Storm Barra: Gusts of up to 130km/hr forecast as Status Orange warning issued

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December 5, 2021

Galway Daily courts Man charged in connection

A cocaine dealer who assaulted his then girlfriend in a argument over a bag of drugs was sentenced to prison at Galway District Court.

Paul Economopoulos (28), of 69 Cloghran, Tuam was sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to a variety of drugs offences, theft, and assault on different dates in Galway City.

The first offence incident occurred on November 9 of 2019, when Garda Shaun Garvey saw a car in Woodquay whose occupants were acting suspiciously.

He stopped the car at around 9:40pm that night, and on searching the vehicle found three bags of cocaine, with a total value of €210.

Garda Garvey stopped Economopoulos again on the Old Monivea Road on January 5 of last year. During a search of his car, the Garda found two bags and a lunchbox with €560 worth of cocaine in the boot of the car.

Garda Garvey said that he seemed to be under the influence of something, and he failed a roadside drug test. A blood sample also tested positive for cocaine.

The final incident before the court happened just two days after this, when Garda Christopher Dowry was called to reports of an assault at the Glen Oaks Hotel on January 9.

He met a woman who said that her boyfriend, Mr, Econompoulos, had assaulted her and stolen her phone. She gave the garda a bag of cocaine which she said was his, which had a street value of €1,587.

The couple, who had been in a relationship around three months a that point, had started arguing that evening over a video related to the drugs.

She took the bag of cocaine, which was when he assaulted her, the court heard. A night porter came into the room at one point, and found Econompoulos on top of the woman.

This was when he got up and took her phone before leaving the room. The phone was not recovered.

Solicitor for the defence Mr. John Martin said that his client had gotten involved in drugs around three years ago, and “it got very bad, very quickly”, though he added that Economopoulos says that he is clean now.

Judge Mary Fahy asked if his former girlfriend, the woman who was assaulted, wished to give a victim impact statement.

Garda Dowry said that when he spoke with the woman she was very anxious, and relieved when he told her that she wouldn’t have to come to court if she didn’t want to.

Judge Fahy sentenced Mr. Economopoulos to seven month consecutive sentences for each of the two charges of possession of drugs with the intent to sell or supply, as well as another two months for the assault charge.

Concurrent sentences were given to him for the drug possession charges, stealing the phone, and drug driving.

He was also suspended from driving for two years for the drug driving, as Judge Fahy noted that the car was being used to commit a “serious crime” at the time.

Leave was granted to appeal the sentence, with a requirement for an independent surety of €800, half of which had to be lodged with the court.

NUI Galway adopts JAM Cards for people with additional needs

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December 5, 2021

galway daily news jamcard initiative at nui galway — President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh with Niamh McGrath, NUI Galway Students’ Union Disability Rights Officer, and Imelda Byrne, Head of the NUI Galway Access Centre

NUI Galway has announced the introduction of the JAM Card© initiative on campus for people with additional needs.

To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities yesterday, the University is adopting the support system and providing staff training to assist those who may find it difficult to communicate or get easily overwhelmed in busy public areas.

JAM Card© was created by NOW Group, a social enterprise that supports people who have autism, acquired brain injury, a learning difficulty, or any hidden disability, which may mean that they need ‘Just a Minute’ to allow them to complete their business.

The initiative is being led by NUI Galway’s Access Centre and has the backing of Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte.

Minister Rabbitte said that she is delighted to see NUI Galway take “such a proactive step to support people with disabilities and additional needs and encourage those who work and use the campus to adopt the JAM Card©.”

“Ensuring that disability services are first and fore-most person-centred is a priority for Government and NUI Galway’s JAM Card© is another innovative way to improving and meet people’s needs,” said Minister Rabbitte.

President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh launched the introduction of the JAM Card© on campus.

“Respect and openness are core values at NUI Galway and the adoption of the JAM Card© is symbolic of the increasing focus we place on the need to be more inclusive and go the extra mile for others,” Professor Ó hÓgartaigh said.

Head of the Access Centre Imelda Byrne said that it is important for the University community that to live by its values and that they are ‘more than words’.

“We hope that by adopting the JAM Card© initiative on campus we can help people and at the same time increase disability awareness, representation, and visibility across campus,” said Imelda Byrne.

“I encourage as many staff across the campus as possible to engage with the training and learn the hugely beneficial tools and confidence it provides to support those who may need Just a Minute.”

Storm Barra: Status Orange marine warning for the west coast

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December 5, 2021

Galway Daily weather Storm Debi - Status Red Storm Warning for Galway coasts

A Status Orange Storm Warning has been issued for waters on the west coast of Ireland for the arrival of Storm Barra next week.

Met Eireann warns that southerly winds veering westerly will reach gale force 8 to storm force 10 on Atlantic coastal waters Tuesday.

This warning is for the Atlantic Coast from Mizen Head to Erris Head to Fair Head, and will be in effect for all of Tuesday.

The remainder of Irish coastal waters and the Irish Sea are under a status yellow gale warning for Tuesday as well.

A weather warning for heavy winds across all of Ireland during Storm Barra has also been issued from 6am Tuesday until the same time Wednesday morning.

The worst of the winds are expected in western coastal counties, with “severe and damaging gusts” possible according to Met Eireann.

There will high waves at sea and a significant possibility of coastal flooding on south and west coasts.

COVID-19: 5,156 cases reported today

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December 5, 2021

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

There have been a further 5,156 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.

As of this morning there were 503 people in the country hospitalised with the virus.

Of these patients, 110 have been admitted to intensive care units for treatment.

The COVID-19 data hub provides details about the disease in the community, including the progress of the vaccine campaign.

In the past week there has been a 14.6% positivity rate in the 222,895 tests carried out.

There have been a total of 913,670 vaccine booster shots administered in Ireland so far, including 87,906 people who are immunocompromised.

Weather warning issued as Storm Barra to hammer the west

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December 5, 2021

Met Eireann has issued a status yellow weather warning for Galway and all of Ireland next week, as Storm Barra is to sweep across the country.

Through Tuesday and for a time on Wednesday, an Atlantic depression named Storm Barra will bring very strong winds and spells of heavy rain across Ireland.

Winds will be strongest in western coastal counties with severe or damaging gusts possible, Met Eireann has said.

Heavy rain will bring localised flooding. There will also be high waves at sea and a significant possibility of coastal flooding on south and west coasts.

This status yellow weather warning for dangerous winds will be in effect for 24 hours starting from 6am on Tuesday.

A marine Gale Warning has also been issued by Met Eireann for all Irish coasts on Tuesday.

Throughout the day southerly winds veering westerly will reach gale force 8 or higher on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish Sea.

Met Eireann has said that further weather warnings will follow as the situation is monitored.

Galway and the coast of Munster are forecast to get the worst of the wind and rain, with power outages and travel disruption also expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Oranmore construction manufacturer bought by Kildare company

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December 5, 2021

Galway Daily business Oranmore construction manufacturer bought by Kildare company

The Oranmore based concrete structures manufacturer Oran Precast has been bought by Kildare company Kilsaran.

The two companies are both manufacturers of precast concrete products for the constructions industry.

Oran Precast was founded in 1981, and has been based out of its factory at Deerpark, Oranmore since then.

Derek Duffy, Managing Director of Oran Precast, said that they are very proud of how the company has evolved to become one of Ireland’s biggest precast manufacturers, supplying projects at home, and in the UK.

“I would like to thank the dedicated team in Oran Precast who have established the business to what it is today. I look forward to future growth of our combined business, Kilsaran Precast over the coming months and years.”

Oran Precast’s current management team will remain with Derek Duffy becoming the Managing Director of Kilsaran Precast and John Dooley becoming the Commercial Director for the combined entity.

David & Derry McKeown, CO-CEO’s of Kilsaran, said this investment, “Allows us to provide a complete precast solution for our customers and comes at a time when there is a significant shift in the construction market towards offsite construction.”

“We look forward to working with our new colleagues in Oran Precast as we integrate the two businesses for further growth and investment.”

It’s Lights, Camera, Action for Caitríona’s documentary in Ros na Rún

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December 5, 2021

Galway Daily television Could a documentary expose a killer Ros na Rún?

The cameras are rolling for Caitríona’s documentary, Briain is shunned on all sides, and Laoise discovers the stress of running a b&b in Ros na Rún.

Briain soon realises what people think of him in Ros na Rún when Charlie no longer wants to work with him, and his classes in the Ionad Pobail are cancelled.

Berni is still shook from her own meeting with Briain, but Luke thinks he has something that might help.

It’s lights, camera, action for Caitríona’s directorial debut as the camera’s roll for her documentary on Frances’ death. Will disaster strike production?

Colm is left with little choice but to leave baby Harry with Peatsaí. Will Peatsaí prove he is more than capable of taking care of a child?

Laoise dips her toe into the b&b business, but is driven nearly up the wall by a house full of guests. Micheál encourages her to keep it open despite pressure from multiple sides.

Catch up on all the latest drama from Ros na Rún this week in a double feature omnibus this Sunday at 7:30pm on TG4.

Met Eireann warns of stormy conditions for Galway next week

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December 5, 2021

Galway Daily weather Storm Barra: City Council weather response team planning for impact

The west coast is forecast to be in for a battering next week, as a weather advisory has been issued for stormy conditions over two days.

Met Eireann has forecasted that an Atlantic depression will bring rough conditions on Tuesday and Wednesay, with a risk of flooding due to wind and rain.

Galway is at risk of coastal flooding due to a mix of the rain, spring tides, and high waves, along with much of the south-west.

A weather advisory has been issued for Tuesday and Wednesday by Met Eireann, with further updates expected on Sunday.

“A deep Atlantic depression will bring very wet and windy weather across Ireland through Tuesday and Wednesday. Winds will be strong in all areas at times and will reach gale force in coastal areas. Severe and damaging gusts are likely.

“At the moment the strongest winds are expected to be in western coastal counties of Munster with storm force winds possible at times later on Tuesday.”

“The strengthening winds will be accompanied by a spell of heavy rain on Tuesday, followed by heavy showers through Tuesday night and Wednesday. Some of the showers may be of sleet or snow on high ground.”

Due to spring tides, very high waves and large surge levels, coastal flooding may occur along Munster and south Connacht coasts.”

Galway and Munster are currently expected to get the strongest winds from the stormy weather, with gales and strong gales predicted on the coast.

The strong winds, with even more damaging gusts, are likely to cause power outages, as well as disrupt travel due to fallen trees and debris.

Localised flooding, and poor road conditions due to hail or sleet, are also expected to cause some travel disruptions.

Before that Galway is expected for be mostly dry on Sunday, with some sunny spells in the afternoon.

Rain will develop on Sunday night, with some sleet also possible alongside strengthening southerly winds. Highest temperatures on Sunday of eight to nine degrees.

On Monday there will be scattered rain throughout the day, with strong westerly winds in the afternoon, but slacking off headed into the night.

Micil Distillery launches extensive new drinks portfolio

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December 4, 2021

galway daily news micil distillery new drinks

Micil Distillery has unveiled the results of 18 months of innovation and development graft, creating an extensive new portfolio of products.

The new launch of the products comes after exciting year of the distillery which saw the launch of Galway’s first whiskey in over 100 years and the Síolta Mhicil Cask Ownership offering.

Now the distillery is extending its range by launching into two new spirits categories, with four new releases of two Whiskeys, an Irish Cream Liqueur and a Spiced Orange Gin.

The new independently sourced, finished and bottled range of Micil Whiskeys was developed through sourcing mature stocks of Irish Whiskey and maximising their influence on the flavour creation through blending and unique cask iterations.

Micil is bringing its 170 years of craft knowledge and resourcefulness to the whiskey category, creating exceptional Irish Whiskey with diverse flavour and distinct character.

Micil Inverin Small Batch Blended Irish Whiskey 46%abv 70cl RRP €45

A five-part peated blend with a triple cask finish. Inspired by Micil’s rich distilling heritage, it embodies the fruity spice of the finest Connemara ‘fuisce’ and the peat smoke of the illicit stills & kilns of Inverin. Batch 1 limited to 8,580 bottles.

Micil Earls Island Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 46%abv 70cl RRP €55

A fruity, spicy Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey enriched by Bordeaux red wine casks, with hints of soft turf smoke from ex-peated whiskey casks. It pays homage to the great Galway distilleries of the past, and to the Latin wine merchants of old who made the city their home. Batch 1 Limited to 1,140 bottles.

Micil Connemara Irish Cream Liqueur 17%abv 70cl RRP €29

Micil Irish Cream is a West of Ireland take on an Irish Classic. A luxurious blend of sweet Irish Whiskey, rich Irish cream and smooth Connemara poitín from the Micil Distillery in Galway. Inspired by an old family recipe (handwritten as Gaelige on the neck strap), and drawing on a long Connemara tradition of drinks made with cream, honey and a drop of poitín. Made using Micil Irish poitín distilled with 100% malted Irish Barley.

Micil Spiced Orange Gin 42%abv 70cl RRP €42

A reimagining of our classic gin, distilled with handpicked Connemara flowers and herbs, and enriched with vibrant orange zest and warm rounded spice. Handcrafted by the Micil family at Galway’s only distillery. Initially launched as a collaboration with Craft Gin Club UK in October 2021 where 110,000 bottles were purchased.

All products will be available from McCambridges of Galway, Celtic Whiskey Shop & online at Irishmalts.com from December 2^nd 2021.

Micil Distillery are Galway’s only operational distillery, producing Galway’s first whiskey in over a century.

Production at the distillery is headed up by brothers Pádraic & Jimín Ó Griallais, sixth generation Connemara poitín distillers and direct descendants of Micil Mac Chearra, the family’s original distiller.

For over 170 years the family craft has been handed down through each generation using Irish, which is still the spoken language at the distillery today, and the Micil family represents Irelands longest unbroken family distilling tradition.

Fundraiser for Santa to get to children at Galway Women’s Refuge

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December 4, 2021

GALWAY DAILY News fundraiser for COPE Galway women's refuge santa

A fundraiser has been set up to make sure Santa Claus gets to the children who will be staying with their mothers in the Women’s Refuge, Modh eile House, COPE Galway this Christmas.

The Women’s Refuge is for women and their children who need emergency accommodation due to domestic violence.

The GoFundMe campaign aims is to make sure that the children staying in the refuge for Christmas are not forgotten by Santa, ensuring that presents can arrive to the shelter by Christmas Eve.

Since 2014 the successful project has been organised by staff in Occupational Therapy, Social Work, UCFRC Family Support and Medicine at NUI Galway, in partnership with staff at COPE Galway’s Women’s Refuge.

For further information about this project, people can contact Dr Hazel Killeen, Professor Caroline McGregor or Ms Gillian Browne at NUI Galway.

Donate here!

COVID-19: 5,622 cases reported today

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December 4, 2021

Galway Daily news 25 percent drop in COVID cases in Galway hospitals

There have been a further 5,622 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.

As of this morning the number of people hospitalised with COVID had dropped back below 500 once again.

There are 487 patients with the virus in Irish hospitals, of whom 114 are being treated in ICUs.

These daily case numbers may change in the future after data is validated and reviewed.

TG4 releases fantastic line-up of films over Christmas

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December 4, 2021

TG4 has released its much-anticipated line-up of films to be shown over Christmas, with classic films at 10am and lunchtime from December 23, as well as a daily family and primetime film.

Highlights this year include the Irish film Sing Street on Christmas Day, 80’s classic La Bamba on December 28 and Good Morning, Vietnam on December 30.

For families this year, an Irish language version of Sherlock Gnomes will air for the first time on Christmas Day, an Irish version of Dr. Seuss the Lorax on Christmas Eve, and families around the country will get to enjoy The Karate Kid on December 30.

Scent of a Woman, 18th December @ 9:30pm
(1992, Drama) Starring Al Pacino, Chris O’Donnell and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Directed by Martin Brest. A prep school student needing money agrees to “babysit” a blind man, but the job is not at all what he anticipated.

Pulp Fiction, 20th December @ 9:30pm
(1994, Drama) Starring John Travolta, Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson. Directed by Quentin Tarantino. The lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.

Notting Hill, Christmas Eve @ 9:20pm
(1999, Comedy) Starring Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant and Richard McCabe. Directed by Roger Michell. The life of a simple bookshop owner changes when he meets the most famous film star in the world.

Sing Street, Christmas Day @ 11:15pm
(2016, Comedy) Starring Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Aidan Gillen and Maria Doyle Kennedy. Directed by John Carney. Aiming to win the heart of the über-cool and beautiful Raphina, 14-year-old Conor forms a band with a few lads, and the group pours their heart into writing lyrics and shooting videos in 1980s Dublin.

O Brother Where Art Thou, St. Stephen’s Day @ 10:35pm
(2000, Comedy) Starring George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson. Directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen. In the deep south during the 1930s, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman goes after them.

Bridesmaids December 27th @ 9:20pm
(2011, Comedy) Starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Rose Byrne. Directed by Paul Feig. Competition between the maid of honour and a bridesmaid, over who is the bride’s best friend, threatens to upend the life of an out-of-work pastry chef.

La Bamba December 28th @ 10:40pm
(1987, Biography) Starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales and Rosanna DeSoto. Directed by Luis Valdez. Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.

Withnail & I December 29th @ 00:45am
(1987, Comedy) Starring Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann and Richard Griffiths. Directed by Bruce Robinson. In 1969, two substance-abusing, unemployed actors retreat to the countryside for a holiday that proves disastrous.

Good Morning, Vietnam December 30th @ 10:20pm
(1988, Biography) Starring Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker and Tom. T. Tan. Directed by Barry Levinson. In 1965, an unorthodox and irreverent DJ named Adrian Cronauer begins to shake up things when he is assigned to the U.S. Armed Services radio station in Vietnam.

Veronica Guerin New Year’s Day @ 9:30pm
2003, Biography) Starring Cate Blanchett, Colin Farrell and Brenda Fricker. Directed by Joel Schumacher. An Irish journalist writes a series of stories about drug dealers.

Moulin Rouge 2nd January @ 11:10pm
(2001, Musical) Starring Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor and John Leguizamo. Directed by Baz Luhrman. A poor Bohemian poet in 1890s Paris falls for a beautiful courtesan and nightclub star whom a jealous duke covets.

Calendar Girls 3rd January @ 9:15pm
2003, Comedy) Starring Helen Mirren, Julie Walters and Penelope Wilton. Directed by Nigel Cole. A Women’s Institute chapter’s fundraising effort for a local hospital by posing nude for a calendar becomes a media sensation.

For the Family

Dr. Seuss The Lorax, Christmas Eve @5:20pm (Irish language version) & New Year’s Eve @ 5:20pm (English Version)
2012, Animation) Ted, a 12-year-old boy, sets out to search the long-extinct Truffula tree to impress the girl of his dreams. However, in his journey, he has to overcome a number of obstacles.

Into the West, Christmas Day 6:45pm
(1992, Adventure) Starring Gabriel Byrne, Ellen Barkin and Ciarán Fitzgearld. Directed by Mike Newell. Grandpa Ward gives a horse he found to his grandchildren, who keep it in their tower-block flat in Dublin. The horse is stolen from them, and the two young boys set out to find it and flee on it.

Sherlock Gnomes, Irish Language Version Christmas Day @ 2:50pm, English version, St. Stephen’s Day @ 1pm
(2018, Animation) When Gnomeo and Juliet first arrive in London with their friends and family, their biggest concern is getting a new garden ready for spring. When everyone in the garden suddenly goes missing – there’s only one gnome to call – Sherlock Gnomes.

A Dennis the Menace Christmas, December 28th 5:25pm
(2007, Comedy) Starring Maxwell Perry Cotto, Robert Wagner and Louise Fletcher. Directed by Ron Oliver. To make sure that his beloved neighbour, Mr Wilson, has the perfect Christmas, the neighbourhood’s lively six-year-old, Dennis Mitchell, makes a long list of things one needs to make it work; however, will the old man ever change?

Paper Planes, December 29th 5:10pm
(2014, Drama) Starring Sam Worthington, Ed Oxenbould and Deborah Mailman. Directed by Robert Connolly. An imaginative children’s film about a young Australian boy’s passion for flight and his challenge to compete in the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan.

The Karate Kid December 30th @ 4:40pm
(1984, Action) Starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita and Elisabeth Shue. Directed by John G. Avildsen. A martial arts master agrees to teach karate to a bullied teenager.

Goals Gym Galway to host charity event for COPE Galway & Irish Cancer Society

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Katherine Gannon

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December 4, 2021

Goals Gym Galway are hosting Charity event TRAINFOR12 to benefit Cope Galway and the Irish Cancer Society.

This Sunday, December 5, at Goals Gym, Terryland a bunch of friends, gym members, and staff members will train for 12 hours straight, in the hope of raising money for two very important causes.

Owners Grainne Twomey and Ross Norton have been keen to give back to the community this Christmas and have been massively supported by members of their gym, including Maria Carey who is one of the event organisers.

Maria said: “We all know Christmas can be a stressful time for everyone but unfortunately it can be a lot worse on some than others.

“Grainne and Ross have created a gym that really feels like a family so doing a charity event like this really just shows how much they care about this community,” added Maria.

The gym will be open to the public to come in from 9-5 pm on the day. They have a full line up of classes for people of all levels to get involved in with a DJ to keep everyone motivated, and a fantastic raffle with amazing spot prizes all generously donated by local Galway businesses.

Maria, who previously worked with COPE, said: “We will be stopping only for fuel and perhaps a change of clothes or 2. We expect it to be a great day for everyone to enjoy and hope to do as much as we can to raise much-needed funds for these amazing charities, which are very close to the hearts of those at Goals Gym.”

“I chose cope Galway because I have worked with charities over the years that get amazing help from them.”

“They really are here to help everyone in Galway that needs it and the work they do goes so far beyond what most people see,” added Maria.

Owner Grainne Twomey also has personal reasons for choosing The Irish Cancer society, as her beloved father passed away before Christmas last year.

“I chose the Irish Cancer Society to raise much needed funds after losing my dad to cancer this time last year,” said Grainne.

“They do so much to help so many families like mine and so I wanted to give back.”

“It’s so nice to able to do something like this with our community of members and staff at Goals to help raise much needed awareness and funds in Galway.”

“We are also blown away by the generosity from local businesses who have donated some amazing Spot Prizes for our Raffle on the day do we’d like to say a huge thank you.”

Spot prizes for the raffle include tickets to see The Black Eyed Peas, food and drink vouchers, salon vouchers, hampers along with many more prizes.

If you cannot attend on the day, you can still support the 12-hour-trainers online via their Idonate page.

Galway Arts Centre announces December programme

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December 4, 2021

galway daily news galway arts cente exhibitions

Three solo exhibitions will launch at the Galway Arts Centre next week – Lúthchleasa by Mícheál Ó Catháin, Currency Exchange by Kevin Gaynor, and Black Milk by Japanese artist Miho Ohtsubo.

Lúthchleasa is an exhibition of new generative artwork by Mícheál Ó Catháin, showcasing his process of engaging with the early Irish harp tradition.

For over a decade Mícheál has been discovering the shapes and sounds offered to human touch by the metal and wood of the harp, and the lúthchleasa patterns encoded in the notes penned by a young Edward Bunting at the 1792 Belfast Harp Meeting.

The exhibition runs until December 22 in Galway Arts Centre, Gallery 1, culminating with a solo concert on harp, voice and electronics by Mícheál on Saturday 18 December at Galway Arts Centre’s Nuns Island Theatre. Tickets are available via eventbrite.

Currency Exchange by Kevin Gaynor opens at Galway Arts Centre, Gallery 2. Kevin is the recipient of the Galway Arts Centre and Engage Art Studios Emerging Artist Award 2020.

Much of his work explores the international state, and the mechanics that support and underpin it. Focusing on the European Union as a centralised power, and Ireland’s role within it, his practice reflects on the classification of groups through the lens of geography.

Galway Arts Centre hosts exciting international artist Miho Ohtsubo from December 8 – 15, Gallery 3.

Ohtsubo has had numerous exhibitions of her work in Japan and overseas, however this will be first exhibition in Europe. Ohtsubo’s work has been inspired by the poetry of Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill.

By engaging with Ní Dhomhnaill’s ‘Immram’ sequence and her poem ‘Dubh’ through the Japanese translations of Mitsuko Ohno, Ohtsubo has responded to the themes of the texts in very personal and powerful ways.

The exhibition will feature Ohtsubo’s installation ‘Black Milk’ along with other works that demonstrate her compassionate grasp of Ní Dhomhnaill’s poetic world and reflect underlying themes of migration and displacement.

Ohtsubo’s exhibition at Galway Arts Centre is hosted by the Republic of Conscience: Human Rights and Modern Irish Poetry and the NUI Galway Research Project.

Each artist in Galway Arts Centre’s December programme has developed a unique engagement with research, translation and the complex visualization of systems of music, exchange and language through sonic work, immersive installation, video and performance.

Letter | The COVID vaccine is a privilege that many others don’t have

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December 4, 2021

galway daily news letter to editor cian mortimer people before profit galway debenhams workers strike

Sir,

The Covid-19 Vaccine is a privilege that many other people don’t have.

Katy Sheridan’s article in the Irish Times on Dec 1st hit the nail on the head with her piece regarding complaints about vaccine queues being a sad reflection on the entitled, negative public. There are people in other countries who wish they had the same opportunity to protect themselves from COVID-19.

The distribution of vaccines is about the Global North vs the Global South. It is about inequality. It is about rich countries hoarding vaccines while countries in the south suffer.

It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever not to vaccinate the globe as otherwise, we will have to live like this with ongoing disruptions, challenges and stress. It is like what we did with the HIV pandemic – Africa got the ARVs last and was at least 10 years behind the Global North. As a result, children lost their parents, families were decimated and we are still picking up the pieces.

But in Africa, it is not just about the vaccines, it is about the logistics of delivering the vaccines too – they don’t have the opportunity to complain about waiting in line for a vaccine as often there is no queue available to them. The vaccines are in limited supply in the Global South whilst they expire unused in the Global North.

The impact of COVID-19 across communities in Kenya has been devastating. There are no subsidies; no support. Today is about the survival of the families Brighter Communities Worldwide work with, in Kenya where COVID-19 is far from over and the pandemic has had a devastating effect across the region.

This is about children missing school and returning to the fields to work. This is about young pregnant girls facing a challenging future; this is about the breadwinners being unable to work who have no government support.

We have the opportunity to act in solidarity across the world. No one is safe until we are all safe.

Yours, etc

Maria Kidney

Co-Founder Brighter Communities Worldwide

Cork, Ireland

Walk-in booster vaccine clinic at Ballybrit today

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December 4, 2021

galway daily news Spring vaccination campaign

A walk-in booster vaccination clinic will be held at Ballybrit today, Saturday from 9am until 5pm.

The clinic is for people aged between 60 to 69 who had their second dose before 7 July, or have an interval of at least three months since receiving the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Anyone aged 60 to 69 who has already received a vaccine appointment for the coming days is asked to attend their appointment instead of coming to the walk-in clinic.

But the walk-in booster clinic is an opportunity for people who are unable to make their scheduled appointments, to get their booster dose.

Saolta says that it is difficult to anticipate how many people will arrive at the same time and people may have to queue.

Staff will be working hard to keep the queue moving and reduce the time people have to wait.

Anyone who has had COVID-19 since their previous vaccination should wait to get their booster dose at least six months after the positive test result.

People are asked to take their PPS number and a photo ID with you to the walk-in clinic. If people’s ID doesn’t include their date of birth, they are asked to bring proof.

COVID-19: 5,419 new cases reported today

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December 3, 2021

The Department of Health has today reported 5,419 new cases of COVID-19 in the State.

As of 8am today, 528 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised nationally, of whom 110 are in intensive care units.

Health officials have said that the daily case numbers could change due to future data validation.

Sinn Féin steps up campaign for Irish Unity in Galway

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December 3, 2021

Sinn Féin has been stepping up its campaign for Irish Unity across Galway in recent weeks, with party activists distributing posters and information sheets across the county explaining the benefits of reunification.

The party’s Galway East representative Louis O’Hara argues that preparations for Irish Unity need to get underway and encouraged people to get involved in the conversation.

He said that a referendum is looking increasingly likely and that more and more people are talking about a United Ireland and what the new State should look like.

“From our conversations with people across County Galway in recent weeks it is clear that there is strong support for Irish Unity, in line with recent opinion polls on the matter,” said Mr O’Hara.

“We have to prepare and set out the changes needed to make this island a better, fairer place for all who live here.”

The Sinn Féin activist said that the Irish Government should set up an all-island Citizen’s assembly so that citizens can have a voice in shaping the future.

“All who support the Good Friday Agreement should call on the British Government to set a date for the Irish Unity referendum, a key part of the Agreement,” he said.

“The new United Ireland will be a place for all, a new start in a real Republic. It will unlock the full economic potential of our island and will end the duplication, waste and disruption caused by the border.”

“Unity provides us with the chance to develop a new fit-for-purpose all-island health service, free at the point of delivery and able to meet the needs of citizens. It provides the best opportunity to build an all-island economy which is developed in a coordinated manner, attracting investment, creating more jobs and generating higher tax revenues.”

“It’s time that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael joined the rest of us in facing up to the inevitability of an Irish Unity referendum and began planning how to move forward.”

“The Government has a duty and a constitutional obligation to prepare for Unity, and these preparations need to get underway now.”

Funding to promote work of Social Enterprises in Galway

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December 3, 2021