Farmers turning to drink out of boredom
Members of the farming community are turning to drink out of "sheer boredom" according to Chairman of Mayo County Council Tim Quinn, who is employed as manager of Erris Co-op. Addressing his comments to the Western Health Board Mr Quinn described as depressing, watching so many farmers cashing their dole cheques in pubs every Friday and staying there for the day. Dr Greg Kelly, a GP in Castlerea spoke of a drinking culture in Ireland that is the biggest problem facing the country and that needs to be addressed.
Ms Sheelagh Ryan CEO of The Western Health Board accepted the need for better education and public awareness in relation to consumption of alcohol.

National Folk Museum attracted record visitors
The National Museum of Country Life in Turlough recently celebrated the first anniversary of its opening with a program of events and revealed that in the first year it has attracted 144,000 visitors. The development of a comprehensive new library and archive of country life at the museum is being supported by The National Millennium Committee and The Irish Farmers Association. This new €100,00 facility, as well as being a tourist attraction, will be a centre of research for national and international scholars. A new temporary exhibition gallery to host visiting and travelling exhibitions will also open in the Summer of 2003.

In addition, the currach, based on a 1930s Belderrig design, which was built by Meitheal Mara at the museum back in August, as documented on www.castlebar.ie (http://www.castlebar.ie/photos/pj/curraghproject.htm will be launched off Belderrig Pier on Saturday 21st September at 4.15pm. Afterwards it is intended to put the currach on permanent display in the museum.

Algal bloom leads to ban on water consumption
Water from Derryhick Lake in the Parke area near Castlebar, which supplies water for in the region of 330 local households has been deemed unfit for human consumption because of the presence of an algal growth which has the potential to prove toxic. Farmers are also being advised not to use the supply for watering animals. The water is presently only deemed suitable for the flushing of toilets or hosing of farmyards.