Activities at Old Head this weekend

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

As part of the development of the Blueway initiative, watersports activities will be provided for beginners and improvers, adults and children, at Old Head Beach on Sunday August 18 starting at noon and continuing until 5pm.

Local activity providers Adventure Islands, Adventure West, and Westcoast Climbing will provide the equipment, instruction, and the fun on the day. You just need to arrive with your swimming togs, a towel, and a smile. Delphi Adventure Company will also be in attendance on the day.

Westport RFC awarded Ulster Bank support package

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

Ulster Bank RugbyForce, an initiative which provides rugby clubs with support to renovate their club and upgrade their facilities, has announced Westport RFC in Mayo as one of five winners of a support package worth €5,000.

Mayo native in Rose of Tralee International Festival

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

The Rose of Tralee International Festival and Rose Gathering (August 14 to 20) is under way and the Abu Dhabi Rose, Sara Moffatt, is excited ahead of her Rose journey.

Visiting restrictions at Mayo General Hospital due to winter vomiting bug

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

Visiting restrictions are in place in Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar due to the presence of Norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug. There has been an ongoing presence of the virus in the community over the past number of weeks. Anyone with recent symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting or who had contact with others who have these symptoms should not visit patients in the hospital to avoid spreading the virus.

The HSE says that due to a presence of the virus in A Ward visitors will be restricted in this area and visiting to non-affected areas will be strictly limited to visiting times as a precautionary measure. The regular hospital visiting times are between 2pm and 4pm and between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, and will be strictly observed. Arrangements will be made for family members of critically ill patients on the affected ward to visit; this should be arranged through the nurse on duty in the ward prior to arrival at the hospital.

Illegal Castlebar campsites causing outrage among locals

Fri, Aug 09, 2013

An illegal encampment of caravans at one of Castlebar’s most popular tourist amenities caused outrage among nearby residents and local elected representatives this week.

Ballinrobe councillor welcomes Gateway initiative

Fri, Aug 09, 2013

Fine Gael councillor Michael Burke has welcomed the confirmation that negotiations are at an advanced stage for the introduction of a labour activation initiative known as Gateway, which is specifically designed to provide workplace opportunities for the long-term unemployed to undertake work in local authorities. Gateway is being developed jointly by the City and County Managers Association in conjunction with the Department Social Welfare, with assistance from the Department of Environment.

Cllr Burke was also able to confirm that Mayo County Council is one of the 13 local authorities chosen to introduce the scheme first between now and the end of the year. “I am delighted to announce that negotiations for the introduction of this initiative are at an advanced stage and we should have the first beneficiaries of this scheme in employment with the council in the coming months. I have specifically called for the introduction of government-led labour initiatives since my election and I am delighted that these calls have been taken on board by the relevant ministers. The type of work to be undertaken through Gateway will include removal of litter, cleaning up of flower beds, removal of graffiti and sign cleaning, painting and cleaning of derelict building and sites, etc. Our communities will benefit greatly from this initiative due to the increased manpower carrying out this sort of work” he stated.

Ógra Fianna Fáil joins Mayo cancer cycle

Fri, Aug 09, 2013

Ógra Fianna Fáil in Mayo is inviting all Ógra members and party supporters young and old to join in the Great Western Greenway Charity Cycle taking place on Sunday, August 11 in aid of Mayo Cancer Support Rock Rose House.

The charity cycle includes three routes and participants can do just one route or alal three combined on the day, which includes a cycle from Westport to Newport, from Newport to Mulranny, and from Mulranny to Achill. Registration points are at Westport Leisure Centre from 9am and Kelly’s garage Newport from 9.30am. Entry fee is €20 and participants receive event T-shirt, water supplies, and refreshments at Mulranny Park Hotel. Helmets are compulsory.

Calling former Roses of Tralee

Fri, Aug 09, 2013

Organisers of the Rose of Tralee Festival are trying to contact former Mayo and Mayo born Roses for a very special tribute event which takes place during the festival in Tralee, Co Kerry later this month.

VIPs help launch Mayo Gathering

Fri, Aug 09, 2013

A host of VIPs turned out in force to help launch the start of the Mayo North and Manchester Mayo Gathering on Thursday August 1. The UK's Lib Dem MP of the Year, John Leech, who is the coalition government’s spokesperson for Sport, Media, Tourism and Culture, flew in to help launch the event. He was greeted on his arrival in Attymass by Ballycong resident, 95-year-old Annie Hennigan.

Mulherin wants community reward for support of Oweninny wind farm

Fri, Aug 09, 2013

Mayo Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin has welcomed the news that both the ESB and Bord na Mona are to engage in consultations directly with representatives of the various community groups concerned over the proposed development of Ireland's biggest wind farm at Oweninny.

Mayo artist's look at the 1980s in Brown Thomas’ Art & Style Exhibition

Fri, Aug 09, 2013

Are you old enough to have watched the original series of Fame? Do you remember waiting for the new potatoes to arrive? Check out Brid Egan’s display of oil paintings featuring in the Brown Thomas Style & Art window exhibition on Shop Street, Galway.

When we were fully present -an exhibition of five paintings by the Knock born artist - is a thought-provoking commentary on the social and technological changes from the 1980s to the present day.

A bataille of festivities for Mayo

Fri, Aug 09, 2013

Get ready to experience Mayo’s largest Gathering celebration, In Humbert’s Footsteps, which is set to take place in Kilcummin, Killala, Lahardane and Castlebar from Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 August 2013. With participants coming from France, England, Northern and southern Ireland and further afield, the historical re-enactment of the 1798 invasion of Ireland by French forces under the command of General Humbert promises a host of events for all the family, locals and visitors alike; with many of the events free of charge. Appealing to a general audience, over 10,000 visitors are expected in Mayo for these avant-garde festivities.

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