University of Galway is preparing to welcome thousands of prospective students, families, and guidance counsellors to its largest-ever Autumn Undergraduate Open Days.

The Autumn Undergraduate Open Days take place on Friday October 3rd and Saturday October 4th from 9am to 3pm each day.

The two-day event offers visitors the opportunity to explore five exhibition zones across the campus, meet with lecturers and current students, and participate in over 100 course and subject talks, campus tours, and interactive demonstrations.

Sarah Geraghty, Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach, said, “Our Open Days are designed to inspire. We want every visitor to leave excited about the journey ahead.”

“University of Galway is ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide and is number 1 in Ireland for our impact on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. But what truly sets us apart is our people, our passionate staff and students can’t wait to meet you.”

“We offer over 60 world-class undergraduate degrees – from Medicine to Engineering, Pharmacy to Science, Arts to Business, and more than 90% of our courses offer work placements or study abroad opportunities. That means our graduates are not just degree-ready, they’re career-ready.”

Attendees will experience an extensive programme of events and activities, including:

• Future nurses and midwives can step inside real clinical training facilities at Áras Moyola with guided tours daily at 12:45pm and 1:30pm.
• The School of Law’s Moot Court will be open to visitors with five tours taking place on the day. The Moot Court is designed to replicate the experience of a real court hearing for our students. 
• Future doctors can try their hand at clinical skills, from listening to heartbeats to exploring digital ear and eye exams with interactive clinical skills demonstrations taking place over the two days.
• Curious scientists and engineers can tour the state-of-the-art Engineering Building and get a behind-the-scenes look at Physics and Chemistry labs
• Drama enthusiasts can take part in a Drama Masterclass at 1pm or join a backstage tour of the O’Donoghue Centre at 11:30am.
• Those interested in sports will have the opportunity to meet elite coaches and athletes, with tours of high-performance sports facilities.

Students will have the opportunity to see what life at University of Galway is really like, with guided tours of campus residences and student hubs.

Those interested in the Irish language can also take part in a special guided Irish-language tour from Áras na Gaeilge, showcasing the University’s vibrant bilingual culture.

Parents are also invited to attend a dedicated information session at 11:30am on Saturday, designed to provide practical guidance and advice on supporting students as they make the transition to university life.

To register, or for more information and the full programme, visit www.universityofgalway.ie/opendays or email opendays@universityofgalway.ie.

A Status Orange weather warning has been issued for Galway tomorrow when Storm Any will sweep through the country.

The orange wind warning will be in effect for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo from 2pm to 10pm on Friday.

Storm Amy will bring winds of gale force or near gale force southwest winds to the west coast of the country tomorrow.

Met Éireann is warning of danger from fallen trees and downed power lines, with very difficult travelling conditions, along with wave overtopping.

People are being advised of possible power outages on Friday from Storm Amy.

A Status Yellow wind warning will also be in place for all of Ireland during Storm Amy from midday to midnight tomorrow.

Meteorologist Ailís Hankinson says, “Storm Amy will bring wet and very windy conditions on Friday, and it’s preceded by a band of heavy rain on Thursday.”

“It is the first storm of the season, so it’s essential to be prepared for potential impacts caused by the strong winds and the rain. There could be difficult travelling conditions, loose objects or flying debris.”

“Trees are still in leaf at this time of the year, so there could be higher impacts from fallen trees and leaves blocking drains, causing localised flooding.”

“Small, upland river catchments are the most at risk of flooding, so precautions for potential localised flooding in these areas are also important.”

Coastal waters will also be extremely treacherous on Friday. Met Éireann has issued a Status Red Storm warning from Loop Head to Rossan Point to Fair Head.

From 2pm to 8pm, southwest to west winds may reach violent storm force 11 at times. A Status Orange marine warning will be in effect from midday to midnight along the west coast.

Today, there is a thunderstorm warning in place for Galway and all of Connacht until 2pm, along with a rain warning which will be in place until 8pm.

People in Galway heard tips on how to centre wellness in their lives during an expert-led event as part of Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice fundraising campaign.

The Bewley’s Wellness Breakfast, described as ‘an inspiring panel discussion’, took place in Galway Bay Hotel on Monday to raise awareness for Galway Hospice and others.

People can still donate to the huge national fundraising campaign at:  hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate

The panel discussion explored themes of wellness, resilience and the power of community.

Leading lifestyle editor and wellness advocate, Melanie Morris, moderated an expert panel at the breakfast event, which included 30-year-old breast cancer survivor and content creator Carly Mahady, Irish mother, storyteller and advocate Roseanna Ruane and Galway-based author Amber Doyle.

“Wellness is all about holistic health and can be incorporated into life individually and collectively,” said Ms Morris.

“Modern life can be very hectic and – even when we stop rushing around – our dependence on technology means we rarely give our brains a rest.

“In addition to reflecting on the vital work that Hospice provides in our communities, we discussed how we can each make wellness part of our daily routine.”

The event was part of Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, a wider movement to raise funds for Together for Hospice.

“The Bewley’s Wellness Breakfast in Galway Bay Hotel builds on the idea of the traditional coffee morning with some special additions that helped us to explore how we can take care of ourselves and each other,” said Catherine Casserly, Marketing Director of Bewley’s.

“It felt fitting to celebrate our 33rd year of this meaningful partnership with Hospice with an event centred on connections, conversation and community.

“We hope people came away from this event feeling restored, imbued with a bit more knowledge and – most importantly – having raised awareness for a very worthy cause.”

The HSE West and North West winter vaccination programme is underway in Galway with the rollout out the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

The free flu vaccine is available to recommended groups, while those aged over 60 and children 6 months and older with a weak immune system are invited for their next COVID-19 vaccine.

Both vaccines will be available from Pharmacists and GPs can be given at the same time. HSE vaccination teams will also provide both vaccines for people living in residential care facilities, including nursing homes as well as to housebound patients.

Influenza (flu) is a highly infectious viral illness that spreads during the winter season (October-April). It can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications, including pneumonia, bronchitis, sepsis, and encephalitis.

Each year in Ireland, 200-350 people die from flu, and thousands require hospital care. Protect yourself and others this winter. We know that vaccination is the most effective way to protect against flu and prevent its spread.

Last winter, over 4,000 people were hospitalised with flu, and 345 people died. Over 2,152 people were hospitalised with Covid-19, and 142 people died. We know that vaccination offers the best possible protection against serious illness and death.

Dr. Áine McNamara Regional Director of Public Heath HSE West and North West region said: “As we enter the winter season, I encourage everyone who is eligible for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines to get vaccinated.”

“The influenza and Covid-19 vaccines provide the best available protection against serious illness and reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death.”

“Vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself, your family and your community from serious illness in the months ahead.”

This winter, both the flu and COVID-19 viruses are expected to circulate. It is very important that all those who are invited get their free flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines. Flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses, but both can cause serious illness.

The flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19. Both the Flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available from participating Pharmacies and GPs and can be given at the same time.

The flu vaccine is safe, has been in use worldwide for decades, and cannot give you the flu. Vaccination in pregnancy also protects babies during their first months of life. Protect yourself. Protect others.

The children’s flu nasal spray vaccine will also be available free for all children aged 2 to 17 years from GPs and Pharmacies. It is safe, pain-free, and effective.

To see what vaccines are recommended for you, visit www.hse.ie/covid19vaccine and hse.ie/flu, call HSELive on 1800 700 700 or talk to a participating GP or Pharmacy.

This year, the flu vaccine is strongly recommended and provided free of charge for:

• Older people: All aged 60 years and over
• Children: All aged 2–17 years
• Pregnant women: At any stage of pregnancy, to protect both mother and baby.
• Healthcare workers: All staff and students in healthcare and social care settings
• People with long-term medical conditions

Lone parents and survivors of domestic violence in Galway are to receive free, confidential help with their tax affairs under a landmark new initiative launched this week.

The programme, called ‘Enabling Tax Literacy and Empowerment: Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities’, is the first public tax education partnership of its kind in Ireland. It is being run jointly by Galway Public Libraries and the University of Galway’s award-winning Tax Clinic.

Designed to help people navigate the State’s increasingly digital tax system, the service offers one-to-one consultations with trained tax advisers and supervised student volunteers.

It will be available at selected library branches, with the option of online support. Recruitment is being handled through Family Resource Centres, FLAC, INTREO and the library network itself.

“This marks a significant step forward in inclusive financial literacy,” said Eileen Ruane, Director of Services at Galway County Council.

“Embedding tax education in trusted community spaces helps tackle financial abuse and economic exclusion while strengthening libraries’ role as hubs for lifelong learning”.

County Librarian Elizabeth Keane described the programme as a way of helping people “regain control over their financial lives in a safe, supportive environment”.

“This project is about more than taxes, it’s about empowerment,” she added. “By bringing professional tax guidance into our libraries, we are helping lone parents and survivors of domestic violence reclaim control over their finances, build confidence, and take ownership of their futures.”

Commenting on the partnership with Galway Libraries, Prof Emer Mulligan, Director of the University of Galway Tax Clinic, said the collaboration “extends the clinic’s reach into the community with real-world impact while giving students valuable experiential learning opportunities as future tax professionals”.

The project is in line with several national strategies on adult literacy, financial education and the Government’s Zero Tolerance plan on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

It also complements the Skills for Life programme under the national library strategy ‘The Library is the Place: 2023 to 2027’.

The University of Galway Tax Clinic, Ireland’s first free voluntary tax clinic, won the Excellence in Education Award at the 2025 Irish Accountancy Awards for its innovative approach to tax education and public engagement.

Galway Public Libraries and the University of Galway say the pilot will serve as a blueprint for regional and national roll-out, creating a replicable model of inclusive financial literacy in safe, accessible community settings.

Hundreds of submissions were made to Galway County Council during a consultation on the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) for Scoil na bhForbacha plan by concerned Connemara residents.

Local residents campaigning for additional safety measures along the R336 say that 321 submissions were made to the county council during this consultation.

Plans for aised zebra crossings, signage, and a focus on reducing speed have been welcomed, but locals remain adamant that without signalised pedestrian lights (puffin light crossing ), children will not be protected adequately on the busy R336.

Residents are calling for a reduced speed limit directly outside the school, a signalised pedestrian crossing, and a clear timeline for when these works will be delivered.

“This overwhelming response shows just how strongly people feel about this issue,” said the Coiste Sábháilteachta. “We are delighted to see progress, but without traffic lights and a speed reduction, the plan still falls short of what is urgently needed. Our children deserve better.”

Príomhoide Áine Ní Thuathail of Scoil na bhForbacha echoed the frustration. “Our community rallied for lights because parents need the confidence that their children can cross the road safely.”

“On a 50 km/h route with high traffic volumes, a zebra crossing alone is not enough. Unless proper safety measures are put in place, many families will still feel they have no option but to drive. That undermines the whole purpose of Safe Routes to School.”

Residents continue to feel that the scheme fails to provide the most basic protection, safe, signalised pedestrian lights for children crossing one of the most dangerous roads in the country – the R336.

Seven Galway businesses have been awarded the Ireland’s Best Managed Companies (BMC) accolade at the 17th annual awards programme.

This year, Deloitte recognised 115 indigenous companies at the awards, representing 25 of the 32 counties across the island of Ireland.

The network of companies has a combined turnover of more than €22 billion and provide employment to over 62,000 people across a range of sectors from technology and healthcare to construction.

In total, seven Galway companies were awarded Ireland’s Best Managed Companies accolade this year.

Amongst the winning companies was Corrib Oil, achieving Gold status, having won the award for the fourth year in a row. JJ Rhatigan and Company was awarded the Family Business Award.

A thorough judging process precedes the recognition each year, evaluating the entire management team and the business strategy of each company.

The judges examine a wide range of areas when assessing Ireland’s top privately-owned businesses, considering each business’ strategic planning, governance standards, financial performance, in addition to each organisation’s culture, talent strategy and how they are innovating year on year.

The eight newly qualified companies are: Actavo Group, Dixon International Logistics, Kirby Group Engineering, Marcon Fit-Out, Nostra Technologies, Ohk Energy, Specialist Group and Suir Engineering.

Brian Murphy, Lead Partner for Ireland’s Best Managed Companies Awards Programme, said, “Congratulations to all winning companies on their achievement. Irish indigenous businesses continue to impress, demonstrating unwavering resilience and commitment to excellence in an everchanging economic landscape.”

“The Ireland’s Best Managed Companies programme recognises the significant contribution that these businesses make to our economy, our communities and our nation as a whole.”

“As a vital part of our business ecosystem, it is essential that they are supported to grow and scale into the future, and the Best Managed programme hopes to support them as they do.”

Glenn Shanley, Head of AIB Corporate Banking, said, “Ireland’s Best Managed Companies is a showcase of what we see daily in AIB – the incredible strength, ambition and resilience of our indigenous companies. The process is a celebration of strong management teams and the energy they bring to the business world.”

“We can see many shared traits in the 2025 winners – for instance, a willingness to face challenges head on and turn them into opportunities, embedding sustainability as a priority, and creating a culture in which people are comfortable with sharing opinions and challenging each other. Congratulations to all winners, I wish them every success in the coming year.”

A total of 107 companies requalified as a Best Managed Company. Eight of these achieved Gold Standard (four years as a BMC), six achieved Platinum Standard (seven years as a BMC).

Many companies reapply and successfully requalify for the programme year on year, with some like Ergo and Portview winning the ‘Best Managed’ accolade for 15 years running.

This year’s Family Business Award went to JJ Rhatigan & Co. The Family Business Award is a separate individual award category honouring a family business within the network that has stood out in how they have demonstrated resilience throughout its years in business.

A commemorative plaque has been unveiled at AIB Lynch’s Castle in memory of the late Jerome O’Connor, the 52-year-old wages clerk who tragically lost his life during a robbery attempt at the site on August 15, 1974.

Mr O’Connor, a respected employee of John Sisk & Son and a resident of Terryland, was fatally shot while resisting an armed robbery outside the bank.

His death sent shockwaves through the Galway community and remains a sombre moment in the city’s history.

John Sisk & Son, where Mr O’Connor had worked for many years, were instrumental in driving the initiative to have the plaque installed, ensuring that his courage and sacrifice would not be forgotten.

It was AIB who found a home for the plaque in its Lynch’s Castle branch hall, where customers and members of the public can pay tribute to Jerome.

AIB hosted the unveiling, which was attended by Noreen O’Connor, wife of the late Jerome O’Connor; members of the O’Connor family; AIB Branch Manager Lisa Cooley and staff of AIB; Deputy Mayor & Councillor John McDonagh; and Sisk’s Cathal Whirskey along with representatives from Sisk.  The plaque now stands as a lasting tribute to Mr O’Connor’s memory, more than 50 years after the tragedy.

Luke Silke, grandnephew of Noreen O’Connor née Kennedy, said, “On behalf of Noreen’s family, I’d like to thank Sisk, AIB Lynch’s Castle and those in City Hall who made this happen.”

Noreen O’Connor turned 95 this month, Luke added, saying that she is happy to know that her husband’s name will not be forgotten.

“As a family what we’ve been most struck by since the plaque was unveiled is the amount of people who have come forward to share their memories of Jerome, and indeed their memories of that awful day 14th August 1974.”

“It’s as if everyone in Galway can remember where they were on the day of the murder. Noreen is grateful for the love and kindness shown to her by the people of Galway in the aftermath of his death and in the fifty years since. We are all delighted that she has lived to see the day when Jerome will be properly remembered”

Lisa Cooley, AIB Lynch’s Castle Branch Manager said “AIB is honoured to be able to mark the life of Jerome O’Connor at our Lynch’s Castle branch.  As soon as I became aware of the fate that befell Jerome, I knew AIB had to do all we could to support Noreen and the O’Connor family with this memorial.”

“We hope that this commemoration goes some way to pay tribute to Jerome’s courage on that fateful day and gives our customers and the people of Galway an opportunity to stop and pay their respects to Jerome too.”

Cathal Whiriskey, Project Director, John Sisk and Son, said, “We are thankful to be able to facilitate the installation of this Memorial Plaque for Jerome O’Connor on behalf of his widow, Noreen and are pleased that he will now be remembered by the people of Galway.  His tragic death, while going about his daily work, should not be forgotten.”

The commemoration was supported by the Civic Commemoration and Naming Committee of Galway City Council, with Cllr John McDonagh, Cllr Terry O’Flaherty and Cllr Frank Fahy in attendance.

Cllr John McDonagh, Deputising for the Mayor of the City of Galway, said, “This is an important event not just for the family of Jerome O’Connor, but also for the people of Galway, to commemorate one of our own, who was tragically killed during the course of the working day collecting wages for his employer.”

“This lovely plaque, which was a collaboration between Sisk and AIB, is a fitting commemoration for Mr O’Connor in the iconic Lynch’s Castle.  I’d like to thank AIB and Sisk for making this happen for Mr O’Connor’s wife, Noreen, and his family, and to relay the good wishes of Galway City Council’s Civic Naming and Commemorative Committee, who were supportive of this initiative”.

A Garda report on the incident states, “On the 15 August 1974, Jeremiah O’Connor of Terryland, Galway, Co. Galway was shot dead during an attempted wages snatch. An employee of John Sisk & Son Company had gone to the Allied Irish Bank, Lynch’s Castle to collect the weekly wages. After collecting the money, Mr O’Connor left the Bank and was confronted by two men, one of whom carried a sawn-off shotgun. Mr O’Connor was shot at point blank range. He died at the scene.”.

A full Garda investigation took place and two men with addresses in Belfast were charged with the murder. In the Special Criminal Court, a plea of manslaughter was accepted by the State, with the two men sentenced to ten years penal servitude.

Five other people, with addresses in Galway and Belfast, were charged with robbing Mr O’Connor of £1,557. Evidence was given that the accused were members of the INLA (Irish National Liberation Army).

The Marine Institute welcomed over 600 visitors to its headquarters in Oranmore for an educational and artistic evening, ‘A Night to Sea’, for Culture Night this month.

The evening of marine-themed cultural experiences brought together artists, performers, and local community groups to celebrate our connection to the sea.

Dr Rick Officer, CEO of the Marine Institute, said, “Our ‘A Night to Sea’ event has been a great opportunity to connect with our local community and share the breadth of our work through art, creativity and direct engagement.”

“We are delighted to see people of all ages show such interest in our place of work and to celebrate our marine heritage and the cultural significance of the sea together.”

“The success of this event is thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of our people across the Marine Institute. Many of our staff exhibited their artwork, performed, delivered talks, and engaged with visitors throughout the evening,” Dr Officer added.

Highlights from the programme included sea shanties and ocean-inspired ballads from the Marine Singers Choir. The group involves Marine Institute staff and friends and has been performing together for over 12 years under the direction of Carmel Dooley.

The Achill Sound delivered a unique musical and multimedia project on ‘The Achill Island Basking Shark Fishermen’, blending oral history, archival footage with traditional and newly composed Irish music.

A talk by Noël Wilkins, Professor Emeritus at the University of Galway, explored the origins of marine science in Ireland, and the pioneering local achievements from which the modern Marine Institute would emerge.

Galway Bay Sailing Club presented the career of local seafarer and submariner Commander Bill King, and Maÿlis Sontot-Marjary of the Marine Institute spoke on the importance of maps and mapping in communication.

Artworks from Galway-based artist Gerry Fogarty, and Tom Coleman of Wild Atlantic Art, and seaweed prints from Aoife O’Sullivan of the Marine Institute were on display.

The Solas Photography Club based in Oranmore showcased photography inspired by the Wild Atlantic Way.

Seascape photography from Felix Sproll and Mick Mackey of the Marine Institute, and phytoplankton portraits from Eugenio Raymond Alfonso of the Marine Institute, highlighted the connection between science and art.

Visitors also enjoyed hands-on activities from the Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme, art from the Sharing the Oyster project (a collaboration between Cuan Beo and artist Claire McLaughllin), local history displays from Galway Bay Sailing Club, and ‘Under the sea’ a stunning knitted aquarium installation from the Marine Institute’s In Stitches Crafting Club.

Five weeks of roadworks will disrupt traffic on the N83 coming to and from Galway City starting from Monday.

Galway County Council is carrying out roadworks on the N83 Claregalway to Parkmore Junction, from Galway Corinthians Rugby Club towards Parkmore for 600m.

These works are due to commence on Monday, September 29, and continue for a period of 5 weeks until Friday, October 31.

Traffic management and lane closures will be in place during the works as follows

• Week 1: Monday, September 29 – two way traffic will be maintained with minor disruption
• Week 2 3: Monday, October 6 to Friday, October 17 – Full lane closures in place with a stop-go system. Motorists travelling to Galway are advised to divert from Claregalway towards Oranmore and use the M6 Motorway via exit 19. Motorists travelling from Galway to Claregalway are advised to divert via the M6 Motorway and exit at Junction 19.
• Week 4 & 5: Monday, October 20 to Friday, October 31 – two way traffic will be maintained with minor disruption.

Consequently, users of this road are requested to expect delays and, as such, should allow additional time for their journeys.

Galway County Council is thanking road users for their cooperation during the works and apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Renowned sean-nós singer Orla Ní Fhinneadha has been appointed 2025-2026 Sean-Nós Singer-in-Residence at University of Galway’s Centre for Irish Studies.

The current holder of the prestigious competition Corn na mBán, Orla has been singing since she began attending sean-nós classes at primary school with Máire Pheitir Uí Dhroighneáin, who had a huge influence on her development as a singer, as did Orla’s own father Jimi Ó Fhinneadha.

Orla, from An Chloich Mhór, Baile na hAbhann, Co Galway, has many singing titles to her name, including coming third in the prestigious Corn Uí Riada at the Oireachtas in 2016.

As a teenager, she won several titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, as well as at the Oireachtas, when she won the Under-35 category in 2012 and second place in Corn na mBán in 2014.

Orla’s expertise and teaching skills came to the fore in a series of videos created for Cúla 4 ar Scoil during Covid. These videos, in which she presented and taught sean-nós songs, continue to be watched and learned from by children today.

Announcing the appointment, Dr Nessa Cronin, Head of Irish Studies at University of Galway, said, “It is a privilege to have Orla Ní Fhinneadha with us at the University for the coming academic year.”

“She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise to inspire the next generation of sean-nós singers and we are looking forward to working with her during her year as Sean-Nós Singer-in-Residence 2025/26.”

Orla will deliver a series of workshops on campus this autumn and spring, beginning on Thursday, October 16 at 6pm. The workshops are free and open to the public.

This project is funded by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and An Chomhairle Ealaíon, in association with the Centre for Irish Studies at University of Galway.

National Breastfeeding Week is marked each year from 01 to 07 October, it is an opportunity to discuss the importance of breastfeeding as the normal and healthy way to feed babies and young children.

Parents and families across Galway City and County are invited to celebrate the unique connection between baby and parent, with this year’s national theme: “Hold Me Close – The Power of Skin-to-Skin Contact.”

Skin-to-skin contact in the early moments and days after birth supports babies in every way from regulating temperature and breathing to building emotional security and establishing breastfeeding.

New national data shows that 89% of babies in Ireland are now receiving skin-to-skin contact after birth, with 85% continuing to experience this vital bonding time in the days that follow.

Galway Maternity Community Voluntary Breastfeeding services are playing a key role in this national success story, with local breastfeeding rates also on the rise from 2023 to 2024.

Olivia O’Connor, Director of Public Health Nursing Galway, said, “Here in Galway, we’re proud to support families from pregnancy through early parenthood with compassionate, evidence-based feeding support.”

“Skin-to-skin contact is a powerful first step and one that every baby deserves. We’re here to ensure parents feel confident and supported every step of the way.”

Gemma Healy, Lactation Consultant at University Hospital Galway, added, “Skin to skin contact is our first prescription when breastfeeding gets difficult. The power of it to positively impact breastfeeding is often underestimated.”

Families across Galway City and County are warmly invited to mark the week by joining free community events focused on support, celebration, and connection:

Public Health Nursing Breastfeeding Coffee Morning
Connacht Hotel, Galway
Tuesday, 1st October 2025
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

La Leche League Galway Coffee Morning
Clybaun Hotel, Galway
Friday, 3rd October 2025
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

La Leche League has advocated for skin-to-skin care for all babies for over 40 years. Glenda Raftery Muhametaj, LLL Leader, quoted from The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (2024).

“Skin-to-skin contact with your baby is the closest thing to magic we have in getting breastfeeding going. Being together skin-to-skin continues to be a wonderful way to connect with your baby, not just in the first few hours.”

A public meeting will be held in Loughrea early next month to discuss local action to improve water quality in Galway’s rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, has urged members of the public, local businesses, farmers and recreational water users in Galway to attend an upcoming information event on improving water quality organised by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO).

LAWPRO is set to roll out five pilot catchment community fora to enhance local community engagement in water catchments across the country with the goal of improving water quality.

As part of this drive on Thursday, October 9, they will be hosting the Galway Bay SE Catchment Community Forum Information Evening on Comworks, Railway House, Loughrea, commencing at 7pm.

Speaking about the initiative, Minister O’Sullivan said, “I strongly urge members of the public in Galway to attend the upcoming information event to help shape the upcoming forum in this area.”

“Water quality affects us all. We want to bring together those who live, work, farm or just enjoy these waters. The voices and opinions of all present will set the groundwork for real action on the ground.”

“Through collaboration and engagement with local communities we can take positive action and play a pivotal role to safeguard our most precious waterways for generations to come.”

As well as Galway, information evenings will take place over the next fortnight in Louth, Wexford and Meath to create awareness about the fora, discuss avenues for participation, and encourage interested individuals or members of local community groups to get involved.

The first of these information meetings was held in the Mal Bay Catchment on Wednesday, September 17, in Ennistymon, Co. Clare, and was attended by over 40 people living in the catchment.

These meetings will inform future pilots, which will run from November 2025 to January 2027, located in the Slaney (South East), Boyne (Midlands & East), Mal Bay (South West), Galway Bay SE (West), and Newry-Fane Glyde-Dee (Border) catchments.

The pilots will be evaluated throughout the process to inform a proposal on the rollout of a national Catchment Community Fora model and framework.

Anthony Coleman, Director of Services with LAWPRO said the Fora will give communities a role and a voice.

“Healthy rivers, lakes, and coastal waters are vital for every community in Ireland. These pilots are about turning community insights into real action.”

“The fora will give local people a stronger voice in shaping how we protect and restore our water environment. By working together, we can build a model that empowers communities and delivers lasting improvements in water quality.”

Galway Simon Community, in conjunction with the Simon Communities of Ireland, is today hosting a conference in Galway focused on the growing crisis of older people retiring into homelessness.

The event will highlight this escalating crisis as one of the most urgent and under-recognised challenges facing Ireland’s housing system.

Recent Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage statistics have shown that since 2020, there has been a 104% increase in people aged over 65 experiencing homelessness, rising from 122 in 2020 to 249 in June 2025.

Ber Grogan, Executive Director of Simon Communities of Ireland said, “Ireland is facing a quiet crisis. Nobody should have to face the trauma of homelessness in older age, yet we are seeing people who have worked all their lives finding themselves with no safe, secure place to call home.”

“The solutions are within reach: increase the supply of age-appropriate housing, strengthen rent protections, and ensure that housing and health supports are fully integrated. We must act now to ensure older people can retire with dignity and stability.”

Carol Baumann, Galway Simon Chief Executive, said, “We are delighted to host a conference on such an important topic and are very pleased to be joined by some of the leading experts in the area.”

“Homelessness among older adults is one of the fastest growing cohorts both locally and nationally, and it is critical that we put in place responses to the crisis that will prevent older people from accessing Emergency Accommodation.”

“We need coordinated action across housing, health and social protection to prevent older people from falling into homelessness and to help those affected to rebuild their lives.”

“We know from our own work with clients that if we can divert people away from Emergency Accommodation, the long-term outcomes for them are much more positive.”

Simon Week 2025 represents one of The Simon Communities of Ireland’s most focused national campaigns to date, uniting practitioners, policymakers, people with lived experience of homelessness, and communities.

Bringing local, national, international, and lived-experience perspectives to the table, the conference shared insights on the supply and design of age-friendly homes, integrated health and social care, income adequacy, and Housing First adapted for later life.