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€4.3 million secured for new special needs school in Tuam

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Over €75,000 awarded to 11 Galway youth services

St. Oliver’s special school in Tuam has secured €4.3 million for a new special needs school building which is set to begin construction this summer.

Galway East TD Seán Canney has said that the Department of Education has agreed on a preferred contractor for the new special needs school, instructing the design team to issue a letter of acceptance.

The €4.3 million project is expected to commence on site by the end of June with construction estimated to take 18 months to complete.

St. Oliver’s operates under Ability West to provide education for pupils aged 4 to 18 who have a severe to profound learning disability, as well as catering for children with moderate multiple diagnosis, moderate general learning disability, or who have an additional diagnosis such as autism or behavioural difficulties.

The special needs school also has an Early Intervention class for children from 2 ½ to 6 years old with a diagnosis of Autism.

Presently St. Oliver’s has 31 students enrolled at its current facility. The new school building will be located at The Glebe, Tuam and will have a floor area of 2,221 sq metres

Deputy Canney said that this is an “important investment in special education in Tuam” that will give the local area “a first class modern educational facility”.

Sean Canney said that this is the latest investment in improving Tuam’s educational facilities after multiple other investments.

“Tuam now has a new Gaelscoil National School and Phase 1 of the Archbishop McHale Collage is open.”

“The planned merger of the three national schools in the town is progressing with a new 32-classroom school being developed.”

The independent TD added that he wished to “acknowledge the dedication of the School Principal, staff, Board of Management and parents in making sure Tuam and St Oliver’s have the best facilities available.”

Public consultation on extension of Western Rail Corridor

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news New timetable adds stops on Galway train services
file photo

Iarnród Éireann is inviting people in Galway to take part in a public consultation on whether to extend the Western Rail Corridor.

The consultation will include a financial appraisal of the proposed Athenry-Tuam and Tuam-Claremorris lines along the Western Rail Corridor.

Iarnród Éireann has appointed consultants EY-DKM Economic Advisory to undertake an independent appraisal with a public and stakeholder consultation.

The purpose of the appraisal is to establish if the proposed extension from Athenry to Tuam (phase 2) and from Tuam to Claremorris (phase 3) represents value for money to the Irish public.

EY-DKM have created an online survey available here for individuals and organisations to make their opinions known which is open until July 17.

The survey will ask people about the current transport usage, current services available, as well as your views on the extension of the Western Rail Corridor to phase 2 and 3, and any other comments or observations.

There are mixed views in Galway and the western region on whether the rail line should be reopened to boost public transportation or used as a Greenway route.

A petition to create a Western Rail Trail greenway from Athenry to Sligo has so far attracted over 24,000 signatures.

Upon completion of the appraisal EY-DKM will present their report to Iarnród Éireann and the Department of Transport along with any recommendations by the end of September.

Jim Meade, Chief Executive, Iarnród Éireann said that he knows that people in the communities along this route will welcome the chance to have their views heard.

“We would encourage all those who are interested in this issue, regardless of point of view, to participate in the consultation to give us a comprehensive understanding of opinions on these proposals.”

Galway hospital support workers to strike in jobs dispute

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news SIPTU members going on strike at LISK plant in Gort

Hospital support workers in SIPTU have served notice that they will strike this month in a jobs evaluation dispute with the government.

Medical and non medical support staff at Portiuncula Hospital, University Hospital Galway, and Merlin Park Hospital will engage in a 24 hour strike on Thursday, June 20.

This action will involved around 10,000 hospital staff in 38 hospitals working in portering, household and catering services and employed as Health Care Assistants, Maternity Care Assistants, Laboratory Aides, Chefs and Surgical Instrument Technicians.

The union has also warned that this 24 hour work stoppage could be followed by five more days of strike action this summer if their dispute is not resolved.

This dispute centres around the alleged failure of the government to implement the results of a jobs evaluations scheme that would have led to pay increases for many of the union’s members of between €1,600 and €3,200 a year.

SIPTU Health Division Organiser Paul Bell said “The ball is now in the court of the Government. The Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, has a small three week window to resolve this dispute or face the consequences.”

“Our members voted overwhelmingly by 95% in favour of taking strike action. They will not back down until they win this campaign for pay justice.”

“Our members accepted the provisions of all the public service agreements since 2010. The Government must now honour its obligations contained within these agreements.

“It is time to deliver for these workers.  It is unacceptable that workers should be forced to go into an official dispute in order to get what they are owed.”

According to the union an independent jobs evaluation carried out as part of the Landsdowne road agreement found that healthcare support workers have been underpaid for years.

Siptu has also said that people working as chefs are also taking action as they co-operated with a similar independent review process of their pay grades “and in recent weeks have had their hopes of achieving pay justice dashed.”

GMIT graduate elected to assembly of Ireland’s greatest living artists

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily life & style GMIT graduate elected to Aosdana assembly of leading artists

GMIT graduate and sculptor Aideen Barry has been elected to the Aosdána, an assembly of the best living artists in Ireland.

Founded in 1981, the Aosdána was established by the Arts Council to honour artists for their contributions to Irish society and to support them in their artistic endeavours.

Membership is capped at 250 living artists from a range of creative disciplines who are elected by their peers.

Members of the Aosdána are entitled to an annual grant, known as a cnuas, worth €17,850 a year for five years.

Aideen Barry, a graduate of the BA in Fine Art, Sculpture at GMIT, was one of six new members elected at the annual general assembly in University College Cork.

Staff and students in GMIT’s School of Design and Creative Arts gathered in GMIT’s Cluain Mhurie campus recently to pay tribute to Aideen and celebrate her success.

Lecturer and sculptor Ger Leslie, Aideen’s former tutor, said that they all shared incredible pride in her achievement.

“It is fantastic to see Aideen receive this recognition so early in her career. I believe she is the youngest member elected to date.”

Not only was it an incredible recognition for the work she has done Ger said, but it was an honour for GMIT to have one of their alumni sit on such a prestigious body.

“Successful alumni are a motivational force for us all but they are a particular inspiration for our students and their developing practice”.

Professor Leslie said that Aideen was someone who was always “inquisitive and passionate about work” who “strove to ignite this creativity and passion”

As well as creating her own work Aideen Barry also now teaches sculpture to art students in Limerick.

The other five new members chosen for the Aosdána alongside Aideen were visual artists Clare Langan and Margaret Irwin West, architect Niall McLaughlin and writers Anna Burns and Doireann Ní Gríofa.

Galway based Yield Lab Europe launch €21 million agritech fund

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily business Galway based Yield Lab agtech accelerator launches €21 million investment fund
Enterprise Ireland. Picture by Shane O'Neill, SON Photographic

The Galway based agricultural technology accelerator Yield Lab Europe has launched a new €21 million startup investment fund.

The €21 million fund will invest in early stage businesses in the agritech sector that have the potential to scale up internationally.

The Yield Lab Europe Fund 1 LP is backed by a further €10 million investment from Enterprise Ireland, along with €4 million from AIB, and three private family investors.

It is targeting startups with the potential to improve the sustainability of food production and help to reduce the contribution of the sector to climate change and environmental pollution.

The project will include an Accelerator Fund which invests €100,000 into five companies each year, and a larger follow-on fund to lead rounds through to Series A for selected companies.

“The launch of this new fund is a testament to our success to date and the potential of this sector,” Paul Finnerty, Chairman of Yield Lab Europe.

“It gives us the financial firepower to be a leading player in early stage investment in European AgTech.”

“Never before has the need for innovative technologies, to improve the sustainability and efficiency of how food is produced, been so acutely needed.”

“Large corporates globally depend on the start-up ecosystem to provide next generation solutions to critical problems facing the agriculture and food industries. AgTech is the sharp end of agrifood industry innovation.”

Yield Lab Europe has been running its Agritech Accelerator Programme out of Galway for the past two years, investing in seven companies that work in Big Data and Precision Agriculture (ApisProtect, Sencrop); Alternative Proteins (Hexafly); Animal Health and Aquaculture (MicroSymbiotiX); Soil Health (Microgen Biotech); Supply Chain Technologies (Impact Vision) and Crop Protection (Rootwave).

The company intends to raise further capital for this new investment fund over the next 12 months.

Kevin Sherry, Executive Director of Global Business Development at Enterprise Ireland said this fund will, “assist in providing the global ag sector with leading innovative, effective, scalable products and services.”

“This fund will increase the availability of that essential early stage growth capital and address equity funding availability within the area of agri-food technologies”.

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys said that venture capital is essential to helping high potential businesses get a start to their development.

Fianna Fáil leads and the Greens break through – Breakdown of the new county council

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Paul Kelly
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Galway daily news Lease approved for modular homes for Ukrainian refugees in Ballinasloe

After weeks of hard work and vigorous campaigning the candidates for Galway County Council finally saw the results of their graft last week.

Some parties saw their vote take a hit while some saw their support at the county council surge.

The 2019 local elections threw up some surprises while also maintaining some old certainties.

With negotiations progressing for a power structure on the new council, here’s a breakdown of where each of the parties stands.

Fianna Fáil 

If the Council elections in Galway this year taught us anything, it’s the strength of Fianna Fáil’s local machine.

When it comes to the County Council, Fianna Fáil exceeded the success they obtained on the City Council.

The party’s supporters in Galway will be no doubt delighted to have seen their party gain 3 seats on Galway County Council.

They obtained 32.8% of the first preference vote share in County Galway which was up 5.4% from five years prior.

This has resulted in Fianna Fáil becoming the single largest party on Galway County Council with 15 seats in total.

Their biggest victory came in the Tuam Electoral Area where they doubled their representation from 2 seats to 4.

It is worth noting that unlike the City Council, Fianna Fáil have more elected representatives on the County Council than there are Independents.

There is no doubt that becoming the largest party on both Galway Councils is a massive boost for their chances to make gains in both Galway East and Galway West/South Mayo in a future General Election.

Fine Gael 

Fine Gael increased their first preference vote share by 3.2% in County Galway bringing them to a 30.9% vote share.

This leaves them as the second biggest party on Galway County Council.

Despite increasing their vote share they managed to end up with only 11 seats which is 1 less than what they achieved in 2014.

Taking into account that the economy has drastically improved since 2014 and the anti government sentiment has greatly decreased I’m sure Fine Gael would have at least been hoping to retain their 12 seats in County Council.

Galway based Fine Gael supporters will be very disappointed to see the gap between themselves and Fianna Fáil on the County Council go from nothing in 2014 to 4 seats now.

This is despite the fact that there was less than 2% between the two parties which indicates that their vote management wasn’t as efficient as Fianna Fáil’s this time out.

Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin’s poor performance nationally was reflected in County Galway.

Despite their poor performance, the republican party will be relieved to have at least kept a presence on the County Council by retaining 1 out of their 3 seats.

Dermot Connolly in the Ballinasloe area was the only Sinn Féin Councillor in Galway to be re-elected.

Although this is a positive for the party, It must also be noted that Connolly’s first preference vote was down 7%.

Keeping a representative on the County Council was seen as a must considering the party have no more seats on the City Council.

Across the county Sinn Féin’s vote share was down 2.7% from 2014, obtaining 4.8% of first preference votes this time out.

This year’s Local Elections provided a serious set back for Sinn Féin in the Republic, and there is clearly work to be done for them to repeat the breakthrough they made in Galway 5 years ago.

Green Party 

Talks of a Green wave were rampant as soon as the RTÉ exit poll was released on Friday night which showed the Green Party benefited from the surge of support.

The spike in support for the Greens was felt in Galway and wasn’t just limited to Galway City.

They now has a presence on Galway County Council for the first time ever with Alaistair McKinstry being elected in Connemara South.

It was 2004 since the Green Party last ran a candidate in Connemara when Diarmuid Mulcahy obtained 2.3% of the vote and was swiftly eliminated.

They will undoubtedly be ecstatic to see Alaistair McKinstry obtain 11% of the vote in Connemara South.

Independents

The Independent vote was down 7.7% compared to 2014.

The recipients of this seems to be Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael who both saw their vote share increase throughout County Galway.

It is also reasonable to assume the increase in support for the Green Party may have took some votes from Independents.

Galway County Council Full Results

Connemara North: Thomas Welby Independent (29.4%), Eileen Mannion Fine Gael (19.2%), Gerry King Fianna Fàil (18.6%), Seamus Walsh Fianna Fàil (13.9%)

Connemara South: Padraig Mac An Iomhaire Fine Gael (15.7%), Thomas Noel Fianna Fàil (13.5%), Daithi Ó Cualáin Fianna Fáil (13.0%), Alastair McKinstry Green Party (11.0%), Thomas Ó Curraoin Republican Sinn Féin (10.8%)

Athenry-Oranmore: James Charity Independent (14.3%), Albert Dolan Fianna Fáil (13.7%), Jim Cuddy Independent (11.6%), Gabe Cronnelly Indepenent (9.8%), David Collins Fine Gael (9.3%), Liam Carroll Fine Gael (7.1%) Herterich Quinn Shelly Fianna Fáil (6.0%)

Tuam: Pete Roche Fine Gael (16.4%), Mark Killilea Fianna Fàil (10.2%), Joe Sheridan Fianna Fáil (10.4%), Mary Hoade Fianna Fáil (9.8%), Andrew Reddington Fine Gael (9.4%), Colm Keavney Fianna Fáil (8.2%), Karey McHugh Independent (6.3%)

Ballinasloe: Tim Broderick Independent (17.8%), Michael Connolly Fianna Fáil (16.4%), Dermot Connolly Sinn Féin (10.5%), Peter Keaveney Fine Gael (12.3%), Declan Geraghty Independent (11.6%), Aisling Dolan Independent (8.2%)

Loughrea: Michael “Moegie” Maher Fine Gael (20.8%), Jimmy McClearn Fine Gael, Shane Curley Fianna Fáil, Ivan Manning Fianna Fáil, Pat Hynes Independent (9.2%)

Gort-Kinvara: Joe Byrne Fine Gael (27.1%), P.J. Murphy Fine Gael (15.9%), Martina Kinane Fianna Fáil (14.6%), Gerry Finnerty Fianna Fáil (8.1%), Geraldine Donohue Independent (5.3%)

Irish language tech hub for young people launches in Galway city

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Irish Language tech hub for young people opens in Galway city

A new tech hub for young people who are Irish language speakers has opened in Galway city.

The Techspace centre at Áras na Gael offers technological and digital materials including filming equipment, video, music and coding software, and a recording studio, free of charge to young Irish language speakers.

The goal of the pilot project is to provide a weekend drop-in space for young people that can be made freely available to schools and youth groups across the city and county.

Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands Seán Kyne said that it’s “important that such events and innovative materials are made available to young people through the medium of Irish”.

The programme is being run by a working group made up of Áras na nGael, Camara Education Ireland, Clár TechSpace, Conradh na Gaeilge, Foróige and Ógras.

Séamus Ó Fátharta of Camara said the hub would provide and incredible opportunity for “training schemes for youth workers, teachers and young people in Galway city centre”.

“We will be focusing on a range of activities that will engage young people and that we already know young people will be interested in”.

So far €419,000 in funding has been approved for the Techspace programme by the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht with hubs in Connact, Munster, and Ulster.

Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha of Conradh na Gaeilge said, “Research from the Gaeltacht language planning process shows that a language hub is essential for young people if we wish to boost the usage of Irish within this age group.”

“The research also shows the attraction of Galway city to this age group, from every area of Connemara’s Gaeltacht, and that it is necessary to take this into account in the provision of such a space.”

“It is clear to us the need to provide a hub and supports that are attractive to young people, and that we can do this through the development of a TechSpace Hub in Áras na nGael.”

More time granted to convert old Eyre Square bank to café/restaurant

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Knocknacarra social housing

More time has been granted to complete work converting an old bank on Eyre Square into a café and restaurant.

Londyne Ltd was first granted planning permission by the city council to convert the bank at 19 Eyre Square into a dining business back in 2014.

However, that grant of permission expired in April and Londyne requested an extension of duration from the council.

In asking the city council to grant more time to complete the development, Londyne said that it hadn’t been able to commence work on the project as the property was occupied by Bank of Ireland up until December 2018.

The developer only took full ownership of the property on February 21 of this year and did not have time to commence work before permission expired.

“As the building is a Protected Structure the applicant did not have adequate time to source appropriate contractors to carry out substantial works during this time,” the EOD application stated.

The unused banking hall in question is at the southern end of Eyre Square opposite AIB.

Galway city council granted the extension of duration unconditionally, with planning permission now lasting until April 15, 2024.

Londyne has said that it expects the project to be complete within one year.

Transgender woman who died in Direct Provision buried in secret by the state

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Calls for review of how the government handles deaths in direct provision

A transgender woman who died while in Direct Provision in Galway last year was buried in secret by the state without informing any of her close friends or the community.

Sylva Tukula died while at the Great Western Direct Provision Centre on August 2 of last year.

Amach! LGBT+ charity released a statement today saying that despite assurances that Sylva would be given a culturally appropriate burial with her Galway friends present, she was buried last month without ceremony and with no-one close to her in attendance.

The charity said that friends and colleagues of Sylva were assured by national and local state representatives that they would be notified once funeral arrangements were made.

“Sadly, we were recently informed that our dear friend was buried by the State at the beginning of May. Members of our community and, especially those close to Sylva, were devastated to hear of her burial with no-one close to her present.”

“The fact that Sylva’s burial occurred in the absence of a ceremony, and without attendance, is deeply offensive to everyone close to Sylva, particularly members of the LGBT+ community who lived in the Great Western, who knew her from the Eglinton Direct Provision centres in Galway City and those that met her throughout her life in Galway.”

“This abhorrent news has left many in shock, with those in the direct provision sites feeling that they will be buried alone thousands of miles away from people they grew up with by the Irish State.”

The LGBT+ charity has requested that a full investigation be carried out into how this happened and why no-one was informed even though “We continually checked with Government representatives for updates, while receiving no new information regarding any arrangements.”

“Our dear friend Sylva was failed by the system in which she was entrapped, in many ways; yet at all times she bore these failings with grace, with dignity and with a warm smile.”

Amach! has said that they will be working with people who knew Sylva Tukula on commemorating her burial and life.

Hazardous waste disposal event for city households this Saturday

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Hazardous waste disposal event for city households

Galway city council is organising a hazardous waste disposal event for households within the city this weekend.

This Saturday, June 8 people can bring their hazardous waste such as paint and paint cans, pesticides, old medicine, and aerosols to Ballybrit racecourse for disposal.

Some restrictions apply as a maximum of ten 10L paint cans, or an equivalent amount will be accepted per vehicle.

The event will accept waste from 8:15am to 1pm on Saturday or until the service reaches its maximum capacity.

This event is strictly for household rubbish, no commercial or trade waste will be accepted.

Proof of address such as a utility bill or householder ID may be requested at the event before you can dispose of you waste.

The admission fee for households to this event is €5, payable only by cash.

More information can be had from the city council environment section reachable at 091 536400.

Young man hospitalized after city centre stabbing

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Paul Kelly
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galway daily news Further arrests made in connection with car park brawl

A man has been hospitalized after a stabbing on Francis Street in Galway City Centre in the early hours of this morning.

Gardaí have said that a young man in his 20s was injured in a stabbing incident that took place in the early hours of this morning.

The incident took place at around 3.30am on Francis Street.

The individual was brought to University Hospital Galway where his condition is said to be “serious”.

However, his injuries are said to be “non-life threatening”.

Francis Street was closed for a forensic and technical examination this morning but has since reopened.

Gardaí have confirmed investigations into the incident are ongoing with no arrests being made at this point in time.

Galway company embracing four day work week

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily business One Galway company is moving to a four day work week
Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy

Looking for better ways to motivate, encourage and retain staff one Galway business is taking the step of introducing a four day work week.

The ICE Group in Galway, a recruitment, HR Outsourcing, and training company, is switching over to a four day work week in the belief that staff will be more energised and productive after a three day weekend.

“Adapting the workplace to the employees needs will empower your workforce and we know will improve productivity and output,” explained Margaret Cox Director of ICE Group.

“We know that a happier and valued workforce will result in a positive working environment and company growth.”

She added that a three day weekend will enable their staff to spend more time with the people they love and improve quality of life both in and out of the workplace.

Headquartered in Galway since being established in 1972, the ICE Group currently employs over 50 people across its offices here and in Dublin, Limerick, Sligo and Sydney.

The company works with a wide range of companies, including Irish businesses, public services, multinationals and overseas organisations.

The company said that it is making this decision on the back of research showing the benefits of a four day work week for both staff and their customers, with a slogan for this project of  ‘4-day work, 100% customer, the buy-in is 100%’.

Felim McDonnell, CEO of ICE Group said “The business we are in changes people’s lives.”

“We give our customers opportunities to change their lives, now we have found a way to change our employee’s lives.”

The four day week isn’t coming out of employees pockets either, with salaries unaffected by the change in schedule.

According to Felim McDonnell in the time since making the switch they’ve seen great employee positivity around how to spend their extra time, and an increasing number of people interested in working with ICE.

He added that the response from the clients has been just as positive. “They get that the service they receive from our team will enhance their own service requirements and consequently their profitability.”

“One or two have joked about when they could join us,” Mr McDonnell said.

 

photo: Mike Shaughnessy

Junior and Leaving cert exams underway for almost 7,000 young people in Galway

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Planning extension grant for Craughwell National School expansion

Junior and Leaving Cert students are filling school halls this morning as exams have gotten underway for almost 7,000 young people in Galway.

There are an estimated 3,155 students taking their Leaving Certificate in Galway this year, and a further 3,502 young people sitting their Junior Cert exams.

In total there are just under 120,000 young people sitting exams today, with anxiety sure to be running high after a year of preparation.

As part of a measure to help make the ever stressful Leaving Cert easier for young people, this year has seen the LC timetable stretched out by two days so students aren’t as overwhelmed.

There are 54,440 people sitting the leaving cert, along with another 2,709 in the leaving cert applied, while 62,562 young people are taking their junior cert.

Pat Burke, Chairman of the State Examinations Commission wished good luck to all students sitting exams today, taking what he described as “a significant step in their educational journey”.

he added that this is a stressful time for young people and “the support of families and the wider community for candidates sitting examinations is very important.”

The first exams that junior and leaving cert students are sitting today is English Paper 1. Later today leaving cert students will be taking home economics while junior cert students have CSPE exams.

Other than the main two foreign languages of French and German taught in secondary school, 1,800 students around Ireland will be examined this year in 18 non-curriculum languages.

The largest non-curriculum language being tested is Polish with 820 students sitting an exam for it this year.

That is followed by Romanian with 359 students, Lithuanian (194), Portugese (123), Latvian (72), Croatian (65), Hungarian (53), Bulgarian (23), Dutch (18), Greek (14), and Czech (13).

A total of 28 people are also sitting exams in Danish, Estonian, Swedish, Finnish, Slovenian and Maltese.

Minister for Education Joe McHugh wished everyone sitting an exam today the best of luck after “the culmination of many days and nights of hard work”.

He added that though these exams are a milestone in students’ education “you shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that there are many paths to a rewarding life.”

“There are now more options and opportunities for you than ever before, whether your focus is on a skill, a trade, a college or university course or all the new and older apprenticeships and traineeships.”

‘Misogynistic’, ‘racist’ and creating ‘a culture of bigotry’ – Eyre Square protesters condemn Donald Trump

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Paul Kelly
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Galway Daily news Anti-Trump protest in Eyre Square

The rain did little to deter a gathering of protesters against US President Donald Trump in Eyre Square yesterday evening.

A number of people gathered in Galway City in what was described as an Anti-Trump protest to voice their opposition to the US president’s arrival in Ireland today.

The controversial president is due to arrive at Shannon Airport tomorrow where he will be greeted by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The US veterans for peace activist who is currently out on bail stated how he has been in Ireland for “almost three months now because your Government has my passport”.

He decried Trump as the individual who is in charge of “possibly the most dangerous government and dangerous military” that ever existed on the face of the earth.

Tarak Kauff labelled Trump as a misogynist and a racist. He than claimed he was a danger to the existence of the human race on this planet. 

He claimed that Trump was an unstable man with his finger on the button and insisted that Leo Varadkar meeting this man was an embarrassment.

Tarak rounded off his speech by lambasting the US military as the single biggest destroyer of the planet on the Earth and called on the Irish people to demand that the Irish government stop allowing the US military to go through Shannon Airport.

He claimed that if Irish people do this it will have ramifications across the globe.

Galway based Poet Rita Ann Higgins was next to speak reading out a poem she wrote.

She said she was there because she cares about people and planet while Trump epitomizes emptiness.

Following the poetry reading was a speech from Will Griffin who served in the US military in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The US Army veteran claimed he carried a loaded gun through Shannon Airport unaware he was violating Ireland’s neutrality.

He went on the describe the US Republican Party as the most dangerous organization in the world while the Democratic Party was as dangerous because “it covers up its intentions all around the world”.

His speech was centred on describing the US military as a terrorist organisation, stating that the Army was “killing people in Iraq and Afghanistan not building schools and hospitals”.

He referenced the fact that Donald Trump wasn’t the president when the US got involved in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and how these are “long held US policies and strategies that are dangerous”.

The anti war activist described these policies as “anti human” and affirmed his right to not stand with Trump and “US war policies that are destroying entire countries and creating tensions between superpowers like Russia and China who all have nuclear weapons”.

He finished up his speech by exclaiming that we have an environmental catastrophe on our hands.

Cameron Keighron was next to speak on behalf of Amach which is an LGBT resource center, describing how he has watched in fear as more LGBT rights and protections are overturned in the United States.

He asserted that “LGBT people have been victims of hate and discrimination across the globe for Centuries for being who they are”.

Mr Keighron slammed Donald Trump for “systematically cutting and repealing legislation” in an effort “to hurt the most vulnerable members of our community”.

He claimed the US President’s actions directly have directly targeted “some of the most marginalized members of our community”.

The activist condemned Trumps actions as creating a “culture of bigotry, oppression and hate” which leads to an embrace of practices such as “conversion therapy” while simultaneously “removing most rights for the trans community in the states”.

The Amach representative ended his speech with a rallying call to show solidarity with our “LBGT brothers in the states and reassure them that we are supporting them”.

He finished off with a quote he had read earlier on in the day by stating that “the beauty of standing up for your rights is other people see you standing and stand up as well this is what we can do and what we must do”.

The final speaker of the day was Trade Union Representative and former Sinn Féin city councillor Mark Lohan.

Mark Lohan was speaking in his capacity as a “Trade Union leader” wanting to add to his voice to the protest to declare “loudly and proudly” that Trump doesn’t have the support of organised workers in Ireland or even his own Country”.

He criticized Trump as always being quick to speak about “fake news” when it was the US President who generated fake news by “promising to bring back AFLCIO jobs in the rustbelt and bring back iron-worker jobs”.

The Sinn Féin activist castigated Trump as fanning the flames of populism and praised the Trade Union Movement for always standing firm with progressive causes.

He concluded his speech by declaring that this protest was not an Anti American protest and was instead an Anti Neocon and Neoliberalism protest which undermines workers rights across the world.

 

Two days of roadworks underway near Loughrea

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Some traffic disruption is expected at the Galway-Roscommon county line today near Mountbellew due to roadworks taking place

Traffic in the Loughrea area will be affected by two days of roadworks getting underway this morning.

Galway county council has ordered a stretch of the LP 4300 at Mullagh, Loughrea closed for two days this week for resurfacing overlay roadworks.

The road will be closed from 9:30am to 7pm on Wednesday, June 5 and Thursday, June 6 to allow these works to take place.

“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.

Dunmore Community School going green with solar power plans

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news perovskite solar panels

Dunmore Community School is working on having an eco-friendly campus with plans for on site solar power.

The community school at Abbeyland South, Dunmore is seeking planning permission to erect two rows of solar panels with a total area of 30 sqm on the southern end of the school building.

Dunmore Community School is a coeducational post-primary school in the trust of the Mercy Order.

It was founded in in 1990 when Incarnate Word College and Saint Patrick’s Vocational School amalgamated.

Galway county council is due to make a decision on whether to grant approval for this planning application by June 23.

NUIG researchers join €5.9 million rural regeneration project

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news nui galway schools Public involvement in healthcare research seminar

Researchers at NUI Galway are taking part in a €5.9 million EU project to support rural regeneration and find answers to the specific challenges facing rural communities.

The RURALIZATION project involves partner organisations in 12 European countries that aims to influence policy making on rural regeneration including the The Rural Studies Cluster at NUIG’s Geography department.

Challenges facing rural communities in Ireland and around EU include depopulation, poor development opportunities and the transition from reliance on primary sectors, such as farming and forestry.

RURALIZATION has a stated aim of improving understanding of issues such as access to land, develop strategies for a generational renewal of agriculture and support policy making for tackling these issues.

At NUI Galway, the project is led by Dr Maura Farrell who said that the growth of the EU is being challenged by unbalanced development between rural and urban areas.

“The issue of regenerating rural areas is not new. Innovative solutions exist, but need to be better applied and adapted,” she said, adding that “One size doesn’t fit all.”

“What is unique about this project is that it will find these solutions, assess and develop them with people in rural areas where they are used, and then look at how they can be applied in new contexts.”

“The project also uses innovative methods, assessing the dreams of youth for rural futures, which then feeds into a proposed set of renewed policy options.”

NUIG and Teagasc are the two Irish partners involved in this project which includes 18 organisations around Europe.

It is funded through the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme with a diverse range of participants including universities, research institutes, SMEs and other practitioners such as five members of the Access to Land Network.

As part of this multi-sector approach the research teams will work with farmers, young people, and rural entrepreneurs to get the input of people on the ground who are affecting by this issue.

First titles announced for 2019 Galway Film Fleadh

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily life & style Galway Film Fleadh reveals the first part of the line-up for this summer

Galway Film Fleadh has revealed the first titles coming to their screens this summer at the 31st annual film festival.

Closing out this year’s film fleadh will be the international premiere of Never Grow Old, a terrific old-fashioned western, starring Emile Hirsch and John Cusack.

This fast paced action movie set in California during the 1849 gold rush, where anything can happen and loyalties spin like the barrel of a gun, was shot right here in Connemara.

It also marks director Ivan Kavanagh’s return to the Fleadh since his 2014 film The Canal.

A Bread Factory, Part One and A Bread Factory, Part Two show that American indie cinema is alive and well in this year’s lineup in a double bill starring Tyne Daly (Cagney & Lacey, Spiderman: Homecoming, Judging Amy, Cagney & Lacey) and James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

Director Patrick Wang makes a welcome return to the Fleadh following the success of previous features In the Family and The Grief of Others.

This two parter follows the story of Dorothea and Greta, who 40 years ago transformed an abandoned bread factory in the sleepy town of Checkford into a vibrant arts space.

It quickly became the heart of their local community, showcasing theatre, dance, music and film.

But this community led project is threatened when a big business celebrity couple with questionable motivations move into town and construct an enormous competitive arts venue, sucking up funding and audiences overnight.

Emmy Award and Tony Award winning actress Tyne Daly will be coming to Galway to present this comic, touching double bill.

Extra Ordinary will bring the laughs with the story of a driving instructor who must use her supernatural gifts to save a lonely man’s daughter from an aging rock star hoping to use her for satanic sacrifice.

The Irish Film Institute returns to the Fleadh with Glimpses of Galway, a wonderful new programme of archival films made in and about Galway.

These snapshots capture life in Galway from the silent movie era in the 1920’s, right through to the 1970’s.

The programme includes compelling and rarely-seen amateur and professional footage of Galway city and county, accompanied by live music and introduced by the IFI’s Sunniva O’Flynn.

Galway’s own Steve Wall is starring in the modern noir My Foolish Life as jazz legend Chet Baker.

Speaking about the selection of films, Galway Film Fleadh CEO Miriam Allen said, “We are delighted to announce these films that we hope will whet the appetite of our audiences for the variety of cinema screening at Galway in July.”  

This year the Fleadh will also feature Varda par Agnes, the final work from French New Wave pioneer Agnès Varda who passed away earlier this year.

As part of a tribute to the legendary filmmaker the Fleadh will be screening some of her most classic works, L’une chante l’autre pas, Cléo de 5 à 7, Vagabond, The Gleaners & I , and La Pointe Courte, ahead of her final film.

Galway Film Fleadh will take place from July 9 – 14 with a wide range of films from Irish and international filmmakers with everything from full length feature dramas and compelling documentaries to short films shot by up and comers.

The world renowned film festival will also feature a film marketplace, workshops and masterclasses, and a pitching competition.

William Fitzgerald, who creates the film programme for Galway Film Fleadh said they were pleased to be able to “peel back the curtain a little bit and give people a chance to jump on these early release titles”

“They represent a good taste of what’s in store – comedy, classics, Irish talent blowing up the big screen and the final film from the inestimable Agnès Varda.” 

Tickets for these early announcements and all the films coming this summer can be booked online here.

Stop and go system in Oranmore for ongoing repair works

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Fine for drivers ignoring school warden stop sign to double

Traffic in Oranmore is being disrupted by a stop and go system in place today to allow for ongoing repairs a week after a major burst water main forced a road closure.

The stop and go system is in place near the railway tracks on the Claregalway road while Irish Water are carrying out further repairs.

A serious burst water main on the Claregalway road last Thursday forced the road to close for several hours while repairs were made.

The county council has advised motorists that the traffic management system will be in place until 4pm this afternoon while work is ongoing.

 

Three burst mains disrupting water supply to city and Oranmore

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Water outages in multiple areas of Galway due to burst mains

Multiple burst water mains are disrupting the water supply to residents of Galway city and Oranmore today.

Two burst mains are affecting the water supply multiple neighbourhoods in Mervue while another has been reported on the Carnmore road in Oranmore.

Irish water has said that repairs to a burst main affecting St. James’ Road and St. James’ Crescent in Mervue will be complete by 3pm this afternoon.

Work on a second broken pipe at the IDA Business Park and Technology Centre is expected to be complete by 4pm.

Residents of the Carnmore Road and surrounding areas of Oranmore should also start to see the water return by 4pm.

A fourth burst main in Castlegar was also causing water outages in Bóthar na Minne, An Pairc Mór, Bóthar Thuama, and An Caisleán Gearr today.

However Irish Water has said that repairs were completed around 11am this morning.

In each instance it may take 2 – 3 hours for full water supply to be restored after repairs are complete.

Further updates on the situation will be available through Irish Water’s Supply and Service page, or people affected can call 1850 278278.

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