AIRTRICITY LEAGUE: (Match Report) – GALWAY UNITED 3-1 CABINTEELY

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March 17, 2018

NUI Galway has signed the Charter for the Galway and West of Ireland Region of Gastronomy which commits the University to a range of initiatives to support food culture in the region as part of its designation as European Region of Gastronomy 2018.

A community opening ceremony for Galway’s European Region of Gastronomy 2018 took place in the Spanish Arch yesterday evening which was followed by a family céilí.

The launch also showcased local food producers to spotlight the region’s dynamic food sector and rich food heritage.

The initiatives NUIG has signed up to will include featuring local produce in campus food outlets; hosting high-profile food-related conferences and a series of public lectures on theme related to gastronomy and food culture.

The 17 restaurants on the University campus serve approximately 30,000 customers each week and under the Charter, campus caterers have committed to sourcing as much produce as possible from local producers and suppliers as well as supporting food waste minimisation actions within the home and workplace.

Dr Philip Smyth, Head of Shannon College of Hotel Management, which is now a college of NUI Galway, said: “Our food culture is vitally important for our health and wellbeing, and signing the charter highlights the University’s commitment to supporting this important sector.

“We look forward to working with our campus community to highlight the richness of our region of gastronomy and to support sustainable development and innovation.”

Over the coming months, the University will host a range of high-profile food conferences, including the Good Food Ireland Conference and Food on the Edge.

As part of the programme of events on sustainability, the University in partnership with Teagasc will host an Agri-Food Seminar on Sustainability as well as a Beef and Sheep Workshop in June.

Ann Duggan, Commercial Manager at NUI Galway, commented: “Local seasonal produce forms the key ingredient across menus on a daily basis and the five catering companies providing services on campus are enthusiastically working with growers/ producers and wholesalers to create nutritional, tasty dishes for our campus community of approximately 20,000.

“We also welcome over 10,000 conference delegates and visitors to campus annually. In recent years local, artisan and craft producers have exhibited at receptions for international delegates which has added enormously to the enjoyment of their experience in Galway.

“Food is central to the delegates’ experience and having such a wealth of wonderful fresh produce on our doorstep differentiates Galway and gives us a strong competitive edge when competing for international events.”

Comórtas na bhFuinneog/Lá le Pádraig Baile Locha Riach

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Sheila Ní Bheaglaoich

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March 17, 2018

Le Seachtain na Gaeilge tiocfaidh chun deireadh agus Lá Fhéile Pádraig buailte linn tá muintir Baile Locha Riach lán do fuinneamh agus Comórtas na bhFuinneog 2018 á reachtáil acu.

Sé atá i gceist le Comórtas na bhFuinneog ná go mbeidh duais ann don ghnólacht nó siopa is fearr a bhfuil Gaeilge le feiscint ina dtaispéantais do Lá ‘le Pádraig.

Seo agaibh samplái do frásanna úsáideach.

-“Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig” (Happy St.Patrick’s)

-“Is glas iad na cnoic i bhfad uainn – shop local” (The faraway hills are greener)

-“Coinnigh an baile gnóthach le do ghnó” (Keep the town in buisness with your buisness)

-“Go raibh maith agat – feicfidh muid arís thú!” (Thank you – we’ll see you again!)

Beidh Comórtas na bhFuinneog ag tosú thart ar a naoi a chlog agus mar sin tá am agaibh fós bhur bhfuinneoig a mhaisiú don chomórtas agus don lá féin.

Beidh an pharáid Lá Fhéile Pádraig i mBaile Locha Riach ar siúl inniu thart ar a 1.i.n agus an téama atá ann i mbliana ná “Caitheamh an Glas”, oiriúnach go leor don lá atá ann agus Éireann ag imirt sa rugair freisin.

Is í Rita Ó Mháille a bheidh mar an Ceann Feadhna, Baile Locha Riach. Is baill gníomhach í in ana chuid grúpaí pobal i Baile Locha Riach ó tháinig sí ann mar mhúinteoir i 1974. Is féidir í a fheiscint chuile seachtain ag tabhairt a chuid ama le Baile Slachtmhara Baile Locha Riach.

Amárach ansin an 18ú lá de Mí an Mhárta beidh céilí ar siúl sa Halla Measarthachta i mBaile Locha Riach. Beidh ceoil á sheinnt ag an Banna Ceol Glenside Céilí. Is féidir sult a bhaint as an banna ceoil agus sibh ag ól tae agus ag buachaint duaiseanna.

Tosnaíonn an damhsa ag 8.i.n agus leanfaidh sé ar aghaidh go dtí 11.i.n. Tá costas €10 isteach.

Beidh Baile Locha Riach lán don craic agus an ceoil an deireadh seachtaine seo. Bainigí uilig sult as an seachtain agus beannachtaí Lá Fhéile Pádraig daoibh go léir.

Darren’s Diary – Kicking The Habit (Day 25) – Friday, 16th March

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March 16, 2018

Well the weekend has arrived! And what a weekend we have in store! You know, I was just thinking that while I rarely get the chance to over indulge on St. Patrick’s Day anyway, it will be strange not being able to and not smoking either.

It’s early today as I’m writing this and some of ye could have already heard me on Galway Bay FM by the time you read this as we have our All-Ireland Camogie Finals Preview on the radio this evening. Lots of guests coming in and squeezing them into a half hour will be fun. But I love a challenge 🙂

The family are slowly but surely working their way to Mullagh for Evie’s birthday party and can’t wait for that tomorrow evening. The passes for Croke Park have arrived and we’re nearly all set for Sunday. Going to be a crazy few days. And not a drink in site.

And of course, we're all set for Sunday!!! 😀@SarsfieldsCC @cumannathanri @OfficialCamogie @gbfmsports @GalwayDaily @AIBIreland #StyleOfPlay pic.twitter.com/WPkkJoJRBH

— Darren Kelly (@DazK1978) March 16, 2018

But it is my Mum’s birthday on Monday so hopefully we’ll get a chance to have one with her. Mam isn’t a big drinker but will be nice to toast her day too. She is very good to us and we don’t tell her enough. So I’ll say it now incase things get hectic – Thanks Mam and Happy Birthday 🙂

While I was a miffed the camogie was on Sunday and not Monday, I’ve come around since. I still think the 19th was a perfect date to avoid clashing with the GAA games. But I can imagine the craic coming home Sunday night if Sarsfields or Athenry are crowned All-Ireland champions!

No different to any other team that has represented our county, they would both be deserving winners. Imagine the scenes again if Therese Maher repeats 2013 and completes another title that eluded her throughout her distinguished career – A National Club Title!

Or can’t you just see Michael ‘Hopper’ McGrath dancing down the sidelines if he leads his young charges to the most coveted prize in club camogie – 25 years and one day since the greatest day in his club playing career.

But the main reason I’ve come around regarding the Sunday is that it completely stamps out any thoughts of having a beer on St. Patrick’s Day. I normally have a three-day rule before commentaries anyway but there can be exceptions and a day’s rest would have been tempting.

I’m still nervous about the first few pints as while I think I’m coming out the other side now, the slight cravings (very rare) are still there and a night out is the one last test. I’m not entirely convinced I would have been ready on Saturday (maybe I would be) but having the decision made for me is no harm at all.

We have Martin’s 40th in the middle of April and that should be the big night though I wouldn’t rule out Easter Sunday yet. And I’m happy enough to wait till then for a few beers as I’m feeling better for the lack of alcohol as much as the lack of smoking.

https://twitter.com/chubbykitty6661/status/974656959793319939

I’m not off the drink and wouldn’t refuse a glass of wine if it was offered. But the next four days are about other things and that will give me as much enjoyment as falling on my arse tomorrow just because my Irish patriotism suggests we should be knocking back beverages to beat the band.

Corofin and the rugby team can set it up and I’ll toast a Galway double on Sunday should it arrive. And let’s not forget Oughterard’s Gearoid Clancy fighting for an Australian boxing title tomorrow morning. But Friday (preview), Saturday (Evie), Sunday (Croker) and Monday (Mam) are where my focus will be.

But I hope everyone who does go out and enjoy yourselves. I would too if I could. And if anyone is nursing sore heads on Sunday, please chill back with a cuppa (or the cure) and stick on Galway Bay FM from 1.30pm and join myself, Imelda Hobbins and Tommy Devane in Croke Park for all the action.

Before that though, will have a birthday party to tell you about 🙂 Chat tomorrow.

Darren

GALWAY CAMOGIE: (All-Ireland Finals Preview) – MICHAEL ‘HOPPER’ McGRATH

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March 16, 2018

Twelve months after suffering defeat to the same opposition, Sarsfields are back in the All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie Final when they face Slaughtneil on Sunday.

The Derry champions were 1-10 to 0-11 winners in 2017 and will be looking for back-to-back titles while Sarsfields go in search of a maiden triumph.

Michael 'Hopper' McGrath…. a couple of all stars, couple of club and two county all Ireland's in the pocket. Savage hurler back in the day pic.twitter.com/FwTOwZVBGm

— Brendan McTaggart (@bmct123) February 28, 2017

Michael ‘Hopper’ McGrath won four All-Ireland hurling titles with Sarsfields and Galway and has overseen the club’s camogie team for the last three years. He chatted with Galway Daily ahead of Sunday’s game.

“It’s only a few days away and it’s on top of us,” said the two-time All-Star. “I know the five-week gap is a fair gap. You’d think at the time it’s a long way off but we’re nearly here alright.

“That’s just a coincidence but it’s nice to be back in a final again. We’d a tough year of it. It wasn’t easy. We’d a lot of tight matches. But we’re here now and we’ll have another go at it.

“They were both games that could have gone either way. If you go back to the (St.) Thomas match, I think at one stage in the second half we were four or five points down and came back and dug out a result. We won by two for a finish.

“And the Burgess (Duharra) match the last day, 10 minutes to go to half-time and we were playing with a storm, we were three down and came back and levelled it at half-time.

“And at half-time, probably you wouldn’t have given a lot for us but we just dug it out. And it was a great sign of them that they just stayed at it without doing spectacular and got the result.”

Hear the full interview BELOW

Sarsfields face Slaughtneil in the AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie Final this Sunday (18th March). Throw-in at Croke Park is 3.30pm.

Michael 'Hopper' McGrath #Galway outpaces #Tipperary players in semi final of 1993 All Ireland SHC #gaa #nostalgia pic.twitter.com/V4UeWbUKbu

— GAA Nostalgia (@gaanostalgia) March 9, 2015

Planning Permission for Galway homes double in last quarter of 2017

By

Briain Kelly

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March 16, 2018

Galway Daily news Galway County Council shortlisted for Excellence in Local Government Award

More than twice the number of homes in Galway were granted planning permission in the fourth quarter of last year compared with the same period in 2016

According to new figures released by the Central Statistics Office 246 homes received planning permission in Galway in the fourth quarter of 2017, over double the 122 that were granted in the final quarter of 2016.

The biggest jump was found in Galway city where the number of homes which received planning permission more than tripled from 30 to 103 units.

The number of applications granted for houses in the city rose from 24 units to 65 units, while the number of apartments grew from six units in Q4 2016 to 38 in the Q4 2017.

Growth in the county was slower where 143 homes had a planning application granted in Q4 2017, up just over 50% on the previous year.

The majority of applications granted in the county were for one-off housing developments which accounted for 126 of the 143 homes granted permission.

Overall, growth in the city remained sluggish for much of 2017 with only 37 houses and no apartments at all receiving planning permission in the first six months of last year.

WEEKEND GALWAY SPORTING FIXTURES (March 16th – 21st)

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March 16, 2018

http://galwayfa.ie/fixtures/

Friday, March 16th

SSE Airtricity League First Division

GALWAY UNITED vs CABINTEELY (7.45pm Eamonn Deacy Park)

Saturday, March 17th

All-Ireland Senior Club Football Final

COROFIN vs NEMO RANGERS (2pm Croke Park)

All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship

GALWAY vs WEXFORD (2.30pm Gort)

GALWAY GAA: (Preview) – COROFIN vs NEMO RANGERS (Saturday, 2pm Croke Park) https://t.co/lzmNOer4WM

— Galway Daily (@GalwayDaily) March 16, 2018

Sunday, March 18th

All-Ireland Intermediate Club Camogie Final

ATHENRY vs JOHNSTOWNBRIDGE (1.30pm Croke Park)

National Hurling League Quarter-Final

WEXFORD vs GALWAY (2pm Wexford Park)

National Football League

GALWAY vs DUBLIN (2pm Pearse Stadium)

Women’s National League Soccer

UCD WAVES vs GALWAY WFC (2pm UCD Bowl)

All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie Final

SARSFIELDS vs SLAUGHTNEIL (3.30pm Croke Park)

#HonTheSars Best of luck to our friends and family @SarsfieldsCC at the weekend in the AIB All-Ireland Senior Camogie Club Championship final https://t.co/erJg4wdG5w

— Sarsfields GAA (@SarsfieldsGAA) March 15, 2018

Monday, March 19th

All-Ireland PPS Senior A Hurling Semi-Final

PRESENTATION ATHENRY vs KILKENNY CBS (2pm Ferbane)

WFAI Under 18 Inter League Semi-Final

GALWAY LEAGUE vs METROPOLITIAN GIRLS LEAGUE (3pm Galway League Venue)

EA Sports Cup Round One

GALWAY UNITED vs COCKHILL CELTIC (5pm Eamonn Deacy Park)

Tuesday, March 20th

All-Ireland PPS Junior A LGFA Semi-Final

PRESENTATION TUAM vs LORETO COLLEGE, CAVAN (12pm St. Loman’s, Mullingar)

Connacht Junior Schools Rugby Cup Final

GARBALLY COLLEGE vs MARIST COLLEGE (2pm Sportsground)

Connacht Senior Schools Rugby Cup Final

GARBALLY COLLEGE vs COLAISTE IOGNAID (4pm Sportsground)

#connachtrugby Schools Finals Part 2: Tues 20th: 12pm – Sen. Development Cup; Headford v Gortnor Abbey; 2pm Junior Cup; Garbally v Marist; 4pm Senior Cup; Garbally v Jes- All sponsored by TopOil

— Dave Finn (@Furlo) March 8, 2018

Wednesday, March 21st

Lillis Cup Soccer Final

CREGMORE/CLAREGALWAY FC vs NUI GALWAY (7.30pm Eamonn Deacy Park)

For a Full List of Galway FA Fixtures, Click Below

For a Full List of Galway GAA Football Fixtures, Click Below

http://www.galwaygaa.ie/index.php/en/football-fixtures

For a Full List of Galway GAA Hurling Fixtures, Click Below

http://www.galwaygaa.ie/index.php/en/hurling-fixtures

And for a Full List of Connacht Rugby Club Fixtures, Click Below

http://sportsmanager.ie/cake/rugby/connacht/upcomingFixtures

Galway choir & orchestra group to hold concert in aid of local charity

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March 16, 2018

galway daily orchestra concert for charity

Local choir and orchestra group, Athenry Music School, are hosting their annual fundraising concert on Monday 26 March.

The concert is taking place at 8pm at the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry, where over 100 young musicians will take to the stage for an evening of Irish and American style music and song in support of Galway Simon.

The Athenry Music School will be joined by special guests, the Lyonstownship High School Choir, all the way from Chicago, USA.

These talented performers will be directed by Katharine Mac Mághnuis, Daire Mac Mághnuis and John Musick.

Last year’s concert, also held in support of people experiencing homelessness, was a great success and it is hoped to be even bigger and better this year.

“Athenry Music School is very proud to host its third annual concert in aid of the Simon Community, said Katherinef from Athenry Music School. “They are also delighted to reunite with the Lyonstownship High School Choir who visited Athenry two years ago and had so much fun, they just can’t stay away!”

Tickets cost €10 for general admission, €5 for concession and children go free.

Tickets can be bought on www.galwaysimon.ie or at the door. All proceeds will go to Galway Simon Community who provide housing and support services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Galway. For more information, visit www.galwaysimon.ie.

GALWAY GAA: (Preview) – COROFIN vs NEMO RANGERS (Saturday, 2pm Croke Park)

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March 16, 2018

Two established clubs on the national circuit go head-to-head on St. Patrick’s Day with the Andy Merrigan Cup the prize on offer.

Corofin compete in their third All-Ireland Final having won their previous visits to headquarters in 1998 and 2015. But they face the most decorated side in the competition’s history.

When the dust and smoke settles at Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day who will be crowned AIB GAA All-Ireland Senior Club Champions? Corofin or Nemo Rangers? Cuala or Na Piarsaigh? #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/4QBJBg0smr

— Sam Barnes (@SportsfileSam) March 7, 2018

That being said, Nemo Rangers won their last crown (seventh) back in 2003 and haven’t been in the All-Ireland Final in 10 years when they lost to St. Vincent’s in 2008. But with a rich history behind them and a good balanced side, they’ll be confident of being successful in their 12th final.

Kerry legend Tomas O Se is the marquee name in defence; Jack Horgan is a late bloomer in the club’s midfield; while Barry O’Driscoll, Paul Kerrigan, Luke Connolly and Ciaran Dalton will be a handful up front.

They shocked reigning champions Dr. Croke’s in the Munster Final before emerging past Derry’s Slaughtneil after extra-time in the All-Ireland semi-final. Despite not scoring for 20 minutes, the Cork city outfit clawed their way back with Connolly’s 2-5 instrumental in a 2-19 to 1-14 win.

Corofin haven’t had it easy either. They needed extra-time twice in the provincial series before accounting for Roscommon’s St. Brigid’s and Mayo’s Castlebar Mitchells. And they ground out a 1-6 to 0-6 win over Kildare’s Moorefield in the semi-final after playing the near full match with just 14 players.

Martin Farragher was sent off after just 76 seconds but has had his one-game ban overturned as his charge for ‘striking with the knee’ couldn’t be proven. And he’ll take his place in an attack that features Micheal Lundy, Gary Sice, Colin Brady and Ian Burke.

Bernard Power will man the goal; Kieran Fitzgerald lead the defence that includes Kieran Molloy, Michael Farragher and semi-final goal scorer Liam Silke; with Daithi Burke and Ronan Steede expected to partner in midfield.

Corofin showed their disciplined approach when losing Farragher against Moorefield and this could be the key to frustrating Nemo Rangers. If they can keep the Cork attack quiet, they have the personnel to get the necessary scores.

Nemo Rangers are evens favourites, the draw is 15/2 and Corofin are priced at 11/10. This will suit Kevin O’Brien’s charges. It’s a pity the game clashes directly with the Ireland/England rugby match. But they won’t mind in north Galway should they secure their third All-Ireland title.

Verdict: Corofin

pic.twitter.com/9kyGuygKFl

— Corofin.GAA (@CorofinGAA) March 13, 2018

GALWAY UNITED: CABINTEELY IN TOWN FOR AIRTRICITY LEAGUE

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March 16, 2018

(Photo – Galway United)

Galway United return to action at Eamonn Deacy Park tonight (Friday) when they face Cabinteely. It’s the first competitive meeting between the two sides.

IT'S MATCHDAY!

United return to league action at Eamonn Deacy Park this evening when we face Cabinteely for the first time in a competitive fixture.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm. #GUFC pic.twitter.com/ssIDOC566W

— Galway United (@GalwayUnitedFC) March 16, 2018

Cabinteely have lost both of their opening league games by a single goal against Wexford and Cobh Ramblers.

United meanwhile were held by UCD last week, drawing 1-1, after recording a convincing 4-1 win against Athlone Town and manager Shane Keegan is targeting another league win against Pat Devlin’s side.

“The thing that I was hammering home to the players is” said Keegan to the club’s official website. “Cabinteely are a team that have lacked the rub of the green over their two opening games, rather than playing poorly in them.

“It makes them dangerous opposition for us, they’re desperate to get points on the board. That bit of luck that might’ve alluded them is possibly due to swing around soon, so it really is important that our player don’t think that we’re facing a team who are struggling.

“We’ve got to be at our best, or it will be a serious banana skin for us.

“When you have aspirations of trying to win this division or attain promotion, realistically you’re looking to try and win every home game. You’re going into your home games with a level of expectation of delivering a performance and the three points.

“Hopefully the Cabinteely game will be no different. If we can get a regular big crowd behind us at home, it’s definitely a big help to us.

“We gave our supporters four goals in our last home game and even if it wasn’t our greatest performance, hopefully the vast majority of them will return for the Cabinteely game and if we can deliver once again, winning becomes a habit.”

Robbie Williams is rated as 50/50 AND the experienced English defender missed last week’s trip to the UCD Bowl with a calf problem. Conor Melody has returned to training following a knee injury and he may be included in United’s match day squad for the first time this season.

Galway United meet Cabinteely in the SSE Airtricity League tonight (Friday, March 16th). Kick-off in Eamonn Deacy Park is at 7.45pm.

It's a big game at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday evening!

Let's make it two home wins from two in the league.

Our first competitive meeting with Cabinteely kicks-off at 7.45pm. Tickets will be available on the gate on match night. #GUFC pic.twitter.com/Z9ZsEEmZc6

— Galway United (@GalwayUnitedFC) March 15, 2018

Pro-Choice exhibition ‘Everyday Stories’ to begin today

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March 16, 2018

Galway Pro-Choice is launching the ‘Everyday Stories’ exhibition in the Galway Arts Centre today, Friday 16 March. at 7pm.

The exhibition will be launched by Mary McDermott, who co-founded the project with Caoimhe Anglin in 2017.

Everyday Stories is a project featuring real-life stories of women and families impacted by the Eighth Amendment.

Mary McDermot, a native of Roscommon, said that when she got involved in the Repeal campaign some years ago, what struck her most was the number of people who have been affected by the Eighth Amendment.

“Many of the people I’ve met have been very open about their stories and it was these stories which revealed the complexities of this law to me and how it can affect women and their pregnancies,” she said.

“The idea behind Everyday Stories was to give a platform to these stories and I felt that if more people knew the realities of the Eighth Amendment, there would be greater understanding and compassion towards the issue.”

Caoimhe Anglin’s personal account features in the ‘Everyday Stories’ exhibition alongside the stories of seven other women and their families. She was forced to travel to Manchester in 2016 to access an abortion.

“Through this exhibition and the accompanying website, we are revealing the humanity of complex lives, considered decisions and difficult journeys,” she said. “We hope ‘Everyday Stories’ will bring perspective, compassion and understanding to often divisive and difficult public debates, and will help us find common ground.

“In 2016, I experienced a crisis pregnancy. I was on the pill and my boyfriend and I always use condoms. When we realised I was pregnant, both of us knew there was no way we could afford to bring a child into the world.

“I travelled to Manchester for a surgical abortion. I was accessing a normal healthcare service but – to do so – I was subjected to needless hardship: I had to travel abroad, stay in a hotel, find the money to cover all these expenses, and get time off work. And I had to do all this under a cloud of secrecy because of the Eighth Amendment and the restrictions it has caused.

“I am sharing my story because abortion happens and will continue to happen for Irish women. Ten Irish women made the trip to England to access abortion every day last year – I was just one of them.”

The exhibition runs until the 29th March in the Galway Arts Centre and is available online at www.everydaystories.org.

BOXING: GEAROID CLANCY IN PADDY’S DAY TITLE FIGHT

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March 16, 2018

(Photo: Irish Boxing)

Oughterard native Gearoid Clancy will aim to become a two-weight boxing champion on St. Patrick’s Day morning when he fights for the New South Wales light welterweight title.

On a boxing card named ‘The Fighting Irish’, Sydney based Clancy has moved up from lightweight in an attempt to grab the same version of that belt he won in 2015.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213417423324492&set=a.4026171767145.2157290.1067052937&type=3&theater

The 33-year-old will hope for an improvement in fortunes having won three and lost three of his previous six fights but Clancy is confident he can kick off the weekend on a winning note in The Star Event Centre in Sydney.

“It’s all going to plan,” said Clancy to T2T Boxing. “There’s a good atmosphere around the place, we’re all pushing each other on, there’s a good vibe in the gym.”

“Fighting in the Casino on Paddy’s Day, you can’t beat it. It’s about getting off to a good start.”

“I’ve been very hot and cold. Two wins, one loss, one win, one loss.”

“I want to get a bit of rhythm going and be more hot than cold, that’s the plan.”

Clancy’s bout with Williams will be the sixth of a 10-fight card that’s headlined by Dublin’s Darragh Foley looking to earn a WBA world title shot in the same division.

He’ll take on Canada’s Steven Wilcox in the main event in a WBA regional unification bout but with both top 10 ranked, the winner can expect a top-level fight later in the year.

They’re two of many Irish fighters in action on St. Patrick’s Weekend with Michael Conlon’s featherweight encounter with Hungarian David Berna the pick of the bunch.

👉Lightweight puncher Gearoid Clancy takes on Australian fighter Sam Williams at @TheStarSydney Pyrmont on March 17th! 👊 @TonyDelVecchio4
_____#MTKGlobal #BondiBoxing #Lightweight #GearoidClancy #Sydney #JohnnyLewis #BoxingSeries pic.twitter.com/Bxck3FbPFq

— MTK Global 🌍 (@MTKGlobal) March 9, 2018

Clancy was meant to have an Irish title fight with Belfast’s Paul Hyland in 2016 before that fell through. But he has enjoyed his time in Australia and will hope to get back to winning ways.

Gearoid Clancy will face Sam Williams in an eight-round light welterweight contest for the New South Wales title at The Star Event Centre. The contest will take place on St. Patrick’s Day with both fighters expected in the ring at approximately 7am Irish time.

St. Patrick’s Day weather forecast for Galway

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March 16, 2018

Met Éireann say that St. Patrick’s Day will be a cold, cloudy and windy day that will continue to get colder through the afternoon.

While there will be some bright spells in Galway, scattered showers will turn progressively more wintry as the day goes on and blustery easterly winds will add a significant wind chill.

Highest temperatures of only 4 to 7 degrees are expected.

Most of the showers will take place in late morning – early afternoon.

Galway’s archaeological sites threatened by coastal erosion

By

Kate Robinson

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March 16, 2018

Everyone has experienced the devastation wrought by increasingly powerful storms like Ophelia, Eleanor, and – most recently – Emma.

But while Galway residents clear the mess and batten down the hatches, some of our most vulnerable areas are being ignored – and with their loss we risk watching our own history wash away.

According to recent NUIG archaeology MA graduate Kiaran Moylan, 388 coastal archaeological sites in county Galway are at risk of being lost due to erosion.

The Carna native – who now lives in Barna – looked at the effect of rising tides on 13 archaeological sites along the Galway coast, from Aughinish all the way to Killary, for a recent study.

The sites he surveyed were all within 50 metres of the coastline. He used satellite data to plot the high water mark, where the shore meets the land, as well as plotting the sites themselves.

Moylan then compared his data to that from National Monument Service maps and satellite images taken between 2005 and 2012.

And what he found shocked him.

“When I put in my lines onto that map, you can see a huge difference…You can see the erosion. And in some of them, it’s dramatic,” he said.

One of the sites he documented was a 17th century church in Aughinish, which has now been completely destroyed.

The 17th century Aughinish Church in 2016, with only one gable left.

“The sea now is in the middle of the church. It has eroded all the way. In 2016, the tide [had] washed away the south side…and there was only about two metres of the West gable left. But I went back two weeks ago, and that gable is now gone. It’s just gone.”

Moylan spent years as a marine research technician for NUIG.

But when a bout of illness damaged his lungs and scuba diving was no longer an option, he decided to go back to school for archaeology. He kept his passion for the sea alive by doing his research on the coast.

His quiet voice fills with sorrow as he describes the potential loss of valuable artefacts and information at various sites around the West, including a shell midden in Ros a’ Mhíl – one of the oldest in the country – as well as a tomb in Cleggan and St. Feichin’s holy well on Omey Island, which has already been flooded from the tide at least once.

Another site at risk of destruction is a children’s burial ground in Na Mine, Connemara, where people buried unbaptised children – whose bones are now being washed out of their graves.

Said Moylan: “The children’s burial ground has been totally covered by storm beach…where all those stones have been pushed up by the tide onto the land. It’s totally covered over with stones.

“It’s very sad, because the bones are being washed out. And any time you go out there you find small skulls…and the local people are trying to do something about it. They’re looking for funding – they want to try to protect it in some way, but it’s very difficult to protect.”

Many of these burial grounds are found near water, at the border between land and sea, because the children’s souls were believed to be in limbo. But this puts them at higher risk of erosion.

So what can we do to protect these sites?

“There isn’t a rescue unit, or rescue archaeology for Galway,” said Moylan. He attributes the erosion problem largely to the effects of climate change.

“There’s no doubt that the tides are rising…and storms are becoming more frequent, and more severe. There’s very little that we can do against the sea.”

He added: “When you lose half a metre of the coastline, it’s gone forever. There’s no going back. You’ve lost it. So all the erosion that’s happening, it’s irreversible. You cannot stop it.”

Yet there are ways to identify the most at-risk sites and gain information from them before it’s too late.

Moylan would like to see a project similar to one in Scotland, where a charitable trust called SCAPE works to document coastal sites before they are destroyed.

“[The trust has] organised community-based groups who keep an eye on the shore where there are archaeological sites,” he said. “So they’ve given them very basic forms, and they go out every couple of months and maybe measure, take photographs.

“And in some cases, where there’s a site that’s in immediate danger, they will do a rescue excavation.”

The award-winning project – called Shorewatch – is aided by the University of St. Andrews, which helps train local volunteers in finding and documenting archaeological sites.

Moylan is hopeful that a similar project in Galway would help preserve our heritage for generations to come.

“It’s fantastic. We need a model like that here,” enthused Moylan. “The erosion here…it’s happening at an alarming rate.

“One of the middens that I [excavated]…there was evidence right back to prehistory in it. And it’s being washed away.”

But unfortunately, for some of Galway’s historical sites, there is nothing anyone can do.

Said Moylan: “The church in Aughinish, it’s beyond protection. It’s just too late.”

Young man dies in single vehicle crash in Co Galway

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March 16, 2018

A 19-year-old man has died following a single vehicle crash on the R360 Williamstown to Castlerea road this morning.

He was killed when the car he was driving crashed shortly after 2am.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and his body has been taken to University Hospital Galway.

The AA say the Castlerea Rd (R361) remains closed until further notice just north of Williamstown as Gardaí deal with a fatal collision. People are being urged to use an alternative route.

Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil ‘concerned’ about Taoiseach’s favour for Trump

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March 16, 2018

Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have called for An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to clarify comments he made yesterday regarding an alleged favour he did for Donald Trump, while he was Minister for Tourism.

Yesterday, in the White House, the Taoiseach said that he took a phone call from Donald Trump regarding his golf course at Doonbeg and contacted Clare County Council regarding the planning permission for a wind turbine.

“I tried to do what I could do,” said Leo Varadkar. “The planning permission was declined.”

Representatives from both Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil have said that they are ‘concerned’ about the comments, and want Leo Varadkar to clarify the situation.

Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen said that he was amazed and bewildered when he heard the Taoiseach’s comments yesterday.

“It seems extraordinary, particularly when the Taoiseach was so involved in giving his opinion on not wanting to invite President Trump to Ireland this time last year when Enda Kenny was Taoiseach. He was saying one thing in public and doing something very different in private,” Deputy Cowen said.

“There is more to this than meets the eye and the Taoiseach needs to clarify exactly how and when he made the representations and whether or not it was appropriate. He also needs to clarify whether the call came from President Trump directly or from a person on his behalf.

“The public also need to know whether or not the representation interfered with the planning process in Doonbeg because it was coming from a Minister.

“Mr Varadkar needs to give a full account of this issue without delay,” he added.

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald also raised concerns about the Taoiseach’s revelations, calling on him to clarify his actions and the appropriateness of his intervention on this planning issue.

“Mr Varadkar says he took a phone call from Mr Trump and subsequently contacted Clare County Council,” said Deputy McDonald.

“This sequence of events raises serious concerns regarding the propriety of the Taoiseach’s actions as he was a Government Minister at the time.

“It would be wholly unacceptable, and extremely serious, for a Government Minister to have sought to influence the decision of a local authority on a planning application.

“I would urge An Taoiseach to now give a full explanation of his actions regarding this matter.”

Lá na Méan Soisialta – Craoltóirí RnadT beo ar Instagram

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Sheila Ní Bheaglaoich

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March 16, 2018

Mar chuid do Seachtain na Gaeilge, beidh Lá Soisialta na Méan ar siúl inniu an séú lá déag do Mhí an Mhárta.

Is é atá i gceist leis an lá ná go mbeidh céiliúradh ar líne ar an dteanga Gaeilge mar go mbíonn chuid mhaith don Ghaeilge á n-úsaid ar na Méan Soisialta.

Bheartaigh Seachtain na Gaeilge anuraidh, 2017 go ndéanfaidís chéiliúradh ar an nGaeilge ar líne le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia.

Is í an Ghaeilge ceann de na 100 teangacha is gníomhaí ar líne agus is féidir Gaeilge a roghnú mar do theanga ar Facebook, Gmail, Twitter agus go leor eile.

Ar Déardaoin 16ú Márta 2017 bhí Lá na Méan Sóisialta ann don chéad uair agus chun páirt a glacadh ní raibh ort ach postáil a chur in airde ar chuntas ar ardán ilmhéanach ar bith agus na haischlib #LNMS17 a chuir leis.

D’éirigh go fíor mhaith leis an lá mar fheachtas idirnáisiúnta. Seoladh os cionn 3,000 tvuíteanna leis an #LNMS17, gan dearmad a dhéanamh comh maith ar na céadta póstálacha a cuireadh in airde ar Facebook, Instagram agus Snapchat. Bhí an haischlib sa dara áit ag treochtú in Éirinn ar Twitter comh maith.

I mbliana, inniu ach go háirithe, beidh craoltóirí Raidió na dTreabh ag glacadh seilbh ar an cuntas Instagram agus beidís ag craoladh beo ar feadh an lae ar fad. Beidh sé ag tosnú thart ar a naoi a chlog agus ag leanúint ar aghaidh go dtí na 6i.n.

Sé a mbeidh i gceist leis na ‘scéalta Insta’ ná beidh na craoltóirí ó Raidió na dTreabh ag dul i bhfeighil an Instagram ar feadh an lae, mar céiliúradh Lá Méan na Soisialta agus beidh siad ag tabhairt sonraí daoibh faoi na cláracha atá le cloisint.

B’fhéidir go mbeidh an láithreoir nua do chuid an chlann Raidió na dTreabh, mé féin, bhur iriseoir Gaeilge anseo i Galway Daily á craoladh beo ar Instagram Raidió na dTreabh go déanach sa tráthnónna ach caithfidh sibh dul sall go dtí an Instagram thart ar 4.20 chun seiceál an mbeidh mé ann nó nach mbeidh?

Muna mbeidh mé ann, beidh na craoltóirí eile ann ar feadh an lae agus iad ag tabhairt eolas daoibh ar na cláracha a mbeidh ar bun acu i mbliana. Dheineas féin mo chéad clár a thaifead le Radio na dTreabh inné agus is féidir é a chloisint anseo

https://soundcloud.com/raidionadtreabh/180314-boithre-na-smaointe

Ná déan dearmad Lá Na Méan Soisialta a chéiliúradh agus bhur chuid Gaeilge a n-úsáid agus téir chuig Instagram Raidio na dTreabh chun mórchuid craic a bheith agaibh.

Bainigí úsáid as na haischlib má tá sibh á núsáid an Gaeilge ar líne amárach. #Snag18 #LNMS18

Friday – Saint Patrick’s Shorts

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Kate Robinson

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March 15, 2018

Saint Patrick’s Shorts – a celebration of short films for St. Patrick’s Day
Friday, March 16 @ 12 – 1:30pm
Galway City Gallery, 15 New Dock Street
Tickets €8

Galway City Gallery in association with Galway St Patrick’s Festival and Galway Folk Club will be screening a programme of Irish Short Films as part of Galway St. Patrick’s Festival 2018.

The line-up includes short films by such creative talents as Liza Bolton, Finn Arden, Margaretta D’arcy, Meaghan Mckeown Joyce, and David De Souto.

For more information, or for parents who wish to make sure the films are suitable for their children – message the Galway City Gallery via their Facebook page here.

Darren’s Diary – Kicking The Habit (Day 24) – Thursday, 15th March

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March 15, 2018

I know you’ve been waiting with bated breath about the activities in last night’s action in the Ballinasloe Senior Club Championship so I won’t keep you waiting anymore.

A night of high drama saw Kenneth Higgins become just the second three-time champion when he beat Tommy Dunne Jr around 11pm last night. They were fighting for the title and Tommy was the defending champion. But when the dust settled, Athenry’s finest added to his 2011 and 2015 wins.

Tommy had the consolation of finishing third as debutant George O’Brien took second place after his draw with Johnny Dunne. Actually, we’d four players joint second on 4.5 points and Johnny missed out on countback along with Paddy Divilly.

There was equal excitement regarding the grading prizes. Jake O’Grady produced a shock win over the club’s junior champion Aoife Castle to become the first winner of the under 16 prize. And after having to wait over an hour, Liam Martin become the second youngest ever winner of the grading prize.

It’s nights like these that make me proud of what we’ve achieved with Ballinasloe Chess Club. We had 33 entries in the senior club championship this year and there’s 49 players currently taking part in the Junior championships which will end in May. For a minority club, the numbers aren’t bad.

I’ve been talking about this week’s All-Ireland camogie finals but there’s another big event the following Friday (March 23rd). Am honoured to be co-ordinator along with John McKenna for the County Community Games Chess and Draughts Championships in what is always a hotly contested event.

We lost our chess titles last year to Dunmore and are delighted to bring the event to north Galway. Dunmore won for the first time last March and represented Galway very well in the National Finals with one team coming home with gold. It’s going to be a battle.

And we’ve also brought draughts back into the club and we’ll have two teams competing on the same night. Took them for a training session last night and they’re an enthusiastic group who are putting the work in so hopefully, they’ll get rewarded.

Workwise, it wasn’t the most productive day I’ve had but I’ll be forgiven as I saw my favourite three-year-old for the first time in eight months today. My brother Rory is home with his partner Jade and little Evie and they called to see me around lunch time.

It’s amazing the little things you notice about children when you haven’t seen them in some time. Evie’s flying around the place, playing leapfrog with our couch and posing for selfies. Going to be a busy couple of days but delighted to have them home.

Evie turns four on St. Patrick’s Day so we’re looking forward to that after Corofin in the football and Ireland in the rugby. Won’t be continuing the celebrations myself that night as the big games are on Sunday and the aim is to get into the spirit Sunday night somewhere near Bullaun or Athenry.

I have this friend who has been smoking from 10 years and he has been trying to quit on his own. Limited to 2 from past month and now it's been 4 days without a single cigarette.

— TravellingTellurian (@S_TalkingEyes) March 15, 2018

Being late home meant later getting into routine today but the cravings were very minimal. It’s still in the back of the mind but, while I’ve said this before, I couldn’t imagine having one now. I think I jumped the gun some time back thinking I was an ex-smoker but I’ve learned I won’t get complacent yet.

Every day that the diary turns into an actual account of my day rather than explaining touches of temptation is a good day. I’d like to think Evie’s return will give me more motivation over the weekend. And while I won’t see her Sunday, I’ll have four other days with her to look forward to.

https://twitter.com/kayyythaq/status/974338491491536896

So, that’s it. Officially, three less exciting entries in-a-row but I hope you stick with me and thanks a million for all your support. We’ve still 16 days before we go weekly and if I’m still popping out accounts like this then, there’ll definitely be every reason to enjoy the Easter celebrations. Chat tomorrow 🙂

Darren

GALWAY CAMOGIE: (All-Ireland Finals Preview) – KATHARINE DUANE

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March 15, 2018