Western People
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Western People |
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Digest |
2nd SEPTEMBER, 1998 - Western People |
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* Humbert Walk to raise funds for Western Care * Mayo fishermen benefit under new licencing round |
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WESTERN DIGEST |
2nd SEPTEMBER, 1998 - Western People |
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History was made last week when, for the first time in 200 years, the footsteps of General Humbert were retraced from Kilcummin in North Mayo to Ballinamuck in County Longford. Gerry Ryan, a Tubbercurry man now living in Killala, and Lanesboro man Pat Donoghue commenced their 156 mile trek on August 22nd as part of the Killala 1798 commemoration. Seven days later, after passing through Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim they arrived in Ballinamuck for the start of the village's commemoration ceremonies. An experienced walker, Gerry Ryan has undertaken treks in sixteen countries and three continents. "This was the walk I most looked forward to," he said. "The spark was ignited in me by the Humbert Summer School and Donacha O Dulaing. It is the first time the complete route has been walked since Humbert. "On this occasion we not only commemorated the dead on all sides, we also celebrated the peace of today." Pat Donoghue said he was delighted with the response of the people along the route who had kept them informed of bits of local history. A Leitrim couple who showed the walkers a cannon ball they unearthed in their garden a couple of years ago told of an ancestor who fought at Ballinamuck and lived to tell the tale. He regretted the fact that the only official written records of the events were French and English. The only Irish versions came down in the oral tradition. At various points along the walk local people joined in to "walk a mile" for Western Care. Members of the Collooney '98 Committee joined in for the walk through the town while Senator Paschal Mooney joined in at Drumshanbo.
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DIGEST |
2nd SEPTEMBER, 1998 - Western People |
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Mayo is to be one of a number of counties to benefit under a new round of fishing boat licences which has been announced by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Michael Woods. News of the announcement has been welcomed by Senator Frank Chambers who had pressed the Minister for new licences for Mayo where investment in smaller boats has not kept pace with other areas. The Minister has issued licences for a total of 171 new fishing vessels and most of these will be in Mayo, Galway, Cork and Kerry. Making the announcement Dr Woods said the additional licences provided valuable EU tonnage for fishermen in local communities by bringing their vessels within the licencing system. At the same time it would not harm the national fleet targets. Senator Chambers pointed out that the announcement meant that the Minister had licenced 455 new vessels in the current year. "It means an additional tonnage worth up to £2 million if the fishermen had to purchase it themselves," said Senator Chambers. He added that there were still a number of applications waiting to be processed and these would be dealt with as a matter of urgency by the Dept. Senator Chambers stated that there would be 5000 tonnes of additional capacity in the Irish fleet when the new round of licencing was completed. "This is a considerable boost to the fishing industry," said Senator Chambers.
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2nd SEPTEMBER, 1998 - Western People |
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in Achill The 'House of Prayer' in Achill Sound will re-open to the public on Tuesday next, September 8. The 'House' closed in July after its founder, Mrs. Christine Gallagher, said she no longer possessed the strength to continue. Now, Mrs. Gallagher has decided to re-open. She was not available for interview yesterday (though she did talk to an R.T.E. Religious Affairs correspondent for a forthcoming documentary at the weekend) but a man who described himself as a 'helper' said she took the decision to re-open because she felt it was unfair to deny people who wished to visit the 'House' the opportunity to do so. "She felt it should be open for people to come to and pray. It will re-open on the birthday of Our Lady and will stay open on a continuous basis afterwards for private prayer. Mass will not be celebrated in the 'House' and we will be operating under the guidance of the Catholic Church," he said. However, the secretary of the Archdiocese of Tuam, Fr. Brendan Kilcoyne, said he was unclear as to what was happening at the 'House of Prayer.' "We've been told it's re-opening but that's all we do know," he said. Archbishop Michael Neary was not available for comment as he was on holidays.
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2nd SEPTEMBER, 1998 - Western People |
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St Brendan's College, Belmullet, is a unique school and it has produced a unique student, according to Cllr Pat Kilbane, chairman Mayo Vocational Education Committee. The school is unique because it has, over the course of a single senior cycle, doubled its enrollment at a time when many other centres were losing student numbers. Cllr Kilbane said the achievements in St Brendan's were a tremendous credit to the VEC, to a tremendous principal, to an excellent staff and board of management and to the relationship that existed between all and the students at the college. He was speaking at a special function in the school at which a unique student, Nicola Geraghty, of Faulmore, Belmullet, was made a presentation in recognition of her Leaving Cert result of seven A1s. Cllr Kilbane congratulated Nicola and her parents, Michael and Rosemary, and presented her with a gold watch to mark the distinction. "You are a credit to yourself, your parents, your teachers and your school. They must all be very proud of you," Cllr Kilbane told Nicola. Mr Paddy Conroy, welcoming members of the VEC to St Brendan's, joined in the congratulations to Ms Geraghty and thanked the CEO Mr Joe Langan and the members of the VEC for the commitment they had shown to the school over the years. He singled out the recent support for the school computer room which had ensured that St Brendan's now had a computer capability second to no other school in the country. Mr Langan, thanked Mr Conroy for his remarks and paid tribute to Nichola Geraghty. "I wish you well in Third Level. I have no doubt you will maintain the high standard you have set and reap even more educational distinction in the future," said Mr Langan.
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2nd SEPTEMBER, 1998 Western People |
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A record has been set for a house sale in Ballina. Messrs William Fry, Solrs., Dublin, have purchased Quignalecka House, the elegant residence of the late Mrs Rita Devere-Durcan, a former owner of the Western People. Auctioneer Mike Browne, when contacted by this newspaper, would not confirm the price but would only confirm the property did exceed a figure substantially above £200,000. Mr Browne said the purchase price represented a record for a house sold in the town. MacHales, Solicitors, had carriage of sale.
£100,000 for Ballina Training Centre The Western Health Board's Training Centre at Mercy Road, Ballina, is to receive a £100,000 injection, it has been announced by Minister of State, Dr. Tom Moffatt. The EU co-financed grant has been allocated under the Capital Programme Mental Health Services and will be used to provide much needed extensions at the centre which was built five years ago at a cost of £270,000. It caters for over 50 people from a wide catchment area, extending from Charlestown in the extreme East Mayo to Erris in the West of the county and provides a comprehensive training programme of skills. Dr. Moffatt acknowledged the "excellent work" being undertaken at the centre and the extensions would now greatly enhance the facilities for those working and taking part in the intensive programmes which covered such principles as computers, literacy, numeracy, catering, social skills, community involvement, woodwork, horticulture etc. People trained at the centre had gone on to the general workforce and this was a major boost for everyone concerned. In the longterm, Dr. Moffatt emphasised, they hoped to have a satellite programme in Belmullet due to the distance involved in travelling.
Good news for Achill and Killala The Minister for the Environment Mr Noel Dempsey has given the go-ahead for the Marine Surveys for the Achill Sound and Killala sewerage schemes. News of the announcements has been welcomed by Senator Frank Chambers who pointed out that the Marine Surveys were an essential first step to identify the most suitable location for the discharge of the treated sewage. "I will be in touch immediately with Mayo County Council to ensure that all steps are taken to have the contract arrangements concluded with the successful tenderers- Aqua Fact International Services Ltd, Galway," said Senator Chambers. He added it was vital for the County Council to get these schemes under way as soon as possible as the would be in contravention of EU water quality regulations if treatments works were not installed within the next few years.
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