Man attacks brother and sister-in-law with iron bar

-

August 11, 2022

Galway Daily news Expansion plans for Connemara hotel

Planning permission is being sought for an expansion of the Leenane Hotel in Connemara.

Connemara Hotels Ltd is seeking the county council’s approval to build a 12 bedroom extension onto the existing hotel.

The hotel, located on the N59 overlooking Killary Fjord between Westport and Clifden, is a protected structure first built in the early 19th century.

The building has been extended multiple times since then, the latest of which was an eight bay block added in 2007-2008.

The new extension would involve first removing an external staircase at the western end of the building.

A new three bay, four storey extension would then be built at the west end of the building, with a glazed staircase block at the end, and an external lift at the back.

An Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment Report was prepared for this planning application due to it being a protected structure.

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on whether to allow the hotel extension by mid September.

Council organising waste paint collection this weekend

By

-

August 11, 2022

Galway Daily news Council organising waste paint collection this weekend

Galway County Council is organising a special waste collection for people to dispose of paint cans this weekend.

The waste paint collection will take place on Saturday, August 13.

Householders can drop off their waste paint cans at the Tuam, Ballinasloe and Clifden Civic Amenity Sites.

The first five cans are free, and there is a €5 fee after that, up to a maximum of ten cans.

This waste collection is for domestic householders only, not commercial waste.

Anyone intending to dispose of their paint cans this weekend must book ahead of time at: https://barnarecycling.com/booking.

Baboró’s Back, Baby – Beloved children’s festival returns

By

-

August 11, 2022

Galway Daily arts Baboró’s Back, Baby - Renowned children's festival returns

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is back with a vengeance this October, with a special extended festival to mark the occasion.

Ireland’s flagship festival devoted exclusively to children and families will run from October 14 – 23 for the 26th annual festival.

Taking place across theatres, galleries, schools and communities in Galway City and County, Baboró returns to a full programme of over 50 live events for an extended festival of 10 days.

The international festival, which celebrates children, families and community through art in all of its forms, will be welcoming companies from all over Ireland and Europe, including Belgium, Italy, Norway, Denmark,Scotland and England.

Events for children of all ages will include a special collection of European work for early years children (0-6 yrs), residencies in special schools and child-led projects.

Children aged 8+ are invited to join the surreal world of ‘Der Lauf’, where nothing is quite as it seems.

Two circus performers from Belgian company Le Cirque du Bout du Monde, compete in a series of bizarre challenges as they juggle blindly, spin plates wildly and stack glasses wearing boxing gloves.

As the glasses rise, so do the stakes. The children, as their only guide, help lead them to safety or towards further peril.

Ballet Ireland will present ‘The Glasshouse’, a dance performance for children aged 6+. It is the story of earnest, young Fiach, who is on a mission to repopulate the world with plants and turn it green.

This fun and compelling show, by exciting young choreographer Róisín Whelan, is about the courage of the human spirit, friendship and life’s determination to survive.

‘The Glasshouse’ is a feast for the eyes and senses, with moments of suspense and joy, exhilarating dancing, vibrant costumes and magical music to enthrall children and families.

Branar, one of Ireland’s leading theatre companies making work for children, will present their new co-production with New International Encounter (UK/Norway) ‘Grand Soft Day’.

A charming and curious new show for children aged 3-6 years, ‘Grand Soft Day’ celebrates the wonder of the world around us.

It’s a show of all seasons – splashing in puddles, wind whipping your hair, crunching frost under your feet and rain dripping on your nose.

Theatre, dance, visual art, literature and creative workshops will feature in the full festival programme which will be announced when the box office opens in early September.

High temperature weather warning for Galway this weekend as 29C forecast

By

-

August 11, 2022

galway weather forecast High temperature weather warning for Galway this weekend as 29C forecast

A status yellow weather warning for high temperatures during this week’s heatwave has been extended to Galway for the weekend.

The warning will now apply to all of Ireland from midday on Friday until 6am on Sunday.

During that time temperatures will average 27 to 29 degrees, possibly going higher locally.

It will also remain warm overnight, with minimum temperatures generally around 15 degrees.

Temperatures may not be as high in coastal areas due to sea breezes, particularly in the northwest.

Leinster and Munster will already be under a weather warning for extreme heat from 12 noon today, before it applies to the rest of the country tomorrow.

Meteorologist Paul Downes said that sea fog may linger locally on all coasts at times also and that will limit maximum temperatures in these locations.

“Uncertainty increases as we progress through Sunday and into the early days of next week with a slight chance of thunderstorms later on Sunday and into Monday, likely heralding a return to cooler near average temperatures.”

This highest ever August temperature recorded in Ireland was 31.5 degrees at Oak Park, Co. Carlow in in 1995.

The likelihood of exceeding this is “quite low” Downes said, but cannot be ruled out entirely.

The RNLI, Irish Coast Guard and Water Safety Ireland have urged people to watch their personal safety if planning anything on the water this week.

Eamon’s Ryan mother dies after accident on Inishbofin

By

-

August 11, 2022

Galway Daily news Eamon's Ryan mother dies after accident on Inishbofin — The mother of Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has died following an accident on Inishbofin. Photo: Green Party

The mother of Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has dies unexpectedly following an accidentThe mother of Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has dies unexpectedly following an accident off the coast of Galway while on holiday.

The Irish Independent reports that Mary Ryan was on Inishbofin island when she suffered an accident.

She was airlifted to University Hospital Galway by air ambulance, but passed away on Tuesday.

A notice on RIP.ie states that Ryan, who lived in Sandycove, passed away “unexpectedly but peacefully”.

She is described as the beloved wife of the late Bob, loving mother of John, Eamon, Robert and Marion.

The notice adds that she will be “sadly missed by her children and their partners, her adored grandchildren Harriet, Lorcan, Séamus, Fintan, Isabella, Jack, Oliver, Ino, Tom, Róise, Sean and Harry, great-grandson George, her sisters-in-law, extended family, neighbours and friends.”

Her removal will take place on Saturday, August 13 from her home to St Joseph’s Church, Glasthule for her funeral, followed by her burial at St Fintan’s Cemetery, Sutton.

Plans for new grandstand at NUI Galway Sportsground

By

-

August 11, 2022

Galway Daily news New grandstand being built for University of Galway sports grounds

NUI Galway is seeking planning permission for new spectator stands at the university’s Sportsground in Dangan.

Plans have been submitted to the city council for a mini-grandstand measuring 3m wide x 3.4m high x 16m long.

The covered grandstand will be located on the lower embankment on the southern side of the GAA pitch.

This will provide an additional 48 seats for match spectators, which will be shielded from the rain, along with two wheelchair bays.

Galway City Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by mid September.

Three Galway players on minor hurling Team of the Year

By

-

August 11, 2022

Galway Daily sport Three Galway players on minor hurling Team of the Year

Three Galway players have been named to the 2022 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Hurling Team of the Year.

The Galway Minor Hurling made it as far as the semi-finals this year, narrowly losing out to Tipperary 3-24 to 3-20 in June.

Tipp went on to win the All-Ireland with a victory over Offaly at the start of July.

Electric Ireland have this week announced the winners of the Minor Star awards, who make up the hurling Team of the Year.

The three Galway players who won the Minor Star awards are keeper Donagh Fahy, Captain and mid-fielder Rory Burke, and forward Aaron Niland.

Ardrahan keeper Donagh Fahy pulled of multiple fantastic saves for Galway over the course of the championship, particularly in the Quarter-Final.

That Quarter-Final also gave Aaron Niland a chance to shine, with the Clarinbridge player amassing 16 points in that game alone, as he racked up the scores from frees and from play.

Galway Minor Captain Rory Burke dominated the midfield throughout the season, with the Oranmore Maree man demonstrating his skills in passing and shooting, creating many scoring opportunities.

Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy said, “I am delighted to, once again, have the opportunity to extend my congratulations to the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Hurling Team of the Year”.

“Fans turned out in large numbers to support our Minor players this season and we were fortunate to see the skills of these outstanding players. I look forward to watching the next chapter of their playing careers.”

Adam Screeney, a member of the Offaly Minor Hurling team has been announced as the 2022 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Hurling Player of the Year, having scored 5 goals and 51 points this year.

The Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Football Team of the Year and Football Player of the Year will be unveiled on Tuesday, August 16.

Sarah Sharkey, Brand, PR and Sponsorship Manager at Electric Ireland commented, “After another major season of the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championships, we are delighted to announce the 2022 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Hurling Team of the Year.”

“Each member of the team has contributed enormously to what has been an outstanding season of Minor hurling.”

The full Minor Star Hurling Team of the Year is:

1. Donagh Fahy (Galway and Ardrahan)

2. Ciarán Flynn (Laois and The Harps)

3. James Mahon (Offaly and Kilcormac-Killoughey)

4. Eoghan Gunning (Clare and Broadford)

5. Sam O’Farrell (Tipperary and Nenagh Éire Óg)

6. James Hegarty (Clare and Inagh-Kilnamona)

7. Donal Shirley (Offaly and Tubber)

8. Rory Burke (Galway and Oranmore/Maree)

9. Adam Daly (Tipperary and Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams)

10. Ben Deegan (Laois and Camross)

11. Dan Ravenhill (Offaly and Durrow)

12. Paddy McCormack (Tipperary and Borris-Ileigh)

13. Aaron Niland (Galway and Clarinbridge)

14. Tom Delaney (Tipperary and Cahir)

15. Adam Screeney (Offaly and Kilcormac-Killoughey)

Quality of education being affected by large class sizes

By

-

August 10, 2022

Galway East Sinn Féin’s Louis O’Hara has said that the quality of children’s education in Galway is being affected by large class sizes.

He said that countless classes are “far too big, in buildings too small, and not fit for purpose.”

O’Hara’s comments come after it was revealed that there were 125 primary school classes across the city and county with 30 pupils or more last year, and some had as many as 38 pupils.

He said that this underlines the need for increased investment in our education system in the upcoming budget.

“These figures are shocking and classes of this size would clearly put teachers and students under severe pressure.”

O’Hara said that Sinn Féin wants to abolish all classes of over 30 children and never allow them to return, and work towards attaining the EU average of 20 children per class.

“The Minister has an historic opportunity to introduce a two-point reduction in average class size in a single year.

“The Minister can do this by sufficiently investing in our Education system in the upcoming budget to make progress in reducing class sizes to the EU average.

“The INTO is campaigning for a two-point reduction in average class size in a single year. The Minister should listen to this and work towards reducing our primary school class sizes in line with the EU average.”

“A two point reduction to the pupil-teacher ratio in each of the next 2 years would cost €62m in total, €31m per year.”

Orange warning for forest fires in place until Tuesday

By

-

August 10, 2022

Galway Daily news Minister warns of risks from illegal land burning

The Department of Agriculture has issued an Orange Forest Fire Warning arising from hot and dry weather conditions over the next week.

People visiting forests and other recreational sites are reminded to adhere to regulations regarding fire use.

The Department has warned those visiting forests not to use barbeques or open fires at any stage, and vehicles must not be parked at site entrances or impede emergency service access to forest roads.

The fire risk is expected to peak over the coming weekend and the warning will remain in place until midday on Tuesday 16 August.

All forest owners and managers are again advised to prepare for likely outbreaks of fire.

Farmers and rural dwellers are also being asked to be extremely vigilant regarding fire activity, to report any suspicious or illegal activity to the Gardai and to report all fires immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services via 112/999.

Public reminded of dangers of cold-water shock as temperatures rise

By

-

August 10, 2022

Galway Daily news met eireann high temperature warning

The RNLI, Irish Coast Guard and Water Safety Ireland are urging people to plan for their personal safety when visiting the coast or when in or near the water over the next week.

With air temperatures set to be in the mid to high 20s, all three organisations are reminding people about the dangers of cold-water shock.

This can seriously affect breathing and movement and can occur in any water temperature below 15c.

A joint statement from the three groups urged everyone to attend to their personal safety during the spell of warmer weather.

“With so many people enjoying the water this summer, it’s important that we all know the risks. The sea can be unpredictable, and even with the temperatures soaring, the fact is that the water is still relatively cool compared to air temperatures.”

They said that just because an area looks safe for swimming, it does not necessarily mean that it is safe.

“Only swim in areas that are protected by lifeguards or in areas with which you are familiar. In the case of lifeguard protected beaches only swim between the red and yellow flags.”

Kevin Rahill, RNLI’s Water Safety Lead, added that many people who get into danger each year never planned to enter the water – slips, trips and falls can also occur.

“The RNLI is urging people to Float to Live if they get into trouble in the water. This means leaning back and spreading your arms and legs to stay afloat, controlling your breathing, then calling for help or swimming to safety.

“In the event of any water or coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 or use marine VHF radio Ch 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.”

Over sixty patients on trolleys at Galway hospitals

By

-

August 10, 2022

Fifty-six people are waiting for a bed at University Hospital Galway today as severe overcrowding continues in many hospitals across the Republic.

A further ten people are waiting on trolleys at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe today according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

Nationally, there are 449 patients on trolleys, with University Hospital Limerick the worst affected in the country.

Almost 1,000 people waited on trolleys at UHG throughout July, and since the beginning of May there have been 27,832 patients without a bed in Irish hospitals.

The INMO say that unless there is a hospital-by-hospital plan to tackle overcrowding, we are in for a bleak winter.

Average rents across Galway continue to spiral

By

-

August 10, 2022

Galway daily news Galway County social housing tenants

The average rent in Galway city and county has risen again in the second quarter of this year according to the latest report by Daft.ie.

In Galway city, the average rent now stands at €1,663, while elsewhere in the county it is €1,184.

The report shows that one-bedroom apartments in the city are on average €1,110, and four-bedroom houses are €1,923 per month.

For a single bedroom in a shared house in the city, people can expect to pay €588, while a double bedroom will set them back €633.

Rents in the second quarter of 2022 were, on average across the country, 12.6% higher than a year previously – the strongest year-on-year increase in market rents since the Daft Report was launched in 2005.

Rents are higher, compared to a year ago, in all 54 markets covered in the Daft.ie Report.

The smallest increase (7.3% year-on-year) is seen in Dublin 20, while the largest increase (21.3%) was in Leitrim.

For the first time since 2016, year-on-year percentage increases in rents were larger in Dublin than elsewhere (12.7% vs 12.5%).

Funding announced for walking trails in Galway

By

-

August 10, 2022

Minister Heather Humphreys has today announced funding of almost €1 million to support and improve some 446 walking trails across the State.

Under the initiative, trails in Co. Galway will get almost €80,000, with grants of €1,000 to €3,000 being provided to community groups responsible for managing the trails.

The groups will be able to use the grant to maintain and improve their local trail and promote its use to visitors.

Minister Humphreys said that our walkways, trails and greenways are an ‘integral feature’ of rural Ireland.

“They have been a godsend to us all, particularly during COVID-19, in terms of supporting our physical and mental wellbeing.

“This new initiative that I am announcing today is all about keeping these trails in top condition and supporting their use by both domestic and international visitors.

“So, it might be a case of using the grant to purchase a strimmer in order to maintain the local trail.

“Or a community group may decide to build a new website to promote their trail to a wider audience.”

Gardaí investigate after bales of hay stolen in Oranmore

By

-

August 9, 2022

Gardaí are investigating the theft of bales of hay which took place on a farmland in the Oran Beg area of Oranmore last week.

A number of bales of hay were taken from the area during the theft on Monday 1 August.

No arrests have been made and An Garda Síochána said that investigations ongoing.

Local coffee shop donates €1,000 to 4Capsake initiative

By

-

August 9, 2022

galway daily news 4capsake and esquire coffee reps in galway city — Ruth Keane, 4Capsake, and Caryl McDonagh, Esquires Coffee Eyre Square. Picture: Philip Smyth.

Esquires Coffee Galway has donated over €1,000 to the 4Capsake initiative which was founded by sisters Ruth Keane and Pam Finn after Ruth was diagnosed with cancer.

Pam and Ruth discovered Paxman Scalp Cooling – a pioneering technology that aims to help patients to prevent hair loss during therapy.

Ruth trialled the technology, and maintained most of her hair which had a huge impact on her recovery.

The Paxman Scalp Cooling System has been used by over 100,000 patients in 35 countries and is responsible for helping patients to keep their hair and retain normality during chemotherapy.

The cap works by lowering scalp temperature before, during, and after the administration of chemotherapy. The technology is not usually made available by the HSE and the two Galway sisters want to change that.

Speaking on behalf of Esquires Coffee, Caryl McDonagh said: “We were inspired by Ruth’s bravery and the willingness of Ruth and her sister Pam to try to help other women facing such heartbreaking news and the treatment that follows.

“The initiative is one that we feel strongly about and so we were delighted to support.”

No December exams for NUIG first years due to later start date

By

-

August 9, 2022

NUI Galway has confirmed that first year undergraduates will not sit in-person exams in December as their academic year will begin at a later date than other students.

First years will start Semester 1 on September 26, three weeks later than other students, and they will finish on December 16, allowing for 12 weeks of teaching.

The later start, which was also the case last year, is due to the Leaving Certificate results being issued in the first week of September and the subsequent CAO offer rounds.

The University said in a statement that as a result of they have decided that first years will be assessed throughout the first semester instead of sitting exams at Christmas.

“This will ensure lecturers devote as much time as possible in the semester to teaching and learning,” they said.

Five days left for public to recycle bulky goods for €5

By

-

August 9, 2022

galway daily news €5 bulky goods waste collection

People in Galway have five more days to avail of discounted recycling for bulky goods at the Ballinasloe, Clifden and Tuam Civic Amenity Sites and at the Barna Recycling facility on the Headford Road.

For €5, people can recycle three-piece suites, wardrobes, bedside lockers, mattresses, bed frames, dining tables and chairs.

Galway city and county councils have reminded the public that this service must be booked online via the Barna Recycling website before arriving at any of the sites.

Pre-booking is essential to avail of the €5 gate fee and regular gate and weighbridge fees will be incurred if people arrive at sites without prior online booking of the service.

The service is for householders only, and commercial operators will be turned away.

The local authorities have said that items which will not be accepted include construction and demolition waste, hazardous waste, bags of household waste, toys, trampolines, ceramic and textiles.

Anti-war group takes to city streets backing Sabina’s call for peace

By

-

August 9, 2022

Galway Daily news €2 million being invested in upgrading antiquated city sewer network

A local peace group is taking to Shop Street in Galway city today to support Sabina Higgins’ call for peace negotiations to resolve the war in Ukraine.

The Galway Alliance Against War is supporting Sabina Higgins’ call for peace in Ukraine which she outlined in a letter to the Irish Times last week.

A spokesperson for the group said that the hysterical response to Sabina’s peace call is “depressingly reminiscent of the vitriolic abuse that John Hume had to endure when he accepted an invitation to talk to Gerry Adams about bringing to an end the ‘Northern Troubles’.”

“Thirty years on, we all know that John Hume was correct to talk to the Sinn Féin leader. It would appear the Irish media have learned nothing from that lesson.”

The Galway Alliance Against War spokesperson said that Ireland, with a seat on the UN Security Council, should be using its position as a neutral nation to promote internationally a peaceful resolution of this conflict.

“Instead, Simon Coveney and Micheál Martin seem to be hell-bent on getting us into the NATO war alliance,” they said.

“Sabina Higgins points out in her letter that up to a thousand Ukrainian soldiers are killed, wounded or captured each day. It seems to us that those opposed to peace wish to fight to the last Ukrainian. What happens then?

“The 9^th of August marks 77 years since the dropping of an atomic bomb on Nagasaki and therefore is an appropriate day for a peace event. This is particularly true, because what we are actually witnessing in Ukraine is a proxy war between NATO and Russia, two nuclear-armed belligerents.

“So when the last Ukrainian soldier falls this conflict could very easily spiral out of control and lead to a nuclear war and the destruction of the planet.”

President Higgins launches Galway Hospice Memorial Walk

By

-

August 9, 2022