Gardaí investigating arson after three cars set on fire in one night

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May 10, 2022

galway daily news bees Marine institute goes green to help bees and wildflowers

Lidl Ireland has announced that its store in Tuam will become one of its ‘pollinator friendly’ supermarkets in an attempt to increase biodiversity awareness.

The announcement of 20 new pollinator friendly stores follows the success of the first rollout last year and is part of its sustainability strategy, ‘A Better Tomorrow’.

The retailer has been a member of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan since 2018 and has been working towards protecting biodiversity and conserving native ecosystems in Ireland.

As part of the pollinator strategy, Lidl Ireland is once again partnering with Gaisce in support of their See Your Bees nationwide pollinator campaign calling on blossoming photographers to sign up to a blooming exciting photography competition.

The competition runs until Friday 27 May and aims to create increased awareness of the importance of our native biodiversity on our environment.

There will be an overall winner of the competition as well as 26 regional winners and a group prize.

To take part, people must snap a photo of a bumbling bee on, or close to, a blooming flower and send it to lidl.ie/seeyourbees

Commenting on the initiative, Aoife Clarke, Head of Communications & CSR for Lidl Ireland, said that bees and pollinating insects such as butterflies are vital to our food ecosystem.

“We are delighted to be advancing Lidl’s efforts in sustainability and Biodiversity by launching the latest 20 pollinator stores in Ireland,” she said.

“Ensuring the growth and spread of our native biodiversity is imperative to the survival of our bee population and it is something we can all lend a helping hand with.

“We are delighted to connect with Gaisce and their See Your Bees photography competition. It is a perfect opportunity for our customers to capture the beauty of our natural biodiversity. We would encourage everyone to get involved.”

The See Your Bees photography competition is now live until Friday 27 May and is open to everyone to participate.

Stunning line-up announced for Galway International Arts Festival

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May 10, 2022

galway daily news galway international arts festival 2022

Galway International Arts Festival has announced a stunning programme for this year’s festival, which will see artists from across the world return to the west of Ireland for the first in-person festival since 2019.

Running from 11-24 July, GIAF is inviting everyone to wander the streets of Galway, visting galleries and venues to celebrate great art together again post-pandemic.

This year’s festival sees the return of Chicago’s world-renowned Steppenwolf with Sam Shepard’s True West as well as breathtaking choreography, music and storytelling from Geoff Sobelle with HOME.

There will be extraordinary theatre and opera from Druid; Landmark Productions and Irish National Opera; the Gate Theatre and Theatre Lovett.

Live music will also return to Fisheries Field as the Heineken® Big Top hosts an extraordinary musical line up, and a powerful new exhibition by Ana Maria Pacheco has been created especially for GIAF.

Ireland’s Pavillion from the Venice Biennale of Architecture – a new site-specific installation from John Gerard will be unveiled on the Galway Docks, and the Festival Garden will return to Eyre Square.

Booking opens on Friday 13 May at 10am at giaf.ie, where the full programme can also be found.

Speaking today, Chief Executive of GIAF John Crumlish said that it’s great to be ‘back to full size and with this exciting programme’.

“It’s a privilege to be presenting all this great art and we hope you can join us in Galway for what promises to be a great festival.”

Artistic Director Paul Fahy said that there is nowhere quite like Galway during Festival time in July.

“It is such a thrill to return to our usual summer dates for the first time since 2019 with what we think is a really wonderful Festival,” he said.

“We are very grateful to all our fantastic artists and companies for their amazing work and look forward to welcoming our audiences back to our stages, galleries and the streets of Galway for two wonderful weeks of great art and performance.”

Theatre, Opera, Dance and Spectacle

GIAF 2022 will once again welcome extraordinary international artists to Ireland. In 1982, Steppenwolf exploded onto the American Theatre scene with its now legendary production of Sam Shepard’s True West.

One of the world’s most celebrated theatre ensembles, Steppenwolf make their much anticipated return to Galway for the first time in 15 years with a new production of this extraordinary play presented in association with GIAF at the Town Hall Theatre.

Also from the US comes actor, creator and illusionist Geoff Sobelle’s latest stunning creation Home, his most dazzling to date, a breath–taking spectacle of illusion, choreography, music and storytelling that explores the everyday drama of what makes a house a home.

Druid presents a new play by acclaimed playwright Sonya Kelly, The Last Return a thrilling comedy about conflict, peace and the pursuit of territory at any cost, directed by Sara Joyce.

Landmark Productions in association with Irish National Opera return to GIAF to present The First Child the third in an explosive trilogy of operas rooted in contemporary suburban life from composer Donnacha Dennehy and writer and director Enda Walsh.

From the Gate Theatre and Theatre Lovett comes The Tin Soldier by Louis Lovett and Nico Brown after Hans Christian Andersen, directed by Muireann Ahern and composed by Conor Linehan, which lifts Andersen’s complex and moving story off the page and into an unforgettable theatrical experience like no other.

Award–winning Australian choreographer and director Lewis Major brings to GIAF 2022 a new double bill of Satori and Unfolding which envision a world of impermanence and shifting atmospheres amongst different patterns of sound, light, and movement.

Audiences are also invited to explore a new room, Middle Bedroom, the ninth in a unique series of immersive theatre installations by Enda Walsh collectively known as Rooms which he has made with Paul Fahy for Galway International Arts Festival.

Other theatre projects include the world premiere of Decadent Theatre and Galway Arts Centre’s From a Low and Quiet Sea by Donal Ryan, directed by Andrew Flynn; also directed by Andrew Flynn is Galway Youth Theatre and Galway Arts Centre’s Our Teacher’s a Troll by Denis Kelly; from Fíbín sa Taibhdhearc Muc Rí written and directed by Philip Doherty, the ever popular Druid Debuts series returns for 2022 and returning to GIAF once again Australian David Naylor better known as Guru Dudu with his Silent Disco Walking Tours.

A community cast of 150 people from all walks of life will perform Europe’s largest highwire spectacle over the River Corrib in the heart of Galway City in Galway Community Circus’ LifeLine, which draws on the transformative power of circus arts to deliver well being impact and provoke discourse on mental health.

It also features the world premiere of BassAlto, a visual and poetic circus show by a new all –female company of professional wirewalkers performing alongside ten local community performers.

Street Art

The thrill of street art and outdoor spectacle has long been a key part of GIAF and the team are delighted to be able to once again bring exciting and visually stunning work to the streets of Galway.

Mars is the latest artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in diameter, the artwork features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface. The artwork allows us to view Mars from the air, as though we are a satellite mapping and studying the surface in perfect detail with a surround sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer Dan Jones.

Through the streets will nonchalantly move a herd of monumental and curious red giraffes as Les Girafes An Animal Operetta from Compagnie Off descends on Galway.

Music

July 2022 also marks the much welcome return of the Heineken® Big Top with a stellar line up presented by Galway International Arts Festival and Róisín Dubh. Once again filling the Heineken® Big Top in Fisheries Field with live music will be Pixies, The Stunning, The Flaming Lips, The Academic, Kaiser Chiefs, Sinéad O’Connor and Jon Hopkins.

At Róisín Dubh experience great live music from Joan as Police Woman, Anna Mullarkey, Orla Gartland, Tuutelar, Niamh Regan, HousePlants, Daithí, Glasshouse performs Aphex Twin, Malaki, Mary Coughlan performing Mirrors, Gemma Hayes, Ye Vagabonds and Junior Brother.

The line-up at Monroe’s includes Soda Blonde, Moxie, spoken word artist Hollie McNish, The Lost Brothers and David Keenan; the ConTempo Quartet and CelloVision Travelling will play the Pálás Cinema; while the annual Traditional Music Showcases will take place in St Nicholas’ Church which will also host Cois Cladaigh and Crash Ensemble’s [Reactions].

Visual Arts

Galway International Arts Festival is renowned for the strength of its visual arts programme each year and 2022 will see the return of Ana Maria Pacheco and a new site specific work from John Gerard.

Brazilian–born artist Ana Maria Pacheco returns to the Festival with a powerful solo exhibition featuring a new multi–figure polychrome wood installation Remember. This exhibition, which will be on display at the Festival Gallery William Street is created especially for Galway International Arts Festival will also include earlier works including Shadows of the Wanderer, 2008 and Some Exercise of Power, 1980–1985.

Following on from Mirror Pavilion (2020 / 2021) John Gerrard will unveil a new work entitled Flare [Oceania] 2022 on the Galway Docks. Flare [Oceania] centres on a simulated generative form which hovers between a gas flare and national flag. This data object is set within a seascape based on photographs taken by activist and artist Uili Lousi of his heating ancestral ocean near Tonga. Gerrard’s new work represents an ecology in hyper distress and a world faced with the existential threat of rising seas. Flare will be shown as a large–scale 7M x 7M LED wall at Galway Docks and streamed live online.

Entanglement by ANNEX, Ireland’s Pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2021 at the Fairgreen Gallery aims to reframe the way we understand data production while exploring its impact on everyday life . ANNEX is a collaboration of artists, architects, and urban researchers who came together to curate the Irish Pavilion in Venice in 2021, including Sven Anderson, Alan Butler, David Capener, Donal Lally, Clare Lyster and Fiona McDermott.

The visual arts programme also include a new exhibition from Sean Lynch at Galway Arts Centre; at 126 Artist–Run Gallery Ben Geoghegan and Aisling Phelan A Remix of Change curated by Sona Smedkova; a site–specific, international exhibition at Interface Falling in Love Outward curated by Alannah Robins; a set of portraits by award– winning documentary photographer Tamara Eckhardt at Galway City Museum entitled The Children of Carrowbrowne and Wingform an installation of music and light commissioned by Crash Ensemble from Barry O’Halpin and Jack Phelan.

First Thought Talks

Always a hugely popular part of the Festival, Galway International Arts Festival’s thought leadership platform, First Thought Talks, returns exploring the big issues and challenges of the day.

An eclectic series of interviews, conversations and debate / discussions will feature leading Irish and international voices from around the world – academics, activists, artists, theatre-makers, journalists and authors. The topics include, the Middle Ground in Northern Ireland, in conversation with award–winning film and videogame composer and conductor Eímear Noone, exploring Climate Again with Kevin O’Sullivan; debating the topic of Cheap Houses in Ireland?, Empathy and Homelessness with Conn Holohan; Donnacha O’Beachain on the origins of the conflict of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Kevin Rafter discussing the Arts in Ireland and more.

This year’s Vinyl Hours series of talks with music aficionados where guests reveal their most treasured songs in conversation with music maestro Tiernan Henry, will include conductor and composer Eimear Noone; playwright Sonya Kelly; composer Donnacha Dennehy; and Galway singer–songwriter Anna Mullarkey.

Festival Garden

In 2018 GIAF introduced the Festival Garden, a new home of the Festival in the heart of Galway. Enjoyed by tens of thousands of people, the Festival Garden, powered by Flogas, returns this summer after an unexpected hiatus with great food, dazzling cocktails and drinks, occasional DJs and live sets from guest artists.

Comedy

Enjoy the comedy styling of top acts including Foil Arms and Hog, Deirdre O’Kane, Neil Delamere, Emma Doran, Colm O’Regan, Martin ‘Beanz’ Warde, Sinéad Quinlan, Shrinidhi Kalwad and many more.

Elevate

GIAF continues to support and present artists at all stages of their careers. Elevate is Galway International Arts Festival’s new commissioning/ bursary strand to support Irish artists working across all artforms as they create and present original, contemporary and captivating ideas to engage both live and digital audiences. Elevate aims to foster new and innovative projects that may not otherwise be realised. 2021 recipients included Andrew Flynn, Donal Ryan and Niamh Regan who feature as part of this year’s Festival. Elevate 2022 call for submissions closes on 10 June with recipients announced in July during this year’s Festival. giaf.ie/elevate

Announcing the programme today, the GIAF team thanked all the artists, funders, sponsors, donors and friends, without whom it all would not be possible.

Galway International Arts Festival acknowledges the support of its principal funding agencies, The Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland, Galway City Council, its Education Partner NUI Galway, its Energy Partner Flogas, and Drinks Partner Heineken.

Stay updated by following GIAF onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.

New TG4 documentary series tells story of murdered Mayo woman

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May 10, 2022

galway daily news murder mayo woman on tg4 documentary series

A new four-part crime documentary series on TG4 will explore the murder of Sandra Collins who went missing in December 2000 in Killala, Co. Mayo.

Marú inár Measc, starting next Wednesday 18 May, takes a look at fatal crimes and the effect they have on local communities and the families left without answers.

The first episode features the family of Sandra Collins who left her aunt’s house to buy food in the local grocery shop and never returned home.

Despite relentless efforts from authorities, the community and her family to unearth what happened that night, her disappearance remains shrouded in mystery, and the search for her continues to this day.

A cold case reinvestigation began in summer 2010 and reclassified Sandra’s disappearance as a murder investigation.

In 2014 a local man went on trial for Sandra’s murder, however the judge ruled that there was not sufficient evidence to find him guilty.

Sandra’s brothers and sisters hope that they can one day lay her to rest and find their own peace.

The documentary includes interviews with Sandra’s four siblings, who give deeply personal accounts regarding the life that their sister lived and how her disappearance has impacted them.

This series, produced by Midas Productions, begins on TG4 on Wednesday, 18 May at 9.45pm.

Concerns raised about social welfare supports following CSO report

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May 10, 2022

galway daily news claire kerrane at dáil child maintenance

Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane has raised concerns about effectiveness of social welfare supports which are available to families and households.

The local TD was speaking in response to newly-released data from the CSO which found that the ‘at risk of poverty’ rate was 11.6% in 2021 – down from 13.2% in 2020.

But without COVID income supports, the ‘at risk of poverty’ rate would have been almost 20%.

Speaking about the results, Deputy Kerrane said that any reduction in poverty rates is very welcome, and we should be seeing consistent reduction in these rates every year.

“However, these reductions are not enough and there must be adequate supports for households that experience higher levels of poverty,” she said.

“In particular, we see that lone parent households continue to have much higher rates of poverty than households with two adults or more.”

In 2021, the at risk of poverty rate for persons living in one adult households with children was 22.8% – double the national average.

The deprivation rate in lone parent families also increased between 2020 and 2021 and now stands at 44.9%.

“We also see some of the effects of the cost of living crisis represented in these SILC results, with 42% of households saying they had difficulty in making ends meet in 2021,” added the Sinn Féin TD.

“This has only worsened in the first half of this year and we are seeing families and workers everywhere facing real challenges with the soaring cost of fuel, home heating, rents and child care costs.

“It is clear from the SILC results that we need a Social Protection system which responds when families and workers need it.”

Food Safety Authority issues allergy warning over batch of pork ribs

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May 9, 2022

galway daily news allergy warning dunnes stores bbq ribs

The Food Safety Authority (FSAI) issued an allergy warning this afternoon for a batch of barbecue pork ribs in Dunnes Stores.

The FSAI says that the incorrect back label was applied to a batch of Smoky BBQ Irish Pork Ribs in Dunnes Stores.

A spokesperson for the FSAI said: “The product contains barley which is not mentioned on the label which may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of cereals containing gluten.”

The implicated packs are 500g and have use by dates of 13-05-22.

Cubbie Sensory Hub donated to Paediatric Unit at UHG

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May 9, 2022

galway daily news — From left: Dr Aisling Lyons, Consultant Paediatrician SI Neurodisability, UHG; Colm Kennelly, Chair, Galway Sick Kids Foundation; Therese Allen, Treasurer, Galway Sick Kids Foundation; Cecily Cassidy, Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Paediatric Unit; and Noírín Burke, Director of Education, Galway Atlantaquaria

The Paediatric Unit at University Hospital Galway has received a donation of a Cubbie Sensory Hub from Galway Sick Kids Foundation with the support of Galway Atlantaquaria.

The Cubbie Sensory Hub was developed by an Irish company with input from Occupational Therapists to create a unique sensory experience for children using it.

The Hub is wheelchair accessible and can be set to calming or alerting visual and sound with different colour themes and light intensity to suit the child’s needs.

Dr Aisling Lyons, Consultant Paediatrician SI Neurodisability said that the sensory Cubbie has been a fantastic addition to the playroom here in UHG.

She said that it is particularly useful for children with developmental needs who may become distressed and upset when visiting our outpatient department for an appointment.

Cecily Cassidy, Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Paediatric Unit at UHG setting the visual and sound theme and light intensity for the Cubbie Sensory Hub.

“After spending time in the Cubbie, the child is more settled and able to have a very meaningful clinical visit without distress or anxiety for the child or their parents,” said Dr Lyons.

“The Cubbie also allows children with additional needs who are admitted to the Paediatric Unit to take a break from the clinical environment.

“These children are much happier and less anxious as a result, particularly those children with significant sensory needs.”

Significant increase in domestic abuse recorded in Galway

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May 9, 2022

galway daily news domestic abuse charity records highest number of clients in galway

A local charity supporting women impacted by domestic abuse recorded the highest number of clients in its 24-year history last year.

Domestic Violence Response Galway (DVR) also recorded its highest level of counselling support sessions in 2021.

The organisation published its 2021 annual report at the launch of its new premises and expanded services in Moycullen today, Monday.

Key findings from the 2021 annual report highlighted the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on the organisation, as well as the women it supports.

A total of 266 service users availed of the services in 2021, with a significant increase in return service users in the latter part of the year.

Fifty-one nights of accommodation were provided in Galway from late June 2020 to December 2021 via a scheme which saw Airbnb partner with Safe Ireland and Women’s Aid to provide free hotel emergency accommodation for domestic violence survivors across Ireland.

The charity provided 1,449 support sessions to service users in 2021.

In early summer 2021, the restrictions began to lift and the disclosures of service users, mostly from women but also some men availing of telephone support, were stark and harrowing.

According to DVR staff, women disclosed how Covid-19 restrictions were used as a tactic to inflict further control, to enforce isolation, to impose strict and excessive cleaning routines, and punishments for putting the family at risk.

A significant increase in disclosures on sexual abuse was also noted by staff during this period.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Elizabeth Power, Coordinator of DVR Galway, said that the annual report highlights the stark reality of the level of domestic violence in Galway.

“Under the shadow of Covid-19, DVR recorded the highest number of clients in our 24-year history, and delivered the highest number of support services,” she said.

“Our staff noted increases in the level of worrying and harrowing experiences of control and abuse. The trauma of these experiences will live with our service users long after Covid-19 fades into memory.”

Elizabeth Power said that while Covid-19 restrictions are behind us, domestic violence continues to be present in hundreds of homes throughout Galway.

“As we move through 2022, we will continue to provide our much-needed services to women and men throughout Galway, with an extensive counselling support and advocacy service and a number of new initiatives including a partnership with the HSE which will be launched in the coming months.”

New premises in Moycullen

DVR Galway’s new premises in Moycullen was launched by Galway West TD Catherine Connolly. The new premises, accompanied by recent recruitment of new staff and expansion of the Board of Directors, represents the start of a new era for DVR, allowing the organisation to expand its services to people throughout Galway city and county.

“We’re delighted to be launching our new premises in Moycullen today, which will ensure that people the length and breadth of Galway experiencing or at risk of domestic violence will receive the support they need,” added Ms Power.

For more information about DVR Galway, visit: www.domesticviolenceresponse.com.

NUIG to host special info session on alternative pathways to study

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May 9, 2022

NUI Galway will host a special information session for prospective students eligible for alternative pathways into university.

The event will be open to anyone looking for advice on courses available through the Access Centre and for people applying for part-time courses as mature students.

The information session takes place on Thursday May 12 from 6.3pm to 7.30pm in the O’Flaherty Theatre, Arts/Science Building and will focus on Access Programme or Foundation Studies Diploma courses in 2022-23.

Dr Mary Surlis, Senior Manager of NUI Galway’s Access Centre, said there are several options available to prospective students who are looking for an alternative admissions route to NUI Galway and who may require some extra guidance in deciding on their educational pathway, and they are here to help, guide and support.

“Our courses are designed to provide students with a strong foundation as they progress to third level. We have some fantastic graduates who have come through our courses andave gone on to great things,” said Dr Surlis.

Representatives from the Access Centre and Programme Coordinators will be at the information session to advise and answer questions and to support those who wish to take that first step into third level education.

The Access Centre is currently accepting applications from school leavers and mature students for its full-time Access Programmes and its part-time Foundation Studies Diploma courses in Science, Technology and Engineering, and Business, Law, and Arts.

The Access Programme is designed specifically as an alternative admission route to third level education for people from socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds that are underrepresented at third level.

It aims to support students to build confidence in themselves and their academic ability, and to support them to reach their full potential through core modules such as academic writing, IT skills, study skills and education guidance.

Students also get the opportunity to do taster courses as an introductory to university before choosing an undergraduate degree.

The Foundation Studies Diploma courses are intensive part-time courses taught over 26 weeks. They are open to mature applicants, aged 22 or over, who are interested in applying for entry to full-time undergraduate courses.

For more information and to register for the information session visit www.nuigalway.ie/access, or contact access@nuigalway.ie for further details.

An Cailín Ciúin to be released in cinemas across Ireland this week

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May 9, 2022

galway daily news an cailin ciuin irish film in cinemas in may 2022

Critically acclaimed Irish language film An Cailín Ciúin will be released in cinemas across Ireland and Britain from this Thursday, May 12.

An Cailín Ciúin is based on Foster by Claire Keegan and is the feature film debut of writer and director Colm Bairéad and producer Cleona Ní Chrualaoi.

Since its premiere in February, the film has impressed critics and scooped awards at a number of film festivals.

It won The Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury for Best Film at the Berlinale Film Festival and was awarded Best Irish Film by the Dublin Film Critics Circle.

It also won eight Irish Film and Television Academy Awards, including Best Film, Best Director aand Lead Actress Film.

The film, from the Cine4 scheme by TG4, Screen Ireland and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, was the first film as gaeilge to open the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival.

An Cailín Ciúin tells the story of Cáit (Catherine Clinch) – a nine-year-old girl from an overcrowded, dysfunctional family who is sent away to live with her mother’s relatives for the summer.

She is welcomed with open arms by Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley), but her husband (Andrew Bennett) keeps Cáit at arms length.

Slowly but surely, a warmth grows within this makeshift family and Cáit blossoms in their care. But in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one painful truth.

Director Colm Bairéad said that they are thrilled that An Cailín Ciúin will be making its way into cinemas both here at home and in the UK via Break Out Pictures and Curzon.

“We made this film, first and foremost, for the big screen and for the communal cinema experience and we’re delighted that audiences will get to see it in this way,” he said.

The film is distributed by Break Out Pictures in Ireland and by Curzon in the UK.

More time sought to complete 131 homes in Gort

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May 9, 2022

Galway Daily news Green light for new apartment complex in Rahoon

More time is being sought to complete a housing estate of 11 apartments and 120 houses on the outskirts of Gort.

Newmar Developments is seeking an extension of planning permission for a residential development at Ballyhugh, Gort off the Tubber Road.

The project was first approved in 2009, and two extensions of the original planning permission were granted in 2014 & 2019.

This application states that work began on site in January of 2019, stating that “Brexit and Covid, finance and Ukraine conflict” all added delays to the project.

To date the creche, all of the apartments, and 35 of the houses have been fully completed, the EOD application states, with another 33 of the houses are at a “substantial completion stage”.

It is expected that work on the housing estate will be completed by the end of 2024, and another three years of planning permission are being sought.

A decision on this EOD application is due from Galway City Council by May 29 of this year.

Galway 2020 leadership to appear before the city council

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May 9, 2022

Galway daily news Call for further transparency on Galway 2020 finances

Galway City Council is due to receive a detailed report on Galway 2020 expenditure, before leadership appears before the Council next month.

The report on the Capital of Culture is due to be provided at the end of this month.

Representatives of the company will then come before the council to answer questions on June 13.

Councillor Alan Cheevers welcomed the news, saying that the public “need to see in detail” how taxpayer and private money was spent on the often troubled project.

“I believe we need see in detail how much was spent on severance pay on some of staff who left Galway 2020 employment over the the time from its inception,” he said.

Information should also be provided on expenses, and the, “cost of cancelling the opening ceremony at SouthPark,” Alan Cheevers said.

“Galway 2020 has been left under a cloud and I believe that if they want any creditable legacy these questions need to be answered in detail.”

The opening ceremony, which was meant to be a spectacular affair at South Park in the Claddagh in February 2020, was cancelled due to a weather warning.

The Galway 2020 Capital of Culture Financial Monitoring Report 2017-2021 shows that, over the lifetime of the project, it received just under €21 million in public funding from Ireland.

Galway City Council provided €3.68 million to Galway 2020, out of a total of €21 million in public funding from within Ireland.

Of that, the bulk, €14 million, came from the central government, while the county council contributed €2.95 million.

Over the lifetime of the project €14.97 million was spent on the Cultural Programme according to the project’s Financial Monitoring Report 2017-2021.

The planned European Capital of Culture 2020 was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited the number and manner of events which could be staged.

Nominees for 2021/22 Connacht Rugby Awards

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May 9, 2022

Galway Daily sport Connacht Rugby awards nominees

Nominees have been announced for this year’s Connacht Rugby Awards, the winners of which will be announced this week.

There have been a total of 41 players, clubs, backroom staff, and officials nominated in 14 categories for the 2021/22 awards.

The winners will be announced at the Gala Ball taking place this Friday, May 13, the results of which be announced as they happen by Connacht Rugby.

There’s still some time to vote for the Fan’s Player of the Year from the five nominees: Jack Carty, Shane Delahunt, Mack Hansen, Conor Oliver and Cian Prendergast.

Voting for this award closes at 5pm this afternoon, Monday, May 9.

The full list of nominees for this year’s awards are:

U18 Men’s Player of the Year, sponsored by Sound To Light

Max Flynn – Corinthians RFC / CC Roscrea
Hugh Gavin – Galwegians RFC / The Jes
Ryan Roche – Galwegians RFC / St. Paul’s Oughterard

U18 Women’s Player of the Year, sponsored by RDJ

Molly Boote – Connemara RFC
Éabha Nic Dhonnacha – Corinthians RFC
Karly Tierney – Tuam/Oughterard RFC

U19 Men’s Player of the Year, sponsored by Benchmark Recruitment

John Devine – Ballinasloe RFC / Garbally College
Adam Hunter – Sligo RFC / Sligo Grammar
Harry West – Ballina RFC / Kings Hospital

Academy Player of the Year, sponsored by Total Health

Cathal Forde
Matthew Devine
Diarmuid Kilgallen

Referee of the Year

Siobhán Daly
Andrew Fogarty
Gerry Geraghty

Coach of the Year, sponsored by Deloitte

Charlie Couper – Buccaneers RFC
Martin Cummins – Dunmore RFC
Henry O’Toole – Connemara RFC

Women’s Club Player of the Year, sponsored by Citylink

Noreen Coyne – Westport RFC
Hazel Kilduff – Buccaneers RFC
Aoife Williams – Galwegians RFC

Men’s Junior Club Player of the Year, sponsored by Laya Healthcare

Stephen Conroy – Ballinrobe RFC
Brian Diffley – Creggs RFC
Ian Staunton – Connemara RFC

Men’s Senior Club Player of the Year, sponsored by Aerogen

Shane Layden – Buccaneers RFC
Mark McDermott – Corinthians RFC
Calum Quinn – Ballina RFC

Club of the Year, sponsored by Bank Of Ireland

Buccaneers RFC
Creggs RFC
Sligo RFC

Fans’ Player of the Year, sponsored by Intersport Elverys

Jack Carty
Shane Delahunt
Mack Hansen
Conor Oliver
Cian Prendergast

Lifetime Achievement to Connacht Rugby, sponsored by Heineken

To be announced on the night

Women’s Player of the Year, sponsored by Genesys

Orla Dixon
Catherine Martin
Fiona Scally

Men’s Player of the Year, sponsored by Genesys

Mack Hansen
Conor Oliver
Cian Prendergast

Plans approved for new COVID-19 testing lab at UHG

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May 9, 2022

Planning approval has been given for the construction of a new laboratory for COVID-19 testing at University Hospital Galway.

The HSE intends to build a new lab building at UHG, due to the strain that COVID-19 testing has placed on existing facilities.

The 138m² building on the hospital grounds will be a dedicated facility for the Public Health Microbiology Laboratory.

The HSE said that the site where the new lab will go is currently being used for car parking, with approximately eight spaces to be lost as a result.

One objection was received stating that there is already not enough parking in the hospital, which has resulted in cars overflowing into neighbouring residential areas.

The planning application states that “The Department of Medical Microbiology (DMM) in UHG is divided into a few specialties; the diagnostic microbiology service, the Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (PHML) and the National Reference Laboratory (NRL).”

The current lab has been made “unfit for purpose” due to the extra demand placed on the DMM since May 202 for COVID-19 testing.

“The current accommodation does not allow for the safe testing for COVID-19 as well as the testing required by the PHML”.

“A new laboratory space would remove the COVID-19 molecular work from this area and ensure that it is performed in a space that is safer for workers and would protect the test from contamination.”

Planning permission was ultimately granted by the city council with three standard conditions attached.

Galway Weather: Sun and rain ahead in unsettled week

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May 9, 2022

Galway Daily weather Falling temperatures and weekend rain mark weather for rest of the week

This week will be a mixed bag weather wise, with extended patches of rain, heavy at times, but also long stretches of relative sunshine to look forward to.

The week will get off to a wet start on Monday, with persistent heavy rain and a stiff southern wind throughout the day. Highest temperatures today of 12 to 14 degrees.

Showers will die down headed into Monday night, with temperatures falling to lows of 10 degrees overnight.

Tuesday will also see scattered showers and a cloudy start to the day, but there are some sunny spells to be mixed in there as well.

A moderate south-westerly wind is forecast for Tuesday according to Met Eireann, with highest temperatures of 12 to 14 degrees once again.

Weather will start off wet and cloudy on Wednesday, but give way to solid sunshine and fairly clear skies by mid morning.

A moderate south-westerly wind in the morning will veer westerly and lose some of its strength as the day progresses.

Temperatures on Wednesday will be in the range of 10 to 14 degrees over the day.

Wednesday will be mostly cloudy skies, with some scattered sunshine and showers in places. More rain is forecast in coastal areas.

A light westerly wind will turn moderate in strength as the evening progresses. Highest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees.

Friday will be the start of an unsettled weekend, with scattered rain and some sunny spells throughout.

Rain will be worse in coastal areas, with more overcast, but dry conditions inland.

Ireland’s leading cosmetic practice officially opens in Galway

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May 8, 2022

galway daily news cosmetic medaesthetics opens in galway — Pictured: Niall McInerney, Alma McGrath and Nikki Dwyer

Ireland’s first all-encompassing plastic surgery, aesthetic medicine and wellness centre has launched its new clinic in Galway.

MedAesthetics has gone from having two rooms to ten, and now employs more than 20 people.

The cosmetic practice specialises in advanced injectable, rejuvenating laser, skincare, as well as and the most up-to-date body contouring and skin tightening, combined with wellness treatments.

All procedures are directed and performed by internationally trained and accredited plastic surgeons, physicians and Aesthetic Practitioners.

Alma McGrath, MD of MedAesthetics said that having good skin ‘should be easy’.

“Your skin is as unique as you. We tailor skin health plans for every patient giving you healthy, youthful, and glowing skin – empowering you to feel more confident,” she said.

“The MedAesthetics Blueprint or a road map is personalized to address concerns and accomplish the clients’ skin’s unique aesthetic goals. Treatment plans will include a step-by-step outline of treatments and medical grade products that are unique to each skin type.

The clinic has created a ‘selfcarecircle’ that offers a unique subscription-based membership program that allows people to access customizable, exclusive services and discounts.

“We make self-care easy; we are changing lives on the daily through connections and helping patients to enhance and highlight their beautiful features whilst still staying true to themselves and their very own structure and anatomy,” added Alma.

“We know that the aesthetic industry is ever-changing, so we are fully engaged in education and training to ensure the best for our team and clients. Applied knowledge is power and that power comes from our desire to be the best.”

To get your skin blueprint and to book a consultation check out www.medaesthetics.ie, call 091-768600 or get social across Instagram and Facebook @Medaesthetics.

Public transport fares slashed by 50% from tomorrow for young people

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May 8, 2022

galway daily news public transport costs young people — JULIEN BEHAL PHOTOGRAPHY

A 50% public transport fare reduction for young people will take effect from tomorrow, Monday.

The new half price fares apply to all subsidised public transport journeys on Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and Local Link.

All adults aged 19 to 23 are eligible for the reduced prices and eligibility continues up to the day before their 24^th birthday.

For holders of a current Student Leap Card, no action is needed – they simply pay for their journey by Leap, and the reduced fare is deducted from their card in the normal way.

However, non-student young adults looking to avail of the lower fares will need to apply for a Young Adult Leap Card for use when travelling.

The facility to apply for the Card is done online and opens on Monday May 9. Once the customer has received the Young Adult Card, they can use it on all relevant public transport services.

Customers aged under 19, already benefit from the Child 16-18 Leap Card, which is valid up to day before their 19^th birthday.

Today’s fare changes for students and young adults will be accompanied by a social and digital marketing campaign.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said that when he announced a permanent 50% fare reduction for young adults in Budget 2022, he really wanted to make public transport more attractive for young people.

“I also wanted to go some way to supporting young people, by making day-to-day life a little bit more affordable,” he said.

“This fare cut is unprecedented and quite radical. But I believe strongly that it’s the way we need to go if we are serious about putting low-carbon transport at the heart of our efforts to build a sustainable future and if we want to bring people, and particularly young people, with us on that journey.”

Proposal for greenway on Western Rail Corridor is “premature” says SF

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May 8, 2022

Galway Daily news Connemara Greenway takes major step forward

Galway East’s Sinn Féín representative Louis O’Hara has expressed dismay at TII’s proposal for a greenway on sections of the Western Rail Corridor.

Along with his party colleague Chris MacManus MEP, O’Hara claimed that the proposal is ‘premature’ and at odds with the Development Plans of local councils.

O’Hara said that the most sensible solution is to construct a greenway alongside the rail line.

The greenway proposals are for sections of the Athenry to Milltown and Charlestown to Collooney sections of the Western Rail Corridor.

“The benefits of reopening the Western Rail Corridor, in terms of delivering economic development and reducing emissions by enabling more people to travel sustainably, are well known,” he said.

“Developing a greenway on the railway line would ensure that the line would never again be used for rail transport. Once you open a recreational amenity for the local community it is impossible to take it back for a variety of reasons.

“It would be a poor use of the infrastructure when the most sensible solution is to construct a greenway alongside the rail line or in an alternative location. Both options can and should be considered separately or in parallel.”

The Athenry native said that in other parts of Ireland – in particular the east coast – there is both top class transport infrastructure and recreational amenities like greenways.

“All of our local politicians should demand the same for our region and not just settle for the crumbs off the table from Dublin. We are not second class citizens in the west.”

Breast Cancer Treatment in Germany

By

Angela Mc Bride

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May 7, 2022

Galway News - NUIG pioneers breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer can be diagnosed both in women and men (less than 1% of all patients). Today, the disease is no longer a sentence. If you face this problem, consider treating breast cancer in specialized German centers. Qualified German oncologists will start from the comprehensive examination and elaborate individual therapeutic scheme based on its results. Due to the vast experience, the 10-year survival rate for women with non-metastatic breast cancer reaches 84%.

Surgery for breast cancer

The overall treatment plan is always developed according to the stage of the disease. Therefore, German specialists carry out diagnostics first.

When planning the surgery, doctors decide on the necessity of lymph nodes removal. The patient receives an injection of a contrast agent into the region of the tumor. Thanks to this, the doctor determines whether the lymph nodes are affected. Sparing healthy lymph nodes reduces risks of postoperative swelling and poor functioning of the upper extremity on the affected side.

For over 30 years, organ-sparing surgeries have been successfully carried out in Germany. Such an operation is the standard surgical method for early breast cancer. With that said, there are several ways to conduct surgery. The main ones include the removal of tumor only, partial breast removal and total breast removal with the subsequent reconstruction. The removed tissues undergo histological analysis.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy for breast cancer

Radiotherapy for breast cancer is aimed at destroying malignant cells that weren’t removed during the surgery. It prevents a recurrence of the disease and the development of metastases.

Since cancerous tissues and healthy tissues are both exposed to radiation, the total dosage of radiation is divided into small ones. There are other methods of radiotherapy that can minimize the impact on healthy tissues, an example being brachytherapy. Fortunately, healthy tissues can regenerate; cancerous tissues do not. Thus, irradiation is carried out over several weeks to cause tumor necrosis.

In turn, chemotherapy aims to kill and stop the growth of the malignant cells. Cancer cells divide faster than healthy ones, and they are more sensitive to chemotherapeutic agents.

There are different types of chemotherapeutic drugs that target different mechanisms of tumor proliferation; as a rule, they are prescribed in combination. It’s done to increase the effect of the drugs and reduce possible side effects.

Choosing a clinic for breast cancer treatment

It is best to entrust breast cancer therapy to a clinic with vast experience in this medical sphere.

In Germany, doctors admit hundreds of patients and carry out about 800 courses of chemotherapy annually. Surgeons perform at least 50 operations annually to remove breast tumors.

If a clinic is specialized, all kinds of medical care for breast cancer are available here. To maintain their certification, clinics are regularly evaluated. Currently, the leading healthcare facilities are:

University Hospital Tuebingen
University Hospital Ulm
University Hospital Frankfurt-am-Main
Charite University Hospital Berlin
University Hospital Muenster

Feel free to check information about the leading hospitals for breast cancer treatment in Germany on the Booking Health website. You can also check out the prices for treatment of breast cancer.

How to start breast cancer treatment in Germany?

Booking Health is the international medical tourism company that offers the organization of treatment at the world’s renowned clinics.

Booking Health helps you select the clinic and the best specialist, communicates with doctors and hospital administration, arranges the trip, takes care about translation of medical reports and interpreting, etc.

The choice of a medical facility is based on its qualification profile, the experience of specialists, and patient reviews. Close cooperation with leading specialists at German clinics allows Booking Health to make urgent appointments for high-tech therapy.

If you want to check prices and start your treatment in Germany, fill in the request form at Booking Health website.

Why Electric Scooters are taking over Galway & Ireland?

By

Angela Mc Bride

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May 7, 2022