Letter | Galway climate change “opportunities”?

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July 31, 2023

Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

A man has been arrested after Gardaí seized €85,000 worth of cannabis and cannabis jellies in Tuam Sunday afternoon.

Gardaí carried out a search operation under warrant at a property in Tuam as part of an ongoing clampdown on drugs in Galway.

Gardaí seized quantities of cannabis and cannabis jellies with “a combined value of approximately €85,000”. They also seized €13,000 in cash.

A man in his 40s was arrested as part of the investigation, and he is being detained at a Garda Station in the North Western Region under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

Speaking on Sunday, Chief Superintendent Gerard Roche, Galway Division, said: “These seizures demonstrate our commitment in tackling organised crime and drug dealers around the county.”

GIAF and University of Galway announce new five-year strategic partnership

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July 30, 2023

GIAF & University of Galway 1 — With the 45th annual festival in full flow, Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF) and its long-time education partner University of Galway have announced a new five-year partnership that will see the partners work even more closely together. Photo: Andrew Downes, xposure

Galway International Arts Festival and the University of Galway have announced a new five year strategic partnership which will see ever more events staged at the university, and more students getting involved in volunteering.

The 45th annual Galway International Arts Festival comes to a close this weekend, with this also marking 13 years of the University serving as the festival’s official Education Partner.

Over the course of the last five year partnership, 121 events have taken place on the University of Galway campus, with 128,727 people brought on to campus to see musical greats, symphony orchestras, exhibitions, installations plus great Irish and international theatre.

The Festival Volunteer Programme has welcomed 3,248 participants over the last five years from an average of 41 different countries each year.

The festival provided creative and cultural opportunities for graduates, with more than 50% of the productions at GIAF 2021 featuring University of Galway graduates.

Academic staff have also had the opportunity to break bread with their colleagues and wider audiences in the First Thought Talks and Backstage talks series.

The new partnership will see a further expansion of this work, plus a University association with the festival’s First Thought Talks programme.

The GIAF archive housed in the University Library will also be expanded with the creation of a new oral festival histories section.

Other aspects of the partnership will involve GIAF and University of Galway exploring ways to develop the creative industries in the West to foster career pathways for University graduates.

CEO of Galway International Arts Festival John Crumlish said: “This is a hugely exciting development for GIAF and a potential game changer for a number of areas of the festival’s work.”

“The partnership will allow the organisation to further progress its EDI ambitions, progress its discussion platform First Thought, further support artist development, explore development opportunities in the Creative Industries, support the festival’s transition to a sustainable future and support programming.”

With close to 20% of GIAF events now held on campus, GIAF and University of Galway have also agreed to work more closely together on the delivery of more sustainable festivals year on year.

In addition, University of Galway and GIAF will also work together as part of a European consortium over the next two years, examining how cultural entrepreneurship can be used to support climate transition.

Commenting on the new partnership, University of Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said, “We are delighted to further extend our strategic partnership with GIAF.”

“The partnership speaks to the values of our University – respect, openness, excellence, sustainability – and to our status as a university for the public good and of the creative city that is Galway.”

“I look forward to working with GIAF over the coming years through increased collaboration on events, research, civic engagement and learning opportunities for our students.”

Portiuncula Hospital helping older patients avoid unnecessary hospital stays

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July 30, 2023

Portiuncula University Hospital has been enhancing care for older patients to help them recover at home and avoid unnecessary hospital stays.

Portiuncula Hospital’s Frailty at the Front Door Service was introduced to provide a holistic assessment and intervention to patients over 75 presenting with frailty to the Emergency Department (ED).

The service is ED based and identifies and assesses patients presenting with frailty and provides individualised interventions. Many people present to the service following a fall or with changes in their ability to complete everyday tasks.

Early comprehensive assessment can improve their healthcare outcomes and experience and can support their further recovery at home.

Lisa O’Looney, Senior Physiotherapist, FFD Team said, “Studies have shown that older adults are those most likely to visit a GP and to require inpatient hospital beds.”

“For many frail older adults, a hospital stay may result in a loss of independence and a need for extra assistance on discharge.

“The FFD Team focuses on what matters to the patient and most people identify a preference for recovery at home. By completing an early assessment we aim to support this wish by referring our patients to local community supports as needed.”

“This year so far 25% of the patients utilising the service presented to the ED after a fall. Following a holistic assessment by the team, factors contributing to falls and frailty are identified and measures are put in place to promote a safe recovery.”

“Frailty is often recognised as decreased mobility, weight loss, muscle weakness and reduced energy levels. Frailty is not an inevitable part of ageing, and can be prevented, reversed or slowed down.

The Service commenced in September 2021 as part of the Enhanced Community Care programme (ECC) to improve and expand community health services and reduce pressure on hospital services.

This year the Frailty Front Door (FFD) Team has supported discharge directly home in 55% of older people assessed by referring them to community services, in keeping with the Sláintecare vision of providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

The Frailty Front Door Team consists of a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Senior Occupational Therapist, Senior Physiotherapist, Geriatric Medical Registrar, Therapy Assistant and Assistant Staff Officer.

James Keane, Hospital Manager said, “The introduction of the Frailty at the Front Door Service is part of our on-going commitment to ensure quality of care for the older person is foremost.”

“The team ensures early multidisciplinary involvement is available at the ‘front door’ and can provide an alternative pathway to hospital admission for many.”

“This specialist team provide care, treatment and support to improve the patients’ experience and help them to return home to live as independently as they can.”

Galway Bay is Calling in climate crisis driven concert

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July 30, 2023

25 July 2023 - MfG's Cellissimo Festival & Galway Atlantaquaria announce creative climate action project Galway Bay is Calling — Pictured at Galway Atlantaquaria are Garry Kendellen (Marketing Manager at Galway Atlantaquaria), Anna Lardi (CEO Music for Galway) and Dr Maria Vittoria Marra (Education and Public Engagement Officer at Galway Atlantaquaria). Photo Credit: Tara Noonan

Music for Galway’s Cellissimo Festival and Galway Atlantaquaria are joining together on a new musical extravaganza, Galway Bay is Calling which has been awarded funding to highlight the climate emergency.

As record breaking temperatures grip the Earth and the alarming all-world impacts of climate change are thrown into sharp focus, Galway Bay is Calling is a timely new local initiative supported by the Creative Ireland Climate Action Spark Fund.

The collaboration aspires to facilitating better understanding of human impacts on the oceans and developing engagement tools to positively influence behaviours and attitudes to climate change.

The Galway-based creative project will pose individual and collective responses to the climate emergency through music and performance.

Galway Bay is Calling aims to ignite immediate and sustainable action in addressing the climate emergency at community level.

Music for Galway, the classical music resource organisation, and Galway Atlantaquaria, Ireland’s largest native species aquarium, have secured investment through the Creative Ireland Climate Action Spark Fund to develop this initiative.

This ambitious project will bring together marine conservationists, behavioural scientists and scores of professional and community musicians, singers, and performers from across Galway city and county in a unique creative collaboration.

On the announcement of the project funding, Music for Galway CEO Anna Lardi said “Galway Bay is Calling fits right into a central theme of Cellissimo, our international cello festival which takes place for the second time across Galway city and county from May 18 – 25 next year.”

“As well as producing an exciting, accessible international music festival, we are approaching Cellissimo as a vehicle to creatively highlight the impacts of climate change, with a particular focus on the plight of climate migrants.”

Galway Bay is Calling will feature an exciting interactive series of ocean literacy workshops where participants will explore Galway’s coastline and marine life through beach combing and rock pooling, attending workshops, and contributing to discussion and debate on climate change.

The group will work with scientists and researchers at Atlantic Technological University, Galway City to understand people’s behaviours and the key approaches that can influence attitude and ignite community transformation.

Dr Maria Vittoria Marra, Education and Public Engagement Officer at Galway Atlantaquaria said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Music for Galway and ATU on this social art project which aims at harnessing the power of music and performance to increase the ocean literacy of local musicians”.

“Not only with a view to strengthen their awareness of our impacts upon the ocean and its impact upon us, but also to provide them with tools and approaches to transform ocean knowledge into behaviour and action that promote ocean sustainability.”

The Galway Bay is Calling collective will then collaborate in groups with renowned Florence-based Irish cello player, singer, and composer Naomi Berrill, to articulate their experiences of the workshop and research work, exploring ideas for community responses.

Naomi will take these inputs and write a new composition for the collective, who will rehearse their parts independently before coming together in Galway a week before Music for Galway’s Cellissimo Festival in May 2024 to rehearse collectively.

The world premiere of Galway Bay is Calling, a new composition for solo cello and a mixed bag orchestra, will be presented at the opening day of Cellissimo in Galway on Saturday May 18, 2024.

Green light for mobile mast next to Woodlawn Train Station double existing size

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July 30, 2023

Galway Daily news Council concerned about visual prominence of proposed mobile mast

Planning approval has been granted for a new mobile mast next to Woodlawn train station which is double the size of the one it’s replacing.

Eircom has received approval from the county council to take down a 10m high wooden pole at the Eir Exchange at Carrowmore, Woodlawn, and replace it with a 21m high monopole mast.

The proposed mast is intended for use by Eircom, Three, and Tetra.

Planning permission for the development was granted with 12 standard conditions attached.

The council had expressed concerns about the visual prominence of the new mast, and asked about the possibility of Eircom co-locating equipment on an existing mast used by other operators.

Information submitted in response stated that there is only one telecoms installation in the area which is already in use by two operators.

An Architectural Heritage Assessment and photomontages were also submitted to the council in response to concerns about the visual impact of the development.

A cover letter for the application states that the existing mast is incapable of supporting the equipment needed to upgrade eir’s services in the area.

“The proposed structure will enable eir to improve services within Woodlawn and introduce ‘good’ 4G & 5G coverage to the village,” the application states.

Kerrane welcomes extension of deadline for ACRES

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July 29, 2023

galway daily news claire kerrane at dáil child maintenance

Local TD Claire Kerrane has welcomed an announcement from the Minister for Agriculture that the deadline for scorecards under ACRES is to be extended.

Deputy Kerrane had been asking the Minister since early last month to extend the deadline for the submission of scorecards under ACRES.

She said that it has been very clear that advisors have been under huge pressure in meeting the demand especially given ACRES was so heavily oversubscribed.

“However, this was about fairness for advisors while also ensuring they were given adequate time to ensure scorecards could be submitted on time to ensure farmers were paid,” the Sinn Féin TD said.

“I had been clear with Minister McConalogue that an extension of time until the end of September, as I had proposed, was a small tweak to the scheme that would help to ensure it is a success for those in it.”

Deputy Kerrane said that it is a pity that the Minister did not make this announcement sooner and reduce the stress many advisors have been under.

“They had, in my opinion been given an impossible task with a deadline of the end of next month.

“There have also been issues with the delay to the launch of the app and we know that some Advisors are having issues uploading to the app with poor coverage in parts. This extra time was badly needed.

“I hope that this extension will give some peace of mind to advisors and reassurance to Farmers who’ve put their faith in this scheme and that the Department and Minister will be quicker in future in making decisions that are sought in good faith from Farmers.”

Planning sought to build new Surgical Hub at Merlin Park Hospital

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July 28, 2023

Galway Daily news Planning sought to build new Surgical Hub at Merlin Park Hospital

The HSE is seeking planning permission to build a new dedicated Surgical Hub building at Merlin Park Hospital.

The plans submitted to the city council are for a three storey building, with a gross floor area of 4,265m², located to the north of the main hospital building.

The Planning Report submitted with this application states that the goal of this development is to divert selected surgical cases to Merlin Park Hospital, in order to ease pressure on UHG.

The Surgical Hub would contain four main operating theatres, along with two minor procedure rooms.

Each would have a morning and afternoon session, and the plans state that they are expected to see approximately 50 – 60 patients per session.

The Surgical Hub would be a day surgery treatment facility, with patients discharged the same day as their procedure.

The plans also include a car park located north of the proposed surgery building, which would contain 108 parking spaces. A new bus stop would also be located adjacent to the proposed building.

The plans also include the installation of Solar PV Panels on the rooftop of the building.

Back in 2009, the HSE received planning permission for a Day Services Unit at this exact site at Merlin Park.

The Planning Report for this application states that current proposal is “remarkably similar” to that which was approved in 2009 in terms of its “location, orientation, and size” as well as its purpose.

The decision to develop a new surgical hub for schedule care and elective procedures at MPUH was the result of an Options Appraisal carried out by KPMG on behalf of the Saolta Group in 2019.

This was meant to examine options to address capacity issues at UHG, as well as the future delivery of a Model 4 Hospital.

A decision on this planning application is due from Galway City Council by August 17 of this year.

Two community arts and music festivals in Galway awarded funding

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July 28, 2023

Bandwagons MAD festival — The Bandwagons at the M.A.D Festival 2021 in Athenry. Photo Credit: Athenry Heritage Centre via Twitter.

Grants have been provided to support two arts and music festivals in Galway this year, under a scheme supporting smaller local events.

Minister Catherine Martin has awarded €5,000 each for two events in Galway under the Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools scheme.

The Athenry Heritage Centre has been awarded €5,000 to help it put on the M.A.D. Festival, a community event that aims to provide an inclusive and accessible arts programme.

The festival includes bilingual events in Irish and English along with actors and arts practitioners from the Ukrainian community in Athenry.

In addition, another €5,000 has been awarded to Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds, a music festival in Ballinasloe celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2023.

Minister Catherine Martin said, “Culture and arts add hugely to our lives and to our community and supporting the Festivals and Summer Schools around Ireland and locally is a crucial part of the work of my Department.”

“These projects make a very significant contribution to the development and promotion of Ireland’s cultural tourism offering, to the benefit of both the domestic and foreign tourist.”

“I wish the organisers every success; and I hope that the public will enjoy the wonderful programmes of events around the country over the coming months.”

In total €131,036 in funding was announced for 30 events to support Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools taking place around Ireland in 2023.

The scheme is designed to assist local cultural events which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events such as those supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies.

Eight Gardaí assigned to Northwestern Region from newly sworn in class

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July 28, 2023

galway daily news Further arrests made in connection with car park brawl

Eight new Gardaí have been assigned to the Northwestern Region based in Galway from the most recent graduating class this week.

On Friday morning, a total of 87 new officers were sworn in as members of An Garda Síochána.

These new members, of whom 77% are male and 23% female, bring the total number of sworn Gardaí to 13,949 officers.

These members of An Garda Síochána were the first members recruited as part of the 2022 recruitment campaign.

The new Gardaí commenced their Garda training in November 2022, and have undertaken a blend of on-line learning, on-site learning in the Garda College, and experiential learning in training Garda stations.

Speaking at today’s ceremony, Deputy Garda Commissioner Anne Marie McMahon said, “Policing and the needs of our communities have changed significantly over our long history and continue to change.”

“An Garda Síochána is changing too, responding to the needs of a diverse society. But our tradition of community policing remains as important as ever. What this means is proactively policing with communities.”

“This means upholding a victim centred community focused service, and respecting the human rights of all individuals regardless of circumstance.”

Deputy Commissioner McMahon further added, “You are here today having gone through a rigorous training programme because of your drive to keep people safe.”

“Your commitment to uphold law and order. Your dedication to public service. You are here today because you want to make a difference. This is the job of a Garda. And it’s a job worth doing.”

Of the newly sworn in Gardaí, 62 have been assigned to Dublin, 10 the the Eastern Region, 7 to the South, and 8 to the Northwest.

There are a further 289 recruits currently undergoing training at the Garda College, with another 175 due in the next intake starting on July 31.

As of the December 31, 2022, a total of 898 sworn Garda members have been reassigned to operational duties as a result of increase in Garda staff recruitment.

Deputy Commissioner McMahon concluded by saying, “As you depart the Garda College and prepare to go to your new stations, know you have already demonstrated your skill and ability to adapt and perform.”

“Have faith in your own capabilities. You have shown your commitment to providing a service to the people of Ireland.”

“I wish each of you every success in your career and look forward to working with you. I now formally congratulate you on becoming members of An Garda Síochána.”

€5,000 raised for UHG Comfort Fund in memory of former patient

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July 28, 2023

€5,000 raised for UHG Comfort Fund in memory of former patient — From left: Colin Canny, Tom Frain, Deirdre O’Halloran Clinical, Nurse Manager 2 Claddagh Ward; Debbie Belton, Clinical Nurse Manager 3 Cancer Services UHG and, David Henry.

University Hospital Galway recently received a €5,000 donation in memory of a former patient to help families of people attending hospital.

A generous donation of over €5,000 was recently presented to the Patient Comfort Fund, Claddagh ward at UHG in memory of the late Darragh Frain from Renmore.

The cheque was presented to the Patient Comfort Fund by Tomas Frain (brother of Darragh Frain) and friends Colin Canny and David Henry.

The funds were raised from friends and supporters of the annual GMIT v St James GAA memorial match and the inaugural Darragh Frain Memorial Ball in Galway.

This fundraising was undertaken by the group in appreciation of the care Darragh received while he was a patient in UHG.

Deirdre O’Halloran, Clinical Nurse Manager, Claddagh Ward expressed her gratitude and said, “We are delighted to receive this donation for the Patient Comfort Fund.”

“This donation will enable us to purchase sofa beds for patient rooms where family members will be able to stay over in the room with their loved ones.”

Man arrested over fatal crash that killed motorcyclist in his 70s in the west

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July 28, 2023

A man has been arrested and is due before court today over a fatal crash in the west of Ireland which occurred yesterday.

A man in his 70s was killed in a crash involving a motorcycle and a car in Co. Clare on Thursday morning.

The crash occurred on the N67 at Ballyvaughan at approximately 10:30am and the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man in his 40s was arrested as part of this investigation and detained at a Garda station in County Clare.

He has since been charged and was due before Ennis District Court on Friday morning.

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 at Ballyvaughan between 10am and 10:45am on Thursday 27th July 2023 are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kilrush Garda station on 0659080550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Gardaí seize €23,000 worth of drugs in Athenry

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July 27, 2023

Galway Daily news Gardaí seize €23,000 worth of drugs in Athenry

Gardaí seized approximately €23,000 worth of drugs during a search operation in Athenry this month.

On the evening of Sunday, July 17 Gardaí searched a residence with the assistance of the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit.

During the search they found cannabis with an estimated value of €23,100, along with cocaine valued at €1,200.

All of the drugs were seized by Gardaí to be sent for analysis by Forensic Science Ireland.

One man in his 20s was arrested at the scene of the search as a result of this operation.

Planning appeal over proposed 49 houses in Athenry

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July 27, 2023

Galway Daily news Green light for new apartment complex in Rahoon

An appeal has been lodged against the rejection of planning for a residential development of 49 houses in Athenry.

Laurem Construction is appealing to An Bord Pleanála for approval to build a housing estate in the townlands of Baunmore and Gortnahown, on the south-east edge of Athenry.

The county council refused planning for the housing estate on the grounds the this site is not zoned for development, and that its eastern portion is located in the vicinity of a recorded monument.

The decision also stated that the scale and layout of the houses in the estate, lacking sufficient public and private open space, would constitute and overdevelopment of the site, and set a bad precedent for future development.

An appeal against the council’s decision has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála, which is due to make a ruling on the case by November 20.

The appeal states that the land was dezoned for development in the new Draft Local Area Plan for Athenry, prior to an public consultation on this plan.

It also argues that when the planning application was submitted last April, the council was still considering the 2012 – 2022 LAP as its last ‘statement of intent’.

The appeal states that no construction work will take place within a 20m buffer zone of the perimeter of the recorded monument, and also disputed the council’s assertions concerning its scale, layout, and provision of open space.

The greenfield site for the planned estate is located between the R347 and L3112 roads.

The plans comprised 18 four-bed, semi-detached houses; 10 three-bed, bed semi-detached houses; 13 three-bed, terraced houses; 3 four-bed, detached houses; and 5 two-bed, terraced houses.

TG4 confirms live coverage of Galway Races this summer

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July 27, 2023

TG4 confirms live coverage of Galway Races this summer

Two days of racing from this year’s Galway Races Summer Festival will be broadcast live on TG4 on Friday & Saturday, August 4-5 the station has confirmed.

The live coverage on TG4 will include a packed race card with 16 races shown over the two days to a free-to-air audience.

The live broadcast from Ballybrit will be a welcome return to the racecourse for the Irish language broadcaster, after its successful coverage from the festival last year.

There was plenty of drama for viewers of the summer races last year, including Shark Hanlon’s ‘Hallowed Star’ winning the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle with Rachael Blackmore onboard in the driving rain.

Galway Races Chief Executive, Michael Moloney said, “We are delighted to have the team from TG4 back again with us here at Galway Racecourse on both the Friday and Saturday of our Summer Festival.”

“We look forward to welcoming our much-valued racegoers back to Ballybrit. The stage is now set. A warm welcome awaits.”

Rásaí Beo will be presented by Seán Bán Breathnach, with analysis by Mánus Ó Conghaile and Evelyn Ní Ghriallais.

Racing journalist Daragh Ó Conchúir will be getting all the reactions from trainers, owners and jockeys outside the parade ring and race commentary will be provided by Cárthach Bán Breathnach.

The team will be providing the TG4 audience with comprehensive coverage from the racecourse and no doubt there will be some craic agus spraoi to be had in Ballybrit as well.

Rásaí Beo is produced by Waterford based company Nemeton TV. The team in An Rinn Gaeltacht also produce Laochra Gael, Peil na mBan Beo and GAA Beo for TG4.

In the lead up to the TG4’s coverage, TG4 weather and continuity presenter Caitríona Ní Chualáin will be visiting the famous racecourse and giving TG4 Social Media audiences exclusive behind the scenes access to the craic and the style over the two days. Follow @TG4TV social channels.

TG4’s Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said, “TG4 would like to thank Galway Racecourse and Horse Racing Ireland for giving the station the opportunity to showcase this historic race meet to a free-to-air audience.”

“The Summer Festival is one of the highlights of the Galway social scene and TG4 is proud to be broadcasting all the races, news and social highlights from Ballybrit on Friday and Saturday.”

The full TG4 Galway Races schedule is as follows:

Friday, August 4

Live coverage begins on TG4 at 4.50pm

1st Race: 5.00pm The Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle

2nd Race: 5.30pm The James’s Gate Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden

3rd Race: 6.00pm The Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Steeplechase

4th Race: 6.35pm The Guinness Handicap

5th Race: 7.10pm The Guinness Irish EBF Fillies Maiden

6th Race: 7.40pm The Arthur Guinness Handicap

7th Race: 8.10pm The Rockshore Irish Lager Race

8th Race: 8.40pm The Hop House 13 Handicap

SATURDAY 5^th August
Live coverage begins on TG4 at 1.50pm

1st Race: 1.55pm The Boylesports Maiden Hurdle

2nd Race: 2.30pm The Boylesports Handicap Hurdle

3rd Race: 3.05pm The Boylesports Casino Irish EBF Maiden

4th Race: 3.40pm The Bathshack Maiden

5th Race: 4.15pm The Grá Chocolates Irish EBF Nursery Handicap

6th Race: 4.50pm The Ardilaun Hotel Handicap

7th Race: 5.25pm The McDonogh Capital Investments Handicap

8th Race: 5.55pm The BoyleSports Irish EBF Mares Flat Race

Galway’s residential vacancy rate stood at 6% in June

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July 27, 2023

Galway Daily news Homelessness in Galway spiked in late 2023

The residential vacancy rate in Galway was 6.0% in June 2023, which was higher than the national average of 3.9%.

This is according to the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report released this week.

However, Galway also has the third highest number of derelict properties in Ireland, accounting for 8.8% of the national total.

The report, prepared by EY, found that the national residential vacancy rate stood at 3.9% in June 2023, representing a decline of 0.3 percentage points from June 2022. This is the lowest residential vacancy rate recorded by this report to date.

Dublin was the county with the lowest residential vacancy rate in June 2023, at just 1.0%, with Kildare (1.2%), Waterford (2.3%), Meath (2.3%) and Louth (2.5%) all registering rates of 2.5% or lower.

The highest vacancy rates were reported in Connacht, with Leitrim (12.2%), Mayo (10.8%) and Roscommon (10.6%) the only counties with rates above 10.0%.

In Ireland, a total of 21,134 residential properties were classified as derelict in June 2023, representing a fall of 3.5% compared to June 2022.

The highest concentration of derelict properties was located on the west coast of the country, with Mayo registering 13.5% of national total, followed by Donegal (11.8%) and Galway (8.8%).

Residential Property Prices

The average residential property price in Galway was €316,591 in the twelve months to May 2023, lower than the national average of €366,291.

There were a total of 2,200 residential property transactions in Galway in the twelve months to May 2023, and 15.0% of these were new builds.

The highest average property prices were recorded in Dublin, at €538,168, followed by Wicklow (€470,779) and Kildare (€387,046) as the only other counties above the national average.

New Address Points and Buildings Under Construction

945 new residential address points were added to the GeoDirectory database in Galway in the twelve months to June 2023, while 1,026 residential buildings were under construction in Galway in June 2023.

Nationally, 22,842 residential buildings were under construction in June 2023, representing only a modest increase of 2.0% compared to the same period in 2022.

Dublin was the county with the highest proportion of residential buildings under construction at 17.2% of the national total, followed by Kildare (15.0%), Cork (10.7%) and Meath (6.7%).

Commenting on the report, Dara Keogh, Chief Executive of GeoDirectory said, “While the latest report highlights a decrease in the number of new address points recorded in the last year, we have seen increased utilisation of the housing stock and an increase in the pipeline of new housing stock under construction.”

The drop in output over the last 12 months may be due to material supply issues, inflationary pressure on the construction sector along with rising interest rates.”

“As a result, supply in the housing market remains tight, and demand is high, which has forced the national vacancy rate below 4.0% for the first time since GeoDirectory has started tracking residential vacancy rates.”

Unprecedented pressure on Jigsaw youth mental health services

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July 27, 2023

More than 900 people were referred to Jigsaw’s youth mental health services last year, as the charity is warning of unprecedented pressure.

A double-whammy of lack of funding and increasing demand is contributing to Ireland’s mental health support services being more stretched than ever before Jigsaw has warned.

At the launch of their latest annual report, Jigsaw have highlighted new data that reveals the growing demand for its support.

In 2022, Jigsaw’s community-based services offered their highest ever number of appointments to young people (36,360).

This is in response to a consistent rise in the number of referrals that has seen an almost 70% increase since 2017.

Eoghan MacDomhnaill, Service Manager at Jigsaw Galway and Roscommon, says, “What is clear from our data is that we are working to maximum capacity.”

“In 2022, across our Galway and Roscommon services we had 901 referrals and offered 4,120 appointments. Across Jigsaw’s services we are seeing an increase in demand, and as we seek to grow and offer more support our challenge is to keep up.”

“Worryingly, this is part of a wider trend reflected across Ireland’s mental health support services, and put simply, it is not sustainable”

“Jigsaw is concerned that, at a time when young people already face significant challenges to their mental health, growing pressure on mental health support services means that all too often young people are facing the additional anxiety of increasing wait times with limited support options.”

Dr Joseph Duffy, Chief Executive Officer at Jigsaw added, “If we are to respond to this growing demand, something has to give. The current levels of funding, received from the HSE and the public, are simply not enough to maintain existing levels of service, let alone support expansion into new areas or new locations.”

“Increased funding for youth mental services must be made available in Budget 2024. Without it, our services, already stretched and under-resourced, will become overwhelmed,”

“The past year has highlighted, once again, that mental health services and supports in Ireland are under significant pressure. A shortage of multi-annual funding for mental health is stifling ambition and the development of sustainable solutions that are needed now.”

“At Jigsaw, we are here to make sure that young people get the help and support they need and deserve.”

“So we are urging the government to prioritise investment now to provide the standard of mental health support that our communities and our young people deserve.”

Man dies in single vehicle crash in Roscommon

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July 26, 2023

A man in his 40s has died in Roscommon following a single vehicle collision in Roscommon this afternoon.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the fatal crash on the N5 at Cloonfree near Strokestown.

The man’s body has been removed to the mortuary at Roscommon University Hospital.

A technical examination of the scene was completed earlier Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and the road has since reopened.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision or who may have video footage to contact them.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Boyle Garda Station on 071 966 4620, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

26,000 people sign petition for greenway from Athenry to Collooney

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July 26, 2023

galway daily petition sligo athenry greenway

The Western Rail Trail campaign has submitted a petition with over 26,000 signatures to the Oireachtas Petitions Committee asking for a greenway from Athenry to Sligo until such time as the railway might be re-opened.

Brendan Quinn, spokesperson for the campaign, said that they felt the time was right to submit the petition to the Oireachtas for full consideration by Dáil members.

Of the 26,000 people who have signed the petition, the majority live in the West of Ireland, and Quinn said there is simply ‘huge support for this idea’ which needs to be listened to.

The government has now published intentions to potentially re-open the closed railway from Athenry to Claremorris in the strategic railway review.

Mr Quinn said that this is welcome news, but there is no timeframe on when this might happen in the review.

He said that in fact, the railway is unlikely to be re-opened for many years to come, as the the old rusting tracks are meaningless they will have to be ripped up and replaced.

“Until such time as the railway happens let’s use this route as a greenway to protect the alignment and when and if the railway is re-opened a parallel greenway could be built alongside it,” he said.

Quinn said that one good thing the rail review has done is to clarify that the closed railway north of Claremorris through Mayo and Sligo as far as Collooney is no longer planned to be a railway again at any time in the future.

“Now is the time to fully protect this route in public ownership with the East Mayo Greenway from Claremorris to Charlestown in county Mayo and the Sligo Greenway from Charlestown to Collooney in County Sligo.

“There are now no excuses left not to utilise this part of the route as Greenway now the strategic rail review has made it clear there are no plans to re-open this part of the railway.”

Man (50s) dies after being struck by lorry on M6

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July 26, 2023