Dine at the Dining Room for children with disabilities

Fri, Feb 24, 2017

Local chef Kevin Stirzaker and his team at Dining Room on Bridge Street, Castlebar, are holding a charity event to benefit the Enable Ireland Safari Club for children with disabilities. Popular publican Mick Byrnes of Byrnes’ pub, will be guest chef for the night under the watchful eye of Kevin and his team. Up to 70 guests will be wined and dined with a specially selected menu over two dinner sittings on Tuesday, at 6.30pm and 9.00pm. Local food and beverage suppliers are also supporting the night.

SIPTU to hold major rally in Westport in support of Tim Hastings workers

Fri, Feb 24, 2017

SIPTU members from across the country will attend a rally in Westport, on Saturday, March 4, to show their support for workers who have been on strike at the garage since early February. The strike action results from a dispute concerning the alledged non-payment of redundancy entitlements and a refusal by management to respect a Labour Court recommendation alledge the union.

Mayo healthy reading scheme launched at Castlebar library

Fri, Feb 24, 2017

The Mayo Healthy Reading Scheme was recently launched at Castlebar Library. This joint initiative by the HSE and Mayo County Council Library Services aims to promote the availability of a wide variety of self help books on a range of common psychological, emotional, and parenting issues. A total of 88 books are available free to all library members at the various library branches throughout the county. Topics covered include bereavement, depression, relationship problems, parenting issues, and self esteem. Some of the books available include Children and Bullying, Overcoming Depression, Overcoming Childhood Trauma, The Mindful Way Through Depression, and Parent Power. All of the books have been recommended by health professionals.

Discover Mayo on the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail

Fri, Feb 24, 2017

The ninth annual Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Walking Festival is taking place over three days, starting on Friday March 10 and running through to Sunday March 12.

Croagh Patrick to turn pink in charity challenge

Fri, Feb 24, 2017

The Croagh Patrick Pink Link Challenge will take place on Saturday, April 8. The main aim of this event is to form a human link from the bottom to the top of Croagh Patrick to raise awareness of cancer but also to symbolize solidarity for all the people and families affected by a cancer diagnosis. The chain will take approximately 3,000-4,000 people to be successful and anyone can take part and wear something pink to show support. The challenge is based on four different levels which makes it suitable for people of all fitness levels to take part.

Taoiseach launches Balla Town Park

Fri, Feb 24, 2017

Balla Town Park and Western Forestry Co-op was delighted to welcome An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle, to the official opening of the Balla Town Park NeighbourWood community woodland on Monday.

Two hundred and fifty year old Westport shows no signs of aging

Fri, Feb 24, 2017

Westport’s epic All-Ireland Intermediate final win last Sunday has come at the start of what is set to be an exciting year for the town. The westerners made history in the capital by becoming the first Mayo side to take the Intermediate title. While the people of Westport relocated from Croagh Patrick to Croke Park for a few nervous hours, they returned late Sunday night to a town that is planning to mark its own historic milestone. On March 17 1767, John Browne, Baron Mount Eagle, placed a notice in Faulkner’s Journal announcing his ambitious vision. "A New Town is immediately to be built near the Old Town of Westport in the County of Mayo, according to Plans and Elevations & already fixed upon, consisting of a large and elegant Market house, situated in the centre of an Octagon area of 200 feet, and to be enclosed with Twelve large well finished slated Houses, together with three avenues for Streets of thirty slated Houses, and several very large Streets for [a] great number of thatched Houses and Cabins," so read part of Browne’s announcement.

Enda the line?

Fri, Feb 17, 2017

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is facing a crucial few days that will decide when he will announce the date when he will step down a leader of Fine Gael.

North Mayo councillors raise queries, but Westport House purchase loan is passed

Fri, Feb 17, 2017

The raising of a loan of €2.5 million for the purchase of 40 acres of land in the Westport House estate by Mayo County Council, along with some other land the council is looking at buying in the county, was passed without any formal objections at the council's February meeting on Monday.

Ring welcomes arts funding for Mayo

Fri, Feb 17, 2017

Minister of State for Regional Economic Development, Michael Ring, this week welcomed the announcement that Mayo is set to receive €109,574 in funding from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for three projects in Mayo.

Positive indications on SDZ status for IWAK says Hynes

Fri, Feb 17, 2017

Almost ten years on since it was first mooted, a strategic development zone (SDZ) for Ireland West Airport Knock could be about to get approval, the chief executive of Mayo County Council, Peter Hynes said this week.

The Inishkea seal slaughter

Fri, Feb 17, 2017

In October 1981, the carcases of 140 butchered seals were discovered on the Inishkea Islands, off the Belmullet peninsula. The slaughter horrified the public and animal welfare groups and the brutal manner in which the animals met their doom had ensured that the incident would gather negative media attention for the Erris area. But who carried out the massacre and why? The finger of blame immediately pointed to local fishermen.

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