Manorhamilton Area Sinn Fein councillor, Sean McSharry, has described Minister Noonan’s recent comments that emigration is a lifestyle choice as insulting and out of touch with reality.

‘Winning in Tendering’ (a €3.7M Interreg IV project) along with ACTION and Kilkenny County Council will host a seminar aimed at suppliers and businesses who tender for public sector contracts at local, national or EU level.

Many congratulations to Samantha and all the team at Kilronan Castle for a first class wedding fair. It was lovely to meet with the many brides who have opted to have chair covers and the Fairylight Backdrop included in their wedding package. We at Wedding Chair Covers in Drumkeeran Co. Leitrim look forward to transforming the function room into something special for their wedding day.

There was such a range of exhibitors at the fair, the ideal one-stop shop for the bride, it makes planning your wedding so much easier. If you were unable to make it to Kilronan Castle, but require information on chair cover hire for your forthcoming wedding, please email anne@weddingchaircovers.ie

In a hard hitting speech in the European Parliament, Marian Harkin Independent MEP for North and West accused the Council of Ministers of blackmailing Ireland by tying the ratification of the current fiscal treaty to access to the European Stability Mechanism (ESM).

Leitrim teachers and parents will join a national campaign to shout “stop” to the threat of school closures and the further decimation of local communities and rural Ireland at Dail Eireann this evening, Wednesday, February 1.

The IDA may have created 13,000 nationally in 2011 but the story in Co Leitrim was one of job losses and a marked failure to attract new investment.

This year is the 30th year of the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon. This year’s event will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 4th June 2012. It is a great opportunity to get fit and healthy and raise money for a charity of your choice. Every Step makes a Difference with Flora Women’s Mini Marathon.

The Flora Women’s Mini Marathon is the biggest all women’s event of its kind in the world. It has grown steadily in numbers since it began in 1983 with its popularity increasing significantly over the last few years. Over those years nearly 780,000 women have entered the event – and the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon had a record field of 40,397 on Bank Holiday Monday, June 7th, 2010. Even though the event is in Dublin, ladies flock from all over Ireland to take part in this fantastic occasion.

Last year registration had to close early because of the overwhelming response so it is highly recommended that you secure your place as soon as possible. Registration opens on 22nd February at http://www.florawomensminimarathon.ie/. or pick up an application form in the Evening Herald every Wednesday and Saturday from the 22nd February. The closing date for registration is 20th April 2012 or when maximum number of entries is reached so register early! Then register with The North West Simon Community and we will send you out a sponsorship card.

It is important to note that even if you have a sponsorship card from The North West Simon Community, you must also have completed an entry form to take part in the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon.

The Flora Women’s Mini Marathon is a unique event that brings women from all over the country together to celebrate health, vitality and charity. The Flora Women’s Mini Marathon is renowned all over the country as a fantastic social event.

Some interesting facts:

• It is the biggest all-women’s event of its kind in the world.
• Since it was first run in 1983, there has been a total entry of nearly 780,000 women.
• In 2007, 2008 2009 and 2011 the numbers taking part have exceeded 40,000 with a record number of 40,397 taking part in 2010.
• Approximately 137 million euro has been raised for charity since its beginning in 1983
• About 25 miles of specially designed ribbon is used for the medals
• 14 bands and dancers provide entertainment to add to the carnival atmosphere of the day.
• Women of every age, every size and every walk of life take part -while the majority would be in the 25 to 45 age brackets,in the 2011 race there were 262 participants over 70 years of age!

The Flora Women’s Mini Marathon is Ireland’s largest one day charity event with nearly €10 million raised for charities in 2007.

It is THE mini marathon of the year and it is taking place on Bank Holiday Monday the 4th June. This year please support The North West Simon Community, entry on line on www.florawomensminimarathon.ie or post – see Evening Herald for entry forms. After registration contact Mary Mc Keon fundraising co-ordinator with North West Simon on 087 7708865 or e mail leitrimfundraising@northwestsimon.ie for your sponsorship card. If your New Years resolution to get fit has already gone by the wayside , well get it back on track now by deciding to walk, run or jog in this years Flora Mini Marathon for North West Simon Community. All money raised goes to the housing support programme in Sligo, Leitrim & Donegal.

Please support THE NORTH WEST SIMON COMMUNITY.

Tamboran Resources have completed the first analysis phase of their work programme and claim they could create 600 full time jobs in the county based on the “substantial natural gas field” present in north Leitrim.

Brides don’t forget Kilronan Castle is the place to be this Sunday afternoon! A first class wedding fair will take place with all the top wedding suppliers there. Wedding Chair Covers will have a stand just opposite the Kilronan Castle stand. Brides can see our Fairylight Backdrop , chair cover colours and range in colourful sashes available. We look forward to seeing you there.

If you can’t make it but require information on chair covers or the Starlight Curtain, then please email anne@weddingchaircovers.ie

Are you still having difficulty getting broadband for your home or business? Or have you problems with mobile phone coverage?

The village of Kinlough is preparing for an influx of food tourists following the publication of The Bridgestone Guide 2012. The ‘go to’ guide has placed local Chef Piero Melis as one of the “10 Hot Chefs” in the country while also honouring The Courthouse Restaurant as one of the Best 100 Restaurants in Ireland.

IT Sligo is one of the five institutes of technology in the Border, Midlands and West (BMW) region who are at an advanced stage in discussions regarding the establishment of a technological university.

The Leitrim Observer has learned that the two exclusive hotels in The Hanly Group, Lough Rynn Castle and Kilronan Castle, are definitely “in the running” to host the glamour wedding of the year of Chelsea and England star, Frank Lampard and TV star Christine Bleakley.

Tamboran Resources have confirmed that they will concentrate their gas exploration programme in the Republic, exclusively in North Leitrim.

As a writer, a genealogist, a keen student and advocate of the Irish language and someone who has played a major role in the preservation of Gaeilge in Leitrim, it is hard to imagine how anyone would have time for any other interests never mind being the Secretary of Coiste Cultúir agus Teanga (Culture and Language) committee and Leitrim County Head Librarian.

Aughawillan referee Francis Flynn found himself at the centre of an ugly brawl that broke out during the first half of the All-Ireland Junior Club Championship semi-final between Kerry’s Dromid Pearses and Tryone’s Derrytresk in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.

Wedding Chair Covers based in Drumkeeran Co Leitrim look forward to meeting the many brides that will be attending the Kilronan Castle wedding fair on Sunday February 5th 2011. We are located just 15 minutes from the castle and provide the chair covers and the fairylight backdrop for the various wedding packages on offer by the Castle. Our chair covers are of a premium quality in keeping with the high standards throughout at Kilronan Castle. The wedding fair runs from 2pm-6pm.

If you are unable to make it to the Kilronan Castle wedding fair, but require further information on chair cover hire for your wedding, then please email anne@weddingchaircovers.ie

Wedding Fair season is in full swing and Wedding Chair Covers in Drumkeeran Co.Leitrim are busy showcasing their range of chair covers and Starlight Curtains at the various hotels in the greater Sligo area. This Sunday it is the turn of the RadissonBLU Hotel at Rosses Point January 22nd 2012 2pm-6pm.

 We at Wedding Chair Covers provide the chair covers to all weddings in the RadissonBLU Sligo where chair covers are included in the wedding package. At the wedding fair we will be exhibiting our range of chair covers, the full range of colourful sashes available and the Fairylight Backdrop.

So why not drop in on Sunday afternoon, all the key wedding suppliers in the Northwest will be in attendence. There will be a first class wedding fashion show with the latest styles in wedding dresses, bridemaids dresses and outfits for other wedding guests and the the men as well.

If you are not able to attend but would like further information on seat covers for your wedding then please email anne@weddingchaircovers.ie

“Andrew had a very short but a very full life,” Andrew’s devastated aunt, Dr Heather Laird told the congregation at the funeral last Friday. In a brave, emotional and ultimately uplifting tribute made on behalf of the Dolan and Laird families, Dr Laird expressed their joy at having been blessed to know and love Andrew for the 20 years of his short life.

A number of councillors at Monday’s Council meeting refused to accept assurances from the ESB that they did not open the gates at Lough Allen during the serious flooding of November 2009.

A female kestrel which was found by a local man in Kilronan was released back in to the wild last Thursday after it spent three weeks in a County Sligo animal sanctuary.

According to their latest figures, 2011 was Ireland West Airport in Knock’s busiest year to date since its establishment in 1985. Last year, the annual number of passengers using the airport increased by over 65,000 passengers to 654,500 – an increase of 11% on 2010.

Thousands of people, including former president Mary McAleese and her husband Dr Martin McAleese, made their way to Carrick-on-Shannon late last week for the funeral of Andrew Dolan, who passed away on New Year’s Day, 10 days after he was assaulted while on a night out with friends in Mullingar.

By Fiona Heavey

The tragic death of Carrick-on-Shannon man Andrew Dolan has given a number of people the gift of life, as his organs were used to save others after he passed away last Sunday, January 1.

Once again the River Drowes in Kinlough claimed the first salmon of the new year and it proved to be a happy hunting ground for Dungannon angler Ian Martin who landed the first salmon this year, and also landed the first salmon 12 months ago.

Asking prices for residential property around the country fell by an average of 7.7% between September and December, according to the 2011 In Review report published by property website Daft.ie.

Markree Castle in Sligo will hold a Wedding Showcase on Sunday January 8th 2012. See Markree Castle as it will be on your wedding day and avail of the discounts on offered if you book your wedding at the Wedding Showcase. Wedding Chair Covers the chair hire specialists in Drumkeeran Co. Leitrim will have the chairs dressed in quality ivory damask chair covers draped with pale gold organza sashs. Our chair covers are included in certain wedding packages at the Castle. For more information on seat hire for your wedding contact Anne on 0872402782.

Please see below a photograph taken at a recent wedding in the Castle

Markree Castle

Wedding Chair Covers, Drumkeeran, Co Leitrim - we have just setup the Starlight Curtain in both Castle Dargan and the Sligo Park Hotel for New Years Eve weddings. In both hotels it looks great and will act as the centre piece for the big count down tonight. The curtain is 9metres wide, 3 metres high and has a swag drape effect across the top. It is a soft white fabric with soft white lights and really has the ‘WOW Factor’ as guests enter the function room. If you are planning a Christmas wedding in 2012 and would like to book a Fairylight Curtain these please email anne@weddingchaircovers.ie

The RadissonBLU Sligo will have a room setup for a wedding the whole month of January. This is an excellent opportunity for you to see the layout and meet with Denise the RadissonBLUwedding co-ordinator.  Leitrim based Wedding Chair Covers will have the chairs dressed with chair covers and the Fairylight Backdrop located behind the top table.

So why not give Denise a call at the hotel and arrange to pop along and see the room layout and discuss your wedding requirements. Wedding Chair Covers supply the chair covers to all wedding packages in the RadissonBLU Sligo. For further information on colour options please email anne@weddingchaircovers.ie

As 2012 is almost here, we look forward to dressing the wedding venues for our 2012 brides.

Wedding Chair Covers based in Drumkeeran Co Leitrim provide chair cover rental to key hotels in the greater Sligo area. Hotels include Kilronan Castle, Castle Dargan, RadissonBLU, Cromleach Lodge, Markree Castle and the Sligo Southern Hotel. So if you are getting married in 2012 and require chair covers or a Fairylight Backdrop for your wedding please contact Anne on 0719648888 or 0872402782.

Chair covers may be included in your wedding package. If you wish to select your sash colours, you will see the extensive list of colours available on our website www.weddingchaircovers.ie

You may want to have a Fairylight Backdrop positioned behind the top table and as a feature for the band in the evening. For further information email anne@weddingchaircovers.ie We recommend booking the backdrop early to ensure availability.

We wish you a Happy New Year as the countdown to your wedding day commences.