Minister of State for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, Kathleen Lynch TD has announced a commitment of over €1.1 million in additional funding to 36 positive action projects across Irelandincluding South West Mayo Development Company which is to receive €33,333.

Founder of suicide awareness group Talkaboutit.ie Joe McGuire said this week that pressure from banks is increasingly one of the contributing factors in suicide related deaths in the country.

The Carers Association's Connaught/Ulster Carer of the Year Award 2012 was presented at a special ceremony on Friday evening to Mayo carer, Bridie McLoughlin, at the Westport Plaza Hotel. Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Cllr Christy Hyland, presented Bridie with both her Mayo Carer of the Year and Connaught/Ulster Carer of the Year 2012 Awards.

Ballyhaunis is very busy at the moment in preparation for their 12th Annual Summer Festival. This year's opening ceremony is taking place at Ballyhaunis Community School.

There was a good turnout for the Gorta commemorative walk in Belleek Wood, Ballina, on May Bank Holiday Monday. The walk was part of the National Famine Commemoration events, which remembers all those who died during An Gorta Mór. Among the attendance were Mayor Peter Clarke of Ballina, Dara Calleary TD,  Ballina Town Clerk, Carmel Murphy, and Cyril Collins of the Belleek Wood Enhancement Committee.

Ballina Family Resource Centre is set to host a day of fun games and activities for families, to mark International Day of the Family on Sunday May 20th.

All roads lead to Ballinrobe Racecourse on the May 19th and 20th for the inaugural Connacht Spring Show which promises to be one of the best shows to be held in the West of Ireland in recent years.  Incorporating the Connacht International Sheep Shearing Championships, the Spring Show will boast a comprehensive and diverse range of exhibitions and displays.  Foremost among them will be the large farm machinery show.

Kilmurry Youth Soccer Club (YSC) is holding a fundraising 25 Drive in Maughan's Bar and& Lounge, Church Street, Crossmolina on Friday night  June 8th.

Crossmolina Community Festival is hosting an open meeting on Wednesday, May 16th, at 8:30pm in the Enterprise Centre, Crossmolina.

The Mayo Buy My Dress sale, which is organied by Jenny Brennan, Virtual Office Worx, will take place in the Royal Theatre, Castlebar on Saturday 26th May from 11am to 5pm. TV presenters, Anna Daly and Lisa Cannon helped launch one of Ireland’s most fashion-forward fundraisers, Down Syndrome Centre’s Buy My Dress campaign.