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Students to benefit from cheap day long city bus tickets in fares shakeup

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Multiple Galway bus services cancelled this Bank Holiday

Students travelling by bus in Galway will be able to take advantage of cheap day long tickets from today.

As part of a major shake up to its fare structure, the National Transport Authority is introducing a flat rate of €4 for a 1-day tickets for students in Galway, Limerick, and Cork cities.

Adult and Child day tickets in the Galway city commuter zone will each increase by 10c under the new fare plan.

Other changes are also being made to regular public transport ticket prices in Galway city.

The Galway city commuter zone was expanded in December 2017 to include Barna and Oranmore.

Bus Eireann intended for there to be two levels of ticket price based on journey length, but were unable to implement that at that time.

From today there will be a two-tier city fare structure, with passengers travelling more than 7.5km paying the higher tier fare.

For intercity train services, the NTA has indicated that student ticket prices could rise by as much as 13% in the future.

However they also said that these price increases would largely apply to tickets bought at the ticket office rather than online.

“As almost all students can book rail tickets on their smartphones practically no student will be obliged to pay these higher fares,” the fares determination report concludes.

As it stands now, the NTA says that student intercity tickets are so cheap that large numbers of students only buy just before travelling.

This makes it harder for Irish Rail to predict train loading in advance, and often results in overcrowded trains, something that’s been a source of constant complaint on the Galway-Heuston line.

NTA Chief Executive Anne Graham said changes will “provide a simpler fare structure, allowing seamless movement between different transport services without a financial penalty.

The total annual revenue from fares taken in by the NTA comes to approximately half a billion each year.

In 2019, the revenue taken in from public transport fares is expected to increase by €1 million

The full report on changes being made to public transport fares nationwide can be found on the NTA website here.

16 myths in 16 days – COPE Galway tackles myths around domestic abuse

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news COPE

In ’16 Days of Action’ COPE Galway is tackling some of the most common myths surrounding domestic abuse.

Each day from November 26 to December 10 COPE will release a blog that will dispel a different misconception that has sprung up around domestic abuse.

On top of tackling specific myths, the blog posts are meant to raise awareness about the larger issue of domestic abuse and help people being abused find support.

Service Manager Dr Carol Baumann, explains, “We want to dispel some of the common myths we see and hear on a daily basis.”

“A woman often blames herself for abuse, or might see herself as a ‘strong, capable’ person who would never allow herself to be abused.”

“The daily blogs we’ve planned will challenge ideas around, for example, abuse being part of certain cultures, or that a woman should have left an abusive spouse by now.”

COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service is also producing a safety planning leaflet which contains vital information to assist a woman to plan for her safety in an abusive situation.

The safety leaflet will be launched on 10th December, International Human Rights Day and the final day of the International 16 Days of Action campaign.

Some of the topics covered by these blogs so far include myths around what constitutes abuse and understanding that an abuser will always find a reason to hurt people.

Demand has never been higher for COPE Galway’s Domestic Abuse Service as last year saw a 60% increase in the number of single people seeking their help.

Because of the massively increased demand the charity was unable to accommodate 285 women with 441 children at their shelter.

But in a step forward for protecting the victims of domestic abuse COPE recently announced that the former Mercy Convent on Forster Street will be converted into a refuge for woman and children seeking shelter from domestic abuse.

Deal struck to secure Aran Islands air service up to 2021

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Irish Language Plan approved for the Aran Islands

A major breakthrough has been made in securing the future of air travel to the Aran Islands with a deal to help extend services up to 2021.

The Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht has agreed a deal with Aer Arann to use Connemara’s Na Minna airport for air travel services up to September 2021.

Under this agreement extending the current contract, a process has also been set out for the government to negotiate buying the airport completely.

Galway West TD and Minister of State for the Islands Seán Kyne said that a deal has been struck today that will ensure that Aer Arann will continue to run flights to the Aran Islands up to December 20 of this year.

Aer Arann had previously said that it would have to cease all services from next Thursday, December 6.

During this short extension period the Department will issue a Request for Tender for interim service that will run from December 21 of this year until September 30, 2019 while a more permanent operator is sought.

Making the announcement Minister Kyne said that he was pleased an agreement had been reached on the service.

“I welcome the arrangement under which Aerfort na Mine will be available for the air service until 2021.  I believe that we have now set out a pathway to ensure the future of this service.

I would like to thank my officials and the Department’s legal team for all their efforts with this process, the island communities for their contribution, patience and understanding and, finally, Aer Arann and its representatives for their efforts to secure this agreement,” he finished.

The owner of Aer Arann Pádraig Ó Céidigh made headlines today with an offer to sell the airline to the island communities for just €1.

Mr Ó Céidigh has said that the current PSO contract of €800,000 a year is unsustainable and the airline is running at a loss.

Negotiations have been ongoing for some time as a deal was desperately sought that wouldn’t leave residents of the Aran Islands cut off from the mainland.

FoodCloud launches Galway hub to take surplus food from retailers for charities

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news FoodCloud opens oranmore branch to tackle food waste
30/11/2018 Repro free: FoodCloud and Irish Food Community to tackle food surplus in Western Region Minister Michael Creed Opens New FoodCloud Hub in Oranmore, connecting businesses and charities in Western Region Galway FoodCloud Hub opens with official call out to donate Food for Good FoodCloud, the internationally acclaimed Irish social enterprise that pioneered the redistribution of surplus food from retailers to local charities, officially launched its third national hub in Oranmore in Galway today to deliver further impact in communities throughout the west of Ireland. ‘Connecting communities through food’ was the theme for the event, which was formally opened by Minister Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine. Ireland generates over one million tonnes of food waste annually. FoodCloud and FoodCloud Hubs were established in 2013 with the aim of addressing the problem of food waste and social exclusion by connecting businesses with surplus food to charities that can use the food in communities across the country. To date they have redistributed over 41 million meals to 7,500 charities all over Ireland and the UK. The launch of the FoodCloud Hub in Galway establishes their physical presence in the west of Ireland. Aoibheann O’Brien, CEO of FoodCloud Hubs said: “FoodCloud Hub in Galway has become a reality as a result of huge commitment and engagement from a wide and diverse range of groups from across society, the food industry, the charity sector, government departments and the business community. So far the Galway Hub has redistributed almost 400 tonnes of food to over 50 charities across the West of Ireland, that is the equivalent to 800,000 meals. The launch event today is a celebration of what has been achieved to date and a thank you to those who have helped to get us here but we also hope it will raise awareness of our presence in Galway and inspire more food businesses and charities to get involved and help to rea

FoodCloud, the innovative Irish social enterprise distributing surplus food from retailers to charities, opened its third hub in Oranmore this week.

Ireland generates over one million tonnes of food waste annually, large amounts of which go straight in the bin, not just from our homes but from restaurants and retailers.

FoodCloud and its hubs were established in 2013 with the aim of addressing the problem of food waste and social exclusion by connecting businesses with surplus food to charities that could use it in the community.

Speaking on behalf of Galway Simon, CEO Karen Golden said that just having food can be a critical concern for people struggling to pay high rents.

“The availability of food from FoodCloud allows us to help in a substantial way. It enables us to support people to have the opportunity to cover important expenses such as rent, heat and school costs, without having to forgo food or nutrition”

‘Connecting communities through food’ was the theme of the opening event attended by Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine Michael Creed.

“Ireland has committed to reduce the amount of food we waste and is taking action through supporting organisations like FoodCloud Hubs and also through Bord Bia’s food sustainability programme, Origin Green,” Minister Creed said

“I am delighted to see the expansion of FoodCloud Hubs into the west with the Hub in Oranmore and I encourage all food businesses to get involved to make sure that no good food goes to waste.”

The food served at the launch, created entirely from surplus, was facilitated by Jess Murphy of Kai Restaurant, who holds the accolade of Best Chef in Ireland for 2018 and has worked extensively with Massimo Bottura internationally on his Food For the Soul food surplus projects.

Aoibheann O’Brien, CEO of FoodCloud Hubs said, “FoodCloud Hub in Galway has become a reality as a result of huge commitment and engagement from a wide and diverse range of groups from across society, the food industry, the charity sector, government departments and the business community.”

So far the Galway Hub has redistributed almost 400 tonnes of food to over 50 charities across the West of Ireland, the equivalent of 800,000 meals.

“The launch event today is a celebration of what has been achieved to date and a thank you to those who have helped to get us here but we also hope it will raise awareness of our presence in Galway and inspire more food businesses and charities to get involved and help to realise a vision for a world where no good food goes to waste.”

 

Photo: Andrew Downes Photography

Galway city named best in Ireland at national enterprise awards

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Galway named best city at national enterprise town awards

Galway City was named the Best in Ireland this week at the Bank of Ireland National Enterprise Town Awards.

The Bank of Ireland National Enterprise Town Awards recognise and reward towns and villages where businesses communities come together to showcase the spirit of enterprise in their local area.

Galway was named the Best City, taking home €10,000 in prize money.

Mayor of Galway Niall McNelis represented the city at the awards in Kilkenny along with Gill Carroll from Galway City Business Association, Chairperson of Galway Latin Quarter Aislinn O’Driscoll.

The overall winner on the night was Letterkenny, winning a total of €33,000, while Kells in Co. Meath won €20,000 in the new Rising Star category.

The National Enterprise Town Awards were held at the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny on Wednesday.

In total €157,000 in prize money was handed out to winners on the night.

CEO of Bank of Ireland Francesca McDonagh said “Tonight’s awards are about recognising the enterprising activity being undertaken by towns and communities all over Ireland.

“I have been impressed with the energy, commitment and sheer hard work that we have seen from the awards entrants across the length and breadth of the country.”

Overall winner

  • Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Rising Star winner

  • Kells, Co. Meath

City award winners

  • Overall winner – Galway city
  • Runner-up – the Liberties in Dublin

Town initiatives of the year

  • Myshall, Carlow for its ‘Turas Columbanus’
  • South Regeneration Limerick and the Tait House Community Enterprise for its community garden
  • Arklow, Co Wicklow for its ‘Town of Gardens’
  • Clonakilty, Cork for its ‘Friends of Asylum Seekers’ initiative
  • Mountmellick, Laois for the Mountmellick community arts centre
  • Thurles, Tipperary for the ‘Cabra Wetlands’ project

National category winners

  • Dunleer, Co. Louth
  • Kinsale, Co. Cork
  • Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Regional winners

  • Mulhuddart, Co. Dublin
  • Sandyford, Co. Dublin
  • Tallaght, Co. Dublin
  • Cashel, Co. Tipperary
  • Kinsale, Co. Cork
  • Ennis, Co. Clare
  • Dunleer, Co. Louth
  • Kildare town
  • Kilkenny
  • Claremorris, Co. Mayo
  • Monaghan Town
  • Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Regional runners-up 

  • Howth, Co. Dublin
  • Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
  • Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford
  • Shannon, Co. Clare
  • Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
  • Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
  • Kells, Co. Meath
  • Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
  • Donegal Town
  • Westport, Co. Mayo
  • Sligo town

Regional second runners-up

  • Sligo
  • Castleisland, Co. Kerry
  • Bree, Co. Wexford
  • Bray, Co. Wicklow
  • Clones, Co. Monaghan

Educate Together secondary school accepting enrollments from Monday

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Briain Kelly
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Enrollment in the new Galway Educate Together secondary school for September 2019 will open next week.

Parents living within the catchment area of the new school will be able to put their kids down for enrollment from Monday, December 3 for the next school year.

Enrollment forms will be made available and can be completed online through the school’s website from next Monday.

Applications for the new school must be in by January 31 and offers of place will begin getting sent out by February 11.

Educate Together was awarded patronage of the new school serving Oranmore and Galway city last month.

Scheduled to open in time for the school year starting in September 2019, the school will eventually cater to 1,000 pupils.

In this first year 2019-2020, there will be places available for 48 students.

Places are only open to students that will be starting Secondary School in 2019.

Educate Together has been recruiting a principal to run the new school in the period since being granted patronage.

This will be the first post primary school in Galway run by Educate Together, who already run five primary schools around the county.

There’s been no word yet from the Department of Education on where the new school will be built.

Once that’s been done plans will have to be submitted and a contractor chosen before work can begin.

Rescued seals being released in Salthill after months of nursing

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Briain Kelly
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Two rescued seals are being released back into the wild in Salthill this Saturday after being nursed back to health by Seal Rescue Ireland.

Panini and Spud will be released at Ladies Beach in Salthill at 2pm on Saturday, and everyone is free to come and see these handsome creatures off.

Panini was rescued by NUI Galway students Christine Loughlin and Kellie Heney in August in terrible condition and was nursed back to her sleek and healthy best.

The release event will take place after volunteer training on that morning.

Say goodbye to this good girl and take the opportunity to ask and learn something about seals and Seal Rescue Ireland.

Seal Rescue Ireland is a registered charity that helps injured or sick seal pups along Ireland’s coastline and nurses them back to health before releasing them back into the wild.

Seal pups often find themselves separated from their nursing mothers by storms, rough seas, or boat traffic and can become injured or orphaned.

If people see a seal pup in distress on the coast they can call the Emergency Rescue number at 087 195 5393.

People shouldn’t approach the seals themselves as they may lash out, and certainly don’t try to put them back in the water as they’ve likely come onto the land for a reason.

You can also help out by volunteering with the organisation, making a donation, or adopting a seal to help provide food and what medical care they need.

Once rescued from the coast, injured seals are brought to the rescue centre in Wexford where they begin the rehabilitation process.

They will progress from being tube fed onto a fish diet, which they tend to take to pretty quickly, and make their way through three stages of pools to get them comfortable in the water.

Finally at the end of the process seals are brought back to the coast as close to where they were originally found as possible and set back into the wild.

Aer Arann offered to islanders for just €1

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Aer Arann four month contract extension

The owner of Aer Arann has offered to sell the airline to the island communities for just €1 amid an ongoing contract dispute.

The airline, and its main shareholder Pádraig Ó Céidigh have been in a long running dispute with the Department o Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht over the service it provides to the Aran Islands.

Currently the airline receives €800,000 in its Public Service Obligation contract which requires it to run 3,500 flights per year to Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, and Inis Oírr.

During peak tourist season the airline runs 30 flights a day, dropping off to the minimum needed by islanders during the winter.

However the airline has been trying to renegotiate its current contract, saying that the current terms make it run at a loss.

The Irish Times reports that Tarlach de Blácam, owner of globally traded Inis Meáin knitwear said the island communities have received the sale offer and carried out their diligence.

They are willing to take over Aer Arann, he said, but would require that the state provide enough funding for the maintenance of its fleet of aircraft.

One of its three ‘Islander’ planes is in the hanger for maintenance already and another is due in January.

The service would also need to be modernised and have improved marketing to ensure it has a viable number of passengers.

Earlier this year Mr O Ceidigh said that he would be unable to run the airline past December 6 under the current contract terms as it was no longer viable.

The number of passenger using Aer Arann has declined dramatically from a peak of 40,000 down to just 30,000 last year.

The government has been looking at providing an alternative for some time, with the airport being a tricky problem.

The airport currently used,  Aerphort na Mine in Indreabhán, is also owned by the airline, and proposals to fly from Shannon have not been well received.

The county council have raised the prospect of using Galway Airport in Carnmore instead, but have not been approached by the government.

Islanders would like a guarantee that Aer Arann would continue to fly from Aerphort na Mine if they were to take over, Tarlach de Blácam said.

The difficulty with any surge in investment in Aer Arann is that since it is already under a PSO until 2020, any additional state funding could be regarded by the EU as State Aid.

Other options that have been explored for community owenership, but not sanctioned by the government, include receiving a loan form Udarás na Gaeltachta.

Minister of State and Galway West TD Seán Kyne has been working to ensure that the air travel to the Aran Islands is able to continue after December 6.

Comórtas do Scoileanna Dara leibhéal fógartha ag Raidio na Gaeltachta

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Sheila Ní Bheaglaoich
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Comórtas fógartha ag RnaG - Galway Daily

Tá cómórtas do scoileanna dara leibhéal fógartha ag Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Tá deis ann do scoileanna dara leibhéal i nGaillimh agus ar fud fad na tíre páirt a glacadh sa chomórtas atá fógartha ag Raidió na Gaeltachta i gcomhar le Foras na Gaeilge mar chuid de Bhliain na Gaeilge.

S’éard is Bliain na Gaeilge ann ná céiliúradh ar theanga na nGael, agus ó mhí Eanair bhí neart mhaith imeachtaí agus tógraí ar bun sa tír seo agus ar fud na cruinne chun suim agus rannnphártaíocht sa teanga a spreagadh.

Maidir leis an chomórtas atá fógartha, tá dhá chéim ag baint leis.

Ar an gcéad dul síos, tugtar cuireadh do scoileanna dara leibhéal ar fud na hÉireann, thuaidh agus theas, moltaí a chur isteach do chlár raidió 30 nóiméad ar fhad, i nGaeilge, bunaithe ar an téama ‘Bliain na Gaeilge 2018.’ An spriocdháta do seo ná Dé Luain an 17 Nollaig.

In dhiaidh sin, roghnófar an cúig iarratas is fearr agus cuirfear léiritheoir raidió ag obair leis na scoileanna leis na cláracha sin a chur le chéile. Craolfar iad ar Raidió na Gaeltachta le linn Sheactain na Gaeilge i Mí Márta 2019 agus bronnfar €1000 ar an gclár is fearr.

Deis den scoth atá ann don aos óg anseo i gceantar Gaeltachta Gaillimh agus ar fud fad na tíre. Ná caill amach ar an deis seo agus sheol d’iarratas isteach go luath.

Is féidir tuilleadh eolas a fháil faoin gcomórtas seo anseo.

Christmas Park & Ride returns to Galway city

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Christmas Park & Ride returns this weekend

The annual Park & Ride Christmas service for commuters in Galway city will be returning this weekend.

The Park & Ride is an easy way for people to get in and out of Galway during the Christmas season with blocking up the city streets with traffic.

Any more than usual that is.

It’s a cheap as dirt service, costing just €1 per trip and kids travel free.

The price even covers free all day parking at Ballybrit Racecourse while you’re in the city doing the shopping, perusing the Christmas market, or just soaking in the atmosphere.

The service will run for two days this Saturday and Sunday December 1 – 2, and then return for another for another four days from December 6 – 9.

The next weekend, from Thursday December 13, the Park & Ride service will run right through to Christmas Eve.

The Park & Ride runs from Ballybrit Racecourse into the city centre every 30 minutes from 9:30am to 9:30pm Monday to Saturday.

On Sundays the service will operate from 11am to 9:15pm, with buses reduced to every 30 minutes after 7pm in the evening.

Claregalway based private bus operators Callinan Coaches are operating the Park & Ride service on behalf of the city council this year.

Tommy Callinan, Managing Director of Callinan Coaches, said they were “delighted” to run this service,  “on behalf of Galway City Council for the people of Galway this Christmas.”

“We will offer luxury transfers for people for the great price of €1 per single trip, where the people of Galway can sit back and relax, while our drivers take all the hassle out of the driving into the City Centre.”

Senior Engineer with Galway City Council Uinsinn Finn said the council was proud to bring back this initiative for the 12th year running.

Taking the stress and hassle out of travelling to Galway city for your shopping this Christmas season.

Cúpla fadhb cruthaithe ag an Réalt Jimmy Buckley ag Bainis Bhréige Ros na Rún

By
Sheila Ní Bheaglaoich
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Bainis Bhréige Ros na Rún - Galway Daily
Bainis Bhréige Ros na Rún - Pictúir de Chuid Andrew Downes

Cruthaigh an Réalt Amhránaí Tíre Jimmy Buckley cúpla fadhb ag an Bhainis Bhréige a bhí ag Ros na Rún ag an deireadh seachtaine.

Chuir criú agus cliar Ros na Rún, Bainis Bhréige le chéile an deireadh seachtaine seo chaite in Óstán Bá na Gaillimhe chun airgid a bhailiú do dhá catharnacht áitiúla, Cancer Care West agus an Gavin Glynn Foundation.

Deir Brídín Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh, a bhíonn páirt Katy aici sa sobaldhráma Ros na Rún,

“Phiocamar an dá catharnacht seo mar go bhfuil neacht do dhuine dos na aisteoirí ag dul faoi leigheas fé láthair agus caithfidh sí dul thar lear don leigheas agus dá bharr sin is catharnacht atá gar dár croí é.”

“Is catharnacht bunaithe in Éireann é an Gavin Glynn Foundation a tugann cúnamh do teaghlaigh le gasúir atá breoiteacht orthu agus a mbíonn orthu taisteal thar lear don leigheas ceart,” a deir sí.

Bailíodh airgead trí díolacháin ticéid, deontaisí agus an raifil mór a bhí ar siúl ar an oíche agus bhí neart duaiseanna le buacaint!

Seirbhís sibhialta a chuireadh ar siúl ag aisteoirí Ros na Rún agus níor imigh an oíche gan blúire beag drámaíochta. Bhí chuile rud fé rún go dtí na soicindí deireanach, agus ní raibh fhios ag duine ná deoirí cé a bheas sa cóisir brídeoige ná cé a bheas an brídeoig í féin.

Cruthaigh an Réalt Amhránaí Tíre a chuid fadhbanna féin agus é ag admháil a ghrá do ‘Bobbi Lee’ bean atá ina réalt amhránaí í féin ar an sobaldhráma Ros na Rún.

D’impigh sé uirthi gan a bhuacaill ar scáileán ‘Niall’ a phósadh. Niall bocht! Shiúl sé leis go chloíte nuair a raibh Jimmy Buckley agus Annamaria Nic Dhonnacha (Bobbi Lee) ag canadh disréad ar stáitse.

Ach níor chríochnaigh sé ansin mar chan Niall do Bobbi Lee agus thóg sí an cinneadh chun é a phósadh agus oíche den scoth a bheith acu.

Théis an searmanas bhí fáiltiú deochanna agus banquet bainise. Bhí na óráidí réamhscriptithe freisin ag Niall Mac Eachmharcaigh (John Joe ar Ros na Rún) mar b’é sin a scríobh an script.

Chríocnaigh an oíche le neart ceol agus rince agus b’é an Banna Oddity a choimeád chuile duine beoga ar an úrlár ag rince isteach sa maidin d’ár gcionn.

 

It’s a ratty place – Galway second most rodent infested county in Ireland

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Briain Kelly
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0
Galway Daily news Galway has third highest level of callouts for rodents

Galway is the second most rat infested county in Ireland according to vermin exterminators Rentokil, accounting for 11 percent of all callouts.

Dublin took home first prize by a significant margin, accounting for a third of all exterminator callouts this year for rat and mice infestations.

After Dublin and Galway, the counties most infested by rats and mice were Clare (9%) and Limerick (8%).

Experts say that say that an unusually warm summer created ideal conditions for rats and mice to thrive and breed.

Now with the onset of winter they’re making their way indoors to seek shelter from the cold and in search of easier food supplies.

While rat infestation always go up in Rentokil has noted an overall 34 percent increase in the number of calls they’re getting this year.

The Autumn/Winter spike has also occurred a month earlier than typical, which the company believes could be attributed to a rise in extreme weather events due to climate change.

It’s expected that the number of rat infestations in homes and businesses will continue to grow this year throughout the winter months.

People who think they might have an infestation of rats or mice should be on the lookout for dropping around their house, and listen for scratching sounds inside the walls or underneath the floors.

To avoid inviting rodents into your home, people should avoid leaving food out in the open, keep the house and garden tidy to reduce hiding places, and keep your garbage in a securely sealed bins.

Méanscoil Nua á oscailt ag Educate Together i nGaillimh i 2019

By
Sheila Ní Bheaglaoich
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Galway Daily news Galway Educate Together National School among 17 schools found with structural issues

Beidh Méanscoil nua á oscailt ag Educate Together i nGaillimh i 2019.

Beidh an scoil nua a bheas oiriúnach do suas go 1,000 dalta á oscailt i cóiríocht shealadach.

Faoi láthair tá an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna ag obair ar an mbuansealbhú láithreán agus ar an chóiríocht shealadach don scoil – níl ceachtar acu deimhnithe go fóill.

Táthar ag earcú príomhoide don scoil fé láthair agus is féidir tuilleadh eolas faoi seo a fháil anseo.

Dé Luain seo chughainn an 3ú Nollag a bheas tús á chur le clárú don Méanscoil Educate Together.

Seo a leanas cúpla pointe eolas maidir leis an clárú agus dátaí tábhachtach.

  • Beidh foirmeacha clárúcháin ar fáil ó Dé Luain an 3ú Nollag 2018.
  • Caithfidh chuile gné den foirm clárúchán a bheith líonta i gceart ag na tuismitheoirí/caomhnóirí don dalta a bheas á clárú.
  • Is féidir na foirmeacha a líonadh go leictreonach ar an suíomh idirlín atá ag Educate Together ó Dé Luan an 3ú Nollag 2018.
  • Is dóibh siúd a bheas ag freastal ar an gcéad bhliain amháin a ndéanfar na foirm iarratais a ghlacadh.
  • An dáta dheireanach a beifear ag glacadh le foirm iarratais ná an 31ú Eanair ag 5i.n.

Is féidir tuilleadh eolas a fháil ón suíomh idirlín Educate Together.

 

Even more planning permission needed to renovate Old Tuam Library

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Work to start next month on Tuam Intreo Centre

Another round of planning permission has been demanded before renovations before renovations on the old Tuam library building on Shop Street can proceed.

The former Tuam library building has been lying vacant for a number of years and plans had progressed to bring it back into use,

Planning permission had previously been granted under the Part 8 process, but the Chief State Solicitors Office decided this planning not appropriate in this instance.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has been leasing the building from the county council for a number of years.

Galway East TD Seán Canney has confirmed that department will lodge a fresh planning application with Galway county council this week.

It plans to outfit the three storey building as a set of local office facilities for the departments use.

Despite this delay Deputy Canney said the project will move ahead quickly, “The Planning will be in place in early 2019.”

“The tender documents are all prepared and is expected to be re-tendered immediately following the receipt of the new Planning permission.”

Despite this the Independent TD admitted he was frustrated by the delays caused by the interrupted planning process around Tuam library.

“It is important that we consolidate the office of the Department in one building in Tuam,” he added.

“It is also positive for Tuam to have a building of this stature and location re-opened to the public. I will continue to monitor progress to ensure a successful conclusion.”

Loughrea Bank of Ireland branch on sale for €2 million

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Bank of Ireland ATMs, app, and website out of service

The premises for the Loughrea branch of Bank of Ireland is on the market for nearly €2 million.

The sale is part of a portfolio of eight Bank of Ireland branches whose properties are being sold for a target price of more than €10 million.

At a valuation of €1.89 million, the building on Main Street, Loughrea is the highest priced property in the portfolio.

According to the Irish Times the Layden property group is selling 8 of the 15 Bank of Ireland branches it acquired during the financial crisis.

Several of the advertised properties had previously been put up for sale earlier in the year but failed to attract any buyers.

All eight of the properties listed on online bidding platform BidX1 are leased to Bank of Ireland until 2032.

After Loughrea, the next most value property in the portfolio is the Ballyfermot branch in Dublin, with a guide price of €1.75 million.

At the previous sale attempt the price for this branch was set at €2.14 million, while the Loughrea branch was listed at €2 million.

The other six properties included in the portfolio are in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford (€1.4 million);  Longford town (€1.35 million) ; Roscrea, Co Tipperary (€1.1 million), Skerries, Co Dublin (€950,000); Athy, Co Kildare (€865,000); and Edenderry, Co Offaly (€710,000).

The leases for each of the branches only allow for upward rent reviews every fifth year.

The Layden group is owned by developer Joe Layden and its directors are his daughters Gwen, Siobhán and Anita and his son Jack.

Back during the financial crisis the Layden group paid €94 million for portfolio of Bank of Ireland properties that includes 29 retail locations and its call centre in Kilkenny.

The most notable other investments made by the Layden group include George’s Arcade between South Great George’s Street and Drury Street.

Since the crash the company has spent another €22 million buying up investment properties in Dublin.

Galway facing shortfall of hotel rooms in the next five years.

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Plans for city centre hotel development off Eyre Square

More hotel space is needed in Galway to accommodate the growing number of overseas tourists coming every year Fáilte Ireland is insisting.

Galway is expected to add an additional 500 new hotel rooms in the next five years. 56 rooms will be added by the end of this year, with another 234 rooms across six different hotel projects coming online by the end of 2020.

At least 200 more rooms are expected to come online by 2022. Altogether this represents a 17% increase in Galway’s room stock, the majority of which will be in four star hotels.

Despite this, the tourist agency is warning that this will fall short of what’s needed to accommodate growing demand as overseas tourist numbers are expected to rise by 20% in the next five years.

In its latest report on accommodation availability, Fáilte Ireland has said there are major invest opportunities in Galway and two other cities for new hotels and other room stock.

According to the report Kilkenny and Cork are also going through a shortage of space for tourists to stay.

Fáilte Ireland’s CEO Paul Kelly revealed these figures this week at the Bank of Ireland’s Annual Hotel Sector Breakfast Briefing.

It was a morning of positive news for Irish tourism as he reported an 8% rise in tourism revenue this year, and the creation of 20,000 jobs connected to tourism.

It’s expected that 2019 will see a further 5% increase in tourism revenue, a trend that is projected to continue in coming years.

“The challenge of sustaining this growth in the long-term is to ensure Ireland has an adequate accommodation supply,” Mr Kelly said.

“While there is a future supply of hotel beds in the pipeline for Cork and Galway, looking at the current and projected levels of visitor demand,” he continued.

“There is certainly still a strong case for more investors and businesses to move into the sector and consider each of these cities for investment.”

In Cork 934 hotel rooms are expected to be added to the city’s capacity in the next five years, growth of more than a third.

But Kilkenny is facing more of a choke point with just 41 new rooms coming on stream by 2022, a minuscule growth of just 4%.

The Analysis of Tourism Accommodation in Cork, Galway, and Kilkenny was commission by Fáillte Ireland and carried out by Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants.

It focused on hotels because despite the growth of services like Airbnb, hotels still make up 80% of the rooms for tourists in Galway and these other cities.

“Getting a future view of supply and demand in this way allows us to be ahead of the curve in calling for investment now,” said Paul Kelly, “and ensuring that cities don’t suffer excessive price inflation down the line.

Burst water main leaves Mervue residents without water

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news 2.6km of aging water mains in Kinvara to be replaced

A burst water main in Galway city is affecting the water supply to residents of neighbourhoods in Mervue this afternoon.

Irish Water have reported a burst main in the area of the Michael Collins road in Mervue in the past half hour.

Residents of Quinn Place, Quinn Terrace, Saint James Road, Saint James Crescent, Glenina Heights, Michael Collins Road, Loughnane Place, Loughnane Terrace, and Cardinal Cushing Road could lose their water while this is being addressed.

Repair crews have been dispatched and Irish Water say they expect the water main to be repaired by approximately 3pm this afternoon.

But people who have lost their water in Mervue are advised to give 2-3 hours for full supply to return after repairs have been completed.

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

Compulsory Purchase Orders issued for Carraroe treatment plant over local objections

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Lack of sewerage infrastructure impeding housing Galway TD says

Irish Water is moving forward with plans for a wastewater treatment plant at on Sruthán Pier in Carraroe despite local opposition.

This morning Irish Water has issued compulsory purchase orders for land at Knocksruffaunavana, Carraroe to move forward with the project.

A new treatment plant is needed at Carraroe to end the discharge of raw sewage into Carna Bay.

Carraroe is one of four towns in Galway that has been cited by the EPA for dumping raw sewage directly into Galway’s waterways.

However there is strong local objection from people living in the area who say the chosen site at Sruthán Pier is too close to people’s homes and the village centre.

Coiste Pobail Chéibh an tSrutháin, the local group objecting to the project, have said that would destroy a beautiful coastal area with strong fishing and boating traditions.

Rather than setting a treatment plant there, the group says, Sruthán Pier should be developed as an amenity for tourists and the local community.

However Irish Water have said that the sewage treatment plant will accommodate the needs of a larger population “and will facilitate future growth in the area.”

“Cleaner water will enhance Carraroe’s amenity value and act as a platform for social and economic development.”

The local community and Irish Water have been at odds on this issue for the best part of a decade.

At a meeting between Irish Water and the local community this summer, no common ground was found between residents and the public agency.

The Compulsory Purchase Orders have been sent out to landowners and submitted with An Bord Pleanála to move ahead with this project, signalling Irish Water’s interntion to push on over any local objection.

Local student orchestra to play for Cancer Care West

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily NUI Galway medical orchestra to play in aid of cancer care west

NUI Galway’s Medical Orchestra will play a medley of fantastic music, including an original composition next week in aid of Cancer Care West.

An original piece of music composed and arranged by Máirtín O Connor and Garry O Briain folds medicine into the music with a  background involving the sounds emanating from a chemotherapy machine as the infusion reaches the patient.

The piece, described as “an Ode to healing”, captures rhythms and the translation of sounds to musical notation and arrangement for all sections of the orchestra.

David O’Donnell from Cancer Care West said, “Cancer Care West are thrilled to be the benefiting charity from this very unique fundraising event.”

“Funds raised will help support cancer patients and their families who are attending our Support Centre on Seamus Quirke Road.”

The Medical Orchestra at NUI Galway is part of the Arts in Action programme that gives medical students a chance to express themselves through music and find yet another way to help the community.

Joining them on stage for this charity concert next Wednesday will be an ensemble of musical guests including Jim Higgins, The Smiths, Carl Hession, Matthew Berrill and Mary McPartlan.

Speaking about this special concert, Mary McPartlan, Artistic Director of Arts in Action at NUI Galway, said:

“The orchestra has been in existence now for ten years and its main aim has always been to enrich and support the medical students, in reaching their own individual creative spaces, thereby supporting their overall wellbeing, their academic endeavor and their work in the study of medicine.”

Tickets for this charity concert cost €15, with all proceeds going to Cancer Care West, and can be bought on their website or at the door on the night.

The concert will take place at the O’Donoghue Centre at NUI Galway on at 6pm on Wednesday, December 5.

Footballer declared “dead” by club to postpone game alive and kicking

By
Briain Kelly
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0

The Spanish player whom Dublin club Ballyfrack FC declared dead in order to get a match postponed, Fernando Nuno La-Fuente, is alive and well in Galway, and says he can see the funny side.

Ballyfrack FC announced that one of their players had been killed in a car accident last Thursday in order to delay a match in the Leinster Senior League on Saturday.

There was a hell of a response from the community with players from other teams wearing black armbands and minutes of silence being held at matches.

He even made it to the front page of the local paper

The only problem, Fernando wasn’t dead. Far from it in fact, he’d just made the inherently life affirming decision to move to Galway.

Speaking on ‘Today with Sean O’Rourke’ yesterday Fernando said that his former teammates had let him know ahead of time that he might hear something about an accident, but left out the part about his being killed.

He had been taken out of the team’s WhatsApp group and knew something was up when he got a call from the team telling hime not to worry if he saw the League post something about him being in accident.

“But I thought it was the breaking a leg kind of accident,” he said.

Fernando, who lives and works in Galway, had just gotten home from work when he got calls from his colleagues telling him “you’re celebrity”.

That was how he got the news of his tragic death in a car accident.

After the news broke he called the club and they apologised to him, but Fernando said that he can see the funny side of things.

“It was serious on their part, but I’m finding it a little funny. Because, basically no-one was harmed.”

As for his family getting the news, Fernando said that his wife knew when he did and had got some messages on Facebook, but he had to call his mother straight away before she heard the news.

He’s since spoken with the team and said that it seems that this was “a one-man decision” with most of the players not involved.

Asked why the club was so desperate to avoid the match with Arklow, Fernando suggested they may have had difficulty fielding a team, as most of the player have full time jobs and other responsibilities.

Ballyfrack FC has since apologised at large for the “gross error of judgement” that led to these fake reports.

Officials for the Leinster Senior League are expected to meet with the club today. Oh, to be a fly on the wall at that meeting.

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