Man to be sentenced over Eyre Square firework incident that caused life changing injuries

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September 28, 2022

galway daily arts & culture Skylight 47 launch at Over the Edge open reading

This September’s Over the Edge Open Reading will take place in Galway City Library this week, and also see the launch of the latest issue of poetry magazine Skylight 47.

The featured readers for this month are Fiona Hanley, Jim Ward, & Anne Rouse, and there will also be readings by Skylight 47 contributors.

Currently based in Connemara, Fiona Hanley writes poetry and lyrical essays, with her latest works featuring in Howl: New Irish Writing and The Interpreter’s House.

Fiona read some of her poems at the Poetry Co-operative’s arts for mental healh fundraising gig in aid of Jigsaw at Róisin Dubh in July.

Jim Ward is a multilingual artist, having published poetry and stories in Irish and English.

He is the author of two plays, the award-winning Just Guff and Three Quarks (A Trinity of Joyce), and has just finished his first novel.

Raised in Virginia, Anne Rouse lives in East Sussex, and has previously held Royal Literary Fund Fellowships in Glasgow, Belfast and London.

Her poems have appeared in the Times Literary Supplement, Poetry Review, Magma, the Guardian, and other journals and anthologies.

Her latest work, Ox-Eye, poems on personal and social change, was published by Bloodaxe this June.

The Open Reading will take place this Thursday, September 29 at 6pm, and will also be livestreamed via facebook.

Students sleep out protest tonight over accommodation crisis

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September 28, 2022

galway daily news Students sleep out protest tonight over accommodation crisis — (Left to Right): Barry Ó Siochrú, Sai Gujulla, Imogen O’Flaherty Falconer, and Joe Mee (University of Galway Students’ Union)

Students from the University of Galway will be sleeping out in Eyre Square this evening in a protest of the accommodation crisis.

The University’s Students Union is calling on the government, and city council, to find solutions for the housing crisis facing students.

The sleep out protest aims to draw attention to the plight of the many students who can’t find housing.

Students’ Union President Sai Gujulla said, “We already know of students who are returning to their home countries and dropping out of their courses because they have not been able to find accommodation.”

“We have students living in cars and hostels or commuting huge distances or paying extortionate rent and this is unacceptable. Students can’t study and work under these conditions.”

The protest will leave University of Galway campus at 6pm this evening, and make its way to Eyre Square where there will be speeches before the students set up camp for the night.

Galway lotto player scoops €500,000 Euromillions prize

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September 28, 2022

Galway Daily news Galway lotto player scoops €500,000 Euromillions prize — McCanns Centra, Moycullen, Co.Galway sold a ticket worth €500,000 in Tuesday night's (27th September) EuroMillions Plus draw. Pictured outside their store is Assistant Manager Aisling Flannery and staff.

One lucky Lotto player in Galway is €500,000 richer after scooping the Euromillions Plus top prize in Tuesday night’s draw.

The winning quick pick with plus ticket was sold on the day of the draw in McCanns Centra, Moycullen, Co. Galway.

The winning numbers in Tuesday’s (27th September) EuroMillions Plus draw were: 23, 32, 35, 42, 50.

McCanns Centra in Moycullen is a local shop running just over ten years. Assistant Manager Aisling Flannery said she was delighted to get the news the store had sold a winning ticket.

“We got the call this morning and we’re absolutely delighted! To think someone in our local community could have won is just brilliant.”

“Selling a winning ticket of that value means everything to us. We’re a small run shop, and a staple in the village.”

“We’ve had some nice smaller wins over the years, but this is beyond any of that”, she said.

“This will be the talk of the village and we’ll be expecting lots of our customers over the next few days checking tickets and asking us all sorts of questions.”

We want to give massive congratulations to the winner and hope they enjoy their lovely prize,” she added.

The Galway winner is advised to sign the back of their ticket, which is now worth half a million euro, and keep it safe.

They should contact the National Lottery prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie and arrangements will be made for them to claim their prize.

As there was no winner of last night’s EuroMillions jackpot of €17,000,000 Friday night’s draw is set to roll towards an estimated €30 Million.

Galway city street closing for one month

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September 28, 2022

Galway daily news Seven week road closure in downtown Galway City

A street in the west end of Galway City will be closing for a month while infrastructure works are taking place in the area.

Galway City Council has given notification that Munster Avenue will be closed daily from October 24 to November 25.

The road is being closed to allow for urgent upgrade works on the water infrastructure in the area.

In order to facilitate these works, the road will be closed from 8am to 6pm each day.

Diversion routes will be in place via Father Griffin Road, Father Griffin Avenue, Sea Road and William Street West.

Local access will be maintained at all times, and the city council will have signage in place in advance of the works.

Music for Galway is Bach in business

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September 28, 2022

Galway Daily music bach music for Galway

Music for Galway’s latest international concert with a stunning Bach rendition as part of a new initiative, the Galway Encore.

Three exquisite musicians, impassionate violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, as versatile as virtuoso violin and viola player Sergey Malov and mesmerising cellist Natalie Clein, are joining forces to perform the string trio arrangement of Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

The first concert will take place this Thursday at 8pm in the Emily Anderson Concert Hall at University of Galway.

A second concert will take place the following evening at the same time in Christ Church in Portumna.

Anna Lardi, executive director of Music for Galway said that this is an exciting moment for them, as they seek to make “first-rate classical music concerts” accessible in the wider region.

“Furthermore, MfG is joining the many arts organisations who are becoming more and more conscious of working in a more sustainable way.”

“As we bring three artists from three different countries to Galway we want to get the most out of them, hence the repeat performance in Portumna”.

1 of 3

On top of these concerts, Sergey Malov will also be at the Mall Theatre in Tuam a day earlier, inviting close to 400 children to ‘Meet the Violins’.

The iconic Bach Goldberg Variations were originally composed for harpsichord and are said to have been written to comfort and ease the insomnia of an ailing Count.

The work has become known and loved through performances on modern piano by artists such as Glenn Gould, and infamous as one of Hannibal Lecter’s favourite pieces in The Silence of the Lambs.

The magnificent arrangement for strings was written by Dmitri Sitkovetsky, the uncle of the performing violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky.

Whether in the west or the east of County Galway or beyond, here is an opportunity to experience the joy and calm that Bach sought to conjure as he wrote the Goldberg Variations, performed by world class artists.

“This trio brightened a dark day for us back in January 2021 when they performed at our Midwinter Festival online,” said Music for Galway artistic director Finghin Collins.

“At the time we thought at first that we could have a small audience, but in the end the artists could not even travel. However, their online performance from Berlin was so uplifting that we decided to invite them to Galway in person as soon as possible.”

Tickets cost €20 / €18 concession. There is a reduced price for full-time students and school-going children of €6 and MfG Friends pay €16.

To book or find out about how to join as MfG Friend, visit musicforgalway.ie or phone 091 705962. Music for Galway gratefully acknowledges the support of the Arts Council.

The repeat performance is made possible by the support of Galway County Arts Office and the educational outreach is supported by SAP.

Black Gate founders planning new venue in Galway City

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September 28, 2022

Green light for new cultural centre from Black Gate founders

Plans are in the works for a new cultural centre in Galway City from the people behind the much loved venue The Black Gate.

Tra Ghall Ltd is seeking planning permission from the city council to convert two floors of a building on Flood Street.

When converted it would consist of a café and bar on the ground floor, along with a performance/theatre space.

The first floor of the building would be converted from office use to a recording studio and editing suite.

The application states that the preparation of food would be limited to cheese platters and charcutier, with no cooking on site.

The planning documents state, “We hope to operate out of the premises, which will be similar to our previous business which was in Francis Street called The Black Gate.”

It adds that part of the project is driven by a “need to give artists voice and space”, while strengthening their role as a fulcrum in Galway’s arts scenes.

Work on the building will involve converting two windows on the front facade to doorways.

A decision from Galway City Council on the project is due by November 8 of this year.

Homeless charity Depaul welcomes budget, but says it doesn’t go far enough

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September 28, 2022

Galway Daily news Galway City Council has announced plans for a social housing development of 84 apartments and houses in Knocknacarra.

Homeless charity Depaul welcomed the allocation of €215 million for homeless services in the budget, but that more meaningful action is needed.

Depaul said that funding is needed now more than ever, with almost 11,000 people in Ireland currently homeless and in urgent need of emergency housing support.

The true picture is even worse, as these figures do not include people sleeping rough, homeless people in prison, those in direct provision and unreported homelessness.

The budget announced on Tuesday includes €215 million in funding for homeless services, as well as €98 million to support 6,467 new leased units for social housing.

Depaul’s Chief Executive, David Carroll said that this funding is welcome, but that it must be reviewed every six months to see if more is needed.

“We acknowledge it’s necessary to increase social housing supply through leased properties but care needs to be taken to ensure leases are being negotiated on behalf of the State within acceptable financial parameters.”

“We have little option but to bring in supply to target those most in housing need,” Carroll added.

Depaul said that the measures announced in the budget may not go far enough, and that more meaningful action is needed for the crisis.

“We welcome the recognition of the rent and energy credits for households, but any one off contribution needs to be done in parallel with a moratorium on evictions.”

“In order to assess what long term private rented sector reforms need to occur,” David Carroll said.

“We are calling for an immediate ban on evictions, in order to deal with the crisis over the winter period.”

The charity welcomed the tax on vacant housing, adding that there must be measures to ensure that vacant homes coming onto the market are available to those most in need.

Any increase in HAP tenancies will only be viable if properties are within HAP limits, Depaul said, which they aren’t right now.

More than just once-off funding, long term solutions are needed to address issues with the recruitment and retention issues in the voluntary and community sectors.

Last year, Depaul helped over 3,600 people across Ireland, including helping 487 people out of homelessness, and into long term accommodation.

Plans for 24m mobile mast for Claregalway approved

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September 27, 2022

Galway Daily news Planning granted for new mobile telecoms mast in Headford — Photo: Steve Kazella via Wikimedia Commons

Planning permission has been granted for a 24m high mobile mast on the outskirts of Claregalway, to replace one removed from the town.

Emerald Tower Limited has been given the green light to erect the mast in a field at Cahergowan, Claregalway, to the northwest of the village.

The monopole mast will hold nine antennae and three dishes, catering to Eir and Three Ireland.

Both operators had equipment on the roof of the Claregalway Hotel, but were served with notice to quit due to redevelopment plans.

The two are currently operating from a temporary 12m structure, but this 24m mast is meant to be a permanent replacement, with room for a third operator as well.

The new mast will serve to continue existing 3G and 4G services, as well as provide the infrastructure needed for 5G, the application states.

Planning permission for this development was granted by the county council with 11 conditions attached.

One submission was received from Vantage Towers, which stated that the council approved their plans for a 27m lattice mast some 500m away back in March.

These plans, meant for Vodafone and potential other operators, are currently the subject of a third party appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

Galway Bar wins best Outdoor Space in Connacht at Irish Pub Awards

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September 27, 2022

Galway Daily food & drink Galway Bar wins best Outdoor Space in Ireland at Irish Pub Awards

O’Connell’s beloved beer garden in Galway City was recognised at the Irish Pub Awards this week, winning Best Outdoor Space in Connacht.

The former Grocery Store that has been a solely a pub since the 1970’s has become one of Galway’s most loved places to meet, have a drink and eat.

Outside, the mock street look of the beer garden is a wonderful place to eat and drink in company.

Diners can enjoy the award winning Dough Bros from the kitchen on site, and new addition to the garden Pratai Chips.

All this whilst enjoying the best of cocktails, pints of Guinness or sampling one of their many bottles of whiskey as well as live music.

A custom-built bar was installed as well as retro fit vintage neon signage to bring the garden beautifully from day to night.

Inside the bar is no slouch either; the décor has all original features including tiled floors, antique lighting, stained glass windows, solid wooden seating and a pressed tin ornate ceiling in the main bar.

Earlier this month, Lowry’s Music & Whiskey Bar in Clifden was named the Connacht winner of Best Tourist Pub.

John Keogh’s Gastropub in the west end was the regional winner in the Best Food Pub category two weeks ago also.

The three of them will now go on to represent Galway and Connacht at the national awards taking place in November.

Woman and child in critical condition after incident at house in Clare

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September 27, 2022

A woman and child are in critical condition after being found injured in a home in Clare this morning.

Shortly before 8am this morning, Gardaí and emergency services attended a house at Clarecastle, Co. Clare.

A female child was discovered with serious injuries, and an adult woman was also found unconscious at the scene.

Both were taken to University Hospital Limerick, where Gardaí say they are in critical condition.

Gardaí have set up an incident room with a senior investigating officer at Ennis Garda Station, and a family liaison officer has been appointed to the family.

The scene is currently being examined by the Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit.

No further information is available, and Gardaí have said that enquiries are ongoing.

An Garda Síochána are appealing for anyone with any information on this incident to contact the investigation team.

They can make contact by calling Ennis Garda Station 065 6848100, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

More to follow..

Extra terraces for Interpro games at the Sportsground

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September 27, 2022

Galway Daily rugby Four changes made to starting XV for Connacht v Glasgow

There will be extra, temporary stands erected at the Sportsground for Connacht Rugby’s interpros against Munster and Leinster next month.

Additional terraces are being put in at the Sportsground that will bring the stadium’s capacity to over 8,000.

The game against Munster on October 7 will be the first played on Connacht’s home grounds since the installation of a new artificial surface.

A week later, Leinster will be coming to Galway for another blowout game in the United Rugby Championship.

The terraces will be located at the Bohermore and College Road ends of the ground, bringing the capacity of The Sportsground up to 8,129.

Tickets for both games are on sale now at connachtrugby.ie/tickets, and supporters are urged to act quickly to avoid disappointment.

University of Galway to welcome thousands for Open Days

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September 27, 2022

galway daily news students at university of galway open day

University of Galway will welcome thousands of prospective students and their families to campus for this year’s annual autumn undergraduate open days next week.

The open days will take place on Friday and Saturday, October 7 and 8, from 9am to 3pm each day.

This flagship event in the University’s calendar is open to students of all years, parents, guidance counsellors and teachers.

Leaving Certificate students preparing for CAO 2023 are particularly encouraged to attend ahead of making course and career choices in the coming months.

The return to in-person open days saw a surge in attendance earlier in the year with almost 6,000 students registering to attend in March 2022.

Registration is required in advance and visitors are advised to plan their day by reviewing the schedule in advance and identifying must-see talks and activities.

With almost 70 undergraduate degrees on offer at University of Galway in 2023, the open day will provide visitors the opportunity to meet lecturers, staff and students at the exhibitions spread across five zones.

Staff will also be available to discuss courses, entry requirements, work placements, study abroad and career opportunities.

The talks schedule will feature all courses and subjects across Arts, Science, Engineering, Business, Law, Nursing, Health Sciences and Medicine. It also includes talks on Student Life, Sport, Study Abroad, Careers and ALIVE volunteering.

The Access Centre will host a session on alternative pathways, mature student supports and the QQI/FETAC/PLC entry route.

Parents and guardians may be interested in the Parents’ Talk taking place on Saturday only at 12pm with advice and guidance on how they can support children’s progression to third level.

Sarah Geraghty, University of Galway Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach, highlighted the importance of providing students with opportunities to explore the campus and think about their future studies.

“Openness is a core value at University of Galway and our aim is to provide visitors with a dynamic and engaging programme of activities, with lots of opportunities to interact with staff and students and time and space to explore the campus,” she said.

“There are five different types of guided tours on offer including campus tours, accommodation tours and guided visits to teaching and learning spaces including engineering, nursing and midwifery and the library’s Makerspace.

“Exploring the campus facilities and the wider learning environment gives students a holistic view of what to expect from college life and hopefully a sense of great possibility for their future studies.”

Advance registration is required, with further info and the full programme available at universityogfgalway.ie/opendays, or by emailing opendays@universityofgalway.ie.

Tuam company showcased in LEO village at Ploughing Championships

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September 27, 2022

Tuam based GH Agri was one of over 30 companies from across Ireland which exhibited in the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships.

The Village saw Local Enterprise Office clients given the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the massive crowds that visited Co. Laois for the event.

GH Agri is licenced to manufacture, wholesale and retail natural animal healthcare products for a range of on farm diseases, mainly supplying to the dairy industry.

The company has been in business for 35 years, serving customers in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales and more recently in The United Arab Emirates.

A host of well-known faces dropped into the Local Enterprise Village across the three days including An Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and the US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin.

They had the chance to meet with GH Agri and some of Ireland’s best up-and-coming small businesses, including MyGug from LEO Cork North & West converting food waste to gas for use in your home, former All-Star Mattie Forde with sportswear company Bodibro supported by LEO Wexford, Lucy&Me and their children’s furniture company from LEO South Dublin, and LEO Donegal supported designer Bernie Murphy.

Gardaí investigate after child discovered with serious injuries

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September 27, 2022

Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

Gardaí are investigating all the circumstances of the discovery of a child with serious injuries this morning in Co. Clare.

The girl was discovered at a residence in Clarecastle, a village situated just south of Ennis in Co. Clare.

The child has been taken from the scene to Limerick University Hospital to be treated for her injuries.

Investigations are ongoing.

More to follow…

Heritage conference on castles to take place in Galway City

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September 27, 2022

galway daily news galway castle reconstructed

A heritage conference on castles and fortifications will take place in the Harbour Hotel at the Docks in Galway city on Friday 7 October and Saturday 8 October.

Speakers at the conference will include Ciaran O’Connor, Fergal McNamara, Coilin O’Drisceóil, Michael Gibbons, and Jim Higgins.

A field trip to view conservation work at Terryland Castle will take place on the Saturday in the afternoon.

The two days are full-day events, beginning at 9.30am and finishing at 5pm, and a light lunch and refreshments will be provided.

The heritage conference is free of charge but booking is essential. For booking, email planning@galwaycity.ie

Gold Star programme to improve services for disabled people in Galway

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September 27, 2022

galway daily news gold star programme in galway — Next week's launch of the Galway Gold Star initiative will be led by (from left) project director Maggie Woods; Marian Maloney, Access for All chairperson; and Minister of State for Disabilities Anne Rabbitte.

Mayor Clodagh Higgins and Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte will lead the launch of Galway’s Gold Star programme next Tuesday at 11am in the Connacht Hotel.

The programme, officially titled Access Together Galway, is a major initiative to make Galway City more accessible to disabled people, and will be run through the Galway City Partnership (GCP).

Based on the Gold Star Disability Project developed by the HSE, the initiative will allow restaurants, shops and other businesses to be rewarded with Bronze, Silver or Gold Star awards for the services they provide for people with disabilities.

The public is invited to attend the launch. Guest speaker will be Anne Bradshaw of HSE Tipperary, where the original Gold Star initiative was rolled out.

Declan Brassil, CEO of GCP, will be speaking about how the Gold Star will benefit the entire Galway community, not just people with disabilities, while Access for All chairperson Marian Maloney will give the closing address.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce will also attend and entertainment will be provided along with light refreshments.

Maggie Woods, a long-time disability advocate, started this year as project officer.

“I’m excited to take on this challenge. Like a lot of people, I love Galway but know from first-hand experience that it’s difficult to navigate the city when you have a disability, whether you use a wheelchair or have a less-visible condition like chronic fatigue or an intellectual disability,” she said.

“This is a way to address the lack of services and accessibility – as well as educating people about disability issues.”

Maggie said the goal of the Gold Star initiative is to make Galway a city that’s accessible to everyone but to do that through positive reinforcement rather than focusing on the negatives.

“Businesses will be assessed for their accessibility for people with disabilities and, depending on the level of access, will be given Bronze, Silver or Gold Star awards – or no award at all.

“As more businesses are recognised for their accessibility, other businesses will hopefully be encouraged to participate. I think it has the potential to transform accessibility in Galway.”

Run by GCP, a community development company working in Galway City since 1996, the Galway Gold Star is funded through the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund approved in December 2021 by Minister Rabbitte.

The Galway initiative will follow the design of similar Gold Star programmes successfully launched in Cashel and Tipperary towns. The programmes support the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which was ratified by Ireland in 2018.

Kerrane launches SF’s Alternative Budget social protection proposals

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September 27, 2022

galway daily news claire kerrane at dáil child maintenance

Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane launched Sinn Féin’s ‘Alternative Budget’ social protection proposals yesterday designed to support workers and families.

The measures are part of the party’s wider alternative Budget, which has a strong emphasis on the cost of living crisis.

Deputy Kerrane said they know that Government cannot protect households from every price rise and that some circumstances are out of our control.

But she said that more can and must be done to support households.

“This year’s Alternative Budget has been particularly difficult to prepare given the many crises facing society – the cost of living crisis, the housing crisis, the crisis in health and growing poverty levels,” said Deputy Kerrane.

“Poverty is one of the greatest challenges we face as a State and Social Protection is key to tackling and ending poverty. Of course, no one Budget will achieve all that we need to achieve.”

“That is why Sinn Féin is proposing Social Protection measures which are targeted to support families and children, Disabled People and Family Carers, who are often faced with additional costs and are not adequately assisted by our social welfare system.”

Deputy Kerrane explained that the party is proposing proposing payment rates for disability-related supports, such as Disability Allowance and Blind Pension, to be increased to €20 per week.

They also want to see greater supports for Family Carers, including increasing the Carer’s Support Grant to €2,000 per year.

The alternative Budget also proposed a State Pension for long-standing Carers and an increase of core social welfare rates by €17.50 per week.

Events taking place across Galway for Positive Ageing Week

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September 26, 2022

galway daily news positive ageing week events in galway

A Local Heroes Exhibition is one of many events taking place across Galway this week to mark Positive Ageing Week.

The flagship event, situated at the Eyre Square Shopping Centre in Galway city, features 22 people from across the city and county who epitomise positive, healthy and active ageing.

A number of other events have been organised this week, from training to social mornings.

Positive Ageing Week also gives children a chance to take part with free ‘colour me in’ note cards available in local libraries, Galway Atlantaquaria, Charlie Byrnes Bookshop, and directly from COPE Galway.

Children can colour one of four bespoke cover design choices and write a message to a grandparent or a special older person close to them.

There is also an opportunity to win a year’s family membership to Galway Atlantaquaria by capturing the moment they deliver the card.

Speaking about the Local Heroes Exhibition, Jacquie Lynskey, Head of Senior Support Service at COPE Galway, said they are thrilled to feature these wonderful older people who represent communities across Galway.

“Amongst the 22, you’ll meet Daniel McNamara, one of over half a million carers in Ireland without whom the health service would undoubtedly be adversely impacted,” said Jacquie.

“Carmel Larkin of the Tuam Women’s Shed shares her creativity and love of ‘networking’. And Karen O’Neill, a retired radiographer living in Ardrahan shares her knowledge of the local landscape and heritage.”

Worldwide expert on ageing, Professor Rose Anne Kenny, demystified the ageing journey for participants at an engaging talk jointly hosted by COPE Galway and the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology at University of Galway on Monday.

Professor Kenny drew from recent research to explain why we age and shared practical advice on steps we can take to stay younger and heathier for longer, looking at areas such as friendship, purpose, laughter, genetics, food, exercise, intimacy and more.

“Immersing yourself in the enjoyment of hobbies, interests and activities really benefits happy and healthy ageing,” added Jacquie.

“From our local Galway Art Club, who have produced 12 paintings for Positive Ageing Week, to the men and women featured in the Local Heroes Exhibition and all between, it’s clear that keeping active contributes to a positive disposition and a longer and healthier life.”

This year, businesses are getting involved in Positive Ageing Week by joining the year-round Embracing Ageing Programme.

The programme promotes a workplace culture that celebrates the contribution of older people. Its focus is on informing and empowering employees to manage their own positive ageing journey.

The Age Friendly Business programme run by Age Friendly Ireland is another opportunity for workplaces to get involved by making their business more accessible to the important older consumer.

Positive Ageing Week is jointly hosted by COPE Galway, Galway City Council, Galway County Council, and the Galway Age Friendly Programme.

Concern as EU downgrades West to ‘lagging region’

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September 26, 2022