Galway-based HidraMed Solutions has been named among the winners at Visa’s inaugural She’s Next Grant Programme today.
HidraMed Solutions, founded by Suzanne Moloney, was chosen from hundreds of entrants as the winner in the Innovation category of the programme.
The ‘She’s Next’ programme sees five women business-owners in Ireland receive a grant of €5,000 and one-year business coaching through IFundWomen.
HidraMed Solutions is the company behind HidraWear, which has revolutionised wound care for those suffering from the incurable and debilitating skin disease, Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS).
As someone diagnosed with HS, Suzanne wanted to find a better way to manage her medical condition and care for her wounds daily.
Suzanne created HidraWear – a patented range of adhesive-free dressings that fit into specially created underwear to help to alleviate the burden of HS. HidraWear is listed on the national health reimbursement schemes in four markets, including Ireland, with a view to expanding into the US in 2022.
Speaking about her win, Suzanne said that the last few years have seen HidraMed transition from a fun start-up to a fully operational organisation.
“The mentoring opportunity through the She’s Next Grant Programme is timely as it will help me through this transition, particularly as the business expands into new markets,” she said.
“As we grow, we are developing new products, and the funding will contribute to tooling costs related to a new dressing design we are working on at the moment, aimed to launch in 2022.”
The programme received over 200 entries from Ireland’s women entrepreneurs with representation from multiple sectors including technology, education, retail and culture.
The judges were particularly impressed by the ingenuity, the passion for their business and entrepreneurial spirit of the five winning recipients.
“We were blown away by the response to Ireland’s inaugural programme and it’s clear from the calibre of entries that entrepreneurship among women in Ireland is flourishing” said Dominic White, country manager, Visa Ireland.
“But the feedback we have received from entrants is that women need more support and can benefit hugely from coaching and the opportunity to network with like-minded entrepreneurs.
“We warmly congratulate the five fantastic winners and look forward to seeing them take the next step in growing their businesses.”
TG4 will broadcast a musical celebration in memory of Galway musician Joe Burke on Christmas Day.
The special programme will see performances from some of the most influential Irish musical figures including his wife Ann, who is also a phenomenal accordion player.
Joe Burke, who was a giant of traditional music and accordion, died in February this year and the show will be a special night of celebration with family and friends.
TG4 will celebrate the man who lifted many hearts with his wit and storytelling as well as influencing countless musicians all over the world.
Some of these musicians will feature in the programme, with performances from Ann Conroy Burke, Mary Conroy, Frankie Gavin, Charlie Lennon, Eileen O’Brien, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, Liz & Yvonne Keane, Jackie Daly, Dermot Byrne, Máire Ní Chathasaigh agus Conchubhar Ó Luasa.
Lad O’Beirne, Aggie White, Paddy Killoran and Andy McGann are just some of the most famous musical names of the 20th century and they were all close friends and musical collaborators of Joe Burke.
Viewers will get an insight into the long musical life of this musician while he was over in America and later upon return to his native Galway.
Joe Burke undoubtably influenced the progress of accordion music in Ireland especially that which is played in B/C tuning and he is recognised as one of the most influential figures of Irish music of the last 100 years and that is especially true for young emerging talent.
He’s a man who left a rich archive of recordings in his wake, not only of his own unique playing but also invaluable recordings of some of the early 20th century musicians, most notably never before heard tracks of the legendary Michael Coleman.
As Burke himself said,‘You don’t just play music for life. Music becomes your life.’
Joe wore many hats as a musician, teacher and archivist and we’ll get an emotive insight into these aspects of his life in this loving energetic tribute to a special man.
Joe Burke – Ceiliúradh airs on Christmas Day at 10.20pm and worldwide on the TG4 Player.
Walk-in vaccination clinics for people in their 50s to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster are continuing in Galway City today.
The vaccination centre at Ballybrit Racecourse will be open for people aged 50-59 to get their booster shot without needing an appointment from 2pm to 8pm today.
This is available for people who got their second dose on or before July 17, or have gone at least three months since getting the single dose Janssen vaccine.
There were no major delays reported at a similar clinic on Monday morning, where close to 1,000 people got their shot.
Frank Harburn, Saolta General Manager for the rollout of the vaccination programme said “It is difficult to anticipate how many people will arrive at the same time to a walk-in clinic and people may have to queue.”
“Please bear with us. Staff will be working hard to keep the queue moving and reduce the waiting time.”
Along with these clinics, people can also get their booster shot from participating pharmacies, details of which are available on the HSE’s website.
Anyone who has had COVID-19 since their previous vaccination should wait to get their booster dose at least 6 months after the positive test result.
People coming to a walk-in clinic for their booster vaccine should bring their PPS number and a photo ID. If the photo ID doesn’t include date of birth, please bring proof of DOB (e.g. birth cert).
Galway County Council has granted more time to finish construction of an estate of 113 houses in Moycullen.
Solemia Unlimited Company has been granted a two year extension of planning permission for a housing development at Kylebroughlan, Moycullen.
When completed, it will comprise 24 five-bed detached dwellings, 4 four-bed detached dwellings, 24 four-bed semi detached dwellings, 48 three-bed semi-detached dwellings, and 13 three-bed terrace dwellings, along with a creche.
There have been 30 houses completed, sold, and occupied to date, and another 19 are due to be done by the end of this year.
Other works which have been finished include significant portions of internal roads, the landscaping and open space at Coill Ard. Work has also commenced on ground works to prepare for another 30 houses.
Outline planning permission was first granted for the housing development in 2006, and the council has approved two extensions of it since then.
The planning permission was due to expire this December 31, and the developer said in the EOD application that the builder expects construction to be completed by the end of 2022.
However, due to the “huge delays with the delivery and sourcing of materials and labour” in the construction industry right now, the maximum two years was sought.
Galway County Council granted the extension of planning permission without any conditions.
Motorists should take care on the road tonight, as visibility is set to plummet with fog rolling in from Monday evening to Tuesday morning.
A status yellow weather warning for fog across all of Ireland has been issued by Met Eireann, which will be in effect from 7pm tonight to 9am on Tuesday.
“Fog developing in some areas with reduced visibility leading to difficult travel conditions.”
Temperatures in Galway will drop as low as 0 in some place tonight, though they will remain higher in coastal areas, as high as 7-8 degrees at times.
Southwesterly winds will pick up strength tonight, becoming strong in coastal and persisting into Wednesday.
Conditions will remain overcast but mostly dry tonight and into Tuesday, with some clear spells as well.
In fact, after a vicious hammering by Storm Barra last week, Met Eireann is forecasting a mild turn in the weather for the remainder the week.
It is expected to remain dry for the most part, though the sun is not expected to make any prolonged appearances, and temperatures will remain in the region of 8 to 10 degrees until the weekend.
Lidl Gort customer, Joanne Brannigan of Shaneaglish managed to grab 246 worth of goodies making for a Merry Lidl Christmas with Lidl Gort store manager Mariusz . Photo: Xposure
Over €13,990 has been raised in Galway through Lidl’s annual Trolley Dash fundraiser for JIGSAW, the national centre for youth mental health.
The festive fundraiser raised over €280,000 across Ireland in support of the charity, receiving fantastic support from generous customers across Lidl’s stores.
Trolley Dash tickets were sold in Lidl stores nationwide in November for just €1, offering customers the chance to win a supermarket sweep style dash around their local nearest Lidl store.
The winning customers took to the aisles over the past week to scoop their Christmas shopping as part of the festive fundraiser and bagged over 170 trolley loads of groceries just in time for Christmas.
Over the past seven years, Trolley Dash fundraisers have raised over €2million for the supermarkets charity partners and given away trolley loads of Christmas groceries to the lucky winners.
Speaking about the success of this year’s Trolley Dash, Lidl Ireland Head of CSR, Owen Keogh said that it’s an incredible milestone to have raised over €280,000 in this year’s Trolley Dash, and that it’s a fun and festive way to mobilise efforts in support of a super charity.
“With restrictions over the past two years, looking after local community’s big and small is more important than ever, he said.
“The whole team at Lidl Ireland are heartened by the generosity and that so many customers wanted to contribute to a cause that has a real impact for those looking for support in times of need.”
After receiving the charity donation, Jigsaw CEO Joseph Duffy said: “We continue to see a significant increase in the demand for our services and supports across Ireland and it is so important that young people, their families, teachers and communities know that we are here to support them.
“Thank you so much to Lidl Ireland for this incredible donation from Trolley Dash, made possible by your generous customers – Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and contributed in raising these vital funds, which will enable us to be there to support young people, when and where they need us.”
Trolley Dash is one of many initiatives by Lidl Ireland to fundraise for Jigsaw – the National Centre for Youth Mental Health and engage customers and local communities with various activities.
A special Lidl Elf Factory pop up event was also held in Oranmore, Ballyvolane in Cork and Tallaght where children were invited to stuff and name their own elf toy, create a special Christmas decoration and write and post their letter to Santa.
Galway has been awarded €4.04 million for minor maintenance and improvement works in schools, as well as COVID-19 mitigations.
The Department of Education has announced that €45 million is being paid to primary and special schools under the Minor Works programme.
At the same time, a further €17.5 million has been confirmed for post primary schools to carry put once-off COVID-19 minor works
Minister for Education Norma Foley said that this funding will allow schools to perform regular minor works, as well as addressing “small-scale ventilation improvements” as a “sort term mitigation measure” for the pandemic.
“Minor works funding is important in terms of supporting the operation of schools generally and particularly within a Covid-19 environment.”
“Schools may also apply for emergency works grant assistance to address larger-scale issues on a permanent basis,” Minister Foley said.
“This funding also provides an opportunity for schools to enhance their outdoor learning environments for use as the weather permits.”
The works that can be undertaken under the primary minor works scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to buildings and grounds.
The grants can also be used for replacing mechanical or electrical services, buying furniture and physical education equipment, floor and window coverings, and IT related equipment.
At the primary level, the funding consists of a flat grant of €5,500, and additional funding based on their enrollment, up to €14,750 total.
For the post-primary level, the Covid-19 Minor Works Grant is for €20,000 – €35,000 based on enrollment.
Galway City Community Network is holding a public meeting online this week on the implementation of equality and human rights in the public sector.
The online seminar this Friday will outline howcivil society groups and those with lived experience of discrimination, inequality and a denial of human rights are in the best position to help public bodies eliminate them in Galway.
The event will also include the launch of the Equality and Rights in Action Galway Project video and community resources for this ongoing effort.
Ann Irwin, GCCN Co-Ordinator said that they are delighted to showcase the work done by the Galway City Civil Society Panel as part of that project.
She added that it has made Galway City a “frontrunner” in implementing the public sector duty to, “eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and treatment for their staff and service users, and protect the human rights of their employees, customers, service users.”
The Civil Society Panel is the first of its kind in the country, and draws members from communities in Galway City that are protected by equality legislation.
Marian Maloney from Access for All, a partnership of disability organisations and individuals, said that the panel members use their expertise to help public bodies be compliant with the law.
By acting as partners with public bodies they can also “highlight equality and human rights issues” when public bodies fail to protect those rights in the communities they work with.
The Galway City Community Network represents more than 150 voluntary, environmental, and community organisations in the city.
It serves as a bridge between these groups, and the communities they represent and work on behalf of, and Galway City Council.
Further information about this online seminar and the Equality and Rights in Action Project can be found on the GCCN website.
Christmas is right around the corner, and people are no doubt looking forward to some time off to spend with their families.
But not everyone will be totally relaxed this Christmas, such as the two new members of the Aran Islands RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew, who will be spending their first Christmas on call, ready for any emergency.
With over 1,500 volunteers around Ireland, each RNLI crew member signs up to save anyone and everyone from drowning – the charity’s mission since 1824.
Along with Galway and Clifden lifeboat crews, the crew on the Aran Islands are on call throughout the year, ready to drop everything and launch to help people in trouble at sea.
The Aran Islands crew also has the added duty of serving as a medical transport to the mainland, where the call for an emergency can come at any time of the day or night.
Fisherman and father of five Georgie Gillan, along with NUIG student Shane Crawford are the most recent recruits to join the lifeboat crew, and they are asking people to consider supporting the RNLI this Christmas.
Georgie Gillan
Georgie Gillan is an experienced fisherman and a father of five young children. Working on a prawn trawler he has been aware of the work of the RNLI for as long as he can remember.
He decided it made sense that he would join the lifeboat crew as a member of the fishing community and for a way to give back to those to his community.
“I’ve grown up around the sea and I’ve seen its power and its potential. I’m enjoying the training, and learning a different set of skills, all based around search and rescue and saving others,” Georgie said of his decision.
“Being out on the lifeboat, you’re part of a team, the feeling of giving back is a great one. The standard of the kit and the training is so high and the support we get to do this job is amazing. I’m grateful to the people who support the work of the lifeboats and keep them at sea all year round.”
Shane Crawford, a first year Arts student, studying in NUIG Galway, knew from an early age that he would wear a lifeboat pager, as helping others is in his DNA.
Shane Crawford
His mother is the local community Nurse and his father served with the local Fire service for many years. Shane’s older brother, Colum is also a member of the Aran Islands lifeboat crew, and currently studying to become a paramedic.
Shane said that it has been a dream of his to be on a lifeboat crew since he was young, and that he feels “very at home” there, even though he’s new to the job.
“The communication between the crew when we are out at sea is incredible and you can see the training and commitment of everyone involved. Every piece of kit has a purpose, and the RNLI are always looking to evolve and improve the equipment.
“It’s maintained to the highest standard and we are aware of the responsibility that comes with that. When the pagers goes, no lifeboat volunteer hesitates to answer the call.”
He added that this would not be possible without the donations people make to support the RNLI.
For more information on the RNLI’s Christmas appeal, or to make a donation, visit RNLI.org/Xmas.
The number of COVID-19 patients in Galway’s hospitals has not shifted much in recent days, despite national concerns about the high incidence rate, and the Omicron variant.
There were 16 confirmed cases at University Hospital Galway as of Sunday night, one higher than the previous day, but four fewer than a week ago.
At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe there are eight COVID patients, unchanged from the previous day, but an increase of three cases in the past week.
The number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU has also remained low in Galway, with four as of yesterday.
There are two cases in the intensive care unit at UHG, the same as a week ago, and two at Portincula, a weekly increase of one patient.
Despite the lack of a surge in hospitalisations in the latest wave of the pandemic, hospital service in Galway have continued to remain under great pressure this winter.
There were no ICU beds available at either UHG or Portiuncula on Sunday morning, and just 10 such adult beds were open in the country.
University Hospital Galway had 19 general beds available, but just one was open in Ballinalsoe.
Nationwide, there were 508 people hospitalised with COVID as of Sunday evening, of whom 109 are in the ICU.
The numbers behind the global online sports betting industry are staggering. As one of the most profitable, fastest-growing industries in the world, the global sports betting industry is expected to grow in the following years to reach a value of US$134 billion if it continues to grow at an expected rate of 10% and according to the latest trends this is the most likely scenario. According to the latest research done by Zion Market, the sports betting industry back in 2020 generated amazing revenues of over US$131 billion.
Gross gaming revenues generated by the industry are expected to reach US$179 billion in seven years from now according to the same report. The study by Zion Market also suggests that the global sports betting industry will most likely generate the highest profits of around 8.8% from 2021 to 2028 or during the forecasted period. Moreover, major sports betting activities perfectly coincide with major events in stock markets, and both markets are becoming more and more competitive with more active participants.
The Best Sports Betting Sites
Considering the fact, the sports betting industry is one of the most lucrative most profitable industries, thousands of online sports betting sites operate in different jurisdictions. The USA sports betting industry leads the way followed by the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Germany. On the African continent, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria have the most lenient gambling laws and the most developed sports betting industries.
If you are interested in learning more about the thriving sports betting industry in Nigeria, https://www.bettingsites.ng/ has it all included from the best sports betting sites catering to Nigerian players to the most rewarding bonuses and other valuable info. All the best sports betting sites have certain things in common. The most reputable online bookies are licensed and regulated by prominent regulatory bodies.
The best sports betting sites employ the most advanced security and privacy measures. Top betting sites also offer extensive sports coverage and of course, spoil bettors with generous welcome bonuses, free bets, odds boosts, and other regular bonuses and promotions. However, we further focus on the most common problems sports bettors come across and these include:
Regulatory and legal issues
Rogue operators
Unfavorable withdrawal times
Processing fees
Regulatory and Legal Issues
The regulations and laws associated with online sports betting activities vary from one country to another. In some countries, laws and regulations associated with the industry are quite complex so it is rather unclear whether engaging in online sports betting activities is legal or not. Legal and regulatory issues that are commonly present in the industry put a lot of pressure not only on sports bettors but also on iGaming companies. When the regulations and laws are not as clear as they should be, engaging in sports betting activities can be unsettling.
Rogue Operators
This leads us to another common issue sports bettors come across and that is the presence of many rogue operators. This issue is related to the regulatory and legal problems present in certain jurisdictions where gambling laws and regulations are not clear. According to reports released by iGaming regulatory bodies in Australia and Great Britain, there is a concerning number of rouge operators active in the industry and some of these are involved in money laundering and other criminal activities. Being able to spot a rogue operator is a must in order to avoid other common issues in the sports betting industry.
Unfavorable Withdrawal Times
When you finally win some money at a sports betting site, you may not be able to get your winnings right away and this is another common issue with betting sites. How long it will take to finally receive your winnings depends on a number of factors including your preferred withdrawal option. Your country of residence may also influence withdrawal processing times.
Unfavorable withdrawal terms and longer withdrawal processing times are something bettors do not like and want to deal with. At the same time, using the top betting sites in most cases means you get your winnings within a couple of business days and even sooner when using e-wallet services.
Processing Fees
Related to unfavorable withdrawal terms and conditions and longer withdrawal processing times are processing fees. The best sports betting sites in most cases process deposits free of any extra charge but when it comes to withdrawing your funds, processing fees may apply. If you find the processing fees to be too high, you may want to think about making some extra cash on the side to offset such costs.
Even though withdrawal processing fees tend to be small, they can easily add up if you make withdrawals frequently. If your online bookie does not process deposits without processing fees, this is a huge downside especially when there are many other betting sites where no processing fees apply at all.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to an assault in Mountbellew in the early hours of Sunday morning, which left a man seriously injured.
It is understood a male, aged in his 20s, was seriously injured during an altercation with another man in The Square, Mountbellew.
The assault happened at approximately 1:15am on the morning of Sunday, December 12.
The injured man in currently in Beaumont Hospital, where his condition is described as serious.
Gardaí are appealing to any person who may have witnessed this incident to come forward.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was socialising in Mountbellew on Saturday night, December 11 and who noticed any unusual activity to contact investigating Gardaí.
Any persons who were in The Square, Mountbellew between 12.45am and 1.30am this morning, Sunday, December 12 should contact Gardaí.
Anyone with any information in relation to this matter is asked to contact Ballinasloe Garda Station on 090 963 1890, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
A walk-in vaccination clinic will be held in Galway next week for people in their 50s to come and get their booster shot without an appointment.
The first walk-in clinics for those aged 50-59 will take place at Ballybrit Vaccination Centre on Monday and Tuesday.
Frank Harburn, Saolta General Manager for the rollout of the vaccination programme said that the booster programme is moving along quickly.
“We are now organising walk-in clinics for people aged 50 to 59 who have reached an interval of at least 150 days since their second dose vaccine or have an interval of at least 3 months since receiving the single dose Johnson & Johnson”.
“The first of these clinics will take place in Galway early next week. We will be arranging more walk-in clinics between now and the end of the year.”
“My advice for people is to check hse.ie for details on walk-in clinics as new dates are added regularly.”
“It is difficult to anticipate how many people will arrive at the same time to a walk-in clinic and people may have to queue. Please bear with us. Staff will be working hard to keep the queue moving and reduce the waiting time.”
The clinic times in Galway are:
Monday, December 13, 8.30am to 2.30pm. For people who had their second dose on or before 16 July.
Tuesday, December 14, 2pm to 8pm. For people who had their second dose on or before 17 July.
Anyone who has had COVID-19 since their previous vaccination should wait to get their booster dose at least 6 months after the positive test result.
People coming to a walk-in clinic for their booster vaccine should bring their PPS number and a photo ID. If the photo ID doesn’t include date of birth, please bring proof of DOB (e.g. birth cert).
St. Joseph’s Primary School in Glenamaddy has been given the green light by the county council for an extension of its teaching facilities.
Planning permission has been granted for the school to demolish an existing shed and office/toilet annex to the south of the main school building.
This will make way for an extension of the school which will include an ordinary classroom, a Special Education Teaching room, and a Special Education Needs base.
Other works will involve rearranging the existing parking at the primary school, reducing the number of spaces from six to four.
A new parking area with seven additional spaces will be created at the northern end of the school site.
No third party submissions were made to the county council concerning this school development.
Planning permission was granted by the council subject to seven standard conditions.
Additional time is being sought to complete a housing estate in Headford, more than a decade after it was first approved.
Sathel Limited is seeking a two year extension of planning permission for an estate under construction at Gortnamona, Headford.
The estate has also been reduced in size from the 76 houses originally approved, down to 70 homes.
Work began on the housing estate last May, and the developer estimates that construction will be completed by June 30, 2022/
This project was first awarded planning permission in 2007 but received two extension of duration in the intervening years, before being bought by Sathel in 2017.
The new estate is being built Ashthorn Avenue off the N84, and accessed through the existing housing estate adjacent to the site.
When completed, the Gort na Fuinse estate will consist of 12 two-bed houses, 44 three-bedroom houses, and 14 four-bedroom houses.
The county council is due to make a decision on this EOT application by January 15.
A President is being sought for the new Atlantic Technological University for the West and North-West set to formally open next April.
Atlantic Technological University has been chosen as the name for the amalgamated uni which will replace GMIT, Sligo IT, and Letterkenny IT.
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said that students who graduate from the three IoTs in the 2021/22 academic year will do so with university qualifications.
This will be Ireland’s fourth technological university when it officially opens its doors on April 1, 2022 after the existing ITs are dissolved.
A statement from the three institutes said “The name Atlantic Technological University reflects the deep connections to the region and our ability and ambition to impact at a national and international scale.”
“This name expresses a sense of place, culture and heritage, incorporating aspiration, scale, geography and our commitment to innovation and sustainability.”
“It speaks to our unique perspective on an island in the Atlantic that makes waves on an international stage.”
“The new TU’s name was chosen through extensive research and consultation with thousands of students, staff and stakeholders across industry and education.”
The open public process seeking expressions of interest in the post of first president of the new TU will be launched shortly by the applicant institutes.
The Minister’s Department last week issued a call for expressions of interest for the posts of chairperson and ordinary members of the TU’s first governing body.
Galway TD Anne Rabbitte said “absolutely love the new name agreed by the applicant institutes for the new Technological University for the West and North West.”
“I wish the Atlantic Technological University every success in the national and international stage.”
Galway City Council has approved plans for a major expansion of Penneys in Eyre Square Shopping Centre.
Primark Ltd, the parent company of Penneys, has received planning permission to amalgamate the existing store with the unit below it, currently occupied by New Look.
This will add an additional 1,721sqm of retail space to the 4,105sqm which is already there.
Structural alterations would need to be made to the shopping centre to accommodate this, including installing new escalators and a lift.
Other work in the development would involve installing a new shopfront on the ground floor level, with all windows and louvres to be replaced.
Penneys announced recently that they are investing €20 million in the expansion of their Galway store, with the expectation that this will be complete by Spring 2023.
This is part of a larger €250 million which will be spent on their Irish stores over the next ten years.
The nationwide expansion plans will create 700 jobs the chain said, with 600 of those to be located in retail outlets.
Planning permission was granted by Galway City Council with nine conditions attached, four of which related to archaeological monitoring of any groundworks involved in the development.
