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Westside sports facility closing for five weeks

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news More time granted to complete Ballinasloe Tennis Club courts

The public tennis courts on the westside sports ground will be out of action for a period of five weeks.

Galway City Council has said that upgrade works are being carried out at Westside Tennis Courts.

The works will start next Monday, May 16, and last for approximately five weeks.

“The tennis courts will not be available during the construction period,” the city council said.

“All users are kindly requested to follow temporary pedestrian traffic management measures put in place during works.”

“Enquires in relation to these works may be directed to Recreation & Amenity Section telephone number 091-536400 or by email parks@galwaycity.ie”

Two arrested after secret drugs bunker discovered

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Two arrested after secret drugs bunker discovered

Two people have been arrested in connection with a seizure of drugs concealed in an underground bunker in Galway.

Gardaí attached to the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit seized cannabis worth over €70,000 and arrested two people following a search in Dunmore on Tuesday.

While Gardaí were searching a property under warrant, they discovered an underground bunker on the premises.

Inside the bunker Gardaí found cannabis plants worth €52,800 and cannabis herb valued at €11,500, which were seized.

A woman (60s) and man (30s) were both arrested at the scene. They are currently detained at Galway Divisional Headquarters under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act 1996.

A follow up search was carried out in Galway city later in the evening, and a further €6,000 in cannabis herb was discovered.

A Garda spokesperson said that the drugs are being sent for analysis, and that the investigation is ongoing.

Clifden Lifeboat coming home with 10,000 memories

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Briain Kelly
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A new lifeboat will arrive at the Clifden RNLI station this week, bearing the memories of 10,000 people who have passed.

The Shannon Class all-weather lifeboat is a special one in the Irish fleet as it carries the names of over 10,000 people onboard.

They were put there by members of the public through the ‘Launch a Memory’ fundraising initiative which was run by the search and rescue charity back in 2020.

Through the ‘Launch a Memory’ campaign, people were able to record a loved one’s name on the lifeboat by making a donation to the RNLI and submitting a loved one’s name to be recorded onboard.

The name of each person features within the lifeboat’s letters (RNLI) and numbers of the lifeboat.

The lifeboat is making its journey from the RNLI’s own construction centre in Poole, Dorset to the west coast of Ireland this week.

Commenting on the arrival, Clifden RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager John Brittain said, “We have been working towards this day for a long time.”

“It is an honour for us to carry these 10,000 names onboard our new lifeboat the St Christopher. Every time we launch, they will accompany the lifeboat crew on its lifesaving mission.”

The boat will stop over in Plymouth, Penlee, Ballycotton, Kinsale and Valentia before arriving in Clifden this weekend.

It is due to arrive on Saturday afternoon around 2:30pm, where the boat will be accompanied into the harbour by a local flotilla.

The following day the public are being invited to view the new lifeboat on Clifden beach at low tide from 9.30am until 12.30pm.

John Brittain invited people to come and see the boat this weekend, and if they have a name on it, to see where it is recorded.

“I know there are many incredibly moving stories behind each name and we hope to do them all proud.”

Help pick the most popular swimming areas in Galway City

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news met eireann high temperature warning

Galway City Council is holding a public consultation for the next month on what should be the designated swimming areas in the city environs this year.

Under Irish and EU law, local authorities must identify their chosen swimming areas each year, so that their water quality can be properly monitored.

These laws also require that the local authority prepares detailed descriptions or profiles for each location, and potential sources of pollution in the wider catchment area.

In some cases, the official swimming areas are also the areas where local authorities focus their resources providing lifeguards during the summer season.

To help with this process, Galway City Council are asking people who swim at beaches, lakes and rivers to tell them if they think they should maintain existing areas, or designate other areas that are commonly used for swimming.

If you are a regular swimmer and want to help your Council decide which bathing areas should be classified as such, it might be helpful to consider the following:

  • How your swimming area has been used up to now;
  • How many people use the site
  • What facilities exist at the site and how accessible it is
  • Any safety issues.

The deadline for public submissions to the city council on swimming areas is June 9 of 2022.

If you wish to propose your favourite beach/river etc as a new bathing water site or comment on an existing site please email the Recreation & Amenity Department at parks@galwaycity.ie.  Please include “Bathing Water” in the subject line.

Submissions can also be made via post. These should be addressed to Recreation & Amenity Department, Galway City Council, College Rd, Galway.

Connacht Rugby confirm 12 players leaving at season’s end

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily rugby Four changes made to starting XV for Connacht v Glasgow

Connacht Rugby has confirmed the twelve players who will be departing the clubs at the end of this season.

A number of these have been known for some time. Ultan Dillane, Sammy Arnold, Abraham Papali’i and Tietie Tuimauga will leave the club at the end of their contracts to play in France.

All-time top try scorer for the province Matt Healy also announced last week that he is retiring from professional rugby at the end of the season.

Centurion Eoghan Masterson will move on after a 9-year spell at the club, as does centre Peter Robb who featured in the 2016 PRO12 Grand Final.

Also leaving the club are Greg McGrath, Jonny Murphy, Ben O’Donnell, Dominic Robertson-McCoy and Peter Sullivan.

Head Coach Andy Friend has paid tribute to the departing players “I’d like to thank all the players who have each contributed to Connacht Rugby in their own way.”

“Comings and goings are part and parcel of professional rugby and I wish them every success in the future.”

“As is tradition we will thank them in front of our supporters at the end of our final game of the season against Zebre.”

Connacht Rugby have also confirmed that a 44 man squad has been finalised for the 2022/23 season.

Forwards (24)

Jack Aungier

Finlay Bealham

Ciaran Booth

Paul Boyle

Denis Buckley

Matthew Burke

Jarrad Butler

Shane Delahunt

Peter Dooley

Oisín Dowling

Jordan Duggan

Leva Fifita

Dave Heffernan

Shamus Hurley-Langton

Sam Illo

Seán Masterson

Oisín McCormack

Josh Murphy

Darragh Murray

Niall Murray

Conor Oliver

Cian Prendergast

Gavin Thornbury

Dylan Tierney-Martin

Backs (20)

Bundee Aki

Caolin Blade

Shayne Bolton

Adam Byrne

Jack Carty

Tom Daly

Tom Farrell

Conor Fitzgerald

Cathal Forde

Mack Hansen

David Hawkshaw

Shane Jennings

Diarmuid Kilgallen

Kieran Marmion

Oran McNulty

Tiernan O’Halloran

John Porch

Byron Ralston

Colm Reilly

Alex Wootton

UHG sees sharp decline in COVID cases

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Almost 1,000 patients on trolleys at UHG in February

The number of COVID-19 patients at University Hospital Galway has declined rapidly over the past week.

As of Monday night there were just six confirmed cases at UHG, down from 21 cases a week ago.

Three of the COVID patients at University Hospital Galway are being treated in the intensive care unit, just one fewer than last week.

UHG, Cork UH, and St. James all have the same number of ICU patients being treated for the virus, the highest number in the country.

At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, there are four confirmed cases, one fewer than the previous day, but up from two a week before.

One of the patients at Portiuncula is in the intensive care unit, which has remained unchanged in recent days.

Nationwide there were just 261 COVID-19 cases being treated in Irish hospitals as of Monday evening, of whom 28 are in the ICU.

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

By
Briain Kelly
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Gardaí investigating arson after three cars set on fire in one night
A car set on fire in an arson attack in Doughiska. Photo: Alan Cheevers

Gardaí are investigating extremely serious suspected arson after multiple cars were burned out overnight in the Doughiska area of Galway City.

Three cars were set alight in the Garran Ard estate in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

City Concillor Alan Cheevers said that he’s deeply concerned about this incident, which has also proved worrying for locals.

Families living in the area are also shocked and frightened that this could happen in a “quiet residential estate”.

Fire damage from the arson incident. Photo: Alan Cheevers

In a statement to Galway Daily, Gardaí said that they are investigating the incident, with no arrests yet made.

“Gardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred at Garran Ard, Doughiska, County Galway at approximately 2am on Monday 10th of May 2022.

“A number of vehicles were damaged during this incident. No arrests have been made, investigations are ongoing.”

This is the second arson attack at Garran Ard in as many months, after a car and house were both damaged in a fire at the end of January.

Another car in the same estate was also set ablaze last October, one of two attacks in the city in the same night.

Tuam Lidl store to become ‘pollinator friendly’

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Michael Malone
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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

By
Michael Malone
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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

By
Michael Malone
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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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Michael Malone
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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

By
Michael Malone
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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

By
Michael Malone
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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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Michael Malone
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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

By
Michael Malone
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Galway daily news

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

By
Michael Malone
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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

By
Briain Kelly
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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

By
Briain Kelly
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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

By
Briain Kelly
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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

By
Briain Kelly
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0
Galway Daily news

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.

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