Paid career break mooted for civil servants

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

Civil servants in Mayo could enjoy two years off work with a €20,000 lump sum in their pocket if the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council gets his way.

Man dropped bag of cocaine in front of garda

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

A man who dropped a €20 worth of cocaine in front of a garda was given the benefit of the probation act in Ballinrobe District Court this week following an adjournment in the sentencing of his case for a probation report.

Mayo students among UCD scholars and high achievers for 2008

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

Eight Mayo students were among the 224 scholarship recipients for 2008 announced by Dr Philip Nolan, Deputy President of University College Dublin.

Festive fun at Castlebar Quarter Shopping

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

The season of goodwill is well under way in Castlebar Quarter Shopping and there’s more festive fun in store.

Ballina store wins Excellence Ireland mystery shopper award

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

The Connacht Gold DIY and Garden Centre at Ballina has been crowned best in show following its success in the Crest Retail Excellence Ireland Mystery Shopper Award, which tested the overall shopping experience customers can expect from Connacht Gold stores.

The ultra-modern store at Ballina, which opened its doors to the public in March, is one of seven major store developments undertaken by Connacht Gold over the last three years. It clinched the award after coming up tops in an undercover evaluation which tested customer service, overall staff attitudes, product knowledge, housekeeping standards and merchandising and sales performance.

Achill artist honoured by President McAleese

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

President of Ireland Mary McAleese presided at a ceremony last Monday to mark the election of Achill-based visual artist Camille Souter and composer Seóirse Bodley as Saoithe in Aosdána. The honour of Saoi is bestowed for singular and sustained distinction in the arts, and Monday last the President presented both artists with the symbol of the office, a gold torc. The ceremony took place at the Arts Council’s offices at 70 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, which is also the headquarters of Aosdána.

Get the perfect Christmas gift at Staunton’s Digital One Hour Photo Castlebar

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

For anyone with an interest in digital cameras and photography or for the complete novice looking for advice on which camera will suit their needs, a trip to Staunton's Digital One Hour Photo in Castlebar on Saturday December 13 is a must.

Row outside club leads to assault charges

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

A row which broke out outside the Traveller’s Friend in Castlebar involving a number of men in which one man received stitches and a broken nose, led to two men being charged with section three assaults.

Mayo People of the Year Award winners announced

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

The presentation ceremony for the annual Mayo People of the Year Awards took place on Friday last in the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport, Co Mayo.

Barrett could be election dark horse

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

As anger grows at government cutbacks, particularly in education, the political mood in the county suggests that many will take out their frustrations in next year’s local elections. Add to this a host of retirements and the scene could be set for a number of election shocks in the Castlebar electoral area.

Flynn calls for local unity

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

“I really do miss the council, it was a great grounding and base for someone in politics and I learned a lot there. It’s the coal face of politics in Ireland, the saying is that all politics is local in Ireland and at that level it’s as local as you can get.” Up until the dual mandate was eliminated it wasn’t a rare site to see TDs also being county councillors and Deputy Beverley Flynn was no different. After being co-opted on to Mayo County Council in 1996 and then elected in 1994 the Castlebar based-TD knows what it’s like to be on the ground level in local politics.

Getting the youth vote out

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

Low turnout in elections is usually blamed on apathy from the franchised youth in the country who don’t bother to make their way to the polls. Apart from those who will always have an interest or those raised in a dyed in the wool political household, getting the younger generation involved in politics is no easy task. Who is to blame? The political parities, the media, education or the politicians themselves. There is no easy answer to a complex question. But on the ground moves are being made by the political parties to capture the youth vote and generate interest in politics in the run up to next year’s elections.

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