A celebration of Mayo food at Westport Food Festival

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

The flagship event of this year's Westport Food Festival which runs from Friday June 24 to Sunday June 26 is The Banquet which takes place on Friday June 24 at 7pm. The Banquet is a "celebration of Mayo food" and will be held in Hotel Westport where a host of local chefs will combine their talents to create a fabulous four-star course feast for the senses. The feast will be followed by music and dancing late into the night.

Two Mayo lads among Rose of Tralee Escorts

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

Two lads from Mayo have graduated from Boot Camp and will travel to Kerry as Rose Escorts at the 2016 Rose of Tralee International Festival. Mark Duffy (24) and John Marren (27) were among the 65 guys who will be the Rose Escorts to 65 Roses taking part in this year’s extended festival from August 17 to 23 in Tralee. The lads were put through their paces over the June Bank Holiday Weekend at the annual Boot Camp in Dingle, Ballybunion and Castlegregory along the Wild Atlantic Way in Kerry.

The midnight magic of the corncrake

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

The distinctive call of the corncrake is something that once heard is never forgotten. While it's not the most pleasing on the ear, you have an opportunity next Friday night to hear it's distinctive call on a midnight corncrake tour on the Mullet Peninsula. As part of the Erris Beo festival and in conjunction with Belmullet Tidy Towns and Ballycroy National Park, a midnight corncrake tour will take place. This is a chance to experience it in the Wild Erris region.

Mayo man who sexually assaulted his four young daughters in 'horror of a home' jailed for four and a half years

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

A man who sexually assaulted his four young daughters in a “horror of a home” has been jailed for four and a half years. Judge Patrick McCartan said that Mayo native Bernard Cunningham (66) has never shown any remorse for subjecting his children to “unspeakable mental and physical cruelty”. Last April a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court returned unanimous guilty verdicts on eight charges of indecent and sexual assault committed between 1978 and 1992.

Cunningham, of Royston, Kimmage Road West, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty to the charges. At his sentence hearing Judge McCartan noted how Cunningham had met the case by instructing his lawyers to put it to his daughters that they were lying. He noted the “absolute absence of any remorse” and said the victims had been subjected to the most protracted and careful probing during cross-examination of their testimony.

Seosamh Mac Gabhann Summer School heritage tour

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

As part of the Seosamh Mac Gabhann Summer School, which will run from July 3 to 8), a heritage tour will take place on Sunday, July 3. The tour, which is open to the public and free to attend, will commence at the ‘Cois Tine’ Heritage Centre in Kilmovee at 2pm. This year’s tour will focus on events in East Mayo pre and post 1916 with their tour guide - local historian James Reddiough. The author of seven books, James wrote The History of the East Mayo Brigade in 2005. As part of his research, he spoke to people in Kilmovee who recalled activities post 1916 in the Kilmovee area and participants will visit sites impacted during those troubled times.

€10,000 raised for Western Care in Westport House open day

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

A fortnight ago, Westport House's annual open day in aid of and in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Western Care Association was held and it was a massive success. They were blessed with great weather, a great turnout, great atmosphere, great entertainment, great craic and a really great charity. Westport House was delighted to announce that €10,000 was raised through the event for Western Care. Both Western Care and Westport House would like to thank all of the people who gave generously to all the bucket shakers and in the raffle - instead of paying for admission to Westport House on the day.

Local Diaspora Engagement Fund allocations for Mayo

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

Minister of State for Regional Economic Development Michael Ring has welcomed the announcement that €28,000 in funding has been awarded to Mayo under the Local Diaspora Engagement Fund 2016. This funding is part of an overall funding of €350,000 which has been allocated to 105 local and community organisations around the country for projects and initiatives under the Local Diaspora Engagement Fund (LDEF) 2016.

Get painting 'En plein air' this June

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

Listed in The Irish Times as number eight in its list of 50 Things To Do in Ireland This Summer, a free open-air painting/sketching event for adults takes place in Castlebar on Saturday June 18 from 11am to 5pm.

Emma was the brightest at Bloom

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

On Sunday last at the Solus Garden at Bloom in the Phoenix Park, Emma O'Shea (8) from Ballinrobe was chosen as the Brightest at Bloom on the yellow carpet from 10 finalists. Solus Brightest at Bloom is a nod to Ladies' Day but all-inclusive, open to ladies, gentlemen, children and all sunny dispositions young and not so young. It is not just about fashion but more about luminosity, brightness, and light.

Motor insurance costs need to be tackled — Calleary

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

Fianna Fáil has brought forward a Dáil motion this week which aims to drive down the cost of motor insurance. Over the past two years motorists have seen their premiums rise by a massive 60 per cent — placing a huge burden on family budgets.

Mayo TD Dara Calleary commented: “Motor insurance is one of the fastest rising costs being experienced by personal and business customers alike. And because it is a compulsory cost for motorists, they are bearing the brunt of these extortionate price hikes. I am hearing stories every day from people who are seeing their premiums jumping by hundreds of euros and they are extremely worried about being able to afford the cost.

Taoiseach welcomes funding for works in Mayo schools

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, that 18 Mayo schools will to receive funding for Additional Accommodation and Emergency Works. "Fourteen schools have been approved for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme, which will allow them to carry out works on roof repairs, accessibility of the school and structural repairs," the Taoiseach said.

The schools to receive funding for emergency works are: St Joseph's CC, Charlestown; Geesala NS; Rice College, Westport; Scoil Phadraig, Market Square, Ballina; Scoil Iosa, Convent Hill, Ballina; Scoil Cholmcille, Breaffy, Ballina; Gortjordan National School; Culmore National School; Sacred Heart School, Westport; St Joseph's Community College, Charlestown; Behymore National School; St Colman's College, Claremorris; and Ballinrobe Community School.

Poetry award for Westport students

Fri, Jun 10, 2016

Five children from the Quay School in Westport have been named among the winners in this year's annual Cavan Crystal Poetry Competition. This national competition is open to children throughout the island of Ireland and while the Quay School has been among the winners in the past, it was extraordinary that five pupils from fifth and sixth classes were listed among this year's award recipients.

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