SIPTU has reached an agreement with HSE management on the provision of cleaning services at Mayo General Hospital (Castlebar) and Ballina District Hospital which removes a threat by the agency to outsource support staff work to private contractors. The agreement follows a meeting between SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, and HSE executives today Friday, 20th January in Galway.

Aware’s Mayo support group for individuals with experience of depression meets every Tuesday at 8.30 pm in St. Vincent de Paul Centre, Auray Place (bottom of Newport Road), Castlebar with a group for relatives meeting on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 8.30pm, same location.

On Culture Night, Friday, September 23, Ballina Arts Centre will showcase the music of local bands and musicians from all around North Mayo. Ballina Arts Centre is now inviting North Mayo-based bands and songwriters to submit recordings for consideration for playing on the night.

The Very Revd Patrick Rooke has been ordained and conscrated as a Church of Ireland Bishop of the Dioceses of Tuam, Killala and Achonry by the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, The Most Revd Alan Harper. The ceremony took place at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh, on Thursday. Bishop Rooke has strong family connections with Mayo.

Thousands of people from all over Ireland flocked to Cong last weekend to see the Hollywood icon, Maureen O'Hara, open the very first Quiet Man Festival. From the opening ceremony, the famous Hollywood actress was nothing but patient with everyone - signing autographs, smiling continuously and talking to everyone she met about the times gone by.