News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Mayo

A Ballina man is in with a chance of winning a staggering €15,000 for GAA in Mayo. Thomas Harrison, from Ballina, has been named one of the final four in Super Value’s ‘Ireland’s Most Dedicated GAA Fan”.The prize includes €15,000 to support GAA in the winner’s local community and Thomas Harrison has pinpointed Ballina Stephenites Club and the Mayo County Development Squad as deserving recipients of some much-needed funding if he is successful. For their trouble the winner will also receive an amazing VIP package including accommodation for the All Ireland Final in September.

(Source: The Mayo News)

Meath

With an accent that was as much a part of New York as Central Park, Fifth Avenue or the Brooklyn Bridge, Seanie Monaghan paid a visit to the Navan Boxing Club last week to meet some old acquaintances and make new friends. Monaghan was in town, along with his wife Beverly who is from Puerto Rico. Monaghan was on a short visit to Ireland and a large contingent of his relatives showed up at the CYWS Hall in what turned out to be an extended family gathering. The 28-year-old who has lived all his life in New York only became a professional boxer in April after coming to the sport relatively late.

(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

Offaly

Steff at Tesco Birr have produced a calendar with the aim of raising over €30,000 for the Irish Cancer Society, Tesco's chosen 'Charity of the Year'. Inspired by the film 'Calendar Girls', the 'Naughty but Nice' calendar was launched last week by D'Unbelievables Comedian Jon Kenny at a reception at Kinnitty Castle. More than 120 people attended the launch and over €1,000 was raised on the night from calendar sales and a raffle of prizes kindly donated by local businesses and individuals. 

(Source: Offaly Express)

Roscommon

Jacksons Restaurant's resident chef Geraldine Garvin has been nominated in the Best Chef category in this year's FOOD&WINE Magazine PENFOLDS Restaurant of the Year Awards 2010 shortlist. Head Chef Geraldine believes that her passion for food is best reflected in her strict approach to changing the evening menu on a seasonal basis, incorporating fresh locally-sourced ingredients as they naturally come into season. As such, she has an innovative flair for creating a variety of Game, Seafood and Vegetarian dishes from seasonal produce.

(Source: The Roscommon Champion)

Sligo

A woman had a miraculous escape after being knocked to the ground and trampled on by a bull close to a popular beach in Sligo. Mother-of-four Sonya Byrne from Co Fermanagh, and her 11-year-old son Patrick were walking their dogs at the back of Mullaghmore beach in Co Sligo when they were attacked last week. They were walking close to cows and calves on commonage land, which is not fenced off from the beach, when a bull emerged from the herd and began charging towards them.

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Nster.com