Staff of Woodie’s Wellpark Retail Park, Galway pictured with Dee and Joe Jordan, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, along with Irwin the assistance dog at the presentation of a cheque for €8,227 which was raised during the 9th annual Woodie’s Heroes campaign.
Two Woodie’s stores in Galway have celebrated the wrap-up of another successful Woodie’s Heroes campaign this week, raising over €14,500 for four children’s charities.
Woodie’s Wellpark raised €8,227 and Woodie’s Headford Road raised €6,520 with help from customers, colleagues and suppliers.
One hundred percent of funds raised will be split equally between ISPCC Childline, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, Down Syndrome Ireland, and Make-A-Wish Ireland.
Woodie’s Heroes was established in 2015 and has raised over €3 million for Irish children’s charities, with this year’s fundraising expected to see that figure grow closer to €3.5 million.
Staff of Woodie’s Headford Road, Galway pictured with Dee and Joe Jordan, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland along with Irwin the assistance dog at the presentation of a cheque for €6,520 which was raised during the 9th annual Woodie’s Heroes campaign.
Customers donated throughout the campaign by adding a donation in-store at the till, online at woodies.ie or by text.
The team at Woodie’s Wellpark and Headford Road were overjoyed by the generosity and support shown to them during the campaign by their local community and wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of those that donated.
After four weeks of fundraising, it was a proud moment for the colleagues in-store when they presented the cheques.
Nighttime water restrictions in Tully will continue until Monday 21 August, with people in the area being urged to conserve water where possible.
The restrictions, in place from 11pm to 7am each night, are needed for a number of reasons including poor raw water quality entering the plant.
Water levels are being reviewed daily and updates are being provided to the community as necessary.
Uisce Éireann’s Eoin Hughes said the restrictions in Tully allow reservoir levels to recover overnight and maintain a consistent supply of drinking water for customers during the day.
He called on people in Galway to play their part in ensuring there is enough water for everyone as we go through the summer.
“It is important that we all consider our water usage and look at simple yet impactful ways to conserve water,” said Mr Hughes.
“It can sometimes be difficult to know where to start, but even small changes can make a significant difference, for example, turning off the hose, avoiding power washing and checking for leaks on outdoor taps.”
Landlords are urging students to be wary of accommodation fraud as the new academic year approaches.
The Irish Property Owners Association has said that with many property owners selling up and leaving rental market, scammers are taking advantage to defraud students and their families of deposits.
In light of these challenges, the IPOA is advocating for heightened vigilance among students when embarking on their accommodation search.
Mary Conway, Chair of the IPOA said “While it is disheartening that these precautions have become necessary, the presence of unscrupulous actors across various sectors, not just in the rental market, necessitates that people are ultra-vigilant when paying deposits.”
“The IPOA will continue to hold an unwavering commitment to safeguarding the good reputation of our members and in turn protecting their prospective tenants from fraud.”
To safeguard against potential pitfalls and prevent fraudulent payments from being made, prospective tenants are strongly encouraged to follow some practical advice:
Request tangible proof of property ownership from potential landlords. Examples of such documentation may include verifiable insurance records or Local Property Tax (LPT) receipts.
Be wary of accommodation only advertised on social media or if the person offering a rental will only communicate with you via messaging applications like WhatsApp.
Be vigilant if there is an unusual sense of urgency by the ‘landlord’ in securing a deposit.
Be wary of rents that are ‘too good to be true’.
Before you pay any money, ensure you have inspected the property and that the property is suitable for your requirements.
When satisfied, make payment and ensure you receive a receipt from the person you have identified as the owner or agent.
Be cautious if the property owner is consistently unable to, or refuses to meet you in person.
Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you may have. A legitimate property owner will be happy to answer, remember – it’s your money!
The IPOA is urging students to familiarise themselves with the legal regulations around renting. A good starting point for this is the Residential Tenancies Board website – www.rtb.ie.
“We urge students to take caution when applying for rental accommodation and paying deposits this year until they are satisfied that they are dealing with a legitimate property owner or their agent.”
“By taking a vigilant approach, we can stamp out the practice of those falsely claiming to be property owners and safeguard people’s hard-earned money” Ms. Conway concluded.
Four Connacht players have been named to the Irish squad facing off against England this weekend, with Cian Prendergast making his international start.
Head Coach Andy Farrell has named the Ireland Match Day Squad for Saturday’s Bank of Ireland Nations Series clash against England at Aviva Stadium, which kick’s off at 5:30pm.
James Ryan will captain Ireland in the final home match before the Rugby World Cup, while Keith Earls is in line to win his 100th Test cap in green should he feature off the replacements bench.
Earls, who made his Ireland debut against Canada in November 2008, is set to become the ninth Ireland player to reach this landmark stage in his career.
He follows in the footsteps of Brian O’Driscoll (133), Ronan O’Gara (128), Cian Healy (124), Rory Best (124), Johnny Sexton (113), Paul O’Connell (108), John Hayes (105) and Conor Murray (105).
Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe make up the Ireland starting back three, with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose also set for their first appearances of the Bank of Ireland Nations Series in midfield. Leinster pair Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park start in the half-backs.
Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong start in the front row, with Tadhg Beirne joining Ryan in the second row.
Peter O’Mahony starts at blindside flanker, with Josh van der Flier at openside and Cian Prendergast set for his first Ireland start at number eight.
Ireland v England Matchday Squad:
(Province/Club/Caps)
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)(30) 14. Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians)(14)
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)(50) 12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians)(46)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(20)
10. Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD)(19)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(25)
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)(53)
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)(17)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)(66)
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)(39)
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)(captain)(53)
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)(94)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)(50) 8. Cian Prendergast (Connacht/UCD)(2)
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch)(35)
17. Jeremy Loughman (Munster/Garryowen)(1) 18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers)(30)
19. Joe McCarthy (Leinster/Dublin University)(2)
20. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(29)
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen)(105)
22. Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)(4)
23. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster)(99).
UNESCO Evaluators and all funding agencies' representatives of the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Region Geopark
The Joyce Country and Western Lakes region which covers Galway and Mayo has taken a step forward on its path to becoming a UNESCO Geopark.
This fascinating region contains Ireland’s only fjord at Killary, where glaciers cut a path through the land in the last ice age, and the beautiful karst landscape in the old woods between Cong and Clonbur, and many more geological delights.
The application for the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Region to become a Global Geopark was first submitted last November.
The most recent step forward for the aspiring Geopark came with the arrival of two UNESCO evaluators in July for a three day assessment.
The evaluators, Stéphane Legal and Antonio García Jímenez were shown around the region and met with stakeholders in a number of events highlighting the heritage, experiences and people the region has to offer.
The assessment included such iconic Galway spots as being lakeside by Kylemore Abbey and touring Killary Fjord on a boat.
If successful, the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Region will become the fourth UNESCO Geopark in Ireland.
It will join the ranks of iconic locations at Copper Coast in County Waterford; the Burren & Cliffs of Moher, County Clare; and Cuilcagh Lakelands in County Fermanagh and County Cavan.
Trish Walsh, Michael Hegarty, and UNESCO assessors on Killary fjord cruise
In the latest development of Joyce Country and Western Lakes aspiring Geopark, a 2023 – 2028 management plan for the region was launched in February.
This sets-out ideas, priorities and actions on tourism-led community and business development in the would-be Geopark.
New speed limits for Galway City, including a 30km/h limit for much of the city centre, will come into effect from August 28.
The city council has formally adopted the Galway City Council Road Traffic (Special Speed Limits) Bye-Laws No. 1-2023.
This includes 30km/h speed limits for much of the city centre, something which the council first voted in favour of in March of last year.
The area of the city centre which will now be covered by the 30km/h limit, which includes the Docks, westside, downtown, and Bohermore, can be seen in this map.
Also under these bye-laws, the speed limit shall be set at 100km/h from the city boundary past the Martin Roundabout, towards the Coolagh Roundabout and beyond on the N6 until just before the junction with the Ballybane Road.
This will also be the limit set on the N83 Tuam Road from a point 670m north of its junction with the Castlegar Road, also known as School Road.
The speed limit will be set at 80km/h on the N6 from 100m east of the Kirwan Junction until it meets the Tuam Road, as well as on the Headford Road from 970m north of the junction with Bothar an Choiste, until the city boundary.
A speed limit of 60km/h is prescribed for the following roads:
The Headford Road from 173m north of the Bóthar an Chóiste junction, extending north to 975m from the said junction.
The N6 from its junction with the Tuam Road, eastwards to a point 80m from its junction with the Ballybane Road.
The N6 from its junction with the Thomas Hynes Road, eastwards to its
junction with the Seán Mulvoy Road and Headford Road.
The Tuam Road from 20m, north of its junction with the Castlegar Road (also known as School Road), to a point 670m from said junction.
The N59 Moycullen Road from 40m west of its junction with the Circular Road, northwestwards to the City Boundary.
Galway City and County Council’s applications for flood mitigation works have been successful, with €282,600 being approved for four projects.
The councils applied for funding under the Office of Public Works’ Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
Under the scheme, the Office of Public Works has approved €163,800 in funding for works at Sruffaunacashlaun Stream & Distillery Channel.
This includes the desilting, masonry repair, repointing and water proofing of a 30-metre-long masonry arch culvert along with associated consultancy fees.
€54,000 in funding will be provided for the installation of a new 450 mm diameter concrete pipe crossing road with headwall and non-return valves at Moneen, Tuam.
A further €45,000 in funding for a Hydrological Study of the Clarin River Basin area as well as €19,800 in funding to install flap valves on 2 no. pipes and construct a 510 m³ retaining pond at Dunmore Golf Club.
Road users are being warned ahead of heavy rain forecast in Galway tomorrow, Friday.
Met Éireann issued a status yellow warning for heavy rain which will last from 2pm tomorrow, Friday, until 3am on Saturday morning.
They have forecasted heavy rain with thundery downpours on Friday and Friday night which could lead to spot flooding and difficult travelling conditions.
Eleven other counties are affected by the warning: Carlow, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, and Wexford.
A new report profiling projects and programme pathways for disabled persons to access the arts has been published this week.
The report, titled Levelling Access – Mapping Arts and Disability Provision in Clare, Galway City and Mayo was launched by Mayo County Council Arts Service in partnership with Clare and Galway City Arts Officers.
It was awarded funding from the Arts Council’s Invitation to Collaboration scheme, which supports Local Authorities to work together on projects that benefit the development of the arts.
Over the last 25 years, all three arts services have gained significant experience in the development and support of nationally recognised arts and disability programmes.
This report (now available on mayo.ie) highlights current and potential barriers to sustaining and developing arts and disability provision.
It also considers a framework for future development that is flexible and can be adapted for different local authority contexts and guide progress for different stakeholders.
The compilation of this report is indebted to the artists, facilitators, people who work in disability resource organisations and local arts organisations in the three local authority areas who took the time to impart their knowledge, experience, and insights, and for signposting possible new routes and directions for people with disabilities to access the arts on their own terms.
Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has urged the government to take action to protect students from accommodation scams.
The Sinn Féin TD’s comments follow the launch of the ‘Scamwatch Campaign’ by student unions and Threshold.
Deputy Farrell said that is a severe shortage of student accommodation at colleges across the state, and that students are desperate to secure suitable rentals.
As a result, some are falling prey to scammers taking advantage of this desperation.
Deputy Farrell said that this is happening because the government has failed to take action and address the housing crisis despite clear and repeated warnings.
“I am deeply concerned by reports of students being scammed hundreds and even thousands of Euros when they attempt to secure accommodation,” she said.
“Government must act urgently to protect students and tackle the underlying issues around the lack of housing supply.
“I am concerned that international students are particularly vulnerable to these scams, as they may lack local knowledge to determine whether a rental advert is authentic or not.
“The government has totally failed student renters by abandoning them in the grip of the housing crisis. It isn’t good enough.”
Ballinasloe has been included in a new €10 million support measure for the bioeconomy, co-funded by the Government and the European Union.
The ‘Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiative’ is part of the EU Just Transition Fund for Ireland and will support collaboration between stakeholders along the entire bio-based value chain.
This includes SMEs, universities, local authorities, clusters, primary producers, bioprocessing industries and consumer brands.
Making the announcement, Minister Charlie McConalogue said the bioeconomy has significant potential to improve the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the agri-food sector.
“It is now possible to replace products produced from fossil-resources with those produced by bio-resources from land and sea, including new biofertilisers and biopesticides, high protein food and feed, bio-based plastics and textiles, and much more besides,” he said.
“Utilising biomass, including biowastes, from agriculture, food production and processing in this circular way means we can extract more value from our agri-food system while simultaneously improving overall environmental and climate sustainability.”
There is growing support across Galway for the campaign to name the city’s new pedestrian bridge in honour of 1916 veteran Julia Morrissey from Athenry.
Among those to add their voices of support are the local council of Mandate Trade Union, and the Galway branches of Forsa and Unite.
The Galway Council of Trade Unions has also voted to back the campaign to name the bridge after the Cumann na mBan leader.
From rebel hero to an unmarked grave
The tragic story of Julia Morrissey’s life is symbolic of the Irish state’s attitude towards women in the decades that followed the Treaty.
In the 1930s, Julia was admitted to the “mental asylum” in Ballinasloe, where she died four decades later. She then lay in an unmarked grave for 43 years.
The Julia Morrissey Bridge Campaign believes Galway City Council now have a fantastic opportunity to right this historic wrong against Julia Morrissey.
“I would strongly urge them to do the right thing by belatedly honouring her here in Galway,” said chairperson of the campaign committee, Ian Ó Dálaigh.
“It’s fantastic to see various local trade union bodies show their support for our campaign. Along with the support we’ve gained from university professors and historians, and the 1,300+ people who’ve signed our petition so far, it’s clear that there is a lot of appetite to see Galway’s new bridge named after Julia Morrissey.”
He added that this is a “huge opportunity for Galway City Council to be part of finally and fittingly remembering Julia in her native county.”
Speaking in Galway City, President of the Galway Council of Trade Unions, Eoghan Fox, said that trade unions have a long and proud history of supporting progressive campaigns.
“Continuing in that spirit, we are delighted to add our voice to the call for Galway’s new pedestrian bridge to be named in honour of Julia Morrissey,” he said.
A cyclist was killed in a road traffic collision involving a car and a bicycle in Co. Clare on Wednesday afternoon.
The fatal collision occurred shortly after 12:30pm on the N67 Kilkee to Moyasta Road at Baunmore, Clare.
A male cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. No other serious injuries to persons was reported.
The N67 at Baunmore is currently closed and local diversions are in place. The services of Forensic Collision Investigators have been requested.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N67 in the Baunmore area between 12pm and 1pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kilrush Garda station on 065 9080550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Galway City Council has approved plans for a new commercial development which is expected to support 50 jobs when completed.
Parkmore Land Investments has received planning permission for the construction of a high bay warehouse facility with ancillary packaging area, loading docks, offices, and staff facilities.
The warehouse, with a total floorspace of 4,384m², is to be built on a greenfield site in Parkmore West Business Park.
The city council requested further information from the developer on what the type of proposed warehousing in the development would be.
A cover letter submitted in response said that the specific tenant details could not be disclosed at this time for commercial and operational reasons.
However, it stated that the end tenant provides “critical support services” for a range of life sciences and pharma clients both locally and nationally.
It is expected that the warehouse facility will have a permanent staff of approximately 50 people on-site, while also acting as a hub for travelling and remote employees. It will serve as a headquarters for approximately 200 staff total.
Planning permission for the warehouse was granted by the city council with a total of 27 conditions attached.
Among those, the developer is required to pay a contribution of €65,760 to the council towards the provision of public services for the site.
Student ID will no longer be accepted for cheaper young adult fares when travelling by train from next month.
Students and young adults aged from 19 – 23 can avail of reduced fares when travelling by train or other public transport.
Currently, young people can use their Student ID cards from valid national or international colleges and universities to get these reduced fares.
However, the rules will be changing from September 3 onwards which will affect student / young adult fares on all Iarnród Éireann Intercity, DART or commuter services.
From then on, only the TFI Student Leap Card, TFI Young Adult (19-23) Leap Card and Translink yLink card will be considered valid ID for reduced fares.
If a Young Adult / Student ticket is purchased at the station from a Ticket Machine the first six digits of the TFI Young Adult Leap Card number should be entered when prompted for your Student Travelcard number
Being unable to show the valid ID to go with a young adult or student ticket will result in a €100, along with the unpaid difference in the full price ticket.
The government slashed public transport fares for young adults by 50% compared with full price adult tickets in May of 2022.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said at the time that when he announced a permanent 50% fare reduction for young adults in Budget 2022, he really wanted to make public transport more attractive for young people.
Aoife Raftery in Rally Poland 2023. Photo Credit: Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy
Galway’s Aoife Raftery is among a record-breaking entry list for female rally drivers in the next round of the FIA European Rally Championship.
The Craughwell native is contesting this year’s FIA Junior European Rally Championship – the first Irish woman to commit to an international series since Rosemary Smith in the 1960s and 1970s.
This weekend’s Barum Czech Rally Zlín is the fifth round of the championship and Raftery is one of six female drivers from all over Europe to place an entry for the rally.
Last time out, in July, driving a PCRS Rallysport-prepared Peugeot 208 Rally 4, she finished second in the Coppa Femminile section of the Rally di Roma Capitale in Italy.
That women’s event was won by Italian driver Rachele Somaschini who was driving a four-wheel drive Citroen C3 Rally2, but the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver was the top female driver in a two-wheel drive car.
The top three female drivers Rally di Roma Capitale were Sara Cerra (third), Rachele Somaschini (first) and Aoife Raftery (second). Photo Credit: Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy
On that occasion, she finished ahead of multiple Italian regional female champion Sara Cerra, who was driving a similar Peugeot 208 Rally4, but faces an even more daunting task in the Czech Republic this weekend.
A total of six female drivers – a record for the 2023 season – have entered the iconic event.
“We are really looking forward to returning to the European Rally Championship with the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and with PCRS Rallysport running the car,” Raftery said.
“It’s going to be a really good challenge and it’s great to be able to do these events on these kinds of roads that have very specialised characteristics.”
“It is great to see the level of female participation in this event especially when you look at the [quality] of drivers that are taking part.”
“There are six female drivers across the entry so that alone is brilliant and great to see so many women doing these events.”
“It’s going to be great for myself [because] there’s a good few of us [women] in my class so it will be a nice competition between us all.”
While Somaschini is likely to have the upper hand, given she is driving a far more powerful car than Raftery’s, all eyes will be on the two-wheel drive contest.
Rivals will include Adrienn Vogel who is an event category winner in her home country of Hungary and in Austria. She is driving an identical Peugeot to Raftery’s example.
The Galwegian will also face Romanian front-runner Cristiana Oprea who crashed out in Rome and Bulgarian Ekaterina Stratieva has several European Rally Championship ladies’ awards to her name.
Both drivers are entered in Opel Corsa Rally4 cars that are similar in design and power to Raftery’s Peugeot.
Local Czech driver Eliška Slavíková is contesting the national section of the event in her Skoda Fabia.
Aoife Raftery Rally di Roma Capitale 2023. Photo Credit Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy
Barum Czech Rally Zlín ran for the first time in 1971 and is described as a tarmac test like no other due to the bumpy and sometimes broken nature of the road surface.
Several stages feature high-speed blasts through forests and intermittent showers are always possible.
Huge numbers of fans follow the action, especially on the opening night-time Zlín superspecial street stage.
This event has been part of the European Rally Championship for more than 50 years and features a permanent service park hosted by event sponsor Continental Barum at their giant tyre factory and distribution centre in nearby Otrokovice.
The rally officially gets underway on Friday evening with an opening super special stage in the streets of Zlín. Saturday’s schedule comprises six stages, three stages repeated in the morning and in the afternoon.
Another six stages take place on Sunday, making a total of 13 stages and 200km of competition.
Work has been completed on replacing a stretch of old and damaged water mains along the Headford Road which were prone to frequent bursts.
Approximately 700m of decades old pipes along the N84 Headford Road on the outskirts of the city were the cause of frequent water outages.
“The delivery of the national Leakage Reduction Programme is ensuring security of supply, reducing leakage, and putting sustainable water supply at the heart of the Galway water network,” said Uisce Eireann’s Gerry O’Donnell.
“We continue to work with Galway City Council to target the areas that need leakage reduction works the most and the Headford Road was susceptible to frequent bursts.”
“By replacing this stretch of pipeline, we have given homes and businesses in the area a more secure and reliable supply of water.”
“We thank the community for their co-operation and patience while the works were ongoing.”
Work still remains to reinstate the permanent road surface and these works will be programmed and carried out in due course by Uisce Éireann in partnership with Galway City Council.
More than €30,000 was raised for five local charities helping people in Galway from the annual Mayoral Ball last month.
The 2026 Galway City Mayoral...
