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January 2014 Issue 1 - Volume 16
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BALLINA
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FIANNA FÁIL LEADER MEETS SLIGO YOUNG SCIENTIST STUDENTS 18 PAGE WEDDING GUIDE
Tourism success gives boost to Northwest First Charity Women’s Little Christmas Luncheon a huge success
Agricultural CPI Spray Foam Insulation
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400 TURN OUT FOR GOAL MILE IN BALLINA
Ladies from Sligo, Leitrim, Dublin and even Cork and the surrounds came in their droves to the stunning Kilronan Castle, Ballyfarnon for the North West Simon Community first Women’s Little Christmas Black Dress Luncheon - pictured above are Sinead Dore, Mary Munnelly, Sharon Rynn, Pauline McBrien, Helen Munnelly, Lily McPartlan, Noreen McDermott, Catriona McPablan, Mary McKeon, Michelle Mannelly, Brenda Brehon and Marcella Callun. Full article on Page 7 • Photo: Tony Geoghegan Photography
2
014 ended with a lot of hype around the so-called 'Celtic Phoenix'; the impending rise from the ashes of the Irish economy. Amid the increasing unrest among the people of Ireland, seen most clearly in huge protests against the impending water charges, and demands for change and reform in our government, can we really see a light at the end of the tunnel? A lot of the major economic 'good news' of the past year has been news central to the capital city and its surrounds, but what of the north west? Well, there is good news for this side of the country too, particularly in the tourism sector. Figures recently released by Failte Ireland show that visitor numbers were exceptionally high for 2014, growing by an estimated 9% and on a par with our second busiest tourism year ever, as well as the reported overseas spend seeing a €400m jump from 2013, the steepest increase in over a decade. 5,000 new jobs were created in the sector last year, with a further 8,000 predicted for 2015. And thanks to high profile success stories such as The Wild Atlantic Way and the Fleadh Cheoil the north west is a main player in this vital industry, more now than ever. Positive words from the CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Shaun Quinn, regarding the year ahead: “Next year we have some tantalising prizes to aim for. Whether it's visitors, revenue or jobs, tourism looks set to deliver in 2015, a record breaking year. Fáilte Ireland will support these ambitious targets by developing compelling reasons to visit Ireland and will work closely with tourism businesses throughout the country to sell smarter and market more effectively.” Continued on page 2
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