Henry McGlade was MC at Magnier wedding
There was a major Castlebar connection to the wedding of the year at bloodstock breeder John Magnier’s Coolmore stud farm in Tipperary when his daughter Katie (24) married David Watchman. The 1,000 guests were treated to marvellous performances by Ronan Keating and Rod Stewart. Henry McGlade was MC at the wedding and he recently acted as MC at the wedding of Westlife’s Brian McFadden.

Book of condolence for Holly and Jessica
A book of condolence has been opened in Castlebar Town Council offices for the two British school girls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells. Anybody wishing to sign the book can do so during office hours at Marsh House in Newtown, Castlebar.

Out in the cold
A young Mayo family home plans went burst after been informed of the decision by An Bord Pleanála to overturn the ruling of Mayo County Council to grant them the go–ahead for a dwelling house at Cuingmore, Foxford. Michael Ring and Beverly Cooper Flynn are calling on the North Western Fisheries Board to allow Gerry McHale to build on his land. Gerry McHale, his wife, Maureen, and children Chantelle (3) and Jake (1) are forced to live in a mobile home while waiting to build on their land. Despite strong objections by the Fisheries Board, the council was prepared to give the family planning permission subject to conditions. An appeal was submitted to An Bord Pleanala by the fisheries board that the proposed proprietary unit would pose a pollution threat to nearby Lough Conn. Mr. McHale is now hoping to get a council house in the Foxford area as his two children are very susceptible to colds and would be unable to spend another winter in a mobile home.

Growth in xenophobia under attack
Growth in xenophobia is under attack from the chairman of the Mayo Emigrants Liaison Committee. Mr. Tom McAndrew spoke at the inaugural Fr. Joe Taaffe Summer School in Castlebar and he is opposed to an attitude that is emerging in this country to so–called migrants. Nearly every weekend there are Chinese, Nigerians people, etc., being attacked and if this continues it is only a matter of time before we’ll have a National Front organisation in this country. Mayo Emigrants Liaison Committee is hoping to stage the annual conference of the Federation of Irish Societies in Castlebar next year.