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Connacht’s Shane Delahunt announces retirement

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Galway Daily sport Connacht's Shane Delahunt announces retirement

Connacht’s Shane Delahunt has announced that he is retiring from professional rugby at the end of the current season.

The 29 year old hooker released a statement thanking his family and the supports at Connacht who have back him over the past decade.

Delahunt first joined Connacht on a trial basis in the summer of 2014. He signed his first professional contract with the province two years later.

In his career with Connacht he has made a total of 125 appearances for the province.

Shane Delahunt released the following statement about his retirement:

“The last nine years at Connacht have been incredible for me and my family, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it. After being here so long there will be too many people to thank, but there are a few special people I’d like to say thank you to now.

Firstly, I’d like to thank Nigel Carolan and Jimmy Duffy for the opportunity they allowed me all those years ago. I’ll be forever grateful.

I’d also like to thank Dave Hanly and Barry O’Brien for the incredibly hard work they’ve put in with me over the last year to get me back from injury. 

Lastly, to my wife to be Laura, parents and brother along with my skills coach and great friend Jeff Carter. You have all been with me from the start and I’m hugely grateful for the sacrifices you have given, to allow me to chase what I love.

To all the fans and supporters of the province, you are incredible people and I thank you for all for your support over the years. It never wavered, no matter the conditions.

Unfortunately I’d love to be playing on with this brilliant group of lads and for this massive club but that’s not to be. That said, I want to wish the players and the people of Connacht every success in the years ahead.”

Tuam’s new X-ray facilities to be in use by December

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galway daily news new x-ray service in tuam galway

The long-awaited X-Ray facilities in Tuam are will begin installation by June this year and will be operational before the end of the year.

The HSE confirmed to Deputy Seán Canney that the ultrasound service was also increased to a five day a week service in January of this year and GPs can now directly access this service for their patients.

The National Primary Care has invested in staff, equipment, and capital funding for the development of diagnostic services at Tuam Primary Care Centre.

The ultrasound is currently delivered by two ultra sonographers, a healthcare assistance, and the service of administration staff support.

A radiographer has been recruited for the delivery of the X-Ray service.

Tuam Primary Care Diagnostic Service in being developed in conjunction with Portiuncula University Hospital Ballinasloe, Primary Care Community Healthcare West, and HSE Capital and Estates.

“I acknowledge the support given to me by Simon Harris TD, former Minister for Health, who allocated funding for these vital services in 2017,” said Deputy Canney.

“I urge the HSE to ensure that the much needed and much delayed X-Ray service is operational without any further delay.”

Galway weather: Sunshine to make way for rain over Easter

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Galway Daily news Weather warning for continued heavy rain in Galway

After a bright and mostly dry start to the Easter weekend today, Met Éireann has forecast more unsettled conditions with rain and drizzle expected on Easter Saturday and Sunday.

Today will remain bright across the West with decent spells of sunshine and high temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees.

Tonight will start dry and partly cloudy, but patches of drizzle are possible later in the night. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees are forecast in a light to moderate southeasterly breeze.

It will be mostly dry on Saturday in Galway, but it will become cloudier and breezier at times. Patches of light rain or drizzle are also possible, especially near the coast.

Highest temperatures will again be 12 to 15 degrees with a moderate to fresh southeasterly wind developing.

On Easter Sunday morning it will be cloudy across the West with outbreaks of rain and drizzle.

This will extend eastwards to the rest of the country through the day and the rain will turn heavier in the west and southwest.

It will be slightly cooler than previous days, with temperatures between 10 and 13 degrees in the afternoon with a moderate to fresh south to southeast wind.

Sunday night will see the cloud and rain clear eastwards, followed by clear spells and scattered showers.

Lowest temperatures will be 5 to 8 degrees in a light south to southwest wind.

On Easter Monday there will be widespread showers with some sunshine in between. Some of the showers will be heavy with hail and thunder possible.

Saw Doctors to play second Big Top gig due to phenomenal demand!

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galway daily news saw doctors gig tuam august 2023

The Saw Doctors will play a second concert at the Heineken Big Top at Galway International Arts Festival this summer due to phenomenal demand.   

The first concert sold out in record time, but GIAF and Róisín Dubh have announced that fans tickets will another have a chance to get tickets for the new date on July 29. 

Tickets for The Saw Doctors go on sale at 10am on Tuesday 11 April from giaf.ie and roisindubh.net

It is the third concert announced by the Saw Doctors in Galway for this summer, with the band set to in their hometown of Tuam a few weeks later on 19 August for the first time in three decades.

The Saw Doctors last performed at the GIAF in 2004 in a double-bill with The Undertones at the Warwick Hotel.

The band was discovered by Mike Scott of The Waterboys on a stormy Tuesday night in Galway in the 1980s, plying their trade with more gumption than virtuosity in the back room of The Quays Bar.

Scott offered them the support slot on The Waterboy’s Irish Tour to launch the ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ album in 1988 and they went on to support The Waterboys on their six-week tour of Great Britain in Spring 1989.

Their first single, N17, was written by the band’s singer Davy Carton and guitarist Leo Moran.

Their second release I Useta Lover entered the Irish single charts at No. 27, from where it slowly climbed, taking seven weeks to reach Number One and remaining on top for the following nine weeks.

Galway International Arts Festival acknowledged the support of its principal funding agencies the Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland; its Drinks Partner Heineken; and Education Partner University of Galway.

Salthill recognised with Purple Flag for vibrant nightlife

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Salthill has officially been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag accreditation for its evening and nighttime economy.

It is the first time that Salthill has received the award, and it joins Galway City which has retained its purple flag status, first awarded to the city in 2015. 

The Purple Flag aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm and 5am.

Purple Flag areas are spaces that provide diverse and well managed night scenes, with a range of entertainment and dining options including: pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants, cafés, live music venues, theatres, art, and even shopping. 

Salthill’s excellent choice of pubs and restaurants, the number of venues promoting alcohol-free socialising and activities, and a solid sense of community amongst the businesses there and through the Salthill Village Group were some of the highlights of the submission in the judges report. 

Judges’ positive feedback on Galway City’s submission included a co-ordinated approach to public policy development in Galway City, the new Night Time Economy Advisor role planned for 2023, the local live performance scheme which encouraged several concerts to take place in theatres and music venues, and the wide range of bars, restaurants, festivals and events throughout the Purple Flag area.

Galway Mayor Clodagh Higgins said that Purple Flag zones are places where the Council, Gardaí, local businesses, and communities have worked together to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe.

“I am delighted that Salthill will be joining Galway City in attaining this great award. It shows the great work being done in our local community to work together to make all users feel protected while enjoying the great local welcome,” she said.

Teenager gets community service for €43k cocaine stash

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Galway Daily courts Man charged in connection

A Galway teenager  after being caught by with more than €43,000 worth of cocaine following a Garda surveillance operation.

The 17 year old, who cannot be named as he is a minor, received a 120 community service order after appearing at Galway Circuit Court.

Sgt Eoin Fox told the court that the arrest and seizure came after an intelligence and surveillance operation at Dunlo Harbour in September 2021.

Intelligence led Gardaí to a disused yard at the harbour, where a stash of drugs was uncovered.

On September 19, shortly after 5pm, Gardaí saw a football come over the wall of the yard. The defendant climbed the wall and checked the area, before putting on a pair of latex gloves and making his way to the undergrowth.

There he removed a white lunchbox from the undergrowth and opened it, at which point he was arrested by Gardaí.

Inside the lunchbox were six bags of white powder, two big and four smaller, all of which were suspected to be cocaine.

The drugs were sent for analysis, and came back as 620.7 grams of cocaine, with a street value of €43,449.

Cocaine in a lunchbox seized at Dunlo, Ballinasloe in September 2021

The offence of Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act, possession of drugs for sale or supply where the value is €13,000 or greater, typically carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, but this does not apply when the offender is minor.

The accused had no previous convictions, and entered a plea of guilty at the first date before the Circuit Court.

The teenager, who was 16 at the time of the offence, claimed that some of his friends accumulated a drug debt of a few hundred euro. He took responsibility for this, and ended up embroiled in cocaine dealing, he said.

Barrister for the defence Bernard Madden SC, said that he couldn’t imagine a more unlikely drug mule. “But that’s no indicator these days,” he added.

Mr Madden said the report from the probation services was positive, and that his client wants to turn his life around.

He was involved with a negative peer group at the time, which involved drinking and cannabis, but has since left that behind.

The young man is involved in both GAA and Soccer, and wants to become a teacher, Mr Madden said.

Judge Brian O’Callaghan said that this was a “most serious” offence, and that with the drugs trade come “money and violence, including assaults and murder”.

In most cases, the judge said, an offence like this would result in someone going to prison.

He said that it was hard to understand how someone so young had found himself involved with such a huge quantity of drugs.

The early plea, his young age at the time, work ethic, and engagement with Youthreach were mitigating factors the judge said, as was the fact that he has clearly learned his lesson.

Aggravating the seriousness of the offence was the value and nature of the drugs involved, as well as participation in the drug trade.

Judge O’Callaghan imposed a Community Sanction Order, and ordered the teenager to perform 120 hours of community service.

Health officials warn of long hospital waiting times this Easter

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Galway Daily news People in Galway urged to know their healthcare options for Bank Holiday

Health officials in Galway are warning of very long waiting times expected at emergency departments over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

The Saolta Hospital Group has warned that the Easter break is typically a very busy time for hospitals and emergency services.

That means people who come to the emergency department for routine and non-urgent treatment will experience very long waiting times over the coming weekend.

At University Hospital Galway this morning there were 61 patients on trolleys, of whom 47 were in the ED. This shows the hospital is already extremely busy before the bank holiday weekend has started.

Tony Canavan, CEO of the Saolta Group said, “Our hospitals remain incredibly busy and I acknowledge that these delays are very difficult and unacceptable for patients and their families.”

“We are working closely with our community colleagues to ensure that every available resource is mobilised and utilised to respond to the needs of our patients who are seeking urgent and emergency care.”

Healthcare staff are working to discharge as many patients ready to go home as they can, so that beds will be available for new admissions.

Staff in hospitals and community settings are also working to ensure that all available beds across hospitals and community facilities are in use.

People are being asked to consider options for non-emergency care such as Injury Units, Out of Hours GP and pharmacies before attending an ED.

Breda Crehan-Roche, Chief Officer of Community Healthcare West added, “If you urgently need to see a GP out of hours, please contact Westdoc on 0818 360 000.”

“Westdoc provides urgent out-of-hours GP care for patients of participating practices in Galway, Mayo & Roscommon. The GP out-of-hours service is for patients needing urgent medical care.”

“It is not a substitute for the Emergency Ambulance Service who are the appropriate service to deal with medical emergencies where they arise.”

The Roscommon Injury Unit treats injuries that are not life-threatening, such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains, wounds, scalds and minor burns.

As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised.

Dr Regina Kiernan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine for Public Health Area F added that respiratory illnesses are continuing to circulate in the community, driving up hospital attendance.

“Those who are seriously ill and require emergency care should of course come to hospital, but we would urge others to consider seeking support from pharmacists, GPs, GP Out of Hours Services and Minor Injury Units.”

“We want everyone to keep well while protecting the most vulnerable parts of our population,” Dr Kiernan said.

Galway’s Vaping Enthusiasts Get Together to Promote Device Safety and Education

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Galway’s vaping enthusiasts decided to take a stand for safety! As the quote goes, “prevention is better than cure” which is why Galway’s Vaping Community is holding meetings to promote awareness about the importance of using vaping devices safely and responsibly. One member had the following to say, “We want to make sure people understand the potential risks associated with vaping and how to avoid them.” Needless to say, it’s an inspiring and noble goal; with the continuous rise in popularity of these devices it’s essential that those who use them take responsibility for their safety and learn more about proper usage.
Researchers are in favor of vaping 
If you think about it, it’s often overlooked that smoking can be one of the most significant risk factors for chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. By the time someone quits smoking they may already be at an increased risk of developing these conditions. But with resources available in Galway vapers are able to access education on how to reduce their risks associated with smoking by switching to an alternative form of nicotine delivery such as e-cigarettes or vape pens.
To everyone’s surprise, there is evidence to suggest that switching from smoking combustible cigarettes to vaping can improve cardiovascular health by reducing exposure to toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Needless to say, this could lead to improved quality of life for many individuals who are considering making the switch from traditional cigarettes but don’t know where or how to begin.
More than one benefit
As you can imagine it would be beneficial for people to consider making the switch from cigarettes considering all aspects such as cost and convenience when selecting an alternative form of nicotine delivery system. It might make you wonder what products are available on the market? Well, believe it or not there are a variety of products, like juul pods available which offer different levels of nicotine strength so users can select their preferred type for a more personalised experience when using e-cigarettes or vape pens.
What’s often overlooked by many is that there are also different flavors available so users in Galway can find something they enjoy while still receiving their desired dose of nicotine without inhaling any smoke containing harmful toxins found in traditional combustible cigarettes. In a very short amount of time Galway has become a hub for safe and responsible use when it comes to vaping practices – potentially ameliorating negative attitudes towards this activity before they could become widespread throughout Ireland and abroad!
Created a positive change 
With some planning involved these individuals have created widespread positive change within Ireland regarding attitudes towards vaping practices – which could take some time for other countries around the world who don’t yet have such initiatives! There’s no doubt that without this movement galvanising support throughout Galway we wouldn’t see nearly as many people considering making the switch from cigarette smoking – ultimately leading them down a path towards better health outcomes!
Who would have thought that one small group could make such an impact? But if you think about it logically; if even just one person switches from cigarette smoking over traditional combustible cigarettes via vaping then we’ve achieved something monumental here!  A pleasant surprise indeed!
Ultimately, through collective efforts made by members within Galway’s Vaping Community we’re seeing increased safety standards placed upon those choosing this lifestyle – providing them with more information than ever before on how best utilise their devices safely and responsibly.

Eviction ban in the spotlight at virtual townhall meeting

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Galway Daily news Eviction ban in the spotlight at virtual townhall meeting

A virtual townhall meeting to address the housing crisis and the impact of the end of the eviction ban in Galway West will be held next week.

The townhall meeting is being organised by Uplift, a grassroots social campaigning group, with the support of Féile Housing, a community based arts collective.

The virtual meeting will take place on Thursday, April 13 at 7pm, giving a chance for people in Galway to share firsthand experiences of how the housing crisis, and coming evictions, have impacted them.

Uplift have said that it is also meant to give the public a chance to put questions to their local TDs who are attending.

Director of Uplift, Siobhán O’Donohue said, “The government has made a political decision to lift the no-fault eviction ban at a time when nearly 12,000 people are homeless in the State – including 3,431 children.”

“It is only right that local residents should be able to put questions to their elected representatives, including the most fundamental – ‘where am I to go?’”

Among the other speakers at the event will be Prof Roy Kearns, a housing expert.

Galway residents can register to attend the meeting at this link before the meeting begins.

The government made the decision last month to let the temporary eviction ban come to an end on April 1.

There have been concerns that a tidal wave of evictions will be coming in the months ahead, as figures from the Residential Tenancies Board show that 4,300 notices to quit were issued in the just the final three months of last year.

Even among government party ranks, the decision has not been unilaterally supported, with Fianna Fáil City Councillor Alan Cheevers breaking party ranks to call for the eviction ban to be extended until September.

Cllr Cheevers said that he, “can’t support a policy of ending the eviction ban at present until the programme of measures and supports proposed by government are fully operational.”

He expressed concerns about the fact that there is presently very little emergency accommodation available to the city council, and people are concerned about becoming homeless.

“Over the last few weeks many of my constituents who are on notice to quit, have contacted me. Many of these people do not know whether they will have a roof over their heads in the coming weeks.”

The decision has also resulted in a bizarre saga playing out in the national media as Fr Peter McVerry said that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar overruled the Housing Minister to have the ban ended, only to withdraw that accusation this week.

Four Galway players named for Irish U18 Women’s Six Nations squad

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Galway Daily sport Four Galway players named for Irish U18 Women’s Six Nations squad
Under 18 Women's Interprovincial, IRFU High Performance Centre, Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin 12/2/2023 Munster U18 vs Connacht U18 Connacht huddle during the game Photo: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Four Galway players have been named to the Irish U18 Women’s Six Nations Squad out of ten total drawn from Connacht.

The U18 Women’s Six Nations Festival will take place at Wellington College in England from April 7 – 15, with each team playing five games total.

The Irish Squad features 10 Connacht players, Poppy Garvey, Beibhinn Gleeson, Roisin Maher, Sarah McCormick, Ellen O’Toole, Ailish Quinn, Molly Boote, Hannah Clarke, Emily Foley and Grainne Moran.

Molly Boote (Connacht/Oughterard/Tuam RFC), is one of six returning players who competed in the inaugural U18 Six Nations last year.

Head coach Larissa Muldoon has been leading the players in a series of camps at the IRFU High Performance Centre on the Sports Ireland campus this month.

The 28 player squad she has chosen from among their ranks is now ready to take the field this weekend.

The first two matchdays, on Friday, April 7 & Tuesday, April 11 will see the teams play two 35 minutes games one each day.

That will be followed by a full 70 minute fixture to close out the competition on the final matchday of Saturday, April 15.

The Irish side will start the competition competing against France, with kick-off at 3pm tomorrow, and finish with a full game against Wales.

Ballinasloe native and Irish International Aoibheann Reilly will be assisting Muldoon as an additional coaching resource for the Six Nations competition.

All of the games will be live streamed by Six Nations through their YouTube channel.

IRELAND U18 WOMEN’S SQUAD – 2023 WOMEN’S U18 SIX NATIONS FESTIVAL

Forwards (15)
Grainne Burke (Munster/Ennis RFC)
Kelly Burke (Leinster/Mullingar RFC)
Beth Buttimer (Munster/Fethard RFC)*
Lily Byrne (Leinster/Skerries RFC)
Poppy Garvey (Connacht/Sligo RFC)
Beibhinn Gleeson (Connacht/Oughterard/Tuam RFC)
Roisin Maher (Connacht/Creggs RFC)
Lilly Morris (Munster/Killarney RFC)
Sarah McCormick (Connacht/Ballina RFC)*
Alma Obehi Atagamen (Leinster/Balbriggan RFC)
Ellen O’Toole (Connacht/Wesport RFC)
Ruby Starrett (Ulster/Larne RFC)
Ailish Quinn (Connacht/Ballina RFC)
Orla Wafer (Leinster/Enniscorthy RFC)*
Saskia Wycherly (Munster/Bantry Bay RFC)

Backs (13)
Molly Boote (Connacht/Connemara RFC)*
Emma Brogan (Leinster/Navan RFC)
Lyndsey Clarke (Munster/Ennis RFC)
Hannah Clarke (Connacht/Oughterard/Tuam RFC)
Katie Corrigan (Leinster/Tullow RFC)*
Emily Foley (Connacht/Ballina RFC)
Caitriona Finn (Munster/UL Bohemians/Ballina-Killaloe RFC)
May Goulding (IQ Rugby/Hartpury)
Abby Healy (Leinster/Wicklow RFC)
Lucia Linn (IQ Rugby/Loughborough University)
Grainne Moran (Connacht/Ballina RFC)
Niamh Murphy (Leinster/Cill Dara RFC)
Robyn O’Connor (Leinster/Wexford Wanderers RFC)*

*capped at U18 level

Match Day 1: Friday 7th April, 2023
France v IRELAND                       KO 3.00pm
IRELAND v Italy                           KO 5.00pm

Match Day 2: Tuesday 11th April, 2023
Scotland v IRELAND                    KO 10.00am
IRELAND v England                    KO 11.00am

Match Day 3: Saturday 15th April, 2023
IRELAND v Wales                        KO 2.15pm

The Connacht Hotel wins Sustainability Award at Irish Restaurant Awards

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Galway Daily business The Connacht Hotel wins Sustainability Award at Irish Restaurant Awards

Galway’s Connacht Hotel celebrated taking home the Best Sustainable Practices award for Galway at the Irish Restaurant Awards.

The Connacht Hotel was one of the many county winners announced at the recent regional finals for the prestigious national awards, sometimes known as the Food Oscars for Ireland.

Galway was represented by a slew of winners at the Connacht Regionals of the Irish Restaurant Awards, and The Connacht Hotel was recognised for their forward-thinking sustainability practices.

The Connacht Hospitality Group’s flagship hotel has taken their green-friendly approach very seriously over the years.

“It’s great to be recognised by The Irish Restaurant Awards for our sustainability objectives and achievements, so a thank you to them for this award,” said Natasha Chuyeva, Hotel Manager and leader of its Green Team.

“We all know how important it is that we take sustainable decisions every day, and we’ve done our best to implement real change.”

“For our EV chargers and Hometree collaborations, we’ve thought big and made impactful, measurable changes.”

“But we’ve also looked at the minute details, from re-using coffee grounds as fertilizer for our gardens to encouraging green-friendly meeting room etiquette.”

“Making a change, whether big or small, is so crucial – and we’re delighted to be playing our part for a greener, healthier future,” Natasha added.

All of the county winners announced for the Irish Restaurant Awards will now go head to head for the Regional and All-Ireland titles, the winners of which will be announced on May 15.

Among the sustainability initiatives undertaken by the Connacht Hotel’s Green Team in recent years has been their partnership with the environmental charity Hometree.

Hometree aims to conserve and reverse damage to Ireland’s biodiversity and forest cover by tree planting and other projects to will preserve native woodlands.

This partnership has saw the hotel raise some €6,000 for the regeneration of Ireland’s native Oceanic rainforest in Connemara.

The newly renovated hotel has taken significant measures to reduce its carbon emissions over the last few years by reducing energy consumption, preserving scarce water resources and minimising waste production.

The green team actively protect and promote local biodiversity, buy locally where possible and encourage visitors to use local “green” businesses and services.

The Connacht Hospitality Group

The Connacht Hospitality Group is the group behind popular hotels like The Connacht Hotel, Residence Hotel, and HYDE Hotel, while they also own An Púcán, 1520, and HYDE Bar. The family-owned Group is run by the Fitzgerald family and company Director John Carmody, together with their great leadership team.

INMO seriously worried about post-Easter trolley surge

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Urgent steps need to be taken to avoid a surge in hospital overcrowding ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is calling on the HSE to take action this weekend in order to alleviate pressure next week.

This comes after a meeting the INMO had with senior management last week to discuss the Bank Holiday weekend.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said, “Our members are concerned at the very high levels of overcrowding leading into the Easter period.”

At University Hospital Galway today, there are 61 patients on trolleys, the third highest level in the country, and close behind the 62 at Cork UH.

Phíl Ní Sheaghdha added that the INMO have, “set out the necessary immediate steps that must be taken to alleviate pressure across hospital sites.”

“We know that after every bank holiday there is a predictable surge in the number of people on trolleys.

“Therefore, all efforts to increase discharges, including over the long weekend period must be undertaken.”

Additional hospital capacity should be obtained from the private sector for the weekend, the INMO has advised, and “alternative care pathways” in the community must be brought into use.

Mixed bag for Easter weekend weather as sunny start gives way to rain

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Galway Daily weather Mixed bag for Easter weekend weather as sunny start gives way to rain

A mixed bag of weather for Galway this Easter, with a promising start to the weekend on Goof Friday, but with wind and rain to follow.

The weekend will start off quite chilly, as low temperatures overnight on Thursday/Friday will see a nippy start, dropping to 0 degrees in parts of Galway tonight, but picking up tomorrow.

“Good Friday will the best day countrywide this Easter. It will be dry and bright for most of the country, with just the chance of light isolated showers,” says Met Eireann forecaster Linda Hughes.

In Galway, the day will be partly cloudy but dry, with sunshine breaking through as well in the afternoon, including some clear, bright spells.

After a chilly start to the morning on Good Friday, temperatures will reach highs of 10 – 12 degrees later in the day, with moderate southeasterly winds.

“A lot of dry weather too, in the east over the Easter weekend, however it will be overall quite cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain and some heavy rain moving in at times from the Atlantic,” continues Linda.

“Southerly winds will be mostly light on Saturday, but will freshen during Easter Sunday will be a fresh, blustery day”.

Saturday will take a turn for the worse, with rain showers possible throughout much of the day, strongest and more persistent in coastal areas.

Light to moderate southeasterly winds also forecast, again strongest in coastal areas, with highest temperatures of 9 – 10 degrees.

Easter Sunday will also be a blustery day, with winds reaching near gale strength on the Atlantic coast, and heavy rain showers also expected.

Easter Monday will be a bright, breezy day with sunny spells and passing showers, and winds turning quite blustery at times in places.

Boil Water Notice lifted after more than five months in place

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Galway Daily news Boil Water Notice lifted after more than five months in place

The Boil Water Notice for homes in Ros a Mhíl has been lifted this week after more than five months in place.

Uisce Eireann issued the BWN for some 250 homes supplied by the Rossaveal Reservoir at the end of last October.

It was lifted with immediate effect on Wednesday evening after consultation with the HSE.

All consumers on the Spiddal Public Water Supply served by Rossaveal Reservoir can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.

The notice was first issued due to low levels of chlorine and detections of Coliform bacteria in this part of the supply network.

Uisce Éireann Operations Lead, Eoin Hughes said: “Uisce Éireann wishes to thank the people of Rossaveal for their patience, co-operation and assistance during this Boil Water Notice.”

“We are grateful to the media, elected representatives and also members of the public who shared updates.”

Sport is the best way for crypto companies to promote themselves

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Cryptocurrencies have been gaining significant popularity over the past few years, with more and more people investing in them and using them for transactions. This has led to the emergence of many cryptocurrency companies, each competing for market share in a rapidly growing industry.

At the same time, sports have long been a popular form of entertainment, with billions of people around the world following their favorite teams and athletes. The sports industry has also been a powerful tool for advertising and marketing, with many companies leveraging sports to promote their products and services to a wider audience.

In this context, the idea of using sports as a marketing tool for cryptocurrency companies is an intriguing one. By associating themselves with sports, these companies can tap into a massive audience and potentially reach new customers who may not have been exposed to their products before. Additionally, sports offer unique opportunities for targeted marketing, as different sports and teams have distinct fan bases that may be more likely to be interested in cryptocurrencies than others.

Overall, the combination of the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies and the widespread appeal of sports makes for a compelling case for cryptocurrency companies to explore the potential benefits of promoting themselves through sports.

Benefits of Sports for Cryptocurrency Companies

High visibility and audience engagement:

Sports events and teams attract a large and diverse audience, both in person and through media coverage. This provides cryptocurrency companies with a unique opportunity to gain high visibility and exposure to potential customers. For example, advertising on stadium billboards, sponsoring team jerseys, or partnering with sports broadcasters for ad spots can all help to increase brand recognition and attract new customers.

Targeted marketing opportunities:

Sports also offer cryptocurrency companies the chance to engage with targeted demographics that may be more likely to be interested in cryptocurrencies. For example, a cryptocurrency company might sponsor a team or event that is popular among young people or tech enthusiasts, who may be more open to adopting new technologies like cryptocurrencies. This can lead to more effective marketing campaigns and a higher conversion rate for the company.

Association with positive values and emotions:

Sports are often associated with positive values and emotions, such as teamwork, dedication, and passion. By partnering with sports teams or events, cryptocurrency companies can benefit from this positive association, positioning themselves as innovative and passionate brands that are at the forefront of technological progress. This can help to create a positive image for the company and foster a sense of trust and credibility among customers.

Overall, the benefits of sports for cryptocurrency companies are numerous and diverse. From high visibility and targeted marketing opportunities to positive association with values and emotions, sports provide a unique and powerful platform for cryptocurrency companies to promote their products and services to a wider audience.

Cryptocurrency and Sports Betting

Cryptocurrency has also made significant inroads into the world of sports betting. Crypto casinos, more specifically the best Bitcoin casinos, have become increasingly popular among sports bettors due to the numerous benefits they offer. These include:

Greater security and privacy:

One of the main advantages of using cryptocurrency for sports betting is the increased security and privacy it provides. Transactions are typically encrypted and anonymized, making it much harder for hackers or third parties to access sensitive information or manipulate the outcome of bets.

Faster transactions and lower fees:

Using cryptocurrency also allows for faster and cheaper transactions compared to traditional payment methods, which can take several days to process and often incur high fees.

Increased accessibility:

By removing the need for a centralized intermediary, cryptocurrency-based sports betting can be accessed by users from anywhere in the world, regardless of their location or the restrictions imposed by local laws.

In addition to these benefits, there is also potential for crypto casinos to sponsor sports teams and events. For example, a crypto casino might sponsor a major sports event, such as the Super Bowl or the World Cup, offering exclusive promotions and bonuses to fans and bettors. This can help to increase brand awareness and attract new customers, while also creating a positive association between the company and the world of sports.

Overall, the use of cryptocurrency in sports betting offers numerous advantages for both bettors and crypto casinos alike. As the popularity of cryptocurrency continues to grow, we can expect to see more and more companies exploring the potential benefits of sponsoring sports teams and events in the future.

Cryptocurrency Sponsorship in Sports

Cryptocurrency companies have already begun exploring the potential benefits of sponsoring sports teams and events. Here are some examples:

Southampton FC and Coingaming:

In 2020, English Premier League football club Southampton FC announced a partnership with Coingaming, one of the leading crypto gaming operators. The deal included the placement of the Coingaming logo on the front of the team’s jersey, as well as access to exclusive VIP experiences for fans and promotions for bettors.

Bitmain and NBA Houston Rockets:

In 2018, Bitmain, one of the largest cryptocurrency mining companies, partnered with the NBA’s Houston Rockets to sponsor the team’s home games. The deal included branding on the court and digital signage, as well as access to VIP experiences and social media promotion.

Binance and Formula 1:

In 2021, Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, announced a sponsorship deal with the Formula 1 team Aston Martin Cognizant. The deal includes branding on the team’s cars and uniforms, as well as access to exclusive events and experiences for fans.

Advantages of sponsorship for both parties:

The advantages of cryptocurrency sponsorship in sports are numerous. For cryptocurrency companies, sponsoring sports teams and events can help to increase brand recognition and reach new customers. It can also provide opportunities for targeted marketing to specific demographics, as well as create positive associations with values and emotions associated with sports.

For sports teams and events, cryptocurrency sponsorship can provide much-needed revenue and exposure, helping to fund team operations and improve fan experiences. It can also create a positive image for the team or event, positioning them as innovative and forward-thinking organizations that are at the forefront of technological progress.

By sponsoring sports teams and events, cryptocurrency companies can also help to improve public perception of cryptocurrencies. By associating themselves with popular and respected sports teams and events, they can create a sense of legitimacy and trust in the eyes of the public. This can help to dispel some of the negative stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding cryptocurrencies, which may be preventing some people from adopting them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sports offer a unique and powerful platform for cryptocurrency companies to promote themselves to a wider audience. By associating themselves with popular and respected sports teams and events, they can tap into a massive audience and potentially reach new customers who may not have been exposed to their products before.

The advantages of sports for cryptocurrency companies include high visibility and audience engagement, targeted marketing opportunities, and positive associations with values and emotions. In addition, there is also potential for crypto casinos to sponsor sports teams and events, offering exclusive promotions and bonuses to fans and bettors.

Looking ahead, the potential for crypto companies to expand their presence in the sports industry is vast. As cryptocurrencies continue to gain in popularity and more sports teams and events seek new revenue streams and opportunities for engagement, we can expect to see more and more cryptocurrency companies exploring the potential benefits of sponsoring sports. This can help to create new and exciting partnerships that benefit both the companies and the sports teams and events they partner with, while also improving public perception of cryptocurrencies as a legitimate and innovative technology.

Top cancer treatment centers worldwide

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Galway Daily news NUI Galway study finds new approach to tackling colon cancer

Cancer treatment is not equally effective in different countries. Somewhere, the diagnosis of cancer is akin to a sentence, while in developed countries, this disease can be cured in the early stages and controlled for a very long time in the advanced stages. You can opt to undergo your cancer diagnostics and treatment abroad if you want to get good results. You are welcome to visit the Booking Health website, where you will find top cancer hospitals, see prices, and choose a program at the best cost.

What cancer treatment methods are used at the best hospitals?

The world’s leading oncology hospitals perform surgeries, carry out radiation therapy, and use chemotherapy to treat cancer. It seems that patients are offered everything that is available at hospitals in countries with a low level of medicine. But in fact, everything is different in developed countries.

Surgical procedures here are becoming more sparing and less traumatic for patients. Doctors use laparoscopic, thoracoscopic, and robot-assisted cancer surgery. Whenever possible, a partial, rather than complete, removal of the organ affected by the tumor is performed in order to maintain a high quality of life for the patient after the operation. Doctors have learned to restore some organs after their removal. For example, they can create a bladder from the intestines or implant a laryngeal voice prosthesis into the esophagus so that a person can talk.

Radiation therapy at advanced cancer treatment centers is safer. Irradiation is carried out very precisely, with a minimum dose of radiation for healthy tissues, which allows patients to avoid post-radiation complications. By increasing the accuracy, it has become possible to increase the dose of radiation, so in some cases, patients can complete the entire course of radiation therapy in a few days instead of one and a half months.

Chemotherapy abroad is complemented by personalized cancer treatment with immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Treatment is prescribed based on the results of molecular genetic diagnostics, depending on the mutations detected in cancer cells. Targeted therapy is less toxic than conventional cytostatic chemotherapy and often more effective. A well-chosen regimen of drug treatment helps to control cancer for years.

Advanced cancer therapies abroad

In addition to the conventional “three pillars” of oncology, which are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, other advanced techniques are also used in developed countries. Here are a few examples:

Embolization. Doctors perform the procedure from inside the blood vessels to block off the arteries that feed the tumor. They are plugged with tiny beads that contain chemotherapy drugs (chemoembolization) or radioactive substances (radioembolization). As a result, cancer cells die because they do not receive blood and are damaged by drugs.

Ablation. This therapeutic procedure involves the destruction of a small tumor by inserting a needle into it. No more incisions are needed, just a puncture in the skin. The needle is inserted into the center of the tumor, and the tissue is heated. Ablation is carried out using different energies. Most often, physicians use radio frequency or microwave energy. The technique is effective for kidney, lung, pancreatic, and liver cancer.

High-intensity focused ultrasound. This treatment approach helps destroy tissue with non-invasive techniques. With this method, doctors do not even need to insert a needle. High-intensity ultrasound can cure certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer. In some clinics in Germany, it is often used to destroy liver metastases.

Proton therapy. This is an irradiation option using protons instead of photons. They almost do not emit radiation when passing through tissues on the way to the target. They therefore allow irradiation to be carried out more safely. Proton therapy can be used for brain neoplasms, head and neck tumors, and in pediatric oncology.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion. After removing the tumor and metastases in the abdominal cavity, doctors rinse the abdominal cavity with a heated solution of chemotherapy drugs for one and a half hours to destroy the remaining cancer cells.

Radiotargeted therapy. Doctors inject a radiopharmaceutical consisting of a ligand and a radionuclide into the patient’s body. The ligands target a molecular target that is present in cancer cells but absent in healthy tissues. They bring a radionuclide into the tumor, which affects cancer cells with radiation. As a result, the radiopharmaceutical destroys tumor foci throughout the body, almost without damaging healthy tissues.

All these and many other techniques are used by the best cancer doctors abroad. You are welcome to use the Booking Health service to choose the most suitable hospital for cancer care and schedule your treatment appointment for your preferred dates. The best cancer specialists will take care of your health, and the Booking Health employees will take care of organizing your trip.

Housing for the elderly in Galway City residential development plans

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Galway Daily news Planning approval for assisted living residential development in Galway City

A planning application has been made for a residential development in Galway City to provide assisted living housing for the elderly.

Sweetbay Ltd is seeking approval from the city council for a four storey over undercroft assisted living apartment building at Tornóg on the Headford Road.

The apartment building would have a total of 45 units, comprising 13 one-bed apartments, and 32 two-bed apartments.

“The proposed accommodation aims to provide and extend the period of independent living, and should not be considered similar to a nursing home typology,” a design statement for the application states.

“This is achieved through the provision of specifically design residential units, communal accommodation which is intended to generate a strong community and a programme of adjunct support facilities”.

The development also includes 23 car parking spaces, including age friendly and disability spaces, along with a set-down/drop-off point for minibuses or ambulances.

Communal open space will be provided through a central courtyard and a south facing terrace.

The plans also include 105 bicycle spaces, the majority of which will be located in internal storage sheds.

A previous planning application for this development submitted by Sweetbay in November 2022 was declared invalid by the council due to a lack of information on how the developer intended to comply with Part V planning requirements for social housing.

It is now proposed that 10% of the units in the assisted living complex will be sold to an approved housing body at a discounted cost.

A decision on this planning application is due from Galway City Council by May 10 of this year.

The best of the best in Galway on display for 2023 Food Oscars

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Galway Daily life & style The best of the best in Galway on display for 2023 Food Oscars

The best and brightest of the hospitality industry in Galway’s bars, hotels, and restaurants have been selected for the 2023 Irish Restaurant Awards.

The Connacht Regional Final of the 2023 Restaurant Awards, often called the Food Oscars here in Ireland, took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sligo.

Over 600 restaurant and hospitality business owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the Awards Event, which saw many well-known restaurateurs of Connacht turn out to see if they had won one of the prestigious awards.

Kai restaurant in Galway City was once again selected as the Best Restaurant in Galway, with their award winning Jess Murphy also being named the Best Chef.

The Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant in Galway is Renvyle House in Connemara, and the Best Gastro Pub is The Kings Head in Galway City.

The Connacht Hotel claimed the top spot in the Sustainable Practices category, while Best Customer Service went to the Park House Hotel.

The overall Pub of the Year in Galway is Broderick’s Bar, the Best Café is Pota in Baile na hAbhann, and the Best Casual Dining experience is at Hooked in Galway City.

The Best Newcomer award went to Blackrock Cottage in Salthill, and Wa Sushi by the docks in Galway City claimed Best World Cuisine, and Greens and Co vegan restaurant took the Best Free From category.

Sheridans is the spot for the Best Wine Experience, the Best Emerging Irish Cuisine can be found at The Sea Hare café in Clifden, and Lignum restaurant took home Innovator of the Year in Galway.

Naming names once again, the Best Restaurant Manager in Galway is Gill Carroll at 56 Central in the city centre; and lastly, Margaret Leahy of Irish Artisan Food Tours is Galway’s Local Food Hero.

Speaking at the Connaught Regional Awards President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Paul Lenehan, said; “Now in their 14th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards returns with a record-breaking number of public nominations, over 130,000.”

“This sheer number of votes highlights the support & appreciation of the general public for our hospitality sector and all who contribute to it.”

“The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the existing, and up and coming talent, in the sector and are a reminder that hospitality is nothing without their dedicated and passionate staff.”

“The Awards continue to showcase the incredible food that is on offer in the cafes, hotels, pubs and restaurants of Ireland.”

All of the county winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards All Ireland Final on Monday, May 15.

US company Alliance Strategies opening new hub in Galway

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Galway daily business

The US company Alliance Strategies is opening a new hub in Galway for their global services, creating 15 new jobs.

The company headquartered in Texas, currently has eight worldwide offices and an extensive network of partners to facilitate meaningful cultural exchanges.

The hub in Galway will lead the company’s strategy in areas of global marketing, finance and corporate supports.

This is one of five international companies from the US and Europe, which is was announced today will be creating jobs in Galway, Cork, and Dublin.

Commenting on the announcement, Mary Buckley, Interim CEO of IDA Ireland said, “I am delighted to welcome these new companies to Ireland.”

“I particularly welcome the locational spread of these investments which shows that the technology offering, availability of talent and attractive work life balance resonates with overseas investors.”

“Our pro-business environment remains competitive in attracting high growth companies to set up in Ireland. These companies choose Ireland as the location to serve and grow their customer base due to Ireland’s established track record.”

“I wish all of these companies well and look forward to a long and successful partnership with each of them,” added Mary Buckley.

How to Keep Your Social Media Business Account Secure?

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Social media plays an important role in how businesses function and how executives make decisions today. To ensure the security of their accounts, companies are putting aside a significant amount of their security budget to protect internal networks and business systems. This budget needs to include social media accounts as well because a breach can lead to multiple issues, including inappropriate content posted by hackers. Therefore, protecting social media accounts is essential in order to safeguard the reputation and brand name of a business. It is essential that businesses develop strategies to keep their accounts secure so they can rest assured knowing their business’s digital assets are safe and sound.

How to Protect Social Media Accounts?

It is very important to think about how to keep a business account secure before being hacked. If you follow simple preventive measures, then the probability of hacking will be minimal. The following tips will help you stay safe using social media.

#1 Use Strong Passwords and 2FA

While signing up for social media accounts, it’s vital to use secure passwords that can’t easily be guessed or replicated by hackers. A robust password has at least 15 characters, with a combination of upper and lower letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, if the password contains only 8 lowercase digits, then the number of combinations is already 209 billion. More complex passwords with numbers, capital letters, and more characters already have 430 trillion possible combinations.

To ensure maximum protection, 2FA should also be enabled on the account. This will make sure that there is an extra layer of security added that only allows authorized access to the account. It’s crucial to bear in mind that the cyber security of your accounts should always be kept top priority when creating new social media profiles.

#2 Install a VPN

VPN is one of the most trusted security tools on the internet. It protects not only social networks but also all traffic that the user sends through VPN servers. End-to-end encryption technology means that even if data is intercepted using public WiFi networks, hackers will not be able to see the user’s data itself. Also, a VPN can unblock your website or social network that is not officially available in your country. It is only important that the VPN is of a high level, such as VeePN. Otherwise, VPN is not a protection tool, but another risk for users, as unscrupulous developers leak user data. This VPN for iPhone does not store logs, which means that even in the event of a court order, it will not transfer your data to law enforcement agencies, because they simply do not exist.

#3 Limit Access 

Your business’s social media accounts are a valuable asset that should not be taken lightly. It’s therefore important to limit access to the accounts and only grant access to those who have been entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining it. Passwords and logins should be shared exclusively with the members of your media team or whatever account handlers you may have employed. Allowing unrestricted access to the accounts may cause them to be mismanaged and further leave them vulnerable to security threats such as hackers. So by limiting social media maintenance duty to just a few reliable people, you will better secure your business’s online presence from any malicious outside presence.

#4 Don’t Click on Suspicious Links

Unfortunately, there have been cases of users being targeted by malicious links or fake invitations from scammers. These typically aim to capture users’ login information or even infect their devices with harmful software. It’s important not to take any chances; never log in via a link sent from somebody unknown, no matter how convincing it may seem. You should also be mindful of potential malware disguised as fun quizzes or surveys about your business – in many cases, these are just décor for malicious elements hidden behind the scenes. 

#5 Don’t Connect to Public WiFi

Investing in ways to secure your business social media accounts is absolutely essential. Connecting with public Wi-Fi networks is one of the ways most vulnerable to attackers and hackers. With public Wi-Fi, there is no guarantee that your security and confidential information cannot be accessed easily by wrongdoers to exploit it. And even if you have access to legitimate public Wi-Fi in places like airports, libraries, or train stations, those connections do not reach the safety standards required for keeping your social media account safe. When using VPN servers, this risk is almost completely eliminated. Go now to the website and check out why you should use VPN for iPhone, Mac, PC, and all internet-connected devices. Just use the tool for security and you will be able to securely connect even to public WiFi.

#6 Create a Separate Post for a Social Network

When creating a social media account for your business, you should make sure to not use your personal email account. It’s important to keep your personal and business accounts separate from each other as we may be more careless with our personal accounts. By separating the two accounts decreases the risk of someone gaining access to sensitive data. Certain aspects of a business social media account, such as a Facebook Business Page, need to be managed by a personal account. While it may be necessary to work between the two accounts, always pay close attention when switching back and forth between accounts. This can help reduce or prevent any potential security issues.

#7 Delete Unwanted Accounts

Many of us have multiple social media accounts that we don’t actively use anymore, but it’s important to remember that even as they lay dormant, these accounts present possible hazards to our online safety. Any personal information left in them can remain at risk of cyberattacks if we don’t take the proper steps to delete and clear the account completely. To avoid this undesirable situation, ensure that you take the time to properly terminate each account instead of just deleting any data or content within it. Doing so takes a few extra minutes out of your day, but it grants you peace of mind knowing your personal info is secured from any potential cyber threats.

Conclusion

To address this issue, it is important to implement measures that protect your accounts from unwanted access. These security protocols involve taking simple steps such as creating strong passwords and limiting user account access. Additionally, staying away from any suspicious links is essential if you want to ensure the safety of your business on social media platforms. With these guidelines in place, the risk of hacking will drastically decrease by 99.9%, ensuring ultimate security on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.