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Tourism Recovery Fund supporting festivals promoting Galway City

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Twelve local community festivals awarded funding by city council

Galway City Council is accepting applications for funding from festivals, events or promotions that will help in the economic recovery of the city in the months to come.

The City Council Tourism Recovery Fund will provide funding for festivals that attract visitors and spending to Galway City by proving a; “leisure, social, sporting, or cultural experience outside the range of everyday or regular choices.”

All of the proposed events must take place between September 2020 and April 2021 to be eligible, and they must also be able to alter plans to account for changing social distancing regulations.

Festivals that can take place outdoors to aid in social distancing will receive preference, and events are encouraged to support local artists.

Not eligible for funding are events which are by invitation only, sub-events of larger programmes such as National Heritage Week, or those that only promote one business or event rather than Galway City as a whole.

More guidelines on what the criteria are to be eligible for funding can be found on the city council’s website here.

Applications must be submitted no later than 4pm on Friday, August 21.

Approval given for expansion of planned Mervue hotel

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Approval given for expansion of planned Mervue hotel

Galway City Council has granted planning permission for the enlargement of a planned hotel in Mervue as part of the Crown Square development.

Wolfe Tone House Crown Square Developments sought permission to amend plans for a five storey hotel which was approved as part of the Crown Square project in March of 2019.

While the overall footprint of the hotel will not be changed under this fresh application, an additional 1,583sqm of floor space would be added through the addition of a 6th floor.

This will include a lounge, kitchen area, ancillary facilities and two outdoor seating areas on the south-eastern and western elevations.

Internal alterations have also been made to the bedroom sizes on all other floors to accommodate another bedroom on each floor.

Under the revised plans the hotel will have a total of 180 bedrooms, an increase of five from the original plans.

Galway Cycling Campaign submitted concerns about the provision of sufficient bicycle parking spaces for the area, as well as the provision of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure along the Monivea Road, and the junction of McDonagh Avenue and Clarke Avenue.

Galway City Council granted planning permission for these changed with a total of four conditions attached.

The developer must include a bottle and clothes bank collection area, which will include ducting and other necessary work for the future installation of cctv by the city council.

Before work begins, the developer must also alter the plans to reduce the exit road onto Connolly Avenue from two lanes down to one.

The second lane will remain in place, but shall be for emergency use only.

The other commercial elements of the Crown Square project in Mervue which were approved at the same time as this hotel include five office blocks with the capacity for over 3,100 staff.

An Bord Pleanála approved the residential element of the project, 288 build-to-let apartments, last November.

Asthmatic woman thanks Galway hospital staff who saved her life in 90 day battle against COVID-19

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Asthmatic woman thanks Galway hospital staff who saved her life in 90 day battle against COVID-19

A 66 year old asthmatic woman who spent the better part of three months fighting COVID-19 in Galway’s hospitals thanked the incredible staff, without whom she said she “would not have survived.

Rose Mannion (66), a mother of two originally from Cloghan, County Offaly and now living in Lorrha in North Tipperary, spent much of her summer fighting COVID-19 in Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe.

Not only did she have to be put on a ventilator, but also required dialysis and a tracheotomy due to the seriousness of her condition.

After first being admitted to Portiuncula on March 28, she spent a total of 81 days battling COVID-19 in the Intensive Care Units at Portiuncula and University Hospital Galway.

After spending a total of 90 days in hospital, Rose was transferred to the Intermediate Care Facility in Limerick on June 26 to continue her rehabilitation journey.

“I want to thank the staff in both hospitals, in particular, Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe where I spent most of my time.

The team in Ballinasloe headed up by Dr Hilary McLoughlin fought hard against the odds, as I am an asthmatic, to save my life.

“I cannot thank them enough or the physio team who worked with me also. They’re a brilliant team, I felt very safe there and I would not have survived without them.”

Staff at Portiuncula lined the halls to cheer Rose as she transferred out of the hospital in June to continue her recovery.

“A few days into Rose’s admission we feared the worst,” said Charlotte Carter, Clinical Nurse Manager at Portiuncula. “As time went on she battled through ventilation, dialysis and finally a tracheotomy.”

“Rose is truly a survivor and we are delighted to have been able to be part of her journey. We are here to support her every step of the way during her recovery.”

Galway Gardai concerned about spate of thefts from cars

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Missing 17 year old teenager found safe and well

Gardaí in Galway have expressed concern about the number of thefts from vehicles reported to the police in July.

A post on the Garda Síochána Western Region Facebook page on Saturday said that this month has seen a number of thefts of cash, jewellery, and tools from vehicles, and people to ensure their vehicles are locked.

“Some owners have admitted that their vehicles were left unlocked; while others report no damage to their vehicles which perhaps suggests that they were also left unlocked.”

“Items stolen were predominately cash, with some jewellery and tools also reported stolen.”

“Please remember to always take your property with you and never leave anything on view that would attract a criminal, especially cash (including wallets and handbags) and loose coins.”

“Ensure your vehicle is parked in a secure well-lit location and is always locked and alarmed.”

At a meeting of the Galway City Joint Policing Committee in June, Chief Superintendent Tom Curley said that thefts from vehicles in Galway City said there had been a 98% increase in thefts from cars this year.

Between January and May of this year 97 cars were broken into, almost double the number in the same period last year.

He said at the time that it was “alarming” that in 76 of the cases of thefts from cars, the vehicle had been left unlocked.

However, the spike was not attributed to the COVID-19 lockdown, as Superintendent Curley said that criminals had simply been “very active” in Galway City during the first two months of the year.

The past month has seen a significant number of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions ease as Ireland has moved through Phase 3 of the roadmap to reopening the country.

Traffic levels and car usage have increased as more businesses have reopened and travel restrictions have been lifted since the end of June.

Coronavirus: 1 death and 24 new COVID-19 cases

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

The Department of Health has reported one death related to COVID-19 today, along with 24 new confirmed cases.

There have now been a total of 25,869 confirmed cases in the Republic of Ireland, and the pandemic has claimed 1,764 lives in the state.

In Galway there have been 493 confirmed cases as of midnight on Thursday, July 23, and increase of one case on what was reported yesterday.

The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of the disease in the community.

The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

Hildegarde Naughton to get hefty allowance on top of €124,000 salary

By
Michael Malone
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Galway Daily news Naughton accuses opposition of playing politics with healthcare fake

Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton is set to receive a €16,000 pay rise along with two other Junior Ministers, after the Dáil passed legislation for a salary top up for a third ‘super junior’.

The Fine Gael TD and Minister of State for Roads will receive a yearly salary of €140,000, as well as Fianna Fáil’s Chief Whip Jack Chambers. The Green Party’s Senator Pippa Hackett, who failed to win a seat in the general election, has seen her salary increase to €123,000.

Opposition parties have slated the move, with Sinn Féin branding the pay hike for a third ‘super junior’ as “disgusting”.

Others opposition TDs said the ‘super junior’ Ministers should be given no more than a clap, in reference to the one minute applause for healthcare workers during the height of the first wave of Covid-19.

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Sinn Féin TD for Mayo Rose Conway-Walsh strongly criticised the government ahead of the vote, saying the “money tree has landed firmly in the circle of greed” between the coalition parties.

“The only excuse that they have come up with is that it must be regularised. Absolutely, it must be regularised, but why not bring down the salaries of the other two to match it, so that they would be the same,” she said.

“And we talked about frontline workers, and the care assistants care systems who are on the minimum wage, and some of them even aren’t on the minimum wage, and they’re the people are set by the beds of the people who are dying without any PPE gear, because we couldn’t afford to give it to them.”

She said that these are the people who went home crying every night, because the government couldn’t afford to provide them with the necessary equipment.

“And we sit here and we say that somebody’s getting over 2000 euros a week it isn’t enough for them,” Deputy Conway added. “If it’s not enough for them, there’s other people, that it would be quite adequate for.

“We tell people applying for Susi  – we tell the families no you’re five euro over, sorry, nothing here for you, nothing for you today, you’re five euro over, and we go and we do something like this.

“It is absolutely disgusting and everybody who votes for this should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.”

 

Man gets three year sentence for scam quad bike sale

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily courts Man receives jail sentence for racial abuse

A man was sentenced to three years in jail this week for scamming someone out of €1,350 to buy a quad bike after several years where he was wanted on a bench warrant.

Patrick McDonagh (33), with an address at Lakeview, Cavan town pleaded guilty to a single count of theft by deception over the fake sale.

The offence occurred on March 11 of 2014, when McDonagh approached a man at a Texaco filling station and offered to sell him a quad bike.

Garda Patrick Kelly told the Circuit Court that this man contacted a friend, the victim in this case, who agreed to buy the quad.

After handing over €1,350 at the Business Park off the N17 outside of Tuam at approximately 5pm that evening, they arranged to collect the quad later that evening, but McDonagh failed to show up at two separate locations.

The victim contacted gardaí immediately and gave them McDonagh’s phone number and car description.

Though he had used a fake name, McDonagh was quickly identified as the suspect in this case.

It turned out that he had been detained for speeding that same evening on the way into Tuam, and gardaí were aware that he was due before Cavan District Court in May of 2014.

The victim picked McDonagh out there, and he was arrested by gardaí and interviewed at Cavan Garda Station, where he made no admission Garda Kelly said.

The other witness in this case, the person first approached by McDonagh at the filling station, also picked him out of an informal photo lineup.

The Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case be dealt with at the District Court level on a guilty plea only, which he declined. The book of evidence for a trial by indictment was served in April of 2015.

However, after failing to appear at later hearings, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest from Galway District Court, and later from the Circuit Court also.

This warrant was executed in Castlebar in March of last year, when McDonagh turned himself in, and he later pleaded guilty to a single count of theft by deception.

The money in the theft was never recovered, and the victim remains out of pocket. The victim declined to make a victim impact statement for the court.

At the sentencing hearing this week, the defence admitted that this was an “utterly dishonest” offence, but said that McDonagh had severe drug difficulties at the time.

During the time he was wanted on a bench warrant McDonagh drifted around Northern Ireland, where he spent several months in prison, and Wales.

He returned to Ireland out of a desire to put this behind him, and has been trying to get clean the defence said.

Judge McCabe said that case was aggravated by the premeditation in the offence, and the manner in which McDonagh chose to deal with it.

The judge imposed a three year prison sentence, and said there were no grounds to suspend any part of the sentence.

Planning permission sought to demolish vacant Gort building for new housing

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Planning permission sought to demolish vacant Gort building for new housing

Planning permission is being sought to replace a vacant old building in Gort with new homes and shops.

A planning application has been made to Galway County Council to demolish a vacant building on Barrack Street, Gort and replace it with a new three-storey building.

This would contain two retail units and three studio apartments on the ground floor, and five townhouses on the first and second floors.

“The existing building on the site is an old single-storey structure with a galvanised roof,” the application states.

“It is a building that does little to enhance the streetscape, it is not in character with the surrounding developments and it is of no historical interest.”

The application also states that the building to be demolished is unoccupied, and had been for some time.

“It was formerly used as a second hand furniture shop. It has been empty for several years and has been deteriorating over that time.”

The design of the three storey building which is proposed to replace it has been “modelled loosely on that of a nearby 3-storey mill building, of similar height, proportions, and character.”

The total floor space of the new building will come to 559sqm with a plot ratio of 1.01:1.

The developer says that no parking has been included in the design due to the “constricted town centre site”, and because there is no parking associated with the existing development.

An Archaeological and Architectural Heritage Report was submitted with this planning application.

The report said that while the existing building is in an “area of archaeological and historical significance in Gort,” there is no architectural or historical significance to the existing building on the site.

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on whether to grant planning permission for this development by August 24.

City Council holding pop-up consultation on Sandy Road redevelopment

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news City Council holding pop-up consultation on Sandy Road redevelopment

Galway City Council is holding a pop-up consultation downtown today on the proposed redevelopment of the Sandy Road.

Plans are in the works between the City Council and Land Development Agency to develop 21 acres of land on the Sandy Road that could deliver up to 1,000 homes in a new urban quarter.

When completed it will be the largest single urban regeneration project to take place in the city.

The objective of this project has been to deliver “affordable homes” in a “sustainable urban neighbourhood” which emphasises pedestrian and cycling links.

As part of a Design Review being undertaken by the LDA, five architects have submitted proposals for the site.

A public consultation on those different proposals is underway and will continue until the end of this month.

A pop-up consultation on the plans is being held on Shop Street today until 1pm this afternoon.

View details on the designs at: https://bit.ly/30EnWOK.

 

image credit: Galway City Council via Facebook

Approval given to use student accommodation at former Westwood Hotel for tourists

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Council rejects off-licence plans for student accommodation

An Bord Pleanála has granted approval for the student accommodation on the site of the former Westwood Hotel to take in tourists in the coming academic year.

The board gave planning permission for the demolition of the Westwood Hotel in Dangan and the construction of a 394 bed student accommodation development in its place in September 2018.

One of the conditions of that planning permission was that the development “shall only be occupied as student accommodation, in accordance with the definition of student accommodation provided under section 13(d) of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016, and shall not be used for any other purpose without a prior grant of planning permission for change of use.”

In March of this year NTM ROI Seed Capital sought approval to temporarily use this site partially for tourists and other visitors during the 2020/21 academic year period.

The developer said that the COVID-19 crisis has affected their construction schedule, which may result in the site “not being completed in time for student intake for the 2020/2021 academic year”.

The developer also said that the uncertainties caused by this crisis make it impossible to forecast student numbers for the coming year, and proposed that if the site achieved 60% occupancy by students, they would not need to make use of the changed conditions.

In making its decision, An Bord Pleanála took into consideration the “limited nature and scale” of the proposed alteration, as well as the “absence of any significant new or additional environmental concerns” arising from the change.

The period in which the student accommodation would be able to accept tourist and other visitors will only last from September 1, 2020 until May 31, 2021.

After that point, the original condition of planning permission, that the development only be used for student accommodation during the academic year, will come back into effect

Coronavirus: No deaths and 20 new cases in Ireland

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Galway hospitals see COVID cases double in recent weeks

There were no deaths related to the coronavirus reported by the Department of Health today, but 20 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed.

There have now been a total of 25,845 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Republic of Ireland.

The coronavirus pandemic has claimed a total of 1,763 lives in the state.

As of midnight on Wednesday, July 22 there were 492 confirmed cases in Galway, no change on what was reported yesterday, and still at just 1.9% of the total number of cases in the country.

Validation of data by the HPSC  has resulted in the denotification of 1 previously confirmed cases today.

“COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that is still circulating in our communities,” said Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, “It is a dangerous illness that no one wants to catch”.

“While we have reason to be positive, we now need to continue to work together towards our collective goal of resuming healthcare services, reopening our children’s schools, and protecting the most vulnerable.”

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly reported to the Dáil that the virus’ R number has now fallen to between 0.7 and 1.4, after reaching as high as 1.8 last week.

The R number is the average number of people that an infected person will pass along the virus to, and keeping it below 1 is considered a crucial measure for eliminating it in the community.

The Minister said that the best estimate for the current level in Ireland is approximately 1.1, and that health officials are expecting a second surge, though it is hoped this will be low, and geographically localised.

The Department of Health’s COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of the disease in the community.

‘Lying under Oath’ not acceptable say Galway TDs calling for perjury law

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily courts

Three Galway TDs are part of a Regional Group seeking to have a new law penalising perjury, lying under oath to be passed urgently by Dáil Éireann.

Galway TDs Seán Canney, Denis Naughten, and Noel Grealish are among a group of TDs who says that fresh legislation against lying under oath for personal gain is needed to combat rising insurance costs.

The Regional Group, which consists of nine TDs in total, have submitted a motion to be debated in Dáil Éireann to reinstate the Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018 to Committee stage next week.

“As soon as the committees are established, we ask our colleagues to pass this much needed legislation so that it can be swiftly signed into law.

“It sends a signal to all that lying under oath for personal gain is no longer acceptable,” a joint statement from the group said.

“Placing perjury on the statute books is not just about penalising those who commit perjury, it is about preventing those from doing it in the first place.”

“Tough sanctions may make someone think twice about lying and diverting the course of justice.”

“This Bill initiated by former Independent Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh received cross party support when it passed in the Seanad.”

“The Government have included it in the current Programme for Government. Now is the time to action these commitments.”

“The Regional Group members highlight the need to pass this Bill without any further delay, the financial consequences of perjury and fraudulent claims can be devastating to people’s lives and businesses. In some cases, resulting in people losing their livelihoods.”

The nine TDs involved are Cathal Berry (Kildare South); Sean Canney (Galway East); Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth); Noel Grealish (Galway West); Michael Lowry (Tipperary); Verona Murphy (Wexford); Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway); Matt Shanahan (Waterford) and Peadar Tóibín (Meath West).

Shop Galway to support local artists, designers and craftspeople

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Shop Galway to support local artists and craftspeople

Galway Daily is proud to launch Shop Galway as a new e-commerce platform for people to purchase Galway centric clothes, accessories, and art that celebrates our county, and provides a platform for local artists and craftspeople to sell their wares.

This e-commerce store is meant to make it easier for people to shop local at a time when so many artists, designers and craftspeople are still struggling to make any kind of a living event as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

All while wearing great kit that highlights some of the most well known attractions in Galway, or appreciating its finest sights with unique designs on stylish art and accessories.

The launch lineup of gear on Shop Galway includes stylish hoodies, shirts, and hats to keep warm while sporting your neighbourhood with pride, along with cosy raincoats, since this is Galway after all.

Protect your iPhone with a biodegradable phone case emblazoned with the Galway City skyline in stunning colour, or grab a sturdy and stylish tote bag for hitting the shops downtown. 

Galway and the Atlantic Coast have some of the most stunning scenery in Ireland that’s a photographer’s dream to capture on camera.

Own a little bit of that majesty for yourself with breathtaking prints of sights such as Pine Island in Connemara, the sun rising over Blackrock Diving Tower, or a once in a lifetime shot of Comet Neowise dashing across the sky over Mutton Island lighthouse.

Perfect from people who find themselves away from the west and want a little bit of home to take with them, or anyone who appreciates kickass art to hang on their walls.

At a time when “everything has gone international”, says James Dorrian, Managing Director of Galway Daily and Shop Galway, it’s a nice change to have clothes and accessories that have been designed locally, and represent Galway as a brand.

On top of that, artists, designers and other craftspeople: “who may have been relying on stalls, fairs, and other events to sell their merch can have a new place to get their products out there while things are still so badly affected by COVID-19.”

Check out the full range of clothes, accessories and more that let people know you hail from the finest county in Ireland at www.shop-galway.com.

More clothes, art and more that celebrates the artistic soul of Galway is coming to the store in the days and weeks ahead. 

Any artists, graphic designers, or craftspeople who are looking for a new way to get their creations celebrating Galway out there for people to see should get in touch info@shop-galway.com

GMIT Hotel School named one of the Top 10 hospitality institutes in the world

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news ATU Languages Competition for secondary schools returns for 2nd year

GMIT has had a strong reputation for support local industry ever since it first opened in 1972, so it’s no surprise the The Galway International Hotel School in GMIT has been named on of the Top 10 Hospitality Management Institutes in the world.

The respected global magazine Education.com placed GMIT’s hotel school fourth on its list of the ten best hospitality school in the world.

Tourism is a huge industry in Ireland, and the west coast has always been at the forefront of offering visitors to our isle a Ceád Míle Fáilte.

This has presented GMIT with a wide range of industry partners who have helped shape its courses so graduates are best equipped for the workplace, and provides them with a wide array of guest lecturers and work placements.

The school was the first Higher Education Institute in Ireland to offer a degree in Hotel Management in 1977 and since then it has grown to offer courses in Culinary Arts and Gastronomy, International Hotel Management, Heritage Studies, International Tourism Management and Event Management and Public Relations.

“The tourism industry is a global employer and a qualification from the Galway International Hotel School provides graduates with multiple opportunities,” said Cáit Noone, Head of the Galway International Hotel School.

“For some this is a stepping-stone into a leadership career, for others it is an entry route to setting up their own tourism enterprise.”

Many of their graduates go on to become employed in restaurants and hotels around Ireland and the world, she said, while others join agencies like Fáilte Ireland and IBEC to help promote tourism in Ireland.

“The school has always worked very closely with industry partners and as a result when we develop any new courses we can reach out to the Irish Hotels Federation, Chef Network, the Restaurant Association of Ireland and the Irish Hospitality Institute for input and support.

“We are very aware of how COVID-19 has negatively impacted the Tourism industry and we will work with industry partners as this dynamic industry emerges from this terrible pandemic.

“The industry will evolve and I expect new job opportunities will emerge for future graduates, plus the school is offering a series of learning opportunities for industry employees in order for them to upskill or convert existing qualifications to the new level.”

President of GMIT Dr Orla Flynn congratulated the team at the Hotel School for achieving this recognition.

“The school has always had an international focus with a global alumni network supporting strategic developments and accredited work placements.”

Plans progress for undergrounding of cables in Athenry

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Briain Kelly
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Plans progress for undergrounding of cables in Athenry

Plans are progressing to enhance Athenry town centre by moving many overhead cables underground.

Galway East TD Seán Canney says that a Part 8 planning application is being prepared for the project, and is expected to be submitted shortly.

The Independent TD said that the overhead cables are an “eyesore”, and that putting them in underground ducts will enhance the town centre appearance.

“Athenry is a very historic town full of built heritage and the overhead cables are taking from the theme of the town centre.”

The mover for these works in Athenry follows similar projects already undertaken in Dunmore, Headford and Tuam under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme.

“We need to continue to enhance our towns in order to ensure they are attractive as places to visit, work or live in”.

Calls for City Direct to resume Knocknacarra bus services

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news City Councillor calls for unlimited travel public transport ticket

Calls have been made for City Direct to resume services to Knocknacarra, due to the fact that for many it is the only access many have to the city centre.

City Direct first suspended routes 410 (Cappagh Road – Eyre Square via Salthill), 412 (Cappagh Road – Eyre Square via Westside), and 414 (Barna – Eyre Square via Lombard Steet) on March 16 as the coronavirus pandemic and restriction set in.

This was followed with the suspension of the bus company’s last route 411 (Cappagh Road – Eyre Square via Westside) a week later on March, and services have yet to resume.

“With lockdown measures easing we understand there is increased demand to resume our service,” the company said in its most recent public statement on July 1

“Unfortunately, at this time we do not have additional information on the start date. Thank you for understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

The Galway branch of the Social Democrats said this ongoing suspension of services is another sign of the “transport crisis” in Galway City, and has called for clarity for impacted workers, students, and families.

“If we want to work reducing car dependency and easing traffic congestion – we need safe, dependable, and workable alternatives for the public,” said branch Chairperson Sharon Nolan.

“Cycling infrastructure and regular public transport are key if we want to offer real alternatives for the residents of our city.”

Local residents have said that the lack of public transport available as a result of Covid-19 has a serious impact on all commuters

“For a large portion of the suburb, City Direct provided the only routes to the city centre or to Salthill,” said Knocknacarra resident Conall Maguire.

He added the relaxing of restriction in recent months means that more people are being called back to their workplaces as businesses open up.

“At this moment that would be impossible for anyone who doesn’t have access to a car and is reliant on the service provided by City Direct.”

Local resident Lauren Dolan said that the loss of this service to the wider reaches of Knocknacarra has had a huge impact on local residents who don’t have cars; “From simple trips to the supermarket to necessary travel to the city and beyond.”

“Personally I have been in the position to help some of those affected by the absence of any buses in the area with weekly shopping trips, essential health appointments, and volunteers. All of whom wouldn’t have any other way to travel to where they needed to go.”

The Social Democrats claim this situation highlights the issues that come with privatising public transport, when decisions are made based on “profitability instead of by the needs of residents of an area.”

Coronavirus: WHO special envoy to address NUIG event on COVID-19

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news COVID-19 cases more than double at UHG

A special envoy from the Director General of the World Health Organisation will address a virtual conference hosted by NUIG on the COVID-19 crisis next week.

The ‘COVID-19: A One Health Challenge’ event will discuss how human health is linked to the health of animals and the environment we share.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 is believed to have spread from bats via an intermediary host to humans.

The keynote speaker at this event will be Dr David Nabarro, Co-Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at the Imperial College London and Special Envoy of WHO Director General on COVID-19

This event will take place on Monday, July 27 from 2.30- 4pm online, and is open for anyone to take part.

“It is estimated that six out of every ten known infectious diseases in humans originate in animals, and three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in people are spread from animals,” said Prof Dearbháile Morris, Director of the Centre for One Health at NUIG.

“Therefore is it only by taking a One Health approach that we can adequately address issues such as COVID-19 and prepare for future pandemics.”

To register for this free event which will be delivered on Zoom visit https://bit.ly/2ZwdARC.

Spacious two-bedroom house in a much desired city suburb

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily property Spacious two-bedroom house in a much desired city suburb

This two-bedroom semi-detached house in Dangan offers everything needed in a home, with a spacious interior, a mature neighbourhood in a much desired suburb, and abundant amenities within easy reach.

O’Donnellan and Joyce are selling this house at 24 Dangan Heights by public auction this Friday at the Harbour Hotel in Galway City, live streaming on their website and social media channels.

This house would make an ideal family home in the suburb, or a perfect investment property, ready to move in at a moments’ notice.

The downstairs interior consists of a tiled entrance hall leading to the well lit, timber floored sitting room, complete with an elegant fireplace, with windows facing out at the mature green space across the street.

Also on the ground floor is the spacious open plan kitchen and dining area overlooking the rear garden, with modern kitchen fixtures and a tiled food preparation area for easy cleaning.

Upstairs can be found the house’s two double sized bedrooms, with built in wardrobes and large windows that fill the rooms with natural light. But if you want some shade while still letting air in, the bedroom windows are all fitted with extremely stylish wooden shutters, for a bit of old world class reminiscent of a Mediterranean villa.

Completing the first floor is a well appointed master bathroom, which is outfitted with both a bath and shower, along with heated towel racks.

Spacious two-bedroom house in a much desired city suburb

This home is in an extremely desirable position, still within easy reach of Galway City and all its amenities, but situated away from the hubbub on the outskirts. Not only that, but just a short drive in the other direction will take you to the Glenlo Abbey Golf Course and the village of Moycullen, with the much loved White Gables restaurant.   

The suburb has plenty of green space at your doorstep, with open parks and mature trees. Just a short walk away is the Corrib with its stunningly picturesque river walk, looking across at Menlo Castle.

But if you have a need for privacy, to the rear of the house is a patio and gravel rear garden, with private gate access to the side of the house, ideal for relaxing alone or entertaining guests in the summer.

Though the garden is currently done up in a low maintenance fashion, a block built shed contains lots of storage space for tools or other goods should you desire to make things a little greener.

Out front the spacious driveway provides abundant off-street parking, and families will be happy with the multiple schools, and employment opportunities at the IDA Business Park, in the area.

To see more of this home, check it out on O’Donnellan & Joyce’s website at odonnjoyce.com/residential/brochure/24-dangan-heights-newcastle-galway-city/4435635. Or look at the video below.

This property will go on sale at the next O’Donnellan & Joyce public auction taking place this Friday at the Harbour Hotel, New Docks Road in Galway City, starting from 12pm.

If you wish to attend this auction, there’s still time to register at odonnjoyce.com/register-to-bid/. As well as in person, people also have the option to bid by telephone, through the internet, or via an in person proxy.

And don’t worry about missing your lot or being left on the sidelines, as the entire auction will be live streamed on O’Donnellan & Joyce’s website and social media channels.

There are 38 properties up for grabs by interested parties, 21 of which are in Galway City and County. These include a modern city penthouse, homes in Tuam, Ballinasloe, Athenry, and more, a Gala store and Petrol Station in Renvyle, and 16 acres of agricultural land at Kilconnell.

See the full list of properties going on auction later this week at: odonnjoyce.com/auction/properties/3784.

Coronavirus: 9 deaths and 7 new COVID-19 cases

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news 25 percent drop in COVID cases in Galway hospitals

There have been 9 deaths related to COVID-19 reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team today, along with 7 new confirmed cases.

However, Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, said that eight of the deaths reported today are from April to June, and have been reported late.

The COVID-19 pandemic has now claimed a total of 1,763 lives in the Republic of Ireland, and there have been a total of 25,826 cases in the state.

In Galway, as of midnight on Tuesday, July 21 there have been a total of 492 confirmed cases across the city and county, no change from what was reported yesterday.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly told the Dáil today that the virus’ R number, the average number of people that an infected individual will pass it along to, has fallen to between 1 and 1.4 now.

This is down from last week’s rate of between 1.2 and 1.8 when there was a spike in new cases being reported.

“Two weeks ago, we expressed our concerns about worrying trends in the progression of COVID-19 in Ireland,” Ronan Glynn said.

“Collectively, people in Ireland responded to this call for action and together have broken chains of transmission.

“This is a further demonstration of the power of people working together and rising to the continued challenge of this unprecedented pandemic. What we need now is to hold firm and keep up the good work.”

The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of the disease in the community.

Prof Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said the decrease in the R number is “welcome news”, but cautioned that the virus is still with us.

“This is a long game. As we head into the weekend and beyond, we must continue to remain vigilant in order to keep this progress up.”

WATCH: Derry Girls’ Nicola Coughlan stars in new video showcasing Galway

By
Michael Malone
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galway daily tourism visit galway holiday nicola coughlan derry girls

Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan has featured in a short film created by Tourism Ireland to promote and celebrate Ireland’s theatre culture.

The award-winning Galway actress features in the second of three Tourism Ireland films, sharing insights into a piece she performed called Your Hands, written by John O’Donovan.

Nicola also speaks about her Galway roots and the film features beautiful scenery and some of the city’s most iconic locations such as Eyre Square and the Spanish Arch.

In the film, Nicola Coughlan praises Galway, saying: “People know me as a Derry Girl, but in reality, I’m a Galway girl.

“I think Galway is great craic and I think it’s an incredibly artistic city too – it’s so colourful and so rich.”

She also praises Derry, saying that it is “such a friendly city, it’s really vibrant, it’s about the people there. It’s such a wonderful place to go and to visit.”

Fellow Derry Girls star, Siobhán McSweeney also features in one of the videos, as well as author, activist and teacher Sinéad Burke.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said that Tourism Ireland was delighted to work with the Abbey Theatre and Nicola Coughlan to create this wonderful short film.

“It allows us to keep the beauty of Ireland to the fore and to showcase our authentic home-grown talent around the world,” he said.

“While we may not be able to travel just now, this film will inspire people for their future visit – reminding viewers, including our ‘culturally curious’ audience, of our wonderful theatre culture, our stunning scenery and the sense of pride that makes Ireland such a special place to visit.” 

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