1996/99
For up to date news visit the Connaught Telegraph website.
Snippets
18 March 1998
New Belmullet pool to be heated by solar energy
Construction work on an unique indoor swimming pool development is scheduled to commence shortly in Belmullet
The facility, costing in the region of £1.3m., will be heated by solar energy in what is believed to be one of the first projects of its type in the country.
Ms. Beverley Copper Flynn, TD, said major EU funding would be confirmed for the development within the next number of weeks.
She praised a local committee for their imagination and enterprise in bringing the plan to fruition.
I think this is a tremendous example of self-help by a local community and they showed great intuition in being able to draw down EU funding.'
Bord Failte is also backing the facility which will be built on a site provided near the town centre.
Swinford school draw launch
The Bishop of Achonry, Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Flynn will officially bless the foundation stone for the new £2 million extension to Scoil Muire agus Padraig in Swinford on Friday (2p.m.). .
After the formal blessing a reception will be held in the school library where the fund raising drive will be launched to raise ten per cent (£200,000) of the overall cost of the project.
It will take the form of a draw with tickets at £100 each which will go in sale at the end of the month. There will be three draws August, October and December with the top prize in each draw being either a Toyata Starlet, Corolla or Avensis.
Other prizes will include three 200MMX computers, three £1,000 holidays, televisions, week-ends away, compact disc players and many cash prizes of £200.
£4,250 boost for Rehab
A total of £4,250 was raised for Mayo Rehab from the annual Mayo People of the Year event which was staged at Hotel Westport in November.
The promotion is organised by Rehab in conjunction with AIB Bank and the Connaught Telegraph.
All of the funds are used to provide training facilities for disabled people who attend the Rehab Workshop in Castlebar.
Customer Care Awards presented to recipients
Two monthly awards in the PJ Hennelly Customer care and Service Memorial presentations have taken place.
The December award went to Regina McGarrigle for the major role she played in Castlebar's bid for the Telecom Eireann national Information Age Town.
Regina played a pivotal role in the application which resulted in Castlebar being shortlisted for the prestigious award. In fact the town were awards £1 million by Telecom to further their information age agenda.
Regina was nominated by Colm Hynes who outlined the months and months of preparatory work carried out by Regina and her team.
The January recipient of the award was Mary Fahy of Newstand, Market Square, Castlebar. Mary received a double nomination from barber Ger Staunton and Jackie Brady of Homebliss.
They both highlighted how Jackie is always helpful, friendly and good humoured.
Nominations are now being accepted for the March and they should reach Castlebar Chamber of Commerce by the end of this week.
The awards are organised by the Castlebar Chamber in association with the Connaught Telegraph and the Travellers Friend Hotel.
Dunnes Stores open £5m Castlebar super store
The official opening of the new £5 million Dunnes Stores complex in Castlebar was officially opened on Thursday when long standing staff member Ms. Mary Heraty officially cut the tape.
On hand for the occasion were the chairman of Castlebar Urban Council, Mr. Blackie Gavin and senior management of Dunnes Stores.
The development, now makes the Castlebar store one of the largest of the Dunnes chain in Ireland.
Incorporated in it are a new food department, drapery, off-licence, fruit and vegetables department, fish counter, restaurant, salad bar, hot food bar and household section.
Ducks line up for Turlough watery derby
Two thousands ducks hope to raise £10,000 for a village enhancement near Castlebar.
The yellow plastic ducks will be entered in a race to raise funds for the Turlough Community Development Committee, on the local river on Easter Monday April 13.
They will be released at Windsor Bridge at 2p.m.
Committee chairman Dick Geraghty said there would be substantial prizes for the winners and he hoped the racing ducks would be snapped up by punters.
Mr. Geraghty said:'We hope the duck race will create a lot of interest and we are hoping to meet our target of raising £10,000.'
Mayo trip planned for wonder horse should he strike gold at Cheltenham
Tom Doran, the proud owner of wonder steed,'Doran's Pride', has promised to fly the horse to Mayo via Knock International Airport, should he win the Gold Cup on Thursday.
The nine year old gelding will secure a £100,000 payday for his owner if he wins the big one at Cheltenham.
The London based, Bangor-Erris born, developer said at the weekend:'If he wins there'll be a right old party. 'I plan to fly him into Knock in the next few months and bring him down home in a cavalcade. 'Everything is looking good for Thursday. We're all keeping our fingers crossed'.
Doran's Prides' last big win was in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown last month. He runs in the red and green Mayo colours and his legion of fans in the west will be hoping for a repeat blockbuster performance at Cheltenham.
The horse, which is trained at Patrickswell in Limerick, is said to be in superb condition at the moment by trainer, Michael Hourigan. Should Doran's Pride win on Thursday it will be remarkable triumph given that he nearly died from colic last year.
Mr. Tony Baynes, Main Street, Castlebar
The death has taken place at his residence at Main Street after a protracted illness of Castlebar businessman, Mr. Tony Baynes.
The deceased was deeply involved in the development and promotion of angling in the West of Ireland and in particular on Lough Carra.
He was a life long member of the Lough Carra Trout Anglers Association and was also active in the Castlebar Anglers Association.
Mr. Baynes ran a highly successful family shoe business and was always to the fore when it came to promoting Castlebar and Mayo.
His remains were removed from Thomas Street Funeral Home on Monday evening to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar and burial took place in the new cemetery following Requiem Mass yesterday (St. Patrick's day).
Mr, Baynes is survived by his wife Peggy, sons, Tony, Frank, Val and Ben and his daughter Shelia, brothers, sister, relatives and friends.
Mr. Louis Mongan, Breaffy, Castlebar
There was widespread shock at the sudden death at the weekend of Mr. Louis Mongan of Breaffy, Castlebar, which sad event occurred at the Mater Hospital, Dublin.
Mr. Mongan who was in his early 50's was manager of Castlebar Railway Station, a position he held for a long number of years.
He was courteous and helpful in his dealings with the public and he was always available to advise passengers of train times and help them with other enquiries.
Mr. Mongan was efficient and professional and was a credit to Iarnrod Eireann. He took particular pride in the appearance of the Castlebar Station and indeed won national awards for his efforts.
Mr. Mongan was a member of Castlebar Golf Club, a game he enjoyed over the years.
His remains were removed from the Coady Funeral Home on Sunday evening to Breaffy Church and interment took place to the local cemetery following Requiem Mass on Monday.
Mr. Mongan is survived by his wife Ronnie, daughters Jackie, Tracy, Niamh and Leanne, grandchild Mark, brothers, sister, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, colleagues in Irish Rail to whom deepest sympathy is tendered on their great loss.
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - March 1998
