Centenary commemoration for Irish American hero Claremorris native Michael Conroy

Fri, May 19, 2017

Friday, June 9 marks the centenary of the tragic death of Claremorris native, Michael Conroy in the Granite Mountain Speculation Mine Disaster in Butte, Montana, USA. Michael, born in Murneen South, Barnacarroll along with Louth man Peter Sheridan undertook a heroic act in attempting to rescue fellow miners that were trapped deep into the expansive copper mine of the North Butte Mining Company.

Station tenders, Michael and Peter in their vain effort were burned to death from the backdraft of a blazing fire below them, as they were lowered on a double-deck cage. The flames overtook the cage. They had gone down the shaft in response to signals and calls for help from isolated work mates. They no doubt knew that the direction of the airflow might reverse, but fearlessly and courageously aimed to get the stranded men out of danger before this occurred. The intensity of the fire killed the two men before they could be hoisted out of the way of the flames. Michael was awarded a gold medal and a diploma for his ultimate sacrifice. A memorial was erected in his honour near the fateful site.

Over €30k up for grabs in Breaffy GAA Monster Auction

Fri, May 19, 2017

Breaffy GAA is hosting a Monster Auction later this month which will see goods and services worth in excess of €30,000 up for grabs. The innovative fundraiser will take place in Breaffy GAA Clubhouse on Saturday, May 27, getting underway at 6.30pm.

Three in a row for Mayo digital school of distinction

Fri, May 19, 2017

Last Monday saw a third Eir Junior Spider win for a small digital school of distinction on the Galway/Mayo border. Cloghans Hill NS has 15 pupils and boasted an impressive four finalists projects in this year's Eir Junior Spider Awards for web based projects.

Mayo through Jack Leonard’s lense

Fri, May 19, 2017

'The Men of the West', that iconic photograph of Michael Kilroy's flying column taken with only the aid of natural light on the southern slopes of Nephin at 11.45pm on the longest day of the year in 1921, is known to us all. It hangs in numerous Mayo pubs and homes and thanks to the quality of the conditions and the skill of the photographer, we can clearly see the resolute expressions of the young men, we know their names and know their stories. But what of the photographer himself? What of the man who captured this first ever photo of an IRA unit on active service in Ireland? Jack Leonard did not just happen upon Kilroy and his men that bright June night. He was no amateur photographer, and neither was he a bystander during his country's fight for freedom. With a keen sense of duty, Leonard used his talent to capture all aspects of Mayo life in the early twentieth century. Jack 'JJ' Leonard was born in 1882 in Crossmolina and as a young man he trained in journalism and photography in London. He returned to Ireland in 1906 to set up his photography business at a time when the country was in political flux. Emotions and anger remained after the Land War in Mayo, a period of civil unrest and violence in the late 1800s, and the methods of parliamentary nationalists were now being challenged by physical force republicans. 

Thousands headed to Westport yesterday for the Westport Airshow

Mon, May 15, 2017

As the sun shone down upwards of 15,000 lined Westport Quay to witness 12 acts performing in the skyline above the Mayo town yesterday afternoon. The Catalina Flying Boat, Irish Historic Flight Foundation, a flying dentist and farmer were among the aerobatic attractions.

Mayo remains a rural heartland

Fri, May 12, 2017

More than 70 per cent of the population of Mayo live in rural areas, according to the latest data released by the Central Statistics Office following the Census which was taken last year. The CSO has reported that, of the total population of 130,507 recorded in the county, 37,276 (28.6 per cent) live in urban areas, with 99,231 (71.4 per cent) living in rural areas.

Mayo farmer recognised for dairy farming excellence

Fri, May 12, 2017

The 10th annual Aurivo Milk Quality Awards recognised the standard of excellence in dairy farming by Aurivo suppliers in the region. The Awards highlight the dedication and commitment of Aurivo milk suppliers for their milk production in 2016.

Achill Community Futures host community day

Fri, May 12, 2017

Achill Community Futures are holding a community day on Sunday, May 28, in Óstán Oileán Acla starting at 4pm. On this day, the results of the recent surveys will be displayed and the people of the parish of Achill are invited to vote for the projects they feel are most important to them.

If you want to have your say in helping to decide which projects should be undertaken to improve the parish of Achill, then please attend this very important event. There will be entertainment and refreshments on the day. They will also showcasing some of Achill’s Community Organisations; among them will be Achill Heritage Centre, Achill Bogwood Sculptors and Achill Crafters (come along and have a go at crochet and knitting – bring the children and show them what their nannies used to do!).

Mayo remains a rural heartland

Fri, May 12, 2017

More than 70 per cent of the population of Mayo live in rural areas, according to the latest data released by the Central Statistics Office following the Census which was taken last year.

The CSO has reported that, of the total population of 130,507 recorded in the county, 37,276 (28.6 per cent) live in urban areas, with 99,231 (71.4 per cent) living in rural areas.

Mayo schools celebrate striding this Walk to School Week

Fri, May 12, 2017

Mayo schools will take part in Green-Schools’ National Walk to School Week 2017, the ninth annual celebration of walking to school, which takes place from Monday, May 15 to Friday, May 19 in schools across the country. Schools hope to encourage students, families and teachers to enjoy walking to school and to focus on continuing to journey to school on foot into the summer months – and all year round.

Crowd-thrilling manoeuvres expected at the Westport Airshow on Sunday

Fri, May 12, 2017

Spectacular aerobatics are expected above the skies of Westport, with a series of technically demanding and crowd-thrilling manoeuvres at the Westport Airshow on Sunday. ?The fun starts at 1pm and will include a fun fair, food and craft markets, live music, street theatre, face painting and visitors can even experience the Wild Atlantic Way from the sky by taking a helicopter pleasure flight from Westport House.

How Mayo prepared for D-Day

Fri, May 12, 2017

Following the painful birth of the Irish Free State and the semi-severing of political ties with London, British currency remained the economic elephant in the proudly independent room. Though apparently ideologically irreconcilable, the Free State retained the use of Britain’s sterling until 1928 when the Saorstát pound (punt) was introduced on a one to one ratio value with sterling. This attachment to the British pound continued after the introduction of the Irish punt in 1938.

E-paper

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