Unprecedented numbers of adults and children could become homeless as a result of the Government’s plan to lift the eviction ban for rented properties.
That is the view of housing charity Threshold, whose CEO John-Mark McCafferty described the decision to lift the ban as ‘disappointing and detrimental’.
In 2022, Threshold became aware of 5,444 newly-created termination cases, where 57% of notices were issued due to the landlord selling.
In 17% of such cases, the landlord and or a family member was moving in.
Mr McCafferty said that the ban on evictions was to provide ‘breathing space’ for positive changes and improvements in supply to take place.
“Unfortunately, we are yet to see the outcome of Government action in this respect. The decision to end the ban at the end of this month will likely make a bad situation worse. It is disappointing and detrimental.”
He added that local authorities are struggling to provide emergency accommodation, and with St Patrick’s Day coming and the tourist season underway, there will be an even greater shortage of such accommodation.
“Evidence from the Residential Tenancies Board and our frontline staff indicate a significant number of evictions are pending.”
He said that some of the measures announced – such as an offer of first refusal to buy a property – may help some renters, however many would not be in a position to do this given “the exorbitant cost of rent and the inability of people to save the significant deposits required as a result.”
Sarah James, Anne Duchesne, Cian Maguire, Muireann Baker and Jessica Prendergast - all members of University of Galway CancerSoc - getting ready for ‘Walk in Pink’ which takes place on Mother’s Day, Sunday, March 19th. Photo: Sean Lydon
The National Breast Cancer Research Institute is inviting the local community to ‘Walk in Pink’ for the charity this Mother’s Day on 19 March.
Those taking part will make a difference for the many Irish women with breast cancer.
Funds raised from the walk will go directly to support the breast cancer research team at the Lambe Institute, University of Galway, led by Professor Michael Kerin.
The walk starts at 10.30am from Fr. Griffin Éire Óg Club House, South Park to Blackrock and back again.
Those taking part are asked to gather from 10am where Ronan Lardner of Galway Bay FM will be in charge of the music before getting everyone underway.
Registration is just €20 and those participating receive a free pink beanie, and also be entered into a draw for a chance to win a €200 Revive Active Hamper.
One in seven Irish women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, with over 3,507 cases diagnosed annually.
Motorists are being advised to use caution tomorrow, as Met Eireann has issued a Snow and Ice warning for all of Ireland on Thursday.
Met Eireann has said that rain, sleet and snow will spread northwards across the country on Wednesday night and into Thursday.
“Accumulations of snow are expected in many areas along with icy conditions,” the weather warning states.
“Sleet and snow will likely transition to rain in southern areas for a time.”
These are likely to lead to hazardous driving conditions, travel disruption, and poor visibility Met Eireann has said.
This Status Yellow Snow and Ice weather warning will be in effect from 3am until 11pm on Thursday.
Hazardous driving conditions are expected to persist into Thursday night and Friday morning, as another Low Temperature warning has been issued for all of Ireland.
This Status Yellow warning will be in effect from 9pm Thursday until 10am Thursday, with widespread icy stretches cautioned.
There’s been an outpouring of sympathy and regret at a long established staple of Galway closing down, as Collerans butchers shuts its doors.
The family run business, which has been open since 1935, announced this week that they were shutting down with immediate effect.
In a statement from the butchers from social media, they said that plans to get a new owner for the business didn’t work out.
“As a lot of our customers were award; we were working through a change of ownership. The change of ownership did not happen due to a lack of agreement within the shareholders.”
Collerans said that they were “heartbroken” not to have been able to stay open, and thanked everyone they’ve had good times with.
“Thank you to all of our loyal customers who we have loved serving throughout the years, and of course, for always having the craic with us.”
There was an outpouring on social media at the news, with many expressing heartbreak at the loss of such a long established and beloved business.
Síle Denvir attending the TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2023 Awards in the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance. Photo: Liam Burke / Press 22
Connemara born singer and harpist Síle Denvir will receive a prestigious national award for her beloved singing at this year’s Gradam Ceoil Awards.
The annual Gradam Ceoil Awards, also known as ‘the Oscars of traditional music’, pay homage to musicians who have advanced, strengthened, and preserved traditional music in Ireland.
Conamara singer Síle Denvir is this year’s Singer 2023 in the 26th year of the Gradam Ceoil Awards.
Síle Denvir is a sean-nós singer, harpist, and academic whose music is deeply influenced by the Irish language, her upbringing in the Conamara Gaeltacht and the sean-nós style of the region.
In addition to performing as a solo artist, Denvir is a founding member of the traditional band Líadan and has collaborated with many musicians throughout her career including The Chieftains, Barry Kerr, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Martin Hayes and Úna Monaghan.
In 2018, she took part in the world premiere of Mícheál Ó Suilleabháin’s Fill Arís, performing with Iarla Ó Lionáird, Lillis Ó Laoire and the National Symphony Orchestra, and in 2020, her singing featured on Rogha Raelach Volume 1, traditional music label Raelach Records’ first compilation album.
She is also a Lecturer at Dublin City University and is particularly interested in Irish language song in a modern context.
She has published two books on Conamara songwriters, Tom a’ tSeoighe: Amhráin (2020) and Ciarán Ó Fátharta: Amhráin (2008).
Other research projects include a video series on the work of Tom a’ tSeoighe for TG4 Molscéal in 2020, and a CD and booklet on the music from the plays of Patrick Pearse – Caithréim: Ceol agus Amhráin ó Dhrámaí an Phiarsaigh.
Denvir is an accomplished composer and the music director of the new youth sean-nós group Bláth na hÓige.
She regularly contributes to TV and radio programmes on TG4, and in 2023 will release her next album, Anamnesis – a recording of sean-nós songs in collaboration with producer John Reynolds and cellist Caroline Dale.
The full list of TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2023 recipients reads as follows:
The final award, for Outstanding Contribution, will be announced in early April.
From left Michelle Mulcahy, Fintan Vallely, Meabh Smyth, Síle Denvir, Mick O’Brien, Louise Mulcahy, Mick Mulcahy and Maurice Lennon. Photo: Liam Burke / Press 22
Gradam Ceoil TG4 is the premier annual traditional music awards scheme and academy. An independent panel of adjudicators selects recipients each year.
It is not a competition. The Gradam Ceoil recipients are presented with a specially commissioned piece by leading sculptor John Coll as well as a small stipend.
Speaking at the announcementCommissioning Editor for TG4 Proinsias Ní Ghráinne said, “TG4 is delighted to honour and pay tribute to such remarkable talent for the 26th year of Gradam Ceoil.”
“We hope that Gradam continues to be a marker for future artistic excellence across all areas of our music and song. Congratulations to all of the recipients.”
This year’s awards will be presented at the Gradam Ceoil TG4 Concert in the National Concert Hall, Limerick on Sunday, April 23 in a live broadcast.
Recipients will be joined in performance on stage by their own special musical guests in a unique, star-studded line-up of musicians and award-presenters.
St. Patrick's Day Parade. Photo: Galway City Council
The full lineup of events for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Galway City has been announced, with the promise of a weekend of fun.
The weekend festival will kick-off with the iconic St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Friday morning, which promises to be the biggest ever seen in Galway City.
But that is only the beginning of a weekend of music, film, and craic, with the usual Eyre Square concerts, family fun in Salthill, and a brand new cinematic experience.
To bring some ambience, Bádóirí an Chladaigh will once again light up their iconic Galway Hookers to bather the Claddagh Basin in a stunning green glow.
Mayor Clodagh Higgins and Saoirse Ruane launching the annual St Patricks Day Festival in Galway. Photo: Boyd Challenger
Eyre Square Music Fest: March 17 – 19
Running for free all through the weekend will be a series of free outdoor concerts taking place at the festival village in Eyre Square.
This amazing experience will feature an array of local musicians and artists who will bring a great buzz to the city for the weekend and celebrate Galway’s musical heritage.
Each day will begin with a youth band from the Music Generation programme, giving young people a chance to shine for the audience.
The weekend line-up will include great local bands including Colm Seoighe & na hEasógaí, MacDara, BackWest, Telebox, The Rosecaps, Livefeed from Music Generation Galway, Moondance Jazz Band and Tracy Bruen & Band.
The Full Line-Up Is:
March 17
15:10 – Colm Seoighe & na hEasógaí
16:00 – Drumadore
16:30 – MacDara
17:45 – BackWest
March 18
14:10 – Telebox
15:10 – The Rosecaps
16:10 – Anna Mullarkey
17:15 – Curley Organ & The Catharsis Collective
March 19
14:15 – Livefeed from Music Generation
16:00 – Tracy Bruen & Band
17:15 – Moondance Jazz Band
Unesco City of Film: March 17 & 18
Coming for the first time in 2023, this event will give people a chance to enjoy some great films that would never enter your radar.
Ardán will have an outdoor film screening of short films in the Fishmarket at The Spanish Arch on St Patrick’s Day from 14:00 until 16:00.
The Cinephile Paradiso will host a two-day walk-in exhibition of the early silent films of Ireland in the Pálás Cinema Bar and the Silent Cinema on Dominick Street.
This will include the O’Kalem company films that were made in the 1910s, as well as a short documentary on the importance of these films that was produced by the Irish Film Institute.
Family Fun Day – Salthill Park: March 19
Galway Sports Partnership and Healthy Galway have put together a great sports day programme that will entertain all the family.
A huge array of sports for people of all ages to participate in will be on offer including tag rugby, tug of war, athletics, pilates, yoga, tai chi, dance, facepainting, corn hole and activator poles. Just pop by and give them a go – all are welcome to join and no experience is required.
Drumadore, Galway’s Drumming masters will also be giving drumming lessons along the Salthill Promenade and all are welcome to go along and give it a go.
Activities will take place between 12 and 4 on the prom and in Salthill Park.
St Patrick’s Day Parade – March 17
Of course the lynchpin of St Patrick’s Day is always the amazing parade attracting massive crowds to the city.
This year’s promises to be the biggest put on in Galway to date, with over 1,500 people and more than 50 locals groups taking part.
The first of two Grand Marshals for this year’s parade will be Connacht Rugby’s Andy Friend, who has been a wonderful ambassador for the province since joining in 2018.
Mayor of Galway Cllr Clodagh Higgins announced Connacht Rugby coach Andrew Friend as one of the two Marshalls for the parade. Photo: Andrew Downes, XPOSURE
Joining him on the open top bus at the front of the parade will be 11 year old Saoirse Ruane, who has raised million for cancer research since her appearance on the Late Late Toy Show in 2020.
“Saoirse has captured the hearts of the people of Ireland and we are delighted she will be leading our St Patrick’s Day parade,” the city council said.
Some of the groups participating include Macnas, 1st Port of Galway Sea Scouts, Salthill Devon Football Club, Ability West, GCS Judo, Funky Drums School, Galway Bay Rugby Club, Get Rhythm.
From outside of Galway, coming all the way from Tampa Florida are Krewe of Europa, a colourful costumed group celebrating the Age of Discovery.
Europa has members representing all 44 European Countries in colorful costumes of each country, and is taking part in celebrations around Ireland.
“The Krewe is excited to be part of an amazing celebration of the Patron Saint and Apostle of Ireland, St Patrick,” said Craig Bachler of Krewe.
The St Patrick’s Day Parade will kick off from the University of Galway at 11:30am on March 17.
Galway’s cheesemakers are the cream of the crop at this year’s Irish Food Writers Guild Food Awards, taking home two major prizes.
Sheridans Cheesemongers and Aran Islands Goats’ Cheese were both crowned victors at the 2023 Food Awards announced this week.
Brothers Kevin and Seamus Sheridan won the Lifetime Achievement Awards, while Outstanding Contribution to Irish Food went to Gabriel Faherty of Aran Islands Goats’ Cheese.
Kevin and Seamus started their journey back in 1995, selling their farmhouse cheese at the weekend market, but quickly moved to permanent piquant store on Churchyard street, where they remain today.
Making artisan cheese popular long before Ireland really got into food, cheese lovers have been flocking to their premises in Dublin’s South Anne Street since 1997, the same year they opened their first Galway store.
What started with just two men has since spread across Ireland, with multiple locations around Dublin, a converted railway station at Kells, Co. Meath, Ardkeen in Waterford, and Sheridan’s counters in many supermarkets.
Aran Islands Goats’ Cheese is a true farm to table success story, from the herd of Inis Mór farmer Gabriel Faherty, a born and bred islander, straight to your mouth.
Today you can find Aran Islands Goats’ Cheese on the shelves at Sheridan’s, as well as another staple of Galway City, McCambridges, and many other outlets around the country.
Aran Islands Goats’ Cheese has also become a staple of tourism on the Wild Atlantic Way, forming part of the authentic experience of the islands since Gabriel set up Aran Food Tours in 2021.
Caroline Hennessy, chair of the IFWG said, “Since the Food Awards’ inception, each winner has been chosen independently and anonymously by IFWG members, recognising the best in Irish food by shining a light on smaller producers who might otherwise slip under the radar.”
“From traditional products of the highest quality to new innovations, this year’s winners exemplify what is so exciting about Ireland’s food and drink industry right now.”
The winners of the 2023 Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards are:
Food Award: Smoked Lough Neagh Eel, Co Antrim
Food Award: Velvet Cloud Sheep’s Milk Yogurt, Co Mayo
Food Award: Ballylisk of Armagh, Co Armagh
Irish Drink Award: Beoir Chorcha Dhuibhne for Béal Bán, Co Kerry
Outstanding Contribution to Irish Food: Gabriel Faherty, Aran Island Goats’ Cheese, Co Galway
Environmental Award: The Wooded Pig, Co Meath
Community Food Award: Field of Dreams – Down Syndrome Cork, Co Cork
Lifetime Achievement Award: Kevin and Seamus Sheridan, Co Galway
Una Fitzgibbon of Bord Bia, which sponsors the IFWG Food Awards, said that they highlight the “outstanding quality, craftsmanship and innovation” in Ireland’s artisan food industry.
“Now in their 30th year these awards have honoured those in the sector that take ingenuity and entrepreneurship to the next level.”
“Congratulations to all those involved in these prestigious food awards and, of course, to the very deserving winners.”
A woman in her 80s was killed in a car crash in the west of Ireland on Tuesday afternoon.
The crash involving a car and a truck occurred at approximately 4pm yesterday, on the R487 between Kilbaha and Kilkee, Co. Clare.
The driver of the car, a woman in her 80s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The road remained closed overnight to allow for a technical examination to be conducted by Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this crash to come forward.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the R487 between 3:45pm and 4:15pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Kilrush Garda Station on 065 908 0550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane has called on the Minister for Agriculture to deliver much-needed supports for the sheep sector.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Kerrane raised the matter with the Tánaiste and urged Minister Charlie McConalogue to engage with the sector around ongoing concerns.
Her call followed a protest by the ICSA and sheep farmers last week outside the Dáil.
The Sinn Féin TD said that sheep farmers across the state are experiencing real financial hardship.
“I spoke to a number of sheep farmers who were outside the Dáil this week. They came here seeking action from government and to raise awareness about the issues they are facing and to save their sector,” she said.
Deputy Kerrane said that they have called the €12 a ewe “an insult”, and she said that this €2 increase does not come near to the doubling of the payment to €20 which was proposed by her party.
“It is particularly notable that the ICSA are seeking an emergency package for sheep farmers funded from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.”
She said that farmers are simply not getting a fair price for their produce and that they need greater support immediately.
An expansion of the government’s ‘Walks Scheme’ will see 70 new walking trails developed across the country over the next two years.
Funding of €2.4 million has been allocated to facilitate the number of trails enrolled on the scheme to increase from 80 to 150.
The initiative is designed to boost outdoor recreation and rural tourism and will see the scheme work with over 2,500 farmers to open up the countryside to walkers, hikers, cyclists and tourists.
The closing date for expressions of interest is 23 June 2023 and these must be made through Local Development Companies.
Under the scheme , funding is provided to farmers and other landowners to maintain the trails that travel through their holdings.
Over 2,200 farmers or landowners are already participating in the scheme.
A fresh call for expressions of interest was opened in February 2023 for new trails and substantial extensions to existing trails.
Gardaí are investigating after a firearm was discharged at a house in Galway City last week.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:30am last Friday, March 3 at house in Corrach Bui, Rahoon.
Damage was caused to property as a result of the firearm discharge, but Gardaí say that no-one was injured.
No arrests have been made at this time and investigations are ongoing.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have been travelling through the Rahoon, Western Distributer Road or Westside areas of Galway on the morning. and who may have witnessed the incident or have video footage to contact them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Galway Garda Station on 091 538000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Dr Marie Mahon, University of Galway, and Brendan Dunne, Galway County Council examine options for Mountbellew with Holy Rosary College students Rachel Donohue and Fionn Flattery. Photo – Aengus McMahon.
University of Galway and Queen’s University Belfast have joined forces on a new cross-border initiative in education and spatial planning with secondary school students and local authorities.
The project involved geography staff and students at Presentation College, Athenry and Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew, as well as New-Bridge Integrated College, Banbridge, Co. Down and The Royal School in Armagh.
It saw students and staff carry out a number of spatial planning and surveying exercises in the four locations across Galway and in the North, with guidance from planning staff.
It was supported by the planning departments of Galway County Council and Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
The aim of this joint project was to link spatial planning to second and third level teaching, to improve the teaching and learning experience for teachers and students.
While statutory planning is predominantly about land use planning, it also encompasses economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability.
Dr Therese Conway, Director of the MA Rural Futures Planning and Innovation at University of Galway, said that this exchange is an invaluable learning experience for both staff and students.
“For university and school teaching staff it allows for an exchange on teaching methods and for the school students it allows that to get a taster for what geography and spatial planning are like as subjects at university, what options there are for careers in this area and how geography and planning matter in real world contexts,” said Dr Conway.
As many as four in ten female executives in Galway believe they have missed out on a raise or promotion due to gender, according to a new survey conducted by Galway Chamber.
A further 46% said their gender had also played a role in their missing out on a key assignment and more than half (56%) believe it impacted on a chance to get ahead.
One in five female executives also believe their gender had resulted in missing out on one or more of these opportunities over the last year.
Three out of eight women who are executives also feel that they are not treated equally in their current workplace.
The results come from a Galway Chamber survey of more than 100 Galway-based corporate leaders and executives, which was carried out in advance of International Women’s Day.
More positively, almost two out of three (64%) female executives say they have seen a rise in the number of female corporate leaders in their company or organisation in recent times.
62% believe that gender equality has increased in Ireland in the last year.
Another positive finding was that 92% of female executives said they believe women have achieved more equal rights in the workplace over the last ten to 15 years.
Three out of eight also said that attitudes and awareness of sexual harassment in their places of work have evolved positively in the last year.
Speaking in reaction to the survey, Galway Chamber President Dermot Nolan said that there is very clearly still a lot of work to be done across Galway to better promote gender equality in the workplace.
“That so many female executives believe their gender has played a role in missing out on a raise, or a promotion or a chance to get ahead is not acceptable. This simply shouldn’t be happening in this day and age,” he said.
“The onus is on all people in leadership positions to help address this and bring about more equitable workplaces.
“The Galway corporate community needs to strive to ensure that gender never negatively impacts on anyone’s career advancement or the professional opportunities available to them.
“This is in the interest of everyone working in Galway to promote and I hope by creating more awareness of the issues facing female executives we all as a community will take further concrete action to level the playing field.”
There are now almost 950 Ukrainian children enrolled in primary and secondary schools across Galway according to the latest figures.
As of March 1 there were 606 young children in Galway’s primary schools, and another 338 enrolled in secondary school here.
Nationwide there are just under 15,000 Ukrainian pupils enrolled in schools across Ireland, the Department of Education confirmed.
Out of that figure, 9,650 of these pupils have been accommodated in primary schools while 5,281 pupils have enrolled in secondary schools.
Current data indicates an enrolment rate of 91% among Ukrainian children aged 5-18 who have come here.
The Education and Training Boards are continuing to operate Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) to assist with their transition.
The primary goal of REALT is to assist families arriving in the country with securing school places for their children.
REALT are also supporting schools in the area to meet the needs of these children as they emerge, advising the Department of Education on what services and new capacity is needed.
Information for parents in Ukrainian and Russian on accessing school places is available on gov.ie/Ukraine.
It has now been more than a year since Russia invaded the Ukraine on February 24 of 2022, and over 8 million people have been displaced by the war.
Another weather warning has been issued for freezing temperatures and hazardous conditions in Galway overnight on Tuesday.
Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow Low Temperature/Ice warning for all of Connacht, as well as Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Longford, Louth, Meath, and Westmeath.
From 9pm tonight, freezing temperatures will create hazardous conditions, with icy stretches on roads and footpaths.
The weather warning will be in effect for 12 hours, until 9am on Wednesday morning.
Temperatures are expected to drop as low as -2 degrees overnight in Galway again on Tuesday, after a similarly freezing night yesterday.
Things will continue to be chill for much of the week, with Met Eireann even forecasting snow showers on Thursday.
However, temperatures will pick up once again over the week, and sunny skies will give way to the usual rain once again.
A man is due to appear before court today in relation to a body found following a house fire outside Castlebar last weekend.
A man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday after Gardaí found the body of a man his 80s at a home in Pheasanthill, Castlebar.
Gardaí and emergency services had been called to the house at approximately 6:30pm on Sunday, after reports of a fire.
The man arrested has since been charged, and is due to appear before Castlebar District Court today.
The body of the deceased man was removed from the house on Monday after a preliminary examination, so that a post mortem examination could be carried out.
Gardaí have appealed for any person who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them at Castlebar Garda Station on 094 903 8200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Mayor Clodagh Higgins and Saoirse Ruane launching the annual St Patricks Day Festival in Galway. Photo: Boyd Challenger
Over 1,500 people are due to take part in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in what promises to be the biggest ever to take place in Galway City.
More than 50 local groups, and more from further afield, will be taking part in the Parade on March 17, with two local heroes leading the way.
First of two Grand Marshals for this year’s parade will be Connacht Rugby’s Andy Friend, who has been a wonderful ambassador for the province since joining in 2018.
Mayor of Galway Cllr Clodagh Higgins announced Connacht Rugby coach Andrew Friend as one of the two Marshalls for the parade. Photo: Andrew Downes, XPOSURE
Joining him on the open top bus at the front of the parade will be 11 year old Saoirse Ruane, who has raised million for cancer research since her appearance on the Late Late Toy Show in 2020.
“Saoirse has captured the hearts of the people of Ireland and we are delighted she will be leading our St Patrick’s Day parade,” the city council said on facebook.
Some of the groups participating include Macnas, 1st Port of Galway Sea Scouts, Salthill Devon Football Club, Ability West, GCS Judo, Funky Drums School, Galway Bay Rugby Club, Get Rhythm.
From outside of Galwat, coming all the way from Tampa Florida are Krewe of Europa, a colourful costumed group celebrating the Age of Discovery.
Europa has members representing all 44 European Countries in colorful costumes of each country, and is taking part in celebrations around Ireland.
“The Krewe is excited to be part of an amazing celebration of the Patron Saint and Apostle of Ireland, St Patrick,” said Craig Bachler of Krewe.
The St Patrick’s Day Parade will kick off from the University of Galway at 11:30am on March 17.
Galway City Museum has opened a new exhibition capturing the experience of the millions of displaced Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion.
Borderland – Ukraine is an outdoor photography exhibition by award-winning documentary photographer Karen Cox.
Just over a year ago, Russian invaded Ukraine, starting a war which has claimed thousands of civilian lives, and many more which have likely yet to be recorded.
Millions more have been displaced as Russian advances, and relentless rocket attacks on civilian towns and cities, have sent people fleeing.
It has been reported that as many as 8 million Ukrainians have left their country as refugees due to the war.
These photographs offer an insight into the reality of displaced people crossing from Ukraine into Poland in the hope of finding safety.
The images taken by Cox, from both sides of the border, were taken in April 2022 at the border crossing in Medyka.
Speaking about her work, Cox said that she wanted to humanise the stories of these people, and show the heavy burden that the conflict places on young and old alike.
Karen Cox is a freelance photographer who works both in Ireland and internationally. Her work spans documentary photography and photojournalism to reveal and record both known and untold narratives.
Her photographs have appeared in publications worldwide including The New York Times, The Guardian, Rolling Stone among others and also feature in the Irish national papers.
Plans for Kylemore Abbey to go green with the installation of hundreds of solar panels have been knocked back due to ecological concerns.
A planning application was made by Kylemore Abbey & Gardens LTD for the installation of 370 ground mounted solar panels within the overall grounds of Kylemore Abbey & Gardens.
The panels would have covered an area of 1,247m² in a gravel staff carpark area to the west of the monastery and castle.
A Proposed Solar PV Self-Consumption Analysis submitted with the planning application stated that the scale of the solar power project had been based on historical energy consumption.
The number of solar panels to be installed was meant to “cover as much of the electrical load as possible, with minimal overproduction” of electricity.
In the single reason for refusing planning permission, the County Council noted that the site is immediately next to, and “hydrologically connected” with the Twelve Bens/Garraun Special Area of Conservation.
The council said that there are concerns in relation to “surface water management and the proposed discharge to groundwater and flow direction” in the project.
An Appropriate Assessment Screening Report for the project had been prepared following a request for further information from the council.
The council’s decision said that based on the information received, “adverse effects on the integrity and conservation objectives” of the protected sites in the vicinity could not be ruled out.
Creggs RFC have made it into the Bank of Ireland Junior Cup Final, where they will face off against Westport later this month.
The north Galway club made it into the final after overcoming stiff resistance from Ballinrobe at the weekend.
After pulling ahead in the first half to a score of 19-8 at the break, Creggs managed to hold off a determined comeback by Ballinrobe, for a final score of 22-18.
Meanwhile, Westport came to Tuam on Sunday where they triumphed over the home side 16-10.
The game was neck in neck for much of the playtime, until two late penalties saw Sam Walsh secure victory for the visitors.
The Connacht Junior Cup Final will take place on March 26 at the Sportsground.
