Planning permission is being sought to demolish a derelict building in Tuam to make way for an infill development of 11 houses and apartments.
A planning application by M Cummins has been made to the county council for construction of housing on an overgrown site on Bishop Street, Tuam.
The proposal would see a derelict building on the site knocked down. On the site, it is intended to build a terrace of three houses up front, with eight apartments arranged in duplexes to the rear.
Ten parking spaces would be located next to the apartments, with rear gardens and public open space separating it from the existing homes on either side.
An Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment was prepared due to the site’s location within an Architectural Conservation Area.
Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by November 6 of this year.
Everyone loves a good pub quiz, and one taking place next week will also help raise money for the life saving Claddagh Watch group.
Have you ever laid awake at night among the squawks of the seagulls, the song of the soggy students, the smell of the sea and wondered – just how Galway am I?
Perhaps you’ve wondered, how am I supposed to wear a Claddagh ring? What’s with the Buckfast obsession? Has Fergie ever performed in Galway? What was the name of the fella that played Jack Taylor?
The inaugural Pure Galway Quiz will consist of all your usual table quiz rounds, except – they will be all things Galway.
Think Galway sports, history, geography, music, festivals, pubs and well… all things Galway!
Prizes on the night have been sponsored by businesses across the city and there will be a raffle on the night in aid of local charity Claddagh Watch Patrol.
This group was established to prevent deaths by accident and suicide on the river and canals of Galway City by providing nightly volunteer patrols along our waterways.
You can book your table of 4 for €40. Registration from 7pm, quiz time is 8pm. Tickets are on sale now: link here.
This quiz is presented by WOMP Events, Massimo, Galway’s Westend & This Is Galway.
Galway City Council is seeking further information from JD Wetherspoon about their plans for a new pub and restaurant in the city centre.
Wetherspoons submitted a planning application back in July, seeking approval to convert the former Carbon nightclub to a pub and restaurant.
The council has requested further information from the developer on a number of topics, a lot of which has to do with potential noise from the late bar and restaurant.
An updated noise assessment was requested, with information on noise from any extraction fans or ventilation from the restaurant; It was also suggested that the courtyard plans should include additional noise absorption panels.
Wetherspoon were also asked to comment on plans to raise the height of the rear boundary wall to 5m, apparently without the consent of the adjoining property.
The council requested updated drawings with the location of stacks for extraction fumes, showing that they complied with HSE requirements on air emissions.
Further information was also sought on bi-lingual signage out front, and proposed sub-surface works in an area of archaeological significance, and to provide clarification on the total floor area of the new pub.
Finally, Wetherspoon have been asked to address a third party submission made by the neighbouring store Booley.
This submission was supportive of the plans, but sought clarity on some matter of drainage, windows, and the shop front.
Wetherspoon – Three Red Sails Pub
Planning permission is being sought by the UK pub chain for works including demolition and refurbishment works at ground floor level including the front elevation at Eglinton Street.
The plans also include an extension to first floor level to include a roof terrace, customer toilets and staff facilities.
Modifications will be made to the existing beer garden on the ground floor, and a second one will be added on the roof terrace upstairs.
The further information was requested by Galway City Council on September 14, and a response is due within a statutory timeframe of six months.
The Galway Simon Community will be hosting a hybrid version of its regular Sleep Out this month, with people taking part across Connacht and beyond.
Sleep Out For Simon, set to take place on Friday, September 30, will see people from Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and beyond, give up their bed for one night to raise awareness and vital funds for those facing homelessness in the West.
Galway Simon invites you to get your flasks of tea and hot chocolate at the ready and pack yourselves into your warmest sleeping bags, for a jam-packed night.
This year people have the choice to join one of Galway Simon’s organised Community Sleep Outs taking place across Galway city and county or to organise their own Sleep Out in a safe place of their choosing.
This could be a tent in your back garden, a community group in Galway or Mayo, or something on the far side of the world in Vancouver.
Over the last two years the Sleep Outs took place virtually due to Covid-19 and were the most diverse to date.
People partook from across the globe, from Moycullen, Westport, Castlerea, to as far as Shanghai.
One participant from last year said it was, “a great experience with my family raising money for such a good cause while also getting a greater understanding of homelessness and the fact that it can happen to anyone.”
This year’s Sleep Out has set a target of raising €100,000 for Galway Simon’s efforts to keep people off of the streets.
100% of proceeds will go directly towards Galway Simon’s Homelessness Prevention Services including their community support, youth, women and family services, ensuring the charity can safeguard these essential community services and support those in need.
Karen Golden, CEO of Galway Simon Community, explained why they are relying on the community to come together and raise funds for those living with the threat of homelessness.
“The fear and trauma of having nowhere to sleep is a stark reality for some, the families and individuals who we support continue to be under extreme pressure.”
“We are asking for the help of our community so that we can continue delivering the support needed to protect the most vulnerable in our society from the threat of homelessness”.
To register for the Sleep Out for Simon today, visit here.
MADRA, the Galway dog rescue charity, are holding a fundraising event down in the Claddagh today.
The ‘Doing it for the Dogs’ fundraiser will start at 10am at Claddagh Hall, and finish at 4pm in the afternoon.
The event will help raise money for the charity through two microchipping sessions on the day from 10am-12pm and 2-4pm at a very special rate discounted of €25.
Dog owners who would like to get their pet chipped should remember to bring photo ID (drivers licence or passport) and recent proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, Revenue letter, etc).
“Our sincere thanks to Galway County Council and Galway City Council who are supporting us with funding for this part of the day,” MADRA said on facebook.
They also thanked, “Our trained volunteers who will be implanting the microchips and handling the registration process.”
On top of the microchipping, the fundraiser will also give people the opportunity to get their dog’s portrait taken, or make them a DIY toy.
MADRA has been under extreme pressure in recent months, with a surge in people surrendering their dogs.
With their own kennel full, the charity has had to pay external kennels to hold some dogs while they they and secure homes for them.
The closure of their charity shop in Furbo has also put further strain on MADRA’s finances.
Anyone who wants to support this group caring for out best friends can come along to the fundraiser to get their pet chipped, or donate at https://www.madra.ie/donate/.
A 63 year old man was sentenced to a total of nine months in prison for smashing shop windows and defecating in a taxi, among many other offences.
Michael Reilly, of Tawin, Maree, Oranmore was sentenced in relation to a multitude of criminal damage, making off without paying taxi fare, and public order offences at Galway District Court, along with breaches of COVID regulations.
He was before the court for sentencing on a guilty plea to all charges. The large number of offences cover a period from mid 2018, to as recently as August of 2022.
The largest sentence was in relation to criminal damage at Terryland Fruit & Veg on the Headford Road, where Reilly smashed nine glass windows on the storefront on July 8 of 2018, for which he received five months in prison.
In another incident at CEX on Williamsgate Street on August 1 of this year, the court heard that Reilly was being aggressive towards staff, and swinging his crutch, after previously being told to leave the area.
He was sentenced to two months for failing to follow the directions of Gardaí, with a concurrent one month sentence for threatening, abusive, or insulting behaviour.
On February 7 of 2021, a taxi driver came to Mill Street Garda Station alleging that a passenger was not paying his fare. Reilly was found asleep in the car.
For this incident he received a one month sentence for criminal damage after defecating in the taxi, as well as a concurrent one sentence for not paying a €253.40 fare, and another month concurrent for stealing €8 from the taxi driver.
The final consecutive sentence Reilly received was one month in prison for threatening, abusive, or insulting behaviour at Mill Street station.
On July 8 of this year, Garda Niall Walsh was in the station when he heard a man shouting shortly after 6pm. He found Reilly outside, yelling that the Gardaí were, “nothing but a pack of c***s.”
Another one month concurrent sentence was imposed for smashing the front window of the Yankee Candle store on Abbeygate Street on January 27, 2021, causing €230 worth of damages.
And a final concurrent sentence was imposed for another incident of making off without paying a taxi fare of €19.40, and another of the same offence for €40 was taken into consideration.
Reilly also received multiple fines for breaching COVID regulations by travelling without a reason during the lockdown.
A psychiatric report before the court said that Reilly did have manic episodes that could be indicative of late onset bipolar disorder.
Judge Fahy remarked that there was no prospect of the money related to the criminal damage and making off without payment being recovered.
The judge also took into consideration a vast number of incidents of being drunk in public to the extent that he was a danger to himself or others.
Mr Reilly became agitated at the end of the sentencing hearing, yelling at his solicitor and stating that he had not pleaded guilty to any of this.
Leave to appeal was granted by the court on Mr Reilly’s own bond of €400, and an independent bond of €1,000, half of which were to be lodged with the court.
A new research project from University of Galway is using state of the medical technology to improve disease management in island communities.
Modern medicine has meant that people are living longer and correspondingly there has been an increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes, or hypertension.
This also means that new approaches are needed to deliver this care efficiently and effectively, as was evidenced during Covid public health restrictions, which seriously affected people’s ability to readily go to their doctor.
The Home Health project combines video consultations with remote physiological monitoring, including blood pressure, weight, blood sugar, to deliver more useful virtual care.
It uses remote sensors and artificial intelligence software as part of a suite of interventions to deliver next generation chronic disease management in the community.
The project, led by the Health Innovation Via Engineering (HIVE) Laboratory at Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, aims to improve healthcare of chronic conditions for 165 residents on Clare Island.
Dr Noreen Curtis, GP on Clare Island, said, “I am very excited with the Home Health project and anticipate that improving virtual care will augment the current services and improve overall care for the patients here.”
To overcome the digital divide, a central part of the project is the development of a new, private 5G network on the island to enable monitoring of data, which will be handled by Cisco Ireland.
Project Principal Investigator and CÚRAM-Funded Investigator Professor Derek O’Keeffe said, “Digital health is the future of medicine and data empowers the patient and allows them and their clinicians to make better medical decisions.”
This €1 million project is co-funded by Cisco Ireland and the CÚRAM medical devices research centre.
As well as CÚRAM and Cisco, the project has multiple stakeholders including the island community, HSE and the Western Development Commission.
A vengeful Andy gets his hands on Briain, Tadgh plans to stop Sonny and Crystal for goodA vengeful Andy gets his hands on Briain, Tadgh plans to stop Sonny and Crystal for good, and Caoilfhionn gets an unexpected visitor in Ros na Rún.
A vengeful Andy finally gets his hands on Briain, who will regret the day he ever crossed the man; but Briain’s ordeal is only just beginning.
Tadhg, sick to the teeth of Crystal and Sonny encroaching on his territory, decides to do something about it. What manner of scheme does he have in mind?
O’Shea’s ex-husband Eric pays Caoilfhionn an unexpected visit. But is there an ulterior motive for doing so?
David is disgusted when he learns what Andy did, but will he tell all to O’Shea?
Caitríona does not want Maeve knowing that Vince and Vanessa are in a relationship. But to her horror Maeve finds out.
Catch up on all the latest in Ros na Rún with a double feature omnibus on TG4 this Sunday at 7:30pm.
Ballinasloe and Loughrea will see €5 million invested in the development of a new fibre broadband network.
Broadband operator SIRO, a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, has announced that they are rolling out their fibre network to 5,000 homes in the two towns.
Construction work on the network is due to commence in Loughrea next week, with Ballinasloe to follow next Spring.
These works will expand on the 33,000 homes and businesses in Galway City which the SIRO network is already available for.
Areas within Ballinasloe that will be connected include (but are not limited to): Townparks, Portnick, Poolboy, Dunlo, Kilgarve, Church Street, Bóthar Sáirséal, Meadowbrook, Beechlawn, Esker Hills.
Areas within Loughrea that will be connected include (but are not limited to): Portumna Road, Danesfort, Barrack Street, Abbey Street, Athenry Road, Ashlawn, Galway Road, Gort Road, Main Street, Cosmona, and The Hill.
Galway County Council Chief Executive Jim Cullen said that this is a significant investment in the two towns.
“The delivery of such infrastructure is a key economic enabler for existing business, with the potential to help increase their online presence and to trade online nationally and internationally.
“It will have positive impacts for both towns around growth, economic spin off effects & makes these towns more attractive for future investment.”
The network being built in Loughrea and Ballinasloe will be up to 10 Gigabit enabled, with residential customers able to get 1 or 2 Gigabit broadband speeds initially.
Commenting on the launch in Ballinasloe and Loughrea, SIRO CEO John Keaney said that this expansion reflects the demand for high speed broadband across Galway.
“SIRO is pleased to support this objective and to play a part in giving individuals and businesses a choice about where and how they live and work.”
“We have had positive engagement with local stakeholders on the ground in both towns and we are now excited about getting on with our roll-out and connection process in the months ahead,” added Mr. Keaney.
Rural areas around Loughrea and Ballinasloe have also been targeted under the National Broadband Plan, which is being rolled out by NBI.
Galway will be splitting its sides next month, as Galway Comedy Festival returns for first fully in-person, unrestricted festival in two and a half years.
Comedy lovers will get to choose from more than 60 shows across 17 venues taking place from Tuesday 25 to Monday 31 of October.
Dylan Moran, Tommy Tiernan, Daniel Sloss, Jimeoin, Deirdre O’Kane, Kevin McAleer, Rich Hall, Reginald D Hunter, Ardal O’Hanlon, Bobby Davro, Rory’s Stories, Gary Delaney, Andrew Maxwell, Colin Murphy, and Emma Doran are among the 100-strong line-up of Irish comedy greats, international stars, and emerging talent audiences will get to experience.
Galway city is back in full swing and ready to live and laugh to the full, and the festival gets off to a flying start in Leisureland, Salthill, with two greats of Irish comedy – Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan – and the ascending star of Scotland’s Daniel Sloss.
Dylan Moran – Irish comedian, writer, actor and filmmaker
#GCF22 opens with Dylan Moran, declared by French newspaper Le Monde as “the greatest comedian, living or dead”, and his new show, We Got This.
With the previously announced Tuesday show now sold out, the Festival has just added Friday and Saturday shows.
Tommy Tiernan, fresh from his roles on Derry Girls and Conversations With Friends, returns to stand-up for two nights of Tomfoolery on his home turf of Galway City, exploring ideas on God, sex, and family that will be equal parts sacred and profane, but always hilarious.
The festival will also see a show from one of the most exciting in a new generation of British comedians, Daniel Sloss, who will be joined onstage by some of his favourite comedy friends.
Galway Comedy Festival is one of the key events in the city’s cultural calendar. For seven days, the city will become a place of mirth, mischief, and “carefully curated craic”.
The programme boasts an array of solo shows, and tremendous mixed bill nights with Reginald D Hunter, Barry Murphy, Ardal O’Hanlon, Deirdre O’Kane, Andrew Maxwell, Rich Hall, Paul Currie, Colin Murphy, Kevin McAleer and Simon Evans to name a few.
Reginald D Hunter
Among the highlights of this year’s #GCF22 will be shows at the Town Hall Theatre, including Bobby Davro, a legend of British comedy, a one man joke machine, and, as Chortle.co.uk said, “a talented mimic” who delivers “brilliant impersonations”
Rory O’Connor and his much loved Rory’s Stories, with GAA discussion, inspirational talks, much laughter, and maybe a song or two; and Jimeoin, the Australian based, Irish comedian, who has left audiences in stitches across the UK, Europe, and USA, who will bring The Craic!
Karl Spain, such a mainstay of the comedy festival over the years, makes only two appearances in 2022, as he is touring the UK & Ireland with Kevin Bridges, and is currently playing to 13,000 people a night in Glasgow’s Hydro Arena!
Karl Spain
Make sure to catch Karl hosting the opening show with Colin Geddis and friends in the Róisín Dubh and the closing gala with Rich Hall, Andrew Maxwell and others at the Town Hall.
Róisín Dubh, the home of comedy in Galway, will be ground zero for all things hilarious at the Comedy Festival.
Highlights include Glenn Wool, who leaves audiences “helpless with laughter” (The Scotsman); Deirdre O’Kane, the First Lady of Irish comedy, and her new show Demented.
Deirdre O’Kane
Joining them will be Mock The Week regular Gary Delaney, who unleashes “more quality jokes in one hour than most comics have in their entire careers” (The Scotsman); the eccentric, idiosyncratic, storytelling brilliance of Kevin McAleer (Derry Girls, Nighthawks); and Rich Hall, the singing cowboy and true Galway Comedy Festival favourite.
Festival Director Kevin Healy said, “We are delighted to once again bring such a wonderful array of comedy talent to the best little city in the world.”
“Not only do we have shows from some of the greats of Irish and international comedy, we also have a carefully chosen selection of shows in smaller venues from some of the next generation of Irish greats.”
“Enjoy your favourite stars during the Festival but also check out someone new, perhaps a comedian you’ve never heard of before. Take a chance. We think they’re all great and hope you will too.”
“We would like to thank our supporters, especially Galway City Council, the local businesses who support us through our friends scheme, and our pouring partners Bulmers Light, the exclusive cider of #GCF22. Without their support this event just wouldn’t be possible.”
There will also be the usual joyous madness of the week with the Comedy Club Crawls featuring stars of the festival, Open Top Bus Tours, a WOMP Events comedy-themed Quiz, The Bulmers Light Festival Club @ Róisín Dubh, live music, The Dirty Circus, Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience, the Improv All Stars, Gáire as Gaeilge, Ireland’s Smallest Comedy Club, and Stand Up Showcases.
Day Care nursing home services in Loughrea remain in limbo after closing during the pandemic, Galway TD Seán Canney has said.
Deputy Canney said that the current situation, where the service can only run one day a week, is not workable.
Prior to the pandemic, the day care service ran from the Sr. Brendan’s Community Nursing Unit, but this has not resumed after ceasing during COVID.
“A HIQA report determined that the service can only be accommodated one day each week in the existing facility. This arrangement is not workable,” Seán Canney said.
“The latest reply from the HSE does not have any definite date for the service to recommence on a four day a week basis. The HSE are still looking at the options but nothing is agreed yet.”
He added that he and Cllr. Geraldine Donohue have been campaigning for more than a year to get a day service in place.
“It seems that the issue is not getting the attention it requires to restore a service to people who have relied on it for years,” Seán Canney said.
He said that this issues affects a large catchment area around Loughrea, and that the HSE needs to finalise interim arrangements as a matter of urgency.
Connacht Rugby have announced their lineup for this weekend’s season opener against Ulster, with five uncapped players on the squad.
Connacht will face Ulster at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday in their opening game of the United Rugby Championship.
Peter Dooley, Josh Murphy and Byron Ralston have all been handed their first Connacht cap, with Shamus Hurley-Langton and David Hawkshaw also potential debutants off the bench.
Dooley is named in a front row with Jack Aungier and hooker Dave Heffernan, while Leva Fifita partners Gavin Thornbury in the second row. The pack is completed by flanker Conor Oliver and number 8 Paul Boyle.
Kieran Marmion and Conor Fitzgerald are paired together at 9 and 10, while the two Toms – Daly and Farrell – start at centre. Ralston’s first game will be on the right wing, with John Porch on the opposite wing and Tiernan O’Halloran at full-back.
Thornbury, making his 64th appearance for the province, will be captaining the team for the first time tomorrow.
Andy Friend, now Director of Rugby with the club, said that there’s a great sense of excitement after a positive pre-season.
“There’s a genuine belief and optimism about what we can achieve in this first block of games, which all starts in Belfast tomorrow night.”
“Ulster are a quality side and our battles against them are always hard fought. We’re really looking forward going head-to-head with them in what should be a great season opener for us both.”
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY SQUAD VS ULSTER RUGBY
Saturday 17th September 2022, 19:35 @ Kingspan Stadium
Number/Name/Caps ( * denotes uncapped)
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (206)
14. Byron Ralston *
13. Tom Farrell (79)
12. Tom Daly (61)
11. John Porch (59)
10. Conor Fitzgerald (53)
9. Kieran Marmion (209)
1. Peter Dooley *
2. Dave Heffernan (165)
3. Jack Aungier (31)
4. Gavin Thornbury (63) (C)
5. Leva Fifita (15)
6. Josh Murphy *
7. Conor Oliver (41)
8. Paul Boyle (73)
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (6)
17. Denis Buckley (208)
18. Sam Illo (2)
19. Niall Murray (35)
20. Shamus Hurley-Langton *
21. Caolin Blade (150)
22. David Hawkshaw *
23. Oran McNulty (9)
Almost 6,000 homes in both Spiddal and Inis Oírr are being told not to drink the public water supply due to elevated manganese levels.
Irish Water issued two Do No Consume Notices today for the Spiddal Public Water Supply, covering approximately 5,676 customers, and the Inis Oírr Public Water Supply, which affects 257 premises.
This water poses an immediate risk to health, and it is especially important that water from the mains not be given to any bottle fed infants.
Irish Water has emphasised that this is not a Boil Water notice, as boiling water will not remove manganese.
Tankered water will be brought to the island, and will be made available from Darley National School and White Horse Hotel.
Alternative water arrangements will also be made for the thousands of premises in the Spiddal area, details of which have yet to be announced.
The public water supply in both areas should not be used for:
Drinking
Drinks made with water
Food preparation, washing or cooking of food,
Brushing of teeth
Making of ice
Children under 12 months old should not drink this water
In particular, children under 12 months old should not drink this water. This water should not be used for making up infant formula for bottled fed infants. An alternative source of water should be used. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. It is best not to use bottled water labelled as ‘Natural Mineral Water’ as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. ‘Natural Mineral Water’ can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated.
If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute), and cooled in the normal way
Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.
Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink
Caution should be taken when bathing infants to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water
Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges
What can you use water for?
The water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils
Irish Water and Galway County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting this drinking water restriction as soon as practicable.
Atlantic Technological University is hosting a conference on concussions in sport at its Galway campus next week.
The free ‘Heads Together’ conference is meant for coaches, trainers, athletes, sports organisations and members of the public interested in learning more about concussion injuries.
It will feature talks on the latest research into concussion education and management, tackling the best practice in diagnosing and treating injuries.
Talks will be delivered by leading experts in concussion including researchers from the Concussion Research centre at ATU, Galway.
Dr Lisa Ryan, Head of the ATU Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Dept will explain the ethos of the SCAT project and launch the project’s final educational outputs.
Lisbeth Lund Pedersen, Physiotherapist, Researcher at SDU, Denmark, will introduce the SCAT project’s ‘Heads Up’ free online module on concussion awareness, treatment, and management.
Other speakers will include Dr Enda Devitt, Galway GAA and Connacht Rugby Doctor, and Dr Sean Moffit, Mayo GAA Medical Doctor, who will discuss the lessons they have learned in sport.
Dr Lisa Ryan said, “Our previous Concussion in Sport Conference was an overwhelming success, helping to provide support and information for coaches, parents and athletes on the signs and symptoms of concussion and the appropriate actions for return to play.”
She added that the SCAT Erasmus+ project aims to, “help educate individuals regarding concussions in sport to enhance their awareness of the prevalence and how to manage concussions safely”.
Delegates will hear about emerging developments in concussion education and best practice diagnosis and management measures for amateur and club sports.
New findings on concussion consideration for women in sports will also be presented.
Coaches and athletes who have encountered concussions will share their experiences during the open panel discussion chaired by guest MC Ollie Turner, Head of Sports at Galway Bay FM.
The conference is the last in a series of events delivered through the Erasmus+ funded “Get your head in the game – SCAT” project led by ATU Galway and Donegal, tackling concussions in sports.
Galway City Council has granted an extension of planning permission for a mixed use residential and commercial development in Ballybane.
Planning permission was granted in 2016 for the demolition of glasshouses, houses, and sheds at the former Former Heneghans Nurseries, Ballybane House and Rosapenna on the Monivea Road.
In their place, the council approved plans by Green Way Estates ( Sligo) and Green Way Estates (Leitrim) Ltd for 52 houses, along with a commercial building of 2,786m².
This would incorporate 205m² of retail space, a 266m² medical practice, a 225m² dental practice, and office space totaling 2,070m², along with 52 car parking spaces.
The residential element has been built, and planning permission is due to expire in November of this year.
The EOD application states that work began on the project in July of 2018, and that it is expected to be completed by late 2027.
To date, work has been fully completed on the residential side of the development, the 52 houses and 80 parking spaces.
However, work has yet to be started on the commercial side of the development, which was always intended to be Phase 2 of the project.
“The COVID-19 pandemic caused restrictions on construction work midway through the residential construction phase,” a cover letter states.
“This affected cashflow and subsequently stalled the commercial element of the project,” it adds, but the project is expected to be completed within the extended timeframe.
Galway City Council unconditionally granted a five year extension of the planning permission for the development.
Connacht Rugby’s Head Coach Andy Friend is stepping aside after four years, moving into a new role as Director of Rugby with the club.
Friend explained that the move to the new position is focusing on the individuals strengths of everyone in the coaching team.
Pete Wilkins is taking over the role of Head Coach after a year as the Senior Coach, in what is now his 6th season with Connacht.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game against Ulster, Friend explained that the shift, which includes more shuffling of coaching roles, is about focusing on his strengths; something he had always emphasised to the players.
“For lots of different reasons, I probably went away from that last year. When we got the new coaching structure in last year, we were fitting the coaching structure around the people that we had in it.”
“Upon reflection of it, we paused and went ‘is that actually our weapon? Is that all of our strengths?’ The longer I go with my coaching, I know what my strength is,” Andy Friend said.
“My strength is working one-on-one with people. Giving people support and challenging them. To give them an opportunity to try and grow.”
He said that the new situation, with him as Director of Rugby working alongside four coaches, has seen a positive reaction that will pay dividends going forwards.
“I moved into a Director of Rugby role and I did that knowing that I’ve got four really good coaches alongside me, who I need to open up space to.”
“It was just sitting down saying ‘you know what, we did this for a reason last year. We can be better again if we all just zone in on what we’re really good at”.
Other changes to the coaching squad sees Mossy Lawler taking primary responsibility for Attack & Skills, after assisting Wilkins in attack last season.
With Wilkins focussing more on defence, Colm Tucker is now coaching the scrum & contact skills. Forwards coach Dewald Senekal remains responsible for the lineout and maul.
With Connacht playing Challenge Cup rugby this year, the Director of Rugby says the squad have a simple aim for both competitions.
“It’s simple, we want to make the play-offs in both, that’s our target. URC has to be our bread and butter because if we can make URC play-offs we know we are in Champions Cup next year.
“That’s a challenge that we get into, that’s the competition that we want to get into. We weren’t successful last year in getting into that so we want to make sure we make the play-offs of the URC.”
“And if we can go further than that we will wait until we get to that time, we can discuss that. That is just the minimum there.”
