Approval sought to convert shuttered Miss Selfridge to restaurant use

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April 19, 2022

Galway Daily news €5 million funding for Knock Airport includes state of the art screening system

Ireland West Airport at knock has been awarded €4.76 million in funding this year under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025.

Galway TD and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton has today announced a total of €16.4 million for five airports, with Shannon Airport also receiving €4.34 million.

Deputy Naughton said that today’s announcement builds on “unprecedented” support for the aviation sector during the COVID-19 crisis.

Last year alone saw €161 million in funding allocated to Ireland’s airports. “I am delighted today to be building on this commitment, as Irish aviation enters the recovery period,” Hildegarde Naughton said.

“Today’s announcement represents Government’s commitment to continue to support Ireland’s regional airports to remain financially sustainable as they prepare for growth into the future.

“This capital funding will support a great number of safety and security related capital projects, ensuring that airports can continue to remain compliant with regulatory requirements in these areas.”

A significant number of the projects approved this year have a focus on sustainability, through initiatives such as installing solar panels and energy efficient LED lighting.

Proposals also include replacing airport vehicles with electric models, and installing EV charging points.

Airports eligible for funding under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 will also be able to apply for operational grant-aid later this year.

This €22 million pot is aimed at supporting air traffic control, fire services and security related operations.

Galway TD criticises lack of clarity on number of vacant properties

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April 19, 2022

Galway Daily news Galway TD criticises lack of clarity on number of vacant properties

The lack of clear figures on just how many vacant properties there are in Galway and around the country is a hindrance in the housing crisis, a Galway TD has said.

Mairéad Farrell said that the state needs to get to grips with vacant and derelict properties, and create a proper register of them.

Speaking in the Dáil, she said that while the Irish Times reports that there are 45,000 vacant or

“Some say they are too high while others say they are too low. Some say that the GeoDirectory database from which these figures are often drawn is not accurate enough.”

“Why, after more than a decade of a housing crisis, can we not say with certainty what the figure for vacant properties across this State actually is?”

“Why do we not have a property register for vacant and derelict properties? It is absolutely remarkable,” Mairéad Farrell said.

“I often raise this with the local authorities in my area when trying to find out the exact number of vacant properties but they find it difficult to tell me.”

Minister of State at the Department of Housing Malcolm Noonan acknowledged that many cities, towns, and villages are facing the “blight” of vacant properties, which could bring new accommodation and vibrancy to urban areas.

“The Government does not want to see habitable properties lying idle while people are homeless or living in unsuitable accommodation.”

He said that progress has been made on this issues, with the launch of the Town Centre First policy in February, that will take a whole of government approach to regenerating town centres.

“Under the TCF approach, there will be a preparation of town centre plans to identify challenges, actions and integrated responses across a number of themes, including business, commercial, community, cultural, housing, built environment and heritage.”

A number of pathfinder towns will be identified across the country to pilot this approach, he said.

The Minister also highlighted the repair and leasing scheme, which provides funding for private and public property owners to bring vacant properties back into use for social housing.

Beyond this, the buy-and-renew scheme supports local authorities in purchasing vacant homes to repair and utilise.

“Consequently, the scheme is particularly focused on older vacant homes to help tackle the problem of dereliction and to improve the appearance of the built environment in the community.

“Some 735 homes have been delivered through this scheme for social housing purposes since its introduction in 2016.”

Galway-Roscommon TD Denis Naughten said that there is something “fundamentally wrong” with a country in the midst of a housing crisis, which still has 90,000 vacant homes.

“The Northern and Western Regional Assembly has identified 44,905 residential and commercial premises that are empty in the five Connacht counties and the three Border counties of Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan.”

“This is one third higher than Ireland’s total national annual housing requirement of 33,000 homes.”

The housing crisis is not just about a lack of houses, he said, but about failing to get families into empty homes in towns and villages.

Planning permission refused for Athenry supermarket and housing estate

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April 19, 2022

Galway Daily news Planning permission refused for Athenry supermarket and housing estate

Galway County Council has refused planning permission for a large housing development and supermarket in Athenry.

Ghost Zapper Ltd, part of the Comer Group, sought approval to build 59 houses and apartments, as well as a Lidl supermarket and three other commercial units.

The development was to be on a site at the south-east of Athenry, next to the Clarin River, and close to the protected structure Athenry House.

The residential element of this proposal would consist of 28 three and four bed houses, and 31 apartments.

The business side of the project would include one building with two commercial units, a separate café building, and a supermarket with 2,662m² of commercial floor space.

The developer also intended to demolish a derelict outbuilding of Athenry House, and refurbish the old country house as a community and heritage centre.

Access to the estate was to be via Swan Gate, with a pedestrian entrance at the corner of Clarke Street and Cross street, via the existing Athenry House gate.

Ghost Zapper had previously been refused planning permission for a larger scale development on the site, which had more housing than this proposal.

The County Council refused planning permission for this application based on several concerns about the design of the estate, heritage issues, and flood risk.

In its decision, the council said that there were no exceptional circumstances that would justify the demolition of the outbuilding and former stables of Athenry House.

The decision further criticised the design of the supermarket and two apartment buildings at the southern end of the site, for not assimilating with the character of the area.

The council also said that elements of the roads layout would pose a safety hazard, and that not enough parking was provided.

The council also said that it was not satisfied that the site was not at risk of flooding, and objected to the proposed removal of five mature trees.

Developer appeals rejection of older people’s housing development

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April 18, 2022

Galway Daily news Planning refused for older people's housing development in Gort

A developer is appealing the county council’s decision to refuse planning permission for an older people’s housing estate in Gort.

Mount Fuji Ltd has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála against the county council’s rejection of plans for 62 houses and apartments at Lavally, Gort.

The estate, off the Station Road, would comprise 52 apartments and 10 houses, along with a tea room, in a development specifically aimed at older people.

The estate plans included 34 car parking spaces, as well as 59 bicycle spaces.

The council refused planning permission last month, noting that the lands are zoned C1 Town Centre, and therefore the almost completely residential usage proposed would not be suitable.

Concerns were also expressed as to flood risk, the capacity of the local sewerage system, and potential traffic hazards.

An Bord Pleanála is due to make a ruling on this appeal by August 10 of this year.

Three Galway playgrounds slated for upgrades

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April 18, 2022

Galway Daily news Three Galway playgrounds slated for upgrades

Funding has been awarded for improvements to three public playgrounds and play areas in Galway.

A total of €31,014 has been awarded to the city and county council for the three projects in the city, Ballinasloe, and Portumna.

The city council has received €15,162 for upgrades to O’Sullivan Park in Mervue.

In the county, €9,247 will be spent on upgrades to the Ballinasloe Leisure Centre playground.

Another €6,605 will go towards improvements to Portumna playground.

These grants were announced under the Play and Recreation Capital Funding Scheme for 2022.

The scheme has allocated €450,000 for a total of 30 projects across the country this year.

Minister Roderic Gorman said of the scheme, “Children’s playgrounds and play areas should be places of fun and activity for all children to enjoy, so that every child can experience the joy and excitement that comes with playing outdoors.”

“By ensuring that our playgrounds include play equipment that is accessible and encourages inclusion, we are expanding opportunities for play that will benefit every child.”

The purpose of the scheme is to allow local authorities to refurbish and provide new equipment for existing play facilities, with an emphasis on natural play areas.

Funding is capped at €18,000 per local authority, with the council required to co-fund 25% of each project’s costs.

Clifden RNLI lifeboat called to assist with medical evacuation

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April 18, 2022

Galway Daily news Clifden RNLI lifeboat called to assist with medical evacuation — Photo: RNLI/Mella Walsh

The Clifden RNLI lifeboat was called out to assist with a medical evacuation from Inishbofin over the weekend, as the foggy weather prompted concerns.

The Shannon Class lifeboat was called out on the morning of Good Friday, at 11:30am, at the request of the Coast Guard.

A casualty needed to be evacuated to the mainland, and there were concerns that the weather might worsen.

The weather was quite foggy so the crew stood by to assist the Sligo-based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 in case conditions and visibility deteriorated.

However, the casualty was successfully airlifted by Rescue 118 and brought to University Hospital Galway for treatment.

Coxswain Alan Pryce said, “In Clifden RNLI we are always happy to provide support and assistance to our local island communities”.

“A medical evacuation is a time critical event and we will always do what we can to ensure a successful outcome.”

“I’d like to thank the crew for their rapid response time and wish the casualty well.”

Plans for city centre café in former bookshop

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April 18, 2022

Galway Daily news Pedestrianising of city streets

Planning permission is being sought to convert a former bookshop in Galway City Centre to a new sandwich bar and coffee shop.

Plans have been submitted to the city council by Margaret & Helen Cooke for a change of use to the former Bookexchange store.

The building at No. 23 Abbeygate Street Lower is a protected structure, and a conservation report was submitted with this planning application.

The project would involve converting the ground and first floor of the building to its new café function.

The conservation report in question states that the two storey building, originally a terraced house, possibly dates to the late 18th or early 19th century.

The effect on the building would be minimal, the report states, as the only partitions put up in the late 20th century will be removed.

Galway City Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by June 5 of this year.

€20 million school library book grant announced

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April 18, 2022

Galway Daily arts & culture Call to local writers for the Over the Edge Fiction Slam

€20 million is to be provided to primary and secondary schools for books, audiobooks and other media.

Minister for Education Norma Foley announced the fund which will be paid to schools in the coming weeks and is additional to that already given for the school books rental scheme.

Schools will receive funding based on pupil numbers and the Department of Education will also send a guidance note to all schools on how schools can best use the funding received.

Minister Norma Foley said that a love of reading is one of the greatest gifts a child can be given.

“It is of utmost importance that we provide access to the highest quality books in all our schools,” she said.

“They enable our students to go on magical journeys, experience new ideas and open their minds to infinite possibilities. In doing so reading assists in the development of language and literacy skills.

“It is said that books are uniquely portable magic and I firmly believe that reading opens up a world of imagination and endless possibilities; taking the reader to places they have never been, provoking curiosity, wonder and discussion.”

Minister Foley said that as a teacher, she knows well ‘the value to students of reading widely’, and she has been determined that there is investment in school literacy resources.

“With this initiative we can ensure that schools and our students have access to the highest quality books and materials to support their literacy,” she said.

“Considerable progress has been made in promoting a high level of literacy since the 2011 Literacy and Numeracy Strategy and Interim Review 2017.

“The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2016 results showed that the reading skills of primary school children in Ireland, both in the paper based and online assessment are among the best in all European and OECD countries. It is important to build on this good work and ensure that these high standards are maintained.”

“Scant regard” shown for taxpayers money in handling of CMO Trinity role

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April 18, 2022

galway daily mairead farrell td sinn fein nurses midwives pay

“Scant regard” was shown for taxpayers’ money in the handling of the proposed appointment of the Chief Medical Officer to a role at Trinity College Dublin, Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has said.

Deputy Farrell said that nobody could take issue with the service that Dr Tony Holohan has put in as Chief Medical Officer throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said that it is disappointing to lose his expertise, and had his appointment to a professorship at Trinity College been done properly, it would have been a good one.

But the Sinn Féin TD said that the lack of transparency around the nature of the position and how it was to be funded has, correctly, meant it cannot proceed.

“Nonetheless, serious questions for the Minister for Health remain around how this debacle was handled; particularly relating to the funding of this position,” said Deputy Farrell.

“The published review conducted by the Secretary General contends that this was a HR matter, however the Taoiseach has said that it was not and that the government should have been made aware of this proposed appointment – even before the review was published.

“The proposed funding for research at Trinity College according to the review was intended to come from the Health Research Board.

“However, given they appear to have been unaware that this was the case raises all sorts of questions about the manner in which taxpayers’ money is regarded by the Department. We want answers to those questions.”

Significant funding needed for TUs to reach potential says teachers’ union

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April 18, 2022

Galway Daily news GMIT hosts European Hitel and catering School competition

Significant additional funding is required at Third Level if Technological Universities are to achieve their full potential, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has said.

The Union also reiterated its policy that a levy should be applied to corporate profits to generate a dedicated fund for higher education.

Among its 20,000 members, the TUI represents 4,500 academic staff in Institutes of Technology, Technological Universities and St. Angela’s College.

TUI President Martin Marjoram said that as the democratic voice of academic staff, the TUI has been central to the operation and evolution of first Regional Technical Colleges, then Institutes of Technology and now Technological Universities (TUs).

He said that the most obvious point to make regarding TUs is that they must be properly funded if they are to achieve their considerable potential.

“To date, the political system has failed to answer our repeated insistence that the era of underfunding at third level must end,” said Mr Marjoram.

“As a result, the ratio of students to teaching staff at Third Level in Ireland has increased from 20:1 to 23:1 according to the latest OECD indicators, which is vastly higher than the OECD and European averages of 15:1.

“This is a clear indictment of the ongoing refusal to address the sector’s funding crisis. At a time when there is unprecedented focus on the key role of education in our economic and social development, the long-standing failure to provide the necessary resources and staffing risks inflicting severe operational and reputational damage on our education system.”

He said that beyond funding, there will be challenges in the TU sector such as establishing a coherent and unified mission for the sector and also in finding mechanisms to include Dundalk IT and IADT within TUs and creating a substantially improved environment for industrial relations.

Levy on corporate profits

TUI said that serious consideration should be given to the imposition of a 1% levy on corporate profits in order to generate a dedicated fund for investment in higher education.

Based on the net receipts as set out by Revenue, such a levy could have yielded €947m in 2020.

“The corporate sector has consistently derived benefit from Ireland’s excellent graduate labour pool which is largely the product of the public education system – funded by taxpayers and the students themselves,” said Martin Marjoram.

“The introduction of a levy would protect and enhance the capacity of institutions to meet evolving need while allowing the unreasonable financial burden on students to be relieved, furthering access to education to the great benefit of society and increasing the breadth of talent available to the enterprises that contribute to the fund.

“Of course, this measure could be framed so as to provide necessary protections to small indigenous businesses/SMEs.”

Galway TD says proposed turf cutting ban is “unworkable”

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April 18, 2022

galway daily news turf ban galway ireland

Galway East TD Seán Canney has said the ban on the sale of turf as proposed by Minister Eamon Ryan and the Government is ‘unworkable’.

The Independent TD said that hundred of thousands of homeowners rely on turf for heating their homes and that many householders purchase turf on the spread, save it themselves and bring it home.

He said there is no alternative in place to heat their homes, provide hot water and heating ranges for cooking meals.

“Many of these homes are Local Authority houses and the Local Authority will need at least a 20-year time frame to install alternative heating systems,” said Deputy Canney.

“I have many people living in towns and villages who have no alternative and cannot afford the cost of heat pumps which will cost in excess for €20,000 after the SEAI grant is paid.”

The Galway TD said he believes the Government is again bringing in a regulation which is ‘too blunt an instrument’ and leaves no time for alternative heating systems to be installed.

“If people cannot burn turf, they will have to source imported peat briquettes which we have stopped manufacturing in this country,” he said.

“We do not have the capacity to replace all solid fuel heating systems in the next 12 months and the supply of heat pumps are not there to match the numbers that will be required.

“This proposal is ill-conceived, not thought out and is causing severe stress to homeowners who fear that they will not have heat, hot water or cooking facilities if this regulation can proceed.

“I am calling on all like-minded TDs from all parties and non to unite in defence of these homeowners and confine this proposed regulation to the rubbish bin.”

More free electronic waste collections in county towns

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April 17, 2022

Galway Daily news Free electrical waste collection event in Galway this weekend

More free electronic waste collections will take place across Galway County in the coming weeks.

The County Council and WEEE Ireland held the first in a series of waste collections on Saturday in Oughterard.

Further collections will take place in Loughrea, Mountbellew, Maam Cross, and Gort over the next four weeks.

This is an opportunity for county householder to get free recycling of anything with a plug or battery.

Any household waste electrical items, batteries, or energy saving lightbulbs will be accepted.

This extends to electronic waste of any size, whether it is a phone or a fridge.

The collections will take place from 10am – 4pm over the next four Saturday at each location.

April 23 – Loughrea – Station Road car park
April 30 – Mountbellew – Mountbellew-Moylough GAA pitch
May 7 – Maam Cross – The Mart
May 14 – Gort – Co-Op Mart

Galway TD calls for national action plan on female genital mutilation

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April 17, 2022

Galway Daily news Galway TD calls for national action plan on female genital mutilation

A national action plan is needed to raise awareness of and combat female genital mutilation in Ireland Galway TD Ciaran Cannon said.

Deputy Cannon said that it is unfortunate that there is no plan to protect girls from FGM in Ireland, a decade after specific legislation was put in place targeting it.

The Fine Gael TD was speaking during a sitting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality, discussing the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly on this issue.

Deputy Cannon said that he wasn’t aware of the risk of FGM to young women and girls in Ireland until his work with Irish Aid.

He thanked the witnesses from Akina Dada wa Africa (AkiDwA), a network of migrant women living in Ireland, for the work their organisation has done in highlighting the issue.

“We have had legislation in place for almost ten years now. It is a decade on. It is most unfortunate that we do not have the national action plan in place to match that.”

“I hope it will be helpful to the witnesses and their work if this committee focuses on getting some action on that as part of the work we are doing.”

Dr. Salome Mbugua of AkiDwA, a network of migrant women living in Ireland, said that more awareness is needed of female genital mutilation when combating gender-based violence.

Research by AikiDwA estimates that there are almost 6,000 women living in Ireland who have been subject to female genital muilation.

“Some 6,000 girls under 15 years old who are born or are living in Ireland but who originate from FGM-affected countries are at risk of female genital mutilation,” she said.

“Current supports available to victims and survivors of FGM are not sufficient, as there is currently only one clinic targeting this cohort of migrants.”

“Regarding physical supports, the impact of FGM on women range from being unable to do or enjoy intimate activities with their significant others to difficult labour and childbirth, among others.”

“In terms of psychological supports, one of the adverse impacts of FGM is on women’s psychological health. This group needs culturally appropriate services to help them cope with the trauma caused by the mutilation.”

The Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act was signed into law in 2012, making it an offence to perform or attempt an act of FGM, or to take a girl or woman from the state for the purpose of having it done elsewhere.

Ireland saw its first ever conviction for female genital mutilation in January of 2020, when two parents were convicted of carrying out FGM on their one year old daughter.

They now face retrial after the conviction was quashed last November due to deficiencies in the translation of their testimony at trial.

Community Engagement

Deputy Cannon asked what engagement is possible at the school level to that could effect cultural change that would help to eradicate this.

“How important is it right now to have a programme of education within our school system, at primary level and perhaps more important, at post-primary level, that could somehow effect a cultural change so the practice of FGM would no longer be tolerated anywhere within Irish society?”

Dr Caroline Munyi said that AkiDwA had “varying levels of success” engaging with education professionals, due to the age of the victims, and the topic they want to address.

She also noted that this is a “hidden problem” because of where on the body it effects, but that they hope to engage with the education sector to survey how teachers feel it can be addressed..

Dr Mbugua added that including FGM within sex education must be done in a sensitive way, due to the traumatising nature of what it is discussing.

“To be honest, it is a very foreign issue and we welcome the fact that Ireland is open to even discuss it.”

“Engaging with schools has been very challenging. However, we are trying to create discussions with teachers in the hope that they can then move it forward.”

Community engagement, and having people of diverse backgrounds among teachers were among the options highlighted by the two in response to Ciaran Cannon’s query about what the “most powerful levers or mechanisms” available to combat FGM right now.

Connacht name 28-man squad for South Africa trip

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April 17, 2022

Galway Daily sport Connacht name 28-man squad for South Africa trip — Photo: INPHO

Connacht Rugby have named their 28-man squad that are heading to South Africa today for two URC fixtures this month.

Over the next two weeks Connacht will be playing the Lions and Sharks in Johannesburg and Durban respectively.

The squad departs from Dublin today (Sunday) for Johannesburg, where they will be based for the first week ahead of Saturday’s game with the Lions.

On Sunday, April 24 the travelling party then head for Durban in preparation for their game against the Sharks the following Saturday.

After their two games in South Africa, the squad will arrive back in Galway on Monday, May 2.

The full 28-man Connacht Rugby squad for the away trip is:

FORWARDS

Jack Aungier
Finlay Bealham
Paul Boyle
Denis Buckley
Jarrad Butler
Oisín Dowling
Jordan Duggan
Leva Fifita
Dave Heffernan
Greg McGrath
Jonny Murphy
Niall Murray
Conor Oliver
Cian Prendergast
Gavin Thonrbury
Dylan Terney-Martin

BACKS

Bundee Aki
Caolin Blade
Shayne Bolton
Jack Carty
Tom Daly
Tom Farrell
Conor Fitzgerald
Mack Hansen
Kieran Marmion
Tiernan O’Halloran
John Porch
Alex Wootton

The perfect snacks for kids to make your road trip a success

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Angela Mc Bride

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April 17, 2022

Road trips are one of the best types of family vacations. The thrill of the open road is something that transcends age gaps, and has a generational mystique that everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, can enjoy and appreciate.

However, let’s not pretend that they can’t be challenging. Any vacation with young kids will have its share of ups and downs, and while there is plenty of excitement to be had on a road trip, there are also going to be long stretches of time where there isn’t all that much to see or do.

The key to keeping kids happy on a long road trip is packing enough snacks. Snacks give your little ones something to do when they are bored, a little treat to look forward to, and a way to prevent grumpiness and irritation that can come from hunger pangs. Plus, packing the right snacks can make eating on the road a far healthier prospect than it might otherwise be.

And snacks aren’t just great for road trips! Keeping little bellies full is a key part of ensuring a happy vacation, from plane journeys and trips to the beach to cruises or National Park hikes. So whether you are driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, road tripping right the way across Texas, or even taking a Puerto Rico cruise, here are some of the perfect snacks for kids to make your family vacation a success.

Granola bars

An oldie but a goodie, granola bars are the quintessential road trip snack for kids. Great for silencing rumbling tummies, healthy, and tasty enough to be a bit of a treat, they really tick all the boxes. If you are feeling really extravagant, you can even pack a few coated in yogurt or chocolate, for a little extra bump of sweet goodness.

Squeezie yogurt

These yogurt tubes are great fun and almost all kids love them! They can be messy, but either frozen or straight from the fridge they make a wonderful snack.

Dried fruit

A great way to get a bit of fruit into your little ones on the road. Dried bananas, mango, apple, raisins, and pineapple are a healthy, convenient snack that are usually sweet enough for your kids to look forward to as well.

Trail mix

One of the best ways to keep your kids energized, and absolutely perfect for on-the-go snacking. Buy ready-made trail mix from the store, or get your kids to make their own as pre-vacation prep!

25 percent drop in COVID cases in Galway hospitals

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April 17, 2022

Galway Daily news 25 percent drop in COVID cases in Galway hospitals

The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalised in Galway is continuing to decline steadily, with a 25% drop in the past week.

There were a total of 49 confirmed cases in Galway’s hospitals as of Saturday evening, with 41 at UHG and a further 8 at Portiuncula Hospital.

This is a significant drop from 56 cases at University Hospital Galway a week prior, when there were also 9 cases in Ballinasloe.

However, the number of critically ill COVID patients being treated in the ICU has remained relatively unchanged in recent days.

There are four patients being treated in the intensive care unit at UHG in the latest HSE figures, and one at Porituncula.

Nationwide there were 746 confirmed cases in Irish hospitals yesterday evening, down from over 1,000 a week ago.

The overall number of COVID-19 cases admitted to intensive care has also fallen from 57 last week, to 47 this weekend.

Galway International Arts Festival expands partnership with NUIG

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April 17, 2022

Galway International Arts Festival expands partnership with NUIG

Galway International Arts Festival has expanded its partnership with NUI Galway to get more young people involved in the world renowned festival.

The SELECTED internship programme has been expanded to open it open to students in more courses than previous years.

SELECTED is the partners’ professional development programme for emerging artists, theatre makers, curators and producers studying at NUI Galway.

Now in its 12th year, it had previously only been open to students in arts related courses.

But for 2022 the internship programme is also open to those studying business, including management, social media marketing, and communications.

Professor Patrick Lonergan, Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies at NUI Galway, said: “What we are seeing through the SELECTED programme are real, high-quality opportunities for students to be part of a renowned and globally recognised arts festival.”

“It opens doors, it offers invaluable experience and it demonstrates how our university partnerships can develop to offer students on-the-ground experiences and learning of what it takes to make the GIAF such a huge success.”

SELECTED offers a limited number of students an opportunity to see how the festival is put together.

Opportunities involve attending intimate meetings with GIAF staff, international and Irish producers and creative entrepreneurs and artists.

Festival Ambassadors will advise audiences on choosing the right shows for them, and social media training will help to create buzz for the upcoming content ahead of the summer.

John Crumlish, Chief Executive of the Galway International Arts Festival, said that the goal of the programme has always been to help the next generation of arts professionals in the west.

“That desire is now being realised, as more and more of the SELECTED alumni appear in festival programmes each year both onstage and backstage.”

Galway International Arts Festival will return to the streets this summer from July 11 – 24.

President Higgins calls for freer, safer society following Sligo killings

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April 17, 2022

Galway Daily news President Higgins attending James Joyce anniversary event in Rahoon

President Michael D Higgins has said that more needs to be done to create a society where LGBTQI+ people are able to freely and safely express their identity.

The President delivered a message of support for the LGBTQI+ community in Ireland following the killing of two men in Sligo this week.

Vigils have taken place across the country in memory of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee in the past few days, including one in Eyre Square on Saturday evening.

President Higgins said that it has been “greatly heartening” to see the public outpouring of solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community following these terrible crimes, and expressed his of “support and condolences” to those personally affected.

However, he also said that these events should make people pause and reflect on whether the public space is one that is truly equal for LGBTQI+ people.

Whether they have equal freedom of “behaviour, freedom and the expression of affection”, and the safety for all of them.

The marriage equality referendum was a “significant milestone” in granting “equal legal recognition” Michael D Higgins said, but homophobic abuse remains.

“Heartbreakingly, we hear friends or family members telling us that they do not feel comfortable holding the hand of their partner, of their husband or their wife, in public.”

“This suggests an environment which somehow allows that while under the law someone’s sexuality will be tolerated, its expression must not be allowed. We must do better.”

The challenge facing Irish society is to address the roots of what is sustaining this abuse and exclusion he said, and deliver equality in more than just law.

The President’s full statement reads:

“So many of all our thoughts over recent days have been with our LGBTQI+ community and it is greatly heartening to see the outpouring of solidarity with them. I know this will have provided comfort to many people in what is a time of great distress, and I would like to express my deepest support and condolences to all those who have been directly impacted by a number of appalling recent events.

It is important that we take this opportunity to reflect more deeply on the public space which we are creating as a society, and the freedom and safety within it. When it comes to behaviour, freedom and the expression of affection, ask the question if it is an equal space for members of the LGBTQI+ community?

Seven years ago next month, we will recall how the public voted in overwhelming numbers to extend full and equal marriage rights to members of the LGBTQI+ community. This was an important and significant milestone and was a clear statement by the people of Ireland that all are entitled to equal legal recognition of their relationships, no matter what their sexual orientation is.

Yet seven years later, when it comes to behaviour, we still hear far too regularly of members of the gay community being faced with homophobic comments and slurs, often unchallenged. Heartbreakingly, we hear friends or family members telling us that they do not feel comfortable holding the hand of their partner, of their husband or their wife, in public. This suggests an environment which somehow allows that while under the law someone’s sexuality will be tolerated, its expression must not be allowed. We must do better.

Beyond the recent horrific events lies perhaps a challenge to address the lethargy which is impeding the fullest expression of themselves as citizens by members of the LGBTQI+ community in Irish society. As we go forward, it is surely necessary to address the roots of the assumptions that are sustaining these exclusions and such authoritarian actions in our communities and to consider what individual and collective actions we can take to provide a freer, diverse and inclusive space in our communities built on respect for equality and difference, not just in our laws but in our words and actions. In doing so, we will all benefit from the delivery of such full participation of our shared lives by all our citizens.”

An Opera for Galway – Celebrating 700 years at St Nicholas’ Church

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April 16, 2022