Rail use groups continue to differ on future of disused rail lines

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Extra freight trains are planned between Mayo and Waterford Port each week, bringing the annual total to in excess of 700. The news was broken by rail campaign group West-on-Track, which said the additional trains are for rising volumes of container traffic being shipped by multinationals based in Mayo. A further 730 freight trains currently operate between Mayo and Dublin Port.

Make sure you are registered for Meetwest

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

As the closing date for registration draws ever closer, Meetwest 2016 is an opportunity not to be missed. Meetwest this year is being held in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, on November 24 and 25 and is being hosted by Mayo County Council.

Straw boys Vodka awarded top accolade at this year’s Irish Whiskey Awards

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Straw boys Vodka, which is produced by The Connacht Whiskey Company in Belleek in Ballina, has been named the best Irish Vodka at the Irish Whiskey Awards. The 2016 awards took place in the Tullamore Distillery recently.

St Mary's students ready to hit the stage

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

The convent hall in Ballina will be transformed into East Coast Ivy League Harvard University, when St Mary's Secondary School, Ballina, presents the original stage script Illegally Blonde for a four night run next month.

An eighties classic is being rebooted on Saturday

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Johnny Logan won the Eurovision for the first time, veteran republican Tom Barry died, retired international Robbie Keane was born, and Knockmore and Castlebar Mitchels last met in the Mayo senior club championship final. The year was 1980 and that final saw the meeting of two Mayo footballing traditions. Mitchels, founded in 1885 was the oldest club in the county, while Knockmore, though founded in 1958, were not registered until 1960. Mitchels had 24 senior titles in the bag to Knockmore’s one before the 1980 final. However, it could be said that the playing field had been levelled on the run in to the decider as both teams had shown recent good form. Mitchels had taken the 1978 title by a point against Claremorris and Knockmore were beaten finalists in 1979. Two early Knockmore goals in the 1979 semi-final had knocked champions Castlebar out of contention. Knockmore’s opponents in the final were the all-conquering Garrymore side. Garrymore had completed the three-in-a-row from 1974 to 76 (the last club to do so), and it took a replay for them to be beaten in the 1977 final.

Cautious welcome from Calleary on rheumatology clinic start

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has given a cautious welcome to news that a confirmed start date has finally been issued for the long awaited rheumatology clinic at Mayo University Hospital. The clinic will commence on Friday November 11.

Claremorris Musical Society are ready to tread the boards again

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Last weekend Claremorris Musical Society (CMS) launched its 11th annual production, and this year will be putting on a performance of Me and My Girl. The cast, crew and sponsors came together for a night of celebration and song.

Some €40 million paid out to farmers in Mayo under Basic Payment Scheme — Mulherin

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Senator for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, has confirmed that €40,310,798 has been paid out to farmers in Mayo under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme. Senator Mulherin said: “The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, has confirmed to me that €40,310,798 has been paid out to farmers in Mayo under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme. Nationally, payments worth over €714 million began issuing to in excess of 109,000 farmers last week.

She added: “The Department has received 11,983 applications from Mayo farmers under the Basic Payment Scheme, with 10,033 paid out so far. In times of price volatility for farmers, it is crucial that these payments are issued in the most efficient way possible to farmers here in Mayo who so depend on them. Minister Creed has prioritised the delivery of these payments at the earliest possible date allowable under EU legislation, and it is good to note also that with the move to full online application by 2018, the Department of Agriculture will be able to introduce further efficiencies into the processing of payments. This will make life a lot easier for farmers here in Mayo.

Victims of Crime Scheme open to local organisations

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, has urged local organisations in Mayo who are working with victims of crime to apply for the 2017 Victims of Crime Funding Scheme. He said: "This week, my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, announced the 2017 Victims of Crime Office funding scheme for organisations working with victims of crime. The work that these organisations do, here in Mayo and across the country, to reduce the trauma experienced by victims of crime and to help them to move on with their lives is vital. I am proud to support their invaluable efforts.

Mayo sets up Older Persons Council

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

An open invitation was extended to older people and to organisations and groups that represent older people, to attend a meeting in Lough Lannagh on Monday, last October 10, to progress the setting up of an Older People’s Council in Mayo. The Setting up the Older People Council is an essential component to the roll out of the Age Friendly Strategy which was launched by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny in June of this year .

Will you Dine in the Dark for NCBI?

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

On Thursday November 10, House Of Plates, Castlebar, will challenge local customers to Dine in the Dark as part of Ireland’s first National Dine in the Dark week. On the back of an innovative partnership between the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the National Council for the Blind, 200 restaurants across Ireland will hold their own Dine in the Dark session.

Westport author's debut book chosen for showcase

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Westport based author Keith Martin's first book The Little Book of Sham has been chosen by Fund It to be exhibited as part of a showcase of Project Creators work in Dublin on November 2 in partnership with sponsor Bank of Ireland. The Little Book of Sham will feature in the showcase in the Bank of Ireland Innovation Hub on Grand Canal Square for the month of November. Keith Martin is a librarian in his hometown of Westport.

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