|
SOD TURNED FOR NEW £110,000 MILEBUSH STAND
The Connaught Telegraph this week.
Beverley Cooper-Flynn T.D performed the official sod-turning ceremony
for the new spectator stand and pitch development at Milebush Park. Ms
Cooper-Flynn assisted greatly in securing funding from the Department
of Tourism, Sport and Recreation for the project. Mr. Joe Butler, chairman
of the Mayo League, said that it was a momentous occasion for the league
and another stage in the development of facilities at Milebush. He said
that over £400,000 had been spent to date and this new project would
cost £100,000. Mr. Butler paid tribute to all who assisted in the
planning and preparation, and in particular to Beverley Cooper-Flynn for
her assistance and support in the project. He officially announced that
the stand would be called the Henry Downes stand. Mr. Brendan Menton,
the new General Secretary of the F.A.I was in attendance at the ceremony
and paid tribute to the Mayo league and its excellent work and progressive
approach to the ongoing development. He added that the F.A.I were in the
process of putting together a plan that would help facilitate clubs and
the league in any future development and that Milebush Park could be considered
a regional centre for soccer development if these plans proceed as expected.
Mr. Pat Quigley, president of the F.A.I, Mr. Pat King, Cathaoirleach of
Castlebar U.D.C and Mr. Noel Kennedy all congratulated and wished the
project every success. Ms. Beverley Cooper Flynn, T.D., said that she
was delighted to be able to assist Joe Butler and his committee with their
application for funding. She was equally delighted to be performing the
sod turning ceremony. Mr. Henry Downes, president of the Mayo League,
said that he was greatly honoured to have his name associated with the
development.
Back to papers index
THE YOUTH INFORMATION KIOSK NOW LOCATED IN THE LIBRARY
The Connaught Telegraph this week.
A Youth Information "Touchscreen" computerised Kiosk is now
available at Mayo County Library in Castlebar. By simply touching the
topics that appear on the screen, the kiosks provide general information
on matters of health, careers, education, social issues and sport &
leisure. Relevant contact names and addresses are also provided. For any
questions that aren't answered by the Kiosk, you can contact the Youth
Information Officer at The Youth Information Centre, Newtown, Castlebar.
Tel: (094) 28674 or E-mail: cyic@eircom.net.
To see the Youth Information website go to: http://www.castlebar.ie/clubs/cyic/
Back to papers index
FEEDBACK ON MARKET SQUARE "POSITIVE" SAYS COUNCIL OFFICIAL
The Connaught Telegraph this week.
Ms. Mary Browne, acting town clerk of Castlebar UDC, has said that the
general feedback from the public as regards the £1 million Market
Square enhancement scheme was very positive. Ms. Browne issued a report
stating that the new development had undergone many changes, from its
original plan following consultation with the Market Square traders. The
area has not been pedestrianised, kerbing has been put down to outline
the traffic areas, there is increased radium to kerbs at the top end of
granite flagged area, another set down point has been incorporated on
the Duke Street side of Market Square and an agreement was made with the
developer of Brennan's site regarding access to the area. It has been
decided that it would be better if carparking was not made available as
it may not be conducive to safety on entry and exit, it would reduce amenity
space and damage would be caused to the high quality finish and street
furniture. Ms. Browne said that the work was now substantially complete.
For a more detailed look at Market Square and the plans for its development
go to: http://www.castlebar.ie/photos/dailyphotos/market-square
Back to papers index
NEW STRATEGY TO IMPROVE HOSPITAL SERVICES IN WEST
The Mayo News this week.
Sixty-one recommendations have been made for hospitals in the West following
a report carried out by Acute Services in the region. The report takes
account of the views of service users, providers and the general public.
The recommendations cover five key areas:
(1) Ensuring hospitals have enough beds and staff to deliver an appropriate
level of service.
(2) Putting the patient and family at the centre of everything.
(3) Improving communications and developing better information technology
systems to enable all care settings to deliver seamless patients care.
(4) Ensuring that hospital services are more accessible to patients who
need them.
(5) Developing new service models to link hospitals and care staff around
the patient. The strategy stresses that there must be enough capacity
in the hospital system to ensure that all patients have rapid access to
treatment, based solely on clinical need. Dr. Mary Hynes, Regional Manager
of Acute Services, said that the report acknowledges the concerns of the
public regarding waiting lists and waiting times in the public hospital
system and that a range of measures are outlined to help with this problem.
She also stated that "the strategy recommends the immediate introduction
of guidelines for direct referral into diagnostic-related services provided
in hospitals."
Back to papers index
MAYO LEADER COMPANIES WELCOME PROGRAMME APPROVAL
The Mayo News this week.
The Minister of State for Rural Development, Mr. Eamon O'Cuiv, has announced
that Ireland's Operational programme for the EU LEADER+ initiative has
been approved by the European Commission. This approval also clears the
way for commencement of the complimentary LEADER Mainstream National Rural
Development Programme. The two programmes will ensure that all areas in
Ireland can benefit from LEADER activity. Hundreds of projects across
Mayo have benefited in the past decade from LEADER grant support in areas
of tourism and rural development.
EU and national funding of more than £117 million has been allocated
to the programmes for the period to 2006; £58 million for the LEADER+
Programme and £59 million for the LEADER mainstream National Rural
Development Programme.
Minister O'Cuiv welcomed the funding and clarified that LEADER is an EU
initiative for Rural Development, enabling the provision of public funding
to approved local action groups to implement business plans for the development
of their own areas. Rural development groups identify problems specific
to their areas and provide funding assistance to promoters of projects
that have potential to generate development, income opportunities and
employment. There is particular emphasis on community development in the
programme and each group will be obliged to implement a business plan
to encourage, support and facilitate the process of rural development.
Back to papers index
FROM RUSSIA....AND LOVING IT
The Mayo News this week.
The Castlebar, Claremorris, Westport, and various other Outreach Groups
throughout the country have recently been hosting Chernobyl children in
their towns. These children come from various areas around the contaminated
town of Chernobyl which, on the 26th of August 1986, became known for
its nuclear energy disaster. Many of the children visiting Ireland were
not even born when the disaster occurred but nevertheless carry the scars
of that dreadful period with them. The Outreach Groups offer these children
a break for recuperation for 21 days each year, when they are hosted by
families in the various towns of Ireland. The children that come to Ireland
have been exposed to radiation that can affect their thyroid glands. When
the children come here they are administered high doses of iodine. The
children also enjoy fresh air and good food, which are not easily found
in nuclear-contaminated areas.
Back to papers index
BALLINA FESTIVAL FROLICS!
The Western People this week.
Ballina is buzzing this week as the town's annual street festival gets
into full swing. The festival is estimated to surpass previous years with
Gerry Mulligan (PRO) expecting over 100,000 visitors to the town. Already
a number of successful events have been held. Still to come are many children's
events, heritage day (Wed) which will be filmed by RTE 1's Nationwide
team, "It's a knockout" (Thurs night), Feile na Gaeilge (Fri)
and the Mardi Gras on Saturday night. The organisers are keeping their
fingers crossed for favourable weather conditions for the rest of the
festivities.
Back to papers index
KNOCK CHARTER FLIGHTS WOULD BRING BIG US BOOST
The Western People this week.
It has been claimed that Ballina and the West of Ireland would benefit
enormously from US tourism if landing rights for charter flights at Knock
International Airport were to be negotiated. Cllr. Ray Collins said that
a top travel agent in Scranton, Pennsylvania, has told him that there
is potential for a big market if flights can land directly in Knock from
the US and that the travel agent, Mr. John Madden, would arrange charters
if landing rights could be got at Knock. Cllr. Collins, who has been in
contact with Ireland West and the Chamber of Commerce about this proposal,
believes that the prospects are good. Delia Ginley of the Fr. Peyton Centre,
Attymass, has also been contacted because of the connection between the
Rosary priest and the city of Scranton.
Back to papers index
NEW CATHAOIRLEACH MALONEY PLEDGES TO MAKE MAYO "A GREAT COUNTY"
The Western People this week.
The new Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council is Foxford man Jimmy Moloney
(FF). He was unanimously elected at the annual general meeting of the
authority in Castlebar on Monday and becomes the first member of the staff
of the authority to hold the position. Cllr. Moloney, who is ten years
on the council and is also chairman of the BMW Regional Assembly, was
quick to list Knock Airport, the N5, planning, Corrib gas and Farming
as the key areas of concern to be addressed during his term.
Cllr. Moloney pledged to work in harmony with the Manager, staff and local
communities to make Mayo "a great county". He stated that he
intends to involve the council's Strategic Policy Committee on Transport
to help the development of two pieces of infrastructure, namely that of
Knock airport and the N5. Cllr. Maloney said "it is time, that we
as local authority members and our staff who have responsibility for roads,
took the initiative back from unrepresentative organisations". Cllr
Richard Finn (Ind), son of former FG Dail Deputy and Senator Martin Finn,
is the new vice-chairman.
Back to papers index
Go to Castlebar | |