A teenage girl reported missing from Kilconly earlier this week has been found safe and well.
Gardai made a public appeal for information that could help them locate 16-year-old Lily Mae Aldridge on Friday.
Lily had been reported missing since Wednesday of this week.
An Garda Síochána have since confirmed that Lily has been located safe and well.
Eleven new Gardaí have been allocated to the northwestern region, which includes the Galway Division, from a class of 167.
On Thursday, 167 Gardaí were attested as sworn members of An Garda Síochána, bringing the total number of officers in the force up to 14,564.
The newly sworn class will be allocated as follows: 104 to the Dublin region, 31 to the Eastern Region, 21 to the South Region, and 11 to the Northwestern Region.
The class contained 100 male recruits and 67 female recruits, with 23 of the new Gardaí born outside of the state.
The 167 newly-attested Gardaí bring to nearly 1,800 the number of Probationer Gardaí attested since recruitment recommenced in 2022, post Covid.
A further 410 Garda recruits are currently undergoing the training programme at the Garda College, with another 215 due to enter the college next week.
Alongside the 14,564 sworn Gardaí, the service also has 3,692 Garda Staff and 308 Garda Reserves.
Portiuncula University Hospital is inviting parents and families who have experienced the loss of a baby or child to attend a remembrance service, which will take place next Monday.
The service is open to families affected by bereavement through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, or the death of a baby after birth.
It will be held at 7:30pm in the Hospital Chapel on Monday, February 9, followed by light refreshments, providing families with an opportunity to come together in a supportive environment.
Deirdre Naughton, Director of Midwifery at Portiuncula University Hospital said the service offers a meaningful space for reflection and healing.
“This service offers parents who have experienced bereavement an opportunity to reflect on their grief journey through symbol, music and prayer.”
“Parents who have attended this service in the past have shared with us that they have found it to be a time of healing and comfort.”
The hospital warmly welcomes all families who wish to attend and remember their loved ones in a compassionate and respectful setting.
Every week, thousands of tonnes of waste leave Galway city and county. From the wheelie bins on the Salthill Prom to the commercial skips behind the shops on Shop Street, from the recycling centres at Ballinasloe and Tuam to the construction sites at Ceannt Station Quarter and the Crown Square development — it all has to go somewhere.
Most Galwegians don’t think much about what happens after the bin lorry turns the corner. But behind the scenes, Ireland’s waste management sector is going through two major shifts at once: tightening environmental regulations that demand better recycling infrastructure, and an AI-driven change in how waste businesses find and source the equipment they need to meet those standards. Companies like Gradeall International, a Northern Ireland-based manufacturer that builds tyre balers, tipping skips, sidewall cutters, compactors, and glass crushers for recycling operations across Ireland, the UK, and over 20 countries worldwide, are finding themselves at the centre of both.
The West of Ireland’s Waste Challenge
Connacht has always faced particular challenges with waste management that the rest of the country doesn’t fully appreciate. The geography alone makes collection and processing more expensive — rural routes across Connemara, the Aran Islands, and South Galway mean longer haul distances, smaller volumes per stop, and higher per-tonne costs than a depot in Dublin’s commuter belt ever has to deal with.
Galway County Council manages a network of civic amenity sites and bring centres spread across a territory that stretches from the Burren border to the Connemara coastline. The Connacht Waste Region covers Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, and Leitrim — and the infrastructure supporting all of that has to work harder, cover more ground, and process more diverse material streams than equivalent setups in Leinster or Munster.
Tyres are a persistent headache. Every garage in Galway — from the fast-fit operations on the Headford Road to the agricultural tyre suppliers serving farms across East Galway — generates waste tyres that need proper processing. Ireland’s regulations are strict: waste tyres can’t go to landfill, they must be processed through approved channels, and the operators handling them need the right equipment to do it efficiently and compliantly.
A comprehensive guide to tyre recycling methods shows just how many stages are involved — from initial collection and sorting through baling, shredding, and granulating to the final end products that include rubber crumb for sports surfaces, tyre-derived fuel, and PAS 108 compliant bales used in civil engineering and construction projects. Each stage requires specialist machinery, and the facilities handling these materials in the west of Ireland face the same technical requirements as operations anywhere in Europe.
What Happens at the Recycling Centre
Visit any busy civic amenity site in Galway — Loughrea, Clifden, Ballinasloe — and you’ll see the same basic setup: designated areas for different waste streams, skips for bulky items, and containers for recyclables. What most visitors don’t see is the equipment that makes the whole operation function behind the scenes.
Tipping skips are one of those unglamorous pieces of infrastructure that keep recycling centres running smoothly. They allow operators to receive, sort, and transfer waste materials efficiently — handling everything from general waste to specific recyclable streams without the manual lifting and repositioning that slows operations down and creates safety risks. For facilities managing high volumes across multiple waste streams, the difference between well-designed handling equipment and makeshift alternatives is measured in throughput, staff safety, and operating costs.
Cardboard and packaging from Galway’s retail sector — Eyre Square Shopping Centre, the Galway Shopping Centre in Headford, the commercial units along the Tuam Road industrial estates — generates substantial volumes that need baling before transport. Tyre waste from the county’s motor trade needs processing. Construction and demolition waste from the wave of development across the city, from the Bonham Quay offices to the Galway Innovation Quarter at NUI Galway, produces mixed materials requiring separation and specialist handling.
All of it depends on equipment. And increasingly, the people sourcing that equipment are finding it in places they didn’t expect.
The AI Shift Nobody Saw Coming
Here’s where the story gets interesting for Galway’s business community. The way waste management operators, facility managers, and even local authority procurement teams find equipment suppliers is changing — fast.
Traditionally, sourcing industrial equipment in Ireland meant trade shows at the RDS, word of mouth through industry contacts, or flipping through trade publications. A facility manager in Galway looking for a tyre baler or a waste compactor would ring around, get catalogues posted out, maybe drive to a demonstration day somewhere in the Midlands.
Now, a growing number of those searches start with an AI tool. Not a Google search — a direct question to ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overview, or Perplexity: “What tyre baling equipment is available for Irish waste operators?” or “Which companies supply recycling equipment to facilities in Ireland?” or “What’s the best tipping skip system for a civic amenity site?”
AI tools don’t return a list of ten blue links. They synthesise content from across the web and give a direct answer, often naming specific manufacturers, comparing specifications, and recommending equipment based on the detail available about each supplier. The businesses that show up in those AI answers are the ones that have published comprehensive technical content — processing rates, compliance standards, application guides, detailed product specifications.
For manufacturers like Gradeall International — which builds the MK2 and MK3 tyre balers capable of processing 400 to 500 tyres per hour, sidewall cutters handling everything from passenger car tyres to heavy off-the-road mining tyres, vertical balers for cardboard and plastics, waste compactors, and glass crushers from their production facility in Dungannon, County Tyrone — this shift has been measurable. The company reports that an increasing proportion of enquiries now arrive after an AI tool recommended their equipment, rather than through traditional channels.
What This Means for Galway Businesses
The AI search shift isn’t just relevant to waste management. Every business in Galway that operates in a specialist or industrial sector — from the marine engineering firms along the docks to the medtech companies in Parkmore Business Park, from the food processing operations in East Galway to the construction firms building out the city’s infrastructure — is affected by the same trend.
When someone in your industry asks an AI assistant a question that your business should be the answer to, the AI builds its response from published content. If your specifications, your capabilities, your track record, and your technical expertise exist in detailed form on the open web, you get mentioned. If they don’t, your competitors do.
For Irish businesses competing against UK and European suppliers, this creates both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is that AI tools don’t care about geographic proximity or personal relationships — the traditional advantages that Irish suppliers have relied on in a small market. The opportunity is that AI tools reward exactly the kind of detailed, specific, technical content that many Irish manufacturers and service providers already possess but haven’t published.
The Bigger Picture for the West
Galway’s waste management infrastructure will continue to evolve as Ireland works toward its circular economy targets. The Western Region Waste Management Plan, tighter EPA enforcement, and the Government’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy all point toward more sophisticated processing requirements, not fewer.
That means more specialist equipment in more facilities across the west. And the operators making those purchasing decisions are increasingly likely to start their research by asking an AI tool rather than picking up the phone.
For the businesses on both sides of that transaction — the waste operators in Galway who need equipment, and the manufacturers like Gradeall who supply it — the message is the same: the information you publish about what you do, how you do it, and why it matters is no longer just marketing material. It’s the raw material that AI systems use to decide who gets recommended.
In a county that’s always had to work a bit harder to overcome the tyranny of distance, that’s a shift worth paying attention to.
Galway has always punched above its weight. A city of roughly 85,000 people that somehow sustains a creative economy, a thriving tech cluster, a world-class university, and a tourism sector that draws visitors from every corner of the globe. The businesses that make this work — the independent retailers, the craft producers, the consultancies, the food companies, the service providers — are overwhelmingly small and medium-sized enterprises. They’re the engine of the west.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: many of them are falling behind digitally. And in 2026, that gap is starting to cost real money.
This isn’t about doom and gloom. Galway’s SME community has enormous strengths — authenticity, quality, deep local roots, and the kind of personal service that big corporates simply can’t replicate. The challenge is translating those strengths into a digital presence that actually works. Because right now, too many Galway businesses are relying on websites that were built five or six years ago, haven’t been updated since, and are quietly losing them customers every single day.
The website question
Let’s start with the basics. A website isn’t a brochure anymore. For most small businesses, it’s their single most important sales tool — the place where potential customers decide whether to pick up the phone, book a table, request a quote, or move on to a competitor.
Research consistently shows that the majority of Irish SMEs now attribute a significant portion of their revenue to digital channels. Yet walk through the Latin Quarter or browse the websites of businesses in Parkmore and Mervue, and you’ll find sites that don’t load properly on mobile phones, pages that take eight or nine seconds to appear, and contact forms that don’t actually work.
The good news is that professional web design doesn’t have to cost the earth. Galway businesses can get well-designed, fast, mobile-friendly websites that genuinely reflect their brand and convert visitors into customers — without the enterprise-level price tag. What matters is choosing a development partner who understands the needs of smaller businesses rather than trying to sell an overly complex solution.
The key priorities? Speed — your site needs to load in under three seconds. Mobile-first design — because more than two-thirds of your visitors are on their phones. Clear calls to action — so people know exactly what to do when they land on your page. And content that actually sounds like your business, not generic filler text that could belong to anyone.
The e-commerce opportunity
If you’re a Galway business selling physical products — food, crafts, clothing, homeware, specialty goods — and you’re not selling online yet, you’re leaving money on the table. Ireland’s online retail market has grown enormously, and consumers increasingly expect to be able to buy from local businesses online, not just from Amazon or the big chains.
The barriers that used to exist have largely disappeared. Platforms like WooCommerce and Shopify make it possible for small retailers to set up professional online shops without massive upfront investment. The real challenge isn’t the technology — it’s getting the foundations right. That means proper product photography, clear descriptions, reliable payment processing, sensible shipping options, and a checkout process that doesn’t make people give up halfway through.
For Galway businesses considering this step, it’s worth looking at e-commerce development approaches designed specifically for the Irish market, because there are nuances around EU compliance, VAT handling, and local payment preferences that generic templates simply don’t address. Getting these details right from the start saves enormous headaches down the line.
The West of Ireland has a particular advantage here. Galway’s reputation for quality, creativity, and authenticity is a genuine selling point online. Consumers in Dublin, London, and further afield actively seek out products with a story behind them — and Galway businesses have stories worth telling. A well-built online shop turns that advantage into revenue.
AI isn’t just for the tech sector
Perhaps the biggest shift happening right now is the arrival of practical AI tools that small businesses can actually use. Not the sci-fi version of artificial intelligence — we’re talking about tools that can draft your marketing emails, summarise your meeting notes, help you respond to customer enquiries faster, create content for your website, and automate the repetitive admin tasks that eat into your week.
The businesses adopting these tools aren’t tech companies. They’re accountants, solicitors, retailers, tourism operators, and tradespeople who’ve realised that spending three hours on something AI can help with in twenty minutes is simply not a good use of their time.
The challenge for most SME owners is knowing where to start. There’s a flood of information out there, much of it confusing or overhyped. What Galway businesses actually need is practical, jargon-free training that shows them how to use these tools safely and effectively within their own operations.
Platforms like Future Business Academy are filling that gap, offering structured AI training designed specifically for SME owners and their teams — including free introductory courses that let businesses explore the basics before committing to anything. The focus is on practical application rather than theory, which matters when you’re a business owner with limited time and zero interest in becoming a data scientist.
The important thing is to start somewhere. Even basic AI literacy — understanding what these tools can and can’t do, and where they fit into your workflow — puts you ahead of the majority of your competitors.
What’s actually at stake
None of this is about chasing trends for the sake of it. It’s about survival and growth in a market that’s shifting fast. The Galway businesses that will thrive over the next five years are the ones making practical digital investments now — not necessarily huge ones, but smart ones.
A website that actually converts visitors. An online shop that extends your reach beyond the county. The skills to use AI tools that save you hours every week. These aren’t luxuries — they’re becoming the baseline.
Galway’s SME community has always been resourceful, creative, and willing to adapt. The digital tools available today are better, more affordable, and more accessible than they’ve ever been. The opportunity is there. The question is whether businesses will take it before their competitors do.
Ireland’s animation sector has grown from a niche creative pursuit into a serious economic force. The industry now employs more than two thousand people across the island, generates close to €200 million annually, and produces content viewed in over 190 countries.
Much of the public conversation focuses on the entertainment side — the Oscar-nominated features from studios like Cartoon Saloon, the children’s television series sold to Disney and the BBC. Less discussed, but growing rapidly, is the use of professional animation by businesses and educational organisations to communicate more effectively with their audiences.
From corporate training programmes to digital learning platforms, animation is becoming a go-to format for Irish organisations that need to explain complex ideas clearly. And the studios delivering this work are increasingly found not just in Dublin, but across the island — including in Belfast, where Educational Voice, a 2D animation company founded by former primary school teacher Michelle Connolly, has built a reputation for producing animation that works as both communication and education.
Animation Beyond Entertainment
The business case for animation has shifted significantly in recent years. Where companies once viewed animated content as something reserved for children’s media or big-budget advertising campaigns, a growing number of Irish and UK organisations now use animation for everyday business communication.
Explainer videos that walk potential customers through complicated products or services. Training animations that help employees retain information more effectively than traditional slide presentations. Sales content that simplifies technical offerings for non-specialist buyers. Healthcare animations that explain medical procedures to patients in ways that text leaflets simply cannot.
The demand is being driven by a straightforward reality: attention is harder to capture, and visual content consistently outperforms text and static imagery when it comes to engagement and recall. Research suggests animated content can increase message retention by up to 15% compared with live-action video, and by considerably more when compared with text alone.
For SMEs in particular — businesses without large marketing departments or in-house creative teams — working with a professional animation studio offers a way to produce high-quality visual content that would otherwise be out of reach.
The All-Island Picture
Ireland’s animation industry is often discussed as if it exists entirely within the Republic, centred on Dublin and Kilkenny. The reality is broader. Belfast has developed its own cluster of animation and creative production businesses, many of which serve clients across both jurisdictions and into the UK market.
Educational Voice is a good example of how this cross-border creative economy operates in practice. Based in Belfast, the studio produces 2D animations for businesses and educators across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the wider UK. The studio’s work spans educational content, explainer videos, sales animations, and corporate training — the kinds of practical business animation that sit alongside the entertainment output Ireland is better known for.
A look at the broader landscape of animation studios operating across Ireland shows a sector that’s more diverse and more geographically distributed than many people realise. Studios in Galway, Cork, Limerick, and Belfast are all contributing to an industry that has become one of Ireland’s genuine creative success stories.
“Ireland has always been a nation of storytellers, and animation is simply the latest way that tradition is expressing itself,” says Michelle Connolly, Founder and Director of Educational Voice. “What we’re seeing now is businesses recognising that the same skills that make Irish animation brilliant on screen — clarity, character, and the ability to make complex ideas feel simple — work just as well for corporate communication and education.”
Education: Where Animation Delivers the Strongest Results
One of the areas where professional animation has made the most measurable difference is education. Digital learning platforms are increasingly using animated content to teach subjects that are difficult to convey through traditional methods — science, mathematics, financial literacy, and technical skills.
LearningMole, a UK and Ireland-based digital education platform, has built a library of over 3,300 professionally produced 2D animations covering curriculum-aligned subjects from STEM to financial literacy. The animations are produced by Educational Voice’s team in Belfast, with content structured around specific learning objectives rather than generic entertainment.
The results speak to a growing body of evidence around visual learning. Children who struggle with text-based instruction often perform significantly better when the same concepts are delivered through animation — not because the content is simpler, but because the format matches how their brains process information.
For schools, training providers, and businesses delivering educational content, the appeal is clear. Animation allows complex ideas to be broken down visually, paced appropriately for the audience, and replayed as many times as needed. A well-produced two-minute animation can do the work of a twenty-minute lecture, with better retention rates.
Connolly, whose background in primary education shapes Educational Voice’s approach to animated learning content, sees the crossover between education and business communication as a natural fit. “Whether you’re teaching a child how fractions work or explaining a new compliance process to your workforce, the challenge is the same — making something complicated feel straightforward. That’s what good animation does.”
Why Professional Production Still Matters
The rise of AI-generated video tools has introduced a new variable into the animation market. Platforms that can produce basic animated content from text prompts in minutes are attractive to organisations looking to cut costs and speed up production.
For some use cases — quick social media content, internal prototyping, rough drafts — these tools deliver genuine value. For business-facing and educational content, the gap between AI-generated output and professionally produced animation remains significant.
Professional animation studios bring something AI tools currently cannot replicate: intentional design decisions based on communication goals. The choice of colour palette, character design, pacing, visual metaphors, and information sequencing all affect whether a viewer understands and remembers the message. These are decisions that require both creative skill and subject-matter understanding.
Irish animation studios have built global reputations precisely because of this attention to craft. The same principles that make an award-winning children’s series from Galway or Kilkenny resonate with audiences worldwide apply when a Belfast studio produces a training animation for a healthcare provider or an explainer video for a fintech company.
A Growing Opportunity for Irish Business
The animation industry’s contribution to the Irish economy is well documented at the entertainment level. What’s less visible — but growing quickly — is the commercial animation market: businesses commissioning animated content for marketing, training, sales, and internal communication.
For organisations in the west of Ireland and across the island, this represents both an opportunity and a resource. The creative talent, production infrastructure, and storytelling instincts that have made Irish animation a global leader in entertainment are equally available for business applications.
As more organisations recognise that professional animation delivers measurable returns in engagement, conversion, and information retention, the demand for studios that can produce this kind of work is only going in one direction. Ireland — all of it — is well placed to meet that demand.
A man arrested in connection with an organised crime investigation, which saw $410,000 worth of cryptocurrency seized, has been charged and is due to appear before court today.
Gardaí arrested a man in his 20s in Doughiska on Monday as part of ongoing investigations into organised criminal activity.
He was arrested after Gardaí searched a home in the Doughiska area under a warrant.
As part of this operation, two cryptocurrency accounts containing $410,000 have been frozen, along with an account at a local financial institution holding over €20,000.
The man arrested has since been charged and is due to appear before a special sitting of Galway District Court on Friday evening at 5:45pm.
An Garda Síochána have said that investigations into this matter are ongoing.
Gardaí have appealed for any information on the whereabouts of a 16 year old girl who has been
16-year-old Lily Mae Aldridge was reported missing from Kilconly, Co Galway, since the evening of Wednesday, February 4.
Lily Mae is described as being approximately 5 foot 7 inches in height with a medium build, brown/blonde hair and brown eyes.
When last seen in Tuam town centre at 5:15pm that day, she was wearing baby blue trousers, a black gilet and black runners.
Gardaí are concerned for Lily Mae’s well-being.
Anyone with any information on Lily Mae’s whereabouts is asked to contact Tuam Garda Station on 093 70840, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
University Hospital Galway is reporting heavy overcrowding today, with 65 patients on trolleys throughout the hospital, and some elective procedures being cancelled.
The Emergency Department at UHG is extremely busy, with high numbers of people attending the department who need to be admitted to the hospital for ongoing treatment. Yesterday, 317 people attended the ED.
As of this morning, there are 34 patients on trolleys in the Emergency Department, 19 patients on ward trolleys, and an additional 12 patients on trolleys in surge areas.
The hospital is asking people to consider potential care options before attending the ED as it attempts to improve patient flow and reduce delays.
“Everyone who presents will be treated, with priority given to those who are seriously ill or injured. Patients who do not require urgent care unfortunately may experience longer waiting times.”
“All available beds in the hospital are in use. Patients are facing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to a bed on a ward.”
“Every effort is being made to discharge patients who are ready to go home so that beds will become available for patients who need to be admitted, at the earliest opportunity.”
Some elective procedures are being postponed due to the pressure on bed capacity. The hospital will be contacting patients directly if they are affected.
“The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.”
Údarás na Gaeltachta, the regional development agency for the Gaeltacht, has released its Annual Report for 2025, with figures showing 234 jobs created by client companies in the Galway Gaeltacht last year.
These figures represent a a 1% decrease compared to 2024, bringing the total number of people employed in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies in the Galway Gaeltacht to 3,724.
On October 31, 2025, there were 93 vacancies available with client companies, offering opportunities for Galway job seekers.
CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Tomás Ó Síocháin, said, “2025 was a landmark year for the Gaeltacht, with employment reaching nearly 10,000 people and our client companies surpassing €1 billion in sales for the second consecutive year.”
“The creation of 681 new jobs, combined with record success in securing competitive research funding, demonstrates the innovation and resilience of Gaeltacht enterprise.”
“Our expansion of the gteic digital hub network and groundbreaking work in Irish-language AI development positions the Gaeltacht at the forefront of technological advancement while strengthening our language and communities.”
“We’re building a sustainable future where enterprise growth and language vitality go hand in hand.”
Client companies supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta achieved sales of over €1 billion for the second year in succession, with exports reaching €697 million.
In 2025, 681 new jobs were created, bringing total employment to 9,716 across seven counties, with growth recorded in four regions.
Údarás client companies also secured a record €38.1 million under DTIF Call 7, contributing to over €70 million in competitive research funding across 14 projects.
The GTEIC network expanded to 29 hubs, supporting 436 employees and providing 867 workspaces, with two further hubs due to open in 2026.
Progress continued on Irish-language AI development, including publication of a national roadmap and ongoing work with researchers in Trinity College Dublin, UCC, University of Galway and Mozilla Common Voice and Data Collective.
This work includes a speech-to-speech proof-of-concept on publicly available data to help advance speech technology and AI-supported public services in Irish.
€7.375 million was allocated to support 33 community development organisations across the Gaeltacht in 2025.
Research confirmed the strong economic role of social enterprises, contributing €21.53 million annually and supporting 585 full-time equivalent jobs.
Housing initiatives also progressed, with a dedicated Housing Adviser appointed and Gaeltacht housing needs formally recognised in the Government’s Housing Plan 2025.
During 2025, 28 Language Plans were actively implemented across 26 Language Planning Areas and two Gaeltacht Service Towns, supported by €3.9 million in funding and 33 Language Planning Officers.
The Irish Language Development Scheme was launched for larger client companies, with 15 companies registered by year’s end, representing a combined workforce of 1,139 employees.
Continued funding was confirmed to ensure stability and refinement of the framework through to 2027.
€4 million was allocated for new visitor centres on the Aran Islands and Cape Clear Island, in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, while the Emigrants’ Memorial Centre in Carna neared completion.
Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark received UNESCO Global Geopark status. The audiovisual sector generated 460 positions and contributed €4 million to the Gaeltacht economy.
An investment of €1.4 million supported training and skills development initiatives in 2025.
There are now 152 participants on the Apprenticeship Scheme, a substantial increase on the previous year. The GAIRM graduate programme, delivered in partnership with Atlantic Technological University, continued to combine professional placements with a Level 9 postgraduate qualification.
The CUMASÚ entrepreneurship programme supported 40 Gaeltacht women entrepreneurs during the year as part of a three-year initiative aimed at supporting up to 150 participants.
Chair of the Board, Siobhán Ní Ghadhra, said, “The fundamental objective at the Údarás is establishing communities where Irish serves as the language of daily life. Behind every statistic in this report lies an individual with deep ties to the Gaeltacht and a commitment to its future prosperity.”
“We support entrepreneurs embracing the challenge to create something meaningful of their own, creating jobs and new opportunities.”
“The growth achieved in 2025 was once again remarkable, and I wish to commend the entire team at Údarás na Gaeltachta for their exceptional contributions.”
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD said, “I congratulate Údarás na Gaeltachta on another successful year.”
“It is a remarkable achievement to have almost 10,000 people employed in the organisation’s client companies and to achieve sales of €1 billion for the second consecutive year.”
“This would not happen without the strategic work that has been done by the organisation over a long period. The organisation also had a central role in the language planning process last year, a role that will be expanded in 2026 with new schemes to be announced to embed language planning into Gaeltacht business affairs.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially opened two Galway County Council housing developments in Ballinasloe yesterday, marking the delivery of 74 new homes in the East Galway town.
The adjoining schemes at An Gort Fada and An Choill Fhada are located in the townland of Kilgarve, situated on the eastern side of the town.
Both were acquired by Galway County Council through a Part V acquisition and a Turnkey Acquisition and were fully funded by the Department of Housing.
The developments include 38 homes at An Gort Fada and 36 at An Choill Fhada, along with a new playground for residents.
Speaking at the opening, the Taoiseach said the homes would provide long-term security for families and individuals in Ballinasloe and would support the town’s continued growth.
“The delivery of these homes is a strong example of what can be achieved when local authorities, Government, developers and communities work together.
“Galway County Council has shown real leadership in driving housing delivery, and these new homes will make a lasting difference for the people of Ballinasloe.”
Cllr David Collins, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, said the opening marked a very positive day for Ballinasloe and for the families who have made their homes there.
“The Council is working with Elected Members to meet housing need across County Galway through new social homes, affordable purchase schemes and the re-use of vacant properties.
“I want to congratulate everyone involved in bringing these 74 homes to completion.”
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, said the opening reflected the scale of work underway across the county to provide high-quality homes in every community.
“We are working hard to deliver homes for our communities. We are drawing on all available delivery routes, including direct build, turnkey delivery, Part V and partnerships with Approved Housing Bodies and land activation, to respond effectively to local housing demand.”
“I want to acknowledge the work of the council’s Housing Unit and the support of the Department in progressing projects despite ongoing pressures in the construction sector.”
The €12.58 million An Gort Fada scheme includes 26 two-bed two-storey mid and end-terrace homes, eight three-bed two-storey semi-detached and end-terrace homes, three one-bed bungalows and one three-bed bungalow.
The €11.97 million An Choill Fhada development includes 20 three-bed two-storey semi-detached and end-terrace homes and four two-bed two-storey mid and end-terrace homes. It also contains 12 one-bed bungalows designed for residents with mobility needs.
Commenting on housing delivery in County Galway, Damien Mitchell, Director of Services with responsibility for Housing and Ballinasloe Municipal District, said:
“Galway County Council continues to advance a broad and balanced housing programme across the county, delivering new homes, regenerating existing areas and improving the quality and energy performance of our social housing stock.”
“We are committed to providing a mix of social and affordable homes and to supporting mixed‑tenure communities in every Municipal District.”
The University of Galway has this week launched its new Medical Device Prototype Hub, supported by medical device company Medtronic.
The development of the facility is part of the five-year €5 million signature innovation partnership between Medtronic and the University, announced in 2023, which focuses on three pillars: developing the MedTech ecosystem, STEM engagement and research.
President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said that the launch of this hub is a major milestone in the university’s relationship with medtronic.
“But it also sends a strong message to all those in the sector and all those who are driving innovation – University of Galway is creating the ecosystem in which our partners in research and innovation can thrive.”
“We look forward to celebrating the the breakthroughs and successes that this initiative enables.”
The Medical Device Prototype Hub forms part of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation, which was established in the University in 2024, as part of the signature innovation partnership.
It will be further supported through collaborations with government agencies and industry leaders.
The Medical Device Prototype Hub is part of the university’s new Technology Services Directorate, which provides shared research infrastructure and technical expertise to underpin activities across both the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation and the Institute for Clinical Trials.
Ronan Rogers Senior R&D Director, Medtronic, said the company has “Deep roots in the west of Ireland, and this facility strengthens a shared commitment to advancing research, accelerating innovation, and developing the next generation of medical technologies.”
“We are proud to invest in an ecosystem that not only drives technological progress but also supports talent development. This Hub will unlock new avenues for discovery and accelerate the path from promising ideas to real‑world medical solutions for patients.”
The Hub will be further enhanced through partnerships with government agencies and industry leaders, creating a collaborative environment that supports translation, innovation, and regional growth in life sciences and medical technologies.
The development is part of an integrated ecosystem at University of Galway, which enables sustained, research-led development, further positioning Galway as the centre of Ireland’s global MedTech hub and the University as integral to research for the public good on the world stage.
Aoife Duffy, Director of Technology Services Directorate at University of Galway, said that this service aims to “advance our research excellence by bringing together state-of-the-art core facilities and making strategic decisions on infrastructure and investment.”
“The new prototype hub significantly enhances the innovation pathway available for the university research community and wider, and we look forward to working with Medtronic on this partnership”.
The Medical Device Prototype Hub has expert staff to facilitate concept creation, development and manufacturing of innovative medical device prototypes.
The team offers a comprehensive suite of services to support early-stage medical device innovation, including both virtual and physical prototyping, enabling rapid design iteration through Computer Aided Design, modelling and simulation.
The Medical Device Prototype Hub provides a full service, one-stop solution for 3D printing needs, which includes a host of expert-led design, printing and consultancy and is equipped with state-of-the-art additive manufacturing technologies for validation of prototypes.
Construction is set to begin on a major upgrade of the R332, a key regional road linking counties Galway and Mayo, which should be completed before year’s end.
Galway County Council has awarded the Kilbannon Road Improvement Scheme contract to Jons Civil Engineering of Carranstown, Duleek, Co Meath.
The €4 million project is funded by the Department of Transport under the Specific Improvement Grant programme.
The R332 links the N17 Tuam bypass with the N84 at Kilmaine in County Mayo. Traffic on the route has more than tripled since the Tuam bypass opened, rising from about 860 vehicles a day in 2017 to roughly 2,800 in 2018.
This has highlighted safety concerns in Kilbannon village, where the road narrows and visibility is poor, and there are no dedicated facilities for pedestrians or cyclists.
The scheme will widen and realign the R332 through Kilbannon village and north to the GAA grounds.
It will add a shared cycle track and footpath linking Saint Benin’s National School with Kilbannon GAA Club, new controlled crossings for pedestrians and cyclists and minor realignment of local side roads (L-2210 and L-6486).
A sustainable drainage system and other road safety improvements will also be installed.
Designed by O’Connor Sutton Cronin Consultant Engineers, the 1.55-kilometre project is expected to be completed by December.
Speaking at the contract signing in Áras an Chontae, Minister of State at the Department of Transport Sean Canney said the project would improve safety for all road users and create new walking and cycling links between the school, the village and the GAA grounds.
“This project is about more than upgrading a road; it will support rural communities, encourage active travel and ensure infrastructure keeps pace with a growing population,” he added.
Cllr. Karey Mc Hugh Farag, Cathaoirleach of Tuam Municipal District (MD) thanked landowners for cooperating with the process, and council staff for engaging with locals throughout the process.
“I want to acknowledge the co-operation of landowners and residents and to thank Pádraic Flaherty, technician in the Tuam MD office, and the Council’s legal team, particularly Aisling Murphy, for their work in resolving complex legal matters.”
“The efforts of council staff and their hands-on engagement on the ground have been central to bringing this project to this stage.”
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, said the project is a major investment in road safety and sustainable travel for Kilbannon and the surrounding area.
“This upgrade is a direct response to the sharp rise in traffic on the R332 since the Tuam bypass opened,” he added.
“Widening the road, improving crossings, and adding dedicated facilities for pedestrians and cyclists will tackle long-standing safety issues and make Kilbannon safer and easier to get around.”
“It shows our commitment to supporting our communities and delivering the infrastructure they need.”
Uinsinn Finn, Director of Services for Roads and Transportation, commented, “This key strategic improvement for the regional road network in north Galway will tackle long-standing safety concerns while delivering new walking and cycling facilities.”
“It also reflects our commitment to improving connectivity, sustainable travel and decarbonisation while supporting rural development in line with national policy.”
Senior Executive Engineer John Coyle said the scheme aligned with national priorities under the National Planning Framework and the National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland.
He continued, “I want to acknowledge the close work of Cllr Killilea with landowners and residents and to thank our council team for their commitment in progressing the project from its initial proposal in 2018, which came about as a result of a petition from local residents. Their patience and involvement have been central to making Kilbannon a safer and more vibrant village.”
Portiuncula University Hospital has officially opened a new Maternity Outpatient Facility, marking a major investment in maternal healthcare infrastructure for women and families across the region.
Opened on January 12, the newly refurbished and developed outpatient facility, located on the grounds of the hospital, provides a warm, welcoming space for women attending maternity outpatient services.
The facility supports both consultant-led and midwife-led clinics, improving access, comfort and continuity of care throughout the pregnancy journey.
It includes nine modern clinical rooms, thoughtfully designed to create a supportive environment, as well as a dedicated phlebotomy service to help make clinic visits more efficient and convenient for women.
To further improve the patient experience, dedicated car parking is available directly outside the facility, ensuring ease of access for women attending appointments.
Commenting on the new facility, James Keane, Hospital Manager, said, “This new maternity outpatient facility is a very welcome development for women attending the hospital.”
“By providing a dedicated space for maternity outpatient care, we are improving both the quality and efficiency of services while ensuring a more comfortable and accessible experience for women and families.”
Eileen Kelly, General Manager, Maternity Services, Portiuncula University Hospital said, “We are delighted to open this new maternity outpatient facility, providing women and their families with a comfortable, welcoming environment for their appointments.”
“This development ensures care is more accessible, personalised, and supportive, reflecting our commitment to the needs of the women we serve.”
Deirdre Naughton, Director of Midwifery at the hospital, commented, “The new facility enables the delivery of quality, woman-centred care in a setting that supports privacy, comfort, and continuity.”
“The additional clinical rooms and dedicated midwife-led spaces strengthen our ability to provide timely, responsive care while enhancing the overall experience for women attending our maternity services.”
“This new clinical space allows our midwives and consultants to deliver care in an environment that is focused entirely on the needs of women.”
“The additional clinical capacity and dedicated phlebotomy service will significantly enhance the outpatient experience while supporting best practice maternity care,” added Dr Naveed Khawaja, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.
Speaking about her experience at the new facility, Claire Fallon said, “The new outpatient facility has been such a welcome change for me as a maternity patient at Portiuncula University Hospital.”
“It feels much calmer and more relaxed when arriving for regular appointments, and having parking right outside the door makes everything so much easier and less stressful.”
The new Maternity Outpatient facility highlights Portiuncula University Hospital’s commitment to continuous improvement and to providing modern, patient-centred maternity services for the communities it serves.
St. Mary’s Ave near Salthill will be closed for eight weeks from later this month while infrastructure works are being carried out.
Galway City Council has made an order closing the street from February 23 through to April 17.
The road will be closed 24/7 during this time between the junctions with Taylor’s Hill Road and Salthill Road Lower.
The purpose of the road closure is to allow for water infrastructure in the area to be upgraded.
Diversions will be in place via Taylor’s Hill Road and Salthill Road Lower.
Localised access and access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained at all times.
Advance diversion signage will be in place prior to work commencing.
Galway will play host to a business summit for digital creative industries this summer, bringing together people from film and TV, animation, games, immersive technology, design, and music technology.
The EDGE26 Creative Economy Summit is being hosted by CREW (Creative Enterprise West) on Thursday, May 21, at Dexcom Stadium.
The summit will focus on how these sectors, alongside Ireland’s wider creative industries, can scale, generate IP, and drive exports and regional economic growth.
It builds on the launch of CREW’s Strategy 2025-2029, in May 2025 – a four-year plan to boost digital creative industries across the region.
With a host of national and international speakers, the Summit will feature discussion panels, lightning talks, a start-up zone, an exhibition area, an immersive technology zone, and more.
EDGE26 will establish a national platform to accelerate globally competitive digital creative businesses, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and position Ireland as a leader in the next wave of creative enterprise.
The Summit will have award-winning entrepreneur and broadcaster Áine Kerr as its MC. It will unite founders, investors, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders from across film and TV, animation, games, immersive technology, design, and music technology.
Together, they will explore how creative IP, innovation, and creative talent are reshaping Ireland’s economic future.
Unveiling plans for EDGE26, CREW’s CEO, Niamh Costello, said the Summit will build on the organisation’s Where Creativity Means Business strategy.
It has been designed, she explained, as a platform where digital creative businesses can connect, learn from one another, and help shape the next phase of the creative economy in the West and North West of Ireland, and beyond.
“Creative economy companies operate across many different sectors, but they share common challenges, from scaling and skills to IP, finance, and market access.”
“EDGE26 will bring these communities together for the first time in a single forum, to showcase the innovation already happening across the region and create new opportunities for collaboration and growth,” added the CEO.
Globally, the digital creative economy experienced rapid growth in 2025. According to a report by Precedence Research, the market is predicted to increase from $313.95 billion in 2026 to approximately $2,084.57 billion by 2035.
EDGE26 will be a future-focused event, with a regional, national and international lens. Melissa Sterry, who is recognised globally for her cutting-edge work at the intersection of science, technology, and design, has been confirmed as one of the keynote speakers.
Melissa will speak about the global creative shift, and how creative industries, IP, and innovation are reshaping economies worldwide.
Speaking ahead of her visit to Galway, she noted that all around the world, creative industries are increasingly recognised as core drivers of economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
“As the value of intellectual property, talent, and cultural capital accelerates, this shift is reshaping economic policy globally, as governments increasingly recognise creative capability alongside technology, infrastructure, and skills as a strategic priority,” added Ms Sterry.
EDGE26 will be hosted by CREW and is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021–2027. It is supported by Enterprise Ireland, with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway as its Lead Patron.
Dr Orla Flynn, President of Atlantic Technological University and Lead Patron of EDGE Summit 2026, said ATU is proud to be involved.
“The creative economy has a critical role to play in shaping sustainable regional growth, innovation, and future skills.”
“Through CREW, Atlantic Technological University has been proud to co-found and support a platform that connects creative talent with industry, research, and enterprise across the West and North West of Ireland.”
“EDGE reflects a shared ambition to strengthen innovation-led growth by aligning education, industry, and opportunity, and by supporting graduates to build and sustain creative careers in the region.”
A public consultation is being held on the use of public cctv cameras and a new Draft Code of Practice for their operation and use in policing.
Public Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) refers to a closed circuit television system of one or more recording cameras fixed to a structure in a public place.
They include any system for processing the images, any accompanying sounds or other information obtained by those recording devices.
The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 specifically repealed Section 38 of the 2005 Act and provides the current legal framework for the use of various recording devices, including Public CCTV.
Part 8 of this Act also stipulates that a new Code of Practice on Public Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is required.
The aim of the Code of Practice is to provide further detail on the general operation of Public CCTV.
It also aims to ensure Public CCTV is used only for policing purposes and the prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution of criminal offences.
It is this draft Code of Practice that An Garda Síochána is now seeking input on from members of the public.
Acting Deputy Commissioner, Security, Strategy and Governance, Paul Cleary said, “Public CCTV in Ireland is widespread and subject to strict, updated regulatory frameworks, with a focus on preventing and detecting crime in communities.”
“There are approximately 120 Public CCTV schemes currently in operation across the country. They have proven invaluable in the prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution of criminal offences.”
“This new draft Code of Practice allows An Garda Síochána to continue supporting communities through the use of CCTV technology.”
“The public’s views on how Public CCTV systems are implemented and operated will help An Garda Síochána to continue to provide a community-focused policing service.”
Read more about the public consultation, download the draft Code of Practice, and submit your feedback online here.
Draft Code of Practice feedback must be submitted by February 24 this year.
Gardaí have frozen €410,000 worth of cryptocurrency and arrested one man in connection with an organised crime investigation in Galway.
On Monday, Gardaí from the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit searched a home in Doughiska.
The raid was backed by the Regional Armed Support Unit and personnel attached to Millstreet Garda Station.
As part of this operation, two cryptocurrency accounts containing $410,000 have been frozen, along with an account at a local financial institution holding over €20,000.
A male in his 20s was arrested and is currently being detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 at a Garda station in the North Western Region.
Gardaí have said that this investigation is ongoing, and that further updates will follow.
Due to the success of the Sunday Phlebotomy Clinic at University Hospital Galway (UHG), the clinic has extended its operating hours to 10:00am – 12:30pm to further support the delivery of Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT).
The Sunday clinic initially ran for just one hour each Sunday, accommodating up to eight patients. Due to increasing demand and positive feedback, the service now supports 20 patients per session.
This offers a more patient-focused experience that enhances both care and efficiency. To date, the clinic has welcomed 1,631 patients.
Traditionally, patients scheduled for chemotherapy and more specifically on Mondays and Tuesdays, had to arrive early in the morning for blood tests and await results before treatment could begin.
The Sunday Phlebotomy Clinic allows patients to have their pre-chemotherapy bloods taken up to 48 hours in advance of treatment, enabling treatments to be prepared ahead of time, significantly reducing waiting times on the day of treatment and enhancing the patient experience.
The success of the clinic is attributed to the dedication and innovation of UHG’s phlebotomy and laboratory teams, whose commitment has made a real difference to patient care.
“This initiative has made a tangible difference for our patients, with more patients requesting access to the service,” explains Dr Michael McCarthy, Consultant Medical Oncologist, University Hospital Galway.
“The programme ensures that cancer treatments are prepared in advance and ready for patients when they arrive for their systemic therapy appointments.
“It relies on the coordinated efforts of our staff nurses, nurse managers, chemotherapy schedulers, phlebotomists, laboratory scientists, porters, cleaners, and security staff, all working together, outside normal working hours, to deliver this targeted service.”
“This collaboration significantly enhances the patient experience while also improving the efficiency of our day ward.”
Maureen Keane, Senior Phlebotomist said, “The Sunday Phlebotomy Clinic has been very well received by patients and their families.”
“It allows them to avoid early starts on treatment days and reduces waiting times, which helps make their chemotherapy experience less stressful. We’re proud to play a part in improving the service for our patients.”
“The Sunday Clinic has transformed patient experience and workflow in the Haematology Oncology Day Ward,” explains, Julie Bradshaw, Clinical Nurse Manager II, Haematology Oncology Day Ward.
“With pre-treatment blood results ready in advance, nurses can focus more on care delivery, improving efficiency and reducing waiting times which is a true reflection of teamwork, innovation, and compassionate, patient-centred care.”
Eva Lally from Ardrahan, who attends the Sunday Phlebotomy Clinic, said, “For the past two years I have attended the phlebotomy clinic on a Sunday morning prior to my treatment on a Tuesday.”
“I am extremely grateful to the staff there for working Sundays. There is no traffic and absolutely no delays and I am always out within 20 minutes.”
“Once my blood tests are reviewed, my treatment is prepared in the laboratory and ready for my 9.30am Tuesday appointment.”
“Having my bloods taken on a Sunday has been a game changer for my treatment day process, and I highly recommend the Sunday Phlebotomy Clinic,” added Eva.
The expansion of the Sunday Phlebotomy Clinic underscores University Hospital Galway’s ongoing commitment to improving patient care, reducing waiting times, and ensuring seamless access to essential cancer treatment services.
A public meeting will be held next month to discuss plans to restore and protect the water quality in Lough Derg.
The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is inviting members of the public, and in particular community groups, anglers, and individuals, to a community information meeting about water quality in Lough Derg.
The meeting will take place at the Killaloe Hotel & Spa, Kincora Harbour, Co. Clare, at 7pm on February 12.
Representatives from LAWPRO will attend the meeting which will explore ways the local community can collaborate on projects to raise awareness of water quality and to help restore, protect, and enhance Lough Derg.
While Lough Derg has been negatively impacted by growing pollution and faces significant challenges to restore its water quality, this meeting will further engage the active community that already exists and discuss new public participation opportunities to improve water quality in the lake.
Barry Deane, LAWPRO’s Regional Co-ordinator in the South West, said, “This community meeting is a chance for local people in Tipperary, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Offaly to take an active role in protecting Lough Derg.”
“By working together, we can develop practical solutions to improve water quality in the lake for both wildlife and the local community.”
“We encourage community groups, anglers, and locals to come to the meeting, share their knowledge, and be part of the effort to restore and enhance this important waterbody.”
Funding opportunities for water quality related projects will be outlined at the meeting along with the work being coordinated by LAWPRO in the wider catchment.
Work underway at a national level in five pilot catchment areas to establish Catchment Community Fora will also be discussed.
These are structured local fora, designed to improve public participation within each pilot catchment and allow communities to develop local solutions for better water quality and environmental outcomes.
The fora are part of a national pilot under Ireland’s current River Basin Management Plan, the Water Action Plan 2024.
While the Lough Derg area is not one of the five pilot catchments, this collaborative model will be of particular interest to community groups, anglers and locals in the area.
The community meeting is a free event, and all are welcome to attend. Tea/coffee will be provided. You can register for the meeting through LAWPRO’s Eventbrite page.
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