COVID-19: 448 new cases reported today

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July 1, 2021

galway daily news inis oírr sunset win a holiday — Sunset on Inis Oírr. Photo: Ciaran Tierney

The most westerly arts centre in all of Europe is holding a fundraising draw with a first prize of a five-night holiday on Inis Oírr as it gears up for its 21^st birthday celebrations next month.

Áras Éanna’s Éalu Draíochta draw will see someone win a five-night escape for four adults on Inis Oírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands.

The draw will help to secure the future of the island’s arts centre, which has hosted artists, concerts, residencies and exhibitions since the year 2000.

The winner of the online draw will be announced to coincide with the launch of three exhibitions and an outdoor concert on the island on Saturday, July 17.

Originally built to be a weaving factory, the distinctive building on Inis Oírr recently reopened to host artists in residence and a successful ‘virtual reality’ show by Brú Theatre after moving its activities online in response to the coronavirus in April of last year.

All three exhibitions will take place outdoors in line with COVID-19 restrictions and the concert will take place on the GAA pitch, where we had a wonderful night of celebration featuring local artists from the island and The Raines for Culture Night last September.

Artistic Director Dara McGee said that this year is very special and that they were hoping to celebrate their 20^th anniversary last year.

“With the Covid-19 restrictions we decided that now is the time to celebrate as Ireland begins to open up,” said Dara McGee.

“We got a feel for exhibiting outdoors last year, when the restrictions lifted for a few months, and we see the island as a palate for the arts centre to put art out there in front of the community.”

Regular ‘live’ gigs on the Áras Éanna Facebook page allowed the arts centre to connect with a wider audience last year, providing a welcome revenue stream for West of Ireland musicians, but McGee is delighted to be back to organising events on the island.

The Ealú Draíochta fundraising draw, run in conjunction with Tuam-based iDonate.ie, has been a huge success since receiving the backing of comedian, actor, and chat show host Tommy Tiernan, who made a wonderful 90 second video to support Áras Éanna during a recent visit to the island.

McGee was taken aback by the support he received from local businesses on the island, who have provided a host of extras, including a fully stocked fridge, a seaweed bath, bike hire, and trips around the island for the prize.

“This year we decided, because we are increasing our programme with visiting artists, we would try to raise some funds this year,” added Dara McGee.

“We have put together a fantastic package with local businesses on the island for a five night holiday, with a self-catering house, and a whole host of extra treats thrown in, sponsored by local businesses.”

July 17 promises to be a busy day on the island with the draw for the winning prize, the launch of three exhibitions, and a concert on the GAA pitch featuring musicians from the island and some very special guests. The full line-up will be announced in the next two weeks.

The main exhibition, called Curracha, will see paintings by 21 artists on six foot sculpted currachs, covered in canvas, located all around the island. Visitors to the island will be able to follow a map, like an art trail, to check out the 21 pieces of art.

The second exhibition is An Criú, featuring former and present Macnas artists who are coming out to Inis Oirr to exhibit their work for the fourth year in a row.

The third exhibition, also outdoors, will feature spectacular works of art by schoolchildren from Scoil Chaomháin, the island’s primary school.

Full details of the outdoor concert and exhibitions will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Tickets for the draw cost just €10. Funds raised will help Áras Éanna Ionad Ealaíne to continue inspiring great art by visiting artists and musicians as it celebrates its 21^st birthday in 2021.

The tickets can be purchased at: https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/araseannadraw

Met Eireann issues potato blight warning for Galway

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July 1, 2021

Galway Daily news blight warning for galway

Met Eireann has issued a warning of weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight this weekend.

On Saturday, weather in all of Munster, Connacht and south Leinster is forecast to be conducive to blight, spreading to the rest of Leinster and Ulster on Sunday and Monday.

There will be opportunities for spraying over the next couple of days.

Potato blight is caused by a fungus called Phytophthora infestans that spreads through the air and thrives in humid weather.

Its symptoms include patches of brown freckles on leaves with a yellowish border, dark patches on tubers, and potatoes rotting into soggy masses.

The forecast for Galway on Saturday is for the weather to be relatively hot and humid.

Temperatures are expected to hit 18 to 18 degrees. lower than some days this week, but with rain also forecast throughout the day, conditions will be heavy and humid.

Similar conditions are expected on Sunday, and next week will see temperatures drop slightly, though rain is expected to persist.

Call for TDs to support bill to ban rent increases for three years

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July 1, 2021

galway daily mairead farrell td sinn fein nurses midwives pay

Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has called on all TDs to support a bill put forward in the Dáil this week which seeks to ban rent increases for three years.

The Bill introduced in the Dáil this week by Sinn Féin would prohibit rent increases for all existing and new tenancies for three years.

Deputy Farrell said the Bill would ensure rents in existing tenancies are capped at their rate on the date that the new legislation is enacted.

New tenancies would then be set according to the Residential Tenancies Board rent index.

“If the Bill becomes law, the ban on rent increases will run for three years with an annual review built into the legislation,” said Deputy Farrell.

Deputy Farrell said that this Bill is one of the many solutions her party has put forward to tackle the rental crisis.

This includes a refundable tax credit which would give renters one months rent back and legislating for tenancies of indefinite duration, she said, as well as the introduction of an NCT style certification for landlords.

“All of this would be supported by an increased capital investment in the rollout of affordable cost rental homes at scale. We would target the delivery of 4,000 per year.

“This government has no plan for the rental sector. Rents are too high, and the extortionate rates people are being asked to pay are only rising,” said Deputy Farrell.

The Sinn Féin TD added that the average rent across the state is now €1,256 per month, with rents rising rapidly in areas outside Dublin and the commuter belt.

“In Galway City according to the latest figures the average asking rent is almost €1,400 per month,” she said.

“The Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien can continue to use the Constitution as an excuse to avoid helping renters or he can accept that this current crisis warrants a better response from this government.

“Sinn Fein believe that it is wholly reasonable to ban rent increases for three years. We believe it is fair to give hard pressed renters a break from extortionate rent rises.”

Warning issued after ‘unprecedented spike’ in scam messages

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July 1, 2021

Galway Daily news Loughrea Gardaí warn of scam package delivery calls

Bank of Ireland has issued a warning to the public advising extra caution around scam text messages which are being sent this week.

There has been an alarming spike in ‘smishing’ – where scammers send fake text messages which appear to come from Bank of Ireland and direct customers to fake websites which look like Bank of Ireland websites.

Since last month, the number of new websites found by Bank of Ireland’s Fraud Prevention team has doubled, with an unprecedented increase in activity in the last week and up to 20 new fraudulent sites appearing per day.

Bank of Ireland have advised customers not to click on links or to respond to SMS text messages, which are designed to appear as if sent by the bank and look like originating from a genuine phone number.

Edel McDermott, Head of Group Fraud, Bank of Ireland said that we are seeing an alarming increase in the level of fraudulent activity this year.

“May and June are showing a worrying upward trend in activity. To put this in context, versus the same time last year, we have seen an almost three-fold increase in the number of customers being targeted by fraudsters,” said Edel McDermott.

“The potential financial impact is even more stark, with fraudsters attempting to defraud close to five times more money than in the same period in 2020.

“Our teams are working hard to respond to these spikes and intercept fraud attempts but unfortunately, if customers click on links and provide personal banking details, recovery is not always possible.”

Bank of Ireland also reminded people that they will never send messages with links to a website that asks you for your online banking login details.

If you get a suspicious text please email a screenshot of the text to 365Security@boi.com and then delete the text.

Anyone who thinks they may have given away any of their banking details are urged to Bank of Ireland’s 24/7 Freephone line 1800 946 764 immediately.

Plans for 105 apartments in Oranmore hit setback

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July 1, 2021

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

Plans for the construction of 105 apartments have hit a setback, as An Bord Pleanála has sent them back for further amendment.

Torca Construction Limited had submitted a consultation for a Strategic Housing Development application on land at Carrowmoneash, Oranmore.

The proposed housing development would consist of 105 apartments, a creche, and associated site works.

The Strategic Housing Development planning process was created with the goal of fast tracking large scale housing projects, by enabling the application to go directly to An Bord Pleanála.

Before that full application can be made, the developer must first undertake a Consultation with the board and relevant planning authority, Galway County Council in this case.

During this process the developer submits their initial plans for the consideration and feedback of both, and it is decided whether they are suitable for a full SHD application to be made.

Torca previously had plans for a 74 unit housing estate at Carrowmoneash rejected by the county council after it attracted heavy local opposition.

This previous proposal, which would have been a mix of 36 house and 38 apartments, was refused planning permission due to concerns about increased traffic levels, the scale of the development, and potential for flood risk.

COVID-19: 452 new cases reported today, 44 in hospital

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June 30, 2021

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

There have been a further 452 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.

There are 44 people hospitalised in Ireland with the disease, of whom 14 are in the Intensive Care Unit.

There is now county breakdown of the daily figures available from the Department.

These figures may change in the future due to review and validation of data.

The government announced yesterday that the return of indoor activities, eating and drinking, would be pushed back.

Concerns were raised that with the significantly more transmissible Delta variant taking hold in Ireland, allowing indoor dining would lead to a spike in cases before the vaccination programme has hit a high enough threshold.

Over a third of septic tanks in Galway failed inspections in 2020

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June 30, 2021

Galway daily news Almost half of septic tanks failed inspections in Galway in 2022

More than a third of septic tanks in Galway County which were inspected in 2020 failed, an Environmental Protection Agency report says.

Of 102 inspections carried out by the EPA of septic tanks and other domestic wastewater systems in Galway last year, 36% failed the inspection.

The number of inspections carried out in each county varied wildly. Galway’s level was second only to Wexford, where 111 inspections took place last year.

At the other end of the spectrum, just one home each in counties Kerry and Sligo were inspected in 2020.

Almost a quarter of the system inspected nationwide (23%), posed a a risk to human health or the environment, either due to maintenance failures

While Galway’s failure rate was well below the national average of 54%, the county fared worse in terms of the level of failed systems which were fixed.

Between 2013 and 2022, there were 243 household which failed inspections, and of those just 63% were fixed as of May 17, 2020.

This is the fifth lowest level in Ireland, ahead of Tipperary (62%), Offaly (51%), Roscommon (50%), and Leitrim (46%), and below the national average of 76%.

Upgrade works planned for Tuam Rugby Club

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June 30, 2021

Tuam Rugby Football Club has submitted plans for the council’s approval, meant to give its clubhouse and grounds a facelift.

The club is seeking planning permission for the construction of an extension to the existing clubhouse/dressing rooms.

The overhaul would also involve upgrading 668m of pathways around their pitches, and the addition of a further 300m to the same.

To go along with this, the rugby club also intends to install pedestrian lighting along the new and existing pathways.

Founded in 1970, Tuam RFC has its club clubhouse and grounds on the Dublin Road at the eastern outskirts of the town.

A decision on this planning application is due from Galway County Council by August 4.

NUI Galway staff raise €27,000 for charities

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June 30, 2021

galway daily news nui galway staff raising money for galway charity blue teapot — Blue Teapot NUI Galway (L-R) Emer Macken, Jenny Cox, Kieran Coppinger, Valerie Egan, Richard Hickey, Charlene Kelly, Patrick Becker, Michael Hayes.

A special scheme which allows NUI Galway staff to donate to charities has raised €26,900, the University has announced today.

The college’s An Ciste Carthanachta is supporting 13 charities in the Galway region thanks to monthly donations and one-off gifts during 2020.

President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, thanked thank all of the staff who contributed to raise funds for local charities, saying that it is ‘kindness made real’.

“It is also a powerful signal that our vision and values of respect and openness permeate all of our thinking and our work, and it demonstrates that our focus on the public good can begin with modest ideas and grow to make significant differences to the lives of people in our community,” said the University’s President.

The fund is being shared among 13 charities in the Galway region which support the homeless, the vulnerable and people with additional needs, as well as helping to address health, mental health and suicide, and in making the city and county a safer and more caring place to be.

The benefitting charities are Galway Simon Community, COPE Galway, Galway Hospice, Samaritans, St Vincent de Paul, Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Croí, Kinvara Alive, Western Alzheimers Galway, Galway Autism Partnership, Order of Malta, Claddagh Watch, and the Blue Teapot Theatre Company.

Blue Teapot NUI Galway (L-R) Kieran Coppinger, Michael Hayes, Emer Macken, Jenny Cox, Patrick Becker, Valerie Egan.

Imelda Byrne, spokesperson for NUI Galway’s An Ciste Carthanachta, said that An Ciste Carthanachta was acutely aware of the impact of the pandemic has had on charities.

“Our colleagues deserve credit for the way in which they have responded to this perfect storm, with a significant increase in donations on the previous year giving the University the opportunity to support 13 charities,” said Imelda Byrne.

Galway Simon Community is one of the charities to benefit from the fund, with chief executive Karen Golden explaining the difference the donations are making.

“Galway Simon Community supported 646 households in 2020, comprising of 1,216 individuals,” said Karen.

“In the midst of the pandemic, we were able to prevent hundreds of individuals and families from homelessness thanks to the extraordinary dedication and hard work of our staff and volunteer teams who continued to support clients every single day,” Ms Golden said.

“The funds from NUI Galway will enable us to support more people experiencing and at risk of homelessness in our community and to help them to leave homelessness behind for good.”

Repair works to cause water disruptions in Athenry this week

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June 30, 2021

Repair works taking place on the local water mains network may cause water outages in parts of Athenry over the next three days.

Irish Water is carrying out mains repair works at Dún Rí estate in Athenry between 8am and 6pm this week.

The works, which got underway this morning, are expected to continue to Friday, July 2.

While underway, these works may cause water outages or other supply disruption to homes in Dún Rí and surrounding areas of Athenry.

People affected are advised that it may take 2-3 hours after these works are completed before their full water supply is restored.

Updates can be found on Irish Water’s supply and service website page.

NUIG study finds vulnerability in antibiotic resistant superbug MRSA

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June 30, 2021

Galway Daily news NUIG study finds vulnerability in antibiotic resistant superbug MRSA

Research scientists at NUI Galway have uncovered a way to possibly make the antibiotic resistant superbug MRSA vulnerable to existing medications.

The microbiology research team, discovered that when a gene called sucC in MRSA is mutated it leads to further change in the bacteria which makes it sensitive to antibiotics once again.

Dr Chris Campbell, co-author of the study, said that a mutation in the way in which the superbug uses glucose to grow had the unexpected effect of switching off its resistance to antibiotics.

The mutation in the sucC gene results in a buildup of a molecule called succinyl-CoA, which causes the cascading effect in the bacteria.

Co-author Claire Fingleton added that if medications could be developed that help increase the level of succinyl-CoA in MRSA, it opens up possibility in treating these infections.

“It would mean that penicillin-type antibiotics, which are currently ineffective for MRSA infections, could become successful once more in treating this superbug.”

Finding ways to make MRSA sensitive to penicillin-type antibiotics again is a high priority in addressing the antimicrobial resistance crisis, as medical systems around the world have become increasingly concerned about bacteria that are resistant to almost all modern antibiotics.

Professor Jim O’Gara of NUIG said “Most people have been prescribed penicillin-type antibiotics at one time or another for the treatment of a bacterial infection.”

“Ensuring that this class of antibiotics remains part of our arsenal of drugs against bacterial infections is imperative.”

By 2050, infections from bacteria resistant to antibiotics are expected to be responsible for more deaths than cancer.

In the US, MRSA ranks as the sixth most common cause of bacterial infection and number one in terms of mortality.

Understanding why MRSA and other pathogens are resistant to antibiotics is an essential prerequisite to finding better therapeutic approaches for antimicrobial resistance infections.

Racing for Rosabel at the Connacht Hotel

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June 30, 2021

Galway Daily Racing for Rosabel with the Connacht Hotel

The Galway Races might not be open to crowds in Ballybrit this year, but there will still be plenty of opportunity for men and women not to break out their best and preen.

‘Racing for Rosabel’ in aid of Rosabel’s Rooms is back for its fourth year with a fabulous afternoon planned in the Connacht Hotel along with online Best Dressed style event.

This is a pre-race event with a delicious four course luncheon full of entertainment, style, and racing tips on Wednesday, July 28 from 1.30pm, all to raise money for a worthy cause.

Get your racing tips from Leon Blanche, head of communications at Boyle Sports along with his panel of Ireland’s top jockey’s and a few surprise guests.

There will be three main events on he day, with incredible prizes up for grabs at all of them. The overall winner of the Best Dressed Lady event will get their pick of the best available at Eyre Square Shopping Centre, with a €1,000 voucher to go on a spending spree.

The winner of the Best Headpiece event will win a stunning headpiece by top milliner Gillian Duggan, another beautiful piece from Leufer’s Jewellers in Tuam, a luxury Kerastase Hamper and a hair & beauty voucher from Barry’s hair studio.

Finally, the Best Dressed Gent will receive a €750 voucher from Wolf & West Menswear, Oranmore.

Caroline Downey of Carried Away PR & Events, who is organising the fantastic day said that they couldn’t be happier to be part of this event once again.

Because tickets for the in person event will be like “gold dust” thanks to COVID restrictions, they are also planning to hold a virtual best-dressed event.

“There will be separate winners at the event to the online winners so ladies and gents from all over can grab a bottle of bubbly, get dressed up and enjoy ‘Racing for Rosabel’ from their own home.”

Fiona Morgan Coleman, best dressed judge said; “I am so looking forward to this. I love Galway Race week and I was hoping that this year we would see events again.

“With a prize fund of over €5,000, Racing for Rosabel is the event of the week to get your outfit out of the wardrobe for.”

“It is great that even if you don’t get a ticket for the afternoon itself people still get the opportunity to dress up and win amazing prizes. “

Rosabel’s Rooms is a charity established by Suzanne McClean and Gary Monroe, in memory of their beloved daughter Rosabel who died suddenly and unexpectedly in April 2017 when she was just 16 months old.

The rooms that they provide in hospitals are family- focused bereavement suites, designed in collaboration with the design and Dignity project at the Irish Hospice Foundation.

The charity’s Room-to-Heal fund will also be providing therapeutic and financial supports for individuals impacted by child loss, helping them to take time off work, of pay for funerals, at that unimaginable difficult time.

Tickets for the in person event cost €90 and have very limited availability. For more information contact the Connacht Hotel at o91 381200 or email sales@chgl.ie to book.

To enter the online best dressed donate a minimum of €10 to Rosabel’s Rooms on the official Go Fund me Page Racing for Rosabel. Send your image by PM to Fiona Morgan Coleman, Gillian Duggan Milliner or Ally McGinn for judging, using #racingforrosabel on all images.

Upload to any of your social media platforms using #racingforrosabel and tag Connacht Hotel, Rosabel’s Rooms, and the sponsors below. All photos will be considered. Also please include screenshot of your donation on the GoFund Me Page.

Online Winner announced Rosabel’s Rooms Facebook Page on Wednesday 28th July at 6pm. All entries must be in by 5pm.

€10 million recovery loan fund open to groups in Galway

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June 30, 2021

galway daily news €10 million All-Island Recovery Loan fund

Community Finance Ireland has announced a €10 million All-Island Recovery Loan fund – its first ever all-island loan scheme which is open to organisations in Galway.

The fund will offer flexible loans of between €10,000 and €500,000 to community sector organisations including faith-based groups, sports clubs and social enterprises in Galway.

Between 2016 and 2020, Community Finance Ireland financed loans to the value of €2.4 million for organisations in Connacht, including Let’s Get Talking and Irish Association for the Deaf in Galway.

Commenting on the launch, Anne Graham, Client Executive Manager, at Community Finance Ireland said that we have witnessed the incredible resilience of the community sector throughout the pandemic.

“The All-Island Recovery Loan fund is open to organisations who want to build on these new opportunities to recover, rebuild or reimagine what they can bring to their local community,” said Anne Graham.

“Despite the challenges of Covid-19 and public health restrictions, our client portfolios performed well over the past year and at Community Finance Ireland, we have nothing but confidence in the sector and its ability to play a pivotal role in bringing our local communities back together and to create something new in response to the changes our communities have undergone during the past year.”

Anne Graham explained that the new recovery fund supports the strategic priorities outlined in ‘Our Rural Future’ which was launched by the government earlier this year.

“The flexible nature of the fund with the added value of a one-to-one relationship with a dedicated client manager who knows the sector and the local area, makes it a great option for communities exploring how they can become more attractive locations for people to live and work,” she added.

“The All-Island Recovery Loan fund supports longer term loans plus short term bridging loans.

“There are no time restrictions around funding and we will respond to applications within 48 hours of receipt.”

Tom Daly and Beibhinn Parsons named the top players in Connacht

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June 29, 2021

Galway Daily sport Tom Daly and Beibhinn Parsons named the top players in Connacht — Tom Daly. Photo Credit: INPHO/Connacht Rugby

Tom Daly and Beibhinn Parsons were named as the top players in Connacht in the past year at the recent virtual 2020/21 Connacht Rugby Awards.

Daly was named the men’s Player of the Year, crowned by both the Fans and Players in a double win, and Parsons was named the Women’s Player of the Year.

She was nominated alongside her squadmates Nichola Fryday and Laura Feely, with all three playing a role in the Women’s Six Nations campaign.

Daly, who is hoping to make his Ireland debut in the coming weeks, was nominated alongside Gavin Thornbury and Niall Murray, ultimately being singled out by his squadmates, and the Connacht Clan.

The final major award of the week was Academy Player of the Year which was won by Cian Prendergast. The backrow enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Pro squad, featuring 10 times and earning his first senior contract in the process.

The winners will receive their Galway Crystal commissioned award once pre-season training gets underway in the coming weeks.

CONNACHT RUGBY AWARD WINNERS 2020/21

Fans’ Player of the Year sponsored by Genesys – Tom Daly

Players’ Player of the Year sponsored by Heineken Ireland – Tom Daly

Women’s Player of the Year sponsored by Intersport Elverys – Beibhinn Parsons

Academy Player of the Year sponsored by Corrib Oil – Cian Prendergast

Try of the Year sponsored by Red Bull – Sean O’Brien (vs Scarlets)

#NeverStopCompeting Moment of the Year sponsored by Bank of Ireland – Peter Sullivan (vs Ulster)

Photo of the Year sponsored by Tribe Hospitality – Bundee Aki & Alex Wootton (vs Ospreys)

COVID-19: 351 new cases reported today

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June 29, 2021

The Department of Health has reported 351 new cases of COVID-19.

The latest data shows that there are 46 people with the disease in hospitals across the State, of whom 16 are in intensive care units.

No figures were given for Galway today, and the Department has said that the daily case numbers may change due to data validation and review.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed earlier today that the return to including indoor dining will be pushed back from its scheduled July date.

Indoor dining at all bars and restaurants had been set to resume from July 5 and the Government’s decision has led to further anger and frustration across the hospitality sector today.

Galway Wool Co-op is a giant step forward for sheep farmers

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June 29, 2021

Galway daily news sheep killed in serious animal attacks

The Galway Wool Co-operative which is marketing and selling wool in the county has been described as a giant step forward for sheep farmers by Galway East TD Seán Canney.

The Independent TD said that last Saturday the co-op was successful in selling over 5,000 kg of wool to Donegal Woollen Mills at a price of €2.50 per kg.

He explained that that wool prices are currently very low and the going rate generally for wool is twenty cent per kg.

But he said that this initiative demonstrates that wool is a product in demand and there is a necessity to market it effectively.

“Wool is a nature material and has many uses from clothing to insulation and there are many bi-projects that can be derived from wool,” said Deputy Canney.

The Galway TD said that the Government needs to support the woollen industry to help create jobs in the regions and also give farmers a fair price for this natural project.

200 Galway pupils participate in UNI 4 U programme

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June 29, 2021

galway daily news uni 4 u programme nui galway — Scoil Bhríde Primary School students (front row l-r) Radley Nicholls, LaToya Rossborough, and Nichole Sweeney with (back row, l-r) Brian Ferguson, teacher at Scoil Bhríde; Rachel Konisberry, UNI 4 U Programme Coordinator, NUI Galway; and Frank Keane, Principal at Scoil Bhríde. Photo: NUI Galway

Two hundred pupils from three DEIS primary schools in Galway City have received certificates of achievement after participating in this year’s UNI 4 U initiative.

The UNI 4 U initiative allows the children to spend six weeks on the NUI Galway campus during the school term, but it was held virtually this year because of the pandemic.

Students from fourth, fifth, and sixth class at Scoil Bhríde in Shantalla, Scoil Chroí Íosa in Mervue, and Radhrac na Mara, Presentation Road were selected by their teachers to participate.

Rachel Konisberry, UNI 4 U Programme Coordinator, NUI Galway; Paul Monroe, Principal and teacher Orla Doyle pictured with students Brianna Barrett and TJ Laurence from Radharc na Mara Primary School. Photo: NUI Galway

Due to COVID, the Access Centre team created a series of recorded material and worksheets for students to use in class in their school this year.

Dr Mary Surlis, Senior Manager with NUI Galway’s Access Centre, said that UNI 4 U is about “demystifying the University and inviting primary school children onto campus to promote the value of education, and to develop their interpersonal, academic, and confidence skills.”

“It is about enabling families to envision a future for their children in third level education, and in the broader context embracing diversity and inclusion, as core tenets of our work in schools,” said Dr Surlis.

President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “Initiatives like UNI 4 U play a significant role in increasing equality of opportunity in our communities and increasing the diversity of our student population in years to come.

“UNI 4 U embodies NUI Galway’s vision and values of respect, openness, sustainability and excellence – contributing to our community and our society for the public good.

“The message that we want to give to these young students is that NUI Galway is their University, it is a part of their community, and we hope, in years to come that they will become a part of our campus community as they continue their education at third level.”

Frank Keane, Principal of Scoil Bhríde, Shantalla, said: “UNI4U has probably been the most significant and successful transition programme for schools enabling pathways through education, especially to third level for children from designated disadvantage schools.”

Salthill pub seeks planning permission for enhanced outdoor dining patio

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June 29, 2021

Galway Daily news Salthill pub seeks planning permission for enhanced outdoor dining patio

The popular Salthill pub R.M. McCabes is seeking planning permission for an enhanced outdoor dining area that would protect customers from the weather.

The Salthill gastro-pub has been doing a brisk trade at their outdoor seating area, which was enhanced with new decking and tables before the reopening.

As plans for how the hospitality sector would reopen this summer crystallised, the council and central government waived planning requirements and licence fees to allow bars and restaurants to place outdoors seating.

The pub is now seeking approval from the city council to erect a fixed patio and canopy, which would enclose guests from the weather while they eat and drink.

Salthill was one of the areas where the city council created more space for outdoor dining by in-filling parking spaces, enabling bars and restaurants to put more tables outdoors, without impeding pedestrians.

The city council is due to make a decision on this planning application by July 18.

Overwhelming anger across hospitality sector as reopening delayed

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June 29, 2021