There have been a further 1,154 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.
As of this morning there are 297 people in the state hospitalised with COVID.
Of these patients, 63 are being treated in the Intensive care unit.
The five day moving average in Ireland is now 1,327 cases per day.
Daily case numbers may change in the future after data is validated and reviewed.
NUI Galway Students’ Union has announced that it will be partnering with The Hygiene Bank Galway this year.
The Students’ Union will hold monthly donation drives asking students and staff at the University to join the fight against hygiene poverty.
A donation point will be located in the Students’ Union office each month starting on Monday 27 September, where hygiene, personal care and household cleaning products can be left for those in need.
The items will then be distributed to The Hygiene Bank’s community partners in Galway who include COPE Galway, Galway Simon Community, Galway Traveller Movement and St Vincent de Paul among others.
They are asking for donations of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, razors, shaving foam, deodorant, hairbrushes, hair ties, period products, nappies, baby wipes, toilet roll, headlice shampoo and laundry detergent.
Students’ Union President Róisín Nic Lochlainn said: “We are delighted to partner with The Hygiene Bank this year to join the fight against hygiene poverty.
“The Hygiene Bank are an amazing movement who help those living in poverty access the basics items they need. Their work addresses a huge injustice that exists in our society.”
Students’ Union Vice President/Welfare and Equality Officer Cora Clarke added that hygiene poverty is a major issue where those living in poverty have their choices restricted.
“It can lead to people having to make impossible choices between buying food or keeping clean.
“Our monthly donation drives aim to help The Hygiene Bank to stop the social isolation that can result from hygiene poverty.”
The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was called out to multiple boats run around one after the other on Sunday.
The first callout came shortly after 1:30pm when a 45ft cruiser with seven people aboard ran aground at Navigation Marker G.
Before they even arrived on the scene, Valentin Coast Guard radioed in a report of another three people stranded on a boat at Marker G.
When the lifeboat arrived at the first cruiser I distress, engineers from the company were already working to free her.
The RNLI cre remained on the scene until they freed the boat the shoal, and it was clear that everyone was safe.
At 2:30pm the lifeboat departed to assist the three people on the second vessel aground.
The 30ft vessel was aground off the Goat Road, a raised shoal for migrating birds.
The lifeboat found all three people to be safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejackets. Two members of the volunteer RNLI crew crossed over to inspect the vessel.
After finding that it was not holed, the lifeboat took the other boat off the shoals and back into safe waters, where it was in good working order.
Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI, advises water users unfamiliar with Lough Derg to “plan your passage and keep a lookout for the next navigation mark on your route. Plan your course to arrive at safe harbour before nightfall.”
Gardai have seized €45,000 worth of suspected cocaine following an operation in Ballinasloe on Sunday, and arrested one juvenile.
As part of Operation Tara, Gardai attached to Ballinasloe Garda Station conducted an intelligence led operation in the Dunlo Harbour area of the town on Sunday.
During the course of this operation a quantity of suspected cocaine, estimated to be worth €45,000 concealed on derelict grounds was seized.
A male in his mid-teens was arrested at the scene and detained at Ballinasloe Garda Station on Sunday.
He has since been released with a file being prepared for the Garda Youth Diversion Office.
Operation Tara is an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy, which aims to disrupt and prosecute drug trafficking networks at local, national, and international levels.
The number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 in Galway has continued to decline.
As of Sunday evening there were just 14 confirmed cases at University Hospital Galway, down from 16 yesterday.
This is a drastic shift from last week, when there were 23 cases on Friday, and over 30 for an extended period not long before that.
UHG has now dropped from having the second highest number of COVID patients in the country, to the eight.
Four of the patients at University Hospital Galway have been admitted to the ICU for treatment.
At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe there is one confirmed case as of Sunday evening, who is in the Intensive care unit.
Nationwide there are 289 COVID cases in hospital, of whom 61 are in the ICU.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said that the government will try to address a shortage of bus services to Portiuncula Hospital.
Speaking in the Dáil, Minister Ryan said that a shift in public transport routes needs to “maintain connectivity” with vital services such as this hospital.
Galway TD Denis Naughten had raised the issue of bus links to Portiuncula, saying that there has been a 60% drop in the number of buses serving the hospital since the Expressway route was cancelled.
“An analysis of the current Citylink replacement service with that provided by Bus Éireann shows that, between 7.30 a.m. an 9.30 p.m., the service has gone from 226 buses a week to a current offering of just 84 buses a week outside Portiuncula.”
Bus Éireann cancelled the Expressway service between Galway and Dublin back in July, seriously reducing the number of buses stopping in towns between the two cities.
Minister Ryan responded that he has “met with local representatives for the area and had a series of discussions with my own officials to try to address the concerns.”
“I have told them we need to look again at the very specific issue of Portiuncula Hospital and ensure that, as we change the overall route alignment, we maintain critical connectivity to those types of facilities.”
“The NTA is charged with working with the local operators, Bus Éireann and others to ensure we address some of the concerns that have been raised.”
The Minister added that he would have to seek an update from the department on specifics about the hospital.
Thousands of people in Galway alone are preparing to go back to the workplace tomorrow, as the phased return to offices begins, and many more businesses can reopen.
In the phased easing of restrictions, public health advice will no loner recommend working from home, and other changing rules will also make a return to business easier for many.
Also from Monday, organised indoor activities can resume, with maximum capacity limits of 100 people where everyone is immune, or in pods of 6 where there is mixed protection.
This has a huge impact for indoor sports, art classes, dance, yoga, and many many more businesses that involve organised indoor activity led by an instructor.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that Monday will be a “big day for thousands of businesses” opening their doors again for the first time in 18 months, and for many more returning to the workplace in person.
“It has been an incredibly challenging 18 months for those running indoor activities. Business owners have had to make huge changes to their business, from moving outdoors to moving online. Your efforts to date have doubtless saved lives.”
“I know many are looking forward to returning to the office, to see their colleagues who they’ve only seen through a screen for the past 18 months, in person.”
“For those who were recruited during the pandemic, it will be the first time ever they’ve been in the office or met their co-workers – even after over a year working together in some cases.”
All restrictions on outdoor activities are also being removed from tomorrow. Leo Varadkar attributed the easing of restrictions with Ireland’s high level of vaccine uptake.
More than 90% of people over the age of 16 in Ireland are now fully vaccinated, which the Tánaiste said is one of the best responses in the world.
“It’s a testament to the Irish people for trusting the science, trusting our health care professionals and protecting each other.”
He went on to say that the pandemic has “transformed” the working world, and shown what is possible with remote working.
“We really want to see remote working become a permanent fixture of Irish working life. I hope employers are speaking to their staff to figure out what works best for them and the business as this phased return begins.”
Plans are progressing for the construction of a new fire station in Athenry, with the planning process now complete.
This week the county council voted in favour of the Part 8 planning application for the fire station at Ballygarraun South, Athenry, allowing work to move ahead.
The design team for the project will now complete the detailed design stage, before issuing tenders for a contractor in the coming weeks.
The new station will consist of 361sqm, single storey building, with garage space for three fire trucks, along with equipment storage areas and other facilities.
Outside the station will include a drill yard and a drill tower for the firefighters to maintain their skill levels.
Galway TD Seán Canney said that when it is completed, the station will deliver a “modern firefighting facility” to protect Athenry and its catchment area.
“This is what the residents and fireman deserve,” he added of the need for the project.
People living in the Glenamaddy area are being urged to conserve water as nightly restrictions are being brought in once again.
Nighttime water restrictions will be in place from 10pm to 8am until Wednesday, September 22.
As with any disruption to regular water supplies, it may take 2 – 3 hours after that point until people see their full supply return as the network refills.
People living in Glenamaddy an surrounding areas may experience water outages, low pressure, and discoloured water during this time.
Irish Water has said that these restrictions are necessary due to the ongoing high levels of “domestic, commercial and agricultural demand” on the Glenamaddy Public Water Supply.
“Irish Water and Galway County Council are appealing to residents, farmers, agricultural contractors, businesses and visitors to Glenamaddy town and surrounding areas to conserve water wherever possible to ensure a consistent supply for everyone.”
“We are asking customers on the Glenamaddy Public Water Supply to only use water for essential use,” a statement today reads.
“There are some simple measures that the public can take, including stopping the use of power washers at home; using a watering can rather than a hose in the garden; taking showers over baths; and fixing any dripping taps where it is possible to do so.”
This is the second time in recent weeks that Irish Water has imposed restrictions in the Glenamaddy area to conserve the supply.
At the end of August, nightly restrictions were brought in for the first week of September due to a similar situation.
A further 1,224 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ireland by the Department of Health today.
As of this morning the number of people in the country hospitalised with COVID stands at 278.
Of these patients, 63 are in serious condition and have been admitted to the ICU.
Daily case numbers may change in the future after data is validated and reviewed.
The number of COVID-19 patients at University Hospital Galway has dropped steeply after remaining steady for a fortnight.
There were 16 confirmed cases at UHG as of Saturday night, down from 23 cases the day before this.
Of these patients, six are being treated in the ICU, two fewer than the previous day.
At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe there is just one confirmed case, which has been admitted to the ICU.
Nationwide there were 263 people hospitalised with COVID as of Saturday night, of whom 64 are in the ICU.
More than 11,000 Farmers in Galway are this week receiving €20 million in payments under the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme.
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue announced this week that €185 million in payments have been issued to 85,000 farmers.
“The importance of the timely delivery of payments under the ANC scheme is vital for the survival of the farm families,” said Galway TD Seán Canney, welcoming the announcement.
In total 11,825 farmers in Galway are receiving €20.6 million in the first tranche payments from the scheme, which will arrive bank accounts in the coming days.
Minister McConalogue emphasised that the ANC scheme is crucial for farm families, and that he was keen to issue payments as early as possible.
“These payments represent a timely and significant financial boost for farmers and for the wider rural economy. The issuing of these payments in mid-September ensures payments to farmers at the earliest possible time.”
The Minister also confirmed that work is underway to ensure that 70% of the Basic Payment Scheme is delivered by October 18.
Connacht’s fixture against Cardiff will kick off the new United Rugby Championship next week, with over 150 hours of live action promised for TV.
RTÉ and TG4 have joined forces to ensure that games involving all four Irish provinces will air for free to Irish audiences.
RTÉ and TG4’s live, free-to-air coverage of the new URC begins with Connacht live on TG4 on Friday, September 24, followed by an action-packed rugby Saturday as Leinster are live on TG4, and Munster live on RTÉ.
Martin Anayi, CEO of the United Rugby Championship said “The widespread return of URC and the provinces to Free-to-Air television in Ireland is a real cause for excitement and we can’t wait for that energy to be unleashed on the opening weekend.”
In total, RTÉ will deliver live television, radio, and online coverage of 26 games featuring the Irish provinces in the league, plus additional knockout matches, along with extensive post match analysis on Against the Head.
TG4’s Rugbaí Beo will continue to be the station’s flagship rugby programme and will broadcast 26 games involving Irish provincial clubs and an additional 16 games featuring international club sides.
Spórt TG4 will also have exclusive behind the scenes action from the competition across its social media channels.
For the final of the championship, the two channels have agreed to amicably split the coverage, with each broadcasting it on alternate years.
Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, TG4 Head of Sport said: “TG4 has been bringing interprovincial rugby to Irish Audiences since the first days of the Celtic League in 2001, and we are looking forward to taking this next step with the URC and to see the South Africa ‘Super’ teams become part of our Rugbaí Beo line-up.”
“This partnership with RTÉ galvanises TG4’s commitment to provide the best of sporting action to our audiences, and to making that coverage free-to-air and accessible to all fans.”
Declan McBennett, Group Head of Sport, RTÉ said: “Throughout the year RTÉ Sport has seen the very best of Irish athletes compete domestically and internationally against first class opposition at an elite level.”
“Being in a position to provide free-to-air coverage of the provinces to our audience in the newly reconstituted URC adds a further dimension to that and allows us to ensure our best rugby players are seen and seen to inspire future generations who want to one day wear their provincial and national jersey.”
A further 1,456 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the state by health officials today.
As of this morning there are 261 people in Ireland who have been admitted to hospital for COVID.
Of these patients, 66 are in serious condition and being treated in intensive care units.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has said that since April, four out of five people admitted to the ICU, and roughly three quarters of deaths, have been among the unvaccinated.
“It remains vital that those who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine do so at the earliest opportunity.”
“If you are fully protected through vaccination, then you can have confidence that your vaccination, and your continued adherence to the public health advice appropriate to each environment, is the best way you can protect yourself”.
Repairs have been completed today on a major burst watermain that was affecting the supply to the west side of Galway City and its suburbs.
Repairs took place through the night to repair a burst mains on the NUIG campus, which supplies the Clifton Hill and Tonabrucky reservoirs.
The repairs were very complex due to the location of the burst on the NUIG Campus and the presence of many services over the watermain which had to be carefully excavated.
The crews completed their works around 6:30am this morning, but parts of the city and surrounding villages may experience lingering issues throughout the day.
Customers in the west of the city including Knocknacarra, Barna, Moycullen and surrounding areas supplied from Tonabruckey Reservoir may experience low pressure during the day and into the evening as reservoir levels recover.
Speaking about this Tim O’Connor, Irish Water, said: “The repairs were complex due to the location of the burst and the presence of other services.”
“Dedicated crews, did excellent work, working through the night carried out the repair as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimise disruption to the area and restore water for all customers.”
“We understand the inconvenience unplanned outages can have on customers and we appreciate your patience as we worked to return the water supply to homes and businesses as quickly and as safely as possible.”
Briain is left shaken by a chat with the Gardaí after Berni comes forward, Fiach turns the tables on Michelle about being honest, and Colm is feeling the strain of Mo’s absence in Ros na Rún.
Berni bravely gives her statement to O’Shea in the hope that Briain will be punished for what he did to her, but O’Shea puts a twist on things with some questions of her own for Berni.
Briain is feeling confident that Berni’s case against him will be dropped, until a visit to the Garda station leaves him shaken to the core.
Fiach learns a no-so-little secret about Michelle when arguing with Greg. After she dumped him for lying to her, he confronts her about her secret millionaire status.
Colm is feeling Mo’s absence terribly while also struggling to care for Charlie and the baby. He panics when Charlie thinks it best she leave but Colm insists she live with him until Mo returns.
Rory wants out of his relationship with Emma, but its not as easy as just walking away. Will Emma ruin him financially or has Rory put a plan in place to ensure this won’t happen
Catch up on all of this and more in a double feature omnibus of Ros na Rún this Sunday on TG4.
Want to get out of the house and enjoy some tunes this weekend? Well you’re in luck as more free live music events are taking place in Gort and Portumna.
Thus Saturday and Sunday, the Ceol an tSamhraidh series enters its third week with more free live music events for people to enjoy.
On Saturday at 8pm, Songs & Stories Show with Mike Hanrahan, Eleanor Shanley & Rachel Grace takes to the stage in Portumna to present an evening of songs and stories in a relaxed setting.
Expect an evening of classic hits, with songs from Stockton’s Wing, De Dannan and memories of times spent with Ronnie Drew featuring in this collaborative set, along with new music from the trio.
This Sunday, September 19, they will be followed by Seba Safe, one of the most interesting new talents to emerge in 2020, who has just released his debut EP the ‘Map Runner’.
This free show will take place outside the Irish Workhouse Courtyard in Portumna. It will be fully seated, under a waterproof durable cover with open sides and patrons are advised to wear suitable clothing.
Also on Sunday there will be an evening of song and performance from 5pm at the walled garden of the Gallery Café in Gort.
Attendees will get to enjoy contemporary and traditional Galway-based artists including Eugene Lambe, Ultan Conlon, Maija Sofia, and Lowli.
“We are delighted to bring music, art and performance to the culturally rich region of Galway spanning the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands,” said Ruth Mulhern, Tourism Officer.
“These well-visited areas have a strong local identity and interest on the arts; with Shorelines Festival in Portumna and a great pop up venue in the Gallery Café, Gort.”
Advance booking for all of these music events is required via the Ceol an tSamhraidh Eventbrite page.
Ceol an tSamhraidh is part of the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme, funded by the government and organised by the Council Arts and Tourism Offices.
It aims to provide support for people in the live performance industry and facilitate programming of outdoor concerts in Galway through summer 2021, animating town centres for local communities.
County Arts Officer Sharon O’Grady said “Ceol an tSamhraidh is continually delivering on high-quality performances in partnership with all aspects of the arts.”
“The programme is ably supported by local festivals as well as providing a space for talented performing artists and crew, while creating unique events around the County.”
GMIT will see primary school children go head to head in a battle of robotics next year. Well, not actual robot wars, but competing in creating one of their own.
The west of Ireland regional heats in the centrepiece competition of the VEX Robotics Programme will take place at GMIT in the next academic year.
VEX Robotics is an exciting programme where school children and teenagers, aged 8 to 18 years, learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) while having fun.
Each year there is a new challenge where students must work as a team to design, build, programme and drive a robot.
The regional competition will take place in GMIT in January and promises to be a lot of fun. Winners of the heat will go on to represent the West of Ireland in the national competition in Cork.
Dr Carine Gachon, project coordinator at GMIT, said that they were “overwhelmed” by the amount of primary schools that sought to take part.
“Unfortunately, we could only accommodate 16, but in the future we hope to expand the competition to more primary schools and also include secondary schools.”
This week, primary school teachers were invited to the campus to get a sneak peak at the VEX Robotics kit they will receive in the next few weeks, and learn more about this year challenge.
Science Foundation Ireland has provided funding for the regional heat to GMIT and Munster Technological University, which has been running the competition for 12 years now.
Since the creation of the competition, it has grown to encompass over 70 schools taking part each year.
Professor Graham Heaslip, Head of the GMIT School of Engineering, said “The VEX Robotics Competition challenges students to use a number of soft and hard STEM skills.”
“The competition will enable students to comprehend how important it is to come up with several solutions when solving a problem, enhancing their creativity and problem-solving skills.”
There have been a further 1,392 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.
As of this morning 288 COVID patients in Ireland have been hospitalised.
Of those patients, 73 are now being treated in the ICU in serious condition.
Ireland’s five day moving average now stands at 1,311 cases per day.
In the latest hospital figures from yesterday evening, University Hospital Galway reports 25 confirmed cases, the second highest level in the country.
Five of these patients were reported to be in the intensive care unit.
A new grant scheme for events commemorating the experiences of people who were in the Mother and Baby Homes has been established.
The scheme allows survivor groups to get funding for commemoration events for a specific mother and baby home.
The goal of the scheme is to “support survivor centred advocacy organisations” who are dealing with the past in their own way.
This can include “both virtual and in person events, when public health guidelines allow, that responds to the specific needs of their communities.”
There has been €50,000 allocated for this scheme in 2021, with organisations able to apply for up to €2,500 for each event.
An information pack for the scheme notes that while applications will be accepted year round, the scheme is “cash limited” and they will be processed on a first come, first serve basis.
The Commission of Investigation into the Mother and Baby Homes’ final report was released in January, six years after it was established.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin also stated in the Dáil this week that a redress scheme for survivors of the homes will open early next year.
More information about the commemoration scheme, and how to apply for a grant, can be found here.
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