Tourism Ireland has welcomed the announcement of a new Aer Lingus Regional flight between Birmingham and Ireland West Airport Knock, from 11 June. This daily service will replace the bmibaby service from Birmingham (which finishes on 10 June), keeping Birmingham connected to Mayo and the west of Ireland for both leisure and business tourism.

Ballina Stephenites GAA Club has raised €6,261.20 for the Irish Cancer Society through the annual Shave or Dye charity fundraiser in association with Today FM. A group of Ballina Stephenites players, club officers, members, supporters and friends gathered in the Clubhouse on February 23rd last and donated their hair in aid of this great cause.

The sun shone brightly on Ballina for the River Moy Half Marathon on Saturday last. And, on a perfect day for running, many personal bests were set on a flat and scenic course which is never too far away from the salmon rich river which lends its name to the race. This is a race which has justifiably gained a reputation for catering for the athletic targets of all participants and this year was no different with the presence of race pacers for 1:30; 1:40; 1:50; 2:00 and 2:10.

Walking enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to explore the countryside off the Great Western Greenway this June bank holiday weekend at Burrishoole Walking Festival. For the past 25 years Burrishoole Walking Festival has been revealing a piece of hidden Ireland to local and international walkers. Established in 1987, the festival is organised by an enthusiastic bunch of local volunteers, with farmers swapping their wellies for walking boots to act as guides through lands that they know best.

The lower Moy fisheries did not produce many fish over the past week; Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water yielded seven while the Moy Fishery reported no catch for the week. The mid Moy fisheries produced a few fish, and at Coolcronan, Sandra Fleming, N.Ireland, was the first angler to catch a salmon off that fishery, winning her the Coolcronan Cup. Sandra caught a fine 7lbs salmon on a spinner. This was shortly followed by Tommy Whiteside, who took the second of the season, a fish of 8lbs on worm.

The apparent poisoning  of White tailed Eagle found on the shores of Lough Beltra in County Mayo has been condemned by Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.  The young Mayo eagle, which had been released in Killarney National Park in 2010, was carrying a satellite tag to track its movements, and when the tag showed the bird was not moving about, a search was carried out by National Parks and Wildlife Service staff and the Golden Eagle Trust.