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Inis Meain wins prestigious Pride of Place award

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Inis Meain takes home prize at Pride of Place awards

Inis Meáin was found to be the finest of Ireland’s Island and Coastal Communities at the annual IPB Pride of Place awards.

The Aran Island triumphed over Spanish Point, Co. Clare and Baldoyle, Co. Dublin to take home first prize in this category.

The Pride of Place judges said they were “enchanted by the sheer beauty of this place, its awareness of the value and national significance of its heritage, culture and connections to many important historical people.”

Also praised was the fact that, unlike many other islands, Inis Meáin has both a primary and secondary school. “The approach to education which attracts many students and others to this small community is playing a huge role in developing a proper sustainable community.”

Comhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin was set up a year and a half ago to be the voice for the community by residents of the islands.

When making their case to the Pride of Place judging panel they highlighted the range of traditional industries and tourism initiatives that have made Inis Meáin a more vibrant community.

“The high end tourism product and international clothing industry gives the island a strong reputation,” they said.

The knitting factory is Inis Meáin’s main employer, providing jobs for 22 people, and visitors to the island will soon have a suites at a 5-star exclusive mini-hotel set to open next season.

The IPB Pride of Place awards are an all Ireland competition that recognises the work that people put into improving their local communities.

Tom Dowling, Chairperson of Pride of Place, was delighted “That after 16 years the competition continues to embed itself in the very heart of the Island of Ireland’s communities and gives them the opportunity to highlight the proud and amazing achievements of their place.”

At the awards ceremony in Cork last weekend representatives of 800 communities came to compete for prizes in 22 categories.

Peter Sheridan Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland said, “Pride of Place deserves its position as one of the most prestigious community awards on the island of Ireland and Co-operation Ireland is delighted that it continues to go from strength to strength.”

The full list of winners on the night was:

Communities Reaching Out Initiative:

Children’s Grief Centre, Limerick City

Community Wellbeing Initiative:

SPACE, Newry City

Council Community Engagement Award:

Meath County Council

Creative Place Initiative:

Community Centre for Music and the Arts, Dublin City

Main Competition – Population Category 0-300:

Ray, Co Donegal

Main Competition – Population Category 300-1000:

Balla, Co Mayo

Main Competition – Population Category 1000-2000:

Rathdrum, Co Wicklow

Main Competition – Population Category 2000-5000:

Bunclody, Co Wexford

Main Competition – Population Category over 5000:

Shannon Town, Co Clare

Main Competition – Community Tourism Initiative:

Moneygall Development Association, Co Offaly

Main Competition – Creative Place Initiative:

Muintir Chrónáin – Áras Chrónáin, Clondalkin, South Dublin Council Area

Main Competition – Creative Wellbeing Initiative – Holistic:

Comhairle na nÓg Liatroma, Co Leitrim

Main Competition – Creative Wellbeing Initiative – Targeted:

Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre, Co Louth

Main Competition – Housing Estates:

Garden City & Crestwood Estates, Co Meath

Main Competition – Islands and Coastal Communities:

Inis Méain, Co Galway

Main Competition – Urban Neighbourhoods:

Corduff, Co Dublin, Fingal Council Area

Urban Neighbourhoods/Villages with a Population under 1000:

Douglas Street, Cork City

Urban Neighbourhoods/Villages with a Population of 1000-2000:

Market Area, Belfast

Urban Neighbourhoods/Villages with a Population over 2000:

Ballyfermot, Dublin City

Special Awards:

  • Clonegal, Co Carlow
  • Cork Street Pastors
  • Maharees Coastal Area
  • Open Circle Arts, Co Kilkenny
  • Wicklow Hospice Foundation

Postanna Múinteoireachta ar fáil i nGaillimh fógartha ag an Bord Oideachais

By
Sheila Ní Bheaglaoich
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Galway daily news Three Galway schools join Creative Clusters collaboration

Tá sé fógartha ag an Bord Oideachais agus Oilúna na Gaillimhe agus Ros Comáin go bhfuil postanna múinteoireachta ar fáil i nGaillimh.

Cuirfidh an Bord Oideachais agus Oilúna na Gaillimhe agus Ros Comáin fáilte roimh iarratais ó dhaoine atá cáilithe go cuí ar na poist mhúinteoireachta seo a leanas, a d’fhéadfadh a bheith i gceist sa scoilbhliain 2018/2019.

Tá na ceapacháin seo faoi réir fhaomhadh na Roinne Oideachais agus Scileanna agus Stiúrthóir na Scéime Ath-Imlonnaithe.

Is ar conradh Lánaimseartha/Pro-Rata & Páirtaimseartha a bheas na postanna seo.

Seo a leanas liosta dos na scoileanna i nGaillimh atá ar thóir múinteoirí faoi láthair.

Coláiste Pobail na Gaillimhe, Móinín na gCiseach: (Athfhógairt)

GA18 – 108  Múinteoir Tacaíochta Foghlama Iarscoile (7.6 uair – Saoire Mháithreachais – Samhain 2018))

GA18 – 109  Béarla Cumarsáid & Riachtanais Speisialta Oideachais (22 uair, Saoire mháithreachais = 03/12/2018)

GA18 – 110 Corpoideachas & Múinteoir Tacaíochta Iompraíochta (10 n-uair an chloig, Saoire mháithreachais – 03/12/2018)

Coláiste an Ard-Easpaig, Mhic Éil, Tuaim, Co. na Gaillimhe

GR18 – 111  Béarla (16 uair, Saoire mháithreachais – 09/12/2018)

GR18 – 112  Matamaitic (22 uair, Saoire mháithreachais – 03/12/2018) (Páirtaimseartha Prorata – 05/11/2018 – 31/05/2019)

GR18 – 113  Gearmáinis (22 uair, saoire mháithreachais – 03/12/2018)

Coláiste Chilleáin Naofa, An Cnoc Breac, Béal Átha na Sluaighe, Co. na Gaillimhe: 

GR18- 114  Fraincís (18 uair an chloig – saoire mháithreachais – 3/12/18)

Institiúid Theicniúil na Gaillimhe (GTI), Bóthar an Athar Uí Ghríofa, Gaillimh:

GR18 – 115  Staidéar Altranais (11 uair – saoire mháithreachais – 9/11/18) (Athfhógairt)

GR18 – 116  Mata agus QQI (suas go dtí 11 uair – páirtaimseartha – Samhain 2018) (Athfhógairt)

GR18 – 117  Eolaíocht/Cothú/Suathaireacht Spóirt (suas go 22 uair an chloig, Clúdach Páirtaimseartha, ag tosú Samhain 2018)

Coláiste an Chláirín, Caheroyan Road, Gorteenacra, Baile Átha an Rí, Co. na Gaillimhe

GR18 – 118  Gaeilge (22 uair, Saoire mháithreachais)

Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Baile Chláir, Co. na Gaillimhe (Athfhógairt)

GR18 – 120  Mata (Saoire mháithreachais – 3/12/2018 – 31/05/2019)

GR18 – 120  Mata & Tacaíocht Foghlama (Saoire mháithreachais – 22 uair)

GR18 – 122  Eacnamaíocht Bhaile (Saoire mháithreachais)

Ógtheagmháil Thuama, Teach na hÉireann, Bóthar Bhaile Átha Ghad, Tuaim, Co. na Gaillimhe

GR18 – 126  Gaeilge (22 uair, Saoire mháithreachais  11/2018 – 25/05/2019) (Athfhógairt)

Coláiste Naomh Éinne, Cill Rónáin, Oileáin Árann, Co. na Gaillimhe: {Teagasc trí mheán na Gaeilge} (Athfhógairt)

GR18 – 127  Obair Mhiotail (Páirtaimseartha Pro rata)

Coláiste na Coiribe, Cnoc na Cathrach, Gaillimh {Teagasc trí mheán na Gaeilge}

GR18 – 128  Múinteoir Gnó, Fiontraíocht, Mata (21.3 uair – saoire mháithreachais)

Coláiste Mhuirlinne, Bóthar Dhabhach Uisce, Gaillimh

GR18 – 129 Múinteoir Acmhainne – Béarla (B’fhéidir Matamaitic fresin) (22 uair – 03/12/18)

Is féidir tuilleadh eolas faoi na postanna ar fad atá ar fáil i nGaillimh a fháil anseo agus tugtar an t-eolas faoi conas chur isteach ar an bpost ag an nasc chéanna.

Portumna primary school get backing for special education services

By
Briain Kelly
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0
Galway Daily news St. Brendan's National School Portumna gets funding for special education support

St. Brendan’s National School in Portumna has received welcome support to improve on its services for students with special education needs.

The Primary School has received funding to provide for a new Special Education Training Room.

Approval and funding for the new room comes from the Department of Education’s Additional Accommodation Scheme.

Galway East TD Sean Canney said this was welcome news for students with special education needs in Portumna.

“The funding is very important for the school in Portumna as it provides the facility to allow special education to be delivered to students.”

“Education provides the pathway to future jobs and employment. It is important that we as a Government provided all facilities to all of our schools,” Deputy Canney finished.

The Additional Accommodation Scheme is meant to ensure that schools have sufficient appropriate classroom space for the students enrolled each year.

Where any unmet need is expected to last for less than three years, the school can get support to rent temporary accommodation for this period.

But if the school is in need of more permanent space it may apply for grant funding to buy a prefab or build a permanent classroom.

NUI Galway admits potential data breach could affect hundreds of students

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Potential data breach at NUI Galway affects hundreds of students

NUI Galway has confirmed that it suffered a potential data breach after losing a USB stick containing “confidential” information of hundreds of students.

The unencrypted data storage drive contains personal information on up to 5 percent of NUI Galway’s 18,000 strong student body.

Information on the “presumed lost” USB drive could include the names, student ID numbers, and past exam results of roughly 900 students.

The university released a statement about the potential data breach on its website which states:

“NUI Galway recently suffered a potential breach of personal data whereby a non-encrypted portable device (USB stick) was potentially utilised to store a confidential file containing a list of students.

“The device was mislaid and is now presumed lost. While the University is unclear on the contents of the portable device, it may have held a file containing names of approximately 5% of the student body, their student number and exam results.”

NUI Galway went on to say that the incident has been reported to the Office of the Irish Data Protection Commissioner who has since responded with guidance.

All students who might have had their private information leaked in their incident have been contacted by email to alert them to the situation according to a university spokesperson.

“The University Data Protection Officer has considered the matter in the context of the requirements of the Data Protection Acts 1988-2018.  All students who may have been impacted have been notified.”

It’s understood that a review will be undertaken of the how the information came to be misplaced “to ensure that such an incident does not occur again.”

“The University has strict policies in place relating to the use of portable devices, in addition to a staff data protection training programme and online security training.”

Trump hats handed out at bizarre right-wing rally in Galway

By
Paul Kelly
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galway daily anti-EU right wing rally galway

The Brexit saga seems to be never-ending.

One recent opinion poll showed that 97 percent of Irish people between the ages of 18 and 22 want to remain in the European Union.

Despite this, there are people determined to break our small island nation away from the EU.

On Saturday, the Eurosceptic Irexit Freedom Party outlined its key points and policies today at a conference in Galway.

Upon entering the conference, people were greeted by a man handing out questionable Donald Trump style hats with an Irish flavour.

The green hats read ‘Make Ireland Great Again’.

The Irexit group, which campaigns for Ireland to leave the EU, produced leaflets for those in attendance outlining the key ideas behind their party.

The leaflet begins by claiming the party, is at it’s cornerstone, a ‘patriotic party’. This patriotism stems from their apparent belief that democracy in Ireland can only be revived by leaving the EU.

To add to these tributes to the Donald, a call was made a for a referendum on the ’aboliton of income tax’ while taxation was branded as theft. This was greeted by a round of applause by the audience.

Taxation

For starters, the party complains about the current tax system being ‘too punitive’. This essentially means they are against the idea of high taxation for the provision of public services.

The leaflet goes on to explain how the current tax regime does little to aid ‘people who get out of bed and go to work in the morning’. They argue the current tax system results in a disincentive to work making reference to the average worker only getting an extra €4m in tax cuts.

Essentially, the party vows to cut taxes but the leaflet omits the exact amount they would cut and how this would be costed.

Reduction in Public Spending

The leaflet contains a small paragraph promising to ‘slim down the state’.

In this paragraph, It is highlighted that wasteful tax-funded spending will be ‘tackled’. They have made it their goal to eliminate costly quangos.

The specific funding they are referencing isn’t listed in the leaflet. The same can be said for the ‘costly quangos’.

Tackling Corruption

The group goes on to state that they will have a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to corruption. They double up on this referencing the numerous tribunals  which they say revealed the ‘endemic nature of corruption’ in Ireland.

They believe that confidence in Irish institutions have been fundamentally undermined and point to the treatment of whistle blowers in An Garda Síochana.

The information document states that ‘as a party we will demand high standards in public life’.

It must be noted that there is no reference to any legislation they might propose to make institutions more accountable and less corrupt. This is coupled to the fact the leaflet makes no reference to how specific aspects of corruption may differ from institution to institution.

They argue that maintaining a culture of free speech while strengthening the separation of powers is important in ‘maintaining the struggle’ against public corruption.

Ending the Housing Crisis – Blaming Immigration 

Finally, the leaflet includes their solution to the housing crisis.

They point the blame of unaffordable homes and house price inflation on immigration. They claim this is evidenced by ‘the population of Ireland increasing by one million in the last 20 years’. They declare that this has resulted in an overstretched housing demand.

The leaflet states that immigration should be ‘controlled effectively’ and for this to be done a complete exit from the EU is necessary.

There is no mention how controlling immigration from this point onwards will curtail the housing crisis, since by their logic there is already a demand which exceeds supply.

 

 

Galway TD gives top five tips for Galway businesses to be ‘Brexit-ready’

By
Michael Malone
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Galway Daily business €10m fund to help regional businesses adapt to COVID & Brexit

Businesses in County Galway need to keep up their hard work in getting themselves Brexit ready.

That’s according to East Galway TD Ciaran Cannon, who said that there should not be complacency despite the recent breakthrough in Brexit negotiations between London and Brussles.

He said that despite the breakthrough, Brexit is still going to mean change and we need to be ready for it.

“The EU and Ireland have delivered a deal that guarantees no hard border in Ireland, now we have to see if Westminster votes for it sometime in December,” said Minister Cannon.

He said multi-million euro supports have been put in place across government from grants, seminars, site visits, supply-chain mapping and loans.

“The first thing management need to ask themselves is, who is in charge of our Brexit plan and how is their work going? The majority of companies have done this but if you haven’t, that’s where you start.”

Minister Cannon said that his top five tips for being ready for Britain and the North’s exit from the Euopean Union are:

1 – Appoint your internal team/person

2 – Visit your Local Enterprise Office

3 – Speak to your suppliers about their exposure

4 – Ask your customers about their exposure

5 – Apply for a ‘Get Ready’ grant from Enterprise Ireland or Intertrade Ireland”.

“Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland, Intertrade Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland all have bespoke grants and expert consultants available.

“An example is the €5 million allocated in Budget 2019 to Local Enterprise Offices, including the team in Galway, to roll out a nationwide customs training programme,” said the Minister.

Social Democrats select Owen Hanley as Galway City East Candidate

By
Michael Malone
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galway daily social democrats owen hanely

Owen Hanley has been selected as the Social Democrats’ candidate in Galway City East for next May’s local election, completing the party’s Galway City team.

Mr Hanley, a native Galwegian, was a student activist and is a local campaigner involved with the successful gender discrimination campaign lead by Micheline Sheehy Skeffington, the successful Together for Yes campaign earlier this year, and was a canvass leader in the local Michael D. Higgins re-election campaign.

Owen Hanley said: “My generation are the children of austerity. I have the seen the consequences that the average household has paid on behalf of the greed and incompetence of the few.

“Homelessness, depression, broken hospitals, traffic-filled cities define my generation. But in turn so too has activism, solidarity, mobilisation, and in turn progress. We need public representatives that reflect the social progress that has taken place since 2014.

“The next five years will define Galway for the next 50. Eastside needs an idea orientated council that debates solutions to the transport issues that are choking our city, prioritises local authority built homes, and tackles illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour, as well as supports the best in our communities.”

Mr Hanley said that local politics must echo a broader set of values with progressive solutions to climate change, the housing crisis, transport, and the precarious economy.

“As the youngest candidate of the youngest party I am confident in saying that the Social Democrats don’t just talk about change, we are change,” he added.

Owen Hanley joins fellow Galway city Social Democrats’ local election candidates, John Crowley in Galway City West and Sharon Nolan in Central, as well as Galway West/South Mayo general election candidate Niall Ó Tuathail.

Mr Hanley’s selection has been warmly welcomed by his counterparts, with John Crowley saying: “I am very excited to be working with such a committed group of talented activists and candidates.

“There is a real opportunity here to revitalize and energize our council. Given the opportunity, this dedicated and passionate team will work to create an inclusive and fair community for all.”

Galway City Central candidate Sharon Nolan added : “For the future of politics, it’s essential that more young people are engaged and participating. It’s vital that we have representation that has a key understanding of the struggles and challenges of Ireland today, and are excited ready to stand for change.”

Niall Ó Tuathail said: “Owen has been a big part of the Social Democrats in Galway as well as other campaigns. He is passionate about making change happen in Galway, and is full of energy and integrity. I know he will work hard for Galwegians, along with our other candidates.”

Emergency funding for traditional Irish arts in Gaeltacht schools

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news €3,000 bursary for young musicians in the Galway Gaelteacht

Funding has been made available to ensure that Irish music, dancing and singing classes in the Galway Gaeltacht will continue until Christmas.

Galway West TD and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht, and the Islands Seán Kyne confirmed that €35,406 in funding has been sanctioned for the Galway Teachers Network to continue these traditional arts classes.

This grant is to make sure that classes in traditional cultural practices continue uninterrupted to December of this year in Connemara and the Aran Islands.

During this time Ealaín na Gaeltachta will be responsible for the management of the classes.

Ealaín na Gaeltachta recently received a major grant to expand its programme Irish music, dance, and singing classes across the Galway, Cork, and Donegal Gaeltachts for the school year 2018/2019.

However due to recruitment difficulties and other administrative issues the new programme of classes won’t begin in Galway until January 2019.

This emergency grant will ensure that those schools which teach classes of traditional arts can continue them to the end of the year uninterrupted.

“There is a special importance in the native arts with language promotion amongst young people of the Gaeltacht,” said Minister of State Kyne.

“It is really amazing that a group of Connemara tutors have come together to fill the gap in the classes of the area, so that Ealaín na Gaeltachta can start the programme in the Galway Gaeltacht next year. I praise the network of teachers who took this upon themselves and I am delighted to support them with their endeavours.

Ealaín na Galetachta is a joint programme run by the Arts Council and Udarás na Gaeltachta to encourage the growth of contemporary and traditional arts in the Gaeltacht.

They are currently seeking a  Coordinator of Native Arts for Young People and it is hoped that someone will be appointed before the end of the month.

Candidates sought for 18 vacant teaching positions in Galway

By
Briain Kelly
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0
Galway Daily news craughwell national school

The Galway-Roscommon Education and Training Board is advertising 18 vacant teaching positions in Galway.

The positions are a mic of full-time, part-time & pro-rata contracts, some of which had been previously advertised but not filled.

Teachers are needed to fill a variety of positions with Maths and Irish being the most desired subjects.

Two of the positions advertised are at schools teaching through Irish in Knocknacarra and on Inís Mór.

Applications close on Friday, November 23 at 12pm.

The full list of vacant positions the GRETB is seeking to fill is as follows:

 

Galway Community College, Wellpark rd, Galway:

  • Afterschool Learning Support Teacher (7.6hrs – Immediate Start)
  • English, Communications & SEN (22hrs – Maternity Leave – Commencing December 3, 2018)
  • Physical Education & Behavioural Support Teacher (10hrs – Immediate Start)

Archbishop McHale College, Athenry rd, Tuam:

  • English (16hrs – Maternity Leave – Commencing December 9, 2018)
  • Maths (22hrs – Maternity Leave – Commencing December 3, 2018)
  • German (22hrs – Maternity Leave – Commencing December 3, 2018)

St. Killian’s College, New Inn:

  • French (18hrs -Maternity leave – Commencing December 3, 2018)

Galway Technical Institute, Fr Griffin rd, Galway (re-advertisement):

  • Nursing Studies (11 hrs – Maternity Leave – Commencing November 9, 2018)
  • Maths and General QQI (Up to 11 hrs – PRPT – Commencing November, 2018)
  • Science/Nutrition/Sports Massage (Up to 22 hrs – Part-time substitute cover – Commencing November, 2018)

Clarin College, Athenry:

  • Irish (22hrs – Maternity Leave – Commencing November, 2018)

Claregalway College, Clargalway (re-advertisement):

  • Maths (Maternity Leave – Commencing December 3, 2018 – May 31, 2019)
  • Maths & Learning Support (22hrs – Maternity Leave – Commencing December 3, 2018 – May 31, 2019)
  • Home Economics (Maternity Leave)

Youthreach Tuam, Ballygaddy rd, Tuam (re-advertisement):

  • Irish (22 hrs – Maternity Leave – Commencing November 2018 – May 25, 2019)

Merlin College, Doughiska rd, Galway:

  • Resource/English/Possibly Maths (22hrs – Commencing December 1, 2018)

The following two teaching positions are taught through Irish. Anyone who wishes to apply must have the Irish requirement as per Circular Letter 21/00 issued by the Department of Education.

Coláiste na Coiribe, Ballymoneen rd, Knocknacarra:

  • Business, Enterprise & Maths (21.3hrs – Maternity Leave)

Coláiste Naomh Eoin, Inis Meáin (re-advertisement):

  • Metalwork (18hrs – Immediate start)

In addition to Galway’s schools, the GRETB is seeking to fill teaching positions at Roscommon Community College, Abbey Community College, and Castlerea Prison.

Details for all of these can be seen, and applications made at the GRETB website.

Candidates will be chosen on the basis on an interview process.

Teachers with the GRETB applicants must be registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland and have completed Garda vetting.

Anyone who wishes to apply for more than one position must fill out separate application forms for each.

Late applications will not be accepted, nor will forms that are faxed or emailed in.

Galway chef to compete for prestigious title of Best Young Chef in Europe

By
Michael Malone
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0
best young chef in ireland galway

Young chefs from across Europe will gather in Galway this weekend for the final of the European Young Chef Award 2018, and for the second year in a row, a Galway chef is representing Ireland.

Final year student in the GMIT Culinary Arts programme, Andrew Ishmael, mentored by Sadie Davoren will hope to follow in the footsteps of fellow Galway chef Aisling Rock who took home the prestigious title in Barcelona last year

Chefs will gather in Galway on 25 November, and then on day two – the 26th – the competition will kick off when the chefs are tasked with creating an innovative version of a dish which is traditional to their region.

A panel comprised of leading chefs and international experts will judge the dishes based on their innovation, taste, presentation and cleanliness.

For Andrew’s signature dish, he will serve beetroot-cured mackerel with horseradish panna cotta, pickled shallot and fennel, which is a twist on the classic combination of mackerel with horseradish cream.

Andrew Ishmael said: “Mackerel was the first ingredient I fell in love with as a child so it felt natural for the classic combination of mackerel and horseradish cream to be the inspiration for my dish.

“I am very proud to be representing Ireland, and the West of Ireland in particular, in the European Young Chef Award and to have the opportunity to showcase the quality produce and rich food culture we have here in Ireland. I am looking forward to introducing this to the other contestants, as well as learning about their food traditions.”

The European Young Chef Award aims to strengthen the links between European gastronomic regions, and provide young chefs with the opportunity to learn about the gastronomic heritage of different regions and establish a professional network.

Galway start up wins €3 million contract for high end holiday cabins

By
Briain Kelly
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0
Galway Daily news Galway start up wins €3 million contract for eco-friendly holiday cabins

A Galway based start up has won a €3 million euro contract to provide high end prefab homes for eco-friendly tourism in Canada.

Zoobox is a local company developing pre-fabricated cabins for ‘glamping’ and people who want an environmentally friendly holiday.

So far Zoobox, based out of the Portershed in Eyre Square, has raised €5.5 million from investors to help them to supply cabins for sale in Ireland and around the world.

According to the Irish Times Chief Executive of Zoobox Guillaume Pellerin confirmed that they’ve won a contract to provide 15 cabins to a Canadian company in a deal worth four million Canadian dollars (€2.7m).

The Canadian partner plans to use at sites likely to attract “eco-tourists” who want to experience parts of nature that are still untouched.

It’s expected that the 15 high end holiday cabins will be delivered sometime next year.

Zoobox is the brainchild of Guillaume Pellerin and his business partner and company president Alain Chagnon who came to Ireland in January of last year to start their business.

Thought the company is headquartered in Galway, the cabins are produced at a factory in Inchicore on Dublin’s southside.

They’re currently hiring between 10 and 12 people to help deliver on this order and other holiday homes for Ireland.

Though now specifics have been confirmed yet, Zoobox is said to be eyeing five sites in Ireland, with at least one in Galway.

After their first round of fundraising attracted €5.5 million from private and institutional investors, Zoobox is now looking to raise a further €10 million to continue to expand.

Mr Pellerin said their market is for tourism that lets people get away from the hectic nature of modern life without damaging the environment.

The high-end cabins are completely self-sustaining with individual solar panels and wind turbines for electricity; while the water supply and waste disposal will be dependent on each site.

Modern work and home lives mean that people spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors, Mr Pellerin said, sitting in front of a screen up six hours a day.

This is driving people back to the wild as there’s a major trend in holiday making for people who want an opportunity to unplug, or at least get some fresh air.

The idea behind Zoobox is that while people want to get back to nature, they still want to keep the amenities of modern life, “the highest level of glamping,” their chief executive calls it.

The cabins, made of glass, wood, metal alloys, and composite material can comfortably fit up to six people for your nature experience.

In business, Zoobox will supply the holiday cabins and take a share of the rent, which will be set at €200 per night for a family of four.

Claringbridge roadworks begin after multiple delays

By
Briain Kelly
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0
Galway Daily news Roadworks to disrupt traffic near Portumna on Tuesday

Roadworks on the N67 through Clarinbridge are getting underway today after being postponed on multiple occasions.

The road retexturing works will cause delays in the village as they are carried out over approximately three days, though steps have been taken to minimise the impact.

The daily schedule will be arranged around the busiest times of day for traffic in Clarinbridge when the schools open and close.

In order to accommodate dropping kids off at school and picking them up, works will not begin until after 9:30 each morning and will give way to traffic from 2:45pm to 3:15pm.

A traffic management plan will be in place during the rest of the day with a stop and go system in operation in Clarinbidge.

But working hours may have to extend into the evening to make up for any time lost during the day.

New cinema in the works for Ballinasloe

By
Briain Kelly
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0
Galway Daily Arts & culture submissions open for 25th Junior Film Fleadh

Plans have been submitted for the construction of an omniplex cinema in Dunlo, Ballinasloe.

Omniplex Holdings ULC plans to build the five screen cinema on the site next to the Aldi in town.

The application is for a five screen, single-storey omniplex approximately 7.9m high with associated car parking.

The gross floor space of the project would be 1123m².

The owners of the land, Limehill Esker Limited, have an agreement with Omniplex Holdings allowing them to seek planning permission.

Residents of Ballinasloe will know whether they’re getting a new cinema within the month, as a decision is due from Galway County Council by December 19.

Upgrades to Ahascragh sewage treatment plant approved

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Green light for new apartment complex in Rahoon

Planning permission has been granted for improvements to the wastewater treatment plant in Ahascragh.

Irish Water sought permission for multiple upgrades to the existing sewage treatment plant at Ahascragh.

Upgrades will include replacing an existing sewage processing tank with a primary settlement tank and several new additions to the plant.

New construction to be done includes adding a final settlement tank, sludge storage tank, new inlets, two biological treatment units and pipework to connect everything.

An existing sewage overflow tank will be decommissioned and replaced with a new system running through a storm tank to be installed adjacent to Mill Stream.

The upgrades to the Ahascragh wastewater treatment plant are meant a secondary level of water treatment to handle a increased population in the area since the plant was built.

It took into consideration requirements under the National Planning Framework 2040 that infrastructure should be upgraded to support more sustainable rural communities.

According to Irish Water, construction on the treatment plant is likely to commence next year and take approximately 12 months to complete.

Galway County Council made a request for further information in August asking Irish Water to submit a Natura Impact Assessment.

The Assessment said that the sewage treatment plant would have no adverse affects on nearby water sources.

No public submission were made to the county council either supporting or objecting to this project.

Galway county council gave Irish water permission to go ahead with the development subject to five conditions.

One requirement of Irish Water is that when landscaping the site, only trees and plants indigenous to the area should be used.

In addition, any trees which die within five years of the project’s completion must be replaced by Irish Water.

Simpsons Quiz at the Black Gate

By
Kate Robinson
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Galway News - What's On - Simpsons Quiz at the Black Gate

Simpsons Quiz

Are you a massive Simpsons fan but need some way to prove it to all of Galway?

Well then look no further than the first-ever Simpsons Quiz (trivia hole) at the Black Gate Cultural Centre on Tuesday, 20 November at 8pm.

Galway News - What's On - Simpsons quiz trivia hole

The quiz runners say:

“Every time you learn something new does it push some old stuff out of your brain?

“Is that old stuff mostly Simpsons trivia?

“Then learn no more, and cease embiggening your horizons, for we have a use for your perfectly cromulent brain.

“There will be great prizes, wine, cheese, fun people and the perfect outlet for your overabundance of Simpsons trivia.”

The quiz material will be mostly from seasons 1-10 (for obvious reasons).

€20 per table and eternal glory (plus prizes) to the winners.

Go on, give it a go!

The Black Gate Cultural Centre is located at 14 Francis Street.

GMIT students takes home coveted Student of the Year prize

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news GMIT student wins Student of the Year at Q mark awards
NO FEE PICTURE: Irene Collins Managing Director of EIQA and Lecturer Rachel McCarthy pictured with Margaret Murray from Galway Mayo Institute of Technology who won Diploma in Quality Management Student of the Year – year 1 at The National Q Mark Awards on Friday September 28th at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road in Dublin 4. This is a very special year for The Q Mark Awards as EIQA celebrate their 50th anniversary. Almost 600 people representing 140 companies attended a formal black-tie ceremony in competition for one of only 27 awards presented. Picture Conor McCabe Photography.

A GMIT student won Student of the Year at the Q Mark Awards this week for the fourth year running.

Margaret Murray from Claregalway was named Student of the Year for Quality Management Year 1 from EIQA at the awards in Dublin recently

GMIT delivers the EIQA Certificate in Quality Management through the School of Maths & Computing on its Galway campus.

Course Co-ordinator and Rachel McCarthy praised Margaret, saying “This is a fantastic achievement and represents the dedication and interest in her studies that Margaret demonstrated, and is still demonstrating in year two of this course.”

She added her proud she is that GMIT students have been declared the best in the country for four straight years.

The week after the ceremony, Margaret shared her advice and tips with the current Quality Management course members that are coming up on their exams.

GMIT runs the certificate in Quality Management one evening a week over two years with two modules in this Level 7, add-on Bachelor of Science Degree in “Quality for Industry”

The Excellence Ireland Quality Association runs the Q Mark awards each year to encourage and reward best practices across every sector of Irish business.

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Q Mark Awards with almost 600 people representing 140 companies and institutions competing for 27 prizes.

 

Photo: Conor McCabe Photography

QUIZ: How well do you know Galway landmarks?

By
Kate Robinson
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QUIZ: How well do you know Galway landmarks?

So you think you know Galway landmarks?

If you love our city’s iconic monuments and unique features, this quiz is for you!

We’ve even added photos to help you out a little.

Test your Galway awareness by taking the quiz below!

[os-widget path=”/events1/quiz-how-well-do-you-know-galway-landmarks” of=”events1″]

Local singers raise their voices for Galway Simon

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily life & style Knights before Christmas concert

Local Galway singing group the A Capella Knights are hosting their forth annual ‘The Knights Before Christmas’ concert in aid of Galway Simon Community.

In the past several year, charity gigs by the A Capella Knights have raised over €30,000 in support of Galway Simon’s efforts to tackle homelessness.

They hope to continue to build on that success this year, making their concerts bigger and better than before.

This year will be a true ensemble effort as they’re joined on stage by Galway’s Lucia Evans as well as The Hession School of Dance, Frenchville Brass Ensemble, Galway City Youth Choir and the amazing Galway Simon Music Project.

Expect a dazzling performance with Capella singing, beautiful instrumentals and captivating dance routines.

Band member Gary McDonald said “Every year we are taken back by the support of the people of Galway and this year is no different.”

“As the number of people requiring Galway Simon’s help is at an all-time high, this concert is our way of doing something to try to help.”

All proceeds from the ‘Knights Before Christmas’ concert will go towards the Galway Simon Essentials fund.

The fund does what it says and supports people in providing the basic essentials in life like food, electricity and heating.

Last year’s concert raised a staggering €10,000 in aid of those coping with homelessness in Galway and the hope is to top that this year.

“We are inviting to community of Galway to come along and help us to raise the roof yet again this year,” said Gary McDonald.

The ‘Knights Before Christmas’ concert will take place at Galway Cathedral on Saturday, December 15 at 7:45pm.

Tickets cost €15 for a single, €10 concession, or €40 for a family, and can be bought online at Galway Simon’s website.

Galway University Hospitals present first ever Staff Recognition Award

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news first ever staff recognition awards at Galway University Hospitals

Galway University Hospitals handed out their first Staff Recognition Award to an employee at UHG this week.

Shaun Plower from Loughrea is a Clinical Engineering Technician with the Medical Physics Department at University Hospital Galway.

He was nominated for this award for his role in the modernisation of the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Outpatient Department at UHG.

Thanks to state of the art technology for collecting data, examinations, and procedures, as well as adding four new procedure rooms, UHG now has one of the most modern and technologically advanced ENT Outpatient Departments in Europe.

This has vastly improved the patient experience in the department and made the staff’s work easier with its improved systems.

The Staff Recognition Award was created recently by GUH to honour those members of staff who go the extra mile to look after patients and support their colleagues by motivating, mentoring and inspiring others.

“Shaun Plower demonstrated all of this during the ENT Outpatient Department upgrade project,” said Chris Kane, General Manager at Galway University Hospitals.

“The nomination for him referenced ‘his unlimited support and knowledge but most importantly his interest, enthusiasm and readiness to move forward.'”

“Shaun is a very worthy recipient of the first GUH quarterly Staff Recognition Award as an example of a colleague who performs at a level above and beyond normal job requirements and expectations,” Chris said.

“I am delighted that we now have a means to publicly recognise Shaun and the many other staff like him who may be nominated for future awards.”

Chris Kane presented Shaun with his award along with Mary Lane Heneghan, Chairperson of Cystic Fibrosis Galway representing the hospital’s Patient Counci and David Holland, Finance Manager, UHG representing the Hospital Management Team.

Any member of staff at UHG or Merlin Park can nominate one of their colleagues who they think has shown exceptional service for this award.

From among those nominees, one person will be chosen for special recognition each quarter.

Extinction rebellion protest in Salthill draws hundreds

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Hundreds attend extinction rally in Salthill

Nearly 200 people joined the Extinction Rebellion Rally in Salthill this afternoon to protest the mass extinction of wildlife caused by human activity.

Some extinctions, like the Dodo, have become so iconic that they’ve lost their impact, but human activity exterminates species every day through the destruction of habitats, or over hunting.

The damage done by humans to all manner of life on this planet is so profound it has actually been named as an extinction event, the Holocene Extinction.

The activities that go into putting goods on supermarket shelves are considered just as profoundly disastrous for the world as an asteroid impact.

In Galway and other cities around the world today, people came out to start an Extinction Rebellion against disastrous practices that are jeopardising the future of the planet.

One thing that stood out in Galway and Dublin was the large number of kids and young people that were present, as they’re the ones that will be left with the consequences of what we do in the name of cheap goods.

Pauline O’Reilly, Green Party candidate for Galway West and one of the organisers of this rally, said that this extinction crisis represents a threat to civilisation.

The main event for the protest was when the protesters lined up along the Prom and ‘died’ in solidarity with the now extinct species in front of passers-by.

To the listening crowd Ms O’Reilly listed off some of the species that have been wiped out by human activity, but there’s not enough time in the day to get through them all.

In less than half a century, humanity has wiped 60% of all animal life on this planet. Many other cling to the edge of survival with a few dozen individuals left, often much less than a viable breeding population.

Galway’s protesters were mirrored by protest marches in Dublin, the UK and around the world.

Around 500 people gathered at the National History Museum and outside Leinster House, where activists criticised Fine Gael’s self-congratulatory attitude on climate change.

In London scenes were even more dramatic as up to 6,000 protesters blocked bridges around the city.

Metropolitan Police arrested 85 people taking part in the protests for blocking a public thoroughfare.

Stark and unequivocal warnings have been given by everyone who’s studied the mass extinction of wildlife that a fundamental change in our attitude towards many human activities is needed to avoid a devastating loss of biodiversity.

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