Taoiseach presents gift featuring Kilmaine Church to Pope

Fri, Dec 02, 2016

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny presented a gift of a Harry Clarke printed canvas of the beautiful nativity window from St Patrick’s Church in Kilmaine, to His Holiness, Pope Francis, during a private audience at the Vatican on Monday. The framed canvas was inscribed as follows: "From the Nativity Window by Harry Clarke, St. Patrick's Church, Kilmaine, Co. Mayo. Presented to His Holiness Pope Francis by Enda Kenny, TD, Taoiseach of Ireland, November 28, 2016."

Outwest wants to develop Mayo Pride next year

Fri, Dec 02, 2016

In 2017 Outwest will celebrate being in existence 20 years, over the past two decades it has been organising social events for the rural and isolated members of the LGBT+ community.  Covering the west of Ireland Outwest has been a much needed and well used organisation that continues and endeavours to offer a safe space for the LGBT+ community, its family, friends, and allies. Offering a confidential helpline to those in crisis the organisation recruited volunteers to listen and support people and offer a befriending service to those who struggled to meet likeminded people.

Mayo’s apathy toward the Good Friday Agreement

Fri, Dec 02, 2016

The British-Irish agreement of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) came into force on this day in 1999. After two years of protracted talks, the GFA of 1998 had finally achieved a binding consensus among political rivals in Northern Ireland that had not been achieved, or even attempted on such a scale, before. The GFA was more inclusive than previous political agreements in that its negotiating body, the Northern Ireland Forum, was open to all parties, nationalist, unionist, republican, loyalist and centre. The GFA was formally agreed by the Irish and British governments and participating parties on April 10 1998. Under the agreement, the governments committed to putting the settlement to the people of the Republic and Northern Ireland in referendums to be held on May 22 of that year. 

Flood affected families in fear of another winter storm – Calleary

Fri, Dec 02, 2016

Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary says owners of homes and businesses which were devastated by Storm Desmond last year are extremely worried about repeat flooding this year. Despite a raft of promises, no flood defence schemes have been progressed in the county, and home and business owners are seriously concerned that their premises could be put at risk.

Maternity nurses protest at Mayo University Hospital rescheduled to next Tuesday

Fri, Dec 02, 2016

Members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) in the maternity unit, the labour ward and maternity OPD of Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar, have unanimously balloted in favour of industrial action, up to and including a full withdrawal of labour, due to staff shortages. 

Balla students ready to bring some Heavenly Mayhem

Fri, Dec 02, 2016

The students of Balla Secondary School have been busy in rehearsals for this year’s musical production of Heavenly Mayhem. The cast, under the direction of Aisling Lyons and Joan King, have been busy preparing for what promises to be a great night of entertainment.

Robinson Centre tale takes a new turn

Mon, Nov 28, 2016

The ambitious plans for the Mary Robinson Centre at her childhood home in Ballina looks to have hit another roadblock this week. On Monday, the Victoria House Foundation issued a statement, confirming that the former president would be gifting her archive to NUIG rather than to Mayo County Council which according to the foundation “Storage of the archive in Galway will obviate the need to duplicate expensive archival facilities in Ballina.” 

Commercial rate increases on the way for Westport and Ballina?

Mon, Nov 28, 2016

Mayo County Council will sit down on Friday afternoon at 1pm to finalise their budget for the coming year. On Monday the elected members were given lengthy presentation on the proposed €122.5 million budget for 2017.

Syrian refugee family met by protest outside Castlebar home

Fri, Nov 25, 2016

A protest was staged on Wednesday outside the offices of Mayo County Council in Castlebar over the housing of a Syrian refugee family in a local authority estate in Castlebar.

Those who took part in the demonstration were members of the Travelling community who had been on the waiting list for local authority housing.

Irish Water €1.9 million investment in Lough Mask RWSS to benefit almost 40,000 consumers

Fri, Nov 25, 2016

Irish Water has appointed a contractor for a €1.9 million project on the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme which will see interim works being carried out to the water treatment plant to benefit almost 40,000 consumers on the scheme ensuring a safe, reliable and high quality water supply.

Tasty and tempting as new Supermacs service station brings thirty jobs to Charlestown

Fri, Nov 25, 2016

Thirty new jobs came on stream last Friday with the opening of Charlestown Service Station, conveniently located on the N17 just off the N5.

Judge stands aside from solicitor sentencing

Fri, Nov 25, 2016

The case of a former solicitor who stole €260,000 from her clients is to be re-heard after the sentencing judge realised that a member of her wider family knew a relative of the accused.

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