£500,000 RADIO INVESTMENT IS MAGIC FOR BALLYHAUNIS

Having examined the possibility of moving to the larger town of Claremorris and considered locating its studios at Knock Airport, station management have opted instead to purchase the now disused building at Clare Street formerly occupied by Dillons Hardware.

The overall plan is to demolish the old property and rebuild from the ground up into a two storey complex which will incorporate ultra- modern radio studios along with space for a TV studio and recording facilities. The overall investment, I understand, will be in the region of £500,000.

Ironically, the new studios will be located only a stone's throw from the Midas ballroom where Paul Claffey's tiny pirate station, the precursor of licensed Mid and North -West Radio, was situated in the early 1980's.

Pirate MWR appealed to the ears of a large audience not only in Mayo but also in nearby Galway and Roscommon. Paul Claffey despite suggestions, from inside the station and out, that the licensed local radio franchise holder for Mayo should be more centrally located , has always maintained that Ballyhaunis is ideal not only for serving Mayo but also the large numbers in other counties for whom MWR has always been essential listening.

It therefore comes as no surprise to insiders that Ballyhaunis is to be MWR's long -term base. Two other possible locations were considered in Ballyhaunis: the old Manor House Hotel on the Knock Road and a new "greenfield " site on the Ballyhaunis road.

With MWR employing around 40 full and part-time staff, the company's soon to be announced decision to remain in Ballyhaunis will certainly be music to the ears of the business community who are now only coming to terms with Farah's departure for Kiltimagh last year.

'BALLAGH TIPPED FOR NEW H.Q.

The fillip for Ballaghaderreen should prove a tonic also for Bishop Thomas Flynn of Achonry who is recovering from heart-bypass surgery. As one of the founding members of 'Developing the West', Bishop Flynn first mooted Ballaghaderren as the location for the new headquarters. It is also hoped that Dillon House will be designated as the National Centre of Oratory in recognition of the contribution of the Dillon family, and especially James Dillon, to the history and development of the region.

The restoration of Dillon House has already given a pyschological boost to the people of the town. For too long it has been a derelict eyesore, Let's hope something can be done soon also to give a facelift to the Monica Duff premises, which was run by the Dillons, and has fallen into a sad state of disrepair since the business closed some time ago.

KILLALA'S MOVING MEMORIAL

Earlier, Killala Community Council had disassociated itself from an inscription on the roadside memorial which is adjacent to the Old Workhouse where hundreds of Famine victims are buried. The Council was concerned that the inscription, which would be read by thousands of visitors every year, might prove offensive to British tourists.

A Community Council spokesman said: "Rather than harking back to old injustices, we should be doing everything possible to make people feel welcome to the area".

Meanwhile, local man Cathal Quinn, who commissioned the memorial, said he did not understand how the wording could be deemed offensive or intimidating in any way.

I'll reprint the exact wording on the now vanished memorial so readers can decide for themselves whether the wording is acceptable at a time when efforts are being made to heal wounds and foster friendship between old enemies.

The inscription reads: "The Irish Holocaust. Within here are the graves of victims of the Famine, 1846 - 1849 caused by an uncaring, alien Government. We salute their memory".

What is the view of tourism leaders on the issue: Let me quote Brian Quinn, Mayo Tourism Officer: "We are concerned that this may be over the top. Anything which makes our visitors feel uncomfortable or unwelcome should be avoided".

CARING AND SHARING

One early destination for the award will be the home of Joan Wilson, wife of the late Gordon Wilson, in Enniskillen. Kevin will take much pleasure also in sharing the award for a short period with Mrs. Peggy Hennelly of Manulla, wife of the late and much loved P.J. Hennelly. Sharing is one of Kevin's mottoes as hundreds throughout Mayo and beyond will so readily testify.

PINING FOR JOBS IN CLAREMORRIS

At the end of last year, 783 were out of work in the Claremorris area, an increase of 57 on the previous year. A total of 711 are claiming the dole in the Ballinrobe area (up 63) while the latest Swinford tally is I,144, up 97.

If the Protea Pine factory had materialised as promised, it would have put a more favourable look on the Claremorris statistics. The project is now dogged by legal problems and it's extremely unlikely that it will ever proceed.

What Claremorris needs are jobs in the food and clothing sectors, an area where there is no shortage of local skilled workers. I'm sure the Government TD for the area, Minister of State, Jim Higgins will be working flat out in the next few months out to secure some form of industry in order to avoid a backlash from a disgruntled local electorate in the General Election.

RADIO MOTION WILL MAKE WAVES

The motion, tabled by Roscommon Board member, Terry Leyden will propose that the Board dispose of its £40,000 investment in Galway Bay fm in order to make more funds available for vital services.

Mr. Leyden is championing the cause of a better pay deal for temporary home help workers who currently are paid £2 per hour. In some Health Boards, these home helps get as much as £3.50 per hour.

"It's outrageous that a body which is short of money to provide proper health services should be able to invest money in a commercial radio station", Mr. Leyden stated.

There are 872 temporary home help workers in the Western Health Board area of Mayo, Galway and Roscommon . The hourly rate of pay for these employees is the lowest in the country.

CAMPUS CASHSPLASH

The money will allow for five general classrooms as well as computer facilities; a block of toilets and a general purpose room. Plans for the development have already been drawn up and it is expected that work on the project will begin later this year.