December 23
Inhabitants and visitors are once again preparing to celebrate the Christmas Season in the usual way. St. Tiernan’s Church and the other churches in the parish were very busy putting final touches to the crib and Christmas Confessions, Nativity Play and Carol Service were being arranged.
The parish clergy encouraged people to buy Christmas Cards that reflect the true meaning of Christmas not meaningless ones with Made in Taiwan on the back. Bright Christmas lights are in place in the town since last week and shops and hotel is busy and welcoming. Parking is no problem anymore and the busy housewife can shop in comfort for all her needs in our own town.
Santa is a welcome visitor and is expected to make his usual calls on time. We also remember those who may have lost loved ones during the year in our parish and remember them in a special way at Midnight Mass.
December 02
All senior citizens in the parish are invited to the annual Christmas Mass celebrated in St. Tiernan’s church at 2pm on next Sunday, December 4th followed by the party in the Dolphin hotel. It is a much looked forward to event in the parish. A lovely day for people to meet their friends and enjoy themselves. Names are to be given by Wednesday, November 30th and if transport is a problem contact the Social Services Centre, Chapel Street, (mornings) or any member of the committee.
November 11
The death occurred on Saturday October 29th of Right Reverend Monsignor Francis Vincent Lynn, Mullenmore Road, Crossmolina. His remains were removed from Hiney's Funeral Home on Monday evening to St Tiernan's Church. Burial took place in Ardagh Church grounds on Tuesday after Requiem Mass.
Monsignor Lynn was brother of the late Moise Cawley, Tullylinn, Pat Lynn, Carndonagh, John Lynn, Keenagh, Michael Lynn, Clonskeagh, Maggie Gallagher, Sculifein, Bridgie McLoughlin, Rathduff, Hugh Lynn, Gortnor Abbey.
He is deeply mourned by his loving sisters, Rose Lynn, Crossmolina, Kathleen Brady, Ashford, Wicklow and Tom Lynn, Ballina; sisters in law, nephews and nieces, the Bishops and Priests of the Diocese of Killala, former parishioners, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace. Vincent Francis Lynn was born in Keenagh and educated in Keenagh NS, Muredach's College and Maynooth College, and ordained in 1954. He furthered his studies in Maynooth until 1958 and taught in St Muredach's College from 1958 to 1986, when he was appointed Parish Priest of Skreen/Dromond until 1996 when he was appointed Parish Priest of Ardagh until he retired in 2004. He was a caring, kind and sincere man. It was a testimony of his popularity, too have such huge numbers that attended the removal on Monday and Mass and burial on Tuesday. He will be sadly missed by everybody who had the pleasure of knowing him.
November 09
Exciting development plan unveiled in Crossmolina
by Denise O’Donovan
An innovative and exciting new plan for the development of Crossmolina was officially launched in the North Mayo town last Wednesday evening. Described as a “blueprint for future development” the plan is the brainchild of Crossmolina Community Council and WESTBIC, the Business and Innovation Centre in the Border, Midland and Western regions.
Crossmolina is already one of Mayo’s most rapidly developing towns with a strong community spirit. However setbacks it encountered last year, with the closure of Bord Na Mona and ESB, has spurned a reaction by locals to rejuvenate the community. The members of the Crossmolina Development Group are a vibrant and enthusiastic mix of people who have committed themselves voluntarily to oversee the workings of this new development plan. Brendan Moyles, secretary of the Crossmolina Development Group, told the Western People that this development plan would be focused on long-term development.
The undertakings of the Resource Audit and Strategic Development plan for Crossmolina began in August of this year. WESTBIC were selected to oversee the plan and provide consultancy to the group. The organisation is an ISO accredited organisation that provides tailored support to innovative enterprises and community development projects from the initial concept right through to commercialisation and post-launch stage.
On Wednesday night Joe Greaney, Director for WESTBIC and Seamus McCormick, WESTBIC consultant, added their signatures to the Crossmolina Development Plan contract.
The plan itself has fostered a number of ideas related to all facets of the community. The group will be considering key issues such as how to improve the attractiveness of Crossmolina as a place to live, reviewing the current infrastructure and facilities in the area and identifying the availability of funding. Employment growth opportunities and sectors capable for development will be reviewed under the plan as well as the consideration of an appropriate support structures for small start-up businesses. Enhancement and environmental improvements will also be considered and potential opportunities in the area of business, heritage and tourism will be revealed.
All ages groups will be considered in this plan, whereby the group will identify community services and potential developments to enhance the quality of life for teenage and senior citizen age groups.
Now is the time for the local community of Crossmolina to sit up and make their voices heard. The plan will involve widespread consultation with the community organisations in or serving the parish, parishioners and agencies that can influence the economic, cultural and sporting life of the people of Crossmolina. The opinions and suggestions of the Crossmolina people, from housewives to local businesspeople, are also needed to help kick start this development plan into action. Everyone must take part in the consultation process and must contribute their ideas and suggestions. If the people of Crossmolina can come together now and co-operate with the Community Development Group, the long-term results will be to the benefit of all.
In the coming weeks the development group will make available a number of questionnaires to the wider community. It is hoped that every member of the community will take it upon themselves to carefully read through this questionnaire and fill it out accordingly. One must applaud the efforts of the group and say that if the level of enthusiasm by the group is maintained, this community plan could be the makings of Crossmolina.
November 02
New plan to be unveiled for development of Crossmolina
By: Denise O’Donovan (Western People)
Wednesday, November 2nd will mark a significant date for the people of Crossmolina as the community welcomes the official signing of contracts for a new development plan in the town and surrounding area.
The plan will be carefully devised by WESTBIC, the Business and Innovation Centre in the Border, Midland and Western region, and the official signing will take place between the Crossmolina Development group and Seamus McCormack of WESTBIC.
Crossmolina is a fast developing town in North Mayo with a strong community spirit, diversity of lifestyles and located within 10km of North Mayo’s primary urban centre Ballina town. Crossmolina offers excellent educational facilities in the form of two new childcare facilities, a modern co-educational primary school and two co-educational secondary schools. In addition the town has a variety of sporting and recreational facilities having achieved success at both local and National levels.
Unfortunately for the community last year, local industries ESB and Bord Na Móna announced that they would be fazed out over the coming months. Both industries were significant job providers in the area. Following this the Crossmolina Community Council quickly took the initiative to approach the local community in order to address this significant loss of employment in such a confined region.
In June 2005 the Crossmolina Development Group was formed in consultation with the existing Crossmolina Community Council. This development group consisting of twelve new members from the local community initiated the identification of potential projects that could encourage investment, local employment, tourism, recreational and cultural developments into the area.
A priority of the development group was the commissioning of a community based resource audit and strategic development plan for Crossmolina community. This resource audit will identify the main objectives that the Crossmolina Development Group will need to address in the coming years. Included in this plan are the means to show what the community has to offer to outside investors, who the community needs to target and where the town will see itself in the future. After many weeks of debate and consultation among the group members WESTBIC were finally chosen from a list of potential candidates to undertake this development plan.
The development plan will be a blueprint for the future social, economic, cultural and environmental development of Crossmolina town for future years. The signing of the contracts with WESTBIC takes place in Crossmolina Community Council Centre on Wednesday evening November 2nd at 7pm.
October 28th
A Blood Donation Clinic will visit the Town Hall, Crossmolina on Thursday, October 6th from 2.30 to 4.45pm and 7 to 9 pm. Also on Friday, October 7th from 11 am to 2pm.
Please made a special effort to attend this clinic. In particular O Rh Negative and A Rh Negative blood is always in high demand throughout the year. All needles and materials used for blood collection are sterile, disposable and used only once.
If you are in any doubt please contact the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in advance at 1850 731137.
Oct 7th
A free training for childminders, Quality Awareness Programme will take place in the Dolphin Hotel, on Monday, October 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th from 8 to 10pm. You must attend all four nights. Topics of interest are Why choose childminding, Child Development, Hygiene, Health and Safety, Well-being of Children and Play. Everyone is welcome including parents. Enquiries to Mary O’Hara at 094-9034776/7 or CDP Office at 094-9381506. The above initiative is supported by Mayo County Childcare Committee working in partnership with the Health Service Executive – Western Area and Childminding Ireland to support childminders in Co. Mayo.
Sept 2nd
The death occurred in Liverpool on Friday, August 26th, following a tragic accident, of Enda O’Malley, Ballyvicmaha, Castlehill. His remains were removed from Hiney’s Funeral Home on Wednesday evening to St. Tiernan’s Church and burial took place in Kilmurry Cemetery on Thursday after Requiem Mass. Enda is survived by his partner Eaonna; parents, Anthony and Mary; brothers, Brian and Kevin; sisters Niamh, Ann Marie and Emer, his nanny, aunts, uncles, cousins, aunts in law, uncles in law, extended family, and all his many friends. May he rest in peace.
Aug 19th
Any person or visitor to make a donation to the St. Tiernan’s fund, please contact Chairman of the Parish Council Mr Enda Hiney, Fr. Michael Conway PP or Fr. Michael Reilly CC. Many thanks for money already received towards the fund.
September 07
ATM to remain in Crossmolina
By: Marian Harrison (Western People)
Bank of Ireland (BOI) has promised the people of Crossmolina they will not go without an ATM machine.
With plans to close the BOI branch in the North Mayo town by November 11, locals have pleaded with the bank officials to renege their decision but have only been promised that the ATM machine will not be taken from the town. The service will be moved from the current premises but Bank of Ireland’s Regional Manager for the West, Donal Flynn, has promised to find a suitable premises for the pass machine.
“The ATM machine won’t go from the town; we’re looking for a suitable premises and we’ve committed to relocating the pass machine.”
While Mr Flynn agreed that customers could be left without the pass service if a suitable location was not found, he noted that this was highly unlikely.
“We’ve had a couple of offers of premises and we’re evaluating them at the moment. I don’t anticipate us not having a premise,” noted Mr Flynn.
The ATM in Munnelly’s Centre Supermarket will remain as a back up in case of a breakdown in service.
At a meeting of local business people and bank officials last week it was pointed out that the community felt “hurt that their loyal support to the bank meant nothing and that such a momentous decision was taken without any prior consultation with local people”.
It is understood that no decision has been taken on when the bank premises will be sold.
