Erris Head Loop Walk, located on the northern tip of the magnificent Mullet peninsula, is one of my favourite loop walks in County Mayo. The walk is 5km and can be completed at a leisurely pace in under 2 hours. At any rate, the scenery is so beautiful you are likely to linger and enjoy […]
Archives for March 2014
Newborn Hearing Screening in Mayo
James Michael Murphy from Louisburgh, Co. Mayo was the 100,000th baby in Ireland to be screened for hearing impairments, under the HSE’s universal newborn hearing screening programme, provided by Northgate Public Services, which is available at hospitals throughout Ireland. Photo: Keith Heneghan / Phocus James, who was born at Mayo General Hospital in February, and […]
SWMDC wins National Rural Award
South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) has won the National Rural Award 2014 for its work in sustaining rural communities in south and west Mayo. Photos: Henry Wills The National Rural Awards are in their ninth year and are organised by Irish Rural Link, the national group campaigning for sustainable rural communities. The awards recognise the […]
ETB chief launches Corrib scholarships
Joe McDonagh, chief executive officer of the Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim Education and Training Board, has launched the 2014 Corrib Natural Gas 3rd Level Scholarship Programme in Belmullet. McDonagh paid tribute to the Corrib Gas Partners for their support for students and parents in the pursuit of 3rd level education. The Corrib Gas scholarship programme is […]
How Balla students unlocked the past
Balla Secondary School students are making history these days. The School is the first secondary school in Europe to be invited to become an associate partner of ArchaeoLandscapes Europe following the completion of a unique Transition Year project, Balla Archaeological Remote Sensing (BARS). And An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, will be in Balla on Friday […]
GMIT Surf Club on crest of wave
GMIT Surf Club Mayo are on a crest of a wave after winning the 2014 Surf Intervarsities at Keel beach in Achill on Sunday. GMIT Surf Club took the Overall Club title, with IT Sligo in second place, NUIG third and UCC fourth. GMIT’s Jordon Ramsey won the Men’s Novice Surf with Ali Leonard, Trinity […]
Learn to sail in Mayo
If your dream is to sail along Mayo’s beautiful coastline, but you don’t know your starboard from your port side, then Mayo Sailing Club’s latest course might be just for you. A Taste of Sailing Course, starting the 8th of April, is an introduction to sailing for newcomers and is being hosted by Mayo Sailing Club, […]
Irish TV raises €3,000 for Mayo Cancer Support
Mayo-based National Media TV company, Irish TV, has raised over €3,000 for Mayo Cancer Support Association by designing and retailing 2014 charity calendars. The calendars which encompassed magical rural scenery and imagery from Mayo with inspirational quotations were sold all over the county with all proceeds going to Mayo Cancer Support Association. Speaking at the […]
Westport Woods Greenest Hotel in Ireland
The Westport Woods Hotel, Westport, Co. Mayo, has been declared the Greenest Hotel in Ireland by The Green Hospitality Programme, which assists the hospitality sector become more environmentally responsible. The Westport Woods took the honours among the top ten Green Hotels, at the ‘Responsible Tourism Conference’ which took place in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Golden […]
Funding for Mayo heritage projects
A number of interesting heritage projects in County Mayo have received support under the Heritage Council Grant Scheme for 2014. Mayo heritage projects to receiving funding include Mayo Habitat Survey and Mapping which will involve a detailed field survey and map of the habitats in and around 6 towns – Ballina, Louisburgh, Claremorris, Cong, Crossmolina […]
Tooreen Rom-Com for Western Care
Drama buffs will be in for a treat next weekend when Barndance, a two-act romantic comedy by John Fraher, will be staged by Feohanagh Castlemahon Players from Limerick in Tooreen Community Hall on Saturday, March 29th. Set in modern times, Barndance tells of the relationship between Barney Kelly and his father, who is known as “The […]
Celebrating women in business
Representatives of Network Mayo were among over 150 of Ireland’s leading business women who attended a lunch in Dublin Castle to celebrate International Women’s Day. Mayo was represented by Network Mayo members, Caroline Gordon, President Network Mayo, a successful accountant and auditor based in Swinford; Olwen Dawe, an SME and project advisor and founder of […]
How to get UK TV for free
I am constantly amazed by the number of people who believe that they have to subscribe to Sky to receive UK TV services such as BBC and ITV. So here’s how you can get all the leading UK TV channels, including Freesat HD services from BBC ITV, C4, Film4 and 5 for a one-off payment and […]
Mayo General a smoke free campus
Mayo General Hospital has introduced a smoke free campus policy at the Castlebar facility that applies to staff, patients, visitors, contractors and anyone who enters the hospital buildings / grounds. Photo: Keith Heneghan / Phocus It is no longer possible to smoke anywhere on the hospital grounds, for example entrances, doorways, walkways, internal roads, car […]
Downpatrick Head and Keem Strand make the A-list
Downpatrick Head and Keem Strand, Co Mayo, are included among the 15 Signature Discovery Points listed in Ireland’s first long-distance touring route, The Wild Atlantic Way. The 2,500KM route, which stretches from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork, has attracted substantial Government funding including a €10 million investing during 2014 from Fáilte […]