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UHG first public hospital to use pioneering cancer treatment

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news UHG rolls out pioneering prostate cancer treatment

University Hospital Galway is the first public hospital in Ireland to make use of a new treatment for prostate cancer.

UHG recently began using high dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for patients, which had only been available at the Mater Hospital before now.

Radiation Oncologist at UHG Dr. Cormac Small said “We felt that this treatment modality should be made available to all patients and this was fully supported by hospital management and the National Cancer Control Programme.”

Bringing this treatment to Galway extensive training for members of the Radiation Department that included visits to the Mater, the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre in Belfast, and Poitiers University Hospital in France.

On top of making this treatment available to cancer patients in Galway, the team at UHG will lead its roll-out in other public hospitals around Ireland.

“We envisage that UHG will lead a programme to roll out the prostate HDR service to the radiotherapy centres in Cork and Dublin,” said Dr. Small.

High dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy or temporary brachytherapy is a type of internal radiotherapy which involves inserting thin tubes into the area being treated.

A source of radiation is then passed down the tubes into the prostate for a few minutes to destroy cancer cells.

This allows an increase in the dose of radiation to the prostate whilst reducing the exposure to surrounding tissues.

With this new technique doctors will be able to use this treatment on a wider range of patients.

Ireland has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in Europe with over 3,400 men diagnosed annually, which is expected to climb as our population ages.

Chris Kane, General Manager, Galway University Hospitals commented, “Considerable advances have been made in both the surgical and radiotherapy options available in UHG in recent years.”

“I am delighted that we now offer our patients a full range of radiotherapy options for treating prostate cancer: external beam radiotherapy, seed implant brachytherapy and now HDR brachytherapy.”

Palás Cinema wins international architecture award

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily

Galway’s Palás cinema was one of the big winners at the World Architecture Awards this weekend.

The arthouse cinema designed by architect Tom dePaor won Best Use of Colour at the architecture awards in Amsterdam on Saturday.

The cinema on Merchant’s road was noted for its painted glass windows that light the interior in vibrant blues and yellows.

The 22 resin-coated windows were created by Irish artist Patrick Scott.

Judges at the architecture awards noted how “colour is completely integrated and critical to the conceptual design and experience of the building,” which was described as like “a magic lantern”.

The Pálás was also nominated for an award as a completed cultural building, but lost to The Piano Mill in Stanthorpe, Australia.

The grey-fronted concrete building in the heart of the Latin Quarter towers over surrounding buildings down by the Spanish Arch.

Opening last February, the Palás cinema is run by Element Pictures who took over management from the original company Solas in 2016.

Long a source of controversy in Galway, the Palás took 14 years and €9 million in public funding to deliver, on top of donations made by individuals to the project.

The independent cinema features three screens and recently celebrated the opening of its downstairs bar and restaurant Merrow.

Building from around the world were nominated for awards in 42 categories at the World Architecture Festival.

The overall World Building of the Year 2018 is the Kampung Admiralty retirement village in Singapore.

Simon Harris asks people to reserve the A&E for emergencies amid trolley crisis

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Briain Kelly
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Health Minister Simon Harris has admitted that long waits at the A&E are “inevitable” this winter period as our hospitals are more overcrowded than in history.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation recently reported that this November was the worst in history for patients waiting on trolleys.

For the first time since records began there have been more than 100,000 patients left on trolleys, with University Hospital Galway one of the worst in Ireland.

There were nearly 700 patients on trolleys at UHG in November, with the yearly total set to sail past 7,000 by Christmas.

Speaking on Newstalk’s On The Record, Simon Harris asked people to avoid using the A&E for any non emergency complaints.

“I do need and ask for the support of everybody this winter period in terms of keeping our emergency departments for emergencies,” he said.

“And we use alternatives where available. We’re going to be extending the opening times for our primary care centres and minor injury units.”

The Minister has said that his department was trying to “break the cycle” of a surge in people on trolleys at the A&E come January by increasing the number of beds available and adding more homecare packages.

This comes on the back of a recent demand by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for more medical staff to work at hospitals over the Christmas period.

Minister Harris said that hospitals have set their rosters for the holiday season by now, and will be adequately staffed.

The Minister also said that it was a common “myth” that long waiting times and being left on a trolley are the norm for patients going through hospital.

He pointed to a recent National Patient Experience Survey which he said shows that of the 1.4 million who have gone through the A&E, 79% of people said they had a good experience.

But Galway’s hospitals are well below the national average with just 58% of people discharged from UHG and Merlin Park Hospital rating their experience as good.

A hospital “tsar” will be appointed to oversee the HSE’s winter plan, with UHG one of nine hospitals of specific concern being targeted.

Multi-million funding for Galway innovation centres

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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

More than €4 million in finding has been announced today for the Pairc na Mara and Portershed innovation hub in Galway city.

Galway West TD Seán Kyne announced €2 million in funding for the Údaras na Gaeltachta-led Pairc na Mara project planned for Cill Chiarain in Connemara.

The money will be used to create an 1,800m² dedicated marine development campus to incubate business enterprises that focus on the marine economy.

Through collaboration with regional stakeholders and the HEIs, the project will provide specialist training and business development supports.

Pairc na Mara will be Ireland’s first dedicated Marine Innovation Park with the development centre at the heart of the project.

Údarás na Gaeltachta are leading this development working with partners at GMIT, NUI Galway, BIM, and the Marine Institute.

A further €2.487 million in funding has been announced for the Portershed co-working and innovation hub in Galway city.

The Galway City Innovation District plans to use the money to refurbish the adjacent Stables building.

It will also be used to build three new floors providing co-working and event space for Technology and MedTech companies that are scaling up and graduating from the Portershed.

Residents of the Stables will benefit from access to customers, support from a broad community creators and innovators and links to funding agencies and investors in Ireland and globally.

This dynamic new workspace will also have state of the art facilities and a packed calendar of events.

Project partners include Galway City and County Councils, Shannon Commercial Properties, NUI Galway and GMIT.

These two projects are being funded under the second round of the Regional Enterprise Development Fund.

Deputy Kyne said that they were chosen for their, “clear potential to drive innovation and creativity in Galway and the West and encourage, nurture and sustain start-ups and employment which is fundamental to a successful economy and healthy society.”

Permission sought for microbrewery on Inishbofin farm

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Inishbofin farmer gets approval for microbrewery

Planning permission has been sought to convert an agricultural barn on Inishbofin into a microbrewery.

Coleman King, who has lived on Inishbofin his whole life and helps run the family farm at Middlequarter, wants to set up a microbrewery to support his income.

The microbrewery would produce two batches of 300 litres of beer each every week, operating from 24m² of the farm’s barn.

The application has been made with the consent of Patrick J. King, owner of the family farm and the applicant’s father.

A Natura Impact Statement by Corrib Environmental Services found that the brewery would have no impact on the surrounding area so long as the wastewater is appropriately disposed of.

According to the planning application the brewery would produce roughly 50 litres of effluent per batch which would be handled by a waste management system.

A decision is due from Galway County Council of whether to let Mr King get brewing by December 23.

Major water network repairs across Galway city and county next week

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

Major repairs will be carried out water infrastructure across Galway all through next week.

Starting on Monday, December 3 repair works will be carried out on the water network in Oughterard and Rockbarton Green in Salthill.

Mains repair works will be taking place in Rockbarton Green from 9am to 5pm as part of the National Leaks Reduction Programme.

While in Oughterard repair works also taking place from 9am to 5pm will affect the water supply in Curraveha and the surrounding area.

On Tuesday repair works will be taking place on the Threadneedle road in the city and in Ballinasloe.

Repairs to water mains on the Threadneedle road could disrupt the water supply to nearby residents and to Leisureland from 9am to 5pm.

Further repairs to the water network will take place on the Threadneedle road on Wednesday, December 5 from 9am to 5pm, causing supply disruptions to the surrounding areas.

In Ballinasloe on Tuesday essential repair works will be carried out in the early hours of the morning from 5am to 9am on Main Street.

This Thursday, December 6 Irish Water will be carrying out repairs to water mains in Ard na Mara, Salthill from 9am to 5pm.

And lastly, Friday will see essential repair works take place in Rockbarton Park in Salthill from 9am to 5pm.

In all of these instances, Irish Water advises residents of the affected areas who lose their water that it may take 2-3 hours after works are completed for full water supply to return.

Galway woman Niamh Banahan is a Climate Hero

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Local woman Niamh Banahan is a climate hero

Galway woman Niamh Banahan was one of eleven people honoured at the inaugural An Taisce Climate Ambassador awards this week.

The Climate Ambassador programme identifies champions in our schools, colleges, and communities who can work as ambassadors to take action that will spread awareness of climate change.

The pilot programme selected 108 ambassadors from 22 counties who were each trained and asked to carry out four key actions this year to improve the local environment and communicating climate change.

Some of the actions taken over the past 12 months were hosting climate talks, participating in community festivals, planting native trees, and carrying out climate workshops.

The finest of those ambassadors, including Niamh, received nine Climate Hero awards and two Outstanding Achievement awards.

Niamh took to Instagram to say it was an honour to receive this acknowledgment adding, “To even be in the room with the other incredible Climate Ambassadors is an honour.”

“This gives me such confidence to move forward with environmental initiatives in the workplace,” she said “and to do absolutely everything I can as a citizen to tackle climate change.”

Minister of State and Galway East TD Seán Canney attended the awards and praised the work done by each of the ambassadors over the past year.

“These Climate Ambassadors represent the best of civic engagement in Irish society with a diverse range of individuals committed to taking action, as well as mobilising their wider communities, to address the challenge of climate change.”

The Climate Ambassador programme is one part of the National Climate Change Action and Awareness Programme run by An Taisce.

Other actions being taken in the NCCAAP include teacher training, secondary and primary school resources packs, the Green schools Climate Action Week every October, and the Green Schools Climate Action Expo that took place in February.

Deputy Canney emphasised how crucial it is to show individuals, businesses, and communities how they can tackle climate change and help improve the environment.

“Engagement on the ground is crucial if we’re going to work together to tackle climate change,” he said.

“Hearing about the great work carried out by Ireland’s first Climate Ambassadors I see this programme as another step towards making Ireland a leader in Climate Change.”

Symphonic Waves youth orchestra prepares exciting holiday shows

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily life & style Symphonic Waves Youth Orchestra performing two August concerts

Galway’s homegrown youth orchestra Symphonic Waves will take to the stage for a pre-Christmas showing after months of practice.

Under the guidance of Conductor Prof. James Cavanagh the orchestra has been in monthly rehearsals since July for a new programme of music.

On top of their own rehearsals they’ve been in intensive residentials and received mentorships from Galway Music Residency’s ConTempo Quartet, the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

They’re going to be showing off the results of their hard work later this month in two concerts on December 15-16 out in the county.

The first concert will be at 4pm at the Connemara Coast Hotel in Furbo on December 15, and the next will be at 6pm at the Meadow Court Hotel, Loughrea on December 16.

The group will perform repertoire that they have been working on over the last 6 months as well as some seasonal chamber music.

Symphonic Waves is a West of Ireland Youth Orchestra which was set up in 2017 as part of Galway 2020 in collaboration with Music Generation Galway County.

Head of Programme at Galway 2020 Marilyn Gaughan-Reddan said the Symphonic Waves orchestra is “A real example of what opportunity and collaboration can achieve.”

“What the Symphonic Waves Orchestra has already achieved is remarkable, and we look forward to hearing more exciting things from them as we build towards 2020.”

Right on the heels of their seasonal holidays the group will be holding auditions for any bright young musicians that want to joins their ranks.

An open call has been put out for young, enthusiastic wind, brass, or percussion players from Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Clare or Limerick.

Auditions for new members will take place at the Meadow Court Hotel in Loughrea on December 16.

Ruth Gordon, Music Development Officer with Music Generation Galway County said of these young people:

“What this group of young, vibrant musicians has achieved is incredible, and we can’t wait to see what they achieve over the next 12 months.”

She added that they are “thrilled” to be expanding for next year, “bringing Symphonic Waves one step closer to being a full symphony orchestra.”

Tickets for either of the concerts taking place this month are €10, under 18s go free.

They can be bought at the doors on the night or reserved by emailing symphonicwaves@gretb.ie or phoning 091 874 557.

Those contact details can also be used for anyone who wants more information about auditions for the orchestra.

Santa to appear at fun Christmas event at Quiet Man train station

By
Michael Malone
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santa christmas event galway

Excitement is growing for the ‘Polar Express’ family Christmas event which is taking place at Ballyglunin Train Station on 16 December.

The fun event will include a children’s Christmas disco, marshmallow roasting, storytelling and an appearance from Santa raising funds towards a new kitchen for the station.

It will raise funds for a new kitchen for the station.

Minister Ciaran Cannon welcomed the event and said: “Ballyglunin Train Station is an integral part of East Galway`s cultural history as it features in the legendary ‘The Quiet Man’ movie and I hope many families will support the event which is raising funds towards a new kitchen for the Station.

“The restoration works at the Station and indeed the movement towards creating the Quiet Man Greenway take on a new impetus in light of the figures released [on Wednesday] by the CSO which  show an increase of 7.1% in overseas visits to Ireland for the first ten months of 2018 compared to the same period of 2017.”

Calls to raise the age limit on community employment scheme

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily credit unions sport Television broadcast deal sidelines GAA fans says Rabbitte

Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte has been among those calling for a reform of the Community Employment Scheme to raise it’s age limit.

The CE Scheme helps people who have been long term unemployed to keep themselves busy by finding part-time and temporary job placements within the local community.

Currently the age limit for people to make use of the CE Scheme is 55 years old.

But Fianna Fáil have tabled to the Social Welfare Bill to remain on the CE Scheme until they are 62.

Deputy Rabbitte explained, “Thousands of people benefit from their time on a CE scheme and for many it offers the opportunity to get back into the workplace.”

“Many of the people who take part in these schemes are older and the 55 year age limit is proving problematic.”

The amendment would expand on a pilot scheme tested by then Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton in 2015.

The Service Support Stream pilot initiative allowed people to stay within the CE Scheme until they qualified for a state pension.

Deputy Rabbitte said this isn’t just a financial matter for many people, “Many older people enjoy participating in a CE scheme as it gives them a sense of worth.”

“They enjoy the work and social element of these scheme and many learn new skills.  It also works from an economic perspective as participants undertake work which benefits their local communities.”

The Fianna Fáil TD said it’s important to keep older people as engaged as possible in the local community until they retire.

UHG among most overcrowded in Ireland in worst November on record

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Cardiac care investment in Galway

There were nearly 700 patients on trolleys at University Hospital Galway as Ireland’s hospitals enjoyed their most overcrowded November on record.

According to monthly figures from the INMO, UHG was the third most overcrowded hospital last month with 676 patients going without beds.

Coming in ahead of UHG were University Hospital Limerick (1,071), more than twice the hospital’s bed capacity, and Cork University Hospital (932).

Overall there were 9,679 patients without a bed in Irish hospitals last month, an increase of 11% on last year and the worst November since records began.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has been been keeping track of the number of patients on trolleys since 2004.

For the first time since they started counting, the annual amount of patients on trolleys has gone over 100,000 people.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha  said that 2018 is already the worst year on record with weeks left to go.

On top of that, she added, January and February are usually the worst months, so “nurses and midwives will be looking to the new year with a sense of dread.”

“But this isn’t just a winter problem anymore, it’s a year-round problem. The health service needs more beds,” she said.

“Extra beds require extra nurses, but the HSE simply can’t hire enough on these wage levels.”

The union has said that the overcrowding in our hospitals is exacerbated by chronic understaffing.

According to the HSE census, as of September 2018, Ireland’s health service has 227 fewer staff nurses than December 2017.

Galway Bay Seafoods named Independent Seafood Retailer of the Year

By
Michael Malone
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galway bay seafoods

Galway Bay Seafoods at The Docks in Galway has been named Independent Seafood Retailer of the Year for their customer retail shop The Dockside Deli.

The National Seafood Awards 2018 took place in the Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin last week.

Since 2016, the awards have recognised excellence and innovation within the seafood sector in Ireland, rewarding those who have gone above and beyond to promote the sector in the categories of Innovation, Sustainability, Competitiveness and Skills.

Jim O’Toole, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) CEO, explained: “BIM’s ambition is for Ireland to become a global leader in sustainable seafood. Over 14,500 work in the sector.

“It contributes €1.15 billion to our economy and is vital to many of our coastal communities.

“Tonight’s winners demonstrate the commitment and consistently high standard that’s driving the reputation of Irish seafood in Ireland and internationally.”

Galway Bay Seafoods has been serving the people of Galway and beyond with quality seafood for more than 70 years through a family tradition of craft fishmongering and have recently launched a new addition to the business in the form of The Dockside Deli.

Noel Holland, owner of The Dockside Deli by Galway Bay Seafoods, said: “Though tradition is strong within the business, Galway Bay Seafoods has always adapted and changed to keep ahead of the pace, and we are thrilled to see this recognised as we are named Best Independent Seafood Retailer of the Year.

“We are passionate about delivering only the highest quality seafood products and service to our customers and this award acknowledges our team’s hard work and dedication.”

The Dockside Deli by Galway Bay Seafoods offers a whole new seafood experience for visitors with ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook seafood and fish options, alongside a forward-thinking and creative menu of hot daily specials cooked by in-house professional chef Kevin Hynes, which revolves around whatever comes into them fresh on the day.

“We are delighted to win this award which is recognition of our efforts to ensure locally and ethically caught fish and seafood is readily available, and help to get the public eating in a fresh, healthy and sustainable way,” said Kevin Hynes.

“As a chef with an obsession and passion for seafood, The Dockside Deli has been a hugely exciting project and opportunity to be a part of and I couldn’t be prouder of this achievement.”

Andrew Keady, general manager of The Dockside Deli, added: “We have used our years of experience of craft fishmongering to create something unique, which we are proud to say is the first of its kind in Ireland, and we are honoured for The Dockside Deli by Galway Bay Seafoods to be recognised by BIM for our positive contribution to the Irish seafood industry.”

Galway Traveller activist slams council and calls for appropriate accommodation

By
Paul Kelly
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galway traveller

A public meeting held in Galway City on Monday night echoed the demand for an increase in the provision of accommodation for members of the travelling community.

The meeting was arranged to give a platform to people who have been effected by the ongoing housing crisis.

There was a particular emphasis on how the crisis is impacting on students, refugees/asylum seekers in direct provision and members of the travelling community in a disproportionate and detrimental manner.

Among those present at the meeting was Sinn Féin Councilor Mairéad Farrell and People Before Profit activist Joe Loughnane.

Bridget Kelly of the Galway Traveller Movement spoke of how the housing crisis has always been prevalent for the travelling community in Galway and was far from a new problem.

The Traveller activist declared that it was a legal obligation for Travellers to be provided with culturally appropriate accommodation. She claimed this legal obligation was owed to Travellers by County/ City Councils.

The activist lambasted the Local Authority for ‘failing’ Travellers.

She stated with contempt how the Local Authority like to put the blame on the Traveller Community for not having appropriate accommodation.

She argued that the fact there isn’t available and appropriate accommodation for travellers results in a complete denial for the human rights of Travellers.

Adding to this, she stated: “we have families living in Galway City and County who are living in absolute deplorable conditions”.

“[We have] families who have been on the housing list for over 10 years and haven’t been provided with one offer of accommodation”

Bridget Kelly then listed examples of rat infestation, overcrowding and hidden homelessness as current issues plaguing the Traveller community in Galway.

She emphasized how culturally accommodation is vital to meet the needs of the travelling community.

Bridget Kelly expressed her dismay at the rampant level of traveller homelessness and the high rate of traveller suicide. These issues were being compounded by the lack of available and suitable accommodation for Travellers.

The activist also outlined the fact that the traveller suicide rate is currently 6 times higher than the settled population along with the fact that suicide accounts for 11% of all traveller deaths.

NUI Galway students raise €6,000 for Movember by jumping in the ocean

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Six NUI Galway students jumped in the Atlantic every day for Movember

A group of six students at NUI Galway broke with the usual Movember trend, and raised €6,000 by jumping in the ocean.

The Irish Independent reports that for the past month six students from NUI Galway have been taking a frigid dunk in the Atlantic to raise money for charity.

Eoin Ryan, a 22-year year old medicine student in his third year at NUIG said that when a friend told him about Movember he was interested in taking part.

But he didn’t think that he’d be able to grow a mustache.

Instead Eoin and five of his friends age between 21 and 23 dived into the ocean of Blackrock pier in Salthill once a day all through this last frigid, stormy month.

Which I think we can all agree is a much easier option than letting hair grow.

Barney McElroy (21) from Monaghan, Donal Shanley (23) from Wexford, Conor O’Malley (21) from Mayo, Colm O’Donnell (21) also from Mayo and Carl Glynn (23) from Clare faced a number of challenges in their chosen task.

For one thing the weather hasn’t exactly been co-operative for the past few weeks.

Eoin admits that the weather could be a tricky issue as they came down to Salthill every morning between 7:30 and 10am.

Sometimes they would have to run into the ocean off the beach rather than diving off Blackrock pier depending on the tide.

Also an issue for these students were exams and other college work, but a dip in the sea can be just the pick me up you need Eoin said.

Other people started joining them on their morning odyssey according to Eoin, including Connacht Rugby stars Peter Claffey and Craig Ronaldson.

Eoin said he just wanted to do something to something to promote men’s health, with high rates of suicide because people won’t talk about their mental health.

And about the importance of having a conversation about testicular and prostate cancer no matter how uncomfortable, because early diagnosis is essential for your chances.

With Movember now ended, the group are in talks with the college to repeat this challenge next year.

Make a dog’s Christmas with a gift hamper for MADRA

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news treat a dog to a Christmas hamper with MADRA

As we start buying our Christmas gifts for friends and family this month, give a thought to the more than 50 rescue dogs in the care of MADRA this holiday season.

You can make a mutt’s holidays by donating a Christmas shoebox filled with items to treat the dogs who aren’t spending the winter with a family.

Each box contains a mix of delicious treats to spice up their diet; six Burns Sausage Meaty Treats, one bag of Trixie Premio Treats, a tube of live paste, and for that Christmas dinner a can of Turkey and Cranberry in herb gravy.

As well as food this hamper contains some fun toys and other essential items including a collar and tag, three squeaky tennis balls, and a lick mat toy.

If you want to treat a dog in Galway to a sack of toys this Christmas, it’s as easy as going to petconnection.ie and placing your order, after which it will be delivered straight to MADRA.

Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption is an animal care charity based out of Connemara that helps find homes for dogs that are unwanted, or maybe who’s family just can’t look after them anymore.

More than ever MADRA needs people’s support as the number of dogs coming into their care goes through the roof.

Since July 1 of this year MADRA has taken in a massive 221 adult dogs with another 52 puppies coming through their gates.

In all of last year the animal charity took in  789 dogs, of which 733 were successfully re-homes.

The cost of all this is that their vet bills are reaching €8,000 every month.

If you want to help out you could consider adopting or fostering a dog currently in MADRA’s care.

Or make a make a donation at madra.ie/make-a-donation or by texting MADRA to 50300.

 

Photo: PurpleBlues Photography 

Two East Galway schools approved for infrastructure upgrades

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Calls for mediator to be appointed in special needs education dispute

Two schools in East Galway Newtown National School, Tuam and St. Brendan’s Boys National School, Loughrea have been granted approval to improve their school facilities.

Newtown National School will receive two new mainstream classrooms, while St. Brendan’s will add our new Special Education Training rooms.

Galway East TD Seán Canney confirmed that both projects have been granted approval by the Department of Education.

Deputy Canney said that these latest improvements to Galway’s existing school stock, “adds further to the expenditure on providing modern educational facilities in our National Schools in Galway East.”

“It is also important that the National Schools can provide education for Special needs in the proper environment and the allocation of funding to provide special education rooms is vital for this service to be provided.”

Both round of upgrades have been granted approval under the Department of Education’s Additional Accommodation Scheme.

The Additional Accommodation Scheme is meant to ensure that schools have enough classroom space for their students each year where the school’s existing space is insufficient.

If the schools thinks they will need the additional space for less than three years they can apply to rent room from elsewhere.

Where the need is likely to be for more than three years, the Department of Education can provide grant aid to either buy a prefab or build a permanent classroom.

“I would like to congratulate both schools for their efforts in ensuring that these facilities are put in place,” said Deputy Canney, adding that he was grateful to the department for being proactive in approving funding applications.

Ros a Mhíl residents hit by broken water main

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway city news Water outages in Salthill due to burst mains today

Residents of Ros a Mhíl may be without their water this afternoon as repairs are made to a burst water main in the area.

Irish water reported that a water main burst in the Connemara village earlier this afternoon.

The damaged water main may leave residents of the village and surrounding areas without water.

Repairs are being carried out and Irish Water have given an estimated completion time of 6pm this evening.

But it may take up to three hours after they are completed for full supply to be restored to Ros a Mhíl.

If anyone has any issue or question they can contact Irish Water at 1850 448 448 or through twitter @IWCare.

National Geographic says Galway is an essential world destination for 2019

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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

National Geographic Traveller magazine has declared that Galway city is an essential destination for the discerning world traveller in 2019.

The world-renowned magazine cited Galway as an essential destination next year for the wide range of cultural offering and the thriving food scene from out time as the European Region of Gastronomy.

It’s not just food, but the centre of culture that excites the judges at National Geographic as next marks marks the run-up to Galway’s time as the European Capital of Culture 2020.

“Throughout 2019, new community heritage and arts projects, such as pop-up culture cafés and funambulism workshops, will be rolling out in conventional and unexpected venues across Galway city and county.”

Though the recommendation centres on Galway city, what there is to see here is inextricably linked to county and the Atlantic coast.

“Homegrown programs include celebrating the old customs on the wild, unspoiled islands off the Galway coast, and ‘Small Towns, Big Ideas,’ an initiative based on the Irish tradition of meitheal, or coming together for a common purpose.”

When you’re not soaking in the culture, it’s recommended that visitors to Galway try chowing down on some of our world famous oysters, with Moran’s Oyster Cottage in Kilcolgan getting a special shout out.

The City of Tribes was the only Irish destination to make this globe-spanning list that includes climbing the forested mountains of Argentina’s Isla de los Estados, paragliding over the lakes and gorges of Macedonia, or join in the world’s largest street party at the Salvador Carnival in Brazil.

The full list of 28 gorgeous and heart and heart pounding holiday destinations for the new year can be found in National Geographic Traveller.

Two Cocker Spaniels missing from Moycullen

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news hekp find two missing dogs last seen in Moycullen

Two female Cocker Spaniels have been reported missing by their owner in the Moycullen.

The two missing dogs were last seen in Moycullen village on Tuesday, November 27.

Both dogs are female, one brown with a white patch around her nose, and the other girl is black.

They’re both microchipped which should help identify them if found.

If you see these missing dogs please contact John at 087 1932871.

Go to lostandfoundpets.ie  for more info.

Help bring these girls home safely.

Decision due on six new homes in Dunmore

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Knocknacarra social housing

A decision is due from Galway county council next week on whether to grant planning permission for six new homes in Dunmore.

Homes for Dunmore have applied for permission to build six houses on an unused plot of land in the north Galway village.

The six, single-storey homes would be grouped into three blocks of semi-detached houses.

The 1-bed houses were designed by Conor Hayes Consulting Engineers of Kiltormer, Ballinasloe.

A decision was originally due from the county council on whether to grant permission for development in September.

But on September 18 that deadline was pushed back to Friday, December 7 next week.

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