Two bodies discovered in Irishtown

Tue, Nov 01, 2016

Gardaí are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the bodies of a man, late 70’s and a woman, mid 60’s at a house in Irishtown, Claremorris, County Mayo this afternoon, Tuesday, November 1 shortly after 3pm.

Westport follows Foxford in being too costly for flood defence works

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Following the news last week that Foxford had been deemed as being 'not cost beneficial' to have flood prevention works carried out on it as part of the Western Catchement Flood Risk Assessment and Manangment (CFRAM) scheme, Westport fell to a similar fate this week. And like the response from local representatives in Foxford last week, there was disappointment and bemusement from the elected members of the West Mayo District at this news.

The members were told by the OPW, which is responsible for the scheme, that if a one in 1,000 year flood occurred on the Carrowbeg River in the heart of the town, the estimated damage it would cause would be in the region of €620,000; however following investigations as part of the programme it was found that it would cost in the region of €1 million to put in improvement works to stop such an event happening, therefore it was deemed not to be cost beneficial to carry out such works.

Criticism of Robinson Centre collection is unfair and unfounded — Calleary

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo Dara Calleary has reiterated his support for the Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina. The centre is being developed in partnership with Mayo County Council and the National University of Ireland Galway. Deputy Calleary commented, “Some of the criticism being levelled at the Mary Robinson Centre in recent weeks is unfair and misplaced. The centre will be Ireland’s first presidential library, and the world’s first library dedicated to a female President. It is an extremely worthwhile project, reflecting the huge contribution that Mary Robinson has made not only to Ireland, but right across the world, during her time as president and later as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Rail use groups continue to differ on future of disused rail lines

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Extra freight trains are planned between Mayo and Waterford Port each week, bringing the annual total to in excess of 700. The news was broken by rail campaign group West-on-Track, which said the additional trains are for rising volumes of container traffic being shipped by multinationals based in Mayo. A further 730 freight trains currently operate between Mayo and Dublin Port.

Make sure you are registered for Meetwest

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

As the closing date for registration draws ever closer, Meetwest 2016 is an opportunity not to be missed. Meetwest this year is being held in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, on November 24 and 25 and is being hosted by Mayo County Council.

This year’s event is lining up to be an essential date in the calendar of every business in the west of Ireland, or interested in doing business in the west, as it addresses many of the issues that present in the changing business environment in which we now live.

Straw boys Vodka awarded top accolade at this year’s Irish Whiskey Awards

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Straw boys Vodka, which is produced by The Connacht Whiskey Company in Belleek in Ballina, has been named the best Irish Vodka at the Irish Whiskey Awards. The 2016 awards took place in the Tullamore Distillery recently.

St Mary's students ready to hit the stage

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

The convent hall in Ballina will be transformed into East Coast Ivy League Harvard University, when St Mary's Secondary School, Ballina, presents the original stage script Illegally Blonde for a four night run next month.

An eighties classic is being rebooted on Saturday

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Johnny Logan won the Eurovision for the first time, veteran republican Tom Barry died, retired international Robbie Keane was born, and Knockmore and Castlebar Mitchels last met in the Mayo senior club championship final. The year was 1980 and that final saw the meeting of two Mayo footballing traditions. Mitchels, founded in 1885 was the oldest club in the county, while Knockmore, though founded in 1958, were not registered until 1960. Mitchels had 24 senior titles in the bag to Knockmore’s one before the 1980 final. However, it could be said that the playing field had been levelled on the run in to the decider as both teams had shown recent good form. Mitchels had taken the 1978 title by a point against Claremorris and Knockmore were beaten finalists in 1979. Two early Knockmore goals in the 1979 semi-final had knocked champions Castlebar out of contention. Knockmore’s opponents in the final were the all-conquering Garrymore side. Garrymore had completed the three-in-a-row from 1974 to 76 (the last club to do so), and it took a replay for them to be beaten in the 1977 final.

Both Mitchels and Knockmore had been tested on their respective roads through the 1980 competition. Knockmore showed their intent early on by wreaking revenge on champions Garrymore in the first round. Next up were the men from Bangor Erris. Kiltane were outmatched by Knockmore who deserved their place in a semifinal duel with Ballinrobe. The eastern shore of Lough Conn celebrated a four-point semifinal victory over the Robe, thanks, in large part, to the return of Liam O’Neill to his midfield post.

Cautious welcome from Calleary on rheumatology clinic start

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has given a cautious welcome to news that a confirmed start date has finally been issued for the long awaited rheumatology clinic at Mayo University Hospital. The clinic will commence on Friday November 11.

While welcoming the news that the clinic is poised to commence, Deputy Calleary said: "It is a welcomed development that the Mayo Arthritis Branch has received confirmation of a start date for the clinic at Mayo University Hospital on November 11. However we still urgently require a clinical nurse specialist and occupational therapist to be appointed for the service to assist the consultant in MUH and unfortunately the service in its current guise will only be in a position to see current Mayo based patients on the Sligo list. This must be seen as a starting point only and much more work needs to immediately begin to ensure a full and proper service that can cope with the long waiting list of patients requiring treatment."

Claremorris Musical Society are ready to tread the boards again

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Last weekend Claremorris Musical Society (CMS) launched its 11th annual production, and this year will be putting on a performance of Me and My Girl. The cast, crew and sponsors came together for a night of celebration and song.

Some €40 million paid out to farmers in Mayo under Basic Payment Scheme — Mulherin

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Senator for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, has confirmed that €40,310,798 has been paid out to farmers in Mayo under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme. Senator Mulherin said: “The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, has confirmed to me that €40,310,798 has been paid out to farmers in Mayo under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme. Nationally, payments worth over €714 million began issuing to in excess of 109,000 farmers last week.

Victims of Crime Scheme open to local organisations

Fri, Oct 28, 2016

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, has urged local organisations in Mayo who are working with victims of crime to apply for the 2017 Victims of Crime Funding Scheme. He said: "This week, my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, announced the 2017 Victims of Crime Office funding scheme for organisations working with victims of crime. The work that these organisations do, here in Mayo and across the country, to reduce the trauma experienced by victims of crime and to help them to move on with their lives is vital. I am proud to support their invaluable efforts.

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