Japan’s finest young musicians to perform in Galway this week

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September 13, 2022

galway daily news queen book of condolences — A book of condolences for the British Queen. Photograph by Aengus McMahon

A book of condolences in memory of Queen Elizabeth II has been opened by Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Clodagh Higgins.

The book will be available in City Hall for anyone who wants to express messages of sympathy to the British royal family, and the British people on the passing of the Queen.

Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Clodagh Higgins, extended her sympathies to Charles, the royal family, and people in Britain after Queen Elizabeth II died last week.

“Throughout her reign, of over 70 years, she demonstrated a commitment to duty and to public service,” she said.

“Her passing is the end of an era, and our thoughts are with all those feeling this loss at this sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam”.

The book of condolences will be available in City Hall, during normal opening hours, until 14 October 2022.

Over 100 people attend meeting on Older People’s Council

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September 12, 2022

galway daily news older people's council

Over 100 people went to the Menlo Park Hotel last Monday to find out more about the new Older People’s Council for Galway city.

Among the line-up of informative and enlightening speakers were none other than the well-known playwright and author Michael Harding.

Harding captured the complete attention of the audience, as he shared some stories from his own life and reminded everyone about the significance of sharing their own stories and practising mindfulness in their lives.

There was an informative piece delivered by Anne Rizzo of Age Friendly Ireland (West), who spoke about how Older People’s Councils work, and provided positive examples of the work of OPCs around the country.

Caitriona Morgan, Galway City Council, Michael Harding Author, and Ciara Coy, Galway City Partnership.

Attendees were very interested to hear that World Health Organisation conferred on Ireland the title of the first Age Friendly Country in the world in 2019, and that statistics show that our children and grandchildren can look forward to a life expectancy of at least 100 years old.

Evelyn Fanning, HSE Health Promotion & Improvement, Community Healthcare West, shared information on the work of Galway City Alcohol Forum in raising awareness of alcohol related harm.

Members attending the Galway City Older Peoples Council Open Event

As part of this, an information session on Alcohol and Growing Older was delivered by Marion Rackard, Project Manager, HSE National Alcohol Programme, which highlighted the high levels of hazardous drinking among adults over 65, low risk alcohol guidelines and supports available.

She encouraged older people to be agents of change in helping to denormalise alcohol, and support the work of the Alcohol Forum in reducing alcohol harm.

An Garda Siochána stand, at the Galway City Older Peoples Council Open Event

Building on the theme of ‘wellbeing and participation’ at the event, attendees also had a moment to enjoy some relaxing chair yoga with Galway Sports Partnership and wonderful live music with Mike Stewart and Enda Dempsey.

Speaking about the event, co-organiser Ciara Coy of Galway City Partnership said: “We are delighted to have had such a wonderful turnout and to see so many people interested in an Older People’s Council in Galway city.

“The new OPC will be a key means of hearing the needs of older people in our city and we invite all those who are interested to come along to the Galway City Older People’s Executive AGM on Thursdays 15th September at 11am in the Harbour Hotel.”

Stalls at the event were hosted by the Gold Star Disability Initiative, Meals4Health, An Garda Síochána Crime Prevention, Galway Sports Partnership, Healthy Galway, Galway Contact, Domestic Violence Response, GRETB Community Education Service, Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, Galway City Libraries, HSE Community Healthcare West and Galway City Alcohol Forum.

To register to attend the AGM for Galway city’s Older People’s Executive in the Harbour Hotel please contact Ciara on 083 0234390 or ciara@gcp.ie.

Plans for major changes to traffic and public transport in Galway city

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September 12, 2022

Galway Daily Controversial plans to rename Galway City landmarks

Galway City Council will make a planning application for a major new road development in Galway city centre for public transport, cyclists and pedestrians.

The plans for the 6.7 km Cross-City Link (University Road to Dublin Road) in the city centre will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála and documents will be made available this Friday, 16 September.

The development will be on existing roads providing improved walking, cycling and bus infrastructure on the key access corridor, and will remove through traffic in the city centre.

Access for ‘destination’ traffic will be maintained, but re-routed in many locations to provide access to premises and car parks.

Loading for businesses along the proposed road development will also be maintained, but also altered and restricted to specific times and routes.

The city bus network routes will be changed to use the corridor, providing more frequent services with reliable journey times.

The BusConnects Galway: Cross-City Link (University Road to Dublin Road) scheme is part of the wider Galway Transport Strategy developed by Galway City Council, Galway County Council, and the National Transport Authority in 2016.

Galway City Council will make a Compulsory Purchase Order for the lands necessary for the scheme, and that order will be subject to confirmation by An Bord Pleanála.

Newspaper notices will be in local and national papers this Friday, 16 September 2022 and project documentation will then be available on the scheme website at www.crosscitylinkgalway.ie

Hard copy documents can be viewed in City Hall, from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, from Wednesday 21 September to Friday 18 November 2022.

Submissions/observations can also be made on the An Bord Pleanála website.

Any enquiries relating to the application process should be directed to An Bord Pleanála (Tel. 01 8588100).

University of Galway SU partners with Hygiene Bank

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September 12, 2022

galway daily news galway university students union members launching hygiene bank — PICTURED (Left to Right): Barry Ó Siochrú, Joe Mee, Imogen O’Flaherty Falconer, and Sai Gujulla (University of Galway Students’ Union)

University of Galway Students’ Union has announced that it will be partnering with The Hygiene Bank Galway again this year.

The Students’ Union will be holding monthly donation drives asking students and staff to join the fight against hygiene poverty.

There will be a donation point in the Students’ Union office each month starting today where hygiene, personal care and household cleaning products can be left for those in need.

Last year the Union collected almost 200 kg of donations for the Bank and hope to collect even more this year.

Donated items will be distributed to The Hygiene Bank’s community partners in Galway which include COPE Galway, Galway Simon Community, Galway Traveller Movement and St Vincent de Paul among others.

They are asking for donations of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, razors, shaving foam, deodorant, hairbrushes, hair ties, period products, nappies, baby wipes, toilet roll, headlice shampoo and laundry detergent.

“We are delighted to partner with The Hygiene Bank again this year to join the fight against hygiene poverty,” said Students’ Union President Sai Gujulla.

“The Hygiene Bank are an amazing movement who help those living in poverty access the basics items they need. Their work addresses a huge injustice that exists in our society.”

Students’ Union Vice President/Welfare and Equality Officer Imogen O’Flaherty Falconer added that hygiene poverty is a major issue in the current cost of living crisis.

“It can lead to people having to make impossible choices between buying food or keeping clean,” she said.

“Our monthly donation drives aim to help The Hygiene Bank to stop the social isolation that can result from hygiene poverty.”

Major renovation plans at Glenlo Abbey Hotel

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September 12, 2022

Galway Daily news Major renovation plans at Glenlo Abbey Hotel

Plans are in the works for a significant revamp of the Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate golf facilities, as well as adding a new restaurant.

Baswal Ltd is seeking planning permission to demolish the existing “outdated and unsuitable” driving range at the 5 star hotel outside Galway City.

In its place, the developer seeks to build a new single storey ‘Golf Academy’, which would include 30 driving range bays, and a high performance golf training facility.

It would also include changing facilities, a pro golf shop, a retail store, and a new restaurant for hotel residents and golfers.

A planning report submitted with the application states that the new Golf Academy is needed as the hotel has expanded over time, with the Golf Pavilion built in the 1990s gradually taken over by other hotel uses.

“Besides the obvious requirements to support the Estate as a 5 star golf destination hotel, the hotel currently has significant local membership to both the existing Golf Range and Golf Course.”

“Currently members visiting the facility have little or no changing facilities, very limited scope for purchasing necessary equipment relating to the golf activity, and need to access the main hotel restaurants/bars for refreshments.”

“It is also not ideal from a tourist/leisure experience perspective to mix such leisure trade with hotel residents within a 5 star setting.”

“It is also highly desirable from a hotel experience that guests could access an alternative more casual dining experience within the overall Estate during their stay.”

The existing car park for the driving range has 83 spaces, and it is intended that this will be extended to 96 spaces.

An Ecological Impact Assessment was prepared for this planning application to the council, which said that there would be no significant or residual impacts.

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by October 16.

Three people rescued by lifeboat on Lough Derg

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September 12, 2022

Galway Daily news Three people rescued by lifeboat on Lough Derg — Three people rescued by lifeboat on Lough Derg. Photo: RNLI/Eleanor Hooker

Three people were rescud on Lough Derg over the weekend after their boat ran aground on rocks, one of whom suffered minor injuries.

The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat launched on Sunday afternoon, around 3:25pm, after reports of a 35ft cruiser aground at Illaunmor.

After some initial difficulty in finding the boat, they made contact with the stranded cruiser at the southern end of Illaunmor shortly after 3:30pm.

As the lifeboat neared the cruiser, it was evident from the diving platform that someone on the casualty vessel had suffered an injury.

One person had gone out in the water in their bare feet after the cruiser got stuck on the rocks, suffering lacerations to their foot.

Once the RNLI volunteers were satisfied that the person had no other injuries, he was instructed to remain seated with his foot elevated.

At first, the lifeboat tried to tow the cruiser off the rocks, but it was stuck fast.

They then decided to bring all three back to Dromineer with them, and informed the cruiser company of their stranded boat.

Peter Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users to, “keep to the navigation route on your charts and keep a constant lookout”.

Portiuncula Hospital protecting patients’ mealtimes

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September 12, 2022

Portiuncula Hospital is restarting an initiative that aims to ensure that patients get the most out of their mealtimes.

The protected mealtimes initiative sets fixed times for meals, during which time all non-essential activity on the ward will stop.

This is to prevent unnecessary interruptions to mealtimes and enables staff to assist patients with their meals.

“Please be assured that all essential and urgent care needs will be met,” the hospital said in a statement.

“Visiting is restricted unless prior arrangements is made with the nursing staff to assist with feeding.”

The programme is being reintroduced due to the importance of an uninterrupted ward environment, presentation, timing and nutritional content of food to patients’ recovery.

The protected mealtimes in question are breakfast (8.00 to 8.30), lunch (12.45 to 1.30) and tea (5.00 to 5.30).

This is one of a number of initiatives being rolled out in PUH to improve quality patient care.

For more information download the patient information leaflet available here.

Portiuncula Hospital also recently launched a mew dementia support initiative, providing families with information on support services, and more.

Inishbofin water supply may have been compromised weeks before Do Not Consume notice

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September 12, 2022

Galway Daily news overnight water outages

Drinking water on Inishbofin may have been contaminated by elevated levels of manganese almost a month before people were told not to drink it.

Irish Water issued a Do Not Consume notice for the Inishbofin Public Water Supply on September 3.

However, the utility and county council have said that, following investigations, that water quality may have been failing to meet regulatory standards since August 11.

Anyone who may have health concerns after consuming the public water supply from August 11 onwards should contact their GP for advice.

The elevated levels of manganese at Lough Fawna are likely due to extremely low water levels after a prolonged period of dry weather.

Drinking water will generally become unpalatable (discoloured with an unpleasant taste) at levels above 50 µg/l which will deter you from drinking it.

Tap water should not be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, or preparing uncooked food. It can, however, still be used for showering and bathing.

Tankered and bottled water will continue to be made available from the old pier, and will be replenished twice a week for as long as necessary.

As far as addressing the problem goes, Irish Water has said that a specialist contractor will be on site this week to components of the filtration process, which were compromised by the poor water quality.

Irish Water is also adjusting the treatment process at the plant, but ultimately it will require a sustained period of rain over several weeks to increase the lake levels, which will be necessary for raw water quality to improve.

Couple share struggle with spiraling rents, and moving repeatedly in RTE documentary

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September 12, 2022

A Polish couple living in Galway will share their story of constantly moving, and spiraling rents since they moved here five years ago in a new RTÉ documentary airing this evening.

‘Broke’ is a documentary on RTÉ One following people struggling during the cost of living crisis as they do their best to survive at a time of rising food, energy and housing bills.

Patrycja Cichocka and Ryszard Cichocki and their two boys moved to Galway in 2017. Since then they have had to move house five times, with their rent almost doubling from €850 a month to €1500 a month.

As renters on a low wage, they worry about the future should they have to move again, as prices continue to rise in Galway.

Their eldest son Cyprian has just finished college, and is desperately seeking accommodation in Galway city with some friends.

“This is a big frustration, a big pressure to live in someone’s house,” Ryszard says of their rental situation.

“You pay the rent but you never know when the person will call you and give you a couple of months and you have to change house.”

“Now we still feel the pressure, we have a really good landlord but you never know….It’s impossible to buy a house for me and my family. We don’t exist for banks…because I don’t have savings.”

Patrycja adds that she lives in constant fear, because the cost of rent keeps going up.

“I feel like homelessness is something really visible and really close to my family. So that’s a big fear. If you do not have a place to be and treat as your own home.”

Others who will feature on the documentary include a father of three security guard, worried that the extra shifts he has to pick up are affecting his family life.

A Donegal couple are trying to open a food truck, after closing their dream restaurant because of rising heating, food and petrol costs put them at risk of serious debt.

A carer for adults with disabilities is taking on extra work, including overnight weekend shifts, to keep up with the bills after seeing the cost of her daily commute spiral in recent months.

Find out more about all of these all too common stories of people struggling in the current crisis on ‘Broke’, airing on RTÉ One at 9:35pm on Monday, September 12.

Unique music festival to travel to Portumna this week

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September 11, 2022

Festival in a Van will take its Shared Music Sessions to Portumna this week on Thursday 15 and Friday 17 September, performing in various locations as part of Shorelines Festival 2022.

Festival in a Van was set up by Gemma Tipton in 2020, turning a box van into a mobile stage, as a way of keeping live performance going during Covid.

Travelling in a bubble, and armed with oceans of hand sanitiser, the team was able to visit care homes, schools, residential centres and direct provision centres touring music, theatre and poetry.

Festival in a Van is now touring the country to provide a vital cultural link for Ukrainian and other refugees in Ireland.

With Irish and Ukrainian musicians making a musical marriage, together with musicians from other refugee communities, The Shared Music Sessions tours 20 counties, with 26 days of sessions, which began on Ukrainian Independence Day last month.

“In times of global turmoil, small things can feel like a drop in an angry ocean, and yet it is so important to keep doing those small things,” said Festival in a Van’s Gemma Tipton.

“Connecting people through culture and our shared love of music can go way beyond words at the most difficult of times.”

In 2020 Festival in a Van staged more than 60 performances in 11 counties, and worked with 48 musicians, singers, poets, artists and performers.

DATES, LOCATIONS & TIMES

Thursday 15 September @ 11.00am

SHORELINES FESTIVAL (Day 1)

Castle Cafe

Portumna

Thursday 15 September @ 2.00pm

SHORELINES FESTIVAL (Day 1)

Portumna Retirement Village

Portumna

Thursday 15 September @ 5.00pm

SHORELINES FESTIVAL (Day 1)

Portumna Playground

Portumna

Friday 16 September @ 10.30am

SHORELINES FESTIVAL (Day 2)

St Brendan’s National School

Portumna

Friday 16 September @ 12.30pm

SHORELINES FESTIVAL (Day 2)

Portumna Community School

Portumna

Friday 16 September @ 4.00pm

SHORELINES FESTIVAL (Day 2)

Portumna Castle Harbour

Portumna

Helplink celebrates 10 years of providing support in West

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September 11, 2022

galway daily news helplink mental health celebrating ten years

Helplink Mental Health celebrated ten years of providing support for those who find themselves struggling on World Suicide Prevention Day yesterday.

Over the past ten years, Helplink has provided over 18,000 counselling appointments for children, young people and adults in the West and from further afield.

Last year alone they provided more than 6,000 appointments illustrating the large national trend of increased mental health support seeking from the public.

The not-for-profit organisation also now offers in-person appointments in its Galway and Mayo offices.

In 2020 Helplink released a national e-learning platform called Mind Hacks, giving the public have free 24/7 access to unique mental health video and podcast libraries.

If you think you or someone you know could benefit from Helplink Mental Health services, check out their website helplink.ie.

Misleór Festival announces vibrant programme of events

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September 11, 2022

galway daily news misleor traveller roma festival

The only festival in Ireland that celebrates and connects nomadic cultures from around the world will take place at the end of this month, with a vibrant programme of events.

The 3-day Misleór Festival, which starts on Thursday 29 September, includes music, theatre, film, poetry, and visual art from Traveller, Roma, Sámi, Mongolian and Romany Gypsy communities.

Misleór Festival will launch at 6pm on Thursday 29 September in the O’Donoghue Centre at University of Galway.

The event will welcome guest artists and activists, who will share their reflections on nomadic identity.

Night Shift, a brand new play written by Rosaleen McDonagh and directed by Thomas Connors, will be performed each evening at 8pm (29 September – 1 October) in the Mick Lally Theatre.

Featuring an all-Traveller cast, the contemporary drama follows the journey of two young adults from different cultural backgrounds, as they navigate the societal expectations around their relationship.

On Friday 30 September, a number of public panel discussions will take place in the O’Donoghue Theatre.

Guest artists, activists and leaders from nomadic communities around the world, will share diverse perspectives on nomadic identity, discussing cultural rights and the importance of claiming space for nomadism in today’s society.

Hosted by Galway Traveller Movement, the panel discussions will feature Lisa Smith (Romany Gypsy), Hamze Bytyçi (Roma), Veronika Patočková (RomaTrial), Oein DeBhairduin (Traveller), Alisi Telengut (Mongolian), Vanessa Paszkowska (Roma), Sharyn Ward (Traveller), Timimie Märak (Sámi), Axel Olle Sigurd Andersson (Sámi) and Steo Wall (Traveller).

On Friday evening, the festival will screen Nomadic Shorts at 7.30pm in An Taibhdhearc.

This special programme of short films will explore the rich diversity of nomadic cultures, and will include the world premiere of Beoirs Whiden, a short documentary made by local filmmaker PJ Mongan through this year’s Misleór Film Bursary.

The screening will be followed by a Q+A with filmmakers in attendance and a drinks reception at the bar.

At 11am on Saturday 1 October in the O’Donoghue Centre, the Irish Architecture Foundation and special guest Dr Sindy Joyce will present a talk, which explores how Nomadic placemaking should be studied and celebrated as part of Ireland’s urban design heritage.

On Saturday afternoon from 1pm in the O’Donoghue Theatre, the festival will showcase talented young artists from Traveller and Mongolian communities in Ireland.

Black Gate Beginnings will feature live performances by young musicians from the local Traveller community, along with their musical mentor and Traveller artist Steo Wall.

The afternoon programme will also include the world premiere screenings of three film projects created by young people.

CANT Beat is an original hip-hop track and video featuring words in the Cant language, produced by young Travellers in Loughrea, during summer workshops with Atmos Collective.

The screening will also feature a compilation of stop-motion animations made by young people from Mongolian and Traveller communities in Ireland, under the guidance of Mongolian filmmaker Alisi Telengut.

The afternoon will also feature the inspiring short documentary Wheel of Dreams, in which 9 girls from the West Cork Traveller Community fearlessly set out to explore their creative talents, passions and ambitions.

Misleór Illuminated will feature from 7.30pm on Saturday 1 October in Raven Terrace, Galway. This stunning outdoor visual experience showcases images from nomadic artists and cultures, including the local Traveller community, Tibetan nomads, the Bajau (sea nomads) and many more.

A preview showing of Misleór Illuminated will also take place on Friday 23 September (Culture Night) in various locations around Galway city.

The festival finale, Misleór In Song, takes place in the Roisin Dubh from 7pm on Saturday 1 October, featuring an incredible line-up of bands and artists from different nomadic cultures.

Romane Chaja will perform beautiful songs from the rich Romani musical tradition. Sámi spoken word artist Timimie Märak will perform their original poetry alongside Sámi musician Axel Olle Sigurd Andersson.

The evening will also include performances from Traveller musician and wordsmith Steo Wall, and Traveller singer Sharyn Ward, who was a finalist in Ireland’s Got Talent in 2019.

The concert will close with Longford group Galaxy Band, who will be sure to get you on your feet and dancing with their high-energy traditional Roma music.

As a special addition, Misleór Festival is hitting the road to visit the Ballinasloe Horse Fair, which is celebrating its three hundred year anniversary.

On Monday 3 October, an installation of two wooden horses built from recycled materials will be on display in St Michael’s Square, accompanied by Tinsmith Tom McDonnell, who will run an interactive Tinsmithing workshop.

This installation was developed to celebrate the importance of horses in Traveller and nomadic cultures and was a collaboration with members of both Traveller and Mongolian communities, and local artist Tommy Casby. Misleór Illuminated will also take place that evening from 8pm at St Michael’s Church, Ballinasloe.

The local Traveller community expresses their rich cultural identity through traditional and contemporary displays in Nomadic Expression, which is an ongoing exhibition in the Galway City Museum Foyer – available for viewing during museum opening hours.

Misleór (which means ‘wanderer’ in the Irish Traveller language Cant), celebrates and connects nomadic peoples from around the world.

Started in 2019, Misleór is a unique collaboration between local artists and community activists working at local, regional, national and international levels.

The artistic directors are Alice McDowell, an independent filmmaker, and Nora Corcoran, a Community Development Worker with Galway Traveller Movement (GTM).

“This unique festival unites us through our distinct cultures, identity, and nomadic way of life,” said Nora.

“We claim our own space to create a positive narrative through the medium of artistic expression. We also use this space to challenge the unjust experience of discrimination, oppression and forced assimilation. The bond between our communities is very strong.”

Misleór is co-funded by The Arts Council under their Festival Investment Scheme. Additional funding partners include Galway Traveller Movement, Galway City of Film, Ardán, Department of Culture, Screen Ireland, Galway City Council, Creative Ireland, The Black Gate, Music Generation Galway City and Community Knowledge Initiative, University of Galway.

For full programme details, visit misleor.ie.

Irish Unity tree to be planted in memory of Liam Mellows in Athenry

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September 11, 2022

galway daily news louis o'hara sinn féín

A Irish Unity Tree will be planted by Galway Sinn Féin in memory of Liam Mellows in Athenry Community Park on Saturday 17September at 1pm.

The tree planting ceremony is part of Galway Sinn Féin’s programme of events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mellows’ execution in December 1922.

Athenry Park is within a few hundred yards of where Mellows lived in Athenry prior to the 1916 Easter Rising.

Mellows led the Rising in Galway and played key roles in the War of Independence and on the anti-treaty side of the Civil War.

Proceedings will be chaired by the party’s Galway East representative Louis O’Hara and Cllr Dermot Connolly will plant the tree.

The tree is being planted as a symbol of the independent Irish Republic Mellows and his comrades fought for, and the idea is that it will grow tall and free in a United Ireland. All are welcome to attend to pay tribute.

Galway schools invited to compete for ‘Ireland’s Fittest’ title

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September 11, 2022

galway daily news ireland's fittest school — For the second year in succession Irish Olympians Phil Healy and David Gillick have teamed up with Fyffes in a quest to find the fittest school in the country.

Schools in Galway have been invited to register for the Ireland’s Fittest School competition.

Irish Olympians, sprinter Phil Healy and fellow athlete, David Gillick, have joined forces with Fyffes in a quest to find the country’s fittest school, with registration now open.

Coupled with monthly and spot prize rewards, one successful school will have the distinction of being chosen as ‘Ireland’s Fittest School 2023’, winning a visit from Healy and Gillick and €5,000 worth of sports equipment.

Last year, Donegal primary school, Scoil Na Croise Naofa, in Dunfanaghy, fought off stiff competition from the large volume of competitors to be crowned the overall winner.

The commencement of the competition coincides with the resumption this month of Fyffes children’s fitness programme of live school visits following a two-year break during Covid.

The upcoming schedule will see some 7,500 pupils from schools throughout Ireland, North and South, participate in an interactive Fit Squad session between now and March next.

Registration for the competition runs until March 31 and can now be made online at fyffesfitsquad.ie, with the overall winner to be announced in April.

Love Your Beach Day to take place at four city beaches

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September 11, 2022

galway daily news big beach clean up 2021 galway city

Galway’s first ‘Love your Beach Day’ will be held next Saturday with clean-up events taking place at four iconic beaches in Galway City.

Galway City Council and Clean Coasts Ireland have organised the events to celebrate International Coastal Clean Up Day on September 17 after Love your Beach Week was cancelled in June due to bad weather.

The beach cleans at Ballyloughane, Grattan, Ladies and Silverstrand beaches will start at 2pm, followed by workshops 3pm.

At 2pm at Ballyloughane beach there will be a beach clean-up with Beach Buds Clean Coasts group, and a family friendly workshop will follow at 3pm with Curiocean, when the CuriOcean team will present some fun, hands-on activities for people to learn about whales and dolphins.

There will also be a clean-up at 2pm at Grattan Beach with Galway Volunteer Centre followed by a talk on ‘How beaches help us tackle climate change’ with Dr Kevin Lynch of University of Galway.

After the Ladies beach clean, Galway Atlantaquaria will share stories of some of the fish and shark egg case discoveries that can be made along our coastlines.

At Silverstrand, there will be a clean-up with Bailte Slachtmara Bhearna (Barna Tidy Towns), and Tom Cuffe, Bird Watch Galway, will then give a talk on ‘Autumn Birds of Galway Bay’, and people can bring along binoculars.

Speaking about the event, Tiarnan McCusker, Environmental Awareness Officer with Galway City Council, said that they will revert to a full week of activities in 2023.

“On Saturday 17 September from 2pm, there will be litter clean-ups, and fun and insightful free talks from environmental experts, but it’s really about everyone taking responsibility and protecting our wonderful beaches and Galway Bay from litter pollution,” he explained.

Speaking about Love your Beach Day 2022, Dara Dever, Clean Coasts Officer said that Clean Coasts are delighted to partner with Galway City Council on Love Your Beach Day.

“The more people we can get to engage with our beautiful coast in a positive way, the more likely they will be maintained and improved into the future.

“There are already numerous active Clean Coasts groups throughout the city, some of whom are hosting these events. We would love to see new faces, young and old come along to these free events.”

The Love your Beach week recently won a silver award in the Best Environmental/Ecological Project Initiative at the All Ireland Community and Council Awards 2021.

For further information on clean coasts Ireland or to become a clean coasts group visit: cleancoasts.org

Govt must guarantee electricity supplies are not turned off – TD

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September 10, 2022

Galway Daily news Galway sports clubs share in €2.5 million energy costs support

Roscommon-Galway TD Denis Naughten has called on the Government to guarantee electricity supplies will not be turned off following reports of older people forking out €1,800 to purchase backup diesel generators.

Deputy Naughten accused the Government of causing panic across the country with people being afraid that their electricity will be switched off this winter.

He said that comments suggesting that the public should not use ovens between 5pm and 7pm are adding to this panic.

“This cannot be allowed to happen, and Government must give a categoric commitment that it will ban any threat to turn off the electricity supply to domestic customers and critical social infrastructure such as hospitals, schools and nursing homes.”

The Regional Group of TDs will seek such a ban next week in the Dáil as part of its request for emergency legislation which would oblige data centres and high demand industrial electricity customers to use their backup generators to meet the country’s needs should electricity be in short supply.

“Reports of a dramatic jump in sales of diesel fuelled electricity generators for home use, particularly in urban areas, clearly indicates that older and vulnerable people are afraid their electricity will be switched off this winter. This must never be the case,” said Deputy Naughten.

“These generators are being sold for €1800 and then the homeowner has to pay a registered electrician to have it connected up to their home’s electricity supply, which is a significant investment for many people on fixed incomes.”

The Independent TD said that this is just not good enough, particularly for people who are facing into dramatic increases in their electricity bills.

Rain and thunderstorms to cause disruption on Sunday

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September 10, 2022

galway daily news Weather warning for heavy wind and rain to hit Galway

Met Éireann has updated a status yellow weather warning for heavy rain in Galway which will begin tonight at 3am.

Heavy rain with isolated thunderstorms are forecast across the country, which could cause disruption and localised flooding.

The warning comes into effect in all counties at 3am on Sunday morning, and will remain in place for 24 hours.

It will be humid and breezy on Sunday with highest temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees in fresh southerly winds.

On Monday, patchy rain and drizzle will become largely confined to the southeast of the country with sunny spells developing elsewhere.

Met Éireann has issued a status orange warning for Cork and Waterford for Sunday.

Literacy and parenting programme to be expanded to Tuam

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September 10, 2022

galway daily news GRD parentchild+ programme in tuam — Michelle Moore of the National College of Ireland, Shauna Sommers Coordinator of ParentChild+ Tuam, and Steve Dolan, CEO of GRD

Galway Rural Development has announced that it is expanding the ParentChild+ Programme from the Ballinasloe region into Tuam town from next month.

The home-based literacy and parenting programme strengthens families and prepares children to succeed academically by allowing them to enter school with the skills they need.

GRD’s ParentChild+ team will now be compiling a list of families to take part in the programme which is intended to be a fun learning opportunity for all participants.

Galway Rural Development CEO Steve Dolan said that thanks to the hard work of Michelle Moore at the National College of Ireland, recruitment for new positions in Tuam town will begin immediately.

“Currently more than two dozen families in Ballinasloe rely on ParentChild+, and the team in the National College of Ireland deserve huge credit for establishing the programme there.

“The programme in Tuam will be delivered on exactly the same lines, and to the same standard, and we’re delighted that Shauna Sommers is transferring to assume management in Tuam.”

Deputy Sean Canney welcomed the announcement, saying that he is delighted that GRD have chosen Tuam to be their first expansion area.

“I know from Steve that they are committed to growing the programme. All ParentChild+ Home Visitors are from the local communities, and many were originally parents of children on the programme,” he said.

“This has brought real value to the delivery of home visiting and to creating transformational change. The difference in Ballinasloe has been praised by community groups and professionals alike, and I know Tuam will be equally successful.”

Galway Rural Development is now recruiting for four part-time Home Visitors, two each for Ballinasloe and Tuam, and they are running an information session for potential applicants.

To book a place for the information session and receive the Zoom link, e-mail debra.grennan@grd.ie for Ballinasloe or shauna.sommers@grd.ie for Tuam.

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