Four weddings and a mutiny – India 1920

Fri, Jun 02, 2023

On 28 June 1920, members of the Connaught Rangers Regiment stationed at Wellington Barracks, Jullundur in Punjab, mutinied in protest against the activities of the British Army in Ireland. The irony of their stance as members of a colonial occupying army was, it would seem, lost on them. Two men took the protest to the Connaught Rangers company at Solon Barracks the next day. On the evening of 1 July, a group armed with bayonets attempted to take weapons from the magazine fort at Solon. The guard opened fire, killing a mutineer and an innocent man. The protest started peacefully at both locations—orders were ignored, tricolours were flown, Sinn Féin rosettes were worn, and rebel songs were sung. Sixty-one men were convicted of mutiny. Fourteen were sentenced to death, but only one, James Joseph Daly, was executed. Those imprisoned were released in 1923. Ballina man James J. Devers, one of the Solon mutineers, was among those released. Devers enlisted in 1918.

Ballina is like a sub on a team with no N5 signage

Fri, May 19, 2023

Despite the fact that Ballina is currently on a high following the visit of US President Joe Biden and ongoing celebrations in the town for its year-long 300th anniversary - the actual existence of the town is being kept a secret by Mayo County Council - as there is little or no signposting telling people how to get there.

The charge was made by Cllr John O'Hara at this week's Ballina MD meeting, where he stated: "We are the biggest town in Mayo but Castlebar and Westport seem to be promoted one together while Ballina is kind of sidelined. You come into Castlebar and see a sign for Foxford and a sign for Swinford, but tourists coming in don’t see anything to do with Ballina and would not even know of it, only for the US President's visit.

Buzz in Ballina as Biden Bounce continues

Fri, May 19, 2023

A month on and Ballina is still buzzing and proud following the visit of President Biden to the north Mayo town as people can now reflect and enjoy video footage of the event going global, while looking forward to an ongoing busy calendar of events as the Ballina 300th year-long anniversary continues right throughout 2023.

At the May meeting of Ballina MD this week, following the Head of MD report which noted four events of focus in April - namely, preparations for visit of President Biden; preparations for Mayo Day; preparations for Mini-Marathon and the launch of Ballina Rowing Club, a warm glow spread around the council chamber from the feel-good factor of Ballina being recognised as a happening town with exciting things going on.

Westport relay for life this weekend

Fri, May 19, 2023

Relay for life is a global event which celebrates and remembers those who have and are fighting cancer. The first relay for life event in Westport takes place over this weekend, May 20th & 21st, during which there will be a free music and dancing event for all the family taking place on The Fairgreen, including artists such as Seoda, Peter Molloy, Tony Reidy, Coda, The Clew Bay Pipe Band and more.

The long dark shadow

Fri, May 19, 2023

Private James Barry was posted as a sentry at the barrack gate in Castlebar on the night of 13 May 1830. When darkness descended, he tied a long handkerchief to the trigger of his musket. He then tied the other end to the gate bolt, put the muzzle to his chest and stepped backwards. The shot passed through his heart and exited through his spine. The inquest found Barry suffered from temporary insanity occasioned by 'fatal love'.

Sacred Heart beds needed to help MUH

Fri, May 12, 2023

With Mayo University Hospital issuing yet another alert this week asking the public not to attend at the Emergency Department unless absolutely essential, a Mayo TD has called for the government to intervene and provide respite care beds in Mayo to tackle the problem.

Support called for rural political party

Fri, May 12, 2023

Brendan Lavelle, chair of Keenagh Development, has issued a call for rural communities to support the call by Michael Fitzmaurice, TD, for a political party focused on representing rural communities.

The Castlebar mutineer

Fri, May 12, 2023

On 21 September 1797, HMS Hermione was hit by a squall off the coast of Cape Nicola Mole. The storm set in motion a series of events that led to the bloodiest mutiny in British naval history. One account places Castlebar man Patrick Walsh among the ringleaders. During the storm, Captain Hugh Pigot ordered the topsails to be reefed. The topmen struggled to get it done quickly. An angry Pigot screamed—the last man down will be flogged. In the panic, three young sailors fell to their death. Pigot had their bodies thrown overboard. Two boatswain's mates were tasked with flogging the remainder of the topmen for dissent.

Belclare to Murrisk Greenway is now scrapped - says councillor

Fri, Apr 07, 2023

Mayo County Council has confirmed that responsibility for the development of greenway trails around the county has been transferred from the Department of Rural and Community Development to Transport Infrastructure Ireland - and that the only discussions regarding Mayo greenway trails underway with TII relate to the Bunnacurry section in Achill.

US President Biden to visit Mayo next week

Fri, Apr 07, 2023

It has been confirmed that the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, will pay an official visit to Ireland next week at the invitation of the Taoiseach. The visit will take place from April 12 to 15, during which, President Biden is to travel to Ballina, where he is scheduled to deliver a homecoming speech outside St Muredach's Cathedral on Friday evening, April 14.

Claremorris's Robert Lally elected North West Vice-President of Macra

Fri, Apr 07, 2023

Robert Lally from Claremorris has been elected North West Vice-President of Macra and is pictured here celebrating (back left) with President Elect Elaine Houlihan (wearing green), Vice President Elect - Patrick Jordan, Leinster and Aishling O’Keeffe, Munster (wearing red), following the Macra elections on Wednesday night. Robert is a full-time beef farmer and was co-founder of Claremorris Macra club in 2019 and has held national roles including Mayo NCR for 2022/23 and being a member of Macra’s Agricultural Affairs committee in 2022/23. He also represented Ireland in the European Congress of young farmers in Brussels last December (2022).

Councillor forecasts poor summer for Mayo

Fri, Mar 31, 2023

A Westport Fine Gael councillor has asserted that Mayo is set to have a poor tourist season this summer as a result of a shortage of accommodation due to the housing of Ukrainians, tied in with the fact that, as a county, it has become 'stale' in terms of what it offers visitors.

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