People Before Profit Galway has hit out at Galway City Council for spending €200,000 despite failing to deliver the Salthill Cycleway.
Local party representative Adrian Curran said that taxpayer’s money has been wasted in an exercise of ‘fear-mongering’.
€1 million was provided to the council for the construction of a temporary cycleway in Salthill, but plans fell through earlier this year when councillors voted 13 to 4 to revoke the plans.
Curran said that it would have been a safe, accessible route for cyclists, and that it would have increased space for pedestrians.
“Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing people around the world, and it will impact Galway in the years to come,” he said.
“What’s more, people have been struggling with the cost of living more than ever this year. To hear that €200,000 has been wasted to do nothing is a kick in the teeth for struggling families.”
Galway East TD Seán Canney has co-signed the Commission of Investigation (Nursing Homes) Bill 2022 along with Catherine Connolly TD and Peadar Tobin TD.
Deputy Canney said that an investigation must take place into “what went wrong in nursing homes during the pandemic” and to put proper procedures and supports in place.
The Independent TD said that the proposed Bill requires the government to make an order establishing the required Commission of Investigation, not later than two months after the passing of the Bill.
“It provides for the procedure for establishing this Commission. The Bill also governs the terms of the order establishing the Commission, which is to carry out an investigation into, and prepare one or more reports on, the matter of significant public concern,” he said.
The Bill will now proceed to second stage reading in private members’ time.
“It is essential that the significant public concern which the Commission is to investigate and report on are put on a legal footing,” added Deputy Canney.
Almost €4,000 was raised for the Irish Red Cross and the Association of Ukrainians in the Republic of Ireland during an impressive 24-hour traditional music session in Lackagh in April.
The flutes, fiddles, banjos and whistles were tuned and ready to go at Lackagh Parish Centre 3pm on Saturday 9 April, and the trad musicians played throughout the day and night until 3pm on Sunday.
Event organiser and musician Eoghan Gallagher was overjoyed with the level of support from the traditional music family, saying it was wonderful to contribute in a small way to the awful ongoing plight of the Ukrainian people.
“We have all been astounded by the shocking and distressing scenes coming from Ukraine. Irish people have responded with customary and widely recognised goodwill, by opening up our homes and wallets to welcome refugees here,” said Eoghan.
“Communities and businesses have pulled together, as done so during the outbreak of COVID-19, to prepare and warmly welcome refugees into Ireland.”
Eoghan said that he was blown away by the support of local people for the event, and those who travelled from across Galway to attend.
“There was no shortage of energy throughout the night as we had plenty of tunes, songs, and dance,” he said.
“I want to sincerely thank anyone who came down, played, and donated. The event couldn’t have happened without the assistance of the Parish Centre, the parish priest, Treat Café, Supervalu Flynns of Lackagh, and the wider community.”
The €3,820 that was raised will be sent to both aid organisations, supporting the humanitarian situation on the ground in Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian refugees in Ireland.
Pictured at an English class at the Together-Razem Centre, Cork, Laura Lynch (CMO, Bank of Ireland) hears about some of the work taking place at the Centre to support Ukrainians who have recently arrived in Ireland, from Agnieszka Wozniak (Together-Razem) and Olha Davydenko and Oleksandra Avtomieienko.
Pic: Naoise Culhane Photography
Four community groups in Galway have been chosen to receive funding from Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together programme in 2022.
A total of €500,000 is being allocated to 68 groups across the island of Ireland this year, delivered in partnership with the Community Foundation for Ireland.
COPE Galway, ARD Family Resource Centre, Lurga National School and Croí na Gaillimhe – A Resource Centre of SVP will all receive a share of the financial support.
The Fund is one strand of the Bank of Ireland Begin Together programme, a three-year, €4 million initiative for community groups, local enterprise and the arts across Ireland.
The Community Fund supports initiatives that are improving the financial, mental, or physical wellbeing with initiatives receiving up to €20,000 each.
The projects span financial literacy and wellbeing, mental health, disability, inclusion and diversity and social isolation.
Laura Lynch, Chief Marketing Officer, Bank of Ireland, said: “We’re immensely proud to support a wide range of community groups, charities, and social enterprises working across Ireland. What they do unites, supports and protects local communities and the most vulnerable in society.
“Communities across Ireland still face many challenges. At this time, we are acutely aware of the pressure on resources of community groups, and notably those supporting migrant groups, like Together-Razem, who, along with their existing range of counselling and educational supports, are providing urgent assistance to Ukrainian refugees.
“It’s our hope that support from the Begin Together Fund will help them continue to provide the practical financial counselling and education that is vital to the wellbeing of the communities that they support.”
Together-Razem – provides financial counselling, education and supports in native languages for Polish, Romanian and Ukrainian immigrants – have been recipients of the Begin Together Community Fund since its inception.
The 2022 Begin Together grant will benefit a new financial education project taking place over 14 weeks.
Agnieszka Wozniak of Together-Razem said: “At Together-Razem, our primary objective is to improve the quality of life of the Polish and other Eastern European migrants in Ireland.
“Our approach is culturally sensitive and we provide a wide range of services within four key areas: Education, mental health, integration and advice.
“We have been working tirelessly for over 15 years helping those who struggle with such issues as poverty, exclusion, exploitation, loneliness or mental health.
“None of this would be possible without support from organisations such as The Community Foundation for Ireland and initiatives like Begin Together.
“It is absolutely invaluable especially now that we are heavily involved in helping the Ukrainian people.”
Gardaí have renewed their appeal for information in relation to the 1998 murder of 83-year-old Eddie Fitzmaurice in Mayo.
Eddie’s body was found in a bedroom of his home in Bellaghy, Charlestown at 6.45pm on Tuesday 5 May 1998 after being tied up, gagged and left to die over five days.
It was established that sometime between 8.20pm on Friday 1 May and Saturday morning 2 May 1998, Eddie was assaulted following a burglary.
Eddie Fitzmaurice lived alone and ran his own drapery shop for many years. Gardaí say he was a very popular member of the community who went about his business in a quiet and gentle manner.
The investigation into the murder of Eddie Fitzmaurice is being coordinated by Gardaí from Claremorris Community Engagement and Mayo Crime Functional Areas.
The murder investigation has remained ongoing for the past 24 years. During this period of time it has been reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Gardaí are continuing to appeal for the public’s help, and they believe that with the passage of time and a change in circumstances people who have information may now be in a position to come forward.
The family of Eddie Fitzmaurice are elderly and Gardaí would urge people with information to come forward and bring the Fitzmaurice family closure.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Gardaí at Claremorris at 094 9372080 or email mayo.crime@garda.ie, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or Crimestoppers 1 800 250 025.
A Galway Senator has said that changes made to the SUSI grant scheme will result in “significant improvements” for third level students.
Applications are now open for people in, or going into, third level education in
There have been a number of changes made to qualifying criteria for the elements of the grant scheme, and the money available this year.
The income thresholds for grant payments have been increased by €1,000 this year. The deduction of €4,500 maximum earned outside of term-time remains unchanged.
The annual maintenance grant is going up by €200, and the qualifying distance for the higher ‘non-adjacent’ maintenance rate is decreasing from 45km to 30km.
“These changes to student supports will make a difference to students and their families tackling the costs of going to college,” Senator Aisling Dolan said.
Senator Dolan said that the reduced distance to qualify for the higher maintenance grant will make a “substantial difference” for many living in Galway.
She added, that these measures are “real and tangible changes which will help students and families”, and are in line with the review of SUSI which is due before the government in the coming months.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris TD said, “We will continue to make changes to assist students.”
“We strongly believe there is a need to reduce the cost of education for families and we are working with Government colleagues to outline our priorities on how we can help people with these significant costs.”
The Minister also advised students experiencing difficulties to make use of the Student Assistance Fund through their college access office.
The Marine Institute's Explorers team around the country are planning a Kraken Family Day on the beach for European Maritime Day on the 21st May. Photo: Cushla Dromgool-Regan, Camden Education
Release the Kraken on the beaches of Galway this summer, but in a way that’s fun for the whole family.
Galway’s Marine Institute is hosting five Kraken beach events for families on seashores around the country this month, with scary tales and a sand sculpture competition.
The Institute’s Explorers Education Programme will hear stories about the largest mythical sea monsters known as the Kraken which according to legend are found in the deepest parts of the ocean, while taking part in fun events.
The day will feature beach walks and talks, litter pick ups, and myologically enthused sand sculpting competition, where young people will craft the largest and scariest of sea monsters.
The Kraken is a legendary sea monster, gigantic in size, that is said to exist off the coasts of Norway and Greenland,” explained Dr Noirin Burke, of the Explorers Education Programme.
“It is believed that the Kraken will be swimming past Ireland in May and the Explorers team are on the look-out, to see if it might land on one of the local seashores.”
“Spot prizes funded will be provided to children for creating the best Kraken sand sculptures,” Dr Burke added.
In Galway the Explorers Kraken Family Day will take place on Grattan Beach at 12pm on Saturday, May 21. The event is fully free, and places can be booked online here.
The Family Day events will take place in Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Waterford and Dublin to mark European Maritime Day.
European Maritime Day takes place all around Europe and aims to raise awareness and engage people in learning about our ocean.
Not everyone had a relaxing bank holiday weekend, as the Aran Islands lifeboat was called out for a double medical evacuation from Inis Mór.
Shortly after 2pm on Sunday, the RNLI were called out by the Coast Guard in response to two people in need of medical attention.
Both of the casualties were visitors to the island, one had taken ill while the other had sustained an injury in a biking accident.
Both patients were transferred safely aboard the lifeboat at the pontoon at Kilronan Harbour, by the volunteer lifeboat crew and the local fire brigade crew.
Once all were safely aboard the lifeboat, it launched under Coxswain Tommy Dirrane and a full volunteer crew and headed straight for Rossaveal Harbour and the waiting ambulance.
Weather conditions at the time of launching were good, with calm seas, good visibility and a light westerly breeze.
Speaking after the call out, Aran Islands RNLI Coxswain Tommy Dirrane said, “The volunteer crew, on a Bank Holiday weekend showed up without hesitation. We wish both patients a speedy recovery.”
“As we head into the summer months, we would encourage anyone planning a trip to sea, to please heed all safety advice when heading to the coast.”
Connacht Rugby’s top try scorer of all time Matt Healy has announced that he is retiring from professional rugby.
Healy, who has scored 58 tries for Coonacht since joining the club a decade ago, said that henhas been privileged to be a part of professional rugby, but that now is the time to retire.
Writing on Instagram, he praised the west of Ireland as a, “incredible part of the world” which is filled with special people.
The winger has appeared for the Irish International side during the South Africa tour in 2016, and that same year was part of Connacht’s PRO12 victory.
“It has been a privilege to call myself a professional rugby player for the past 10 years, but now is the time to go.:
“It was a different time when I arrived in Galway back in 2012 and I never dreamed of what @connachtrugby could achieve. The west of Ireland is an incredible part of the world, filled with special people who have captured the hearts of those closest to me over the years. I am immensely proud of the part I have played in giving them a progressive club of which they can be proud.”
“My journey began @lansdownefc and I will always be grateful to those who encouraged me to follow this path. They know who they are. Their influence propelled me into a career that has exposed me to some of best and unique experiences this career can offer.”
“Behind the scenes, my family have been an unbelievable support over the years. I’ll always cherish the moments we shared on the sidelines together. Whether it was celebrating famous wins in Edinburgh or in providing comfort after the losses too, they were always right there with me.”
“Above all, my wife Rachael has made immense sacrifices so that I could do what I do. It is her commitment to being a good person, and a great mother to our girls that I will continue to admire.”
“The last year hasn’t played out the way I would have hoped, but that’s how it goes sometimes. Rugby can be ruthless. It was never going to last forever. But the memories will ✌“
Gardaí seized €30,000 worth of drugs during the search of a house in Galway City on Tuesday, May 3.
As part of Operation Tara, Gardaí attached to the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit searched a house in the Knocknacarra area of Galway on foot of a search warrant.
Cannabis herb worth approximately €30,000 (analysis pending) was found in the course of the search.
A man in his 50s was arrested at the scene and detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 for questioning.
He has since been released without charge and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The drugs will be sent to FSI for analysis. A Garda spokesperson said that the investigation is ongoing.
A number of safety and sustainability improvements are planned for Ireland West Airport at Knock with the funding announced last month.
In April, Galway TD and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton announced that Knock would receive €4.76 million under the Regional Airports Programme this year.
Knock Airport plans to use this funding for critical safety and security projects, as well as support a push towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
One of the key projects towards achieving this goal is a major upgrade of the airport’s electrical infrastructure across its entire campus.
Other projects supported by this funding will include construction of a new fire training centre and buying a new fire truck.
Upgrade works will also take place on the safety are at the runway’s end.
To match the €4.76 million from the Exchequer, the airport also plans to invest €1 million of its own money in this projects.
Arthur French, Chairman of Ireland West Airport said that the government funding would help them with “critically important” works this year.
“This funding will support the latest phase of our airport transformation programme aimed at both futureproofing the airport and ensuring our facilities meet the needs of our customers”.
This comes as they are expecting a “significant increase” in the demand for international travel this summer, and for the remainder of the year.
Match tickets have gone on sale today for the Connacht Senior Football Championship semi-final this weekend.
Connacht will play Leitrim in the provincial football semi-final this Sunday at 3:30pm.
Advance tickets for the match are available for sale online, or in selected Supervalu and Centra stores.
Galway came away with the much desired prize of a triumph over Mayo the Sunday before last.
After holding off a desperate Mayo comeback run in the final minutes, Galway managed to triumph 1-14 to 0-16 at MacHale Park.
Hopefully the hurlers left some of their own good fortunate at Pearse Stadium, after a close victory over Kilkenny in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship on Sunday.
Primary Schools are encouraged to Get Active this week, in the annual event to promote physical health and wellbeing in schoolkids.
Tuesday, May 3 through to Friday, May 6 marks Active School Week 2022, a chance for schools to stretch their muscles, and build ties with local sports clubs and other physical activity groups.
This year schools are encouraged to look to their local communities for a local (or national) physical activity role model.
They can then invite this local hero to set a physical activity challenge for students and staff during the week.
Minister for Education Norma Foley said that this initiative is an opportunity for schools to “work together with children, parents and the broader community” to become more physically active.
The will benefit “overall wellbeing as well as teaching and learning” in our schools, the Minister added.
The #ASW22 is the flagship event of Active School Flag (ASF), an initiative by the Department of Education which is supported by Healthy Ireland.
The aim of the programme is to get ‘More Schools. More Active. More Often’, with 678 primary schools around the country taking part.
Once awarded to a school, the Active School Flag remains valid for three years.
The ASF process for post-primary schools commenced in September 2021, with a phased roll-out.
Other activities promoted this year include the Active Every Day Challenge, where parents and schools are encouraged to work with children to have more time active every day.
Teachers are encouraged to find ways to teach subjects in a more physically active way and, where possible, to bring learning outdoors.
The Irish Heart Foundation has created interactive Bizzy Breaks especially for #ASW22 to help schools integrate short physical activity breaks into the school day.
This year Cycling Ireland are encouraging schools to create a cycling obstacle course on their school grounds.
Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing & the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan said that it is “vitally important” to encourage young people to get in the habit of being physically active.
Achieving this from a young age is something that will “benefit them for the rest of their lives” he added.
“The Active School Flag has been a key component of our wider Healthy Ireland goals in terms of improving children’s activity levels and wider health and wellbeing; it has been great to see it go from strength to strength and to expand its reach.”
There have been many epidemics in Ireland’s past, though they have been overshadowed in recent memory by the one we have all been living through.
In a new TG4 documentary series Eipidéim starting this week, Galway native Dr Maitiú Ó Tuathail will explore the untold stories of the other great epidemics of Ireland’s past.
Smallpox, cholera and typhus, tuberculosis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella, just how bad was the effect of these historical diseases? How much devastation did they cause? And what was it like to get them?
Eipidéim presenters, social historian, Síobhra Aiken and medical doctor, Maitiú Ó Tuathail go in search of the answers to these questions.
These vital, unexplored stories are told in an epic, new and exciting way using emotional personal storytelling and gripping high-end dramatic reconstructions.
Our presenters examine a more frightening time, when medical science as we know it didn’t exist, or was just in its infancy, leaving people no way to fight back.
They discover how global innovations in science had a huge impact here in Ireland, and how these scientific discoveries,along with medical and social changes, helped to wipe out these particular epidemics in the country.
Dr. Maitiú Ó Tuathail is a Family Medicine Physician based in the Dublin Maitiú hails from Leitir Mór in Co. Galway.
Besides General Medicine, he specialises in Paediatric Health, Women’s Health, Psychiatry, Obstetrics, and Geriatric Medicine
Speaking about this series Maitiú says ‘‘This pandemic, as well as those that have gone before all follow a similar path.”
“I believe telling these stories would provide perspective but also hope…..we have come through epidemics and pandemics many, many times before.”
“Each have had massive impacts and have shaped the world in their own ways, much like this one will.”
Through the historical records, the presenters uncover the dramatic stories of those who suffered from these diseases that raged through Ireland leaving devastation in their wake.
Co-presenter of Eipideim Siobhra Aiken
While these major killers of the past – smallpox, cholera and typhus were brought under control, two other killer diseases – polio and tuberculosis – reached their peak in Ireland during the 1950’s.
The fearful Irish epidemics of these two diseases remain to this day in the memory of many. Living survivors of these diseases share their personal accounts of contracting the disease and their struggle to recover.
Eipidéim is the story of those epidemics in Irish history as well as the more recent childhood diseases of measles, mumps and rubella bringing us right up to Covid-19.
This documentary series is the story of the fight back against those diseases through scientific discovery and social change.
The two part series, Eipidéim airs first on TG4 this coming Wednesday, May 3 at 9:45pm, with the second part on May 11 at the same time.
Gráinne Seoige at the HYDE Bar. Photo: Connacht Hospitality Group.
The popular HYDE Bar on Forster Street recently raised over €8k for charity, with a very familiar guest chef in the kitchen.
At a recent fundraising event, Gráinne Seoige turned out to be the Executive Chef on the night to the delight of the deceived diners.
The restaurant event, which was part of the Connacht Hospitality Group’s charity drive for this year, raised over €8,150 for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute Ireland.
It was a night of great style and wonderful food in Galway’s newest hotspot Jekyll @ HYDE the private dining space in the popular Hyde Bar.
The four course menu was created by Grainne in conjunction with the team in Hyde Bar which is known for its amazing cocktails, great gin selection and of course food.
The four course menu had a number of subtle clues as to the identity of the chef, diners had to guess their identity to be in with a chance to win a stay in the recently renamed Hyde Hotel.
CHG Group General Manager announced on the night that 100% of the event’s proceeds would go to the NBCRI.
The entertainment on the night came from the panel of critics who were, Ollie Tuner and Neil Molloy from the Galway Bay FM Breakfast show as well as influencers and inspiration Fiona Morgan Coleman and one of the West of Irelands most popular instagrammers Alan Clarke.
The crowds were in stitches with the antics of the four as the host attempted to illicit reviews of each dish on offer and to see if the critics could guess the identity of the mystery cook.
Prof Michael J Kerin, Research Programme Director at NBCRI, was one of those in attendance.
He added to the evening’s humour with some great stories, as well as sharing his appreciation for the hosting of this event to the CHG team.
With unprecedented demand for this event and a waiting list as long as the list of attendees there’s a very good chance that the event will become an annual occurrence at least, the only problem is who can don the Chefs hat with the style and aplomb of Chef Seoige.
Visiting hours have been extended at Galway University Hospitals following a review of the current restrictions.
From today, people can visit those in hospital at UHG and Merlin Park from 2pm-4pm and between 6pm-8pm each day, the Saolta Group has announced.
Children still are not allowed to visit the hospitals unless it has been agreed on in advance, on compassionate grounds, with the ward/unit manager.
“We are delighted to be in a position to extend the visiting hours for visitors,” said Ms Chris Kane, General Manager at Galway University Hospitals.
“But at the same time we need to do everything we can to keep patients, visitors and staff safe and take every precaution to help prevent the introduction or spread of COVID-19.”
The hospitals have said that no more than one visitor should be by a bedside at any one time, and that visitors should continue to wear masks and sanitise their hands.
“I would like to thank the public for their ongoing co-operation in ensuring we can have access for visitors in a safe manner to protect both patients and visitors,” Chris Kane said.
Access for visitors to patients in COVID-19 wards is limited to one family member or nominated support person per day and these visits must be pre-arranged by contacting the relevant ward or unit in advance.
Planning permission is being sought for a 25 hectare expansion of an approved solar farm between Claregalway and Athenry.
Renewable Energy Systems Ltd is seeking planning permission for a solar energy development on land at Ballymoneen/Grange East.
The additional 25 hectares of photovoltaic panels would operate together with the 140ha solar energy development at this location, for which they received approval in January of 2021.
The development would consist of solar panels mounted on ground based frames, eight inverter substations, and associated infrastructure, with CCTV and other security fencing.
The site comprises five fields bounded by dry stone walls, fences, and hedgerows, approximately 0.5km east of Cregmore Park Golf Club.
A planning report for this application states that it is expected that construction will take approximately 12 months, both for the solar farm already approved and for this extension.
This development would generate enough electricity to power 6,000 homes a year, it is claimed, providing increased energy security.
According to the planning documents “small livestock may continue to graze the site beneath and between arrays” while the solar farm is operational, keeping the land in agricultural use.
The already approved application for the main body of the solar farm said that it would have an operational lifespan of 35 years.
Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this proposed extension by May 19.
Upgrade works on the Inis Oírr water network are due to get underway this week, to reduce the amount lost to leaks.
Irish Water and the county council are replacing approximately 1km of old water mains on the island, and replacing them with modern pipes.
The works on the local water network will also include lay new service connections to properties along the route, and connecting the public main to their supply.
Gerry O’Donnell, Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead with Irish Water said: “Irish Water is delighted to deliver these vital water mains replacement works on Inis Oírr”.
He added that they will “benefit the local community by driving down leakage while providing a more secure water supply for homes and businesses on the Island.”
The works will be carried out on behalf of Irish Water by Farrans Construction and are expected to be completed in July.
Irish Rail is seeking approval to remove multiple internal walls at Ceannt Station, and to lower one floor, to make the station more accessible and open in design.
The public transport operator is seeking to amend plans for a massive revamp of Ceannt Station, first approved by the city council in 2014, and granted an extension in 2019.
The new works sought by Irish Rail include the partial removal of three internal walls in the northern buildings, leaving their upper portions in place.
This is meant to increase visibility and help the flow of passengers to the platforms.
“These works are essential for the station to operate successfully as they will open up the space, leaving users in no doubt where to access the platforms,” the planning documents state.
The application states that the original “cellular layout” of the station will still be evident for historical purposes.
This is because only part of the internal walls are to be removed, with the “original ceilings and plaster cornices” retained, the application states.
A study of passenger movements within the station had found that this 18th century design was meant for considerably lower traffic levels, and is not appropriate for modern use.
In addition, the floor level on the eastern side of the building is to be lowered by 180mm to bring it in line with the rest of the station.
This is to make the full station more accessible to passengers with disabilities and mobility issues.
Conservation Assessments of the work to be carried out were submitted with this planning application.
Galway City Council is due to decide whether to approve the additional renovations by June 7 of this year.
Ceannt Station revamp
Irish Rail has plans to completely redevelop Ceannt Station, with a brand new glazed entrance lobby, and the extension of the existing North East Bay platform.
Planning permission for these improvements was first granted in 2014, and extended in 2019.
At that time, Irish Rail said that it was anticipated that work would begin in February of 2022, with a view towards being completed by August 2023. But this was before the COVID pandemic.
Other functional improvements will include adding 2,336sqm of train concourse and platform space by refurbishing the existing stores and maintenance areas.
A new pedestrian entrance is to be created, and a new partially glazed roof will be installed to replace the existing roof structure.
Other internal work in the station will include the “removal of walls within the train station to provide additional ticket purchase facilities, enlarged concourse areas, new toilet facilities, new ticket inspector accommodation North Eastern side of the station.”
The existing steel ramped access at the front entrance will be removed after the new level, pedestrian entrance has been completed at the southern end of Ceannt Station and the original step arrangement of the building will be reinstated.
Multiple additional glazed entrances to the station will also be created as part of the renovation project, as well as a new pedestrian link from Eyre Square to the new southern station entrance.
This week is the last chance to submit you short films for the 2022 Galway Film Fleadh, returning to the streets and theatres this summer.
The 2022 Galway Film Fleadh will take place from July 5 – 10 this year, with the always exciting mix of feature and short films, as well as the film marketplace, talks, and workshops.
For short films, the festival has three Oscar qualifying categories: Best Fiction, Best Animation, and Best Documentary shorts.
The winners in each of these categories will be eligible for consideration at the Academy Awards, without requiring a theatrical run.
Winners through the years include Lenny Abrahamson, Kirsten Sheridan, Ken Wardrop, Rebecca Daly, as well as DOP’s Michael Lavelle, James Mather, Tim Fleming and many more.
The closing date for late submission applications is 5pm on Monday, May 9, with a fee of €35.
The Film Fleadh accepts all types and genre of short film under 40 minutes, as well as picture-locked rough cuts.
In addition to screenings, the Fleadh also delivers panels and networking events tailored towards short filmmakers, providing opportunities to meet with international and industry guests.
The past two years has seen the festival delivering a hybrid or fully online programme of events, but it is hoped that regular cinema going will be in place this summer.
