Galway County Council has announced plans to deliver 44 new affordable homes in Athenry, County Galway.

The Local Authority today (Monday, 28 April 2025) signed contracts with Studio PKA (Paul Keogh Architects) for the design of the two housing schemes.

The affordable units are proposed under the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ programme and include 28 homes at Raheen and 16 at Páirc na hAbhainn.

Councillor Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway said that this new development is fantastic news for Galwat, and will build on the ongoing delivery of 61 social and affordable housing units at the Garraí Na Gaoithe development in Claregalway.

“The proposed homes will help meet the increased demand for affordable housing being experienced in the county in recent years.”

The appointment of Studio PKA to design the Athenry schemes follows a competitive process to secure architect-led integrated design services for the provision of social and affordable residential developments and public realm schemes for projects greater than €3 million for the period 2024 to 2028.

Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, commented, “With the support of Elected Members, we are delighted to take this significant step towards delivering these affordable housing schemes, with 44 homes planned for Páirc na hAbhainn and Raheen.”

“By partnering with Studio PKA, we are committed to creating high-quality, accessible housing for our community, with planning set to advance this autumn and tenders for construction to be advertised in late 2025.”

Michael Owens, Director of Housing, said the anticipated future increase in demand for affordable housing in Galway has led to increased engagement between local authorities, developers, planners and other key stakeholders.

“In conjunction with colleagues in Galway City Council, we are engaging with key stakeholders to explore new opportunities for increasing Galway’s stock of affordable housing,” he added.

“Developments such as those in Athenry and Baile Chláir will assist in addressing the housing shortage and will also breathe new life into local communities.”

Two University of Galway academics have been awarded the 2025 ENLIGHT Impact ambassador award for their research endeavours.

Dr Pádraig MacNeela and Dr Muriel Grenon have been honoured as part of the University’s membership of the ENLIGHT European university alliance involving 10 research intensive universities.

The ENLIGHT Impact Ambassador Awards were bestowed at the ENLIGHT Impact Conference, which took place at the University of Groningen.

Dr MacNeela and Dr Grenon were recognised for their impactful projects, highlighting the significant positive change their research brings to society and their endeavours in planning for and achieving impact.

Dr MacNeela and the team involved in the Active* Consent programme were recognised for their work on consent, sexual violence and harassment.

Dr Muriel Grenon and the team were recognised for their work on widening participation in STEM through science outreach.

Alex Metcalfe, Vice-President for International, University of Galway, said, “These ENLIGHT Impact Awards are a well-earned recognition of the meaningful societal change being driven by the research of Dr Pádraig MacNeela and Dr Muriel Grenon.”

“Their work on consent education and widening participation in STEM exemplifies how thoughtful, committed research can make a difference in people’s lives.”

“Their success reflects the strength of our research community and the University’s commitment to impact across Europe and beyond.”

University of Galway had three nominations, including one for Dr Jessamyn Fairfield and her team with their research-led project ‘We Built this City on Rock & Coal’.

ENLIGHT includes University of Galway; Comenius University, Bratislava (Slovakia); University of Groningen (Netherlands); University of Bern (Switzerland); University of Bordeaux (France); Ghent University (Belgium); University of Tartu (Estonia); University of Gottingen (Germany); University of the Basque Country (Spain); and Uppsala University (Sweden).

The project is supported by the Government and the European Commission. The aim is for the alliance to develop as a platform for the creation of a new type of European university campus where students and staff have increased opportunities for international study, training, teaching, research and sharing of services.

ENLIGHT aims to collaboratively transform higher education, addressing societal challenges and promoting equitable quality of life, sustainability and external engagement with the communities of the partner universities.

Work is due to begin next week on upgrades to the aging water network at Portacarron near Oughterard, on the shore of Lough Corrib.

Uisce Eireann is replacing 642 metres of water main at sites along the L-5350-6, L-5350-9 and L-53502-0 roads, with work due to begin on Monday, April 28.

The works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Farrans Construction and are expected to be completed by late summer.

Areas of work will be limited to short sections at a time to minimise disruption to residents. Some traffic management measures will be put in place in the form of local road closures.

These closures will be communicated to residents well ahead of time, while local and emergency traffic will always be maintained.

The works may also involve some short-term water interruptions; affected customers will be given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice before any planned interruptions.

The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply.

One man has been arrested in connection with raids on cannabis growhouses in Ballinsloe and Athlone, where €432,000 worth of cannabis plants were seized this week.

As part of an ongoing investigation targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the region, Gardaí in Co. Galway conducted a planned search of a residential property in Ballinasloe on Friday, April 25.

During the course of this search, the Divisional Drugs Unit discovered a sophisticated growhouse operation within the premises.

Gardaí seized 160 suspected cannabis plants worth approximately €128,000 (pending further analysis).

A man aged in his 30s was arrested at the scene and detained at a station in the Garda North Western Region under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.

In a follow-up search, Gardaí in Co Westmeath searched a residential property in Athlone and discovered another sophisticated growhouse.

This contained a total of 381 cannabis plants, with an estimated value of €304,800 (subject to analysis).

The man was subsequently charged to appear before a special sitting of Galway District Court today, Sunday, 27th April, at 11:30am.

Roadworks on the N67 near Clarinbridge will cause traffic disruptions for two weeks starting from next Monday.

Galway County Council is carrying out wall rebuilding works on the N67 on the northern approach to Clarinbridge.

The works are due to get underway on Monday, April 28 and continue until Friday, May 9.

Road Users are advised traffic restrictions will be in place during this time, with single lane traffic permitted only between 9.00am – 5.00pm each day.

Alternative routes around Clarinbridge should be considered while traffic restrictions are in place.

Galway County Council has announced details of a new funding scheme for organisations, businesses and communities of Oileáin Árann (The Aran Islands) that are interested in developing projects and initiatives focusing on addressing climate change.

€60,000 is being made available through this new pilot Climate Action Fund for community led projects.

Oileáin Árann, consisting of the three islands of Árainn (Inis Mór), Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr, was designated as the Galway County Decarbonisation Zone in the Galway County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029.

A Decarbonising Zone (DZ) is a chosen area where local authorities and communities work together to reduce the amount of carbon produced by their everyday activities.

By looking within the community for ways to live and work more sustainably, these zones can find local solutions to global problems.

The main objective of a Decarbonising Zone is to find innovative but achievable ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The fund will support climate action projects in four key theme areas, namely Energy, Travel, Food and Waste, and Local Environmental Action.

The fund will be opened to applications starting from this coming Monday, April 28.

Councillor Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, celebrated the launch of this Pilot Fund, which she says, “builds upon the remarkable dedication of the communities of Oileáin Árann in the areas of climate action and sustainability”.

Welcoming the opening of the funding scheme, Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, noted that, “This new fund will hopefully be the start of financial assistance to help our island communities to reduce the use of carbon in their day to day lives.”

“The Fund should also help to empower the communities of Oileáin Árann, cultivating stronger, more sustainable and resilient islands”.

He added, “The fund will create learnings that can be shared with communities across the County.”

Uinsinn Finn, Director of Services at Galway County Council, acknowledged the existing commitment and strength of community involvement on the islands.

Local communities have established a local Comharchumann Fuinneamh to support their goal of increasing the sustainability of their homes and transport while protecting their unique ecosystem.

The closing date for applications to the Oileáin Árann Climate Action Fund is Friday 30^th May.

Further information is available on the county council website or from Rebecca Mooney, Climate Action Officer at climateaction@galwaycoco.ie / 091 509302.

Gardaí are appealing for the public’s assistance with information that could help locate 14-year-old Tyler Berry missing since the start of the week.

Tyler was last seen at approximately 8.40pm in the Claregalway area on Monday, April 21.

Tyler is described as being approximately 5 foot 5 inches in height with a slim build, light brown hair and blue eyes.

Gardaí are concerned for Tyler’s well-being and are appealing to the public for anyone with information to make contact.

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

The Croí Corrib Charity Cycle is returning once again this summer, with registration now open.

The 31st annual Croí Corrib Charity Cycle will take place on Sunday, June 8 this year to help raise funds for this crucial charity group.

Croí, the heart and stroke charity, invites cyclists of all levels to take part in this much-anticipated annual charity event, helping to raise vital funds for preventative and lifesaving heart and stroke services.

This year, the event will again depart from Dangan Sports Pavilion in Galway City and finish at the Croí Heart and Stroke Centre on Moyola Lane, Newcastle.

Cyclists can choose from two scenic routes, one 107km long and a less challenging 47km cycle.

• 107km Route: A stunning coastal and countryside ride through Moycullen, Spiddal, Rossaveal, Maam Cross, Oughterard, and back to Galway City.
• 47km Route: A more relaxed but equally scenic journey via Moycullen, Oughterard, and back to Galway City.

Whether you’re an individual cyclist, part of a cycling club, or rallying your work colleagues, this is your chance to cycle for a great cause and support Croí’s mission to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Every Euro raised will go directly towards lifesaving programs, educational outreach, and support services for those at risk or living with heart disease and stroke.

Christine Flanagan, Director of Fundraising at Croí Heart and Stroke Charity, shared, “The Croí Corrib Charity Cycle is more than just an event – it’s a movement that brings people together to make a real difference in the fight against heart disease and stroke.”

“We are calling on cyclists of all abilities to sign up, rally their friends or colleagues, and join us for a fantastic day of cycling, camaraderie, and community support.”

Phillip Monks, Chief Marketing Officer of Corrib Oil, added, “We are delighted to once again support the Croí Corrib Charity Cycle and raise vital funds for preventative and lifesaving heart and stroke services.”

!Having been involved since the very beginning, we’ve seen it go from strength to strength over 31 years. With route options for all abilities, I’d encourage cyclists to sign up for what is always a highlight in the Galway cycling calendar.”

All registered cyclists will receive: A limited-edition medal and snood. Full route support and mechanical assistance. Food stops and a post-cycle party at the Croí Heart and Stroke Centre.

PLUS – Raise €50 or more to receive a limited edition Croí Corrib Charity Cycle Jersey and be in with a chance to win a bike worth over €1,000, courtesy of Westside Cycles!

Multiple streets in Galway City centre will be pedestrianised in the evenings again from next month to make space for outdoor dining this summer.

As for the past several years Galway City Council is making more space for outdoor dining from mid-May to the end of September.

The streets affected are:

• William Street West (L-5113):  From Small Crane (L-5111) to Munster Avenue (L-5114).
• Dominick Street Upper (L-5103): From Dominick Street Lower (L-5102) to William Street West (L-5113).
• Ravens Terrace (L-5107): From Fairhill Road Lower (L-5108) to Father Griffin Road (R-336).

These three streets will be closed in the evenings at the following times. Monday – Saturday: 6.00pm to 2.00am, Sunday 3.00pm – 2.00am.

The pedestrianisation will last from Friday, May 16 through to Sunday, September 28.

Advance diversion signage will be in place prior to any road closures coming into effect.

Galway householders are being urged to bring their batteries, electrical, and electronic waste to a set of free waste collection days in the coming weeks.

The events are hosted by WEEE Ireland, celebrating 20 years of recycling, proudly supported by Galway County Council.

The first will take place on Saturday, April 26 from 10am-4pm at Oughterard GAA Club on the Pier Road, and the on Saturday, May 3rd in Loughrea Mart on Station Road, also from 10am-4pm.

Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled for free on the day, including old washing machines, TVs, toasters and kettles, electronic tools and toys, cables, IT equipment, mobile phones, remote controls, batteries, including farm fence batteries, and even watches.

“In Galway, and across Ireland, we are buying more electrical goods than ever – with people purchasing an average 23kg per head in 2024, compared to the pre-Covid average of 16kgs in 2019,” said WEEE Ireland CEO Leo Donovan.

“Shopping stats show a surge in spending on new electrical devices like mobile phones, computers, small kitchen appliances and white goods.”

“With old items still lying around many households, we want to offer the opportunity to recycle these for free.”

“People in Galway have contributed greatly to e-waste recycling every year, with 2,748 tonnes of electrical waste collected in the county in 2023, and we want to encourage that trend.”

9.9kg of e-waste was recycled per person in Galway in 2023 – falling short of the national average of 10.33kg per person that same year.

WEEE Ireland, which was set up over years ago, warns that the nation needs to meet new forthcoming EU targets to recycle at least 25% of our annual consumption of critical raw materials from e-waste.

“An average of 80% of all e-waste that we collect is recovered for use again in manufacturing through both indigenous operators and specialist processors in Europe,” said Mr. Donovan.

“Most end-of-life products contain metals and minerals in higher concentrations than primary resources.

“These stocks of resources are the urban mines of the future, so our recycling efforts can have a significant impact on the environment.”

In 2023, the equivalent of 222,852 tonnes of CO2 emissions were avoided by recycling e-waste through the WEEE Ireland Scheme as opposed to landfilling. That is the equivalent of the annual carbon consumption of 4,457 hectares of trees.

WEEE Ireland accounts for over two thirds of all national waste electrical and electronics collection activity on behalf of 1,355 producer members.

These free events are in partnership with Galway County Council.

“Recycling e-waste is incredibly beneficial for both the environment and the economy,” said Mr. Donovan.

“Together, we are diverting waste from landfill, recovering raw materials for reuse, and ensuring hazardous materials are safely and responsibly disposed of.”

“We look forward to working with Galway householders to hopefully recycle a record-breaking amount of electronic waste in 2025.”

Before the month is out, Uisce Éireann crews will arrive in North Galway to replace more than 3km of old water mains between Caherlistrane and Carheens.

With them comes the promise of a more secure and reliable water supply for local communities.

The mains replacement works, which are being carried out as part of Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme, will begin on Monday next, 28 April.

Crews will work along the L2111 road, from its junction with the R333, down through the townland of Caltra and on to the junction with the L2112 at Carheens Crossroads. A total of 3,023 metres of aging water mains will be replaced with new, modern pipes.

Customers in the area can look forward to a more reliable supply, with reduced instances of bursts and water outages, and improved network operations moving forward.

Areas of work will be limited to short sections at a time to minimise impact on customers. Traffic management will be in place at these times but access for local and emergency traffic will always be maintained.

The works may also involve some short-term water interruptions, but the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned interruptions.
Enda Mac Namara, programme manager with Uisce Éireann, said planned works will result in a significant reduction of clean drinking water being lost underground to leakage, and a more secure supply for customers.

“These essential works will lead to significant improvements to the water supply for homes and businesses in the area,” said Enda.

“We wish to thank the community in advance for their patience and understanding while works are underway, and to assure homeowners affected by the works that our crews will work to complete the project as quickly and as diligently as possible.”

These works will be carried out by Farrans Construction on behalf of Uisce Éireann and are expected to be completed by early Autumn.

Research from the University of Galway have revealed that Storm Éowyn generated the highest storm surges ever recorded at key locations on Ireland’s western seaboard.

The team based at the University’s School of Engineering have highlighted the unprecedented power of the storm’s surge – more than 2.5 metres above the normal predicted tidal water level.

The found this by analysing sea level information from 47 datasets provided by the Irish National Tide Gauge Network and the Office of Public Works,

Storm Éowyn, one of the most powerful storms to hit Ireland in recent years, also saw record-breaking winds.

The highest gust recorded was 184 km/h, with the highest 10-minute wind speed reaching 142 km/h at Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station in County Galway.

Despite the severity of Storm Éowyn in other ways and the devastation wrought by hurricane force winds and lasting damage to power and water supplies, the timing of the tides during storm landfall meant little to no flooding impacts.

The research team highlighted data from three coastal locations during Storm Éowyn – Galway Port, Limerick Docks and Shannon Airport.

• At Galway Port, the storm surge peaked at 2.60 meters above the normal predicted astronomical tide, the highest ever recorded at this station since its operation began in 2007
• At Limerick Docks the highest surge along the western coastline was recorded – reaching 2.99 meters above tidal level
• At Shannon Airport, the tidal gauge recorded a surge of 2.70 meters.

Had these surges occurred a week earlier during the high water spring tide, the water levels would have been much higher, with data predicting that the water level at Galway Port would have reached 4.96m, Limerick Dock at 5.85m, and Shannon Airport at 5.43m above mean sea level, inundating the areas.

Dr Indiana Olbert, School of Engineering at University of Galway’s College of Science and Engineering, said: “Extensive research suggest that flooding has increased in frequency and severity in recent decades around the world and this is attributed to climate change.”

“Our analysis of the drivers of flooding in Ireland show that the anthropogenic climate change – that’s the changes related to human activity – will drive more extreme rainfall and generate more intense flooding.”

“Such changes are likely to continue with further warming. In [the] future, we will witness more extreme weather events that will result in devastating floods.”

Dr Niall Madden, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at University of Galway, added, “In spite of how devastating Storm Éowyn was, in an odd way, we were incredibly lucky.”

“The worst of the storm surge coincided with a low and ebbing tide. Had it hit just a few hours earlier, on a full or flooding tide, Galway could have been dealing with a double disaster of record high winds and record high flooding.”

Dr Olbert went on to say, “Our analysis also shows that a rise in mean sea level rise will significantly increase the risk of coastal flooding in the future.”

“The data we have recovered from the hours around Storm Éowyn shows just how narrowly tens of thousands of people avoided tidal inundation and threats to cities, towns and coastal communities.”

“It is hard to imagine how narrowly we avoided unprecedented storm surge flooding and an inundation, in particular in towns and cities.”

Home care provider Dovida will be creating 90 new jobs in Galway with the announcement of plans to hire dozens of new caregivers.

The organisation, which has been providing care to ageing adults in Ireland since 2005, recently rebranded from Home Instead and now intends to increase capacity in the sector and expand its service offerings across the county.

The roles will be a combination of full and part-time positions, offering competitive rates of pay, flexible schedules, and comprehensive, sector-leading training through the Home Care Professionals Academy.

Speaking at the launch of Dovida’s local office in Oranmore, Caroline Naughton, General Manager of Dovida Galway, said, “We are excited about welcoming more caregivers to our team.”

“They will help us meet the growing need for home care services in Galway and make it possible for more people to receive the support they need to live comfortably and independently at home.

“Caregivers joining our team can expect comprehensive training, a dedicated local team and supportive environment as well as opportunities to grow professionally and develop a rewarding career in home care,” she added.

Dovida currently provides person-centred home care services to 8,000 people across Ireland. Historically, the majority of the organisation’s client base consisted of people in the over-65 age group.

However, Dovida now cares for clients of all ages, with 10 per cent under 65, while children under 18 make up one per cent of people cared for.

Dovida’s services have adapted to the varied needs of its clients, and the company now provides services to support people living with an acquired brain injury, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Motor Neurone Disease, as well as helping children and young adults with additional needs.

“We believe in quality home care that empowers people to live with dignity, independence, and comfort in familiar surroundings,” Caroline Naughton continued.

“That means keeping them in their own home, connected to their family, friends and communities for as long as possible.”

“Social interaction and companionship are crucial for maintaining good mental health and supporting those experiencing cognitive decline, particularly older people.”

“As an organisation with deep roots in the community, we understand the value of connection and it’s fantastic to be in a position to grow our team so we can support more and more people throughout Galway,” Caroline concluded.