The television will not be revolutionised

Fri, Oct 21, 2016

If I told my four-year-old son that Irish television only provided one channel at the time of his father’s birth he would probably laugh, thinking the very notion as being inconceivable. In contrast, his generation will grow up with a multitude of portable devices on which to watch TV and movies. Consequently, the television set has lost its monopolistic control over our personal entertainment, impressionable thoughts, and consumer behaviour. Public trends and industrial production, or perhaps vice-versa, have moved on and may never return this way. Though it is far from dead, it is not that long ago since the television set was the internet of its era.

MIA merges with SWMDC

Fri, Oct 21, 2016

Mayo Intercultural Action (MIA) has announced that it has merged with South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) from the start of October. This voluntary transfer was initiated by the MIA board of directors and advisory committee and facilitated by the SWMDC board and management.

New TV series explores the success story of The Airport Up in Knock

Fri, Oct 21, 2016

The rise and rise of Ireland West Airport Knock will be explored in a new six-part UTV Ireland documentary series, beginning on Monday November 7 at 8pm. For the first time, we see inside the unlikely success story of an airport which was initially a strip of tarmacadam atop a peaty mountain, in The Airport Up in Knock.

Ballina gears up for return of One Act Drama Festival

Fri, Oct 21, 2016

Ballina is all set to host the town's second one act drama festival, which will run from Friday November 4 to Sunday November 6 at the Ballina Arts Centre. The programme includes well known and new groups with a diverse mix of serious drama, historical and political drama, comedy, and new writing. 

Jail for Mayo man who indecently assaulted two of his sisters

Fri, Oct 21, 2016

A Mayo man who indecently assaulted two of his sisters in the 1970s and 1980s has been given a three year sentence with the final year suspended. The 55-year-old accused man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was convicted by a jury last July at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Castlebar of seven counts of indecent assault on dates between 1977 and 1984. He has no previous convictions.

The sentencing regime pertaining to these offences was amended in 1981 raising the maximum sentence from two years imprisonment, applicable to the earlier offences, to 10 years imprisonment which is applicable to the final offences in this case. Mr Justice Tony Hunt noted that the offending may be at the lower end of the spectrum but said that did not preclude great harm being caused to the victims. He said it was a sad case and a great tragedy for all concerned. He noted that the accused man would be stigmatised in his community and that his own family had been left in an “unenviable position.”

Mayo teens awarded certificates in youth leadership

Fri, Oct 21, 2016

Thirty-six Mayo teens have graduated from Foróige’s Leadership for Life Programme. The National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) awarded the young people with a Foundation Certificate in Youth Leadership and Community Action last Saturday October 15. Two hundred and seventy young people in total graduated from the North and South of Ireland on Saturday having completed three modules in leadership. The programme develops the leadership capabilities and potential of young people and gives them an opportunity to harness their skills and attributes to contribute to their society in a fun and encouraging environment.

West of Ireland Traveller History Project to be launched today in Turlough Park

Fri, Oct 21, 2016

Minister of State for Justice at the Department of Justice and Equality with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration, and Integration, David Stanton, is to launch the West of Ireland Traveller History Project at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar today, October 21.

Two players from Mayo won a total of €65,000 on Winning Streak

Mon, Oct 17, 2016

Last Saturday night two players on the Winning Streak TV game show brought home €65,000 in prizes between them. Mary O’Donnell from Castlebar won €30,000 including a holiday to Dubai, and Esther Scahill from Kiltimagh won €35,000.

Woman fatally injured in road traffic collision last night

Fri, Oct 14, 2016

Gardaí at Castlebar are investigating a fatal road traffic collision which occurred at Brize, Claremorris, Co. Mayo at 9pm. last night Thursday, October 13.

What's on in your community?

Fri, Oct 14, 2016

Mayo Organic Group
Mayo Organic Group's October exciting meeting will take place at a new venue for them - Westport Town Hall, at 7.30pm on Thursday October 20. This will feature a brief introduction to edible Irish seaweeds, by knowledgeable Mulranny resident, Cheryl Cobern Browne. Cobern Browne is also an artist, a seaweed forager, and guide, and runs a wonderful art centre just outside Mulranny. Please note the new start time. As always, guests and new members are most welcome, so spread the word. And don't forget that, in addition to the charity raffle, there is a give-away table, members' library, and refreshments. Further information via Cleo on (085) 1754916 or [email protected].

Councillors concerned people are being left of housing list over a fiver

Fri, Oct 14, 2016

The elected members of Mayo County Council have agreed to hold a special meeting to discuss housing issues in the county in the near future. A number of councillors raised questions over the recent assessment of housing needs that was carried out by the council that saw a number of people removed from the housing list in the county.

Another game of political football breaks out over N26

Fri, Oct 14, 2016

The long awaited upgrade of the N26 from Ballina once again became the focus of a political to and fro between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil this week in the Mayo County Council chamber. Fianna Fáil councillor Annie May Reape speaking at the October meeting of the local authority said: "In relation to the N26 what is the situation? I led a delegation to Transport Infrastructure Ireland with members of the Roads SPC. I was horrified to be told that it's not even in the capital budget, nothing in the agenda for it, where is it at? We were always told that it would be completed after the 2011 election and it's further gone off the agenda. We were promised everything else in 2011, but we've no representation in Ballina in government and that's probably the problem, under Fianna Fail  it was brought to Mount Falcon and now we might get half of a bridge done, the N5 is on the back burner as well, it won't be ready for years."

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