There was a moving celebration of Indian Independence this morning at the Sligo Showgrounds, with a vibrant flag-raising ceremony and strong messages of unity.

The event also honoured long-standing ties, including fond memories of beloved local teacher Johnny Chatter and the long-standing presence of Indian families in the region.

Gardaí and local representatives  echoed a message of inclusion, unity, and appreciation for diversity.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cllr Donal Gilroy praised the invaluable contributions of the Indian community particularly in healthcare, hospitality, and engineering.

More memories are being shared of Oasis superstar Liam Gallagher's trips to Charlestown ahead of the Croke Park gigs this weekend.

The Gallagher brothers have been regular visitors to the Mayo town over the years with their mother Peggy being from there.

Hope are high in the area that the pair might make time for a trip to the region in the coming days.

On one occasion, Liam randomly met a person he went to school in Manchester with in Johnny's Bar.

Corina Finn whose family own the pub, has been recalling the tale to Ocean FM news:

Final preparations are underway at Sligo Abbey for Heritage Week which kicks off tomorrow.

A series of special events for every day of Heritage Week at the abbey, all of which take their inspiration from this year's theme 'foundations'.

Guided tours of Sligo Abbey are also available throughout the week.

It comes as the abbey is on course to record its busiest tourism season ever.

Andrew Whitefield, Head Guide at Sligo Abbey says they're really looking forward to welcoming everyone in the days ahead:

An investigation is ongoing after artwork in Donegal Town was vandalised.

The wooden sculpture of Red Hugh O’Donnell, which is located beside Donegal Castle, was discovered badly damaged earlier this week.

It’s believed that the culprit climbed the sculpture, marking it in the process, while also causing damage to the top of it.

Independent Cllr Niamh Kennedy has hit out at those responsible and says they show a total lack of respect to the local Tidy Town group:

It's emerged that over 4,000 passports have been issued to Sligo residents alone so far this year.

The figures were revealed to local Councillor Thomas Walsh who has urged the public to check their passport expiration date before travelling and apply for renewal early.

The Sligo Drumcliff Councillor says anyone planning to travel in the next six months must ensure their passport is in date.

The Fine Gael Councillor says the online option is the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective way to apply.

Sligo Councillor has expressed concern over the future of one of the main types of farming carried out in the North West.

Cllr Michael Clarke has warned that Ireland won't have a suckler sector in five years.

Farming leaders says a combination of poor prices, overly complicated schemes and empty promises has led to a large reduction in Suckler cows and farmers.

The Sligo Independent Councillor says, recent changes to farming legislation and practices have decimated the sector and are discouraging young farmers from suckler farming

The Ballymote Tubbercurry Councillors says there are deliberate move to “squeeze the suckler farmer out of the system.

A Senior Fine Gael member in the North West says the party will consider al its options in relation to the upcoming Presidential Election.

 Speculation is increasing today that Fine Gael may approach former Minister Heather Humphreys about contesting the upcoming Presidential Election.

Mairead McGuinness announced here decision to withdraw from the race yesterday.

A Leitrim Councillor says a golden opportunity has been missed to change the legislation which would allow the Irish diaspora to vote in this year's Presidential Election.

Kinlough based Councillor Justin Warnock has expressed his frustration that no referendum was held to allow such moves to take place

The Fianna Fáil Councillor says a referendum was promised by previous government administrations, to allow our diaspora to vote in the Presidential Elections.

He says the county is turning its back on a generation of people that had to emigrate but yet continued to support their native areas the best they could.

An independent review into An Garda Síochána’s Roads Policing Unit has been described as lacking credibility.

The damning findings allege that a significant number of Gardaí working in the Roads Policing Unit are unproductive, demotivated and unconcerned with doing an effective job.

The researchers engaged with over 100 Gardai involved in road policing across six divisions.

But Donegal GRA Spokesperson Brendan O'Connor says it's nothing more than subjective observations that attack the force as a whole:

Donegal’s 800 metres runner Mark English is in the form of his life – as he breaks his Irish record yet again this week. Ahead of next month’s World Athletics Championships, we’ll get the reasons behind his Indian summer on the track from Finn Valley Athletic Club’s Patsy McGonagle.

Sligo’s Nicole Fowley is going to Rugby World Cup.

We’ll hear from the Drumcliffe women on her Ireland squad selection this week.

Sligo Rovers manager John Russell on Friday night’s FAI Cup last 16 tie against Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

And - it’s the opening weekend of the men’s and women’s club football championships in Leitrim.

We’ll preview the opening round of matches in both the Sweeney Oil senior women’s and Connacht Gold senior men’s championships.