Newspaper history created on castlebars main street

HISTORY has been created with the publication of The Connaught Telegraph from its new offices in Castlebar for the first time.

Staff moved from their long-established home at Cavendish Lane last Tuesday to begin a new era for Ireland’s oldest provincial newspaper at Main Street.

The newspaper, now under the ownership of the Celtic Media Group, will celebrate 187 years in existence on St. Patrick’s Day.

Two distinguished visitors dropped in on Friday to wish the management and staff every success in the future.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny took time out from his busy schedule to view the offices and meet with members of the editorial and advertising departments.

The Fine Gael leader said: “It is a wonderful new beginning for The Connaught Telegraph and everybody associated with it. I am sure it will go from strength to strength in the years ahead and the location of the new offices is a very good one at a time when we are witnessing a regeneration of our town centre.”

Earlier in the day, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin also underlined his support for the regional newspaper sector by breaking from his extensive schedule of engagements to extend his good wishes to the staff in their new surroundings. He was joined by Deputy Dara Calleary, Councillor Lisa Chambers and Councillor Blackie Gavin.

Stated Deputy Martin: “I am delighted to see the country’s oldest provincial newspaper setting out on a new era which, I am sure, will be a very successful one under the proprietorship of the Celtic Media Group, which has 11 other titles.

'It is essential to our democracy that we have a thriving provincial newspaper sector.”   

The cathaoirleach of An Seanad, Senator Paddy Burke, also paid a visit to the new offices.