Ocean FM News Reports

It's understood that coastal erosion is becoming increasingly worse in Strandhill. Locals have recently taken to social media to highlight the issue, with videos appearing of the path in front of Beach Buns restaurant falling away. Submissions have been made for Strandhill to secure funding to somewhat prevent the erosion, with the use of rock armour thought to be the preferred method. Local Fine...

Austin O'Callaghan and Ronan Flanagan digest a memorable 2-1 win for Sligo Rovers over leaders Shelbourne this weekend.

Olympic medalists Mona McSharry has said being a flag bearer will be 'an honour' at tonight's Olympic Closing Ceremony. The Grange native has been selected alongside fellow swimmer Daniel Wiffen to carry the Irish flag at the Stade de France. McSharry won bronze in the women's 100m breaststroke while Wiffen won gold in the men's 800m freestyle and bronze in the 1500m freestyle. They were some of t...

The late James McNeive has been remembered for his kind nature at his funeral mass this afternoon.   Mr. McNeive passed away after the car he was driving collided with a van on the N15 in north Sligo last Sunday morning.   A primary school teacher, he was a prominent member of his local community and held a number of roles at his local GAA club, Aghamore GAA.   Speaking during the h...

As the ball is thrown in on the Donegal senior football championship this weekend, it’s been a special week for one club celebrating its centenary. We pay a visit to Kilcar’s Celebration banquet marking 100 years of gaelic football in Towney. From Kilcar to Kent Park, we call speak to some of the participants in this year’s Cúl Eile Camp at St Mary’s GAA Club in Sligo. And ahead of league finals w...

Sinn Fein's new housing plan will deliver affordable housing right across the North West and beyond. That's the view of Donegal TD Pearse Doherty, who was speaking after his party launched their plans this week. The plan aims to move the cost of land maintenance and developents to the State, reducing the cost of a house for those eligible for affordable housing schemes. Speaking to Ocean FM News,...

With revised timetables coming into effect in the coming days, the north west continues to be left behind when it comes to increased rail services.   Extra intercity services were previously announced to and from Galway and Waterford with later final departures to and from both cities.   The Sligo-Dublin line is set to get extra carriages, however, which will come as lift to passengers....

Workers at Abtran have voted overwhelmingly to undertake industrial action. The Independent Worker's Union balloted members at Abtran's Sligo and Cork offices at the end of last month. The dispute stems from demands of workers relating to a pay claim recently launched against the company. Abtran currently employs around 1,600 staff between their Sligo offices, and those working remotely. It is not...

A new night time café has opened in Sligo - The first of its kind for the town. Oak Moon Café, located at the Yeats Building will be open from 4-9pm Thursday to Saturday and is part of a wider initiative to boost the local night-time economy. Ocean FM paid a visit to the dog-friendly cafe ahead of its official opening next week, catching up with Director of the Yeats Society in Sligo, Susan O'Keef...

The impending departure of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris does not come as a surprise. That's the view of a former Garda Sergeant, who was reacting to the news that Commissioner Harris will not be extending his current contract, which expires next year. It's understood that Drew Harris has declined an offer by the Government to extend his contract again after already extending his initial deal by...

Disruption to business on Sligo’s High Street continues with claims that despite long awaited demolition works taking place - it’s worse than ever. Rosaleen Doonan from Like Nu Dry Cleaners told North West Today that those working on the demolition project have disappeared from the site and have been seen in weeks:   

It's emerged that a number of farmers in the north west remain out of pocket over delays to full ACRES payments. Farmers were previously promised up to €10,500 each year for the five years of the scheme. However, inadequate IT systems coupled with a lack of clarity has left farmers counting the costs. Former IFA sheep committee chairperson, Kevin Comiskey says any faith farmers would have had is w...

Works at Deadman's Point in Rosses Point have been put on hold. It was intended to have some safety measures implemented at the popular swimming spot, however, Sligo County Council must now wait for a report to be carried out first, due to the proximity of the area to a special area of conservation. The report is expected to be carried out within quarter three of this year, and the projects will t...

It's thought that the installation of foothpaths and cycle lanes between Strandhill and Culleenamore would tackle the issue of road safety in the area. Currently, there is no such infrastructure in place on the R292, making conditions hazardous for people who walk the road. Both Strandhill and Culleenamore Beach are popular spots for residents and tourists alike, particularly in the summer months....

It’s been confirmed that works at Luke’s Bridge at Gortnaleck have been completed. It’s the main route summiting Benbulben and there had been some mobile fencing across a section of it which had been deemed an inconvenience. With the increased use of the area and its promotion as a tourist/ recreational area, the issue had become more urgent. Now, following work with local farmers and Sligo County...

There are renewed calls for a seperate hospitality VAT rate to be introduced for Dublin and to leave the rest of the country at 9%. The VAT rate for the hospitality sector in Ireland currently stands at 13.5%, with a number of businesses across the North West struggling to keep up. There have been calls in the past for the VAT rate to be reduced again to 9%, however its not likely to be done in th...

It's felt locally that more needs to be done to reduce driving test waiting times. Currently, those waiting to sit their driving test have to wait for about 10-12 weeks after applying before a slot becomes available. This in turn is leading to more learner drivers taking to the roads unaccompanied as the waiting times for a test is too long. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Ballymote Tubbercurry Fine Ga...

The sod has been officially turned on phase two of the Burtonport Regeneration Project. The next phase of the development will see an investment of €3.3 million and will deliver a new harbour, ferry terminal building and an enterprise building. Dorrian Construction has secured the contract for the state-of-the-art project. The funding for this phase of the project was secured under the Rural Regen...

Irish Water has come under fire once again over the supply in west Donegal.   Some of the pipes in the area have been described as a 'pin cushion' due to the high level of bursts.   Hundreds of residents have been experiencing numerous outages as a result.   There have been several calls for representatives to attend MD meetings but to no avail.   Local Cllr Michael McClafferty...

The Sligo driving test centre has the lowest pass rate in the region.   It comes vast differences in pass rates at centres across the country are persisting.   RSA figures show the pass rate in Sligo is currently 56.3% in Donegal Town its 59.8% while the pass rate in Carrick-on-Shannon is just over 64%.   There’s huge disparities elsewhere, with almost two-thirds of drivers failing...

Leitrim currently doesn't have any properties available under the HAP scheme.   The Simon Communities of Ireland's quarterly Locked Out of the Market report, from June shows only 43 properties were available to rent under the scheme countrywide.   16 areas were surveyed around the country, with Co. Leitrim, Athlone, Cork City Centre and Limerick City Centre were just some of the areas wh...

Proper analysis is needed to figure out why the number of deaths in North West emergency departments is as high as it is. That's the view of Independent Sligo Leitrim TD, Marian Harkin, who was responding to a report on the matter published in the Irish Medical Times today. In the last 5 years, 150 people died in the Sligo University Hospital ED, and a further 108 died in Letterkenny University Ho...

Kilcar GAA Club held its Centenary Celebration Banquet in the Blue Haven last Saturday night to celebrate the club's 100th birthday. Austin O'Callaghan spoke to some of the club's key figures including Chairperson Michael McShane, Martin McHugh, Ian Hegarty and club historian Charlie O'Donnell.

The extent of Leitrim's vacancy rate has been met with surprise locally. According to the latest GeoDirectory report, the residential vacancy rate in Leitrim currently stands at 12%, followed by 9.2% in Donegal and 8.2% in Sligo. The report's findings show that there is clear discrepancies between the East and West of the country. However, Manorhamilton Sinn Fein Councillor, Padraig Fallon, says i...

Almost 3,000 18-year-olds in the North West have received payments through the extension of the Child Benefit Scheme. As the first payments have been rolled out, 1,877 18-year olds were in receipt of the benefit in Donegal, while there were 765 in Sligo, and 321 in Leitrim. Across the country, there were over 58,000 recipients. It's thought that the scheme extension will significantly benefit thos...