Our Lady to appear in Achill?
Thousands of people are expected in Achill Sound on Thursday 26th in the hope of witnessing an apparition of the Blessed Mother at the controversial House of Prayer.
Expectations of a visitation by Our Lady are running high after she allegedly communicated a message to the founder of the House, Ms. Christina Gallagher on February 16th last in which she suggested that a visitation was very likely on tomorrow’s date. A spokesperson for the House would not confirm that an apparition is definite, but did say that the "great gifts" mentioned in the message could come in the form of some "enlightenment". The gifts could also mean cures for any ailing believers that are gathered, the spokesperson said. A full day of prayer is planned in honour of the special day, and another message, that was allegedly received on July 5th from Our Lady, will be revealed during the sermons.

Tidy Towns judging under way
The first round of judging is under way in the 2002 national Tidy Towns competition. A total of 706 towns and villages have entered. The competition is sponsored by Super Valu supermarkets and is organised by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. The overall prize money is now set at 128,680 Euro, a 4% increase on last year’s 123,416 Euro. This year’s winners will be announced on Mon 9th September by Mr. Martin Cullen TD, Minister for the Environment and Local Government, and Mr. Michael Nason, Managing Director of SuperValu Supermarkets, at a reception in Dublin Castle. The County Award winner and overall national Tidy Towns winner 2002 was Westport town. County award runners-up in 2001 were Belcarra and Aughagower.

Deep-sea port facilities could create 500 jobs
The North-Western Regional Fisheries Board has expressed concern at the impact of fish farming on wild fisheries and declared its opposition in the immediate future to the establishment of new farms or the expansion of existing ones in the region. Chairman of the local Fisheries Board, Mr. John Walkin, said that the first priority of the Board’s work would be the protection of the natural reserves of the region rather than the expansion of industry. He also spoke of the future of fishing in light of the various new regulations that were being introduced in government. He welcomed the advancement of plans for a new 38-foot 105 sea angling boat in the Achill area, which he said was necessary for the continued growth of sea angling in the region. Mr Walkin also emphasised the need for deep–sea port facilities in the region and expressed the belief that "at least 500 jobs would flow from such a development".