Penal time remembrance walk in Newport

Fri, Aug 26, 2016

The annual penal time remembrance mass will take place beside the Salvation cross and lookout rock on Tirclieu mountain in Shramore outside Newport. Climbing starts from 1pm outside Chambers House where after the Mass participants will be treated to a well deserved cup of tea and Ger Chambers' famous boxty.

1879 - a forgotten year of famine and fury

Fri, Aug 26, 2016

It may not be scorched on the Irish psyche as the Great Famine of 1845-52 is, but the famine of 1879, which affected the west more than any other region, brought suffering and led to an increase in agrarian offences committed by furious and despairing tenants. In 1879 the Great Famine was still a painful memory for a large number of people. Most had witnessed first-hand family and friends die a slow, torturous, death by starvation, and had parted indefinitely with family members who had emigrated in an attempt to escape the living hell of famine. The population of Mayo fell by almost 30 per cent during the Great Famine due to death and emigration, and by 1879 the county was still recovering.

The weather in the weeks leading to the traditional harvest time of autumn was reported to have been poor with torrential rainfalls and lightning storms accompanied by high winds at times. Despite the lessons learned during 1845-52, Mayo farmers remained dependent on the potato crop because, except for limited areas mainly in south Mayo, conditions would not support any other crop. The wet weather, as it had done in the 1840s, brought on the feared blight. The telltale signs of an infected plant, the browning leaves followed by dying plants, spread panic through the county. The crop failure was swift and widespread and its effect instant. A visitor to Mayo in late August reported, “the entire community appears to me to be separated only by a film from an unknown abyss.”

Castlebar Educate Together will open — Munnelly

Fri, Aug 19, 2016

Castlebar will have an Educate Together School open for the new school year, Jaralth Munnelly, the regional devlopment officer for Educate Together, said this week. Munnelly, who is also a Fine Gael member of Mayo County Council, told the Mayo Advertiser yesterday: "We will have the school open in Castlebar for the new school year, we are looking at a number of suitable venues for the school to open in and we have two that we are looking very hard and hope to have it sorted by the end of the week. We have been in touch with parents through the whole situation which has developed, and the school should be up and running when the school term comes back."

It’s a Long Way for Tipperary

Fri, Aug 19, 2016

This week, 100 years ago, British soldiers took part in the Great War battles of Doiran and Mlali. At Doiran, the British and French forces were repeatedly pushed back and finally overpowered by the Bulgarian second infantry division, while at Mlali, the British were victorious over the Germans. Victory and defeat followed each other all too frequently during the four years of the Great War.

Early misconceptions that the war would be over by Christmas 1914 quickly evaporated as battles and blockades forced more nations to choose sides and fight. The change in fortunes of the British Forces predictably led to changes in the morale of its men. British officers identified that their troops needed something to bind them, something to remind them that they would be going home to the very homes they were fighting for. For two years before the war started in June 1914, a likeable number was entertaining music hall patrons across Britain. "It’s a Long Way to Tipperary" was an upbeat song that typified the feeling among many Irish working in Britain at the time who were longing for their Irish home. At the outbreak of war the song quickly became the unofficial song of the Connacht Rangers and subsequently of all fighting Tommies of the British army.

Bonamh Market cancelled as mark of respect to the late Ann Moran

Fri, Aug 19, 2016

The Bonamh Market and Heritage Day that had been planned to take place this coming Saturday has been cancelled as a mark of respect to the well known Moran family, from Rush Street, Castlebar, following the the death of Ann Moran who died peacefully on Monday. Ann together with her husband John ran the well known Paddy Moran's pub on Rush Street.

Get out and explore a different Mayo this Heritage Week

Fri, Aug 19, 2016

Explore and experience nocturnal wildlife in Ballycroy, go whale watching at Downpatrick Head, look back at what life was like 100 years ago in Kilmovee, listen to poetry, music and song to honour the people of 1916 at the Jackie Clarke Library, or follow the Tóchar Phádraig Medieval Pilgrim Path. These are just some of the activities you can engage in during Heritage Week in Mayo

Do you want to be a star of the stage?

Fri, Aug 19, 2016

Award winning Claremorris Musical Society will hold auditions for its upcoming production of Me and My Girl on Sunday September 4 in The Dalton Inn Hotel, Claremorris. Principal auditions will be at 2pm and auditions for chorus at 4pm. 

Dramatic photo exhibition of Erris in Ballycroy

Fri, Aug 19, 2016

A new exhibition from photographer Amelia Stein will run in Ballycroy National Park Visitor Centre. Precipice explores the breathtaking coastline of Dún Chaocháin in the beautiful barony of Erris. 

Unlock the night at Ballycroy National Park

Mon, Aug 15, 2016

As part of National Heritage Week, why not go along to Ballycroy National Park tomorrow night and unlock the night at Ireland's first International Dark Sky park. This free outdoor event will let you listen for bats, trap moths, seek out nocturnal wildlife and learn more about the effects of light pollution on humans and wildlife. 

Get out and explore a different Mayo this Heritage Week

Mon, Aug 15, 2016

Explore and experience nocturnal wildlife in Ballycroy, go whale watching at Downpatrick Head, look back at what life was like 100 years ago in Kilmovee, listen to poetry, music and song to honour the people of 1916 at the Jackie Clarke Library, or follow the Tóchar Phádraig Medieval Pilgrim Path. These are just some of the activities you can engage in during Heritage Week in Mayo

Cathoirleach issues back to school reminder for motorists

Mon, Aug 15, 2016

With the new school year beginning soon, motorists are being urged to take extra care when driving near schools around the county. Cathoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Al McDonnell, is leading the road safety campaign, which seeks to remind all motorists to put child safety first when driving during the school morning and afternoon rush hour.

Take part in the magical Boheh Stone Walk next week

Mon, Aug 15, 2016

The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail is hosting a community walk and talk to the Boheh Stone on Wednesday next, August 24. Immerse yourself in Mayo’s pre-historic culture, and view the Boheh Stone, a unique Neolithic feature. This is a guided walk, in conjunction with Mayo Heritage Week. Join local archaeologists to hear about this site and (weather permitting) experience the amazing Rolling Sun phenomenon for yourself, where the sun appears to roll down the side of Croagh Patrick at dusk. There are more details online at www.croaghpatrickheitagetrail.com.

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