Kate Nickleby

Fri, Jun 16, 2023

On 3 February 1842, Baptist missionaries Mr Clarke and Dr Prince boarded the Barque Mary at Bassipa, a new settlement established by London merchant Robert Jamieson on the island of Fernando Po, Equatorial Guinea. Their destination was Liverpool. The voyage was stalked by disaster from the outset. On 11 February, the main mast was struck by lightning in a storm, and a crew member was killed. On 25 March, the mast fell onto the deck bringing down sails and rigging, leaving the ship adrift at the mercy of the waves.

Ashford Estate’s 5-star online draw for local charity

Thu, Jun 08, 2023

A fantastic prize draw has just been launched by the Ashford Estate in Co Mayo in aid of local charity, Mayo Cancer Support.

Random invoices and council wages paid from Croagh Patrick car-park

Fri, Jun 02, 2023

A Mayo county councillor has highlighted some questionable accounting techniques being applied to car-parking income generated at Murrisk Car-park, where tens of thousands come to climb the pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick every year - which includes payments towards salaries of council staff and random invoices that could come from previous years.

UK company lobbies council on new gas field

Fri, Jun 02, 2023

A UK gas and oil company this week lobbied a Strategic Policy Group in Mayo County Council to support its plans to drill a potential multimillion euro offshore gas field on a site 11km from the Bellanaboy Corrib terminal in North Mayo.

Four weddings and a mutiny – India 1920

Fri, Jun 02, 2023

On 28 June 1920, members of the Connaught Rangers Regiment stationed at Wellington Barracks, Jullundur in Punjab, mutinied in protest against the activities of the British Army in Ireland. The irony of their stance as members of a colonial occupying army was, it would seem, lost on them. Two men took the protest to the Connaught Rangers company at Solon Barracks the next day. On the evening of 1 July, a group armed with bayonets attempted to take weapons from the magazine fort at Solon. The guard opened fire, killing a mutineer and an innocent man. The protest started peacefully at both locations—orders were ignored, tricolours were flown, Sinn Féin rosettes were worn, and rebel songs were sung. Sixty-one men were convicted of mutiny. Fourteen were sentenced to death, but only one, James Joseph Daly, was executed. Those imprisoned were released in 1923. Ballina man James J. Devers, one of the Solon mutineers, was among those released. Devers enlisted in 1918.

Ballina is like a sub on a team with no N5 signage

Fri, May 19, 2023

Despite the fact that Ballina is currently on a high following the visit of US President Joe Biden and ongoing celebrations in the town for its year-long 300th anniversary - the actual existence of the town is being kept a secret by Mayo County Council - as there is little or no signposting telling people how to get there.

The charge was made by Cllr John O'Hara at this week's Ballina MD meeting, where he stated: "We are the biggest town in Mayo but Castlebar and Westport seem to be promoted one together while Ballina is kind of sidelined. You come into Castlebar and see a sign for Foxford and a sign for Swinford, but tourists coming in don’t see anything to do with Ballina and would not even know of it, only for the US President's visit.

Buzz in Ballina as Biden Bounce continues

Fri, May 19, 2023

A month on and Ballina is still buzzing and proud following the visit of President Biden to the north Mayo town as people can now reflect and enjoy video footage of the event going global, while looking forward to an ongoing busy calendar of events as the Ballina 300th year-long anniversary continues right throughout 2023.

At the May meeting of Ballina MD this week, following the Head of MD report which noted four events of focus in April - namely, preparations for visit of President Biden; preparations for Mayo Day; preparations for Mini-Marathon and the launch of Ballina Rowing Club, a warm glow spread around the council chamber from the feel-good factor of Ballina being recognised as a happening town with exciting things going on.

Westport relay for life this weekend

Fri, May 19, 2023

Relay for life is a global event which celebrates and remembers those who have and are fighting cancer. The first relay for life event in Westport takes place over this weekend, May 20th & 21st, during which there will be a free music and dancing event for all the family taking place on The Fairgreen, including artists such as Seoda, Peter Molloy, Tony Reidy, Coda, The Clew Bay Pipe Band and more.

The long dark shadow

Fri, May 19, 2023

Private James Barry was posted as a sentry at the barrack gate in Castlebar on the night of 13 May 1830. When darkness descended, he tied a long handkerchief to the trigger of his musket. He then tied the other end to the gate bolt, put the muzzle to his chest and stepped backwards. The shot passed through his heart and exited through his spine. The inquest found Barry suffered from temporary insanity occasioned by 'fatal love'.

Sacred Heart beds needed to help MUH

Fri, May 12, 2023

With Mayo University Hospital issuing yet another alert this week asking the public not to attend at the Emergency Department unless absolutely essential, a Mayo TD has called for the government to intervene and provide respite care beds in Mayo to tackle the problem.

Support called for rural political party

Fri, May 12, 2023

Brendan Lavelle, chair of Keenagh Development, has issued a call for rural communities to support the call by Michael Fitzmaurice, TD, for a political party focused on representing rural communities.

The Castlebar mutineer

Fri, May 12, 2023

On 21 September 1797, HMS Hermione was hit by a squall off the coast of Cape Nicola Mole. The storm set in motion a series of events that led to the bloodiest mutiny in British naval history. One account places Castlebar man Patrick Walsh among the ringleaders. During the storm, Captain Hugh Pigot ordered the topsails to be reefed. The topmen struggled to get it done quickly. An angry Pigot screamed—the last man down will be flogged. In the panic, three young sailors fell to their death. Pigot had their bodies thrown overboard. Two boatswain's mates were tasked with flogging the remainder of the topmen for dissent.

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