Gardaí are investigating after a woman in her 70s was hospitalised for injuries sustained after her car was stolen this week.
Gardaí are appealing for information in relation to the theft of a vehicle on Williamstown Road, Castlerea on Tuesday, November 21 at approximately 5:30pm.
A woman in her 70s was injured during the course of this incident and later received treatment at Sligo University Hospital Sligo.
No arrests have been at this time but Gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry with regards to this investigation. A family liaison officer has been appointed.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information on this incident to come forward to them.
The stolen vehicle is described by Gardaí as a red Volkswagen Fox hatchback with an 08 RN partial registration.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Gardaí at Castlerea Garda Station 094 962 1630, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Investigations are ongoing at this time.
Galway City Council has launched the first ever draft local authority Climate Action Plan, which sets out ambitious targets to transform the council and the city.
Galway City Council aims to reduce greenhouse gases on both its operations and the wider city by 51% by 2030, and to become carbon-neutral by 2050.
The public are invited to make submissions to the Draft LA Climate Action Plan from today until Friday, 29 December at 4.00pm.
Speaking about the launch, Ms Patricia Philbin, Interim Chief Executive Galway City Council, said that the Local Authority Climate Action Plan is a welcome further development in creating a more sustainable and climate neutral Galway City.
“Collaboration has never been more important in maintaining a dialogue with the people of Galway, so that our city has climate action and resilience at the forefront of everything that we do,” she said.
“As we are witnessing extreme weather events such as increased storms, flooding, and droughts here in Ireland, and temperatures reaching over 50°C in mainland Europe, Climate breakdown is becoming very real and visible.
“These events remind us that we all have a responsibility to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and make positive Climate choices. Galway City Council will be to the forefront of that action, working in partnership with businesses and our communities throughout the city.”
Mayor of Galway City, Cllr. Eddie Hoare said that climate change is the most significant challenge to all communities in Galway City.
He said that the inaugural climate action plan marks a significant milestone in the city’s commitment to address this challenge by implementing measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
“This plan sets out ambitious targets to deliver transformative action across all functions of Galway City Council and throughout Galway City.
“Climate action also offers opportunities to communities and businesses to promote sustainability, biodiversity, active travel and to make positive changes in our daily lives.
“I welcome this plan as a significant further step in delivering our 2030 targets and progressing towards a climate neutral Galway City by 2050 in line with Irelands Climate Action Plan targets.”
Two outdoor events for people to show solidarity with people in Palestine will take place in Galway city centre this weekend.
This evening, Friday, images will be projected onto the iconic Galway hookers at the Claddagh Basin as the sun sets, with people gathering at 4.30pm.
There will be a light art installation piece and projections onto the sails of the Galway hookers, along with live music by Palestinian and Irish artists including Roisin El Cheriff, Hala Jaber and Katie O’Connor.
Participants are urged to bring a candle and dress warmly if they want to join a call for peace and the liberation of the Palestinian people.
On Saturday afternoon, a rally for Palestine will take place through the streets of the city, beginning at Courthouse Square at 2.30pm.
People will march through the city centre before being addressed by Palestinian and Irish speakers, and some more live music, at the Spanish Arch.
Participants are urged to bring a flag, a banner, and a friend. Both events will be peaceful demonstrations of solidarity, and protesters will cooperate with Gardaí and stewards.
Members of the Galway Palestine Solidarity Campaign (GPSC) highlighted that a temporary cessation to the horrific onslaught on Gaza will do little to ease the suffering children.
Israeli forces have killed nearly 15,000 people in Gaza over the past seven weeks.
President Michael D Higgins has said that the thoughts of people across Ireland are with the children and families affected by the horrific attack outside Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire in Dublin city centre yesterday afternoon.
In a statement on Thursday night, President Higgins said we are particularly thinking of the 5-year-old girl and the member of staff caring for her who were stabbed in the attack.
Both are in a serious condition in hospitals in Dublin, and President Higgins said that all of our prayers are with each of them for a full recovery.
A boy aged 5 and a girl aged 6 years, who received less serious injuries, were also brought to hospital for treatment.
Groups of angry protesters then took to the streets following social media reports about the alleged nationality of the attacker.
Far-right hooligans attacked gardaí, set fire to a bus, the Luas and garda vehicles, and hurled fireworks and other objects, bringing Dublin city centre to a standstill.
Thirteen shops were attacked and looted and 34 people have been arrested.
President Higgins condemned the shocking scenes, saying the Gardaí deserve all of our support in dealing with the horrific incident.
He condemned any attempts by these groups to use the horrific attack to further their agenda.
“This appalling incident is a matter for the Gardaí and that it would be used or abused by groups with an agenda that attacks the principle of social inclusion is reprehensible and deserves condemnation by all those who believe in the rule of law and democracy.”
Scoil Chaitríona Junior, Renmore has been crowned the national winner of the Explorers Ocean Champion School Awards 2023.
The Galway City primary school took home the crown for their Healthy Ocean project, ‘Caring for our Ocean’.
Scoil Chaitríona Junior applied themes of environmental care, cleaning up litter, and looking after the animals in the ocean across many different subjects throughout the year, from the sciences through to music and the arts.
They shared stories about the ocean with a primary school in France, performed at the Marino Institute of Further Education and at the Féile Scoildrámaíochta inter-school drama competition.
On behalf of the teachers, school principal Caitríona Daly said the award recognised their school’s commitment to learning about local areas – particularly their own seashore at Ballyloughane Beach.
“We’re also delighted to have received an EU Blue Schools Award. This award recognises the school’s effort to become ocean literate and for being an ocean champion!”
Mick Gillooly, Interim CEO of the Marine Institute said he was extremely impressed with the efforts of everyone involved.
“We were also extremely impressed with the school’s collaboration and engagement where the teachers and children worked with marine scientists from ATU to learn about seaweed and birdlife, and with artists through the Teacher Artist Partnership, as well as meeting with other marine educators.”
“These children stood out for their eagerness to learn about the animals in the ocean, and for sharing what they learnt with their community about protecting and caring for the ocean.”
“Bringing the topic of marine conservation to local, national and international platforms shows an incredible amount of commitment from the staff, children and their parents,” he added.
Scoil Bhride in Galway also won the Best Marine Outdoor School Project Award.
Twenty-eight coastal schools participated in this year’s competition, creating healthy ocean school projects based on themes including Marine STEAM, Ocean literacy, SDGs and Ocean and Marine Outdoor Education.
The Healthy Ocean School project and Ocean Champion Awards are organised through the Explorers Education Programme and are the only ocean-themed awards for primary schools in Ireland.
It recognises the effort, commitment and collaboration of school management boards, teachers, children, and the Explorer outreach officers who have engaged in the all-school, marine-themed project.
Planning permission has been granted again for a new Boutique Hotel on Nun’s Island in Galway City Centre.
An Bord Pleanála has upheld the approval for Hanoview Ltd to demolish two buildings on Nun’s Island; No. 26, a commercial building, and No. 34, a dwelling to its rear.
In their place, the developer plans to build a three-storey over part-basement boutique hotel, with 34 guest bedrooms.
Of the 34 bedrooms, the developer has said that 17 will be “pod” style compact rooms, to make more economic use of the site.
The hotel will contain a compact lounge and breakfast room for residents, neither of which will be open to the public.
This decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by the owners of a property neighbouring those to be demolished.
The appeal raised concerns that the basement level could endanger the structural integrity of their property owing to its minimal foundations.
Other issues raised in the appeal concerned increased traffic on Nun’s Island, the lack of any car parking in the plans, and the scale of the design compared with the surrounding area.
An Bord Pleanála upheld the city council’s original decision to grant planning permission, attaching 21 revised conditions.
One condition of the board’s approval was that a construction methodology report must be prepared and agreed on with the city council before work commences.
This must indicate the means proposed to ensure the protection of the structural stability of the neighbouring property associated with the appeal.
A €1,000 reduction in undergraduate college fees has come into effect from today, with the money being returned to students’ accounts.
The reduction in fees was first announced as part of Budget 2024 as part of measures targeting the cost of education.
A reduction of up to €1,000 in undergraduate fees is now being applied to all free fees eligible students’ accounts.
This will see the fees of some 96,000 students across the country reduced by 33%, down to €2,000.
Students – or their families – who have paid the full student contribution of €3,000 are being refunded.
They have been asked to give their bank details to their higher education institution before the end of November to facilitate reimbursement of their €1,000 in December.
If bank details are not provided by the student, a credit will be applied to their account.
Speaking today, Minister Simon Harris said, “Budget 2024 introduced a series of measures to reduce the cost of education and put more money back in people’s pockets.
“The most significant measure was the reduction of college fees of €1,000 for the second year in a row.”
“Today, we set out how it will work. For the majority of students, there will be no action required. Fees will automatically reduce to €2,000 for all undergraduate students eligible for free fees.”
“If you are paying in instalments – as many families do- your second instalment will be reduced by up to €1,000 at the start of the second term in 2024.”
“If you paid in full, your college will refund you by the end of the year,” the Minister added.
Minister Harris also confirmed families earning under €100,000 may also be eligible for a €500 student contribution grant.
While applications have closed, students may be eligible to make a late application details are available on www.susi.ie.
The University of Galway has presented Irish Traveller, human rights activist and author Mary Warde Moriarty with an Honorary Doctor of Laws. Photo Credit: Andrew Downes, Xposure.
The University of Galway has awarded Honourary Degrees this week to luminaries working in civil rights, traditional Irish music, philanthropy and more.
The celebrations take place from Wednesday, November 22 to Wednesday, November 29, and the Honorary Degree awardees join more than 3,000 students graduating over the six days.
University of Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said, “I am delighted to be in a position to recognise this group of extraordinary individuals and to recognise them at the same time as we celebrate the achievements of over 3,000 of our students.
“Each one has made an excellent and distinctive contribution to public life, the betterment of society and the interests of humanity, leaving the world in a better place than we found it, which is the responsibility of us all.”
“It is also great to be able to mark the achievements of our outstanding graduates and those being conferred with an honorary award for the first time under our new name and our new identity.”
He added that these awards celebrate everything Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway stands for, its values, work for the public good, and pride of place.
Those being recognised by the University of Galway with Honorary Degrees at the 2023 Winter Conferring span the worlds of civil rights, human rights, media, music, the arts, medicine, philanthropy and academia.
Marie Reddan former librarian of the University of Galway Library who was conferred with Doctor of Education from University of Galway . Photo: Andrew Downes, xposure
Honourary Degree Recipients
Frankie Gavin (Doctor of Music (DMus)): Regarded as one of the world’s greatest fiddle players, Galway’s Frankie Gavin is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who has played nationally and internationally for over six decades. He was awarded the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year title in 2018.
Mary Warde Moriarty (Doctor of Laws (LLD)): Traveller, human rights activist and author, has worked tirelessly for nearly 50 years to advance Traveller human rights and build bridges between the settled and Traveller communities in Ireland. Co-founder of the first Tuam Traveller Support Group established in 1984. Mary was President of the European Centre for Irish Travellers and led the development of a library dedicated to the history and origins of Irish Travellers. Co-founder of the National Council for the Travelling People, the National Federation of Irish Travellers and the National Association of Travellers’ Centres, she was a co-founder of INVOLVE, the largest provider of Youth Services to young Travellers.
Hugh Logue (Doctor of Laws (LLD)): First came to prominence as a Civil rights leader in the late 60s, serving as a member of the executive of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association and as Vice-chair of the North Derry Civil Rights Association. A founder member of the SDLP, he was elected to the Stormont Assembly for that party in 1973, 1975 and 1981. He joined the European Commission and served in Brussels for the following 20 years as a senior Commission official. In this capacity he played a crucial role in the European Union’s contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process and to the Good Friday Agreement.
Professor Peter Piot (Doctor of Medicine (DMed)): In 1976 Professor Piot co-discovered the Ebola virus in Zaire while working at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, and led research on HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and women’s health, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. He has worked in Europe, Africa and the US and was founding Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1995 until 2008, and was an Associate Director of the Global Programme on AIDS of WHO. He is a recipient of numerous scientific and civic awards and humanitarian medals and has published over 600 scientific articles and 17 books.
Alan Esslemont (Doctor of Literature (DLitt)): Director General TG4, Alan was born in Scotland and has worked in France, Switzerland and the Isle of Skye. He worked here at our university, Telegael, Teilifís na Gaeilge, and TG4. He was a founding board member and treasurer of the Irish Film and Television Academy and is a key supporter of Irish-language planning and content for TG4.
Eva Bourke (Doctor of Literature (DLitt)): Highly-regarded poet and author of seven collections of poetry in English, editor of three volumes of poetry and prose in English, and translator of two volumes of Irish poetry into German; a major figure in contemporary Irish literature, member of Aosdána.
Patricia Forde (Doctor of Arts (DArts)): A graduate of our university, bilingual from an early age, she joined An Taibhdhearc at the age of ten as an actor and later directed plays there. Founder of Galway’s Babaró International Arts Festival for Children in 1996 and one of the early members of Macnas. She spent a period as Director of Galway International Arts Festival in the early 1990s. Former chair of Children’s Books Ireland.
Miriam Hand and Lourda McHugh (Doctor of Laws (LLD)): Recognised for their advocacy, leadership, and steadfast commitment to raising funds for breast cancer research through community partnerships and sporting organisations. Long-time board members of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute supporting the development of research facilities at University of Galway, established research and academic appointments, and graduate scholarships resulting in academic impact and cancer research advances.
Neil Johnson (Doctor of Laws (LLD)): CEO of Croí (Galway’s charity for cardiovascular health). Graduate of University of Galway, Honorary Clinical Fellow in the School of Medicine since 2015 and recipient of both Galway and Rehab ‘People of the Year’ awards. Neil has overseen foundation, growth and development of significant projects in cardiovascular health promotion, executed several multi-million euro fundraising initiatives and the construction of the Croí Heart and Stroke Centre Building in Newcastle.
Marie Reddan (Doctor of Education (DEd)): Retired Librarian of James Hardiman Library. Marie contributed much to the life, wealth and success of the Hardiman as a national and international centre of excellence. Marie played a leading role in the reimagining of the Library in its transition from print to the digital age, and in the archival activities of the library. Co-founder of IReL consortium of Irish Research Libraries.
Concerns have been raised about public safety along the Lough Atalia Bridge, with issues surrounding anti-social behaviour.
The bridge is frequently used by people living in the Renmore area as a shortcut into Galway City.
Labour Party representative Helen Ogbu said that the bridge has become a significant focal point for concern from what she has heard speaking with local residents.
“Residents have expressed genuine worry about the unacceptable activities, particularly after dark. Reports of anti-social and criminal behaviour on the Lough Atalia Bridge have become increasingly prevalent, particularly during the night.”
“The safety of young people, women, men, and individuals traversing this area alone is a cause for serious concern. Despite improved lighting, the area remains a hotspot for unsettling activities including public drinking and other anti-social behaviours.”
“This raises safety concerns for those traversing the bridge, especially students and individuals walking alone at night,” Helen Ogbu added.
“These concerns evoke memories of tragic incidents such as the brutal murder of Manuela Riedo in October 2007, reigniting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in public spaces along our walkways, pathways, parks, and neighbourhoods to prevent violence against women, young people, the elderly, and everyone in our community.”
Residents have suggested that the area could be improved by removing vegetation to improve visibility, CCTV surveillance to deter criminal activities, and intermittent Garda patrols in the area.
The deadline is approaching for people to make submissions on the county council’s plan to create a new public park at Pollboy, Ballinasloe.
The council plans to redevelop a 23ha plot of land just off the M6, roughly 1.5km south of Ballinasloe, half of which used to be a landfill.
Restored to its natural state for more than a decade, the area consists of woodlands, native hedgerows, grassland meadows, along with wetlands, streams, and ponds.
The goal is to create a park with multiple walking and cycling trails, a covered pavilion, and an all-ages playground.
The council is currently seeking public feedback on a draft masterplan for the park, details of which are available online here.
The deadline for public submissions on the proposed amenity park is 10pm on Thursday, November 30.
Sinead Mullins from Salthill has won the biggest ever cash prize on Irish radio, taking home over €130,000.
Sinead answered Barry Mullins’ call on Today FM to claim the massive prize yesterday afternoon.
Sinead was shocked, saying “oh my god sorry before proceeding to read out the winning number.
Today FM tweeted that Sinead Mullins from Salthill has hit the absolute jackpot, winning “the biggest EVER cash amount on Irish radio AND having the most polite kids in the country!”
Watch the interaction below!
🤑 GALWAY CASH MACHINE WINNER WINS OVER €130,000 🤑
Sinead Mullins from Salthill has hit the absolute jackpot winning the biggest EVER cash amount on Irish radio AND having the most polite kids in the country 🥺💛 pic.twitter.com/iGT5TjYHPY
Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane has raised concerns about low afforestation licensing figures following the recent rollout of the new Forestry Programme.
Recent figures show that just 42 afforestation licences have been issued this year so far, and just two applications have been referred to the Department’s Ecology unit for review to date in November.
Deputy Kerrane said she has have engaged with individuals and organisations representing farmers, forestry owners and the commercial forestry sector in recent weeks.
She said that the licence figures are “indicative of the wider concerns” raised by them regarding the management of forestry.
“Many have raised the same worries that the new afforestation scheme under the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is too limited and restrictive, and at times, too administratively burdensome to allow for the levels of afforestation that we need,” the Sinn Féin TD said.
“While I understand that eligibility criteria for planting is required, it cannot be the case that rules are so rigid to prevent afforestation on scale.”
Nigerian poet and playwright Samuel Yakura photographed at Dublin’s Liberty Lane as he performs a scene from his new show 'The Perfect Immigrant'. Pic: Marc O’Sullivan
The story of the challenges faced by young migrants as they arrive in Ireland will be brought to life in a groundbreaking new poetry play coming to Galway next week.
Following an award-winning premiere at last year’s Dublin Fringe Festival, The Perfect Immigrant written and performed by poet and playwright Samuel Yakura is coming to Town Hall Theatre Galway on 27 November.
From the struggles of job hunting and navigating Ireland’s dating scene to searching for red chilli peppers in Lucan, the one-man show is a heartfelt and hilarious exploration of the challenges faced by those in search of a brighter future.
The show revolves around Levi, a courageous young Nigerian man who leaves his homeland with three worn suitcases, to fulfil his dream of studying engineering in a foreign land.
Samuel Yakura said that the story is about a young adult navigating manhood, loneliness, and self-discovery in a foreign place.
“The piece draws, in part, from my own experiences as a migrant. Similar to the show’s protagonist, I came to Ireland in 2018 to pursue a masters in civil engineering. The piece is quite different from a traditional theatre show,” he said.
“We tell Levi’s story through a powerful mix of poetry, prose, and with an Irish-Nigerian sense of humour that will entertain and resonate with audiences of all backgrounds.”
The Perfect Immigrant provides a unique insight into the cultural challenges of migration, which Yakura believes will also encourage more minority cultures to engage with Ireland’s theatre and arts scene.
“Ireland is undergoing a transformative journey towards becoming a thriving, multicultural society. However, there is a noticeable lack of representation in the arts and in audience attendance.
“By sharing stories like The Perfect Immigrant on stage, we hope to encourage minority cultures to explore the vibrant world of theatre and arts in Ireland. Personally, my journey as a poet has been enriched by coming here.
“I would encourage the general theatre community but also those outsiders to come and experience this inspiring show.”
The perfect Immigrant, written and performed by Samuel Yakura and directed by Katie O’Halloran opens in the Town Hall Theatre, Galway on November 27.
The N59 Moycullen Bypass sod turning ceremony last year: Hildegarde Naughton TD, Cllr. Peter Keaveney (left) Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council and Peter Walsh, Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy
The Moycullen Bypass will be opened on 11 December by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Galway County Council Cathaoirleach Liam Carroll.
Senator Seán Kyne confirmed the scheduled opening this week, saying the new bypass will remove hundreds of heavy vehicles from the Main Street in Moycullen and improve safety.
The bypass received planning permission in 2012 and started construction in January 2022 with Wills Brothers as the main contractor.
It will be accessed by roundabout at either side of the village at Clydagh and Drimcong.
Fine Gael senator Seán Kyne said that removing heavy traffic will make the village a safer and more comfortable place for locals who have had to put up with noise and traffic congestion for years.
He said that it will remove the tailbacks morning and evening, which had become an unwelcome feature of life in Moycullen.
“The bypass will also mean cars who don’t want to travel through Moycullen can avoid the village. It will make it easier for those who wish to do business, visit or socialise in Moycullen to access it.”
Senator Kyne added that as well as making Moycullen safer and less congested it will make a great difference to communities in Roscahill and Oughterard and beyond, particularly going home in the evenings as there will be less congestion.
He also welcomed the commitment of An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who was Minister for Transport when the project received planning permission.
“He prioritised the first phase of the project with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the N59 upgrade into Moycullen from Clydagh,” said Senator Kyne.
Three people have been arrested following a €25,000 drugs seizure in Galway on Monday evening.
Gardaí from Ballinasloe and Galway City conducted operations which saw the seizure of €16,000 worth of cocaine, €9,000 worth of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.
A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to one of the men arrested, while the others remain in custody.
“Gardaí in Ballinasloe, with the support of colleagues from Galway City have been working hard as part of our ongoing covert operations to disrupt the sale and supply of illegal drugs in the area.
Yesterday evening, they seized €16,000 worth of cocaine, €9,000 in cannabis herb along with mixing agents, an industrial powder press and moulds.
Three males were arrested – one has been released pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions and two remain in custody this evening.”
Gort Biogas Concern Group has claimed victory in a legal battle against plans for a biogas plant in Gort.
The Gort Biogas Concern Group brought a High Court challenge against An Bord Pleanála’s decision to approve the plans back in August.
Today the group said in a statement that the case has come to an end, with An Bord Pleanála conceding “to our benefit”.
The organisation said that “common sense” has prevailed, and thanked the people of south Galway for their support in this campaign.
“This campaign is the culmination of five long years of hard work and dedication from the volunteer members of the Gort Biogas Concern Group with the full support of the Burren Lowlands Group.”
“The group has worked tirelessly and has scaled many mountains to reach this point. We have all learned a great deal from this campaign and made some great friends along the way.”
“We can all bask briefly in the sunshine of this achievement, but we will remain vigilant to this and other such developments that threaten our local environment, our amazing community and the future viability of Gort Inse Guaire as a great place to live, work and visit.”
The proposed Biogas plant would have been built on a 10ha site in the townlands of Ballynamantan, Kinincha and Glenbrack just a few hundred metres outside Gort, producing fertiliser and energy through the treatment of farm waste.
An Bord Pleanála gave it the green light in late 2022, overturning two rejections by the county council based on road traffic and environmental concerns.
Launch of IA Labs’ Digital Accessibility Index Report 2023 at NCBI, Drumcondra.
A new report has found that 73% of Ireland’s top 100 companies have websites which are inaccessible for people with disabilities.
The report commissioned by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) found that many sites are completely inaccessible for the estimated 600,000 people in Ireland with disabilities.
While accessibility adoption has been sluggish across a number of sectors, notably education, healthcare and housing, there has been some positive movement.
Some 27% of the top 100 Irish companies have taken steps to improve their website accessibility, despite not yet being legally obligated to do so.
Three schools in Galway were named in the top 10 and commended for their work in making their websites more accessible: Salerno Jesus and Mary Secondary School in Salthill, Colaiste na Coiribe in Knicknacarra, and Colaiste Iognaid SJ on Sea Road.
The Galway Clinic was also listed among the top private hospitals in the country.
The current legislative position means that under EU Web Accessibility Directive 2020, public sector websites are mandated to meet the requirements of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and ensure that they can be accessed by all users, regardless of ability.
More recently, however, this legislative mandate has been extended, under the European Accessibility Act, to businesses in the private sector so all websites, digital assets and applications of private sector bodies must be fully digitally accessible by June 2025.
Businesses based in Ireland have just eighteen months to ensure that their content is digitally accessible – or risk facing legal penalties.
Chief Executive Officer at IA Labs and Chief Technology Officer at the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, Kyran O’Mahoney said that while tangible progress has been made, there is still a long way to go to make a fully inclusive society.
“With the forthcoming European Accessibility Act, the clock is ticking for many businesses across Ireland, who must now work to ensure that their websites and mobile applications can be accessed by all users.”
Technology is the single greatest enabler for any person living with a disability; and for businesses, having a fully accessible website ensures that you can reach every single customer. Digital accessibility is a win-win.”
The report, created by Inclusion and Accessibility Labs, was launched by Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary.
“I welcome the publication of the Disability Accessibility Index as a means to help enterprise and the public sector alike identify where they can improve to make their information more accessible to people with a disability and help move us closer to achieving a more equal and inclusive society.”
Other key findings of the report include that 95% of education institutions have inaccessible websites, along with 17 of Ireland’s top 20 public and private hospital, and just three of eight political parties have accessible websites.
The government has announced funding of almost €2.3 million to support the development of 50 outdoor adventure projects across Ireland.
Three projects in Galway are set to benefit from the funding – Renville Forest Park, Ballinasloe Outdoor Recreation Park, and Linn Taoide Arainn.
These projects, when ultimately delivered, will give a major boost to local economies by attracting visitors.
Once at a shovel ready stage, they will be in a position to secure further government funding.
Galway County Council will receive almost €50,000 for the Renville Forest Park Masterplan, which aims to develop a major tourist attraction.
Nearly €50,000 will go to the council for a feasibility study on the options for a public park in Ballinasloe, and over €35,000 for another study on providing a tidal pool on Arainn along the sea shore.
Announcing the funding, Minister Heather Humphreys said: “We’re now heading into the darker days of winter and it’s more important than ever to make the most of those precious daylight hours by getting out and about when you can.
“The funding I’m announcing today will support the further development of our hiking trails, water based activities and other amenities making them even more enjoyable places for families to visit nationwide.
“These amenities are here for us all to enjoy. I would encourage everyone who can to get out and about, and make the most of what our countryside has to offer.”
Galway County Council has announced the 13 recipients of its 2026 Artist Support Scheme, with €33,860 awarded to artists working across literature, music, theatre,...
