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Saw Doctors gigs raise €18,750 for Sunflower Children’s Hospice

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Noelie Mc Donnell, Pearse Doherty, Pat Jennings (TF Royal), Davy Carton, Rickie O’Neill, Martina Jennings (CEO Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation), Tommy Carton, Anthony Thistlethwaite, Carmel Kelly (TF), Leo Moran and Michael Yates (TF Royal).

The Saw Doctors’ Castlebar concerts have raised an impressive €18,750 for Sunflower Children’s Hospice, following the sale of 750 limited-edition t-shirts created especially for the band’s Mayo shows.

The t-shirts proved hugely popular, selling out on the first night of the Saw Doctors’ two sold-out shows at the TF Royal Castlebar on Friday & Saturday, September 4 – 5.

The specially designed t-shirts were made available to fans for €25, with all proceeds going towards the development of Sunflower Children’s Hospice in Castlebar, which will provide specialist palliative care and support to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families across eight counties on the western seaboard.

Funded by the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, the project will be the first children’s hospice to be built outside Dublin and the first of its kind to be constructed in Ireland since 2011. A site has already been secured in Castlebar, with the Government and HSE committed to supporting clinical governance. Construction is due to begin later this year.

The front of the t-shirt featured Declan Colohan’s photograph of The Saw Doctors performing ‘Green and Red of Mayo’, while the back featured the lyrics of the first verse of the song, courtesy of writers Leo Moran, Davy Carton and Jarír Al-Majar.

Leo Moran of The Saw Doctors said, “We’re delighted all the special event t-shirts sold out at the recent Castlebar shows with all the money going to the Sunflower Children’s Hospice.”

Pat Jennings, Managing Director, TF Royal Theatre, said, “Everyone who was there will remember the night The Saw Doctors played the TF Royal Theatre. The atmosphere was electric, made even more special by knowing it was all in support of Sunflower Children’s Hospice.”

Nothing compares to Croke Park on All-Ireland final day, or Mayo finally lifting the Sam Maguire after 75 years, but the Saw Doctors’ concerts brought that emotion flooding back.

For many, the night felt like an extension of the celebrations. Fans arrived in Mayo jerseys and county colours, giving the evening the feel of another homecoming. The songs, the shared memories and the sense of togetherness brought back the euphoria of the All-Ireland win, turning the concert into something far bigger than just a night of music.”

Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said, “To have such an iconic band use the excitement, pride and emotion surrounding ‘Green and Red of Mayo’ to support the development of Sunflower Children’s Hospice is incredibly special.”

“We are absolutely thrilled that the t-shirts sold out, raising an incredible €18,750 for Sunflower Children’s Hospice. All of the funds will contribute directly to the development of the new hospice and the vital service it will provide to children and families across the West of Ireland.”

“The support of The Saw Doctors, Pat Jennings and the team at the TF Royal Theatre, and everyone who bought a t-shirt has been hugely appreciated.”

Galway schools urged to take part in Blue Star Programme

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Schools in Galway are being urged to take part in the European Blue Star Programme to support educating children about misinformation and disinformation online through its Media Literacy series.

Last year, 30 schools in Galway participated in the programme, reflecting strong local engagement and interest in learning about the EU.

The Blue Star Programme is an education initiative for primary school pupils in the Republic of Ireland. It aims to introduce pupils to the EU by exploring European cultures, history, and geography through creative, curriculum friendly activities.

As pupils increasingly look online and use AI to learn about the world around them, European Movement Ireland has developed an interactive video series introducing essential skills on EU issues that help children recognise misinformation and disinformation.

Speaking about the Blue Star Programme’s Literacy Series, David Geary, CEO of European Movement Ireland, said, “The rapid growth of digital tools and technology has transformed how we live, learn, and communicate, bringing enormous benefits to society.”

“Yet, the digital age also carries risks. The rise of AI, misinformation, and fake news means people of all ages are increasingly exposed to manipulation by bad actors, with children being particularly vulnerable.”

“Younger pupils will grow up in a world fundamentally different to their parents’ experience and its essential they are equipped to do so. The Blue Star Programme’s Media Literacy Series teaches pupils to question what they see, and distinguish between what is real and what is not, skills that are now more important than ever in this digital age.”

During Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Irish Government has placed the issue of children’s online safety as a key priority. Through the Media Literacy Series, The Blue Star Programme aims to support teachers in educating young people to spot mis and disinformation.

The Programme also focuses on creating a deeper understanding of the European Union in a fun, creative, and dynamic way. Teachers can integrate the Programme into their lesson plans and tailor EU‑themed projects to their class needs.

The Programme is open to all primary school ages from junior infants to sixth class, and is designed to run in every school setting across Ireland, including island schools, Gaelscoileanna, and DEIS schools. It also places a strong emphasis on celebrating the rich cultural diversity present in Irish classrooms today.

European Movement Ireland is the national implementation body of the Blue Star Programme, and it is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Further information about the Programme can be found at bluestarprogramme.ie.

Boil water notice for 3,000 properties in Glenamaddy & Dunmore area

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Galway Daily news overnight water outages

A Boil Water Notice has been issued for over 3,000 homes and businesses in the Dunmore and Glenamaddy areas due to issues at the water treatment plant.

Uisce Éireann has issued the boil water notice for approximately 2,134 customers on the Dunmore-Glenamaddy Public Water Supply, and another 896 customers on the Glenamaddy Public Water Supply.

This has been done due to operational issued at the Gortgarrow Water Treatment Plant.

People affected by this notice are advised to boil water before drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth, making ice and washing salads or other foods that are not cooked prior to consumption.

You can see if you home is affected by visiting the Water Quality Section of Uisce Éireann’s website and entering their Eircode or by contacting Uisce Éireann’s customer care team, available on 1800 278 278.

Providing an update, Uisce Éireann’s Ger Greally, explained, “We know how important a safe and reliable water supply is to everyday life and we understand the inconvenience this notice will cause our impacted customers.”

“Protecting public health is always our top priority. Our teams are on the ground doing everything possible to resolve the issue and restore normal water quality as quickly as possible. We would like to thank the community for their patience and cooperation while this notice is in place.”

500 business women gather in Galway for major national awards

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More than 500 female business leaders are descending on Galway today for the most significant annual gathering of business women in Ireland.

Network Ireland’s national conference and Businesswoman of the Year Awards — run in partnership with AIB — will attract leaders and entrepreneurs from sectors such as STEM and technology to retail and the creative industries.

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD will officially open the conference and Maria Walsh MEP will deliver an address during a particularly significant year for Ireland as it holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

And more than 100 national finalists, representing Network Ireland branches throughout the country, will compete for awards across a broad range of categories including the coveted 2026 Network Ireland Businesswomen of the Year. The winners will be announced tonight at a gala dinner at the Galmont Hotel.

Karen Ronan, National President of Network Ireland, said, “Galway has always been a place of creativity, innovation and enterprise, and it is enormously exciting to welcome 500 ambitious and accomplished businesswomen to the city.”

“Hosting an event of this scale brings a real economic benefit to Galway and the wider western region, while also giving us an opportunity to showcase the exceptional innovation ecosystem that exists here.”

“Our finalists reflect the extraordinary breadth of female talent in Ireland today. We are honoured that Minister Hildegarde Naughton will deliver our opening address and that Maria Walsh MEP will join us during such an important year for Ireland in Europe.”

“Both women have consistently championed opportunity, education, leadership and the advancement of women, and their contributions will strongly reflect our theme of ‘Building Bridges’.”

“This year’s conference is firmly focused on the future. Artificial intelligence offers enormous opportunities for businesses, but it also brings disruption, new responsibilities and heightened cybersecurity and fraud risks.”

“We want our members to leave Galway inspired by the possibilities ahead, but also equipped with practical insights that they can bring back into their businesses.”

The theme of Network Ireland’s 2026 national conference, which will take place in the Dexcom Stadium, is “Building Bridges”. The conference programme will explore some of the defining issues facing businesses today, including cybersecurity, business fraud, artificial intelligence and the rapidly evolving impact of AI on how businesses operate, compete and grow.

The arrival of hundreds of delegates, finalists, speakers, judges and guests will also deliver a significant economic boost to Galway and the wider West of Ireland, supporting hotels, restaurants, transport providers, retailers and other local businesses.

The conference will also have a strong all-island dimension, with a delegation of participants attending from the WeGrow programme. The programme is led by InterTradeIreland in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, with Women in Business NI and Network Ireland serving as its delivery partners.

AIB, Network Ireland’s longstanding official partner, will once again support the national conference and Businesswoman of the Year Awards.

Geraldine Casey, Managing Director, Retail Banking at AIB said they are, “proud to continue its partnership with Network Ireland and to support the 2026 National Conference and Businesswoman of the Year Awards.”

“Both events will demonstrate the innovation, resilience and ambition of women in business across Ireland, and their contribution is felt within their companies, their communities and the wider economy.”

“Bringing 500 businesswomen together in Galway creates an important opportunity to exchange knowledge, build relationships and celebrate achievement. We look forward to recognising this year’s outstanding finalists and celebrating with them in Galway.”

Misleór Festival of Nomadic Cultures looks towards collaborations still ahead

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Misleór Festival of Nomadic Cultures returns to Galway city on September 24 – 27, and Ballinasloe on October 4, bringing Traveller and nomadic artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers, performers and communities together for its eighth annual festival.

This year’s theme, ‘Weaving the Threads Between Us’, reflects on the festival’s journey so far while looking towards the connections and collaborations still to come.

Now entering its eighth year, Misleór, the Cant word for wanderer, has grown into a distinctive part of Ireland’s cultural landscape, bringing together Traveller and nomadic artists from Ireland and around the world while creating opportunities for artistic exchange between communities.

While proudly rooted in Traveller and nomadic identities, the festival welcomes all audiences into spaces where they can experience nomadic cultures directly with the people who live it.

Nora Corcoran, Cultural Director at Misleór, said, “The 8th annual Misleór Festival explores the theme of ‘Weaving the Threads Between Us’, celebrating connections across cultures, communities, borders and generations. This year’s festival is both a celebration of living cultures and a call to protect them, strengthen solidarity and stand together against division.”

The 2026 Festival includes events for audiences of all ages and span spectacle, literature, circus, poetry, storytelling, film, crafts, conversations, workshops, youth and family events.

Highlights include a performance of ‘H.O.M.E.’ Ireland’s first aerial Hip H’Opera with Fidget Feet and Tobi Omoteso at The Black Box Theatre for one night only on Thursday 24 September.

Narrated by critically-acclaimed rapper Wilzee, H.O.M.E combines soaring aerial choreography with raw spoken word, original music and live performance to create an unforgettable theatrical experience.

Moonfish bring their acclaimed show ‘Why The Moon Travels’ to the Festival. Previously a sold out show at Galway International Arts Festival, it brings Oein DeBhairduin’s collection of Traveller folktales to life.

There will also be an ‘In Conversation’ event with writer Rosaleen McDonagh on her debut novel ‘Contentious Spaces’ with Maureen Kennelly at The Mick Lally Theatre and ‘If the Wattle Could Talk: Traveller Stories from Beneath the Canvas’ at 126 Gallery led by traveller cultural custodians. Find the full programme of events and tickets at Misleór.ie

From Tractor Parades to Stop-Motion Studios – Galway gears up for Culture Night 2026

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Ultan Conlon and Breda Larkin - photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige

Tractors will parade after dark, animation studios will open their doors, and libraries will fill with stories as Galway County gears up for Culture Night 2026.

On Friday, September 18, over 50 free events will bring music, theatre, art and celebration to towns and villages across the county, all part of Culture Night, a national moment celebrating the richness and diversity of culture in Ireland today.

“Culture Night is a chance for people of all ages to experience the creativity happening across Galway County in familiar and unexpected places. This year’s programme reflects the energy of local artists, communities and cultural organisations, and we are delighted to support a night that is free, welcoming and open to all,” said Sharon O’Grady, Galway County Arts Officer.

Multiple events including music, theatre, dance, visual arts, spoken word, poetry, zine-making, lectures, photography and crafts for all ages are happening throughout the day and late into the evening in a location near you across the county.

As part of this year’s Culture Night Late, Galway County Council proudly presents Eight Tonnes, an after-dark performance, installation and tractor parade from 9pm.

Drawing on the much-loved tradition of tractor parades and vintage tractor runs in rural Ireland, Eight Tonnes brings tractors, artists and performers together for a unique event that is part performance, part celebration and part tribute to the machinery and rhythms that shape rural life.

Before attending Eight Tonnes, explore other exciting Culture Night events in Ballinasloe including Culture Night at Hymany Park – celebrating Traveller traditions in Ballinasloe with the Misleór Festival of Nomadic Cultures, and This Is Me, a junk journaling workshop with Group 8.

In West of the River Gallery Athenry, join artist John Cloonan for a Wire Tree Workshop inspired by the wild hawthorn trees of Conamara, followed by an acoustic set of original songs from local musician Sinead Murphy ahead of her debut single release.

At Loughrea Library, Remembering the Spaces That Shaped Us invites the community to a free, relaxed creative evening, sharing memories of place to create a personal postcard and help form the beginnings of a living community archive; no artistic skills needed, and all ages and backgrounds are welcome.

Portumna Courthouse, Town Hall, Courtyard Cafe and Shorelines Arts Festival are hosting an epic Culture Night Late programme across the three sites this year. With a three-round Art Battle in the Courthouse, a carefully selected series of delightful short films in the Town Hall, and performances by Lady Barbalade in the Cafe, the centre of Portumna will be transformed into a late-night oasis of arts and culture from 9pm-12am.

In Conamara South, Tarraingt Ceoil sees Áras Éanna host a walking disco, dancing from Áras Éanna down to Inis Oírr beach for a sunset celebration open to all.

Also in Conamara South, Frame by Frame: Inside the World of Stop-Motion takes visitors behind the scenes of Stiúideo Fia, a professional stop-motion animation studio with live demonstrations, handcrafted puppets and sets, and the chance to try animation yourself.

In Tuam, Songs and Seasons with Wild Atlantic Strings in Candlelight sees the string ensemble perform a sublime hour of classical and folk favourites including highlights from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

Also in Tuam, Tiny Mutiny x BROEI at The Mall Theatre, showcases original work by creative teenagers and young people from Galway County and Fryslân, The Netherlands.

Both Tiny Mutiny and BROEI are youth-led arts projects that give teenagers and young people support to bring their creative ideas to life and to an audience. Expect amazing art, panel discussions, performances, screenings, and plenty of chances for audiences to ask questions!

With over 50 events taking place in Galway County on Friday, audiences are encouraged to create their own Culture Night trail on culturenight.ie. Simply select the heart symbol to save them to your favourites.

Culture Night, an annual, all-island public event, is brought to you by the Arts Council. It is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day.

It is delivered nationwide in cities, towns, villages and rural locations as well as online and through media partners. Find more events near you at culturenight.ie.

Family raises €2,000 for Portiuncula Hospital in memory of care provided

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The family of the late Larry Durack of Portumna, County Galway, who sadly passed away last March, has presented a generous donation of €2,000 to the Kidney Day Ward at Portiuncula University Hospital.

Following Larry’s passing, his family kindly chose the Kidney Day Ward as the beneficiary of donations made in his memory. Larry was a patient of this ward, where the renal team worked closely with him and his wife, Bridget, in providing ongoing care, support and treatment to help him continue to live at home.

Professor Paul O’Hara, Consultant Nephrologist at Portiuncula University Hospital, expressed his gratitude to the Durack family. “We are extremely grateful to Bridget and the Durack family for thinking of the Kidney Day Ward at such a difficult time.”

“It was a privilege for the renal team to have been involved in Larry’s care, and we are very touched that his family chose to support the service in his memory.”

“We would also like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this generous donation. Their support is greatly appreciated,” Prof. O’Hara said.

“The donation will help the ward to further enhance the services it provides to patients and help to create a more comfortable and supportive environment for those attending the service.”

The renal team at Portiuncula University Hospital extends its sincere condolences to Bridget, the Durack family and their extended family and friends on the loss of Larry, and expresses its heartfelt thanks for their generosity and for remembering the Kidney Day Ward in such a meaningful way.

County Council signs contract for 43 new social homes in Athenry

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Galway County Council has signed the construction contract for a new development of 43 social homes at Gort Mhaoilir in Athenry. Construction is due to begin in the coming weeks, with the development expected to be completed in early 2028.

The 1.8-hectare site is located approximately 1km from Athenry town centre. The scheme will provide 43 housing units, including universally designed units.

The Galway County Council development will also include new roads and footpaths, car and cycle parking, landscaping, public lighting, signage and associated infrastructure.

Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Andrew Reddington, said the project would make an important contribution to housing provision in Athenry.

“The signing of this contract marks an important step towards the delivery of new homes for people in the town and winder hinterland. The Council has a responsibility to provide high-quality housing in communities where there is a clear need, and this development will make a significant contribution to that work.”

Chief Executive of Galway County Council Liam Conneally said the project was part of the Council’s continuing programme of housing delivery across the county. “This is a significant housing project for Athenry and the signing of the contract allows us to move into the construction phase.”

“Galway County Council has a strong pipeline of housing projects at various stages of delivery. Working with our delivery partners, we are committed to increasing the pace of housing delivery and bringing more homes on stream across the county.

“We will continue to progress projects that respond to local demand and provide homes that will serve communities for many years to come.”

The new development follows the commencement of construction on a separate €4.7 million Galway County Council project at Cullairbaun in Athenry. That project will provide 12 social homes and a purpose-built community care home.

Damien Mitchell, Director of Services for Housing with Galway County Council, said the Council was pleased to see another major housing project progressing in the town.

“The signing of the contract brings this project to an important stage, and we look forward to seeing construction get underway. The development will provide a range of good quality, energy efficient homes to meet different household needs and it is in a well-connected location close to the town centre.”

“We look forward to working alongside C&N Higgins and the wider design team as construction gets underway.”

C&N Higgins Construction has been appointed as contractor for the development. The architectural team is Studio PKA & Van Dijk Architects, with SDS Consulting Engineers and MFA Consulting Engineers providing civil and structural engineering services.

CBS Consulting and EDC Progressive Engineering are the mechanical and electrical engineers, while Mulcahy McDonagh and Partners are the quantity surveyors.

Drug intimidation and youth safety focus of first public County Galway LCSP meeting

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Drug-related intimidation and the safety and wellbeing of young people were the focus of the first public meeting of the Galway County Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP).

The meeting, held at the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry this month, heard from Maria Powers of the Western Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force and Detective Inspector Brendan Carroll of An Garda Síochána about drug-related intimidation and the impact it can have on individuals, families and communities.

Ms Powers coordinates the Task Force Family Support Service and is also the liaison in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon for the DRIVE service, which provides support and referrals to families affected by drug and alcohol misuse.

Det Insp Carroll, the nominated Drug Related Intimidation Inspector for the North-Western Region, outlined the Garda response to people experiencing drug-related intimidation and the supports available through the Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme.

The meeting also examined issues affecting young people, with Emmet Major of Planet Youth presenting findings from the Planet Youth survey.

Mr Major, who coordinates the Planet Youth project in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, outlined research into adolescent behaviour and health, including substance use, vaping, alcohol, sleep and social media use.

Cathaoirleach and Chairman of the Galway County Local Community Safety Partnership, Cllr Andrew Reddington, said the presentations will inform the Community Safety Plan and will address concerns raised by communities.

“Community safety is about much more than policing. It is about creating communities where people feel safe, supported and able to raise concerns about the issues affecting them.

“Drug-related intimidation can have a serious impact on individuals and families, and it is important that people know there is support available,” he said. “We also need to listen to young people and understand the challenges they face, using the evidence available to us to inform how we respond.”

Marie Nicholson, coordinator of the Galway County LCSP, said the consultation had provided an opportunity to hear directly from communities.

“The issues raised through the consultation and at this meeting will help inform the work of the Partnership and the development of the County Community Safety Plan, which is currently in development following an extensive countywide public consultation process.”

“The discussions on drug-related intimidation and young people demonstrate the importance of early intervention, accessible supports and effective links between communities and the organisations working with them.”

“We want the Partnership to remain open and responsive to communities across Galway as we continue this work.”

The Galway County LCSP is a government initiative that replaces the former Joint Policing Committee (JPC). It brings together community representatives, local councillors, voluntary and community organisations, An Garda Síochána, local authorities and other public bodies to identify and address community safety issues at a local level.

Businesswoman of the Year awards taking place in Galway this week

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Galway Daily news Annual BiG BANG networking event taking place in Galway City
The Galmont Hotel

Network Ireland, the dynamic business organisation which advocates for Female entrepreneurs and women in business across Ireland in 17 branches with 1,500 active members will host its annual Conference in Galway this week.

The conference will take place at the brand new Dexcom Stadium and Conference Venue in Galway City followed by the Businesswoman of the Year awards in the Galmont Hotel and Spa on Friday, September 18.

Network Ireland is a voice and support for Female Start Ups, Entrepreneurs and Women in Business across Ireland. Elevating women in business and their careers, Network Ireland drives both professional and personal development in women.

The annual conference brings together a wide range of subjects and topics delivered by high profile and experienced female entrepreneurs who share their values and knowledge.

It helps to further the growth of women led businesses and brands across rural and urban communities. Network Ireland National President Karen Ronan is also CEO of Galway Chamber.

The Network Ireland Conference will be MC’ed by Julie Burke. General Manager of DampMaster, a nationwide company with offices across Ireland and the UK, Julie is an award-winning speaker and mentor who empowers women in business,and proves that you don’t have to be just one thing, as in her spare time, she is a comedian, better known online as Julesrulesirl, she has taken the digital world by storm with her relatable Irish Mammy comedy.

A keynote fire side discussion will take place with Laura Dowling, the Fabulous Pharmacist. Laura is an award winning businesswoman renowned for the recognition she brings to women’s health and wellbeing, all while building an award-winning brand and business.

Other high profile speakers will include experts from AIB, Enterprise Ireland and a host of others including Mary Rodgers of PorterShed Galway, Geraldine Jones of Skin Formulas, Author Michele Roys, and Denise O’Brien on the dynamic line up.

Immediately following the successful Network Ireland Conference in the Dexcom Stadium, the Network Ireland, Businesswoman of the Year awards will take place in the renowned Galmont Hotel and Spa. After receiving just shy of 600 applications, 100 finalists will compete in 8 categories to win the coveted awards.

“Network Ireland is a wonderful collective of passionate, powerful and creative business women,” says Karen Ronan, Network Ireland President and CEO of Galway Chamber.

“Collectively, Network Ireland across all 17 branches is a voice for women in business and their careers and we use our conference to support all women in our society.”

“I look forward to welcoming over 500 Network Ireland members to Galway City for our annual conference when we will network, share business and life experiences while learning and further strategizing the future of female led entrepreneurship and the continued growth of women in business across Ireland”.

This year, Network Ireland will also deliver its first pre-Budget submission to the Government to support its members in their careers, women in start-ups and business scaling.

UHG cancelling some elective procedures amid emergency department overcrowding

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Galway Daily news

The Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway continues to be extremely busy today, with dozens of patients on trolleys waiting for admission.

Yesterday, 245 people attended the Emergency Department. As of this morning, there are 31 patients on trolleys in the Emergency Department and 12 patients on ward trolleys.

UHG has said today that it is working to improve patient flow and reduce delays in the Emergency Department and is asking the public to consider all available healthcare options before attending.

Everyone who presents will be treated, with priority given to those who are seriously ill or injured. Patients who do not require urgent care unfortunately may experience longer waiting times.

All available beds in the hospital are in use. Patients are facing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to a bed on a ward.

Due to these ongoing pressures and the lack of bed capacity, the hospital is reviewing elective procedures. Urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.

A statement from UHG said, “The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.”

“We request that people only attend the Emergency Department at the hospital if it is an emergency situation. We ask that people attend their GP or out of hours service in the first instance if at all possible.”

The Roscommon Injury Unit is also open from 8am to 8pm daily, to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over the age of five.

The hospital is committed to treating everyone who presents at the Emergency Department; people who are seriously injured or ill are assessed and treated as a priority and those who do not require urgent care may be waiting longer.

Community pharmacists provide expert advice and over-the-counter treatments for a wide range of minor illnesses. In addition to this expert advice, a new service is available which allows pharmacists to supply prescription-only medication without the need to see a GP.

The following common conditions can be treated under the Common Conditions Service; allergic rhinitis, cold sores, conjunctivitis, impetigo, oral thrush, shingles, cystitis (uncomplicated urinary tract infection), vaginal thrush. Information about the scheme is available on the HSE website here.

How Slot Design Became Part of Galway’s Wider Digital Entertainment Story

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Galway has always been good at mixing old rooms with new ideas. A trad session can spill onto a street where a software team is still working upstairs, and a film crowd can share a café with people building games. That overlap helps explain why digital entertainment no longer feels like a separate industry in the city. It has become another strand of Galway’s creative life.

Slot design belongs to that conversation more than it first appears. Modern games combine illustration, animation, sound, interface design, and short-form storytelling. The reels remain familiar, but nearly everything around them has been rebuilt for phones, tablets, and quick sessions.

A small screen still needs a strong sense of place

Mobile design rewards clarity. Symbols must be readable at a glance, buttons need room for a thumb, and an animation has only a moment to explain what changed. The strongest games do not solve this by making everything louder. They establish a visual hierarchy, then let colour and motion guide the eye.

That craft sits comfortably beside Galway’s expanding digital creative industries, which bring together talent from games, animation, film, immersive technology, design, and music. 

The work begins long before a reel moves

A finished slot may look like one seamless object, but production is usually a relay. A concept artist establishes the visual world. Interface designers decide where information belongs. Animators test how symbols enter, settle, and disappear, while sound teams build cues that must remain clear even through small phone speakers. Developers then join those pieces to a rules engine and make the result behave consistently across browsers and devices.

That sequence creates the same practical challenges found in animation, film, and app development. Files need naming conventions, revisions have to be tracked, and creative ambition must fit the performance budget. An effect that looks excellent on a studio monitor is not useful if it stutters on ordinary hardware. Restraint becomes a technical choice as well as an artistic one.

The reels are only the beginning

A catalogue of online casinos shows how broad the format has become. Some titles lean on simple fruit-machine nostalgia; others use layered maps, characters, and feature sequences that resemble casual mobile games. The practical difference is not merely theme. Reel layouts, volatility, bonus structures, and session tempo all change how a title feels.

Good art direction keeps those systems understandable. A symbol can be decorative and still communicate its value. A transition can create anticipation without hiding the result. Sound can mark a change in state without becoming exhausting after five minutes.

What Galway’s creative economy can recognise

The same principles appear across digital products. Adobe’s guide to pixel art explains how deliberate limits can create a recognisable visual language. Slot designers often use that lesson even in highly polished games, a restricted palette, a clear silhouette, and a consistent animation style are more memorable than detail for its own sake.

Galway does not need to become a casino-development centre for this work to matter locally. The useful point is that modern entertainment skills travel. An animator who understands anticipation, a sound designer who can punctuate a short interaction and a developer who can make an interface behave on an older phone all contribute to products far beyond one genre.

Local talent can move between formats

Galway’s creative workforce is well placed for that kind of movement. A designer who has worked on an arts-festival campaign already understands how to establish mood quickly. A musician accustomed to arranging short cues can bring precision to interface audio. A programmer experienced with responsive websites knows how fragile a layout becomes when screen sizes and connection speeds vary.

The transferable part is not casino knowledge; it is the ability to make a complicated digital product feel immediate. Games, cultural apps, interactive exhibitions, and streaming tools all need concise feedback and a coherent visual language. Once those fundamentals are strong, teams can learn the conventions of a particular format without starting their craft from zero.

There is also room for distinctly local influence without reducing Galway to postcards. Colour drawn from the Atlantic light, pacing shaped by live performance, or illustration with the confidence of the city’s poster culture can give a product character. The strongest regional voice often appears through small design decisions rather than obvious landmarks.

A format shaped by many disciplines

Online slots are sometimes described as if they were simply mechanical reels transferred to a screen. The better description is a compact digital production. Every title asks a multidisciplinary team to make rules visible, moods immediate, and navigation effortless.

That makes the format an interesting footnote to Galway’s larger creative-tech story. The city’s advantage has always been the meeting of different practices. Modern slot design is built the same way: illustration meets code, sound meets psychology, and a familiar game finds a new life in the palm of a hand.

Galway University Hospitals to hold Interfaith Memorial Service

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galway daily news Galway University Hospitals holding Memorial Service

Galway University Hospitals (GUH) End of Life Care Committee will hold their 17th Interfaith Memorial Service for all deceased patients, on Thursday 17th September at 7pm, in the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, Galway.

The service aims to provide a space to support families in the grief they are experiencing, in a respectful and empathetic way.

Sharon Fahy, Co-Chair of GUH End of Life Care Committee said, “The theme for this years’ service is “Memories” as we come together remembering our patients and honouring their memory.”

“While we are specifically inviting the families who were bereaved between January and December 2025, we welcome all those who have experienced the loss of someone to attend.”

“The service is a very special event for our hospital staff as we remember our deceased patients and renew acquaintance with their families together with acknowledging the grief of their loss. We invite you to join us for our service of readings, reflections and music/song.”

Galway University Hospitals care for patients from a wide geographical area and acknowledges the loss experienced by families and friends following the death of a loved one.

For further information and to confirm attendance, please contact Anne McKeown, End of Life Care Coordinator (091) 893718 or (087) 4418574 or email: ecumenicalservice.guh@hse.ie

New Athenry ring road section officially opens

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A new section of the Athenry Northern Ring Road has opened, with work on the next phase of the relief road expected to begin next year.

The section of road connects the previous sections delivered by Galway County Council and IDA Ireland, providing a continuous route between the Tuam Road and the M6 motorway junction.

Construction of this latest section began in June 2025 and was carried out by Tower Plant and Civil Engineering on behalf of Galway County Council.

Minister Seán Canney, speaking at the opening of the road, said the Government was pleased to support the project. “Improving connectivity while alleviating congestion in our urban centres is key to creating sustainable, safe, thriving and healthy communities.”

“The Government is delighted to support the delivery of this important phase of the Athenry Northern Ring Road and to have also secured funding for an element of the next section under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF). I look forward to seeing work get under way on that phase.”

“I want to acknowledge the commitment of Galway County Council staff and elected members who have worked to bring this project forward. Investment in infrastructure such as this is essential to supporting communities and unlocking the potential for future housing and economic development.”

Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, Cllr Andrew Reddington, said the road would help reduce traffic in the historic town centre. “This project will help divert through traffic away from Athenry’s historic town centre, reducing congestion and improving the environment and safety for pedestrians and cyclists.”

“Importantly, it will support the sustainable growth of Athenry in line with Galway County Council’s long-term vision for the town.”

When fully completed, the Athenry Northern Ring Road is expected to carry around 2,000 vehicles a day, taking through traffic away from the town centre.

Galway County Council Chief Executive, Liam Conneally, said the project was identified as key infrastructure for the future development of Athenry.

“The Athenry Northern Ring Road is identified in the Athenry Local Area Plan 2024-2030, adopted by the Elected Members, as a key infrastructure project to support the economic development of the town and housing growth. It will improve access to lands zoned for residential, industrial, business and technology development.”

“I wish to thank the Department of Transport for its support and acknowledge the Council’s Transport Department for its work in designing the scheme in-house.”

Uinsinn Finn, Director of Services for Physical Infrastructure, Fire and Emergency Services and Climate Change, said the project would improve connectivity while supporting active travel.

“The new road will take unnecessary traffic out of Athenry’s historic town centre, making it safer and more pleasant for residents, businesses and visitors. It will also improve access around Athenry and support future housing and economic development. “

“Most importantly, I acknowledge the landowners whose lands were required for the scheme. I recognise the impact on their holdings and families and thank them for their cooperation.”

Water infrastructure works on east side of Galway City commencing soon

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Galway Daily news Moycullen water outage

A number of water infrastructure projects are due to commence in the coming weeks to support the continued growth of Galway City and estates planned for the east side of the city.

Works are due to begin in the coming weeks on the installation of new water mains at the Ballyloughane Road. These new mains will stretch from the Old Dublin Road to the Galway-Dublin railway line, a distance of 680 metres. The works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Ward and Burke.

Once these works are complete, another project will commence on the Doughiska Road. Here, approximately 800 metres of new mains will be laid along the Doughiska Road, from the junction with the Monivea Road to the turn-off for Fearann Rí estate.

These new mains are being installed to support future housing developments planned for the Murrough and Ardaun areas of Galway city, which is one of five cities, and the only one in the north-west region, identified as priority locations for investment and set to benefit from the Government’s additional €2 billion funding programme announced as part of the National Development Plan.

Minister for Housing James Browne said, “This programme of Accelerated Growth will provide a significant boost to the capacity of the water network to the east of Galway city, laying the groundwork for new residential developments in the near future.”

“As a Government, we are dedicated to strengthening the water and wastewater services necessary to build new homes, at scale, in the places they are most needed,” said Minister Browne.

In addition, an upgrade of the Ballybane Pumping Station is set to get underway, further strengthening the water network that serves the city. These works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Coffeys Construction Limited.

Michael McManus, Uisce Éireann Programme Manager, added, “We’re all aware of the urgent need for new homes to be built in major urban centres like Galway city. With these new projects about to break ground, Uisce Éireann is demonstrating its commitment to customers and communities by delivering the vital infrastructure needed to support new residential development.”

These works will require traffic management measures, with Stop & Go system in place for daytime works. However, where work is planned at busy locations such as the junction of the Old Dublin Road with the Ballyloughane Road, works will be carried out at night to limit disruption.

What is a free-spins offer actually worth long term?

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A Quick Pick bought on the day of the draw at the Daybreak service station in Swangate, Athenry, matched five numbers and the Bonus on Saturday 19 September and returned a prize of €88,740. What makes that figure unusual has nothing to do with luck. It is the whole number. No condition sits underneath it waiting to reduce it, and the winner does not have to earn it a second time before it can be spent.

A free-spins headline is built the other way round. It is worth less than the number printed on it, and over a long enough run it is usually worth nothing at all. That is not an accusation against any operator. It is what the attached conditions do, and enough of the arithmetic is public to work through at a kitchen table.

The figures used here come from one Irish brand’s own 24casino free spins code page and its terms, both read on 21 September 2026. The promotion advertises 24 spins on what its own table calls “Selected Slots”, a 40x wagering requirement applied to winnings, and no code to enter. Three lines. Everything that decides what those lines are worth sits somewhere else, or nowhere.

Twenty-four is a count, not an amount

The advertised figure counts events, not money. What the spins are worth depends on the stake attached to each one, and that stake appears nowhere on the offer page. Ten cent a spin, used here only to make the arithmetic visible, puts €2.40 of notional stake into play. A different denomination moves every figure below in proportion and changes none of the conclusions.

The site’s own question-and-answer block names the game: Zeus vs Hades: Gods of War. Its maker publishes what the offer page does not. Pragmatic Play’s page for the slot gives an RTP of 96.07% and a 15,000x maximum win, with two modes, Olympus and Hades, that carry different volatility.

That 96.07% is the figure readers misread most often. It describes an average settled over millions of spins across everyone who has ever loaded the game, and a 15,000x ceiling parks a slice of that average in outcomes almost nobody will see. Strip those out and the typical result sits well below the average. Twenty-four spins is not a long run. It is a rounding error inside one.

So the honest expectation on the spins alone, before a single condition applies, is roughly €2.31 back from €2.40 of stake. That is the best case, and the conditions start here.

Forty times is where the arithmetic turns

Wagering requirements are usually explained as a delay. They are not. They are a cost, and the cost has a fixed size.

A 40x requirement applied to winnings means a balance of €2.31 has to be staked, and restaked out of whatever comes back, until turnover reaches about €92. Every pass through the game hands back 96.07% and keeps 3.93%. Run €92 of turnover through a 3.93% edge and the expected loss is about €3.63, against a balance of €2.31 that has to absorb it.

The ratio matters more than the euro amounts, because it never changes. Forty passes at 3.93% is 157%. Whatever the bonus is worth, clearing it costs about one and a half times that amount in expectation. A requirement set at 40x does not make the balance hard to withdraw. It makes the balance smaller than the toll charged to move it.

This is why scaling the offer up changes nothing. The same page advertises 350 spins on the same 40x terms under the code 24PACK2, and a weekly offer of up to 50 spins at the same multiple. At ten cent a spin the 350-spin version starts from about €33.62 and needs roughly €1,345 of turnover to clear, carrying about €52.85 of expected loss. Fourteen times the spins, fourteen times the turnover, the same 157%.

The floor most coverage forgets to mention

Almost every guide to no-deposit offers stops at the wagering requirement, treats it as the obstacle, and moves on. On a small no-deposit balance it usually isn’t the binding one. The binding one is buried in the withdrawal clause.

Clause 11.1 of the same terms sets a minimum withdrawal of €40 in fiat currency, or the crypto equivalent of €20. A balance of €2.31 therefore has to grow roughly seventeenfold before it is even eligible to leave the account, and it has to do that while paying the toll described above on every stake along the way. Clearing 40x is not the finish line. It is the point at which a second, larger threshold starts to apply.

 

What the offer or terms say Where it is stated Effect on a 24-spin illustration
24 spins on “Selected Slots” The offer table The only figure the promotion advertises
Value per spin Not published anywhere At ten cent, €2.40 of notional stake
RTP of 96.07% Pragmatic Play, not the casino €2.40 of stake returns about €2.31 long run
40x wagering on winnings The offer table That balance must be turned over to about €92
Cost of that turnover Not published About €3.63 of expected loss against €2.31
Minimum withdrawal €40 Terms, clause 11.1 The balance must grow about seventeenfold
Maximum stake while wagering Not published as a figure Clause 9.4 penalises exceeding an unnamed limit
Bonus expiry window Not published Clause 9.4 assumes one exists without dating it
Game weighting schedule Absent from the terms No contribution percentages appear at all
Maximum conversion cap Not published The game’s 15,000x ceiling has no stated answer

 

Nothing in that table forecasts anything, and none of it is advice about how or whether to stake. It is one illustration built from figures the offer page, the terms and the game’s maker put in public. Six of its ten rows say the same thing: the number that would settle the question is not there.

A rulebook that points at a document nobody can open

Clause 1.6 of the terms binds every player to the site’s other published policies, “including but not limited to the Privacy Policy, Bonus Policy, and Responsible Gaming Policy”. The Privacy Policy is in the footer. The Bonus Policy is not. The obvious address for it, 24casino.ie/bonus-policy/, returned a 404 when I checked it on 21 September 2026, and no link to it appears on the terms page or in the footer menu.

That gap would be a footnote if the bonus terms were complete elsewhere. They are not, and the terms give away that they are not. The promotions clause, 9.4, voids a bonus for “Placing maximum allowable bets on high-variance games solely to inflate wagering requirements”, which requires a maximum allowable bet that is never stated. Two lines further down it voids a bonus for “Delaying play until wagering requirements expire”, which requires an expiry date that is never given either.

There is a section headed Expiry Period in those terms. It has nothing to do with bonuses. Clause 13 sets a one-year limit on bringing a claim against the casino, which is a litigation deadline wearing the heading a player searching for the spin expiry would land on first.

Game weighting is missing outright. On most slot promotions a contribution schedule decides whether a euro staked on roulette counts as a euro, as ten cent or as nothing at all towards the requirement, and it is the difference between clearing 40x and never clearing it. No such schedule appears in these terms. The eligible-games column says “Selected Slots” for two offers and “Various” for the third, and the player is left to find out which by opening the account.

Ireland’s statutory regulator, created by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, was still building out its licensing regime through 2026, which leaves a terms page doing work a published rulebook might otherwise do. One distinction is worth holding on to while that stays true. The list of countries an operator refuses to serve, running here from the United Kingdom and the United States to Malta, Poland and the Netherlands, is a company’s own commercial decision. It is not a map of where online gambling is lawful.

Who actually pays for twenty-four free spins

Nobody gives away money at a loss, and this offer does not require anyone to. Once 40x and a €40 withdrawal floor sit on top of a €2.31 balance, the cash the casino expects to hand over is close to nothing. The spins are not the product being sold. The registration is.

The offer asks for a good deal before a reel turns: an email registration, a login, a verified account, and activation from the bonus section. Clause 9.5 sets out what verification can mean: government photo ID, proof of address, proof of payment method, and a video call holding the ID if the documents arrive in the wrong script. A completed file like that is an acquired customer, and it is worth considerably more than €2.40.

The recovery is written into the same document. Clause 10.4 puts the minimum deposit at €20, and clause 9.7 states that “Any deposit must be wagered three (3) times the deposited amount before you may withdraw those funds”. Clause 9.4 voids a bonus for “Maintaining a deposits-to-bonus ratio exceeding 50%”, a test that exists only because the promotion is priced against what a player is expected to put in. Leave a small balance behind and clause 12.1 charges €20 a month against it after twelve months of inactivity, until it reaches zero.

What the offer is genuinely good for

A no-deposit promotion has one honest use. It lets somebody see a game running, at the operator’s expense rather than their own, and decide whether they want anything to do with it. As entertainment that is worth something. As a plan it is worth nothing, and the maths above is why.

The edge is a property of the game, not of the promotion, which is the part most offers are designed to obscure. It applies identically to a deposit, to a bonus balance and to the twenty-fourth free spin, and the longer play continues the more dependably it shows up. That is the answer to the question in the headline. Time makes the offer worth less, never more.

My position, for what it is worth: chasing a better multiple is the wrong response. An offer that does not print the spin value, the weighting, the stake ceiling, the conversion cap or the expiry cannot be priced by the person accepting it, and an offer nobody can price is not one to spend an evening on. Read the gaps rather than the headline.

Gambling is for adults only, 18 and over, and it stays entertainment only while the money in it was money you were content to lose. If that stops being true, GamblingCare.ie offers free, confidential help and support on freephone 1800 936 725, with lines open 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year, and Extern Problem Gambling runs counselling and a call-back service at problemgambling.ie. Neither waits for a crisis.

The Athenry ticket cost a couple of euro and paid a stated amount that arrived as a stated amount. Twenty-four spins cost nothing and attach a condition to every cent they might produce. Only one of those two is a way to make money, and it isn’t either of them. The difference is that one of them tells you the price on the front.

How Tourism in Ireland Has Changed in Recent Years

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Ireland’s tourism story no longer fits the simple “recovery” label. The Central Statistics Office recorded just over 6.4 million foreign overnight visitors in 2025, 3% fewer than in 2024, while their spending excluding fares fell 9% to €5.5 billion. Then momentum returned: from January through July 2026, foreign overnight visits reached 3.9 million, 13% above the same period in 2025 and 0.4% above 2024. The pattern is less about chasing a record headcount than about who comes, how much they spend, and whether destinations can turn a summer visit into a longer, higher-value trip.

The Recovery Has Stopped Moving in a Straight Line

July 2026 captures the change. Ireland recorded 676,300 foreign overnight visitors, up 5% year over year, while spending excluding fares rose 9% to €681 million; average stay length slipped from 7.9 nights to 7.6. Visitor numbers and visitor value are therefore moving at different speeds. For hotels, attractions and restaurants, a modest rise in arrivals can still support stronger revenue when spend per trip increases.

North America Is Punching Above Its Headcount

North Americans accounted for 30% of foreign visitors in July 2026 but €300 million, or 44%, of visitor spending for the month. Great Britain and Continental Europe each supplied 32% of visitors, yet neither matched the North American spend. Galway sits squarely inside that value-over-volume shift: Fáilte Ireland estimates that 1.0 million overseas tourists visited the county in 2024, generating €687 million and staying an average of 5.1 nights. Three in four overseas holidaymakers visiting Galway that year were first-time visitors to Ireland.

Race Week Shows Why Events Matter More

Galway increasingly shows how a destination can build travel around a specific event rather than a generic summer break. The 2026 Galway Races Summer Festival ran from July 27 to August 2 at Ballybrit, and organizers projected attendance of more than 130,000 before the meeting; the previous year’s official crowd was just under 126,000. For adults following the card during a city break, MelBet can sit alongside official racecards, going reports and form data when comparing win, place or live racing markets, with a fixed stake keeping the betting spend defined in advance. The event also concentrates demand into hotels, restaurants, taxis and nightlife across one seven-day period.

Irish Residents Are Looking Abroad More Often

Domestic travel has shifted in the opposite direction. Irish residents took 15.3 million overnight trips within Ireland in 2025, down 8% from 2024, while overnight trips outside the country rose 11% to 15.1 million; holidays accounted for 60% of those outbound journeys. Fáilte Ireland still describes domestic spending as resilient and estimates that spending by Irish residents is 65% above 2019 levels, so fewer trips do not automatically mean a collapse in value. Hotels averaged 78.4% room occupancy in 2025, but the RevPAR gap between high and low season exceeded €100 per room.

The Phone Has Become Part of the Itinerary

Galway’s tourism strategy is increasingly designed for visitors who move between neighborhoods rather than stay around one landmark. The five-year city plan launched in October 2025 calls for stronger links between the Latin Quarter, Salthill and other areas, while the €19.3 million Galway City Museum redevelopment is projected to attract an additional 820,000 visitors over ten years. The same mobile habits extend into downtime, where someone using the MelBet apk can follow football or racing markets after an attraction closes without reorganizing an evening around a television. Phones now carry tickets, maps, restaurant bookings, transport updates and entertainment in the same pocket.

Policy Is Counting Value, Seasonality and Jobs

Ireland’s National Tourism Policy Statement, launched on December 1, 2025, makes the new priorities unusually explicit: higher visitor spend, stronger off-peak travel from October to May, regional growth and greater digital adoption by tourism businesses. The government’s target is for 90% of tourism SMEs to adopt more advanced digital systems. That national push is relevant to Galway, where Fáilte Ireland recorded 229,400 tourism jobs in 2025 and nearly 70% were based outside Dublin. Fáilte Ireland has committed €12.6 million to the museum project, while the city is also considering a year-round indoor food market and Urban Gaeltacht weekends. The aim is not simply to bring in another August crowd. It is to give people a reason to visit, stay longer, spend locally, and return in November.

New exhibition explores landscape, memory and myth in Galway

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folús, a new group exhibition curated by Irish artists Lilymay Healy and Tara Dowling, opens at Satellite Projects & Studios in Galway’s Westend on 16 September 2026.

Bringing together artists and writers working across Ireland and London, folús explores landscape as a site of memory, mythology and possibility. The exhibition considers what remains when histories disappear from view, and how traces of the past can generate new stories, fictions and imagined futures.

The exhibition features work by Lilymay Healy, Oli James, Kitty Chesher, Natasha Botelho Cook, Kate Butler, Ciara King, Ciara CH, Jack Ó Meara, Aoife Ní Dhuinn, Tara Dowling and Blaise Gilburd.

For Healy and Dowling, both Irish artists based in London, folús is an opportunity to reconnect with Ireland’s artistic community while bringing the work of London-based practitioners to Galway. The exhibition creates a meeting point between artists working across both contexts, with a particular focus on emerging practices and research-led approaches to place, history and cultural memory.

The exhibition programme includes an opening night, an artist talk and exhibition tour, and an evening of readings as part of Culture Night on Friday 18 September.

Taking place at the newly opened Satellite Projects & Studios, folús adds to Galway’s growing visual arts scene, bringing together a diverse group of artists and writers for an exhibition centred on the histories, mythologies and possible futures embedded in landscape.

folús
Satellite Projects & Studios
Father Griffin Place, Galway, H91 Y628

Opening night: Wednesday 16 September, 6pm to 8pm
Thursday 17 September: 10am to 6pm
Friday 18 September: 6pm to midnight, Culture Night
Saturday 19 September: 10am to 6pm

Ballinasloe to host over 200 delegates from around the country for National Hub Summit

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Teresa Hooks, Head of Connected Hubs and Digital Innovation_ Lyn Donnelly, Hub Manager, Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre and Allan Mulrooney, CEO, Western Development Commission

Over 200 delegates will gather at the Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe next month for the National Hub Summit. This year’s Summit marks four years since it first began, alongside the fifth anniversary of Connected Hubs itself.

This invite only event will include International and Irish speakers, hub teams, representative bodies, state agencies and government departments. Discussions will centre on the development of the National Hub Network, the future of work, knowledge sharing, networking and developing best practice.

An onsite Showcase Hub is among the additions planned for this year’s event as well as an innovative Silent Stage, where delegates can opt to tune into additional talks facilitated by partners, exhibitors and hub experts.

Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission, said, “Connected Hubs began as a WDC pilot programme in the Western Region. Five years on, it is a national network, and the Summit is the one day of the year when hub managers from every county sit in the same room to compare notes, share what is working and raise what is on their minds.”

“The world of work has changed significantly over those five years and hubs have an increasingly important role in supporting our towns and communities, giving people more choice about where they live and work and helping to sustain jobs locally.”

“The Summit brings that national network together, but more importantly, it should be a catalyst for what happens next, with new ideas, connections and actions that can make a difference in communities over the following 12 months.”

The National Hub Network is a Government of Ireland initiative under the Our Rural Future policy which is aimed at establishing and strategically expanding a network of interconnected Hubs throughout the country.

Its aim is to harness the full potential of Hubs to make a significant contribution to the revitalisation of Ireland’s towns and villages.

Connected Hubs, is a central driver of the network giving workers and entrepreneurs more freedom to choose where they work and live, creating a positive impact on personal and family lives, reinvigorating communities, promoting economic growth, and fostering opportunities for sustainable development.

Lyn Donnelly, Manager of Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre, said, “The Summit is a valuable opportunity for hub managers to connect, share experiences and learn from one another. Every hub is different, but many of the challenges and opportunities are shared, and there is huge value in being able to exchange ideas and practical solutions.”

“The relationships built at the Summit help to strengthen the wider hub network and it gives us an opportunity to connect and support each other throughout the year.”

The Connected Hubs programme is run by the Western Development Commission on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

€19 million Galway City Museum redevelopment commences

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Work has now begun on the €19 million redevelopment of Galway City Museum, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of one of the city’s most important cultural and tourism infrastructure projects.

The project is supported by Fáilte Ireland, which is contributing €12.6 million towards the overall €19 million redevelopment, in partnership with Galway City Council.

The redevelopment will deliver a new three-storey extension, enhanced exhibition and education spaces, improved accessibility, upgraded structural and drainage systems, and a new Spanish Arch viewing point overlooking one of Galway’s most iconic heritage locations.

The project represents a major investment in Galway’s cultural future and will strengthen the city’s position as a leading destination for heritage, learning, and tourism.

Carey Building Contractors have been appointed to deliver the works, with construction activity now beginning on site. Galway City Council’s Project Development Team will oversee project governance, communications, and stakeholder engagement throughout the construction period.

Speaking today, the Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary, said, “This redevelopment is a transformative investment in Galway’s cultural infrastructure.”

“The expanded Museum will offer new opportunities for learning, interpretation, and community engagement, while also enhancing the visitor experience and supporting the wider tourism economy.”

Construction will be managed to minimise disruption to local businesses, residents, and visitors. Regular updates will be issued through Galway City Council’s communication channels, including website notices, social media, and Councillor briefings.