In the week that Westport, Co Mayo, has signed official friendship links with Limavady, Co Derry, Castlebar has been snubbed by Ballymena in Co Antrim. Members of the predominantly unionist Ballymena District Council voted to amend a motion inviting Castlebar Choral Society to the switching on of Christmas lights in the town tomorrow.
The motion now reads: "That the proposal for the switch-on ceremony as tabled, with the deletion of a choral group from Castlebar being invited to participate, be approved and adopted."
Meanwhile, six councillors from Limavady have returned after being entertained for three days by Westport UDC. The celebrations culminated in the signing of a friendship agreement between the unionist mayor of Limavady, Mr Max Gault, and the chairman of Westport UDC, Mr Dermott Langan.