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Galway will be splitting its sides for Comedy Festival return

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Galway will be splitting its sides next month, as Galway Comedy Festival returns for first fully in-person, unrestricted festival in two and a half years.

Comedy lovers will get to choose from more than 60 shows across 17 venues taking place from Tuesday 25 to Monday 31 of October.

Dylan Moran, Tommy Tiernan, Daniel Sloss, Jimeoin, Deirdre O’Kane, Kevin McAleer, Rich Hall, Reginald D Hunter, Ardal O’Hanlon, Bobby Davro, Rory’s Stories, Gary Delaney, Andrew Maxwell, Colin Murphy, and Emma Doran are among the 100-strong line-up of Irish comedy greats, international stars, and emerging talent audiences will get to experience.

Galway city is back in full swing and ready to live and laugh to the full, and the festival gets off to a flying start in Leisureland, Salthill, with two greats of Irish comedy – Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan – and the ascending star of Scotland’s Daniel Sloss.

Dylan Moran – Irish comedian, writer, actor and filmmaker

#GCF22 opens with Dylan Moran, declared by French newspaper Le Monde as “the greatest comedian, living or dead”, and his new show, We Got This.

With the previously announced Tuesday show now sold out, the Festival has just added Friday and Saturday shows.

Tommy Tiernan, fresh from his roles on Derry Girls and Conversations With Friends, returns to stand-up for two nights of Tomfoolery on his home turf of Galway City, exploring ideas on God, sex, and family that will be equal parts sacred and profane, but always hilarious.

The festival will also see a show from one of the most exciting in a new generation of British comedians, Daniel Sloss, who will be joined onstage by some of his favourite comedy friends.

Galway Comedy Festival is one of the key events in the city’s cultural calendar. For seven days, the city will become a place of mirth, mischief, and “carefully curated craic”.

The programme boasts an array of solo shows, and tremendous mixed bill nights with Reginald D Hunter, Barry Murphy, Ardal O’Hanlon, Deirdre O’Kane, Andrew Maxwell, Rich Hall, Paul Currie, Colin Murphy, Kevin McAleer and Simon Evans to name a few.

Reginald D Hunter

Among the highlights of this year’s #GCF22 will be shows at the Town Hall Theatre, including Bobby Davro, a legend of British comedy, a one man joke machine, and, as Chortle.co.uk said, “a talented mimic” who delivers “brilliant impersonations”

Rory O’Connor and his much loved Rory’s Stories, with GAA discussion, inspirational talks, much laughter, and maybe a song or two; and Jimeoin, the Australian based, Irish comedian, who has left audiences in stitches across the UK, Europe, and USA, who will bring The Craic!

Karl Spain, such a mainstay of the comedy festival over the years, makes only two appearances in 2022, as he is touring the UK & Ireland with Kevin Bridges, and is currently playing to 13,000 people a night in Glasgow’s Hydro Arena!

Karl Spain

Make sure to catch Karl hosting the opening show with Colin Geddis and friends in the Róisín Dubh and the closing gala with Rich Hall, Andrew Maxwell and others at the Town Hall.

Róisín Dubh, the home of comedy in Galway, will be ground zero for all things hilarious at the Comedy Festival.

Highlights include Glenn Wool, who leaves audiences “helpless with laughter” (The Scotsman); Deirdre O’Kane, the First Lady of Irish comedy, and her new show Demented.

Deirdre O’Kane

Joining them will be Mock The Week regular Gary Delaney, who unleashes “more quality jokes in one hour than most comics have in their entire careers” (The Scotsman); the eccentric, idiosyncratic, storytelling brilliance of Kevin McAleer (Derry Girls, Nighthawks); and Rich Hall, the singing cowboy and true Galway Comedy Festival favourite.

Festival Director Kevin Healy said, “We are delighted to once again bring such a wonderful array of comedy talent to the best little city in the world.”

“Not only do we have shows from some of the greats of Irish and international comedy, we also have a carefully chosen selection of shows in smaller venues from some of the next generation of Irish greats.”

“Enjoy your favourite stars during the Festival but also check out someone new, perhaps a comedian you’ve never heard of before. Take a chance. We think they’re all great and hope you will too.”

“We would like to thank our supporters, especially Galway City Council, the local businesses who support us through our friends scheme, and our pouring partners Bulmers Light, the exclusive cider of #GCF22. Without their support this event just wouldn’t be possible.”

There will also be the usual joyous madness of the week with the Comedy Club Crawls featuring stars of the festival, Open Top Bus Tours, a WOMP Events comedy-themed Quiz, The Bulmers Light Festival Club @ Róisín Dubh, live music, The Dirty Circus, Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience, the Improv All Stars, Gáire as Gaeilge, Ireland’s Smallest Comedy Club, and Stand Up Showcases.

Tickets for all of these events are now on sale through www.galwaycomedyfestival.ie.

Day services in Loughrea remain in limbo

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Galway daily news Day services in Loughrea remain in limbo

Day Care nursing home services in Loughrea remain in limbo after closing during the pandemic, Galway TD Seán Canney has said.

Deputy Canney said that the current situation, where the service can only run one day a week, is not workable.

Prior to the pandemic, the day care service ran from the Sr. Brendan’s Community Nursing Unit, but this has not resumed after ceasing during COVID.

“A HIQA report determined that the service can only be accommodated one day each week in the existing facility. This arrangement is not workable,” Seán Canney said.

“The latest reply from the HSE does not have any definite date for the service to recommence on a four day a week basis. The HSE are still looking at the options but nothing is agreed yet.”

He added that he and Cllr. Geraldine Donohue have been campaigning for more than a year to get a day service in place.

“It seems that the issue is not getting the attention it requires to restore a service to people who have relied on it for years,” Seán Canney said.

He said that this issues affects a large catchment area around Loughrea, and that the HSE needs to finalise interim arrangements as a matter of urgency.

Revenue seize €50,000 worth of drugs on their way to Galway

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Galway Daily news Revenue seize €50,000 worth of drugs on their way to Galway

The Revenue seized €50,000 worth of drugs which were on their way to Galway at Shannon Airport this week.

On Friday, as part of a routine operation, revenue officers seized 2.5kg of cannabis at the airport.

The cannabis was found with the assistance of drug detector dog Harley.

The drugs were discovered in a parcel that originated in the United States.

With an estimated value of €50,000, they were destined for an address in Co. Galway.

Five uncapped players named for Connacht v Ulster

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

Connacht Rugby have announced their lineup for this weekend’s season opener against Ulster, with five uncapped players on the squad.

Connacht will face Ulster at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday in their opening game of the United Rugby Championship.

Peter Dooley, Josh Murphy and Byron Ralston have all been handed their first Connacht cap, with Shamus Hurley-Langton and David Hawkshaw also potential debutants off the bench.

Dooley is named in a front row with Jack Aungier and hooker Dave Heffernan, while Leva Fifita partners Gavin Thornbury in the second row. The pack is completed by flanker Conor Oliver and number 8 Paul Boyle.

Kieran Marmion and Conor Fitzgerald are paired together at 9 and 10, while the two Toms – Daly and Farrell – start at centre. Ralston’s first game will be on the right wing, with John Porch on the opposite wing and Tiernan O’Halloran at full-back.

Thornbury, making his 64th appearance for the province, will be captaining the team for the first time tomorrow.

Andy Friend, now Director of Rugby with the club, said that there’s a great sense of excitement after a positive pre-season.

“There’s a genuine belief and optimism about what we can achieve in this first block of games, which all starts in Belfast tomorrow night.”

“Ulster are a quality side and our battles against them are always hard fought. We’re really looking forward going head-to-head with them in what should be a great season opener for us both.”

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY SQUAD VS ULSTER RUGBY
Saturday 17th September 2022, 19:35 @ Kingspan Stadium

Number/Name/Caps ( * denotes uncapped)
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (206)
14. Byron Ralston *
13. Tom Farrell (79)
12. Tom Daly (61)
11. John Porch (59)
10. Conor Fitzgerald (53)
9. Kieran Marmion (209)
1. Peter Dooley *
2. Dave Heffernan (165)
3. Jack Aungier (31)
4. Gavin Thornbury (63) (C)
5. Leva Fifita (15)
6. Josh Murphy *
7. Conor Oliver (41)
8. Paul Boyle (73)

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (6)
17. Denis Buckley (208)
18. Sam Illo (2)
19. Niall Murray (35)
20. Shamus Hurley-Langton *
21. Caolin Blade (150)
22. David Hawkshaw *
23. Oran McNulty (9)

Fire crews fought major blaze at Claregalway Corporate Park

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Galway daily news Three people hospitalised after Galway City house fire

Emergency services battled a major fire which broke out at Claregalway Corporate Park today.

Fire services and Gardaí remain at the scene after blaze which broke out at the Xerotech unit in Claregalway Corporate Park this morning.

Hundreds of people had to be evacuated from the premises in the area as a result.

Xerotech have confirmed that there was n electrical fault in a sub panel which led to an equipment fire.

Everyone was evacuated from the area, and nobody was injured.

The fire is also now under control.

Updated with a statement from Xerotech

Thousands of homes in Spiddal and Inis Oírr told not to drink public water supply

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galway daily news Do Not Consume notice

Almost 6,000 homes in both Spiddal and Inis Oírr are being told not to drink the public water supply due to elevated manganese levels.

Irish Water issued two Do No Consume Notices today for the Spiddal Public Water Supply, covering approximately 5,676 customers, and the Inis Oírr Public Water Supply, which affects 257 premises.

This water poses an immediate risk to health, and it is especially important that water from the mains not be given to any bottle fed infants.

Irish Water has emphasised that this is not a Boil Water notice, as boiling water will not remove manganese.

Tankered water will be brought to the island, and will be made available from Darley National School and White Horse Hotel.

Alternative water arrangements will also be made for the thousands of premises in the Spiddal area, details of which have yet to be announced.

The public water supply in both areas should not be used for:

  • Drinking
  • Drinks made with water
  • Food preparation, washing or cooking of food,
  • Brushing of teeth
  • Making of ice
  • Children under 12 months old should not drink this water
  • In particular, children under 12 months old should not drink this water. This water should not be used for making up infant formula for bottled fed infants. An alternative source of water should be used. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. It is best not to use bottled water labelled as ‘Natural Mineral Water’ as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. ‘Natural Mineral Water’ can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated.
  • If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute), and cooled in the normal way
  • Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.
  • Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink
  • Caution should be taken when bathing infants to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water
  • Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges

What can you use water for?

  • The water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils
  • Irish Water and Galway County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting this drinking water restriction as soon as practicable.

 

Putting heads together for concussions

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Galway Daily sport Putting heads together for concussions

Atlantic Technological University is hosting a conference on concussions in sport at its Galway campus next week.

The free ‘Heads Together’ conference is meant for coaches, trainers, athletes, sports organisations and members of the public interested in learning more about concussion injuries.

It will feature talks on the latest research into concussion education and management, tackling the best practice in diagnosing and treating injuries.

Talks will be delivered by leading experts in concussion including researchers from the Concussion Research centre at ATU, Galway.

Dr Lisa Ryan, Head of the ATU Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Dept will explain the ethos of the SCAT project and launch the project’s final educational outputs.

Lisbeth Lund Pedersen, Physiotherapist, Researcher at SDU, Denmark, will introduce the SCAT project’s ‘Heads Up’ free online module on concussion awareness, treatment, and management.

Other speakers will include Dr Enda Devitt, Galway GAA and Connacht Rugby Doctor, and Dr Sean Moffit, Mayo GAA Medical Doctor, who will discuss the lessons they have learned in sport.

Dr Lisa Ryan said, “Our previous Concussion in Sport Conference was an overwhelming success, helping to provide support and information for coaches, parents and athletes on the signs and symptoms of concussion and the appropriate actions for return to play.”

She added that the SCAT Erasmus+ project aims to, “help educate individuals regarding concussions in sport to enhance their awareness of the prevalence and how to manage concussions safely”.

Delegates will hear about emerging developments in concussion education and best practice diagnosis and management measures for amateur and club sports.

New findings on concussion consideration for women in sports will also be presented.

Coaches and athletes who have encountered concussions will share their experiences during the open panel discussion chaired by guest MC Ollie Turner, Head of Sports at Galway Bay FM.

The conference is the last in a series of events delivered through the Erasmus+ funded “Get your head in the game – SCAT” project led by ATU Galway and Donegal, tackling concussions in sports.

Council extends time for Ballybane commercial development

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Galway Daily news

Galway City Council has granted an extension of planning permission for a mixed use residential and commercial development in Ballybane.

Planning permission was granted in 2016 for the demolition of glasshouses, houses, and sheds at the former Former Heneghans Nurseries, Ballybane House and Rosapenna on the Monivea Road.

In their place, the council approved plans by Green Way Estates ( Sligo) and Green Way Estates (Leitrim) Ltd for 52 houses, along with a commercial building of 2,786m².

This would incorporate 205m² of retail space, a 266m² medical practice, a 225m² dental practice, and office space totaling 2,070m², along with 52 car parking spaces.

The residential element has been built, and planning permission is due to expire in November of this year.

The EOD application states that work began on the project in July of 2018, and that it is expected to be completed by late 2027.

To date, work has been fully completed on the residential side of the development, the 52 houses and 80 parking spaces.

However, work has yet to be started on the commercial side of the development, which was always intended to be Phase 2 of the project.

“The COVID-19 pandemic caused restrictions on construction work midway through the residential construction phase,” a cover letter states.

“This affected cashflow and subsequently stalled the commercial element of the project,” it adds, but the project is expected to be completed within the extended timeframe.

Galway City Council unconditionally granted a five year extension of the planning permission for the development.

Andy Friend moves to new Director of Rugby role as Connacht shuffles coaching team

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Galway Daily sport Connacht squad confirmed for New Year's Leinster game

Connacht Rugby’s Head Coach Andy Friend is stepping aside after four years, moving into a new role as Director of Rugby with the club.

Friend explained that the move to the new position is focusing on the individuals strengths of everyone in the coaching team.

Pete Wilkins is taking over the role of Head Coach after a year as the Senior Coach, in what is now his 6th season with Connacht.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game against Ulster, Friend explained that the shift, which includes more shuffling of coaching roles, is about focusing on his strengths; something he had always emphasised to the players.

“For lots of different reasons, I probably went away from that last year. When we got the new coaching structure in last year, we were fitting the coaching structure around the people that we had in it.”

“Upon reflection of it, we paused and went ‘is that actually our weapon? Is that all of our strengths?’ The longer I go with my coaching, I know what my strength is,” Andy Friend said.

“My strength is working one-on-one with people. Giving people support and challenging them. To give them an opportunity to try and grow.”

He said that the new situation, with him as Director of Rugby working alongside four coaches, has seen a positive reaction that will pay dividends going forwards.

“I moved into a Director of Rugby role and I did that knowing that I’ve got four really good coaches alongside me, who I need to open up space to.”

“It was just sitting down saying ‘you know what, we did this for a reason last year. We can be better again if we all just zone in on what we’re really good at”.

Other changes to the coaching squad sees Mossy Lawler taking primary responsibility for Attack & Skills, after assisting Wilkins in attack last season.

With Wilkins focussing more on defence, Colm Tucker is now coaching the scrum & contact skills. Forwards coach Dewald Senekal remains responsible for the lineout and maul.

With Connacht playing Challenge Cup rugby this year, the Director of Rugby says the squad have a simple aim for both competitions.

“It’s simple, we want to make the play-offs in both, that’s our target. URC has to be our bread and butter because if we can make URC play-offs we know we are in Champions Cup next year.

“That’s a challenge that we get into, that’s the competition that we want to get into. We weren’t successful last year in getting into that so we want to make sure we make the play-offs of the URC.”

“And if we can go further than that we will wait until we get to that time, we can discuss that. That is just the minimum there.”

Free mattress collection for county households today

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Galway Daily news Bulky Goods collection events in two Galway towns next week

Galway County Council is holding a free collection of old mattresses for households in the county today.

People who wish to freely dispose of mattresses can bring them to Maam Cross Mart.

The collection will run from 10am to 3pm on Friday, September 16.

Any mattresses must be clean and dry, and a limit of three per customer applies.

This waste collection is for domestic households only.

Man arrested over €10,000 drugs seizure in Galway

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Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

One man was arrested in connection with the seizure of approximately €10,000 worth of drugs in Galway yesterday.

On Thursday, Gardai in the Divisional Drugs Unit stopped and searched a car in the Gort area.

During the search they found cannabis herb with an estimated value of approximately €10,000, pending analysis of the drugs.

One of the occupants of the car, a man in his 40s, was arrested in connection with this incident.

He was taken to the North Western Regional HQ where he was detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

He has since been released without charge; A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Meaningful action needed to prevent winter crisis in hospitals

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Galway Daily news

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called for meaningful and targeted interventions to prevent another winter of out of control overcrowding.

This comes as 596 patients are without a bed in Irish hospitals today, including over 20 children under the age of 16.

University Hospital Galway is the second most overcrowded in the State, with 57 people on trolleys this morning at 8am.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that over 1,710 patients have been without a bed so far this week and that these figures speak for themselves.

She said that we are facing into yet another ‘completely predictable winter crisis’ unless urgent action is taken.

“The number of children under the age of sixteen on trolleys has been steadily increasing this month, with over 91 young patients without a bed since the beginning of September,” said Phil Ní Sheaghdha.

“As the Dáil returns from its summer break today, the political system must intervene in the now predictable overcrowding which faces our members and their patients this winter.”

She called for the Minister for Health to publish a fully funded winter plan to coincide with the publication of Budget 2023.

“We cannot wait for this situation to get worse until we see meaningful and targeted interventions.

“Next Monday’s meeting of the Emergency Department Taskforce is extremely important. Practical solutions and measures that arise from this meeting must be implemented immediately in order to prevent this entirely predictable surge.

“Over the coming months, we cannot see any obstruction when it comes to recruitment and retention measures. Nursing and midwifery vacancies need to be filled so that patients get the care they need.

“Unless action is taken now to stem the worst of overcrowding, we will be sleepwalking into another winter of crisis for our members and their patients.”

Noble Peace Prize Winner to give public lecture on nuclear weapons

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galway daily news peace prize winner to give galway university lecture
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War accept the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985. IPPNW Representitives with 1985 affiliations (l-r): Secretary John Pastore, MD, Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center cardiologist; Founding Secretary James Muller, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital cardiologist; Director David S. Greer, MD, Dean of Alpert Medical School, Brown University; Founding Co-president Dr. Yevgeniy I. Chazov, USSR Cardiological Institute, Founding Co-president Bernard Lown, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital cardiologist; Founding Treasurer Eric Chivian, MD, MIT Medical Department psychiatrist; Founding Vice-president Herbert L. Abrams, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital radiologist. (Not pictured, USSR co-founders Dr. Mikhail Kuzin, Vishnevsky Institute of Surgery Director; and Dr. Leoinid Ilyin, Institute of Biophysics of the Soviet Union Director.)

Nobel Peace prize winner Dr James E Muller will deliver a public lecture at University of Galway on the issue of nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear war.

The talk, entitled Nuclear Weapons and the Future of Humanity- a fifty year perspective, will take place at the University’s O’Donoghue Centre for Drama Theatre and Performance on Monday, September 26 at 5pm.

Dr Muller is an academic cardiologist and entrepreneur who has worked to prevent three threats to humanity – nuclear war, heart attacks and sexual abuse of children by priests.

In 1980 Dr Muller was one of the founders of International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), the organisation awarded the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize.

In 2007, IPPNW co-founded the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) which was awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.

Dr Muller visited Moscow in his work against nuclear arms four months before the invasion of Ukraine and he has spoken widely on the role of health professionals in the prevention of nuclear war.

In his work as a cardiologist, along with Dr Peter Stone and Dr Geoff Tofler, Dr Muller is credited with introducing the term ‘vulnerable plaque’ in 1989, a concept now widely used in cardiology which describes a build-up in the arteries which can break away and cause heart attack or stroke.

Dr Muller is attending University of Galway as part of a meeting of international cardiologists, The Imperial Vulnerable Patient and Plaque Meeting, where he is a keynote speaker.

Places for the public lecture are limited and registration is essential. To register or for more information click here.

Classic cinema event to start next week at Pálás

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galway daily news rear window cinephile paradiso

A monthly classic cinema discussion group will begin next week at Pálás Cinema in Galway city.

Cinephile Paradiso kicks off at 6.30pm on Thursday 22 September with Alfred Hitchcock’s classic mystery thriller Rear Window.

On a Thursday towards the end of each month, there will be a screening of a classic film, followed by a discussion in the bar, and then a podcast will be released recapping the event.

All cinephiles and anyone who has an interest in film is welcome to attend.

Cinephile Paradiso aims to encourage the discussion of cinema, asking questions such as, ‘what is cinema, what do films mean to us, and how has this changed over time?’

For more information visit palas.ie

Boojum to give away 1,500 free burritos to students next Thursday!

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Galway daily news boojum burrito

Boojum is set to give away 1,500 burritos to students in Galway next Thursday as part of Fresher’s week celebrations.

People with a valid student ID who purchase any main meal in store on Thursday 22 September will get a free Boojum meal to bank for later as part of the promotion.

Boojum will also be helping one lucky student fund their studies with a €5,000 giveaway and free burritos for a year in what is the Mexican food chain’s biggest Fresher’s giveaway to date.

The new ‘Fund Your Studies’ campaign aims to help one student alleviate the mounting costs of student life in Ireland.

David Maxwell, Boojum’s Managing Director said that they have always been a student-focused brand and are constantly looking into ways that we can give back to our loyal customer base.

“What better way to reward them for choosing us, than offering them another free burrito to bank?

“Life at university can be financially challenging at the best of times but this year especially with inflation soaring, students will really be feeling the pinch.

“With that in mind we wanted to build on our previously successful Fresher’s week campaigns and also offer a student the chance to have us fund their studies for a year.”

Galway retains and expands Green Flag awards this year

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Seven parks and community green spaces in Galway City and County have been awarded Green Flag awards this year, including one new addition to the honour roll.

An Taisce awarded the Green Flag to three public parks in the city this year, and one in the county, along with three community led projects in Galway.

In this tally of Ireland’s best parks and green spaces, Quincentennial Park in Salthill and Children’s Millennium Park have retained their awards for their 3rd and 4th year running respectively.

Palace Fields in Tuam has also retained its Green Flag this year, after receiving it for the first time in 2021.

Galway Daily news Storm Barra: Tuam parks closing due to risk of falling trees
Palace Fields, Tuam won the Green Flag for the first time in 2021.

The newest addition to this environmental award in Galway is O’Sullivan Park in Mervue, receiving it for the first time.

The Green Flag Awards are judged every year by a peer jury of green space experts, who volunteer their time to visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability, and community involvement.

Patrick Greene, Director of Services with Galway City Council commented, “Galway City Council is delighted to see the work of our staff in Environment and Recreation and Amenity recognised today, with the award of three Green Flags for the City.”

“Staff are engaged on a daily basis in planting, cleaning, upgrading playgrounds, supporting biodiversity, protecting wildlife, litter-picking, and creating beautiful, engaging and playful spaces for the people of Galway.”

He added that the city council is continuing to invest in recreational facilities, such as the recent upgrade of tennis courts in Westside, Crestwood and McGrath’s Field, new wheelchair friendly swings in Salthill, and more.

“Many thanks also to the volunteers who assist us in maintaining parks and green spaces in the city.”

“We are particularly delighted with the award for O’Sullivan Park this year and look forward to adding more parks to the list of awardees in future”.

Of the 104 Green Flag sites Ireland was awarded today, 85 are formal public Green Flag Park sites and 19 are volunteer run Green Community Sites

Outside of public parks, the Green Flag was also awarded to the Headford Community Garden, led by Headford Development Association; the Ballyglunin Railway Restoration Project; and the Headford Community Orchard.

Almost 60 patients on trolley at UHG today

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Galway Daily news 67 people on trolleys at UHG

University Hospital Galway is the second most overcrowded in Ireland again today, with almost 60 patients on trolleys.

There are 53 patients on trolleys in the emergency department at UHG today, along with another 4 without a bed in the wards.

Fortunately, things are better at Portiuncula Hospital, where there are no patients on trolleys this morning.

So far this week, there has just been a single patients at Portiuncula Hospital on a trolley.

Figures from the INMO Trolley/Ward Watch show that hospital overcrowding has left 516 patients waiting for a bed in public hospitals this morning.

The only hospital worse affected than UHG is Cork University Hospital, where there are a staggering 80 people admitted and waiting for a bed.

Fortunately, the number of COVID patients in hospital has continued to decline, with 18 at UHG as of Wednesday evening, two of whom were in the ICU.

At Portiuncula Hospital, there were also no reported COVID-19 cases as of yesterday evening.

Síle Nic Chonaonaigh explores life in rural Tír and Fhia

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Galway daily television
Síle Nic Chonaonaigh explores Tír an Fhia, Connemara in new series of Bailte

The new series of Bailte’ returns this evening, with Síle Nic Chonaonaigh continuing her journey through the townlands of Ireland, starting with Tír an Fhia.

Síle will be getting to know the people of Tír an Fhia, a small village of 200 odd people on the South Connemara island of Garmna.

She finds Tír an Fhia to be a welcoming confident village where old customs and traditions are still practised along with a positive outlook and understanding of what is required for a remote community to survive in modern day Ireland.

Síle meets with Antaine Ó Gríofa who, together with his wife and family, returned to Tír an Fhia from England in the 1990s and with Micheál Ó Domhnaill & Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile and their toddler as they begin family life in Tír an Fhia.

Galway Daily television Síle Nic Chonaonaigh explores life in rural Tír and Fhia

With over 60,000 townlands in Ireland, they remain one of the pillars of modern Irish life.

On this journey Síle explores the resilience within our rural communities, and the the deep connection people in them have with the landscape, and their traditions.

Among the other townlands visited this series are Rann na Feirste in Co. Donegal, Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh in Cork, and An Baile Riabhach on the Dingle Peninsula.

Bailte Tír an Fhia- Bertie Ó Domhnaill, Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, Síle Nic Chonaonaigh

The first episode of the new series of Bailte will air on Thursday, September 15 on TG4 at 8pm.

Precarious homelessness situation worsening in cost-of-living crisis

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Galway Daily business Galway house prices increase 2.1%

COPE Galway has warned that the precarious situation of many people on the edge of homelessness is being made worse by the cost of living crisis.

The homelessness charity is calling on the government to increase social welfare payments, fuel allowance, and HAP limits in its pre-budget submission.#

“This is a rapidly changing and deteriorating situation for a growing number across our community. Many are increasingly fearful of what the coming winter and beyond will bring,” said Martin O’Connor of COPE Galway.

“We are calling on Government to take action in the upcoming budget to insulate people against the worst impacts of the crisis we are facing into.”

“For many, keeping the lights on and having food on the table while keeping a roof over their head, cannot be taken for granted”.

The local charity is seeking an increase in social welfare payments by a minimum of €20 a week, as well as €15 per week increase in the fuel allowance, and an extension to the length of time it is paid out.

COPE submission also calls for the prioritisation of social housing builds under the Housing for All plan, and an increase of the HAP limits to reflect the reality of the cost of rent.

“People who are reliant on HAP need to have a fighting chance to secure rental accommodation to help prevent them falling into homelessness,” said Mr O’Connor.

“There were a record number of people nationally living in emergency accommodation this July. Unfortunately this figure is continuing to grow as more and more people are on notices to quit their private rented accommodation,” he added.

“Social housing is the viable and sustainable solution to address the housing needs of many of these households. Families, couples and single men and women are falling into homelessness”.

COPE Galway has also said that the country urgently needs a temporary ban on evictions, and a freeze of rents.

Galway family wins top prize at NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Award

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Galway Daily news Galway family wins top prize at NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Award

A Galway family have been crowned Ireland’s top dairy farmers at a national awards ceremony this week.

The Connolly family from Tuam, supplying the Aurivo Co-Op, were the overall winners at the 2022 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

Austin and Yvonne Connolly, together with their four daughters Ava, Anna, Jane and Kate, came out on top from among 13 families in the annual competition.

The Connolly family won the overall prize at the event in Cork on Wednesday for excelling in all areas of the judging criteria, including milk quality, animal welfare and sustainable farming practices.

Though the Connolly’s are fifth generation farmers, they are relatively new to the dairy business, having made the switch just four years ago.

Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Charlie McConalogue said, “Greatness recognises greatness so it is a tremendous honour for all those farm families who have been nominated for the prestigious 2022 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.”

“My sincere congratulations to the Connelly family as well as the rest of the nominees. To be recognised by your own peers and your own co-operative in the first instance is a tremendous honour.”

“The success achieved by winners and nominees comes from a lifetime of dedication to dairy farming excellence and constant improvement.”

“On behalf of the industry, I thank all the nominees and winners for what they have achieved,” Minister McConalogue added.

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