Walk-in vaccination clinics to open again this week

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August 30, 2021

Galway Daily news City Council approves large scale commercial and residential development

Galway City Council has granted planning permission for a major commercial and residential development on the northern outskirts of the city.

Strategic Land Investments LTD has been been given approval for a mixed use development consisting of 13 blocks at City North Business Park on the Tuam Road, to be delivered in three phases.

The development would comprise eight apartment blocks, ranging from two to eight storeys tall, containing 248 apartments.

The original plans were for nine blocks of 309 apartments, but one building was removed, and two others reduced in scale, after the city council expressed concerns about the amount of the project given over to residential use, when the land is zoned C1 (Enterprise, Light Industry, and Commercial).

A 222 bedroom hotel with a restaurant and bar, and conference facilities, will also be built as part of the project, but a proposed 72 bedroom apart-hotel has been omitted from the plans to also reduce the amount of space given to residential usage.

A leisure centre and spa, with an indoor swimming pool and gym, will also make up part of the recreational amenity of the area.

The commercial side of the project will include four office blocks ranging from four to five storeys in height, with a total floor space of 25,527sqm.

Due to the amount of housing in the proposal, a creche is also included in the plans, as is a cultural centre with a variety of proposed community facilities including .

For public open space, the developer has inserted a central park area where one block of housing was omitted, and landscaped green areas will also be created along the eastern and western boundaries of the site.

Access to the site for vehicles will be from a new signalised junction onto the N83 Tuam Road, with additional pedestrian and cycling links at other locations.

The site will be served by a total of 908 car parking spaces, an increase from the original proposal, with a mix of surface and sub-basement parking. The developer has also proposed a shuttle bus service connecting the new quarter to the city centre.

Planning permission was granted for the development by the city council with 44 conditions attached. The period of the permission is seven years, less than the ten year permission sought by the developer.

Before work begins the developer must pay a contribution of €4,339,668 to the council towards the cost of providing public services to the area.

The council also stipulated that the offices may only be used for: Data Processing, Software Development, Information Technology, Commercial Laboratories, Creative Media, Telemarketing and Publishing, or Other Technology/IT related uses.

Two specific units within the development must also be designated as a community shop and a café respectively, and their use may not change without further planning permission.

An area must also be set aside for a public bike scheme, to be licenced to the city council/NTA, and an agreed upon number of parking spaces must be reserved exclusively for the public, with no staff parking.

Work which will take place on the Tuam Road, and pedestrian linkages to lands to the north and east of the site, must also be agreed on with the council before any work begins.

This planning permission is also contingent on a detailed landscaping plan being agreed on, work on which must be completed before each phase of the development.

UHG’s COVID numbers steady despite national increase

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August 30, 2021

There are still under 30 people with COVID-19 at University Hospital Galway despite an increase in the number of COVID patients in hospitals nationally.

As of yesterday evening, there are 29 people with the disease at the hospital, with six of those patients in the intensive care unit.

Nationally, the total number of patients with the virus who are hospitalised rose to 361.

Speaking yesterday, CMO Dr Tony Holohan expressed cautious optimism about the return to school next week, noting that school settings previously contributed little to the spread of COVID-19.

“It is important to remember that our experience to date is that the school environment was not a major source of disease transmission and that school reopening did not have a significant effect on the incidence of COVID-19 in children.

“In fact, any increase in incidence among children is often linked to the events that occur around school as much as the events that occur within school,” he said.

Galway awarded over €275k in CLÁR funding

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August 30, 2021

Galway Daily news Dozens of Galway City community groups awarded €272,708 in grant funding

More than €275,000 in CLÁR funding has been announced for schools, playgrounds, and community areas in Galway today.

Minister Heather Humphreys awarded CLÁR money to six projects in Galway as part of €4.2 million announced for the programme today.

Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said “The CLÁR Programme 2021 puts our young people at the fore. From investing in our schools, playgrounds, outdoor amenities and other projects – we are demonstrating the value and appreciation we have for the leaders of the future.”

“If the Pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that our young people are our shining lights. Investing in them is an investment in our future – that’s what today’s announcement is all about.”

Two of the projects approved in Galway come under Measure 1 of the programme, providing improved safety infrastructure for schools and community areas.

At Clonbern National School, €50,000 will go towards a pedestrian crossing and upgrades to the school parking facilities.

And another €50,000 is for the county council and Woodford Parish Development to extend footpaths from the village, out to Derrycrag Nature Reserve.

The other four Galway projects come under Measure 2 of the programme, which funds outdoor community recreation facilities.

Lurga National School have been awarded €50,000 for a community Multi-Use Games Area, and Glinsk Community Development Association will receive the same amount to build a playground.

Skehana Community Development Committee will get €49,513.13 to build a playground for their area, and Abbey Community Development Association have been allocated €27,000 for the last phase of their playground and sensory play area.

In total, funding was announced for 104 projects in rural communities under the CLÁR programme today.

More announcements under different measures of the programme will be announced by Minister Humphreys in the coming weeks.

Three week roadworks underway outside Clifden

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August 30, 2021

Galway Daily news Traffic disruption from roadworks

Roadworks on the N59 in Connemara will disrupt traffic in the area outside Clifden while underway for the next three weeks.

Galway County Council is carrying out road re-surfacing works on the N59 at Lettershea, which got underway this morning.

The works cover approximately 7km of road from Clifden headed towards Recess.

Temporary traffic management measures will be in place for the next three weeks while these roadworks are taking place.

Bus companies highlight potential role in meeting climate targets

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August 30, 2021

Galway Daily news Disruptions to Salthill bus services due to Galway v Kilkenny

Bus companies have appealed for the government to support the private coach sector as part of a strategy to shift away from cars.

In its pre-budget submission, the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC) has said that private bus operators have an important role to play in decarbonising Ireland’s transport system.

The submission outlines ways in which the government can encourage a ‘modal shift’ away from private car usage and help achieve climate goals.

These include infrastructure proposals to improve the viability of bus transport as a whole, and supports specifically aimed at helping coach operators to go green.

“As an industry, we are committed to adopting sustainable practices, with the vast majority of our members possessing some of the most environmentally compatible fleets,” said Chairman of the CTTC John Halpenny.

“So far, the cost of doing this has largely been fronted by the operators themselves, against a backdrop of considerable risk, given the speedy obsolescence of some of these technologies.

He said that specific funding needs to be allocated by the government to ensure the “effective greening” of private bus fleets, due to the cost of purchasing new vehicles.

“Enhancing our national public transport network must form an integral part of our collective journey towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions.”

“To facilitate this, the Government must adopt a pro-public transport stance, and be willing to leverage the full potential of private bus and coach services, to encourage a modal shift towards public transport, away from private, single-occupancy vehicles”.

The CTTC is calling for the creation of a dedicated Coach Transport Sustainability Fund, and an enhancement of the Alternatively-Fuelled Heavy Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase grant scheme to achieve these goals.

In terms of broader infrastructure the CTTC says that passengers need to be incentivised to use public transport if you want them to leave their cars at home.

Ways to do this could include the provision of affordable park and ride facilities, the CTTC sugegests, or the enhancement of the network of bus corridors.

In Galway, the old airport at Carnmore is used as a Park and Ride base into and out of the city each Christmas, and for some time now suggestions have been floated that this could be a year-round service, to help tackle the city’s atrocious traffic problem.

Galway City Council has also been working on a proposed Cross-City Link bus corridor, which would prioritise public transport between University Road and the Dublin Road in order to connect the east and west sides of the city more easily.

A public consultation on the Cross-City Link was organised by the city council last October.

Roadworks this week in Tuam and on the M6, & M18

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August 30, 2021

Galway Daily news Traffic disruption expected from Galway City centre roadworks

Multiple roadworks taking place this week will cause traffic disruptions on the M6 and M18 motorways, as well as in and Tuam.

Work has begun this morning at Bishop Street in Tuam, and are expected to continue throughout the week to Friday, September 3.

A stop/go system will be in place to manage traffic in the town for the duration of the roadworks.

Road marking works are taking place on the M6 and M18 motorways overnight for the next three nights, between Athenry and Oranmore.

Work was completed last night on marking the M17 southbound, and further works will be carried out from 10pm to 6am this week.

On Tuesday, August 31 work will take place on the M6 eastbound. The slip road will be closed, with traffic diverted to Junction 17 Athenry.

Wednesday, September 1, M6 westbound, slip road closed and traffic diverted to Junction 19 Oranmore, followed by the M18 northbound on the night of September 2.

Licence sought for the return of the Christmas Market

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August 30, 2021

Galway Daily news Galway Christmas Market closed due to Storm Bram

Tourists and locals alike will be glad to hear of the intended return of the Christmas Market in Galway City this year.

Milestone Inventive is seeking a licence to hold the outdoor event for six weeks this winter, as it has for the past decade, except for last year, where COVID-19 forced its cancellation.

The Christmas Market will run from November 12 to December 22 in Eyre Square, with more than a quarter of a million people expected to pass through.

The event management plan for the market submitted by Milestone highlights the return of the food and artisanal crafts stands, as well as the much loved beer tent.

“It will once again consist of a mix of international and local vendors and offer a range of food and crafts. In addition to the traders, onsite entertainment will be provided as well as the Bier Keller.”

“This year will also see the return of such favorites as the giant observation wheel, the Mulled wine units and Santa’s train, by now stalwarts of the market and generating repeat visits each year.”

“The Santa Sleigh, post box and the elves light gardens are also big draws and provide numerous photo oppurtunities for families.”

“The Skeff Road will once again see the return of the Artisan section for smaller scale Artisan producers.”

Submissions related to the the proposed Christmas Market, and the management plans, can be made to the city council until 4pm this Wednesday.

Unsettled conditions forecast but dry week ahead

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August 30, 2021

There are signs that the current spell of dry weather will become more unsettled during the first weekend in September, Met Éireann has said.

They say that it will become cloudier over the weekend, with some rain or showers likely – but temperatures will remain average for this time of the year.

It will continue dry throughout much of the week though, with temperatures back to around average for the time of year, in the high teens or low 20s.

Today, Monday, will be another dry day but there will be some clouds, with more sunny spells as the day progresses.

The highest temperatures tomorrow will be between 18 and 21 degrees, in light to moderate, northeast winds.

Tuesday will be much the same, with sunshine and some clouds with temperatures reaching the low twenties in the afternoon.

It will remain dry for the most part throughout the rest of the week, with the more unsettled conditions not expected until this weekend.

Man (50s) dies following collision involving car and bicycle

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August 29, 2021

A man has died following a road traffic collision involving a car and a bicycle which occurred at around 1.30pm yesterday afternoon (Sunday) on the R345 near Corr na Mona in Galway.

The cyclist, a man in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries have been reported.

The road is currently closed and Forensic Collision Investigators are currently at scene. Local diversions are in place.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision.

Gardaí are also appealing to any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the R345 near Corr Na Mona at this time, to make this footage available to them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clifden Garda Station on 095 22500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

CMO Holohan expresses optimism about return to school

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August 29, 2021

Galway Daily news CMO Holohan optimistic about return to school — Dt Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer. Photo: Department of Health/Twitter

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan expressed cautious optimism about the return to school next week, noting that school settings previously contributed little to the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement on Sunday Dr Holohan said that this year’s back to school preparations are occurring at a time when there is still a high incidence of COVID in the country.

Ireland currently has one of the highest incidence rates in Europe, at more than 500 cases per 100,000 population in recent days.

Despite the strength of Ireland’s vaccination campaign, the Delta variant has resulted in a very high level of daily cases, and growing numbers of patients in hospital.

“It is important to remember that our experience to date is that the school environment was not a major source of disease transmission and that school reopening did not have a significant effect on the incidence of COVID-19 in children.

“In fact, any increase in incidence among children is often linked to the events that occur around school as much as the events that occur within school,” Tony Holohan said.

He added that he is conscious of the many sacrifices made by parents and teachers to allow schools to reopen, and cautioned that people need to continue following public health recommendations to keep them open.

“It is important that we continue to socialise safely and continue to adhere to the public health measures we are all so familiar with and that our schools have successfully implemented.”

“Wash hands or use hand sanitiser, wear a mask if this is what is recommended in your school environment, keep your distance and avoid crowds,” Tony Holohan said.

As with last year, all secondary level students will be required to wear a mask while in the classroom, unless they have a medical exemption.

Schools are also advised to have at least one metre of space between students, or two metres where possible.

One major difference between this year and last is the extent to which the vaccination campaign has progressed in the past few months.

Many teenagers are now fully or partially vaccinated, and the vaccine is now available to all who are at least 12 years old.

Dr Holohan added that parents need to take care to avoid sending children to school if they have any symptoms that could be COVID related.

“It is important to be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 and do not send your child to school if they display any. These are cough, fever, headache, sore throat and blocked or runny nose.”

“If your child displays any of these symptoms, support them to isolate and contact your GP for advice and to arrange a test if appropriate. These measures will prevent transmission of the virus to others.”

COVID-19: 1,706 new cases reported today

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August 29, 2021

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

There have been a further 1,706 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.

As of this morning there were 347 patients in the country hospitalised with COVID-19.

Of these people 60 are in serious condition, and are being treated in the intensive care unit.

Daily case numbers may change in the future after the data has been validated and reviewed.

A walk-in vaccination centre for anyone aged 12 years or older is open at Ballybrit today for people to get their Pfizer vaccine.

The Cabinet subcommittee for COVID is due to resume Friday’s meeting on proposals for the lifting of public health restrictions tomorrow.

The draft plan will then be put to a meeting of the full Cabinet on Tuesday for consideration.

Council rejects mobile mast plans on Athenry outskirts

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August 29, 2021

Galway Daily news Planning granted for new mobile telecoms mast in Headford — Photo: Steve Kazella via Wikimedia Commons

Galway County Council has refused planning permission for Eircom to put up a mobile broadband mast on the outskirts of Athenry.

Eircom Limited sought approval to put up an 18m monopole mast to provide broadband coverage in a field at Caherroyn, Athenry.

The mobile mast would have carried three antennas and dishes for Eir’s local coverage, as well as having room for another operator to located there.

Eir said that the height of structure, finishing at 19.2m overall, was the “absolute minimum” that could be used that meets technical requirements, and would have a line of sight over the surrounding area.

It was also argued in the technical justification that a mast was needed in this location to deal with “inadequate mobile voice and data services” at the edge of Athenry.

“There may confusion as to why a new telecommunications installation is required within North Athenry given Eir’s existing and planned site in Athenry Town Centre,” the planning statement said.

It said that all mobile operators have an obligation to provide “100% coverage” across towns and villages, and that the town centre locations alone would not suffice in Athenry.

In refusing planning permission, the county council said that, based on the information received, it was not satisfied that Eircom had “sufficient legal interest” to access the site.

One submission was received from Iarnród Eireann which said that the level crossing which Eircom proposed to use to access the site, which is owned by CIE, was created for agricultural use by the landowner, and is not suitable for other uses.

The council also stated that the limited access as a result of this would create a road traffic hazard and that the area is at risk of flooding.

Finally, the council said that the land Eircom proposed to build the mobile mast on is zoned residential, and that therefore “if permitted as proposed the development would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.

Walk-in vaccination clinic continues today

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August 29, 2021

Galway Daily news Parents advised to keep on top of school immunisation programme

A walk-in vaccination clinic for anyone aged 12 years or older is continuing in Galway today, for a longer period than Saturday.

The walk-in vaccination clinic at Ballybrit Racecourse is open for people to get jabbed without an appointment until 4pm today.

Anyone aged 12 years or older can get their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, and anyone who get their first shot before August 9 can go for their second dose.

Anyone attending between the ages of 12 and 15 will need a parent or guardian with them to give consent for them to be vaccinated.

If getting your second dose, you do not have to attend the same place where you got your first. People can go to any vaccination clinic in the country, as long as you have proof of your first dose.

This month saw Ireland secure the delivery of 700,000 additional doses of Pfizer vaccine from Romania, which accelerated the rollout of the mRNA vaccine.

COVID numbers fall at UHG after long spike

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August 29, 2021

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

The number of COVID-19 patients at UHG has fallen in the latest count, so that it is no longer the hospital with the highest number of cases.

As of Saturday evening there were 28 confirmed cases at University Hospital Galway, down four from the day before.

Of these six are in the intensive care unit, also one fewer than the previous day’s figures.

UHG had the highest number of COVID patients in the country for six days in the past week, as the hospital dealt with an outbreak of the disease.

At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe the number of confirmed cases is unchanged at seven, and one of those patients is in the ICU.

Nationwide there were 330 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Irish hospitals, and of these 61 were being treated in intensive care.

Farrell welcomes decision to examine spending on new National Maternity Hospital project

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August 29, 2021

galway daily mairead farrell td sinn fein nurses midwives pay

Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell TD has welcomed news that spending on the new National Maternity Hospital project will now be examined as part of a forthcoming audit.

Comptroller and Auditor General Seamus McCarthy said that the project will be examined, with a special report carried out if necessary.

Welcoming the development, Deputy Farrell said that the announcement was ‘timely and necessary’.

“Many people are beginning to fear that the new National Maternity Hospital has all the makings of another National Children’s Hospital fiasco,” said Deputy Farrell, “where our government tell us how they are going to get great value for money for a project we badly need, then proceed to write a blank check which leaves tax payers on the hook for beserk sums of money, all the while telling us how ‘prudent fiscal management’ is their motivating factor.

“It would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious. I recently asked Minister Donnelly to explain how the projected cost of the NMH had risen from €150 million to €800 million. He couldn’t answer.”

Deputy Farrell said that she asked in very simple terms could he explain the variance to budget by expense category.

“I queried in accounting terms could he outline those areas where costs have increased drastically,” she said.

“Had salaries, wages and compensation levels increased? Were borrowing costs rising? Was there some unforeseen professional/consultancy fees incurred? But no answer could be given.”

Deputy Farrell called on Minister McGrath to outline what is going on with the NMH when the Dáil returns.

Progress made in talks to secure Kinvara Post Office

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August 29, 2021

An Post is making progress in discussions to guarantee an ongoing post office in Kinvara, with a business will to host the service.

Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon said that An Post is highly supportive of guaranteeing the service in Kinvara.

The Post Office in Kinvara closed with the retirement of the operators Gerry and Carmel Ryan this month, after they had run it for decades.

Deputy Cannon added that An Post are in talks with a business in Kinvara which has agreed to host the service on its premises.

“What’s now missing is somebody who would operate the post office in that existing business,” Ciaran Cannon said.

“We do have an existing premises willing to take the facility. What we now need is an individual who would become that contractor to An Post”.

An Post had advertised multiple times for the contract to run the former premises prior to their closure.

In short time since, people in the Kinvara area have had to travel to Kilcolgan to make use of the premises there.

London Irish coming to Connacht for pre-season friendly

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August 28, 2021

Galway Daily rugby Four changes made to starting XV for Connacht v Glasgow

Connacht will play host to the London Irish in a pre-season friendly next month before the start of the United Rugby Championship.

The west London club will play Connacht at the Sportsground on Friday, September 10, with kick-off at 5:30pm.

The week before that, the Irish side will be head over to Sixways Stadium for another friendly against the Worcester Warriors.

Full ticketing details for this friendly, as well as further info for Season Ticket holders, will be confirmed next week following the publication of the latest Government roadmap on the easing of restrictions.

These two games will give the Connacht side some essential time on the pitch before the start of the United Rugby Championship.

Connacht’s tournament will kick off on Friday, September 24 with an away game against Cardiff.

Enda Walsh has some stage ‘Medicine’ for you

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August 28, 2021

Galway Daily theatre Enda Walsh has some stage 'Medicine' for you — Medicine by Enda Walsh. Photo: Jess Shurte

Galway International Arts Festival’s production of the critically acclaimed Medicine by Enda Walsh will be heading to the United States after wowing audiences in Galway come September.

Starring the multi-award-winning actor Domhnall Gleeson alongside a sensational cast including Clare Barrett, Aoife Duffin and drummer Sean Carpio, Medicine will wow audiences in Galway in person and online next month.

Dark, absurd, and devastatingly funny, Medicine shatters the boundaries between cast and audience in the surreal tale of John Kane, where he is joined at a hospital gurney by a jazz percussionist, two women called Mary, a very old man and a giant lobster.

Galway Daily theatre Enda Walsh Medicine — Domhnall Gleeson on stage in Medicine by Enda Walsh. Photo: Jess Shurte

So far Walsh’s latest work has proven to be a hit, earning rave reviews at the Edinburgh International Festival, where it is running until tomorrow.

In person tickets for the Galway dates sold out in a record 18 minutes but tickets for the four livestreamed performances (15-18 Sept) and to watch on demand (20-26 September) are on sale now.

Landmark Productions and Galway International Arts Festival – the team that brought you Misterman, Ballyturk and Arlington, team up with Enda Walsh to bring you this unmissable

Walsh shines a light on the the darkest corners of our collective stories with the help of his regular team of world–class collaborators: designers Jamie Vartan [set], Adam Silverman [lighting], Helen Atkinson [sound], Joan O’Clery [costume] and composer Teho Teardo, with live drumming composed and performed by Seán Carpio.

Following on from its run in Galway this September, Medicine be heading to the United States, where it will will play St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn for a limited run from November 11 – December 5.

COVID-19: 1,997 cases reported today

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August 28, 2021