Mayo gets ready to shelter from potential storms

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

Mayo County Council have their preparations well under way in case their is a repeat of the storm conditions that battered the county last Christmas.

Foxford family join appeal to re-open assistance dog programme

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

A family from Foxford have described how the arrival of an assistance dog called Nikita, who has become a constant and loyal companion for their young son with autism spectrum disorder, has changed their lives.

Westport wins top prize in Tourism Town competition

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

Yesterday afternoon, Westport picked up the big award at the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Towns Award for Ireland’s best large tourist town. This is the third year of the awards and Westport is following in the footsteps of Portmagee in Kerry, which won in 2012, and Kilkenny, last year’s winners.

Plans afoot to cash in on Mayo’s potential as a film location

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

A new drive to develop Mayo as a serious player in the film and television industry is being launched on Monday.

Westport mourns the death of Seán Staunton

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

The town of Westport came to a standstill at lunchtime last Monday for the funeral of Seán Staunton, a man described by Fr Charlie McDonnell during his funeral Mass as “The father of Westport”.

Free Christmas parking in Ballina

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

Ballina Municipal District Council has confirmed there will be free car parking in the town in the lead-up to Christmas.

Castlebar Credit Union turns dance to cash for worthy local charities

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

The pupils at St Anthony’s school in Castlebar are really getting into the swing of a welcome new addition to their play area.

A bug bite wrecked Elaine Griffin’s health

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

'Once Bitten Twice Shy’, a new song released by Westport woman Elaine Griffin, could on first hearing easily be mistaken for another lyrical love lament.

Report due in early new year on Carrowholly flooding

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

Mayo County Council expects to have a report by early next year from the expert consultant group that was hired to investigate the causes of the flooding in Carrowholly in Westport last Christmas, that saw a stone bridge washed away and a number of people cut off by the tides.

Home owners need cover for hefty fire fighting fee

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

A senior official with Mayo County Council has urged householders to ensure they are not left significantly out of pocket if they have to call on the services of their local fire brigade.

New CELTA course starting in the new year

Fri, Nov 28, 2014

Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), Teaching English as a foreign language, or TEFL, is a popular choice among graduates who want to go travelling or people wishing to change career. “There are many courses and it’s all a bit bewildering,” said Mary Grennan, director of International House Galway. “You need a course which is accepted by quality schools, such as the CELTA — it’s the most recognised ELT qualification in the world.”

Why is the CELTA so famous? “It’s been in existence since 1962, when it was written by the founder of IH, John Haycraft, and it’s now administered by the University of Cambridge,” Ms Grennan explained. The CELTA is accepted at the best language schools worldwide. “It’s amazing, there can’t be many courses where someone finishes up on a Friday and finds themselves teaching in Barcelona the following Monday, as happened recently to a CELTA trainee - and without a word of Spanish.”