The first HSE West and North West Dementia Conference took place in Galway in April in partnership with University of Galway, Ireland, to highlight this growing health issue.

Dementia is a major and escalating public health challenge in Ireland, with a rising number of diagnoses largely driven by the country’s aging population.

There is also a notable rise in the number of individuals diagnosed with early-onset dementia (under the age of 65).

The number of people living with dementia is expected to increase significantly, with projections indicating that by 2045, over 150,000 individuals will be affected nationally.

Currently, over 12,000 individuals are estimated to be living across the West and North West with dementia, according to the 2022 census.

The conference was chaired by Paula Noone, Assistant Director of Nursing for Dementia Quality Improvement, HSE West and North West and Dr Maria Costello, Consultant Geriatrician, University Hospital Galway and Senior Lecturer in Geriatric Medicine, University of Galway.

Dr Costello stated, “The goal of this conference was to bring together health professionals from across the region to learn, network, and inspire one another, fostering collaboration and shared knowledge to support their vital work with people living with dementia.”

“The event also underscored the crucial role of academic partnerships in advancing research and education to drive innovation and excellence in the field.”

The event brought together over 170 healthcare professionals from diverse sectors, all working to enhance care for individuals affected by dementia. Patient representative groups and key support organisations were also present.

There were a number of presentations on the day from across the region focusing on clinical services, research, quality improvement initiatives and emerging treatments for dementia.

The experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia were also highlighted, with the voice of carers featuring throughout the discussions.

The opening address to the conference was delivered by Ann Cosgrove, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager Galway and Roscommon, who opened the conference by stating: “I’m delighted to see such a diverse range of healthcare professionals here today to share their knowledge and expertise in this field.”

“This is the first Dementia Conference for the West and North West and it marks the beginning of renewed collaboration and emphasis on dementia care and explores how we best deliver it across the acute and community settings.”

Awards were presented at the conference to three teams in recognition of their work in dementia, which had been submitted for adjudication.

• 1^st prize: Psychiatry of Later Life Team, Roscommon Mental Health Service
• 2^nd prize: Integrated Care for Older Persons Service, Galway East City and County
• 3^rd prize: Psychiatry of Old Age Service, Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Service

Dr Seán O’Dowd, Consultant Neurologist, Clinical Lead for the National Dementia Office, attended the event and gave a keynote speech on the day.

He commented: “It was hugely powerful to see the commitment in the room from those working in the West and North West, and the passion to make things better for those affected by these diseases and their families.”

“HSE National Dementia Services will continue to advocate for further resourcing to ensure equitable access and care across the spectrum from earliest symptoms to advanced need.”

Conservation projects for a church and a castle in Galway City have been awarded a combined €250,000 in funding.

Menlough Castle and St Nicholas Collegiate Church will both receive funding for conservation and repair works under the Community Monuments Fund.

€130,000 has been allocated for work on Menlough Castle, while another €120,000 will be spent preserving St. Nicholas Collegiate Church.

Speaking about the award of funding, Cllr Níall McNelis, Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway, said that it was wonderful to receive funding to preserve two such important monuments.

“The award under the Community Monuments Fund means that these two iconic monuments will be conserved, protected, and their presentation improved, for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.”

The Very Rev. Lynda Peilow, the rector of St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, said, “This funding is vital for safeguarding the building’s rich heritage, allowing for ongoing restoration efforts that reveal previously unknown aspects of its history.”

Provost Lynda also highlighted that, “While St. Nicholas functions as a living church, it also serves as a heritage site of immense historical importance to Galway.”

She expressed gratitude for the support that enables the urgent work needed to address immediate issues.

Over the past two years, the grant funding has facilitated a transformation of the South transept of the church, restoring it to a semblance of its former glory.

Menlough Castle, or Menlo Castle, is a 16th century castle on the shores of the River Corrib, an iconic landmark in the Galway area.

Formerly belonging to the Blake family, the castle was gutted by fire in the early 20th century and has fallen into ruin.

Describing the proposed works, Brendan Dunne, Senior Executive Planner said that significant works have been undertaken to preserve the castle in recent years.

Among the work which has been done in recent years has been the removal of overgrowth which covered most of the remain walls of the old castle.

Brendan Dunne added that this funding will support, “Consolidation and repair works to the internal spine wall, and the commencement of works to the distinctive East ‘front’ façade, including repairs to the impressive windows.”

“Likewise St Nicholas Collegiate Church is ‘a church in the heart of the city, with the city at its heart’ – and a place of considerable historical significance for the people of Galway for over 700 years, as the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use as a place of worship.”

“This €120,000 funding will support the completion of repairs to east wall of the South transept, which has been ongoing over the last number of years; in addition, external repairs to the belfry tower will be undertaken”.

The Atlantic Masters Swimming Club is holding its 7th annual Lifeboat Swim this July to raise money for lifesaving water charities.

The charity swim in aid of the Galway RNLI and the Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit will take place on Saturday, July 5 at Renville Pier, Oranmore.

Open for entries now, the event offers a range of swim challenges, from a 250m Try-a-Swim for beginners to a more ambitious 2km swim for experienced open water swimmers.

Participants will have the unique opportunity to swim in the beautiful waters of Galway Bay, all while supporting two vital local search and rescue charities Galway RNLI and the Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit.

“We’re excited to celebrate the growth of our club, especially after our 10-year anniversary last year,” said Eimear Keane, Secretary of the Atlantic Masters Swimming Club.

“Open water swimming has grown in popularity, and our event caters to swimmers of all levels—whether you’ve just taken up swimming in open water or aiming to conquer the 2km challenge. We’ve made sure to create an inclusive and safe environment for everyone to enjoy.”

The 2km swim will take participants around swim buoys installed at Renville Pier, Oranmore.

Swimmers will be provided with timing chips, and prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in both wetsuit and non-wetsuit categories. Participants in the Try-a-Swim will receive a medal to commemorate their efforts.

Safety boats and kayakers will be stationed on the water to provide support and safety for swimmers throughout the day.

In addition to being a fun and challenging event, the swim is a major fundraiser for the Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit and Galway RNLI. Participants can register and find more details on the event at www.atlanticlifeboatswim.com

A teenager reported missing from Claregalway earlier this week has been located safe and well.

Gardaí made a public appeal for information after Tyler Berry (14) was reported missing from Claregalway since Thursday, May 8.

It has now been confirmed that Tyler has been located safe and well.

An Garda Síochána thanked the public for their assistance.

One lucky person in Galway got their weekend off to a flying start with a €500,000 win in yesterday’s Daily Million lotto draw.

The Galway lotto player took home the top prize in the 2pm Daily Million Plus draw on Friday, making them the third winner of this prize in the year.

The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased on the day of the draw from Mountbellew Post Office, Co. Galway.

The winning numbers in Friday, 9th May 2pm Daily Million Plus draw were: 8, 16, 28, 29, 33, 34 and the bonus was 27.

They aren’t the only one celebrating, with another Limerick player going home €255,000 richer following the EuroMillions Ireland Only Raffle.

In addition to the usual €5,000 Raffle prize, the Limerick player received an additional prize of €250,000, bringing their total winnings to €255,000.

The winning Quick Pick ticket, which was purchased on the day from Moloney’s Daybreak, Carrigkerry, Athea, Co. Limerick, had the raffle number I-SBS-10586.

Throughout May, EuroMillions players in Ireland have the chance to win an additional €250,000. With six more prizes of €250,000 to be won, and previous winners from Dublin, Meath and now Limerick, the excitement builds as we wonder where the next winner will come from.

This series of special EuroMillions Ireland-Only Raffles guarantees players a top up in the prize fund for all nine draws, every Tuesday and Friday, over the month of May.

Typically, every EuroMillions draw produces ten winners of the €5,000 Ireland-Only Raffle prize, but this month, we have created something extra special.

In addition to the normal Raffle prize, one winner in each draw in May will win a dazzling €250,000 on top of the usual €5,000 Raffle prize.

Darragh O’Dwyer, National Lottery spokesperson, said, “It was a Friday to remember for our players in Galway and Limerick, with two big wins to celebrate this weekend!”

“In last night’s EuroMillions draw, there was no winner of the EuroMillions jackpot, but over 61,000 players in Ireland won prizes in the EuroMillions and Plus games.”

“This includes one Raffle Ticket Winner: I-SBS-10586 of the ‘Ireland Only Raffle’ special draw, who received €255,000. With six more €250,000 EuroMillions Ireland Only Raffle top up wins guaranteed, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable month for our players.”

The National Lottery is urging all players in the Limerick and Galway areas to check their tickets carefully and if you’re holding the winning ticket, be sure to contact the National Lottery prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie to arrange the collection of your prize.

Gardaí are appealing to the public for information that could help to locate the missing 14-year-old Tyler Berry.

Tyler Berry is reported missing from Claregalway, Co Galway since Thursday, May 8.

Tyler is described as being approximately 5 foot 5 inches in height with a slim build, light brown hair and blue eyes.

Gardaí are concerned for Tyler’s well-being.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Galway Garda Station on 091 538000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

The spotlight shone on some of Ireland’s brightest young performers as No Name’s Got Talent 2025 took to the stage on Saturday, April 26th, at the Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone.

Young people from clubs across the country came together for an unforgettable evening of music, dance, comedy and more.

No Name Club, a national, voluntary youth organisation, provides young people with a space to socialise in a fun, safe, and alcohol-free environment.

The annual talent show is one of the No Name Club’s biggest and most anticipated events and this year was no exception.

Sorcha Watson, a member of No Name Club Mountbellew, was named one of the overall winners. Sorcha was awarded the second-place Gallery Award for her painting.

Tanya McNamee from the Mountbellew club performed ‘Maybe This Time’ on stage, and Katie and Rachel performed a dance routine to ‘What Was I Made For’, which the judges called elegant and beautiful.

Judges praised both the variety and the standard of talent on display, and all participating clubs were recognised with trophies and awards.

Speaking about the competition, Dr. Garrett Keenaghan, Chairperson, No Name Club said, “It’s so heartening to see the talent on show from our young people.”

“The level of effort, organisation and team work that we’ve seen here is just fantastic. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

No Name Club is a national, voluntary youth organisation that empowers young people aged 15–18 by providing a fun, safe environment where they can socialise without the pressures of alcohol or drugs.

Operating youth clubs across Ireland, No Name Club plays a vital role in helping teenagers build confidence and social skills, while avoiding the risks associated with peer pressure.

A man in his 80s died after a car went into the water on Clare Island on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 6.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a single-vehicle fatal road traffic collision that occurred at Glen, Clare Island, Co Mayo yesterday afternoon.

A car entered the water at approximately 1pm and the driver, a man aged in his 80s, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

His body was removed from the scene to Mayo University Hospital where a post mortem examination is due to take place.

A Forensic Collision Investigator carried out an examination of the scene.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Westport Garda Station on 098 50230, the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Gardaí are appealing to the public for assistance in locating 14-year-old Lily Reilly, who has been reported missing since the start of the week.

Lily has been missing from Sligo Town, Co. Sligo since Monday, May 5.

Lily is described as approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a slim build, brown hair, and brown eyes.

When last seen, she was wearing a white shirt, black leggings and carrying a cream handbag.

Gardaí are concerned for Lily’s wellbeing.

Anyone with information on Lily’s whereabouts is urged to contact Sligo Garda Station at 071 915 7000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Work was completed recently on significant upgrade works to the water network in Ballinasloe to reduce the amount of outages the town suffers.

Crews have recently completed reinstatement works at St Michael’s Place, in the centre of the East Galway town, after a programme of works which saw over 200 metres of the aging cast iron mains replaced with new, modern pipes.

This upgrade to the town water network began work back in February, and was completed in mid-April.

The works also involved laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries, and connecting it to the customers’ water supply.

Enda Mac Namara, programme manager with Uisce Éireann, outlined the benefits of the project.

“Ultimately, these recently completed works will provide real and tangible benefits for St Michael’s Place and the surrounding areas of Ballinasloe by ensuring a safer and more reliable water supply and significantly reducing the risk of future disruptions.”

“Local residents and businesses were highly cooperative with our crews while works were ongoing, and we wish to extend our thanks to these residents and businesses,” said Enda.

The Tuam Bypass will be closed to traffic overnight for one night this week while maintenance work takes place.

CJV, on behalf of TII, plan to carry out routine maintenance of Tuam Bypass on the night of Thursday, May 8.

In order to allow this to take place, the road will be closed to traffic from 7pm that evening until 6am the following morning.

During these hours any traffic will be diverted through Tuam town itself.

A government plan to establish four new Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) regional hubs in Galway, Cork City, Dublin, and Laois has received unanimous support from Ireland’s Chief Fire Officers.

The need for a rapid deployment capability for incidents such as building collapses was underscored during the Creeslough tragedy in County Donegal, when assistance was requested from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

The Irish Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) has also endorsed the rollout of high-volume pumping (HVP) capabilities nationwide. This technology will allow fire services to move large quantities of water from flooded areas, helping to safeguard lives and property.

Ahead of the annual CFOA Conference and Fire Technology Exhibition at the Salthill Hotel in Galway on Wednesday and Thursday (7-8 May), Association Chairperson Dennis Keely said the introduction of USAR hubs and HVP technology will foster unprecedented cross-border collaboration between fire services in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for specialist emergency response.

“Cross-border cooperation between the fire services of Ireland and Northern Ireland is a critical component of the broader emergency response, particularly in specialised areas such as USAR and HVP,” he explained.

“This collaboration ensures a coordinated and effective approach to emergencies that may impact both jurisdictions.”

Mr. Keely, who is also Chief Fire Officer for Dublin Fire Brigade, continued, “The CFOA continues to support the introduction and roll out of these valued disciplines along with the appropriate frameworks for cross-border cooperation.”

“These initiatives provide the framework to support joint planning, resource sharing, and coordinated responses to emergencies affecting both Ireland and Northern Ireland.”

“Through ongoing collaboration in USAR and HVP operations, the fire services of Ireland and Northern Ireland continue to strengthen their collective emergency response capabilities, ensuring the safety and resilience of communities on both sides of the border,” he added.

Hosted by Galway Fire and Rescue Service, the theme of the 2025 CFOA conference is ‘Delivering a Modern Fire Service – the Future is Here and Now.’

The lineup features an expert witness from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, and a prominent industry leader in emergency communications.

400 delegates and 150 exhibitors will attend the two-day event, which features a trade exhibition taking place in parallel to the conference programme, showcasing fleet and equipment from all the main suppliers to Irish fire services.

Galway Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer and Conference Secretary, Gerry O’Malley, said the conference will tackle critical challenges facing Fire Services and spotlight the newest advancements in operational and preventative technologies.

He emphasised that the CFOA, representing Irish fire service leadership, aims to enhance safety nationwide.

“This conference and exhibition will provide a vital space for the fire and rescue community to engage in critical discussions, witness cutting-edge fire service equipment, and learn about the newest technologies shaping fire operations and prevention.”

“The event will feature expert speakers from both Ireland and international emergency services and the fire industry, offering their expertise to inspire innovative approaches for the Fire and Rescue Service as it adapts to future demands.”

The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) represents the Chief Fire Officers of all local authorities in Ireland and holds membership in both the Federation of European Union Fire Officer Associations (FEU) and the CTIF International Association of Fire and Rescue Services.

Galway householders are being urged to bring their batteries, electrical, and electronic waste to a set of free collection days to help the county meet national e-waste recycling targets for 2025.

The free events, hosted by WEEE Ireland and proudly supported by Galway County Council, take place on Saturday, May 10 from 10am-4pm at Mountbellew/Moylough GAA Club and on Saturday, May 17 in Cooperative Mart on Dominic Street, Portumna from 10am-4pm.

Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled for free on the day, including old washing machines, TVs, toasters and kettles, electronic tools and toys, cables, IT equipment, mobile phones, remote controls, batteries, including farm fence batteries, and even watches.

“In Galway, and across Ireland, we are buying more electrical goods than ever – with people purchasing an average 23kg per head in 2024, compared to the pre-Covid average of 16kgs in 2019,” said WEEE Ireland CEO Leo Donovan.

“Shopping stats show a surge in spend on new electrical devices like mobile phones, computers, small kitchen appliances and white goods.

“With old items still lying around many households we want to offer the opportunity to recycle these for free.

“People in Galway have contributed greatly to e-waste recycling every year, with 2,748 tonnes of electrical waste collected in the county in 2023, and we want to encourage that trend.”

9.9kg of e-waste was recycled per person in Galway in 2023 – falling short of the national average of 10.33kg per person that same year.

WEEE Ireland warns that the nation needs to meet new forthcoming EU targets to recycle at least 25% of our annual consumption of critical raw materials from e-waste.

“An average of 80% of all e-waste that we collect is recovered for use again in manufacturing through both indigenous operators and specialist processors in Europe,” said Mr. Donovan.

“Most end-of-life products contain metals and minerals in higher concentrations than primary resources.

“These stocks of resources are the urban mines of the future, so our recycling efforts can have a significant impact on the environment.”

In 2023, the equivalent of 222,852 tonnes of CO2 emissions were avoided by recycling e-waste through the WEEE Ireland Scheme as opposed to landfilling. That is the equivalent of the annual carbon consumption of 4,457 hectares of trees.

WEEE Ireland accounts for over two thirds of all national waste electrical and electronics collection activity on behalf of 1,355 producer members.

“Recycling e-waste is incredibly beneficial for both the environment and the economy,” said Mr. Donovan.

“Together, we are diverting waste from landfill, recovering raw materials for reuse and ensuring hazardous materials are safely and responsibly disposed of.

“We look forward to working with Galway householders to hopefully recycle a record-breaking amount of electronic waste in 2025.”

Brite Charging Limited, High-Powered EV charge point operator, has confirmed the planned opening of their new EV charge hub at Sandy Road in Galway. 

The expansion plans follow successful testing of Brite’s initial Rapid Charge site at the Galway Retail Park. 

The new site will be one of the largest zero carbon eMobility solutions in Ireland for EV charging, and will open in June 2025. 

The new site, located directly across the road from Sheils Ford, will see a number of 300kWh chargers being installed.

This will enable people to charge their electric cars at 5kWh per minute. That’s enough to add 100km of range to your battery in just three minutes.

The charge hub will benefit local taxi and fleet drivers who drive, or plan to drive, an electric vehicle in or around Galway city. 

The site is located next to the Maldron, Nox and Menlo Park hotels as well as the Terryland retail Park. 

Brite has stated that it will further expand its capacity in the coming months with even more high-powered charging stations in Galway.

This Bank Holiday weekend Water Safety Ireland, the Coast Guard, and the RNLI are collectively urging people to stay safe on the water.

The weather has picked up lately, with summer sunshine and warm days coming early, so more people are out enjoying some time on the beach and waterways lately.

The organisations recommend that all boats and watercraft, including kayaks and canoes, be thoroughly inspected and maintained after the winter season.

This includes servicing engines and ensuring all equipment, especially lifejackets, are in good condition.

Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI Water Safety Lead, says that it is great that so many more people have been enjoying water activities in recent years, but there are serious concerns about safety.

“It’s great to see that water and beach leisure time has increased over the years as people enjoy the water. However, our research shows that 36% of people don’t know what to do if they get into trouble in the water.”

“The RNLI is reminding everyone to remember Float to Live if they find themselves in trouble in water: tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing.”

“Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then, once you are through the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety if you can.”

When using a boat or other water vessel:

• always wear a lifejacket and carry reliable communication devices, such as a VHF radio and ideally a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), with a mobile phone in a waterproof case as a backup
• inform someone about your planned route and expected return time

For water-based activities:

• always have a means to communicate distress effectively
• check environmental conditions (weather and tides) using available information sources before your trip
• seek help immediately if you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast, or think they are in trouble, by using Marine VHF channel 16 or Dialling 112 and asking for the Coast Guard

For swimmers:

• water temperatures remain cold at this time of year, so consider wearing a wetsuit to stay warm
• acclimatise to the water slowly
• wear a bright swimming cap and consider using a tow float to enhance your visibility
• never swim alone and always ensure your activity is monitored by a companion

HSE West and North West is advising people to be aware of their options of care this May Bank Holiday weekend.

Bank holiday weekends and extended good weather can put extra pressure on the health system, and people are advised to familiarise themselves with care options available to them.

Emergency departments will see higher than normal attendances due to the bank holiday weekend, and the HSE is asking for the public’s patience during long wait times.

The HSE is advising that all avenues of care should be considered before going to the emergency department, if there is a better option.

If you urgently need to see a GP over the bank holiday weekend, you should contact your local out of hours GP service.

Westdoc will be operating at increased capacity in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon from Friday evening until Tuesday morning. You can find your local GP out-of-hours service on the HSE website.

Clinics are by appointment only so please call 0818 360 000 in advance to make an appointment.

You can also receive advice and over the counter treatments from your local pharmacy.

Another option of care is injury units which treat non life-threatening injuries such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains, wounds, scalds, and minor burns. You can find your local injury unit at www.hse.ie/injuryunits.

A woman in her 80s has died after being hit by a truck in Co. Roscommon on Thursday afternoon.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic incident at Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon yesterday.

The incident, involving a pedestrian and a truck occurred at the junction of the N5 and R361 at approximately 4:45pm.

The pedestrian, a woman in her 80s, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision.

Her body has since been removed to the mortuary at University Hospital Galway where a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

A technical examination has since been conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and the road has reopened to traffic.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward and contact them.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 4:30pm and 5:00pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Castlerea Garda Station on 094 962 1630, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.