Mohill Girl Causes a Storm
Mohill girl, Katherine Lynch, first hit our TV screens last January with her 'Katherine Lynch's Working Girls' which, judging by the viewing figures, was a big success. Katherine caused quite a storm locally with her bawdy, raunchy humor that did not appear to go down too well with certain locals. A number of them felt strongly enough at the time to go on local radio to air their views. The comic followed up with a number of appearances on well known Irish TV shows such as the long running 'Late, Late Show' and 'Podge and Rodge', as well as comments featured in the print media.

During the summer months, Katherine and her crew filmed a number of scenes for her next project in the Mohill area. Some raunchy mud wrestling scenes invoking her character, Liz Hurly, were filmed in Peter Carroll's Public House with several locals as extras. The same premises also were used for the performance of 'Liz' and her band, '50/50'. Other pubs featured were O'Callaghans and Casey's, where both Thomas, Sr. and Thomas, Jr. had some parts to play.

The character also visited other businesses such as Gannon's Drapery, where Bridie Duignan was featured; Logan's Butchers, where Proper Hughie had a few humorous lines to say; and Baxter's Centra Supermarket, where staff member Natalie Kiernan made her TV debut.

A number of scenes were also shot in Katherine's parents' house with her mother, Maureen, and her friends Imelda, Dolly and Theresa all had roles to play.

Mohill G.A.A. Park was also a hub of activity as the character of Liz was the sexually confused manager of the Mohill Ladies Football Team. The end product was part of a six-part series of 'Katherine Lynch's Wonder Women'. Katherine also portrayed the characters of 'Singing Bernie Walsh', 'Sheila Sheek' and 'Dalkey'.

Celebrity Bainisteoir
Funny girl Katherine Lynch will take charge of the Dromahaire Men's Football team for the coming new series called 'Celebrity Bainisteoir' (Team Manager). A huge crowd assembled in North Leitrim Village to greet Katherine, star of the recent R.T.E. TV series 'Wonder Women'.

Lough Rynn the Mecca for Weddings
Since the completion of its conference Center last December, Lough Rynn Castle Hotel has become something of a mecca for wedding receptions with an average of about two such functions per week. With lots more coming up in the new year, these wedding parties hail from all over Ireland and even further afield, such as Australia and America.

Super Model in Carrick
Leading English super model Erin O'Connor recently paid a visit to the Dock in Carrick for a fashion event. The lovely Erin was in 'Lovely Leitrim' in her role as a presentor of an upcoming R.T.E. TV series 'The Model'.

Clanned Singers Christmas Concert
Famous Donegal singer, Moya Brennan, made a welcome return to Leitrim in December at St. Mary's Church. Moya has been performing to sell-out crowds for well over three decades. Starting out as a child, she performed with her father Leo's group in both Ireland and Britain, then tasted international success with the group 'Clanned', who were the first group to perform an Irish language song on the famous B.B.C. show 'Top of the Pops'. In more recent times, the Donegal song bird has been very successful as a solo artist.

New Business Opens in Carrick
A new ladies fashion outlet was opened in Carrick-On-Shannon in mid-November, when owner Louise Merrick launched her boutique named 'Kabuki'.

Gold Rush in Annaduff
A large crowd recently attended the launch of Annaduff Gaelic Football Club's 'Gold Rush' fund-raising project in Cox's Bar and Steakhouse in Dromod Village. Entrants could scoop 3000 euros worth of gold if they were lucky enough to win the first prize. There were also three runner up prizes of 1000 euros worth of silver each.

Food Hygiene Award for Leitrim
Ten Leitrim based meat producers and food companies were recently awarded hygiene certificates for meeting European food production standards. The following received their awards at a ceremony held at the Bush Hotel in Carrick: Thomas McHugh from Lough Rynn, Mohill, owner of McHugh's Meat Market, Ballinamore, and operator of a purpose built abattoir in Gorvagh, built during the 1990's; Carrigallen Butcher Shop owner, Thomas O'Malley, who operates a similar business in Aughawillian, Carrigallen; Damien Thornton from Manorhamilton; Sean Rooney from Kinlough; Sean McMorrow who operates outside of the town of Manorhamilton; Lough Allen Food and Country Cooking who are based in the food hub in Drumshanbo; Peter and Hugh Logan, first cousins who both operate from one slaughterhouse in Mohill; Carrick-On-Shannon butcher, Douglas Boyd, and the Cooking Company based in Drumkeeran, spearheaded by Stephen Hennesy.

New Management and Revamp for Gannons Drapery
Gannons Drapery is something of an institution in the town of Mohill. For well over a century it has served the people of the town and surrounding areas with pride and distinction. As far back as 1896, the Gannon family traded in the same location. Since October, two local businessmen, Michael Wall (also known as 'Mick the Barber'), and Trevor Kennedy, have taken over Gannons. While the premises has had a revamp, it still holds onto its 'old world' charm. Long serving staff Bridie Duignan, Noleen Casey and Angela McWeeney continue the day-to-day running of the shop, and the trade appears very good at the moment. Michael Wall is a well established barber on Hyde Street, while Trevor Kennedy is the manager of the Eurostar Supermarket also located on Hyde Street beside the Mohill G.A.A. Park.

Leitrim Guardian Launched in Lough Rynn
For the first time ever, the Parish of Gortletteragh hosted the annual launch of the long established 'Leitrim Guardian' magazine. This year's event took place in the Lough Rynn Castle Hotel at the end of November. A large crowd from all over the county and further afield, attended the function. Ballinamore born Paul Williams received his Leitrim Person of the Year Award during the ceremony. Paul is a well known crime correspondent and author. The magazine has been a popular read for Leitrim folk, both at home and abroad, since it was first established back in 1968.

New CD for Emerald Revelers
The Emerald Revelers musical group launched their new CD 'Johnny Jump Up' in the community center in Kilty on Friday, November 28th.

Trad Session
Youth and children of various ages converged on Cryans of Carrick-On-Shannon for a traditional Irish music session on Friday, December 5th.

Ride On in Carrigallen
The well known Corn Mill Theater Group in Carrigallen is currently performing a play by local director, actor and playwright, Seamus O'Rourke, called 'Ride On'. The cast includes Ronan Ward, Ann Doonan, Ray Hackett, Bernard McCarlin, Marie Bradley and the director himself.

80,000 Euros for Mohill Family Resource Centre

With all the cutbacks and depressing talk of a recession going on at the moment, it is good to report that the Mohill Family Resource Centre has just received 80,000 euros of funding from Minister Mary Hannifin.

Carrick Footbridge
The long awaited footbridge across the River Shannon in Carrick moved a step closer last week with the announcement that the project has come to the design stage. Anyone who knows Carrick-On-Shannon will readily agree that this footbridge is badly needed, as the foot path on the existing bridge is too narrow, not to mention the especially large volume of traffic that crosses it daily. It is a dangerous place for pedestrians at present.

Top of the Class
A recent survey has confirmed that Drumkeeran's Lough Allen College is one of the top schools in Ireland in regards to students progressing into third level education.

Carole Coleman's New Book
Some well known people from the world of politics and the media traveled to Carrick-On-Shannon at the start of December for the launch of local woman Carole Coleman's new book 'The Battle for the White House'. Carrick born Carole, who has worked abroad as a political and foreign affairs correspondent with R.T.E. TV in recent years, is famous for her interview with former President Bush. The book basically chronicles Barack Obama's presidential campaign.