The AA has confirmed that Station Road in Ballinasloe has been reopened following a crash which killed two pedestrians yesterday evening.
The two woman, who were locals and in their fifties, were pronounced dead at the scene and taken to Portiuncula Hospital.
Postmortem examinations are being carried out on the bodies of the two women.
Luan Parle & Clive Barnes at the Black Gate
Sunday, March 25 @ 8pm
The Black Gate Cultural Centre, 14 Francis Street
Tickets €10
Two of Ireland’s finest songwriters and performers Luan Parle and Clive Barnes have for many years been gaining an international reputation as solo performers. For the past three years they have been performing together to sold out audiences across Ireland, US & Europe.
Meteor & Tatler Award winner Luan Parle has had numerous hits & accolades. Her top 10 hit single ‘Ghost’ spent three months in the Irish Charts and was the most played Irish single of that year.
Parle signed her first record deal at just 12 years of age and has written and recorded with some of the worlds most successful songwriters & producers including Grammy award winning Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crowe, Michael Jackson, Prince, Travelling Wilburys, Elton John) & Billy Steinberg (Madonna, Roy Orbison, Cyndi Lauper, The Pretenders, Whitney Houston, The Bangles, Celine Dion).
Parle signed with Elton Johns Management Company Twenty First Artists and opened for Elton three nights at the London Hammersmith Apollo.
To date Parle has released 3 studio albums and is currently working on her latest material due for release in 2018.
Clive Barnes is highly regarded as one of the finest performers on the roots circuit and has been gaining a worldwide reputation as one of the finest songwriters and guitarists on today’s scene.
Having released four critically acclaimed albums of his own, he has played and recorded with some of the finest musicians on the world stage including Joe Cocker, Taj Mahal and Eric Bibb and also shared stages with Dr John, Jeff Beck, Solomon Burke, The Blind Boys of Alabama, & Gary Clark Jr to name but few.
Barnes has played numerous US, UK and European Tours and taken various awards, Including Album of the Year for “Welcome to Farewell” in the US magazine ‘Acoustic Guitar’. His new album ‘Get Low’ is due for release early 2018.
Clive will accompany Luan on stage while also playing a solo set for what promises to be a very special night of music and an opportunity to see both these performers together.
“Luan Parle is quite simply one of the most exciting singers to emerge from Ireland, or any other country for that matter! She is a superb songsmith as well” -EVENING HERALD
“Clive is a guitarist who can make one guitar sound like six. Barnes transported the entire, hushed venue across the Atlantic to where the paths taken by the Delta Blues, Tom Waits and Bruce Springsteen all led to his own special territory. Balancing intensity with between song banter that would challenge any stand-up, Barnes’ songs were a revelation.” -Harry Guiren, RTE Television
What’s on this weekend:
Woody Murphy plays the Secret Garden
7:30pm at The Secret Garden, 4 William Street West
Free admission
Woody Murphy will be showcasing songs from his upcoming album at the Secret Garden. He will be supported by Rachael Browne. Admission is free, all welcome!
John Conneely Trio plays the Black Gate
10pm at The Black Gate Cultural Centre, 14 Francis Street
Free admission
John Conneely drives this inimitable collective of musicians through genres and styles from Django to Armstrong and Simone.
Mario Rosenstock at the 33rd Annual Croí Gala Ball
7pm at The Galmont Hotel (formerly the Radisson Blu)
Tickets €140
Mario Rosenstock will present his A Night With Mario show to raise funds for Galway’s heart and stroke charity Croí.
A Night With Mario takes place in The Galmont Hotel (formerly the Radisson Blu). Rosentock is giving this special performance as part of the new-look Croí Ball, which is the longest running charity ball in Galway city, and is now in its 33rd year.
Announcing details of the event, Croi’s Neil Johnson said “we are looking forward to a great night of fun and entertainment, followed by dancing to local band ‘The Bentley Boys’ and disco until late.”
Book your tickets here.
Renville Beach Clean-up in Oranmore
11am, Renville beach (near the Galway Bay Sailing Club)
Conservation Volunteers Galway is again assisting with Oranmore Tidy Towns annual seashore clean-up at Renville from 11am, gathering plastic trash, metal cans etc.
Recent easterly winds have spread the accumulated trash somewhat, so CVG’s effort will concentrate on 500m along the left South shore.
Other groups participating will work back from Renville point pathway, beyond the sailing club, gathering stuff still there since storm Eleanor.
CVG carpool from Galway will depart from Joyce’s Knocknacarra 10:00am, Westside Library 10:15am, Huntsman 10:30am, Roscam spar 10:45am. Contact Dan Clabby on 087 6681327
Sensible outdoor footwear and clothing is advised. Gloves and bags will be provided.
Galway Designers Fashion Showcase 2018
5pm, Tribeton (Merchants Road)
Tickets €12/€15 on the door
Galway Designers Network will be back in the fabulous Tribeton for the Spring/Summer 2018 Fashion Showcase, and will be showing some of Galway’s exceptionally talented clothing and accessory designers.
This time, there will also be an amazing performance by the Hottest Show in the West – TheDirty Circus – to entertain audiences during the interval!
Vegan Potluck at The Kitchen
6:30pm, The Kitchen at Galway City Museum, Spanish Arch
Entry €3 (free for children under 16). Bring vegan food to share! All are welcome!
Luan Parle & Clive Barnes play the Black Gate
8pm, The Black Gate Cultural Centre, 14 Francis Street
Tickets €10 on the door
Two of Ireland’s finest songwriters and performers Luan Parle and Clive Barnes have for many years been gaining an international reputation as solo performers. For the past three years they have been performing together to sold out audiences across Ireland, US & Europe.
Now they’re coming to Galway for a much-anticipated performance at the intimate Black Gate Cultural Centre on Francis Street.
Hats, Heels & High Tea
2pm, The g Hotel
Tickets €50
The g Hotel & Spa is hosting a very special Millinery Afternoon Tea in partnership with newly founded charity Rosabel’s Rooms. Tickets include a glass of Prosecco on arrival, mini millinery masterclass from acclaimed Galway milliners Caithriona King, Emily Jean, Michael Mullins and Suzie Mahony, delicious afternoon tea, music from Eleanor Shanley and friends and an array of amazing prizes.
There will be a wide range of raffle prizes up for grabs to raise further funds for Rosabel’s Rooms. Catwalk Models will also present a stunning selection of couture millinery by talented Galway milliners for guests to enjoy. MC on the day will be Clare McKenna of TV3’s Ireland AM.
Rosabel’s Rooms was set up in January by Gary Monroe and Suzanne McClean in collaboration with The Irish Hospice Foundation, following the sudden and unexplained death of their beautiful daughter Rosabel, aged sixteen months.
This fundraiser will help provide dedicated family-focused bereavement suites in hospitals around Ireland, as well as facilitate therapeutic support for individuals impacted by child loss, and direct financial support to families, when a child dies in Ireland.
All proceeds from the event will go to Rosabel’s Rooms. For more information contact the g Hotel on smeade@theg.ie or call 091 778467.
Vegan Potluck
Saturday, March 24 @ 6:30pm
The Kitchen (at Galway City Museum), Spanish Arch
Entry €3 – must bring vegan food to share!
Bring a vegan dish, dessert or snack to share. Food can be homemade or shop bought as long as it’s 100% VEGAN (no meat, eggs, dairy, whey, gelatine, honey etc).
The potlucks are a great way to meet people, find out more about veganism and try some delicious vegan food!
Microwave provided.
Free tea and coffee with a choice of plant milks.
Separate table for gluten-free food.
Entry fee €3 to cover the costs of running the potluck. Any money left over after costs are covered will go towards a charity event in the summer.
No entry charge for under 16s.
You must contribute some vegan food to join the event. Anyone without vegan food to share will be refused entry.
There will be labels provided to write out the ingredients of your dish, but try to label your dish before you arrive (that way you’ll have more time to load up your plate)! Please write your name on the label too.
Try to be on time, because all the best stuff goes quickest!
As a rough guide for how much food to bring – bring about as much as you intend to eat. There’s no entry fee for kids, but if you are bringing some little ones, try to bring some extra food along too.
Since it’s just a week before Easter, the organisers will be raffling off a vegan chocolate hamper worth €30 and some vegan Easter eggs too!
All are welcome!
Galway Designers Fashion Showcase 2018
Saturday, March 24 @ 5pm
Tribeton, Merchants Road
Tickets €12/€15 on the door
The Galway Designers Network is a group created in 2017 to help promote independent fashion designers in Galway and the West of Ireland.
The Network is growing in strength and are delighted to be showcasing for the third time this March!
They will be back in the fabulous Tribeton for the Spring/Summer 2018 Fashion Showcase, and will be showing some of Galway’s exceptionally talented clothing and accessory designers.
This time, there will also be an amazing performance by the Hottest Show in the West – TheDirty Circus – to entertain audiences during the interval!
First Show starts @ 5.30pm
Doors open 5pm
Interval @ 6.15pm – TheDirty Circus Performance
Second Show @ 6.45pm
There will be a Pop-Up Prosecco Bar provided for your refreshment, and after the show, you are invited to join the ‘Afterparty’ for some cocktails above in the Tribeton Bar.
Tickets are €12 and can be purchased from Tribeton or from the Galway Designers Studio House, located in the Cornstore Mall.
They can also be purchased on the door for €15
Limited standing tickets available on the door for €7
Tickets get you a seat with goodie bag and 20% discount off any Tribeton food purchases
Limited Tickets Available!
Galway County Council has announced the introduction of accessibility equipment in Ballinasloe playground, following its launch yesterday by the Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, Cllr. Eileen Mannion.
In the Ballinasloe Playground (rear of Coral Leisure Centre), a wheelchair swing and an accessible picnic table set has been installed, with a new disabled parking bay marked.
In addition, two tracking hoists have been in installed in the disability changing room and the disability toilet in the Coral Leisure Centre, Ballinasloe.
These tracking hoists are designed to aid wheelchair users in the smooth movement between chair/changing table/toilet & shower.
Galway County Council acknowledged the support and assistance received from the Ballinasloe Accessibility Group, Brothers of Charity (Ballinasloe), and the staff of Ballinasloe Coral Leisure Centre on this initiative and the funding support received from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East Anne Rabbitte has called on the Minister for Employment & Social Protection to re-examine the rules governing a number of rural and social schemes.
Deputy Rabbitte hosted a meeting in Leinster House to hear from community groups which are worried about the future of these programmes.
“Schemes such as the Rural Social Scheme and Tús are community based programmes which provide work for people and benefit local towns and villages. While primarily they exist to get people back to work, there is a huge social inclusion element contained within them and I am concerned that the new funding model proposed by the Minister for Employment & Social Protection aims to cut the schemes without fully considering the benefit that these programmes have on their local communities”, explained Deputy Rabbitte.
“I met with community groups from Tipperary, Mayo, Limerick and Galway to discuss their concerns with them. Fianna Fáil has been advocating for some time to have the rules for these schemes relaxed. The six year rule for the Rural Social Scheme is particularly unfair as it can prove more difficult for older people to find work in the commercial economy.
“The same is true of the Tús programme and yet there is a one year participation limit applied to it. I would like to see that extended to a minimum of two years. Tús specifically targets people who are long term unemployed and many of the participants may need more than one year to feel fully ready to re-enter the workplace.
“I am very worried by Minister Doherty’s efforts to favour Jobpath over schemes such as the RSS and Tús. While I appreciate that employment is rising, and I welcome that, we cannot forget the social element that these programmes provide, not only to participants, but to their communities as well.”
Fógraíodh na hainmniúcháin do Ghradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2018 agus anois tá an mholtóireacht ar bun ag Gaillimh le Gaeilge agus iad ar tí an gnó dátheangach is fearr i gCathair na Gaillimhe a lorg.
Tá Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh dúnta anois d’ainmniuchán agus tá na moltóirí ag tabhairt faoin obair dúshlánach le gearrliosta, buaiteoirí catagóir agus buaiteoir iomlán a roghnú do 2018.
Bhí 21 gnó agus eagraíochtaí ainmnithe i mbliana ó réimse leathan earnálacha agus tá 14 cinn de na gnó istigh ar an nGradam don chéad uair.
Dúirt Bríd Ní Chonghóile ó Gaillimh le Gaeilge,
“Seo an dara bliain as a chéile ar sáraíodh an líon ab airde ainmniúcháin nua riamh. Cé go gcuireann muid fáilte mhór i gcónaí roimh rannpháirtithe atá ag cuir isteach ar an nGradam arís, is deas an rud é i gcónaí gnónna nua a fheicéail ag glacadh páirte ann.”
“Is deis iontach é an próiséis a bhaineann leis an nGradam d’aon ghnó nó d’aon eagraíocht an Ghaeilge a chur ar taispéaint ina ngnó agus déanfaidh rannpháirtithe na bliana seo amhlaidh ‘le bród, le paisean agus le díograis.’ ”
“Is iontach an rud é anois go bhfuil sé ag éirí níos coitianta i nGaillimh a bheith i mbun gnó go dátheangach.”
Tá meascán de ghnónna nua agus gnónna seanbhunaithe ag glacadh páirte sa Ghradam i mbliana, ina measc an phríomhfhéile idirnáisiúnta ealaíon do pháistí sa tír, an comhlacht tacsaithe is mó i nGailimh, ceann do hóstáin is mó in iarthar na hÉireann, ionad leighis a bhfuil an-spéis acu sa Ghaeilge agus siopa mílseán gleoite atá lonnaithe i gcroílár na cathrach.
Tiocfaidh moltóirí an Ghradaim le chéile den chéad uair Déardaoin, 19ú Aibreán, leis an nGearrliosta a roghnú.
Fógróidh Méara Chathair na Gailimhe, an Clr Pearce Flannery, an gearrliosta ag méan lae, Dé Máirt 24 Aibreán ag preasócáid in Ionad Uí Dhonnachadha don Drámaíocht, an Amharclannaíocht agus an Taibhléiriú, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gailllimh.
Is é an Galway Advertiser an príomhurraitheoir meán cumarsáide agus tá siad ag tacú leis an nGradam ó cuireadh tús leis in 2002. Tháinig TG4 ar bord i 2016 agus beidh an dá eagraíocht meán cumarsáide ag cur pacáiste fógraíochta den scoth ar fáil don bhuaiteoir iomlán.
Tá liosta do nhAinmniúcháin uilig le fáil anseo.
Go néirí go geal leo uilig.
Coillte owns a 50% stake in the Galway Wind Park which it co-developed with SSE Airtricity at a cost of €280m euro.
The sale is taking place as Coillte divests from wind farms at Raheenleagh, Co. Wicklow, Castlepook, Co. Cork, Sliabh Bahn, Co. Roscommon, and Galway Wind Park in Cloosh Valley, Connemara.
The state owned agency’s Land Solutions division promotes the development of renewable energy projects on land that it owns.
They predict that in the current market the sales could generate a combined value of €125m.
Chief Executive of Coillte Fergal Leamy says that the sale proves that investing in renewable energies not only delivers clean power, but create a profit for the state.
“The fact that we realised assets with an equity investment of €25 million that may trade for for a value greater than €125 million illustrates the potential value we can create from every hectare of land we own to ultimately deliver enhanced value for our shareholder, the state.”
Additionally, Galway Wind Park is built on land owned by Coillte, and its lease will continue to generate revenue for the state agency for the length of the wind farm’s operational life.
The 169MW wind park in Connemara began construction in December 2014 and started generating commercial energy in October of last year.
Coillte says that it plans to reinvest the profit from these sales back into developing new renewable energy project and forestry activities.
I realise when I finished up yesterday’s piece that I didn’t finish thoughts about procrastination and you know what, that could happen again today.
You see, I’m actually getting excited now about this diary not revolving around quitting cigarettes anymore even if I’ll refuse to be complacent until the 50 entries are done.
But no, we have just learned that ‘This Is Us’ is back on TV tonight. Sinead and I have been looking out for the new series for months now and didn’t hear anything. But because I’m late sitting down to write tonight’s entry, we found out by accident just before Eastenders started.
Thursday nights for us is Comedy Night. Like any couple, we have our routines while mixing it up every now and again to keep things fresh. So far so good and I hope that remains the case. But Thursdays have been our one constant most weeks.
‘Big Bang Theory’ starts at 8pm followed by ‘Little Sheldon’ at 8.30pm. ‘Damo and Ivor’ is still with us at 9pm though ‘The Young Offenders’ (a modern Irish gem) finished up last week. Somewhere we fit in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine.’
Now we like our dramas as well and This Is Us being back is fantastic. And in a few weeks, there’ll be ‘Madam Secretary’ and ‘Billions’ so we’ll have some important decisions then. The pressure of a modern-day relationship 🙂
However, this weekend I think we deserve it as we will barely see each other over the weekend. Sinead’s away with the girls tomorrow before heading to Scotland to see her cousins. I’m in Dunmore for chess, Clones for the camogie and Dublin for ladies football. Though I think I’m doing the airport run after.
And This Is Just The Chess Stuff!! There's Camogie & LGFA Gear to Go In Yet@IrishChessUnion @OfficialCamogie @LadiesFootball @GalwayCamogie96 @GalwayLgfa @SarsfieldsCC @cumannathanri#BusyDays #StyleOfPlay #SeriousSupport pic.twitter.com/Yiksza2MY4
— Darren Kelly (@DazK1978) March 22, 2018
But back to ‘This Is Us,’ it was the first programme Sinead introduced me to and it was brilliant. I hope the second season is the same. The premise is a story about triplets (including one adopted) over three different time periods and also their parents. It’s emotionally grabbing stuff and will hook you in.
Now that I’ve done more advertising for RTE1 television tonight then the State Broadcaster has managed itself, it’s been a very busy day. The County Championships in Chess are tomorrow night and I still have to sort six lifts out so that could run into ‘Big Bang Theory’ time 🙂
Unfortunately, we won’t be doing two commentaries from Clones on Saturday but will be covering both the Athenry and Sarsfields games and hopefully, despite not being in Croke Park, we’ll have success. And will be back seeing the ladies footballers on Sunday for the first time in five weeks.
I called down today to Beechlawn Organic Farm to see some of my old work mates. I spent nearly six years with Padraig and Una and enjoyed every moment of it. It was a last-minute decision to call in today so only saw Marie and Barbara but it was an enjoyable catch up over coffee and buns 🙂
Also had to sort out chess boards for tomorrow. Not just for ourselves, but also for the Connaught Chess Festival which takes place in the Shearwater Hotel. I’ve nothing to do with this event but I do take great pride in the fact that it is being run by one of our old students, Conor Barrett.
Conor has always been a driven person who gives 100% to everything he’s involved in whether it’s chess, rugby or football. He joined the chess club at eight years old and was club senior champion in 2012 (before his 17th birthday).
He’s running a new congress on the Irish chess calendar this weekend and I really hope it goes well for him. We’ll always support our former players and they have always supported us. It’s what every club should be about and delighted to see one of our own tackle such a huge event.
https://twitter.com/mo_m091/status/976900507561267201
I’m finding talking about cigarettes easier now and, even though I’m being careful not to be one of those anti-smoking preachers, I’m feeling comfortable offering encouragement to those who are considering quitting.
We’ll have that night out first before we start the celebrations. But I’ll finish with a shout out! I can’t guarantee I’ll be there yet but Mike O’Brien’s new pub ‘Brewery Lane’ opens on Good Friday in Ballinasloe.
Mike has done tremendous work the way he turned Maud Millars into one of the trendiest spots in town the last few years and I’ve no doubt he’ll continue weaving that magic across the road. Wishing him the best of luck and I look forward to calling in for a pint soon.
Darren
Just eight days ahead of the mouthwatering clash with Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final, Connacht are looking to avoid no man’s land domestically when they welcome high-flying Edinburgh to Galway.
Kieran Keane’s men are nine points behind Cardiff Blues sitting in fifth place in Conference A. Indeed, following losses to the Toyota Cheetahs and Zebre either side of a narrow win against Treviso, Connacht are just three points ahead of sixth placed Ospreys as their PRO14 ambitions fall asunder.
PRO14 RUGBY: (Match Report) – CHEETAHS 26-25 CONNACHT https://t.co/GPqoOpghmg
— Galway Daily (@GalwayDaily) March 4, 2018
In contrast, five successive wins including last Friday’s (16th March) 12-6 victory over Munster has Edinburgh sitting pretty in third spot of Conference B. They are nine points ahead of Ulster and look firm favourites to join the continent’s elite in the autumn.
RUGBY – RESULT! (Match Report): CONNACHT 11-19 ZEBRE https://t.co/ALmpy2JQtJ
— Galway Daily (@GalwayDaily) February 16, 2018
Connacht put in a stirring effort despite defeat against the Cheetahs in South Africa and will need a similar effort if they are to take down Edinburgh. That might sound obvious but they lacked drive when falling tamely to Zebre last month in their last home encounter.
Two @connachtrugby legends! pic.twitter.com/KMFyUoKIoD
— John Mulligan (@Mulliganj) March 17, 2018
They are without their Irish contingent as Bundee Aki, Kieran Marmion and Ultan Dillane are unavailable. Aki’s absence is due to the HIA return to play protocols after an injury verses England last Saturday. But Quinn Roux is available after a request and should take his place in the second row.
Connacht will need backs Tiernan O’Halloran, Matt Healy and Jack Carty on form along with Finlay Bealham, Roux, Jarrad Butler and John Muldoon. Edinburgh’s winger Duhan Van Der Merwe struck two tries against Munster while Scottish international Ben Toolis should be in the starting team.
Connacht finished eighth in last year’s PRO12, 13 points ahead of Edinburgh and are 8/15 favourites to win. But 13/8 is a generous price for the visitors who are on form ahead of their own Challenge Cup quarter-final next week against Cardiff Blues.
The two meetings last season went Connacht’s way but it’s hard to argue against a reversal on Friday night.
Verdict: Edinburgh
A week long showcase of the films of Wes Anderson Thursday, March 22-29 @6:30pm The Pálás Movie Theatre, 15 Merchants Rd. Lower Tickets €11/€8.50 concession, book online
To celebrate the release of Wes Anderson’s latest film Isle of Dogs next week, the Pálás Theatre is running a marathon of his marathon of his films until next Thursday to get fans in the properly quirky state of mind.
Known for his unique visual storytelling with bright colours and kids who dress and act like adults, Anderson has brought his strange take on comedy and drama to screens for more than 20 years now.
Every night for the next week the Pálás will be screening a different Anderson film from his first short film Bottle Rocket (1996) through to The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).
Tickets can be booked online at the palas.ie and cost €11, or €8.50 for children, students and seniors. Curtains open at 6:30pm every night
Thursday 22: Bottle Rocket Friday 23: Rushmore Saturday 24: The Royal Tenenbaums Sunday 25: Fantastic Mr. Fox Monday 26: The Darjeeling Limited Tuesday 27: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zisou Wednesday 28: Moonrise Kingdom Thursday 29: The Grand Budapest Hotel
(Picture – Mayo GAA Blog)
The full effects of Mayo’s National League hammering to Tyrone last week are been felt in the camp this week as news emerged that former Footballer of the Year Lee Keegan is set to miss the Connacht championship meeting with Galway in MacHale Park on May 13th.
Keegan dislocated his left shoulder after a challenge from Padraig McNulty in their 2-14 to 0-8 loss to the Red Hands. McNulty received a red card for his actions that has put Keegan’s season in jeopardy.
His MRI scan suggested his rehab recovery programme will take at least eight weeks meaning it will be touch and go to see if Keegan can line out against Galway. The injury occurred exactly eight weeks before they face the Tribesmen.
It wasn’t the only major knock Stephen Rochford’s men got as captain Cillian O’Connor also went off with a torn hamstring but he should be back inside six weeks and will lead Mayo against Galway in Castlebar.
However, Mayo’s status as a Division One team may be over beforehand as both players will miss this Sunday’s crucial game against Donegal in Ballybofey (3pm).
The Connacht outfit have been ever present in the top flight since 1997, longer than Dublin or Kerry, but should they lose to Declan Bonner’s men, they will ply their trade in Division Two next year.
#AllianzLeagues Division 1 Football Table after all of this weekend's Round 6 fixtures.
Galway and Dublin qualify for the final. Comhghairdeas.
Kildare relegated. Loser of Donegal v Mayo will be relegated.#dublin #galway #mayo #tyrone #donegal #monaghan #kildare #kerry pic.twitter.com/7w35NqVHjl
— GAA League Tables (@GAALeagueTables) March 18, 2018
Along with Keegan and O’Connor, Mayo are also missing Brendan Harrison and Donie Vaughan. But Chris Barrett is set to return after playing for Belmullet last weekend. And Andy Moran won’t face further action after his black card for remonstrating with referee Maurice Deegan against Tyrone.
Mayo’s year will be judged on championship fare and their clash against Galway is crucial. But Division One status is also paramount meaning Rochford’s team face a critical two months.
Galway face Mayo in the Connacht Senior Football Championship on Sunday, May 13th in MacHale Park, Castlebar.
MEP for the Midlands North West, Matt Carthy, says that confirmation he received that the EU has offered a 70,000 tonne beef quota in Mercosur negotiations is evidence that the commission is willing to sacrifice one of Ireland’s most important sectors for the sake of a dangerous trade agenda.
The Sinn Féin MEP reiterated his call on the Irish government to withdraw their support for the negotiation mandate.
Carthy was speaking from Brussels where he was facilitating meetings between students from Irish agricultural colleges with representatives from the European Commission and Government Representatives.
He said: “The confirmation I have received proves the worst fears of many beef farmers that the European Commission is willing to sacrifice Irish agriculture in their pursuit of a dangerous trade agenda.
“Many farmers now realise that the 70,000toone offer is not the landing point.
“Indeed, it is an open secret that they are already willing to move as far as 99,000toones and could yet agree to move closer to the 250,000tn sought by Mercosur negotiators.
“As Mercosur talks go back and forth it is becoming clearer that the commission is now preparing for a deal at any cost now. Regrettably, despite bluster from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael representatives, the Irish government is endorsing this position.
“Never has there been such a coherent opposition to a single trade deal in the European Union. Farmers do not want this and a significant number of public representatives are on record as saying they don’t either.
“However public opposition has barely put a speed bump in the Commission’s plans to open up Southern American markets for corporate interests and particularly the German car industry.
“Agriculture has been the flash point of these negotiations since the very beginning and farmers are well aware that an agreement is hinged on their sector’s sacrifices. It is downright hypocritical for the Agriculture Commissioner and Irish Government to claim to care about increasing farming incomes in ongoing CAP discussions while also selling them out on trade negotiations.
“The European Union has only recently removed seven more Brazilian meat and poultry plants from its list of authorised suppliers due to deficiencies in the official controls system. Yet international concerns about Brazilian exports seems to have had no impact whatsoever on the Government’s continued support for the mandate for these negotiations.
“I will soon be submitting amendments to a European Parliament Report on the effects of globalisation on the agricultural sector. I will be calling for more attention and tools to protect farmers on global markets rather than continued exposure.
“However, what is required is for the Irish government to defend the interests of our vital, and vulnerable, farming community. They must demand a halt in the Mercosur negotiations immediately.”
No Orthopaedic surgeries have taken place at Merlin Park Hospital since last year when severe leaks were found in the roof above the surgery theatres in September.
Since then a number of elective surgeries have been moved to University Hospital Galway to ease the pressure.
In addition, Saolta has said that it hopes two modular surgical units will be able to begin receiving patients in October.
While one of the theatres reopened yesterday, there is still no news on when the other theatre will reopen.
Galway-Roscommon TD Eugene Murphy welcomed the news on social media but says there is still more work to be done to tackle the backlog of surgeries which has accumulated.
One orthopaedic theatre in Merlin Park Hospital, Galway to re-open today-welcome news but it will only go some way towards tackling the huge backlog of cancelled operations- we need to get the other theatres re-opened as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/gYF20staDm
— Eugene Murphy TD (@EugeneMurphyTD) March 21, 2018
Ar an 23ú lá de Márta beidh an Snámhatóin thar n-ais ag Club Vitae, Órán Mór. Thosaigh an imeacht seo i 2014 nuair a mhol duinne do bhaill Club Vitae snámhatóin séalaíochta 24 uair a chloig a rith.
Dúirt Hugh O’ Neill, ó Club Vitae, Órán Mór,
“I 2014, Le Lá Idirnáisiúta Siondróim Down ag teacht suas mhol, Branislay Radanovic (átá pósta le bean ó Carna), an imeacht a chur ar siúl ar son Guthanna do Siondróim Down na Gaillimhe.”
“Bhain mac Radanovic úsáid as na seirbhísí a bhíonn acu agus ní raibh mórán cistiú acu.”
An príomh aidhm atá ag Guthanna do Siondróim Down na Gaillimhe ná eolas, tacaíocht agus cairdeas a thabhairt do dhaoine le Siondróm Down mar aon leis an chlann uilig i Cathair na Gaillimhe agus an Chontae.
Táid ag oibriú i dtreo caighdéan do saol níos fearr le glacú agus meas do dhaoine le Siondróim Down mar baill luachach an phobal.
Aithníonn Guthanna do Siondróim Down na Gaillimhe an tábhacht a bhaineann le ionchur luath agus ábalt cumarsáide a fobairt.
An aidm eile atá acu ná deiseanna a cruthú do ionchuimsitheacht soisialta agus pearsanta thar speictream na haoise ar fad.
“Chuaigh Bran i dteagmháil le Guthanna do Siondróim Down na Gaillimhe chun ábhair promóisin agus cártaí urraíochta fháil”, dúirt Hugh.
“An smaoineamh a bhí ann ná go mbeadh 48 snámhaí ann ag déanamh triocha nóiméad an duine. Baileoidh chuile snámhaí airgead don catharnacht agus déanfaidís a snámh trí an méad faid agus is féidir a dhéanamh.”
“D’oibrigh an céad bliain amach go fíor mhaith agus thug níos mó daoine suim ann síos tríd na blianta.”
“Le ceithre bhliana anuas tá thart ar €30,000 bailithe i gcóir Guthanna do Siondróim na Gaillimhe. Le sin, bíonn maidin Caife á eagrú ag baill Club Vitae freisin.”
Beidh an swimathóin ag tosú ag a 6i.n. ar an 23ú lá de Mí an Mhárta agus críochnóidh sé ar a 6i.n. ar an 24ú lá. Imeacht deas don chlann é agus tá sé ar oscailt do chuile dhuine.
Is féidir tuilleadh eolas a fháil trí glaoch a chuir ar 091 792434 nó ríomhphoist a chuir chuig galway@clubvitae.com
There are days that just turn out more interesting than you expect even if you don’t feel you’ve done anything to justify it. From 8.30am this morning, it’s been a mile a minute keeping tabs on developments elsewhere even if my own work at home was chiefly procrastinating.
As I mentioned yesterday, the decision to play the All-Ireland club finals in Clones instead of Croke Park has been met with anger especially in Galway. While the thoughts of going to Monaghan isn’t appealing to all involved, it’s the decision to announce it just four days out that has gotten under the ire of some.
I’ve a feeling this story will run all week but I can’t see anything other than two All-Ireland finals being played next Saturday. What amuses me is I just got an email being told the decision was taken to protect the pitch. Now that is the biggest load of crap I have ever heard.
Whatever about the Pilot’s Live conference making logistics difficult, can the GAA explain that one to me? There was one day of snow last week! And you have undersoil heating! It doesn’t stop concerts on consecutive days so how is it going to stop two camogie matches?
You see, in our job, it’s easy fly off the handle and start saying things that can come back to bite again. I was on the Keith Finnegan Show this morning. A rare treat for myself though do prefer it if we’re talking about bringing home an All-Ireland title.
But I was asked to chat to Dave O’Connell and you go through the motions. ‘We feared Croke Park would be unavailable.’ ‘It’s not the going to Clones but the fact it’s not in Croke Park.’ ‘It’s frustrating for players like Therese Maher, Regina Glynn and Jessica Gill who might never play there again.’
It is frustrating and it is wrong! I genuinely felt the conference might be the stumbling block. But what are they protecting the pitch from? Dublin vs Monaghan is a dead rubber! Dublin and Tipperary was meant to be in Parnell Park originally! It’s a cop-out! Nothing more, nothing less!
What would help matters is if the Camogie Association made a statement. Were they under pressure to play the games next week and if so, by whom? Why did they decide Saturday and not Sunday? And did it have to take place next week?
You might remember that I marked down Monday, April 2nd as the ideal date for these games to be played after they were called off last Sunday morning. Easter Monday! The day after any league finals! And Croke Park could have five days rest before any more games, if any!
Was that looked into I wonder? Yes, it would have a knock-on effect on other teams most notably the Galway minors. But these are All-Ireland Finals! You have to play ball when borrowing use of a pitch. I’m curious did anyone ask about Easter Monday?
While I might get bricks thrown at me for saying this, I have no issue with Clones. Let me be clear, the games should be in Croke Park! But if they can’t be, Clones is as good a spot as anywhere else.
The stewards are fantastic! There’s plenty of parking space beside the pitch and it’s very accessible. It’s a grand stage for All-Ireland finals. And it’s nearly two hours away from Slaughtneil so there’s no point going on about them not leaving Ulster. The Dublin footballers never leave Croker!
But it’s not Croke Park and that’s the biggest problem! Like Mosney can never be replaced as the spiritual home for Community Games, nowhere else can make up for Croker. I think one tweeter wrote it’s like telling a child Santa Claus isn’t real.
I’d much more to talk about but I will get there over the next few days. When I started writing about the camogie, I couldn’t stop. But I did finally set up an audio editor on my laptop today which will be fun when we start aiming to do other stuff? And we have chess club action tonight so can’t wait for that.
Also, I didn’t smoke, didn’t think of smoking and didn’t want a cigarette anyway. And no Nicorettes and just two Wrigleys. The fun and games never stop. But what’s happened to the four camogie teams playing on Saturday is no laughing matter.
Darren
NUI Galway is launching a programme together with Google Ireland which will teach Galway schoolchildren about computer coding, as well helping the next generation of teachers with how to teach Computer Science.
The Creative Coding for Maths Makers project merges Mathmetics and Computer Programming to teach primary and secondary school students coding as it is used in STEM industries.
BA student teachers at NUIG will work with students in the James Hardiman Library’s MakerSpace, where they will have access to top of the line computers and 3D printing services.
The programme is being headed by Dr. Cornelia Connolly of NUIG’s School of Education who says this is a landmark opportunity to prepare teachers for the introduction of Computer Science as a Leaving Cert subject.
“There is the challenge now to prepare teachers properly to teach these key STEM areas in an engaging and effective way. Projects like ‘Creative Coding for Maths Makers’ enable us to start doing this in Galway in partnership with schools in the city and region.”
Minster for Education Richard Bruton announced in January that 40 Secondary schools would be adding Computer Science as a Leaving Cert subject this September including St. Brigid’s Mercy Secondary School in Tuam.
The Maths Makers programme is one of several projects Google is funding to promote computing education in Ireland.
Computer Science Education Programme Manager at Google Ireland Claire Conneely says that teaching Computer Science in schools “will ensure that students have a deeper understanding of how they can use technology to be creative and solve problems.”
The Dáil this afternoon voted 110 to 32 in favour of legislation which allows for a referendum to be held on repealing the Eighth Amendment.
The Bill will now go to the committee stage later today.
Of the 32 TDs who voted against the legislation, 21 were Fianna Fáil TDs.
Two Fine Gael TDs (Peter Fitzpatrick and Sean Barrett) and one Sinn Féin TD (Carol Nolan) voted against the legislation.
Carol Nolan has since been suspended from Sinn Féin for three months for defying the party’s position.
Three of those who voted against were from Galway East and Galway West. They were Éamon Ó Cuív (FF), Noel Grealish (Ind) and Seán Canney (Ind).
Anne Rabbitte (FF), Catherine Connolly (Ind), Sean Kyne (FG) and Hildegarde Naughton (FG) voted in favour of the legislation.
In Roscommon-Galway, Denis Naughton (Ind) was the only one of the three TDs to vote in favour of holding a referendum.
Responding to the vote, Health Minister Simon Harris said: “I welcome the fact that the Dáil today passed the Referendum Bill through Second Stage. It will now progress to Committee and Final Stages, before going to the Seanad.
“The referendum will propose that Article 40.3.3 is deleted in its entirety and a clause inserted that makes it clear that the Oireachtas may legislate to regulate termination of pregnancy.
“I would like to thank all of my colleagues who have contributed to this very important debate to date, and who have done so in a respectful manner.
“It is important to remember that the referendum must be passed, and the 8th Amendment repealed, if anything is to change for Irish women.”
Connacht Rugby, along with players from NUI Galway women’s and men’s rugby teams, will deliver an informal rugby skills session at NUI Galway’s Open Day on Saturday, 24 March.
The session will take place at 12.30pm outside the Bailey Allen Hall, the main exhibition hall for Open Day.
NUI Galway Sports will also be running a Sports Talk at 11am for those interested in all sports, and there will be an opportunity to meet current athletes who are representing the University at intervarsities, at national, European and International competitions.
There will be information on Sports Scholarships, and coaches will be present to give first-hand information on facilities and coaching services.
Mike Heskin, Director of Sport at NUI Galway stressed that Sport is for everyone at NUI Galway.
“NUI Galway sports teams and athletes are competing and winning on the national and international stage, and through a range of scholarships and supports our athletes are fully supported while at University, enabling them to compete and study to the best of their ability,” he said.
“As well as supporting accomplished athletes in their chosen sports, we also have many athletes taking up a new sport for the first time while at University and, with the support of our coaching teams, are very quickly competing on a provincial, national and international stage.
“Sport is truly for everyone at NUI Galway. We recognise the relationship between academic performance and health and wellbeing and our mission is to encourage all students to participate in physical activity.”
NUI Galway lecturers and current students will be on hand to talk to students and parents at the main exhibition area in the Bailey Allen Hall, with over 80 subject-specific stands. The ‘Parents Programme’ will provide parents and students with information on important issues such as fees and funding, careers, accommodation and support services for students.
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