Top-Rated Casinos in Galway

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August 25, 2023

Galway Daily sport Mack Hansen ruled out of Six Nations 2024 due to surgery — Mack Hansen. Photo: INPHO

Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen will be among the starting XV for Ireland in the final Rugby World Cup warm up game this weekend.

The full matchday squad has been named for Ireland’s face off against Samoa in Bayonne on Saturday evening.

Representing Connacht, Bealham will be among the forwards and Hansen is starting in the back three.

Saturday evening’s match comes just two weeks ahead of Ireland’s world cup opener against Romania, in what promises to be the most highly anticipated tournament in a long time.

Iain Henderson returns to the second row to captain Ireland on Saturday night, having done so against Italy in Dublin at the start of the month.

Jimmy O’Brien, Mack Hansen and Keith Earls, fresh from winning his 100th Test cap last weekend, start in the back three, withRobbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey in midfield.

There is an all Munster half-back pairing as Jack Crowley and Conor Murraystart at out-half and scrum-half respectively.

In the pack, Cian Healy and Finlay Bealham are selected either side of Tom Stewart, who is set for his first Ireland start having made his debut off the bench against Italy.

Henderson partners Tadhg Beirne in the engine room, with Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris completing the starting XV.

Saturday’s match will kick-off at 7:45pm Irish time, and will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2 and Amazon Prime.

Ireland v Samoa matchday squad:

15. Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster/Naas)(6)
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians)(15)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers)(64)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor)(13)
11. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster)(100)
10. Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)(5)
9. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen)(106)

1. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf)(124)
2. Tom Stewart (Ulster/Ballynahinch)(1)
3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers)(31)
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)(captain)(73)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)(40)
6. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University)(12)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)(51)
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(30)

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch)(36)
17. Jeremy Loughman (Munster/Garryowen)(2)
18. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch)(10)
19. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)(54)
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)(95)
21. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon)(11)
22. Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD)(20)
23. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)(51).

Nearly 3,500 students in Galway getting Leaving Cert results today

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August 25, 2023

Galway daily news Almost 3,500 Galway students receiving Leaving Cert results

The nail-biting wait is over for Nearly 3,500 young people in Galway who are receiving their Leaving Cert Result this morning.

There are 3,274 pupils in Galway who sat the regular Leaving Cert this year, and a further 131 who took the Leaving Cert Applied.

Across the country, some 58,006 took the standard Leaving Cert this year, and another 3,730 are getting their result for the Leaving Cert Applied.

The results being provided to candidates today are the product of adjusted examinations and a post-marking adjustment.

The post-marking adjustment has resulted in boosted results to bring them closer in line with the past two years, rather than pre-pandemic results.

This came after the Minister for Education confirmed in February that there would be no ‘cliff-edge’ return to pre-pandemic grade profiles this year.

The State Examinations Commissions later confirmed that results for 2023 should be on the aggregate no lower than 2022.

The SEC has said that no marks were adjusted downwards as a result of this process, and that the relative positive of students to each other was maintained.

Minister for Education Norma Foley congratulated the 62,000 students who are getting their exam results today.

“Today brings enormous reward and recognition for all your hard work and dedication over the past number of years, including through challenging times.”

“This is an exciting occasion in your life, filled with the prospects of the many great and varied opportunities that lie ahead. To all of you receiving results today, I wish you every success and happiness as you embark on the next stage in your life.”

“Whether the next step on your journey will take you to work, an apprenticeship, further or higher education, or other possibilities, I hope you can enjoy today and reflect on all that you have achieved so far to bring you to this point.”

Respond building 101 social housing units across Galway

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August 25, 2023

Galway Daily news Homelessness in Galway spiked in late 2023

Respond, one of Ireland’s largest approved housing bodies, is on track to deliver more than 100 new social housing units in Galway.

The approved housing body has 101 homes currently under construction in Galway, after completing 87 new social homes across the county in 2022.

Respond now owns and operates 375 homes here in Galway, accommodating a total of 681 tenants in the city and county.

Respond is on track to triple the number of social and cost rental homes it has in construction nationwide to over 4,100 in the coming months, expanding its construction programme over the next 12 months to €2 billion.

These figures were announced as Respond’s Annual Report 2022 was launched by the Housing Minister this week.

Respond Spokesperson Niamh Randall said, “Our Annual Report details the ongoing effort and commitment of our development and housing teams to help alleviate the urgent need for more social and cost rental housing across the country.”

“Our focus is on adding to the national housing stock, and the Fixed Price Contracts we have agreed with several developers mean we could quickly triple the number of social and cost rental homes we have in construction to 4,100 with Government support.”

“These are large scale, development projects which will provide the volume of homes desperately needed, while also building inclusive, long-term sustainable communities.”

Respond has begun construction on 3,347 homes since March 2018, and now manages 7,084 properties providing homes for 16,541 tenants.

Last year it delivered 484 new social and cost rental homes and commenced construction of a further 460 homes, despite rising construction costs.

Respond focuses on building new social housing, rather than buying existing properties, which they estimate saves up to €60,000 per unit compared to a housing acquisition model.

Minister Darragh O’Brien said, “Through the hard work of Approved Housing Bodies like Respond, our social and cost rental housing supply is increasing and we are going in the right direction.”

“Increasing supply is at the heart of Housing for All and is key to ensuring families can secure accommodation at affordable prices and that our housing market functions effectively. Respond’s work is critical in helping us towards achieving these aims.”

In addition to social housing, in 2022 Respond provided early learning and school aged care services for 638 children; emergency accommodation for 161 homeless families; integration assistance for 150 refugees; and helped 244 older people live independently.

Cordero out of action for Connacht due to knee injury

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August 25, 2023

Cordero out of action for Connacht due to knee injury — Photo: Connacht Rugby

Santiago Cordero will be out of action for Connacht for the foreseeable future due to a knee injury sustained this week.

Cordero suffered a knee injury during a training session with the club earlier this week, which is taking him out of play.

The Argentinian international will see a specialist over the coming days to the determine the appropriate rehabilitation plan.

Head Coach Pete Wilkins said that this was disappointing news for everyone, adding that Santiago has made a great impression with everyone during his first few days at the Sportsground.

“In that short period he has fully embraced his new life in the province and has already been taken with the warmth of the welcome he has received.”

“His injury is a cruel blow for him personally and we’ll do everything as a club to support him and his young family in the weeks and months ahead, while he undergoes his rehab.”

“I’m sure the news will also be disappointing for the supporters, but Santi is a resilient character who will be determined to come back even better and stronger.”

Connacht announced the signing of the full back/winger back in March, bringing him on in a two year deal.

The Argentinian moved to the west from Bordeaux Begles, where he scored 29 tries in 67 appearances for the club across four seasons.

Prior to his move to France, Cordero spent two seasons with the Exeter Chiefs, where he scored 10 tries in 33 appearances.

While there, he also took home the Gallagher Premiership Player of the Month award, and was nominated for the prestigious RPA Player of the Year award in 2019.

On the international scene, the 29-year old has made 45 appearances for Argentina. His performances at the 2015 Rugby World Cup earned him significant plaudits across the world, helping his native country to a 4th place finish in the tournament.

He beat 31 defenders, more than any other player in the tournament, and also came 2nd in clean breaks and 3rd in metres run.

Traffic management plans for Rahoon Graveyard Mass

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August 24, 2023

Galway Daily news County Council seeks sites for Connemara cemeteries

Galway City Council has confirmed traffic management plans ahead of Rahoon Graveyard Mass on Sunday, 10 September.

Gates will be open from 8am to 8pm between Monday 4 and Friday 8 September to allow for preparations for Cemetery Sunday.

On Sunday 10 September, due to space restrictions, only vehicles carrying persons with restricted mobility or displaying a Disabled Person’s Parking Card or Permit will be permitted access to the cemetery grounds.

Galway City Council has reminded the public that the gates will close to all traffic at 11am sharp for traffic management purposes.

For safety reasons, vehicles will not be permitted to leave the cemetery for 30 minutes following the Mass to allow for pedestrian exit in the first instance.

This mass will be streamed live via http://studiorove.ie/graveyardmass/

Rollout of broadand plan must be accelerated to meet targets

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August 24, 2023

Galway Daily news Work underway to deliver fibre broadband for 2,500 homes in East Galway

Local TD Seán Canney has called on National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and the Government to accelerate the rollout of the National Broadband Plan.

He said that they need to accelerate the rollout if they are to achieve the target of 96% of all houses and premises to have access to fibre optic broadband connection by 2026.

In a reply from NBI, Deputy Canney said he received confirmation that in July, the plan fell short of the initial projection of having 250,000 houses passed.

He accepted that Covid was a delaying factor, but said we are way past that issue and are now into the fourth year of a five to seven-year project timescale to deliver the National Broadband Plan.

“The state led intervention aims to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the intervention area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools,” said the Independent TD.

“With 4 years of the plan period gone and 3 years left there is just 27% of the 560,00 premises passed now is the time to evaluate progress and put the necessary implementation plan in place to ensure with react our targets which were set out in the Plan.”

Best of Galway showcased at Milwaukee Irish Fest

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August 24, 2023

galway daily news milwaukee irish fest galway delegation — Eimear McAllister, Tourism Ireland; Ruairi Lehmann, Galway City Council; Cllr Liam Carroll, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council; Cllr Michael Maher, Galway County Council; Cllr Frank Fahy, Galway City Council; and Paul McDonagh, Tourism Ireland, at the Milwaukee Irish Fest. Pic – Tourism Ireland

Tourism Ireland and a delegation of tourism enterprises including Kylemore Abbey, Galway City Council and Galway County Council attended the four-day Milwaukee Irish Fest in the US.

The festival – the largest celebration of Irish culture and heritage in the United States – has a huge audience of more than 130,000 visitors and was an ideal opportunity to showcase Galway and Ireland as a superb holiday destination.

Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Head of North America, said that the Milwaukee Irish Fest provides a great platform to showcase Ireland, including our rich heritage and culture, to prospective American visitors.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to invite some of the many people of Irish descent living and working in the US, as well as those with Irish connections or an affinity for Ireland, to come and visit,” she said.

“The United States remains an extremely important market for tourism to the island of Ireland. In 2019, we welcomed 1.7 million American visitors, whose visits delivered €1.6 billion for the economy.”

Galway business selected to represent county at National Ploughing Championships

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August 24, 2023

galway daily news galway fairytales ploughing championships — Martha Begley Schade’s ‘Galway Fairytales’ will represent Local Enterprise Office Galway at the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships this year.

One of Galway’s best small businesses will get a chance to exhibit their business to almost 300,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships next month as part of the Local Enterprise Village.

Galway Fairytales, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Galway, is a publisher and author of educational Irish storytelling books for children aged 5 -12 years.

They all focus on children’s wellbeing and social issues, such as bullying, friendship and kindness, teamwork, coping with anxiety, family break up and much more.

The Renmore-based business is run by Martha Begley Schade, who has written 12 books, all of which are currently being translated into the Irish language.

The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) will see over 30 small businesses from across the country take a stand in the Local Enterprise Village in the heart of the Ploughing Championships, opening their businesses up to almost 300,000 prospective customers across the three days of the event.

The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices was launched by Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond TD and will be open as part of the Ploughing Championships taking place in Ratheniska, County Laois from 19 to 21 September this year.

Acting Head of Enterprise at LEO Galway, Valerie Kelly, said the National Ploughing Championship is one of the biggest occasions on the Irish calendar and there are very few events that draw a crowd as large as this over 3 days.

“For our small businesses this is a huge opportunity to engage with thousands of prospective customers every day and this could have a significant impact on their business,” she said.

“We have been working with them all across the summer on their products, marketing and merchandising for the event so they can maximise this amazing opportunity. There’s something for everyone in the Local Enterprise Village.”

Long wait times with hundreds attending UHG Emergency Department

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August 24, 2023

The Emergency Department (ED) at University Hospital Galway has been extremely busy over the past few days with high numbers of people attending.

Many of the attendances patients are very sick and need to be admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Some 201 people attended the Emergency Department yesterday, and there is ongoing pressure on bed availability in the hospital.

Saolta has said it regrets that many patients are currently experiencing long waiting times to be admitted from the ED to an acute bed in the hospital.

There are currently 49 people awaiting admission at the hospital.

The hospital is also dealing with a significant increase in COVID-19 presentations and admissions. There are currently 16 COVID-19 positive patients being treated at GUH with 2 wards affected with COVID-19 outbreaks.

Saolta said they are committed to treating everyone who presents at the ED but they do so strictly in order of medical priority.

The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.

Planning sought to demolish and replace Lidl supermarket in Gort

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August 23, 2023

Galway Daily news Planning sought to demolish and replace Lidl supermarket in Gort

Lidl has submitted plans to demolish their existing supermarket in Gort, and build a larger replacement store in its place.

Lidl is seeking planning permission to demolish the existing supermarket on Crowe Street, Gort, as well as the two storey building adjacent to it.

In its place they intend to build a single storey supermarket with a total floor space of 2,529m², up from the current building’s 1,795m².

According to the application, it is estimated that the enlarged store will cate for an additional 5-10 full time jobs on top of current employment levels.

The Cover Letter for the plans states that the current supermarket, which was designed in 2005, is no longer suitable to cater for the scale of demand in the area.

Other works will include reconfiguring car parking and landscaping of the site.

A revised vehicular and pedestrian access junction to Kinincha Road and new pedestrian accesses to Kinincha Road and Crowe Street will also be created.

A Natura Impact Statement will be submitted to the planning authority with the application.

A decision on this planning application is due from Galway County Council by October 12 of this year.

Galway’s Raftery digs deep to secure a special category win at Barum Rally Zlin

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August 23, 2023

Aoife Raftery & Ronan Comerford Barum Czech Rally Zlín 2023 2 — Photo: Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy.

Galway’s Aoife Raftery had to put in a massive effort to secure the best female driver in a two-wheel drive car accolades at Barum Rally Zlin over the weekend.

The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver is contesting this year’s FIA Junior European Rally Championship and the legendary Czech event was the fifth round.

The Craughwell native’s rally got off to the worst possible start on the first day of the rally weekend.

During Friday’s opening stage, a spectator special on the streets of Zlin, as a result of cold tyres, the Peugeot 208 Rally4 driver overshot a junction and damaged its rear right wheel.

The considerable time loss put her very much on the back foot for the reaming two days and 12 special stages.

On Saturday morning she set herself a target – to overcome Friday’s time loss and to be the fastest female driver in a two-wheel drive car.

The overall woman’s category was won by Italian Rachel Somaschini for the second ERC rally in a row. She was driving a Citroen C3 Rally 2 car instead of Raftery’s less-powerful Peugeot 208 Rally 4.

The Galway woman and her Armagh-based co-driver Ronan Comeford – both Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy members were in determined mode over Saturday’s loop of six stages.

They ended the day third in the woman’s category but more important, they were second in the two-wheel drive section in their PCRS Rallysport-prepared Peugeot.

Ahead of them sat Hungarian Adrienn Vogel who was just 28 seconds clear of the Irish driver on Sunday morning.

During Sunday’s demanding route Raftery nipped away at her rival’s lead, bringing it down to just 1.4 seconds by the final stage.

Raftery and Comeford dug deep over the final 16km stage to not only catch Vogel , but push well ahead and take the win by 6.9 seconds.

“It was a special weekend, and we learned a lot,” Raftery said at the finish ramp in Zlin where Vogel was the first to offer congratulations.

“We had to build back up after Friday’s mishap and really had to dig deep on Sunday. It was really nice to have this battle with Adrienn. It was nice to have a target going into each stage, looking at times and knowing what I had to do on each test.

She also finished seventh in the FIA Junior ERC category, her second European Rally Championship points-scoring finish in a row following her 12th-place finish in Rome

“Honestly, I really enjoyed the event, it has been a class event, the whole thing, it was a great atmosphere, the stages are so tricky, but when you get into the flow, they are some stages,” Aoife added.

Her co-driver Comerford, also a Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy member added: “The stages are really challenging for a co-driver, you have to be on top of your game.”

Meet The Maker tour series continues with Micil Distillery

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August 23, 2023

Meet The Maker tour series continues with Micil Distillery

Get a taste of Galway and an insight into the history of distilling with the latest Meet the Maker tour with Micil Distillery.

Meet the Maker is the latest programme from the award-winning Galway Food Tours to show visitors to Galway the minds behind some of its most delicious offerings.

The Meet the Maker tours combine food and the unique characters in Galway who bring the best of what is on offer to life.

Padraic O’Griallais, sixth generation of the founding family of Connemara Distillers, will give an insight to the story behind the brand of Micil Distillery.

Padraic will detail the history poured into each bottle through family recipes and traditions in the event at Galway City Distillery on Merchants Road.

Guests will get to try two of his award-winning spirits paired with Irish farmhouse cheeses and a delicious baked sweet treat.

Tickets, €35pp are available from www.galwayfoodtours.com.

Planning approval given for new Athenry Gaelscoil campus

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August 23, 2023

Planning approval given for new Athenry Gaelscoil campus

Galway County Council has given the green light for the construction of new primary and secondary Gaelscoils in Athenry on the site of the former Clarin College.

The GRETB has received planning permission for a new campus on the Caheroyn Road which will comprise two main school buildings.

Gaelscoil Riada Primary School will be primarily two storeys in height, containing 16 classrooms and 1 SEN classroom.

The primary school will have the capacity for 485 pupils and 26 teachers. It will also possess two ball courts, hard and soft play areas, and a sensory garden to the rear.

Also to be located on the campus is Colaiste an Eachraidh secondary school, two and three storeys in height. This will include 17 classrooms, 12 specialist classrooms, and 1 SEN classroom.

The secondary school will also have a three storey sports hall, four ball courts, and a grass play area.

Colaiste an Eachraidh will have the capacity for 455 pupils and 45 teachers when completed.

The sports facilities in the new schools will be made available to local sports clubs, music rehearsal groups, scouts, and others as part of their current relationships with the Gaelscoils.

The school campus will have a single vehicular entrance from the Caheroyn Road, leading to a set down area and parking before the vehicular exit on the same road. There will also be a pedestrian entrance onto the Tuam Road.

The school campus will feature a total of 84 car parking spaces and 48 covered bicycle stands.

Landscaped green areas will be mostly located along the sides and rear of the school campus.

Planning permission for the new Gaelscoil campus was granted by the county council with 22 conditions attached.

The GRETB intends to start construction work on the site in July 2024, and it is expected that the project will take 18 months to complete.

Approval was given last February for the demolition of the old Clarin College building. The GRETB said at the time that there has been an issue with anti-social behaviour, including a small fire, since the site was vacated.

Big night for Galway bars at 2023 Bar of the Year Awards

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August 23, 2023

Big night for Galway Bars at the annual Bar of the Year Awards. Photo: Jill Thornton

It was a great night for bars and pubs in Galway City at the annual Bar of the Year Awards this week, with multiple top prizes handed out.

Six bars and individuals in Galway took home awards from the ceremony which took place in the Clayton Hotel in Dublin on Monday night.

The awards won by local bars at the annual awards included three Gold awards, with Galway’s finest establishments claiming the top spot in their categories.

Conor Moloney of An Pucán was singled out on the night, winning the Bar Manager of the Year award.

Conor Moloney of An Pucán was singled out for the Bar Manager of the Year Award. Photo: Paul Sherwood Photographer

HYDE Bar on Forster Street had an especially good night, taking home the Gold in the Hotel Bar of the Year category, and Bronze award for Gin Bar of the Year.

Blake’s Bar on Eglinton Street won the Bar Food of the Year Award, with the owners saying they were “over the moon” to have gotten the gold.

“It’s a testament to the dedication and hard work put in by all the team here at Blake’s Bar and we could not be prouder.”

Caribou in Woodquay also claimed the top prize for Craft Bar of the Year in another bog win for Galway bars.

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Sonny Molloy’s Irish Whiskey Bar won Silver in the Whiskey Bar of the Year category, and the Front Door Pub on Cross Street got Bronze for City Bar of the Year, with the bar owners saying they were “delighted” by the award.

Paladar in Co. Cork was named the overall Bar of the Year in Ireland at this year’s prestigious awards.

New forestry stats highlight Government’s continued failure says local TD

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August 23, 2023

Galway daily news Minister faces no confidence motion over forestry licencing backlog Canney says

A local TD has said that new forestry stats highlight the Government’s continued failure to delivery on forestry.

Deputy Claire Kerrane said a report, published this week by the Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, shows that the key forestry metrics remain at some of the lowest levels of the past decade.

“For example, there was just 2,273ha of afforestation in 2022. This is compared with 6,652ha of afforestation in 2022,” said the Sinn Féin TD.

“There is an annual target of 8,000ha of afforestation, yet we are looking at a combined total of 6,723 for the past three years.”

Deputy Kerrane said as well as this, the report starkly highlights the lack of confidence in the sector from farmers and foresters and the impact this has had on buy-in in recent years.

“For example, in 2017 there was 536 farmers involved in afforestation in the State. This number has dropped to just 76 as of 2022.

“The statistics published today make clear that this Government has mismanaged forestry. We desperately need the new Forestry Programme in place, and yet it remains nowhere to be seen.”

Deputy Kerrane said farmers and foresters need certainty, and called on Minister Hackett to provide an update on the new Forestry Programme in full.

Senator fears collapse in TV licence revenue will threaten jobs

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August 23, 2023

Galway News - Courts - Man assaulted for not changing TV channel

The collapse in TV licence revenue threatens the future of independent production companies and their associated jobs, a local senator has said.

Senator Sean Kyne called for urgent action to protect workers in local and community media and the film, TV and radio production sector whose roles are funded through the Sound and Vision Scheme, which received a ringfenced portion of the licence fee.

The Fine Gael senator said that the collapse in the TV Licence revenue is not just a problem for RTÉ.

“It threatens a vital source of funding for independent tv, radio and film production companies and all of the workers involved, including actors, writers, producers, directors and many more,” he said.

“Since the Broadcasting Act of 2009, the Sound and Vision Scheme has, through a ringfenced portion of the TV Licence Fee, supported the creation of content for TV, film and radio that otherwise would not have been made.”

“There have been 49 rounds of funding under the Sound and Vision Scheme to date with the most recent rounds supporting more than 100 projects produced by local and community radio stations, as well as for larger media companies, such as TG4 and Newstalk.”

Senator Kyne said the Scheme is directly linked to the TV Licence as the legislation provides that 7% of the money collected through the Licence Fee goes into the fund.

“Therefore, as the funding collected via the TV Licence Fee falls, so too does the amount of money available for the Sound and Vision Scheme.

“Minister Catherine Martin needs to take action now to avoid a collapse in funding and to protect jobs in local and community media and the film, TV and radio production sector that are now under serious threat.”

Free period product initiative launched at University of Galway

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August 23, 2023

galway daily news period products university of galway

A pilot programme distributing free period products has been launched at University of Galway to tackle the issue of period poverty among students and staff.

The pilot, launched by University of Galway and University of Galway Students’ Union, stems from a 2017 initiative by the students’ union to address the serious financial pressures and taboos faced by students who menstruate.

The University is now funding and supporting the programme to supply more free items in locations across campus for those who need them.

The high cost of period products and the societal stigma which can still be attached to menstruation can lead to exclusion, mental health impacts and the use of unsuitable alternatives.

This programme aims to combat these issues and foster an inclusive, open campus with access for all.

Students’ Union Vice President/Welfare Officer, Izzy Tiernan, said that period poverty and hygiene poverty are very real issues for University of Galway students.

“We are delighted that the University is supporting this pilot programme. We are calling on the Government to act now on the ‘Period Poverty in Ireland Report’ from February 2021,” said Izzy.

“Students have enough financial worries as it is with the cost of living crisis and spiralling rents, and we firmly believe the Government needs to mitigate the cost of these essential healthcare products for all.”

Josephine Walsh, Head of Student Engagement at University of Galway, said: “Student Services at the University are delighted to be able to support the Students’ Union on this important initiative and policy for students.

“It is symbolic recognition by the University of the very real issues that our students face and even more so we know it will make a very real difference in their lives.”

University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, said they are proud of the initiative that was taken by students and their representatives.

“As a University we are delighted that we are able to follow their lead and support efforts to alleviate cost and the effects of period poverty,” he said.

“Our new policy of free period products at University of Galway is a strong symbol of progress and how we can work together, with our students, to ensure better outcomes and respond to need.”

A list of free period product locations is available here.

Emergency street closure in Galway City for footpath repairs

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August 22, 2023

Galway City Council has advised road users that Mary Street in the city will be closed to traffic until Thursday morning to allow for footpath repairs.

The street will be closed from Abbeygate Street Upper to Eglinton Street until 7am on Thursday, 24 August.

A temporary diversion route will be in place via Newtownsmith, and all emergencies and deliveries will be accommodated.

Water outages in Kilbannon area

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August 22, 2023