Four Connacht Academy players named for U20 Six Nations squad

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February 1, 2023

Galway Daily news Oranmore active travel

Over €15 million has been allocated for walking and cycling infrastructure projects in Galway City and County this year.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan today confirmed that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has allocated a total of €290 million to local authorities to spend this year.

Galway City Council has been awarded a total of €12,138,700 in funding for 31 walking and cycling projects.

The single largest grant among these is €3,000,000 for the Salmon Weir Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge.

Other large allocations including €1,875 million for the Martin Junction conversion, €1 million for the Dublin Road Transport Corridor, and €750,000 for the Parkmore Road Bus Priority Scheme.

The County Council has been allocated €3,000,000 in funding for 22 travel projects this year, including €514,000 for the Rural Towns & Villages Active Travel Schemes East and €348,000 for the Rural Active Travel Schemes West.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said, “People very often think that Greenways, cycle-ways or walkways are primarily tourism amenities.”

“Of course, they serve that purpose really well, but first and foremost they are about local people and improving local life, connecting suburbs, local villages or townlands that have often become disconnected from one another because of busy and dangerous roads.”

The Minister said that all of the money allocated for such projects last year was drawn down by local authorities, and that he is confident the same will happen this year.

“This will mean that communities across the country will be better connected with safe and people friendly corridors to visit friends, go to the shops, or cycle or walk to school, sports training or other activities.”

Nationwide this investment will fund approximately 1,200 Active Travel projects, contributing to the development of almost 1,000km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure across the country by 2025.

This includes the development of segregated cycle lanes and widened footpaths, new walking and cycling bridges, and new pedestrian crossings.

The full list of projects in Galway supported by this funding is:

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Old Clarin College being demolished due to anti-social behaviour

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February 1, 2023

Galway Daily news Old Clarin College being demolished due to anti-social behaviour

The GRETB has been given the green light for the demolition of the old Clarin College building in Athenry.

The county council has granted planning permission for the demolition of the two storey school building on the Caheroyn Road.

A planning report submitted with the application states that since the site has been vacated, there have been problems with anti-social behaviour.

“Clarin College has relocated to another site in Athenry – Planning Ref no. 17-1875 – and this site is now vacant.”

“There have been a number of issues with anti-social behaviour on the site as a result, and even in one instance a small fire was lit within the existing building.”

“It is the view of the applicant – Galway Roscommon Education & Training Board (GRETB) – that the buildings are now posing an unnecessary risk and nuisance for the health & safety of its neighbours, and that the buildings require demolition to eliminate that risk.”

A Demolition & Waste Strategy Report was submitted after the council requested further information last November about traffic management, waste clay and rubble, along with noise and vibrations from the demolition works.

The GRETB also submitted a letter stating that they had consulted with all adjoining property owners, who were supportive of the proposed works.

“All residents supported the development and the demolition of the existing structures, and highlighted their concern in relation to the unsociable behaviour currently being experienced in this site.”

Planning permission for the school demolition was granted by the county council with twelve conditions attached.

Clarin College moved to a €20 million new school building in 2020, after construction on the project began two years earlier.

City and County Councils remain committed to N6 Galway City Ring Road

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February 1, 2023

Galway Daily news City and County Galway allocated over €45 million for major roads and greenways projects

Galway City and County Councils have said that they remain committed to the deliver of the N6 Galway City Ring Road.

The High Court made final orders this week quashing An Bord Pleanála’s approval of the Ring Road, which was first granted in December of 2021.

The planning application for the bypass is now being resubmitted to the Bord for reconsideration.

In a joint statement from the two Galway councils, they said that they anticipate requests for further information from An Bord Pleanála, which they will respond to as “thoroughly and quickly” as possible.

“Galway County Council, Galway City Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland remain committed to the delivery of the N6 Galway City Ring Road,” the statement said.”

“In December 2021, An Bord Pleanála made an order approving the N6 Galway City Ring Road. This decision was welcomed by Galway County Council, Galway City Council, and TII.”

“Galway City and its environs have critical transport issues that require urgent resolution, and the N6 GCRR is a vital component of the Galway Transport Strategy (GTS).”

The root of the issue that led the High Court to quashing An Bord Pleanála’s approval is the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.

This came into effect shortly before the Bord made its decision, but was not taken into consideration while doing so.

A new Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) has since been published, with the Annex of Actions due for publication in the coming weeks.

Galway City and County Councils are reviewing this plan together with TII, to ensure that the N6 Ring Road scheme will be compliant with it.

“Galway County Council and Galway City Council welcome the opportunity to engage with An Bord Pleanála further on this project and remain committed to the delivery of the Galway Transport Strategy, and the N6 GCRR.”

Connacht Hospitality Group raises over €90,000 for chosen charities

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February 1, 2023

Galway Daily life & style Connacht Hospitality Group raised over €90,000 for good causes in 2022

The Connacht Hospitality Group celebrated raising €90,000 for four amazing charities over the course of 2022 this week.

The group, which owns well-known Galway establishments including The Connacht Hotel, An Púcán, HYDE Hotel, Residence Hotel & 1520 Bar, and the Galway Bay Golf Resort, held a range of events at various stages of 2022 to fundraise for charities.

Across 2022, the Connacht Hospitality Group helped raise funds for four incredible charities, three of them local: Claddagh Watch Patrol, National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI), Galway Hospice, and Make-A-Wish Ireland.

The Connacht Hospitality Group arranged a diverse array of events to raise funds, and they had lots of imaginative ways of grabbing the public’s attention.

One event saw people attend HYDE Bar to savour a menu made by a mystery celebrity. In the end, it was revealed that TV personality Gráinne Seoige was the Executive Chef on a night that generated over €8,000 for the NBCRI.

Based out of the Lambe Institute at University of Galway, the NBCRI is a national charity that funds research into diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Another saw CHG staff dare the early morning waters of the Atlantic in a ‘Sunrise Swim’ at Salthill, which saw donations pour in for the Claddagh Watch Patrol.

This volunteer organisation patrols the waterways of Galway City nightly to help prevent deaths by accident or suicide.

Easily one of the most successful events of the year was the Galway Bay Golf Resort’s Golf Classic which raised over €22,000 for Galway Hospice.

“Ultimately, it’s about making a difference to our community and to the charities that we support,” Brian Lynch, Group Head of Finance at the Connacht Hospitality Group, said about the reason behind the push to raise money.

Brian added that he was delighted to see the group create such an ambitious target 12 months prior.

For his own part, he remembers the ‘Sunrise Swim’ fondly, saying that they were lucky that it was such a nice morning, and that the water wasn’t too cold.

“The golf classic was a great event, too, because I think it was the greatest single event we’d ever done.”

“It wasn’t open to the public – we invited our commercial partners and stakeholders in the business to put teams in and we had enough teams to hit our target,” he said.

The €90,000 raised by the Connacht Hospitality Group last year vastly exceeded previous years’ targets of some €15,000 for charity.

For this year, the Galway City based Croí Heart & Stroke charity has been chosen as one of the group’s charity partners.

Brian Lynch added that for 2023 the CHG is looking to increase its fundraising target yet again, and hosting more events.

“We’re looking to partner with a small number of charities that are local and that we believe will engage with us.”

Worst January on record for overcrowding at Portiuncula

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February 1, 2023

Galway Daily news Portiuncula Hospital reports high flu circulation

University Hospital Galway was the third most overcrowded in the country last month, with 728 patients on trolleys in January.

The month figures from the INMO show that since trolley numbers began being counted in 2006, there have only been two years that saw a worse start to the year at UHG.

Portiuncula Hospital also experienced a disastrous month for patients on trolleys, with 417 patients going without a bed.

Though this is less than at UHG, it is by far the worst January on record for Portiuncula, and almost twice as many as the next highest figure for that month.

Nationwide there were 11,289 patients on trolleys in Irish hospitals last month, with the worst affected being UH Limerick (1,180), Cork UH (1,145), UHG (728), Letterkenny UH (650), St Vincent’s UH (594).

NMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that nurses and patients have been enduring unnecessary stress throughout January due to a lack of proper planning.

“The number of patients on trolleys in wards outside our emergency departments have been unacceptably high.”

“This practice should not be allowed to continue as a measure to try take pressure off our emergency departments.”

A recent opinion poll in the Irish Independent found that almost three quarters of people would only go to an emergency department if their life depended on it.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that a strategy of telling people not to attend hospital will have long lasting knock-on effects.

“We cannot continue to accept the wait until things get unbearably bad approach before an attempt is made to lessen the pressure on our public hospital system.”

“Nurses and their patients deserve better than this,” Phil Ní Sheaghdha said.

Carraroe man Eoin De Buitléar signs first professional contract with Connacht

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January 31, 2023

Galway Daily rugby Carraroe man Eoin De Buitléar signs first professional contract with Connacht

Galway man Eoin De Buitléar has signed his first contract for professional rugby as he joins the ranks of his home province.

The Carraroe native will join the Connacht lineup for full-time pre-season training this summer, having come up through the ranks of the Connacht Academy system.

Speaking about the news, Eoin said that this is a proud day for him, and his community back home.

“Rugby is such a big part of our lives and I’m thrilled to now have the opportunity to play full-time for my home province.”

“I hope I can do everyone in An Cheathrù Rua and An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí proud in the next few years.”

De Buitléar comes from a family steeped in rugby at his hometown of An Cheathrù Rua in the heart of Connemara.

His father Cian co-founded An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí in the village while his brother Colm is a former Connacht player.

Director of Rugby Andy Friend said “Eoin’s journey from his days in Carraroe to where he is now is a brilliant story, and a testament to the incredible work being done to grow the game of rugby in that part of the province.”

“His family and coaches should be very proud of what he has achieved so far and I know he has the qualities to make a big impact on the Professional scene for the next few years.”

Galway Mountain Rescue save walker with hypothermia from Maumtrasna mountain

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January 31, 2023

The Galway Mountain Rescue Team helped rescue someone suffering from hypothermia off of Maumtrasna mountain this week.

On Monday afternoon, shortly after 3pm, both Galway and Mayo Mountain Rescue Teams were called out in response to a lost and exhausted walker.

The Mayo team leader had called in GMRT due to the urgency of the situation as the weather deteriorated, and they were also dealing with another incident.

The two teams met up in Tourmakedy and ascended the mountain together to where the walker was reported.

The casualty was able to click on a phonefind text message to all the rescue team to get their exact location.

A stretcher party from both mountain rescue teams was deployed in case the person needed to be stretchered off this challenging terrain.

The located the casualty who was in the stages of hypothermia and unable to walk off the mountain.

Thankfully, as weather and visibility had improved even as the light faded, Rescue 118 helicopter was able to airlift the casualty to Mayo General.

1,182 residential buildings under construction in Galway as of December

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January 31, 2023

Galway daily news Planning refused for huge housing development on Galway City outskirts

There were 1,182 residential buildings under construction in Galway as of the end of 2022.

That’s according to the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report, which states that there were 1,150 new residential address points in Galway added to their database last year.

The building activity in Galway last year represents a 35% increase on the same period in 2021.

Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory said, “The data shows that construction activity and supply of housing stock increased significantly in 2022, but it is still lagging well behind the current rate of demand.”

“The number of residential buildings under construction and additions to the housing stock over the past twelve months would indicate that the sector has moved past the disruption brought about by Covid-19.”

The report, prepared in association with EY, also found that Galway had a residential vacancy rate of 6.1% as of last December, above the national average of 4%.

Dereliction is also above average in Galway, with 8.7% of the country’s 21,481 derelict buildings found here.

That’s the third highest proportion in the country behind Mayo (13.5%), and Donegal (11.9%).

Annette Hughes, Director of EY Economic Advisory Services said, “At a national level, the residential vacancy rate of 4.0% is the lowest recorded by GeoDirectory to date.”

“However, this figure highlights a national imbalance of low vacancy rates and high demand in Dublin and surrounding counties, contrasted by considerably higher vacancy rates in the west of the country.”

Of the 22,008 residential buildings under construction nationally in December 2022, almost one-in-five (18.4%) were located in Dublin.

Construction activity was also strong in Kildare, which accounted for 13.9% of the overall total. 62.0% of all residential buildings under construction were located in the Leinster region.

The national average vacancy rate dropped 0.4 percentage points to 4.0% in December 2022, the lowest figure recorded by GeoDirectory to date.

The highest residential vacancy rates were located in the west of the country, with Leitrim (12.2%), Mayo (11.2%) and Roscommon (10.7%) all recording residential vacancy rates of over 10%.

At 1.2%, Dublin recorded the lowest residential vacancy rate in the country in December 2022, with counties within the capital’s commuter belt all registering notably low vacancy rates, Kildare (1.3%), Louth (2.3%) and Meath (2.4%).

Plans approved for Galway City apartment complex

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January 31, 2023

Galway daily news Knocknacarra social housing

Planning permission has been granted for a mixed use residential and commercial development in the Shantalla area of Galway City.

The city council has given the green light for the demolition of the former T O’Higgins & Co store and covered storage yard on the Rahoon Road.

In its place, Sean Talamh Development Ltd intends to build a u-shaped apartment complex arranged around a central courtyard area.

Ultimately, planning permission for the project was granted with 23 conditions attached by the city council.

One condition of the planning permission is that the northern fourth level of the apartment block must be omitted from the plan.

Another condition of the city council stipulated that the apartments must not be used for short term lets.

Between revisions requested by the council to reduce the density and scale of the development, and the planning condition, there are 70 apartments in the plans approved by the city council.

The original plans were for 21 one-bedroom apartments, 59 two-bedroom apartments, and 6 three-bedroom units, and a ground floor commercial unit with outdoor seating.

The apartment complex will consist of three levels over basement parking, with 59 car parking spaces and over 200 bicycle spaces.

The vehicle access point to the site will be moved, and upgrades made to the existing pedestrian laneway.

Sunny skies ahead as weather to turn for the better

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January 31, 2023

Galway Daily weather highest ever april temperatures

A cloudy and blustery start to the week will give way to sunny skies before the weekend as the weather picks up in Galway.

Tuesday will be mostly cloudy, with some brief patches of sunshine in places, and a fresh westerly wind throughout the day.

Not too warm, temperatures on Tuesday will reach highs of 8 – 9 degrees, though that wind may put a chill in the air.

Wednesday will follow much the same, with Met Eireann forecasting mostly cloudy skies, with a few sunny spells and some light rain in the evening.

That fresh westly to southwesterly wind will also follow throughout the day, and temperatures will reach highs of 8 – 10 degrees.

Headed into the latter half of the week, things will take a turn for the better as a cloudy start to the morning on Thursday will give way to sunny skies in the afternoon.

Moderate to fresh southwesterly winds on Thursday, with highest temperatures of 10 – 12 degrees.

Friday will be better still, with mostly sunny skies throughout the day and some patchy cloud in places on the coast.

Temperatures on Friday will reach highs of 10 – 12 degrees, with gently to moderate southwesterly winds.

Headed into the Bank Holiday weekend Met Eireann has more good news, as mostly clear skies are forecast, with some showers of rain on Saturday.

The weekend will turn somewhat chillier however, with especially brisk conditions expected on Sunday.

Over €500k of cannabis seized in grow house raid

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January 30, 2023

Gardaí seized more than half a million worth of cannabis herb and plants during a raid on a grow house in Connacht on Monday afternoon.

At approximately 1pm on Monday, Gardaí searched a premises at Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon under warrant.

During the course of this search, a suspected cannabis grow-house was discovered by Gardaí.

Suspected cannabis plants with an estimated value of €288,000 were seized along with approximately €240,000 of processed cannabis.

All of the drugs seized are valued at approximately €528,000, pending analysis from Forensic Science Ireland.

A woman in her 50s and a man in his 60s were arrested at the scene of the search.

They are both currently being detained at Castlerea Garda Station under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.

Hundreds of TY students to take part in DNG estate agent programme

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January 30, 2023

galway daily news Over 130 children in emergency accommodation in Galway City

For the third year, DNG is once again opening its (virtual) doors to transition year students from Galway who have their minds set on a career in Ireland’s property market.

Registration is now open for DNG’s interactive online work experience TY Programme, which will run from 8 to 10 February.

Five hundred students are expected to take part in the programme this year.

Participating students will be given a first-hand understanding of working as an estate agent in Ireland, experiencing a day in the life through online auctions, virtual viewings, third level college presentations, and an auctioneering and property services apprenticeship programme.

Before transitioning to the online format, only 25 positions were available each year on DNG’s programme.

Utilising the online platform has given students of all backgrounds and abilities the chance to get involved.

DNG has now delivered its TY Programme to over 1,000 students across the country since 2021.

Keith Lowe, CEO of DNG said that seeking out beneficial work experience can be a great source of stress for TY students and their parents alike.

“Our virtual TY programme approach has increased the number of students we can accommodate each year vastly, while also giving an exciting opportunity for TY students to experience the world of Irish real estate and open their eyes to a potential career.

“Students from 22 different counties have already signed up to take part this year, but there are still places available and I would encourage all TY students to consider taking part.”

TY students, parents and teachers can find more information about DNG’s TY programme and register to take part by visiting https://ty.dng.ie/

Mary Kennedy meets people who now call Galway home in Moving West

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January 30, 2023

A fascinating series on TG4 presented by Mary Kennedy is following the lives of people who moved or are in the process of moving to a new home along the Atlantic coast.

Over the course of six half hour episodes, the series helps viewers discover a genuine message, that life, and in particular careers, won’t take a step back for those considering a move West.

In a relaxed and entertaining fashion, each episode explores the many opportunities that the region has to offer.

In the fifth episode on 8 February, viewers meet Sinead O’Kelly originally from Mayo and her husband Bernhard Bauer from Austria.

Sinead left home at 17, first to attend college in Cork and then to work as a holiday rep in Bulgaria, Italy and Austria where she settled for nine years and met Bernhard.

In 2016, they decided that we would both like to live in Ireland and have a little farm. After looking at places in Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo, they spotted Lough Atorick North Farm on a random website.

They say the move was easy enough. They both work in tech, run the farm and have two Airbnb’s in South Galway.

Also featured is Darren Burke, who wanted to start a career in medical devices. Galway, being a global gub, was therefore an obvious choice.

The move itself was relatively painless.

Since then, Darren has made many friends, joined a football team, met his now wife and founded a start-up company with two colleagues at the Gteic Hub in An Spidéal.

The couple live in Maigh Cuilinníand are expecting their first child.

In the first few weeks of Covid, Carol Tallon from Blessington bought an old homestead in Connemara through an online property auction.

Due to Covid restrictions, she could not see it in advance or travel to inspect it until after the conveyancing closed.

Carol runs a property communications company out of the Gteic hub in An Cheathrú Rua. She is learning Irish since moving and has taken on gaeilgeoir Bríd Molloy to ensure they can offer all existing communications services through Irish.

Sinead Ní Fhatharta is Head of Enterprise and Employment at Údarás na Gaeltachta in Na Forbacha.

Her primary role is to work with her team to encourage and support entrepreneurs (movers and locals) to develop their concepts, to establish their business and scale it through both financial and non-financial aid along with a property offering within the Gaeltacht areas.

She talks about the fact that movers west are welcome.

Moving West, TG4, Wednesday 8 February 8.30pm

Sathill business named as winner of You’re the Business campaign

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January 30, 2023

galway daily news wonky woolins salthill company

Salthill-based business Wonky Woolins has been announced as one of the ten winners of the You’re The Business campaign launched last year by Google, Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs.

The Wonky Woolins is a small handmade soft toy business creating quirky and unique characters, using founder Chloe Gardiner’s own designs and patterns.

Founded in 2018 by then 15-years old Chloe as a school project, the award-winning business prides itself on creating toys that are handmade to last for generations.

The business will receive a customised suite of digital supports from Google, expert sector and industry-specific mentoring across a range of technical areas that will help the ten SMEs to further develop their business.

The ten selected businesses will also receive a €1,000 Google ads package each.

Chloe Gardiner, owner of Wonky Woolins, said: “In 2023, I want to significantly raise the profile of The Wonky Woolins online and I believe Google Ads is one of the best means to do this.

“However, I have limited experience of leveraging this platform. Winning this competition provides our business with access to Google expertise which will be invaluable to help me develop and implement a digital strategy that will raise my brand’s profile online.”

University of Galway postgrad open evening takes place next week

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January 30, 2023

Galway Daily news NUIG construction €15 million over budget, 45 months late

University of Galway’s postgraduate open evening will take place on campus next Tuesday, February 7 from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

With more than 200 courses on offer across a range of subjects, the event is key for those who are thinking of continuing their studies with postgrad courses.

The informal networking event will showcase the suite of full-time and part-time postgraduate programmes available, including taught and research masters, as well as doctoral research options.

Flexible, online, and blended learning options are also on offer.

Academic staff will be available to meet prospective students to discuss study opportunities, entry requirements and career paths. Postgraduate support staff will also be on hand to discuss applications, admissions, scholarships and fees.

The ‘Postgraduate Funding and Scholarships’ talk will present a range of schemes designed to make postgraduate study more affordable.

As part of University of Galway’s strategic focus on recognising excellence and success, EU students with first class honours in their undergraduate degree are eligible to apply for a €1,500 scholarship towards their taught master’s degree at the University.

Emily Atkinson, graduate of the MSc in Consumer Psychology, who was awarded a scholarship said that the postgraduate scholarship is a fantastic opportunity that rewards and incentivises the hard work it takes to achieve first class honours.

“The scholarship allowed me prioritise finding the right postgraduate course for me, and to focus on my studies during my masters.”

Valerie Leahy, Postgraduate Recruitment Officer, University of Galway, said: “We especially encourage visitors considering a return to university studies to attend our Postgraduate Open Day.

“Almost half of those applying to our postgraduate courses are not recent graduates, they are returning to study or upskill for their current job.

“The value of a postgraduate qualification is proven in terms of improving employability and career progression, increasing lifetime earnings, learning invaluable transferable skills that employers value, and many of our courses also offer opportunities for placement and internships.”

The event takes place on Tuesday February 7, 2023, from 4.30pm-7.30pm, in the Bailey Allen Hall, Áras na Mac Léinn. Booking in advance is recommended and is available at www.universityofgalway.ie/postgraduate-open-day.

Energy bills grants awarded to 17 Galway community groups

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January 30, 2023

Galway Daily news Galway sports clubs share in €2.5 million energy costs support

Grant funding of just over €18,000 has been awarded to 17 community and voluntary groups to help them pay their energy bills.

This funding comes under the second tranche of successful applicants for the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS).

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys announced that 228 groups across the country would receive a once-off contribution towards their increased energy bills.

“I hope this funding will go some way to alleviating the burden faced by these organisations as they go about their work delivering essential services, supports and facilities to communities all over Ireland,” Heather Humphreys said.

“We as a government are very conscious of the impact that rising energy costs continue to have on groups on the frontline.”

The Minister said that further traches of grants will be announced shortly, and that applications for the scheme remain open until February 24.

The full list of groups in Galway which have been awarded funding is:

Dunmore Parish Scheme CLG – €215
Glinsk Community Development Society Ltd – €331
Gort Resource Centre CLG – €1,135
Leenane Development Association – €200
Halla na bhForbacha Teo – €213
Coiste Meithil Oibre Kilenne Cuidechta Faoi Theorainn Rathaiocht – €241
Ballyconneely Parish Hall Association – €259
New Inn Community Development Company – €282
Ionad Cuimhneachain na nImirceach Teoranta – €321
Ballyglunin Community Development Company – €377
Comhairle Muintir An Chaiseal CFTR – €498
Ballinderreen Community Centre – €620
Ballinasloe Town Hall Company – €746
Westside Resource Centre – €779
Clonberne Community Centre Co – €3,055
Ballybane Community Centre – €4,224
S.C.C.U.L Enterprises – €4,654

Renewed appeal for information on missing Mayo man

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January 30, 2023

Renewed appeal for information on missing Mayo man

Gardaí are renewing their appeal to the public for information that could help locate a 68 year old man missing from County Mayo.

Seamus Cawley has been missing from his home in Crossmolina, Co. Mayo since the morning of Monday, January 16.

Seamus was last seen at approximately 10am when he left his home in a silver Volkswagen Golf with registration number 08-MO-11334.

His vehicle was last observed parked near to Knockadine Bridge at the N59, which is 3km outside of Crossmolina town.

Seamus is described as being approximately 5’9” with a stocky build and grey hair.

When last seen, he was wearing a green jumper, checked shirt and navy trousers.

Gardaí and Seamus’ family are concerned for his welfare.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was travelling along the N59 on Monday, January 16 between 10am -12.30pm, and who may have information or dash cam footage, to come forward to them.

Anyone with any information on Seamus’ whereabouts is asked to contact Ballina Garda Station on 096 20560, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Applications open for 2023 Galway City Council Arts Grants

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January 30, 2023

Galway Daily news Open call for applicants to Galway City Creative Communities Grant

Applications are now open for the 2023 Galway City Council Arts Grant Scheme to help support professionals and amateurs alike.

There is €400,000 in total available for the scheme this year, which has now been divided based on the applicant’s professional status.

The Grant is split into two distinct strands: one for Professional Organisations and one for Community, Voluntary and Amateur Organisations.

This is to ensure the application, assessment and funding processes are tailored to the distinct needs of both strands.

The closing date for applications is 4pm on February 16. More information is available at www.galwaycity.ie/artsgrants2023.

There you can find links to information on what individuals and groups are eligible for what strand of the scheme, and application forms.

An Bord Pleanála refuses planning for Galway City housing estate

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January 30, 2023