Food growers and garden-enthusiasts, this one’s for you.

Next Friday, 20 October, the Harbour Hotel will host the Community Gardens Harvest Celebration Seminar, organised by three major groups.

The free event will see speakers including; Charles Dowding, proponent of ‘No Dig’ gardening and a regular guest on BBC radio & television; Dr Colin Sage, University College Cork & Cork Food Policy Council; Dee Sewell, Greenside Up & Community Gardens Ireland and representatives from Galway Community Gardens.

European Green Leaf, European Region of Gastronomy and Galway City Partnership have teamed up to create this special seminar.

The event will take place from from 2 pm to 5pm.

The celebration will continue into the weekend, with the Community Harvest and Halloween Vegan Pot Luck by Galway Vegan Community and Third Space Galway, in Arus Na Gael on Sunday 22nd October, 1-3pm.

This event will include a talk on Food Democracy, sustainable and community food growing from Eimhin David Callahan, co-founder of the Food Commons, Birr Community Growery.

As it’s coming up to Halloween, all are invited to dress up and play traditional Irish Halloween games. Why not bring your favourite vegan snack, dish, dessert or beverage – homemade or shop-bought.

(As long as it’s vegan.)

Arlene Finn, European Green Leaf Coordinator said: “Community Gardens are welcoming, vibrant spaces for volunteers to learn about growing fruit, vegetables – and themselves!

“They are fantastic spaces to meet like-minded people and to share in the enjoyment of being involved in a community project.

“More importantly, they contribute to our knowledge of local, organic, food production – as we become a more urban society, we have lost our knowledge and abilities to produce food. Community Gardens play an essential role in restoring this knowledge.

“These events give people an opportunity to find out more about growing their own food, and about the Community Garden Network in Galway – all are welcome to come along.”

This is a free event, but due to space limitations, registration is required through https://galwayharvestseminar2017.eventbrite.ie or by contacting Arlene Finn, European Green Leaf Coordinator Arlene.finn@galwaycity.ie or 091 536 840.

Catherine Connolly today slammed yesterday’s budget, saying that the government should be ‘absolutely ashamed’.

The Galway West TD made the comments in the Dáil this afternoon during budget statements.

She accused the government of failing to direct funding towards dealing with domestic violence and climate change.

“In relation to disability, 13.5% of the population have a disablity of one sort or another. That’s 643,131. It’s a finite number.

“We asked for a finite figure of a disability allowance every week in addition to what they’re getting, to allow them to live independently, with dignity,” she said.

The Independent TD also criticised Ireland’s corporate tax rate.

“The biggest mistruth in this Dáil is in relation to corporate taxation. I’d like to quote the controller and atorney general. Straight from his report: thirteen of the one hundered companies with the highest taxable income had an effective rate of less than 1 percent. Now what spin is going on in this chamber in relation to  an open and accountable corporation tax?”

On climate change, she asked: “how many times do we have to say this is the last Dáil that has any chance of taking effective action?”

“Besides that,” she continued, “on an economic level, it makes absolute sense to deal with climate change.”

Catherine Connolly TD was part of a long list of critical statements from the opposition benches today.

“I really regret to use emotional words, but you should be absolutely ashamed of yourselves to put thi budget in the guise of fairness and long-term investment,” she concluded.

Yesterday’s budget saw an increase in social welfare payments and a reduction in USC.

The price of cigarettes rose by 50c, meaning 20 will cost €12, while the minimum wage will increase to €9.55 from January 2018.

Ireland’s extortionate alcohol prices will not see a rise in the next twelve months, as there was no increase on the duty on alcohol.

The young man who died in a car crash at Carrowmhuineagh, Dunmore, Co. Galway has been named locally as Bernard Mongan.

The two car fatal road traffic collision occurred last night Monday 9th October, 2017 at 8.30pm at Carrowmhuineagh.

He was fatally injured when the car he was driving was in collision with another car.

A 21year old male passenger received minor injuries.

The male driver (74yrs) and two female passengers (70yrs and a 2yr old child) in the second car also sustained injuries however these were minor.

The road was closed earlier today to facilitate an examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

Gardaí wish to appeal for any witnesses to contact Tuam Garda Station on 093-70840 The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Solidarity from Galway to Catalonia.

At yesterday evening’s council meeting, the city council passed a motion of solidarity with the people of Catalonia following their recent referendum for independence.

Sinn Fein councillor Mairead Farrell proposed the motion of solidarity, and it was backed up by a majority of councillors.

Cllr Mairead Farrell’s party colleague Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh who represents the Galway West – South Mayo constituency travelled to the Catalan capital last wek to oversee the referendum which was violently supressed by the national police force.

Meanwhile, in the last few minutes the President of Catalonia said that Catalonia has won the right to be an independent republic following the ‘yes’ vote, but that they will attempt dialogue with Madrid before a delaration of independence.

He said that it is a “historical moment” and slammed the Spanish government and even the King of Spain for not mediating between the two nations.

In recent days, many politicians around the world have expressed their solidarity with the peope of Catalonia and the peaceful struggle for independence by separitists there.

Today, Nicola Sturgeon said that the European Union did not live up to its founding values, adding that EU citizens were violently attacked by police just for attempting to vote.

EU should have condemned police action in Catalonia, Nicola Sturgeon sayshttps://t.co/QjaB2hDk7r #SNP17 pic.twitter.com/n6VzTBF6J4

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) October 10, 2017

The prospect of direct rule from Madrid is looking like a real possibility, with Spanish Prime Minister saying that he will do what is necessary to keep the situation under control.

Gardaí in Galway are still appealing for any information the public might have in relation to the attack on Saturday morning.

Gardaí were alerted to the discovery of an unconscious and injured man in his 20s at St. Bridget’s Place, Prospect Place, Galway at approximately 3am on Saturday 7th October 2017.

The man was taken to University Hospital Galway with serious injuries.

The scene was preserved for a technical examination following the incident.

Gardaí appealed for witnesses on Sunday and they are are continue to ask people to come forward with any information, in particular anyone who was in the vicinity of  St. Bridget’s Place, Prospect Place or to taxi drivers with dash cameras.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Gardaí at Galway on 091-538000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

It’s #timetotalk.

To mark World Mental Health Day tomorrow, iRadio will be broadcast live from Shop Street tomorrow evening.

‘The Hub’ with Dave Duke will go out live from 56 Central, 5 Shop Street, and there’s a stellar line-up scheduled.

Special guest speakers will share their own personal stories and providing helpful tips on how to deal with mental health issues.

Galway hurler, David Burke will be there, along with Choice Music Prize winners, Rusangano Family, Donal Vaughan Joe Caslin and Donegal Rose, Amy Callaghan, who opened up about her anxiety on stage at the Rose of Tralee.

And, it gets better. Irish music acts Fallen Lights and  Stephanie Rainey will be performing live on the show.

Fallen Lights recently embarked on an epic tour across all 32 counties to raise awareness of the importance of mental health.

One more sleep!

Join us and register on https://t.co/3A5zXB5m6Z @PietaHouse @lyons_tea #TimeToTalk @56central pic.twitter.com/KqHL7Msfpl

— iRadio 📻🎙📱 (@ThisisiRadio) October 9, 2017

World Mental Health Day is observed around the world on 10th October every year and the theme for 2017 is “Mental health in the workplace”.

The overall aim is to organise collectively in support of better mental health.

The time around World Mental Health Day gives us all an opportunity to bring awareness to and highlight mental health and wellbeing issues where we work, rest and play.

#Timetotalk

This year, Pieta House have teamed up with Lyons Tea, with a simple message: it’s time to talk.

#Timetotalk encourages families to put the kettle on this World Mental Health Day, brew some tea, grab some Mikados or Kimberlys and have a serious chat about mental health.

Without talking to each other, it’s almost impossible to know how someone close to you is feeling, which is why talking, and this campaign to promote it, are vital.

You can be part of the live show by filling out the form on iRadio’s website here.

There has been a collision on the N84 Headford Rd at Ballindooley.

Gardaí are en route to the scene of the incident.

Elsewhere in Galway, traffic is busy both ways between University Rd and the Kirwan R/A on the Headford Rd.

It’s heavy outbound on Seamus Quirke Rd from the Browne R/A to the Westside Playing Fields.

It’s quite slow outbound on Bohermore coming up to Cemetery Cross. North of the city, it’s busy again heading into Claregalway.

The Dublin Rd has delays both ways approaching Bon Secours Hospital.

Speakers will discuss the crisis in Catalonia  at an event in the city at seven o’clock this evening.

Organised by Cairde na Cataloine, the event will include speakers including Catalan human rights lawyer Albert Llusa and Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, as well as Gemma Tarres Colom of the Assemblea Nacional Catalana Irland.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh was in the Catalan capital Barcelona for the historic vote one week ago as an international observer to the referendum.

The events of the day were beamed across the world; both the national police violence towards Catalan voters and the determination and will of the people of Catalonia.

The event this evening will take place at Aras na Gael at Dominick Street at 7pm, and speakers will discuss the referendum and the circumstances and history of Catalonia’s peaceful movement for independence.

The ‘yes’ campaign won the referendum one week ago, however, there were some doubts about the legitimacy of the vote as many ballots were stolen by the national police force and turnout was well below fifty percent.

Catalan seperatists are now looking towards their President Carles Puigdemont to declare independence from Spain, and to establish Europe’s newest independent republic.

You can watch a live stream of the event here, on Senator Ó Clochartaigh’s Facebook page.

Irish emigrants can face many problems when departing our shores, including immigration issues, homesickness and the lack of voting rights.

But what about the problems faced by those who decide to return home?

Tomorrow, a conference hosted by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform USA and Safe Home Ireland will tackle the problems faced by returning Irish emigrants in the Connacht Hotel.

A range of speakers will meet to propose solutions to address difficulties faced by Irish people returning home after a period living aborad.

This unique event is scheduled to take place on Saturday October 7th between 2-4pm at the Connacht Hotel in Galway.

The meeting will be streamed live globally and the audience will hear from immigration specialists, returned Irish citizens sharing their stories as well as a selection of other invited speakers.

The Conference will also hear from immigration specialists, returned Irish citizens sharing their stories as well as a selection of other invited speakers, including Minister with responsibility for the Diaspora, Ciaran Cannon TD and Senator Billy Lawless Senator for the Diaspora.

The Government has recently announced the appointment of independent consultants to undertake a detailed economic report on the topic of ‘barriers’ facing recently returned/returning Irish emigrants and to ‘identify solutions’ to same.

The Webinar will help contribute to this report and is a unique opportunity for those affected to have a say and ensure that key issues and solutions are presented for change.

The Event takes place at the Connacht Hotel on the Old Dublin Road in Galway City on Saturday October 7th, from 2-4pm. It will be streamed live on Facebook from Ciarán Staunton’s page here.

Runners have the option of running 10k, a half marathon and a full marathon.

Almost four thousand runners, joggers and walkers will descend on the City’s streets tomorrow for the annual Run Galway Bay which starts and finishes at Nimmo’s Pier.

The event which has gone from strength to strength has been sold out for weeks with over 3,700 participants coming from all over the world for this fast, flat and fun route along the stunning shores of Galway Bay.

For the first time ever on Irish soil, a team of Irish Cross-country skiers will complete the marathon on roller skies.

The four athletes will travel from Waterford, USA, Sweden and Norway.

The team most notably includes Ireland’s Thomas Maloney Westgaard, the 22-year-old with Galway heritage is favoured to represent Ireland in the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeong Chang in South Korea in February 2018.

A team of over 850 people will participate in memory and honour of Manuela Riedo who was tragically murdered in Galway 10 years ago.

**Reminder **

Race start times

Marathon -08:30am
10k – 10:30am
Team Manuela – 10:45am
Half Marathon – 12:15pm #OneMoreSleep pic.twitter.com/tDvoGokvFq

— Run Galway Bay (@RunGalwayBay) October 6, 2017

The sea of green will take to the start line at 10:45am on Saturday with the aim of raising €100,000 for a variety of projects across the country.

The event will mark the 10th anniversary and final event of the Manuela Riedo Foundation. Manuela’s parents have travelled from Switzerland and we are honoured to have them at the event to present the finisher medals to the team.

Large corporate teams get ready to run

Run Galway Bay’s reputation for being a friendly and fun race in a superb location has attracted two major Corporate brands as their race of choice for their staff team building day.

Eir will have over 260 participants from across Ireland participating and Crown Paints with their International parent company Hempel will also have over 200 participants from across the world arriving to enjoy all that Galway City and Run Galway Bay have to offer.

Also participating in the event are a team of 40 staff from TG4, including their Director General Alan Esslemon.

TG4 are marking their 21^st year in business by raising funds for Cancer Care West, who is also the official partner to the event with €5 from every general entry being donated to the charity.

Speaking about the popularity of the event, Race Director Ray O’Connor said:

“We are delighted with the response to this year’s race, it’s been sold out for weeks and is growing year on year with many of the participants returning to Galway to chase a PB (Personal Best time).

“With 18 nations represented this year Run Galway Bay will have an international feel but will retain that unique Galway & Irish influence.

“We are delighted to continue to increase the female participation at Run Galway Bay, this year 55% of the starters are female, a trend that has continued to rise steadily in recent years.

“I’m looking forward to a superb day on Saturday and hoping that the weather gods deliver race perfect conditions.”

NUI Galway has been named University of the Year by the Sunday Times for the third time.

The university outperformed 21 other third-level institution and was found to have the best job prospects of any other Irish university, with a low graduate unemployment rate of 3%.

Students at National University Ireland Galway are also much more likely to complete their courses, with with 88% of its students continuing with their studies to the bitter end.

NUI Galway ranks within the top 250 universities in the world, and today’s news will attract attention and interest from across the country.

The university has come under criticism in recent years following multiple women claiming they were discriminated against, however, the university has excelled within the necessary criteria to be crowned Univerisity of the Year 2018 in the Sunday Times’ Good University Guide.

News just in… we are University of the Year! Makes us even prouder to welcome everyone to campus for our Open Days! #ChooseNUIGalway pic.twitter.com/zvEwrP9EBH

— NUI Galway (@nuigalway) October 6, 2017

A flu vaccine campaign was launched yesterday at University Hospital Galway.

The promotional campaign marks the beginning of what is known as flu season, highlighting the importance of vaccinations which can reduce flu-related deaths by 40%.

The Saolta Group , CHO 2 and NUI Galway are partnering with UNICEF; for every flu vaccine given to staff, 10 polio vaccines will be donated to the worldwide charity.

It was launched yesterday by the Saolta University Health Care Group and HSE Community Healthcare Organisation CHO 2 (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon) together with the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences NUI Galway,

John Shaughnessy Saolta Group Director of HR said: “As we enter flu season, we are particularly requesting health care workers to get the vaccine to protect themselves, their families and their patients.

“Vaccination of healthcare workers has been shown to reduce flu-related deaths by 40% and for the next number of months we will have a number of clinics available at each hospital site to make it easier for our staff to avail of the vaccine.

“We have also trained a number of staff as Peer Vaccinators who go directly to wards and units to provide the vaccine to their colleagues.”

He also said that the Saolta Group is glad to be partnering with UNICEF to support them in their efforts to eradicate polio.

“Our staff can know that as well as protecting themselves and those around them, they are also making an important contribution to UNICEF’s work,” said Mr Shaughnessy.

Mr Tony Canavan Chief Officer Community Health Organisation Area 2 (Galway, Mayo & Roscommon) outlined that the promotion of the flu vaccine for all staff is of vital importance.

The majority of community based HSE staff are the amongst the highest risk groups, being 10 times more likely to get the flu.

It is hoped that this approach to the promotion of the flu vaccine will lead to increased uptake levels this year.

Some local authorities are charging development charges for telecommunications infrastructure.

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten discussed plans for broadband today in the Dáil, responding to questions about the plans for the development of broadband in various counties.

He was responding to one of these questions when he referred to the east of Galway and Roscommon as being the worst affecteed by low speeds.

Remarkably, he also revealed that some local authorities were charging development fees for telecommunications infrastructure.

The Minister said that he would  “publicly name those local authorities” if they do not stop doing so.

“They have been issued with a request by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on a number of occasions not to do so.

“This is curtailing the roll-out of wireless and mobile broadband services to those counties and they need to be held accountable for it,” Minister Naughten said.

He also discussed his plans and some recent developments.

“If we could provide high speed broadband for every home in Ireland on the back of a hare, it cannot come quickly enough as far as I am concerned.

“That is why the broadband task force is so important in dealing with those in the amber area who are not part of the current roll-out phase of the national broadband plan.

“They are waiting for completion of the procurement process, particularly in the last 7% or 8% of more isolated areas.

“On entering the Department 12 months ago, I released 3.6 GHz of spectrum.

“That auction took place earlier this year and allows for the roll-out of point to point mobile and fixed wireless 5G broadband services in the more isolated parts of Ireland.

“Already one operator bidding for the contract has come to me and expects to cover 85% of the landmass of the country by 2019,” Mr Naughten added.

Three people in Ireland have been bitten by these fast-breeding creatures and NUI Galway’s researchers have investigated their bites.

The first true case of a False Widow spider bite was identified in the UK in the 1990’s and in Chile last year.

There has since been five additional reported cases, three in Ireland and two in the UK.

NUI Galway’s researchers say this particular species of spider is having a negative effect on other local species and spiders in Ireland due to their competitiveness and fast breeding nature.

The spider can live up to a terrifying seven years, whereas most spiders are lucky to see their first birthday, and it thrives only in cities and urban areas.

Researchers at NUI Galway have studied the spider in the most intensive research carried out on this species to date.

The study was recently published in two separate research papers in international journals. One showed that the False Widow spider is taking over Ireland and is an invasive species with a detrimental effect on native species.

The second journal, Clinical Toxicology, showed five reported cases of False Widow bites in the UK and Ireland that have provided the world’s first verified identification guide on how to treat bites from this spider.

Led by Dr Michel Dugon, the research team based at the Venom Systems and Proteomics laboratory in NUI Galway made the discovery while investigating the potential of local bugs that included the venom from the False Widow spider, as a source of novel therapeutics to develop medication to treat illnesses ranging from bacterial infection to cancer.

This is the only laboratory in the world currently working on taking venom from The False Widow spider for potential therapies.

Dublin, Cork and Wexford have the highest number of False Widows to date.

Dr Michel Dugon, lead author of the study from the Ryan Institute at NUI Galway, said: “While it is extremely unlikely that a bite will ever be fatal, we do need to consider bites from False Widows as a potential health risk given the increase of this species not just in the UK and Ireland but also mainland Europe and the US.

“We hope that our study will help to address some of the public’s concerns about these spiders and will provide healthcare professionals with the information required to accurately diagnose and report bites associated with the False Widow.”

The False Widow spider arrived in the UK about 100 years ago and began colonising Ireland from Britain over the past 20 years.

The venom from a False Widow spider is a lot more powerful than the researchers expected, producing about one tenth of a millionth of a litre of venom.

This study was funded by the Irish Research Council.

Cycling 1,800km is impressive.

Galway lad Reece McWalter is well on his way to completing a 1,800 km cycle from Galway to Nice, all in the name of charity.

He began cycling on 22 September and all proceeds from the self-supported trip to the southern French city are going to Jigsaw.

Jigsaw is a mental health charity which is changing how Ireland thinks about and responds to young people’s mental health ‘through research, engagement and services’.

What an amazing adventure! Reece to Nice sees Galway lad Reece McWalter cycle across the continent in aid of Jigsaw https://t.co/Mb3qmhN4HP pic.twitter.com/LyKKPitHCW

— JigsawYMH (@JigsawYMH) 3 October 2017

The entire 1,800 kilometres is being completed by bicycle – and at Day 10 of the cycle, Reece was in Agen.

“Day 10 was miserable and rainy from the go in Bordeaux, but finished with a stunning view of Agen aquaduct. Just over 1100km clocked as of Day 10. Nice is getting closer!” he wrote, on the official donation page.

He has raised almost €800 of the €1,000 target, and will surely get over the line before he arrives in Nice.

Updates and information about how to donate can be found on the official donation page here and by following Jigsaw on Twitter.

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50 kegs can contain up to 5,000 pints.

Gardaí are investigating the theft of 50 kegs of beer from a bar in Croughwell.

The robbery took place at around 5.30am yesterday morning.

The culprits entered the yard where they were stored via a wall at the side of the premises.

They left with fifty empty kegs of Guinness and Carlsberg, according to Galway Bay FM.

Gardaí are appealing to the public to contact them if they saw anyting suspicious in the area yesterday morning or on Sunday evening at 091636400.

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