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Portiuncula Hospital wins Heart Foundation award for third year running

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Portiuncula Hospital awarded Heart Foundation award for third year running

Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe has once again been awarded the Happy Heart award from the Irish Heart Foundation.

This marks the third year in a row in which the Irish Heart Foundation has bestowed this award on Portiuncula University Hospital.

The Happy Heart award recognises the ongoing work that is done at the hospital to promote healthy eating in the workplace.

Patricia O’Donoghue, Catering Manager at Portiuncula Hospital said that “We were absolutely delighted when we received the Gold Happy Heart award again this year.”

“There are strict criteria set out for us to follow in order to be able to apply for the award and our catering department was assessed by an independent dietician.”

She explained that assessment for the award looks at a range of factors including overall food choice, counter layout, food preparation practices, and portion sizes.

Also taken into consideration in the food they produce are measures taken to reduce fat, sugar, and salt consumption and increase the intake of fibre, fruit, and vegetables.

“Our aim is to enable staff make healthier choices and recognise the benefits of healthy eating.”

We use fresh produce and cook it to maximise flavour. We do not add sauces to the dishes but serve them on the side so the flavours of the freshly cooked food can speak for themselves.”

“We also provide a daily salad bar to expand the healthy options for staff,” Patricia added.

Over 1000 workplaces are supported by the Irish Heart Foundation through intiatives such as the Healthy Eating Awards, Sli@Work, and Health Checks that offer a wide range of benefits.

Employers that encourage healthy eating report reduced staff sickness absence and turnover, increased productivity and employee satisfaction, and fewer accidents and injuries according to the Heart Foundation.

Patricia O’Donghue said that this award “is not about calories or dieting but rather raising the awareness of good healthy food to promote long term good health and a happier and healthier workforce.”

 

photo: Catering Department staff at Portiuncula University Hospital

Connemara road closing for three weeks of roadworks

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Roadworks to disrupt traffic near Portumna on Tuesday

Traffic in the north of Connemara will be disrupted for three weeks from next Monday due to roadworks.

Galway county council has ordered a section of the R345 between An Fhairche and Conga closed to allow Irish Water to carry out roadworks in the area.

The affected section of road will be closed from 7:30am on Monday, May 27 to 6pm on Friday, June 14.

Irish Water will be be conducting extensive water mains installation works followed by the reinstatement of the road surface.

Galway county council is advising motorists travelling in the area during this three week period to divert south via the R345 from An Fhairche onto the L-1304 headed east to Conga.

Bus details for Galway United away game in Drogheda

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Briain Kelly
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Ga;way Daily sport Galway United trials for U-19 squad players
3 March 2017; A general view of United Park before the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match between Drogheda United and St Patrick's Athletic at United Park in Drogheda, Co. Louth. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Galway United Friends Co-Operative are organising a bus for supporters coming to the next away game in Drogheda this week.

Galway United will face off against Drogheda on Friday, May 24 at United Park in Drogheda, kicking off at 7:45pm.

Galway are currently sitting in 7th place on the leaderboard of the SSE Airtricty League first division with 12 points, trailing three positions behind Drogheda who are in 4th place with 23 points.

The bus will depart Prospect Hill bus stop at 3.30pm sharp. Pick ups can be arranged along the Dublin Road in Galway, Maldron Hotel Oranmore, and all motorway exits.

To book a seat on the bus, contact Dominick Walsh at 087-9163438, Kenny Keady 085-1083930 or Stephen Dowling at 086-2361040.

Return bus fares at €25 for an adult, €20 for senior citizens and students, and €10 for someone under 16 travelling with an adult.

€6 million spent on homelessness services in Galway in 2018

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news COPE Galway extremely worried at record homelessness levels

Almost €6 million was spent on homelessness services in Galway city and county in 2018.

New figures from the Homelessness Financial Report End of Year 2018 show that €5,727,241 was spent on homelessness prevention, emergency accommodation, long term supported accommodation, and administrative services in Galway.

The single largest expenditure by a huge margin was €2.2 million on private emergency accommodation by Galway city council, followed by €804,739 on B&B and Hotel accommodation by the county council.

According to the Department of Housing there were over 300 homeless adults in Galway alone in March.

While across the west of Ireland there were 348 homeless adults, including 85 families living in emergency accommodation with 213 children.

Expenditure for homelessness prevention last year included support for tenancy sustainment and resettlement services with Galway Simon, COPE Galway, and Threshold.

In total €1,119,137 was spent on prevention services in Galway last year.

Emergency accommodation other than private accommodation included Fairgreen Hostel, Osterly Lodge, and the Cold Weather Response in the city, and Cluain Mhuire and transitional units in the county.

The total bill for emergency accommodation in 2018 came to €3,989,988 in Galway.

All of the long term supported accommodation in the report was by the city council such as Men’s High and Women’s Transitional Housing with Galway Simon, Market Street Men’s Shelter run by St. Vincent de Paul and Teach Mhuire on St, Helen’s Street.

The €285,930 total bill for this also included non-specified long term support from COPE, Galway Simon, and Cluid Housing.

Only one item was included in the report’s bill under Day Services, €103,162 for Teach na Coiribe Day Centre run by COPE Galway.

And last €229,024 was spent on Housing Authority Homeless Service Provision including Administration, which includes West Region Services Management at the local authorities and HAP Place Finder Offficers.

Letter: In response to the recent raid on popular Galway shop

By
Michael Malone
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cbd hse letter to editor shop raid

In response to ‘Popular Galway Shop raided by Gardai’

A chara,

How have we, a nation of farmers, renowned for agriculture and  having a hearty respect for land, become so afraid, so conformist and so farcical when it comes to natural health supplements and alternative medicines?

In these rapidly changing times and amidst the jostling of European markets our policy makers are killing Irish businesses, deterring investment, and worst of all, depriving chronically ill citizens of the freedom to choose non-pharmaceutical options with their lack of organization and backward attitudes.

Between recent announcements from Enterprise Ireland that they don’t support ‘hemp companies’, welcomed developments to the Department of Health’s cannabis access scheme, and recent raids on CBD stores, it is apparent that there is a dangerous disarray and lack of communication between government departments.

When one studies policy on the subject it becomes glaringly obvious how Customs, the HPRA, Revenue, an Garda Siochana and the Department of Health all have different attitudes and policy when it comes to hemp and CBD.

Currently there is a global movement toward natural alternatives and huge interest in cannabis as a medicine. In recent years doctors and patients worldwide have collaborated to monitor the effects of cannabinoids.

Enough research exists to establish CBD, an isolate derived from cannabis (or hemp) as a gentle non-addictive pain reliever, an important support to cancer patients, and an effective, novel assistant in relieving symptoms related to alzheimers, parkinsons, epilepsy, autism, and depression.

Isolated CBD, which is psycho-actively benign, is legal in this country.  It is not a controlled substance.

CBD does not get you “high”.

Our government, rather than maintaining the status quo for fear of backlash from uneducated groups should develop policy and support education on the matter, to allow our nation of farmers and educated young people to build an internationally renowned hemp and CBD industry.

Not only should policy be streamlined, but resources should be established to support local enterprise and farming methods. Patients want freedom to choose alternatives, farmers want new opportunities and entrepreneurs want to supply services and safe products without fear.

These recent raids highlight fear and lack of education. They highlight a nation that is disabling itself when other countries are grabbing a slice of a burgeoning international hemp and cannabis industry.

These local businesses, who were victims of these raids, would embrace a regulatory framework. They are paying taxes. They are employing people. They are providing access to a product that improves people’s lives. They are working with the policy currently in place. These policies are clearly not working. Simple changes could be made to protect patients, support local enterprise, give life back to our agricultural sector and perhaps even help establish Ireland as a leader in hemp derived CBD production.

We are a nation of supposed scholars, smothered by fear and disorganization once again. We’ve spent years breaking free. We are proud of our resilience, our recent changes to the Constitution and our reputation internationally.

Let’s not let fear of a plant push us backwards. We have the opportunity to be leaders in this industry.

Let’s not let semantics and gaps in policy hold us back.

Leah Fletcher, B.Ed, M.Ed
Athlone

Farmers urged to think safety first and share roads

By
Michael Malone
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Galway Daily news €20.6 million in ANC payments issued to Galway farmers

Farmers are being urged to take extra care as the number of tractors, trailers and other farm machinery using the roads increases.

The appeal comes from the Road Safety Authority and the Irish Farmers Association as farmers and contractors across the county are gearing up for the first cut of silage to get underway.

Michael Rowland, Director Road Safety Research & Driver Education, RSA, said: “This is a very busy time of year for farmers with silage cutting underway.

“There are more tractors and trailers out using the roads, which means the risk of a collision involving a road user and farm machinery has increased.

“Motorists need to be on the lookout for tractors, trailers and other agricultural machinery exiting from fields and farm-yards. We should all expect the unexpected, as danger could literally be around the next corner.”

Drivers of agricultural vehicles are being reminded that they are subject to all road traffic legislation.

They are required to carry the appropriate license and farm vehicles are required to be taxed, insured and must be roadworthy, including fully operational lights front and rear.

IFA President, Joe Healy added: “I am appealing to everybody to be safety conscious during this busy period.

“If we cooperate, we can all share the roads. I would ask drivers of machinery to watch for traffic building up to the rear and to keep left if an opportunity arises to let traffic pass safely.

“For other road users, I would ask them to be patient and do not attempt to overtake unless it is safe to do so.”

Sweeney Oil wins Gradam award for encouraging Irish in business

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Sweeney Oil wins prestigious Irish language award

A large crowd turned out yesterday to support the Irish language achievements of many businesses in Galway where Sweeney Oil was named the winner of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2019.

Galway TD and Minister of State for the Irish Language Seán Kyne handed out the awards to the Gradam winners on Monday night.

“”It’s great to see the increased visibility of the Irish language within your businesses and organisations as well as the positive impact that it has on you, as a business owner, manager, or member of staff in our bilingual city,” Minister Kyne said at the wwards.

Sweeney Oil was named as the winner of the ‘Services Category’ sponsored by Snap Galway and they went on to scoop the overall award on the night.

This is the third year running that Sweeney Oil have entered the Gradam. The consistent focus they put on Irish was seen last year when they won in their category, and last night night’s victory shows how they have continued in that vein.

The Irish language is prominently displayed on Sweeney Oil’s signage, website, advertising, marketing material, and they have several members of staff can provide ‘Seirbhís trí Ghaeilge’.

Other winners on the night were KD Autoparts who won the ‘Retail’ category, The Kings Headwinner of the ‘Hospitality & Tourism’ category, and Big O Taxis, winner of the ‘Other Companies’ category.

A special award was created for the 2019 competition, the Bronnadh Speisialta na Moltóirí, to acknowledge a business which entered the Gradam for the first time and displayed an incredibly high standard.

This award was given to the Galmont Hotel & Spa, while a University Scholarship for the language acquisition course ‘An Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge’ at NUIG was awarded to Galway Volunteer Centre.

Mayor of Galway Niall McNelis said that the Gradam and the work done by local businesses are “an excellent opportunity for us in Galway, to showcase and acknowledge the true spirit of bilingualism in our city.”

Each of the winners will receive a business package to the value of €2,000 from their respective category sponsor as well as a replica of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh sponsored byÚdarás na Gaeltachta.

Cathaoirleach of Ghaillimh le Gaeilge Bernadette Mullarkey said that these businesses all showed “positive acknowledgement of the valuable market of Irish Speakers in Galway City and County”.

Fáilte Ireland recruiting Local Experts to support tourism in Connemara

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily life & style Failte Ireland recruiting local experts to support tourism in Connemara

Fáilte Ireland is headed to Connemara tomorrow to recruit people knowledgeable about their local area to help give tourists the best Galway experience.

The Know Galway Local Experts Programme aims to support the tourism sector by creating a network of people who can share local knowledge and ensure visitors to Galway have a memorable and unique experience.

Those interested in how they can give a boost to local tourism can find out at two workshops taking place in Clifden tomorrow specifically about what to see and do in Connemara and the Islands.

The free workshops will take place at the Clifden Station House Hotel at 10:30am and 6pm on Wednesday, May 22.

To register for either of these free workshops email localexperts@failteireland.ie.

Speaking about the programme Niamh Mannion, Senior Travel Advisor with Fáilte Ireland said that Galway is one of the most popular destinations in Ireland for international visitors.

What makes it special for so many, she added, is the way in which “its attractions are brought to life every day by locals interacting with tourists”.

The National Tourism Development Authority is encouraging people who work with visitors to their area, local volunteers, or just anyone who loves showing off their community to take part.

The Local Experts Programme will also feature social media initiatives, a Local Experts Pass and opportunities for people and businesses in the tourism sector to network.

Niamh Mannion said that what people look for in a modern holiday isn’t the pre-packaged bundle where you check all the usual boxes.

Instead, tourists want memorable and personal experiences that can only come from local people who know that best places to see and eat, and things to do.

Prime city centre retail property on sale for over €2 million

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway daily business City Centre retail property on sale for over €2 million

A retail property in the heart of Galway’s shopping district is on sale with an asking price of more than €2 million.

Commercial agents Lambert Smith Hampton are handling the sale of 35 William Street, seeking offers in excess of €2 million.

The four storey building with a basement is currently occupied by tenants Fields Jewellers under a 15 year lease worth €125,750 a year, reviewed every five years.

Fields Jewellers are an Irish owned jewellery retailer with 14 branches nationwide. Their lease will not be affected by the sale of this property.

Located right in the heart of Galway’s retail district with close connections to Shop Street, Eyre Square, and Eyre Square Shopping Centre, this building is a prime investment property.

The ground floor of the building is wholly given over to retail while the three upper floors consist of retail space with ancillary offices and other uses.

Nigel Kingston, director of agency at Lambert Smith Hampton said, “Following our sale of 48 William Street, which went for well in excess of its €2m asking price earlier this year, we know that the appetite is there for prime investment properties of this nature.”

“With the strong footfall in the location and the popular bars and restaurants situated nearby, we are confident that there will be a high level of interest from potential buyers.”

Other prominent businesses in the area include Brown Thomas, Dunnes Stores, Boots, Foot Locker, Eason, AIB, and Lifestyle Sports.

Galway businessman Declan Ganley has ambitious plan for 5G networks in the US

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Galway businessman Declan Ganley gets into the space race

Galway businessman Declan Ganley’s company Rivada Networks is making a major move into the US telecoms market with an ambitious plan for 5G network access.

According to the Irish Times Mr Ganley’s company has a plan to provide 5G access to American consumers by making use of bandwidth controlled by the US Department of Defence.

Rivada has said that using this existing resource will lover prices for consumers in the United States.

The plan has the backing of former White House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove, who served under George W. Bush, and is acting as an adviser to Rivada on this plan.

Other significant Republican figures who have expressed support and more for the plan include former Congressman and presidential candidate Newt Gingrich and Jeb Bush, who sits on the board of Rivada.

However Mr Ganley has said that this is not a one side political issue, pointing to Martin O’Malley, Democrat and former governor of Maryland, who also sits on the board.

This move by Rivada comes as there has been great debate in the US and Europe over the role of Chinese telecoms company Huawei in the rollout of 5G networks.

President Trump has made moves to block Huawei from participating in the US telecoms sector, clashing with Europe over its refusal to do the same.

Mr Ganley said that the Department of Defence’s ‘mid-band’ spectrum is ideal for a 5G network, and sharing in the natural resource of the radio spectrum makes sense.

Creating a network based on this would offer wholesale, carrier neutral coverage across a huge portion of the United States Mr Ganley said, adding that such a network would be open to carriers or other bulk bandwidth users on a level playing field basis.

 

This article has been updated with a with a comment from Declan Ganley on how the proposed network would be implemented

Invasive species and disease threaten endangered native Crayfish

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news invasive species and plague threaten native Crayfish

The National Parks and Wildlife Service and Galway’s Marine Institute are warning that invasive species and disease are threatening the survival of Ireland’s native Crayfish.

Ireland holds one of the largest populations of the globally-endangered White-clawed Crayfish.

This endangered population is under threat from the twin impacts of Crayfish plague and the spread of non-native species.

The warning was issued ahead of a seminar on the White-Clawed Crayfish taking place at the Marine Institute in Oranmore today.

It comes after the NPWS confirmed the presence of Crayfish Plague on the River Maigue, upstream of Adare in Linerick earlier this year.

This is the seventh river known to have been affected by the plague, and it’s expected that it will wipe out all the stock in the river system.

The NPWS has also confirmed that a population of non-native species, the Australian Crayfish, has been found in the wild for the first time.

The agency said that the location of this discovery is not being disclosed at this time.

Brian Nelson, Invertebrate Ecologist with the NPWS said, “the discovery of the non-native crayfish species in the wild is of concern as this has never been found before in Ireland.”

“Although the species is one we would not have predicted, it presents us with a greater challenge of eradicating the species.”

“We would like to emphasise the growing threat that alien invasive species are having on biodiversity in Ireland and globally and we urge everyone to think carefully and help in its prevention.”

Invasive species have been identified as one of the five major threats causing a loss of biodiversity on a global scale.

On top of being an ecological disaster, this can also have a significant negative economic impact on Ireland.

The Marine Institute is urging people who work or spend time on the water to follow proper Check-Clean-Dry practices with their gear to avoid inadvertently spreading species from one body of water to another.

“For the most invasive species, there is now specific legislation in place which bans possession and keeping and gives the NPWS powers to seize specimens and eradicate them from the wild,” Brian Nelson said.

Presentation College seeks approval for temporary classrooms

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Presentation College Headford expansion approved

Presentation College in Headford is seeking approval to supplement its existing facilities with temporary classrooms.

Planning permission is being sought to build three temporary portacabin classrooms for the pupils of Presentation College secondary school at Ellagh, Headford.

The gross floor space of the three temporary classrooms is 307.3m².

Founded in 1942, Presentation College Headford is a coeducational, Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Tuam.

After spending its first few years in an unused army hut and the local parochial hall, the Pres moved to a purpose built school in 1953.

In the decades since then it has expanded multiple times, adding facilities for woodwork, metalwork, arts, computers and more in 1978, a modern sports centre in 1982, and further extensions in 1991, 2004, 2010, and 2013.

Galway county council is due to make a decision on permission for these temporary classrooms by June 17.

Coastal community projects receive €600,000 grant aid

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Ros a Mhíl fishery centre to receive €3.4 million funding this year

Coastal community projects in Galway will benefit from almost €600,000 in grant aid from the western Fisheries Local Action Group.

Forty five coastal community projects in Galway have been awarded €597,274 in grants backing a total investment of just under a million euro including private funding.

The grants are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under Ireland’s European Maritime & Fisheries Fund Operational Programme for the seafood sector.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed announced on Sunday that grants of €4 million have been awarded from the 7 FLAGs, supporting a total investment of €6.4 million.

More than 400 applications were received under this round of the EMFF Operational Programme, of which 274 projects were approved for funding.

The grants awarded in to coastal community groups and businesses in Galway range in size from €51,816 for Killary Adventure Co. down to €2,000 aid for the Connemara Mussel Festival.

Other groups which received backing from the programme include €20,000 for Galway Hooker 2020 to help them restore the ‘Loveen’, €34,640 for the Aran Islands Theatre, and €38,679 given to the Port of Galway Sea Scouts for marine equipment and a boat storage facility.

“Ireland’s 7 FLAGs are providing a wonderful source of investment for local seafood and marine projects in our coastal communities,” Minister Creed said.

Since the present FLAG scheme was launched in 2017 over 800 coastal community projects have benefited from EMFF funding.

The Minister went on to say that the high number of projects approved shows “both the quality of the projects and the hard work of the local communities through the seven FLAG Boards”.

Amenity grants awarded to 109 Residents Associations in Galway city

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news

The Amenity Grants Scheme 2019 has awarded funding to 109 Residents Associations in Galway city.

The city council approved the 2019 amenity grants scheme, which awarded €25,775 worth of grants to residents associations, at its latest monthly meeting.

The amenity grants scheme provides funding for Resident Associations, Community Gardens and Allotment Schemes which wish to undertake projects that improve the environment of their local area.

It covers minor works like the purchase of small garden equipment, litter pickers, estate name stones, repair works and litter clean-ups.

The scheme can award grants of up to €350 based on the number of houses in the residents association.

Groups of up to 30 houses can receive €150, where there are 30 to 50 houses €200 is available, larger associations of 50-150 houses are eligible for €250, and the largest grant of €350 is open to areas from 150 houses and upwards.

Community Gardens and Allotments are eligible for grants of €150.

Galway’s beaches retain prestigious Blue Flag awards

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news met eireann high temperature warning

The cleanest beaches in Galway have been named by the internationally recognised Blue Flag and Green Coast environmental awards.

Beaches in Ireland which retained, were awarded, or lost their Blue Flag or Green Coast status for 2019 were announced today by An Tasice.

The Blue Flag awards are one of the most recognised eco-labels in the world, recognising beaches for their compliance with sewage treatment and bathing water quality criteria.

The programme aims to raise environmental awareness and promote sound environmental management of beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats around the world.  

Galway retained all eight of its Blue Fag awards this year out of 80 given out nationwide, down from 83 last year.

Blue Flag beaches in Galway are Salthill and Silverstrand in the city, as well as An Trá Mhór (Inverin), Cill Mhuirbhigh (Aran), Loughrea Lake, Portumna, Trá an Dóilin (An Cheathrú Rua), and Traught beach, Kinvara.

“The Blue Flag has operated in Ireland for over thirty years now,” said International Blue Flag Director Sophie Bachet Granados announcing the awards.

“At The Foundation for Environmental Education we have been impressed by the standard of the sites from Ireland over this period.”

She added that the Blue Flag is a “symbol of excellence in environmental education, management, water quality, safety and services,” and was delighted to present these awards to successful beaches this year.

Galway was also awarded eight Green Coast awards which recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty.

This programme began in Wexford in 2003 and were first rolled out nationwide in 2008 by An Taisce.

An important part of them is the involvement Clean Coast groups and other community volunteers who work to maintain their local coastal beauty.

In Galway city Green Coast awards were given to Silverstrand, looked after by Galway Atlantaquaria and Eglington Residents Committee, and Salthill beach kept clean by Meanscoil Muire Newtownsmith, Galway Atlantaquaria, Grundy, and NUIG-GMIT Sub Aqua Club. 

In the county awards were given to Aillebrack/Silver Hill with Aillebrack Clean Coasts Group; East End Bay, Inisbofin and Dumhach Beach which are both maintained by Inishbofin Development Company; Trá Poll na gCaorach, Inis Oirr and Trá Inis Oirr, kept clean by Coiste na Trá c/o Comhar Caomhán Teoranta; and Renvyle Beach with Renvyle Beach Group.

In total 62 Green Coast Awards were handed out to community groups and the stretches of coast they look after, the highest number awarded in Ireland to date.

Ian Diamond, Coastal Awards Manager for An Taisce said that Green Coast awards “are not easily achieved” and represent strong efforts by Clean Coast Groups and local authorities to maintain their coastline.

“An Taisce would like to acknowledge in particular the dedication of Clean Coasts groups around the coast who give up their time to care for their local beaches throughout the year.”

Customs training workshop for businesses that trade with the UK

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Workshop on helping businesses deal with UK customs after Brexit

Galway’s Local Enterprise Office is holding a Customs Training workshop for local businesses that trade with the UK to prepare for Brexit.

The workshop will help companies on how to deal with customs when importing and exporting when the UK will no longer be part of the EU.

This course is open to all small businesses and companies who think that their trade practices will be impacted by Brexit.

The course is taking place on June 11 from 9.30am to 4.30pm at the Clayton Hotel in Ballybrit.

The government is implementing these workshops through the Local Enterprise Office system to help businesses all the changes that will come in when dealing with Britain as a country outside of the single market.

This includes administration around imports and export, customs formalities at borders, as well as tariffs and their possible knock on effects.

It will also cover import procedures such as Electronic Declaration process and Automated Entry Processing.

Places at this workshop are €25 and can be booked online here.

The Local Enterprise Offices have been undertaking numerous initiatives over the past months to help prepare businesses for Brexit.

These include scorecards from Enterprise Ireland to evaluate exposure, financial support to trade online, Brexit loans, grants to support exporting into new markets and LEAN programmes to increase company performance, competitiveness and resilience.

Astronomy and art brings generations together in Making Space

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily life & style art and astronomy brings the generations together in Making Space

NUI Galway and Croí na Gaillimhe have been working together with the community in Galway on an inter-generational project creating art that celebrates science and astronomy.

Making Space brought together students from Our Lady’s College and an active retirement group, working with local artist Finbar McHugh to create art based on the latest developments in science and astronomy.

The programme included trips to the University and to Birr Castle in Offaly, the location of the i-Lofar Radio Observatory, the newest astronomical observatory in Ireland.

On Tuesday, May 21 there will be a showcase event presenting the work done in Making Space where certificates will be presented to the participants by Professor Steve Millar from the Royal Astronomical Society.

Prof Andy Shearer from the Centre for Astronomy at NUIG said that the goal of Making Space was to bring astronomy to communities that wouldn’t normally take part in scientific outreach.

“We also wanted to explore different ways of communicating scientific ideas, can artists help scientists tell the public what they do?”

“We were delighted to work with Croí na Gaillimhe to develop better links with community groups outside of the University.”

Croí na Gaillimhe will also mark the end of their Galway 2020 ‘Small Towns Big Ideas’ project, Mill Street Quilters with a ceremony at the O’Donoghue Centre at NUIG.

This was a collaboration of the sewing group at Croí na Gaillimhe and the inter-generational group Young Hearts.

Working together they created three quilts based on the Galway 2020 themes of Language, Landscape and Migration.

The Mill Street Quilters met regularly, with young and older working together to hand craft these quilts under the eye of their experienced tutor Marcella Morgan.

Loretta Needham, Manager of Croí na Gaillimhe, spoke about the importance of Making Space available to the community and learning in places other than just the classroom.

“It is true to say that young and old participants have broadened their horizons,” she said, adding “community education is what Croí na Gaillimhe is about.”

“It is learning that promotes change and transformation, and promotes empowerment for those marginalised or oppressed.”

 

photo: The first artwork from Making Space, made using dots to represent the spread of galaxies in the early universe.

Bus Eireann passenger numbers jump 13 percent in Galway city

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Two Galway - Castlebar bus services cancelled today

Passenger numbers on Bus Eireann are at a ten year high with a 13.2% increase in Galway city last year.

Bus Eireann have said that this year will see double decker buses introduced in Galway, Cork city and Limerick with on-board wifi and USB sockets at seats.

In total 102 new buses will be added to the national transport operator’s fleet this year in a €35 million investment.

The Irish Examiner reports that last year saw more than 83 million passengers travel with Bus Eireann, an increase of 6.3 percent nationwide.

A recent recruitment campaign resulted in over 2,000 applications, out of which 250 people were hired on as drivers while 22 more were recruited into the apprenticeship programme.

Since 2017 Bus Eireann has been undergoing a significant realignment of its business strategy that has taken criticism for cutting rural stops on some routes in Galway and elsewhere to cut losses.

New regional routes have also been introduced in high traffic areas.

The company also managed a dramatic turnaround of its finances from a €7 million loss in 2017 to recording a profit of €1.6 million last year on revenues of €390 million.

Passenger numbers saw above average increases in regional cities with Cork, Limerick, and Waterford also seeing a 13 percent jump.

The Labour Court recently made a recommendation that staff pay should increase by 7.75 percent over the next three years.

CEO Stephen Kent said that this is something that could be managed, adding that they will have to remain competitive as the market for bus providers opens up.

Under funded roads are driving business away from the west says Rabbitte

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Lack of investment in roads is harming business opportunities in the west says Rabbitte

Serious under funding of roads in the west of Ireland is hampering business in the region according to MEP candidate for the Midlands-North West region Anne Rabbitte.

The Fianna Fáil TD said that there is a serious shortfall in the west between what is needed to maintain the roads network and what is actually being invested in the region.

“It is imperative funding is increased not only to maintain our roads but to improve them,” Deputy Rabbitte said.

“The European Commission has highlighted regional imbalance in Ireland and said one reason for this is a lack of investment on infrastructure, including the road network.”

There is a 36% shortfall in Galway in the necessary investment in roads maintenance and improvements Anne Rabbitte said.

“In Galway there is a 36% shortfall, Mayo also 36%, Roscommon 24% and there is a shortfall in Sligo as well.”

This lack of investment in basic infrastructure is proving harmful to the economy in the western region Deputy Rabbitte said, hampering investment and driving people elsewhere.

“The western region is neglected time and again. The region is losing its best due to a lack of investment.”

She concluded by saying that the warning of the European Commission should be taken to heart “to ensure success in the west”.

Funding of €730,000 awarded to 26 Galway sports clubs

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Galway family syndicate "laughing, cheering and crying" after €250,000 Lotto win

Twenty six sports clubs in Galway have been awarded funding of almost €730,000 for new equipment under the Sports Capital Programme.

The Sports Capital Programme provides funding for equipment associated projects at local sports clubs and organisations.

This round of funding was announced this week by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin.

Galway TD and Minister of State Seán Kyne welcomed the announcement, saying that the funding will be used to benefit a “wide variety of sports and activities that are enjoyed by people of all ages across Galway.”

In Galway the funding is being used for everything from gardening machinery for grounds maintenance, to golfing gear and new boats.

The largest grants in this round of funding were €100,556 for replacement equipment at Connemara Golf Club, €94,391 for Tuam Golf Club, and €86,196 for Loughrea Golf Club to help it survive.

For those clubs and organisations which weren’t successful in their applications, the door hasn’t been shut in their face as a new appeals process in place to argue their case.

Nationally a further 1,500 applications for non-equipment based projects are being processed and will be allocated in December.

The full list of sports clubs and organisations in Galway which received grants is:

Club  Grant Purpose Amount
Galway Sports Partnership Physical Activities from young to old €6,781.00
Cumann Slat Iascaigh Chasla agus An Cheathru Rua Ceannacht ineall agus tréiléar báid €4,429.00
Tuam Rugby Football Club Maintenance equipment for club grounds. €51,746.00
Connemara Golf Club Connemara Golf Club Equipment Replacement €100,556.00
24th Galway Sea Scouts To Purchase a new 6m Safety Rib €21,275.00
Tuam Golf Club Secure Equipment €94,391.00
Club Judo an Cheathrú Rua New Judo Mats €6,831.00
SCCUL Enterprise CLG – BCNC Essential Equipment Purchase €20,501.00
Ballinasloe Golf Club Improve and Maintain Sporting Facilities €14,865.00
St. Colman’s Basketball Club Additional hoops and training packs €3,104.00
Portumna Golf Club Phase 2 of 5 – purchase of new course machinery €62,649.00
Meelick Eyrecourt Kayak Club Essential, non-personal kayaking equipment €8,969.00
Galway Community Circus Tightwire equipment €23,757.00
Galway Swimming Club Club equipment to develop life-long skills €16,902.00
14th Galway St. Patrick’s Scout Group Increase active sports participation in scouts €7,086.00
Predator Triathlon Club Acquisition of Safety and Gym Equipment €14,734.00
Loughrea Golf Club Machinery replacement plan enabling club survival €86,196.00
Galway Speeders Non-Personal Sport Equipment for Disabled Members €28,074.00
Dunmore Demesne Golf Club Equipment Grant- Greens Mower and Tees Mower €41,639.00
Galway Hockey Club Limited Purchase of 3 sets of Goaleeper Equipment €3,498.00
Mountbellew Golf Club Purchase of essential course machinery €63,322.00
Horses Connect Enterprises Ltd Provide rubber matting on floors and walls €8,658.00
Dunmore and district gun club Clay pigeon shooting equipment €15,774.00
Bluefin Swimming Club Bluefin Swim Club Sport Capital Grant €7,410.00
Galway Sub Aqua Club Replacement trailers for Rigid Inflatable Boats €3,495.00
Galway City Sailing Club Sailing Dinghy Fleet Replacement €12,611.00

Total: €729,253
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