UHG has most COVID cases in Republic today

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January 11, 2022

Galway Daily news Galway hospitals see COVID cases double in recent weeks

The Department of Health has reported 19,290 further cases of COVID-19 in the State this afternoon.

As of 8am today, a total of 1,062 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised nationally, of whom 92 are in intensive care units.

There were 70 confirmed cases at University Hospital Galway as of Monday – the second highest in the Republic. Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe had a further 10 confirmed cases, according to the latest HSE data.

There are six COVID patients in the ICU at University Hospital Galway in the latest figures from the HSE, and one at Portiuncula Hospital.

Health officials have said that given the current high incidence, the daily case number is based on positive SARS-CoV-2 results uploaded to the HSE COVID Care Tracker the preceding day, and that these data are provisional.

13 bedroom Galway guesthouse & bar for sale

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January 11, 2022

galway daily news portumna hotel for sale auction bar

A 13 bedroom guesthouse and licenced bar along Portumna’s main thoroughfare will be sold by auction.

The Clonwyn Guesthouse, Bar & Restaurant of St. Brendan’s Street in Portumna will be auctioned with a starting price of €180,000, according to the property’s listing on iamsold.ie.

The premises, extending to c. 985 m2, is being sold by Sherry FitzGerald Madden in partnership with IAM Sold Property Auctions.

This substantial property consists of a nicely laid out ground floor area, with a traditional style bar, café and function room/nightclub area.

There is a spacious first and second floor area, comprising nine en-suite bedrooms and four 1 bed apartments.

Although in need of some modernisation, this property would make a perfect investment project and is suitable to a host of uses.

The listing advises that there are a number of criteria that must be met for licence to be re-instated.

Three Galway singers compete in country music contest starting tonight on TG4

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January 11, 2022

galway daily news galway singers in glor tíre

A brand new season of TG4’s Glor Tíre begins tonight with a new studio, set and format for the station’s annual search for the best country music singers.

Three Galway women are among the talented contestants in the 18th season of the popular talent show which starts at 9.30 tonight on TG4.

Galway singers Katelyn Molloy and Deirdre Keane will both be mentored by Ciarán Rosney, while Rachel Goode from Ballinasloe will be mentored by fellow Galwegian Mike Denver.

Denver will also put Aishling Rafferty from Tipperary Town through her paces and Louise Morrissey will be the guest judge of Mike Denvir’s aspiring stars.

Hailing from Fermanagh is Rachel McConnell who will be mentored by Olivia Douglas, and she will also support Colin Kenny from Borrisokane in Tipperary as he aspires to win the Glór Tíre title.

Doyen of Country music Susan Mc Cann will be the guest Judge for Olivia Douglas’ concert shows.

Leading country artist Johnny Brennan will mentor Tracy Brennan from Dungannon in Tyrone and Kenny Crawford from Lifford in Donegal.

Filmed in Claregalway, Glor Tíre features Ireland’s biggest names in country music, and the winner will receive the much sought-after title as well as a cash prize fund of €5,000, sponsored by Louis Fitzgerald Group & Joel’s Restaurant.

In addition, the winner will join country music star, Mike Denver and friends for one week of shows and performances in Portugal in 2022 and this is sponsored by Paul Claffey Tours.

Rising country music stars and contestants will experience a new and exciting judging format for season 18, which will once again see contestant’s talent tested to reach their penultimate challenge of becoming Ireland’s Glór Tíre Country Music champion.

Resident judges Jo Ní Chéide and Caitriona Ní Shuilleabhain will be joined by guest judges, who are some of the biggest names and supporters of Irish country music industry.

They include renowned country music journalist Eddie Rowley of the Sunday World and country stars Mick Flavin, Susan McCann and Louise Morrissey.

Presenters Aoife Ní Thuairisc and Séamus Ó Scanláin will once again engage with contestants, judges and mentors and entertain TG4 Glór Tíre audiences at home. Eight contestants will feature in an initial four concert programmes when their mentors introduce audiences and fans to their contestants for the first time.

At the end of each of these programmes the judges will choose four contestants who are safe in the competition and four contestants who will face the intense public live vote as part of the first elimination.

Voting will only open live during the first elimination programme and all votes are zeroed after each elimination which will bring great intensity and excitement to the performances of season 18.

Ultimately five contestants will make it to the semi-final and three will go on to the final when the winner will be announced on 22 February 2022.

The Sunday World’s country music columnist Eddie Rowley will be the guest judge for Johnny Brennan’s concert shows.

Reigning TG4 Glór Tíre titleholder Emma Donoghue is not looking forward to relinquishing her title.

“I’ve had an amazing year, since winning the Glór Title, I’ve learnt so much about the country music industry from my mentor Mike Denvir, I’ve grown in confidence and built a fantastic, loyal fan base and it’s all thanks to the brilliance of TG4 and the Glór Tíre series,” said Emma, who went on to wish all contestants every success and encouraged them to savour every moment of the competition.

All in all this promises to be the most exciting season yet of the hit TG4 show Glór Tíre.

Return to TV screens on 11 January with this very exciting and competitive shows broadcast on 18 and 25 January and on February 1, 8, 15 and 22.

‘Shocking’ figures reveal number of people without much-needed carers

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January 11, 2022

Sinn Féin representative Louis O’Hara has called on the government to act urgently to ensure carers are available to assist people who need home support in Galway.

His call follows new figures which revealed the numbers of people in Galway that have been left without much-needed carers.

Figures released by the HSE to his party colleague Pauline Tully TD exposed that almost 5,000 people across the state are waiting for a carer to be allocated to them despite being approved.

Of these, 638 are living in CHO area 2, which includes Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

“In total 638 people have been approved for a carer in CHO area 2, which includes Galway, but despite this have not been allocated a carer due to severe shortages. Almost 5,000 people are in this unacceptable situation across the state,” said Mr O’Hara.

O’Hara described the situation as ‘unacceptable’, saying Sinn Féin has been warning for many years now of a looming crisis within the homecare system.

“This crisis has spiralled during the pandemic, yet the government has consistently failed to properly plan and put contingencies in place,” he said.

In response to the parliamentary question, the government acknowledged that ‘factors, such as the contracts of employment on offer and employment terms and conditions being offered are a factor in the recruitment challenges faced by the sector’.

“I am calling on the government to engage with private and community and voluntary homecare providers to incentivise the progression of the terms and conditions they offer their staff and bring them into line with those employed directly by the HSE,” O’Hara added.

Toll charges increases another burden on already hard-pressed motorists – TD

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January 11, 2022

Galway Daily news motorists advised to watch for people walking in the fine weather

Galway East TD Seán Canney has said that he believes the increase in toll charges from the 1 January is ‘ill-timed, unfair and is adding further costs to hard-hit motorists’.

Rates are to rise by 10 cent across most public private partnership (PPP) toll roads, with the M4, M1, N6, M17/18, N25, Waterford Bridge, and Limerick Tunnel all seeing increases in the charge.

“At a time when fuel prices are at an all-time high and insurance costs are increasing, I believe that this increase is adding further costs to motorists using these roads,” said the Independent Galway TD.

“I believe the increase which represents an increase of over 5.30% on the cost of tolls is unfair for the already hard-pressed motorist.”

Deputy Canney said that it is also ironic that these increases are coming at a time when all tolls are not now manned and are operating on a card only basis with substantial savings in wages for these private toll operators.

Over the Edge turns 19 with January open reading

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January 11, 2022

Galway Daily arts Over the Edge turns 19 in January open reading

Galway’s Over the Edge is celebrating its 19th birthday with the first open reading of 2022 next week, for arts lovers to ring in the new year.

The open reading will take place on Thursday, January 20 at the usual time of 6:30pm over Zoom, with featured readers Daniel Wade, John Noonan, & Deirdre Hines.

he evening will also see the launch, by Deirdre Hines, of issue fifteen of perhaps Ireland’s most exciting, informative, and accessible poetry magazine Skylight 47.

Various contributors to the magazine, which was edited by Bernie Crawford, Nicki Griffin, & Ruth Quinlan, will also be performing readings during the evening.

Liverpool born Deirdre Hines has hop-scotched from there to Belfast, and then to Letterkenny, Co. Donegal where she now lives and works.

She has written several plays, of which “Howling Moons, Silent Sons” won the Stewart Parker Award for Best New Play in 1992.

She went on to write “Ghost Acreage at Vixen Tine” (1994), “A Moving Destiny”(1996), and “Dreamframe” produced for Fishamble’s “Y2K” Festival.

She was short listed for the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award in 2010, and won the Listowel Poetry Collection in 2011, before her debut collection The Language of Coats was published in 2012.

John Noonan is a native of Longford who now lives near Dundalk, and whose work has been published in Poetry Ireland Review, Crannóg, Skylight 47, Revival Press, and more.

His first play “Winter Window” was performed in 2018. John’s poetry has also been included in some anthologies also shortlisted in many poetry competitions and was the winner of The Goldsmith International Poetry Competition.

Daniel Wade, a Dublin native, was the Hennessy New Irish Writing winner for the Irish Times in 2015.

His first play, The Collector, made its stage debut at the New Theatre, Dublin in January 2017.

His debut poetry collection Rapids was published by Finishing Line Press in August of 2021, whilst his novel A Land Without Wolves was published by Temple Dark Books last September.

This reading celebrates the nineteenth anniversary of the first ever Over The Edge reading in Galway City Library and there will be an online birthday party throughout.

There will even possibly be a birthday cake to celebrate the fact that Over The Edge is now (easily) old enough to legally drink whiskey, drive a car, or join the French Foreign Legion.

As usual there will be an open mic for anyone to step forward with their work after the featured readers. The MC for the evening will be Susan Millar DuMars.

To take part or tune in for the January Over the Edge Meeting on January 20, join the Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7389013549. Meeting ID: 738 901 3549.

Enterprise Ireland reports 9% increase in jobs in the west

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January 11, 2022

Companies in the west of Ireland supported by Enterprise Ireland saw employment increase by 9% last year to 14,668 jobs.

Overall, 2021 saw net jobs in companies backed by Enterprise Ireland grow by 11,911, the highest single year gain the agency has ever reported.

All told Enterprise Ireland says that businesses it supports created a total of 20,342 new jobs, though there were also job losses to take into account.

The largest areas of jobs growth were in the Life Sciences (14%), Business Services (12%) and Digital Technology (10%).

Speaking about the publication of Enterprise Ireland’s end of year statement today, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that there are now over 200,000 people working in their Irish client companies, almost as many as employed by multinationals.

“It’s great to see Irish exporting companies performing so strongly last year notwithstanding the disruption to trade caused by Brexit and the pandemic.”

“I am particularly pleased that jobs growth occurred in all regions with almost 70% of new jobs growth occurring outside of Dublin,” Leo Varadkar said.

Enterprise Ireland CEO, Leo Clancy said that the agency has been working with businesses throughout the country to help them recover from COVID.

Also a focus of the agency has been helping them “adapt to the new trading relationship with the UK” as a result of Brexit.

“Our core focus for the coming years will be on helping our clients realise further growth resulting from the significant opportunities that a recovering global economy presents for the benefit of every community in Ireland.”

Among the figures highlighted in the end of year report were the creation of 125 new start-up companies, 1,375 overseas contracts secured with Enterprise Ireland assistance, and €61.6m in funding approved for 341 companies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today also saw Enterprise Ireland launch its three year strategy for the future, which aims create 45,000 jobs over that period, and increase client companies’ exports to €30 billion.

Planning permission sought for Clifden housing development

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January 11, 2022

Galway Daily news Planning appeal over 91 houses & apartments in Athenry

Planning permission is being sought from the county council for a housing development to the south of Clifden comprising 28 houses.

Acton MR Construction Limited have submitted plans for a development on a 3.75ha greenfield site on the Clifden-Ballyconneely Road.

The 28 detached houses will comprise 7 four-bed units, 18 three-bed units, and 3 two-bed units.

An architectural statement for the project states that the development has been designed with landscaped spaces acting as “green breaks” between clusters of houses, and a “woodland walkway” which will look down over Clifden Bay.

The estate will include 56 total car parking spaces, two per houses, along with four bikes racks.

The existing access point onto the Clifden-Ballyconneely R341 road would be upgraded for the site entrance.

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by February 4 of this year.

Loughrea Gardaí warn of scam package delivery calls

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January 11, 2022

Galway Daily news Loughrea Gardaí warn of scam package delivery calls

Gardaí in Loughrea have warned of a number of scam calls reported to them in recent days related to fraudulent delivery schemes.

An Garda Síochána report that scammers are claiming to be from delivery firms such as Amazon to try and trick personal information from people.

People are advised to be aware of receiving a phone call, text or email out of the blue claiming there’s a delivery for you, it’s a scam.

If someone asks you for personal information, seeks payment for a delivery, or offers a refund, do not share any information with them.

“Amazon has warned that it will never ask for personal information, or ask the public to make a payment outside of its website such as via a bank transfer or emailing credit card details,” Gardaí said on Facebook.

“If a person receives an email regarding an order or Prime membership, or anything that is not recognisable, they are asked to forward the email to stop-spoofing@amazon.com and then delete it.”

“Do not click on any links in such emails. Please SHARE.”

No increase in COVID cases in the ICU

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January 11, 2022

Galway daily news COVID-19 cases more than double at UHG

There has been no change in the number of COVID patients being treated in the ICU in Galway in the most recent figures, even as case numbers remain very high.

There are six COVID patients in the ICU at University Hospital Galway in the latest figures from the HSE, and one at Portiuncula Hospital.

This is unchanged from the previous day’s figures, even as UHG is dealing with large numbers of patients.

There were 70 confirmed cases at University Hospital Galway as of Monday, the second highest level in the country.

Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe has a further 10 confirmed cases.

Both of Galway’s acute hospitals have also been put under pressure by large numbers of staff absences due to COVID, at a time when there is a very high demand for emergency care.

Nationwide there 1,046 confirmed cases in Irish hospitals as of Monday afternoon, of whom 88 are in the ICU.

HSE Chief Paul Reid has said that the stable ICU figures despite the recent surge in case numbers is cause for optimism, as possible evidence that the Omicron variant is less severe.

Ratings jump for TG4 over Christmas as station praised for fantastic schedule

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January 11, 2022

galway daily news sian o riada tg4 tv — Tens of thousands tuned in to documentary Seán Ó Riada, Mo Sheanathair, which aired on TG4 over the Christmas period

TG4 ratings increased 25% during Christmas 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, according to official TAM Ireland/Nielsen figures.

From Christmas Eve until New Year’s Day, TG4 had an average daily share of 2.8% compared to 2.2% in 2020, and the station reached a total of 1.87 million people over the period.

The average daily reach was 632,700 and on New Year’s Day, TG4 had its highest audience share of 4.3%.

New Year’s Eve, St. Stephen’s Day and Christmas Day also performed well with audience shares of 3.2%, 3.3% and 2.7% respectively.

The most watched programme was Rugbaí Beo on New Year’s Day, where Connacht V Munster at the Sportsgrounds in Galway was watched by 118,000 people.

A celebration of the best of Joe Dolan, Seo é Joe Dolan on New Year’s Eve was watched by 109,000 people, and Opry Philomena @ 60 on December 28 was watched by 72,000.

New documentaries during Christmas proved popular with viewers, with The Christmas Day documentary Peter O’Toole – Réalta & Rógaire attracting 70,000 viewers.

Sixty thousand people tuned in to watch Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, granddaughter of Seán Ó Riada, in Seán Ó Riada Mo Sheanathair, learn more about the iconic musician who passed away 50 years ago, and a tribute to Cork Ladies Football Manager Éamonn Ryan: An Máistir who passed away in 2020, was viewed by 51,000 people.

COVID-19: 23,909 further cases reported

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January 10, 2022

A further 23,909 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported by health officials this afternoon.

As of 8am today, 1,063 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised across the Republic, of whom 89 are in intensive care units.

Dr Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer, said it is essential for everyone to protect themselves and others from infection.

“Every small action to limit the spread of this disease is vital, as we continue to experience a large volume of patients in hospital, up a third on this time last week,” said the CMO.

Dr Holohan asked people to remember that behind each hospital statistic and ICU figure is an individual, with family and friends, and a team of healthcare workers providing care to them in very difficult circumstances.

“The best way we can continue to support our health service and protect each other is to continue to follow the public health advice as best we can – staying home and isolating if we have symptoms, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, opening windows, wearing facemasks and working from home where possible,” he said.

Five days left to recycle Christmas trees in Galway towns and villages

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January 10, 2022

christmas tree lights at University Hospital Galway DAILY

People have five more days to recylcle their Christmas trees for free at a number of locations across Co. Galway.

Galway County Council’s recycling service will run until this Saturday, January 15 at thirteen locations in the county, and the service is free of charge.

A Christmas tree recycling service run by Galway City Council will run until tomorrow, Tuesday from 9am to 3pm at Hunters Depot on the Barna Road and Merlin Woods Depot in Doughiska.

Households in the county can bring their trees to the following locations until Saturday:

Athenry: Public Car Park beside Kenny Park
Ballinasloe: Canal Drive, Ballinasloe
Clifden: Beach Road
An Cheathrú Rua: Halla Éinne
Gort: Lough Cutra Quarry, Bunnasrah, Gort
Loughrea: Fairgreen, Courthouse Road
Mountbellew: Black Quarry, Mountbellew – Ballinasloe Road (Near 50km speed limit sign)
Oughterard: Car Park, Oughterard
Maigh Cuilinn: Behind the bringbanks on Mountain Road
Portumna: Beside bringbanks, Castle Avenue
Tuam: Civic Amenity Site, Athenry Road
Headford: Council Yard beside Mart
Oranmore: Oranmore Community Centre beside GAA Pitch

“Evidence of less severity” says HSE chief in message of hope

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January 10, 2022

galway daily news Just one COVID patient in the ICU at University Hospital Galway

The HSE’s chief executive, Paul Reid, has said that there is evidence that the Omicron variant is less severe, and that there is room for optimism despite current pressures on the health service.

He said that hospitals are under stress – but that booster vaccines are giving greater protection and that the public’s actions are mitigating the impact of this wave.

While over 1,000 people are now hospitalised with the virus, he said that cases in intensive care units cases holding stable.

He pointed out however that nobody is hospitalised for mild illness.

University Hospital Galway confirmed earlier today that 400 staff are unavailable due to COVID-19 and that it is dealing with outbreaks on two wards.

The hospital has the second highest number of COVID cases in the State following a recent surge.

There are 68 confirmed cases at UHG as of Sunday night, according to the latest figures from the HSE.

This is twice as many cases as there were at University Hospital Galway a week ago.

New alcohol prices will increase importation from the North, says PBP Galway

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January 10, 2022

Galway daily news Call for Airbnb hosts to guard against house parties

People Before Profit has reiterated its opposition to the government’s recent introduction of minimum unit pricing of alcohol.

The price increases came into effect last week and affects the prices of the cheapest off licence sales of beers, wine and spirits.

According to People Before Profit Galway representative Adrian Curran, it is a “desperate measure” which will redistribute wealth from working class people to retailers.

“It is an attempt to fulfil a Fine Gael manifesto promise from 2011 to protect publicans from low alcohol prices elsewhere.”

Curran said that this policy will push up the cost of living for young people and workers who consume lower cost alcohol, whilst having no impact on more expensive beverages.

Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol will see a minimum cost limit of €0.10 per gram for all alcoholic beverages.

The minimum price for a 12.5% bottle of wine, for example, will rise to €7.40, whilst the minimum price for a slab of Budweiser cans will rise to €40.76.

As an alternative, the PBP Galway representative suggested that the government should “create a public health education campaign to reduce alcohol consumption.”

“Prohibition does not work, regardless of its intentions,” he said.

“Pricing people out of alcohol will see an increase in the importation of alcohol from the North, and a rise in those turning to harder substances.

“It may even see some forego food, clothes and other essentials in order to purchase alcohol at its new, higher price.”

400 UHG staff off work due to COVID

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January 10, 2022

University Hospital Galway has said that people coming to its Emergency Department are currently experiencing long waiting times.

The hospital apologised for the delays and said that the increase in the number of patients with COVID-19 admitted over the last week has contributed to the delays.

More than 400 staff are also unavailable for work due to COVID-19, which is also having an impact on waiting times at the hospital.

There are currently two COVID-19 outbreaks on two wards, with four further wards now being used to care for patients with the disease.

A total of 71 patients with COVID-19 are being treated at UHG with three patients receiving care in the intensive care unit.

The pressure on bed capacity means that patients are facing long waiting times to be 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.

As a result of the ongoing pressures, all routine surgeries and some scheduled surgeries are being postponed.

A number of outpatient appointments are also being postponed in order to redeploy staff to areas where there are staff shortages. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure or appointment is postponed.

The hospital says that it is committed to treating everyone who presents at the ED; people who are seriously injured or ill are assessed and treated as a priority and those who do not require urgent care may be waiting longer.

As part of the hospital’s COVID-19 measures, we ask that patients wait in the ED alone to help maintain social distancing. A companion will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances.

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.

Planning application lodged for N17 realignment scheme

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January 10, 2022

Galway Daily news Planning application lodged for N17 realignment scheme

The N17 Milltown to Gortnagunned road realignment scheme has taken a major step forward, with a planning application lodged for the project.

Galway County Council lodged a planning application for the scheme with An Bord Pleanála on December 31.

The realignment scheme consists of roughly 3km of rural road between Milltown village and Gortnagunned, which will tie into an already upgraded stretch of the N17 at its northern end.

Aside from improving the width of the road, other works in the N17 realignment scheme will involve improvements to eight T-junctions, 36 direct access connections, replacing the drainage system leading into the River Clare, and protecting or diverting existing utility services.

An Bord Pleanála ruled in May of last year that a Natura Impact Statement was required for the project due to the potential for impacts on the Lough Corrib Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation.

A compulsory purchase order application for the realignment scheme has also been made to An Bord Pleanála.

Both of these are due to be decided by the higher planning authority by June 22.

No dice for cameras on Lynch’s Castle

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January 10, 2022

Approval has been rejected for AIB to install security cameras on the front of the historic Lynch’s Castle facing out on to Shop Street.

AIB sought approval for nine cameras in total around the medieval premises in the city centre. In a split decision, planning approval was granted for some, but not the most sensitively located cameras.

The City Council granted permission for the two new cameras on the Abbeygate Street side, as well as for five new or replacement cameras on the rear elevation at roof level.

However, permission was refused for two new cameras on the Shop Street side of the historic building, due to the effect it would have on the historic building.

The application stated that Gardaí had recommended to AIB that, as a financial institute, they should have external cameras for security.

The Galway City Council Heritage Officer Dr. Jim Higgins said that installing cameras on the front façade of Lynch’s Castle is “completely unacceptable” from a heritage standpoint.

It had been proposed that the two cameras would be attached through fixings in the mortar joints, rather than the stone fabric of the wall, with cables to go through the modern timber frames of the windows.

The council said that the two dome style cameras on Shop Street would “have a seriously detrimental impact on the setting and character and appearance of the protected structure and recorded monument and City Core Architectural Area.”

“The proposal would therefore materially contravene policies 8.1 and 8.2 of the Galway City Development Plan 2017-2023 and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

Lynch’s Castle is a four storey medieval fortified townhouse in stunningly good condition, which dates back to the 16th century.

It was built by the powerful Lynch family, one of the original 14 Tribes of Galway, and is a highly protected monument in the city.

UHG has second highest number of COVID cases in Ireland

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January 10, 2022