Galway City Council has launched the 2025 Shopfront Enhancement Scheme, with €200,000 to give the city a facelift.

The scheme provides grant funding for independent retail and hospitality businesses to enhance the appearance, accessibility, and heritage value of their shopfronts.

It aims to revitalise commercial streetscapes by supporting high-quality, culturally sensitive, and visually cohesive improvements to shopfronts.

Eligible applicants include:

• Independent retail and hospitality businesses with street-facing premises located within the boundaries of the three Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA) – City Core ACA, Lower Dominick Street ACA and Eyre Square ACA
• Owners or leaseholders (with landlord consent)
• Businesses compliant with commercial rates and planning regulations

Grants of up to €20,000 are available, covering up to 50% to 75% of eligible costs depending on the works. Supported works include:

• Shopfront repairs, painting, and bilingual signage
• Accessibility improvements and decluttering
• Enhancements or repairs to Protected Structures and buildings within the three ACAs (City Core ACA, Lower Dominick Street ACA and Eyre Square ACA)
• Collaborations with local artists and the use of traditional building skills

Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Peter Keane commented, “This scheme makes it more affordable for businesses in historic parts of the city centre to improve their shop fronts in a sensitive and appropriate manner – contributing to the appeal and atmosphere of the area, and supporting increased footfall and economic vitality.”

“The scheme will also support local artists and craftspeople creating and maintaining the facades, as well as creating a more accessible public realm and high-profile spaces for Gaeilge in our bilingual city.”

Joint applications from neighbouring businesses are encouraged and may receive enhanced support.

Applications must be submitted online via the Galway City Council Portal. The deadline for applications is Friday, July 11.

The Galway RNLI rescued a fisherman whose boat was about to run aground on the rocks at Mutton Island on Thursday evening.

Shortly before 5pm on Thursday, the Galway RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch to rescue a lone fisherman on board a 19ft fishing boat with engine trouble.

The lifeboat crew with helm Martin Oliver, Brian Niland, Mark Purcell and Erin Killeen on board were quickly underway to the reported location of the stricken boat near Mutton Island, on inner Galway Bay.

Martin Oliver, helm for the shout this afternoon said: ‘We were on the scene quickly and reached the fishing boat which was in trouble just before it went aground on Mutton Island.”

“We set up a towline and were able to tow the fishing boat out of danger and bring the boat and the fisherman to a nearby slipway in order to get ashore safely.”

Conditions on the sea were good yesterday evening, Martin said, with calm water and just a slight breeze.

“It looks like we are heading into a spell of fine weather which is likely to bring many people to the coast, lakes and rivers.”

He added that anyone planning to be on the water during this spell of good weather should take the following precautions.

• Always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity
• Know how to float in an emergency
• Always carry a means of calling for help such as a VHF radio or mobile phone in a waterproof pouch and keep it on you
• Always check the weather forecast and tide times before venturing out
• Always tell someone where you are going and when you are due back
• If you see someone in trouble or get into difficulty yourself, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard

Clifden Library has become the second branch library in County Galway to roll out the My Open Library (MOL) initiative, dramatically increasing public access to services with extended self-service hours.

The new service, which has also been in operation at Ballinasloe Library since 2020, allows registered users to access the library from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week, 365 days a year—even outside of regular staffed times.

As a result, weekly access hours have almost tripled, rising from 34.5 to 98.

Located in the centre of Clifden, the library now offers a wide range of self-service functions during unstaffed hours, including borrowing and returning books, using computers and Wi-Fi, printing and scanning documents, and accessing study space.

Cllr. Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, remarked, “The opening of My Open Library in Clifden marks a major milestone in our commitment to providing inclusive, accessible, and modern library services.”

“It empowers our community with greater flexibility and fosters a culture of learning and connection,” she added.

The MOL programme is part of a national strategy to modernise public libraries, promote digital inclusion, and foster community engagement.

It is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of the Gaeltacht, in partnership with local authorities.

County and City Librarian Elizabeth Keane also welcomed the development, thanking national and local funders.

“This investment is not just in bricks and mortar—it’s in people, potential, and the future of rural communities like Clifden,” she said.

Eileen Ruane, Director of Services at Galway County Council, added, “This project reflects our dedication to innovation and community development. We are proud to bring this service to Clifden and look forward to seeing it thrive.”

Ireland’s native red squirrels are able to detect and respond to a returning natural predator, the pine marten, according to a new study from the University of Galway.

Rising pine marten populations have led to a sharp decline in grey squirrel numbers in recent years. Around the same time, the red squirrel population has not only persisted, but increased.

The research into red squirrel behaviour was conducted over 16 months in two woodland sites – Derryclare Woods in Connemara, Co Galway, and Belleek Woods in Ballina, Co Mayo.

Using trail cameras at feeding stations, researchers monitored and analysed visits by red squirrels and pine martens.

The team discovered that red squirrels showed an anti-predator response by feeding less and showing increased vigilance, indicating that they can detect recent pine marten presence and judge the level of threat based on how recently the presence occurred.

The researchers showed that this heightened caution faded over time, suggesting that red squirrels are capable of assessing the risk and adapting their responses accordingly.

Co-authored by Dr Emily Reilly and Dr Colin Lawton of the School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, the full study was published today in Royal Society Open Science.

Dr Emily Reilly said, “It is amazing to see the red squirrels respond to the presence of a pine marten that may have visited the feeding station hours or even days earlier.”

“Their level of sensitivity is impressive and has clearly given them a significant survival advantage.”

“The research from our woodlands in the west of Ireland is a fascinating example of how the protection of native species, in this case, the pine marten, can help restore balance in the ecosystem.”

The research reveals that these behavioural changes enhance their chance of survival and help to explain their resilience of red squirrels, particularly in contrast to the sharp decline of the invasive grey squirrel, following the resurgence of the pine marten.

The study suggests that this divergence in squirrel population is due to the red squirrel’s long evolutionary history with the pine marten.

This has equipped the arboreal creature with instinctive behaviours such as alertness and reduced feeding that allow it to coexist with its natural predator.

Unfortunately for the grey squirrel, it does not share either the evolutionary history or the instinctive behaviours.

Galway County Council has confirmed that construction of the western section of the Athenry Northern Ring Road will commence in the coming weeks, with a completion date of late 2025.

Contracts have been signed this week with Tower Plant and Civil Engineering to deliver the scheme, located in the townlands of Ballygarraun North and Ballygarraun South.

Funded by the Department of Transport, the Athenry Northern Ring Road is identified in the Athenry Local Area plan as a key infrastructure project to support the economic development of the town and support housing growth.

The first section of the road, from Raheen Road (L3103) north to a roundabout junction with Ballydavid Cottages and the R347 was constructed and opened to traffic in mid-2013.

This next phase includes the connection between the Presentation College and the Raheen Road (Ballygarraun North).

Seán Canney, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and Galway TD, stated, “This project will ease traffic congestion in the heart of Athenry and support the town’s continued development in the years ahead.”

“I am particularly pleased to see active travel features, helping to make Athenry safer and more accessible for everyone.”

“I want to thank Galway County Council for their hard work in bringing the project to this stage, and I look forward to construction getting underway.”

Cllr Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, said, “This important project will significantly improve local transport links and safety for all road users.”

“This investment will not only ease congestion but also enhance connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, supporting the sustainable growth of Athenry in line with Galway County Council’s long-term vision for the town.”

Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, said that completing this road is an important step for the continued growth of Athenry, whilst also protecting its medieval character.

“This project is part of the bigger vision set out in the Athenry Local Area Plan 2024–2030 adopted by the Municipal District councillors, helping the town grow into a vibrant, inclusive, and age-friendly community.”

“It also strengthens Athenry’s role as a key location in the Oranmore – Athenry Strategic Economic Corridor, creating further opportunities for innovation, jobs, and investment.”

Ollie the therapy dog brightens the halls, and brings joy to the days of children in the hospital in Galway

Ollie is an 8-year-old Malshi, he is the first four legged team member in the Paediatric Unit at University Hospital Galway (UHG).

Every Thursday, after a thorough brushing and grooming, Ollie puts on his Irish Therapy Dog uniform and trots through the doors of the Paediatric Unit at UHG.

Excitement and smiles fill the corridors as his calming and comforting influence is instantly felt by patients, staff and visitors.

Tracey Torpey, Clinical Skills Facilitator, Paediatric Unit at UHG, said, “Ollie is our first therapy dog, he always receives a warm welcome and of course laps up all the attention, bringing with him so much warmth and joy.”

“This interaction is a powerful thing to witness. You can stand back and simply watch the positive energy filling the room.”

“His little presence has made such a huge difference to the children, cheering them up and assisting in calming children who are anxious about being in hospital, he’s an amazing dog.”

Sarah Murphy, Clinical Nurse Manager 3, Paediatric Unit at UHG added, “Dog therapy offers a positive distraction in the unit and helps normalise the setting for children who are away from home under scary and unpleasant circumstances.”

“Sometimes the best medicine has four legs and a wagging tail. Ollie can be a furry friend and a piece of normalcy in an unfamiliar world for children in hospital.”

Irish Therapy Dogs is a registered voluntary charity whose always looking for suitable volunteers. Approved volunteers and their dogs visit residents of an assigned Care Centre once per week to bring them an abundance of positive therapeutic benefits.

The dogs’ owner and handler Siobhan Falvey, who is a lifelong animal lover, said that she knew Ollie would be a great fit for bringing joy to people in difficult circumstances.

“I became interested in the work of Irish Therapy Dogs after hearing about their work and seeing Ollie interacting with other people and witnessing the daily joy and transformative power of the human-animal bond, and the potential for deep emotional connections with both the dogs and the individuals I knew he would be good at that type of work.”

“Ollie started his journey in a nursing home providing love and support to the elderly, now he is happy to be on duty at the Paediatric unit in UHG.”

“Irish Therapy Dogs is an amazing organisation, and it was the perfect fit for me, because I’ve always been fascinated by what dogs can achieve through the connections that they are able to make with humans.”

“Families and staff will often stop to show me photos of their pets at home that they are missing. We compare funny stories about our dogs while they have a cuddle with Ollie.”

After a busy and pawsome day, Ollie heads home for a well-earned rest and a little treat or two.

University of Galway is the number one university in Ireland for sustainable development for the fourth year in a row.

The ranking has been announced in the Times Higher Education Impact report in recognition of the University’s progress in responding to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As well as being top of the class in Ireland, the ranking places the University of Galway at No. 3 in the EU.

Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 ranked 2,526 universities from 130 countries on their progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The number of universities taking part in the rankings is up 65% on the previous year, making the University of Galway’s achievement all the more significant.

Interim President of University of Galway, Professor Peter McHugh, said, “Ranking University of Galway number 1 in Ireland and top 3 in the EU is a magnificent reward for our staff and our leadership on sustainability measures.”

“Our recently launched new ‘Strategic Plan 2025–2030, Of Galway, For the World’ is not only a symbol of that focus but also a signal as to how we will further embed sustainability into our teaching, research, operations, and partnerships, fostering the next generation of leaders and innovators to tackle global challenges.”

Among the highlights from the ranking for University of Galway are – top 50 in the world for actions on SDG12 Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG3 Good Health and Wellbeing; and SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals.

University of Galway is also ranked top 75 in the world for SDG6 Clean Water and Sanitation – following a submission under this category for the first time – and SDG14 Life Below Water.

Some of the key measures which have been taken by University of Galway in the realm of sustainability include having the most biodiverse university campus in Ireland.

Among the measures promoting this include new wildflower enhancement schemes, bird boxes, bat boxes, insect hotels, beehives, a pollinator friendly pesticide code and a log tree hive.

In addition, since 2016, the University has halved its greenhouse gas emissions and is on course to surpass public sector 2030 targets. Fossil fuel boilers have been replaced with heat pumps, solar PV rolled out across campus and innovative energy projects have been developed.

On-campus park and ride buses are electric, and a network of internal and external drinking water fountains have been installed campus wide.

Richard Manton, Director of Sustainability at University of Galway, said, “Confirmation of University of Galway’s leading position on sustainability is a great credit to our Community University Sustainability Partnership (CUSP), which this year celebrates its 10th birthday, and to the entire University community.”

“Students, staff and community partners have enthusiastically embraced our model to learn, live and lead on sustainability.”

“As a National SDG Ambassador, we will continue to advocate the Sustainable Development Goals and act as a good practice example on our green, biodiverse and sustainable campus.”

Gardaí are renewing their appeal for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision that occurred at Ballybane last month.

Emergency services and Gardaí responded to a three-car collision at Clareview Park at approximately 2:50pm on Sunday, may 18.

The driver of one vehicle, a man aged in his 40s, was in a collision with two other cars.

All three drivers were subsequently brought to University Hospital Galway, where the driver subsequently passed away.

Gardaí are renewing their appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward.

Road users who were in the area between 2:30pm and 3pm and may have camera footage, including dash-cam recordings, are asked to make it available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gaillimh Garda Station on 091 538000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Roughly 1,800 homes in the Knocknacarra area of Galway City may experience water outages today while work is taking place on the water network.

Uisce Eireann is carrying out repair works on the water network on the Rahoon Road in Knocknacarra on Monday, and turning off the local water supply is necessary to facilitate them.

The work will take place until 4pm, and may result in a disruption of supply or loss of pressure for Uisce Éireann customers in the Rahoon Road/Ballymoneen Road area.

Approximately 1,800 customers in Leas na Mara, Maoilín, Leargán, Drom Óir, Slí Gheal, Fána Buí and Drisín residential areas and surrounds may be affected.

Uisce Éireann’s Leo O’Shea thanked affected customers for their co-operation ahead of the essential works.

“We wish to acknowledge the inconvenience caused by a planned outage but these repair works are essential.”

“I can assure affected customers that crews will complete the works as quickly as possible to restore normal water supply on Monday afternoon,” said Leo.

Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers. However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers on higher ground or at the end of the network.

Five people were taken to the hospital, one man in serious condition, following a two car crash in Galway in the early hours of Monday morning.

The crash occurred on the Tubberjarlath Road (R332) in Tuam at approximately 1.40am on Monday.

One of the drivers, a male aged in his 30s, was taken to University Hospital Galway to be treated for serious injuries.

The other driver, an adult male in his late teens, along with three adult female passengers, all aged in their late teens, were brought to University Hospital Galway to be treated for non life-threatening injuries.

The road remains closed, and Garda Forensic Collision Investigators will carry out an examination of the scene today. Local diversions are in place.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 1.15am and 1.50am are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tuam Garda Station on (093) 70840, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

The University of Galway hosted its Summer Conferring ceremonies today, marking a significant academic milestone for hundreds of students and their families.

More than 400 students were awarded their degrees during the ceremonies, including 92 who were conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

The largest cohort to graduate during today’s ceremonies was the 187 doctors who received their Honours Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and Bachelor of Obstetrics (MB, BCh, BAO) degree.

During the conferring ceremony, 12 graduates were awarded a total of 15 Final Medical Medals by the University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

One graduate, Dr Anmol Mahesh from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, received 5 medals in recognition of his outstanding academic performance.

Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said, “At University of Galway, we take great pride in being part of each student’s journey, supporting their growth and celebrating their success.”

“Graduation is not just an end, but the beginning of what our students can and will go on to achieve, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in their chosen fields.”