators have called on the Government to bring in a remediation scheme for homes in north Mayo that have been affected by pyrite. Both Sinn Féin senator Rose Conway-Walsh and Fine Gael senator Michelle Mulherin called for such a scheme to be put in place this week after the Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks published their report.

Senator Conway-Walsh said, "At long last we now have a conclusive report confirming pyrite in blocks used to build private and public houses in Mayo and Donegal. We now know at least 345 private homeowners and a number of council estates in Mayo are being destroyed with pyrite. A redress scheme must be put in place immediately. Let this be the first job for the new senior minister.

Mayo’s role in saving the uilleann pipes

Fri, Jun 16, 2017

Happy first birthday to Old Mayo. The first article appeared on June 17 last year. This week’s offering, the 52nd article in the series, focuses on Mayo’s role in aiding the survival of the uilleann pipes. This not particularly old but peculiarly Irish suited instrument with its smooth, haunting, sounds has drifted from popularity to a precarious state and back.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.