Making sense of the census

Fri, Jul 29, 2016

The preliminary results from Census 2016 were published earlier this month by the Central Statistics Office and they make for interesting yet perhaps also nervous reading for Mayo folk. The latest survey of the Republic’s population, which was taken on April 24 last, was definitely comprehensive, asking detailed questions ranging from religion to the type of fuel we use. But what is Census 2016 telling us and is it worth knowing?

Ireland has been part of many censuses since first being included in the British census in 1821. Sadly, only fragments of those decennial censuses survive for County Mayo. The first dependable island wide census for Ireland was taken in 1901. Together with the succeeding catalogue of 1911, valuable details of that particular generation can be gleaned. Due to the political instability of the early 1920s, the next census did not take place until 1926 by which time the Irish Free State had been established. A further 16 censuses have been taken since then, though the Statistics Act, 1993 placed a 100 year embargo on the publication of all recorded data. Thankfully, redacted versions of these censuses can tell us about one of the most important factors determining national government policy, that is, local population levels.

IFA president tours Mayo’s aquaculture sector

Fri, Jul 29, 2016

IFA president Joe Healy this week met with a number of aquaculture producers (fish and shellfish farmers) in Mayo. Aquaculture is a substantial industry in Mayo primarily located in Clew Bay and Achill. The latest figures from BIM, the Seafood Development Agency, show that 143 people are employed in the fish and shellfish farming industry in Mayo, and the local fish farming industry is worth in excess of €19 million. The county produces around 4,660 tonnes of high quality organic salmon, organic mussels, Pacific and native oysters.

Minister Zappone and Taoiseach meet Mayo Childcare Committee

Fri, Jul 29, 2016

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister Katherine Zappone and their representatives met with Mayo County Childcare Committee (Mayo CCC) last week, to discuss current issues and challenges facing the childcare sector in Mayo.

Swinford gears up for Síamsa Sráide

Fri, Jul 29, 2016

The official opening of Síamsa Sráide will be performed by Ciarán Staunton from New York and recipient of the Michael Davitt Award Mayo for his work on behalf of Irish emigrants abroad. Mr Staunton will highlight the nightmare of the Undocumented Irish in America, Australia, etc, as well as highlighting the negative issues that many experience when they return. This opening is in recognition of the importance of our diaspora in promoting tourism in this area.

Síamsa Sráide creates a focal point for visitors, as well as improving the economy of the town and east Mayo. The opening will take place at 6pm on Friday July 29 in the Gateway Hotel. Visiting diaspora, tourists to the area, and the general public are invited to attend this headline launch by a eminent Irish emigrant and businessmen.

Mayo homeowners urged to check their pipes as draft Lead in Drinking Water Mitigation Plan is published

Fri, Jul 29, 2016

Irish Water this week said it is urging all homeowners in Mayo whose houses were built before 1980 to check their internal plumbing for lead pipes. Public drinking water supplies are lead free but lead, which poses a serious health risk, can dissolve in drinking water from internal lead pipes which are common in older homes and buildings.

Group comes together to help Foxford woman with rare disease

Fri, Jul 29, 2016

A group of people in Foxford have come together to help to raise funds for a 37-year-old local woman who needs specialist treatment in the UK for vulvodynia.

More than 1,000 local people to benefit from Irish Water’s new €9 million wastewater treatment plant in Belmullet

Fri, Jul 29, 2016

Irish Water, Ireland’s national water utility responsible for providing and developing water and wastewater services throughout Ireland, today began construction on a new €9 million wastewater treatment plant in Belmullet, Co Mayo, which will benefit more than 1,000 local people and visitors to the area.

Business in the Community reveals volunteer hours put back into the community

Fri, Jul 29, 2016

Business in the Community Ireland revealed this week that top companies contributed more than €198,000 and 687 volunteer hours to Mayo charities and community groups in 2015. They revealed that 19 companies contributed more than €198,000 to support community groups and organisations in Mayo in addressing key social issues and good causes in 2015.

In excess of 260 community partnerships have been established, and employees volunteered some 687 hours to local groups and projects in Mayo. The companies who made an impact in Mayo were Abbott Ireland, BAM Contractors, Bank of Ireland Group, Boots Retail Ireland Ltd, BT, Dawn Meats Group, eir, ESB Group, FBD, IBM Ireland Ltd, Marks and Spencer, MSD, Roadbridge, SSE Airtricity, Tesco Ireland, Top Oil, Ulster Bank, and Veolia.

Achill Wheelers launch Tour de Achill

Fri, Jul 29, 2016

The second annual Achill Wheelers Tour de Achill was launched on Keel beach recently with this September’s cycle to include three routes around the parish.The expanded Tour de Achill will take place on Saturday September 10 and is hosted by Achill Wheelers Cycling Club and follows the success of their inaugural cycle last year.

Burke urges Mayo credit unions to sign up to Personal Micro Credit Scheme to help people avoid moneylenders

Fri, Jul 29, 2016

Fine Gael Mayo senator, Paddy Burke, has welcomed the nationwide extension of the Personal Micro Credit Scheme by Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar, and urged all credit unions in Mayo to sign up, saying it will help local people to avoid moneylenders.

Truck run to stop off in Castlebar next month

Fri, Jul 29, 2016

There will be a unique event in Hoban’s car park, Castlebar, on Sunday August 14 at 1.30pm as part of a fund raising drive to help a very special local and worthy cause. As a part of the Newport Truck Run taking place from Ballina to Newport, more than 30 trucks will roll into the car park at 1.30pm and park and give all truck enthusiasts an opportunity to get up close and personal with these machines of the road. Truck drivers will be bringing their cabs from all over the island of Ireland to support this charity appeal. The trucks will remain there until 3pm and during that time everyone is invited to go along to this magnificent sight while helping the cause.

There will be music there to add to the atmosphere provided by well-known local duo, Jam Shugar, and John Kilkenny’s Rolling Waves group. The Cresham Academy Of Irish Dancing will provide Irish dancing, and watch out for the street entertainers too. Remember there will be some traffic disruptions while the event is in progress so watch out and follow stewards’ instructions.

Boundary Commission must take account of dispersed rural communities — Mulherin

Fri, Jul 29, 2016

Fine Gael Mayo senator, Michelle Mulherin, has said that the newly established Boundary Commission which will review the number of TDs required in light of population changes in the recent census, must take account of the nature of dispersed rural communities.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.