Westport House named as Ireland’s most innovative leisure tourism destination

Fri, Feb 10, 2017

The landmark Westport House has been the recipient of a major tourism award. The 18th century house and estate was named as Ireland’s Best Leisure Tourism Innovation in the county category at the Irish Tourism Industry Awards ceremony at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin last weekend.

Mayo bucks the trend on car sales for January

Thu, Feb 09, 2017

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) last week issued the official 171 car sales figures for January along with presenting its final SIMI/DoneDeal Quarterly Motor Industry Review of 2016. The report showed that car sales in Mayo were up 2.7 per cent in January 2017 compared with figures from January 2016. There were 816 new car registrations in the county in the first month of this year compared to 794 last January.

More than €12k paid in expenses for councillors to attend two events

Fri, Feb 03, 2017

A total of €12,228.26 was paid in expenses by Mayo County Council to elected members to attend just two events last year. When it came to expenses for conferences, training and meetings in Ireland, a total of €72,438.85 was paid out to the members for 2016 who, according to the figures released, attended 201 conferences and training events between them, working out at an average of €360 per claim.

Do you want to help children from Chernobyl?

Fri, Feb 03, 2017

Candle of Grace is a newly formed not-for-profit organisation set up in Castlebar. Its main function is to host a few Chernobyl children from Belarus for much needed rehabilitation holidays. The idea of such an organisation came about from a family who themselves originate from the Chernobyl area in Belarus and know about their problems first hand. Having moved to Ireland a few years ago they were amazed at the generosity and kind-heartedness of the Irish people who know about Chernobyl and have been helping its victims for 30 years now.

Planning for Mayo Pride well under way

Fri, Feb 03, 2017

Planning and fundraising is in full swing for the first Mayo Pride which will take place from July 21 to 23. Taking the lead on this event is Cathy Blake, the current chairperson of OutWest, an LGBT+ social and support group based in the west of Ireland. “OutWest will be 20 years old this year and what more a fitting tribute to its founder members than being part of the first ever Mayo Pride,” said Cathy.

Westport250 gets ready to celebrate

Fri, Feb 03, 2017

In 1767, an ad was placed in Faulkner’s Dublin Journal by the second Earl of Altamont Peter Browne Kelly advertising for tradesmen to build a new town as designed by architect William Leeson. This is considered the foundation year of Westport town. 

The Irish Post to buy assets of Irish TV

Thu, Feb 02, 2017

The Irish Post an Irish diaspora newspaper based in the UK and Michael McAteer of Grant Thornton, Dublin have agreed a transaction in relation to certain business assets of Irish TV subject to approval of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Irish TV which had its headquarters in Westport was placed into liquidation late last year with the loss of over 20 jobs.

Taoiseach announces €6 million investment and 20 new jobs in Newport

Sat, Jan 28, 2017

Taoiseach Enda Kenny on Saturday, announced the creation of 20 new jobs and a €6 million investment in the Marine Institute's facility in Newport.  The 20 new positions will be based at the Marine Institute, Newport, where they will be engaged on a number of research projects funded from a secured pot of €6 million in research grants from a number of agencies including Science Foundation Ireland, Interreg, EU H2020/European Research Council, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and the British Research Council.

Local business family purchase Westport House

Fri, Jan 27, 2017

On Friday morning, the Browne family confirmed that it has agreed with Westport House and Estate's administrators on the sale of the historic landmark in Westport. In February 2016, the family had reluctantly agreed to the sale of Westport House and Estate. They impressed upon their advisers that the best way to secure the future of this jewel in the crown of Mayo tourism was to attract an investor who would purchase the historic property and fulfill the plans and ambitions of the late Lord Altamont Jeremy Browne, the 11th Marquess of Sligo, to develop the estate as an integrated tourist attraction. The new oweners of the properites is local business family the Hughes who own Hotel Westport and Portwest.

426 children waiting for Occupational Therapy appointments in Mayo

Tue, Jan 24, 2017

Fianna Fáil Deputy for Mayo Lisa Chambers has labelled waiting times for children seeking occupational therapy services in Mayo as appalling.

Taoiseach welcomes €20.4 million Investment in Mayo Roads

Tue, Jan 24, 2017

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D. has welcomed the announcement of €20,417,862 for Regional and Local Roads in Mayo in 2017. Taoiseach Kenny said “I welcome confirmation by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross T.D. that over €20 million will be invested in Regional and Local Roads in Mayo in 2017. This funding is part of a nationwide €324 million investment programme to maintain and strengthen our regional road network.”

Man airlifted to hospital following workplace accident in Belmullet

Mon, Jan 23, 2017

A man was airlifted from Belmullet to Galway University Hospital on Monday afternoon following a workplace accident in the town. The man was believed to be working on the Belmullet sewarage scheme when the accident happend when a trench collapsed on him at  Sraid An Pharasigh in the town. 

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