70 people on trolleys in Galway hospitals today

-

October 4, 2022

galway daily news afternoon tea at the g hotel in galway city — Attending the launch of Afternoon Tea at the g Hotel with Country Music in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute were: (L/R) Maura Doyle from Tom Doyle Motors event sponsor, singer-songwriter, Marc Roberts and Johanna Downes National Breast Cancer Research Institute Galway fundraising committee. The event takes place on Sunday, October 23rd. Tickets are €50 each at www.teaattheg.ie Photo: Tom Taheny

A special fundraising event with afternoon tea and country music entertainment will take place at the g Hotel in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.

Sponsored by Tom Doyle Motors, the fun kicks off at 3pm on on Sunday, 23 October, with a reception in the grand salon followed by an afternoon tea of delicious treats in the g Hotel’s function room.

The highlight of the day will be a performance from singer-songwriter, Marc Roberts, who came second for Ireland in the 1997 Eurovision.

Marc’s career has gone from strength to strength since then, with his most recent album ‘A tribute to the music of John Denver’ going to number one in the country charts, and he also has his own popular weekend radio shows.

The charity afternoon promises to be a real treat filled with fun, music and good food with raffles held throughout.

Guests are sure to be lucky with a prize for each table and the evening will be complete with bluegrass tunes from local group, Take Two.

The National Breast Cancer Research Institute thanked the event’s main sponsor, Tom Doyle Motors, for helping to make the whole event possible.

Proceeds will go to the National Breast Cancer Research Institute research team based at the Lambe Institute, NUI Galway.

Tickets are €50 each but are limited. They are available now at teaattheg.ie

€300k awarded to City Council for two culture projects

By

-

October 4, 2022

galway daily news galway city arts funding launch with taoiseach — Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD pictured with the delegations from Galway City Council, Marilyn Gaughan-Reddan and Brendan McGrath Galway City Council Chief Executive and Derry Strabane Councils, which received funding under the Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding Scheme.

Galway City Council has been awarded €300,000 for two cross-border collaborations that will directly support the arts and artists across the country.

Atlantic Region of Creative Content (ARCC) and Culture Connects are among 25 projects which were awarded funding under the Shared Island Local Authority Funding Scheme.

The scheme allows local authorities to partner on a cross-border basis to bring new projects through feasibility or pre-planning stages.

The two Galway projects will focus on the culture and creative industries and are the first step in generating a pipeline of well-developed cross-border local authority projects.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced the funding for the 25 successful projects at an event in the Townhall Theatre in Cavan.

An Taoiseach said that he was not only struck by the diverse range of projects which have come through the process, but he was particularly pleased to see such a ‘significant geographic spread’ across the island.

Brendan McGrath, CEO of Galway City Council and Chairman of the Galway Culture Company, said that culture and creative industries are part of the fabric of our city, and that he is absolutely delighted that both Galway city applications were successful.

“It’s the first step to generate a pipeline of well-developed cross-border local authority projects that will be in a position to secure funding for a construction or implementation stage from both jurisdictions, including through the Shared Island Fund,” he said.

“We established the Galway Culture Company to bring together key agencies and stakeholders to drive forward a collective creative vision for Galway through meaningful partnership and collaboration, and this is a really good example of how we will work and how we will deliver.

“We have well-developed partnerships north and south and we are looking forward to delivering these projects with our partners.”

Buy a Heart of Gold to support Galway’s 26,500 family carers

By

-

October 4, 2022

galway daily news family carers ireland heart of gold day poster

Family Carers Ireland is urging people in Galway to support its national fundraising and awareness day, Heart of Gold, this Friday, 7 October.

Staff, volunteers and family carers will be out in force selling €2 Heart of Gold pins to raise vital funds for those caring for loved ones at home.

Funds raised will help the national charity continue to provide essential supports and services to family carers ranging from one-to-one wellbeing reviews, counselling, advocacy and emergency care planning to peer support groups and training courses.

In particularly difficult cases, it will help to put food on tables and oil in heating tanks.

The supports provided by the charity have never been so important with a recent survey of almost 2,000 family carers finding that over two-thirds experience financial distress, almost one quarter are cutting back on essentials to make ends meet and nearly nine in ten feel the value of what they do is not recognised.

Michelle Moriarty, Community Support Manager for Galway and Mayo, said that more families than ever before are reaching out for help with unprecedented levels of stress caused by the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

“I would urge the local community to rally behind our fundraiser and purchase a Heart of Gold pin in solidarity with local family carers who all deserve our support and recognition,” she said.

“As a charity, we firmly believe that no one should have to care alone but we need your help to ensure that we can continue to provide a vital lifeline to those who need it most.”

More information about Family Carers Ireland and the fundraising efforts can be found on their website www.familycarers.ie.

History made as Damian Browne comes ashore in precarious circumstances

By

-

October 4, 2022

galway daily news damien brown landing in galway

Damian Browne has become the first person in history to row from New York to Galway after coming ashore just before 1am this morning.

In the final hours of his epic 112-day journey, the weather forced Damian ashore in precarious circumstances on the rocks at Furbo Beach.

Damian immediately called Chris Martin, the Project Empower land support officer, who in turn contacted the relevant emergency services who mobilised immediately.

First on the scene were Garda Micheál Ó Ráinne from An Spidéil, Garda Vincent Kelly from Indreabhán and Garda Eoin O’Malley from Carna who found Damian and his boat Cushlamachree on the rocks and helped Damian to safety.

Damian and The Project Empower team have expressed their sincere gratitude to the Gardaí and the Emergency First Responders who looked after Damian so well.

While gutted not to have made it to The Port Of Galway, he is now reunited with his family, is in good spirits and is very much looking forward to celebrating his amazing achievement with the people of Galway.

Damien’s homecoming took place as planned at 11am in Galway Docks when hordes of people turned out to celebrate the successful completion of this mammoth adventure.

The journey, which has been entitled Project Empower, is part of a fundraising effort for four charitable organisations: National Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Ability West, Madra and The Galway Simon Community.

Those wishing to support Project Empowers charity partners – National Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Ability West, Madra and The Galway Simon Community – can do so by visiting idonate.ie/projectempower2022

Claregalway Castle to host intimate Hibernacle shows this month

By

-

October 4, 2022

galway daily news concerts at claregalway castle — Brooklyn-based 'dystopian romanticist' E.W. Harris who will play at Claregalway Castle this month

Claregalway Castle will once again host a series of intimate concerts organised by Hibernacle over three Tuesdays this month.

Meet Me at Sundown will come to Claregalway on Tuesday, October 11, with Paul Noonan (Bell X1 and HousePlants) and folk star Dani Larkin.

They will be followed one week later on October 18 by acclaimed singer-songwriter Mick Flannery, accompanied by Brooklyn-based ‘dystopian romanticist’ E.W. Harris.

Two of Ireland’s most powerful songwriters, Gemma Hayes and Cathy Davey, will round off the series of shows on Tuesday 25 October.

There is an extremely limited capacity of only 100 tickets per show, which promises to bring unique intimacy to the beautiful surroundings of Claregalway Castle.

The artists will also play at Orlagh House in Dublin on the Monday preceding their Galway concerts.

Hibernacle is the brainchild of three experienced and diverse event organisers: Úna Molloy, Pearse Doherty and Peter Kelly.

Recent Hibernacle events include Meet Me In The Garden, a series of collaborative shows at The Chestnut Bar in Birr, Co. Offaly, and Meet Me At The Castle, a series of one-day events at Claregalway Castle last autumn featuring Lisa Hannigan.

Those who have experienced a Hibernacle show know that magic happens during these collaborative experiences and tickets are selling fast.

For more info and tickets, click here.

Weather warning issued for Galway

By

-

October 3, 2022

Galway Daily weather Weather warning for heavy rain and possible flooding now in effect

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow rain warning which will come into effect at 10pm on Monday in Galway, Mayo and Donegal.

Heavy rainfall on Monday night and for a time on Tuesday morning may cause localised flooding, the forecasters have said.

The warning is set to be lifted at 5am on Tuesday morning.

It will be a windy night too, with fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds veering westerly and easing as the rain clears.

Lowest temperatures of 12 to 14 degrees are forecast.

TV series to explore stories behind Galway GAA clubs’ silverware

By

-

October 3, 2022

A TG4 series on GAA clubs and their trophies will turn its focus to Galway next Wednesday, 12 October.

Scéalta na gCorn sees presenter Gráinne McElwain travel across the country visiting clubs and county grounds, learning the lesser-known stories behind our nation’s trophies.

She finds out how some cups are named after Irish revolutionary patriots such as Roger Casement and Terence McSwiney, and how other trophies are named after clergy or GAA administrators.

In the fifth episode in the series, Gráinne travels to her adopted home county of Galway to learn about one of the oldest trophies in Ireland, The Odlums Irish Purity Cup.

She visits a local handball club that teams up with Gael Linn for a very special tournament and meets the family of young footballer Pia McDermott Geraghty who continues to be remembered in silverware.

Gráinne also travels to Ballinasloe to find out about legendary Galway hurler Michael ‘Inky’ Flaherty, and speaks to veteran Galway footballer Seán Óg de Paor about Canon Oliver Hughes’s legacy.

Conal Murphy discusses a trophy in memory of his brother Lieutenant Aonghus Ó Murchú who was killed while on duty in Lebanon in 1986.

Previous episodes can be viewed here. Produced by Imagine Media, with support from NI Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund, ‘Scéalta na gCorn’ will broadcast on TG4 weekly.

Students’ Union announces charity partners for 2022/23

By

-

October 3, 2022

University of Galway Students’ Union has announced that its charity partners for the 2022/23 academic year will be Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Galway Simon Community.

The Union will be holding fundraising events throughout the year on behalf of the two charities.

Students’ Union President Sai Gujulla said that they are excited to raise much needed funds for the two amazing charities.

He said that over the academic year, events will be organised to help students and staff to feel part of the University community, volunteer, have fun and keep active while fundraising.

Cathy Connolly, Executive Director of Galway Rape Crisis Centre, said that the charity is delighted to have been chosen by the Students’ Union as one of its nominated charities for this year.

“Many University of Galway students have been part of our volunteer fundraising team in the past, and we are ever grateful for the Students’ Union’s continued support,” she said.

“This initiative will help us to offer counselling to our crisis clients and reduce our waiting list, thereby strengthening our impact and fulfil our mission of ending cultural and societal tolerance of sexual violence through advocacy, awareness raising and education programmes.”

Aisling O’Hara of Galway Simon Community also welcomed the decision, saying that with an increase of 25% in the number of 18-25-year olds experiencing or at risk of homelessness, vital funds are needed to support these young adults and help them from falling into cyclical homelessness.

“Funds will be used for targeted trauma informed supports, which are designed to build resilience and keep these young adults connected to their local communities.”

Damian Browne in final stage of epic New York to Galway row

By

-

October 3, 2022

galway daily news man rowing from new york to galway

Damian Browne is expected to complete his extraordinary New York to Galway row tomorrow, Tuesday, with the Galway man less than 100 nautical miles from his final destination after over 100 days at sea.

Having left the Big Apple on 14 June, Browne is estimated to arrive in Galway Docks at around 10.30am on Tuesday.

The arrival is slightly later than originally expected due to the adventurer having to deploy his para anchor for a number of days due to adverse weather conditions.

Browne left the States accompanied by his lifelong friend Fergus Farrell, unfortunately Farrell had to leave the project after a couple of weeks having experienced tightness in his chest.

Farrell’s efforts at the initial stage of the journey played a huge part in safely navigating the most difficult section of the crossing.

The journey, which has been entitled Project Empower, is part of a fundraising effort for four charitable organisations: National Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Ability West, Madra and The Galway Simon Community.

Those wishing to support the event and their charity partners can do so by visiting idonate.ie/projectempower2022.

Upon completion the former Connacht and Leinster forward Damian will become one of only a few individuals to have rowed the Atlantic both ways having crossed from San Sebastian to Antigua in 2018.

“When I started out on this project some 3.5 years ago, the final destination was clear from the start; Galway. Home,” said Damien.

“The great hope with this was to give the next generation of kids in the West and throughout the country a real image and touchable action to emulate and hopefully inspire them to dream big and work hard in whatever avenue of life they decide to explore.”

He said that after 112 days of stresses, strains and doubts only an endeavour like attempting to row 3000 miles across the unforgiving North Atlantic can elicit, he is ‘incredibly excited to close out this beautiful project’ in his hometown, surrounded by my family, friends and supporters.

Project Empower continues and the journey can be followed at projectempower.ie at the Project Empower social media and in Damian Browne’s podcast – Deep Roots.

Special scholarships for 16 Irish speaking students at University of Galway

By

-

October 3, 2022

galway daily news irish speaking students scholarships galway — The sixteen students who have secured accommodation in Teach na Gaeilge, in Corrib Village on the University of Galway campus for the 2022-2023 academic year through the Irish Language Residential Scheme. Also pictured is Michelle Ní Chróinín, Director of Strategy & Planning, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar, Dorothy Ní Uigín, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Caroline Ní Fhlatharta, Oifigeach na Gaeilge, and Barry Ó Siochrú, Students’ Union. Credit – Mike Shaughnessy.

Sixteen Irish speaking students at University of Galway have been awarded special scholarships and on-campus accommodation under a new scheme for Irish speakers.

The students will share Teach na Gaeilge in Corrib Village for the 2022/23 academic year and receive €1,000 to support them with their accommodation costs.

The Irish Language Residential Scheme was first established in the University in 1991 and was relaunched for the current academic year.

It provides accommodation for students who speak Irish and aims to further develop the Irish speaking community on-campus.

Applications for places in Teach na Gaeilge were received from around the country, with students hoping to secure accommodation with fellow Irish speakers studying in the University.

Cliodhna Ní Mhianáin, who secured a place through the scheme, said that she was raised in a vibrant Irish speaking community, and that is where she is most comfortable.

She said that she believes the Irish language community share a friendship, craic and the same raison d’être which you don’t get within monolingual communities.

“I believe, with the University being so central, that a great mix of Irish speakers from each corner of the country will come together to study, along with the Connemara community, and that this will ensure a diverse range of dialects,” said Cliodhna.

“The Irish Language Residential Scheme provides students like me with the opportunity to meet these Irish speakers and I couldn’t be more excited for the year ahead.”

Deputy President and Registrar of University of Galway, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, said the creation of Teach na Gaeilge and the scholarship support shows the University’s true dedication to the promotion of the Irish language among our students.

“It also highlights how much we value and respect the Irish language and how committed we are to strengthening and reinforcing its use on campus.

“These students are ambassadors for the Irish language. They will be a central part of the University’s Irish language community and that of the city.

“This socialisation is of the utmost importance in terms of language practices and use.

“Teach na Gaeilge and the Irish Language Residential Scheme also shows the University community that the Irish language is central to all aspects of life here in University of Galway.”

Galway non-profit honoured at Lotto Good Causes Awards

By

-

October 3, 2022

Galway Daily news Galway non-profit crowned winner at Lotto Good Causes Awards — Photo: Gaillimh le Gaeilge via twitter

The non-profit organisation Gaillimh le Gaeilge has been named as one of the winners in this year’s National Lottery Good Causes Awards.

Gaillimh le Gaeilge was the winner in the Irish Language category of the awards, receiving a €10,000 prize.

Gaillimh le Gaeilge is a non-profit founded 30 years ago to promote the Irish language in Galway City, particularly as an economic resource.

The group works with the City Council, Galway Chamber, and other groups to develop Galway as a bilingual city.

Ciara O’Connor of Gaillimh le Gaeilge said that it is “such an honour” to have been nominated, let alone win in this ca

“It’s just fantastic to get that recognition, and hopefully we can continue our hard work in Galway.”

Gaillimh le Gaeilge offers their services free of charge to the business community and people of Galway, she said, to encourage them to use Irish.

They help people to, “step by step incorporate the Irish language into their business, so that bilingual image of Galway is strong, and so that people can go about their business day to day seeing the language, hearing the language.”

They can offer businesses translation services, or even just, “advice on where to sprinkle the language into their business.”

This year’s Good Causes Awards ceremony took place in Killashee House Hotel in Co.Kildare.

Grainne Seoige hosted the event and was joined by an array of familiar faces to present each of the awards to the category winners.

The Awards have seven categories: Sport, Health & Wellbeing, Heritage, Arts & Culture, Community, Youth and Irish Language.

A brand-new award category, ‘Hero of the Year’, was created this year to recognise outstanding work done by an individual within an organisation.

This year’s winner was Josie Reynolds, volunteer with the Melting Pot Community Society in Co. Roscommon, while the Overall winner was Cú Chulainn Blood Bikes in Co. Monaghan.

Andrew Algeo, Chief Executive of the National Lottery, congratulated all the winners, saying that they have a “massive impact” in their communities.

“It is such an inspiration to see how tirelessly these people work and how much time they dedicate daily for the benefit of others.”

More power for Eyre Square events

By

-

October 3, 2022

Eyre Square is getting more juice for big events, with upgrade works due to take place this month.

Galway City Council has notified that power supply works for the public plaza are getting underway this month.

“All pedestrians are kindly requested to follow temporary traffic management measures put in place during works,” the council said.

Enquires in relation to these works may be directed to Recreation & Amenity Section telephone number 091-536400 or by email parks@galwaycity.ie.

Plans approved for Clifden remote working hub

By

-

October 3, 2022

Galway Daily news Plans approved for Clifden remote working hub

Planning permission has been granted by the county council to open a new remote working hub in Clifden.

Clifden Chamber of Commerce has been given the green light for the conversion of part of building from commercial use to work hub/offices/meeting rooms.

The new co-working hub will have a total of 69 desks for remote working located on the first floor of the Main Street building.

The majority of parking for the hub will be via public parking on Main Street and and Bridge Street.

There is also a large parking lot located off Galway Road, and more to the rear of the building that will house the remote working hub.

Correspondence with the county council also states that 16 bicycle parking spaces will be provided.

Planning permission for the project was granted by the county council with ten standard conditions attached.

Aldi opens new €12 million Tuam supermarket

By

-

October 3, 2022

Galway Daily business Aldi opens new €12 million Tuam supermarket — Pictured here are Catriona Coneely, store manager ALDI Tuam with Sean Canney, Galway East TD at ALDI’s newly opened store in Tuam, Co Galway. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy

Aldi has officially opened its new supermarket in Tuam, creating 30 permanent jobs for the area.

The €12m store is Aldi’s 10th in the county and has created up to 30 new permanent jobs in the local area, as part of a continuing €63m expansion programme in the West of Ireland.

The new store has created 30 permanent jobs, bringing the total workforce employed in Galway to almost 200.

The supermarket on Ballygaddy Road has a floor space of 1,315sqm, with 97 car parking spaces, and four electric vehicle charging points.

The store has been designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible, powered by 100% green electricity and featuring solar panels on the roof of the store.

Two more Aldi supermarkets are still in the pipelines for Co. Galway in Athenry and Ballybrit.

Aldi now operates a network of 153 stores nationwide.

Budget doesn’t address cost of living with a disability Canney says

By

-

October 2, 2022

Galway Daily news Additional Dog fines will have little effect without more Dog Wardens

Budget 2023 has failed to address the extra cost of living that comes for people living with a disability, Galway TD Seán Canney said.

Deputy Canney said that research commissioned by the government in 2019 showed that people living with a disability incur extra costs of between €8,700 and €12,300 per year.

“The Government have acknowledged that disabled people live with many extra costs,” Seán Canney said

“However, the ‘once off’ payment in the budget is very disappointing and there must be a reasonable annual payment.”

“As a member of the Disability Matters Committee, I will continue to highlight the additional cost for disabled people and hopefully over time we will see progression”.

The budget included a €500 once off lump sum for people getting a long term disability payment, which will be paid in November.

It also includes a €200 lump sum for pensioners and people with a disability receiving the Living Alone Allowance.

The Christmas Bonus payment for people on long term disability will also be doubled this year.

Galway demonstration in support of Iranian women’s rights protests

By

-

October 2, 2022

A demonstration in support of the ongoing protests in Iran against the oppression of women will take place in Galway today.

The WOMEN.LIFE.FREEDOM – Solidarity for Iran protest will be held in Eyre Square at 3pm on Sunday.

The protests in Iran have erupted following the death of Masha Amini, who died after being arrested by the morality police there.

The 22 year old was accused of breaking laws that require women to wear a hijab, and protestors say she died as a result of brutal beating while in police custody.

The protest in Galway calls for people to “Stand up in Solidarity with Iran in defence of dignity and rights of Iranian women”.

Council blocks Billboard by busy Galway road

By

-

October 2, 2022

Galway Daily news Council blocks Billboard by busy Galway road

Galway City Council has blocked plans for a large billboard on a busy street, as it would distract drivers and take communal space from a local estate.

Planning permission was sought for an elevated advertising billboard on land at the junction of the N84 Headford Road, and Bothar an Choiste in Galway City.

The advertising billboard was to be 6m long and 3m high, and built on a stand 2m off the ground.

The city council refused planning permission for three reasons based on the scale and location of the proposed billboard.

It said that its proposed “scale, design, and prominent and incongruous location” would detract from the streetscape, in a way that would contravene the city development plan.

The council also noted that it would be built on land that is reserved as communal open space for Cairéal Mór estate in the planning permission for the same.

The management company of that estate had submitted an objection to the plans, saying that having such a large sign there would negatively affect residential amenity, as there is a seating area there.

Finally, the rejection said that this sign would be located near a heavily trafficked road, and that its prominent location and size would endanger road users by distracting drivers.

Restored Baboró sculpture unveiled in city park

By

-

October 2, 2022

70park green flag council — Photo by Andrew Downes, XPOSURE

Galway City Council recently unveiled the newly repaired Baboró Public Sculpture in the Children’s Millennium Park, inviting children and the young at heart to visit.

The sculpture was created in 2006 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, which comes to Galway each October.

The new repairs include replacement of the original glass panels with colourful resin with a theme of ‘wilding’, in response to the new rewilding project currently taking place in Millennium Park.

Also installed were four lights embedded in the ground, to showcase the colourful sculpture at night.

The façade of the sculpture was sandblasted to restore the stone to its original glory, and features like the lettering were repainted.

“It’s a delight to see this captivating sculpture restored to its former glory, with the resin panels glowing when the sun shines through them,” said Sharon Connolly, Acting Director of Services with Galway City Council.

“Each resin panel has a natural element embedded within them, from ferns, to daisies and poppies – young and old will enjoy engaging with this lovely piece”.

26/09/2022 Repro free: The Babaró Public Sculpture in the Children’s Millennium Park restored by Galway City council with the help of visual artist and vocalist Ceara Conway and stone sculptor Mick Wilkins;. Photo by Andrew Downes, XPOSURE

Visual artist and vocalist Ceara Conway created the original pieces, working with stone sculptor Mick Wilkins.

The designs in the original fused glass panels were inspired by children’s visual art workshops.

It also features the cut out negative space of a silhouette of the small girl, which over the years became a feature that children walk through and squeeze themselves into.

Over time, the glass panels were vandalised and removed, with children on the Baboró Children’s Advisory Council making suggestions on the theme of the replacement resin panels.

Visitors to the park will be treated to a visual display of an array of seasonal blooms forming ‘rooms’ of flowers, which create a stunning colourful space.

That’s in addition to the playground with a new sand digging area, a skate park, seating, walks, and accessible toilet facilities.

Burglaries rise up to 20% in Winter – Gardaí say on Operation Thor launch

By

-

October 2, 2022