Rates have doubled in a decade claims chamber president

Fri, Apr 19, 2013

Castlebar Chamber president Oliver Kelleher has claimed that rates in the town have doubled for some businesses in the last 10 years. Addressing a special meeting of Castlebar Town Council, he told the elected members “businesses are paying more in rates than they are to the banks for repayments or in rents.” Kelleher also said the council was not helping local businesses either when it sources products and services from places like Dublin and Cork, instead of supporting its own rate payers.

Kilcoyne disappointed with chamber on town council stance

Fri, Apr 19, 2013

Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne hit out at the Castlebar Chamber for not disassociating itself from a statement from Chambers Ireland, the umbrella body of which Castlebar Chamber is a part, which supported the abolition of town councils. Cllr Kilcoyne called for the chamber to do so and told the chamber delegation who attended last week’s meeting of the town council to remember that the council spent many millions in the town each year, which will be gone next year when the town council is abolished.

Muslim graveyard gets support but causes confusion

Fri, Apr 19, 2013

A motion to have a separate Muslim graveyard in Castlebar received the full backing of the elected members of Castlebar Town Council last week. Cllr Eugene McCormack brought forward the motion, but Cllr Frank Durcan pointed out that he had a similar motion that was passed and supported by the council in the recent past. Cllr Therese Ruane agreed with Cllr Durcan, telling the meeting the motion had been discussed before and was passed previously by the council.

Bank garden in Westport would be ‘legacy’

Fri, Apr 19, 2013

Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Councillor Ollie Gannon, said that the bank garden in Westport—an 18th century walled garden located behind the former Bank of Ireland building on the Mall—should be bought by the council as it would be a “huge attraction to the local, domestic, and international market” and would be a “shining legacy”.

Course for people with diabetes

Fri, Apr 19, 2013

Would you like to learn more about your Type 2 diabetes and also meet others with the same condition in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere? A new programme developed by Diabetes Ireland to help people understand and learn more about the importance of controlling their diabetes starts in May 2013 in Claremorris.

Take part in the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon to support those with MS

Fri, Apr 19, 2013

Multiple Sclerosis Ireland works with families nationwide who are struggling with MS, a progressive neurological condition. A series of work books, comics and activity days are of particular support to teens and kids who have a parent with MS. MS Ireland’s staff and volunteers also work in every county in Ireland to provide practical and emotional support to families.

JCI Mayo Outstanding Young People of Year announced

Fri, Apr 19, 2013

JCI Mayo in association with the Mayo Advertiser and AIB has selected four winners in the JCI TOYP awards.

Tidy Towns competition

Fri, Apr 19, 2013

SuperValu retailers in Mayo are calling on the county to get behind this year’s SuperValu TidyTowns competition. Last year there were 37 entries from Mayo with Westport winning the overall county award, in addition Bridie Moran of Westport TidyTowns was recognised as a SuperValu TidyT owns Hero for 2012.

Hundreds attend public meeting against Hogan’s proposed changes to LEADER

Fri, Apr 12, 2013

Huge opposition to proposed changes to the administration of the LEADER programme which would threaten the future of local developmment companies was mounted in Mayo this week.

‘Putting People First’ is Minister Phil Hogan’s plan to radically change how the LEADER programme will be delivered in the future and includes plans that local authority-led structures should take over the programme. However this will seriously threaten the future of groups such as South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC), a community-led, not for profit, local development organisation which provides funding, supports, and training to communities and individuals throughout south and west Mayo.

Sinn Féin Ard Fheis to bring two thousand delegates to Mayo this weekend

Fri, Apr 12, 2013

The first Sinn Féin Ard Fheis to be held in the west of Ireland will take place in the TF Hotel and Theatre, Castlebar, this weekend. The two day event will see up to 2,000 people coming to the county town for the occasion.

McCormack proposes Muslim burial ground for Castlebar

Fri, Apr 12, 2013

Castlebar town councillor Eugene McCormack submitted a motion to last night’s meeting of the council requesting that the council provide a section of graveyard for the Muslim community.