Telegraph Digest - 23 July 1997
23 July1997
The Mayo Person of the Year, Mr. Kevin Bourke will host a celebration of achievement to mark thirty-three years of county awards. At a gala function in Pontoon Bridge Hotel on Friday September 19 all of the surviving Mayo Persons of the Year have been invited to attend.
The first recipient of the award in 1964 was Patrick Keegan from Ballaghadeereen who was the first layman to address the Vatican Council. He is now an accountant working in London. Another recipient was former Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey.
The guest of honour on the night will be Norma Smurfitt and the guest speaker will be Mayo team manager, John Maughan.
Ballinamore House to be nursing home
Ballinamore House, outside Kiltimagh is to be restored and converted into a nursing and convalescent home after its sale by private treaty to John and Marie O'Boyle. The house dates back to the 17th century and for many years was owned by the Ormsby family, one of whom was the notorious 19th century landlord 'Black Anthony'.
In the 1930's it was sold to St. John of God and in 1874 was taken over by the Western Care association as a home for mentally handicapped children.
John O'Boyle is a native of Aughamore while Marie hails from Creggs, Co. Galway. They hope to open the home next year. It will be one of the biggest nursing homes in the West and will provide accommodation for fifty residents and employment for twenty staff.
Historic launch in Charlestown
An historic publication, unique to rural Ireland, will be launched in Charlestown on August 1st. "Doorways to the Past-A Social Atlas", will be launched by Mr. Liam Scollan, newly appointed CEO of the Western Development Commission at 7.30 p.m. in the Enterprise Centre.
The Heritage Society was founded in 1995 as a direct result of an initiative of the Charlestown/Bellaghy and Districts Development Society. It's aim is to gather and preserve all information, documents, material etc available relating to the history and way of life of the parish of Kilbeagh.
Through the leadership of chairperson, Seamus Bermingham, the Heritage Society has grown in strength from seven founding members to fifteen members to date. The Society's members also include: John Martin Flannery, vice-chairperson; Morgan Morris, Treasurer; Jeannie Brady, Secretary; Cathal Henry PRO; Gerry Murray, Paul Seale, Carol O'Gorman, Frank Clarke, Vincent Coleman, James Casey, Matt Cassidy, Una Levey, Jan Seale and hon member, Jack O'Donnell.
