Thousands of jobs going as Debenhams closing Irish business

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April 9, 2020

Galway Daily news Canney praises work of Public Participation Network amid pandemic

A Galway TD has praised the work being done by Public Participation Networks in Galway and around Ireland during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Galway East TD Sean Canney said that Public Participation Networks are providing an “outstanding service” as a co-ordination point for local services such as community groups and sports organisations.

The Public Participation Network was created to help improve local government, by letting individuals and groups have their voices heard on issues that concern them.

It serves as both a representative of community and voluntary groups, and the mechanism through which the local authority can engage with the community sector.

The PPN also facilitates groups nominating members to local authority policy making boards and committees including the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), the Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs). The Sports Partnership, Joint Policing Committee etc.

“Our own local network, Galway County PPN, coordinates with scores of community groups and sporting bodies all over the county,” Sean Canney said.

“The PPNs have developed significantly in the six years since they were first set up to provide invaluable support for local communities.”

The three main community group areas the Independent TD highlights are voluntary groups working in our communities, like sports clubs, cultural societies, Meals on Wheels or Tidy Towns.

Local organisations formed to protect the environment, such as An Taisce and Birdwatch Ireland.

And groups representing people who are socially excluded and whose voices need to be heard such as people with disabilities, migrants or travellers.

The current crisis has made the importance of their role in the community “acutely evident” Canney said.

Government announces major expansion of supports for businesses

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April 9, 2020

A major expansion of supports for businesses impacted by COVID-19 has been announced.

Minister Heather Humphreys announced that a package worth €1 billion in liquidity measures will be made available to businesses to meet the difficulties posed by the current emergency.

An additional €450m of lending will be provided through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland for SMEs in all sectors, including agri-food.

This will provide liquidity for firms and brings the total SBCI COVID-19 lending capacity to €650 million, with loans being made available through the pillar banks.

Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon welcomed the announcement by his colleague today.

“These measures are in addition to the €150m of funding capacity in the Government’s Credit Guarantee Scheme, which I would encourage businesses in Galway to avail of,” he said.

In the manufacturing and international services sectors, which employ over 460,000 people, a new Sustaining Enterprise Fund of up to €180m has also been announced.

This is aimed at all firms with 10 or more employees impacted by COVID-19.

The fund will be operated by Enterprise Ireland, providing repayable advances of up to €800,000 as agreed with the EU under new State Aid rules and should see up to €500m of additional investment in vulnerable but viable firms.

These grants will only be repayable if and when a business returns to financial good health.

Minister Cannon added: “With regard to small businesses with under 10 employees, an additional €30 million will be made available through the Local Enterprise Offices.

“Microfinance Ireland, which is administering special COVID-19 Loans, will receive an additional €13 million in capital support bringing its total lending capacity up to €20 million for the coming period.

“Minister Humphreys has also increased support for two trading online initiatives to a total of €7.6 million – the first for small businesses in partnership with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, and the second for retailers with over 10 employees.

“These supports will help businesses sell their products online at a time when so many retail outlets remain closed and require a much needed boost in revenue”, Minister Cannon concluded.

Apache’s new pizza has the most unlikely toppings

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April 9, 2020

Easter is associated with many things: Jesus’ ressurection, bunnies, eggs, family dinners and, of course, chocolate.

With the latter in mind, Apache Pizza has stepped up to the (dessert) plate to create a brand-new treat for the holiday.

The dessert, made with Apache’s signature pizza dough, is covered in melted chocolate and toffee sauce and topped with crunchy chocolate cookie crumbs.

Available for delivery at Just Eat for a limited time, the square cut slice of chocolate pizza-dessert is available from Apache restaurants in Galway, with contact-free payment and delivery enabling customers to stay safe while adhering to HSE guidelines on social distancing and isolation.

But if chocolate pizza isn’t your bag, Just Eat recently annonced the new restaurants which are now offering delivery services in Galway.

COVID-19 symptom tracker website launched by NUIG

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April 9, 2020

A new website aimed at gathering information about the symptoms associated with COVID-19 has been launched.

Mycovidsymptoms.ie will be used to quickly and easily track the spread of COVID-19 in Ireland by gathering anonymous symptom data.

NUI Galway collaborated with the University of Limerick and Orreco on the new website, which will allow researchers to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 infections more accurately.

It will also help authorities make timely, data-driven decisions about protective measures.

It is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of disease but rather a collection of clinical symptoms in the context of COVID19.

All data captured is anonymous and there is no way for it to be connected back to an individual.

The aggregate anonymous data will be provided to the Irish health authorities to help with their planning and will be used in research by NUI Galway and University of Limerick to help prevent and mitigate future pandemics.

Professor Derek O’Keeffe, Consultant Physician University Hospital Galway and Professor of Medical Device Technology at NUI Galway is leading the research.

NUI Galway’s Professor Derek O’Keeffe said: “To defeat your enemy you must know where it is and the data from MyCovidSymptoms.ie and COVID19 testing allows us to do this.

“Clinically it is important to know where COVID19 is in the community, so that we can plan accordingly and learn more about the disease.

“Globally other leading academic institutions, such as Harvard University, USA and Kings College London, have also seen the importance of this kind of research and developed country specific solutions.

“We expect that the Irish knowledge that we learn from this will help us all fight COVID19 both now and in the future.”

Professor O’Keeffe developed the innovative software solution with INSIGHT SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics (Dr Andrew Simpkin, Marc Mellotte, Carlos Tighe) and collaborators Dr Kevin Johnson, University of Limerick and Gearóid Hynes, Conor Maguire and Kevin McGinley of Orreco, with graphic design by Eamon Whyte.

Coronavirus: Fresh navy ship docks in Galway to help in crisis

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April 9, 2020

Galway Daily news Coronavirus: Fresh navy ship docks in Galway to help in crisis

The Irish Navy is keeping up its presence in Galway to help in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, with the LÉ William Butler Yeats being replaced by the James Joyce.

The William Butler Yeats arrived in Galway on St. Patrick’s Day to help the HSE increase its capacity for coronavirus testing in the region.

A Covid-19 test centre was established at the Port of Galway by the ship’s crew, with tents erected down by the waterfront to facilitate the test centre.

On Wednesday, the William Butler Yeats departed Galway, handing over its duties to the LÉ James Joyce, which is taking over at the test centre with the HSE.

Having arrived on St Patrick’s day, LÉ William Butler #Yeats departed #Galway earlier today. #P63’s crew & @dfreserve (#NSR) had a busy few weeks helping @HSELive establish & run a #COVID19 test centre. A handover was completed with LÉ #JamesJoyce #P62. #WeAreAllInThisTogether 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/nGcx149RRX

— Irish Naval Service (@naval_service) April 8, 2020

The William Butler Yeats and James Joyce are two of the newest class of patrol vessels build for the Irish Naval Service in the past five years.

The Samuel Beckett the first to roll off the line in 2014, followed by the LÉ James Joyce in 2015, the LÉ William Butler Yeats in 2016, and LÉ George Bernard Shaw last year.

The modernised, Roisín Class ships are often called the playwright sisters because of their names.

The naval service is helping the health service with the national response to the coronavirus pandemic in three of Ireland’s biggest urban centres.

Outside of Galway, the LÉ Eithne is currently docked in Cork, while the LÉ Niamh is helping with the response in Dublin.

The crew of the William Butler Yeats kept on their toes during this time in the Port of Galway by continuing to carry out routine patrols while the main warship was tied up.

Last Saturday saw two saw two RHIB boats deployed to patrol Galway Bay as part of the naval service’s ongoing operations.

Continuing training & framework operations, last Saturday LÉ William Butler Yeats deployed 2 RHIBs to patrol Galway Bay as part Maritime #Defence & #Security Operations. #P63 is currently alongside @portofgalway assisting @HSELive to fight #COVID19. #WeAreAllInThisTogether 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/lyHEbUi8h4

— Irish Naval Service (@naval_service) April 7, 2020

Outside of our current crisis, the main role of the naval service consists of patrolling Irish waters for smugglers and illegal fishing.

Ireland has also taken part in humanitarian missions rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mayor’s Awards pushed back to the end of June

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April 9, 2020

Galway Daily news Mayor's Awards celebrating community spirit next week

The annual Galway City Mayor’s Awards will not be going ahead this month due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it’s hoped they will take place this summer.

The Mayor’s Awards, which were to take place on April 21, have become the “latest casualty” among the public events cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis Mayor Mike Cubbard said on Wednesday.

“Many thanks to everyone who nominated a person or organisation in what is a highlight of the year to recognise the importance and work done by volunteers throughout the city.

“I am determined to reschedule the event however to a date before my term of office ends in June.”

“We are looking at alternatives such as online streaming etc. and will be in direct contact with nominees and those who nominated them.”

“Apologies to those who were looking forward to the event but public safety is paramount,” Mike Cubbard concluded.

The Mayor’s Awards acknowledge outstanding people and organisations that, through their commitment to participating in unpaid community and voluntary activities, have had a significant impact on the quality of life of their communities in Galway City.

Awards are given to groups and individuals in nine different categories:

Arts, Culture, Heritage & Cúrsaí Gaeilge Award
Residents & Local Areas Award
Community Service & Social Inclusion Award
Older Person Volunteer of the Year Award
Sports Volunteer of the Year Award
Children and Youth Support Award
Young Volunteer of the Year
Environmental Sustainability Award
The Galway City Council Volunteer of the Year Award

The deadline to nomination people or organisations for this year’s awards was March 6.

Coronavirus: Confirmed cases in Galway rise to 134

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April 8, 2020

Galway Daily news What lockdown restrictions are lifting on Monday?

Twenty-five people have died from COVID-19 in the Republic in the past day as the country’s dealth toll reaches 235.

Galway now has 134 confirmed cases of the disease, an increase of 6 on the previous day.

While the number continues to increase in Galway, the county accounts for just over 2% of all recorded cases.

In the past day, there were 365 new confirmed cases in the state, which has now recorded a total of over 6,000 cases since the pademic began.

Today’s deaths were mainly in the east and north.

Two people in the west died and the median age of today’s deaths is 80.

Eighteen were reported as having underlying health conditions.

Cúirt Literature Festival is going digital this year

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April 8, 2020

Galway Daily arts & culture Cúirt Literature Festival is going digital this year

As event after event is forced to cancel this year thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the Cúirt Literature Festival which takes place in Galway each year has decided to power ahead online.

The 2020 Cúirt International Festival of Literature will be presenting a completely free digital festival this month, which will be broadcast online from April 23 – 25.

Some of the events which have been confirmed so far include a series of talks between award winning authors from around the world such as Jan Carson and Kevin Barry in conversation with Peggy Hughes.

Eimear McBride, whose debut novel A Girl Is a Half-formed Thing won the Goldsmiths Prize and Bailey’s Women’s Prize for Fiction, will speak with arts journalist and broadcaster Edel Coffey; and many more talks besides these.

Additional events will also take place with authors Anne Enright, Owudinni Mustapha and Carolyn Forché.

All of these talks will be broadcast on the Cúirt YouTube channel.

Speaking about the festival, Director, Sasha de Buyl, said “Books are, to quote Stephen King, a uniquely portable magic”.

“We’re lucky in this time of shutdown that the ideas, voices and conversations that make our festival special can still be brought to our audiences.”

“We have looked at how we can reshape a selection of our events into a digital format, spanning podcasts, video events and social media activity, so that audiences, no matter their preference, can engage with us.”

Though all of the events will be free to access, people can support the festival with donations if they so choose.

All donations will go towards payment of authors fees for the festival.

Some of the headline events will be rescheduled for later in the year where it is hoped that they will be able to take place in person.

Reading, interviews, and workshops will take place in their usual venues such as the Town Hall Theatre, Nun’s Island, Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop.

Founded in 1985, Cúirt International Festival of Literature is one of the oldest and most recognised literature festivals in Europe.

The festival celebrates national and international literary talent and promotes the written word in poetry, literary fiction, non-fiction and genre writing.

Over the past three decades, Cúirt has hosted Nobel prize-winners, Poet Laureates and prize-winning authors from around the world.

The Festival is supported by the Arts Council, Creative Europe and Galway City and County Councils

Ireland and EU discuss major supports for African countries during crisis

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April 8, 2020

european union galway daily eu africa health

East Galway TD Ciaran Cannon took part in a video conference today with other Development Ministers in the EU to discuss a major support package for countries in Africa and small island nations.

Minister Cannon participated in the conference call from his home in Carrabane and said that the work is vital in view of the shortage of ventilators in a number of countries.

The Fine Gael TD said that while we work to tackle the spread of the coronavirus at home, we must also remain focused on its effects on our partner countries in Africa.

Sierra Leone has just one ventilator for its 7.5 million people, the Central African Republic has three machines for 5 million citizens, while Burkina Faso has 11 ventilators for a population of almost 20 million.

Minister Cannon said: “When Europe is recovering from the virus, it will be raging in other parts of the world and we have to work in solidarity with these countries to protect all of us on this planet by stamping out this thing once and for all. As Dr. Paul Ryan of the WHO said recently, ‘No one is safe, until everyone is safe’.

“People may rest assured therefore that Ireland and the EU are working together to strengthen health systems, building countries’ capacities to deliver vital services to their people.”

NUIG survey exploring the impact coronavirus is having on daily life

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April 8, 2020

Galway daily news Public health alert for possible Measles exposure at UHG emergency department

NUI Galway and DCU are working together on a nationwide survey of the impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on people’s daily lives.

The Corona Citizens’ Science Project is an anonymous online survey seeking to understand how people are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions which have been imposed to fight it.

The survey asks different ways in which people’s lives have been disrupted at home and at work, their childcare arrangements, and their physical and emotional wellbeing.

The project is a collaboration between NUI Galway, Dublin City University, and the Insight Centre for Data Analytics, which is based out of NUIG.

Dr Vera Vellinga, Epidemiologist at NUIG and joint research lead, said that the response of Irish people to the restrictions imposed has been great so far. But the question is, what toll have they taken?

“This is an opportunity for the Irish people to let us know how we can help. We are calling on everyone to fill out the survey and share the link. We need your help.”

The survey asks about the impact of measures imposed at different stages of the crisis, starting from the ‘Containment Phase’ (February 29); the ‘Delay Phase’ following the March 12 closure of all schools, colleges and childcare facilities; and the nationwide lockdown which began on March 27.

The findings will be used to contribute to informing the government response to the pandemic and to also assist in planning future measures for COVID-19 and beyond.

“This is a unique opportunity for all Irish people to shape our Government’s response to this unprecedented crisis, and start the long journey back to a more normal life, as the pandemic recedes,” Professor Anthony Staines of DCU.

The survey went live today, and people who want to take part can do so at www.nuigalway.ie/corona-study/.

The Corona Citizens’ Science Project follows a similar study carried out in Belgium by the University of Antwerp.

Their survey was carried out over three separate occasions starting on March 17, and gathered over 1.5 million responses.

Key takeaways from it are that 32% of respondents had trouble concentrating; 30% were sleeping less and 42% felt under more pressure.

As the weeks progressed, the research team found that all of these levels were going up.

Hackers using coronavirus to scam people on WhatsApp and email

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April 8, 2020

Hackers and scammers are taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic by tricking people into clicking on dangerous links and attatchments through WhatsApp and email.

The hackers are claiming to be from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and clicking on the malicious attatchments or links can reveal usernames and passwords, which can be used to steal money or sensitive information.

However, the organisation never sends emails or messages asking for people’s usernames or passwords to access information, nor does it email unsolicited attachments.

The World Health Organisation says people should be alert to the scams and is advising people to check the authenticity of any correspondence before responding or taking any action.

WHO never asks people to visit a link outside of www.who.int, never charges money to apply for a job or register for a conference, and it never conducts lotteries or offers prizes, grants, certificates or funding through email.

The only call for donations WHO has issued is the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

Any other appeal for funding or donations that appears to be from WHO is a scam.

Huge decrease in human-made ‘seismic noise’ in Ireland

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April 8, 2020

Data released today has shown a dramatic decrease in human activity across Ireland as a result of the current restrictions on movement and economic activity.

According to the data released by seismologists at Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), the level of human-made vibrations is up to three times lower than before the lockdown.

Seismic noise is what seismologists call the ground vibrations made by humans, which can be produced by cars, trains, building sites and other industries.

Instruments used by the INSN track this ‘noise’, as well as ground motions from natural phenomena, such as earthquakes and volcanoes.

Commenting today, Dr. Martin Möllhoff, Director of Seismic Networks at DIAS, said that these human-induced vibrations vary with the human activity.

“Worldwide social restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic affect not only levels of air pollution, but also how much the ground beneath our feet vibrates,” he said.

“With the current COVID-19 restrictions on human movement, INSN seismic noise levels have been markedly reduced. In Ireland, seismic noise levels are now up to three times lower than they were before the restrictions were introduced.”

Professor Chris Bean, Head of the Geophysics Section and Director of the School of Cosmic Physics at DIAS, said: “Such lowered seismic noise levels can enhance the capability of a seismic network to detect small earthquakes and are testament to the high levels of compliance with COVID-19 movement restrictions.

The findings released by DIAS today mirror findings from seismologists across the world, who have been tracking how COVID-19 restrictions have impacted on levels of seismic noise.

Sinn Féin’s Easter Commemoration to take place online

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April 8, 2020

sinn fein galway daily easter rising commemoration

The National Easter Commemoration organised by Sinn Féin will take place online this year for the very first time, due to the current restrictions on travel and gatherings.

The commemoration will be streamed online at 3pm on Easter Sunday and will feature an oration by the party’s president Mary Lou McDonald.

Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell said that due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, Sinn Féin has postponed all of its annual 1916 commemorations and wreath laying ceremonies.

“Instead, at 3pm on Easter Sunday we will be holding an online National Easter Commemoration including music and song and an oration by Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald,” said Deputy Farrell.

The ceremony can be viewed on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and via the Sinn Féin website.

The Gaway TD added: “Throughout the week Sinn Féin will also host various videos and photographic exhibitions online and we are asking people to wear an Easter Lily and put a tricolour in your window or garden.

“We would encourage children and families to put Easter 1916 imagery, artwork etc in your windows and online, as was done for Lá Fhéile Phádraig.

“We will keep under review the possibility of holding commemorations later in the Summer or expanding our events at Bodenstown.”

Galway Wind Park launch Covid-19 response fund for community groups

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April 8, 2020

Galway Daily news Plans in the works for Wind Farm near Moylough

Galway Wind Park, has today launched a €70,000 COVID-19 response fund to support local communities around the wind farm in Connemara.

The funding, which is being released early from the Wind Park’s annual Community Fund, is being made immediately available to community groups mobilising a rapid response to the COVID-19 crisis.

In addition to supporting rapid response initiatives that are currently being mobilised, funding will also be available for projects that will help rebuild communities in the months ahead.

John O’Sullivan at Galway Wind Park Operations said that from the very outset of our current crisis community groups have “responded remarkably” to support the most vulnerable in society.

“From the smallest gestures, such as calling those living alone, to more organised and larger-scale home delivery efforts, volunteers across our community are making a real difference to people, especially the elderly or unwell, at this very anxious time.”

“As a member of the community, the team at Galway Wind Park has an important role to play in supporting these efforts to address the impacts that COVID-19 is having on our lives.”

“That’s why we are releasing €70,000 in funding early from our annual Community Fund to ensure that emergency cash is made available as quickly as possible to the groups that need it now, as well as to those groups who will be adapting in the months ahead to minimise the impact that the pandemic is having on the way we live our lives.”

The funding is available to groups delivering COVID-19 response measures to communities and individuals living within 10km of the Wind Park.

Groups wishing to apply for funding can do so by downloading application forms from GalwayWindPark.com, by emailing GWPcommunityfund@sse.com, or by calling Community Development Officer Anne Reynolds on (086) 878 3104.

Jointly owned by SSE Renewables and Greencoat renewables, Galway Wind Park is Ireland’s onshore wind farm, generating enough renewable energy to power every home in Galway city and county.

The annual Community Fund was first launched in 2018, and distributes €400,000 a year to groups and individuals via the Local Fund, Major Projects Fund, and Scholarship Fund.

Stockpiling food increases risk of infestations pest control company warns

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April 8, 2020

Galway daily news Stockpiling food increases risk of infestations

Pest control experts Rentokil have warned that stockpiling excessive amounts of food during lockdown puts households at increased risk of infestations by rodents and insects.

The company believes that high levels of food waste as a result of bulk buying and stockpiling could attract higher numbers of rodents and insects into homes, and lead to increased numbers of infestations.

Galway has had the third highest level of callouts for insect infestations so far this year, accounting for 10% of Rentokil’s total, and coming behind only Dublin (37%) and Kerry (21%).

Between January and March of 2020 the counties worst affected by rodents were Dublin, 33% of callouts, Cork (8%), and Meath (7%).

Richard Faulkner, Advanced Technical Field Consultant for Rentokil said: “Bulk buying more food than is needed can result in an increase in food waste.”

“Consequently, getting rid of expired produce has the potential to attract rodents and pest insects.”

“Households should ensure they are adhering to best practice in preventing infestations and that they are carefully disposing of any waste.”

Some simple methods for preventing rodent or insect infestations they advise include storing food in sealed metal or glass containers with tight fitting lids.

Outdoor rubbish bags should be placed in bins with securely fitted lids to stop rodents or insects getting in, clean up pet food and bird seed debris.

And if composting in your garden, don’t include organic food waste, as this will attract pests.

Heavy local opposition to Headford telecoms mast plans

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April 8, 2020

Galway Daily news Planning refused again for Galway City mobile tower

There is heavy local opposition within Headford to plans by Eircom to build a multi-operator telecoms mast in the area, with residents concerned about road safety.

Eircom is seeking planning permission to erect a 21.5m high multi-operator telecoms mast at Ellagh, Headford with antennas and dishes, along with associated ground equipment.

The site of the project is at the existing Eir Exchange on Church Road heading into Headford.

The proposed development would make this site available to other telecommunications and broadband operators to improve coverage in the area.

Local opinion has been overwhelmingly opposed to the proposal, with objections specifically related to the sensitive nature of the site which is on a very busy road.

The planning application was submitted on February 27 of this year, and the county council received 21 public submissions related to the project by the deadline of April 1.

All of the submission made to the council were from individuals, businesses, or organisations objecting to the plans.

The objections stated that the increased traffic that would come from this multi-operator mast would pose a serious road safety hazard.

Multiple objections claimed that vehicles parking at the site already impede visibility for cars coming onto the main road, and that there are two schools in the area, with many children walking along this road.

The other main concern expressed in these objections was that the 21.5m high mast would be an eyesore, damaging the area’s visual amenity.

In seeking permission, Towercom Limited acting on behalf of Eircom, said that the Eir Exchange currently accommodates Vodafone atop a 12m high wooden pole with antennae and a dish.

But this infrastructure “by virtue of its lightweight design” would not be able to handle new operators such as Eir Mobile, who are expanding in the area.

Concerning the visual impact, the application stated that where the structure is visible due to its increased height, it will be in the context of “an established utilities property”.

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this application by April 22.

Galway TDs call for face masks to be worn in public

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April 8, 2020

Galway Daily news Hospital staff call for reintroduction of mask wearing

Two Galway TDs are among a regional grouping of Dáil deputies calling for cloth face masks to be worn in public and at work to fight the spread of coronavirus.

A ‘Regional Group’ a technical group of TDs, is asking for the National Public Health Emergency Team to consider asking the public to wear cloth face masks to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The Regional Group, which includes Galway TDs Noel Grealish and Denis Naughten, said that they are asking for this based on medical advice from the US Centres for Disease Control.

Reports from the CDC said that many people who contract Covid-19 are asymptomatic, never developing the symptoms of the virus, and even those who eventually do get sick may transmit it before they develop symptoms.

The CDC recommended that cloth face masks be worn in areas where it is difficult to maintain social distancing, such as when shopping for groceries.

“The Regional Group believes Cloth face coverings fashioned from common materials as are being done in other countries at present can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.”

“We would hope that the recent ‘Community Call’ initiative announced by government could immediately take a leading role here in providing mask templates and designs for people to copy and manufacture at home or in small businesses.”

“We believe cloth masks may well offer a solution also in coming weeks to allow some numbers of people rejoin work activity while continuing to observe social distance and hygiene protection measures”.

The statement from the regional group stressed that they are not referring to ventilator of respirator type masks, which should be reserved for frontline healthcare workers and medical first responders.

“We have no doubt that the continuing community participation of the Irish people in observing COVID-19 quarantine measures can be directed to provide significant impetus for community manufacture and delivery of this extra protection measure and we would ask government to approve a supporting position as soon as possible to energize and deliver this initiative.”

The full Regional Group of TDs is made up of deputies Cathal Berry (Kildare South), Peter Fitzpatick (Louth), Noel Grealish (Galway West), Michael Lowry (Tipperary), Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway), and Matt Shanahan (Waterford).

This delicious, gin-based cocktail is designed to impress

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Peter Moore

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April 7, 2020

For this week’s Quarantine Cocktail, I’m going to tell you about a modern classic.

There are many versions of this drink but my personal favourite is the Dick Bradsell version. Dick Bradsell was a well-renowned Bartender based in London.

It could be said that he was and still is one of the most influential bartenders in the world.

He invented the Espresso Martini, for example. I rest my case.

This drink in gin-based, it has fresh fruits and a lovely fruit based liquor. The original drink calls for crushed ice and lemon juice. There will be none of that in this recipe though.

The recipe I’m going to share with you is the Bradsell version of the now famous Bramble.

What you’ll need

35ml Gin
15ml Crème du Mure
10ml sugar syrup
30ml fresh lime juice
3 fresh blackberries

How to prepare the Bramble

Put all of the ingredients into a receptacle of your choice (preferably a cocktail shaker)
Add ice
Shake it like a polaroid picture and then pour all ingredients into a small glass and serve, enjoy!

Now, this drink requires a bit of elbow grease in your shake. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, don’t worry. A few alternatives for a cocktail shaker might be a large jam jar (with the lid on), a protein drink bottle or a whipping cream bottle.

I hope you are all keeping safe and well in these strange times. These drinks are meant for you, your family and friends to enjoy over a Skype call or even make the drink whilst using TikTok!

If you’d like to learn about more drinks, email us your favourite drinks and I’ll give you a well-balanced recipe.

Sláinte!

Galway 2020 down to “skeleton staff” with three week layoff

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April 7, 2020