Roadworks just outside Loughrea will cause traffic disruptions for several days next week starting from Monday.
Galway county council has ordered resurfacing overlay roadworks at Cloonoo, Loughrea.
Work will begin on Monday, June 24 and is expected to take three days to complete.
“In order to facilitate these works a Stop/Go temporary traffic management system will be in operation on the section of the R446 in question between the hours of 7.00 a.m. & 7.00 p.m. on Monday 24th of June 2019 through to Wednesday the 26th of June”.
“As a consequence users of this road are requested to expect delays and as such should allow additional time for their journeys,” the county council said.
The contract for these works has been awarded to Lagan Asphalt Ltd.
Brendam Smith of the Insight Centre at NUI Galway was honoured with the Cairdeas Award this week for his extraordinary contributions to young people in the west of Ireland.
As Education and Engagement Officer with the SFI Insight Centre for Data Analytics, Brendan has spent years helping young people and minorities in the West of Ireland to develop skills in technology, coding and science.
He received the Cairdeas Award recognising this at the inaugural American Chamber of Commerce West Northwest US Ireland Business Conference held at NUIG this week.
Brendan said that he was “deeply honoured” to accept this award as recognition of how Insight, NUIG, and the Chamber of Commerce do with the community.
He highlighted the importance of “engaging with and empowering individuals and communities from all backgrounds, ages, traditions and across all regions, both in Ireland and across the world, in developing creative skills in and an awareness of science, technology, engineering and maths.”
He added that he was “a small part of a new wider collaborative movement that wants to enable people to use STEM and scientific research to improve their quality of life and to solve the increasing problems caused by Climate Chaos.”
Mark Gantly, President of the American Chamber, congratulated Brendan for his “outstanding community impact” in the west-northwest region.
The West Northwest Conference this addressed how innovation and collaboration among businesses in the west of Ireland can be expanded on.
There was a strong focus on furthering Foreign Direct Investment’s collaboration in the region with SMEs, local government and the opportunity to innovative with third level institutions.
A highlight of the conference day was the second annual US-Ireland Business Series lecture given by James Lyons, VP Operations at Boston Scientific.
President of NUIG, Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said the university was delighted to host the American Chamber’s gathering of FDI leaders in the region.
He added that the university was especially pleased to see Brendan honoured for his long standing work.
If ever a European Capital of Culture needed to be prepared for all possible weather over the course of the year, it’s Galway.
Hope it Rains | Soineann nó Doineann is a Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture project that aims to change the way we look at and relate to the weather here on the west coast.
To start it off they’re launching the ‘Weatherproof Me! International Design Competition’ asking people for their best wearable designs that take advantage of, and even embrace, Galway’s weather.
“We are looking for designs that transform our behaviour in the wind, the rain and the dark,” said Ríonach Ní Néill, Artistic Director of Hope it Rains | Soineann nó Doineann.
“They can be provocative, innovative, playful – and also challenge our attitudes and actions on climate change and water management.”
Five winners will be selected for commission to produce and deliver their designs, which will be put into use across Galway city and county.
As part of Hope it Rains | Soineann nó Doineann’s programme to transform Galway’s everyday weather into performance, Weatherproof Me! will have us going out in the rain and wind to see what’s coming next.
Artist Jeni Roddy is the Co-Lead of Weatherproof Me! She said that kids in Ireland and beyond are spending less time outdoors, and that this is affecting their health.
“So we welcome unique designs that actively address our decision-making around ‘the weather’s rotten, will I go out or not?’,” she added.
One of the Galway 2020 programme’s stated ambitions is to disrupt the everyday.
Well, here in Galway, where our weather dominates conversation and culture, we’re no strangers to its disruptiveness.
Especially it looks like weather extremes are going to increase, due to climate change.
Hope it Rains | Soineann nó Doineann aims to effect a cultural change in our relationship with weather and make it a source of creativity and communality during Galway’s year as the Capital of Culture.
The plan on making Galway’s people and places more weather and climate resilient, and have fun while doing so.
The closing date for online applications is 12am on August 10, 2019 and all details are available on the Hope it Rains website.
COPE Galway is looking for support from the people of Galway to help raise the remaining €1million needed to complete the redevelopment of a purpose-built home for the organisation’s Domestic Abuse Service.
The redevelopment and refurbishment of Modh Eile House on Forster Street will offer a new, enhanced facility, which is urgently needed for many women and children in Galway.
The local organisation is launching its ‘Buy a Brick for Modh Eile’ fundraising appeal on Thursday, 27 June, when the construction team will briefly down tools to allow part of the building to open to the Galway public from 11am to 1.30pm.
Construction at Modh Eile House commenced in November 2018 and is on target for completion in December 2019, with much of the major refurbishment, construction and roofing works done.
Jacquie Horan, CEO said: “This project is a reality – one that you can be a part of.
“For most of us in Galway, when we close our front door, we know we are safe. Unfortunately, there are many in our local communities who experience the trauma of domestic abuse in all its forms, and when they look to COPE Galway for protection and support, they and their children deserve a facility that will meet their needs.
“We have raised two thirds of the money required to redevelop the site – now we need your help.
“We’re calling on the people of Galway to come behind us and help bring us across the line to create a safe place for women and children in Galway.”
The construction and fit-out cost of Modh Eile House is €4.3 million.
Thanks to a Capital Assistance Scheme grant of €2.4 million and significant donations from a number of very generous benefactors, COPE Galway has made significant progress towards meeting this target.
However, to address the €1 million shortfall, Sharon Fitzpatrick, COPE Galway’s Head of Development explained: “We are asking individuals, companies and organisations all over Galway to make a donation to our “Buy a Brick for Modh Eile” campaign.
“Donors will be given a name credit on our virtual wall and donations can also be given anonymously.
“The funds raised will not only help us to build a new refuge and service for women and children experiencing domestic abuse but will also help us rebuild the lives of the women and children who use this service. ”
All are welcome to a first preview of the facility at 47, Forster Street (former Sisters of Mercy Convent), on Thursday, 27th June from 11am to 1.30pm.
To buy a brick and help raise vital funds for the new Domestic Abuse Service and Refuge at Modh Eile House, click here or phone COPE Galway on 091 778750.
There was more drama this week at Galway Circuit Court in the ongoing case of the four Burke siblings against NUIG.
The Burkes received a lifetime ban from all student societies at NUIG in 2014, in what they say was an act of discrimination based on their religion.
However, NUIG has said that the ban was due to misuse of funds from the Christian Union and Life societies, which the four plaintiffs deny.
Their case, which was originally supposed to run from June 18 – 20 at the Circuit Civil Court, has been removed from the court lists since the Burkes requested that the judge recuse herself on the opening day of proceedings.
The case was removed from the lists after the Judge ordered a stay of proceedings following their request, which effectively suspended the action against NUIG for the time being.
On Thursday morning the four siblings came to the courthouse regardless, where Isaac Burke stood up during the courtroom proceedings and asked if another judge would be appointed to their case.
The judge threatened to have them removed from the courtroom as their case was not on the list and was not being heard that day.
The Burkes, who are representing themselves in this action, remained in the courtroom until around 1pm in the afternoon.
Later the family voiced their displeasure that their case “has not even begun to be heard” at the end of the three days it was supposed to run through.
Speaking on behalf of the family Issac Burke said that “we have had a lifetime ban hanging over us for four years. The impact on our professional and personal life has been profound”.
He also claimed that their health had suffered as a result of this ban.
All four of the siblings in question have been NUIG students at one point or another, and two are still studying postgraduate courses.
Before the ban the Burkes had been putting up posters and handing out flyers with material related to their beliefs including opposition to abortion and gay marriage.
They allege that they were subsequently targets of a campaign of “bullying, harassment and intimidation” which the university ignored.
NUIG lifted the lifetime ban against the four siblings shortly before the case was due to come to court.
On the opening day of the case on Tuesday the counsel for NUIG raised the fact that the ban in question had been lifted.
Judge Petria McDonnell questioned whether this would render the matter moot, which led the Burkes to accuse her of prejudging their case and asking her to recuse herself.
The judge denied that there was anything improper in remark and that she was merely asking a question.
There was some drama that day as gardaí eventually had to be called to the courthouse when the siblings refused to leave at the end of the day without speaking to the judge.
NUI Galway was named Law School of the Year at the prestigious Irish Law Awards last week.
With a strong reputation for legal research and numerous changes undergraduate law programmes over the past year, the Law School at NUIG was able to secure this accolade for the first time in 2019.
Dr Charles O’Mahony Head of the School of Law said that this was a “wonderful recognition” not only for the School of Law, but the Irish Centre for Human Rights and Centre for Disability Law and Policy at NUIG as well.
“This is also tremendous recognition of our collective contribution to our city, region and broader society through our scholarship and work on law and public policy engagement.”
A number of new law degrees at NUIG are being brought in including Law & Business (2019), Law & Human Rights (2019), Law & Taxation (2020), Law Criminology & Criminal Justice (2020).
Dr O’Mahony added that “We were delighted to see our student Rebecca McKittrick selected as a finalist in the ‘Law Student of the Year’ category.”
Additionally, the Hon Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness a great friend of the School of Law and Chair of the University’s Governing Authority received the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the ceremony.
Dr O’Mahony said that the award was a “fitting recognition of her extraordinary career and enduring commitment to the law, justice and public service.”
In a piece of legal history this year, the School of Law played host to the Supreme Court which sat in the Aula Maxima in March.
This was the first time that the Supreme Court sat outside of a courthouse since it returned to the Four Courts in 1932, and its first ever visit to the west of Ireland.
All students studying law at NUI Galway have the opportunity for students to gain real world experience through work placement or study abroad in the third year of their degree.
The university has partnered with local, regional, national and internationally recognised law firms and businesses who offer high quality professional work experience for our law students.
They also have the opportunity to study abroad with partner institutes in Australia, Canada, China, Europe and the United States.
Congratulating the School of Law on their award, President of NUI Galway Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said that it recognises the “immense work and dedication” towards the students that has been shown in recent years.
Plans have been submitted to the county council for a housing development at the site of the old FCA barracks in Loughrea.
Planning permission is being sought for the demolition of the empty barracks building on the corner of Dolphin street and Abbey Street and the construction of eight new homes in its place.
The housing development would consist of 2 two-bedroom terraced houses, 2 three-bedroom terraced houses, 1 five-bedroom, ground floor assisted living unit, 2 two-bedroom duplex apartments, and 1 three-bedroom duplex apartment.
The FCA, Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, was a volunteer army reserve force established after WWII and replaced by the Army Reserve Force in 2005.
The former barracks was vacated by the army in 2013 as “surplus to military requirements” and put up for sale by public auction.
An Archaeological Report by Anne Carey Archaeological Consultant was submitted with this planning application.
Pre-Development testing was carried out on site back in March which did not turn up any previously unrecorded material or information of interest.
One submission was made to the county council by the Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht noting that the site is next to Loughrea town moat in an area of “high groundwater vulnerability”.
The department said that before granting planning approval the council should be satisfied that the development will not negatively impact any of the protected sites downstream.
Galway county council is due to make a decision on this planning application by July 9.
Galway City Council is to carry out a feasibility study of a proposed €15 million swimming pool and leisure centre at Cappagh Park.
The two-storey extension of the existing sports facilities would see the development of a 34-metre swimming pool and state-of-the-art gym in what has been described as a regional aqua and leisure centre.
Local Fine Gael TD Hildegarde Naughton said that this was an “exciting prospect” for the area that would complement the sports hall and all-weather pitch already present.
“The sports and leisure facilities at Cappagh Park have been a tremendous asset to the people of the locality since they were officially opened in 2013,” Deputy Naughton said.
The success of the project and the level of demand warrants further investment and development of the campus.”
“The feasibility study is the first step towards a major upgrade of the facilities and the addition of a pool.”
Galway City Council is currently seeking tenders for the study, which will be conducted by a lead consultant with experience of similar projects.
Technical, legal and financial advisers will also be engaged in the project.
The study is expected to get underway in July and take roughly three month to complete.
The city council submitted a grant application to the government for €10 million under the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund last month.
Hildegarde Naughton said that she would be supporting the grant application, while the total cost of the project is estimated at €15 million.
As well as providing a new swimming pool and other facilities, the project would also see car parking at the sports centre expanded and an existing playground will be relocated elsewhere in Cappagh Park.
“It’s envisaged that the new two-storey building would be connected to the side and rear of the existing facilities.”
“The regional aqua and fitness centre would include a 34m by 25m pool suitable for water polo,” explained Deputy Naughton.
Existing facilities at Cappagh Park include a sports hall, multi-function room, meeting rooms, and a coffee dock area. There are adjoining dressing rooms and grass playing pitches.
In 2018, funding was secured under the Sports Capital Programme for one of the grass pitches to be upgraded to a 4G all-weather astro pitch.
The Connemara Greenway between Galway and Clifden has been awarded €2.6 million this week to complete a 21km stretch of the route.
The funding, which was announced at the launch of Bike Week 2019, will be used to several sections of greenway between Clifden and Recess.
The Connemara Greenway was one of ten which received a total of €40 million in funding announced by Minister for Transport and Tourism Shane Ross.
He said that these dedicates routes will provide “safe, substantially segregated Greenways that give users access to the beautiful scenery that Ireland is renowned for and will bring new visitors to the many attractions there are to see around the country.”
“All projects will also make provision for the All-Ireland pollinator plan to increase our bio-diversity and respect our environment.”
The Connemara Greenway proposes a 76km route connecting Clifden to Galway city.
The project has the support of all five Galway West TDs, but has been bogged down in land access issues for years.
Despite this the project has progressed in sections with with 6km of the route between Athry and Cloonbedg opening in May 2018.
The Connemara Greenway Alliance believes that when complete the project could add €18 million to the local economy every year and support 450 jobs in small rural towns and villages along the route.
Galway West TD Seán Kyne welcomed the announcement and said that it will “extend the Greenway between Clifden and Oughterard”.
I am delighted to confirm investment of €2.6 million in the Connemara Greenway. This funding will extend the Greenway between Clifden and Oughterard and comes from the Government’s national fund for Greenways, overseen by Minister Shane Ross. @galwaygreenwaypic.twitter.com/It0BDGxedJ
The Clifden to Oughterard stretch of the route is not held back by the same access issues as other areas, since it will run entirely along the disused railway route owned by the state.
Minister of State Brendan Griffin said that the projects invested in this week “will see Ireland with a network of around 500km of Greenways.”
“We will not be stopping there, we know there are more plans and communities out there that will be looking for funding in the future and the commitment of Government is spelled out in the National Development Plan.”
A massive student student accommodation project in Dangan with an estimated value of €23 million has been granted planning approval.
NUI Galway applied directly to An Bord Pleanála for permission to build four blocks of student accommodation with 125 apartments at the Northern Campus in Dangan.
This development will be built on a 5.73 hectare site owned by NUIG which is currently unused scrubland.
The four blocks will be between four and eight storeys tall, with a total of 674 bed spaces.
Among the apartments there will be 85 units of 6 ensuite bedrooms, 4 units of 5 ensuite bedroom and 36 units of 4 ensuite bedrooms, with communal living areas in each unit.
During the summer months when students go home the apartments will be let out to tourists.
The planning documents submitted to An Bord Pleanála said that the project will deliver a “high quality, professionally managed student accommodation development to serve the existing and future needs of the city’s university population.”
Galway City Council said that purpose built student accommodation can “relieve the pressure for housing” in the private sector and will supplement existing accommodation for the student population.
It was added that it is appropriate that the development be built on campus grounds as this will make it easy for students to travel to and from the university, and it is close to a high frequency bus route.
A ‘Campus Operational Management Plan’ submitted with the plan said that a full time, on-site management team will enforce “strict rules and protocols” with regard to “access, behaviour and consideration for neighbours”.
The development will include site landscaping and boundary treatment, footpath and cyclist links to the campus network, building signage and all associated works.
NUIG said that from the outset the project was designed “to minimise impacts on sensitive habitats” and includes a Habitats Management Plan developed by the university’s Centre of Environmental Science.
A dedicated Biodiversity Enhancement Area, outside the construction footprint, will be managed to enhance biodiversity in the area.
A total of 376 bicycle parking spaces will serve the development. 310 of those spaces are for students and 63 are for visitors, and three are for the commercial space.
Car parking has been limited to seven accessible parking bays, and this has been deliberately chosen to “promote more sustainable travel patterns”.
The design includes a pick-up/drop-off zone for travel by coach.
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht noted that the site is close to a recorded ringfort and recommended that archaeological monitoring take place during this development.
A Natura Impact Statement was submitted with this application.
An Bord Pleanála ultimately granted planning approval for the student accommodation with 25 conditions attached.
On Saturday, the group ‘solidarity with Sudan Galway’ organized a protest in Eyre Square to highlight the recent atrocities committed against the people of Sudan.
The protest revolved around the recent attacks by the RSF (Rapid Support Forces/Janjaweed) on the people of Sudan on the eve of Eid.
Eid is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims all over the world to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
The Rapid Support Forces are a paramilitary organisation operated by the Sudanese Government, mainly comprised of the Janjaweed Militia who have been accused of genocide in the past.
The Janjaweed Militia are estimated to have killed 200,000 – 400,000 civilians in Darfur between 2004 and 2007.
Over the last few months there has been a violent military crackdown on civilian protesters in Sudan with reports that the RSF/Janjaweed have been responsible for killing up to 500 people and injuring 723.
To add to this, the RSF/Janjaweed has been accused of being responsible for over 1000 missing people, arresting 650 people and raping 54 people.
If these horrifying figures weren’t enough it is alleged that 118 bodies have been dumped into the River Nile.
The recipients of this gruesome military aggression mostly tend to be unarmed civilian protesters.
The group ‘Solidarity with Sudan Galway’ staged a protest to raise awareness about the ongoing fight for democracy in the Sudan and to draw attention to the appalling actions of the military.
They claim it is crucial they provide a voice for the Sudanese people since the government has shut down internet services.
Speaking to Galway Daily, event organiser Rema Hamid outlined her determination to stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan.
She described the Sudanese people as having faced “violence and tyranny that knows no mercy”.
“In the face of all these horrors the least the people of Galway could do is stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan”.
Over the last few months the civilian demonstrators have come into direct conflict with Sudan’s Traditional Military Council (TMC) over the transition to civilian rule.
This transition to civilian rule comes as a result of President Omar al Bashir being overthrown in April after a brutal 30 year long reign over the Country.
The TMC has promised to hold democratic elections in 9 months time but the demonstrators fear this isn’t enough time to secure a fair election and to dismantle Bashir’s political network within the government.
The civilian protesters ultimately want to see the TMC remove themselves in favor of a civilian led transitional government where free and fair elections can be held.
Social Democrats Councillor Owen Hanley made his presence felt at the solidarity protest in Eyre Square.
The city cllr declared that the people of Sudan “need to see political pressure until their civic and human rights are vindicated”.
Expressing his support for the Sudanese people, Councillor Hanley affirmed that “Galway stands as it always does in full solidarity with the victims of oppression”.
Former Sinn Féin cllr and trade union representative Mark Lohan emphasised the importance that “Galway stands with those being persecuted in the Sudan”.
He added that “our solidarity protest today calls for an end to the massacres and intervention by democracies to challenge the military regime in Sudan”.
The second round of the Claregalway Hotel Senior Football Club Championship in Galway is getting underway today.
Annaghdown and Tuam Stars will be opening in Corofin this evening at 8pm as both sides try to recover from defeats in the first round of the club championship.
Annaghdown went down to neighbours Claregalway by 3-11 to 0-12 while the ‘Stars’ lost by four to Corofin 0-13 to 1-14.
Also in Group 2 this weekend Corofin and St. James’ will meet at Tuam Stadium on Saturday at 6:45pm.
Both sides are coming out of the first round with victories already under their belt, as St. James’ secured a 3-14 to 0-8 win over Leitir Móir.
Claregalway will be playing on Sunday against Leitir Móir at 2:45pm in Pearse Stadium.
In Group 1 Bearna and St Michaels will start the action in Pearse Stadium on Saturday at 5:30pm.
Bearna fought to a draw with Salthill-Knocknacarra in the opening round with a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-11, while St Michaels had two points to spare over An Spidéal 1-9 to 0-10.
On Sunday Salthill-Knocknacarra meet Killererin in Tuam Stadium at 3:30pm while Milltown and An Spideal meet at the Salthill venue at 4:30pm.
Milltown edged out Killererin by a point 4-10 to 3-13 in a high scoring match last round.
And in Group 3 Maigh Cuilinn and Monivea-Abbey play in Tuam Stadium on Saturday at 5:00pm, while also on Saturday Killannin will meet Cheathrú Rua in Pearse Stadium at 7:15pm.
The opening round saw Maigh Cuilinn win by a point against Killannin 4-6 to 1-14 while Mountbellew-Moylough have seven points to spare against Monivea-Abbey 1-12 to 1-5.
An Cheathrú Rua were also in the winning mood and beat Caherlistrane by a goal 2-7 to 1-7.
Mountbellew-Moylough and Caherlistrane will clash on Sunday at 3.30 in Tuam stadium.
The gTeic digital innovation hub under construction in Spiddal has been awarded over half a million in funding
Údarás na Gaeltachta has already drawn down €175,000 of the almost €550,000 in funding for the new gTeic digital innovation hub made available under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
The project to help enable businesses and entrepreneurs in south Connemara modern digital facilities is the first enterprise in Ireland to receive money from the fund.
The hub, which is part of Gréasán Digiteach na Gaeltachta, will be a modern, high speed broadband facility for start-up and established enterprises.
When completed it will have 25 hot desks/coworking spaces, 10 private office spaces, two meeting rooms, video conferencing facilities, creative breakout spaces, phone booths and meeting pods.
This will enable 40 – 50 people in start ups and established enterprises to work there on modern enterprises in Galway’s Gaeltacht with a focus on digital media.
Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Galway West TD Seán Kyne broke ground on the project in January.
He said recently that he was “delighted that the gTeic hub in An Spidéal is progressing so well with a Galway-based company working on the project.”
It’s hoped that the Digital Innovation Hub will be open for business by this Autumn.
This is one of 30 innovation and digital hubs being developed in rural Gaeltacht areas across counties Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Waterford and Meath.
Nine hubs of various sizes will be built throughout Galway in the coming years as part of Údarás na Gaeltachta’s GTEIC initiative.
Calls have been made for the GAA to review how it schedules games for television broadcast after Galway fans were left bitter about not being able to watch the Dublin senior hurling match.
Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte said that she has received complaints from numerous GAA fans who were angry about not being able to watch Galway v Dublin in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship last Saturday.
She said that the GAA is potentially “damaging its reputation” by letting games go without any live television coverage.
“If you weren’t lucky enough to secure a ticket to Parnell Park, you had to wait until Sunday to see highlights as neither RTÉ television nor Sky Sports carried the game live.”
“Thankfully, the game could be heard on the radio but many hurling fans have said to me that they feel there needs to be a review of how broadcasters decide what games are aired live.”
The current GAA television and radio broadcast deal lasts from 2017 – 2022, with RTÉ, Sky Sports, BBC Northern Ireland broadcasting a total of 45 games from the Hurling and Football Championships.
Anne Rabbitte said that when that deal comes up for renegotiation in 2022 the GAA must “ensure all games have a broadcast or an option for alternative platforms so fans do not miss out.”
“Both hurling and football very much form part of the fabric of our culture yet Galway fans, young and old, who wanted to watch last weekend’s match weren’t able and it left many disheartened.”
“People feel they’re being denied access to fixtures, and I’m particularly thinking of those who are unable to attend such fixtures due to ill health or older age.”
The Fianna Fáil TD added that many people already feel “alienated” by the paywall that some games are behind on television.
When people have ready access to such a wide variety of sports this risks “driving them away from the game that plays such an important role in so many towns and villages around the country”.
A burst water main has disrupted the water supply of multiple townlands across north Galway today from Kilconly to Headford.
Galway County Council has said that the water supply in the area has been affected by a burst water main at Carheens, Belclare.
This is causing water outages for homes and businesses in Kilconly, Loggawannia, Liss, Ballyfruit, Shrule and down to Headford town.
Repairs crews are working on the issue, but no time has been given yet for when people can expect their water to be restored.
A traffic management plan is in place while repair works are being carried out by Irish Water.
“Galway County Council working in partnership with Irish Water wish to apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused by these emergency works,” the council said.
Lignum is the Latin for wood and the name of a new and unique restaurant which is set to open in Bullaun just outside Loughrea in a few short weeks.
The core ideal behind Lignum restaurant is featuring the best local produce, cooked using ancient techniques in a custom made wood-burning oven, all done with experience acquired from all over the world.
The wood burning oven is hand-crafted from Naples, and Lignum said there is a “unique & poignant feeling experienced when cooking food this way.”
The restaurant added that “It’s safe to say the final product when served from an oven like this is second to none.”
Situated in the idyllic surroundings of Bullaun, each dish’s ingredients are meticulously chosen from the immediate area and top producers around Ireland.
The selection process revolves around ensuring that diners are getting wholesome and natural food, which is what any good restaurant experience should have.
That emphasis on locality and natural ingredients even extends to the drinks menu, with Lignum aiming to create a “more refined and more natural cocktail” that will deliver a new experience to customers.
Ingredients for the cocktail menu such as bitters and tonics will be made in house “following the seasonality of the ingredients”.
This new venture is being spearheaded by chef Danny Africano who has spent the better part of the last decade working in kitchens around the world in Australia, Italy, Singapore and more.
The third generation in a family of restaurateurs, Danny is blending what he learned from all those different cuisines and cooking styles to create a unique take on food for diners in Galway looking for a new experience.
Those wholesome local ingredients are complemented by the all-star team of chefs who will be working with them, gathered from a slew of Michelin star restaurants worldwide.
Crafted using ancient methods focused on using wood to prepare, cook & serve the cuisine – Lignum will offer an experience like no other that transcends the general outlook on modern dining.
Parts of Galway City could be underwater in less than two decades due to rising sea levels.
That’s according to a group of Galway activists who this week painted tide marks in prominent positions around the city, where the sea level will reach should we ignore warnings from climate scientists.
A spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion said that Galway is just one of many cities around the world which would be lost under rising sea levels within decades.
The spokesperson added that we know that more frequent storm surges will add further flooding risks.
Parts of Galway city already experiences flooding on an increasingly regular basis, amounting to many thousands of euros worth of damage to homes and businesses in recent years.
The OPW has costed national flood defence plans at €835 million, with Cork and Dublin already facing spiralling costs to keep water levels at bay.
On 1 May this year, the Irish government became the second country in the world to declare a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency, this on foot of last October’s UN report which stated that we have just twelve years to act before climate change becomes irreversible.
“The paint is temporary, but the warming of our planet isn’t,” said one activist. “We are urging the government to make this declaration more than just a ‘symbolic’ gesture, it is now an emergency and we are demanding an urgent response on this.”
Extinction Rebellion Galway are holding a ‘Pot Luck for the Planet’ on Sunday 23 June, at 1pm-4pm in Aras na nGael, Dominick Street and all are welcome.
Galway Hospice was recently presented with a cheque for €8,000 raised at a memorial golf event in Loughrea.
The Paula O’Donnell Memorial Golf Am Am supporting Galway Hospice took place at Loughrea Golf Club took place between May 16 – 19 this year.
Paula O’Donnell passed away in the care of the hospice in July 2017.
Prizes at the four day golf event were sponsored by Ballybane Pharmacy where Paula worked.
The golf am am raised a total of €8,000 for the hospice which was presented at the Huntsman Inn in the city this month.
The hospice said on facebook “A big thank you to everyone involved in the Paula O’Donnell Memorial Golf Am Am held in Loughrea Golf Club, which raised a staggering €8,000 for Galway Hospice.”
Pictured above are Harry and Moya O’Donnell, Puala’s husband and daughter, and Orla Feeney from the hospice.
One of Galway’s greatest homegrown makers of theatre Dr Máiréad Ní Chróinín has been named as the new Druid Artist in Residence at NUIG.
Working in close partnership with Druid Artistic Director, Dr Garry Hynes and other artists from Galway’s famed theatre group, Dr Ní Chróinín will coordinate the Druid Academy partnership with NUI Galway.
“As the co-director of an independent theatre company based in the West, Druid has been a huge inspiration and I am very excited to now work with them directly and with NUI Galway,” Máiréad Ní Chróinín said.
A Galway native, Máiréad Ní Chróinín established Moonfish Theatre, with her sister Ionia, in 2006.
The company has created work in English and Irish, toured their work nationally and internationally, presenting at festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe, Galway Theatre Festival, Galway International Arts Festival, Dublin Theatre Festival and the Dublin Fringe.
Máiréad Ní Chróinín Druid Artist in Residence at NUI Galway
Moonfish’s acclaimed, bi-lingual adaptation of Joseph O’Connor’s Star of the Sea toured twice in Ireland in 2015 and 2017, and toured to the US in 2018.
Their upcoming show, Redemption Falls, is freely adapted from the novel by Joseph O’Connor, and is a co-production with Galway International Arts Festival, the Abbey Theatre, and Town Hall Theatre, Galway.
It will have its World Premiere in An Taibhdhearc during the 2019 Galway International Arts Festival and will transfer to the Peacock stage at the Abbey Theatre during Dublin Theatre Festival 2019.
Dr Ní Chroinín’s experience will be a valuable part of the Academy partnership, where the Druid Theatre imparts their
This academy partnership was created to allow the Druid Theatre to impart their methodology to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
It focuses on ensemble as a mode of performance, rigorous critical analysis of theatre, by both practitioners and audiences, and an awareness of the importance of the audience wherever you are.
The classes cover a range of topics ranging from casting, to direction, to set design, complementing third level drama and theatre training at NUIG.
“The Druid Academy was borne out of a vision to foster a new generation of theatre makers in the west of Ireland,” Garry Hynes said.
“Dr Ní Chróinín’s dedication and experience make her the ideal candidate to continue our commitment to this key relationship between Druid and NUI Galway.”
Dr Charlotte McIvor, head of Drama and Theatre Studies at NUIG said that working with the Druid Academy is “one of the most distinctive features of our academic programmes”.
“Dr Ní Chróinín’s career to date epitomises the values of Druid Theatre through her own commitment to working rigorously as part of an ensemble and creating theatre that responds directly to the West of Ireland.”
“We are thrilled to be continuing this partnership through this exciting appointment.”
