Local Papers Commentary
From the Connaught Telegraph 18 Feb 2004
By The Jaundiced Eye
22, Feb 2004 - 16:26

Fresh row over 58m. Mayo motorway
The proposed 58m. motorway between Castlebar and Westport could be put on hold for another ten to fifteen years, it has been predicted. Mayo Fine Gael Senator Paddy Burke revealed the project would not received the necessary funding until major Dublin projects like the Port Tunnel and Luas were operational. The Castlebar-based Oireachtas member stated he had been informed by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport Deputy Jim McDaid, that the larger schemed were 'eating into' the government's budget.

The West is left to pick up the crumbs from the rich man's table again it would seem? So those of you who travel back and forward to Westport every day you will have to put up with the traffic for quite a while longer it seems. And those of you who find it difficult to get out of your front gate onto the national route - you too are going to be stuck with this situation for a bit longer. Just be careful when you put the foot go for that mad overtaking attempt when you reach that grand straight stretch of road at the Half-Way house there near Islandeady!

The Story of Mayo - a must for every household
A most magnificent publication - The Story of Mayo which has just been published by Mayo County Council is a celebration of Mayo in all its aspects - its landscape its archaeology, its history and its people. Written and compiled by Rosa Meehan, the beautifully produced book covers every aspect of the heritage and culture of the county. Conceived as part of the millennium celebrations 'The Story of Mayo' aims to provide a popular history of life in Mayo from the earliest known inhabitants of 5,000 years ago to modern times. Enlivened with over 400 illustration - photographs, paintings, drawing, maps and documents - the book provides a new insight into the history and development of the county.

We bought a copy of the book and I must agree with all the praise that has been heaped upon it. It is nice to know too that the whole affair was produced here in Castlebar. Cashin Printing have done themselves proud too as it is a handsome tome - it will look good on the coffee table and will be used for school projects and for table quiz aficionados to gen up on that vital piece of elusive information about the county we live in.

Cattle dealer sues after dry cow gave birth to dead calf
A cattle dealer who purchased a dry cow which died after giving birth to a dead rotted calf has been awarded damages following a civil claim against the vendor. Patrick Melvin from Silverfield, Lisacul, Castlerea, who bought the cow at Swinfort Mart, was given a decree for 672.60 plus costs in an action taken against Michael Cafferkey, Cleggan Mountain, Mulranny, Westport, at Swinford District Court.

This is the kind of thing you only get in a local country newspaper. Would you recognise that the 'dry' cow you bought was actually six months pregnant? Neither would I. Not the kind of thing you want to be reading over your cornflakes in the morning though - 'a dead rotted calf'. Oooooh!