An event was held in the Menlo Park Hotel this week to acknowledge the work of Galway City Council’s Litter Management Unit.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Eddie Hoare hosted the event following the positive results from the recent Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey for Galway City.
Galway City was recognised by IBAL as ‘clean to European Norms’.
It was one of only two cities in the country to achieve this status in 2023.
TG4 have announced that the station will again broadcast weekly matches and highlights from the upcoming Australian Football League Women’s (AFLW) season.
A record thirty-three Irish players will take the field this season with sixteen Irish counties represented including Galway, with Hawthorn’s Áine McDonagh.
Mayo leads the pack however with six players and Tipperary has five.
The AFLW Competition begins this weekend with eighteen teams battling it out to see who will reach the Grand Final on December 2nd.
TG4 will broadcast two matches deferred each weekend as well as weekly highlights as part of GAA 2023 on Monday evenings at 8pm.
AFL Aussie Rules na mBan starts this Saturday at 12.30pm with Melbourne v Collingwood.
TG4’s Head of Sport Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said: “The growth of the AFLW has been phenomenal and we are excited to be bringing the best action from Australia to viewers in Ireland each week.
“With so many players from Ireland competing in the competition it is a great opportunity to showcase this growing sport to a free-to-air audience on TG4.”
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has reported strong performance in the first half of 2023 with 1,457 home energy upgrades being completed in Galway.
A report published today gives details of the 21,727 home energy upgrades supported through SEAI grant schemes in the first half this year, representing a 150% increase on the same period last year.
The figures suggest activity is on track to meet or surpass the 37,000 upgrades target for 2023.
The SEAI processed more than 31,500 grant applications across all schemes, up 41% on the same period last year.
Solar PV property upgrades are up a massive 231% over last year, rising significantly following the Government’s move to cut VAT.
A total of 7,566 homes were upgraded to a BER B2 or higher, up 210% on last year, and 2,346 property upgrades were completed through programmes focused on homes at risk of fuel poverty. This was up 20% on the same period last year
The first half of 2023 also say 7,122 attic and 5,641 cavity wall upgrades were supported. This is one of the most effective ways to make a home warmer and more efficient.
Expenditure across all schemes was €129.9m, up 121% on the same period last year.
Commenting on the report, Dr Ciaran Byrne, Director of National Retrofit at SEAI said that they are very pleased that overall demand has remained very strong across all schemes.
“Clearly, the increased grant values and new grant options introduced last year have made home energy upgrades much more appealing to homeowners,” he said.
“The removal of VAT on solar panels has driven significant demand on this programme and it is likely to continue into the third and fourth quarters of 2023.
“On the supply side, the additional registration of five one-stop shops this quarter points to continued strong interest in the longer-term economic opportunities offered. We anticipate the increased supply to further drive demand and cost competitiveness.”
Galway City had the lowest proportion of adults living with their parents in Ireland, new CSO Census data shows.
Nationally the number of adults aged over 18 living with their parents went up by 14% since 2016 to 522,486 on Census Night 2022. Over 61% of 20-to-24-year-olds in Ireland lived with their parents in 2022.
There were more adult males than females living with their parents, particularly among the older age groups.
Approximately 4% of all females living with their parents were unemployed having lost or given up their previous job; the proportion among males was higher at 8%.
South Dublin and Louth continued to have among the highest proportions of adults living with their parents: in South Dublin it was 16% in 2022, up from 15% in 2016, and in Louth it was 15% in 2022, up from 14% in 2016.
Other key findings from the Census data included the number of families with no children seeing an increase of 11% since 2016, and 14% when compared with 2011.
There were 20% more one-parent father families with children who were renting than in Census 2016.
The number of same-sex couples increased by 157% when compared with 2011 and stood at 10,393 in Census 2022.
The Connemara based company EireComposites is developing new materials to making shipping a cleaner, greener sector.
The company is partnering with University of Galway on the newly-funded FASTSHIP project.
This aims to make the shipping industry greener, by using lightweight composite materials to reduce fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and costs.
Over the course of 24 months, the project will focus on manufacturing process optimisation for the volume production of composite components that can reduce drag on ships thereby cutting fuel usage.
ÉireComposites will lead development and manufacturing, while University of Galway takes charge of analysis and testing.
These two parties have a long, impressive history of collaboration, ensuring there is a strong partnership at the heart of this vital work.
Established in 1998, ÉireComposites is an innovative design, manufacturing, and testing company, involved in lightweight, high-performance, fibre-reinforced composite materials.
Based in Inverin, they have an international blue-chip customer base of over 70 companies in aerospace, renewable energy, marine, and automotive sectors.
As global trade booms, shipping continues to be the method of choice for goods transportation.
This industry accounts for approximately 3.1% of global CO2 emissions today, which is predicted to rise by anything from 50% to 250% by 2050 without mitigation.
The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) and the Marine Institute are providing almost €600,000 of funding to the FASTSHIP project, under the SEAI National Energy Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Funding Programme 2022.
This programme invests in innovative energy RD&D projects which contribute to Ireland’s transition to a clean and secure energy future.
Veronica Cunningham of the Oranmore based Marine Institute said, “The Irish maritime sector, in line with the sector across Europe is seeking ways to decarbonise operations, reduce greenhouse gases emissions, and increase the use of low-carbon and renewable fuels to replace fossil fuels for shipping.”
“The FASTSHIP project will develop a solution that can be retrofitted to existing vessels or designed into new ships, with a significant reduction in fuel consumption, and consequently decreasing vessel carbon emissions and shipping costs.”
Sports betting is a favourite pastime in Ireland, with several online bookmakers opening their virtual doors to punters within the jurisdiction. Irish bookmakers not on Gamstop have emerged as a top choice among these betting sites. These platforms are gaining traction because of their benefits. For starters, they aren’t under the self-exclusion scheme, allowing them to offer more diverse offerings. As such, punters will find more markets, better promotions, and innovative payment methods.
Another significant advantage is that they have less stringent verification procedures, which allows them to process withdrawals faster. Several of these bookmakers exist, making it challenging to identify the best ones. Thankfully, sources like bookiesnotongamstop.com help you quickly find suitable betting platforms. This write-up covers the best bookies for Irish punters and factors to consider when choosing them.
A few stand out from the plethora of online independent betting sites with their impressive offerings. The following are the most reliable Irish bookmakers, their bonuses, and features:
Santeda International Limited, a company with a licence from Curacao, founded MyStake in 2020. The bookmaker boasts a user-friendly interface, making betting on its 30+ sports easy. With an overall payout of 94%, MyStake has some of the most profitable odds for everything about sports, especially for well-known events. New customers can claim a 100% welcome bonus while existing users have cashback and other deals to make their experience more pleasurable.
A sister site to MyStake, Goldenbet stands out from the competition with its extensive sports coverage and great odds. It welcomes punters with a 100% matched deposit bonus, after which they can claim free bets, cashback deals, crypto offers, and more. With a licence from the government of Curacao, Goldenbet provides a safe gambling environment for its users. It also has 24/7 customer service via live chat.
Launched by Group Gaem in 2022, Winstler is famous for its casino offerings, but it also includes a sports betting section with thousands of markets. As a new bettor, you have matched deposit bonuses to claim for each of your first five deposits. If you encounter any problems or need clarification on specific topics, the bookmaker has stand-by support via live chat and email. Its website is mobile-compatible, allowing you to gamble on the go.
Up to $6,000 in cash awaits bettors who register at Magic Win. The offer is split into five parts, so you get a package for each of your first five deposits. In addition to rewarding promotions, Magic Win has a comprehensive bookmaker with thousands of markets for popular and niche sports. The odds of these events are impressive, giving punters more value for their winning wagers. It’s also mobile-compatible to wager on Android and iOS devices.
Owned and operated by Ryker B.V., Freshbet is an online bookmaker with a licence from Curacao. Hence, its services are safe and reliable. Its sports betting section covers thousands of events spread across 30 sports. The odds are also impressive, especially for popular games like football and basketball. There’s a matched deposit bonus for new users while existing bettors have free bets, crypto-specific offers, loyalty rewards, and more.
Hundreds of non-Gamstop Irish betting sites give punters several options at their fingertips. While having many platforms to pick from has benefits, one should remember that not all operators are the same. Some have better bonuses, more extensive coverage, and superior offerings in many other aspects. Most importantly, not all are safe, so you should keep up with the latest news in the industry to quickly identify reliable platforms. Also, consider these factors when choosing an Irish betting site:
Ensuring that a reputable and trustworthy company owns the bookmaker is crucial for a secure gambling experience. Transparent and established ownership indicates a commitment to player satisfaction, responsible gambling practices, and adherence to specific regulations. Furthermore, you must verify the operator’s track record, reputation, and history within the gambling industry, as this offers valuable insights into the bookie’s integrity and reliability. Once you know that an established betting company runs the platform, you can place wagers without worrying about your safety.
Precise and accurate terms and conditions are crucial for bookmakers. This fine text outlines the platform’s rules, policies, and expectations, ensuring players know their rights and responsibilities satisfactorily. Transparent terms prevent misunderstandings, disputes, and surprises. You should also read the privacy policies to learn how an operator gathers, stores, and uses your details.
When evaluating a bookmaker, always check the payment limits. These determine the minimum and maximum amounts you can deposit or withdraw from your betting account. A reputable bookmaker offers a balanced approach, catering to various budgets. In other words, they should have low minimum deposits and higher withdrawal limits to accommodate low and high rollers. Also, check the bookmaker’s payment terms to avoid surprises, as some platforms may impose varying limits based on deposit and withdrawal methods.
A solid sports section signifies a platform’s dedication to offering an extensive range of sporting events and markets for betting enthusiasts. A diverse selection ensures that bettors can access various sports, leagues, and tournaments, catering to different interests and preferences. Additionally, the bookmaker will provide updated odds, live betting options, and comprehensive statistics. So, whether you’re a casual fan or a seasoned bettor, choosing a bookmaker with a solid sports section ensures an immersive and satisfying betting experience backed by many options and up-to-date information.
Independent Irish bookies provide an alternative for bettors who wish to engage in online gambling without the limitations imposed by the self-exclusion programme. This appeals to punters seeking access to betting platforms before their exclusion period expires. Moreover, these platforms offer diverse betting options, allowing one to explore gambling experiences that may not be available on Gamstop-registered sites. The availability of enticing bonuses and promotions can enhance your betting journey as they provide more value for your deposits.
That you can organize your expenses and achieve smart savings may sound complicated, but you should know that this is easy. The problem is that many people look for a quick fix, and others look for budgeting strategies that can fail and, consequently, return to their bad spending habits.
The solution is that you must look for a unique approach to achieve your financial objectives thanks to different budgeting methods or tools to determine which one works best for you. Although it may seem like a long process, if you want to save money, this is worth it, but you must be patient.
What is a budget strategy?
A budget strategy is a plan that describes how people plan to allocate their financial resources over a given period. That includes identifying and prioritizing financial goals, making an estimate of your income, and planning your expenses so that they can align with your overall goals.
That usually involves drawing up a detailed budget that covers all aspects of finances, including expenses, money saved, and debt management. That also implies creating financial objectives such as reducing debt or more significant savings and that you can create a plan to achieve these objectives.
A well-designed budget strategy can help you achieve financial stability, reduce debt, and help you make informed and conscious financial decisions. If you have a budget, you can be in control of your money, and you can make the most of your money. You can know if you spend more than you earn and, if this is the case, you can understand in which areas to reduce your consumption.
Estimates with Paysafecard
If you want a reliable way to manage your finances, consider to buy paysafecard online. This rechargeable card can be used for purchases, and it works similarly to a debit card since you can use it in shops, ATMs, and Internet transactions without needing a checking account.
That is very simple: you must load the money you want on the card, and you can use it. That helps you stay within the budget. You can load this card through different methods according to your needs or preferences.
If you buy a Paysafecard online, you should know that this tool is one of the most essential alternatives on the market because it works without the need to indicate sensitive bank or credit card data, so your privacy and data are protected.
If you use Paysafecard, you will have the following advantages
That is an excellent option if you want to make online payments safely and quickly because it offers a variety of payment methods such as credit card, debit card, prepaid, bank transfer, and more. That means you can pay for your purchases without revealing your financial details to other people. This card is anonymous, and your identity and the details of your assets remain private.
This payment method is speedy. The payments you make with this tool are processed immediately so you can buy safely and quickly.
This tool is easy to use, and you do not need to know about the service beforehand. You only have to go to one of the points of sale to purchase the card; you must choose the amount you want, and then you will receive a code you need to finish the transaction and start using it.
Some tips to keep the budget
If you choose to buy paysafecard online, you should know some tips that will help you maintain the budget to achieve your financial goals in the short and long term.
First, you should track your spending to identify where you are overspending so you can make adjustments; then, you should regularly review your budget to ensure everything is going well. In addition, you must be realistic in terms of goals and avoid saving or paying off debt too quickly because this can be overwhelming; you must have discipline and consistency, avoid using credit cards, and stay focused.
Grant funding totaling just over €20,000 has been awarded to 20 Parent and Toddler Groups across Galway.
This is part of €352,000 allocated for 370 Parent and Toddler Groups across the country by Minister Roderic O’Gorman this week.
“Parent and Toddler Groups throughout the country provide essential informal support to parents, grandparents and childminders, as well as to young children.”
“These groups are an important source of social contact especially for new parents and families new to an area,” Minister O’Gorman said.
There are three streams of funding under the Parent and Toddler Group Grant Initiative. The main line offers €800 to existing groups, and €1,100 for establishing new groups.
On top of that, €300 was offered to establish Buggy Walking Groups, and another €300 for new or existing groups to provide a second session to meet demand.
The 20 groups in Galway which received grants are: Árann, Athenry, Ballinfoile, Ballygar, Clann, Clifden, Claregalway, Corofin, Cumasú, Down to Earth, Galway Community Circus, Gort, Headford Cloughanover, Killalaghton, Kinvara, Knocknacarra, Mullagh, Renmore, Woodford.
Galway City will come alive with innovative theatre, candlelit concerts, visual spectacle and so much more with this year’s Culture Night.
More than fifty incredible events will be held across multiple venues in the city for Culture Night 2023 on Friday, September 22.
Learn new skills including sign language, juggling, origami, boatbuilding and even try your hand at the harmonica. Gain a better understanding of Galway’s growing international communities including Spanish, African and nomadic cultures.
Events fit for all the family will run throughout the day and night, all of them completely free.
Transforming City Streets
Middle Street will be transformed into a multicultural Gaeltopian metropolis of the future, bursting at the seams with culture and life. Éalú le Grá are transforming the Cornstore into an interactive display of installation art, design and lighting showcasing a selection of Galway’s most respected DJs and performers.
Get ready to dance your heart out in Galway’s Westend for Culture Night! The Crane presents a lively Irish Céilí under the open sky, as a talented live band fills the air with traditional tunes.
There will be open air film presentation by Margerite Darcy in ‘The Hidden Valley’ in Woodquay and Ardán present an open-air public screening featuring a programme of short films. Ro X Art will celebrate local pride and youth culture in Millenium Park in a street art workshop introducing engaging visual art to the community.
Music for everyone
Stephen Carroll and Lorna Salmon will lead Galway City Chamber Choir and University of Galway Choral Society to perform choral music concert by candlelight at St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church for ‘Symphony of Flames’.
There will be another special concert at The Town Hall Theatre with celebrated opera singer and Galway native Aimee Banks who has performed from The National Concert Hall to Carnegie Hall and beyond.
Some Baroque favourites will fill the air at St. Augustine Church, featuring music by Vivaldi, Bach, and Turlough Carolan by violinist Sinead Hayes, cellist Eszter Cetinceviz and organist Ramin Haghjoo.
Renowned Galway acapella group The Baytones will perform in many venues including University Hospital Galway, in the Latin Quarter and Galway’s Westend.
Over at the Ol’ 55, a celebration of Spanish heritage will be underway for Culture Night featuring Flamenco music, song and dance with Galway-based Spanish troupe Flamenway.
Theatre
A bold and exciting evening of new writing and experimental performance featuring Galway’s freshest artistic talent and a selection of works-in-progress from Galway Theatre Festival is happening in their ‘Scratch Night’ event at the Bank of Ireland Theatre.
Where else but at Culture Night could you expect to enjoy a fun, experimental theatre experience featuring a menu of 30 plays all to be performed in just 60 minutes at ‘Ah Sure Look it’ in Woodquay with Aoife Delaney Reade?
‘Theatre for Change’ examines the question of identity using three colourful maps as an interactive installation, asking participants to identify where they feel that they truly belong and why.
Poetry
As the Decade of Centenaries draws to a close, Galway City Museum and UCD Library unite for special evening of history and poetry commemorating the pivotal moments that defined Ireland a century ago.
Also, visit the Museum for a chance to experience the ‘Poetry Jukebox’, a free sound installation featuring poetic reflections on a range of historic events including the 1916 Rising.
There is an opportunity to hear celebrated poet Rita Ann Higgins read her poetry and to bring participants ideas to life through poetry with a special interactive workshop.
Learn new skills and immerse yourself in many different cultures
You can learn some sign language and also learn about the history, culture and identity of the Galway Deaf Centre and the Galway Deaf community for ‘Deaf Culture and Identity’ at the GDC.
‘Creative Communities’ present a celebration of Galway’s multicultural community including a round table artists talk followed by a multicultural celebration with performances, music, dancing and refreshments.
Ten different nationalities come together to celebrate food as a way of nourishing, understanding, integrating and celebrating each others culture through the universal medium of food.
In Westside, The Galway Traveller Movement and Misleór Festival of Nomadic Cultures present artists from nomadic cultures including Traveller, Roma, Mongolian, Sámi and Australian Aboriginal communities.
A Collective of black artists join together at Galway Arts Centre featuring sound artist, DJ, curator, writer-activist Karen Miano, lesbian rapper Cami and musician and spoken word artist Osaro for Afro-futurists Black Magic Rawrr (BMR)
You are invited to explore the history, heritage, restoration, craftsmanship and the unique cultural significance of the Galway Hooker, featuring historical and boatbuilding talks. Learn exciting circus skills and discover talents you never knew you had!
Go behind the scenes at Galway artists’ studios
Many of the City’s art studios throw open their doors to welcome audiences of all ages. Engage Art Studios invites you to meet the artists and enjoy a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the artist studio. Artspace will open their doors for a members’ exhibition at their Liosbán premises.
Outset Gallery will be transformed into an immersive art installation featuring indoor murals created by 4 Irish artists. At ‘Just Art It’, Join visual artist-printmaker Elena Santos will be in conversation with visual artist-painter Peter Bradly, accompanied by an exhibition of Peter’s work.
Family friendly events
There are multiple fun, family-friendly events happening throughout the city including an entire programmes of events at the Galway Aquarium featuring music, the Ad Hoc Choir, marine tours, voice workshops, Seanòs singing and a scavenger hunt!
At The Town Hall Theatre, there will be an exhibition celebrating one of Ireland’s leading cartoonists, Galway’s own Tom Mathews. It will mark both the occasion of his 70th birthday and the launch of the 7th annual Galway Cartoon Festival.
You can ‘Dream of Nature’ with Friends of Merlin Woods, experience an original outdoor performance of theatre, music and songs in celebration of Merlin Woods and the wildlife characters who inhabit this natural woodland environment.
Galway Sports Partnership will host A UV painting workshop followed by ‘Glow Games’ featuring a lively DJ set, lights, glowing sports equipment for an eye-catching and colourful spectacular.
Truly something for everyone
Experience a live podcast recording of Retreat Comedy at the Flirt FM studios plus drop in for an open tour of the radio studios.
Galway City Arts Office will be adding many more events happening in Galway City to the link below over the next few weeks so check back often to begin planning your #GalwayCityCultureNight supported by The Arts Council.
Galway County Council is seeking planning approval for a social and affordable housing development in Claregalway.
The council has submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for 88 houses and apartments in the townland of Droim na Gaoithe, Claregalway.
The 2.7ha site is located on the south side of the town, next to the existing Cúirt na hAbhann estate on the R381 road.
The estate is to be split roughly half and half between social and affordable housing, with 43 social homes and 45 affordable homes.
In terms of houses to be provided, there will be 2 four-bedroom, 19 three-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom homes.
The apartments in the estate will comprise 15 three-bedroom, 22 two-bedroom, and 13 one-bedroom units distributed among the 15 apartment buildings.
All of the proposed houses will be two storeys tall, while the apartment buildings will range from 2½ to 3 storeys in height.
The estate would have two main exits, one onto the R381 road to Oranmore, and the other onto Lakeview Road.
A decision on this planning application is due from An Bord Pleanála by next February.
Portiuncula Hospital experienced its worst August since records began for overcrowding this month, with over 300 patients on trolleys.
There were 304 patients without a bed at the Ballinasloe hospital in August, almost twice as bad as the next highest figure, 185 in August 2022.
INMO figures also show that UHG was extremely overcrowded this month, with 920 people on trolleys in August, the third highest figure in the country.
This is also the second worst August on record for University Hospital Galway, exceeded only by 1,166 patients without a bed in the same month last year.
NMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that there is no doubt that this winter will continue the pattern of “difficult and dangerous times” in Irish hospitals.
“The summer period used to see an easing off in overcrowding figures but this year numbers admitted to inappropriate spaces, trolleys and chairs have been alarmingly high too early in the season.”
“The new so-called target of no more than 320 people on trolleys set by HSE was only achieved on five days this year.”
“Last year was the previous record for August overcrowding, and the winter that followed was honestly beyond what we could have imagined.”
“This August is somehow worse again, and our members are worried, for themselves, and for their patients, about what is in store for them over the coming months.”
This was the worst August for overcrowding nationwide since the INMO began recording trolley numbers, with over 9,720 patients admitted to hospital without a bed.
The number of children on trolleys is escalating at a worrying rate with over 167 children admitted to hospital without a bed throughout the month of August.
The worst affected hospitals were University Hospital Limerick (1,885), Cork University Hospital (984), University Hospital Galway (920), Sligo University Hospital (737), and Letterkenny University Hospital (539).
“The ongoing increase shows how urgently we need to implement safe staffing legislation, so that hospitals have sufficient staff to diagnose, treat and discharge patients safely, and vulnerable people are not languishing on trolleys and chairs for days at a time.
“Medical evidence shows that spending more than six hours on a trolley is detrimental to a patient’s long-term health outcomes,” Phil Ní Sheaghdha added. “In stark terms it increases the mortality rate by over 8%.”
She said that the situation is not being addressed with the required urgency or focus, and that constant overcrowding is the chief reason so many nurses and midwives are leaving, or exiting the profession altogether.
All of Gort and surrounding areas of the county are experiencing water outages today due to issues at the water treatment plant.
The County Council has said that technical issues with the water treatment plant are causing outages for everyone on the Gort Regional Water Supply Scheme.
Repair works are currently underway, but no timeframe has yet been provided for when locals can expect to see their water supply restored.
It may take 2 – 3 hours after repairs are completely before people see their water return, as the network refills.
A statement from the county council said:
“Uisce Eireann and Galway County Council, Water Services wish to advise residents and businesses served by the Gort Regional Water Supply Scheme that due to technical issues at the water treatment plant, all areas served by the scheme will be without a supply of water today.”
“Works are underway to resolve the issues and further updates will issue later today.”
“Galway County Council working in partnership with Uisce Eireann regrets any inconvenience that may be caused by these essential works.”
Airbnb contributed €54 million to the economy in Galway last year, and supports hundreds of jobs here a new report claims.
The report from Oxford Economics, which was commissioned by Airbnb, said that the platform also supports 830 jobs in Galway.
Travel on Airbnb in Ireland is a significant part of the country’s tourism economy, the report states, and provides a sizeable share of Ireland’s accommodation offering
Nationwide it accounted for 6% of all nights in paid accommodation in 2022, and saw more than half a million guest nights booked in Galway alone.
Domestic guests accounted for 24% of all Airbnb bookings in Galway last year, with another 27% coming from the United States, 14% from the UK, 12% from France, 6% from Germany, and 18% from a mix of other countries.
Guest spending in Galway for 2022 was valued at €63 million, with more than half of that going to non-accommodation sectors such as food, drink, and retail.
Derek Nolan, Head of Public Policy at Airbnb Ireland said, “Airbnb provides authentic and affordable stays for guests in Ireland and drives economic benefits for local Irish families and their communities by generating employment and dispersing tourism across the country.”
“We want to play our part as a key pillar of the Irish tourism economy, and support the introduction of a Host register to protect Ireland’s tourism, unlock the benefits of hosting for Irish families, and help local authorities to clamp down on property speculators.”
However, while Airbnb contributes to Ireland’s tourism economy, the platform has also been heavily criticised for its impact on the housing market.
At present there are almost 700 properties in Galway City on Airbnb, compared with just 30 properties to rent in the city on Daft.ie.
The report claims that Airbnb-linked spending represented 10.5% of all international tourism-related spending across Ireland, and contributed over €500m to Ireland’s GDP in 2022.
In 2022, the spending footprint attributable to Airbnb guests in the West region was worth €79 million to Ireland’s GDP.
Galway City Council has granted planning permission for a residential development of 36 houses and apartments on the Headford Road.
The application by Sweetbay Ltd is for 2 three-storey and two part two-storey, part three-storey buildings at Tornóg, Ballinfoile, on the outskirts of the city.
These will contain 14 two-bed and 16 three-bed apartments. The housing development will also include 6 three-bed houses and a creche.
Parking in the housing development will comprise 56 car parking spaces, and 112 bicycle spaces.
Planning permission was granted by the city council with a total of six conditions attached. A contribution of €310,094 towards the provision of public services for the area must be paid by the developer.
There is also currently a live application by the same developer for an assisted living apartment complex to the south of this housing estate.
This development would comprise a four storey over undercroft apartment building, with 45 units in total.
A decision on this planning application is due to be delivered by the city council by mid-September after further information was requested.
Galway is one of seven of counties being targeted in a crackdown on ‘dodgy boxes’ providing illegal access to tv streaming services.
A wave of legal warnings have been delivered in person, by post, and by email to individuals getting illegal access to premium TV content.
Cease and desist letters were sent to addresses in Mayo, Monaghan, Galway, Louth, Dublin, Cork, and Laois between August 7 and August 18.
A ‘dodgy box’ is a device, often called an Android Box, which can bypass pay requirements for television shows, sports, and movies.
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) has stated that it is working with broadcasters and Gardaí to target illegal streaming services.
The cease-and-desist notices instruct those running the services to immediately cease all illegal streaming activity, or risk facing criminal prosecution.
Kieron Sharp, CEO at FACT, commented: “Illegal IPTV service providers are breaking the law and putting consumers at real risk of malware, data loss and identity theft.
“Consumers who pay for pirate services should also know that they are often funding serious organised crime groups.
“FACT and partners remain committed to disrupting these criminal operations and protecting consumers”.
The first wave occurred across Ireland in March, with a number of illegal streaming services taken down and legal proceedings brought against individuals.
In May, five men were sentenced in total to just over 30 years in prison in the UK for their part in running three illegal streaming services – Flawless, Shared VPS and Optimal.
The ringleader of the operation, Mark Gould, was sentenced to 11 years. The case was led by Premier League, and supported by Sky and others.
A teenage boy reported missing in County Clare last weekend has been found safe and well.
17-year-old Ivan Ryan had been reported missing from his home in Tulla, Co. Clare since Saturday, August 26.
He has now been found safe and well An Garda Síochána have said this morning.
Gardaí thanked the public for their assistance in this matter.
Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has welcomed the publication of CAO offers this week and said she hopes that as many students as possible received their chosen courses.
The Sinn Féin TD cautioned however that the accommodation crisis will be a “real source of concern” for parents and students as they try to source somewhere to stay.
Deputy Farrell said that yesterday was no doubt a significant day in the lives of many young people who have finished secondary level education.
“For those who got their chosen courses, I wish them the very best and hope these courses meet their expectations,” she said.
“For those who have not received their chosen courses, I’d like to say that despite the disappointment this is not the end of the world.
“There are alternative means to pursuing a chosen career path for example undertaking an apprenticeship.”
Deputy Farrell said that unfortunately for those who have gained access to third level institutions far from home, they will now have to grapple with the housing crisis.
“We still have a frightening lack of regulation when it comes to student “digs” accommodation. This has led to serious issues around a lack of privacy, which is a serious source of concern for young women. It’s high time there was regulations introduced to address this.
“Then of course there’s the general lack of supply, never mind affordable supply, of standard rental accommodation. The high costs of rent forces many students to work almost full time just to afford to keep a roof over their head.
“It’s difficult for third level institutions to deliver on the required demand and provide accommodation that is affordable given their current funding model. We need a new model of delivery with affordability at its core. This is something I plan to look at in the coming year.”
Deputy Farrell also flagged the difficulty for those from the north accessing third level places in the south, and the inflated CAO points and the manner in which the A-Levels are assessed, stymies them from studying in the south.
“The current model makes the access of courses by students from the north incredibly difficult. We have fantastic universities offering so much to our student population. It is essential that these same opportunities are open to all those on this island. Our future will be the better for it.”
A Mayoral Reception was held this week to celebrate the historic victory of the Galway United Women’s Senior Football Team at the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup Final.
After a 1-0 win, the Women’s team brought home the first league cup to Galway united in 25 years.
Speaking about the achievements of the team, Mayor of the City of Galway, Councillor Eddie Hoare said it was his ‘great pleasure’ to host the Mayoral Reception, to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of the All-Island football champions.
“With this win, you bridge a 25-year gap for Galway United as a club, bringing home a league trophy and making history for Galway City,” said Mayor Hoare.
“This victory comes six months into your debut season in the Women’s Premier Division.”
“You are an inspiring group of women, and I wish to congratulate you on your fantastic achievement, and what I know is only the beginning of your sporting achievements as individuals, as Galwegians and as representatives of your club and City.”
The Mayor recognised the achievements of the management team, Phil Trill and Adrian Cronin, the coaches Gabrial Darcey and Theresa Keane, and shared the pride of the families, friends and supporters of the club.
A new report being published this evening will propose the establishment of a community-owned hotel and related tourism services in Mountbellew.
‘The People’s Transition: Mountbellew’ is a report produced by the economic and social think-thank, TASC, and identifies an almost total absence of accommodation facilities in the town.
Report author, Kieran Harrahill, says that “by providing a space for tourists to stay in the area, a community-owned hotel would support community wealth building while increasing the opportunity for environmentally friendly tourism linked to the area’s hinterland.”
“Mountbellew is adjacent to Carrownagappul Bog, one of the most accessible raised bogs in Ireland, which could be used both for recreation by tourists and serve to educate people on the fragility of our ecosystems and the need for preservation,” he said.
Other report recommendations include the development of a small-scale hydroelectric generation which could deliver both small scale local energy generation and act as a further tourist attraction bolstering the existing excellent attractions.
Part-funding for these initiatives could be obtained from the European Union’s ‘Green Deal’ initiative, established to support regions most affected by policy measures to achieve climate neutrality by no later than 2050, and by the government’s recent Just Transition fund.
Cllr Peter Roche, Chairperson of Galway Rural Development, said: “We are thankful to Kieran and TASC for wanting to build on the work going on through Smart Villages.
“The potential is enormous here and we’re delighted to support the community initiatives thus far.”
“Much credit is due to the Smart Villages Mountbellew team and to the wider community for their input. We are looking forward to the report’s publication this evening and we also look forward to a great community attendance at the Malt House Bar from 7:30pm.”
Local senator Seán Kyne has said that the National Transport Authority (NTA) needs to give immediate consideration to the frequency of stops offered along rural Local Link bus services.
Senator Kyne is also calling on Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan to engage with the National Transport Authority (NTA) on introducing flexibilities on this service.
The Fine Gael senator said Local Link bus services provide a vital and much valued form of transportation across all parts of rural Ireland.
He acknowledged and welcomed the level of investment made into those services over the past number of years, but argued that there needs to be some lateral thinking when it comes to how the bus stops along these routes.
“Fixed stops, as city dwellers would be familiar with, don’t work as effectively in remote parts of the country, where often, passengers require an additional mode of transport to reach their destination,” he said.
“In my own area in Galway, for example, the new 432 service in Connemara, which serves An Cheathrú Rua,Carna, Casla, Roundstone, Ballyconneely and Clifden, has fixed stops – you cannot request a stop along the route. Someone living halfway between Ballyconneely and Clifden will have to go back to Ballyconneely to get the bus to go forward to Clifden. This is nonsensical and a waste of passengers’ time and money.”
Senator Kyne said that this needlessly creates additional car journeys, which is what we all must collectively work towards reducing.
“We can see additional services being rolled out along routes with regard to both frequency and the addition of new routes.
“Putting in more request stops would make perfect sense when it comes to increasing the use of the service. Connemara and other rural areas have lots of small roads which lead on to National and Regional roads which also need dedicated stops.
“Allowing for more designated stops along particular routes has no cost, can be implemented immediately and gives passengers more choice and control over their journeys. This is surely what the Minister for Transport and the NTA must also be supportive of – time to act on it now.”
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