Plans submitted for Salthill housing development

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October 16, 2021

Galway Daily news Tenders issued for Loughrea Town Hall project

Plans for the complete renovation and refurbishment of the old Loughrea Town Hall to create a new community space have gone to tender.

The €2.2 million project to convert the iconic former town hall into a cultural, tourism, creative and enterprise hub has been in the works since funding was confirmed in 2019.

When completed, the project will deliver a 158 seat theatre and multi-functional space for arts, culture, creative and community events.

It will also contain a tourism information office to help visitors, and with an active events calendar for what’s going on around town.

On the enterprise front, it will also contain a Digital + Creative Enterprise Hub which aims to create 74 jobs within three years, creating an injection of €3.5 million into the local economy.

The County Council has advertised tenders seeking expressions of interest for contractors to carry out internal and external renovation works.

Work will include demolishing and replacing the three storey main annex, renovating the main theatre building, and the complete internal refurbishment of the town hall.

Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon said that this is a “most welcome development” of progress on an “iconic” building in the heart of the town.

Galway Hospice shortlisted for Charity Impact Award

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October 16, 2021

galway daily news covid-19 hospice society

Galway Hospice has been shortlisted for a Charity Impact Award 2021, which shines a light on the hospice’s impact and achievements during the pandemic.

Voting is now open on the Charity Impact Awards’ website under ‘large organisations’ and people are being encouraged to vote for Galway Hospice before voting closes on 3 November 2021.

Galway Hospice provides support and care to people in Galway living with a range of life-limiting illnesses. It strives to help these patients and families live each of life’s moments to the fullest, with the ones who matter most.

The hospice has continued to care throughout the pandemic, with its team making 6,366 visits and 27,283 calls to patients in the community as well as caring for 300 inpatients.

Its Medical Social Work team developed new ways to support patients and families, including virtual Remembrance Services and a socially distanced Walk & Talk group, where bereaved individuals can meet others and our team in a local woodland.

Art Therapy developed a project which saw patients, families and staff painting to keep everyone connected and creative during lockdown.

The Community Team also put together information packs for nursing homes/ GPs to provide guidance on medications for end of life care.

The COVID pandemic has impacted day-to-day life for the hospice, but for patients under the care of its ‘home away from home’ Inpatient Unit, staff continue to ensure their experience is as comfortable as possible.

The online vote accounts for 25% of the judges’ score.

COVID-19: More than 2,000 cases reported again today

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October 16, 2021

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

There have been more than 2,000 cases of COVID-19 reported for the second time this wee today.

Health officials have notified a further 2,180 confirmed cases on Saturday.

As of this morning there were 406 people hospitalised with COVID in the country.

Of these patients, 71 have been admitted to intensive care units for treatment.

In the latest hospital figures for Galway, there were 31 patients at UHG and 7 at Portiuncula Hospital as of Friday night.

Three patients at University Hospital Galway were in the ICU, as was one at Portiuncula.

Four injured in Moycullen traffic collision

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October 16, 2021

Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

Four people received non-life threatening injuries in a multi-vehicle collision near Moycullen this morning.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a traffic collision on the N59 roughly 1km outside Moycullen.

The three vehicle crash occurred at approximately 10am.

Four people were taken to University Hospital Galway for treatment of injuries that are non-life threatening.

Gardaí say that the road is expected to reopen shortly.

Emergency services attend serious traffic collision outside Moycullen

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October 16, 2021

Emergency services are currently at the scene of a serious road traffic collision near Moycullen this morning.

The collision, reportedly involving multiple vehicles, occurred on the N59 roughly a kilometre outside of the village near the Wildlands Adventure Centre.

No further information is available at this time.

National Broadband Plan rollout eight months behind schedule Naughten says

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October 16, 2021

Galway Daily news Disappointment that no occupational injury benefits coming for Long Covid sufferers

The rollout of the National Broadband Plan is running eight months behind schedule Galway TD Denis Naughten has said.

Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, Deputy Naughten said that the admission that the NBP is running well later than expected was “buried” in the documentation for the budget released on

This is two months further behind the timeline that was indicated in information given to the Oireachtas Communications Committee by the contractor last month, he added.

“In reality this means that 75,000 less homes will have access to the high-speed broadband network at the end of next year than was planned when the contract was signed in November 2019.”

He said that it “does not hold up to examination” to say that these delays are due to COVID, as the works involved are outdoors, and contractors were designated as essential workers.

“Clearly there are other bottlenecks in the delivery of this vital project to rural Ireland which are not being publicly disclosed, and we need to ask why,” Denis Naughten said.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar acknowledged that there has been a delay in the National Broadband Plan, but that the contractor will try to “regain lost ground” in the coming years after multiple issues.

“There were issues with COVID and delays in getting the necessary licences for poles and ducts from local authorities.”

He added that even though the contractors were essential workers, allowed to work during the pandemic, National Broadband Ireland still had difficulty getting staff.

“I understand that quite a number were being recruited from overseas and issues like the travel restrictions made that difficult.”

Budget 2022 announced this week includes €225 million for the ongoing rollout of the National Broadband Plan under the existing contract.

Government figures state that approximately 60,000 homes will be connected to high-speed broadband by the end of this year, with 130,000 expected to be hooked up by end of 2022.

On top of bringing fibre broadband to people’s homes, close to 700 primary schools are also expected to be receive high speed internet by the end of the year.

Green light for walking trails network in Clarinbridge

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October 16, 2021

Residents of Clarinbridge will be able to get out and enjoy nature with a new network of walking trails approved by the county council.

The Brothers of Charity have received planning permission for to create new walking trails on the grounds of Kilcornan Estate at the east end of Clarinbridge.

These will be linked with existing trails, which will also be upgraded, to create a walking network several kilometres in length in total.

There will also be a section of timber boardwalk, the bog-bridge, near the village to avoid any flooding from the River Clarin.

The different sections of the proposed network are:

Riverbank Walkway – a 606m trail which includes a raised wooden Bog Bridge, a resurfaced existing stone pathway and new section of the same, and a grassland walkway.
Cowpark Trail – A 690m long grassland walkway.
Coillte owned Woodland – two stretches of existing walkway, 756m long in total, to be resurfaced.
Farmland Trail – 623m of walking trails with a gravel surface.
An existing trail with no works to take place.
Woodland Walkway – 434m of walking trails in three sections, one of which already exists, and two to be created.
Entrance Avenue – 883m of unbound gravel walkway.

Coillte granted permission for lands owned by the state agency to be used in the project, as has the county council itself.

The council transportation department said that there were no traffic issues of concern, as multiple car parks exist on site, and there is also street parking available in Clarinbridge.

Clarinbridge GAA Club submitted a letter of support for the project, saying that their expanded car park will be available for amenity use, including for people enjoying the walking trails.

No public submissions or objections related to this project were received by the county council.

Planning permission was granted by the council for these walking trails with seven standard conditions attached.

Galway native appointed Board Chairperson of Loughs Agency

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October 15, 2021

galway daily news heather mackey — Heather Mackey , Photo:Andrew Downes, Xposure

Galway native Heather Mackey has been announced as the new Board Chairperson of Loughs Agency at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) today.

Heather Mackey will be the first female Board Chairperson of the Agency when her appointment takes effect on 13 December this year.

Ms Mackey is an experienced Communications Director with over 20 years’ experience in strategic communications, and advises numerous boards providing governance, business and communications support.

A seasoned traveller, Ms Mackey has also visited over 40 countries.

In 2009 she founded the Galway-based public relations company Ace Media, and has served as an independent non-executive Board Member of Loughs Agency since 2016.

She currently works as a publicist for many arts organisations in Galway, including the Galway Film Fleadh, Irish Film and Television Academy, Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture and TULCA Festival of Visual Arts and Blue Teapot Theatre Company.

Commenting on her appointment, Heather Mackey said it was an honour and a privilege to be stepping into the role as Chair of Loughs Agency’s Board which reports to the NSMC and its government Sponsor Departments in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland.

“I am delighted to have received the opportunity to serve on Loughs Agency’s Board as Chairperson,” she said.

“I am looking forward to further assisting and supporting the excellent work carried out by the Agency as part of their functions providing effective conservation, management, promotion and development of the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas in a key time for the organisation, particularly whilst we all help address the climate crisis.”

Mackey also previously worked as a TV producer for Bloomberg Television in London and works as a media lecturer and holds a Masters in Journalism from NUI Galway.

Loughs Agency’s Board is responsible for ensuring that the Agency’s statutory functions and strategic plans are implemented effectively and efficiently.

The Agency’s CEO, Sharon McMahon, congratulated Heather Mackey on her appointment as incoming Board Chairperson.

“Heather has served on Loughs Agency’s Board for the past five years and is a dedicated ambassador on behalf of the Agency,” she said.

“She brings a wealth of expertise and guidance to the Board in setting the strategic direction for the Agency and is passionate about the work that we carry out in the Foyle and Carlingford areas.”

“I am delighted that Heather will also become the first female Chairperson of our Board and we all look forward to working with her in her new capacity, taking over the reins from our esteemed Chairperson Laurence Arbuckle.”

Laurence Arbuckle, outgoing Chairperson of Loughs Agency’s Board, also expressed his best wishes to the new incumbent following today’s announcement and thanked Ms Mackey for her valued contribution to date as an independent non-executive Member of the Board.

Defiant car enthusiasts plan to go ahead with Salthill meet

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October 15, 2021

Galway Daily news Defiant car enthusiasts plan to go ahead with Salthill car meet

A group of car enthusiasts have said that they will hold a car meet in Salthill this weekend, after earlier saying the location would be changed.

The Galway Car Scene group on facebook has been planning to hold a meet in Salthill this Sunday since late September.

This prompted concern from many who were concerned about a repeat of the traffic and noise issues that came with events earlier in the summer.

Back last May car meets organised by the Salthill Sundays group brought traffic in much of the city to a standstill due to large numbers of cars circulating endlessly on the Prom.

Galway Car Scene have pushed back against being labelled as boy-racers, or joy-riders, saying that this is unfair to the car community in Galway.

They have also started an online petition calling for a safe location where they can hold events, which currently has just over 250 signatures.

Public concerns over the events have pointed out that they do not have the same kind of traffic management or safety plans that would come with a properly permitted public event.

Last Sunday, the group said that after the backlash that followed the initial plans, the car meet would be moved to an undisclosed location.

However, in a post on the Galway Car Scene facebook page this afternoon that appears to have changed, with an update that “This Sunday’s event WILL be held in Salthill”.

The event page for the car meet on Facebook has 132 people who have said they are going as of the time of writing, with a further 584 who are Interested.

COVID-19: 1,914 more cases reported in Ireland

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October 15, 2021

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

There have been a further 1,914 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health in Ireland today.

As of this morning the number of people in the country hospitalised with COVID stood at 413.

Of these patients, 73 have been admitted to intensive care units for treatment.

Ireland’s five day moving average has now climbed back up to 1,685 cases per day.

There have been a total of 7,271,200 doses of vaccine administered in Ireland to date, with 3,720,337 people fully vaccinated.

The next phase of easing of COVID-19 restrictions is due to come a week from today, but concerns have been expressed that Ireland is moving in the wrong direction.

But HSE chief Paul Reid has said that while these numbers are a warning sign, they are not yet panic worthy.

Mr Reid also told RTÉ’s Claire Byrne that the small proportion of the population which remains unvaccinated accounts for the lion’s share of serious illnesses.

Oughterard playing host to first Galway Wandering Kite Festival

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October 15, 2021

Galway Daily Galway Wandering Kite festival

Oughterard will play host to the first Galway Wandering Kite Festival taking place on the October bank holiday, for a bit of colour in a thus far dull year.

Come October 25, the skies over Oughterard will be filled brightly designed kites of every style imaginable, flown by people from all over the world.

For people coming to enjoy this great family spectacle, there will also be food and music to bring a bit of craic to the day.

But festival goers don’t have to relegate themselves to watching from the sidelines, as there will also be kite-making workshops on the day with all materials supplied.

In he build up to the festival, a kite artist will engage with the local community to design and build their own kites to fly proudly over Oughterard.

Pack your picnic basket, a camera, and get ready for a day of colour and spectacle in the skies over Galway.

This event is free to attend but ticketed. Tickets can be booked by emailing CreativeIrelandGalwayCo@gmail.com.

Further information is available on facebook.com/CreativeIrelandGalwayCounty.

Galway Wandering Kite Festival runs from 12pm – 5pm on Monday, October 25, depending on the weather.

Galway Christmas Market confirms return dates

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October 15, 2021

Galway Daily news Galway Christmas Market closed due to Storm Bram

Galway Christmas Market will return to light up early square from the middle of next month up to the holiday season.

Galway City Council has issued a licence for the returning festive market this year, after last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Making up for lost time, the 2021 Christmas Market will start earlier than normal on November 12 this year, and run to December 22 the organisers have confirmed.

More than 50 of the much loved wooden chalets will be lining the laneways of the market in Eyre Square, offering hot treats and eye popping crafts for locals and visitors alike.

From piping hot burgers and sausages grilled in front of you, to steaming hot chocolate and fudge, there’s a snack or meal for any time of the day.

Of course, returning favourites such as the Beer Tent will also be back for people to enjoy a drink on social evening out with friends.

Kids will love taking a trip aboard Santa’s Express Train, or the traditional Carousel, while the 32m high ferris wheel is something the whole family can enjoy, with wonderful views from above of the seasonal lighting in the city.

Irish Language Plan announced for Clifden

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October 15, 2021

Galway Daily news Irish Language Plan announced for Clifden

The preparation of an Irish Language Plan for Clifden has been announced today, to encourage the retention and growth of Irish in the Connemara town.

Minister of State for the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers has announced today that Foras na Gaeilge is starting work on the implementation of Language Plans for both Clifden and Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

Foras will now select specific organisations to prepare the plans for each town, with €20,000 in funding for their development.

Once they are ready, a further annual fund of €80,000 will be available each year, for seven years, to implement the plans.

Organisations will be given a period of up to one month to apply to Foras na Gaeilge to be chosen to prepare and implement a language plan for both towns.

After that, they will have two years to prepare the plan and submit it to the Department for approval, followed by seven years to implement it with the help of Údarás na Gaeltachta or Foras.

“This is another step forward in the language planning process,” Minister of State Chambers said, adding that the preparation or implementation of language plans is already underway at eight towns around the country.

“I hope that the town stakeholders will be willing to play an active part in further strengthening the Irish language in Clifden and Ballinrobe – which both the Irish language and the towns will benefit from.”

Galway City was one of the first locations in the country chosen for the creation of an Irish Language Plan, with Salthill native Micheál Óg Mac Aoidh appointed to implement it last August.

Four local areas have higher COVID rates than national average

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October 15, 2021

Four of Galway’s ten local electoral areas have recorded 14-day COVID rates higher than the national average this week.

Tuam LEA has the highest rate in the county at 563 coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants, after 187 new cases were reported there in the two weeks to 11 October.

Ballinasloe has the county’s second highest two-week incidence rate with 484 cases per 100,000 people (136 new cases).

A total of 119 new cases were recorded in Galway City East, taking its rate down to 447.5, while Gort-Kinvara’s rate rose to 408 (96 new confirmed cases).

The rate has remained relatively steady in Connemara, with Conamara North LEA’s rate rising slightly to 215 (37 new cases) and Conamara South LEA’s rate rising to 136 (29 cases).

The 14-day incidence rate in Athenry-Oranmore increased again this week to 308 (101 cases) while Loughrea has the third lowest rate in the county at 289 after just 67 new cases were reported in the area in two weeks.

Galway City Central LEA had 94 new confirmed cases in the fortnight to 11 October, taking the rate there to 352, and Galway City West’s rate now stands at 311 with 79 new cases reported there.

A taste of Christmas, Connemara Style

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October 15, 2021

Galway Daily food A taste of Christmas, Connemara Style

Connemara Brewing Company have launched their seasonal beer just in time for Christmas, with a punchy brew from the east to keep you warm on cold nights.

‘Gabhar’ is a limited edition Czech-style dark lager made with a traditional lager hop that’s dark in colour but light, sweet, and roasty on the palate.

Connemara Brewing Company is fast building a reputation for brewing excellent beers, all of which are made from scratch in the Carraroe Brewery.

The brewers make use of traditional recipes and as many local ingredients as possible, which are sourced directly from carefully selected producers.

Connemara Brewery’s signature beer is a lager best described as refreshing, clean and robust.

It features a pleasingly floral bitterness from its Žatecký hops, backed up with a slight maltiness from a blend of Irish and continental grains, and a crisp clean finish from the specially selected yeast and open fermentation process.

Connemara Irish ale has a long and dignified history. The Connemara Ale is juicy and full of flavour. A perfect hop medley and yeast blend provides the ale with a flavour that will make you want more.

“We’ve kept to traditional values by producing an open fermented ale with a reddish hue and a beautifully sweet palate,” explains Chief Brewer Aine O’Hora.

This results in a drink that is, “bursting with hop flavour while remaining low in bitterness. It’s like Connemara sunset in a glass,” she adds.

Aine moved home to Galway following a successful and diverse career in brewing. She has been brewing continuously since finishing her science degree in NUIG almost 20 years ago (further complimented by a Masters in Brewing & Distilling).

She has started and ran both start-up craft and large international breweries and now invests all that experience and skill into producing what we believe are some of Ireland’s best beers.

Connemara Brewing Company also prides itself on the sustainability of its processes, starting with just recycled materials, and re-using as many raw materials as possible, followed by returning all used grain to farming lands in the locality.

The brewery is currently planning to move to a new upgraded production which will allow 100% of their energy needs to be met by the renewable energy produced on-site and expects to be completely carbon-negative by end 2022.

On top of a seasonal brew, this December Connemara Brewing Company are launching their brewery tours, guiding the visitor on a beer journey from grain to can in the Carraroe brewery. Best of all, the tour finishes by tasting the fruits of the brewing process.

34 COVID cases receiving treatment at Galway hospitals

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October 15, 2021

The number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 in Galway has risen again to 34 in the latest HSE data taken on Thursday evening.

University Hospital Galway has 28 of the county’s hospitalised COVID cases, while there are six confirmed cases at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.

Four of the hospitalised cases in Galway are in intensive care units – three at UHG and one at Portiuncula Hospital.

Nationally, the number of people with the disease in hospitals is 408, with 70 receiving treatment in ICU.

1,627 cases of COVID-19 were reported by health officials yesterday afternoon as Dr Ronan Glynn warned that the growth rate of the virus has accelerated.

“All indicators of COVID-19 are pointing towards a deteriorating disease trajectory nationally,” said Dr Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

“We are seeing an increase in incidence in all age groups, including older age groups.”

The incidence rate in the Republic now stands at 415 cases per 100,000 people.

Plans for 114 homes in Claregalway move forward

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October 15, 2021

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

Plans to build 114 homes in the Claregalway area have advanced, with An Bord Pleanála allowing the developer to make a planning application.

King Construction Ltd is moving ahead with plans for 76 houses and 38 apartments, along with a creche, at Lakeview, Claregalway.

The developer sought approval to make a Strategic Housing Development directly to An Bord Pleanála.

The first stage in this is a pre-application consultation with the bord and local planning authority, Galway County Council, to determine if the basic plans meet the criteria.

The Bord has now ruled that the proposal does constitute a reasonable basis for an SHD application.

The Strategic Housing Development legislation, which allows for large scale housing project applications to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála, has been heavily criticised for increasing the number of judicial challenges to housing developments, resulting in little getting built.

COVID-19: 1,627 more cases reported today

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October 14, 2021

There have been a further 1,627 cases of COVID-19 reported by health officials today, with warnings of a worsening trajectory of the virus.

As of this morning, 415 COVID patients were hospitalised in Ireland, with 70 of them in the ICU.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said that key indicators of the disease have been increasing across the country, and the growth rate of the virus has accelerated.

“All indicators of COVID-19 are pointing towards a deteriorating disease trajectory nationally. We are seeing an increase in incidence in all age groups, including older age groups.”

Ireland’s incidence rate now stands at 415 cases per 100,000 members of the population.

Hospital admissions are also up to 50 per day now, compared with 35 a day at the end of September, while 5 people are being admitted to the ICU with the disease each day.

“It’s important that anyone who is fully vaccinated is reassured that vaccines give very good protection from COVID-19,” Ronan Glynn said.

“However, when incidence of disease is high, we will see breakthrough infections in vaccinated people – most people’s experience of infection will be mild, but some will end up in hospital and intensive care. We want to avoid that.”

Offshore wind energy hub could support 900 jobs in Galway Gaeltacht

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October 14, 2021