Another 377 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported by the Department of Health today.
There are 60 people in hospital being treated for COVID-19 in Ireland, of whom 26 are in the intensive care unit.
No county breakdown of the daily cases is available from the Department of Health today.
These case numbers may change due to future data validation and review.
A City Councillor is calling for Galway to consider the introduction of designated outdoor drinking areas to help control outdoor socialising.
Councillor Alan Cheevers said that people were shocked by the amount of rubbish that was seen at the Spanish last weekend.
He said that creating a “controlled environment” for people to drink outdoors is the best solution during these times, and called for the city council and Gardaí to engage with the students unions at NUIG and GMIT on this issue.
“This is not all down to students but it is important moving forward that they do have say on this issue,” Alan Cheevers said.
“I believe that if we want everyone to buy in to [the] concept of designated drinking areas in the city we must bring together all the stakeholders and make them part of the solution to the issue.”
Galway City Council bylaws currently bans drinking in public places, but in practice, the Spanish Arch and other areas have long been used for people socialising and drinking.
This has been especially true in recent times, as pubs have only been permitted to sell takeaway drinks until today, and people have not been permitted to meet in their homes.
Gambling has long been a popular pastime in Ireland, with reports suggesting gambling activities taking place in Ireland as far back as the Middle Ages.
Various amendments to Irish Gambling laws over the years have seen a rise in both online and in-person betting, but what are the most popular forms of gambling in Ireland in this new decade? Here’s a quick guide to some of the types of betting popular in Ireland.
Lotteries and scratch cards just edge it as the most popular form of gambling in Ireland with 56.7% of people reporting participating in this kind of gambling.
The Irish National Lottery and its various spin-offs, such as Euro Millions and Instant Win Games are readily available both online and in shops to anyone over the age of 18.
Since 2014, there have been 30 different lottery draws each week with over 4 millions sales. Websites also enable Irish gamblers to play international lotteries without leaving their homes.
Lottery scratch cards are also popular with Irish players, while many online casinos provide instant wins and scratch card games too.
Sports betting increased in Ireland as a result of the 2015 amendment to the Betting Act, with sports such as football, horse racing, Gaelic football and golf some of the most popular to bet on.
As sports start up again and begin to allow spectators from July, sports betting is likely to rise. The 2020 Euros set to start next week will also provide significant betting opportunities for sports fans.
Changes in Irish gambling laws in 2015 have meant that Irish players now have an abundance of the best Irish online casinos to choose from. Online gambling saw a global increase in 2020 due to the pandemic and lockdowns
Poker remains one of the most popular games in Ireland, and Irish online casinos tend to include several versions of the game to provide more choice for their customers.
Live casinos have endeavoured to create the feel of a land-based casino, or ‘private members club’ as they are still known in parts of Ireland. Until land-based casinos reopen across Ireland, online casinos will continue to attract more customers than ever before.
Offered by sports bookmakers, sports news sites, and dedicated sites, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) drafts and games are highly accessible to Irish players.
Usually, Fantasy Sports follow one of two formats – cash games or a guaranteed prize pool (GPP). Classed as a game of skill, they are a kind of extension of manager games and rely on the player’s knowledge of a particular sport, including their ability to compensate for injuries. You will find DF for sports such as football, Gaelic football, formula one, American football, rugby league, rugby union, basketball, golf, cricket and ice hockey.
You should always read the terms and conditions before engaging in a fantasy draft or choosing an online casino and ensure you are gambling responsibly.
Bill Hill (64), who was reported missing from Galway City has been located safe and well.
Gardaí made a public appeal for information that could help locate Bill on Tuesday, June 1.
He had been missing from the Salthill area of Galway City since May 18.
This evening, An Garda Síochána said that he has been found safe.
Gardaí thanked the public for their assistance during this missing persons alert.
One lucky lotto player is Galway is having a fantastic bank holiday weekend after winning the €2.4 million weekend jackpot.
The Galway winner, who played online, won the €2,475,303 top prize in Saturday night’s draw.
The winning numbers yesterday were 10, 16, 17, 24, 26, 42, and the bonus number was 35.
Online lotto players in Galway should check their account and email, as they have been notified through their online account, and a separate email has been sent.
The National Lottery is urging the winning player to contact them about collecting their prize.
Two people have been hospitalised with serious injuries after a hit and run traffic collision on the Gort Road, Loughrea in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a collision involving a motorcycle and another vehicle which occurred at 2:10am this morning.
The people on the motorbike, a man in his 50s and a woman in her 30s, were both taken to University Hospital Galway.
A statement from An Garda Síochána said that they are being treated for serious injuries.
Gardaí have said that the driver of the other vehicle failed to remain at the scene of the collision.
The scene of the incident has been preserved for a technical examination, and diversions are in place.
A further 313 cases of COVID-19 have been reported by the Department of Health today.
There is still no county breakdown of the daily cases available.
The number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 has fallen again, down to 70 patients.
Of the people in hospital with the disease, there are 27 patients in the intensive care unit.
These daily case numbers may change due to review and validation of the data in the future.
Repairs to a burst water main have been causing outages in parts of Connemara near Costelloe today.
Irish Water have been carrying out repairs to a burst mains pipe at Derrynea today.
This may have been disrupting the water supply to Derrynea, Costelloe and surrounding areas of the county today.
The broken pipe was first reported shortly after 11:30am this morning.
Though repairs were expected to be completed by 5pm this evening, people affected by this are advised that it may take 2-3 hours after before their full supply is restored.
A new campaign from Galway Chamber aims to create 3,000 jobs here by promoting Galway to domestic and foreign investment.
The Why Galway campaign launched this week seeks to bring 40 large investments to Galway over the next five years.
To do this, Galway Chamber will be highlighting the many professional, educational, and cultural benefits of Galway to potential investors.
The thriving medtech and ICT sectors, along with vital space in the city and county available through over 20 development hubs are some of the elements of the business ecosystem here that make Galway such an attractive place to invest.
As well as the Irish market, Why Galway will seek to connect with targeted audiences in China and Asia, the US, Britain and across Europe.
Speaking about the campaign, Kenny Deery, CEO of Galway Chamber said, “In recent years Galway has become a hotbed of entrepreneurship and international business.”
“We have witnessed the blossoming of the MedTech and ICT sectors, with many enterprises recognising the appeal of Galway as a location. Now we want to ensure that growth continues and that is why we have launched Why Galway.”
“The campaign aims to bring together all the many virtues of Galway and the west as an area to live and work. We are confident that the many benefits as a location provided by Galway and the entire region are striking a chord both internationally and domestically.”
In the past three years, there have been big announcements by FDI companies either launching or boosting their presence in Galway.
Altogether, these 16 investments represent 1,225 new jobs which are being created here.
Examples of these companies include Genesys, HID Global, Diligent Corporation, Rent The Runway, The Knot Worldwide, HPE, Globalization Partners, Valeo, Fidelity Investments, Triggerfish and A-Lign.
The campaign is supported by Galway Chamber, Galway City Council, IDA Ireland and over 50 different stakeholder groups or organisations.
As part of the campaign, Galway Chamber will make Why Galway a key focus of all future trade missions and foreign engagements, support NUIG and GMIT in reaching out to foreign students,
The Chamber will also reinforce the work of Galway Technology Centre and Galway City Innovation District as they build relationships with non-local enterprises and entrepreneurs.
Why Galway has been developed arising from a successful foreign trade missions to China and other locations in 2017 which highlighted the benefits of a centralised, collaborative approach in promoting Galway and the west region.
Kenny Deery said that research has shown that Galway has a lot to offer from a “cultural perspective”, as well as in economic terms of connectivity, business space, and more.
“Geographically we may be on the edge of Europe but the growth of the many enterprises who call Galway and the west home has shown we have never been more connected to Europe and the rest of the world.
“It is these advantages that are repeatedly brought up by those who are interested in Galway or the west of Ireland as a location.”
“Over the course of the next five years, we fully expect to see as many as 40 new investments in Galway and the total number of active enterprises rise to 16,500, creating additional investment and employment opportunities throughout the county and all across the west”.
More information about the campaign, and the benefits of investing and creating jobs in Galway, can be found at the dedicated website www.whygalway.com.
A stretch of the N59 in Connemara will be closed to heavy commercial vehicles for two weeks in June from Monday due to roadworks taking place.
Galway County Council is closing the N59 from Bun an Choill / Bunnakill to Teach Doite / Maam Cross from June 7 -21.
This traffic ban applies to all commercial vehicles above 3.5 tonnes in weight.
This traffic ban is being imposed due to resurfacing works taking place on the N59.
All westbound heavy vehicle traffic will instead be diverted through the Galway City Coast road (R336), through Barna and An Spidéal, before coming back to the N59 at Maam Cross.
Eastbound commercial traffic will be diverted back along the same route from Maam Cross.
Normal car traffic and bus routes will be accommodated through the roadworks taking place.
The changes announced to the Local Property Tax are an opportunity for Galway to get a fairer share of government funding Galway TD Seán Canney has said.
The Independent TD said that a fair and transparent system of funding for local authorities is badly needed.
He said that Galway County Council has been “penalised for no reason” for years by the Department of Local Government, which has not demonstrated its methodology for distributing funding to councils.
“The review of the Local Property Tax will give the Department of Local Government the opportunity to implement a fair and transparent system to funding the 31 Local Authorities”.
The recently announced changes to the Local Property Tax system, which are expected to be implemented from early next year, will see all LPT revenues remain in the county where they were collected.
Sean Canney said, “At a meeting of the Oireachtas members representing Galway, it was agreed that we would seek a meeting with the Minister with responsibility for Local Government, Peter Burke TD to set out the issue of funding for Galway”.
Canney said that Galway has “deprived” of millions in funding over many years, and that the current situation is unsustainable.
A planning application has been made to An Bord Pleanála for the construction of 345 apartments at the Crown Square development in Mervue.
Crown Square Developments Ltd are seeking planning permission to build three blocks of apartments, two of which would be nine storeys tall, and one of which would be five storeys.
This is the residential element of the larger Crown Square development at the junction of Monivea Road and Joyces Road in Mervue.
The three proposed apartment buildings would be Block G (117 no. units); Block H (180 no. units) and Block J (48 no. units) of the development.
The developer has specified that these apartments would be ‘build-to-let’ units meant for the rental market.
This application represents an increase of 57 units on plans that were previously approved by the higher planning authority for the site.
While it is mainly concerned with the housing element of Crown Square, this application also includes plans for a pharmacy and retail units, a creche, a fitness/leisure facility, and a primary care medical centre.
The developer has made a Strategic Housing Development application directly to An Bord Pleanála after being given the go ahead to do so last month.
Another 416 cases of COVID-19 have been reported have been reported by the Department of Health today.
There is still no county breakdown of the daily case numbers available from health officials.
The number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 has fallen to 74, and of those, 29 are in the intensive care unit.
These case numbers may change in the future as data is reviewed and validated.
Avid walkers on the west side of Galway City can now enjoy a fully connected 1.7km walking route connecting Cappagh Park, Barna Woods, and Silverstrand.
The city council has recently installed a fully lit up pedestrian crossing on the R336 Barna Road, linking Cappagh Park to Silverstrand Blue Flag beach.
A wheelchair, bike and pedestrian-friendly path was completed through Barna Woods in 2020, with the new crossing now in place to facilitate access to Silverstrand.
Uinsinn Finn, Acting Director of Services at Galway City Council said that funding from the NTA was requested for enhancing active travel facilities in the area after a public consultation last summer.
The first phase of this involved resurfacing and improvement to the walking and cycle route in Barna Woods, which was completed in 2020. The newly installed pedestrian crossing is Phase 2 pf those improvements.
Jimmy Callan, Acting Senior Engineer, from Galway City Council, commented, “Visitors to Silverstrand on a sunny day will know that the beach experiences high traffic volumes and congestion on busy days.
“The provision of the pedestrian crossing at Barna Woods will provide a safe crossing point on this route and goes towards our objective of providing safe routes for active travel.”
Travel throughout Europe is beginning to show signs of life again. Restrictions in many countries are being lifted and businesses are once again gearing up to welcome vacationers and tourists.
With Summer 2021 just around the corner, we wanted to showcase some of the top European destinations near the coast for travellers to cool off this year.
Our list includes both mainland and island destinations and, best of all, these spots are budget-friendly so you can truly enjoy your holiday without putting a massive dent in your wallet. Let’s dive in!
Algarve is a coastal region in the south of Portugal well known for its stunning Atlantic beaches. Consisting of popular cities along the Atlantic ocean such as Lagos, Portimão and Faro, this region is one of the most visited in Portugal, but that doesn’t mean it’s expensive.
Algarve was recently voted one of Europe’s cheapest destinations making it an ideal destination for even the most cost-conscious traveller.
Aside from the gorgeous beaches peppered all along this coastal region, you’ll also find picturesque towns, flower-clad hills, historic sites, Roman ruins, excellent golf courses, and a plethora of hiking trails for all fitness levels. With so much to explore and do in Algarve, it’s no wonder it sits at the top of our list.
Set alongside the scenic Adriatic Sea, Croatia is home to some of the clearest waters and pristine beaches in Europe. Dubrovnik is no exception with a variety of options, including secluded getaways, half-moon bays, and even a few with beachfront cafes, restaurants and clubs. Banje Beach is one of the most popular due to its amazing view of the cityscape from sea level.
Dubrovnik is well known as Kings Landing from the widely popular HBO series, Game of Thrones. With its iconic walled downtown, entering the city feels like being transported back to the middle ages.
The city has done well to keep its historical charm and preserve a castle-like ambience. Although it’s quite a popular destination for holiday travellers, it remains very affordable. Lastly, don’t miss the cable car to the top of the nearby hill for one of the best panoramic views of the city.
A hidden gem along the Black Sea, Sozopol has a lot to offer to visitors. If you’re looking for excellent seafood, cheap beers or cocktails, and picturesque coastal scenery, then you’ve come to the right place. Bulgaria is known for its friendly hospitality, so you’ll feel welcomed right from the start in this quaint southern town.
Sozopol is Bulgaria’s oldest city along the Black Sea, dating back to the Bronze age, and you’ll get the feeling you’ve gone back in time walking down the narrow cobblestone streets lined by wooden houses.
Head to Central Beach for a refreshing dip in the sea and tons of nearby affordable restaurants to choose from. With so many charming places to explore, you’ll be sure to have a great vacation that won’t put a dent in your wallet.
Lisbon has an impressive blend of history, great cuisine, amazing beaches and affordable prices. This coastal capital city offers visitors tons of variety in both sites to see and things to do.
For the history lover, a visit to the seafront Torre de Belém tower is a must. The tower has a mixture of Moorish, Goth and Romanesque architecture, and has stood tall since the 16th century.
A walk through the winding streets of the Alfama district, Lisbon’s oldest living quarters, puts you right along the coast with long sandy beaches and some of the best cafes to grab a famous Pastel de Nata pastry.
James Bond enthusiasts can take a short trip to Casino Estoril, the inspiration for Ian Flemming’s novel and later James Bond movie, Casino Royale, to enjoy Europe’s largest casino where you can take in art exhibitions, live shows, eat at renowned restaurants, or try your favorite roulette strategy out on the casino floor. Lisbon is definitely worthy of a visit on your trip to Portugal.
This popular coastal destination in Spain’s Basque region is known for its 3 amazing beaches: the stunning Ondarreta Beach, the thundering waves of the Zurriola Beach, and the famous Concha Beach, each offering a different experience. Ondarreta has a bit of everything from watersports, surfing breaks, cafes, restaurants, and resorts along its 600m coast.
Zurriola is a distinguished surfer spot where locals and tourists share the waves, which can reach a comfortable 4-6 feet in the winter months. Concha Beach, named after its arching golden sands which resemble a Concha shell, is the most popular and the most beautiful.
It can get quite crowded in the summer months, but luckily even that doesn’t raise the expenses of your trip too much.
Make sure to visit Monte Igueldo, which offers an amazing panorama of San Sebastián’s bay. The antique funicular to the top is an experience in itself and there’s even a small amusement park for families to enjoy.
History buffs can visit the Museo de San Telmo with the largest collection of Basque artefacts from ancient times to modernity in the world. Some of the best Spanish cuisines are said to come from this region, and San Sebastian is full of amazing restaurants that are well within anyone’s budget.
This archipelago of 9 islands, each with unique natural scenery, has a lot to offer tourists so spending an entire vacation here is very easy to do. It’s one of the world’s best whale-watching spots as well as a diver’s dream with its clear blue water and abundance of corals and sea life.
Beaches galore as well, with some of the most pristine black sand beaches flanked by lush cliffs stretching as far as the eye can see.
For a unique experience, visit the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo, located off the central southern coast of São Miguel, and enjoy a partially submerged volcanic crater that has turned into one large swimming hole in the middle of the Atlantic.
The region also boasts amazing gastronomy, known for using local high-quality organic products. Eating healthy while exploring the beauty of these islands and embracing the relaxed vibe of island life has helped make The Azores one of the top destinations for tourists.
Its pleasant climate year-round combined with a highly affordable price tag has landed it a very deserved spot as the best island to visit on our list.
The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife has a bit of everything for tourists, vacationers, and locals alike. It too has a relatively mild climate all year round, making this a great destination for any season.
Black and white sand beaches can be found in every corner of the island and, whether you like calm waters or want to play in the surf, crowded beaches or secluded ones, there is something for everyone.
Las Teresitas is a popular man-made palm-lined beach 10 minutes north-east of the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife and offers many excellent fish restaurants frequented by locals – which is always a good sign.
One of the scenic landscapes along the coast can be found at Playa Tejita, which looks across the sea at Montaña Roja, or the Red Mountain. The half-moon shaped sandy beach is Instagram famous but an even better view is offered atop the mountain which is a relatively easy trek with well-marked hiking trails.
All of this, with budget-friendly accommodation just about anywhere you look makes Tenerife an excellent island choice for your next vacation.
Five additional countries have been added to the mandatory hotel quarantine list for people arriving in the state.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced on Friday that people arriving from Afghanistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Trinidad and Tobago must go into hotel quarantine for two weeks.
People arriving to Ireland having been in or transited through these States in the previous 14 days must enter Mandatory Hotel Quarantine.
These countries will soon be added to the booking system for quarantining at these hotels.
It is a legal requirement that all travellers to Ireland must have a negative or ‘not detected’ result from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test carried out no more than 72 hours before their arrival.
Due to concerns about the new variant of COVID-19, people travelling from Great Britain are strongly advised to avail of free testing five days after arrival in Ireland, and to strictly adhere to the legal requirements for home quarantine.
There are currently no EU countries on the list of designated states, and the system came under criticism from the European Commission as overly restrictive back in April.
The delights of the smallest of the Aran Islands as a place to escape to are highlighted by comedian Tommy Tiernan in a beautiful 90 second video which aims to raise funds for the island’s unique arts centre.
Tiernan, who lives in Galway, made the video to highlight the peace, tranquillity, and stunning natural beauty of Inis Oírr.
The star of ‘Derry Girls’ and host of a popular chat show on RTÉ One television is urging people to enter a draw for a fabulous prize of a five night holiday for four people on the island.
The fundraising draw is to support the most westerly arts centre in all of Europe, which has been supporting the creation of great art for the past 21 years. https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/araseannadraw
As Ireland reopens for “staycations” following months of lockdown, there is bound to be huge interest in the prize of a self-catering holiday, with transport from the mainland and a host of extras included.
“One of the most beautiful places in the whole wide world,” says Tiernan in his video. “A small, magical, Gaeltacht island off the mouth of Galway Bay. To the north of me is Connemara, to the west the wild Atlantic Ocean, to the south the beautiful Burren.
“It is sometimes the small things in the smallest places that have the most magical effect.”
Tommy worked with cameraman Rónán O Conghaile and Fibín to make the stunning video during a recent visit to Inis Oírr.
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 21st birthday in 2021.
Included are a return ferry or airplane from the mainland and a selection of prizes sponsored by local businesses, with a fully stocked fridge, a seaweed bath and spa voucher, bike hire, fuel and a horse and cart trip around the island. The lucky winner will be drawn on July 17.
Few other artists’ retreats in Europe can match the spectacular landscape, the peace and tranquillity, and the beautiful but fragile language and culture of Inis Oírr, a place where you can still hear the Irish language being spoken by locals every day.
The island boasts stunning, peaceful walks, with amazing views of the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare and the other two Aran Islands. Visitors can spot the mountains of Co Kerry to the south on a clear day, and generations of ‘Fr Ted’ fans love to check out the wreck of the Plassey, which looks out on the Burren.
With a white, sandy beach; distinctive stone walls, and excellent accommodation and eating options in the small main village, it’s easy to understand why the same people return to the unspoilt island every year.
If anything, the coronavirus pandemic is set to boost the popularity of quiet, peaceful places such as Inis Oírr, where “social distancing” is rarely an issue, this year.
The Artistic Director of Áras Éanna, Dara McGee, is busy planning 21st birthday celebrations in July. McGee has been delighted by the success of the centre’s first ever fundraising draw so far after being taken aback by the support he received from local businesses.
“The main draw for an artist here is the island itself, the environment and sheer beauty of the island, the stone walls, it’s a very magical and inspirational place. There is something about being on an island as well, being away from the mainland, which gives you that isolation and time to think, a chance to give yourself influence and inspiration for your work,” said McGee.
“This year is very special. We were hoping to celebrate our 20th anniversary last year, but with the Covid19 restrictions we decided that now is the time to celebrate as Ireland begins to open up again.”
The 21st birthday celebrations this summer will include three simultaneous outdoor exhibitions all around the island, a concert featuring the best of the island’s local musicians on the Gaelic football pitch, and shows by artists who have enjoyed time out on Inis Oírr over the past 21 years.
The outdoor exhibitions will fully comply with the coronavirus guidelines while showcasing the talents of local island residents and 21 artists from all over Ireland.
Like many West of Ireland communities, the Aran Islands have been hit hard by emigration over many years, but sustainable tourism has transformed the economy in recent years as people seek out beautiful places off the beaten track and enjoy the hospitality of the friendly locals.
“During the summer, there can be the hustle and the bustle down around the main village and the harbour, but you can then go half a mile around the back of the island and you are on your own,” said McGee.
“If you walk around the back of the island, it is just another world. So Inis Oírr is very special that way, with the beauty of the island, the language, the people, and the culture. The next stop is Boston as they say around here!”
You can win a five night holiday on Inis Oírr by entering the draw at https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/araseannadraw
Ciaran Tierney is a digital journalist, tourism officer, and an award-winning current affairs blogger. Find him at http://ciarantierney.com/ and on Twitter @ciarantierney
Cormac Coyne is a photographer and schoolteacher who lives on the beautiful island of Inis Oirr.
Mo and Colm deal with the heart-breaking reality of losing their child, Mack falls down the bottle, and Fia adjusts to motherhood on Ros na Rún.
Mo wakes up in hospital knowing that something is wrong, but the reality that she has lost her baby will push her and Colm to their limits.
Tadhg is wracked with guilt for causing the death of Mo’s baby. He is persuaded to visit her in hospital, but an encounter with Colm has him feeling worse than he did.
Mack is feeling terrible for not being there for Mo, but his dive down to the bottom of the bottle to escape his problems affects his ability to live.
Vanessa, having always had Fia’s back, soon realises that Fia is struggling to balance work and motherhood, and worries when she tells her that she plans to leave for London with her son.
Sadie, already holding Malachaí in high regard, is further impressed when he protects her from Cóilí Jackie’s wrath.
Malachaí, on hearing how Sadie was left nothing in a will, promises to look into it. Is Malachaí Sadie’s knight in shining armor and will Sorcha think the same?
Catch all the latest developments in a double feature omnibus of Ros na Rún on TG4, Sunday at 7:30pm.
Galway City Council has installed additional bins and toilets in key areas of the city ahead of the bank holiday weekend.
The council has taken measures to install additional facilities for people to dispose of rubbish following recent scenes at the Spanish Arch and elsewhere, and in anticipation of the return of outdoor dining next week.
An additional eleven large bins with an 1,100L capacity have been installed around the city to help cope with increased rubbish as people enjoy an outdoor summer.
Three of these are at Spanish Arch, two are at High Bank, another two can be found at Woodquay/Riverside, and one each have been placed at Claddagh Church, Jurys Inn, Ravens Terrace, and Claddagh Hall.
Another six 240L wheelie bins have been placed along the Eglinton Canal, and from Saturday, six of the same will be placed at Ballyloughane Beach, and two will be located in the Small Crane area
These complement the seven permanent 1,100L capacity bins which were already in place around the city.
Along with bins, the city Council has also installed additional toilets, including wheelchair accessible facilities, at Spanish Arch, Ravens Terrace, Toft Park, Mill St Car Park, Ballyloughane Beach, Woodquay/Waterside, South Park, and Small Crane.
The Council said that adding these additional public facilities will help create “attractive, co-ordinated and managed” areas in the city for the summer outdoor dining plans.
The council is pedestrianising numerous streets around the city on a full time or evening basis this summer to encourage outdoor dining.
“Areas are being created in these spaces that will facilitate businesses for outdoor dining, but will also be developed further in the next phases with additional urban animation measures that will encourage families to safely and comfortably dine, enjoy, and spend time in the public realm”.
After 35 years with the RNLI and more than 1,000 callouts from the Aran Islands, volunteer mechanic Johnny Mulkerrin is hanging up his wrench.
One of the longest serving volunteers with the Aran Islands RNLI, Johnny first joined up as a teenager in 1984, having just turned 17.
He was inspired to volunteer by the tradition of the same in his family. He grew up watching his father, also a lifeboat volunteer, respond to his pager and go to the aid of those in difficulty at sea.
Having completed his secondary education on Inis Mór, Johnny went on to do a block laying course and worked in the building trade for a time while continuing to serve as a volunteer crew member on the station’s all-weather lifeboat.
In 1987, he became the emergency mechanic for Aran Islands RNLI and then in 1993 he became the station’s full-time mechanic.
Paying tribute to Johnny this week, Rob King, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager said “Johnny has made a significant contribution to saving lives at sea off the Aran Islands for more than three decades and we are extremely grateful to him for his dedicated service throughout that time.
“His job as full-time mechanic ensured the operational effectiveness of the station through the operation, maintenance and repair of the lifeboat and its associated machinery and equipment.
“As he embarks on a new chapter, we want to thank him and wish him every good health and happiness.”
Throughout his decades with the charity, Johnny has seen a significant evolution in the technology employed in the RNLI, from the Barrett class lifeboat through to the current Severn class all-weather lifeboat.
The many updates to the technology on those lifeboats has helped to saves lives among the people of the Aran Islands and the greater community served by the lifeboat station.
With more than 1,000 callouts under his belt, and the rare 30-year Long Service Award from the RNLI recognising his selflessness, courage and commitment, Johnny said it was hard to pick one rescue that stood out.
But his abiding memories of his time with the charity will be of “any call where we brought a person or people home to their families. That was always a good call”.
Michael Hernon, Aran Islands Operations Manager added “Over the years Johnny would have experienced all types of call outs and braved all sorts of weather and challenges at sea to help those in need.
“All at Aran Islands RNLI would like to wish Johnny the very best for the coming years and thank him for his years of service.”
© 2026 GalwayDaily. All rights reserved. | Designed by Web Design Ireland
