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Burst pipes cause water outages in Barna

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

A burst water main is causing water outages to homes in Barna this afternoon.

Irish Water has reported that repairs are being carried out on a burst mains line at Na Foraí Maola, Barna this afternoon.

Homes and businesses in the surrounding are advised they may experience disruptions to their water supply while they are taking place.

Currently, works have an estimated time of completion of 4pm this afternoon.

A traffic management plan is in place in this area for the duration of these works.

People living in the affected area are advised that it may take 2 – 3 hours after repairs are completed for full water supply to be restored.

Anyone affected by this or with any inquires can contact Irish Water at 1850 448 448 or through twitter @IWCare.

Aldi unveils revamped Loughrea store as part of €160 million Irish investment

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Aldi unveils revamped Loughrea store in €160 million national investment

Aldi has unveiled its revamped ‘Project Fresh’ store in Loughrea following extensive renovations as part of a €160 million investment in the Irish store network.

The Project Fresh redesign means that the Aldi store in Loughrea will now be 100% powered by wind energy according to the supermarket chain, while heavy investment has also been made in the store’s energy management systems.

Aldi has committed €100m to constructing and opening 20 new stores, while Project Fresh sees Aldi invest a further €60m in revamping the layout and design of all of its 137 stores nationwide.

A spokesperson for the supermarket chain said that the redesign for the stores focuses on improving car parking space, putting fresh food front and centre, and making sure there is clear signage, all to make shopping as hassle free as possible.

The Loughrea store is also active in the local community through activities like the partnership with FoodCloud which has seen it donate over 1,000 meals to charity to date.

It has also partnered with Galway Hospice Foundation, Loughrea Community & Family Resource Centre and Pieta House Galway through the Community Grants Programme.

Speaking at the reopening, Edyta Pawlet, Store Manager at Aldi’s Loughrea store said: “The Project Fresh revamp of our store is great news for shoppers. Its new spacious design makes for a very easy and enjoyable shop.”

“Our commitment to our customers is we will never be beaten on price and will always provide the best value. Our Swap and Save campaign continues into 2019 and the goal of this campaign is to remind shoppers about the saving that can be generated by swapping their weekly shop to Aldi.”

Aldi operated nine stores in Galway out of a nationwide chain of 137 outlets employing 3,600 people.

The chain has been increasingly working with small scale local producers through its Grow With Aldi supplier development programme, which offers up-and-coming artisan Irish food and drink producers the chance to have their products listed in Aldi’s 137 stores.

€30 million Sportsground redevelopment plans approved

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily sports Construction of massive Sportsground redevelopment to begin in 2023

Plans for a €30 million redevelopment of the Sportground by Connacht Rugby have been granted planning approval.

The decision to grant planning permission for the project comes after the city council decided this week to prioritise the Sportsground in an application to the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Connacht Rugby are planning a historic redevelopment of its home turf at the Sportsground to convert it into a modern 12,000 person capacity stadium with a high performance training centre.

As part of this massive project the existing Clan Terrace, Connacht Rugby offices, maintenance and training facilities and other parts of the Sportsground will be demolished and replaced.

A new North Stand will be constructed with terracing and seating areas over four levels, which will also include player and match day facilities, café, merchandise store, and various hospitality and supporter areas.

The existing South Stand will be refurbished and extended, and new High Performance Centre will be constructed with an indoor synthetic training pitch, offices and player welfare facilities to replace the clubhouse being demolished.

The new High Performance Centre will be located adjacent to the Bohermore Cemetery wall boundary, which is a protected structure.

Other works will include relocating access points off College Road, the creation of 81 new car parking spaces and the construction of a new concourse area adjacent to the North Stand.

Finally, the existing pitch will be removed and replaced with a top of the line 4G surfaced playing pitch.

Galway wind farm stake sells for €34.5 million

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

SSE Airtricity is selling part of its stake in the Cloosh Valley wind farm to Irish company Greencoat Renewables for €34.5 million.

Cloosh Valley Wind Farm  in Connemara is co-owned by SSE and Greencoat Renewables, making up the largest part of Galway Wind Park with its 36 Siemens 3.0MW turbines with a combined capacity of 108MW.

Prior to this SSE and Greencoat both equally co-owned Cloosh Valley, and SSE is selling half of its stake in the sale, bringing Greencoat’s total ownership to 75%.

SSE will continue to operate the wind farm and its retail arm in Ireland, SSE Airtricity, will continue to have the offtake of the green energy generated at the site.

Galway Wind Park began producing electricity for commercial use in December 2017. Its 174MW capacity from 58 turbines makes it the largest wind farm in Ireland.

It was developed in two phases, with the 66MW Phase 1 wholly owned by SSE and Phase 2, Cloosh Valley, being co-owned with Greencoat.

Gregor Alexander, Finance Director of SSE, said Galway Wind Park is a testament to the company’s ability to “design, develop, construct and operate first class renewable energy assets.

“Onshore wind makes a huge contribution to supplying low carbon electricity to Ireland’s all-island energy market and to meeting the country’s carbon reduction targets.”

“The sale of this stake in Cloosh Valley Wind Farm to our site co-owner Greencoat Renewables is a continuation of SSE’s longstanding approach of partnering with other renewable investors and securing value for shareholders at appropriate times,” he finished.

Paul O’Donnell, partner at Greencoat Capital said they are pleased to continue working with SSE on Ireland’s largest wind farm, and expect to see further opportunities for fresh acquisitions.

Conservation funding announced for 24 historic structures

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news funding for 24 Galway conservation projects

Almost a quarter of million euro has been allocated for the conservation of historic buildings and landmarks around Galway.

Galway will receive €246,000 for 24 conservation projects in the city and county under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund.

Five buildings of importance to Galway’s heritage have been allocated €90,000 under the HSF for work at Bohermore Cemetery, the thatch cottage at Murrough, Lough Cutra Castle in Gort and Duras House and St. Coman’s Church in Loughrea.

While €156,000 from the BHIS will go towards work on 19 projects like St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, the Presentation Convent, the Poor Clares’ Convent and Silkes on William Street West in the city as well as the Presbyterian Church and College House in Ballinasloe and other buildings in An Spideal, Maree, Oranmore, Athenry, among other locations.

Galway West TD Seán Kyne said that the places being protected under these schemes are “highly visible aspects of our heritage that have shaped and continue to shape our communities.”

“As well as protecting and conserving these buildings for future generations the funding will also leverage private investment and boost local, highly-specialised sectors,” he added.

Historic Structures Fund

Galway City Council Bohermore Cemetery      Catholic Máortuary Chapel; Catholic Chapel, Church of Ireland Chapel; Caretakers lodges. €15,000
Galway City Council Thatch Cottage, Murrough Park, Renmore (Repair Thatch) €15,000
Galway County Council Duras House and Walled Garden, Kinvara (Repairs to house and garden) €15,000
Galway County Council Lough Cutra Castle, Gort (Stabilisation of masonry terracing) €30,000
Galway County Council St. Coman’s Church, Kinvara (Stabilisation of masonry) €15,000

 

Built Heritage Investment Scheme

Galway City Council Presentation Convent, Galway City(Historic window conservation/protection) €11,000
Galway City Council St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church(External fixture repair) €12,000 
Galway City Council Menlo Cottage(Thatching) €14,000
Galway City Council The Mechanics Institute, Middle Street(Chimney Repair) €10,000
Galway City Council Ely Place, Sea Road(Rainwater goods repair/replacements & railings repair €7,000
Galway City Council St. Ignatius Church, Sea Road(Rainwater goods repair/replacement & external wall repair €10,000
Galway City Council Silkes, William Street West(Historic window conservation/protection) €5,000
Galway City Council Poor Clares’ Convent, Nun’s Island(External wall repairs/Orchard garden walls €8,000
Galway County Council Park Cottage, The Mall, Eyrecourt(External joinery repair) €4,000
Galway County Council The Demesne, Mountbellew(Stabilisation of masonry) €7,500
Galway County Council Presbyterian Church, Ballinasloe(Roof repair, structures and coverings) €8,000
Galway County Council Gatelodge, Castlegrove, Tuam(Roof repair, structures and coverings) €5,000
Galway County Council Kirra Cottage, Kilchreest(Thatching) €10,000
Galway County Council Thatch, Oranhill, Oranmore(Thatching) €8,000
Galway County Council College House, The Pines, Ballinasloe(Roof repair, structures and coverings) €10,000
Galway County Council Coach House, Spiddal House(Roof repair, structures and coverings) €8,000
Galway County Council Tombstone, Ballynacourty, Maree(Stabilisation of masonry) €2,500
Galway County Council Cross St., Athenry(Roof repair, structures and coverings) €8,000
Galway County Council Keane Cottage, Belclare(Thatching) €8,000

These funds are operated by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and support the conservation and preservation of historically significant buildings and structures.

Over 2,000 waiting for surgery at Merlin Park Hospital

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Plans submitted for community nursing unit at Merlin Park Hospital

The waiting list for orthopaedic surgery at Merlin Park Hospital has grown to more than 2,000 people.

A group of ten orthopaedics surgeons at Merlin Park Hospital sent a letter to TDs on March 22 confirming that waiting lists have reached historic levels as a result of closed surgical theatres according to Galway West TD Catherin Connolly.

Deputy Connolly said that the “stark contents” of this letter are unprecedented, showing that “the situation is becoming unbearable for patients who are on the waiting list and who are clinically disimproving as they wait to be admitted for surgery”.

Plans to install a modular theatre building on the grounds of Merlin Park to replace the two theatre which have been closed since September 2017 recently hit a massive setback.

The HSE admitted at the Regional Health Forum this week that it has cancelled a letter of intent with the planned provider of the project due to being unable to reach terms of agreement.

This could cause a setback of months, at a minimum, as the HSE is now going through a revised procurement process to secure another provider.

Waiting lists are building up alarmingly quickly amid this crisis, as another letter from surgeons at Merlin Park Hospital sent in January warned of a backlog closer to 1,500 people.

The consultants are calling for Health Minister Simon Harris to get involved in this “growing regional crisis” deputy Connolly said.

Catherine Connolly added that she has written to the Minister, and will also be raising the matter in the Dáil.

“It is evident that no value is being put on patient’s suffering,” she said, citing 18 months of “confusing and contradictory” responses to questions.

She said that as of last May she was informed that contract documents had been exchanged and that Saolta was working towards having the modular theatres open by October.

“Since then the replies have become more difficult to follow or understand and 18 months later we still have no theatres and 2000 people suffering on a list that the consultant has described as a catastrophic waiting list, with serious regional implications.”

COPE Galway wan of “watershed” as homelessness numbers pass 10,000

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Homelessness increases

COPE Galway has said that the homelessness crisis has passed a terrible “watershed” as the number of people without a home has passed 10,000 for the first time in the history of the state.

The latest homelessness figures released by the Department of Housing show that there are 10,264 people living in emergency accommodation as of February, 6,480 adults and 3,784 children.

There were 316 homeless adults in Galway last month, and 201 children across the west according to the report.

COPE Galway said these figures represent “a watershed moment for everyone involved in working to tackle the housing and homelessness crisis”.

The housing charity has said that it has identified March 2015 as the start of the crisis here in Galway.

“What we didn’t anticipate at that point was the extent to which homelessness would grow in both Galway City and County and how enduring it would be,” said Martin O’Connor, Assistant CEO of COPE.

COPE carried out a 24 hour survey of the number of people who contacted them for help in one day in March.

During that time 174 households in Galway were in emergency accommodation supported by COPE, up from 51 in March 2015.

Last year COPE Galway worked with 949 adults and 457 children affected by homelessness in Galway, including 186 families and 612 single people.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said that the February figures are “hugely disappointing” but argued that “Our plans to fix the supply of both social and private housing are working and this is borne out by the most recent build figures”.

“Further reforms to the rental sector containing new protections for the most vulnerable in our housing sector, including longer notice periods will be coming before cabinet in the coming days.”

But COPE said that the homelessness situation is actually worse than this report bears out, as it only includes people living in state funded emergency accommodation and not those sleeping on the streets or ‘couch surfing’ on the charity of friends and family.

During the March survey COPE found 13 people sleeping rough and another 11 households who could be described as ‘hidden homeless’.

“The number sleeping rough on that night is an especially disappointing figure as there were emergency accommodation beds available at the Cold Weather Response which is in place over the winter period, Martin O’Connor said.

“This points to the complexity of the challenges some people face in their lives and the need for more than just an available bed for them”.

“The planned rollout of two family hubs and the introduction of Housing First by City Council in Galway in 2019 are very welcome developments and it is our hope that these will play an important part in reversing the growth in homelessness that we have seen over these past four years,” said Mr. O’Connor.

“With the current programme of new social housing starting to come on stream in Galway City over the coming months and years we are hopeful that the numbers homeless and in emergency accommodation will begin to reduce and that families and individuals who have been homeless can begin to rebuild their lives in their own homes in communities across Galway”.

Galway castle is the most popular Airbnb in the world

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Galway castle is most popular Airbnb home

A 15th century castle in Galway is the most popular Airbnb listing in the world.

As Airbnb announced this week that more than half a billion people have made bookings with its service, it said that ‘Cahercastle’ in Craughwell is the single most popular spot with customers.

Hosts Peter and Eva have owned the castle for 20 years, doing it up into a modern spot for guests

The castle is 25 minutes drive from Galway city and 45 minute drive from Shannon airport.

Built in the 1400s, Peter has restored the castle to its original state using local stone and oak beams to make it seem as much like a traditional castle as possible.

It is comprised of a master bedroom upstairs, with access to the turret, a living room and dining room, two guest bedrooms, and some storage rooms.

That’s not say it’s completely without modern conveniences, there is of course wifi, and the large fireplace has been augmented with underfloor heating.

Since starting in 2008, Airbnb has grown to include over 6 million homes in 191 countries, with six people checking in on the platform every second.

The old school feel at Cahercastle is made stronger by the rural setting, with the tower looking out of green fields of some stunning Galway landscape.

If you want to stay in a picturesque castle on the west coast Peter and Eva rent out Cahercastle for €180 per night.

 

photos: Airbnb

City rent prices drop more than 10 percent

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily business Galway house prices increase 2.1%

The cost of rent in Galway city dropped by more than 10 percent in the last quarter of 2018.

The latest report from the Residential Tenancies Board found that the cost of rent in Galway city declined from €1,190 to €1,064 in the last three months of the year, a drop of 10.6 percent.

However that level was still more than 5 percent higher than in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Galway county also saw a significant decrease, with average rents falling 8.7% from €1,113 to €1,016 in Q4 2018.

The average cost to rent in Ireland is now €1,134 as of the last quarter, with Dublin remaining the most expensive area by a significant margin at €1,650.

After Dublin, Cork is the most expensive city (€1,095) followed by Galway.

Commenting on the latest Rent Index results, Rosalind Carroll, Director of the Residential Tenancies Board said the latest report shows that Limerick city east and Navan town should be designated as Rent Pressure Zones.

Despite the Q4 decline, she said that the cost of rent is still alarmingly high. “Looking back over the 2018 year, we have seen another year with continued pressures in the market and continued inflation, with rents now 15% higher nationally than the peak in 2007.”

“We have seen some moderation in the market in the last two quarters, we would hope with more supply coming on stream and the RTB getting more regulatory powers that we will see further easing of inflation in 2019”

Galway sexual assault treatment unit in line for additional funding

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Government to help fund building student accommodation in Galway

The sexual assault treatment unit is expected to receive a boost in funding in response to increased demand for services.

An additional half a million in funding for Ireland’s six sexual assault treatment units is expected to be announced by Health Minister Simon Harris today along with the appointment of additional forensic nurses and medical examiners.

There are currently six SATU units in operation in Galway, Dublin, Cork, Mullingar, Letterkenny, and Waterford.

The Galway Sexual Assault Treatment Unit is located in a dedicated building near Galway Racecourse with services including medical care, the option of a forensic examination and having a garda officer present to make a criminal complaint, and Galway Rape Crisis Centre psychological support workers.

The Irish Times reports that a policy review being published today calls for increased resources to keep these services sustainable, as well as the introduction of long-term holistic care.

It reportedly says that staffing levels need to be increased to deal with systemic under-management, while praising staff for their dedication in providing this important service.

As of next year the scope of services on offer is expected to expand while investment will increase by between €250,000 to €800,000.

People who have experienced rape of sexual assault in Galway can get advice or book an appointment by calling 091765751 or 0876338118 Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm, outside of these hours please contact your local garda station.

Open call to filmmakers for 2019 Science on Screen competition

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news department of children Info night for 2019 science on screen competition

CÚRAM Medical Devices Research Centre is holding an information night for filmmakers who’d like to take part in the 2019 Science on Screen competition.

Science on Screen challenges filmmakers to create a 30 minute documentary exploring scientific issues, with a different area chosen each year.

This year, CÚRAM and Galway Film Centre will partner with the HRB Primary Care Clinical Trials Network Ireland and PPI Ignite @ NUI Galway for Science on Screen 2019.

A €35,000 fund is available for whoever comes up with the best pitch in the area of Public and Patient Involvement.

This means when people who are likely to be affected by new medical treatments or programmes developed through research are directly involved in planning and shaping decisions about the research.

In Ireland, research teams have incorporated Public and Patient Involvement into their research, notably in the areas of intellectual disability, mental health, diabetes, primary care, chronic disease and dementia.

Science on Screen has been running since 2016 and has produced four documentaries to date which have been screened worldwide and won international awards.

A Tiny Spark (2018) highlights research of removed blood clots to see what information they may yield; Bittersweet (2017) captures the Irish health system’s fight to treat the rising number of diabetic patients; Feats of Modest Valour (2016) looks at the physical reality of living with Parkinson’s Disease; and Mending Legends (2016), researches the physical and psychological impact of tendon injuries among athletes.

Science on Screen is a collaboration between CÚRAM and Galway Film Centre which aims to promote the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths content in Irish film production.

The documentary project provides filmmakers with access to researchers and projects in the works at CÚRAM to explore scientific storytelling.

The information day for filmmakers interested in taking part in this year’s competition will be held on Friday April 5 at the Biomedical Sciences Building at NUIG from 10:30am.

It will include speakers from PPI Ignite @ NUI Galway, HRB Primary Care Clinical Trials Network Ireland, CÚRAM and Galway Film Centre.

Attendance is free but places must be booked ahead of time via evenbrite.ie.

 

photo: Rosie Coffey who was born with diabetes and features in the Science on Screen 2017 documentary ‘Bittersweet’.

Hurling and camogie cause the highest amount of sports injuries

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news

Hurling and Camogie cause the highest number of sports injuries Portiuncula Hospital has found.

Advanced nursing practitioners working at the emergency department at Portiuncula Hospital audited all of the sports injuries they treated, and founded that hurling and camogie made up the lion’s share accounting for 38% of the total.

Following on from that was soccer accounting for 32 percent of injuries treated, rugby (15%), gaelic football (10%), and horse riding (5%).

Ciara Mooney, Advanced Nurse Practitioner and lead author of the study on sports injuries said that different sports tended to rack certain types of injuries more often.

“In line with other studies, hurling and camogie accounted for a significant per cent of finger or hand related injuries – 50% were finger or thumb injuries and a further 23% were hand injuries.”

“The largest proportion of soccer injuries were ankle and knee injuries,” she said, adding that “rugby presentations were an equal number of lower limb and head injuries.”

Within the timeframe of this study, 617 patients were treated by the ANP service at Portiuncula, and of those 60 had a sports related injury.

The findings of the study were presented at the recent Research Day at Portiuncula University Hospital which was organised to showcase the research and audit work undertaken at the hospital and at the European Society for Emergency Medicine (EUSEM) annual congress in Glasgow.

Work to begin shortly on multi-million student accommodation

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news

Work is expected to begin imminently on a new 147 bed student accommodation development on the Fairgreen road.

Last month An Bord Pleanála upheld a decision by the city council to grant planning permission for a purpose built student accommodation development to CWC Webworks Limited.

O’Flynn Construction out of Dublin has been appointed as the main contractor for the project this week, clearing the way for work to begin shortly.

The proposed development consists of a five storey block of 46 apartments, with units ranging from having one to six beds each, for a total of 147 bed spaces.

The student accommodation block will be close to the city centre, located just south of the coach station on the Fairgreen road.

The ground floor of the building will be an extension of the coach station, and the block will also include an internal landscaped courtyard.

Construction on the student accommodation block is expected to take roughly 18 months to complete.

An appeal was lodged against the initial decision by the city council to grant permission for the development on the grounds that the plot density exceeded what was allowed under the city development plan.

Concerns were also expressed about the intention to include six bed apartments for students, arguing that these amount to “cramped conditions which are not conducive to a healthy atmosphere and an adequate standard of living conditions.”

In response the developer said that the plot density should be calculated based on the size of the site in the planning application, not the size of building, which it said was within guidelines.

An Bord Pleanála noted that the plot density does exceed normally allowed standards, but ultimately decided to allow work to go ahead on the student accommodation subject to 17 conditions.

Galway Atlantaquaria appeals rejection of penguin habitat plans

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Galway Atlantaquarium appeals rejection of penguin habitat

Galway Atlantaquaria is trying to keep plans for a penguinarium afloat, appealing the decision to reject planning permission for the project.

The city council refused the Atlantaquaria permission for the new extension with a penguin habitat and attraction at its facilities on Salthill Promenade.

In making its decision the council said that new development would be “unduly prominent” and would have an effect on the surrounding open public areas.

The council pointed out in particular that the large penguin enclosure has an “extensive footprint” and an “introverted design” that is not suited to the area.

The national aquarium has now appealed that decision to An Bord Pleanála.

The new landscaped habitat would consist of a penguin pool and beach area for the marine birds.

Other work involved in the project involves creating an enclosing wall around the habitat with viewing ports and seating for visitors come to see the birds.

A portion of the existing interpretive centre at the aquarium would be converted into rooms for quarantine, food preparation and plants.

Other renovations included in the design are the construction of a landscaped amenity area, as well a new entrance plaza with a covered canopy.

The higher planning authority is due to make a decision on the planning appeal by July 16.

Newtownsmith road closing overnight on Thursday

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news road closure

Newtownsmith road in Galway city will be closed overnight on Thursday to allow works to take place in the area.

Galway city council have issued a closure order for the Newtownsmith road between Mary Street and the Headford road junction at the Salmon Weir Bridge.

The road will be closed overnight from 7pm on Thursday  through to 6am on Friday morning.

The road is being closed to allow Irish Water to carry out sewer rehab works in the area.

Alternative routes will be signposted with diversion signage in place before work begins.

Motorists are advised that an alternative northbound route is available via Mary Street, St. Francis Street and the Headford Road.

Local access will be maintained at all times.

Food Oscars name all the best places to eat in Galway

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily life & style Michelin Star Loam restaurant closing down permanently

The best restaurants, cafés, pubs and any spot to get a bite to eat in Galway have been named at the Connacht Regional Finals of the 2019 Irish Restaurant Awards.

The Connaught Regional Awards for the 2019 Irish Restaurant Awards took place in the Radisson Blu, Sligo last night, where awards were presented to province’s leading chefs, restaurants and pubs.

Michelin star Loam Restaurant on the Fairgreen road was declared the overall Best Restaurant in Galway, the second time it has taken home this prize.

Jess Murphy of Kai Restaurant has been named the best chef in Galway once again, putting her well on track to retain the title of Best Chef in Ireland she won at the national finals last year.

While the Gourmet Food Parlour, recently opened at Lenaboy Gardens, was declared the best newcomer to the food scene in Galway.

The best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant is West Restaurant at Barna’s famed The Twelve Hotel, while Aiden Leonard of McHughs Traditional Pub & Restaurant is Galway’s finest restaurant manager.

Head to the Park House Hotel if you’re looking for the best Customer Service, and for a light lunch or coffee the Best Café in Galway is the Connemara Greenway Café & Restaurant in Oughterard.

O’Connell’s Bar, with its famed beer garden is the Best Pub in Galway, or for a more specialised experience the Best Wine experience can be found at Le Petit Pois and the Best Gastro Pub is John Keogh’s – The Lock Keeper.

Papa Rich Bistro has the Best World Cuisine, while is you’re looking for something gluten free then The Lighthouse Café is the place for you.

Merrow restaurant, which has recently spiced up the scene at the Palas cinema, has the Best Emerging Irish Cuisine, while the Best Casual Dining is at the The King’s head pub.

The Ground & Co at the Galway Atlantaquarium has the Best kid’s food.

And lastly the awards honoured a Local Food Hero, Gabriel Faherty of Aran Islands Goat’s Cheese.

The Restaurant Association of Ireland organises this annual celebration that’s sometimes known as the Food Oscar’s of the best food in Ireland.

All of these Galway winners will go on to compete to be declared the best in Connacht or all of Ireland at the All Ireland Irish Restaurant Awards on May 13.

Speaking at the awards, Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said that these awards, “showcase the incredible food that is on offer in the cafes, pubs and restaurants of Ireland, as well as recognising the teams behind these establishments and the hard work and dedication that they put in.”

“Ireland may be a small country but it boasts everything from fine dining to high quality gastropubs, from the comfort of traditional Irish food to exploring the world though exotic world cuisine, the Irish restaurant industry has much to offer.”

“We have an appreciation for what we eat and where our food comes from, as well as the dedication of those working in the food industry.”

Switch off the lights with Friends of Merlin Woods for Earth Hour Galway

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Friends of Merlin Woods is inviting people out for Earth Hour Galway this weekend

The Friends of Merlin Woods are inviting the people of Galway to join them for the worldwide Earth Hour this weekend.

Earth Hour is a global movement organised by the World Wildlife Fund that sees people switch off the lights for one hour and plunge the area into symbolic darkness to highlight climate change.

People come out at the same local time to highlight how much we rely on our planet’s largesse in our lives, and the extent to which climate change threatens those systems.

Friends of Merlin Woods are organising Earth Hour Galway for this Saturday, March 30 at the roundabout in Merlin Woods from 8:30pm – 9:30pm

“Nature not only provides us with all the things we need to live, from the air we breathe to the water we drink, and from the shelter we need to the economy we rely on – but also makes our lives better,” Caroline Stanley of the Friends of Merlin Woods said.

“However, its growing loss puts this all under threat. For the past 10 years, people around the world have come together every Earth Hour to support efforts to tackle climate change.”

“And, together, we have created a powerful movement that helped deliver strong global commitments to tackling this threat.”

“Climate change remains a big challenge for us all. But another urgent threat now demands our attention: the loss of nature. These two combined threats mean we must act – and now.”

This will be a family friendly meet up with music and good company, and the NUIG Astronomy club will be out for some star gazing (Galway weather permitting).

Since starting in 2007 Earth Hour has grown to become the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment with individuals, groups, and businesses across 180 countries and territories taking part.

“From our forests to our oceans, we have achieved many amazing things for our climate and its biodiversity showing us that together, anything is possible.”

 

photo credit: Caroline Stanley 

Tripadvisor names Galway as a top Irish destination in its Travellers’ Choice Awards

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily tourism Galway named one of the Top 10 cities in the world by renowned travel magazine

Galway has been named one of the must-see destinations in Ireland by Tripadvisor for its buzzing atmosphere, rich cultural life, and stunning landscapes out towards Connemara and the Wild Atlantic Way.

In its 2019 Travellers’ Choice Awards, Tripadvisor said that the City of the Tribes is a quintessential place to find a “fun blast of the Ireland many first-time visitors expect”, placing it in third place of the top 10 destinations in Ireland.

“The compact city centre, with its winding streets, packed pubs and air of celebration, is easily walked – or pubcrawled,” the travel guide said.

Anyone who’s stayed in Galway, even if only for a visit, knows that a big part of what makes it special is the incredible melting pit of people from all walks of life and every corner of the globe, “merry bands of students, artists, writers and craftspeople”.

The guide recommends that visitors to Galway don’t miss out on “shopping for Claddagh rings, the Druid Theatre or having a pint o’ the black stuff at the atmospheric Tigh Neachtain pub.”

The best time to visit Galway according to Tripadvisor is during the height of the summer festival season, when you can experience events like the Galway International Arts Festival on top of all the usual fun.

Out of list of countless possible places for people to enjoy when in Galway, the travel guide’s top spots recommended include Connemara National Park, Quay Street, and Galway Cathedral.

Of the top ten destinations in Ireland recommended by Tripadvisor in the Travellers’ Choice Awards, Galway ranks third on the list after Dublin and Killarney.

Paddy Armstrong of the wrongfully convicted Guildford Four is telling his story in Galway

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Wrongfully convicted member of the Guildford Four Paddy Armstrong to speak in Galway

Paddy Armstrong, wrongfully convicted member of the Guildford Four, and journalist Mary-Elaine Tynan will take part in an onstage discussion hosted by the Galway Innocence Clinic next week.

In 1975 Armstrong was one of four people wrongfully convicted of the Guildford pub bombings carried out by the Provisional IRA the year before.

He spent nearly 15 years in prison before the conviction was quashed after a long justice campaign.

Armstrong and Tynan have since collaborated on Life After Life: A Guildford Four Memoir, which was published two years ago.

The book is a nakedly honest and compelling exposure of Armstrong’s experience being wrongfully convicted, its crushing aftermath and the ultimate restoration of his life.

The two will discuss the book, and Paddy’s journey in a conversation with students in the Innocence Clinic at a public event on Tuesday, April 2 in the Aras Moyola Lecture Theatre.

The Innocence Clinic at NUIG is a fledgling initiative launched in September 2018 as a collaboration of the School of Law, Journalism Programme and Irish Centre for Human Rights under the guidance of Anne Driscoll, a visiting US Fulbright Scholar and award-winning journalist

Anne said the university is thrilled that Paddy has agreed to discuss his story with students in the Innocence Clinic and the wider community.

“There is an important role for both law and journalism in addressing the injustice of a wrongful conviction and we hope this programme will explore that very idea.”

“This special event is the culmination of a year of extraordinary exploration and learning by the law, journalism and human rights students who have participated in the Innocence Clinic.”

In the Innocence Clinic students learn about wrongful convictions, how and why they happen, as well as how to use journalism techniques and skills to investigate wrongful conviction cases.

They are now looking at historical cases of people who were wrongfully convicted in Ireland such as the Maamtrasna murders case.

Myles Joyce, who was wrongfully convicted and hanged in 1882, received the second posthumous presidential pardon in Irish history by President Michael D. Higgins on 4 April, 2018.

Students have been looking at the claims of innocence made by four other men who falsely pleaded guilty in the case – Myles’ brothers Martin, Patrick, and Patrick’s son Thomas Joyce, along with John Casey.

The event is free and open to the public but registration is required at Eventbrite here innocenceclinic.eventbrite.ie.

Life After Life: A Guildford Four Memoir will be available for sale and for signing by Paddy Armstrong and Mary-Elaine Tynan beginning at 5pm outside the Aras Moyola Large Lecture Theatre.

The programme will begin at 5:30pm followed by a reception afterwards.

Fire destroys prefab classroom at Galway Steiner National School

By
Briain Kelly
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0
Galway daily news Three people hospitalised after Galway City house fire

A prefab building at Galway Steiner National School used for a junior and senior infants classroom has been destroyed in a fire.

Investigations are looking into the cause of the fire at the prefab unit, one of several used at the Knocknacarra  school.

Nobody was injured in the incident, with RTÉ reporting that the pupils and their teacher had left earlier that morning to go on a nature walk before the fire began.

One possible cause of the blaze suspected at this moment is a faulty storage heater.

The Galway Steiner School is a coeducational school run using the Steiner method which promotes creative and active learning with a strong emphasis on movement, music, art, handwork, drama, and outdoor learning.

It first opened on the Cappagh road in Knocknacarra in 2015 under the patronage of Lifeways Ireland, catering to students up to 3rd class.

Principal Shane O’Connell said that contents of the prefab classroom were destroyed in today’s fire, and that an investigation would seek to pinpoint the exact cause of the incident

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