The ATU School of Engineering has won the ‘Best Community Academic Collaboration’ at the recent National Education Awards 2025.

The award is for the Civic Engagement module on the Bachelor of Engineering in Software & Electronic Engineering programme, which saw students teach programming and electronics to 306 children, teenagers and young adults during the past academic year.

The aim of the module is for students to share their knowledge and skills with young people in the community while at the same time awakening them to the possibility of attending university.

The project connects ATU Galway to people in the city for whom, previously, the university may have been just a large building with little relevance to their lives.

Collaborating organisations in 2024 were Galway City Community Training Centre, International Protection Centre Salthill, and five local schools as well as Creagh National School from Ballinasloe. Four of the participating schools have DEIS status.

Des O’Reilly, Head of Department, ATU Galway School of Engineering, said, “The collaboration is designed to enhance ATU students’ understanding of their role in global citizenship and partnership in the community”

It also aims to expose people to the joy of learning and open their minds to the possibility of following the same path as their student mentors.

The background to the Engineering Civic Engagement programme started in 2010 when lecturers tossed around a few ideas as to how their students could use their skills to benefit the community.

The first community partner was Camara, which is a charity that recycles old computers and sends them to the Developing World.

The next milestone was to integrate Civic Engagement into the degree programme so that students gained academic credits for their work.”Lecturers on the Civic Engagement Module were Des O’Reilly, Emer Cahill and Natasha Rohan.

Three of the 22 ATU students shared their experience of teaching what they learned to school children.

“My engagement with Galway City Community (GCC) was not just about teaching Arduino circuits. It was a journey of self-discovery, growth, and empowerment,” said Alex Paton from Athlone, Co Westmeath.”

“It reminded me of the profound impact that education and community engagement can have in shaping individuals’ lives and driving positive change in society.”

“Moving forward, I am committed to continuing my journey as a lifelong learner and advocate for inclusive, hands-on education for all.”.

“This was a wonderful experience helping within the community,” added Ellen McIntyre from Cloonagh, Co Offaly.

Sean Maloney from Galway City said that they would love to do all of this again.

The Galway RNLI rescued two sailors from the waters of Galway Bay earlier this week after their dinghy capsized.

Shortly after 6.30pm on Thursday evening, as the volunteer crew were getting ready for a planned training exercise, the Coast Guard requested the lifeboat to launch to reports of a sailing dinghy in difficulty off Hare Island.

The crew of helm Seán King, Lisa McDonagh, Mike Cummins and Pierce Purcell were underway in the lifeboat very quickly and reached the casualties in a matter of minutes.

The two people were taken from their dinghy by the crew and medically assessed on board the lifeboat.

Once it was established that there was no medical emergency to deal with, the crew along with the casualties on board, returned to the lifeboat station at Galway Docks with the dinghy under tow.

Paul Carey, who was the Galway RNLI Launch Authority on Thursday, said, ‘It was a déjà vu evening and similar to last Thursday at approximately the same time, we got the call to launch just as the crew were assembling at the lifeboat station for training.”

“In addition to the crew who had been assigned for training on the boat this evening, we also had shore crew present at the station, and that meant we were able to rapidly launch the lifeboat while the rest of the crew were getting suited up.”

The Coast Guard had been alerted by a bystander who saw two people in the water off Hare Island, and this was passed on to the RNLI.

“Even though it was a mild sunny evening and sea conditions were relatively calm, the wind was starting to freshen, and there is no time to spare when there are reports of people in the water.”

“We understand that the two people had been out sailing when their rudder broke and the dinghy capsized.”

“They were able to right the boat but were unable to sail back to shore. Thankfully, just like the rescue we had last week, it was a good outcome and everyone came home safely.”

His advice if you get in trouble on the water, or see someone else in difficulty, is to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

“Don’t assume that someone else has made the call, and make the call as early as possible,” Peter said.

“And it is always worth repeating the advice to wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity. As was the case this evening, wearing lifejackets gave the casualties the best chance at staying afloat and being visible while in the water.”

Roadworks will disrupt traffic near Oranmore for a period of six days starting from Friday, May 23.

Galway County Council is carrying out resurfacing works on the R348 at Derrydonnell More, Oranmore.

The works are commencing today, Friday, May 23 and will continue until Wednesday, May 28.

In order to facilitate these works, a Stop and Go traffic management system will be in place from 9am to 5pm.

As a consequence, people travelling in this area are asked to expect delays and give themselves additional time to make journeys.

The Aran Island RNLI lifeboat crew must have made quite the sight last weekend as they raced into action dressed to the nines in their tuxedosAran Islands RNLI volunteers called away from wedding

The volunteer crew were requested to launch Friday night, just before 9pm, after the Coast Guard got reports of a kayaker overdue to return.

Despite being guests at a wedding, several crew members—including coxswains Noel Seoighe and Aonghus Ó hIarnáin—immediately reported to the lifeboat station to prepare for launch.

Fortunately, the crew stood down once contact was re-established with the kayaker.

It’s a reminder when kayaking to always tell someone else where you’re going and when you’ll be back.

They can raise the alarm with the Coast Guard by calling 999 or 112 if you are overdue.

This call out, once again, highlights the dedication of our volunteers who are ready to respond at a moment’s notice – regardless of time, place or occasion.

Galway City Council welcomed over 100 delegates from Lorient, France, to Galway City, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the twinning of Galway and Lorient – the first such twinning agreement between Ireland and France.

The twinning coincides with Brittany Fest in Galway City, which took place from May 9 – 18 this year.

A mayoral reception was held at City Hall on Thursday, May 15, where Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Peter Keane welcomed the delegates, including the Mayor of Lorient, Fabrice Lohrer.

Speaking at the reception, Cllr. Keane said that he was delighted to welcome the delegates to City Hall to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this relationship.

“A friendship and exchange that celebrates a shared culture of maritime, sport, education and sustainability – strengthening ties between Galway and Lorient through business, education, tourism, and cultural exchange.”

Galway and Lorient signed a twinning agreement in 1975 – the first such twinning agreement between Ireland and France. This reflected a shared Celtic heritage and the geographical proximity of the two cities.

A delegation led by Galway City Council visited Lorient in March 2025, which was a milestone visit that provided a platform to celebrate past achievements, while fostering new opportunities for cooperation in business, research, educational exchanges and community engagement.

The delegation included representatives from Galway Chamber of Commerce, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Portershed, Galway Harbour Company and the Galway Lorient Twinning Committee.

The visit featured high-level discussions, site visits, and cultural events that underscored the deep ties between both cities.

Mayor Keane commented, “I am delighted to be in a position to return the wonderful hospitality Lorient showed the Galway City delegation in March.”

“The importance of these visits has been already shown by the wonderful collaborations that have sprung up since that trip and which we will showcase during your stay.”

A programme of events took place over the weekend as part of the annual ‘Brittany Fest’ to celebrate the twinning anniversary including a Breton Breakfast at Áras na nGael, a Trad and Breton Session Trail, Claddagh Boat Trips to the Bay and much more.

A new study by researchers at the University of Galway’s School of Natural Sciences has revealed why some spiders possess venom that is far more potent than others.

By analysing the venoms of more than 70 different spider species, the team explored whether factors such as body size, prey type, and hunting method, including the use of webs, could explain the wide variation in venom strength.

The research was published today in the journal Biology Letters.

While spiders are infamous for many things like their eight spindly legs, sticky webs, and most notably, their venomous bites, the actual effects can vary dramatically depending on the species.

For instance, a bite from the Brazilian wandering spider can result in serious medical complications, whereas the venom of a giant house spider typically poses no threat to humans, raising the question, what drives such differences in venom potency?

The researchers discovered that diet is one of the most important drivers influencing the potency of spider venom.

They found that spider venoms are what is called prey-specific, meaning if a spider primarily hunts insects, its venom is likely to be particularly effective at killing insects in general, such as crickets and flies, but far less effective against other non-insect prey, like small mammals.

Lead author Dr Keith Lyons from University of Galway’s School of Natural Sciences said, “Our results show that spider venoms have evolved to be especially potent when tested on animals found in their diet in the wild.”

“This may explain why species that are known to occasionally prey upon small mammals, such as the Brazilian wandering spider or Black widow, have venoms that can cause medically significant effects in us humans, whereas species that only prey on invertebrates, such as the Giant house spider, have evolved venoms that target invertebrate physiologies rather than our own, posing little threat to us.”

The researchers also tested whether the use of webs to capture prey was related to the potency or volume of a spider’s venom.

Dr Kevin Healy, Senior author and Head of the Macroecology lab at the University’s School of Natural Sciences, said: “We predicted that web-hunting spiders might have less potent venoms because they may have evolved to rely more on their webs to immobilise prey.”

“Surprisingly, we found no relationship between whether a spider used their web and the potency of their venom, suggesting that webs are likely important for restraining prey in web-hunters, regardless of how deadly their venom is.”

“This study helps us to understand the evolution of spider venoms and aids in our understanding of why some spiders, such as the Noble False widow become invasive species in some parts of the world, or how some venoms may be of particular interest for future drug discovery, or the development of pest species-specific, pollinator-friendly insecticides.”

McSwiggans Steak + Seafood Restaurant, has been crowned Best Gastropub in Ireland at the Restaurant Association of Ireland Awards, which took place last night in Dublin.

The national final of the Irish Restaurant Awards took place at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin on Monday night.

This recognition is a proud moment for the entire McSwiggans team, who have been quietly transforming the iconic Woodquay venue into a space that celebrates the very best of Irish food, drink, and hospitality.

Synonymous with Galway for generations, McSwiggans has always been a trusted name in dining.

Since 2019, however, a fresh energy and direction have brought about a new era – blending tradition with innovation.

Recent additions like the Atlantic Room, Sunday Sessions, and Tasting Thursdays have turned McSwiggans into a hub of community life, offering everything from live music and match-day gatherings to book clubs and even bespoke weddings.

Friday evenings have become a local favourite too – with baskets of complimentary chips and Irish sausages served up alongside after-work drinks.

LauraLynn, Ireland’s only Children’s Hospice released stark findings from two new surveys today looking at the challenges faced by families caring for a child with palliative care needs.

Children’s Hospice Week, running from 18th to 24th May, raises awareness about the lived experiences of children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Currently, there are 23 families in Galway using LauraLynn’s services.

The findings give a strong picture of the emotional, psychological, and financial impact and for the very first time, the unprecedented administrative burdens placed on families.

CEO Kerry McLavery said: “Children’s Hospice Week, is a time to share what we’ve learned about the lived experience of families of children with life limiting illnesses.”

“At LauraLynn it is so important for us to ask, listen to and understand what our families really need to make things a little bit better for them.”

“It helps us provide the right care and support through the toughest journey whether that be at the hospice, in hospital or in the comfort of a child’s home.”

“Together with your support, we can meet the needs of these wonderful children and families as best as possible. They deserve nothing less.”

One of the surveys, carried out by LauraLynn in April 2025 unveiled the following from respondents:

Emotional and Psychological Impact: 

• 84% feel isolated in their caregiving role.
• 90% worry about the emotional impact on siblings.
• 86% wish they had more time to be a parent rather than a carer.
• 68% find it challenging to focus on parenting.

Caregiving Burden: 

• 77% of respondents care for more than 12 hours per day.
• 95% feel overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities.
• 95% report that caregiving impacts their sleep quality.
• 76% care for their child through the night.

Impact on Family Dynamics: 

• 83% worry about not spending enough time with other children.
• 75% find it challenging to balance the needs of siblings.
• 55% find the psychological impact on siblings challenging.

Financial Struggles: 

• 86% say caregiving impacts their finances.
• 83% had to give up work, and 91% had to reduce work hours.
• 60% feel financial supports are inadequate.
• 63% find the financial implications challenging

Speaking at the launch of Children’s Hospice Week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said: “I was honoured to meet Cillian, his family and representatives of LauraLynn. Families who use LauraLynn face immense challenges across every aspect of their lives.”

“As a government we have committed to investing in palliative care to achieve full national coverage of hospice and community services; to developing a new national policy on palliative care for children and to increasing funding to children’s hospice care.”

“As Children’s Hospice Week kicks off, we say to families caring for a child with palliative care needs, we understand the challenges in your everyday life, and we will continue to support you.”

The Children’s Remembrance Day Committee, University Hospital Galway is inviting parents and their families who have experienced the death of a child before birth, shortly after birth or at a later stage to remember them in a special Mass.

The 29th Annual Children’s Remembrance Mass will take place on Sunday, May 25 at 2.30pm in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Seamus Quirke Road, Galway.

The theme of this year’s mass is “Remember Me” with guest speaker Dave Cribben, a member of pastoral care team at Galway hospice.

The Chairperson of the Children’s Remembrance Day Committee, Maura Mannion said: “It is a special day for parents and families to share their grief.”

“I would encourage anybody who has experienced the death of a child and would like him/her to be included in this special Mass, to contact us in advance.”

“Coming together with other families is a support to the bereaved and lets them know that they are not alone.”

Committee member Joan Healy added: “The death of a child is heart-breaking for any family. Giving people the opportunity to come together acknowledges the loss of the future that might have been in an understanding and empathetic environment.”

The Books of Remembrance will be available to view after Mass along with the opportunity to come together and share memories over a cuppa.

One person has died following a serious traffic collision in Ballybane, Galway City, which took place on Sunday afternoon.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision that occurred at Ballybane, Galway, on Sunday, 18th May 2025.

Emergency services and Gardaí responded to a three-car collision at Clareview Park at approximately 2:50pm.

The driver of one of the vehicles, a man aged in his 40s, was in collision with two other cars.

All three drivers were brought to University Hospital Galway, where the man subsequently passed away. There were no other injuries reported.

The local Coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward.

Road users who were in the Clareview Park between 2:30pm and 3pm and may have camera footage, including dash-cam recordings, are asked to make it available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gaillimh Garda Station on 091 538000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Gardaí will be implementing traffic restrictions in Salthill tomorrow for the GAA double-header, Africa Day celebrations and An Tóstal Festival.

Around 20,000 people are expected in Pearse Stadium for the hurling and football double-header starting in the afternoon.

Throw-in for Galway v Antrim in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship is at 2:30pm and 5:00pm for Galway v Dublin in Round 1 of the All-Ireland Football Senior Championship.

In Salthill Park, the Africa Day Youth Multicultural Festival takes place from 1:00pm to 5:00pm, while the An Tóstal sailing festival takes place with activities along the Promenade on the day, and also on Sunday, 18th May.

Large volumes of traffic can be expected in the general Salthill area throughout the day.

There will be road closures, with access maintained for residents. Outer cordons will be in place in the following locations:

• On Salthill Prom at the junctions with Dalysfort Road and at Rockbarton West (by the Circle of Life Garden/Quincentennial Park).
• At Rockbarton Road (after the vehicular entrance to Leisureland)
• On Salthill Road Upper at the junction with Lenaboy Gardens
• Lower Salthill at the Devon Park junction
• Taylor’s Hill at the Rosary Lane junction
• The junction of Threadneedle Road and Dr Mannix Road

Salthill will remain very much open for business and is expected to be very busy given the weather forecast.

Gardaí are advising people heading to any of these events to plan their journey, arrive in Salthill early, and to follow guidance from Gardaí, event marshals and road signage.

People travelling by car are advised to that there is limited parking available at the carparks in Salthill and at St Enda’s College on Threadneedle Road.

Motorists should consider parking in the city centre and using bus services, which will operate throughout the day, or walking.

The Galway RNLI lifeboat came to the rescue of three people on a boat left stranded in the middle of Galway Bay yesterday evening.

Shortly after 6pm on Thursday, as the Galway lifeboat crew were getting ready for a planned training exercise, the call came in about a boat in distress between Spiddal and Blackhead.

The lifeboat with helm Seán King, Stefanie Carr, Ian Claxton and Eoghan Donohue on board was ready to launch and was quickly underway to the reported location of the 6.5 metre long rigid inflatable boat (RIB) which had engine failure and was unable to return to shore.

Once on the scene, the volunteer lifeboat crew medically assessed the three people on board the RIB and with no one in need of first aid, the lifeboat crew were able to establish a tow and bring the stricken boat safely to harbour.

Paul Carey, who was the Galway RNLI Launch Authority on Thursday, said, “It was a good outcome all round with everyone safe. The people on board the RIB did the right thing and made contact with the Coast Guard.”

“If you see anyone in difficulty at sea or if you get into difficulty yourself, please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard will then contact us and our lifeboat crew will respond immediately.”

“When you are out on the water, it is so important to have a means of making contact either by mobile phone or VHF radio.”

“The area of Galway Bay between Spiddal to the north in County Galway and Blackhead to the south in County Clare is quite considerable, and it was really important that the crew on the lifeboat were able to stay in contact with the people on the RIB regarding their location.”

With the current spell of good weather, the RNLI has the following advice for people enjoying themselves out on the water:

• Always wear a lifejacket or a suitable flotation device for your activity
• Know how to float in an emergency
• Always carry a means of calling for help, such as a VHF radio or mobile phone, in a waterproof pouch and keep it on you
• Always check the weather forecast and tide times before venturing out
• Always tell someone where you are going and when you are due back
• If you see someone in trouble or get into difficulty yourself, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill welcomed progress on a masterplan for the expansion of University Hospital Galway during a visit on Thursday.

GUH is the only Model 4 Hospital in HSE West North West, it serves a population of over 850,000 people and is one of the busiest hospitals in the country.

Minister Carroll MacNeill met with HSE management and staff today to discuss the UHG Masterplan, a transformative initiative designed to reshape healthcare delivery for the West and North West of Ireland over the next 25 years.

The development control plan (DCP) for UHG has been completed and will be used to support capital submissions for a series of priority capital projects on the campus.

The plan comprises the following major projects to improve the hospitals capacity:

• Two new Ward Blocks, each providing 150 acute beds with shell and core floors for later fit-outs including maternity and diagnostic services
• An Ambulatory Cancer Centre
• A new Laboratory Block
• A new Emergency, ICU and Surgical block

A new, permanent helipad, which will allow the hospital to be futureproofed for the next 40 years, is a vital component of this work.

The final stages of the development control plan include the following additional accommodation:

• An enlarged Main Entrance
• An enlarged Paediatric/Maternity Centre
• Facilities for Staff, Research and Education

Other works underway or planned for Merlin Park Hospital will see high volume, low complexity cases such as elective, day case procedures and outpatient services moved to the MPUH campus, while complex acute care, oncology, maternity and paediatric inpatient care will remain in UHG.

The infrastructure developments ongoing in Merlin Park involve;

• Construction of a new surgical hub, which is expected to open in Q2 2026.
• The construction of a new elective hospital for the region, currently in stage one of design. Enabling works are progressing to de-risk the site in advance of the main construction phase.

• The relocation of outpatient services to Merlin Park Hospital, where a new Outpatient Department block was completed in 2024 and became operational earlier this year. Phase Two of this development, which will enable the relocation of further outpatient appointments, is currently at the design stage.

As part of her visit, Minister Carroll MacNeill visited the Merlin Park campus to view the site of the new surgical hub, the proposed site for the planned new elective hospital and the recently opened Outpatient Department.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said, “I’m very pleased to be here today to see the impact of the Government’s significant investment in Galway University Hospitals, both at Merlin Park University Hospital and University Hospital Galway.”

“It was a pleasure to meet with and thank staff in the newly opened Outpatient Department and Cystic Fibrosis Units at Merlin Park, which represent a combined investment of almost €19 million.”

“I also met with the team to discuss plans to modernise Galway University Hospital, and I’m excited to see the real progress being made with the new Surgical Hub for the region.”

“I know the team in Galway have worked closely with officials in my Department to develop a holistic plan that is comprehensive and deliverable.”

“The upgrading, modernising and expansion of patient facilities in Galway will contribute to improved waiting times and greater care for patients not just in Galway but across the west and north west region.”

Chris Kane, Hospital Manager for GUH said that the development of this UHG masterplan is an important step in setting out the phased development of the hospital in the coming years.

“Each of the subsequent phases required to deliver the overall ambition will be developed in turn.”

“A parallel development control plan for MPUH is underway and decanting works are in progress.”

“We are very excited about the potential of this plan to deliver a modern, future-proofed hospital which our patients need and deserve.”

Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer HSE West and North West, concluded, “We need to ensure that the only Model 4 hospital we have in the region meets the highest standards and delivers the best possible outcomes for patients.”

“I was delighted to welcome Minister Carroll MacNeill to GUH today, and I would like to thank her for her support in progressing these ambitious plans for better patient care in our region.”

Uisce Éireann crews are working to restore water supply to areas in the vicinity of the Headford Road in Galway city after an outage caused by a burst water main.

The outage is affecting approximately 200 homes and businesses in the area, including customers in Dun na Coiribe, Gort na Coiribe and the Terryland Retail Park.

Customers in these areas may be affected by outages or reduced pressure in their supply as a result of this.

Uisce Eireann estimated that repair works will be complete and supply restored by 4pm this afternoon, but it may take some time for people to see their full water supply restored.

Uisce Éireann’s Leo O’Shea assured affected homes and businesses that specialist Uisce Éireann crews have been dispatched to the site and are working to repair the burst and restore supply to affected customers as soon as possible.

“Uisce Éireann understands the inconvenience caused by unplanned outages and thanks affected customers for their patience while repairs are being carried out,” said Leo.

Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers affected by an unplanned outage.

However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to some customers as the system recharges.

A street in Galway City centre will be closed to traffic for three days next week while infrastructure works take place.

Galway City Council has made an order for the closure of Bowling Green to facilitate the urgent upgrade of water infrastructure.

The road will be closed 24/7 from Monday, May 19, through to Wednesday, May 21.

The closure will affect the entire length of the Bowling Green from its junctions with Market Street and Abbeygate Street Upper.

Diversion routes will be in place via the aforementioned roads, and local access will be maintained.

The first HSE West and North West Dementia Conference took place in Galway in April in partnership with University of Galway, Ireland, to highlight this growing health issue.

Dementia is a major and escalating public health challenge in Ireland, with a rising number of diagnoses largely driven by the country’s aging population.

There is also a notable rise in the number of individuals diagnosed with early-onset dementia (under the age of 65).

The number of people living with dementia is expected to increase significantly, with projections indicating that by 2045, over 150,000 individuals will be affected nationally.

Currently, over 12,000 individuals are estimated to be living across the West and North West with dementia, according to the 2022 census.

The conference was chaired by Paula Noone, Assistant Director of Nursing for Dementia Quality Improvement, HSE West and North West and Dr Maria Costello, Consultant Geriatrician, University Hospital Galway and Senior Lecturer in Geriatric Medicine, University of Galway.

Dr Costello stated, “The goal of this conference was to bring together health professionals from across the region to learn, network, and inspire one another, fostering collaboration and shared knowledge to support their vital work with people living with dementia.”

“The event also underscored the crucial role of academic partnerships in advancing research and education to drive innovation and excellence in the field.”

The event brought together over 170 healthcare professionals from diverse sectors, all working to enhance care for individuals affected by dementia. Patient representative groups and key support organisations were also present.

There were a number of presentations on the day from across the region focusing on clinical services, research, quality improvement initiatives and emerging treatments for dementia.

The experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia were also highlighted, with the voice of carers featuring throughout the discussions.

The opening address to the conference was delivered by Ann Cosgrove, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager Galway and Roscommon, who opened the conference by stating: “I’m delighted to see such a diverse range of healthcare professionals here today to share their knowledge and expertise in this field.”

“This is the first Dementia Conference for the West and North West and it marks the beginning of renewed collaboration and emphasis on dementia care and explores how we best deliver it across the acute and community settings.”

Awards were presented at the conference to three teams in recognition of their work in dementia, which had been submitted for adjudication.

• 1^st prize: Psychiatry of Later Life Team, Roscommon Mental Health Service
• 2^nd prize: Integrated Care for Older Persons Service, Galway East City and County
• 3^rd prize: Psychiatry of Old Age Service, Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Service

Dr Seán O’Dowd, Consultant Neurologist, Clinical Lead for the National Dementia Office, attended the event and gave a keynote speech on the day.

He commented: “It was hugely powerful to see the commitment in the room from those working in the West and North West, and the passion to make things better for those affected by these diseases and their families.”

“HSE National Dementia Services will continue to advocate for further resourcing to ensure equitable access and care across the spectrum from earliest symptoms to advanced need.”

Conservation projects for a church and a castle in Galway City have been awarded a combined €250,000 in funding.

Menlough Castle and St Nicholas Collegiate Church will both receive funding for conservation and repair works under the Community Monuments Fund.

€130,000 has been allocated for work on Menlough Castle, while another €120,000 will be spent preserving St. Nicholas Collegiate Church.

Speaking about the award of funding, Cllr Níall McNelis, Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway, said that it was wonderful to receive funding to preserve two such important monuments.

“The award under the Community Monuments Fund means that these two iconic monuments will be conserved, protected, and their presentation improved, for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.”

The Very Rev. Lynda Peilow, the rector of St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, said, “This funding is vital for safeguarding the building’s rich heritage, allowing for ongoing restoration efforts that reveal previously unknown aspects of its history.”

Provost Lynda also highlighted that, “While St. Nicholas functions as a living church, it also serves as a heritage site of immense historical importance to Galway.”

She expressed gratitude for the support that enables the urgent work needed to address immediate issues.

Over the past two years, the grant funding has facilitated a transformation of the South transept of the church, restoring it to a semblance of its former glory.

Menlough Castle, or Menlo Castle, is a 16th century castle on the shores of the River Corrib, an iconic landmark in the Galway area.

Formerly belonging to the Blake family, the castle was gutted by fire in the early 20th century and has fallen into ruin.

Describing the proposed works, Brendan Dunne, Senior Executive Planner said that significant works have been undertaken to preserve the castle in recent years.

Among the work which has been done in recent years has been the removal of overgrowth which covered most of the remain walls of the old castle.

Brendan Dunne added that this funding will support, “Consolidation and repair works to the internal spine wall, and the commencement of works to the distinctive East ‘front’ façade, including repairs to the impressive windows.”

“Likewise St Nicholas Collegiate Church is ‘a church in the heart of the city, with the city at its heart’ – and a place of considerable historical significance for the people of Galway for over 700 years, as the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use as a place of worship.”

“This €120,000 funding will support the completion of repairs to east wall of the South transept, which has been ongoing over the last number of years; in addition, external repairs to the belfry tower will be undertaken”.