1996/99
For up to date news visit the Connaught Telegraph website.
Snippets
18 February 1998
Super Valu extend in Claremorris
SUPER VALU in Claremorris is set to undergo a major expansion with a £750,000 investment plan.
Managing Director, Mr. Noel Kavanagh said the development will add an additional 2,000 square foot floor space to the Claremorris complex enabling them to carry a wider range of goods such as Cuisine de France, chilled fruit and vegetables, an off-licence and an extended newsagency.
According to store manager, Mr. Pat O'Brien the development project will further enhance the Claremorris store which is part of the O'Connor Group which also has branches in Westport, Castlebar, Clifden, Donegal town and Dunloe.
When completed the Claremorris store will be one of the finest in the Mayo region creating further employment and offering an even better service.
Mayor of Coventry For Mayo visit
The Mayor of Coventry, Mr. John Mutton and Lady Mayoress Mal Mutton will pay a two-day official visit to Mayo on April 3 and 4 and will attend eight official engagements during their stay in the region.
The Mayor was invited by former Mayo Person of the Year, Mr. Kevin Bourke who recently attended a seminar in Coventry on emigration and welfare.
Late Late Show Challenge for Marjorie
Top Ballina cook and radio personality Marjorie Morrow-Nolan will be one of guests on Gay Byrnes Late Late furniture Show which will be broadcast on Friday week (February 27).
Marjorie, who has two cook books to her credit is a regular on Paul Claffey's Mid Morning Show on MWR. She will be one of the panelists chosen to purchase an old antique which she will restore over the coming months.
Meanwhile, Marjorie's latest cookbook "Marjorie's Kitchen" part two is selling like hot cakes. Our Regional Editor Tom Shiel caught up with her in Ballina.
Archbishop to launch Diocesan Directory
Archbishop Michael Neary will launch the new Tuam Diocesan Directory for 1998-99 at St. John's Rest and Care Centre, Knock tomorrow (Thursday).
Attractively produced with 136 pages packed with information on personnel and the huge range of services available throughout the Tuam Archdiocese, the directory will be an indispensable family and office guide up to the Millennium.
The new expanded edition lists services provided by all 56 parishes of the Tuam Diocese and includes Diocesan personnel, Council of the laity, details of parishes (priests, mass times, hospitals, homes for the elderly, primary schools, secondary schools with a full listing of teachers, pupil numbers and telephone numbers.
Priced at £2 the directory will be on sale at churches in the Diocese this weekend and also on sale in some shops and newsagents.
The editor is Fr. Peter Waldron, Killeen, Ballyvary, Castlebar.
Death of oldest resident on Inishturk
THE DEATH has taken place of Mr. Michael John O'Toole, the oldest resident on Inishturk Island, off the Mayo coast.
In his 99th years, a farmer and fisherman, he spent all his life on the island where he and his wife Catherine (91) raised seven daughters and four sons.
Last December Michael John and Catherine celebrated their 69 wedding anniversary.
His remains will be removed today (Wednesday) from the family home to the island Church of St. Columba's at 12 noon.
Burial will take place in the local cemetery following Requiem Mass tomorrow (Thursday) at 1p.m.
Mr. O'Toole was a highly respected member of the Inishturk community and was regarded as a great neighbour, a loving husband and father and a man of foresight and courage.
He is survived by his wife Catherine, daughters Teresa (USA), Celia (USA), Alice (USA), Annie Kate (USA), Becey (Inishturk), Kathleen (Galway) and Josephine (England); sons Paddy (Inishturk), Austin (USA), James (USA) and Mikey (Inishturk), sister Annie (Inishturk), sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren to whom deepest sympathy is extended on their great loss.
Death of noted entertainer
The death has taken place of Mr. Seamus (Seamie) Gavin, Greenfields, Castlebar who has been an outstanding musician in the region for many decades.
A retired building contractor, Mr. Gavin, who was in his seventies, was a popular member of the Brose Walsh Orchestra for many year and proved to he a highly entertaining and professional master of ceremonies.
He toured all parts of Ireland with the band and was also very active in entertaining senior citizens in Castlebar at their annual functions.
He was pre-deceased by his wife Eileen last month.
Seamie is survived by her sons Sean, Seamus, Liam and Colum, daughter Grace, and sisters Kitty and Mai.
The late Mr. Eamonn Jordan, Kiltimagh
The death has taken place suddenly at his residence of Kiltimagh businessman, Mr. Eamonn Jordan of James Street.
Mr. Jordan was a very successful funeral undertaker and publican and he was highly respected within the community.
His remains were removed to the Church of the Holy Family on Monday evening and burial took place in the local cemetery following Requiem Mass yesterday (Tuesday).
Mr. Jordan is survived by his wife Nell, son Tom (former Mayo Person of the Year), daughters Maura Higgins, , Ursula Hanley and Aine O'Reilly, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Death of former council chairman
The death has taken place of Mr. Michael Neary, McHale Road, Castlebar. The deceased, who was in his mid-80s, was chairman of Castlebar Urban Council in 1963-'64 and 1972-'73. He was predeceased by his wife Bridie a year ago and his survived by his sons and daughters.
He was uncle of the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Michael Neary.
A psychiatric nurse by profession, he was a member of the staff of St. Mary's Hospital, Castlebar, and was a pioneer of the trade union movement in the West of Ireland, holding many important positions in the Irish Transport and General Workers Union, later to become SIPTU.
Sympathy is tendered to his bereaved relatives.
