Almost 10,000 people on trolleys in Galway hospitals this year

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October 25, 2023

Awards2 — L-R: Roisin McGee, Dr. Lisa Hynes, Eveanna Ryan, Aisling Kennedy.

Croí Heart & Stroke Charity is hosting event next month with the Connacht Hospitality Group to encourage women to take care of their heart health.

The Croí Women at Heart Brunch will take place at HYDE Bar Galway on Sunday, November 19 from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm – and you’re invited to grab tickets for this incredible event.

Women at Heart is an initiative of Croí, that aims to inform and empower women to prioritise their heart health.

The reason for this is because cardiovascular disease is almost as common among women today as it is among men – and the Women at Heart campaign is designed to highlight this.

This special brunch will see a panel of expert speakers share their thoughts on this vital initiative, helping to spread awareness about why it’s crucial to be aware – as well as how to put this awareness into everyday action.

The panel will be chaired by PorterShed and Galway City Innovation District CEO, Mary Rodgers.

Speakers will include Dr. Jennifer Jones, Director of Training and Education, National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health; Dr Lisa Hynes, Head of Health Programmes and Health Psychologist at Croí; and Aisling Harris, Cardiac and Weight Management Dietician at Croí.

On the day, everyone who attends will be treated to a delightful drinks reception – the ideal ice-breaker – followed by a delectable three-course brunch served in a glam setting.

The Croí Women at Heart Brunch on November 19 promises to be a memorable get-together. It is being showcased at HYDE Bar on Galway’s Forster Street, offering a fabulous boho-chic location for what promises to be a memorable evening of relaxed fun, heart health awareness, and healthy discussion.

Tickets are priced at €55 each, and you can purchase tickets for the Croí Women at Heart Brunch at croi.ie/event/women-at-heart-brunch/ or by clicking this link.

Clifden RNLI rescues three people stranded by the tide on Omey Island

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October 25, 2023

clifden_rnli_assist_three_walkers_cut_off_by_the_tide_at_omey_island — Clifden RNLI Atlantic 85 Lifeboat. Photo: RNLI/Mella Walsh

The volunteer crew were tasked by the Irish Coast Guard at 1:45pm on Tuesday following a report that three people were stranded on Omey Island.

Clifden’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat was launched by volunteer Helm, Kenny Flaherty, with Joe Acton and Neill Gallery as crew.

Weather conditions today were good with calm seas and the lifeboat crew had no difficulty locating the walkers on Omey Island.

The casualties were found to be well and did not require medical assistance. They were returned to the shore at Claddaghduff where Cleggan Coast Guard provided further assistance.

Speaking after the shout, Clifden RNLI Lifeboat Operations Officer John Brittain said, “We would remind locals and visitors to always check tide times and heights before venturing out to Omey and to always make sure you have enough time to return safely.”

“If you do get cut off by the tide, it is important to stay where you are and not attempt a return to shore on your own as that may be when the danger presents and you get into difficulty.”

“Always carry a means of communication and should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”

Employers at ATU Careers Fair highlight construction skills shortage

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October 25, 2023

Galway Daily news Employers at ATU Careers Fair highlight construction skills shortage

Thirty employers attended a Built Environment Careers Fair at Atlantic Technological University’s Galway City campus recently.

They highlighted that short of graduates in different built environment fields will impact our ability to tackle the climate emergency and deliver critical housing and infrastructure.

Employers met and engaged with students from Architectural Technology, Civil Engineering, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying degree programmes about new graduate opportunities and placement positions.

All programmes in the Department of Building and Civil Engineering offer placement opportunities to students in the third year of their studies.

These work placements enhance the student learning experience and ensure students have valuable experience prior to entering the workplace and increases their employment prospects.

John Hanahoe, Senior Lecturer, ATU Dept of Building & Civil Engineering said, “Many of the employers attending the event highlighted the shortage in suitably qualified graduates to work in all sectors of the built environment sector.”

“Because of the shortage of graduates, the starting salaries and employment conditions for graduates have increased significantly to try to attract skilled professionals.”

A major shift in focus in built environment programmes in ATU Galway in the last decade is the focus on sustainability and tackling the climate emergency.

Dr Shane Newell added, “Graduates entering the construction sector will be at the coalface tackling climate change and this makes it a very rewarding and exciting time to be entering the profession”.

ATU Galway offers Ordinary Degree (Level 7) and Honours Degree (Level 8) programmes in Architectural Technology, Civil Engineering, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying.

For more details on these programmes in the ATU Dept of Building & Civil Engineering, see: https://www.gmit.ie/schools-campuses/school-of-engineering/department-of-building-civil-engineering

Record breaking numbers come out for Croí Night Run

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October 25, 2023

Galway Daily news Record breaking numbers come out for Croí Night Run

Record breaking numbers of people took part in the annual Croí Night Run this month, with 2,000 people coming out in Salthill, and more further afield.

The 9th annual Night Run in aid of Croí took place on Friday, October 13, with people joining in the 5km walk or run along Salthill Promenade, or joining virtually in other locales.

The addition of the virtual participation, which first came about in the pandemic, has been kept due to the level of interest from those supporting the charity.

Broadcaster, Dáithí Ó’Sé, was in attendance to welcome and support participants along the 5km route and shared his own story of how he has made changes to his daily routine to improve his own cardiovascular health.

“2000 people joined us this year on the promenade, a significant increase on last year,” says Christine Flanagan, Croí’s Director of Fundraising.

“It’s always a special event given the location and the atmosphere and team spirit has been marvelous.”

“We are delighted to have Benecol on board this year as the sponsor. This event provides essential funds to allow Croí to continue our lifesaving work throughout communities”.

The proceeds of the events will support Croí’s vital programme of work, across prevention and support initiatives for patients and carers.

These include community health checks, awareness and education events, the Croí Connects helpline, and the Croí Courtyard Apartments, which are free to families in need while their loved ones receive heart or stroke care.

Laura O’Connell, Brand Manager at Benecol, commented that they were thrilled to be sponsors of the Night Run event this year.

“We value our work with Croí immensely, they are generating much-needed awareness for preventative heart-care across Ireland, something that Benecol values highly.”

“Team Benecol was delighted to attend the Night Run ourselves and it was amazing to see such a fantastic turnout!”

iRadio also supported the fundraising event as the media partner.

Triple-header for Galway rally driver Aoife Raftery

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October 25, 2023

The rally season may be drawing to a close for most competitors but Galway’s Aoife Raftery will contest three events, across three different categories in three different countries and in as many weekends.

The first female to be selected to join the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, which she has been part of since 2022, got her busy schedule which got underway in Laois last Saturday.

Laois Rallysprint

She contested the Laois Gravel Rallysprint in a new-for-her Ford Fiesta Rally 4.

Raftery made her rally debut on the Nicky Grist Stages in Wales in 2021 and has subsequently driven a range of front-wheel-drive machinery in rallying across Ireland, the UK and further afield, having contested the FIA Junior European Rally Championship this year.

Saturday’s result, aided by co-driver Geraldine McBride, at the wheel of the PM Rally Hire Ford Fiesta Rally 4 – her first time driving that particular machine.

British Rally Championship finale in Wales

It sets her up nicely for the final round of the final round of the British Rally Championship which takes place in Wales on Saturday.

The Llandudno-based The Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally is an all-gravel event and will cover a 90-kilometre event over rally roads previously used in Wales Rally GB.

Iconic forest stages which saw the world’s best drivers thread their top-flight machinery through the rugged landscape throughout the Wales Rally GB era of the World Rally Championship, will also host the BRC’s final chapter of 2023 as the likes of Brenig, Elsi and Cloc Main will be familiar stages to fans and drivers alike.

The British Junior Rally Championship will be decided in North Wales on October 28 and will feature a two-way fight between two Irish drivers, Kyle White (County Down) and Kyle McBride (County Donegal).

Raftery is keen to get experience on the former World Rally Championship stages and to see how her much-improved pace stacks up against the two title contenders.

Raftery has been plying her trade in the FIA Junior European Rally Championship this season but has been competing closer to home since her continental campaign drew to a close in August.

On her last Welsh outing, the all-tarmac Rali Bae Ceredigion – also a round of the British Rally Championship – in September she finished third in class in her Broderick Motorsport-prepared Ford Fiesta R2.

In Wales she will field the same uprated Rally 4 version that she used in Laois last weekend.

“I am looking forward to making a return to the Welsh gravel. It is where it all started for me and now to compete in the Ford Fiesta Rally4,” said Raftery

“We are looking to have a good run and compare the pace with the other lads in our class. It is a great event with some really good stages, I cannot wait for it.”

RX 150 Rallycross debut

Her third event in as many weeks will be marked by her Rallycross and circuit racing debut.

The 22-year-old will contest the final round of the British Rallycross Championship at Lydden Hill in Kent in the RX 150 category on November 4 and 5.

She will step into the TSL-backed single-specification RX150 machine just days after competing in the Cambrian Rally and the latest event in Raftery’s busy schedule.

She will add a new string to her bow while posing a threat to both the regular RX150 contenders and other new drivers to the category.

This is the final weekend for the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy support category, which includes a heat race taking place after dark under floodlights on Saturday evening, as she also makes her competitive rallycross and rear-wheel-drive debut.

The RX150 Rallycross Championship delivers some of the fastest and most competitive racing in the 5 Nations BRX package, the single-seater, single-specification RX150 machines weighing 430 kilograms, powered by a 200bhp 1000cc motorcycle engines, driven through the rear wheels by six-speed sequential gearboxes.

Fog warning for motorists in Galway this morning

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October 25, 2023

Galway is included in a weather warning for fog affecting driving conditions this morning.

The status yellow weather warning will be in place until 11am on Wednesday morning.

During this time dense fog will cause impaired visibility for motorists on the road.

The warning is in place for all of Connacht & Munster, and counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan.

Elsewise in Galway, the day will start out mostly dry, with cloudy skies and a light to moderate easterly wind.

However, from this evening onwards rain is due to move up from the southwest, turning heavy at times and with winds gaining strength.

Green light for Medtech factory bringing 1,000 jobs to Athenry

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October 25, 2023

Green light for Medtech factory bringing 1,000 jobs to Athenry

Planning approval has been granted for a medical devices factory in Athenry which will create 1,000 jobs for the area.

Galway County Council has given the green light for the 40,227sqm Dexcom facility on the south-west outskirts of Athenry.

The 32.5ha site is part of an IDA landbank which currently consists of fields, but is zoned for Business & Technology use by the Athenry Local Area Plan.

The Dexcom facility will contain a highly automated and efficient manufacturing operation with an emphasis on green technologies.

Dexcom expects to provide about 500 construction jobs while the facility is being built and up to 1,000 high tech graduate and technician level positions once the site is running at full capacity.

When completed the massive facility will encompass warehousing, production areas, administration offices, and a restaurant for staff members.

Planning Conditions

Planning permission was granted by the county council with 54 conditions attached, most of which were related to environmental mitigation and construction management issues.

A qualified archaeologist must also carry out test excavations on the site prior to work commencing, and monitor all groundworks during the construction phase.

Detailed designs of where the site will connect with public roads, and the junctions, footpaths, and pedestrian crossings which will be built, must be agreed on with the council transport department beforehand.

A further Road Safety Audit must also be carried out at the developer’s expense once construction is completed, and any safety issues highlighted in it addressed.

The county council has also instructed that Dexcom must operate a shuttle bus service to bring staff two and from the site, with two routes linking with Galway City and Athenry Train Station.

The company must also set up a bike share scheme operating between the factory and Athenry Train Station & Town Centre must also be set up.

Dexcom must also pay to the county council a contribution of €1,060,072 towards the provision of public infrastructure, services, and facilities benefitting the development.

Site Works

A new main vehicular entrance onto the R348 roundabout at the northern corner of the site will be built, along with multiple pedestrian entrances.

The facility will also feature 500 car parking spaces, with 100 EV charging stations, along with 178 bicycle spaces and 10 motorbike spaces.

Parking on the site will be split between four lots to reduce its visual impact, with tree planting to further screen them from view.

Significant landscaping work is also included in the plans, with green areas and tree planting along the boundary, and much of the northern half of the site given over to meadowland to increase biodiversity.

A 2.1km walking trail will also be created around the boundary of the site, passing through the various landscaped areas.

The project was first announced back in May 2023, with the €300 million investment expected to bring up to 1,000 jobs to the area when it is at full capacity.

Cllr Michael (Moegie) Maher, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, described the announcement as a “game-changer for Athenry and the Galway economy”.

He expressed his hope that the investment by Dexcom will encourage other multinationals to consider the West of Ireland as an investment location.

Civic leaders sign Greater Galway Charter

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October 24, 2023

Civic leaders from local government, higher education, and the business community came together to sign a Greater Galway Charter this week.

The Charter is a manifesto for long-term strategic thinking and planning for the region, an expression of the values which will deliver the kind of sustainable, inclusive, resilient and proud city which Galway can become over the next 50 years.

The initial signatories were Mayor of the City of Galway, Fine Gael Councillor Eddie Hoare; President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh; President of Atlantic Technological University, Dr Orla Flynn; and President of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Dermot Nolan.

Mayor Hoare said, “The signing of the Galway Charter represents an enormous opportunity for discussion and real public engagement on the challenges and the unique opportunity which we face into here in the city of Galway.”

The Greater Galway Charter is intended as a living, working document, which is meant to stimulate community conversations about the kind of city people want to see by 2070.

Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh added, “When I was growing up, as Gaeilge we called Gaillimh ‘an baile mór’. Galway is a city now.”

“This Charter sets out a core philosophy and future vision to guide Galway’s future growth, for discussion and debate, and will provide a rallying point for ‘Sustainable Urbanism’ around which our city can coalesce.”

“I am very proud to have been involved, together with others, in this draft of the future, for the future.”

The Charter was launched at a special ceremony at St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, the setting for key moments in the history of Galway city over the past eight centuries.

Dr Orla Flynn spoke of the aim of Atlantic Technological University to harness collective strengths, particularly in architecture and the sustainable built environment.

“The Greater Galway Charter signals a new way forward for Galway City and I look forward to the ATU community making a strong contribution,” she added.

Dermot Nolan spoke of the long term commitment of the Chamber to a vision of the city, saying, “Believe me when I say that Galway Chamber, representing the business community will not be found wanting in terms of how we can continue to support and drive the ambitions set out in this Charter for the future.”

The document was produced by the Academy of Urbanism with the support of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.

It was also signed the Chair of the Academy of Urbanism, Jas Atwal and President of the RIAI, Charlotte Sheridan.

The document was developed and finalised under the auspices of The Greater Galway Forum.

The themes of the Charter emerged from a series of public workshops and discussions organised during the Architecture at The Edge Festival in October 2022 and facilitated by the Academy of Urbanism and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.

It is available to read and endorse on the Academy of Urbanism website – https://www.theaou.org/resources/the-greater-galway-charter

Galway region house prices see 2.1% yearly increase

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October 24, 2023

Galway Daily business Galway house prices increase 2.1%

House prices in the Galway region has risen by 2.1% in the year leading to August 2023 according to the latest CSO figures.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today released the Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) August 2023.

The western region of Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon has seen a 2.1% year-on-year increase in house prices according to the report.

There has been a stark divide between the trend of residential property prices between Dublin and other regions of the country.

House prices in Dublin fell by 2.3% while apartment prices were down by 0.2% during that year, while outside of the capital house prices were up by 3.1% and apartment prices grew by 1.8%.

The region outside of Dublin that saw the largest rise in house prices was the South-West (Cork, Kerry) at 4.4%, while at the other end of the scale, the Midlands region (Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath) and the West region (Galway, Mayo, Roscommon) both saw a 2.1% rise.

Households paid a median price of €320,000 for a residential property in the 12 months to August 2023.

The lowest median price paid for a dwelling was €159,750 in Longford, while the highest was €634,919 in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

Calls for increased funding for footpath maintenance in Galway City

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October 24, 2023

More funding is needed for the dedicated maintenance of footpaths in Galway City, Cllr Alan Curran has said.

The social democrats councillor said that funding should be increased in the upcoming council budget for a dedicated footpath maintenance team for the city.

He said that there are concerns regarding the deteriorating state of public footpaths all over the city, and the navigation issues this can cause.

“The city wide network of footpaths is twice the length of our road network, and yet while funding is readily available to maintain and improve our road network, there is no dedicated team to ensure our footpaths are in a decent condition for all users.”

“Broken and uneven surfaces, encroaching grass, overhanging branches and accumulated leaf litter cause significant accessibility issues for users, especially those pushing buggies, wheelchairs and those with mobility devices”

Other concerns expressed by the Socs Dems related to fragmented development of footpaths, with missing sections forcing pedestrians onto the road, and estates waiting a long time for paths to be builts.

Local election candidate Eibhlín Seoighthe said that some communities have been waiting decades for footpaths to be built in areas such as Maunsells Road, Shantalla and Newcastle Road.

This is happening while, “new residential developments all over the city are still being approved and built without footpaths linking these developments to local services,” she added.

“With more people choosing more active means of getting around it is high time that narrow, broken, disappearing and non-existent footpaths are identified, repaired and built to ensure they are suitable for all to use”.

€3.2 million European tourism project launching in Galway today

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October 24, 2023

Galway Daily news €3.2 million European tourism project launching in Galway today

A €3.2 million project aimed at supporting tourism businesses in Europe is being launched in Galway today.

The ST3ER project is meant to support tourism businesses, helping them to instigate innovative digital projects, and supporting them in being more resilient and sustainable.

Six parties from five countries are involved in the project: Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Denmark and Slovenia.

The project is being launched today at the Connemara Coast Hotel in Na Forbacha in the Galway Gaeltacht, by Director of Regional Development, Community and Language Planning of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Rónán Mac Con Iomaire.

Údarás na Gaeltachta is the lead organisation, responsible for coordinating the project. The WestBIC organization based in Galway is also involved and is responsible for the accelerator and investment aspects of the project.

This is a 3-year project, funded by the European Union, to develop the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism sector.

Rónán Mac Con Iomaire stated, “It is very important that small and medium-sized tourism businesses are supported in their development, in order to help them face the challenges that lie ahead.”

“If the changes needed in the tourism industry are to happen, new creative skills need to be developed in these companies.”

The project has a budget of €3.2 million and will provide direct funding of €1.96m to businesses. For further information go to www.st3er.eu

UHG is Ireland third most overcrowded hospital today

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October 24, 2023

University Hospital Galway is the third most overcrowded in the country today, with 44 patients on trolleys.

There are 36 patients admitted to the Emergency Department on trolleys today, and a further 8 without a bed in the wards.

At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe there are a total of 8 admitted patients who don’t have a bed today.

Five of them are on trolleys in the Emergency Departments, and another 3 are in the wards.

Nationwide there are 559 people in Irish hospitals for whom no bed is available today according to INMO figures.

The worst affected is University Hospital Limerick (108), followed by Cork University Hospital (45), University Hospital Galway (44), and Sligo University Hospital (38).

Aer Lingus looking for new cabin crew members

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October 24, 2023

galway daily aer lingus plane as recruitment drive nears deadline

There is less than a week remaining until the application deadline in Aer Lingus’ latest recruitment drive for new cabin crew members.

The Irish airline is hiring more than 200 new cabin crew members who will work across its expanding network of flights in Europe and North America.

Aer Lingus is looking for candidates who are highly professional with great communication and people skills, as well as a passion for travel.

Once applicants pass an online assessment, they will be brought forward for assessment days taking place in November and December.

Successful candidates will then begin their training in the Aer Lingus Training Academy at Dublin Airport with training courses taking place from 8 January until the end of April 2024.

Training includes a wide range of topics from theoretical and practical components, health and safety procedures and customer experience.

While training is challenging, candidates are supported throughout with study groups and a buddy system with other members providing peer to peer support.

Once training is complete, candidates have access to a learning hub and LinkedIn Learning courses to continue developing new skills.

Aer Lingus says the training course is very enjoyable, provides the opportunity to learn new skills, have new experiences and, most importantly, make friends for life.

Once qualified, from May 2024, new cabin crew recruits will operate on the Aer Lingus fleet of Airbus aircraft including the latest technology A320neo and A321neo LR aircraft.

Operating on Aer Lingus’ summer 2024 schedule, new recruits will fly to destinations on the Aer Lingus European Network and to 19 routes in North America which include two new destinations, Denver and Minneapolis St. Paul.

Long term careers prospects include progression to other roles within the organisation, such as Senior Cabin Crew member, Cabin Service Manager, Safety/SEP Instructor, Service Instructor, and Operations Crew Manager.

The majority of roles will be at the Dublin Airport base with a smaller number of cabin crew roles available in its Cork Airport base.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or over, eligible to live and work in the Republic of Ireland, have fluent spoken and written English, hold a valid EEA Passport allowing unrestricted worldwide travel, have the ability to obtain a US visa and have at least 12 months combined experience in a customer service/sales role.

The deadline for applications is Monday, 30 October. To apply, click here.

New 40 painting exhibition in Galway from this weekend

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October 24, 2023

A new exhibition of nearly forty original paintings by artist Jay Murphy will go on display at The Kenny Gallery in Liosbán from this Saturday afternoon, October 28.

‘Lorna’s Garden’, which runs through November, is a collection of oils and pastels which is a tribute to the garden landscape created by Lorna MacMahon.

Jay Murphy was born in Dublin in 1952 and has exhibited widely in Ireland and abroad. Living and working in Connemara, she is represented in many private and public collections.

“One of the many benefits of living in Galway was that once a year Lorna Mac Mahon opened her garden to the public,” said Jay.

“A few months before Covid locked us all up, I asked her if she would mind if I made some pastels in her garden, and she was most gracious and welcoming.

“I loved working there, sitting myself amongst the ferns and the moss, looking up the winding steps through native trees, discovering secretive corners, rock sculptures, streams and pools and also formal spaces, all created with an extraordinarily high level of horticultural expertise and without the use of harmful chemicals.”

The collection will be launched this Saturday, October 28 at 3pm at The Kenny Gallery in Liosbán by poet Eva Bourke and all are welcome along.

The works are for sale, and the full collection is available to view online at www.thekennygallery.ie. Any queries can be sent to Dean at art@kennys.ie.

Inis Mór features in energetic new TG4 series

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October 23, 2023

galway daily news barragram tg4 documentary series in galway

Inis Mór features in a new series on TG4 Player which takes audiences on an epic adventure across the four corners of Ireland.

Barragram features a wealth of young contributors, stunning locations and heart-pounding activities where energetic presenter Barra Ó hÉineacháin becomes half man, half GoPro, to capture all the mayhem and Instagram snaps.

The series takes viewers on a wild ride through Ireland’s most breathtaking locations, paragliding off a cliff in Kerry, sailing in Donegal, and sea-stack climbing as well as snorkelling with grey seals in Galway.

For the charismatic Barra, it isn’t all about the adrenaline rush, it’s also about the connections formed along the way.

In each episode, he meets local young people who share their unique perspectives and insider tips, creating a vibrant tapestry of sustainable tourism and zany fun. Always engaging the audience with his sense of fun, Barra also involves the filming crew whenever possible.

In Cork, Barra convinces cameraman Aaron to dive off a bridge as part of a thrilling speedboat ride around Cobh. We see soundman Adrian skiing down the mountain with his boom in Dublin, while in Donegal, Máire joins Barra on a stunning sunrise kayak island trip.

Director Moya Rogers said that she wanted to capture the essence of the fun a crew can have while filming.

“We were so lucky with our amazing team with Adrian, Aaron, Brian and particularly Máire being so happy to be on screen,” she said.

“We managed to get our content quite quickly due to the authentic way in which we filmed with contributors also. This allowed us to attack a scene and move onto a new location quite swiftly and of course this dynamism comes down to how natural a presenter Barra is himself.

“Not everyone can immerse themselves into a scene so genuinely and with so much energy. I’m delighted our series also captured the beauty of the places we visited. We promise to immerse viewers in a whirlwind of adventure, culture and exhilaration in a way that resonates with a young audience, and plunges them right into the action.”

Commenting on his first series of presenting, Barra said he had unbelievable craic with the crew and all the people they met across Ireland.

“I loved every second of it from all the whopper accommodation and delicious food to the adrenaline pumping moments of jumping off mountains in Kerry and climbing sea stacks in Donegal. The show is full of high-energy banter in every scene and you can really see the fun we all had making it.

“I’m so grateful for all the people that helped make it along the way and there is just pure love and happiness shining through every scene.”

The 6-part half-hour travel series for TG4 is available to watch on TG4 player at https://nasc.tg4.tv/Barragram

Galway author Conor Montague to launch debut short story collection

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October 23, 2023

galway daily news local author Conor Montague

Galway City native Conor Montague will return to his hometown next Friday, 3 November to launch his debut collection of short fiction, Capital Vices, at Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop.

Published by Reflex Press on 22 September, Capital Vices, has garnered exclusively five-star reviews on Amazon, Waterstones and Foyles, receiving glowing praise from leading Irish writers such as Mike McCormack, who said that Montague writes “with a direct, visceral poetry” and that “this whole collection is the work of a born storyteller”.

Capital Vices is an eclectic mix, reflective of Montague’s many past lives – he has been everything from a bare-knuckle fighter to an academic – and extensive travel experience.

In these stories we meet a backpacker in India admiring the integrity of cockroaches; an amputee who hustles a biker gang in the last chance saloon; a Connemara girl who discovers the magic of poitín; The Bat Man who saves lives on a Thai beach; how Santa Claus ruins a Galway Christmas; and the U.S. marine decides to assassinate Donald Trump in order to
save America.

Conor is a graduate of the MA in Writing at what was then NUI Galway and is currently the resident playwright at the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith, where he facilitates workshops in playwriting and fiction.

Galway audiences will remember Conor’s Who Needs Enemies series of plays which sold out at the Town Hall Theatre; The Chain, a commissioned piece, sold out at the Inishbofin Arts Festival in April; and Chasing Reindeer, shortlisted for the Platform Presents Playwright’s Prize and Druid Theatre New Writing is currently in development with a London Theatre.

‘Nothing to be Done’, a short film adapted from one of the prize-winning stories in Capital Vices, was an official selection at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh, and was highly commended at the Offline Film Festival in October. It is scheduled to be screened at multiple film festivals over the coming months.

Other stories in the collection have been shortlisted for The Bridport Prize, the V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize, The Hammond House International Literary Award, The Seán O’Faoláin International Short Story Competition, and The Fish Prize.

Conor Montague will launch Capital Vices in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Middle Street, on Friday 3 November at 6.30pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Progess to allow nursing home residents to maintain rental income

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October 23, 2023

Local TD Seán Canney has welcomed progress to allow nursing home residents to be able to retain all income from renting out their homes under plans being finalised by the Government.

Under current regulations, those in nursing homes under the Fair Deal scheme must give up 40% of the income from their home if it is placed on the private rental market, making a contribution towards their care.

But Minister Darragh O’Brien announced that 100 per cent of the rental income would be cleared for retention as part of a package of measures to combat housing vacancy.

The Galway East TD said that he understands that Minister O’Brien intends to put in place a working group of officials and Health Service Executive safeguarding teams as well as representatives from NGOs involved in advocacy for older people.

He said that unnecessary delays have been due to concerns within Government which are ‘groundless’.

“Essentially there is no threat to older people as the clinical assessment on the need for long term care is carried out by the HSE who are independent and will not be influenced in any way when making their clinical assessment,” he said.

The Department of Housing estimated last November that just short of 11,000 homes were vacant due to their owners being in residential care settings like nursing homes or long-term hospital stays.

“Lifting the cap on income that can be retained would allow many more homes to be brought on to the market. The present situation acts as a direct and serious disincentive to the properties becoming available for rent,” said Deputy Canney.

Water mains replacement works underway in Williamstown

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October 23, 2023

Galway Daily news Water network improvements for Inverin as old mains being replaced

Work is underway replacing roughly 1km of old and leak prone water mains in Williamstown.

Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Galway County Council, will replace the water mains along the R360 from Ballyroe to Smyths Garage, Williamstown.

The work is meant to provide a more reliable water supply, improve water quality and reduce the amount of treated drinking water lost to leakage.

Speaking about the benefits of the project, Uisce Éireann’s Declan Cawley, said: “Replacing these old water mains in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.”

“We would like to thank the local community for their patience while we work to provide a more secure and reliable water supply for generations to come.”

The works are being carried out by Farrans Construction and will be completed by December.

Areas of works will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers, with traffic management in place in areas of construction.

The works may require some short-term water interruptions, but the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned interruptions.

“We understand that this type of work can cause inconvenience for the local community, but our crews will make every effort to minimise any disruptions,” added Declan.

Public meeting on future of Portumna town centre and forest park

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October 23, 2023