Four Mayo students in with a chance of winning Doodle 4 Google

Fri, Feb 05, 2016

Four children from Mayo are still in with the chance of becoming this year’s overall Doodle 4 Google champion. This year, students were asked to design a Doodle on the theme ‘Ireland Is…’ with the winning Doodle appearing on the Google homepage on Easter Monday, March 28.

Moy Valley IRD to host Leader meetings

Fri, Feb 05, 2016

Moy Valley Resources IRD is hosting a series of Leader community information meetings over the coming weeks. The purpose of the meetings is to update and inform individuals, communities and businesses on the new EU Leader programme, which is due to come on stream in Mayo in late spring, and help them to identify potential projects for funding under the programme.

The meetings will be held in; Belderrig Community Centre on Wednesday February 10 at 7.30pm; in Crossmolina Community Centre on Thursday February 11 at 7.30pm; in Attymass Community Centre on Wednesday February 17 at 7.30pm; The Newman Institute in Ballina on Thursday February 18 at 7.30pm; in Ballycastle Community Centre on Monday February 22 at 7.30pm; in Swinford Cultural Centre on Wednesday February 24 at 7.30pm; and in Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre on Monday February 29 at 7.30pm. All are welcome. For more information contact Anne-Marie on (096) 70905 or [email protected].

Hundreds of kayakers to gather in Castlebar for intervarsities hosted by GMIT Mayo

Fri, Feb 05, 2016

Hundreds of kayakers from Ireland’s third level colleges are to gather in Mayo from today, Friday February 5, to Sunday February 7 for the 2016 Kayaking Intervarsities, hosted by students and staff on the outdoor education degree programme at GMIT Mayo. More than 500 competitors from 16 colleges will compete in the Kayaking Intervarsities which is one of the largest participation events in third level sport in Ireland. Competitive events will be held in the Castlebar Swimming Pool, Lough Lannagh (Bridge Street at St Gerald's), the Clydagh River, and some events will also take place on the Clare River in Tuam.

Road safety officer issues warning over election posters

Fri, Feb 05, 2016

Mayo County Council's road safety officer has issued an appeal to those contesting the upcoming election when erecting election posters. Noel Gibbons said this week: "With high winds forecast over the next few days we have urged candidates not to hang banners and posters from road bridges and pedestrian bridges, as they could become loose, be interfered with by third parties, and could fall onto fast-moving traffic. Driver distraction has a negative impact on road safety and so only essential signage should appear.

"There is a safety issue connected to the erection and removal of posters etc. particularly those which are inappropriately sited, also for personnel erecting the posters to wear Hi Viz." He continued: "A build-up of election material can often have a negative visual impact on the general amenity of roads with possible safety implications for drivers and pedestrians. Traffic and road signs are specifically designed to be clearly read by passing road users,those erecting posters near junctions should ensure they are not blocking road users’ sightlines. Election candidates tend to place their posters in areas which are crucial to road users such as on roundabouts, statutory road signs, directional signs, traffic light poles, Stop or Yield signs or other crucial areas."

Mulherin welcomes extension of small business flood relief scheme

Fri, Feb 05, 2016

Mayo Fine Gael TD Mayo, Deputy Michelle Mulherin, has this week welcomed the decision by the Minister for Defence Simon Coveney, to expand the criteria for eligibility for small businesses affected by recent flooding so that they can make a claim under the temporary emergency humanitarian support scheme which is being administered by the Irish Red Cross.

Deputy Mulherin said: “When the Irish Red Cross-administered scheme to assist flooded small businesses was established, some anomalies emerged. I became aware from the owners of some businesses that they had to get confirmation from Mayo County Council that the damaged premises were subject to commercial rates. This restriction excluded a small number of businesses that suffered flood damage to their premises but were not in occupation of rateable premises. This prevented them from receiving a contribution under the scheme. I highlighted this anomaly with Minister Coveney, and I am pleased with his decision to expand the scheme. It makes for fair play for those who fell between the two stools of the two schemes ensuring they receive financial assistance too.

Mayo Cancer Support Association needs you help to keep delivering services

Fri, Feb 05, 2016

Mayo Cancer Support Association Ltd, operating at Rock Rose House Castlebar and The Family Resource Centre in Ballina, is a free confidential support service for people affected by cancer. In order to operate the smooth running of this service a committee of 20 to 25 volunteers, plus administration and professional staff are involved.

Relaunch of Castlebar breastfeeding support group

Fri, Feb 05, 2016

Le Cheile Community and Family resource centre Castlebar hosted the relaunch of the breastfeeding support group last week in Le Cheile Family Resource Centre. This project is a joint community initiative between Le Cheile FRC and public health nurses from HSE West.

Teresa Mannion to launch Great Lakes Challenge Series

Fri, Feb 05, 2016

The most popular news reporter in Ireland, if not the world, Teresa Mannion of RTÉ will make a necessary journey to Tourmakeady this Sunday, February 7. Teresa the RTÉ News reporter became an overnight celebratory following her dramatic report on storm Desmond from the Salthill promenade – a report that went viral over the internet.

And we're off! Kenny confirms election on February 26

Wed, Feb 03, 2016

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny this morning confirmed that the general election will take place on Friday, February 26. The Taoiseach made the announcement this morning in the Dáil before he departed to go to Aras an Uachtarain to ask President Michael D Higgins to dissolve the 31st Dáil. 

Visiting restrictions in place at Mayo University Hospital

Tue, Feb 02, 2016

Visiting restrictions are in place at Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar due to a number of patients displaying symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting usually caused by norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug.

Read all about it — Westport to get a new library

Fri, Jan 29, 2016

There was good news for Westport this week with the announcement that the town was going to get a new library. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring.

Offical launch of Corrib Natural Gas took place this week

Fri, Jan 29, 2016

The official launch of the controversial Corrib Natural Gas took today in Erris earlier this week, with Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Joe McHugh performing the official duties.

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