Two Mayo pubs take top honours at national Bar of the Year awards

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

It was cheers all round for two Mayo pubs at the Bar of the Year awards on Tuesday night in Dublin.

Mayo gardai honoured for their bravery

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

Two Mayo gardai and a reserve garda were presented with National Bravery Awards at Farmleigh House in Dublin by Ceann Comhairle, Séan Barrett recently. Garda Mark Irwin was awarded with two bronze medals and a certificate of bravery and Garda John Boyle and reserve Garda Stephen Corrigan were both honoured with a bronze medal and a certificate of bravery at the ceremony.

At approximately 4am. on November 18 last, Garda John Boyle and Garda Mark Irwin, while patrolling the Westport Quay area, observed a car hanging at the edge of a pier. As they approached, they noticed a male in distress and when they went to the edge of the pier, the two gardaí saw a young man in the sea. It appeared that he had attempted to exit the car once it had crashed but had fallen 15 feet into the sea. Both gardaí decided to make their way down to him via a fixed ladder and entered the sea. They then dragged the man from the sea and carefully brought him back up the ladder and onto dry ground. He was subsequently brought to Mayo General Hospital where he made a full recovery. The water was at high tide, approximately 20 feet deep and the temperature was freezing at the time of the incident. The two gardaí involved displayed considerable bravery in the actions they took. Without the swift actions of both gardaí the man concerned may well have perished. For their efforts Garda Mark Irwin was awarded a bronze medal and certificate of bravery and Garda John Boyle was awarded a bronze medal and a certificate of bravery.

Coroner’s inquests into Mayo murders to open before Christmas

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

The coroner for south Mayo, John O’Dwyer, will open coroner’s inquests into the deaths of four people murdered in Mayo last year.

Man charged with knife attack

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

A Swinford man charged in connection with a knife attack on Dublin GAA star Jonny Cooper is to appear back before the district court today (Friday).

Campaign for new town hall in Ballinrobe

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

By Frances Toner
A renewed campaign is under way to see a purpose-built town hall facility constructed in Ballinrobe.

Claremorris Boxing Club fights back from ring theft

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

There was some good news for Claremorris Boxing Club last week.

Larry Hingerton, an inspiration for Operation Transportation

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

Westport Smarter Travel’s Operation Transportation finished last Friday, October 24. The Westport Smarter Travel team is now compiling the results and Westport’s Smartest Travel Community Group will be announced in the coming weeks. A total of 18 community groups took part with lots of members choosing smarter travel for the five week period. One community group member who must be given a special mention for his dedication to smarter travel is Larry Hingerton, a member of Westport Town Band, and although he is 85 he chooses to walk to Mass from the Quay every day.

Lighting up Ballyhaunis

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

One lucky individual is to win a €500 shopping spree in Ballyhaunis as part of a fundraising campaign to light the town up for Christmas.

The Ballyhaunis Traders Association and Ballyhaunis Chamber of Commerce came up with the idea of a bumper draw to help raise the €10,000 it costs to deck the town in festive lighting each year.

Breege Mulvaney is Mayo’s Carer of the Year

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

Following an unprecedented level of nominations for The Carers Association’s Carers of the Year Awards 2014, Breege Mulvaney from Charlestown has been announced as Mayo’s Carer of the Year 2014. She was presented with her award at a special presentation on Wednesday afternoon in the Park Hotel, Kiltimagh.

Famous wildlife film-maker to share tales of adventure in Castlebar

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

Up close and personal encounters with polar bears in the Arctic, the secret wonders of wolves in the wild, and a year spent with a family of black bears in Minnesota, are just some of the adventures people in Mayo can expect to hear about if they go along to a new live show by famous documentary film-maker Gordan Buchanan.

The Scottish wildlife expert is coming to the Ruby Room, in the Royal Theatre, Castlebar, on November 13, as part of his Lost Adventures tour of Scotland and Ireland.

Volunteer corner

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

Mayo Volunteer Centre works to promote and support volunteering in Mayo. The centre manages an online database of volunteering opportunities, which you can view at www.volunteermayo.ie.