17 September 1997
Panto auditions
Anyone wishing to audition for parts in the Castlebar Pantomime production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs should attend at the Town Hall, Castlebar tonight (Wednesday) when some of the leading roles will be filled. Senior chorus members are also invited. Auditions commence at 8.30p.m. tonight and again tomorrow (Thursday) night and finish up on Monday night.
Cheshire Home Open day
The Open day at the O'Dwyer Cheshire Home, Bohola, which was to have been held this Sunday has been postponed because of the St. Louis celebrations in Kiltimagh. Instead it has been rescheduled for Sunday October 5.
Sheep rustlers active in south Mayo
Gardai in south Mayo are on the trail of a sheep rustling gang which has nabbed animals worth thousands of pounds in the past few weeks. The latest victim is a Claremorris farmer who lost 20 ewe lambs valued £2,500 in total in recent days. The farmer, who does not wish to be named, offered a £1,000 reward yesterday (Tuesday) through the Connaught Telegraph. The money will be paid for information which leads to the return of the animals and a successful court conviction.
The flock, which was stolen from Ballyhaunis Road, Claremorris late on Wednesday night or early on Thursday morning, included 12 greyface ewe lambs bought at a special breeding sale in Ballinrobe. There were eight Suffolk Hoggets some with a red seal on their backs. According to Gardai, there has been a number of raids in the south Mayo area of late in which sheep were taken. Michael Holmes of the Mayo IFA Sheep Committee has appealed to farmers to be vigilant when buying lambs. He also asked mart owners to monitor closely sheep which are entered for sale as there appeared to be an organised gang on the loose making money from the sale of stolen animals.
Information Age Town result next week
Telecom Eireann is planning a major celebration should Castlebar qualify to become Ireland's first Information Age Town. The overall winner of the competition will be announced at a gala function in Dublin's Point Theatre on Thursday week (September 24). Four towns -- Ennis, Killarney, Kilkenny as well as Castlebar -- have been short-listed for the accolade which will include a £15m investment in upgrading Information Technology services in the town. Should Castlebar pull it off a gigantic party is planned for the castle street, car park on Friday week. Ms. Jennifer Keegan Telecom Eireann's roadshow co-ordinator has already held discussions with the local Gardai, Urban Council officials, local media, vintners and members of the Information Age Town steering committee.
Jennifer said the show would consist of a celebrity master of ceremonies, national entertainers, futuristic characters and illuminations. Castlebar project chairman Mr. Richard Wynne said the celebrations would match the gigantic effort put in by the people of Castlebar in displaying their support for the Information Age Town bid. Mr. Frank Greene, president of Castlebar Chamber of Commerce added: "We are looking forward to celebrating two All-Ireland's next weekend for Castlebar and for Mayo."
Dud money in Mayo
Gardai have warned about counterfeit Irish £5 notes a number of which were passed in Castlebar shops over the weekend. The notes are said to have poor quality paper. Shopkeepers and publicans especially have been asked to be on alert for the dud money. Meanwhile, a number of fake Irish £20 notes were circulated in the Newport area over the weekend.
Dana doesn't need Mayo support in Presidency bid
Former Eurovision winner Dana has secured a formal nomination to contest the Presidency and won't now need the support ofMayo County Council in the matter. Dana had been expected to address a special meeting of the Council in Castlebar on Monday evening but won't now need to do so having got a nomination from councillors in Longford, Wicklow, Donegal and Kerry. Anti-nuclear campaigner Adi Roche will also be in the race. She has confirmed she will be accepting a Labour Party nomination.
