Bungalow has the makings of a great family home

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October 27, 2020

Galway Daily film Galway's 'Science on Screen' gets its own film festival

NUIG’s Cúram Centre and Galway Film Centre are launching the first ever ‘Science on Screen Film Festival Ireland’ which will take place next month.

The free online film festival will showcase the best of science in film and this year incorporates themes of representation and diversity in science and the value of art-science collaborations.

The Festival programme will be announced at the end of October 2020 and will include science themed feature films and short film programmes, along with the ‘Ask a Scientist’ panel session.

Over 200 primary school children from around Ireland have submitted their questions for ‘Ask a Scientist’, which will be broadcast online on Friday, November 6.

The event will be chaired by two sixth class students from Gaelscoil Riabhach in Loughrea, who will put the questions to a panel of three top researchers in biological, engineering and environmental sciences.

The festival will run for a total of four days from November 5 – 8. The opening film feature will be ‘Picture a Scientist’, which chronicles the groundswell of researchers who are writing a new chapter for women scientists.

Biologist Nancy Hopkins, chemist Raychelle Burks, and geologist Jane Willenbring lead viewers on a journey deep into their own experiences in the sciences, ranging from brutal harassment to years of subtle slights.

Along the way, from cramped laboratories to spectacular field stations, we encounter scientific luminaries who provide new perspectives on how to make science itself more diverse, equitable, and open to all.

The film festival builds on the Science on Screen programme which was created by Cúram and Galway Film Centre in 2016 to produces gripping science documentaries, which have reached over one million people worldwide.

“We are very proud to be launching the first Science on Screen Film Festival this year,” said Director of Cúram Abhay Pandit, adding that Ireland is a nation of “scientists and storytellers” and that this will showcase that.

“CÚRAM’s public engagement programme aims to provide easy opportunities for the public to ‘join the conversation’ about Irish research and the role of science in society generally.”

All of the original documentaries produced for Science on Screen will be part of the festival, telling the stories of patients living with chronic conditions like Parkinson’s, diabetes and stroke recovery and the Irish researchers working to improve their quality of life.

The Festival tagline, ‘Join the conversation’ invites audiences of all types to immerse themselves in scientific storytelling, hear from filmmakers and researchers on critical topics such as climate change and health research, and take the opportunity to question leading scientists on cutting-edge research.

“The festival will showcase the engaging and thought provoking content that is born from collaboration between our industries,” explains Alan Duggan, Manager of Galway Film Centre.

“In a time when our reliance on the accurate and sensitive portrayal of scientific facts and research is more important than ever, there is no better moment to ask audiences to join the conversation.”

View the Festival Trailer here: https://vimeo.com/470302101

Marts back in business as IT problem is solved

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October 27, 2020

Galway Daily news Galway farmer fined €1 in sheep pen prosecution

Online marts are back up and running again after they experienced a technology problem on Saturday, ICOS has confirmed this afternoon.

There was a two-hour delay of sales across 16 mart centres at the weekend, but the issue has now been resolved after ICOS contacted the relevant marts software provider.

Online systems have been in operation in Ireland since early April and hundreds of thousands of cattle and sheep have been bought and sold successfully using various platforms.

“As with all technology, the systems can occasionally experience problems,” said Ray Doyle, Livestock & Environmental Services Executive of ICOS.

“The server providing the online auction system crashed because of unprecedented traffic of over 30,000 people logging on across all the mart centres using that system.

“The provider has now replaced the server and has installed a triple redundancy system to prevent a recurrence of this issue.

“Mart centres operating with other systems performed very well over the weekend without any glitches. Overall trade was marginally up on last year.”

He said that all of the main companies involved are striving to minimise the likelihood of IT problems over the remaining weeks of the Level 5 restrictions, but IT systems do occasionally come under pressure whether that is nationally, internationally, or private or public systems.

Run in the Dark returns this November with a virtual facelift

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October 27, 2020

Thousands of runners and walkers across the globe will light up the night in mid-November as Run in the Dark returns as a virtual event.

Participants will run choose their own route on on Wednesday 18 November and track their run on the official app to place on a global leaderboard.

Run in the Dark was founded ten years ago after the blind adventure athlete, Mark Pollock, suffered a paralysing fall.

This year, running separately while connecting digitally across seven continents, the global movement will light up the night as people hit the road for the Mark Pollock Trust and fundraise for Collaborative Cures.

“Millions of paralysed people worldwide don’t have the option to stand up, to walk or to run,” said Mark Pollock, speaking about his fundraising event.

“You can help change that reality as you train and compete virtually with 25,000 people worldwide at Run in the Dark on 18 November.

“All your additional donations and fundraising will support our new charity partner Collaborative Cures to bring people together to cure paralysis in our lifetime.”

Run in the Dark CEO, Paula Cunniffe, added that when the world feels so uncertain, it’s easy to forget to look after ourselves.

“That’s why taking on a virtual 5k or 10k Run in the Dark is the perfect opportunity to do something positive for our bodies and minds as we face increased restrictions across the country.”

Entry fee is €31 and the virtual run pack includes:

Run in the Dark medal
Flashing armband to hold your phone or keys
Time and distance tracking
Online training plans
Digital certificate of completion

Sign up at www.runinthedark.org

More bus services needed for schoolkids in the city Cheevers says

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October 27, 2020

Galway Daily news Disruptions to Salthill bus services due to Galway v Kilkenny

A Galway City Councillor is calling for additional bus services for school students in the city due to the lack of capacity on public transport in lockdown.

Councillor Alan Cheevers says that students on the east side of Galway who attend school in Oranmore or across the city are having difficulty getting to school on time if they take public transport.

“This is because they are using the city services and have to share buses with workers and general public,” Alan Cheevers explained.

While dedicated school transport is not affected, under Level 5 lockdown restrictions buses are only allowed to operated at 25% capacity.

This can result in “long delays” waiting for a bus, and cause issues with young people getting to school on time, he adds.

“This wasn’t and issue in the initial lockdown as schools were closed,” Cllr Cheevers said, “But now the Ministers must look at how they can add extra services to accommodate these students.”

The Fianna Fáil councillor said that he has written to Education Minister Norma Foley and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan about this issues, which must also be an issue in “urban areas and cities around the country”.

Galway United v UCD streaming live and free on YouTube

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October 27, 2020

Galway United sports Galway United builds back line with signing of James Finnerty & Mark Russell — Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Galway United v UCD will stream live and free on United’s YouTube channel when it takes place in Galway this evening.

United and UCD will face off at Eamon Deacy Park at 7:30pm on Tuesday evening in their final league game of the season.

“Galway United are delighted to announce that due to the generosity of our loyal supporters, we’ve covered the substantial costs of live streaming our games,” a statement from the club said.

“As a goodwill gesture, the club will broadcast live from YouTube for the first time ever, and it couldn’t be a bigger game for supporters to tune into, with both sides firmly in the hunt for promotion to the Premier Division.”

United are hoping for a strong finish to their 2020 SSE Airtricity League First Division campaign tonight.

Having won seven of their last nine league games, the Tribesmen have the play-offs firmly in sight after beating the Wanderers on Saturday.

Caulfield knows it will be a tough slog this evening, as this will be their third game in the past week, but knowing this is a must-win game has energised the Galway side.

“Two months ago, we had nothing to play for. Now we’re coming into the final game of the season knowing that if we win, we could possibly make the play-offs.

“Against Bray, it was key that we kept a clean sheet, we hadn’t kept a clean sheet in the three previous games.”

“If we can keep things tight, I always feel that we will create opportunities to score goals in games.”

The last match between UCD and Galway United took place at the start of September, and ended in a 3-0 win for Galway, despite playing on the Dublin side’s home ground.

To watch the season finisher live tonight, check in on United’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/GalwayUnitedFCTV

Galway issued weather warning ahead of possible “flooding and distrupition”

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October 27, 2020

Galway Daily weather Weather warning for heavy rain in Galway tonight

Met Éireann has issued a staus yellow weather warning for Galway and nine other counties ahead of heavy rain this week.

Heavy and persistent rain will begin tomorrow night (Wednesday) and last until Friday morning – which Met Éireann says could lead to ‘flooding and disruption’.

Rainfall of 30mm to 60mm is expected widely, with even higher accumulations occuring in mountainous regions.

The status yellow weather warning comes into effect at midnght on Wednesday and will be lifted at 06:00 on Friday.

Clare, Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, Roscommon, and Sligo are also affected by the warning.

This afternoon will see sunny spells and showers, in moderate to fresh and gusty southwesterly winds, strongest near the coast. Today’s highest temperatures will be 10 to 12 celcius.

Tonight will be blustery with scattered showers across Connacht, some heavy with a risk of hail and isolated thunderstorms.

Calls for review of ban on in-person sales at Marts

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October 27, 2020

Galway daily news Calls for review of ban on in-person sales at Marts

The physical closure of Marts is causing cattle prices to plummet amid Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions Galway East TD Sean Canney has said.

Cattle prices have fallen to as low as €100 a head in recent days Canney said, calling on the government to allow physical sales to resume at marts.

“I am requesting the Government to allow buyers to go to marts under social distancing rules. The marts have put restrictions in place including records for contact tracing and sanitization. The mart managers also have identified the capacity of their respective marts”.

“Whilst I accept that we all need to respect the restrictions now in place, I urge the restrictions to be reviewed to allow buyers enter the marts on a controlled basis”.

The Department of Agriculture announced last week that Mart sales would only be allowed to continue online amid Level 5 lockdown restrictions.

Systems put in place for online sales were also criticised for technical problems which caused issues in multiple marts last week.

Over 500 cattle had to be brought home from Ballinasloe Mart as a result of the online system breaking down.

IFA President Tim Cullinan has also said that operating procedures must be reviewed to allow a limited number of in person buyers.

“The reality is that relying on the ‘online only’ system is too ambitious. The system has been bedding down well as a complementary system to bidding at the ringside.”

“However, clear challenges have now emerged related to broadband and the ability of systems to cope with the volume of cattle and bids during what it a hectic time of the year.”

Deputy Canney said that until the online system is “resilient and fit for purpose” marts should be allowed to exercise discretion in how they operate.

Mart owners are concerned that cattle prices will be affected by this issue Sean Canney said, “which would be detrimental to farmers”.

Free mental health support workshops for Galway LGBT+ community

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October 27, 2020

Galway Daily news Galway Pride Week gets underway with flag raising in Eyre Square

Amach! LGBT Galway is launching a programme of workshops online to help the LGBT+ community in Galway look after their mental health.

The series of workshops, facilitated by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ger McNamara, will begin on Wednesday, 4 November from 7.00pm – 8.00pm and continue for six weeks.

“Facing into another six weeks of a lockdown, the LGBT+ community are losing access to their support groups and systems,” said Helen Mortimer, Coordinator at Amach!LGBT Galway.

“Many are facing difficult situations, so we feel it’s important to provide a way for the LGBT+ community to look after their own mental health.

“These free workshops provide a way for participants to set aside time weekly to look after themselves.”

Helen said that everyone is finding these new restrictions challenging, so we need to ‘do what we can to care for our mental health’.

“Galway has a vibrant, active LGBT+ community so we hope that people can get involved in the workshops and spread the word.

“We don’t want anyone to feel isolated or alone during this time.”

The facilitator of the workshops, Dr. Ger McNamara, is a clinical psychologist who works in adult mental health. Dr McNamara has a special interest in LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, both in clinical practice and research.

Those looking for further information or wishing to take part in the workshops can get in touch by emailing: coordinatoramachgalway@gmail.com

This project is supported by Healthy Ireland, Pobal, Galway City Local Community Development Committee, Department of Health and Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

Create your own magical world of Macnas At Home this Halloween

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October 27, 2020

Create your own magical world of Macnas At Home this Halloween

In a year when a parade isn’t possible, Macnas has partnered once again with Bram Stoker Festival for a unique celebration to bring the magic of Macnas right into your home this Hallowe’en.

The Boy Explorer has returned and he needs your help, how do we all stay connected and celebrate Halloween this year? He came up with a brilliant idea …

He thought.. We’ll adventure online and invite dreamers of every age from 0 -100 years old to use the magic of imagination to help him bring him and his friends to life.

In a series of online videos released daily at 10am during the October Mid-Term – 27–31 October – families nationwide will be guided through the creation of their own Macnas at home experience.

This will involve everything from Creating Your Story, to Movement, Mask-Making and Sounds & Drumming.

You’ll follow step-by-step as Macnas demonstrate how to create your own Hallowe’en spectacle at home!

10am – Tuesday 27October – Creating Your Story

10am – Wednesday 28October – Movement

10am – Thursday 29October – Mask-Making

10am – Friday 30October – Sounds & Drumming

On Hallowe’en, Macnas are inviting everyone to upload their creations to social media using the hashtag #BramStokerMacnas, for the whole world to see.

Westmeath woman stole over €1,600 in clothes from Galway stores

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October 26, 2020

Galway Daily courts Westmeath woman stole over €1,600 in clothes from Galway stores

A Westmeath woman travelled to Galway City just to steal over €1,600 worth of clothes from two stores back in January.

Sandra Covaci (20), with an address in Kilbeggan, Westmeath pleaded guilty to two counts of theft at Galway District Court.

The court heard that on January 17 of this year, Garda Laura Devaney received a report of theft from Monsoon on Williamsgate Street in Galway at approximately 5:50pm.

The total value of the clothes stolen from the store was €615 the court heard, and Ms Covaci was seen on CCTV footage viewed by Gardaí.

That same day, just a short time after, Garda Devaney had found and was speaking to Ms Covaci, when she saw multiple items of clothing with tags still attached concealed within her buggy.

The Garda asked her if she had a receipt for those items, and she said that she didn’t. The stolen clothes, valued at €993, were from Tommy Hilfiger on Shop Street.

The Tommy Hilfiger goods were recovered in a saleable condition, but the clothes stolen from Monsoon were not recovered, the District Court heard.

Solicitor for the defence Olivia Traynor said that her client had €200 in compensation in court with her on the day.

Her client lives with her partner in Westmeath and had “no business being in Galway on the day in question,” Ms Traynor said.

She asked for more time for her client to pay the remainder of the compensation to Monsoon, and Judge Mary Fahy put the case back to February 15 for the payment of the remaining €415 loss.

Coronavirus: 53 new confirmed cases in Galway

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October 26, 2020

Galway Daily news 25 percent drop in COVID cases in Galway hospitals

939 new cases of COVID-19 were reported by the Department of Health today as well as three further deaths related to the virus.

Of the cases reported today, 53 are in Galway, which is the fourth worst affected county after Dublin, Cork and Meath.

The median age of today’s cases is 32 years, and 66% are under the age of 45.

There has now been a total of 58,067 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Republic and over 2,000 have been in Galway.

Hospital statistics

Total number of cases	57,131
Total number hospitalised	4,210
Total number admitted to ICU	529
Total number of deaths	1,628
Total number of healthcare workers	10,172
Number clusters notified	6,257
Cases associated with clusters	27,834
Median age	40

First COVID vaccine could be here “within weeks”

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October 26, 2020

galway daily news coronavirus covid-19 vaccine pfizer

The first coronavirus vaccine could be here ‘within weeks’ and Ireland could be among the first countries to receive batches.

Paul Reid, the head of the Irish branch of Pfizer, says that the company could be in a position to issue 100 million doses of the vaccine.

Pfizer is now one of the favourites to win the vaccine race, but it first needs to get the green light from the authorities in the US and then the European Medicines Agency.

The two-dose vaccine, called BNT162b2, has been tested on 35,000 people so far, with almost 40,000 people enrolled in the trials program to date.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Mr Reid said that they are going to have to demonstrate the quality and consistency of the vaccine.

“We are trying to be as open as possible. We are sharing any conclusive read-out data, whether positive or negative, within a few days after independent scientists see it.

“The positivity around the vaccine is predicated on good science so far.”

But should a vaccine become available, many people in Ireland say they will not take it. 19% of those aged between 25 and 34 and 18% of those aged between 18 and 24 said they would not take a Covid-19 vaccine, according to a new poll carried out by Ipsos-MRBI for the IPHA.

Overall, one third of respondents said they were unsure whether they would take it, while 12% said they would not take it.

There are over 150 Covid-19 vaccines in development across the world, with about a dozen of them in late-stage clinical trials.

County Cathaoirleach condemns sealing of Mother and Baby Homes records

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October 26, 2020

County Cathaoirleach condemns sealing of Mother and Baby Homes records

Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council James Charity has said the decision of Government to seal the records into the treatment of women and children in mother and baby homes is plain and simply wrong.

Councillor Charity said that there has been a failure of “multiple organs of state, including our own Local Authority” to address the wrongs done in the Tuam Mother and Baby Home.

“It is therefore incumbent upon me to express my disappointment at the decision of Government in the last week to pass legislation which will have the effect of sealing records for a period of 30 years and make it clear this action is not supported by me as Cathaoirleach. It is simply wrong.”

Last week the government passed the Mother and Baby Homes Bill, which seals the records of the Commission of of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes for a period of 30 years.

The database created by the Commission will also be transferred to Tusla, the Child and Family

The bill was passed with the full support of all three government parties, passing a Dáil vote 78 – 67, with all but two non-government TDs voting against it.

On Sunday, the bill was signed into law by President Higgins, despite urgings from opposition figure to refer it to his Council of State, with the office of the president saying that the bill did not raise any constitutional issues suitable to refer it to the advisory body.

Councillor Charity said that there is “no credibility at all” to attempts to pin the blame for sealing the records on the 2004 legislation creating the commissions of inquiry, which he says could have been addressed via an amendment to this bill.

“Instead, the Minister flatly refused to hear any amendments or debate on its content and he was supported by every TD and Senator in the Government parties who willingly facilitated further injustices being visited upon the survivors.”

“Sealing records for a period of 30 years, whether intentional or by consequence, means that an objective bystander might well harbour concerns of certain aspects of this period of history being withheld and that in itself is a very serious issue,” James Charity said.

The bill raises serious issues about the ability of survivors of Mother and Baby Homes to get access to their own personal records, he added.

“The sealing of the records needs to be over-turned as a matter of priority lest this go down as yet another shameful period in our history.”

image credit: James Charity via Facebook

Tubridy invites small local businesses to feature on Late Late Show

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October 26, 2020

galway daily ryan tubridy late late show small businesses

Small local businesses have been invited to feature in a special Late Late Show which is taking place in November.

The ‘Shop Local’ special will air on November 6th and aims to promote local businesses across the country.

The programme has an audience of around 500,000 each week, meaning the businesses would receive a major boost from being invited to take part in the show.

“In our bid to urge you to shop local and buy Irish we have decided we are going to do a big special on the Late Late Show on November 6th,” said host Ryan Tubridy.

“We want to hear from you, your business – what you’re selling, where you’re selling it, why you’re selling it, and how we can find you.”

As just announced by Ryan on his radio show, we are looking for businesses to get in touch for our #ShopLocal episode on November 6th.

Email: latelateextra@Rte.ie #LateLate pic.twitter.com/xUXnYnXfqR

— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) October 22, 2020

Businesses interested in participating in the show can contact latelateextra@rte.ie

Mains repair works to disrupt Newcastle water supply this week

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October 26, 2020

Galway Daily news Water outages expected in Loughrea tomorrow

Repairs taking place to the water mains network in Newcastle may cause water supply disruptions for four days this week.

Irish Water will be carrying out mains repairs on the Upper Newcastle Road in Galway City from Tuesday to Friday, October 27 – 30.

The works, which make up part of Irish Water’s National Leaks Reduction Programme, are scheduled to take place from 9am to to 6pm each day.

While work is taking place, it may cause disruptions to the water supply to homes and businesses on the Upper Newcastle Road and surrounding areas of the city.

People affected by this are advised that it may take 2 – 3 hours after work is completed for their full water supply to be restored.

Updates on both situations can be found on Irish Water’s Supply and Service website page, or by contacting Irish Water’s twitter account @IWCare.

#RepealtheSeal | Over 160,000 people sign petition to open Mother & Baby Homes archive

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October 26, 2020

galway daily news Advisory Board members sought for Tuam Mother and Baby Home excavation

Over 160,000 people have signed a petition calling for the Mother & Baby Homes archive to be opened to those affected by the horrors of the institutions.

The Repeal the Seal petition was launched after the government passed the Mother and Baby Home Bill last week – which many say effectively seals the records of abuse for 30 years.

The Campaign was created by Aitheantas – Adoptee Identity Rights, who say that for the first time, the Irish people can “see for themselves the callousness with which the Irish State has treated women and children and survivors” who came through the Mother and Baby Homes.

“They are denied access to their own testimony, files and records. This needs to stop,” said Aitheantas.

Following widespread frustration and anger at the vote, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said that the Bill actually saves the records – that it protects the database from being destroyed.

But Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs Kathleen Funchion said that the Minister had the opportunity with this legislation to stand on the right side of history.

He had the opportunity to “say he believes their stories, he understands their pain and he will do everything in his power to take their concerns into account and to let survivors decide how to handle their own records,” said Deputy Funchion. “But he chose not to.”

The petition has been supported by TDs and Senators from a range of parties as well as Independents, and it aims to reach 200,000 signatures.

Will the Irish rugby team get to complete the Six Nations?

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Angela Mc Bride

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October 26, 2020

There are growing concerns around whether the Irish rugby team will get the chance to play their final two games in the Six Nations later this month due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

When covid-19 infections swept across most parts of the world in early spring this year, everything quickly ground to a halt. Schools closed, hospitals became overrun, events were cancelled and most shops and the businesses deemed non-essential were forced to close. The economic and social impacts of this crisis have been devastating.

The Six Nations, and all sporting events in general, have also been severely impacted by the pandemic, with knock-on effects being witnessed in a whole range of industries, from hospitality to sports betting due to cancellations and audience restrictions.

Following the earlier postponement of games, the team eventually hosted the game against Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday 24 October, and are now due to play the final match against France at the Stade de France on Saturday 31 October. However, restrictions imposed by the government could potentially see the final game being postponed once again or even cancelled all together with regulations constantly changing. Travel restrictions could also mean that the Irish team may be unable to travel to France to play the final game.

Earlier on in the season

The Irish team suffered their first defeat against England back in February, with the game ending with a score 24 – 12. This was a very disappointing finish following on from their double triumph on home turf, in their games against Scotland (19 – 12) and Wales (24 – 14) earlier in the month.

Due to the pandemic, this season has been a trying time for the brand new Head Coach, Andy Farrell, who recently took over from Joe Schmidt. The coach has now picked his 35 man squad for the upcoming games, which includes six uncapped players.

Selected for the first time since qualifying for selection in Ireland under the World Rugby’s eligibility rules, Jamison Gibson Park will be making his debut appearance in the Six Nations. The 28-year-old New Zelander plays as a halfback and is praised for his hand in the Leinster victory over Ulster in the Pro-14 finals.

Young Ryan Baird also appears in the line-up. The back rower first played for Leinster in the 2018 – 2019 season against Ulster and seems to have a promising future within the team. Munster’s Shane Daly has also joined the squad for the final two games of the season. Given that he is a full-back who can easily also play centre, he is a versatile player and great addition to the team.

Players that have missed out this season include Jack McGrath and Devin Toner. Now the Toner is in his mid-30’s with 70 caps under his belt, it is doubtful whether he will make another appearance in the Irish team.

The pandemics impact on the Six Nations

Even if the final game is able to go ahead, the Six Nations will have been severely impacted by the pandemic. If crowds are unable to return to stadiums, the Six Nations will have lost a total of £100 million from ticket sales and associated costs. At this stage, due to rising covid-19 case numbers is it pretty much certain that games will have to go ahead without spectators being present in the stands for a long period of time.

The Ireland National Public Health Emergency Team have instructed the Irish government to place the country back into Level Five restrictions in regards to the pandemic for four weeks. This would entail a full lockdown and result in the cancellation of all sporting events, including the Six Nations. Under these rules even training would only be allowed on an individual basis.

No fans allowed in the stadiums for matches has resulted in no tourists visiting Dublin, meaning the hospitality industry has not benefited from the boost it so desperately needs. And it’s not only the hospitality sector that are under threat, if the final matches of the Six Nations were to be cancelled it could also lessen revenue in the sports betting industry, an industry which has blossomed in recent years. Many fans now show their passion towards their favourite sport by taking their chances and placing a bet on their favoured team to win. Nowadays sports bets can be created for a variety of things depending on the event with bets like both teams to score entering the equation. With more options to bet and the attitude towards sports betting more relaxed, there is no wonder that this industry is currently thriving and would be under threat if big sporting events like the Six Nations were cancelled.

In Ireland, sports betting is popular for many sports, but is most often associated with rugby in the country. Most local towns and cities, like Galway, have their own rugby teams. The Galway Sports grounds have been playing host to Connacht rugby for a number of years and have the capacity to hold over 8,000 fans. Rugby teams are a source of pride for locals and betting on them is not only great entertainment, it more importantly exemplifies their faith and loyalty towards their squad.

Those interested in placing a bet on Ireland’s Six Nations games later should be sure to check the latest odds and predictions. At present, while England’s overall chances in the season are looking slightly more favourable, Ireland have a strong line-up and better odds than their French contenders.

Galway startup helping Marts go remote with virtual auctions

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October 26, 2020

Galway Daily news Galway company MartEye wins national award at Ploughing Championship

Marts are more than just places to sell animals, they’re the lifeline, the social connector and the place where people come together to chat, get the news and of course hopefully get a deal.

But of course, this year, due to COVID-19 marts have been faced with extremely challenging circumstances in complying with lockdown restrictions, as other businesses have.

A Galway based technology startup is helping marts move into remote business so farmers can easily buy and sell livestock at auction online.

MartEye was founded at the Portershed in Galway City just six months ago, and is already in use at over 40 marts around Ireland and the UK.

The platform allows farmers and traders to view and take part in auctions remotely. But more than just an app, it combines software with physical tech to keep some of the showmanship that is part and parcel of an auction.

At the centre of MartEye’s technology is a first of its kind Digital Gavel, carved from sustainable Irish ash and fitted with state-of-the-art electronics that sync the offline auction with the online.

Farmers can download the app for free, and marts pay a fixed monthly fee for the tech to make it all run, which includes a dashboard for the auctioneer to keep track of participants in real time.

“Our goal was to create a product that would be affordable, easy to use and could be set-up quickly,” explains MartEye co-founder Mark McGann, adding, “we consulted with Mart owners early on to establish their needs along with the needs of the sellers and buyers.”

They already have over 50k active users, and more than €150 million in livestock has been sold through MartEye in the past six months.

The platform has also helped to preserve some of the social element of coming to marts to trade, Mark says with users spending more time taking part than they strictly need to make sales.

“The average time people spend in an app is usually around 5 minutes and with MartEye it is five times that. People enjoy watching the trade even late into the night.”

With runaway success in such a short period, the team have decided to use their playform to give back, with marts around the country holding a simultaneous charity auction, MartAid, on November 5.

The money raised will be donated to Embrace FARM in support of the work they do in helping those affected by farm accidents. This event will be streamed globally on MartEye so farming communities throughout the whole of Ireland will be able to bid on hundreds of exciting products and experiences.

Some of the prizes going for auction include training sessiosn with Irish & Lions Rugby legend Sean O Brien or Galway hurling star Joe Canning, a team talk with the 18 times all Ireland Cork Legend Rena Buckley, 1000 litres of tractor diesel from Ross oil Farnanes, two calving camera kits, and more.

Embrace FARM is a farming organisation which was founded by Brian and Norma Rohan, a farming family from Shanahoe, County Laois in 2014. Brian with his wife Norma and extended family lost his father Liam Rohan to a sudden farm accident in 2013.

“The impact a farm tragedy leaves behind on the family is huge, the emotional loss is only one aspect, there is also a practical loss,” Norma explains.

“In the majority of cases it’s the farmer himself that is killed, the man that knows the running of the farm, probably has the bank account in his own name, that’s frozen, probably knows every little nook and cranny on his farm, where the wet sports are in fields, knows just how to tweak a bit of machinery to get it running smoothly, these are just a few little examples.”

MartAid will kick off at 6pm on November 5. To support MartAid check out marteye.ie/martaid or get social across Facebook and Twitter and to find out more about Embrace Farm log onto the website embracefarm.com/.

image credit: Hugh Sweeney

Coronavirus: 1,025 COVID-19 cases today but no deaths

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October 25, 2020