After the results comes the waiting game for Leaving Cert students

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

The waiting game is now being played by the 1,619 students in Mayo who got their Leaving Cert results on Wednesday, as they wait until Monday morning for the first round offers from the CAO for college places. The gender breakdown of those who sat the Leaving Cert in the county saw 19 more males sitting the exams this year, with 801 females sitting the exams and 818 males. A total of 89 students in Mayo sat the Leaving Cert applied examination this year, where they were graded on their work over two years on a continuous basis. The gender breakdown for that stream in Mayo was 31 females and 58 males taking that education stream. Candidates who wish to view their examination scripts to see how the marking scheme was applied to their work have until next Tuesday, August 20, to get their completed application forms in. The forms are available through each candidate’s school. This is a free service available to all candidates. Candidate who wish to appeal their results have until Wednesday September 4 to do so.

Paranormal fundraiser for Mayo Rape Crisis Centre

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

So many people are fascinated by the world of the paranormal. TV shows like Most Haunted and Ghost Hunters International had a massive following and many of the viewers dreamed of spending the night in a haunted house or castle to see if they could find proof that there is something out there. Local WRFM DJ Rita Scott who presents The Crypt has taken this fascination and is using it as a fundraising opportunity. She explains: “We always see bake sales, 5km runs and charity walks, but this is something different to catch the public’s eye.”

Unique exhibition of Mayo artist’s work

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

In September Mayo born artist Niamh O’Malley will return to her home county for a unique exhibition featuring recent examples of her work in five different venues around the Mayo region.

GeoDirectory records thirty six per cent decrease in new buildings in Mayo in first half of 2013

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

Some 250 new residential and commercial buildings were recorded in Mayo for the first six months of 2013, according to new figures released today by GeoDirectory. The figures represent a year-on-year decrease of 36 per cent compared to the same period in 2012 when 392 new buildings were added to the county. The total number of new residential and commercial buildings recorded across the country in the first six months of 2013 was 4,220. The figures represent a continuing year on year decrease of 25 per cent compared to the first six months of 2012, when 5,620 new buildings were added to the database.

Adequate Garda resources in Castlebar JPC meeting told

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

There are adequate Garda resources in the Castlebar Garda district according to the superintendent of Castlebar, Pat Diskin. At the town’s JPC meeting on Monday the superintendent said that Garda resources in Castlebar were not an issue and he also said that crime in the area had “reduced significantly” in the past year—down 56 per cent for burglary offences; assaults are down 38 per cent; public order offences are down 15 per cent; and there has been a 22 per cent reduction in criminal damage offences. “Crime is coming down with the resources we have,” but Supt Diskin added “we can’t be complacent.”

Business and tourism chiefs celebrate Mayo Gathering success

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

A host of business and tourism chiefs from Mayo and Manchester held an inaugural networking lunch on Thursday August 8 to celebrate the success of this year’s Manchester Mayo Gathering. The event which was held at the Ice House in Ballina attracted business and tourism representatives from all over Mayo and Manchester.

Festival of the Pirate Queen

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

It has been more than 500 years since the Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley, commanded the seas from Scotland to Spain from the west coast of Ireland. Can any modern day woman match the determination and bravery of this great Irish legend? The organisers of a new adventure race have thrown down the gauntlet to the women of Ireland. This event will take place on Saturday September 14 on Clare Island. The race course is over 26.6km and involves running, cycling, climbing, and walking the plank. The adventure race is part the Festival of the Pirate Queen which will run for the first time from September 13 to 15.

Mayo Karen community feature in RTE radio series

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

Food For Thought a new radio series set to broadcast on RTE Radio 1 Extra will tell the story of Paw Shee Hta, a woman from the Karen ethnic community, who settled in Mayo with her family six years ago. The Karen have become a familiar sight in Mayo over recent years and the programme reveals something of their remarkable journey from Myanmar, formerly Burma, to Mayo.

Mulherin calls for mandatory contribution to local communities from wind farms

Fri, Aug 16, 2013

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, this week called for a mandatory contribution by wind farms to the economic, environmental, or social impact on local communities where power lines and wind turbines are being erected. This contribution or benefit in kind, would be in addition to the rent paid by wind farms to landowners and the rates paid to local authorities.

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.

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.

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