Roadworks on the N83 to the north of Galway City will see traffic disruption until the end of May when they are expected to be completed.

Galway County Council is carrying out resurfacing works on the N83 between Two Mile Ditch and Claregalway.

The works are ongoing and are expected to continue until the end of May. The roadworks will be taking place at the following times in the week.

• Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 4:30pm
• Saturday: 8:00am – 1:00pm

A stop and go system will be in place to manage traffic during these times.

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes to avoid disruption.

Danish lifestyle brand Søstrene Grene will open its next store in Galway in the coming month, continuing its Ireland expansion.

The arrival brings its Scandinavian design-led collections and distinctive in-store concept to Ireland for the 5th time.

Shoppers in Galway will soon be able to explore Søstrene Grene’s world of homewares, kitchen essentials, craft supplies, soft furnishings and seasonal décor -thoughtfully curated to make it easy to add simple, stylish touches to everyday living.

The store is designed to offer a moment of calm and creativity, where the Danish concept of hygge is embedded throughout. Customers will be welcomed into a sensory retail environment where soft lighting, classical music and Søstrene Grene’s signature winding layout create a space for discovery and inspiration.

Mikkel Grene, Group CEO and Co-owner of Søstrene Grene, said, “We can’t wait to open our Søstrene Grene store in Galway and are looking forward to introducing our world to both residents and visitors.”

“The city has a creativity and warmth that resonates strongly with everything Søstrene Grene represents, making it even more exciting for us to become part of the area and share our love of simple, beautiful design with new customers.”

With over 400 stores across 17 markets, the global presence continues to grow alongside ambitious UK expansion plans, including reaching a total of 100 stores in the UK within the next couple of years.

Country Managers Norma Jacob and Richard Power, who operate Søstrene Grene stores across Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, are also looking forward to the opening of this new store.

Norma said, “It is very exciting to be continuing our expansion in Ireland. Galway is a city that truly celebrates creativity and individuality, which Søstrene Grene will only add too.”

“We’ve been so encouraged by the response from our current Irish customers and look forward to bringing Scandinavian charm to the area.”

Richard added, “We look forward to welcoming a new customer community to the brand and to building a lasting presence in the west of Ireland. Galway represents an important step in our continued expansion across Ireland.”

“The city has a strong and engaged consumer base and we are confident that Søstrene Grene’s design-led offer will resonate well here.”

‘PorterShed Spark’ at Dexcom Stadium will convene US ecosystem builders, European AI infrastructure leadership and Enterprise Ireland’s CEO for a curated, forward-looking programme focused on the next decade of technology, founders and innovation

Galway will host a national gathering of global technology leaders this April as PorterShed marks ten years of building an innovation ecosystem in the West with the launch of PorterShed Spark, an invite-only one-day summit at Dexcom Stadium on April 23.

Spark will bring together international venture capital, European AI infrastructure leadership and the head of Ireland’s state enterprise agency alongside founders, operators and policymakers for a future-focused conversation on what comes next for technology, entrepreneurship and innovation beyond capital cities.

A new independent socio-economic impact study by KPMG, assessing PorterShed’s contribution to the regional economy between 2016 and 2026, will be unveiled during the event.

Rather than marking its ten-year milestone with reflection alone, Spark has been designed as a forward-looking convening: a curated line-up of industry leaders sharing real-world experience, emerging trends and practical insight across infrastructure, AI capacity, investment, talent and global market access.

Mary Rodgers, CEO of PorterShed, said the intention is to bring together the people actively shaping what comes next.

“Spark is about bringing the right people into the room, founders, investors, infrastructure leaders and policymakers who are actively building.”

“The West has already shown it can produce globally relevant companies. Now it’s about ambition, connection and making sure the next decade is even stronger.”

The speaker line-up reflects that ambition.

Sean Blanchfield, CEO and Co-Founder of Jentic, previously co-founded Demonware, Phorest and PageFair. Demonware was acquired by Activision Blizzard and continues to power multiplayer infrastructure behind the global Call of Duty franchise, while PageFair was acquired in 2018. Blanchfield also serves on the Irish Government’s AI Advisory Council.

From the United States, Elaine Brennan, Executive Director of Global Strategic Partnerships at Northwell Health, brings experience from one of the largest healthcare systems in the US, spanning pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device innovation partnerships.

Albane Bruyas, Chief Operating Officer of Scaleway, represents Europe’s critical digital infrastructure layer. She oversees operations across 12 data centres and has led deployment of one of Europe’s largest AI cloud infrastructures, with 5,000 GPUs already active.

Also speaking is Jenny Melia, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, the state agency responsible for supporting Irish companies to grow and compete globally, bringing direct insight into how high-potential start-ups secure investment and international market access.

US venture capital perspective will come from Mike Krenn, Managing Director of Prebys Ventures, a $50 million evergreen fund investing exclusively in San Diego-based life sciences and technology companies, reinvesting returns back into the region in perpetuity to strengthen the local innovation economy.

The programme also includes Mark Little, founder of Storyful (acquired by News Corp) and Kinzen (acquired by Spotify), and former Vice President for Media at Twitter in Europe; Stuart Brydson, with more than 35 years’ experience across enterprise software leaders including Siebel Systems, Oracle and ServiceNow; Paul Hayes, Founder and Director of Beachhut PR and long-time advisor to Irish start-ups; and Rob O’Shaughnessy, known globally to more than 40,000 developers as Rob Shocks, an educator in the world of AI development.

Collectively, the speakers represent expertise across venture capital, state policy, AI infrastructure, healthcare innovation, enterprise software and founder-led companies operating internationally.

Alongside the main stage programme, companies from across the West of Ireland, from early-stage ventures to internationally active firms, will present on a dedicated demonstration stage, highlighting the pipeline of innovation emerging from the region.

The daytime programme concludes with a black-tie dinner recognising the founders, agencies and partners who have contributed to building the ecosystem over the past decade.

Attendance at Spark is strictly curated, with invitations extended to founders, investors, policymakers and corporate leaders actively shaping Ireland’s innovation landscape. A limited expression-of-interest process is open at portershed.com/spark.

Professional artists in Galway are being urged to apply for the Basic Income for the Arts (2026 – 2029), which has opened today.

With a budget of €18.27m secured by Minister O’Donovan in Budget 2026, 2,000 eligible artists will be selected to receive a payment of €325 per week, lasting for three years.

The Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) is for Professional Artists who can demonstrate an active creative practice which is predominantly based in Ireland.

Minister Patrick O’Donovan said, “I am pleased to be the Minister responsible for making the BIA permanent, and I encourage all professional artists to apply for the scheme.”

“This scheme is important for society in general, not just for artists. It has the potential to expand the arts sector and create more opportunities for citizens to engage in the arts.”

“It also recognises the contribution of artists to democracy and to how we see ourselves as a nation.”

Eligible artists will be able to apply for the scheme over the coming weeks and are encouraged to apply early.

Applications open from 1pm on Wedneday, April 15 and the scheme will remain open to applicants until May 12.

Applications will be assessed over the summer, with payment to selected artists beginning before the end of 2026.

Eligibility criteria and details of how the scheme will operate, including what proofs of practice are accepted, are outlined in the Guidelines.

Maria Fleming, chair of The National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) said, “With applications open for Basic Income for Artists the NCFA encourages all those eligible to apply.”

“We know from the pilot scheme the opportunity this presents to arts workers to support their artistic practice and advance within their profession.”

“Please ensure you allow yourself time to study the guidelines and to complete the application. The NCFA wish to thank all those who campaigned for BIA, in particular the artists from the pilot scheme for completing the surveys that provided the proof of concept.”

“A very special thank you to the control group of the pilot who showed the clear impact of the Basic Income”

Minister O’Donovan continued, This is a ground-breaking scheme for the arts, and places Ireland as a world-leader in how we support our artists and thereby our culture.”

“I encourage artists from every background and every corner of the country to apply for the Basic Income for the Arts from today, to ensure that every community can benefit from this scheme and that a broad range of artists are represented.”

Boston Scientific has announced that it will invest €75 million in its Galway campus to expand and modernise its research and development capabilities.

The medtech company’s development includes plans for purpose-built laboratories to enhance the ability of teams in Galway to design, develop and test next-generation medical technologies across a range of cardiovascular therapies.

The expanded capability will support priority programmes across structural heart, cardiovascular and endoscopy, as well as emerging areas such as heart failure and renal denervation technologies, underpinned by a strong regional talent base and STEM ecosystem.

“We are seeing strong momentum across our cardiovascular business, and this investment reflects the important role the Galway site plays in that progress,” said Lance Bates, Executive Vice President at Boston Scientific.

“The local team is delivering complex, highly collaborative work that is advancing meaningful innovation for patients.”

“The strength of the site, the talent in Ireland and the support of the Irish Government and IDA Ireland give us confidence to continue investing in our future growth.”

Boston Scientific has a long-established presence in Ireland spanning over 30 years, with over 7,000 employees across sites in Galway, Cork and Clonmel producing over 30 million devices each year for patients worldwide.

Medical devices exported from the Galway facility every year include drug-coated devices, vascular balloons and heart and oesophageal stents.

These products help treat patients with conditions including heart disease, vascular disease, oesophageal cancer and those at risk of stroke.

This development is supported by funding from the Irish government through IDA Ireland.

Rachel Shelly, Global Head of Life Sciences at IDA Ireland, stated, “Boston Scientific’s €75 million R&D investment in Galway reinforces Ireland’s leadership in medical technology innovation.”

“For more than 30 years, Boston Scientific has invested in advanced manufacturing and innovative technologies in Ireland, benefiting patients, communities and ecosystems locally and globally.”

“IDA Ireland looks forward to continued collaboration with Boston Scientific to advance MedTech excellence.”

Minister for Education and Youth and Galway TD Hildegarde Naughton said, “The decision by Boston Scientific to invest again in Galway shows real confidence in the talent and infrastructure available here.”

“The importance of R&D and innovation to Ireland’s economy cannot be overstated. It is achieved through a strong partnership between industry, Government and IDA Ireland and has acknowledged that Galway is now an internationally recognised MedTech hub.”

“This is due in no small part to the presence of Boston Scientific, one of the largest life sciences employers in the country, and I want to very much thank them for their continued investment.”

Planning approval has been granted for a massive expansion of Galway Harbour, which aims to increase the commercial potential of the Port.

The permitted extension of the Port of Galway will support the continued operation and expansion of core port activities.

The new port extension will also create future opportunities for the transformation and redevelopment of the inner harbour area.

The proposed development will include:-

• Quay walls, breakwaters and wave walls to create commercial quays and a deep water docking facility, extending southwards into Galway Bay
• Dredging to create a new approach channel to the commercial quays and deep water docking facility berths
• The reclamation of approx. 27 ha from the foreshore and seabed
• Construction of new oil and bitumen transfer pipelines, road improvements, rail link, harbour-related buildings and landscaped areas.

Galway City Council and Galway Harbour Company will now proceed, following a detailed review of An Coimisiún Pleanála’s decision, to the next phase of the project.

The next phase of the project will include detailed design, procurement, and financing, in line with the relevant national infrastructure guidelines and governance requirements.

The expansion of the commercial port area is one of two major redevelopment plans for the Galway Docklands.

Other plans for the inner harbour area aim to deliver 350 new affordable and social homes on land on New Dock Road and Lough Atalia Road.

The Aran Islands have become more connected to the mainland than ever, with high-speed fibre broadband now available on Inis Mór.

641 homes and businesses on the island can now access fibre broadband connections from the National Broadband Ireland network rollout.

Another 147 premises on Inis Meáin and 259 on Inis Oírr are on track to be connected to the NBI network later this year.

TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: “We are delighted to announce that Inis Mór has now been connected to the NBI network.”

“This means that people living on Inis Mór can access the same high-speed, reliable broadband connection as communities on the mainland.”

“The delivery of high-speed broadband to the islands is having a transformative impact on what are some of the most remote communities in the country, supporting local businesses, enabling remote working and learning, and helping people live on the islands year-round.”

“As we enter the final year of the National Broadband Plan rollout, we’re encouraging everyone in Galway to check their Eircode on nbi.ie and order now to secure high-speed fibre broadband for their home or business.”

The completion of works on Inis Mór means that 33,797 premises can now pre-order or order high-speed, reliable broadband across Galway, with 11,953 connections made to date.

Works have also been completed in rural areas surrounding Galway City, Gort, and Ballinasloe.

Galway Traveller Movement is holding a voter registration drive next week ahead of the Galway West by-election this May.

An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent electoral commission, is partnering up with the Galway Traveller Movement to hold an in-person voter information and registration drive.

The event will take place at the Foroige Youth Service Ballybane on Tuesday, April 14.

With the Galway West Bye-Election due to take place in May, Ireland’s independent electoral commission and Galway Traveller Movement will be bringing together members of the Traveller community with a focus on promoting voter registration and providing independent information on voting.

Lee Anna Ward, Primary Health Care Coordinator of the Galway Traveller Movement, is calling on all young Galway Travellers to use their right to vote as it is a way to participate actively in the democratic process.

There will be voter registration demonstrations on site, alongside a mock polling station complete with a booth and a ballot box to illustrate the voting process.

Water mains replacement works to improve the network in Spiddal are due to begin next week and continue into the summer.

Uisce Eireann is planning to replace approximately 355 metres of ageing water mains with new, modern pipes.

These upgrades are being carried out in response to high instances of bursts on the local network and to drive down high rates of leakage from the old pipework.

This work is due to begin next week and is expected to be completed by mid-summer.

Enda Mac Namara, Uisce Éireann Programme Manager, said that residents, business-owners and visitors to An Spidéal will all enjoy the benefits of these upgrade works.

These significant upgrades will provide a more reliable supply for our customers, while reducing the risk of operational disturbances on the network and helping us work toward our goal of reducing the volume of treated drinking water lost to underground leakage,” said Enda.

In order to carry out these mains upgrades safely, a local road closure will be required at Bothar Chuanna Thoir (the L-52013-0).

Traffic diversions will be in place for the duration of the road closure. However, local and emergency access will be maintained at all times.

Fundraiser and endurance athlete Basil Mac Leod has raised over €24,000 in support of Mental Health Ireland, following a series of extraordinary physical challenges designed to inspire resilience and raise awareness around mental health.

In 2025, Basil embarked on his first major challenge—running four marathons across four different counties in just five days.

Not one to stop there, he went on to complete an even more demanding feat: a 100km ultramarathon through the Sahara Desert.

This extreme endurance event required participants to carry all essential supplies, including food, water, sleeping equipment, and safety gear, across harsh desert terrain.

Basil chose to support Mental Health Ireland because of his strong belief that mental health challenges affect people of all ages.

Through his fundraising efforts, he aimed to send a powerful message—that no matter how difficult life may feel, challenges can be faced and overcome.

Basil’s efforts were strongly supported by his local community in Louisburgh, Mayo as well as his workplace, the Maldron Hotel Oranmore, which hosted a fundraising event that contributed over €2,000 to the total.

Mental Health Ireland has expressed its sincere gratitude to Basil for his dedication, determination, and outstanding achievement in raising such a significant amount.

Louise Connolly, Fundraising Officer for Mental Health Ireland, said, “We are extremely proud of Basil for taking on two extraordinary challenges in aid of Mental Health Ireland.”

“Through his efforts, Basil has helped raise awareness for mental health in his community, and we are grateful to him for all funds raised and to everyone who donated.”

“His generosity helps Mental Health Ireland to continue promoting mental health through our campaigns, literature, and programmes, working towards an Ireland where mental health is understood, valued, and supported as an essential part of everyone’s health.”

Street Feast returns this May to help neighbours across Galway connect. With more people looking for real moments of community, President Catherine Connolly, Patron of Street Feast, is encouraging households everywhere to get involved.

Neighbourhoods across the country are being invited to pull up a chair, share some food and say hello as Street Feast, Ireland’s national weekend of community lunches and gatherings, returns on Saturday and Sunday, May 23 & 24.

Now in its 16th year, the national weekend has grown into something simple but powerful; a chance for neighbours to come together in a way that makes everyday life feel a little warmer and more connected.

With more people looking for real moments of community, President Catherine Connolly, Patron of Street Feast, is encouraging households everywhere to get involved.

“As patron, I am delighted to support Street Feast, which brings neighbours together and strengthens communities through the simple act of sharing a meal.”

This year marks the beginning of a new chapter as Tesco Ireland steps in as Street Feast’s sponsor for the next three years.

With Tesco’s support, Street Feast is aiming high, with an ambition to grow participation from 962 neighbourhoods last year to 1,200 feasts in 2026, helping thousands more people come together across the country.

Last year, an estimated 88,000 people took part, a 24% rise in hosts, providing a clear sign of how strongly people value real-world connections.

New research from the Street Feast team shows:

• Participants are twice as likely to know their neighbours well after taking part in a Street Feast.
• 75% of hosts say their area feels friendlier afterwards.
• 43% met neighbours from different cultures or backgrounds for the first time.

These are the kinds of small, everyday interactions that make a difference. A simple shared table, a chat at the end of the street – these are the moments that help turn a place where you live into a place where you feel you belong.

Sam Bishop, CoFounder and CEO of Street Feast, said, “At its heart, Street Feast starts with a simple hello. Even as we stay connected online, many of us still don’t know who lives next door. Street Feast creates moments that spark real conversations and genuine connections that last long after the day itself.”

Hosting a Street Feast doesn’t require much more than a spot to gather and a willingness to bring people together. Anyone who registers at StreetFeast.ie will get a free party pack delivered to their door, stocked with bunting, posters, invitations and a DIY guide.

There’s also the option to collect a pack from one of 20 participating Tesco stores. These Tesco packs come with all the standard goodies, along with Tesco sample favourites for the table, street chalk and simple games to help break the ice.

The N6 Galway City Ring Road represents one of the “most important infrastructure projects ever undertaken” for the city, Mayor Mike Cubbard has said.

An Coimisiún Pleanála granted planning permission for the 18km bypass road on Thursday after years of delays.

The project first received planning approval in December 2021, but that was later quashed after a judicial review found that new environmental regulations had not been properly considered in the decision.

Mayor of Galway Cllr. Mkie Cubbard said that the fresh approval marks a significant milestone for the region.

“The Ring Road is one of the largest and most important infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Galway and will bring benefits not just for the city, but for the county and the wider west of Ireland,” he said.

Councillor Cubbard noted, however, that the project alone will not resolve Galway’s long-standing traffic issues.

He said that, alongside initiatives such as BusConnects, active travel investment and increased rail capacity, the Ring Road will play an important role in improving overall transport in the city.

“The Ring Road is not a silver bullet for our city’s traffic congestion issues,” he explained. “While this project will help to remove some traffic from the city and greatly improve connectivity between east Galway and Connemara, we must continue to introduce further measures to encourage a shift towards public transport.”

He added that improving bus and rail services is essential, warning that traffic congestion and limited public transport options are currently acting as barriers to business investment, retail activity and tourism.

Councillor Cubbard also stressed the importance of supporting those directly impacted by the development.

“It is essential that Galway City and County Councils, along with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, engage meaningfully with affected individuals and families, particularly those who may face the loss of property. Ensuring they are supported and assisted to relocate as smoothly as possible must be a priority,” he said.

He said he now hopes the project can proceed without further unnecessary delays and deliver long-term benefits for the region in terms of connectivity, transport efficiency and quality of life.

A status yellow weather warning will be in place for Galway this afternoon, with strong winds lasting into Friday night.

The wind warning has been issued by Met Éireann for counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo today.

From midday until 9pm tonight, the west coast will experience strong and gusty south to southeast winds.

People may experience difficult travelling conditions on Friday with a risk of fallen branches.

Cork, Kerry, and Waterford are also under a status yellow rain warning today until 9pm.

Back in Galway, temperatures will reach highs of 6 – 8 degrees today, dropping to lows of 2 – 4 degrees overnight.

Persistent rain will become widespread this morning, with some heavy and squally bursts possible, especially in the late afternoon and evening.

A public consultation is underway on plans to connect green spaces across Renmore, Ballyloughane Beach and Lough Atalia into a single community park.

The Renmore Neighbourhood Park Project has advanced to the preferred designs stage after review of community feedback taken in spring and autumn 2025.

Information Boards on the different concepts for the three areas can be found on the project website: Renmorepark.com.

Galway City Council and the Design Team would like to invite you to view the preferred designs and provide feedback via the short online survey.

This survey is available via the project website. The submission period closes on Sunday, May 10.

A drop-in public engagement event will also take place on Monday, April 20 from 3:30pm to 8pm at the Connacht Hotel.