Search Results for 'Mayo'

I was very disappointed to have missed the first Mayo Pride Parade in Castlebar on Saturday July22. I was out of the country but as soon as I got back I read the local papers' reports and contacted Mick Baynes, one of the event organisers, to get another view of what by all accounts was a well-attended day of good spirited solidarity. It is not that long ago when even the thought of such a colourful Pride parade through the county capital's streets would have met weighty and vociferous opposition. 

Two weeks ago I was fully convinced Mayo would get the better of Cork when the game was in the melting pot. Last Sunday in Croke Park I almost had a seizure and nearly required a defibrillator as fear gripped me for the final 10 minutes against our Connacht rivals Roscommon in the All-Ireland quarter final. A statement issued by Bray Wanderers recently was described in the national media as being “bat-shit crazy”. The game between Mayo and Roscommon was worse.

The long road had a few more miles added to it last Saturday evening in Limerick when Mayo were brought to extra time for the second time in three games, and on Sunday they head into their seventh All Ireland quarter final in as many years looking to take down the newly crowned Connacht champions.

Mayo meet Galway for the first time since the former’s shock defeat to the Tribesmen at this stage of the Connacht football championship last year. Galway's win put stop to Mayo's potential and unprecedented run of six provincial titles in a row. That defeat, Galway’s promotion to division one of the Allianz League, and the decision of some of Mayo’s senior players to give it one more crack, all point to a hotly contested semifinal this Sunday in Pearse Stadium. But sure what else would you expect from one of the oldest rivalries in GAA? It is a rivalry that kicked off in dramatic fashion in Connacht’s first contested championship in 1901. That year’s championship was actually not played in 1901, but was held throughout October and November of 1902. Galway had made their way to the Connacht final with a tight win over Roscommon. Mayo had received a bye into the final which was fortunate as Mayo GAA was in a period of reorganisation, its county committee had only been formed in April 1902.

Ballina Arts Centre’s ongoing literary series The Moy Sessions continues this evening, Friday, with a reading by two Mayo-based writers, poet Geraldine Mitchell and novelist Elizabeth Reape at 8pm.

While the last electoral constituency review of County Galway saw it divided into three - like Gaul in Caesar's time - the latest review is more tinkering at the edges - but even these modest changes will worry at least one of our most prominent TDs.

Let us begin this week’s column by talking about the marvellous weekend of sports we had here.

If you are looking for a cosy and welcoming environment, the very best of local musical talent, and live sports coverage, then pull up a stool in The Snug Bar this weekend.

An innovative renewable energy contract in Belmullet has secured a major national award for a Mayo-based mechanical and electrical engineering contracting firm. Sean Horan Ltd, founded 40 years ago, has just been awarded the Plumbing & Heating Magazine renewable project of the year award for 2017.

A striking new willow structure made by a group of Mayo artists is wowing visitors at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, following its official unveiling last week. Teach Saileach/Willow House is a large bee-hive shaped ‘outdoor room’, woven from living willow and other natural materials using traditional skills. It forms an impressive new woodland structure for museum visitors to explore and will also be used as an outdoor classroom for education programmes.