There have been a further 1,837 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.
The number of people in Ireland hospitalised with COVID-19 has climbed past 200 once again.
As of this morning there were 208 confirmed cases in Ireland’s acute hospitals.
Of these, 31 patients are in the ICU in serious condition.
Daily case numbers may change in the future after data review and validation.
Tuam native Darragh O’Dea has released a fantastic new single Guerrilla Warfare in Your Back Garden, with his debut album to follow in late October.
Known for his wistful storytelling, the Galway artist uses historical imagery to tell present-day stories, creating nostalgic nuggets of joy and despair.
His music conveys the moods and elements of his surroundings, delivered in an honest and alluring manner.
His new material, heavily influenced by peers such as Kevin Morby, Bright Eyes, Christy Moore and Willy Mason, shows that he is a master storyteller.
Speaking about his new single Guerrilla Warfare in Your Back Garden, Darragh said: “It is a song about the ancient and much-loved past-time of fighting over land and inheritance, a situation that has torn many families apart.
“The constant seeking of land for land’s sake. And the wills and the contesting of wills – and who was left what? I think many Irish people will have some sort of experience with this in one way or another.
“It’s a song that I wrote five years ago and have recorded numerous different versions of, but I was never happy with the outcome until I decided to try it as a duet with Birmingham-based folk singer Katherine Priddy who added another perspective to the song.”
The single was recorded between Sun Street Studios and Turf Shed Studio in Tuam. It was co-produced by Kenny Ralph and Dylan Connolly.
Tilly & The Postmaster, Darragh’s new album, will be released on October 29.
The road between Moylough and Clonbern will be closed for most of August, starting from Monday, for the demolition of a bridge.
Galway County Council will be demolishing the existing bridge at Richmond, and constructing a new bridge in its place.
The R328 will be closed between Clonbern Village and its junction with the N63 at Moylough to enable these works.
The road closure will last from 9am on Monday, August 9 through to 5pm on Friday, August 27.
Local access will be maintained at all times during these works.
Loud and colourful celebrations will mark the return of Pride Week to the streets of Galway next week.
Starting from Monday, Galway Community Pride will be celebrating its 32nd year marking the LGBT+ in Galway and the West of Ireland at large.
Last year’s Pride Week celebrations had to go virtual due to the pandemic, but the 2021 festival sees a return of in person events, adapted for COVID safety.
The week will kick off with the raising of the rainbow flag in Eyre Square on Monday, followed by the launch night event later that day, where there will be awards celebrating the LGBT+ community and beyond in Galway.
Matching with health guidelines, this year’s Pride Week will have a strong focus on outdoor events, with some online events that will help to bring people together from afar.
It will combine annual events such as the remembrance Vigil (Wednesday 9pm, Eyre Square) and Queer Women’s Night (Thursday 7pm) with a range of online panels discussing reproductive justice, disability within the LGBT+ community, race & racism, mental health, and sex during a pandemic.
Chair of Pride Owen Hanley said that Pride has something for everyone. “The LGBT+ community like the rest of society has been longing for a chance to get back in person again.”
“Pride is our community’s best campfire, a chance to sit together sharing stories and a laugh.”
“It is a celebration of what we have achieved and a protest for the rights and dignities yet to be won. We hope to see the LGBT+ and allies make the most of the week we have planned.”
Unfortunately, the iconic Pride Parade will not be able to make its way through the city centre this year, so Bród na Gaillimhe will be decamping to Salthill for a day of craic.
The celebrations will kick off with a Pride Swim at Blackrock, then to a community gathering in Salthill Park, and then Pride celebrations in Salthill Village.
Pride will also try to capture the joys of a night out which we’ve all been waiting for. On the Friday night Galway Pride is collaborating with Galway Pro Choice to bring the ‘This Legislation is Shite’ festival in Áras na nGael.
This will be a night of non-stop music that is highlighting the need for better, more inclusive reform of reproductive justice.
Come the weekend, the Dirty Circus will be showcasing the power of empowerment by putting on a show to remember in Nimmo’s Pier as part of the Grand Auld Stretch series of outdoor music and comedy gigs.
Performances of burlesque, comedy, music, pole ,drag, and more than a few surprises will be enjoyed at this special gig.
Three years after his critically acclaimed short comic fiction collection Juggling With Turnips, Galway native Karl MacDermott’s new comic novel will be released next month.
58% Cabbage, a novel set in Galway about a middle-aged man who decides to try stand-up comedy, is due for release in September and is being published by London publisher the Black Spring Press Group.
The novel chronicles the hapless adventures of 43-year-old Roddy Bodkin as he grapples with a sense of loss – and a loss of sense – while attempting to pursue his comedy dreams.
Roddy Bodkin recently lost his job and his long-term girlfriend is tiring of him, and he begins to feel that he is getting old, that life is passing him by.
Calamity and hilarity accompany Roddy on his odyssey through funerals, sex, friendship, part-time employment, memory, family and Ireland.
Former stand-up comedian Karl MacDermott was once described as ‘the Gummo Marx of Irish comedy’ and has written for television and radio in both Ireland and the UK.
He is the author of two books of comic fiction. Find out more about him at www.karlmacdermott.com
Live music & comedy is returning to Galway in force this month for a Grand Auld Stretch, with live gigs in the evening down by the river.
The team behind Róisín Dubh, Galway Comedy Festival and Strange Brew have teamed up to bring you a stellar line up of comedy and music in a brand new purpose-built outdoor venue at Nimmo’s Pier on the banks of the River Corrib.
The Grand Auld Stretch will operate “in the evenings” from Friday 13 to Sunday 22 of August.
Along with a laugh, there are plenty of good tunes to look forward to, with music from Róisín Dubh favourites Mick Flannery, Jape and Paul Noonan & Daithi’s new incarnation Houseplants.
John Conneely Inc is bringing back those legendary Sunday night sessions enjoyed by so many, in a special revival running for two appearances.
There’s also a special Dirty Circus as part of Galway’s Pride celebrations and comedian Tom O’Mahony brings us a live recording of the 200th episode of his Buckshot Podcast with a very special guest Gordo Rochford (Those Conspiracy Guys).
Tickets (in pods of 4 or 6) are on sale now at roisindubh.net. More shows will be announced in the coming days.
Be far the most popular of the announced lineup is six upcoming appearances from the legendary Tommy Tiernan, which sold out within moments of becoming available on Friday.
Shows confirmed so far are as follows:
A further 1,828 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported by the Department of Health today, as daily numbers continue to climb.
As of 8am this morning there are 198 people in Ireland who have been hospitalised with COVID-19.
The number of hospitalised patients in serious condition has also continued to climb, with 33 admitted to the ICU nationwide.
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan strongly encouraged people who have yet to receive the vaccine to attend the walk-in clinics open this weekend.
In the past two weeks there have been more than 18,000 new cases in Ireland, and Dr Ronan Glynn said that uncertainty remains about underlying trends driving the numbers.
The 14-day incidence rate is now the highest it has been since the start of February, and just 3% of cases are among people aged 65 and over.
The Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is this year celebrating an important milestone, a quarter century of creating enrapturing kids.
At the heart of Baboro has always been the UN Convention on the Rights of The Child, and for its 25th anniversary this October will focus on delivering a platform just that.
From October 4-17, Baboró will be celebrating the rights of the child with a strand of events and performances dedicated to giving children a platform for their voice to be heard, a space for expression and, of course, a festival experience to be enjoyed with family and friends.
Two Baboró commissions, a co-commission and a touring exhibition, will be central to these celebrations, with full programme to be unveiled at the end of October.
This will include events such as ‘Flying the Flag’, a celebration of children’s right to arts, where children at six schools in Galway city & county have become both the designers and performers of the project.
Our City Walls’ is a street art project inspired by the thoughts of Galway children, and will see street artist Emmalene Blake creating a large-scale mural in Galway city centre for Baboró, shining a light on the right of the child to enjoy and participate in culture.
‘Viewpoints’ is a pioneering exhibition that explores the potent realm of art as a place for young people to understand their rights, which will tour schools across the county.
Seven world-renowned Irish picture book artists were commissioned by The Glucksman to respond to different themes in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
All of this and more to come at the 25th annual Baboró International Arts Festival for Children this October.
Two walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics have opened again in Galway City and Clifden this morning.
The clinics at Ballybrit Racecourse and Clifden Community School are open to anyone aged 16 and over who has yet to receive their first vaccine dose.
Anyone can attend without an appointment today for a dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer mRNA vaccines.
The Clifden clinic will be open until 2pm this afternoon, while the Galway City clinic is open until 4pm.
In order to get your vaccination dose you must bring your PPS number, photo ID (birth cert if not available), mobile number, email, and eircode.
If you receive your first vaccine dose at one of these clinics, you will later be contacted by text with an appointment for your second dose.
The Cabinet subcommittee was warned on Friday that the number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 could double to 400 by the end of the month on our current trajectory.
However, HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid has also said that the entire adult population of Ireland could be vaccinated by the end of August.
To date, more than six million doses of vaccine have been administered in Ireland, with registration to open for 12 to 15 year olds next week.
Update: Met Eireann has since updated the weather warning, which no longer includes Galway
A weather warning for rain and thunderstorms is in place for Galway for the third day running.
Met Eireann has issued a status yellow alert covering all of Ulster, Connacht and north Leinster.
Heavy, slow-moving and thundery showers will lead to further localised flooding and hazardous driving conditions today.
The weather warning came into effect at 9am this morning, immediately after a previous alert expired, and will remain place until midnight.
Some sunny spells are expected in Galway today, mixed in with prolonged blustery rain.
Average temperatures of 15 to 16 today with strong westerly winds.
The Kings Head has become the first pub in Galway city to install technology which disinfects the air against harmful viruses including coronavirus.
Six Novaerus air disinfection devices have been installed at the pub, which will inactivate 99.997% of the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as all other airborne viruses and bacteria.
The pub and bistro had been closed for 215 days since Christmas Eve 2020 before reopening on Monday 26 July for indoor dining and drinks.
In addition to installing the Irish-made disinfection devices, the Kings Head was also one of the first hospitality businesses in Galway to achieve the Fáilte Ireland Safety Charter.
Mary Grealish of The Kings Head Pub and Bistro said that reopening on the 26 of July was very significant and has been the step forward they had been eagerly awaiting.
“We invested in the Novaerus devices as a proactive step for dis-infecting the air in our indoor spaces to make our premises safer for our staff and customers,” she said.
“This really underlines our commitment to creating an environment that is as safe as possible.”
Deirdre Devitt, CEO of Novaerus at McGreals, which distributes the devices in Ireland, said: “We know from global research that COVID-19 is airborne, so it is vital that we address the importance of air dis-infection and advance indoor safety measures as much as possible to give customers the confidence to return indoors for dining and socialising.
“This means reducing and preventing the spread of the virus by using a combination of protocols so we can thoroughly maximise our protection in indoor environments and keep businesses open.
“We are really delighted to be able to support Paul and Mary and the team at The Kings Head with a real solution for continued and long-term protection for their staff and customers health and wellbeing in their premises.
“The patented NanoStrike technology Novaerus has developed obliterates pathogens in the air at DNA level, in a sub-second time frame without generating any harmful by-products, so the air is clean and safe 24/7.”
The Novaerus range of devices are available in three sizes (NV 200, NV 800, and Defend 1050) catering for small to large spaces across all industry sectors.
They are sold in 65 countries worldwide, supporting industries with additional frontline protection to continue to operate safely.
This beautiful duplex apartment at 6 Commerce Court in the heart of Galway City is sure to be turning heads – especially of those looking for a fantastic investment opportunity in Galway.
The three bedroom apartment, located in a secured gated development between Flood Street and Merchants Road, is being offered for sale by O’Donnellan & Joyce and has an asking price of €325,000.
The property’s central location means that everything that makes Galway city so popular is in close proximity, with the vibrant cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter, Spanish Arch and the West End all within walking distance.
No.6 Commerce Court is presented in excellent condition, having been enhanced and modernised over the years by the current owner.
The property offers ample living space over two stories with approximately 90.2 sq.m of accommodation throughout. It benefits from a corner location in the development, giving it balcony spaces on both stories.
The ground floor is arranged in an open-plan living space with a fitted kitchen area and a separate guest bathroom, whilst upstairs consists of three sizeable bedrooms and a modern fitted bathroom.
Its condition is immediately evident in the quality flooring, enhanced fitted kitchen and bathrooms, and upgraded electric radiators.
Commerce Court’s location is second to none and is excellently serviced by all amenities expected from city living.
The development is within walking distance to Eyre Square Shopping Centre, whilst is just around the corner from some of Galway’s most popular landmarks such as Spanish Arch, Long Walk, Latin Quarter, West End and Galway Docklands.
Additionally, Commerce Court is well positioned within easy access to NUI Galway, University Hospital Galway, Claddagh, and Salthill village and promenade.
No.6 Commerce Court is the ideal city centre property – and perfect for an investor or owner occupier looking to avail of the ideal city living and spacious accommodation in excellent condition.
BER: E1
To see more of this wonderful opportunity, see: https://property.odonnjoyce.com/residential/brochure/6-commerce-court-flood-street-galway-city-co-galway/4517211
The Department of Health is reporting 1,782 new COVID-19 cases today, the highest number of new cases reported since January 23.
There are 189 people in hospitals across the State who have tested positive for the virus, with 30 of those receiving care in ICU.
The latest HSE figures show that University Hospital Galway has the highest number of people with the disease in Ireland, and also the highest number of confirmed cases in ICU.
As of 8pm yesterday evening, 19 people who have tested positive for COVID are at UHG, and five of these patients are in the critical care unit.
In the North, four more COVID-related deaths have been reported, along with 1,434 new cases. There are 226 Covid-positive patients in hospital in the North, with 37 in critical care.
The joint bulky goods collection by the city and county councils, which was due to end this weekend, has been extended.
Households in Galway city and county can drop off a large amount of bulky goods a civic amenity sites for just €5 per van/car and trailer.
This is a perfect opportunity to get rid of old furniture such as couches, chairs, heavier pieces like wardrobes or chests of drawers, and other bulky items such as mattresses and textiles that are taking up space around the house.
This collection is running at the Tuam, Ballinasloe, and Clifden Civic Amenity sites, and the Baran Recycling Waste facility on the Headford Road in Galway City.
The collection, which is part of an anti-dumping initiative, was originally due to run until Saturday, August 7, but has now been extended by a week to August 14.
To avail of the €5 price, you must book ahead of time online at barnarecycling.com/booking. This service is for domestic households only.
Goods that will not be accepted include bags of household waste, electrical waste, hazardous materials, ceramic items, construction or commercial waste.
🗑️ Tionscnamh Frithdhumpála 2021 ♻️ Bailiúchán Earraí Toirtiúla ❗
🗑️ Anti-Dumping Initiative 2021 ♻️ Bulky Goods Collection ❗#Gaillimh #Galway pic.twitter.com/NGWfDjZVcv
— Galway County Council (@GalwayCoCo) August 6, 2021
Galway Gardaí are advising people going on holidays to take precautions after a number of empty home burglaries have been reported.
Gardaí in Galway have recently received reports of multiple home burglaries around the city and county.
The burglars appear to be targeting homes that are unoccupied at the time, posing a hazard for people going on holiday.
People going on holiday are advised that they should always ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on their home, and try to leave your car in the driveway to make it look as though their is somebody home.
Other safety precautions homeowners can take include ensuring that any ladders or tools that can be used to force entry are locked away, secure any sheds or bikes, and consider marking high value items to make them recognisable.
Cash and jewellery are items frequently targeted by burglars. Try not to leave much cash at home, and if not taking jewellery with you, then consider investing in a safe.
A swimming ban notification has been put in place for Barna this morning due to bacteria detected in the water this week.
Galway County Council has reported elevated bacteria levels in water samples taken at Barna pier on August 4.
This is possibly due to high levels of rainfall in the area in the days beforehand.
Further sampling has been carried out today, and the county council will issue updates when results come in.
In the meantime, people are advised against swimming here, as the water may cause illness.
Eight of the ten local electoral areas in Galway now have COVID-19 incidence rates higher than the national average, new data has shown.
Gort-Kinvara and Loughrea are the only areas with rates lower than Ireland’s average – which was 372 cases per 100,000 people when the data was taken this week.
Galway City Central LEA, with the highest rate in the county again this week, is the only area in the county with an incidence rate over 1,000 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
A total of 284 new cases were reported in the Galway City Central LEA in the two weeks to 2 August, taking its two-week rate to 1,064 cases per 100,000 people.
Galway City West had 144 new cases in 14 days, which means its rate is now 568 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, while Galway City East’s rate now stands at 703 after 187 new cases were confirmed there.
Conamara South’s incidence rate is the highest it has been this year at 745 cases per 100,000 people (159 new cases in two weeks). Conamara North’s rate is just above the national average at 378, with 65 new cases reported there.
In Tuam LEA, the rate is now 485 with 161 new cases confirmed in the 14 days to August 2, while Athenry-Oranmore’s rate is 375 (123 new cases) and Ballinasloe’s rate is 448 (126 new cases).
Gort-Kinvara’s incidence rate – 285 cases per 100,000 people – the lowest in the county. A total of 67 people tested positive in the Gort-Kinvara LEA in 14 days, while Loughrea’s rate is just below the national average, at 358 (83 new cases in two weeks).
The number of people with COVID-19 at University Hospital Galway remains higher than any other hospital in the Republic.
The hospital also has the highest number of people in ICU who have tested positive for the virus.
As of yesterday evening at 8pm, there are 19 confirmed cases at UHG, with five of those receiving care in ICU.
There are a further four patients who are suspected of having the virus but are awaiting test results.
Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe has just two patients with the virus, with neither of those patients in the critical care unit.
Across the country, there are 182 people in hospitals who have tested positive for COVID-19, as of 8pm yesterday.
A further 1,491 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported by the Department of Health today.
There are 193 people in Ireland hospitalised with COVID as of this morning. Of those, there are 28 in serious condition who have been admitted to the ICU.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan emphasised again that vaccination can provide a “real way out” of the pandemic which has lasted the past year and a half.
“The positive news is that take-up in Ireland is extremely high, which shows people understand the benefits for themselves and for their communities of getting vaccinated.”
In people aged 40 and over, more than 90% have received at least one dose of vaccine, and even among young people that has now hit 73% in the 18-29 year old category.
Among teenagers, just under half of 16-17 year-olds have received their first shot. The walk-in clinics last weekend saw particularly high attendance among young people.
“It’s understandable that after the period of time that COVID-19 has been with us, that some people become tired of it,” Tony Holohan said.
“But the virus does not become tired. It doesn’t care if we are fed up, it only sees the opportunity to spread from person to person when we let our guard down.”
“Risk assess your plans this weekend. Remember that if you have any cold or flu like symptoms at all, you should err on the side of caution and stay at home – do not meet up with others, and do not go to work.”
“If you are an employer, remind your employees to continue working from home where possible for now, and not to attend work with any COVID-19 symptoms.”
“Vaccines work, but they must also be supported by us all choosing to act as safely as possible.”
The COVID-19 data hub provides information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community, including the rollout of the vaccine campaign.
Today’s miserable weather shows no sign of letting up tomorrow, as Met Eireann has issued a another weather warning for the west and north west.
A second status yellow weather warning will be in place through Friday, and lasting into Saturday morning.
Further thunderstorm activity will continue tomorrow, Met Eireann has said, with a risk of hail, which will lead to localised flooding and hazardous driving conditions.
The warning covers all of Connacht and Ulster, as well as north Munster and Leinster. It will be in place from 9am on Friday morning until the same time Saturday.
Galway is currently under a similar thunderstorm warning, which will be in place until 10pm tonight.
Tomorrow’s rain isn’t currently forecast to be as bad as today, but west to southwest winds will pick up strength as the day progresses.
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