Ballyhaunis gears up to remember one of its own next year

Fri, Dec 30, 2016

The story of Patrick Gallagher is something that is truly heroic and is more likely to be seen on a silver screen, rather than coming from a west of Ireland town.

Claremorris sports coaches join Mayo Goal to Work network

Fri, Dec 30, 2016

A group of jobseekers mainly from the Claremorris area have just completed a 10 week specialised sports coaching course which is hoped will provide them with the tools to coach in the local community, or gain some part time employment. The Goal to Work Sports Coach Training Programme, which ran for three days each week in Claremorris GAA Centre and Claremorris Family Resource Centre, allowed trainees to become qualified GAA, soccer, rugby, and athletics coaches, with additional sports modules in child protection, first aid, disability awareness, and walking leadership completed.

Westport House up for national award

Fri, Dec 30, 2016

Just before Christmas, Westport House found out that it had been shortlisted in the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) Awards for Best Leisure Tourism Innovation.

Clare Island Lighthouse wins prestigious international award

Fri, Dec 30, 2016

Clare Island Lighthouse has been named Europe’s Best Coastal Boutique Hotel at the World Boutique Hotel Awards.

Hospital boss outlines progress after busy year

Fri, Dec 30, 2016

The recently appointed General Manager of Mayo University Hospital, Catherine Donohoe last week outlined the growth in activity at the hospital and some specific changes over the last year and highlighted the number of job opportunities at the hospital currently.

Mayo hoteliers upbeat for 2017

Fri, Dec 30, 2016

The latest Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) quarterly barometer released last week shows that overall hotel and guesthouse owners in Mayo and across the country are optimistic for their businesses in 2017. Nine out of ten (91 per cent) state they recorded increased business in 2016 while over half (57 per cent) of hotels and guesthouses grew their workforce during the year. Coming to the end of one of the strongest tourism years since the recession, the barometer also shows that nine out of ten (89 per cent) have plans to reinvest in their properties in the New Year.

Try out sea angling in Mayo in 2017

Fri, Dec 30, 2016

Have you ever thought about casting your line and trying out sea angling? If you have, there is good news this New Year, because the Connacht Provincial Council of the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers are looking for new members.

Mayo angling projects get national funding

Fri, Dec 30, 2016

A number of angling development projects in Mayo have been awarded funding to improve angling access in the area. The projects are some of 50 angling development projects across the country which will receive support from Inland Fisheries Ireland as part of its Capital Works Fund. The projects, which focus on improving angling access and infrastructure, will now be delivered in 2017.

Old-world charm at the Court Yard Hotel

Fri, Dec 30, 2016

The four-star Court Yard Hotel, steeped in history, is built on the original site where Arthur Guinness created his brewing empire and situated in the colourful heritage town of Leixlip, Co Kildare.

Senator alleges GMIT Castlebar applicants are being told to go to Galway

Fri, Dec 16, 2016

A Mayo based senator has alleged this week in the Seanad that potential students who inquire about courses in the GMIT campus in Castlebar are being steered towards the Galway campus if a similar course is on offer there and that the Mayo campus is being "bullied" by its overseeing campus. Fine Gael senator Paddy Burke raised the issue of the future of the Castlebar campus of the institute with the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, in the upper house of the Oireachtas as fears for the future of the facility in Castlebar have intesified recently. Those fears were further increased late last week when the head of the Mayo campus Dr Deirdre Garvey stepped down from her position.

Ballina councillors give Knockmore scheme go ahead

Fri, Dec 16, 2016

The elected members of the Ballina Municipal District gave their approval for a proposed development of eight houses in Knockmore by the council this week. The plan will see the construction of three two bed houses, four three bed houses, and one four bed house in the development. The plans for this project were initially made back in 2009, but the economic circumstances in the country changed that, but now the project has been sanctioned to go ahead again.

Jobs at risk over procurement directive says councillor

Fri, Dec 16, 2016

A new directive from the Office of Government Procurement which has seen Mayo County Council no longer able to purchase tools and small items from local suppliers is going to cost jobs, one councillor said this week. Speaking at the December meeting of the local authority, Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne raised the issue after an unsigned note was given to members of the outdoor staff of the council outlining this new procedure.

E-paper

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