Castlebar Grow it Yourself
The next meeting of Castlebar GIY is on Monday April 8. It will be held in the Le Cheile Family Resource Centre, Tucker Street, at 7.30pm.
The topic for the evening will be Foraging For Wild Food, and guest speaker will be Zane Joyce of the Nature School, Laughtavarry, Ballyvary. Joyce is a native of Latvia where foraging skills are still widely used.
Exhibition launch
The Clew Bay Hotel Gallery, Westport, presents an exhibition of painting, drawing, and sculpture by Pauline Garavan. The exhibition will be opened by Marie Farrell, director of the Linenhall Arts Centre, on Friday April 12 at 7.30pm, and all those interested are invited to attend. The exhibition continues daily until mid-May.
The work is an in-depth study of west of Ireland rusted galvanised roofs. Though rusted and weathered, Garavan's work explores their hidden beauty.
Poetry for Patrick launch
Westport Town Council congratulates all those who entered the Poetry for Patrick competition. The response was truly amazing with more than 300 entries. The launch of the prize-winning poetry will take place today (Friday April 5 ) at Westport Leisure Park at 5pm.
Ger Reidy and some of our new found poets will perform readings of their own poetry on the day. The publication comprises poetry from 56 entrants who will be awarded with the poetry collection at the launch. The poetry collection will also be for sale in aid of Sharkey Hill Community Centre, Pairc na Coille, Westport.
Castlebar Spring Market
Artisan food and craft producers from all over the west will be selling their wares at the Castlebar Spring Market on Sunday April 7 in Breaffy Events Arena 12pm to 5pm.
Admission is free and all are welcome.
Hospice appeal for walkers
Mayo Roscommon Hospice is calling on women of all ages to participate on its behalf in the Women’s Mini Marathon in Castlebar on Sunday May 5 and help support those in the community living with life limiting illness. Sponsorship cards are available. Contact 094 938 8666.
Safetalk suicide alertness course
Safetalk is a three hour training programme that prepares participants to identify people with thoughts of suicide and to connect them to suicide first aid resources.
The course will take place in Ballinasloe on Tuesday April 16 from 6pm to 9pm in the Carlton Sheerwater Hotel. Spaces are limited and those interested must apply either by e-mail to [email protected] or phone 086 362 8711. The course is delivered by the HSE West Suicide prevention department.
Children’s fun soccer
A fun soccer afternoon is being held today (Friday April 5 between 2pm and 4pm ) for all children between the ages of eight and 12 years at the Lough Lannagh Astro Turf pitch (adjacent to the new tennis club ).
This programme is organised by Castlebar Sports Forum.
LEADER meeting
A public meeting about proposed changes to the LEADER programme will take place on Monday April 8 in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, and Monday April 15 at 8pm in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport.
The Government plans to remove authority, responsibility, and funding from South West Mayo Development Company and all similar local development companies in Ireland. The programmes delivered by South West Mayo Development Company have successfully benefited rural communities for the last 20 years. These meetings are in response to the high level of local concern about the proposals. For more information view www.southmayo.com or contact 098 41950, [email protected]
Swinford Agricultural Show
Swinford Agricultural Show is holding a monster table quiz in the Gateway Hotel on Friday night April 12.
Four people/€40 per table. There will be lots of prizes on the night.
Fashion show in Claremorris
Members of Claremorris Ladies GAA will be swapping the football pitch for the glamour and glitz of the catwalk as they are holding a fashion show on April 6.
There will be a cheese and wine reception at 8pm and the show will start at 8.30pm. There will be a selection of local male talent modelling on the night.
Tickets are priced at €10 and are available from club members or at the door. Students pay at the door on the night. There will be a raffle on the night.
Culture and music night for charity
Feile Tir na Og is organising an Irish culture and music night in Hotel Westport on Saturday April 13 at 8pm to raise funds for the children's cystic fibrosis ward in Castlebar. Tickets are just €10 and will be on sale in Westport radio's James Street studios. The charity is raising funds for a nitric oxide machine for the children.
All acts have generously given their time and talent free of charge as has Hotel Westport and this means that every cent from every ticket goes straight the children's ward in Castlebar. Call 098 24000 to book a ticket or call into Westport Radio's studios in the courtyard off James Street, Westport, to buy a ticket.
Castlebar Trialogue meeting
Trialogue is an open forum for discussion on mental health issues. Users of the mental health services, carers, health care professionals, their friends, and everyone in the community talk are welcome.
The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7pm in the parish centre, Castlebar, opposite the entrance to the church car-park.
The April meeting is on Tuesday 9.
Project for both young and old
A project for those over 55 and for teenagers between 15 and 18 will commence on Friday April 12 from 4pm to 6pm for a duration of six weeks in Ballina FRC.
Go along and enjoy music, dance, arts, crafts, storytelling, and lots more. For more information contact Ballina FRC at 096 75573.
Internet safety and cyber bullying event
Comhairle na nOg Mhaigheo with the support of Mayo County Development Board, Foroige and the Mayo VEC Youth Committee is organising an internet safety and cyber bullying information night. The night aims to alleviate all the concerns and worries parents have regarding these two topics as your child makes the transition to secondary school.
Speakers on the night include Brendan Smith from NUI Galway, Anton Boyd HSE psychologist, and members of the Comhairle na nog.
The event is on April 10 from 7.30pm to 9pm in the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar. To book a place leave a message at 094 902 6760.
WhistleBlast Quartet
The WhistleBlast Quartet – Ken Edge (saxophone and clarinet ), Mary Curran (French horn ), Síle Daly (oboe and cor anglais ) and Andrew Synnott (piano ) – will visit Kilmeena with another completely new and exciting three-day outreach/concert programme that will involve up to 130 children at St Brendan’s National School in a series of concerts and workshops.
A group from the school will perform a short piece of their own composition as part of the final free concert on Friday April 12 at 6.30pm in Kilmeena Community Centre.
Warmer Homes Scheme
Clar ICH wishes to invite applications for the Warmer Homes Scheme. Applicants must fit the eligibility criteria set down by SEAI:-owner occupied, non-local authority homes and constructed before 2002.
The owner must be in receipt of one of the following: Fuel allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme; Job seekers allowance for over six months, and with children under seven years of age; Family income support.
For further details and for an application form contact the Warmer Homes Scheme Team at 094 9371 830 or 094 937 3455.
Comedy in Kiltimagh
Kilmovee/Carracastle Drama group present The Maiden Aunt, the hilarious three act comedy written by Jimmy Keary, in Kiltimagh Town Hall Theatre on Friday April 12. Doors open at 7.30pm.
Admission for adults is €10 and €5 for children. Proceeds in aid of Aghamore National School.
Disco in Breaffy
A Back to the 80s, Pink Ribbon disco, with DJ Henry McGlade will be held in Breaffy GAA Club House on Saturday April 13 at 9.30pm.
Have you ever played for Breaffy GAA?
Be part of the club's 60th anniversary celebrations this year. It needs photographs, press cuttings, and memorabilia (including videos ). Lend them to the club to form part of the club's diamond jubilee celebrations. All items will be returned.
You can contact the club by Twitter, Facebook, snail mail, or any club member.
Breaffy GAA Club Lotto week ending March 31 (jackpot was €7,500 ) there were no jackpot winners. Numbers drawn were: 3, 10, 23, 27.
Lucky dip winners were: €100 Eileen Bennett, Shraigh, Louisburgh; €20 Graham Sharp, Cortoon, Kiltimagh; €20 Liam Murray, Corheens, Breaffy, and €20 Annabel Conway, Ballyshane, Breaffy.
Next draw is on April 7 for a jackpot of €7,600.
Political debate on CRCfm
With the economic downturn continuing to cause problems both locally and nationally there will be much to discuss on Saturday Forum this week. The flagship current affairs programme can be heard on CRC 102.9 fm at 11.30am on tomorrow Saturday April 6.
Listeners are invited to have their say by ringing CRC on 094 902 5555, the text number is 087 935 0043 and the e-mail address is [email protected]
Dance event for Red Cross
A Come Dance With Me event in aid of the local Claremorris Red Cross will take place in the Dalton Inn Hotel, Claremorris, on Saturday April 13.
Music after with Matt Keane and band. Event starts at 8.30pm sharp. Admission costs €15. Tickets are available from Vaughan Shoes and the Dalton Inn Hotel.
Debt advice clinic
Fianna Fáil area representative, Lisa Chambers, will hold a clinic at the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar, this Saturday (April 6 ) to deal with personal insolvency issues.
Ms Chambers, a qualified barrister, has recently addressed local meetings on the subject of the new Personal Insolvency Bill, and has subsequently dealt with many queries from people on a one-to-one basis. The clinic tomorrow (from noon to 1pm ) is free, fully confidential, and is open to all.
Healthy Ageing Day
St Colman’s Care Centre Keel Achill is hosting a Healthy Ageing Day on Wednesday April 10 (10.30am-3.45pm ) in Óstán Oileán Acla, Achill Sound.
There will be topics and activities of interest to both men and women. Lunch and light refreshments will be served. Contact St Colman's on 098 43248.
