Tuesday, 30 April 2013 12:16

AS FARMERS continue to grapple with the fodder crisis, further loads of imported english hay have been arranged by Connacht Gold across the co-op’s region.
Loads of hay arrived at the Connacht Gold stores at Ballaghadereen and Westport on Saturday and at its stores in Claremorris, Co. Mayo, and Kilbarron, Co. Donegal yesterday (Monday).
Connacht Gold has sourced up to 10 further loads of hay on British farm and once transport is organised these are expected to arrive in Connacht Gold stores across the region over the coming days.
A Connacht Gold spokesman stressed that, because of the acute shortage on many farms, this imported hay is committed before it arrives at Connacht Gold stores.
All hay is being sold to farmers at cost and the cost of transport will be reduced significantly by the special fund established last week by the minister for Agriculture.
managers in Connacht Gold stores and livestock marts are continuing to co-ordinate the supply of silage, hay and straw across the region to ensure that farmers have access to whatever supplies are available.

Tuesday, 30 April 2013 12:05

Communities 'impinged on because of SACs' - WeirA MAYO Fine Gael elected representative has flagged his concerns over the route of the proposed Eirgrid transmission line to upgrade the county’s electricity infrastructure.
Councillor Seamus Weir is worried one of the proposed routes will impinge on his home parish of Knockmore because it is located between two of the most important angling tourism locations in the region, namely Lough Conn and the River Moy.

He hit out that the number and location of proposed routes is limited by the imposition of special areas of conservations (SACs) over vast areas of the county.
Speaking at a meeting of the West Regional Authority, Councillor Weir said he could not understand the logic of placing overhead lines in population areas while bypassing SACs, where the impact of pylons would not be adverse.
He was supported in his stand by Castlebar-based Councillor Eugene McCormack who agreed that development is being prevented in vast swathes of north Mayo because of the imposition of SACs.

Tuesday, 23 April 2013 13:03

MAYO Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry Murray has pledged his ‘unwaivering support’ to communities campaigning against EirGrid plans to impose high voltage overhead powerlines through the landscape of east Mayo.

The Charlestown-based representative stated there is no good reason why the lines could not go underground, especially when coming into close proximity of houses, schools and community buildings.

He stated: “The EirGrid proposals have been a worrying and emotive subject for the public, especially those who live along the preferred route.

“The reason for that concern is the fear of health risks connected to overhead power lines that carry up to 400Kv.

“The public not only need reassurance on health issues, but there are also concerns about the detrimental environmental impact of pylons which will literally cut across the east Mayo countryside.

Tuesday, 23 April 2013 12:54

THE Fleadh Cheoil season is upon us again and it is time to take to the road. This year’s Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo will take place in Swinford on the weekend of May 10, 11 and 12, and full details of the event were announced at a press launch in O’Connor’s in Main Street, Swinford.

The launch was performed by the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Cyril Burke, emphasising the growing links between Mayo Comhaltas and Mayo County Council.

Swinford is no stranger to Fleadhanna Cheoil having hosted a number of county fleadhs and provincial fleadhs over the years.

Swinford hosted Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 1961, an event that was remembered at celebrations just two years ago.

The Mayo Fleadh Cheoil has taken on added significance these past few years and is now a major cultural event on the county calendar. Such cultural events have an ever-increasing role to play in these times of economic recession. Never had the Fleadh Cheoil such an important role to play as it has this year, the year of The Gathering.