AT least 3,000 trout and juvenile salmon have perished in the River Moy in the Tubbercurry-Banada area of County Sligo. Investigations by the North Western Regional Fisheries Board have traced the source of the problem to the Tubbercurry stream which joins the Moy about three miles upstream of Banada. "Our investigations are ongoing and we are looking at various possibilities," Mr. Vincent Roche, C.E.O. of the Fish Board said yesterday. He added that they had monitored the stream up to Tubbercurry and it appeared that the problem arose in the vicinity of the town.

That fish kill again! Let’s hope they catch the culprits and subject them to the rigours of the law. Another item in the Western People taken from an American physicians’ leisure magazine provides a contrast to this bad news. An American doctor extols the fishing on the River Moy. His magical quest for the Moy Salmon explains the attraction of an unspoiled May with clean water and an attractive environment. Fish kills in the Moy itself though can kill this type of tourism dead.

‘Tidy’ honours for Mayo towns and villages

MAYO towns and villages have yet again excelled in the National Tidy Towns awards which were announced in Dublin yesterday (Monday). Westport was named as Ireland’s tidiest large town and was only pipped by one point for the national overall award, which went to the village of Keadue in Roscommon. Aughagower scooped the National Heritage award while Castlebar won the National Landscape award for the presentation of The Mall and the new development at The Market Square in the town. Belmullet won the Bilingual award for demonstrating an Irish or bilingual profile in such things as street names, public notices and signs. The best shopfront award in the Western region went to Jack Dylan’s Jewellers in Westport while Claremorris received an endeavour award for the effort made in the town over the past year and Belcarra were commended for their effort. Westport also collected the county prize with a points total of 269 ahead of Aughagower on 241 and Belcarra on 240.

Landscape Award

National Winner: The Mall and The Square, Castlebar, Co.Mayo.

Green areas in the environs of the Mall are beautifully maintained and present a strong visual feature. The new civic space which forms the Market Square continues to impress and is also beautifully maintained.

Region Winners

Tidy Towns 2003 Results - County Mayo