Telegraph Digest - 24 April 1997



Connaught Telegraph 24 April 1997


BAVARIAN TREAT IN CLAREMORRIS

The Frankische Blaservereinigung Neustrat/Aisch, an awarding winning German wind ensemble with organ and trumpet soloists present an evening of the music of Handel, Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Negro, spirituals and gospel in St. Colamn's Parish Church, Claremorris on Thursday May 22.

The conductor is Dr. Dieter Geissendorfer and the soloists will include Ingrid Kasper (organ) and Simone Forster and Julius Andreae (trumpet).

An optional donation at the door of £5 will be greatfully accepted by the Western Alzheimer Foundation and Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.

LIGHTS OUT ON MID-WEST

"Lights-Out", by Michael Mullen will be featured on the Mid-West Radio Drama awards show tonight (Wednesday) at 10p.m. and will be performed by the New Theatre Group, Castlebar. It features Ann Garavan, a three time best actress for her role as the old woman. Patricia Jennings plays the part of the young woman.

TOP RESTAURANTS

Two Mayo premises have been included in the Bridgestone 100 Best restaurants in Ireland 1997-8'. They are Enniscoe House and Newport House and the selection was made by John and Sally McKenna.

THEATRE NIGHTS

"The Merry Widow", this year's production by Ballinrobe Musical Society, will be broadcast on the RTE Radio 1 "Theatre Nights" over the next two Sundays.

The show was recorded by Kevin Hough and his crew during the successful production in February. "Theatre Nights" is broadcast at 7p.m.

CRC FLAG DAY

Community Radio Castlebar will stage a flag day on Saturday and any support will be appreciated by the station.

FOSTER CARE CEILI

The Irish Foster Care Association will hold a Ceili Mór in the Failte Suite of the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar on Friday night when the music will be supplied by Matt Cunningham. Refreshments will be served and a great night is assured.

NEWSAGENT OF THE YEAR

Fergus McDonald of Headlines Newsagents, Castlebar Shopping Centre, is one of the finalists vying for the title of ShelfLife 1997 Newsagent of the Year.

Ten finalists from Ulster, Munster, Connaught, Leinster and the Dublin region have been shortlisted for the prestigious award. The overall winner will be announced on Tuesday.

70 LAID OFF IN BALLAGHADERREEN

Over 70 workers have been laid off at the Irish Country Meats plant in Ballaghaderreen. They were employed on the slaughtering line at the factory.

The workers received notice of their layoff by post on Tuesday. The company say they need to let workers go because of a seasonal lull in slaughtering.

The slaughtering needs of Irish Country Meats for the foreseeable future will be met by the company's Ballyhaunis plant.

KNOCK DESIGNATION PREMATURE

Newspaper speculation that Knock Airport is to receive a tax free designation status has been described as "premature" by Tourism and Trade Minister Enda Kenny.

The Minister said he had been in discussion with American interests to set up a massive base at Knock. However, no final decisions had been arrived at and the talks were on-going.

Minister Kenny said he preferred not to comment further on the reports and expressed his disappointment with the press speculation. Mayo based newspapers have been aware for some time of the development, but because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations have stood back from the story.

MAY OPENING FOR £4.5M WESTPORT HOTEL

The £4.5 million Knockranny House Hotel in Westport is to open in next month.

Mayo's first Four Star Hotel, the facility is being developed by Geraldine and Adrian Noonan, daughter and son-in-law of Peter and Mary Corcoran of the Castlecourt Hotel.

Knockranny House Hotel is situated on a 12 acre hillside site on the approaching Castlebar Road and has breathtaking views of Croagh Patrick, Clew Bay and the town of Westport.

Phase one of the development will see the opening of fifty luxury bedrooms, restaurant, bar and lounge, library, leisure suite and conference facilities.

The second phase will start in November and will include the construction of an additional fifty bedrooms, a leisure centre with a 20 metre pool, gym, sauna, steam and treatment room.

The hotel is to be managed by Mr. Peter Wilson who previously spent three years as General Manager at the Connemara Coast Hotel in Galway.

APC ON STREAM

The development of the complex to cater for the start-up in July of American Power Conversion Corporation is progressing well.

Already planning permission has been granted for the change of use for the building at Breaffy Road and now APC are this week seeking the go-ahead to construct two new loading docks including associated alterations to siteworks and services.

A recruitment driver is already underway to employ 245 workers and it is understood that the management structure is now in place for the Castlebar plant while the remainder of the workforce will be signed up in the near future.

Recently Tourism and Trade Minister Enda Kenny announced a £3m package to allow the deal go ahead.



Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - April 1997