Huge cost to deal with sticky littering problem

Fri, Jun 20, 2014

Mayo County Council is forking out some €15,000 over the coming weeks to deal with the gooey mess that is gum litter on Ballina’s main thoroughfares.

Director of services in the Ballina Municipal District, Paul Benson, revealed the clean-up costs for the sticky problem at the launch of a new campaign to reduce gum litter in the north Mayo capital on Monday.

Bertra to reopen in two weeks’ time

Fri, Jun 20, 2014

Although the prized Blue Flag is no longer flying over scenic Bertra Beach at the foot of Croagh Patrick, things are finally starting to look up again at one of the county’s favourite bathing spots.

Changes to oil and gas licensing terms are ‘cosmetic’ — Shell to Sea

Fri, Jun 20, 2014

The announcement by Minister for Natural Resources Fergus O’Dowd this week of the details of the 2015 Atlantic Margin Oil and Gas Exploration licensing round were described as ‘cosmetic’ by Shell to Sea this week.

Pharmacist urges parents to get advice on painkillers

Fri, Jun 20, 2014

A Mayo pharmacist has urged parents to get proper advice when it comes to giving their children medicine after new research released this week indicated that 30 per cent of parents are giving their children painkillers to help them sleep at night or on a long journey.

Geraldine Lavelle trust thanks everyone for their support

Fri, Jun 20, 2014

The Geraldine Lavelle Trust fundraising committee wishes to express appreciation and thanks to everybody who has supported its during the ongoing fundraising campaign. They have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support they have received from the public.

The publicity for the Midsummer Night Dance for Geraldine Lavelle in the Welcome Inn Hotel on June 21 has made the national and local headlines, with it being mentioned on national radio and in other national media outlets. Committee spokespersons have been on local radio promoting the fundraising effort, while Mayo senior footballers, Aidan O'Shea, Tom Cunniffe, Alan Dillon, Keith Higgins, Cillian O'Connor, have all shared information on the trust on social media. At the Castlebar Street Festival a few weeks Leo Moran of the Saw Doctors wore a Geraldine Lavelle T-shirt on stage.

SIPTU workers picket Roadstone plant

Fri, Jun 20, 2014

SIPTU workers at Roadstone in Castlebar have placed an official picket at the Castlebar quarry since Monday morning this week. The picket is part of a nationawide strike against cuts to general operatives’ wages. There are 16 SIPTU members involved in the picket on the Castlebar plant. The company and the union had been involved in negotiations over the past while, however the negotiations broke down over the weekend and the picket was placed by the union workers on Monday morning and continued through to yesterday evening.

Ballina playwright bringing war years to life onstage

Fri, Jun 20, 2014

Local historian and author Terry Reilly has penned a new play telling the stories of the Ballina men who fought and died in the trenches of World War I and the families they left behind.

Liam Durkan memorial walk tomorrow in Castlebar

Fri, Jun 20, 2014

The 10th anniversary of the death of Liam Durkan will be marked this Saturday with a memorial walk around Lough Lannagh. The walk will get under way at 12 noon in the Lough Lannagh car park and there will be refreshments served in Castlebar Tennis Club afterwards. Liam was deeply involved with the Castlebar Tidy Towns Committee from 1997 until his death in 2004. Liam worked tirelessly on behalf of Castlebar on many projects including the redevelopment of Market Square, The Mall, and in particular the Lough Lannagh Enhancement project.

It was through Liam's vision and passion for Castlebar that he initiated the Environmental Enhancement Scheme at Lough Lannagh in 1999. This project included the provision of a lighting scheme; pathways and walks; nature habitats; litter bins; seating; signage on wildlife, etc. All this work in the early days was done on a voluntary basis with assistance and funding from many sources including South Mayo Leader Company; Castlebar Chamber of Commerce; FAS Community Employment Scheme; Castlebar Town Council; Mayo County Council; and several local businesses that contributed in terms of sponsorship.

Young poets impress in national competition

Fri, Jun 20, 2014

Four young students from the county have won recognition from the National Museum of Country Life and Poetry Ireland for their poetic musings inspired by objects from Ireland’s past.

Island run raises €26,000

Fri, Jun 20, 2014

The Clare Island 10k 2014 has raised an impressive €26,000 for Cancer Care West.

Fine Gael and Sinn Féin team up in Claremorris

Fri, Jun 20, 2014

Fine Gael has managed to rescue one top post in local politics in Mayo following the major power shift brought about in the Local Elections at the end of May.