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President to Attend Emigrant Project
The Connaught Telegraph this week.
President Mary McAleese is to visit Castlebar on Tuesday, September 16th, to address the Project Ireland 2001 event being organised by the Mayo Emigrants Liaison Committee. Mr. Kevin Bourke, one of the main organisers, received confirmation of her attendance recently. The Birmingham Irish Pipes and Drums Band will be arriving in Castlebar for this major event which runs from September 15th to 22nd. It is expected to be the forerunner for an annual Emigrants Summer School in the county town.
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Atkins is Tops at Fitzwilliam
The Connaught Telegraph this week.
Fourteen-year-old Warren Atkins became the first player from Castlebar Tennis Club to win the Dunlop National Junior Tennis Championships, making a piece of local sporting history last Saturday. He won in the under-14 'A' boy's singles championship, at the prestigious Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin. "It is a great honour to represent my club and my county and I hope it gives tennis in Mayo a big lift, hopefully it will drive others on to achieve what I have achieved," said Warren, whose ambition is to become a professional tennis player. Mr. Tom Murphy, vice-chairman of Castlebar Tennis Club was delighted with Warren's win, "For Warren to win this title and now be ranked as the No. 1 player under 14 in Ireland is a massive boost for our club. .... Warren has a huge future in the game and what is really exciting from the club's perspective is that we have more coming behind him who are extremely talented as well," said Tom.
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New Courthouse Plan 'Well Advanced'
The Connaught Telegraph this week.
Plans for the refurbishment of Castlebar Courthouse are 'well advanced', according to a press release by the Court Services. Mr. Gerry Curran, who issued the statement, said consultation with court users such as the legal profession, Gardai, Victim Support, probation officers and the media was undertaken "to ensure all refurbishment reflect the needs of those who work in or use the courthouse". "Modern sound systems which can accommodate use by those with hearing problems will be installed as will Braille signage," stated Mr Curran. Work on the facility is expected to start within a number of months. Three courtrooms have been planned for the ground floor along with the County Registrar's Office, Circuit Court Office, District Court Office and rooms for members of the legal profession and the press. The first floor will include a Family Law Court, Land Registry public office, meeting rooms and a canteen. The existing front of the building, including the pillars are being preserved, and the old District Courtroom and Circuit Courtroom are being retained and redecorated. The refurbishment of the courthouse is being funded by the Courts Service forming part of an £8 million investment in the restructuring of a number of public services in the county town. It is envisaged that this new facility will be ready for opening early in 2003.
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Sweden - An Example Well Worth Emulating
The Mayo News this week.
An innovative study tour taken by Mayo County Council last week to Sweden to assess day-to-day living in one of Europe's most advanced countries has been heralded as a success by all involved. A delegation of 10 County Councillors and 6 officials represented the council on the trip; they were accompanied by four members of the local media on this 4-day visit. The delegation was headed by County Manager, Des Mahon, and recently elected Cathaoirleach or the Council, Cllr. Jimmy Maloney. Stockholm was the base for the visit but trips were also made to smaller Swedish towns to discuss the operation of local government. Mr. Mahon feels that is important to study and analyse countries that have developed successfully, so that Mayo too can develop in a cohesive fashion. "It is important for the council to get out and see how other countries operate, and then we can use the knowledge we have learned to the benefit of our own communities." The general consensus among the travelling party was that the information assembled will be put to good use over the coming months.
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New £4m Swimming Pool for Castlebar
The Mayo News this week.
A new state-of-the-art swimming pool is to be constructed in Castlebar at a cost of £4 million. The pool is to be located at Lough Lannagh Village and work on the project is expected to commence in the near future. "We have been well served by the existing pool for 25 years but it is now time for a new state-of-the-art facility to be put in place to cater for today's needs. ... I look forward to the project commencing in the near future which will further enhance the excellent facilities at Lough Lannagh Village," said Deputy Beverley Cooper-Flynn. Ms. Cooper-Flynn confirmed to The Mayo News that as a result of the new facility, the current swimming pool, located near The Mall, will be scaled down and eventually closed, but not until the new pool is officially opened. "Rather than refurbishing the existing pool, the decision was taken to build this new facility. It would be impractical for the Council to keep both open," concluded Deputy Flynn.
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International Humbert School - Moffatt Hails Provider Of Enlightenment
The Mayo News this week.
Minister of State Dr. Tom Moffatt hailed the International Humbert School, held in Mayo last week for its fifteenth year, as an organisation where "new thought, argument, and, indeed, enlightenment" abound on a range of topics. Officially opening the school, Dr. Moffatt said that this year's theme "Democracy In Change - Who Counts?" was particularly relevant in the light of recent developments on the national and international stage. Speaking of the International Humbert School, Dr. Moffatt concluded that "Issues will be discussed and argued and disputed. The important thing is that they are raised, that they are put before people, that people are made aware of them. It should be important to us here that they are raised in Mayo. We should be proud of this involvement".
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Opening of Castlebar Training Centre
The Western People this week.
Mayo now has mental health services that the county can be proud of thanks to the voluntary organisations and the Western Health Board, according to Dr. Tom Moffatt, T.D. and Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children. Additional funding of £18.64 million is being provided this year for improvements in mental health services said Dr. Moffatt, speaking at the opening of the new Castlebar Training Centre. The project areas include community-based, child and adolescent psychiatry, old age psychiatry, suicide and suicide prevention programmes and the voluntary sector. The new £700,00 centre will provide a valuable addition to the Mental Health Services in the county. Dr. Sheelah Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of the Western Health Board, said that a fundamental concept of the new training centre was not only the development of trainees but also their integration with the community. Cllr. Pat King, Chairman of Castlebar UDC, congratulated everyone on the new facility and wished the staff and trainees well for the future.
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Mayo Nominations Sought for People of Year Awards
The Western People this week.
Rehab and the ESB are now requesting nominations from County Mayo for the 27th annual People of the Year Awards. Categories for nomination include the Irish Person of the Year, The Young Irish Person of the Year and the International Person of the Year. There is also a chance to nominate people for community service awards, along with arts and culture, peace and reconciliation, business, science & technology, sport, and medicine awards. For the first time this year nomination forms can be filled out online at www.peopleoftheyear.com; forms are also available at ESB shops and Rehab Centres nationwide. The closing date for nominations is Friday, 21 September.
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Work to Commence on Newport Road Next Year
The Western People this week.
Castlebar-based Deputy Beverley Cooper-Flynn has confirmed today that construction of the new re-aligned Newport road is expected to commence early next year. A £300,000 starter grant has already been allocated by the Department of the Environment and this has enabled the internal planning and property acquisition stages to be completed," stated Deputy Cooper-Flynn. After discussions with Mayo County Council Deputy, Cooper-Flynn is confident that construction on the new re-aligned road will commence in early 2002. She believes that local residents have already been far too patient and that no further delays should be tolerated. "I intend to monitor the project until it is completed," promised Deputy Cooper-Flynn.
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