It was a lucky escape for two people yesterday after their car entered the water in Salthill.
Emergency services towed the car from the water on Wednesday afternoon after it left the promenade.
Gardaí have said that neither of the occupants of the car sustained serious injuries.
The incident led to traffic delays around Salthill, with emergency services including the fire brigade and ambulances attending the scene.
Less than two years ago a similar incident happened when a car mounted the promenade and continued towards rock armour along the shoreline before falling to the beach.
NUI Galway and GMIT are to partner with University of Ulster and University of Limerick on a new research project looking at regional development.
The Atlantic Innovation Corridor project will focus on themes such as rural entrepreneurial ecosystems, mental health and female entrepreneurship
It will create a research team organised in hubs in Derry and Limerick and administered in the third hub in Galway.
The €4 million project, part of the Shared Island North South Research Programme, will involve research programmes on sustainable regional development for the north-west, the west and mid-west of Ireland.
Professor Jim Livesey, Vice President Research and Innovation at NUI Galway and Principal Investigator for the project, said this investment in large-scale social science research will create a resource for the region and the country.
“Our collaboration will produce engaged research that will help guide us through the transitions, digital, green and energy, that are before us,” said Professor Livesey.
“It will also form a base from which we can share our insights and experience with other regions of Europe and the world which have difficult histories and borders but seek to make progress together.”
Professor Liam Maguire, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research at Ulster University, said that alongside the well-documented environmental factors of sustainable development, this unique partnership “aims to explore and address human considerations including the responsiveness of communities and sectors to mobilise for collective action and innovation.”
He said that from their campus in Derry, they are uniquely placed to contribute to this three-city regional collaboration, incorporating research that can “contribute insights, inform policy and drive forward practical solutions for the benefit of individuals, organisations and communities.”
University of Limerick Vice President Research Professor Norelee Kennedy added: “UL is delighted to partner with our colleagues in NUI Galway, Ulster University and GMIT on the Atlantic Innovation Corridor exploring social capital and collective action capacity of the region.
“Through exploring entrepreneurship ecosystems in rural regions, business scaling in the Atlantic Corridor and the challenges and opportunities for smaller regional innovation systems UL will support the consortium in this ambitious programme of impactful, policy informing research.”
Nominations have opened for this year’s Mayor’s Awards, which mark outstanding contributions made by individuals and community groups across Galway city.
Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Collette Connolly, who launched the awards this week, encouraged the public to put forward nominees who have made a difference to their community.
The annual Mayor’s Awards are an opportunity to acknowledge people who commit time and effort to make their community a better place.
Each award winner will receive a specially commissioned trophy and €500, along with an individually designed Mayoral Certificate at a ceremony on Tuesday, 24 May in the Galmont Hotel.
Cllr Connolly said that everyone knows people who despite their incredibly busy lives still find time to support neighbours, local groups and community in a very significant way.
“If there is an individual or group that deserves to be recognised for their efforts, please nominate them,” she said.
“On this, the nineteenth year of the Awards, I am looking forward to acknowledging and celebrating true community spirit as per the long-established Irish meitheal that brings communities together.”
The Mayor added that Galway City Council acknowledges the contribution made by all volunteers across the community.
The Council is inviting nominations for individuals or groups involved in voluntary activity in Galway city in the following categories:
Arts, Culture, Heritage & Cúrsaí Gaeilge Award
Residents and Local Areas Award
Community Service and Social Inclusion Award (Individual Award & Group Award)
Older Person Volunteer of the Year Award
Sports Volunteer of the Year Award
Children and Youth Support Award
Young Volunteer of the Year
Environmental Sustainability Award
The Galway City Council Volunteer of the Year Award
If you would like to nominate an individual or group for any of these award categories, you can complete an online nomination form at www.galwaycity.ie/MayorsAwardsNomination.
Nomination forms are also available from City Hall and the City Libraries. The closing date for online nominations is Friday, 1 April 2022 at 4pm.
For further information on the Mayor’s Awards please email mayorsawards@galwaycity.ie or telephone 091 536358.
A Galway County Councillor has said that he is ‘delighted’ that footpath works on the Main Street in Headford are to commence in the coming weeks.
An application for the works was put forward by Cllr Andrew Reddington under the Active Travel Scheme, with €60,000 being allocated towards the repairs.
The councillor said that there will be some disruption to businesses and pedestrians, which he said was ‘unavoidable’.
Cllr Reddington said that because it is the main artery between Galway and Mayo, it will also have implications for traffic, affecting people on their way to work over the next couple of weeks.
“We will work to the best of our ability to keep disruption to a minimum,” he said.
“There will be traffic management in place, so a stop-go operation will be ongoing during the hours of work.”
credit: Robert Linsdell CC BY 2.0 'The Courthouse, Courthouse Square, Galway'
A stag party in Galway city and dispute over land made for a nasty cocktail that ended with a man being assaulted in a hotel bathroom.
Myles Fitzgerald, with an address at Ballon, Co. Carlow was convicted of assaulting Denis O’Toole following a hearing at Galway District Court.
The 36 year old man denied attacking Mr O’Toole in the bathroom of the Imperial Hotel, and claimed that he was the one assaulted by the complainant.
Garda Sean McHugh told the District Court that on January 18, 2020, Denis O’Toole came to Galway Garda Station and reported that he had been assaulted.
When he initially reported the incident, Mr O’Toole said that he didn’t want to pursue charges, Garda McHugh said under cross-examination, but changed his mind a few weeks later.
The court heard that the assault occurred during a stag party for another man that both of them were attending.
Denis O’Toole told the court that he had arrived at his cousin’s stag party at the King’s Head on the evening of January 17.
He said that he saw Mr Fitzgerald and tried to avoid him, but that the defendant came up to him and started making comments about him owing money to Mr Fitzgerald’s father.
Later, back at the bar in the Imperial Hotel he said that he went to the bathroom, and was followed in by Myles Fitzgerald.
He said that when he tried to leave, the other man said something before elbowing him twice and hitting him in the head.
Solicitor Sean Acton, for the defence, asked him if he went to the Gardaí the following morning “to get your speak in first” in case Mr Fitzgerald made a complaint, which he denied.
CCTV footage from the hotel bar was collected by Garda McHugh, and appeared to show Mr O’Toole wiping something from his face after returning from the bathroom.
Myles Fitzgerald gave a different account of events, where he said that O’Toole punched him while he was in the bathroom.
He claimed that on the evening in question Mr O’Toole came up to him and told him to buy him a pint while the party was at the pub, but that he said they should stay away from each other.
Fitzgerald said that back at the hotel, he was in the bathroom when he saw something in the corner of his eye, before being punched in the head and knocked to the ground.
He claimed he struck his head on the toilet when he fell down, and that Mr O’Toole then said to him, “you’d love to hit me, wouldn’t you?”
Inspector John Maloney put it to Mr Fitzgerald that he never made a complaint to the Gardaí about this, even when later interviewed.
Mr Fitzgerald said that the two of them were from the same village, and that he didn’t want anything to fester.
There was a long standing dispute surrounding agricultural land Mr O’Toole had rented from Mr Fitgerald’s father, and money allegedly owed over it.
But the two men gave different accounts of that dispute and the events surrounding it.
Garda McHugh said that he received a medical report from University Hospital Waterford, which said that O’Toole had been treated there on Janaury 20.
The medical report provided for the court said that Mr O’Toole suffered a perforated eardrum.
Judge Fahy said that it was clear that Mr O’Toole was assaulted, and that the medical evidence was consistent with his claims.
She convicted Mr Fitzgerald, who had no previous criminal convictions, of the assault, and fined him €1,000.
Leave to appeal was granted, with recognisance fixed at his own bond of €300, half of which was to be lodged with the court
Macnas parade 2019 Danse Macabre. Photo: Julia Dunin Photography
Galway’s renowned masters of visual storytelling Macnas are launching an exciting new youth theatre programme this Spring.
Macnas have this week launched a recruitment drive for young people aged 14 to 19 who are interested in learning all about spectacle theatre.
Macnas Spectacle Youth Theatre is a dynamic programme where young people will work with physical theatre, drumming, mask, stilt walking , dance, brass, large scale puppetry, fire effects and special effects.
The critically acclaimed spectacle company will be holding auditions, open to all, on April 19 at Fisheries Field in Galway City for this new programme.
All are welcome. No previous experience needed. The workshops are free and will happen weekly throughout the school/ community college term.
All you need to bring is curiosity, energy and yourself!
Do you like the idea of interacting with large scale images and big wild ideas? If so, this is the youth theatre for you.
Galway United has has announced that it has resigned goalkeeper Mathew Connor for a second stint with the club this year.
The Waterford native first came to Eamonn Deacy Park in 2020 when he was signed by Alan Murphy, after Mícheál Schlingermann suffered a long-term knee injury.
Acting as a backup for Kevin Horgan in the goals, he made two starts and one substitute appearance before COVID-19 brought the season to a halt.
The 24-year-old left the Galway United in January 2021, after returning to Waterford FC.
Prior to joining senior League football, Mathew played for the junior side with his home club Tramore AFC, and joined the county junior setup in Waterford in 2014.
He made his league debut as a 17 year-old against Wexford that same year.
His most impressive season to date came in 2019, serving as Waterford’s Number one on 39 occasions across all competitions.
Before joining Galway he also played for Cork City and Wexford, along with getting caps for the Irish U17 and College teams.
Matt is an Irish Colleges and Universities international, where he lined out with other United alumni including former players Maurice Nugent and Conor Barry.
Ukrainian Flag by City Hall. Photo: Galway City Council via Facebook
The Ukrainian Flag will fly over City Hall for the foreseeable future after the Mayor and council raised it in a ceremony on Tuesday.
Mayor of Galway City Colette Connolly, members of the council, and the Ukrainian community in Galway attended the flag raising ceremony at City Hall yesterday.
This followed after both the city and county councils voted in favour of flying the beleaguered country’s flag on Monday.
Photo: Galway City Council via Facebook
The flag will be raised at County Hall in Prospect Hill later this week.
The Ukraine has been fighting off a Russian invasion since last Friday, and the violence only looks set to escalate in the days ahead.
Locals and interested parties have been urged to complete a submission and questionnaire on the Galway to Oughterard greenway.
The greenway, which has twice had funding allocated, has entered a period of public consultation until March 22 after the reset button was pushed on the original project.
He said that a study area from Galway/Barna along N59 corridor via Bushypark, Moycullen, Roscahill to Oughterard has been identified.
The Galway senator said the project has been reset as it has proved challenging to progress the original project.
“Over the course of the last number of years, the Greenway Strategy has been published and an agreement mechanism has been signed up to by farm organisations,” he said.
“The recent South Kerry decision by the Supreme Court has been seen as a test case by Local Authorities across the Country and has cleared the way for Greenways to be treated as a critical infrastructure.”
Senator Kyne said there is now a guide to process the project identified by Galway County Council in conjunction with Galway City Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Aecom who are the consultants for the project.
“I fully support the development of a Greenway which would be used by locals, tourists and commuters alike.
“The project now has a clear pathway towards progressing to a planning application.”
March is off to a great start for one lucky lotto player in the West, after they scooped €1 million in this afternoon’s Daily Million draw.
The National Lottery confirmed that the winning ticket was sold at a store in Mayo and it will reveal the exact winning selling location in the coming days.
The latest Daily Million top prize winner has become the 12th National Lottery millionaire of 2022, and the second player in Mayo to win a seven-figure lottery prize following the record €19.06 million Lotto jackpot win in Castlebar in January.
The winning numbers for Tuesday’s 2pm draw were: 04, 11, 16, 29, 31, 39 and the bonus 30.
The winner is advised to sign the back of their ticket and keep it in a safe place and contact the National Lottery prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie.
A National Lottery spokesperson said: ”What a win this is for one of our Mayo players who has marched into spring as a brand-new millionaire after Tuesday afternoon’s Daily Million draw at 2pm.
“We are encouraging all our Daily Million players in Mayo to check their tickets carefully today as they could have a ticket worth €1 million in their possession.
“The winner is advised to sign the back of their ticket and to contact our prize claims team so that arrangements can be made for them to claim their life-changing prize.”
Daily Million draws take place twice a day, seven days a week at 2pm and 9pm and costs just €1 per play.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has sent a message of solidarity to nurses and midwives who are caught up in the conflict in Ukraine.
INMO president, Karen McGowan, said that on behalf of Irish nurses and midwives, as well as the INMO Executive Council, she is sending solidarity to their counterparts in Ukraine.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine who are caught up in needless conflict,” she said.
“Nurses and midwives in Ukraine have gone from one healthcare crisis into another. Many are now working once again on the frontlines not knowing how their loved ones are coping in the middle of conflict.”
Karen McGowan said that the protection and safety of nurses and health systems are paramount and enshrined in international law.
“We call on all parties involved in the conflict and the international community to do everything in their power to protect the safety of our nurses who often put themselves in mortal danger to care for others.
“Access to healthcare and the delivery of humanitarian assistance must remain a priority for all concerned as we see cities under attack and tens of thousands of people being displaced.”
The INMO’s general secretary, Phil Ni Sheaghdha, said that together with nursing colleagues from across the world, they have sent messages of solidarity to their colleagues in Ukraine, who are working in deeply frightening circumstances.
“Further meetings to discuss how we can provide more assistance to our Ukrainian colleagues will be held at meetings of the European Federation of Nurses and European Public Services Trade Unions this week.”
“The people being displaced must be assured of solidarity assistance from European Union member states, and we will be calling on the Irish Government to use our voice at EU level to ensure we can support those who have been displaced at this time.
“Cuirimid ár ndlúthpháirtíocht chuig ár gcomhghleacaithe Úcráinis ag an am uafásach seo.”
People will have the opportunity to purchase unsold, surplus food from retailers across Galway city thanks to an app created by Mayo entrepreneur Eoin Heverin.
The Foodie Save app, launched in Galway city this week, allows people to purchase perfectly good, unsold food from retailers at a discounted rate of up to 70%.
Described as ‘Just Eat for surplus food’, the mobile app gives people choices from local food suppliers during the time window leading up to closing time.
The app is free to download and a range of Galway businesses on board, including Mortons of Galway, The Gourmet Offensive, Casey’s Londis, Meehan Spar stores, Cookes Restaurant, Freshii Galway, Mocha Beans and Kelleher XL.
Founder Eoin Heverin said that even more stores will be adding in the coming weeks.
“Our current food retail partners love the simplicity of the Foodie Save model and we are proud to have some fantastic brands on board, however it’s the reaction from members of the public that have blown us away,” he said.
“They love the fact that they can get great quality food at fantastic prices while helping the environment and local businesses at the same time – it’s a win, win win win!”
How does it work?
Consumers download the Foodie Save app for free and browse local food businesses in the city offering quality food at discounted prices.
“The ordering process is really simple, click – swipe – collect,” explained Eoin.
“Click to buy your order, go to the store and Swipe your phone in front of a staff member and collect your delicious food.”
Converting surplus food into cash is also very beneficial to businesses, as they have already paid for supplies, labour, and other production costs.
Businesses across the city are signing up to Foodie Save to recover this loss through selling their surplus food, and it also leads to less waste and lower disposal costs.
But Eoin says that perhaps the biggest win of all is the benefit to the environment.
“Consider all these steps in the food chain – sowing, growing, harvesting, cleaning, supplying, preparing, cooking, and presenting good food,” he said. “In the 21st century we simply cannot continue to waste any of this precious resource.”
Colm Mulroy of Londis Castlebar said that Foodie App has reduced food waste costs and that the extra income is very welcome.
“It attracted new customers, and 9 out of 10 are buying groceries when getting their Foodie Save orders. One lady has purchased over 50 times between our two Londis stores,” said Colm.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has recognised the strategic value of the Foodie Save platform and supported it with €130,000 funding.
“Galway has a proud and well-deserved reputation of being the culinary capital of Ireland,” added Eoin.
“We are delighted to introduce the Foodie Save service to food businesses and consumers in the city.”
Dr Michel Dugon of the Venom Lab at National University of Ireland Galway.
Scientists at NUI Galway have published the first record of a noble false widow spider feeding on bats in the UK.
It is the first time these spiders have been recorded preying on a bat anywhere in the world, or any vertebrate in Britain.
The new study, published in the international journal Ecosphere,demonstrates that False Widow spiders continue to impact native species.
It is also the first time for any species of false widow spider to be recorded preying on mammals.
The extraordinary discovery was made by wildlife artist Ben Waddams at his home in north Shropshire, England.
On two days, Pipistrelle bats living in the attic were found entangled on the spider’s web below the entrance to the roost.
The first bat, a young pup, was completely immobilised with its limbs pinned tightly to the torso with silk. It was slightly shrivelled and discoloured from the spider feeding off the remains.
A second, much larger adult bat, was also captured and entangled in the web, but as it was still alive, the bat was rescued from the web and released.
Pipistrelle bat entangled on a false widow spiders web [Photo by Ben Waddams]In Britain, the Pipistrelle bats are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.
The rather grisly event is not as uncommon as people might expect, three years ago the noble false widow spider was reported feeding on a protected species of native lizard in Ireland.
Originating from Madeira and the Canary Islands, the Noble False Widow spider Steatoda nobilis has the potential to become one of the world’s most invasive species of spider.
It was first reported in southern England in 1879 and has increased its range and population density in recent decades, spreading northwards towards Scotland and westward through Wales and Ireland.
In that time the species has also spread globally from across Europe, East Asia, North America, and South America.
The species is known for its medical significance, having the ability to cause a range of mild to severe symptoms in people who are bitten, but little is known about its impact on native species.
Over the past five years, the team led by Dr Michel Dugon in NUI Galway’s Ryan Institute, have been studying a wide range of characteristics specific to the species including its venom, symptoms after envenomation, ecology and behaviour.
“We have been working on the Noble False Widow for the past five years, and have learnt a great deal about this species – yet, we are still surprised by its ability to adapt to new environments and make the most of the resources available,” said Dr Michel Dugon, head of the Venom Systems Lab in the Ryan Institute and senior author of the study. “It is a truly remarkable species.”
Dr John Dunbar, lead author of the study, said that in more exotic parts of the world, scientists have been documenting such predation events by spiders on small vertebrates for many years.
“But we are only beginning to realise just how common these events occur,” he said.
“Now that this alien species has become well established in Ireland and Britain, we are witnessing such fascinating events on our very own doorstep.
Dr Dunbar said that even much smaller species of false widows are known to capture and feed on snakes and lizards.
“This study presents yet another example of the invasive impact by the Noble false widow spider on native species. We know they are much more competitive than native spiders, and this further confirms their impact on prey species.”
Aiste Vitkauskaite, researcher at the Venom Systems Lab, said that false widow spiders, just as their close relatives’ black widow spiders, have “extraordinary prey capture techniques and remarkably potent venom which allows them to capture small vertebrate prey many times larger than the spider itself with surprising ease.”
“In the last three years alone, we have observed two occasions of the alien Noble False Widow capturing and feeding on protected species of vertebrate animals in Ireland and Britain.
“As the Noble False Widow continues to expand its range and increase populations across Ireland and Britain, we should expect to observe similar predation events on small vertebrate animals by this spider, including protected species.”
In a double whammy for Galway’s hospitals today, the Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway is also under great pressure.
The Saolta Group said in a statement to Galway Daily that more than 250 people attended the Emergency Department at UHG on Monday.
“Along with the ongoing bed pressures, this is resulting in long delays for patients who need to be admitted for ongoing treatment.”
“The hospital would like to apologise for the significant delays being experienced by patients who are on trolleys in the Emergency Department and Acute Medical Unit while waiting for a bed to become available on a ward.”
The hospital is asking people to first contact their GP, or the Westdoc GP Out of Hours service in the first instance if their health problem is not urgent.
For minor injuries, the Injury Unit in Roscommon University Hospital is open from 8am to 8pm every day to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over five years of age.
The Saolta Group had earlier this morning reported lengthy waiting times at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, with all available beds in use.
There were 28 patients reported waiting on trolleys as a result, an extremely high figure for the Ballinasloe Hospital.
The long established and beloved bakery and café Goyas has launched a new range of their signature celebration cakes for this year of relief.
For over 30 years Goyas’ cakes have been at the party of thousands of people and have celebrated everything from a Christening, to a 100th birthday.
Led by owner and baker Emer Murray, the Goyas cake is a symbol of celebration and coming together.
From the crowd-pleasing Chocolate Gateaux to the Vanilla Orange sprinkle cake, there is a slice of sweetness and joy for every palette.
“Our celebration cakes were our biggest business, along with our catering. The two just go hand in hand,” Emer says.
“We have seen so many changes in our customers throughout the years and have adapted our business to suit what they needed.”
“Now we are launching our celebration cake collection as we are ready to be together and truly celebrate life.”
Goyas, which is located on Kirwans Lane in Galways Latin Quarter is a firm favourite in the west.
A gem nestled away from the busy Quay Street, Goyas bakery, retail and at home offering has taken a new direction since 2020.
The much loved little eatery was always a sit-in café for mid-morning elevenses and for lunch, but has since redefined itself as a retail space that introduced Goyas at Home.
Home made savoury Quiches, soups and traditional home cooked dinners are available along with home baked scones, breads, tarts and signature bakes such as the luxurious caramel squares.
Celebration cakes and Goyas catering was launched in the early 90s and Goyas cakes quickly established themselves as the go to cake across Ireland for small- and large-scale events.
A Goyas cake is traditional and timeless, from the Coffee walnut sponge to the chocolate biscuit cake and to the lemon drizzle cake, there is nostalgia wrapped up in every bake.
“Cakes have always been my passion and to know that Goyas has been in so many homes, at weddings and at the most precious moments for people, well that for me is the love in every bake,” explained Emer.
Portiiuncula Hospital is cautioning of lengthy waiting times for a bed this morning amid extreme pressure on the Emergency Department.
There are currently 28 patients at the ED on trolleys waiting for a bed according to a statement from the Saolta Group.
“There is ongoing pressure on bed availability in the hospital and as a result patients are facing long delays being admitted from the Emergency Department to a bed on a ward.”
“The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.”
All available beds in Portiuncula Hospital are currently in use, Saolta said to Galway Daily.
The Emergency Department is treating people based on the severity of their assessment, and people who don’t require urgent care may find themselves waiting longer.
“If your health problem is not an emergency you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours or the Westdoc GP out of hours service, in the first instance,” Saolta said.
As part of ongoing COVID-19 safety measures, people are asked to attend the Emergency Department along, and maintain social distancing.
“We remind patients to please wear a face mask when in the Emergency Department and to comply with any COVID-19 screening processes.”
A companion will only be permitted at the ED in exception circumstances, to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.
A local Polish store is organising collections of humanitarian relief for the massive amounts of refugees fleeing the invasion of the Ukraine.
Smakoteka store off the Old Dublin Road in Galway City is accepting donations of clothes and other goods that will help the people fleeing the Russian invasion.
The store is accepting marked carboard boxes of new blankets, baby blankets, sleeping bags, towels pillows and duvets.
People can also donate new clothes such as winter jackets, rain jackets, as well as sanitary items and baby food. More details available here.
Ballinasloe Community Creche is also organising donations which will be delivered to refugees in Poland through Polish shops in Ireland.
Donations of clothes, sanitary products, food, and essential medical items can be dropped off at the creche at Poolboy Ballinasloe.
For a full list of items they are looking for, go here.
Volunteers in Portumna and Tuam have put their communities in the spotlight during a two-day judging visit for the IPB Pride of Place competition.
Pride...
