NUI Galway to welcome visitors back to campus for Open Days

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March 22, 2022

galway daily news New 30km/h speed limit now in place for Galway City Centre

Galway City Councillors have voted 8 to 6 in favour of a proposal put forward by Cllr Owen Hanley to create a city centre speed limit of 30km/h.

The Council will come back to Councillors with a report on creating special bye-laws for the proposal.

Cllr Hanley said that as we wait for active travel infrastructure, other steps can be taken to change our city, and thanked Fianna Fáil, the Greens and Labour for supporting the proposal.

The Social Democrats councillor also called on the Council to consider helping Council tenants with the burden of the cost of living by reviewing Council rents.

He said that the Chief Executive is reviewing this proposal.

Martina Callanan of Galway Cycling Campaign said that a 30 kmh speed limit is a relatively fast and cheap action to make city centre streets safer.

She said that so much has changed since the public consultation in 2020 and that she believes big institutions will want their boundary roads to be included, for example NUI Galway, UHG and Scoil Fhursa.

Public meeting to discuss ‘Julia Morrissey Bridge’ campaign

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March 22, 2022

galway daily news cumann na mban bridge julia morrissey galway

A public meeting will be held in Galway city to push for the new pedestrian bridge over the Corrib to be named after Cumann na mBan volunteer Julia Morrissey.

The meeting, hosted by Éirígí For a New Republic, will take place in Áras na nGael on Dominick Street on Monday 28 March at 8pm.

The campaign includes an online petition for the bridge to be named after the 1916 Cumann na mBan hero, which has so far gathered over 300 signatures.

Éirígí’s Galway representative, Ian Ó Dálaigh, will chair the meeting, and it will be addressed by guest speaker, Jamie Canavan.

Canavan is a PhD student at NUI Galway, whose thesis focuses on foster care in 20th century Ireland. Her research is sponsored by the Irish Research Council.

Ian Ó Dálaigh said that Morrissey was a Cumann na mBan commander during the Easter Rising in Galway – but she has been largely forgotten by history since then.

“The same can be said of many Cumann na mBan members,” he said. “Many of those women stayed true to the radical republican ideal envisioned in both the 1916 Proclamation and the 1919 Democratic Programme.

“These documents clearly expressed the republican vision of an Ireland built on the principles of liberty and equality – where all citizens would be treated as equals regardless of their gender, religion, ethnicity or any other false division.”

Ó Dálaigh noted that the membership of Cumann na mBan voted overwhelmingly to reject the Treaty, and that the handing of power to the capitalist class, big farmers, and the churches set back the cause of women’s rights by decades.

“So it’s no surprise that Julia Morrissey and many of her comrades have been effectively written out of history,” he said.

“The Ireland that grew out of the victory of counter-revolutionary forces was a place that was incredibly hostile to women’s rights.”

Jamie Canavan will give an overview of how the 26 counties treated women and how the movement for women’s rights has advanced over the last few decades.

Ó Dálaigh encouraged anyone who can attend to do so, as it’s “vitally important that we have these discussions in order to inform the building of a movement that will tackle – and end – all inequalities in Irish society today.”

PBP Galway says supports should be extended to all refugees

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March 21, 2022

People Before Profit representative Adrian Curran has welcomed community efforts to make Ukrainian refugees welcome in Galway.

He said that the State should do everything it can to make refugees from Ukraine and all those fleeing conflict, regardless of their background or nationality, welcome in Ireland.

He said the refugee crisis caused by the war in Ukraine has horrified the world, and that his party reiterates their demand for the “immediate withdrawal of Russian forces alongside an end to NATO escalation of the conflict.”

“All those working to aid Ukrainian refugees in Galway, notably the communities in Newbridge and Ballygar who converted a disused school into a hub for refugees from Ukraine, deserve our appreciation for how they have swiftly responded to this crisis,” said Adrian Curran.

“We further demand that the state ensure Ukrainian refugees are properly supported with access to vital measures such as good-quality accommodation.”

Curran welcomed the supports provided to date to refugees from Ukraine, including immediate access to PPS numbers and welfare schemes.

But he said this should be extended to all refugees resident in Ireland, regardless of background or nationality who are ‘no less deserving of these measures’.

“The horrifying treatment of African migrants in Ukraine who have been turned away at the Polish border while fleeing Putin’s invasion underlines the EU’s policy of ‘Fortress Europe’ designed to keep out migrants, asylum seekers and refugees from outside Europe,” he said.

“This policy has already led to the deaths of thousands of people with many more trafficked into slavery due to their vulnerable positions, and must be ended immediately.

“Ireland has a duty to welcome its share of refugees from Ukraine and from all countries where refugees are fleeing war, oppression, persecution and other inhuman conditions.”

Galway Wind Park launches €300,000 fund for community projects

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March 21, 2022

The latest round of Galway Wind Park’s €300,000 Major Projects Fund has been launched.

The launch was announced today by SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables, co-owners of Galway Wind Park.

The Major Projects Fund support community projects around the wind park as part of Galway Wind Park’s Community Fund programme.

It supports not-for-profit groups involved in local regeneration and long-term social, safety, environmental or economic improvements in the community.

The closing date for applications for this year’s fund is Friday, 29 April 2022.

Projects applying should be located within 10km of Galway Wind Park and aim to improve or enhance local infrastructure, landscape, biodiversity, heritage, or sports and recreation and make a lasting difference to the places where residents live, work and visit.

Awards available will range from €20,000 to €150,000 annually, and certain projects may qualify for multi-year funding.

In May 2021, the previous Major Project Fund round successfully provided €300,000 towards six large scale projects including improvement to pitch surfaces, local footpaths, capital works at a sports facility and recreation trails.

“SSE Renewables is very proud of the work that the Major Projects Fund has already achieved, and the quality of works completed from the 2021 funding awards,” said John O’Sullivan, SSE Renewables.

“The successful groups have worked diligently to deliver large scale transformational projects that are delivering lasting legacies to the local area.

“We look forward to working with the community once again to help develop and deliver projects that can bring a transformational difference to the local area.”

Patrick Maguire, Investment Manager for Greencoat Renewables, said they are delighted to support the second year of the redesigned Major Projects Fund.

“As long-term owners of wind farms in rural areas we are keen to support and build strong relationships with the local community through projects like this,” he said.

“The Major Projects Fund offers communities the opportunity to deliver long term sustainable projects which brings value and growth to rural areas which represents true community development.”

All applications for the Galway Wind Park Major Projects Fund should contain a clear and concise business proposal with accurate costings, timings, and targets, and demonstrate that the proposed development is shovel ready.

Applications will be accepted from not-for-profit community groups within 10km of Galway Wind Park with preference given based on proximity.

Further information and application forms for download can be found online.

Free Croí webinar to discuss women’s heart health and menopause

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March 21, 2022

Galway Daily news Croi Connects Helpline

Heart and stroke charity Croí is hosting a free public webinar next week entitled Living Well with Cardiovascular Disease: Women’s Heart Health and Menopause.

The webinar will take place on Zoom on Thursday, March 31 from 7 to 8pm.

Expert speakers will address people’s priorities and concerns for cardiovascular health and the menopause through an interactive panel discussion.

Expert speakers on the night include Dr Mary Ryan, Consultant Endocrinologist; Dr Eva Flynn, GP and Medical Educator; and Prof Catriona Jennings, Cardiovascular Specialist Research Nurse.

“While the menopause does not cause heart disease, it does increase the risk for developing conditions that are linked to heart disease,” says Dr Lisa Hynes, Croí’s Head of Health Programmes.

“We’re delighted to be joined by an expert panel to bring attention to these risk factors and the link between the menopause and heart health.”

Don’t miss this special event – register now and submit your questions for the experts at www.croi.ie/webinar, or call Croí on 091-544310.

First Ballinasloe houses connected under National Broadband Plan

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March 21, 2022

Galway daily news ballinalsoe broadband connected under national broadband plan ireland — Martin and Yvonne Moran; Tara Collins, Chief Marketing Officer with National Broadband Ireland; Noel Madden, Broadband Officer with Galway County Council; and Michael Fitzmaurice, T.D. for Roscommon-Galway at the home of Martin and Yvonne Moran, one of the first premises connected to the NBI network in the Ballinasloe Deployment Area.

Ballinasloe’s first properties have been connected to high-speed broadband under the National Broadband Plan.

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) will be delivering broadband to around 39,000 homes, businesses, farms and schools across Co. Galway in the coming months under the plan.

Martin and Yvonne Moran’s house was one of the first to be connected by NBI, and Martin said that they delighted to have high speed broadband.

“It’s allowed myself and my wife to experience a variety of advantages, knowing that we can rely on a consistent connection to high speed broadband,” said Martin.

“This includes greater capacity to work on projects such as charity work and to enjoy leisure activities such as streaming, as well as video calls with family members abroad.”

Peter Hendrick, CEO of National Broadband Ireland, said that this a key milestone for the Ballinasloe intervention area under the broadband plan.

“As an increasing number of homes and businesses are being connected, we are confident that the rollout will continue to gather pace as we look to connect thousands more homes and businesses,” he said.

“We are acutely aware that people want access to high-speed broadband and our goal is to deliver that as quickly as possible.”

Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice said that while meeting NBI representatives in the county this week, he stressed the need for urgency regarding the speed of the deployment of broadband.

“Our communities in rural Ireland are in immediate need of connectivity and every effort is required to expediate the fibre rollout,” he said.

NBI contractors have been on the ground since January 2020 surveying townlands across the county.

This involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area, and enables design solutions for the provision of the fibre network.

Under the National Broadband Plan, 554,000 premises nationwide are included in the Intervention Area, which was established by government to identify areas where commercial operators are not currently providing access to high-speed broadband or do not intend to.

Landlords’ short-term rental greed exacerbating the housing crisis

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March 21, 2022

Galway Daily news Number on Pandemic Unemployment in Galway drops below 20,000

National housing charity Threshold has criticised the rise in short-term rental properties for holidaymakers in Galway city as the housing crisis continues to wreak havoc across the country.

Research carried out by Threshold shows that in December 2021, there were 1,525 listings of short-term stays in Galway city and county. Of these, 972 were entire homes.

On March 16, there were just 45 entire properties available to rent across Co. Galway.

One landlord offers over 20 properties in Galway city and its surrounding suburbs, with one property – a three-bed apartment – costing €735 for a three-night minimum stay.

In comparison, the nearest apartment to a central location available for long-term rent is a one-bed costing €1,430 per month.

A separate landlord offers over ten properties for short-term lets outside of Galway City, one of which is an entire home along the Galway coast that hosts up to 14 people. For a two-night stay, this property costs just shy of €1,500.

The cheapest three-bed home near this area costs €1,750 per month and the only other home near the area is a five-bed property, costing €2,000 per month.

In early March, there were just 21 homes available to rent long-term in Galway city, with costs starting at €970 a month for a one-bed and up to €3,500 for a five-bed home.

Only two homes were found to cost less than €1,000 a month, with a majority listed as over €1,500 per month.

“Quite frankly it’s appalling that such a high number of appropriate long-term homes are being leased out as short-term stays for holidaymakers,” said Threshold’s Western Services Manager Karina Timothy.

“This is leaving private renters who are facing eviction with few options of alternative long-term accommodation.

“While regulations are in place for change of property use, it’s clear that there is a strong need for a greater enforcement of these regulations in order to resolve the problem of long-term rental property supply.”

A new short-term let registration system is set to be launched by Fáilte Ireland early next year, which will mean that property owners must register the accommodation with Fáilte Ireland to let the home as a short-term holiday let.

This forms part of the government’s Housing For All Plan, launched last September.

Threshold hopes the Government will go one step further and place a responsibility on the letting platforms to require proof of registration before publishing the advertisement.

“While the short-term registration system with Fáilte Ireland will be of great benefit to landlords and holidaymakers, it’s really important that it is enforced correctly and regulated,” Karina Timothy added, “or else we risk ending up in the same scenario again where long-term options become ones that are advertised as short-term.”

Galway woman appointed Chairperson of Digital Business Ireland

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March 21, 2022

Galway native Ashley McDonnell has been appointed as the new Chairperson of Digital Business Ireland, the country’s leading representative body for digital and online businesses.

The Craughwell woman is currently a technologist with global luxury powerhouse PUIG, prior to which she was a Luxury Account Manager for Google.

Before that McDonnell worked at the helm of e-commerce, as a Digital Manager with Parfums Christian Dior, and as a Digital Analyst with Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

Most recently, McDonnell was crowned ‘Digital Trailblazer’ at the DBI permanent tsb National Digital Awards 2021.

Speaking about her appointment, McDonnell said that it is an “incredibly exciting” time for the organisation. “I am thrilled to be at the centre of so much innovation and growth”.

“The past two years have been an incredibly challenging time for all of us – no more so than in Galway – but the sheer breadth of talent across the digital sector in Ireland is a source of inspiration.”

“The exponential growth of e-commerce marketplaces has come at a pivotal moment for businesses throughout the country”

“I believe that Digital Business Ireland can play a crucial role in helping SMEs to realise their digital ambitions.”

Digital Business Ireland (DBI) is the leading representative body for the Irish e-commerce sector.

With over 8,000 businesses in its community, it continues to grow its membership footprint across a wide range of industry sectors.

Secretary General of DBI Lorraine Higgins, said: “I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Ashley McDonnell as the new Chairperson of Digital Business Ireland.”

“I am very much looking forward to working in tandem with her over the course of the next year, as we seek to deliver cutting-edge insights and digital strategies to our membership”.

She added that Ashley’s career trajectory has been “nothing short of extraordinary”, and that her experience and expertise will be of great benefit in representing members’ interests.

GMIT launches year long Golden Jubilee celebration

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March 21, 2022

GMIT launches year long Golden Jubilee celebration — Dr Orla Flynn, President of GMIT; Svana Dís Hafsteinsdóttir, second-year BA Design student, GMIT and winner of the Golden Jubilee logo design competition; and Dr Mark McCarthy, Chair of the Golden Jubilee Commemoration Committee.

GMIT has launched a programme of events that will run over the coming year to mark the Institute’s Golden Jubilee 1972–2022.

This major initiative will run throughout 2022–2023, to remember and reflect upon fifty years of technological higher education in the west of Ireland.

On Monday, September18 in 1972, the first cohort of students commenced their studies at the then Regional Technological College, Galway.

From the mid-1980s onwards, RTC Galway expanded its presence in the region by offering courses in Mountbellew, Letterfrack, Castlebar, and Cluain Mhuire.

It wasn’t until 1998 that the college was renamed to the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology that we’re all familiar with.

That is set to change again next month, as April 1 will see GMIT amalgamated with IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT to become Atlantic Technological University.

College President Orla Flynn said “As GMIT embarks on the next exciting phase of its development, it is entirely appropriate that we take time to reflect on the 50 years that we have been in existence.”

“Throughout that time we have made an enormous contribution to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of the western region and beyond, through the activities of our staff, students, and graduates.”

“On behalf of our GMIT community I welcome and look forward to your participation at our various public events throughout our Jubilee year.”

The Golden Jubilee commemoration is centred around five programme strands, namely: Ceremonial; Public History & Heritage; Cultural & Technological Innovation; Alumni & Community Engagement; and Sustainable Futures.

Key Golden Jubilee projects include the following:

A commemorative logo created by second-year Design student, Svana Dís Hafsteinsdóttir
A memorial to deceased staff and students – planned as part of the construction of the new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) building
An exhibition on “Celebrating Fifty Years of Technological Higher Education in the West of Ireland, 1972–2022”.
An oral history project
Commemorative artwork
An alumni registration and linking application
A showcase of “50 Faces in 50 Years”
A video on “Impact” – highlighting the human stories behind the college’s impacts, from the local to the global
A Green Spaces/Biodiversity Trial
A Student Sustainability/Green Ambassador initiative

Other events will include commemorative dinners, conferences and exhibitions, and a reenactment of the first opening in 1972, among many more.

Colin Kearney, President of GMIT Students’ Union, said, “With the exciting times ahead for GMIT in its new partnership, it’s just as important to look back on all the successes of the past.”

“Reaching the 50-year milestone is a momentous achievement, having turned out 50 years’ worth of graduates who all in their own way have gone on to enhance the community they now work in.”

“GMIT has every right to be proud of the strong and positive student representatives they have elected in the last 50 years.”

Correction: This article has been updated to correct the surname of Dr Orla Flynn..

Plans approved for expansion of IDA Business Park

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March 21, 2022

Galway daily news Plans approved for expansion of IDA Business Park

Planning permission has been granted for an expansion of the IDA’s Parkmore Business & Technology Park in the city, with the construction of an Advance Technology unit.

The City Council has approved plans for a two storey building with 4,542m² of office and light industrial floor space on land at the east end of the existing Business & Technology Park.

The bulk of the open plan offices will be located to the front of the building to provide a modern façade to the two elevations facing outwards, wrapping around the industrial areas in the centre of the building.

The amount of car parking allowed in the development was limited to 73 spaces by the council, less than the 103 in the initial plans.

A Natura Impact Statement was also prepared at the request of the city council, and added to the application.

Planning permission for the Business Park expansion was ultimately granted with 24 conditions attached.

Among those, the council ordered archaeological monitoring of any ground works, and the inclusion of grassy areas among the landscaping plan for the site.

Separately from this, the IDA also completed an extension of the internal access road at the site, after securing permission from county council.

COVID-19: Just under 100 cases in Galway’s hospitals

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March 21, 2022

There are just under a hundred COVID-19 patients in Galway’s hospitals as numbers have continued to increase again in recent days.

The largest increase has been at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, where there are 36 confirmed cases, almost double the 20 there a week prior.

At University Hospital Galway there were 60 confirmed cases as of Sunday night, up five in the past week.

However, the number of COVID patients in intensive care has remained relatively low.

There are three patients in the ICU at Portiuncula Hospital, two more than the previous Sunday.

But at UHG the number of cases being treated in the ICU has fallen from four to two in the past week.

Nationwide there were 1,264 cases in Irish hospitals as of yesterday evening, of whom 49 were being treated at intensive care units.

Fishermen rescue teenage kayakers in trouble

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March 21, 2022

Fishermen rescue kayakers in trouble near Letterfrack — Photo Credit: Michael Harris

Local fishermen and the Clifden RNLI lifeboat launched to the rescue of kayakers in trouble off the cost near Letterfrack over the weekend.

The Clifden RNLI station launched at 4:20pm on Saturday in response to reports of three teenage kayakers who had drifted away from the shore in Ballinakill Bay.

While the lifeboat crew were making their way to the scene, local fishermen from Mannin Bay Salmon Farm who operate in the bay came to the assistance of the young kayakers.

They brought all three safely ashore, where the casualties were assessed by paramedics and found to be well.

James Mullen, Clifden RNLI Coxswain said, “It may sound obvious but it’s worth reminding kayakers that a strong off-shore wind can blow you out to sea very quickly.”

“For people using kayaks, paddleboards, basically anything that floats; once you leave the shore and the protection of the bay you can quickly become powerless against a strengthening wind.”

“A strong off-shore wind, coupled with an outgoing tide is always a risk for paddlers,” he added.

“We would advise anyone enjoying water sports to always wear a life vest and appropriate clothes for the weather conditions, for example a wetsuit or layered clothing.”

“Carry a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch on your person, check the tides and the weather and tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back”

Star Quarterbacks Set to Hit the Links

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Thomas O'Brien

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March 20, 2022

The NFL is a league that just continues to make its way into the news, and four of the best players in the sport are in the news this week. Most fans of the league are focusing on NFL Draft odds, but a major announcement just came out.

Josh Allen, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Aaron Rodgers will all be competing in Capital One’s The Match, a major golf event that benefits charity. Capital One has continued to dip into the NFL player pool for this event, but this time there won’t be any professional golfers on the course.

The Match is set for June 1 and you can find betting odds available at BetUS for this event. The event will be held at Wynn Las Vegas, and this city is also the home for the 2022 NFL Draft at the end of April.

Brady and Rodgers will be on a team together and they will take on Allen and Mahomes. This event is always entertaining for fans of all sports and it will once again be filled with plenty of trash talking and competitive banter.

Brady and Rodgers are veterans of this event and that will help anyone trying to bet on this matchup at BetUS. This will be the first time that Allen and Mahomes are participating, and it will be interesting to see how their golf games compare to their quarterback play.

This event will not be a traditional 18-hole event though as the foursome will simply be playing just 12 holes on June 1. There are different rules in this event, and those should be announced at a later date.

Rodgers is a 4.6 handicap according to the Wisconsin State Golf Association and he has experience playing in tournaments. His teammate, Brady, was an 8.1 handicap prior to the previous event that took place a year ago.

Patrick Mahomes played in the same event as Rodgers a year ago as they participated in the American Century Championship. Mahomes is a 7.7 handicap, and Josh Allen was a 9.0 handicap when he took part in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am earlier this year.

The Match: Part 6

Capital One’s The Match has already happened five times in recent years, and this will be the 6th version of the event. Turner Sports has provided coverage of the event over the past five years and that is where you will be able to watch the event this year as well.

Since the event was started, Capital One has raised over $33 million for charity, and the participating golfers get to help pick where that money will go. Rodgers and Brady played in the event last year, and they were opponents paired with Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson.

Rodgers and DeChambeau won The Match over Brady and Mickelson, and it was the star quarterback that ended the match on the 16th hole. The first event took place on November 23, 2018 as Tiger Wood and Mickelson went head-to-head.

This will be the first time that event will solely be made up of non-professional golfers. Football is the only other professional sport that has been represented in The Match.

Brady, Rogers Back Again

Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have been in the news several times over the last few months, and they continue to be two of the biggest faces of the league. These two quarterbacks have spent years competing against each other, but will now be teammates for the first time.

There were also some questions about the possibility of each to retire at the end of the 2021 season. Brady actually announced his retirement shortly after the Super Bowl, but then later announced that he would be returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Aaron Rodgers signed a massive contract extension to stay with the Green Bay Packers, but it was a move that cost him a number of his top receivers.

Allen and Mahomes met up in the 2021 NFL Playoffs and delivered one of the best NFL games of all time. It was Patrick Mahomes that led his Kansas City Chiefs team past Allen’s Buffalo Bills to advance to the AFC title game.

Ceremony at Eyre Square remembers those who died during pandemic

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March 20, 2022

Galway Daily news "Fear and anxiety" at anti-social behaviour in Eyre Square

A remembrance ceremony was held at Eyre Square in Galway city this morning as the country paused to reflect and remember those who lost their lives during the pandemic.

In her address, Mayor Colette Connolly thanked all the services that have contributed and assisted in the response to COVID-19, and described how they played a huge part in the last two years of keeping people safe.

She also remembered those who died during the pandemic and the families that were bereaved.

The ceremony acknowledged and recognised the pivotal role and the contribution of the Galway City Community Call Forum to the Covid-19 response in the city.

As well as a formal wreath-laying ceremony, there was a poetry reading from local poet, Gerry Hanberry and laments from singer Ceara Conway.

The ceremony enabled individual and collective remembrance and commemoration of all those who died and who have been bereaved during the pandemic.

National Tree Week 2022 gets underway today

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March 20, 2022

National Tree Week 2022 has kicked off today with a ceremonial tree planting by the president of the Tree Council of Ireland, Eanna Ní Lamhna.

The ceremony featured a guest lecture by arboriculturist, founder, and chairman of the Irish Tree Society Thomas Pakenham in front of an invited audience.

Running until Saturday 26 March, this year’s theme is ‘More Forests for a Greener Future’ which aims to highlight the many benefits of forests for Ireland’s climate and biodiversity agendas, for green recreation spaces and sustainably grown wood.

National Tree Week sees events organised across the country celebrating all things trees!

From the more hands-on community tree planting experiences to taking some time out to learn how to tell your oak tree from your birch tree at tree identification talks – there is something for everyone on the Programme of Events available on www.treecouncil.ie.

The Tree Council of Ireland and Coillte are encouraging people from every corner of Ireland to get involved.

President of the Tree of Council of Ireland, Eanna Ní Lamhna explained: “It’s great to have the people of Ireland come out once again in their communities and celebrate the beautiful benefits trees have to offer.

“Trees are one of the most important resources we have to tackle climate change. Tree Week is all about communities coming together to celebrate trees.

“If you are thinking of getting involved, we would encourage you to do so with simple activities like hosting walks, discussions, or community planting. These important events we hope will encourage everyone to play their part in planting more trees for a greener future.”

Coillte CEO Imelda Hurley added: “Coillte is delighted once again to sponsor National Tree Week and to support the events across Ireland.

“Tree Week gives people the opportunity to learn more about the importance of trees and their important contribution to Ireland’s climate and biodiversity agendas.

“We’d encourage people to check out the list of events happening across the country and to get involved in what promises to be a fun week of tree-based activities for families to enjoy.”

Walk in Pink for Breast Cancer Research on Mother’s Day

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March 20, 2022

galway daily news breast cancer walk in pink in galway city on mother's day — Getting in a few steps ahead of this Mother’s Day ‘Walk in Pink’ in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute were event organisers L-R Ethelle Fahey, Tina Monroe, Bernie Ryan and Johanna Downer members of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute Galway voluntary fundraising committee.

The National Breast Cancer Research Institute is asking people across the county to ‘Walk in Pink’ for the charity on Mother’s Day, Sunday 27 March.

The walk starts at 10.30am at the Claddagh Hall where those participating will walk to Blackrock and then back again.

Those taking part are asked to gather at the Claddagh Hall from 10am where Ronan Lardner of Galway Bay FM will play music before the walk gets underway.

The event is organised by members of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute’s voluntary fundraising committee in Galway who hope to help make a difference for the many Irish women suffering from breast cancer.

One in seven Irish women will be diagnosed with breast cancer with over 3,507 cases diagnosed annually.

Funds raised from the walk will go directly to support the breast cancer research team at the Lambe Institute at NUI Galway, led by Prof Michael Kerin.

Registration is €20 and all are welcome. Participants also get a free pink pom pom beanie hat. Sign up now at: www.WalkInPink.ie

Galway pupils invited to create design honouring pandemic volunteer heroes

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March 20, 2022

galway daily news pandemic volunteer art

Primary school pupils in Galway are being invited to participate in a new art competition launched this week.

Announced by the government in association with Volunteer Ireland, students from 3rd to 5th class are being asked to design artwork to be used to commission a commemorative badge to acknowledge the contribution of volunteers during the pandemic.

When considering their designs, children are asked to think about what volunteering looks like to them, and what volunteers do.

They will also look at the impact of all types of volunteering in the community during the pandemic across a number of areas and initiatives, including local volunteers, or if any of their family members were involved in volunteering.

Key messages for primary school children were included as a part of the lesson plan which accompanied the competition outline, and will provide teachers with the opportunity to discuss the importance of volunteering in the classroom.

There will be four regional winners and one national winner, with the national winner’s design to be put forward for the commemorative badge that will be presented to volunteers at an event in May.

Each winner will receive a gift voucher and the winning National School will receive a grant of €2000 for sports or art equipment. Winners will be announced in April.

Announcing the competition this week, Minister Joe O’Brien said: “The design of this commemorative badge is just one of a number of initiatives being planned to acknowledge the extremely valuable contribution of volunteers during the pandemic, from volunteers in testing and vaccine centres, in organisations such as Alone and Aware, and volunteers who took part in the Community Call.”

Galway TD welcomes support for extending Western Rail Corridor

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March 19, 2022

Galway Daily news Additional Dog fines will have little effect without more Dog Wardens

Galway East TD Seán Canney has welcomed cross-party support for extending the Western Rail Corridor at a recent meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications.

At the meeting, Oireachtas members including Stephen Matthews (Green Party), Dara Calleary (FF), Alan Dillon (FG), Rose Conway Walsh (SF) and Senator Sean Kyne (FG) all spoke in favour of extending the Western Rail Corridor further north to connect Tuam to the National Rail Network.

There was support for the ambition to connect Galway and Mayo by linking Claremorris to Athenry.

“I have continuously advocated for such investment and I called for unity of purpose in ensuring that the infrastructure require in the regions is delivered,” said Deputy Canney.

“I have also called for unity in our campaign to ensure that Tuam and North Galway are connected to the National Greenway Network by providing a loop off the proposed greenway from Dublin to Galway.”

The Independent TD said that it should be our ambition to deliver both as a right for people to have parity in the infrastructure being delivered.

“We should never sacrifice one piece of infrastructure for another. The regions need investment, and these two projects are well within our reach”.

“The Joint Oireachtas Committee will be lodging a submission to ARUP, the Consultants employed to carry out the review and I expect that the submission will be positive towards the Western Rail Corridor expansion northwards.”

Temperatures to rise with more beautiful spring weather on the way

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March 19, 2022