News from Westport



Connaught Telegraph 19 June 1996


NEW HOTEL GETS NOD FROM COUNCIL

By DEIRDRE KELLY

A proposed new hotel at Knockranny, Westport , has received the green light from Westport Urban Council.

The development will mean an extra one-hundred beds for the sea-side town which is experiencing growing tourist numbers every year. Located on the Castlebar road, the site is ideally situated as a first stop for visitors entering the town.

The planning application for the new hotel was made by Mr Peter Joseph Corcoran of the Castlecourt Hotel, Castlebar Street, Westport. The Castlecourt Hotel has been one of the leading hotels in Westport for many years.

Permission has now been granted for a one, two or three storey hotel. The accommodation sector will provide one-hundred guest bedrooms.

There are also plans for three self-contained guest apartments.

Staff facilities will include new staff rooms and a manager's apartment.

Visitors will also be offered extensive bar and lounge and dining room facilities. There are plans to include miscellaneous meeting rooms, as well as children's, health and fitness rooms. The ultra-modern complex will also house a leisure centre which will include a swimming pool and gymnasium.

The developer is to be commended for tackling the on-going problem with traffic and lack of car parking facilities in Westport.

As part of the planning application, permission for one hundred and fifty car parking spaces has been granted.

HOTEL WESTPORT DEVELOPMENT

Major modernisation and up-grading of hotels in Westport are just one of the signs of growth in the town and increased confidence in an expanding tourism market.

Another application from a Westport hotel has also received the go-ahead from the Urban Council this month.

Tom Carr, on behalf of Hotel Westport, has applied for permission for revised plans of a proposed new restaurant, reception/foyer and meeting rooms at the hotel.

The development will make the Hotel Westport one of the most modern in the county, capable of catering for a wide market from over-night visitors to business conferences.

BETTER SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED

The Westport Centre for the Unemployed are now in a position to offer their services to the disabled.

The centre, located on Mill Street, have acquired an additional room on the ground floor of the Town Hall, The Octagon.

This room will open tomorrow (Thursday) from 10.30a.m. to 4p.m. and will be open every Thursday. There are parking facilities for the disabled outside the Town Hall.

Carmel McNally from the Westport Centre said: "We also provide an outreach service for the disabled.

"If anyone requires our services and are unable to call to the centre, they can "phone us at (098) 26787 and we will gladly visit them at home."

HORIZON JUMBLE SALE

Horizon Halfway House, an after-care facility for women in recovery from alcoholism, are holding their annual Jumble Sale in Westport Town Hall on Saturday, June 22, from 11a.m. to 4p.m.

FR PAT FOR CLARE ISLAND SUMMER SCHOOL

Fr. Pat O'Brien, C.C. Kilmeena, will be one of the speakers at a five-day summer school entitled "An Irish Odyssey: Exploring the Myth of the Journey" to be held on Clare Island from July 1 to 5.

In 1984 Fr. Pat published "Diary of a Central American Visit". He has also published a collection of poems.

Mayo Crafts open at Distillery Road

Mayo Crafts, a business supported by the Western Care Association, have now opened their own shop on Distillery Road, Westport.

Among the products on sale are hand crafted enamel brooches, pendants, earrings, bracelets, candles, dried flower displays and a selection of homemade jams.

All the products are made by the adults attending the Westport Day Centre and other Western Care centres.

The shop is open Monday to Friday from 9.30a.m. to 4.30p.m.

GUIDED WALKS

Westport Historical Society have organised guided walks of Westport.

The walks takes place on Wednesday nights during the month of June and on Tuesdays or Thursdays during July and August.

All walks start at 8p.m. at the Clock and last for one hour.

DAVID HORAN MOVES TO SUNDAY TRIBUNE

Best wishes to David Horan who will shortly be joining the Sunday Tribune newspaper in Dublin as advertising sales representative.

David was a member of the advertising department at the Mayo News for the past two and a half years.

BOUTIQUE BUSINES

S Catwalk Boutique will open this Friday at Bridge Street, Westport.

The proprietor is Sinead McDonnell, daughter of Castlebar building contractor, Sean McDonnell.

Meanwhile, Boutique Collette, Shop Street, Westport celebrates twenty-one years in business. This highly successful business is owned by Mary Feeney.

DENTAL AWARENESS EXHIBITION

An exhibition of Dental Awareness opened in Westport Library yesterday (Tuesday) and runs until next Saturday.

Margaret O'Malley will be available to give advice on correct dental management for children plus instruction in tooth brushing techniques and information on oral hygiene.

Margaret will be available for consultations at the library from 10.30a.m. to 1p.m. and from 2-4p.m. during the exhibition.

A special children's competition will also be held during the week focusing on the fun side of good dental procedures.

TWENTY YEARS OF WESTPORT ARTS FESTIVAL

Westport Arts Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary. This year's festival takes place from September 20 to 28.

It is now Westport's only festival and as it takes place in September it helps to extend the tourist season.

However. Like all voluntary organisation they need sponsorship and they appeal to all Westport businesses to be as generous as possible in their support.

GEORGE A BIRMINGHAM SHORT STORY COMPETITION

Five years ago the George A. Birmingham short story competition was included in the Westport Arts Festival programme.

This year's competition looks like being the most successful to date as already entries are well up on previous years.

The competition is open to all nationalities provided they write through the medium of English.

In the past entries have come from Australia and the USA and this year there has been an entry from Italy and another from Greece.

Because of the volume of entries it is fair to point out that while the competition is keen, it may not be an established writer who walks away with first prize.

The closing date for the competition is June 30 so get your stories sent to Mary McCombs, 6 Horkans Hill, Westport without delay.

STAINED GLASS WORKSHOPS

The first in an exciting series of stained glass workshops begins this month in Westport.

The courses will cover basic stained glass techniques. Participants will be allowed to design and make their own pieces of work. No artistic or previous experience is required.

The courses will be run by artist Linda Mulloy who striking designs are well-known both locally and further afield.

Now at "The Glasshouse", her studio in Westport, she will share her expertise with people eager to learn this fascinating craft.

Each course lasts three days and courses run from Thursday to Saturday to facilitate working people.

The first of the eight courses begins tomorrow (Thursday), June 20. The cost is £180 per person, which includes all materials.

Each course is limited to three participants to ensure maximum personal attention from Linda. Participants can take their work home with them.

For further details contact Linda Mulloy at The Glasshouse, The Quay, Westport. Tel: + + 353 (0) 98 25484. Fax: + + 353 (0) 98 27726.



Connaught Telegraph - News - June 1996

Connaught Telegraph - Sport - June 1996