Driving licences due to expire to remain valid for another 4 months

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April 18, 2020

Galway Daily news new type of wipe can fight viruses

The first shipments of a new type of decontamination wipe developed in Galway that could help fight the spread of coronavirus have been delivered to frontline services in Ireland.

Aqulia Bioscience, a startup company based at NUIG, has created a type of wipe that can decontaminate surfaces, removing pathogens such as viruses, without using any chemical agents.

The AntiBioAgent Decontamination Wipes (ABDs) work by infusing the wipes with specific components that causes viruses to stick, and bind, to them.

This week Aquila has started the delivery of their new product to frontline services in Ireland including the Defence Forces, the HSE and An Post.

Professor Lokesh Joshi, the founder of Aquila Bioscience and Vice-President for Research and Innovation at NUI Galway said their product was the result of pioneering work with the Defence Forces in countering biological pathogens.

“The hope is by now putting these in the hands of frontline workers, it will allow them to more effectively protect themselves and the people they’re helping in the fight against coronavirus.”

Combating viruses

The development of this technology was funded by the European Defence Agency and was conducted in collaboration with the Irish Defence Forces and the Czech University of Defence.

The goal was to create a wipe or mask that could successfully decontaminate multiple different biological threats, including viruses.

Because they do not rely on chemical agents that are harmful to skin, they can also be used on sensitive areas such as eyes, nose and mouth without fear.

Prof Joeshi has described the wipes as being like “living velcro” operating at a nanoscale.

Comdt Sharon McManus from the Defence Forces said that these wipes show the value of long term investment in innovation to combat new threats.

“The personal protection of our key asset, our people, is of the utmost importance to the Defence Forces.”

“The Defence forces have now procured a large quantity of these ABDs and these will be distributed to our troops both at home and overseas for ongoing force protection as well as during the Covid-19 crisis.”

While there is significant demand for ABDs from other international armed forces and healthcare providers, Aquila is currently focused on supplying public service agencies in Ireland.

Prof Joshi added: “As we ramp up our production over the coming weeks we’ll be better able to supply some of the international agencies currently seeking our help in the struggle in their countries, and make this new technology part of the global fight against COVID-19.”

Social distancing prompts closure of beach parking and Lough Rusheen park

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April 18, 2020

Galway Daily news Social distancing prompts closure of beach parking and Lough Rusheen park

Galway City Council has added to the number of public amenities that have been closed in order to comply with social distancing guidelines.

The City Council has this weekend closed Lough Rusheen Park, as well as all parking spaces at Ballyloughane Beach, for social distancing purposes.

This comes not long after the council closed off all parking along the Promenade in Salthill.

Blackrock diving area and the walkway to the rear of the golf course were also closed after gardaí expressed concern about difficulties with social distancing.

Salthill Park is also closed, and fencing has been erected at all entrances to discourage people from entering.

“Please do not drive to these popular amenities around the city, over the weekend,” the city council said on facebook.

Stringent restrictions on public movement are in place during the Covid-19 crisis, with people only supposed to leave their homes for limited reasons.

These include essential journeys such as buying food, collecting medication, or to care for a person who cannot leave their home, as well as taking exercise within 2km of where you live.

Oranmore Arts Festival moves online

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April 18, 2020

Galway Daily arts & culture Call to local writers for the Over the Edge Fiction Slam

Galway is famed for its incredible community of artists from every field imaginable, all of whom are trying to find new ways of keeping the arts alive during our current crisis.

The Oranmore Arts Festival is one of the younger additions to the busy arts scene in Galway, having been founded just three years ago.

The organisers of this year’s festival were just a few weeks away from announcing the programme of events for 2020 when the full impact of the global coronavirus pandemic, and the restriction that have been put in place to fight it, hit home.

But rather than abandon this year’s events altogether, with the schedule set for May 7 -10, the festival’s organisers decided to move the programme online.

This way people who are stuck at home themselves will still get to experience some of the arts and food crafts of the festivals online.

Over the planned festival weekend, audiences can expect to see an Open Mic, sponsored by Brazco Coffee Company, with entrants of all ages given the chance to submit a recording of a song for a chance to win a hamper filled with items sourced from local businesses.

Another big highlight will be the Literary event featuring Nuala O’ Connor, Gerard O’ Brien, Paul Mc Mahon, Michelle Coyne and Demi Anter.

These writers, who were due to read at our Literary Lunch event in Oranmore Castle over the weekend, will be reading online from a selection of their recent works loosely based around the central Galway 2020 theme of Language, Landscape and Migration.

Little ones will enjoy listening to a story from the wonderful Suzanne Reilly of Babbling Bookclub with instructions for a craft tied to the narrative led by Lindsay Deely of Toodlelou.

Families who might be stressed from weeks cooped up together can enjoy the live yoga session by local yoga teacher Suzanne Clarke, a chance to stretch the body and mind.

Oranmore Community Garden has been busy establishing their new polytunnel, and already have a fine selection of produce growing.

Local businesswoman Cepta Mahon of Cookalicious will select ingredients from this garden and share a live cooking demonstration from her own kitchen.

Also featured will be local Flamenco dance artist Yolanda del Monte giving a performance and teaching the audience a few steps.

There will additional participation from various artists over the weekend and a call to locals to get involved whatever way they can from the safety of their homes.

The majority of this content will be provided via the Oranmore Arts Festival Facebook page www.facebook.com/oranmoreartsfestival/.

Coronavirus: 5 more deaths in the West, State records additional 709 cases

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April 17, 2020

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

Forty-four people have died after being diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Republic, bringing the total number of deaths here to 530.

An additional 709 cases were reported today, which consist of 597 new confirmed cases and 112 test results from Germany.

In Galway, the number of confirmed cases now stands at 266, as of midnight on Wednesday.

Of today’s deaths, five were in the west, three in the north-west and south, and 33 in the east of the country.

The median age was 84 and 25 of those who died had underlying medical conditions.

Coronavirus: City Council launches interactive map of local supports

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April 17, 2020

www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVID19GalwayCitySupportsServices

Galway Daily news Coronavirus: City Council launches interactive map of local supports

As part of the work of the Community Response Forum coordinating local groups’ efforts in the coronavirus pandemic, the city council has created an interactive map of services available in the city.

The interactive map provides information on the many different supports available from the 67 voluntary groups in Galway City alone who are helping the most vulnerable to the coronavirus in our society.

The different supports that are listed on it include help with the collection of shopping, medications and fuel, social isolation supports from local and national organisations.

Information can also be found about meals and their delivery to people and families made vulnerable by the COVID-19 crisis.

The Community Response Forum was created in response to the government’s Community Call to local authorities and the many groups that they work with.

The City Council leads the Forum, coordinating the efforts and services of different community and voluntary groups, as well as helping facilitate communications with state agencies like the HSE and An Garda Síochána.

The map was jointly developed by the city council and the Galway City Community Network.

The map is now publicly available and can be used as a useful information resource both for individuals made vulnerable by COVID-19 and by organisations or agencies that need to know where they may refer their clients to for support.

To view the map, click on this link: galwaycity.ie/GalwayCityCommunityDashboard.

A mobile friendly version of the map van also be found at this link here.

The interactive map will be updated in due course, if required. Should there be any changes required, please contact info@galwaycitycommunitynetwork.ie or complete the brief form in the link below:

Half of Irish workers feel pressure to work outside of office hours

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April 17, 2020

The pressure to work outside of office hours and check emails at home is something that almost half of Irish workers struggle with.

That’s according to the latest Taxpayer Sentiment Survey 2020 which was conducted by taxback.com just before the COVID-19 crisis hit the country.

The survey looked at the attitudes of Irish people towards work related issues such as work/life balance, worker satisfaction and workplace priorities and asked over 2,500 people in the website’s customer database for their views.

Results of the survey

	Total %	Male %	Female %
Do you feel pressure to work outside of your set working hours?
Nope – I leave work at the front door!	53	53	54
Yes, I go in early and/or stay late	25	24	26
Yes, I work early/ late and check emails outside of normal office hours	14	14	13
Yes, I check emails when I’m not at work	8	9	7
	100	100	100

Speaking on some of the primary findings on attitudes to pressures in the workplace, Joanna Murphy, CEO of taxback.com said: “It seems workers are split in terms of the expectation placed upon them, either by employers, or by themselves, to work out of hours.

“The survey found that 53% of people feel they can leave work at the front door, while 47% work or check emails outside of office hours.

“In light of our current situation, I think it’s an interesting insight into what people might be going through now while working from home.

“The 47% of people who normally find it difficult to switch off from work could be finding themselves in an even more difficult predicament now that the work is at home with them.”

ESRI research into job stress and working conditions in 2018 found that job stress in Ireland more than doubled between 2010 and 2015.

It found that just 8% of workers experienced job stress in the same survey conducted in 2010, compared to 17% in the most recent survey in 2015.

The strongest predictors of job stress were found to be the emotional demands of dealing with angry clients and customers, as well as being under time pressure, bullying and poor treatment, and being under-rewarded in relation to work effort.

People turning to online news and language courses during COVID-19 crisis

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April 17, 2020

galway daily languaage courses galway covid-19 coronavirus online learning ebooks

The number of people reading online newspapaers and signing up for language courses in Ireland has soared during the COVID-19 crisis.

Between the first week in March and the first week in April, online newspapers saw a 246% increase in usage, while the number of people taking e-learning courses jumped by 467%.

There was also a rise of 227% in language courses being taken.

Minister for Rural & Community Development Michael Ring urged members of the public to avail of the excellent content and services offered by the online public library service during the crisis.

Minister Ring also highlighted the significant increase in users of the online library service since this emergency began.

New library memberships has nearly doubled during the COVID-19 crisis compared to the same period last year.

Over 30,000 new members joined the library in March 2020 compared to just over 17,000 in March 2019.

Minister Ring said: “This increase in usage of our online library services shows the benefits that people are getting from our libraries during this crisis.

“While the doors of our public libraries are temporarily closed, it’s great to see that people are availing of the vast array of reading and educational material online.

“During this challenging period, the online library service provides excellent ways to entertain and educate children as well as opportunities for adults to learn a language or skill or enhance their wellbeing.

“I am really heartened by the increase in membership and usage of our online libraries and I urge more people to sign up and avail of the wonderful content and services available.

“This is your library service, it is completely free and there is so much to be gained from it.”

If you are not a member already you can become an online library member by completing the online registration at www.librariesireland.ie/join-your-library

Aran Islands lifeboat carries out two medical evacuations in 24 hours

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April 17, 2020

Galway Daily news Multi-agency search operation after distress beacon detected off Galway coast — Aran Islands RNLI all-weather lifeboat

Though current circumstances mean there are far fewer people on the water than in a regular sunny April, that doesn’t mean the Aran Islands RNLI crew have been sitting on their hands.

The Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat was called out to two medical evacuations with the space of 24 hours this week on

On Tuesday April 14, an elderly man on Inis Mór, where the Aran Islands station is located, was in need of medical attention, and transport to get to it.

He was taken aboard, and under the supervision of the volunteer crew members, was transferred to Rossaveal and on to the waiting Ambulance.

The following day the a young child on the neighbouring island of Inis Oirr also required further medical attention and transport to care.

Unlike many times when the Aran Islands lifeboat has been called out, on this occasion the crew benefited from good weather we’ve been enjoying lately.

Weather conditions at the time of launching were good, with calm seas and a light wind.

Speaking after the call out John O’Donnell said “In these uncertain times we find ourselves in, our volunteer crew members are on call 24/7 , ready and willing to answer any call out.

He added that, “Ensuring the crews safety and the patients taken aboard is our number one priority,” and wished both patients a speedy recovery.

The RNLI and Irish Coast Guard have both asked people not to take part in water based activities when exercising for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis.

They emphasised that while rescue services, whether by helicopter or lifeboat, are still operating, any callout has the potential expose rescue workers to the coronavirus, further stretching those services.

Exercise is one of the few reasons why people should leave their home during the nationwide lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus, but people are only supposed to do so within two kilometres of their home.

image credit: RNLI

JCI Galway hop to hospitals to deliver Easter eggs

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April 17, 2020

Galway Daily life style JCI Galway hop to hospitals to deliver Easter eggs

While this Easter was far from normal, that didn’t stop the Galway branch of the Junior Chamber International from bringing a bit of chocolatey cheer to people on the front lines.

JCI Galway President Colleen Baxter delivered 300 donated Easter Eggs to medical workers at UHG, Bon Secours Hospital, and Galway Hospice during this year’s holiday.

The eggs were donated by various JCI branches around Ireland and the Harbour Hotel and Glenlo Abbey Hotel here in Galway.

Colleen said “One of the key pillars in JCI is working with the community and we wanted to thank the hard-working healthcare staff who are keeping us safe during these times.

“I was blown away by the donations we got from the JCI branches across the country and of course the Harbour Hotel and Glenlo Abbey Hotel. ”

Junior Chamber International is a global network for young professionals and entrepreneurs in their 20’s and 30’s which fosters leadership, networking, and social engagement projects.

The JCI Ireland branches have also launched their #CommunitySuperStars project where they are calling on the local community to nominate the people that are making a difference to their life during the pandemic, such as shop workers, neighbors, and farmers.

To nominate you only need to post a video, picture or text on social media tagging your
local JCI branch and #CommunitySuperStars.

image credit: JCI Galway/Facebook

Council okays new gym, medical centre, and apartments in Athenry

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April 17, 2020

Galway daily news Knocknacarra social housing

Galway County Council has given the go ahead for a mixed use development in Athenry which includes a new gym, medical centre, and apartments.

Censeo Consulting has been granted planning permission to convert two buildings on North Gate Street Athenry into new commercial units and apartments, as well as a gym and medical centre.

One of the buildings, which is currently a guesthouse, will be renovated to consist of four commercial units at the ground floor level, with three apartments at the first floor.

Other work to be done on this building includes the removal of lean-to roof to make room for balconies on the apartments.

The other building is a former pub, restaurant, and basement nightclub at the east end of the site.

The developer intends to demolish the glazed basement entrance at the north end of the building and convert the nightclub into a gym.

A new medical centre will go in what is currently a ground floor lounge bar in the building.

Another lean-to structure attached to this building will also be demolished, as will an existing single storey structure connecting the two buildings.

A design statement submitted with the application said the layout “has been carefully considered, improving the built environment while maintaining a sensitive approach to the context”.

It also stated that the design of this scheme was chosen to “reuse the existing built environment insofar as possible”, preserving the traditional town streetscape.

No objections were made to the council related to this project, and just one submission was received from the Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht.

It noted that the development is within a zone of archaeological potential in the historic town of Athenry, and that given the extent of this development it could “impact on subsurface archaeological remains”.

The department said that all ground works in this project should be monitored by a suitably qualified archaeologist.

Planning permission was granted by the county council with a total of 16 conditions attached.

Gardaí investigating attack on Chinese restaurant on Quay Street

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April 17, 2020

Gardaí are investigating a possibly racially motivated attack on a Chinese restaurant in Galway City Centre which has drawn widespread condemnation.

Videos which appear to show an attack on the Chinese restaurant have been widely circulated on social media including WhatsApp and Reddit.

Gardaí said that they are investigating a criminal damage incident that occurred on Quay Street at approximately 5:45pm on Thursday.

During the incident a male in his 40s was injured and was taken to University Hospital Galway with non-life threatening injuries.

Gardaí have identified all of the people involved in the incident, and a spokesperson said that a definite line of inquiry is being followed.

No arrests have yet been made and investigations are ongoing.

Mayor of Galway City Mike Cubbard said that he was “disgusted that anyone believes there is room for racism in this city” after seeing the video.

He said that the people involved should face a charges for criminal damage, assault, a “racially motivated charge”, and should also be charged with breaching the lockdown regulations in place during this public health crisis.

Newly elected TD for Galway West Mairead Farrell tweeted yesterday that “racism has no place in our society” after “disturbing” report of the attack on the Chinese restaurant.

Disturbing reports about a racist incident in Galway City towards Chinese businesses, racism has no place in our society.

— Mairéad Farrell TD (@Farrell_Mairead) April 16, 2020

City Council Owen Hanley also said that it was disturbing to see video of the incident, and expressed his solidarity with the workers affected.

Disturbing to see videos of what looks like a racially motivated assault on a Chinese business in Galway. Racism is completely unacceptable. Solidarity with the workers affected.

In unrelated news Xian street food are still doing deliveries and have the best spice bag in Ireland

— Cllr. Owen Hanley (@OwenHanleyLives) April 16, 2020

Libraries see massive surge in eBook borrowing

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April 17, 2020

Galway Daily news Another €200,000 invested in eBooks and eAudiobooks for libraries

The number of people making use of Irish libraries online services for eBooks and eAudiobooks has quadrupled in the last month.

Galway East TD and Minister of State at the Department of Rural an Community Development Sean Canney said there has been a massive upsurge in people borrowing eBooks and eAudiobooks since the physical closure of libraries.

Last month his department allocated €200,000 for libraries to purchase an additional 5,000 eBooks and eAudiobooks.

This was to give people an even greater selection of literature and other books they could access from their homes while in lockdown.

Public library buildings across Galway and Ireland are among the many services closed to the public as part of restrictions put in place to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The number of users registering to use the Borrowbox service, which handles eBooks services in Ireland’s libraries, jumped to almost 18,000 people last month.

That’s four times more people than were making use of it before the country started locking down for the coronavirus crisis according to the Independent TD.

The number of monthly loans also doubled to 120,000 between January and March of this year he added.

“Staff in Galway ‘s county libraries are answering phones and emails so I would encourage people to contact them if they have any questions about using Borrowbox.

“It is proving to be a great and popular service,” Sean Canney said.

Coronavirus: County Council helpline has received over 260 calls for assistance

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April 17, 2020

galway daily news Galway GAA legends 'on call' for people cocooning

The County Council’s freephone helpline for vulnerable people seeking local supports during the Covid-19 crisis has received over 260 calls for assistance.

The dedicated community support helpline launched on March 31 to help people who are considered at risk for Covid-19, such as the elderly and those with underlying condition, to access non-medical and non-emergency supports during this health crisis.

The freephone helpline is one of the cornerstones of the council’s newly established Community Response Forum, which coordinates the efforts of local community and voluntary groups.

It also provides a forum for such community groups to share information and harmonise their efforts with state bodies such as the HSE and An Garda Síochana.

Chief Executive of Galway County Council, Mr. Kevin Kelly says that there has been a major response from all corners, including community groups and sporting organisations, to help out during the Covid-19 crisis.

He added that in the past few weeks council staff have seen an amazing local response to this crisis demonstrating a “strong sense of care and neighbourly attitude” in Galway.

“All the representatives on the Galway County Community Response Forum have been outstanding in supplying practical clear information,” he added.

These groups have been providing both information and direct support to those in need, he said, especially for people who have to self-isolate.

“At this time, collaboration and partnership between the community and voluntary sector and the State is crucial.”

“Our Local Development Agencies, PPN Membership and Community Groups area making a real difference in helping individuals at this unprecedented time.”

Mr. Alan Farrell, Acting Director of Services with the county council, said “the focus is providing practical assistance with the collection and delivery of groceries, collection of fuel, needed prescriptions and setting up the provision of hot meals if necessary”.

Partnerships have also been put in place with the Order of Malta and other groups to provide transport to hospital appointments.

Approximately 40% of calls in early April were related to the delivery or collection of groceries, and 10% were about non-emergency medical issues such as collecting prescriptions

The Freephone number 1800-92 88 94 can be contacted Monday to Sunday, seven days a week between 9am and 6pm.

People in need, mainly those who are cocooning or otherwise require additional assistance, can speak to a council staff member who will identify their specific needs and connect them with groups in their area who can help meet them.

“While no personal details are shared, we do look at the number and type of calls daily and this is added up nationally,” Alan Farrell said.

These have shown that Galway county has similar level and type of calls to other large rural areas with a spread of large towns, such as Kerry, Donegal and Mayo.

He further advised people to share their EIRCODE if it’s known, “as the Service can use this to pinpoint a more exact location.

However, it is not necessary, and people should still call if they need help. Or they can email covidsupport@galwaycoco.ie.

Coronavirus: Galway cases increase as state sees 43 more deaths

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April 16, 2020

The number of people in Galway who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 has increased by 23.

There are now 260 cases in the county, as of midnight on Tuesday.

Forty-three more people have died in the Republic after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

This brings the number of deaths related to COVID-19 in the state to 486.

There have been 724 new confirmed cases of the disease, bringing the total number of cases to 13,271.

Of these, 629 are new cases and 95 are from older test results from Germany.

The people who died in the past day were mainly in the east while there were four deaths in the west and five the south of the country.

Twenty-two were males and 21 were females and the median age of today’sreported deaths is 84.

More to follow…

Plans submitted for block of apartments in Rahoon

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April 16, 2020

Galway Daily news Planning appeal over 91 houses & apartments in Athenry

Plans have been submitted to the city council for the construction of a new block of apartments in Rahoon.

Dragamara Limited is seeking planning permission build a four story block of apartments at an infill site on Bóthar Stiofáin, Rahoon.

The development will consist of 18 apartments divided among 4 one-bed units, and 14 two-bed units.

Before any construction work begins the developer intends to demolish existing basement structures on the site and associated infilling.

The new housing building will be served by 22 car parking spaces and “secure bicycle parking spaces” according to the plans submitted to the council.

An existing vehicular entrance to the site on Bóthar Stiofáin would also be closed off as part of the development, and a new entrance and drop-off point built at Cloch Ard, Bóthar Stiofáin.

The city council is due to make a decision on this planning application by Dragamara by May 21

Ground & Co café in Salthill to trial Brunch collection service

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April 16, 2020

Galway Daily life & style Ground & Co café in Salthill to trial Brunch collection service

The reality of our ongoing lockdown has been a great challenge for small food businesses, but with the support of the local community who still appreciate a taste of their favourite eateries, many are finding ways to adjust.

Ground & Co café and coffee shop in Salthill is testing new ways to keep up their connection with their customers with a call and collect Brunch service starting this weekend.

This Sunday Ground & Co will be offering a collection brunch service with menu favourites including the Ground fry, A veggie fry with flat capped mushrooms, Halloumi, wilted spinach and sweetcorn fritters with eggs your way.

Also available are the breakfast bun with pudding, sausages, lightly fried egg, rashers on a brioche bun, and Leroys Sausage roll with homemade relish. There will be no coffee or hot drinks offering.

“We have been inundated with requests for food from our Salthill Café, so this Sunday we are trailing how this can possibly become a regular whilst we are all dealing with the reality of what is happening.

“This is new territory for us all, so we want to walk before we can run. Safety of our staff and our customers is our main concern,” explained Kevin Nugent MD of Tribe Hospitality Group.

The Brunch collection service will operate by pre-order only, and orders can be made by calling on Saturday between 9am and 12pm on (091) 527 846 or by emailing niamh@groundandco.ie.

People can collect their orders between 10am and 2pm on Sunday, April 19.

The four item brunch menu consists of:

Ground Fry €10.90
Veggie Fry €10.90
Breakfast Bun €9.50
LEROYS sausage roll €4.50

Local charity receives support from across the world through COVID-19 crisis

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April 16, 2020

Under normal circumstances, Hand in Hand provides a tailored package of practical and emotional support services to familsies across the country through their childhood cancer journey.

The services offered include domestic cleaning, laundry, childcare, meals, play therapy and counselling.

During the current crisis, the Charity is doing everything possible to support these families from a distance.

Hand in Hand has increased its offering to include supermarket vouchers and ramping up emotional support services such as online counselling and support from its in-house play therapist which can be provided remotely.

As fundraising efforts have been curtailed across the Charity sector, Hand in Hand is seeing a new creative wave of support to help them through these trying times.

“Necessity is the mother of invention,” said Paula Carroll, Director at Hand in Hand. “This is a difficult time for everyone, especially those in our industry. Not only are incomes down, but the people we support need our help more than ever.

“Our supporters have always surprised us with their creative fundraising efforts, but the efforts during this period are especially heart-warming. We cannot thank everyone involved enough.”

A team of students from UCD has created a virtual challenge through social media, to help increase awareness of the charities work and raise vital funds.

The challenge involves decorating a tracing of your hand and displaying it in your window to spread joy.

Details of the challenge can be found on the Charity’s Facebook page and on its Instagram page.

One of the students working on the project, Jennifer McCarthy explained: “Charities are working hard during the current Covid-19 situation and it is so important to support Hand in Hand as their fundraising efforts have been affected.

“This virtual campaign is a great way to entertain children and families across Ireland while helping Hand in Hand continue providing supports to families experiencing childhood cancer.”

The Teeny Tiny Boutique, a Galway-based woman-owned business specialising in handmade accessories for children and adults, is donating 100% of their sales in April to Hand in Hand.

Jennifer Carpenter, Service Manager at Hand in Hand said: “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of this support, The owner of the Teeny Tiny Boutique already supports us with an annual Christmas Craft Fair in Oranmore every year.

“To donate all their sales for a month during such a difficult time is beyond thoughtful.”

The Charity have also received international support from an Irish national and songwriter in Australia.

Mike Bowen originally from Cork, has written and produced a song called Rainbows sung by a young Australian girl Chelsea Celeste-Tanti, to raise much needed funds for the Charity.

Mike Bowen has donated the song exclusively to Hand in Hand, to purchase the song please contact the Charity directly.

For information about any of these campaigns or how you can help Hand in Hand continue to provide vital support to families around the country, please contact Laura Bromley Fundraising and Development at laura@handinhand.ie or 087 329 5395.

Local woman to run half marathon with 5-year-old triplets in bicycle trailer

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April 16, 2020

A local woman is planning to run a half marathon next Saturday while pushing a bicycle trailer with her 5-year-old triplets, all for a very worthy cause.

Lynne O Loughlin is raising funds to provide nursing homes with tablets, headsets and covers which can be can be disinfected, so that people can stay in contact with their loved ones during this crisis.

She will run the half marathon on a patch near her house in Salthill, doing laps in a circle all within a 2km radius of her house.

The products will be bought locally to support local businesses and made available to any nursing homes in Galway that require them.

Lynne has set up a GoFundMe page, which has so far raised nearly 3,000 euro of her 10,000 euro goal.

On her fundraising page, Lynne said: “Being there for our loved ones in their time of need is something we have taken for granted but in these extraordinary times and after over a month of restricted visiting to nursing homes across the country, keeping in touch with members of our community in our nursing homes is a challenge for families and staff.

“We have all embraced new methods of communication in recent times, whether its working from home, having meetings on zoom or calling our friends on skype and facetime.

“Without access to smartphones or tablets our social circles would be a lot smaller.”

Photos and video footage will be posted following the run.

People can donate by clicking HERE.

Kilconieron GAA Club to receive €36,000 for new walkway

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April 16, 2020