Coronavirus: 16 new cases in Galway as 36 more die in Republic

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April 7, 2020

Galway Daily news MADRA rescues 34 dogs from county farm, seeks good homes

The Galway dog rescue and adoption charity MADRA has rescued 34 dogs from a property in Galway county, and is seeking quiet, supportive foster homes where they can come into their own.

Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption, based in Camus, Connemara, recently removed a large number of collie type dogs from a private property at the behest of the county council.

“A short time ago we were asked to assist the local authority in the removal of a large number of dogs from a private property,” a statement on MADRA’s facebook page reads.

“We knew it was going to be tough but we felt that if it was possible at all then we should do our very best to save these unfortunate creatures. These dogs definitely needed us.”

“The day was very difficult and we spent hours ferrying these dogs from the only home they had known, to a strange but safe environment.

“Our team based themselves at the pound, vaccinating, worming & microchipping the groups of bewildered dogs as they arrived and moving them on to private boarding kennels for further assessment.”

“They are all Collie type dogs and all of them are struggling to cope with their change in circumstance.”

“To be fair, they were well fed and were not in poor physical shape, but their coping skills are not good and they have still a long road ahead of them.”

“This is a very clear demonstration of how numbers of animals can get out of control so quickly when you do not neuter.”

As MADRA didn’t have the resources to cater for so many “tricky” dogs at one time, they sought the help of multiple private kennels and Collie-specific, UK rescue groups to help with their rehabilitation and rehoming.

The rescue operation took place on February 25, but the long road thereafter was disrupted by the coronavirus crisis, the same as all walks of life.

Several of the dogs had already been moved to Dogs Trust Ireland and Border Collie Trust GB before the lockdown, but other animals bound for Hope Rescue, Oak Tree Rescue, Valgrays and Spirit of Freedom Collie Rescue had to stay with MADRA.

MADRA said that it rescued a total of 34 dogs from the property, and that since there may still be legal consequences, will not be commenting on the matter further.

But “strong and supportive” foster homes are needed for the 34 dogs “until they have the courage to embrace their new lives”.

The charity thanked the county council for its “pro-active” stance, and all the kennels who stepped up to help MADRA with this monumental burden “without whom we could not have coped”.

Six dogs from the incredibly named Croga (courageous) family are now ready to move on from the kennels to the next stage of their rehabilitative journey.

Java, Jai, Tali, Jasper, Dido and Jez are described as curious and “engaging” with people who have earned their trust.

They are looking for ‘support homes’ where the dogs can live in pairs. These would need to be a quiet home, with a secure garden, where they can become more comfortable around people and grow in confidence and playfulness.

The dogs will need a dedicated living space such as a kennel, garage or utility room where
they will have privacy to seek refuge until they are comfortable enough to explore their
new surroundings.

“We know that this is not the pet dog that you imagined when you thought of getting a new dog but following these dogs on their journey will be hugely rewarding.

“To watch them slowly gain confidence, gently approach you for a treat, play like foxes when nobody’s looking and, eventually, wiggle over to you with the excitement of seeing you; these are all magical experiences and you would have our full support all the way.”

If you think that you could provide a home for one of these dogs then fill out an adoption questionnaire at www.madra.ie/rehoming/adoptions.

Boston Mayor with Conamara parents on TG4 on Thursday

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April 7, 2020

The Mayor of Boston Marty Walsh whose parents hail from Conamara will feature on this week’s episode of Gaeil Bhoston on TG4.

The episode looks at the Political Dream, and will air on TG4 at 8pm on Thursday, 9 April.

The Irish community in Boston is famous throughout the US and across the world, and nowhere is the influence of the Irish as evident as in the political landscape of the city.

They keys to City Hall in Boston have been held by the Irish over the years, but while the Irish still hold sway over the city, the Irish community’s position as the most powerful immigrant group in Boston is now in doubt.

As a prominent ‘Sanctuary City’, the city and indeed the Irish community find themselves at the centre of the national immigration debate.

In the episode, Mayor Walsh shares his views on the current president, and we hear from Jimmy King originally from Carna & Tom Conroy from Ros Muc who both worked on Marty Walsh’s electoral campaign.

Lawyer John Foley, whose parents came from Indreabhán, often deals with people who are undocumented, and he speaks about current immigration laws saying that the current administration is changing this ‘willy-nilly with almost no forethought or really no thinking behind what they are doing.’

Also featured in the series is Orla Uí Scanláin from Indreabhán who talks to Seán about becoming an American citizen and what it means to her family.

Watch Gaeil Bhoston on TG4 at 8pm on Thursday, the 8th of April.

Education and Training Boards respond to learners’ needs during crisis

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April 7, 2020

Education and Training Boards across Ireland are bringing in new measures to ensure the continuity of education and training for the nearly 450,000 learners in the state.

Acknowledging the challenges associated with the pandemic, all 16 ETBs are engaging in contingency planning for Schools and Further Education and Training provision.

A survey of ETBs conducted in late March by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) confirmed that a variety of measures have been put in place to support its teaching and learning community.

The survey found that innovative and positive steps have been taken by ETBs to:

Quickly adopt to online platforms, tools and technologies
Support staff and tutors with equipment, upskilling and professional development
Provide alternatives to technological solutions, including physical resource packs delivered by post
Facilitate online meetings, which provide for regular updates and responsive feedback
Assist parents and learners by ensuring Guidance staff are available to support their wellbeing
Enable remote working practices to ensure continuity for essential services for all ETBs.

The ETB sector has agreed guiding principles for alternative assessment methods for its Further Education and Training programmes, which will be used at ETB level.

Learners will continue to be receive regular communication and clarification and those who need assistance will be supported by their ETB.

Education and Training Boards Ireland, which represents Ireland’s sixteen Education & Training Boards, is also actively responding to the needs of its member ETBs.

In response to a survey of immediate support needs of the member ETBs, ETBI has taken a number of steps, including: establishing a dedicated Covid-19 communication channel; facilitating all essential sectoral meetings online; and leading the engagement with the Department of Education and Skills and other agencies to provide essential guidance and clarification.

Nessa White, General Secretary of Education and Training Boards Ireland said: “I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all of our staff and students, who have done everything in their power to adapt to these challenging circumstances.

“I am very proud that we have been able to ensure the continuity of the education of our students and learners.

“I would ask all learners and ETB staff members to ensure that they adhere to Government guidelines in place during this period.

“I have no doubt that we will overcome this difficult period, and that in the meantime our community of learners will be provided with the education and training they deserve.”

Enjoy a Handsome Burger at home with DIY cooking kit

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April 7, 2020

Galway Daily life style Enjoy a Handsome Burger at home with home cooking kit

Galway’s much loved Handsome Burger are helping people satisfy their food cravings at home with deliveries of DIY burger kits starting this weekend.

People living anywhere in Galway will soon be able to get the next best thing to eating outing out with the grill-it-yourself burger kit from the award winning restaurant.

“So three weeks since we closed our doors & we have found a safe & delicious solution to get you your Handsome Burger fix at home,” a post on the restaurant’s facebook page reads.”

Each Handsome at Home box contains six each beef patties, brioche buns, and cheese slices, as well as a tub of pickles, and another tub of their trademark Handsome Sauce.

“We also have full cooking instructions and a few cheeky sheets of Handsome greaseproof to set the scene”.

For anyone concerned about hygiene, the lads offer assurnces that gloves, masks, and frequent hand sanitiser are used during food production.

The boxes are also prepaid and dropped right at your door to avoid unnecessary human contact and maintain social distancing.

The cost of the Home Box plus delivery is €30, with the first delivery date this Saturday.

The kits can be purchased on their website here, and deliveries will cover all of Galway city and county, though there are expected to be limited availability this week while they get it off the ground (the service, not the burger).

“Hopefully this will be a fun way to spend some time in the kitchen whilst producing some delicious results”.

Founded in 2007 by friends Rory McCormack and Cathal O’Connor, Handsome Burger started out as a food stall, before moving up the food chain to working out of Caribou pub in Woodquay, and finally getting their own restaurant on Dominick Street.

They have become a massive success story in Galway, hugely popular in the city and beyond, and just last year crowned for having the best burgers in Ireland.

Coronavirus: County Council coordinates local response with dedicated helpline

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April 7, 2020

Galway Daily news Galway County Council shortlisted for Excellence in Local Government Award

Galway County Council is coordinating the efforts of local voluntary services and state supports through a dedicated community support helpline in the Coronavirus crisis.

The County Council has established a Community Response Forum in the past week to coordinate non-emergency and non-medical supports to assist the most vulnerable people in the county during the coronavirus pandemic.

Community Response Forums have been created by local authorities around the country at the direction of Minister Eoghan Murphy in recent days to ensure that state agencies and voluntary/community organisations are working together to maximum effect.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Jimmy McClearn said that this public health crisis has changed life for so many, and that the council is there to help with that change.

“The role that Galway County Council will play in leading the Community response will ensure that there is a co-ordinated all County response in support of our communities and particularly of our most vulnerable members”

Over a dozen agencies and organisations are taking part in the new response forum in the county.

The helpline is focused primarily on ensuring that vulnerable members of the community or those living alone can access deliveries of groceries, medicine and fuels

People who need assistance can reach the confidential helpline at 091-509390 9.00am-6.00pm 7 days Monday to Sunday, freephone number 1800 92 88 94.

Chief Executive of Galway County Council Kevin Kelly explains “The response locally to date has been enormous”.

“We have seen local groups and local development groups, An Gardai, GAA and other local businesses and many local volunteers working hard to take care of their communities.”

“Galway County Council is ideally placed both statutorily and regionally to channel this great work and provide the governance structure in partnership with all stakeholders.”

“Our staff whose day-jobs have changed due to this crisis, will be a key resource in the management and operation of this community support programme in collaboration with our partner agencies/groups.”

Huge increase in people throwing away used plastic gloves in public

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April 7, 2020

People are being reminded that plastic gloves should be disposed of safely and correctly following complaints that people have been throwing away their used gloves on footpaths and outside supermarkets.

Councillor Owen Hanley took to social media on Sunday to call for people to remove their gloves after use and put them in the bin, after he saw a ‘huge increase in the amount of used gloves being littered’ across Galway.

Today, East Galway TD Ciaran Cannon echoed Cllr Hanley and Galway City Council’s calls for the responsible disposal of plastic gloves, and urged those involved in this littering to think twice about their actions.

I’ve seen a huge increase in the amount of used gloves being littered across Galway. This is not a safe or responsible way to dispose of gloves. It is essential that if you wear gloves in public or at shops that you doff/remove them properly and bin them straight away. pic.twitter.com/p5mOrHWrUg

— Cllr. Owen Hanley (@OwenHanleyLives) April 5, 2020

Minister Ciaran Cannon said that while it is understandable that people would want to protect their health, for a small number of individuals to dump used gloves any place that they choose ‘is both a threat to the health of those who have to pick up after them and to the environment’.

“I welcome the message that Galway City Council is circulating at the moment, highlighting the need for people who have taken to wearing latex or plastic gloves for shopping and when out and about to dispose of them in the correct manner.

“This is something the vast majority of people already observe, but it is clear that it has become a problem in recent weeks and it is understandable that people would want to protect their health to all reasonable extents.

“For a small number of individuals, however, to then dump those gloves on footpaths, outside supermarkets or any place that they choose is both a threat to the environment and to the health of those who have to pick up after them and this crisis is difficult enough to deal with at present without compounding problems.

“Thus, this small number need to think twice about their actions.”

Minister Cannon acknowledged the ongoing efforts of so many people in the county in their work to slow the spread of the virus and support those who need our help most at this time.

“I would also urge people to remember that while the wearing of gloves is all very well, the most important advice from the HSE is to wash one’s hands regularly and thoroughly,” he added.

Local Enterprise Office hosting free webinar for struggling food businesses

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April 7, 2020

Galway Daily business Local Enterprise Office hosting free webinar for struggling food businesses

This is a challenging time for food businesses of all stripes in Ireland, who are dealing with a complete shift in the way people consume amid the coronavirus pandemic.

To help support local food businesses, and help them find new ways to reach the market, the Local Enterprise Offices in Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon have teamed up for a free webinar this month.

The online event will examine the challenges and opportunities currently in the food market, taking place at 4:30pm on April 16.

In order to keep things “manageable” on this video call, a limit of 50 participants has been set for the conference.

There’s no charge, but a place must be reserved at the link here: https://bit.ly/34frzfr

The following contributors will be online for the webinar:

Elaine Moyles, A/Head of Enterprise Local Enterprise Office Mayo will provide an update on LEO and other supports in relation to Covid-19 impact in the food sector
Carmel Biggane of Supervalu will outline what’s happening at retail level and where might food opportunities lie
With online food sales up 10 fold, Amazon seller John Jenkins will help us understand where the opportunities are
Former Investment Banker, Yvonne Scully will help us understand “Business continuity, cash flow management and bank schemes” with the latest up to date information
Food expert James Burke has been working with dozens of producers for the last 10 days and will summarise some of the opportunities and experiences he is seeing emerging with others.

“While we will have experts online to handle queries, this is going to be more about the regional food community (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon) sharing tips and knowledge.

“Ideally we will focus on helping each other, and pinpointing opportunities,” the event page says.

If you would like to find out additional information, or have any questions on the event, you can contact info@leo.galwaycoco.ie.

Medtronic aims to make 1,000 ventilators a week in Mervue by end of June

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April 7, 2020

Galway daily news Medtronic plans to make 1,000 ventilators a day in Mervue by the end of June

Medical Devices manufacturer Medtronic intends to continue increasing ventilator production in Galway until it’s making 1,000 units a week by the end of June.

Since the start of the coronavirus crisis Medtronic has been ramping up work at its Mervue production facility, with plans to add another 300 staff there to have the factory running 24/7.

The Irish Times reports today that the company intends to reach a target of 400 ventilators a week by the end of this month, 700 per week by the end of May, and reaching a target of 1,000 units a week by the end of June.

Ventilators have become one of the most in demand pieces of medical equipment in the world in recent weeks as Covid-19 has sent tens of thousands of people to hospital in need of critical care.

The most seriously ill patients can experience severe respiratory difficulties, and a ventilator can provide

Before this crisis almost half of the world’s ventilators were manufactured in Ireland, with Medtronic one of the world’s largest suppliers.

Medtronic chief executive Omar Ishrak said that they are already making roughly double the amount of ventilators in Mervue that they did before the pandemic.

The company recently made the design of one of its ventilators free for use around the world, the portable PB 560 ventilator, though this is not a model that is manufactured in Galway.

correction: an error in this article referred to daily, rather than weekly, production levels at Medtronic.

New GMIT President takes up post amid coronavirus shutdown

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April 7, 2020

Galway Daily news New GMIT President takes up post amid coronavirus shutdown

GMIT has welcomed the appointment of a new President, Dr Orla Flynn, who has started work at the deep end amid the coronavirus pandemic.

GMIT, like all other colleges in Ireland, was ordered to close in the earliest days of the pandemic here, along with schools and childcare centres.

Currently its efforts are focused on providing a continuity of education, while also protecting its thousands of staff and students.

Since taking up her post a fortnight ago Dr Flynn’s responsibilities have involved ensuring up-to-date information on public health advice, mental health supports, changes to course delivery & assessments and academic integrity makes its way to staff and students.

“These are exceptional times and the health of our students, staff and communities is our top priority while supporting the various teams across the Institute who are striving to maintain core services for staff and students alike.”

“I want to acknowledge the sterling efforts that have been undertaken in this regard by everyone in GMIT to date”, said Dr Flynn.

Dr Flynn is joining GMIT from Cork Institute of Technology where she held the position of Vice President for External Affairs for the last six years.

She racked up a total of 20 years experience in different education management roles during her time at CIT.

These included eight years leading its Crawford College of Art and Design following on from her time as Head of School of Humanities and Head of Department of Media Communications.

Prior to this she was a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Computing at CIT for 13 years.

Dr Flynn holds undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in Mathematical Physics and Computer Science from University College Cork, an MA in Management in Education from WIT, and a PhD from the University of Limerick.

Cormac MacDonncha, Chair of the GMIT Governing Body, welcomed the new President’s appointment, saying she has arrived at a time of “significant improvement” to the college on many fronts.

The Institute is now poised to take advantage of recent gains on many fronts he added.

“She has the right capabilities to lead the team as we navigate through these very challenging times and on to new successes.”

“On behalf of our students, staff and Governing Body I would like to acknowledge the excellent work being done by the entire team at GMIT in rising to meet the unprecedented challenges facing us”.

In a video address to students this week, the new GMIT President advised students to take heart that this challenging time will pass.

“These are unprecedented times but they will end. I want to reassure you that we are here to support you through your final few weeks of this semester.”

“There will be no onsite summer examinations held in GMIT. Instead, we are bringing in amended approaches to assessment and will let you know more detail as soon as we can.”

Coronavirus: Small rise in Galway cases as Mayo sees large increase

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April 6, 2020

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Galway has risen to 112, an increase of four cases from the data released yesterday.

But the number of coronavirus cases in Mayo is rising at a much quicker rate. In the 24 hours before midnight on the 4th of April, 29 new cases were reported in the county, which now has 107 cases.

Donegal, Cavan, Meath and Kildare have all seen a similar spike in the number of cases, with 39 new diagnoses reported in Cavan, compared to 19 in Cork – the second worst affected county.

Nationally, 16 more people who were diagnosed with the disease have died as of 1pm today as the number of deaths in the state rises to 174.

There were also 370 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the past day, bringing the total number of cases in the Republic to 5,364.

Over half of all confirmed cases are in Dublin, and Cork remains the second-worst affected, but with just 362 cases, compared to 2,692 in Dublin.

Of today’s reported deaths, 11 were located in the east, four in the north-west, and one in west of the country.

The patients included six females and ten males. Four patients were reported as having underlying health conditions

Tributes paid at the passing of acclaimed folk singer Mary McPartlan

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April 6, 2020

Galway Daily news Tributes paid at the passing of acclaimed folk singer Mary McPartlan — Mary McPartlan photographed by Aengus McMahon

Tributes have been paid to acclaimed folk singer Mary McPartlan, who has passed away from cancer at age 65.

A native of Drumkerrin, Co. Leitrim, the Mary McPartlan played a big role in the arts in Galway, going beyond music to work in theatre and promoting the arts at NUIG, where she served most recently as Creative Director of the Arts in Action Programme.

Her singing career began in the 1970s a part of the folk duo Calypso.

The chorus of tributes today have been led by President Michael D Higgins.

“It is with deep sadness that Sabina and I have heard of the death of a dear friend, Mary McPartlan, musical director, broadcaster, and one of Ireland’s great folk singers.”

President Higgins praised McPartlan for the incredible impact she had on the arts and music scene in Galway and beyond, from her work with Skehana theatre company and Riabhóg singers club, to the national Irish music centre in Ennis.

She also played a role in the introduction of the music show FLOSC on TG4 and the Gradam Ceoil National Traditional Music Awards.

“Acutely aware of the history of Irish music, song, dance and culture, Mary McPartlan brought the truth of emotion and empathy to her singing”.

“Her acclaimed debut album ‘The Holland Handkerchief’ established her as one of the greatest traditional singers of her generation, but there are so many songs including ‘Wild Mountain Side’. Her invocation of place, history and feeling was unique.”

“Sabina and I were among the many who were privileged to call her our friend, and we will all miss her so much.

“For myself, I will always hold wonderful memories of being on tour with her and of her singing her tribute to Victor Jara at those five gigs we did together in 2011.”

“Later I often admired how brave she was, indomitable, transcending loss and adversity with a nobility of heart and a powerful reach of humanity that was of course always there in her singing and in her life.”

image credit: Aengus McMahon/NUIG

Galway Simon launches emergency appeal during ‘crisis within a crisis’

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April 6, 2020

galway daily covid-19 charity simon community

Local homeless charity Galway Simon Community has launched an emergency appeal in a bid to fund their vital housing and homelessness prevention services during what they say is ‘a crisis within a crisis’.

The appeal was launched as part of a national campaign in response to the significant rise in running costs of the Simon Communities across the country in responding to the COVID-19 crisis.

The emergency appeal compares the challenges of social isolation with the challenges that people experiencing homelessness face each day.

According to Galway Simon Community, they are facing huge challenges in the months ahead to keep their services running.

Karen Feeney, Head of Client Services at Galway Simon Community explained the uncertainty the charity is facing.

“The crisis is putting so many already vulnerable people at particular risk, including those who are homeless and those who are at risk of falling into homelessness due to a sudden reduction in income,” she said.

“Many of the people we are supporting are truly isolated – exposed, vulnerable, and sometimes with underlying health issues, which places them at even higher risk. Many of them are facing this pandemic without a place to call home. For them, this is an especially terrifying time.

“We were already dealing with a very serious housing and homelessness crisis and now we are very worried about what is to come.

“Our Homelessness Prevention Team is already stretched trying to keep people in their own homes, but with economic difficulties looming, we are hugely concerned about even more challenges ahead.

“This is our time to stand together, and to look out for each other. If you can manage it in the current circumstances, please consider supporting Galway Simon with a donation.”

If you are in a position to support, visit www.galwaysimon.ie to make a donation today or call 091 381828.

Galway GAA clubs raise money to help frontline workers

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April 6, 2020

Galway Daily sport Galway GAA clubs raise money to help frontline workers

The GAA club championships might not be going ahead, and the clubs might be closed for the crisis, but that doesn’t mean that Galway’s GAA clubs have shelved their community spirit.

Two former All-Ireland hurling club champions, Sarsfields and Clarinbridge GAA clubs, joined forces to raise funds to help out hospital staff on the front line if the crisis.

Together they have managed to raise more than €3,000 to buy food supplies and personal protective equipment for people working at UHG and Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe.

“It was an initiative one of the lads, Ger Conolin, came up with,” Clarbinbridge Chairman Bernie Conlon explained to Galway GAA.

“We were to play yesterday morning (Sunday) and we just wondered whether the two clubs could join together.”

Bernie said that she got in touch with the Chairman at Sarsfields, Michael Hynes, and a partnership was born after he got the enthusiastic support of the board there.

They set up a gofundme page, as many individuals and businesses are doing to help support their efforts to look after the people looking after us, and spread the news across their social media.

After that, things just “snowballed” according to Bernie, who said that other clubs might try something similar going forward.

“It has worked out and it was just a matter of seeing what we could raise then,” Conlon said, adding that a lot of the people with Sarsfields live closer to Portiuncula Hospital, and that it has also worked out for UHG.

The was she sees it, in better times if people were going to a game they’d be paying at the gate, “so why not donate something” instead.

image credit: GalwayGAA/INPHO

Plans to move Salthill Post Office to local Centra approved

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April 6, 2020

Galway City Council has approved plans to move the local post office in Sathill to a nearby Centra, as well as giving the go ahead for an extension to the store.

Planning permission has been granted for the Salthill post office to be moved from where it is now to O’Connors Centra at 220 Upper Salthill.

The project will also involve the construction of a first floor extension to the store, which will incorporate offices, a staff canteen, and storage space.

“This planning application is to facilitate the relocation of the An Post office from its current location at No. 137 Upper Salthill to the Centra shop”.

“An Post are closing individual standalone post offices around the country in favour of the model of relocating post offices within existing shops,” the application stated.

The council’s report noted that there was no issue with accommodating the post office inside the Centra store “as this involves the rearrangement of the existing internal floor area by reducing the store area” rather than expanding the floor space on the ground floor.

However, the council did note that with the proposed extension at the first floor level to the rear of the store, the plot ratio for the site would be 1.54:1, above the ratio of 1.25:1 which the development plans says should “not normally be exceeded” by a commercial development.

In response to the council’s query about this, the developer said that the space in the extension is for “storage and staff welfare”, and pointed out that adjacent buildings contain multiple floors in excess of what is proposed here.

The store is already experiencing “congestion” without the addition of the post office, and there is no scope to expand the store’s floor space at the ground floor level, it was added.

The application also stated that O’Connors Centra is a “family run business which provides a valuable amenity and employment to the village of Salthill”.

Galway City Council granted planning permission for the development with five conditions attached.

Ros na Rún and Kenny’s bookshop launch Irish language short story competition

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April 6, 2020

Galway Daily arts & culture Irish language short story competition

Families all around Ireland are staying home right now, and dealing with the dual challenges of educating young people, and keeping them entertained.

Producers of Ireland’s only Irish Language and rural based TV soap opera, Ros na Rún are inviting children and young people to showcase their Irish Language, creative writing talents and imagination with a Short Story Writing Competition while in lockdown.

This writing competition is sponsored by the world renowned Kenny’s family bookshop and art gallery, who are marking 80 years as part of Galway’s cultural landscape in 2020.

There are two key themes at the centre of this competition, one where budding young writers are asked to choose their preferred Ros na Rún character whom they would most like to self- isolate with, and how they imagine a 14 day quarantine would transpire with the chosen character.

The second theme, looks at what the future holds for the writer, post pandemic. Will life as they’ve known it so far change?

Irish language competition

The competition is aimed at supporting parents who are homeschooling their kids by helping them to focus on their use of the Irish language, and writing skills.

According to the organisers, they are keen to support “creativity, writing, imagination and the Irish language,” among young people.

There are three age categories for it, ages 6-9, as well as 10-14 and 15-18 years olds.

In the first two categories, entrants are asked to submit 300 words in Irish, while older competitors are asked for 500 words.

Ros na Rún is all about telling stories and creating real life drama for TG4 TV audiences”, says Marion Ní Loingsigh, series producer with the popular TV soap opera,

“Families and people of all ages are confined to home, and need positive and constructive outlets to focus their minds and imagination at this challenging time.”

“From the experience of cast and crew who’re currently home schooling, and those of us working behind in the scenes on completion of the storylines for our 25th season next Autumn, we thought it a fitting way to engage with our audience by launching a short story writing competition.”

For their contribution, Kenny’s bookstore are sponsoring three book hampers to the value of €50 each for the winners in each category, a welcome supply drop for long days indoors, without a doubt.

The judging panel will include leading actors from Ros na Rún, Niall Mac Eachmharcaigh from the Donegal Gaeltacht who’s an accomplished writer and plays the part of John Joe Daly, Domhnall O’Donoghue who plays Pádraig, also an accomplished travel writer and published fiction writer, along side Tom Kenny, Director of Kennys Bookshop and Gallery Galway and leading historian.

Writers are asked to have their completed entries to leiriuchain@rosnarun.com no later than 5pm on April 24, 2020.

The winners in each category will have the opportunity to read from their winning creation on the TV set of Ros na Rún ahead of the opening of series 25.

An Post starts delivering newspapers to older people free of charge

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April 6, 2020

An Post has started delivering newspapers to older and more vulnerable people free of charge as part of a range of new services to help the community during the crisis.

The new service sees postal workers delivering newspapers in urban and rural areas and a range of daily and weekly newspapers are available.

People can subscribe to the newspaper of their choice provided it is listed, and it is hoped that this service will help be of some comfort to older people who are unable to leave their homes during the crisis.

Delivering newspapers is just one new service that An Post has brought in – last week it started a service whereby postmen and postwomen across Ireland call in to check on older people along their delivery routes.

Minister Ciaran Cannon welcomed the new services offered by An Post, saying: “Not everyone accesses their daily news online and a service like this will bring an extra layer of assurance for people as it will keep them in touch and up-to-date with events and help further stave off uncertainty.”

“I urge anyone who knows of a family member who would like this service to access further details at https://www.anpost.com/Community-Support/Newspaper-deliveries .”

Businesses offered up to €2,500 in scheme to help with trading online

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April 6, 2020

businesses online galway daily scheme website

Businesses in Galway are being encouraged to look into a scheme which offers financial assistance of up to €2,500 along with training and advice to help develop business trade online.

Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon said that businesses should explore the Trading Online Voucher Scheme’s benefits and said that this current situation is highlighting the advantages of an online presence.

Commenting on the scheme, Minister Cannon said: “The emergency is hitting traditional businesses hard and in recent days there has been focus on, for instance, the impact on bookshop owners, some of whom are taking orders by phone and email.

“While maintaining stocks is clearly an issue, the situation does highlight the value of having an online presence and it is for that purpose that the Trading Online Voucher Scheme was established.”

To qualify for it, businesses must have no more than 10 employees and less than €2m in turnover.

They must also have been trading for at least 6 months and located in the region of the local enterprise office they are applying to.

“All information relevant to the scheme can be gotten from the Local Enterprise Office in Galway and I urge businesses in the county for whom this might be an option not to delay in exploring the scheme’s benefits,” added the Fine Gael TD.

Naughten denounces denying Covid-19 unemployment payments to people over 66

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April 6, 2020

Galway Daily news State more focused on defending litigation then protecting children Naughten says

A Galway TD has denounced the fact that people over 66 are not included in the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment, saying the Dáil must site to hold the government to account.

Roscommon-Galway TD Denis Naughten has been highly critical of how the government has treated people over the age of 66 in this crisis, accusing unemployment relief measures of “sacrificing” the elderly

“A few short weeks ago during the General Election, Government was telling us that older people would have to work longer in order to get their pension from the State.”

“Yet, in contradiction to that, it is now denying the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment to people over the age of 66 who are working either part-time or full-time.”

The Independent TD described this situations as “totally unacceptable”, and that anyone who has lost their job, regardless of age, should be entitled to this payment.

“These very people were ‘leading by example’ in terms of Government the policy of pushing up the retirement age and they are the very first people to be sacrificed in terms of welfare support,” Denis Naughten said.

Deputy Naughten said that the government has failed to recognise the “severe loss of income” facing many older people, which could cause issues for those who need to make repayments.

He also said that it “undermines” the mantra of the Department of Social Protection that people should work until they’re older.

When questioned about concerns over the exclusion of over-66s from the Unemployment Scheme Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said that employers can still keep them on their books via the wage subsidy scheme.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Today with Sean O’Rourke Doherty also said that people over 66 could also apply to their local Intreo Office for a supplementary welfare payment.

Speaking ahead of a controversial Dáil last Thursday, Deputy Naughten said that the Dáil needs to continue sitting in order to hold the government to account.

The Dáíl has only sat sparingly since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, most notably to pass emergency legislation with health and economic measures to combat the crisis.

Even then there was a reduced number of TDs in the chamber to comply with social distancing rules.

Last week’s meeting attracted controversy, with Martin Fraser, secretary of the government the most senior civil servant, issuing an admonishment to TDs attending ahead of the meeting.

In a letter passed on to TDs Mr Fraser said that public health advice had been issued for everyone to stay home, and that this advice should be foremost in the minds of Oireachtas officials.

However, Deputy Naughten said that there needs to be a Dáil sitting in order to hold Ministers accountable during this crisis.

“How can the Department credibly defend its policy to push up the retirement age when it is turning its back on those older people who have been contributing to the economy until this crisis?”

“People who, as a result, believed the Department of Social Protection would support that decision in their hour of need.”

New Irish website to buy local products online launches today

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April 6, 2020