Planning rejections spark fury among councillors

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

The rejection of two planning applications because of the variation of the County Development Plan by the Minister for Environment John Gormley sparked anger at the monthly meeting of the Castlebar Electoral Area committee this week. The debate led to one councillor calling the Minister a coward. Mr John McMyler, Senior Planner for the Council confirmed that he and the planning department were working off the amended plan because they were directed to do so. Both applications were turned down because they were in areas identified as rural areas under severe urban influence. Cllr Al McDonnell said that “this all sounds a bit ministerial”, while Cllr Johnny Mee stated that “it’s not like there are 1000 houses going up in Belcarra, I don’t think that one house will increase the urban influence of the village”. The possible removal of 30 metres of hedgerow was also cited as a reason for the refusal in the Keelouges case. Cllr Johnny Mee said, “I’m very fond of hedgerow myself, but 30 metres of hedgerow or giving someone the chance to start a home it seems easy to me. And to say that Keelouges is under strong urban pressure is madness, come on it’s Keelouges. Cllr Sean Burke told the meeting that, “I was born two miles away from there and to say that it’s under strong urban influence, well I don’t know what to say to that.”

Unemployment in Mayo continues to soar

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Unemployment figures continue to rise and in the six months since April 1,820 more people are sighing on in Mayo. The live register in Mayo stood at 5,795 last April while the most recent figures for October show them standing at a staggering 7,615.

Tributes paid to families at Castlebar area meeting

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

The members of Castlebar electoral area committee paid tributes to the late Mr Tony Kenny, Castlebar at their meeting this week.

Councillors welcome movement on Castlebar Town Park

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

The elected members of Castlebar Town Council, gave a warm welcome to the news that €1.8 million will be spent by the Town Council on the new town park. The meeting was shown initial draft drawings for the new town park which were put together by Padraig Kelly, executive architect for the Town Council.These drawings allowed for the creation of a public green space, walkways, a public paved area, a full size GAA and a full size soccer pitch. Town Manager Seamus Granahan told the members that the council had got approval from the Government to spend €1.8 million which has come from internal receipts from the sale of local authority housing and from a the planned maintenance programme. Mr Granahan went on to say that this represented a great opportunity for the town to put in a high-quality public space near the centre of the town for all the people to enjoy.

Gardaí seek witnesses to hospital altercation

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Gardaí in Castlebar are seeking witnesses to an altercation that led to one man in his 30s needing to receive hospital treatment this week.

Mayo graduate is Best in Show

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

The work of an art graduate from County Mayo has been on display at the Best in Show exhibition in the Digital Hub in Dublin all this week.

Children rally around Santa’s novel appeal

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

There has been a huge response in the south Mayo/north Galway region to a special appeal issued by Santa Claus, in advance of next Sunday evening’s Christmas lights switch-on in Ballinrobe.

Four Mayo men compete in Land Rover G4 Challenge

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Peter Jordan from Castlebar, Cormac MacDonnell, Ronan Ryan and Patrick O’Hora, all from Ballina, have been selected to compete in the national selections of the Land Rover G4 Challenge, one of the world’s most gruelling 4x4 driving and adventure events. The national selections are taking place on Sunday November 30 and Monday December 1 at Eastnor Castle, Ledbury in the UK.

Davitt College welcomes its German exchange partners

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

This week at Davitt College, one cannot help but notice the three flags hoisted on its flagpoles - the Irish flag, the Mayo flag and the German flag. The flags were hoisted to welcome their German exchange partners from Realschule Hochstadt and Herzogenaurach, who have just spent six days in Castlebar.

Achill community group competes for Gradaim Pobail na Gaeltachta

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Comharchumann Forbartha Áitiúil Acla has been shortlisted for the Gradaim Pobail na Gaeltachta awards which will take place in Galway on November 30.

Gradaim Pobail na Gaeltachta, which is organised by Údarás na Gaeltachta in conjunction with TG4, recognises organisations for their outstanding work in promoting community development activities in their areas.

Fáilte Ireland West wins prestigious advertising award

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Fáilte Ireland West has won an Institute of Advertising Practitioners of Ireland Advertising Effectiveness Award for its ground-breaking Right Here, Right Now domestic tourism advertising campaign. The Advertising Effectiveness Awards are considered to be the flagship industry awards for the advertising industry and celebrate the most effective advertising campaigns in Ireland.

The campaign showcased the unique tourism attractions, events and activities in the west of Ireland through an innovative TV, radio, print and outdoor advertising campaign and presented the region in a fresh, new light to the Irish consumer. The results of the campaign were very positive, leading to growth in the numbers of Irish tourists visiting the region.

Mayo Science and Technology Festival a major success

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

The 2008 Mayo Science and Technology Festival took place from November 3 to 9 throughout Mayo, with an exciting range of events taking place across the length and breadth of the county.

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