Ballina councillors call for assurances over salmon centre

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

A motion by Fine Gael councillor John O’Hara calling for Fergus O’Dowd TD, Minister for State with responsibility for inland fisheries to prioritise the development of the National Salmon Life Centre in Ballina, got the full backing of all the members of the Ballina Electoral Area Committee this week. Cllr O’Hara brought the motion forward following the announcement that Inland Fisheries Ireland had plans to develop a interpretative visitors centre in Cong.

Uncertain future for Davitt museum

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

He is one of Mayo’s most famous sons who came to be known as a world renowned social activist, human rights campaigner, a statesman and an author, described as the Nelson Mandela of his era.

‘Operation Shamrock’ refugee wants to find her Mayo family

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

A German woman who was fostered by a Swinford family following the end of World War Two is looking to get back in touch with the family whom she lived with for three years, following the end of the war over 60 years ago.

LIS is robbing Peter to pay Paul

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

“Are we robbing Peter to pay Paul?” asked Cllr Seamus Weir this week when the Ballina Electoral Area Committee was discussing the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) part of the roadworks scheme for the area.

Mayo businesses take part in small firms showcase

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

Two Mayo companies, Horizon and Go Explore Hostel and Sailor’s Bar and Restaurant, participated at the recent Small Firms Association showcasing event, held in Dublin Castle last week. Minister for Small Business John Perry attended the event which showcases Ireland’s entrepreneurial talent and celebrates the achievements of small businesses in Ireland.

Both businesses are finalists in the SFA National Small Business Awards 2014 which recognises the vital contribution of the small business sector to the Irish economy. The winners will be announced at the SFA National Small Business Awards 2014 ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, March 6 2014 in Trinity College Dublin.

‘Ordinary people who witnessed something extraordinary’

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

The story of Knock and the miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary, St Joseph, and John the Evangelist, in the small, hillside village 135 years ago, has been well-documented in Mayo and beyond. Few people who attended a school in this county could have managed to get through without hearing it at least once or twice.

Henaghan hits out at Barrett’s tactics

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

Fine Gael town councillor and county council candidate Cllr Brendan Henaghan has lashed out at his town council colleague Labour Cllr Harry Barrett for what he says is “continuously using criticism of An Taoiseach to pursue his own political agenda and getting cheap publicity”.

Bringing back the ballroom memories

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

If you’re of a certain age then you’ll fondly recall the golden age of the ballrooms around the country. In the golden era of the showbands, no village or crossroads was complete without a ballroom or a parish hall for dancing in.

Family feud leads to exile from county

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

A man involved in an ongoing family feud, who smashed a car windscreen with a socket bar, avoided prison this week by undertaking to leave Mayo and not return for 12 months.

Old scheme still in place for housing grants for now

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

Despite an announcement that there would be changes to the eligibility criteria for those who are applying for a number of housing grants for older people and people with disabilities, the old criteria is still being used to assess applicants for the scheme.

Claremorris aims to become the first fibre town

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

Claremorris’ businesses are being urged by their Chamber of Commerce to seize the fantastic opportunity available to become Ireland’s first fibre town. However, the development of the country’s first “fibre to the business” (FTTB) network in Claremorris will only happen if over 50 per cent of the town’s businesses sign up according to chamber president Jimmy Flynn.

1,500 people called Knock Marriage Introductions last year

Fri, Feb 14, 2014

The Knock Marriage Introductions saw almost 1,500 people telephone the service in 2013 to make enquires about the service according to new figures released by this week.

E-paper

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