Over €8.5 million in funding for Knock and Shannon airports

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December 10, 2022

Galway Daily weather weather warning for low temperature and ice

Freezing conditions are expected to continue throughout the weekend, with a weather warning issued for overnight on Saturday.

A yellow weather warning has been issued by Met Eireann for low temperatures and ice across all of Ireland for Saturday night and Sunday morning.

“A sharp frost and further icy stretches will set in on Saturday night as temperatures dip to -5 degrees in places.”

The warning will be in place from 10pm on Saturday until midday on Sunday.

A separate warning for freezing fog, creating hazardous driving conditions, also remains in effect until Sunday.

Connacht squad named for Falcon’s fixture

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December 10, 2022

Galway Daily rugby The Sportsground to be renamed Dexcom Stadium in partnership deal — Photo: INPHO/Connacht Rugby

The Connacht Squad has been named for this evening’s game against Newcastle, with Adam Byrne starting for the first time.

Connacht will face the Falcon’s at the Sportsground in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday, with kick-off at 5:30pm.

Adam Byrne is handed his first Connacht start on the wing, in a back three that also contains Diarmuid Kilgallen and full-back Tiernan O’Halloran.

There’s a new-look centre pairing of Cathal Forde and Tom Daly, while David Hawkshaw is handed a start at out-half with Caolin Blade for company to complete the backs.

There’s a new front row of Peter Dooley, Dylan Tierney-Martin and Jack Aungier, while Josh Murphy and Niall Murray are paired together in the second row. Paul Boyle keeps his place at number 8 after his Player of the Match performance against Benetton, with captain Jarrad Butler and Shamus Hurley-Langton named on the flanks.

On the bench there’s a potential debut for Ballinasloe flanker Oisín McCormack, who has come through the ranks with Garbally College, Ballinsloe RFC and Buccaneers RFC

Commenting on the team selection, Director of Rugby Andy Friend said, “Challenge Cup rugby is a different challenge but one we’re really looking forward to.”

“We’ve been clear from the start that we’ll be using these games to give some players a chance to impress, so this is a great opportunity to test our increasing depth across the squad.”

Our target is to reach the knockout stages and see what happens from there. As is always the case in Europe it’s vital you win your home games so with the crowd behind us on Saturday we hope to get another win and keep building momentum.”

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Saturday 10th December, 17:30 @ The Sportsground

Number/Name/Caps
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (210)
14. Adam Byrne (1)
13. Tom Daly (66)
12. Cathal Forde (3)
11. Diarmuid Kilgallen (9)
10. David Hawkshaw (7)
9. Caolin Blade (156)
1. Peter Dooley (7)
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (11)
3. Jack Aungier (40)
4. Josh Murphy (6)
5. Niall Murray (42)
6. Jarrad Butler (102) (C)
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (6)
8. Paul Boyle (81)

Replacements
16. Shane Delahunt (118)
17. Denis Buckley (217)
18. Sam Illo (4)
19. Leva Fifita (18)
20. Oisín McCormack *
21. Colm Reilly (13)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (58)
23. Tom Farrell (85)

Domestic abuse calls rising in 2022 Garda figures show

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December 10, 2022

Reports of domestic abuse, and sexual, and gender based violence have continued to rise across the country this year, Garda figures show.

Provisional figures show that up to December 9 of this year, there have been 49,257 reports of domestic abuse made to Gardaí, a 9% increase on the same period in 2021.

Since 2020, the incidents of coercive control being recorded has risen steadily with a total of 481 recorded to date.

In recent years, An Garda Síochána has introduced a number of measures including Operation Faoiseamh, Divisional Protective Service Units, and increased training to tackle domestic and sexual abuse.

In order to tackle coercive control, something which can be harder to spot than physical abuse, Gardaí have undertaken specific training on it, which has now been completed by more than 90% of officers.

Detective Chief Supt, Garda National Protective Services Bureau, Colm Noonan, said, “An Garda Síochána is unwavering in our commitment to supporting victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence, and investigating and prosecuting offenders.

“We are focused on a number of operational areas that we believe will enhance how individual Gardaí respond to victims and incidents of domestic abuse to ensure that no matter where a person lives, the service and protection they receive from An Garda Síochána will be of a consistently high standard.”

“The Christmas period is an enjoyable time for the majority of citizens but An Garda Síochána understands the fear and concern some in our community have in their own homes, which can be further heightened at this time of year.”

He urged anyone who is currently suffering domestic, sexual, or gender based abuse, or who has in the past, to contact any Garda station or 999/112.

“By fully exposing these crimes, as well as constantly improving our policing response and wider policies, we can help reduce the prevalence of domestic abuse in our society.”

Enterprise programme for Gaeltacht TY students launched in Connemara

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December 9, 2022

galway daily news student enterprise programme launch in connemara

A student enterprise programme for Transition Year students in Gaeltacht areas was launched on Friday morning at Coláiste Cholmcille in Connemara.

Clár na gComhlachtaí, provided by Údarás na Gaeltachta in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI), encourages budding entrepreneurs in TY to develop their own mini-enterprises and compete in a national final.

It is a hands-on business learning experience and is taught through the Irish language to students attending schools in Gaeltacht regions.

Speaking at the launch this morning, Minister for State for Sport and the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers said that Clár na gComhlachtaí is a wonderful programme which allows second-level pupils in the Gaeltacht to get a flavour of the life of an entrepreneur.

He said that they get the opportunity to learn the basic principles of enterprise in an way that is both enjoyable and challenging.

“These young people gain an understanding of the enormous difference between the classroom and the real work environment; they also gain an insight into the link between what they learn in that classroom and the skills which are needed to develop a business idea agus bring a new project to fruition.

“We hope that the programme will teach them skills which will enable them to stay in Gaeltacht areas or return to the Gaeltacht in the future.”

This was also the first public event attended by the newly-appointed chairperson of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Tomás Ó Síocháin.

“Our participation in Clár na gComhlachtaí brings together many of the most important strands of the work of Údarás na Gaeltachta: promoting entrepreneurship, supporting young people, and fostering a pride in the Irish language,” said Tomás Ó Síocháin.

“It gives me great pleasure that it is here, among the young people of the Gaeltacht, that I begin my term as CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta.”

Funding announced for 46 Tidy Towns groups across Galway

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December 9, 2022

Galway Daily news Grant funding awarded to 42 Galway Tidy Towns groups — Milltown tidy towns 2019

Forty-six Tidy Towns groups in Co. Galway will receive a total of €65,000 in funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development as they prepare for next year’s competition.

The groups across the county will receive grants of between €1,000 and €4,000 as part of the initiative.

Almost 900 Tidy Towns groups across the country will receive funding, totalling €1.4 million.

Groups who entered the SuperValu TidyTowns competition in 2021 or 2022 will be eligible, and they will be contacted before Christmas to confirm their funding.

Applications for funding must be returned to Pobal no later than 28 February 2023, and projects and initiatives funded through this support must be completed by July 31.

Announcing the funding today, Minister Heather Humphreys said she has written to all Tidy Towns groups across the country and thanked them for their work and dedication to their community.

“The efforts of the thousands of volunteers make our towns more vibrant and better places to live, work and raise a family,” she said.

“I want to support our Tidy Towns Groups in preparing for next year’s competition and today I am delighted to announce the detail of the €1.4 million in funding which I confirmed at the event in the RDS in October.”

“The funding of between €1,000 and €4,000 is being provided to groups to assist them in preparing for the 2023 Competition, the 65th anniversary of the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, but no sign of retirement on it – it’s stronger it’s getting.”

Urgency needed on pay if Community Employment is to be sustained – Kerrane

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December 9, 2022

galway daily news claire kerrane at dáil child maintenance

Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane has called for urgent government action to address long-running concerns raised by Community Employment (CE) supervisors and assistant supervisors regarding pay-related issues.

Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, Deputy Kerrane raised concerns around pay and working conditions for CE supervisors across the State.

She spoke about the experience of one CE supervisor who has been left with no option but to resign due to the ongoing employment issues she has been facing.

“She was running a scheme with over 30 participants supporting 20 sponsors and which spanned an area of 85km, without the support of an Assistant Supervisor which couldn’t be recruited due to the low levels of pay on offer,” said Deputy Kerrane.

The local TD said that this is not a one-off experience, and that she and her colleagues have heard from countless others who are in the same situation.

“CE schemes provide incredibly valuable community services and supports in every county across the State, and we must make sure that those running the schemes are provided with adequate pay and working conditions. If we do not, we will lose more good people and it is communities that will suffer,” she said.

“The Minister confirmed to me today that the Department for Social Protection are willing to engage with CE Supervisors on pay, which is welcome.

“However, he noted that the Department require sanction of funds from DPER in order to move forward with this process, which they have not yet received.

“I am calling for DPER to give the go-ahead, so this engagement to begin. We need urgent action in relation to this issue and I will continue to push for buy-in from all relevant Departments to resolve this matter.”

Road users warned of freezing fog and ice this evening and overnight

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December 9, 2022

Galway Daily weather Met Eireann issues fresh weather warning for Galway

Met Éireann has issued another status yellow warning for ice and low temperatures in Galway this evening and overnight.

The forecasters have also issued a yellow warning for freezing fog, which could cause hazardous conditions on the roads.

The warnings will come into force this afternoon and remain in place until 12 noon on Saturday.

A sharp frost and icy stretches will set in tonight as temperatures dip to -4 degrees in places.

The weekend will remain cold and sunny, with -5 degrees forecast for much of east Galway on Sunday evening and overnight.

But current indications are that snow could be on its way for early next week.

Stay up to date with the latest weather on Galway Daily’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

Water outages in multiple towns across Galway today

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December 9, 2022

Galway Daily news Water outages in Moycullen

Several towns across Galway are experiencing water outages today due to burst mains and technical issues with a reservoir and treatment plant.

Work is underway to restore the water supply to Gort & Loughrea following today following overnight issues at the Seefin Reservoir and Gort water treatment plant.

Multiple areas in Athenry are also experiencing water outages today following a serious burst mains at Seefin, Athenry.

This is disrupting the water supply to Raheen Road, Moanbaun GWS, Prospect & Derrydonnell Road.

The county council has said that a contractor is on route to carry out repair works.

Blue Teapot Theatre Company gets a boost with council funding

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December 9, 2022

The Blue Teapot Theatre Company have gotten a shot in the arm to improve their recently purchased premises in the westend.

Back in October, Blue Teapot became the proud owners of the premises on Munster Avenue that they have inhabited since 2008.

Now the city council have been given a helping hand to show pride in their home with a €25,000 grant from the city council.

Mayor of Galway, Cllr Clodagh Higgins along with a nine pact of Councillors that determines the budget in Galway City Council made a presentation to Blue Teapot Company in late November.

The request for funding to the Councillors was for the renovation of aspects of the newly purchased building to bring it up to standard in terms of accessibility and service provision for intellectually disabled artists.

“We are thrilled to have a permanent home in the heart of this very special neighbourhood in Galway City and this funding allocation will go towards getting us set up in our new home,” explained Petal Pilley, Creative Director of Blue Teapot.

Owning this space offers the company the potential to contribute to the cultural life of Galway and the Western Region through the provision of a new arts and disability centre.

They envision it as a hub and centre of excellence for ID theatre arts, and propose to develop in line with international best practice models.

Blue Teapot has worked consistently to radically transform theatre practices by telling stories through the lens of disability and pave the way for inclusive practices to become the norm.

Particular focus is given to how the company is positioned today at local, national and international levels.

Commenting on the budget allocation, Cllr Higgins commented, “We recognise and appreciate the valuable work you do in our community, and we would like to wish you every good luck with your future plans for the building.”

Blue Teapot thanked Mayor Clodagh Higgins and Cllr. Frank Fahy, Cllr. Eddie Hoare, Cllr. Donal Lyons, Cllr. Terry O’ Flaherty, Cllr. Martina O’ Connor, Cllr. Niall Murphy, Cllr. Colette Connolly, Cllr. Niall McNelis and Cllr. Mike Cubbard for this funding allocation.

Plans for new and improved homeless day centre and emergency accommodation

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December 9, 2022

Galway Daily news Plans for new and improved homeless day centre and emergency accommodation

The City Council has announced plans to build a new homeless day centre with accommodation in the westside area of the city.

The council intends to demolish the existing Teach Corrib day centre operated by COPE Galway, and build a larger replacement on the site.

The part three-storey, part two-storey building will replace the existing day services, but will also incorporate temporary emergency accommodation.

It will feature 8 one-bed units, which can each be converted into three person dormitories for the cold weather response, along with 2 two-bed units.

This is to replace the existing portacabins, with 21 beds in total, which are currently used for the Emergency Cold Weather Response to try and avoid people sleeping on the street during Winter.

The plans also include quarters for the night staff, along with a landscaped courtyard with an outdoor training area.

The rear of the building has been left at two storeys for the sake of the homes behind the site.

“The proposed development aims to provide a much-needed upgrade in the existing day centre facilities, along with additional resources,” a Planning Report for the project states.

“It will also accommodate temporary homeless accommodation year-round, with the focus on identifying and progressing routes out of rough sleeping and homelessness on a regular basis while also adapting during the winter months to increase the intake of vulnerable rough sleepers.”

Submissions on these plans can be made to the city council in writing or by email up to Friday, January 27.

€3.3 million in grants awarded to Galway Community Centres

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December 9, 2022

Galway Daily news €3.3 million in grants awarded to Galway Community Centres

Galway has been awarded €3.3 million for upgrade and development works to 21 community centres across the county.

Minister Heather Humphreys and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar have announced the latest round of grants under the Community Centre Investment Fund.

This allocates grants of €25,000 to €300,000 for improvements to Community Centres, Parish Halls, Scouts Clubs, Youth Hubs, Family Resources Centres and Sports Complexes.

The work being done at them can include building extensions, providing new meeting facilities, energy efficiency upgrades, disability access, maintenance works and more.

In Galway, funding has been awarded to 21 organisations, with four receiving the maximum amount of €300,000.

These are Cortoon/Lavally Community Development Company, Western Traveller And Intercultural Development Company, Abbeyknockmoy Parish Society, and Comharchumann Shailearna Teo.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said, “I’m delighted to see this ground-breaking investment in community centres. It will bring real improvements to the heart of communities across Ireland.”

“In time, I think it will become as significant as the Sport Capital Programme which has brought local sporting facilities up a level that would have been unimaginable 20 years ago.”

Nationwide, the programme will see €33 million distributed to 278 community centres.

Applications for the fund closed in July, and grants under category 1, for amounts up to €25,000 were announced by Minister Humphreys back in October.

The €33 million announced this week is for categories 2 & 3, covering larger scale projects.

“The local community centre is at the heart of our towns, villages and parishes right across the country. Our Community Centres come in many different shapes and sizes and provide a wide and diverse range of services and activities,” Heather Humphreys said.

“The Community Centre is where the children go to play sport; it’s where meals are provided for our senior citizens; it’s where the local dramatic society perform; it’s where the ICA, our Men’s Sheds, Youth Clubs and other local organisation come together for their meetings and events.”

Senator Aisling Dolan said, “Community Centres funding is an investment in the future and makes our towns come alive with the buzz of renovation.”

“Competitive bids from local providers for these works will be of benefit for electricians, plumbers and skilled people in construction and retrofitting.”

The full list of community centres in Galway awarded grants is:

Ballybane Community Centre – €25,000
Killimordaly Community Centre – €25,000
Portumna Town & Community Hall – €25,000
Lackagh Museum and Community Development Association – €38,698.17
Inishbofin Development Company – €92,125.22
Clonberne Community Centre Co – €100,000
Ballinasloe Social Services Company – €83,387.86
Simon Community (Galway) – €35,530.00
Claddaghduff Hall Company – €94,618.94
Fr. Sammon Community Centre – €89,212.29
Connemara West Public Limited Company – €93,756.45
Cortoon/Lavally Community Development Company – €300,000
Eyrecourt & District Community Development Company – €282,728.92
Ballinasloe Town Hall – €251,919.47
Kinvara Community Council – €219,757
Loughnane and Quinn Memorial Hall – €286,803.29
Western Traveller And Intercultural Development Company – €300,000
Comharchumann Mhic Dara Teo – €294,362.25
Abbeyknockmoy Parish Society – €300,000
Comharchumann Shailearna Teo – €300,000
Ballymoe Development Company – €97,289.05

Over 200 new jobs approved at Údarás na Gaeltachta board meeting in Na Forbacha

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December 8, 2022

Galway Daily news Two Galway women appointed to Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta

Two-hundred and nine new jobs were approved at the final Údarás na Gaeltachta board meeting of 2022 today at the organisation’s HQ in Na Forbacha.

Among the projects granted approval today was a development in Aran Biomedical in An Spidéal, which will create 45 new jobs as part of its expansion.

It was also announced that Meangadh Fíbín Teo in Connemara will create an extra 15 jobs between now and 2025.

The company Cora Tine in An Fál Carrach in Donegal is to create 53 new posts with the help of Údarás na Gaeltachta investment.

In Mayo, grant aid was approved for Aran Woollen Mills, which is planning significant expansion and the employment of a further 37 people.

Today’s meeting was also the first attended by newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Tomás Ó Síocháin. He succeeds Micheál Ó hÉanaigh, whose five-year term recently came to an end.

The board welcomed the new Chief Executive, and Údarás na Gaeltachta chairperson Anna Ní Ghallachair thanked the board and staff for their work over the past year.

Speaking after today’s board meeting, the new Chief Executive, Tomás Ó Síocháin, said that the strong employment figures demonstrate the valuable work being done by Údarás na Gaeltachta.

“Employment is an important step in the strengthening of communities and language in Gaeltacht areas and as Chief Executive, I am looking forward to working with the team in Údarás na Gaeltachta, and building on the work which has been done by the Údarás over a number of years.”

70 patients on trolleys in Galway hospitals today

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December 8, 2022

Overcrowding is continuing to affect patients in University Hospital Galway and Portiuncula University Hospital after the worst November on record for hospitals nationally.

There were 70 people waiting for a bed across the local hospitals this morning, 51 at UHG and 19 at Portiuncula Hospital.

A total of 545 patients were on trolleys nationally this morning, with only University Hospital Limerick and Cork University Hospital recording higher trolley figures than UHG.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said that last month was the worst November on record for overcrowding in Irish hospitals.

Galway’s hospitals had over 1,000 patients on trolleys during the month and UHG was the fifth most overcrowded hospital in the State.

The INMO described November’s overcrowding as “chaotic”, with just two days when there were fewer than 500 people admitted to hospital without an inpatient bed.

Gardaí to target 4 lifesaver offences on roads this Christmas

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December 8, 2022

Galway Daily news National Slow Down Day traffic operation after road deaths

Gardaí have urged motorists to take care while travelling on roads over the coming weeks at the launch of their Christmas and New Year road safety appeal.

An Garda Síochána is targeting four ‘lifesaver offences’ over the holidays: intoxicated driving, speeding, the use of mobile phones and seatbelt offences.

There will be a particular emphasis on locations where there is a higher risk of fatal or serious injury collisions.

To date, 148 people have lost their lives on the roads this year – 25 more than on the same date in 2021.

A total of 1,125 collisions causing serious injury have also occurred.

Data compiled over the past 12 years indicates that the highest risk time for fatal or serious road traffic collisions during the Christmas period is between midday and 9pm.

Over half of incidents occurring within this timeframe, and 21% occurred between 3pm and 6pm.

The risk of a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision is highest on the Sunday of the Christmas period.

From January 1st 2022 to date, 156,560 drivers have been detected for travelling in excess of a speed limit.

A total of 17,567 drivers have been caught using their mobile phone while driving and 5,664 seatbelt offences were recorded.

More than 7,600 people have been arrested on suspicion of drink/drug driving.

An Garda Síochána has also urged all road users to be safe this Christmas and New Year period, particularly this weekend as Met Éireann have issued a yellow weather warning for sub-zero temperatures.

Inspector Ross O’Doherty of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said that the Christmas period is one of the busiest on Ireland’s roads.

“Our operational activity over the past seven days indicates to us that drivers need to be much more mindful of the offences which so often lead to fatal or near fatal road traffic collisions,” he said.

“The number of people that have already lost their lives on Irish roads this year is a cause for concern – Gardaí are out of duty every day enforcing Road Traffic legislation in order to ensure that we do not lose any more lives.

“Motorists and all road users can help us reduce these stark statistics. Please be mindful of how easily collisions can happen.

“We are urging all road users and motorists in particular to pay even greater attention to driving conditions over the coming weekend, as temperatures take a sharp dip and the roads become more difficult to navigate.”

Create While You Wait programme launched at UHG

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December 8, 2022

galway daily news create while you wait programme at galway hospital — Professional artist, Yvonne Cullivan, with Keelan Gallagher of Baile na hAbhann (14). Photo: Andrew Downes, XPOSURE

National children’s charity Helium Arts has launched its ‘Create While You Wait’ outpatients programme in University Hospital Galway.

The programme sees bespoke creative activity packs designed by professional artist Yvonne Cullivan provided to children and young people while they wait to see a doctor or nurse.

Yvonne is also engaging with outpatients through the programme, which supports children and young people aged between 6 and 18 who are managing lifelong health conditions.

The initiative aims to help to brighten the atmosphere of waiting areas while also providing a distraction and relieving stress for children and families.

Yvonne Cullivan said that the effect of having an artist present in the outpatient waiting space is immediate.

“Staff and families alike are welcoming and willing to engage with me,” she said.

“Children and young people have the chance to play with materials, with me or their parents, to keep them focused and entertained.”

Yvonne said that she has seen this instantly calm children down and stop their tears if they have been distressed at all during their visit.

“Children and young people have been creating beautiful artworks with focus and pride, sometimes with their parents or guardians helping out.

“It is an opportunity for choice and expression for them and I feel that our engagement is really valuable in that moment.

“The space itself is brightened up with the beautiful images they create. It is really rewarding to see and feel the difference it makes to families to engage with me for those few minutes or hours of waiting.”

Consultants and hospital staff have commented on how beneficial it is to have this programme in their clinic waiting rooms.

Dr Annette Murphy, Head Consultant, said that children are relaxed and less intimidated because of the initiative.

Helene Hugel, founder and CEO of Helium Arts added: “Nurturing creativity through the arts is shown to improve coping skills, wellbeing, stress and anxiety, as well as building confidence, self-worth and a sense of hope.

“At Helium Arts, we are driven by the idea that healthcare will always be about more than treating the condition – it is about supporting people. And as we have seen throughout the pandemic, the arts play a vital role in supporting people, both their individual and their community wellbeing.”

The launch of this programme at UHG was made possible through funding received from the Community Foundation for Ireland and the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal.

To find out more about the programme, or to refer a child, contact Helium Arts’ Family Liaison on hello@helium.ie.

Over €3.3 million announced for 21 Galway community centres

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December 8, 2022

galway daily news community centre funding galway

The Department of Rural and Community Development has announced funding of over €3.35 million for 21 community centres across Galway.

Grants of between €25,000 and €300,000 for the local community centres were confirmed by Minister Heather Humphreys this morning.

Community centres, parish halls, scouts clubs, youth hubs, family resource centres and sports complexes are set to benefit from the funding.

An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, who announced the funding with Minster Humphreys this morning, said that he is delighted to see this ‘ground-breaking’ investment in community centres.

He said that it will bring real improvements to the heart of communities across Ireland.

“In time, I think it will become as significant as the Sport Capital Programme which has brought local sporting facilities up a level that would have been unimaginable 20 years ago.

“The benefits will be felt in Community Centres, Parish and Scouts Halls, Clubhouses, Men’s Sheds and Youth Facilities.

“Every county in Ireland will receive funding, for projects like new meeting rooms, refurbished and warmer buildings, new social hubs, and improved disability access.”

The most popular pc games for fishing fans

By

Angela Mc Bride

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December 8, 2022

Best fishing simulators

Fishing simulators are a great way to relax and relieve stress and are sometimes the only opportunity to get out on the pond for fishing enthusiasts of all stripes.

Of course, sitting with a fishing rod can hardly be compared with something, but household or work affairs, weather, or lack of bite can easily hamper your way to the evening fishing. And nobody canceled the need to fuss with gear, bait, and bait. Meanwhile, fishing simulators in these conditions can be a worthy alternative if better substitutes exist. Fishing games are so popular that they even have themed online slots and other online casino games. Today we will analyze the best games about fishing on PC, consoles, and mobile gadgets. Our top list includes the following:

Advanced simulators.
Staking on maximum realism.
Uncomplicated arcade games will be easy to master, even for a person far from video games.

Every fisherman will find a suitable place to cast a fishing rod!

Professional Fishing

Genre: simulator
Platforms: PC, Android, Apple
Player ratings: 75% (Steam)

Let’s go straight to the trump card: Professional Fishing is probably the best fishing simulator among the games distributed on a free-to-play model. That is, you can download it free on any of the available platforms! Moreover, here you will not see even a trace of the usual “free play” games hurt: graphics are made at a decent level for the genre, and putting money for in-game purchases for a relaxing pastime is unnecessary.

A cute, three-dimensional environment and a modern engine allow you to walk around each body of water on your own to choose the right place to fish. And if you want to cast a fishing rod from an island in the middle of the lake, you can get there by small boat. Thanks to an advanced artificial intelligence system, each fish behaves differently and will require an individual approach from the fisherman. The dynamic change of weather and time of day affects the process of fishing the most direct way: catching catfish is much easier at night, and the representatives of the carp family much more readily bite in the rain. Available online with tables of records, championships, and duel mode, where you can compete with a friend one-on-one.

Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour

Genre: Simulator
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Game scores: 77% (Steam)

Advanced simulator, whose developers have staked on the most realistic recreation of the fishing process and the path of a professional fisherman. The primary game mode is a career in which you have to break through from the bottom to a place on the list of the coolest fishermen in the world. And to do this, you will have to prove your skills in online championships, competing for face to face with other equally ambitious amateurs. However, no one forbids you to take a break from online battles on your server with a couple of cronies.

Authenticity and attention to detail in the game are at a high level. The developers have agreed with more than half a hundred leading fishing tackle manufacturers so each place and hook looks and works exactly as in real life. And the believability of the gameplay was overseen by world-renowned fishing experts. There are a dozen fishing spots to choose from in the most colorful locations in the U.S. and Europe. You can cast from the shore or a boat in the middle of a body of water. And to find the most suitable place for a fishing rod, you will help with sonar and GPS. Fishing Sim World is a funny but complex and demanding game for those who appreciate maximal realism in fishing simulators.

Ultimate Fishing Simulator

Genre: arcade/simulator
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Android, Apple, Nintendo Switch
Player ratings: 90% (Steam)

Ultimate Fishing Simulator is a compromise solution for those who want a sea of opportunities to catch virtual fish but are afraid of getting bored without a bite in the “professional” simulator. The fish bites almost without stopping, so sleeping for a fishing rod will not work! At the same time, referring the game to the number of primitive arcade languages does not turn around. Here you have a bunch of settings and gear, a realistic mode for hardened professionals, and a variety of fishing, including the classic float, bottom, spinning, fly fishing, and a favorite pastime of anglers – ice fishing with the obligatory ritual of drilling a hole.

The player chooses offline mode and online multiplayer with seven spacious and colorful bodies of water. And if you get tired of the built-in locations, at your service, a convenient and accessible level editor who, with the right skills, can recreate a nearby river and the pond at the cottage. Weather and time of day are constantly changing, and it’s essential to keep track of them – some fish can be fished only at night or dawn. And keep track of your achievements will help you with a collection of fishing trophies.

Fishing Planet

Genre: simulator
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Android, Apple
Players scores: 84% (Steam)

Another realistic fishing simulator, distributed on the conditional-free scheme: the basic game with all the essential features is free, and you only have to pay for all sorts of optional bonuses. In addition, it is a rare project devoted to fishing with support for full cross-platform multiplayer: PC players can fish together with those who prefer to play on consoles or even mobile devices. Fishing Planet is a time-tested game released in 2015, which entails both pros and cons. On the one hand, the developers had time to polish all the mechanics to a shine and cram the game with lots of content, and high player reviews confirm that they did a great job. On the other hand, the graphical side has undoubtedly gotten a little old in 7 years. However, if graphics aren’t the main thing for you, this game could be one of the best fisherman simulation games out there.

The main pride of the game is the advanced artificial fish intelligence that reacts to many different parameters, including season, time of day, water temperature, wind speed, weather conditions, depth, and current speed. The number of picturesque reservoirs over the years of game development has reached 25, and the number of fish species is approaching two hundred. The player has access to float, spinning, and bottom types of fishing. Different tackle allows you to pick the most suitable combination for your tasks. You can fish from the shore or on a motorboat. As a competitive mode in the game, there are regular online competitions with personal scoring and prizes.

Local senator welcomes energy supports for businesses

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December 8, 2022

Galway Daily news Galway Senator condemns "rotten, corrupt" saga at Inland Fisheries Ireland

Senator Seán Kyne has welcomed the launch of an energy support scheme for businesses.

Businesses can now apply for the TBESS scheme which provides up to €10,000 per month to businesses, professions, trades or retailers, whose bills have increased by more than 50% when compared with last year.

The Galway Fine Gael senator said that the government supported business through Covid-19, and as a result most of them were in good shape to re-start after the pandemic.

He said that they “didn’t do that in order for those same businesses to fail now due to high energy costs, so we have put this easy to access scheme in place to help at this crucial time.”

Senator Kyne encouraged all businesses, big and small – including cafés, restaurants, pubs, hairdressers, accountants, creches and manufacturing – to apply through the Revenue Online Service.

“The scheme runs from September 1^st last to February 28^th next and claims can be submitted now to get a payment before the end of 2022.”

First acts announced for GIAF Big Top 2023!

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December 8, 2022