HAPPY BIRTHDAY

The newspaper, the oldest provincial publication in the country in continuous circulation, was founded by Lord Frederick Cavendish and the first edition came off the presses on March 17, 1828. Indeed a lot has changed since then.

In the past twelve months though, we have seen good and sad times. Just last Easter President Mary Robinson officially opened our new £500,000 headquarters in Castlebar.

It was a joyous occasion only to be marred months later by the untimely death of our general manager, the genial PJ Hennelly. In December 1995, Tom Courell our Editor had passed away.

But others before them, who all forged the proud tradition of the Connaught Telegraph, have also gone to their eternal reward. All left their own marks on the newspaper and it is up to us to continue with that proud tradition.

Just last month we added new blood to our stable, when Tom Shiel joined our editorial staff as regional editor.

New technology has changed the face of the country's newspaper industry. Banks of computers now stand where noisy old typewriters and Linotypes once pounded out the weekly news stories. Our job is to chronicle the day-to-day happenings in Mayo. We record the tragedies, the political happenings and the town and village news and sport stories. It has become our duty to back several campaigns. We started way back in 1879 with Davitt and our then esteemed Editor James Daly, the co-founders of the Land League.

Today we have been behind the establishment of the Regional Technical College in Castlebar. Just last week we urged our readers to support the £200,000 restoration project for Christ Church, Castlebar. We are proud to serve the community in this way.

Our motto "Be Just and Fear Not" has appeared on out masthead since our foundation. It is our challenge to live up to that each week.

But without the regular support of our advertisers and readers we would not have achieved our piece of newspaper history.We thank you all.