News Briefs from around Mayo
Draft Newport design goes on display
The draft Newport Town design statement is now on public display up to March 1. A copy of the statement can be viewed on www.mayo.ie and sketch drawings contained in the statement are displayed in Chambers' Shop window at the top of Main Street, Newport. The design marks an important milestone that will guide Newport’s development into the future and Newport residents are invited and encouraged by Mayo County Council to look at the statement and the proposals put forward. Submissions on the draft statement can be made to Westport Civic Offices, Altamont St, Westport, marked “Submission on Newport Town Design statement” or by email to [email protected]. Submissions should be made before Friday, March 5.
Turlough 8K goes virtual
This year, the Turlough 8km race is going virtual! Unfortunately, the annual race cannot be held in the normal way due to Covid-19 restrictions, but organisers are inviting people to join in virtually, noting that it is important for participants to follow government guidelines and exercise within the advised distance from their home. Register for the event on Eventbrite and then over the weekend of Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21, get out within your 5km to walk, run or jog your 8km. Go it alone or get the whole family out for some fresh air. To register, log on to http://www.eventbrite.ie/.../virtual-turlough-8km-race. Organisers also request you tag them in any photos over the weekend and use the hashtag #moveformayo to be entered into their raffle draw for some lovely prizes. Monies raised will go to supporting Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin GAA club in funding different community projects across Mayo.
Emergency funding for St Muredach’s - Calleary
Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has welcomed confirmation that emergency funding has been secured for St. Muredach’s College Ballina. Deputy Calleary was informed of the news by the Department of Education. "Emergency Funding has been secured for St. Muredach’s College to carry out essential repairs to the heating system – I am delighted to have been in a position to assist and support my local school in the process and look forward to the works being carried out" said Deputy Calleary.
Kiltimagh Knock United 1,500k run challenge for two local charities
THE Kiltimagh-Knock United senior men's team are swapping the football boots for runners in support of two great local causes. They are taking on a running challenge, with a target of 1,500 kilometres, to be completed over the month of February. Over the course of the month, the senior team players and their management, along with club committee members and underage coaches, will complete runs at a variety of distances (within their own 5km area ) and they will be added up to try and reach the target. The challenge is a fundraiser for two very worthy local causes - the Down Syndrome Mayo Community Garden, which will be located on the KK club grounds, and also Cenacolo House, which is located in Knock. Community Cenacolo is a free, fully residential programme which helps people suffering from addiction to change their lives. One hundred per cent of the funds raised will be donated to the two causes. Donations can be made through the GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/febuary-fitness-fundraiser or by putting your donation in a marked envelope and placing it in one of the many Kiltimagh Knock United 50/50 boxes in shops around the area. Organisers say any donations, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated.
70 Mayo County Council homes refurbished - Calleary
Mayo Fianna Fáil TD, Dara Calleary, has welcomed the news that 70 Mayo Council owned properties have been refurbished and brought back into use across the county under the 2020 Voids Stimulus Programme. Deputy Calleary said: "The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has informed me that 70 properties owned by Mayo County Council have been refurbished to date with over €773,637 invested by the Department. I want to pay tribute to Mayo County Council Housing Unit who responded to the Department’s call with great enthusiasm and with a commitment to get as many properties refurbished as possible before the end of the year. The shutdown in construction activity in the first half of last year had a big impact on delivery of new build social housing but this scheme allowed for some ground to be made up with over 3,600 vacant Local Authority houses being brought back to use throughout the country. The money provided for this scheme in the July Stimulus, has been spent locally with local contractor, plumbers, electricians, painters and carpenters benefiting from the work it created. Fianna Fáil is committed to providing social and affordable housing – the new Affordable Housing Scheme will come on stream this year – it is imperative that Mayo receives its fair share of the national allocation so that the existing housing lists can be alleviated. I am committed to working in tandem with the Council and local councillors to ensure this happens."
Dillon welcomes disability funding of over €518,000 for GMIT
Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Alan Dillon, has welcomed over half a million Euro being allocated by the Higher Education Minister, Simon Harris, TD, to Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. The funding is being allocated from the Fund for Students with Disabilities and includes plans to put five packages in place at GMIT to provide an improved and more inclusive student experience for those who may require additional education supports. Deputy Dillon said: "This represents a major injection of funding by Minister Harris with over half a million Euro allocated to GMIT. It is part of a €5.4million allocation to the Higher Education sector around Ireland. This funding is aimed at supporting students and staff in our third level colleges who may require additional learning supports and equipment. It is very clear that inclusion is one of the central themes running at the core of projects to be allocated funding at GMIT. I know from working with Simon Harris for a number of years that he has a very keen interest in promoting inclusion and investment into supports for the disability and special education sectors. This funding represents a significant contribution from the Government to our third-level educational infrastructure in the western region, as well as in Mayo. I look forward to seeing this funding being put to use in advance of students returning onsite to colleges."
