Woman rescued from holy mountain just days before Reek Sunday

Fri, Jul 29, 2011

“Whatever you do, take your time and stay safe,” advised Colm Byrne, team leader of Mayo Mountain Rescue, when asked about giving advice to people climbing Croagh Patrick on Sunday next, Reek Sunday.

Archbishop Neary to lead annual ‘Reek Sunday’ Pilgrimage

Fri, Jul 29, 2011

The annual Reek Sunday pilgrimage will take place this weekend on Ireland’s holy mountain Croagh Patrick. This pilgrimage has been carried out uninterrupted for more than 1,500 years. Croagh Patrick has some 100,000 visitors annually with up to 20,000 people expected this weekend.

Mayo gets set for National Heritage Week

Fri, Jul 29, 2011

As County Mayo gets set to hold a record number of events for National Heritage Week, the Heritage Council coordinators of the week have issued a call for County Ambassadors in Mayo.

National Heritage Week 2011 takes place nationwide from Saturday August 20 to Sunday 28. Ireland’s heritage is a key attraction for overseas visitors each year and there is an opportunity to engage with tourists while they are here on holidays. The Heritage Council County Ambassador Volunteer Programme will recruit volunteers to become County Ambassadors, located in the local Tourism Information Office throughout National Heritage Week. Their role will be to provide tourists with information on what is happening in the local area as part of the week. Training and support will be provided by the council and Fáilte Ireland to all volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a County Mayo Ambassador for the week, log on to www.heritageweek.ie

Thousands flock to county town for Heart of Castlebar street festival

Fri, Jul 29, 2011

An estimated 10,000 people descended on Castlebar for day three of the inaugural Heart of Castlebar - Féile Sráide ‘Croí Chaisleán an Bharraigh’ last Saturday. The three-day event provided a massive economic boost to the county town where shoppers were told by Taoiseach Enda Kenny to support their local businesses.

Enter your favourite photo from the west in WDC competition

Fri, Jul 29, 2011

The Western Development Commission (WDC) has launched the LookWest.ie My Summer photo competition. The competition, running during July and August, invites people to capture their favourite west of Ireland summer moments and be in with a chance to win the top prize worth €1,500. Photos can be of a great memory, the fun and excitement of attending one of the region’s many festivals or just a lazy, relaxing day that captures the appeal of the West of Ireland. Entry is free, and photos can be uploaded through the competition link on www.lookwest.ie or on the LookWest.ie Facebook page.

Queen of the Lakes festival to draw huge crowds to Ballinrobe

Fri, Jul 29, 2011

Ballinrobe’s popular Queen of the Lakes festival kicks off today (Friday), and it will conclude on Monday when the 2011 Queen of the Lakes is chosen at the annual selection pageant, held in association with Papa John’s Pizza.

Member of Mayo Dental Department wins award for mouthguard research

Fri, Jul 29, 2011

A member of the HSE Dental Department in Castlebar has been awarded the O’Mullane Prize at the annual scientific meeting of The Irish Society for Dentistry for Children for her research highlighting the importance of mouthguard use among National School children taking part in contact sports.

Search for Mayo’s top Silver Surfer is on

Fri, Jul 29, 2011

The Minister for Communications, Energy, and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, launched the Google Silver Surfer Awards with Age Action at Google’s EMEA headquarters in Dublin.

The Sligo Mayo Greenway: Jobs for Sligo and Mayo today

Fri, Jul 29, 2011

Mayo Fine Gael councillor Patsy O’Brien recently dismissed the idea of a greenway along the northern section of the Western Rail Corridor line, north of Claremorris, as “short term gain” and “ad-hockery”. I am not sure what he meant by this term, but the Sligo Mayo Greenway campaign says the idea should not be dismissed flippantly and needs to be examined as a realistic alternative to any proposed railway in the current climate.

Pubs can flout the law as existing ‘after hours’ legislation not in Irish

Fri, Jul 22, 2011

Charges against two publicans in Claremorris for having people on their premises after hours, were dismissed at Claremorris District Court this week, when it was revealed that the relevant legislation for the prosecutions being brought had not being translated into Irish. This was despite the fact that the first piece of legislation, which these prosecutions were brought under, was enacted as far back as 2000.