THE WESTERN Drama Festival continues for the rest of this week and concludes on Saturday Night March 13th when the Phoenix Players conclude the festival with their production of 'The Mai'. Wednesday March 10th Butt Drama Circle presents 'The New Electric Ballroom'.

Thursday March 11th KATS Co Galway present ' Hedda Gabler' and Friday March 12th sees Compantas Lir present an old favourite 'I do not like thee Dr. Fell'

Attendences have been good every night and levels of entertainment have been excellent.

Come along for the last few nights for an excellent social night out. THE IRISH Blood transfusion service are holding a Blood Donation Clinic on Thursday March 18th at St. Brigid's Hall Tubbercurry from 4.30pm - 8pm. New and existing donors always welcome. Help ensure essential blood supplies are always available by giving blood regularly as you or your loved ones may need a blood transfusion at some stage in the future. Give life - give blood. THE ANNUAL St. Patricks Day Road Race takes place in Tubbercurry on March 17th next at 12.30 starting as usual on Teeling Street.

Organised by South Sligo Athletics Club, this is the 38th Annual event and has featured many great and not so great athletes over the years. Most people run for fun and as one of the first 10k road races of the athletics season it is always well supported by athletes from all over Connacht.

Indeed there is always a few local runners participating also and a special prize is always ready for the first local home.

The route does a circuit of the town before heading out the Mountain Road, across Moylough, Powellsboro and Drimrue Crossroads before turning back for town in the Ballymote Road.

Check in and entry takes place in Killorans starting 11am and refreshments and prize presentations takes place after the race in Killorans also.

Come along and enjoy the fun. Even if you cannot run the full 10k you could try walking it. SINCE HIGHLIGHTING the state of rubbish dumping in Drimina Bog in this column last week, much comment has been made of the fact that Sligo Co. Council does not have a litter warden on duty anyplace in the county. Everybody understands that the Council is strapped for cash but with over 400, 000 people unemployed in Ireland and thousands unemployed in Co. Sligo alone, it is incredible that the Council cannot take some people off the dole queue even in a part time way to have some monitoring and policing done in our beautiful bogland areas.

The guilty must be brought to justice and we as a society must take collective responsibility for allowing this dumping of household, building and farm waste.

Some civic minded members of society would probably take it upon themselves, at no cost to monitor dumping if they got the support of the County Council and if they had authority to do so. Councillors need to be asked to highlight this problem at County level so if you think it is an issue worth pursuing then let your councillors know your feelings. If it is not worth following up, then let the dumping continue. VARIOUS St. Attractas School sports teams have been playing in important matches over the last week. The girls senior football team were beaten in the Connacht 'A' Final by Tuam but the girls Cadet Basketball team had a great All Ireland Semi Final win over Presentation College Wexford and are now through to an All Ireland Final next week.

The girls junior Basketball team play against Headford this week in a Connacht semi final.

The Boys Junior football team got into a Connacht semi final after a one point win over Rice College while two days later the boys Senior team had another one point win over the same Rice College opposition. The Connacht Final takes place on this Saturday in Charlestown against Kiltimagh and a large group of supporters is expected. LEAVING CERT CLASS OF Marist Convent 1982: Preparations are underway for a school reunion for the Marist Convent pupils Leaving Cert class of 1982.

A casual evening will be held in Cawley's Hotel on Saturday July 31st and it is hoped to be a good night to catch up over the last few of decades!

Many have scattered near and far, and if anyone is in contact with their class mates please pass on the word. Alternatively contact Francis at francis_haran@yahoo.ie, Eunan at eunanmcguinness @gmail.com or Elaine at ebrennan@mater.ie. SYMPATHY is extended to Cathriona Coleman, The Rock, and to her husband Michael, their children and her extended family on the recent death of Cathriona's father Edward Tempany, Rathgar, Dublin. Mr. Tempany was a regular visitor to Tubbercurry over the last 20years since Cathriona and Michael moved to Tubbercurry. Throughout his working life, Mr. Tempany was a professor of Paediatrics in Our Ladys Hospital Crumlin and was a highly respected member of the medical profession throughout Ireland. Professor Tempany worked well beyond normal retirement age for the betterment of health care and he passed on his love of health care to his children and grandchildren. Funeral and burial took place in Dublin. The sympathies of the entire community are extended to Cathriona, Michael, and all the Coleman and Tempany family. May he rest in peace. THE PEACEFUL but unexpected death took place on February 11th last at her residence in Tullamoy of Emma Lynch (nee Carty) in her 95th year.

Pre deceased by her husband Michael 10 years ago, Mrs Lynch was always a lively and jovial character who loved to play her accordion and indeed she had a tune on the accordion just the day before she died. Emma is mother of Brendan Lynch of Sligo Co. Council staff who works in Tubbercurry every day keeping the streets tidy.

Her remains reposed at Coens Funeral home on February 12th with removal to Tourlestrane Church that evening. Burial took place the following day in Rhue Cemetary.

Sympathy is extended to her son Brendan, daughter in law Eileen and grandson Martin.

May she rest in peace SYMPATHY IS extended to local men Des and Declan Kearns on the recent death of their mother Annie Kearns (nee McGuire) of Cloonfeightrin, Doocastle on March 1st last.

Her remains reposed at Coens Funeral Home and removal took place to the Church of the Sacred Heart Bunninadden. Burial took place in Doocastle Cemetary. Annie is survived by sons Sylvester, Michael, Des, Declan, Leslie and Liam, daughters Betty & Avril, brothers Jack McGuire Doocastle and Michael Crossmolina, in laws and many grandchildren.

May she rest in peace. RURAL TRANSPORT bus is available to all. The service is designed to meet the needs of passengers in the Masshill Road, Cloonacool, Branchfield, Lavagh, Achonry and Rinbane area who need transport into Tubbercurry. People with Free Travel Pass are free while all others €8 is the charge. The service runs every Tuesday starting at 10 a.m. The bus will return from Tubbercurry at 1 pm. Sligo Service is also available on Wednesday morning leaving Tubbercurry at 9.30 a.m. The bus will return from Sligo at 1.30 p.m. This bus services the following areas Lavagh, Coolaney, (Via Carrowneaden) Ballinacarrow, Collooney.

For further information or to book your seat contact 071 9120636. CLOONACOOL PLAYERS present "A Wake in the West" Written by Michael Joe Ginnelly in Cloonacool Community Centre. This hilarious comedy tells the story of a wake, which takes place in a country house on the outskirts of a small town in the West of Ireland. But this wake is like no others with everyone getting in on the comedy. Performances on Friday 26 March, Saturday 27 March, & Sunday 28 March 2010 Nightly at 8.30 pm WEDNESDAY 10TH March is an important date for all interested in further and Adult Education opportunities in Tubbercurry. North Connaught College on the Sligo Road provides education and training programmes of the highest quality and on 10th March members of the public are invited to come and see our facilities, talk to tutors about opportunities and meet some of the present students. At present over 200 adults of all ages are taking advantage of professional courses, ranging from Beauty Therapy , Childcare, Nursing, Business, Community Development, Security Studies and more. Courses are mostly one year, leading to qualifications which are nationally accredited , and are delivered by experienced staff in a caring and supportive atmosphere. We are also delighted that the Marie Keating Foundation is sending one of it's mobile units to coincide with our open afternoon. This unit will allow any member of the public to visit , receive information and talk in confidence to a trained nurse on any aspect of cancer. The Marie Keating foundation works to beat cancer through awareness, education and support so the college is delighted to be able to accommodate the unit. So if you are a school leaver this year, or an adult considering returning to education or indeed just curious about what education opportunities are available locally then you are invited to come to our open afternoon between 3pm and 5.30pm.

Members of the public just wishing to visit the Marie Keating mobile unit are also most welcome-you might like to come in for a cup of tea to the college afterwards! Further details available by phoning the college on 0719185035, a prospectus for courses starting in September 2010 is also available, or by visiting our web site ww.northconnaughtcollege.net GIVE BLOOD - and join Ireland's most extraordinary club Blood donation clinic on Thursday 18th March, 2010 from 4.30pm - 8.00pm at St. Brigid's Hall, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. THE ANNUAL Achonry Regional Pioneer Dinner Dance takes place in the Park Hotel Kiltimagh on Friday 12th March. Tickets €30 each and are available from John White & Mick Burke. Phone 071-9185164 ARE YOU 16-35 years of age? Why not come along and meet other young people and experience faith as something joyful and fulfilling. A youth2000 group meets every Tuesday in Knock Prayer Guidance Centre at 7.45pm. Followed by a social afterwards, see you there! Check out youth2000.ie for details of exciting upcoming events, including the annual youth2000 St. Valentine's Ball which takes place in Sligo Park Hotel on Saturday 13th February, all are welcome, or contact Ann Marie on 0872782487. SURVIVE THE RECESSION: The FRC has received funding from Sligo LEADER Partnership under the support program for the unemployed. This funding will be used to provide supports for people who are or have been made redundant. The FRC are currently taking names for the course which will involve Financial Planning, IT Training, Assertiveness and advice and guidance on how to survive the recession. For more information contact the FRC. NEW OPPORTUNITIES - Are you interested in participating in a program that is designed to help you prepare for new employment opportunities? The FRC are hosting a program that will incorporate the following, building self esteem, working as part of a team, basic computer and internet skills, advice on further employment\learning opportunities and one to one support for CV writing and interview skills. We hope to commence this program in March two mornings a weeks for 5 weeks. For more information contact the FRC. FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES - Holidaying in France this summer would you be interested in beginners conversational French Classes. Class size restricted to eight for more information or to book your place contact the FRC. The Spanish class is now full and due to its success we are planning an additional beginners conversational Spanish class for which we are now taking names. For information on these and other events please contact the FRC 071 9186926 or view our website on www.tubbercurryfrc.com MINI MARATHON TRAINING: Are you interested in meeting with others to train with a view to participating in fun runs\ mini marathons. The FRC are facilitating a training programme to help you get fit. If you are interested in participating or willing to help out with this group please contact the Centre 9186926. Subject to demand the group can be either morning and/ or evening. WALKING GROUP: A number of people have expressed interest in meeting with others to from a walking group. This group intend to hold their first session on Thursday 4th March at 10am, if you are interested in taking part in this group please contact the FRC for more details. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS: The County Sligo Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Project is managed by Foroige, National Youth Development Organisation, and funded by the North West Regional Drugs Task Force. The project aims to support and develop the delivery of high quality Drugs Education programmes for Young People and Parents in order to promote the health and well being of young people in County Sligo. The project works with all young people aged between 10 - 17yrs in their community focusing on empowering young people to make positive and healthy life choices. IF YOU would like to find out more information about the project please do not hesitate to contact Andrea on (086) 231 6303 or andrea.gallagher@foroige.ie . REMEMBRANCE: A Remembrance Night for Padraig Heneghan will be held in Banada Abbey Hall on Saturday, March 20th at 9pm. Live bands, bar and raffle on the night. Admission €10. All welcome