Watch | Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan MEP criticises EU’s priorities

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June 7, 2018

Galway Daily news Number on Pandemic Unemployment in Galway drops below 20,000

Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte has hit out at the government ‘spin machine’ which she believes has again caused concern and frustration for parents following leaks about possible plans to cut child benefit for higher earners.

Deputy Rabbitte said: “Once again we see this government’s obsession with spin come to the fore. On the one hand we have a proposal being floated in the papers and only hours later we have the Minister dampening down those same proposals.”

Reports earlier this week claimed that households which earn more than €100,000 could be means tested so that funds could go towards childcare provision, but Minister Regina Doherty said it was instead her intention to examine the findings of a 2012 report from the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare.

“This is leading to confusion, frustration and anger amongst parents, particularly those middle income earners who would be earmarked for means-testing if this proposal were to come to fruition,” continued Deputy Rabbitte.

“Ministers Doherty and Zappone need to stop acting like commentators and realise that they are in charge and have the power to implement real change, if indeed that is what they want to do.

“Middle income families are already bearing the brunt of unreasonably high childcare costs and should not be penalised further.

“Childcare costs have fallen down this government’s agenda and parents are being let down by the lack of action on this issue.

“We need to see a concrete plan brought forward that lowers childcare costs and eases the pressure on already overburdened families,” she said.

Small & Medium Enterprises in Galway: What’s good, what’s bad and…what’s next?

By

Paul Caplis

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June 7, 2018

It has so often been said that small businesses are the backbone of any economy and, for an economy as diverse as Ireland’s, this is especially true.

As we approach the halfway point of 2018, it would be an understatement to say that, for all the positivity of a rapidly growing economy, events beyond our shores have dictated that companies operating within the SME community cannot be complacent as a tide of change sweeps in.

Small business includes everything from the sole trader, to an ICT developer who has a small, yet growing client base, all the way to the food-exporting firm that is concerned about Brexit.

As Galway based SME’s look at where they are as we approach the halfway stage of 2018, most can feel that they are in reasonably good shape. The economy is growing, consumer confidence is positive with people having more money in their pockets and spending it.

So firstly and, to start off on a positive note – recent research by ‘One4all’ found that almost 70pc of Irish workers would like to work in a small to medium size enterprise (SME) or a start-up.

The research also shows that 70pc of respondents believe that start-ups and SMEs offer the best office culture.

The ever-growing millennial workforce are also following this trend, with close to half of those aged under 25 preferring to work in an SME, and a further 20pc saying they would like to work in a start-up.

The research, which aims to explore Irish employees’ attitudes towards office culture, wellness, and perks also found that 39pc of those polled disagree with the statement that providing office perks, such as breakfast or snacks in the office, puts pressure on employees to work longer hours.

While salary is the most important factor for most people when looking for a job, a friendly work environment was deemed the next most important thing for Irish jobseekers.

The CEO of One4all, Michael Dawson noted: “What’s interesting is a high number of workers feel motivated to work longer hours for a smaller company. People are happier to give up their hard-earned free time to help a smaller business flourish, which is a very positive thing for growing Irish companies, and for the Irish economy in general.”

Business however, as anyone will tell you is never straightforward and there is a whole new set of challenges arising for SMEs – ones that come with better times rather than recessions. Here are some of the key challenges that SMEs have had to face thus far in 2018.

Increasing cost of doing business: SMEs say the cost of doing business is getting higher, which in turn puts pressure on their own costs and margins. Whether it is dealing with the public sector, higher service costs or factors like wages or rent, it is inevitable that business costs will rise in a thriving economy. When things are going well everybody believes they can squeeze a little more out of everyone else. Higher wage demands will also drive this up. Many of these problems are good ones to have because they show how the economy has turned. These are the challenges of managing in good times rather than surviving in bad. The reality for many different SMEs will vary. Some are retailers worried about the threat of online, while some small towns in the western part of rural Ireland are worrying about their own future for similar reasons.

Finding/accessing talent: If an SME wants to hire better people, they will not only have to find them but also pay them more. The jobs market is getting close to full employment, which means more power in the market falls to employees. As the jobs market continues to heat up going into the latter half of 2018, the country will inevitably have to rely on inward migration to fill many of the positions. Some of these may come from returning Irish emigrants, but the figures to date do not reflect a mass return of emigrants to Ireland just yet. However, the ‘One4all’ survey referenced earlier paints the SME cohort as a favourable one to find employment in. This may prove crucial given that a recent finding by the Small Firms Association (SFA) shows that the inability to recruit staff is the number one threat to small business. Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director of the SFA noted that “the tightening of the labour market was proving to be very challenging for SFA members with two thirds of them looking to recruit over the next twelve months”.

Debt and dealing with Banks: Irish SMEs are still paying some of the most expensive interest rates in the eurozone. A lack of competition in banking and legacy debt issues for SMEs has left them quite cautious about borrowing. The really good businesses have become debt-averse while others are still sitting on ticking debt time bombs that were never fully dealt with in the recession. It was seen during the crash how perfectly viable businesses went to the wall because unsustainable legacy debts dragged them down. Those issues have not all gone away. It is certainly good news that banks are out there willing to lend to SMEs again but many good operating businesses will not be able to avail of that financing because of past mistakes.

Brexit: Brexit and the uncertainty it has presented has had somewhat of a sensitive impact – depending of course on the business type or the sector in particular. Some companies, especially in the food sector, are exporting to the UK and want to make decisions based on Brexit but they are unsure how it will all play out. Smaller exporters to the UK may have an opportunity to acquire a business or a processing facility in Britain which would reduce much of the risk of a hard Brexit. Establishing a physical presence in the UK might also make sense where the UK is still seen as a key/strategic market for the business. However, this might also mean they are not creating jobs at home, which many of them will find hard to stomach, especially in smaller towns throughout Connacht and elsewhere around the country.

Sterling: The sterling issue is a growing concern given the thorny issue of Brexit but it warrants a different consideration. Some Irish companies were stung and ill-prepared when sterling collapsed after the Brexit referendum vote. They have had time to adjust now and the rate has come back a bit. However, as Brexit still looms large and edges ever closer, sterling is likely to stay weak. Currency hedging is one option, but many small and medium businesses seem reluctant to do this. They see it as not their core strength and question why they are taking a position on currency, which is simply not what they do.

Regulations and bureaucracy: Small businesses complain that they continue to face increased regulations, which in turn can lead to delays and additional workloads to comply. If anything, the world is becoming a more bureaucratic and regulated place. Compliance always features high on the list of concerns for SME owners, in good times or in bad.

Leideanna agus treoracha don Scrúdú Gaeilge

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June 7, 2018

Thosaigh na Scrúdaithe Stáit maidin inné le thart ar 6,000 scoláire ó mórthimpeall na Gaillimhe ag suí na scrúdaithe agus táimid anseo ag iarraidh leideanna agus treoracha a thabhairt daoibh don scrúdú Gaeilge.

Tá an chuid is measa thart anois a dhaltaí, an chéad scrúdú déanta agaibh agus sibh réidh anois chun tabhairt fé na chinn eile le dóchas. Beidh leideanna agus treoracha againn anseo don scrúdú Gaeilge.

Beidh an scrúdú Gaeilge ag teacht suas go luath agus b’shin cheann a chuireann isteach ar go mór daoibh ach má leanann sibh na nodanna seo beidh sibh togha.

Ar an gcéad dul síos, ná bí buartha faoi duine ar bith eile ar an lá. Coiméad d’aigne ort féin agus tú ag tabhairt aghaidh ar d’áit chun suí.

Páipéar a 1 a bhíonn i gceist an chéad lá, agus bíonn an cheann sin níos éasca le tabhairt fé ar dtús.

Cúpla nodanna chun tú féin a ullmhú don páipéar sin ná:

Déan cleachta ar na léamhthuiscint sa mbaile.
Léamh na ceisteanna cúpla uair sula scríobhann tú rud ar bith.
Ansin déan an alt nó gné a léamh arís théis na ceisteanna a léamh – tugann seo am duit níos mó eolas a bhaint ón téacs a bheadh níos oiriúnaí mar fhreagra.
Fág i dhóthain am duit féin chun dul siar ar na cheisteanna agus tú féin ag críochnú an scrúdú.
Nuair atá tú ag tabhairt fé na h-aistí déan iarracht cheann a thógaint a mbeadh suim agat féin i.
Bíonn sé deachair píosa a scríobh nuair nach mbíonn suim agat féin ann mar sin tá sé tábhachtach go phiocfaidh tú teideal a mbeadh tú sásta le.
Déan seisiún ransaithe smaointe ar an gcéad dul síos sula scríobhann tú rud ar bith.
Tá sé tábhachtach go mbeadh tús, lár agus deireadh don scéal ach ní gá dóibh bheith in ord ach oiread.
Bígí ag faire ar an chlog agus tabhair i dhóthain am duit féin na focail is oiriúnaí a n-úsáid.

Is féidir frásanna úsáideacha don scrúdú scríofa Gaeilge a fheiscint anseo.

Galway City Council to discuss boycotting Israel

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June 7, 2018

BDS galway city council vote to boycott Israel

Galway City Council will discuss a motion on whether the council will endorse the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel on Monday, 11 June.

The BDS movement is inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement and works to end international support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians.

Donegal County Councillors agreed last week to boycott economic trade with Israel and to call for the Israeli ambassador to be expelled from Ireland following the killing of protesters in Gaza by the Israeli Defence Force.

If the motion is passed, Israeli products will not be purchased by Galway City Council departments.

The Galway Palestine Solidarity Committee has organised a rally on Monday at 1pm at City Hall to show support for the BDS movement and the Palestinian people.

In recent weeks, the Israeli Defence Forces killed over 100 people at the Gaza border.

21-year old medic Razzan Najjar (who was wearing a white coat, clearly indicating she was a medic) was shot and killed last week while attending to injured Palestinians.

This week, the Argentina national team called off their pre-World Cup friendly with Israel which was due to be held in Jerusalem.

The City Council motion reads: “1. Since its violent establishment in 1948 through the ethnic cleansing of more than half of the indigenous people of Palestine, the state of Israel has denied Palestinians their fundamental rights and has refused to comply with international law; noting also that Israel continues to illegally occupy and colonise Palestinian land, discriminates against Palestinian citizens of Israel, imposes an inhumane blockade and siege of Gaza and denies Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homes, Galway City Council fully supports and endorses the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement for freedom, equality and justice and commits itself to discontinue all business contracts it has with Hewlett-Packard, both HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise for business and government services, as well as the HP spin-off DXC Technology as HP and DXC provide and operate much of the technology infrastructure that Israel uses to maintain its system of apartheid and settler colonialism over the Palestinian people.”

Students’ Unions and Galway TDs issue plea to Galway landlords

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June 7, 2018

students union galway tds ask GALWAY landlords to rent early in summer

NUI Galway Students’ Union, GMIT Students’ Union and Galway West TDs are asking local landlords who rent to students to consider advertising their properties earlier in the summer to avoid the end-of-August rush for students searching for accommodation for the 2018/19 academic year.

The purpose of this is to give students peace of mind over the summer months that they have secured a roof over their head for September as opposed to anxiously waiting on rental advertisements in August.

Following high-profile increases in rent rates in student accommodation in Galway City, many students are being forced to look for alternatives in the private rental market as opposed to purpose built-student accommodation.

“Digs”, rooms and houses can be advertised for free at homes.usi.ie a national student specific letting website set-up by the Union of Students in Ireland to stream-line communication between landlords and students.

Landlords can also advertise all types of accommodation for free on the NUI Galway accommodation website www.nuigstudentpad.ie.

It is worth noting that landlords can rent out rooms in their homes tax free up to a cap of €14,000 per annum.

President of NUI Galway Students’ Union Lorcán Ó Maoileannaigh said: “Students should not have to wait until the August rush to secure accommodation for the coming academic year.

“We are asking landlords to advertise their accommodation through the homes.usi.ie and www.nuigstudentpad.ie websites ASAP so that students can secure housing at the beginning of the summer rather than having to wait until the week before lectures begin.

“As we can see there is cross-party support to help our students achieve their academic potential. The Galway community as a whole can do more for these students who contribute so much to the local economy.”

City and County councils will merge by 2021

By

Briain Kelly

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June 7, 2018

Galway daily news Lease approved for modular homes for Ukrainian refugees in Ballinasloe

Galway city and county councils will merge into a single local authority by 2021 at the latest after the Cabinet voted to press ahead with amalgamation this week.

Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform John Paul Phelan presented the cabinet with a report on Wednesday endorsing the recommendation of the Galway Expert Advisory Group to merge the city and county councils.

The Expert Advisory group, led by Galway native Professor Eoin O’Sullivan, published its second interim report on the Galway councils on April 26th.

It recommends that local elections for May 2019 be held as planned for the city and county councils as they are, but that amalgamation should take place no later than 2021.

All elected councillors, 37 county councillors and 18 city councillors, will then sit on a unified council body until the 2024 local elections. It is expected that the electoral boundaries of municipal districts will be redrawn to accommodate the new council structure.

“This is the first step towards establishing a new unified Galway authority, which will maximise the potential of the region to maintain, secure and grow a sustainable economic base into the future,” Minister Phelan said.

“A unified council will provide a geographically balanced and integrated approach to economic development throughout Galway and further boost its vibrant cultural and artistic milieu.”

Minister Phelan will shortly make a legislative provision for the appointment of a single Chief Executive responsible for a combined local authority.

The report by the Expert Advisory Group found that a merged council would be better local economic development, “an amalgamated Authority combining Galway City Council and Galway County Council, will maximise the potential of the region to maintain, secure and grow a sustainable economic base into the future.”

However there has been local opposition to the merger with fears among city councillors that Galway city will lose out on funding under a merged council. There have also been worries that if electoral boundaries are redrawn in 2024, rural areas will lose some of their representation.

Issues before merging councils

The report by the Expert Group highlighted several areas of funding and staffing that would have to be addressed by the government for any merged council body.

According to the report council revenues have declined dramatically in the last 10 years, both in overall terms and in comparison with other councils.

Galway City council has a 2018 budget of €78.2 million, or €994 per person, down from €1,312 per person in 2008. The County Council has a budget of €112.3 million, or €626 person person, a significant drop from €1,004 in 2008.

Other, comparable authorities have an average budget of €1000 per person, and the report insists that Galway’s level of funding must be addressed for a combined authority to work.

The other area of concern for a new council is staffing. The combined city and county councils have 4.5 staff members per 1,000 population. Whereas other councils with a similar population and geographic area have between 5.6 and 7.3 staff per 1,000 population.

The lack of sufficient staff is an issue that has already been felt by the city council as it struggles to implement legislation and run services at existing staffing levels.

Acting Director of Services with the City Council Gary MCMahon told the city council at its May meeting that the city council does not have the staff to enforce the new busking bylaws which have been voted in. Nor can it take over running the Christmas market, as city councillors also wanted to do.

Before merging the councils, the Expert Advisory Group said: “existing deficiencies in respect of both the human and financial resources be expeditiously resolved as an essential prerequisite to the amalgamation process.”

NUIG Lecturer Tweets Anti LGBT Sentiment during Pride Month

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June 7, 2018

Galway Daily news Planning sought for massive new development at University of Galway

A lecturer of NUIG has tweeted an anti LGBT Sentiment during Pride Month.

Pride Month is celebrated during the month of June every year where the LGBT community celebrates in a number of different ways.

Across the globe, various events are held during this special month as a way of recognising the influence LGBT people have had around the world.

The month of June was chosen as Pride Month because it was when the Stonewall Riots took place, way back in 1969.

In recent days, Sean Leen who lectures in the Mechanical and Engineering Department at NUI Galway sent out an anti LGBT tweet in reaction to the choice of jersey that the Ireland team had for a friendly game against the USA on Saturday June 2nd.

Ireland subsequently went on to win that game as they beat the USA on a scoreline of 2-1 in the final Three International Friendly of the Season.

The Republic of Ireland marked the beginning of Pride month by incorporating the rainbow flag into their team kit in their friendly against the USA

On the 2nd of June 2018, the NUIG lecturer Sean Leen sent out the following tweet which has been noticed in recent days by the Student’s Union President and many others.

This is a disgrace – what about the 1 in 3 people who voted against immorality in the so-called ‘Marriage equality’ referendum? https://t.co/LFJN7ieqt9

— Sean Leen (@sean_leen) June 2, 2018

President of the Students Union Lorcán Ó Maoileannaigh and others who have seen the tweet have reacted.

For an academic staff member of @nuigalway to be making comments like this undermines every LGBT+ student&staff member of the university and our collective pursuit of equality. Let’s look forward not back&show our students that such hate will not be tolerated #prideineverystudent https://t.co/NfzEyYmW62

— Lorcán Ó Maoileannaigh (@LorcanLeFada) June 6, 2018

This is a disgraceful comment to make, especially in light of the university’s policy of supporting minorities and being a tolerant, inclusive space. You know many of the people you teach are of the LGBT community, yes?

— Eoin Neylon (@eoinneylon) June 6, 2018

And yet another headbanger lets loose. Didn’t realise we had so many until marriage ref and the #ref8

— ConcernedCitizen (@scrahallia) June 6, 2018

Hey I’m a gay nui student. Just wanna know if I’m immoral. #kthxbye @nuigalway @SIN_NUIG

— Love, Owen (@OwenHGreene) June 6, 2018

Equality issues have affected NUI Galway in the past when it was at the center of a high-profile gender discrimination row but 2018 saw the University claim official recognition for its work to advance gender equality.

The college has received the internationally recognised Athena Swan bronze awards, which demonstrates a solid foundation in eliminating gender bias.

The above tweet by the NUI Galway lecturer Sean Leen shows that although the University has come so far, equality still seems to be an issue that needs addressing.

NUI Galway ranks high on QS World University Rankings

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June 6, 2018

Galway Daily news nui galway schools Public involvement in healthcare research seminar

NUI Galway continues to perform strongly in the QS World University Rankings despite dropping some places on this year’s list.

The University was ranked 260 of the 1,233 Universities considered in this year’s QS ranking, maintaining its position among the world’s elite educational institutions.

Despite falling down the ranking slightly, since 2014 NUI Galway has moved up 24 places, and it was the only Irish institution to increase its ranking year on year in the previous five years.

NUI Galway has continued to perform strongly in its international scores, reflecting the welcoming nature and vibrant international population of Galway city.

The impact of investment and improvement in education and research in other nations has meanwhile resulted in Ireland’s universities improving research performance, yet other nations have caught up.

Speaking after the announcement, President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “We are on a flat curve where small changes make for a potentially large change in our rankings.

“In that context, we will continue to focus on what makes a difference for our students and for our society, drawing on the strengths of our hinterland to further enhance our international reputation and reach.”

Noting the QS comments on Irish Universities more generally and that the rest of the world is ‘catching up’, Professor Ó hÓgartaigh commented that this suggests that “investment in education is critically important as Ireland’s consistent source of economic and social development. Our students compete with the best in the world and, for them, so do we.”

Globally, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is named the world’s leading university for a record-breaking seventh consecutive year.

QS now rank the world’s top 1000 universities, which hail from 85 different countries, and their flagship website, www.TopUniversities.com is due to be visited over 65 million times this year.

Monivea Road down to one lane due to burst waterpipe

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June 6, 2018

Galway daily news Seven week road closure in downtown Galway City

The City Council have said that emergency works are taking place on Monivea Road due to a burst watermain.

The works are taking place west of the school at Briarhill.

The Monivea Road is down to one lane and a Stop/Go system is in place.

Irish Water currently have crews on site working on repairs, however it is advisable that anyone who normally uses the Monivea Road considers alternative routes via N6/M6 and Tuam Road.

Who will be this year’s Galway Races’ Most Stylish Lady/ Gent?

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June 6, 2018

most stylish ladies galway races — Repro free: Anna Geary announced as Guest judge at Hotel Meyrick's Most Stylish evening taking place Ladies Day of the Galway Races with Mandy Maher, Owner Catwalk Modelling Agency and Irish model Mary Lee. Photo:Andrew Downes, Xposure

Recognised as the most stunning style event of Galway Race week, Hotel Meyrick are inviting all dashing racegoers along to their Most Stylish Evening on Thursday 2 August from 7pm.

The event is sponsored by Fallers of Galway, the renowned jewellers who have a long association with Hotel Meyrick.

This year’s competition is shaping up to be more elegant and stunning than ever before with guests coming from all over the country in the hope of being chosen as the most stylish lady and most distinguished gent, the most prestigious accolade event during the Galway Races.

Repro free: Anna Geary announced as Guest judge at Hotel Meyrick’s Most Stylish evening taking place Ladies Day of the Galway Races with Mandy Maher, Owner Catwalk Modelling Agency and Irish model Mary Lee. Photo:Andrew Downes, Xposure

Renowned for its demure glamour, timeless elegance and electrifying atmosphere celebrations will continue on into the night, with the highlight being the eagerly awaited announcement of the Most Stylish Lady and Gent.

And with a line-up of musical entertainment throughout the evening Hotel Meyrick will be full of glamour enjoying the sultry sounds of singer Michelle Lally followed by The Logue’s who will have guests dancing into the early hours of the morning.

Dancing with the stars finalist and TV personality Anna Geary has been announced as guest judge.

Anna, a popular finalist in the recent series of Dancing with Stars and a winning coach on RTE’s Ireland’s Fittest Families, has become one of the most stylish women in Ireland having been nominated this year as Most Stylish newcomer at the VIP Awards.

Alongside Anna, Hotel Meyrick are delighted to welcome back Catwalk Modelling agency owner and TV3 stylist Mandy Maher along with one of Ireland’s top models Mary Lee to judge this stunning evening.

This year Fallers of Galway have kindly provided an overall prize to the value of €3,000 with the winning lady walking away with a Fallers of Galway voucher worth €2,000 with the runner up receiving a gift voucher of €500, winning gent receiving a designer watch all provided by Fallers of Galway.

John Faller, of Fallers of Galway, said: “We are delighted once again to sponsor the Most Stylish evening at Hotel Meyrick, this has always been a fantastic evening with every year getting better and better.

“The standard last year was unbelievable with so many of the most elegant ladies from around the country attending this stunning event.”

Anna and her fellow judges will await the contenders for the Most Stylish Lady and Gent arriving from the race course after a fantastic day of fun keeping an eye out for the winning look combining timeless and classic styles incorporating some ‘trends’ but with a sophisticated and timeless feel something that Hotel Meyrick exudes since its inception 166 years ago growing beautiful with time staying elegant with history!

Aer Árann to end flights to Aran Islands this year

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June 6, 2018

Galway Daily news Aer Arann four month contract extension

Aer Árann has given notice for termination of its PSO contract for the Aran Islands and will end flights to the islands by the end of December this year.

RTÉ reports that the contract has been terminated because there are disagreements between Aer Árann and the Department Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht about charges for flights that are not covered by the contract.

The dispute is centred around a charge to the company of roughly €500 for each non-PSO service it operates.

The company has served six months notice of its intention to end services in a dispute over the way in which the PSO contract is being interpreted.

The PSO contract covered around 3,500 flights to and from the Aran Islands every year.

Frásanna Úsáideach don Scrúdú Scríofa Gaeilge – Scrúdaithe Stáit Tosnaithe

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June 6, 2018

Galway Daily news Over 3,600 Galway students receiving Junior Cert results

Thosaigh na Scrúdaithe Stáit inniu le thart ar 6000 scoláire ins an Gaillimh ag tabhairt fé an Ardteistiméireacht agus an Teastas Sóisearach.

Tá an ghrian ag scoilteadh na gcloch, agus muintir na Gaillimhe mar aon le cuairteoirí ar fad ag filleadh ar Bóthar na Trá agus an Prom, ach faraor tá thart ar 6,000 scoláire sáite istigh i halla te agus iad ag tabhairt fé na Scrúdaithe Stáit.

Thosaigh na Scrúdaithe Stáit maidin inniu le Páipeár 1 Béarla agus i gceann cúpla lá tabhairfidh siad aghaidh ar Páipeár 1 Gaeilge.

Seo agaibh cúpla frásaí Gaeilge a bheadh úsáideach dos na aistí:

Ar an gcéad dul síos – Firstly
Ar ndóigh – Of course
An rud is annamh is iontach – What is rare is wonderful
Faraor – Unfortunately
Gan dabht – Of course
An ghrian ag scoilteadh na gcloch – The Sun is splitting the stones.
Teocht an ard amuigh – There’s a very high temperature outside.
Chaitheas vóta sa reifreann – I voted in the referendum.
Blúire beag – a little bit
Blaiseadh don cheol – A taste of music.
Bhí an cluiche caide sin ar siúl aréir – That GAA game was on last night.
Beir sé ar an liathróid go h-árd sa spéir agus é ag imirt iománaíocht – He caught the ball high in the sky when playing hurling.
I mo thuairimse – In my opinion.
Traochta – tired
Brionglóid – Dream.

Go n-éirí go geal libh uilig agus sibh ag suí na scrúdaithe stáit go háirithe na scrúdaithe Gaeilge agus tá súil againn go gcabhróidh chuid dos na frásaí thuas libh.

An tUachtarán Ó hUigínn le léacht a thabhairt in OÉ Gaillimh ar an nGaeilge

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June 6, 2018

Uachtarán ó hUigínn ag freastal ar Seirbhís Comórtha an deireadh seachtaine seo

Is é Uachtarán na hÉireann, Micheál D. Ó hUigínn a thabharfaidh an príomhaitheasc ag siompóisiam faoi Chonradh na Gaeilge agus an Athbheochan a reachtálfar in OÉ Gaillimh Dé hAoine, an 15 Meitheamh.

Is é an siompósiam lae, ‘125 Bliain ag Fás – An Athbheochan agus Conradh na Gaeilge,’ príomhócáid na hOllscoile le haghaidh Bhliain na Gaeilge atá ag céiliúradh 125 bliain ó bunaíodh an Conradh.

Céiliúradh atá san ócáid seo chomh maith mar an gcinneadh a rinne Conradh na Gaeilge in 2017 a chartlann a chur i dtaisce in OÉ Gaillimh.

Le déanaí ceapadh cartlannaí chun an chartlann a chatalógú agus le digitiú a dhéanamh ar chuid den ábhar.

Dúirt an Dr John Walsh, Léachtóir Sinsireach le Gaeilge agus fear eagair an tsiompóisiam:

“Ag an ócáid seo, léifear páipéir ar réimse téamaí taighde a bhfuil baint acu le 125 bliain den Athbheochan.

“Labhróidh taighdeoirí agus pearsana poiblí iomráiteacha eile faoin téama seo agus tarraingeoidh siad aird ar na deiseanna iontacha taighde a eascraíonn as cartlann an Chonartha.”

“Achmhainn ríluachmhar teagaisc agus taighde atá i gcartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge agus cuireann sí go mór leis na bailiúcháin thábhachtacha Ghaeilge ata ag an Ollscoil cheana”, a dúirt Leabharlannaí Shéamais Uí Argadáin, John Cox.

Ag labhairt faoin siompóisiam seo, dúirt Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh:

“Tá an Ghaeilge uathúil agus thar a bheith tábhachtach do mhisean agus d’eiteas OÉ Gaillimh, dár n-oidhreacht agus dár gceantar máguaird.

“Trí chartlann Chonradh na Gaeilge a choinneáil faoi iontaobhas anseo do scoláirí agus do phobal na hÉireann, beidh an Ollscoil seo ina caomhnóir ar chuid thábhachtach de stair ár dteanga.

“Táimid bródúil é seo a dhéanamh agus táimid ag tnúth leis na peirspictíochtaí nua a chuifidh an chartlann ar fáil do léann idirnáisiúnta.

“Is cuid thábhachtach de Bhliain na Gaeilge é an siompóisiam, bliain atá ag déanamh céiliúradh ar 125 bliain ó bunaíodh Conradh na Gaeilge agus cuirfidh sé ar chumas scoláirí agus lucht déanta polasaí teanga a machnamh a dhéanamh ar fhorbairt na teanga le céad bliain anuas agus iad ag breathnú san am céanna ar thodhchaí na Gaeilge.”

Dúirt an Dr Niall Comer, Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge:

“Tá ríméad orainn i gConradh na Gaeilge go bhfuil ár gcartlann á cur i dtaisce go buan in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh.

“Creideann muid go dtiocfaidh deiseanna rialta chun cinn le hábhar na cartlainne a úsáid agus táimid ag súil leis an gcéad deis sin ag an siompóisiam lae a bheidh á reachtáil ag an Ollscoil agus ag an gConradh ar an 15 Meitheamh.”

Tá an siompóisiam lae seo á reachtáil ag Leabharlann Shéamais Uí Argadáin, ag Roinn na Gaeilge agus ag Conradh na Gaeilge. Níl aon chostas air ach is gá clárú faoin 8 Meitheamh. Tá breis eolais ar fáil anseo.

Man dies swimming in Lough Derg

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June 6, 2018

Galway Daily news Coast Guard and RNLI appeal for water safety this Bank Holiday weekend

A man in his 40s has died after getting into difficulty while swimming in Lough Derg near Portumna yesterday evening.

Emergency services from several nearby locations were called out just after 6pm on Tuesday, June 5.

Following the hours long search for the missing swimmer the body was found just before 10pm at Cappafallagh, Portumna.

The man was declared dead at the scene and subsequently taken to Portiuncula Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

The Killaloe Coast Guard Unit posted a public statement on Facebook stating:

“An extensive search of the area was carried out over a number of hours and the casualty was located last night with the help of a local dive team.”

“Our deepest condolences to family and friends of the man involved in this tragic incident,” the statement read.

GIN FEST 2018 takes place in Latin Quarter Galway June 7th – 10th

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June 6, 2018

The Latin Quarter Galway Gin Fest returns tomorrow the 7th June – 10th June.

Gin Lovers, this weekend Galway is catering to your needs with a celebration of all things related to Gin & Tonic from Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th June 2018. With the pinnacle of the festival being World Gin Day on Saturday 9th June.

The weekend promises to be a fun-filled weekend of gin-joyment, and sunshine as a range of events will be taking place in the bars & venues throughout the Latin Quarter including; a Gin Cruise, Gin Forage, Gin Village, Distillery Visits, Master Classes and Tastings, Gin Trails, Gin & Food Pairings, Gin Cocktails & Competitions, New Gin Launches and Gin Experientials to name just some of the interesting events planned.

Beefeater 24, Bombay Sapphire, Fever Tree, Hendricks, Schweppes, Tanquery 10 are just a selection of the gin brands that will be showcased at the Latin Quarter Gin Fest.

The focus of the festival is to encourage people to try a variety of gin and tonic brands now available on the market, served in Galway’s top bars and restaurants.

There will also be a focus on the education side of how gin is made for both the trade and public, learning about the perfect serve when choosing garnishes and how tonics enhance the flavour of your drink. Basically you’ll be a ‘ginius’ at the end of the festival.

The Latin Quarter is the social and cultural heart of Galway city where locals socialise and visitors to the city want to explore. It’s home to many of the city’s quirkiest, owner ran and best-known pubs, restaurants, shops and hotels with pedestrianised streets, buskers and a festival like ambiance all year round.

You can email ginfest@thelatinquarter.ie for queries. Use the hashtag #LQGinFest.

Brothers plead guilty to stealing €116,250 from elderly woman

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Briain Kelly

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June 6, 2018

Galway Daily news Galway allocated €9 million for LEADER programme 2023-2027

Two brothers who appeared before Galway Circuit Court pleaded guilty to stealing €116,250 from an elderly woman in Tirellan Heights over more than a year.

Thomas Coen (45), with an address at 1 Old Monivea Road, and Michael Coen (37), of 181 Corrib Park, Newcastle pleaded to 38 charges of theft between them, from between June 2014 and October 2015.

Thomas Coen confessed to 30 theft charges with a combined value of €45,550. The amount taken in each theft varied greatly with the smallest being €100 and the largest being €4,650.

Micheal Coen also confessed to a smaller number of charges, admitting to eight counts of theft. Despite the smaller number of charges, he stole a far greater sum of money, admitting to stealing a total of €70,700.

The court heard that on one occasion, an unknown date between the October 1 and November 30 of 2015, Michael Coen stole €30,000 from the woman. On another date in September 2014, he stole €13,700 from her.

All of the thefts took place at the same address in Tirellan Heights.

Judge Eoin Garavan ordered probation reports for both men and adjourned the case to July 17. Thomas Coen will then be sentenced, and the prosecution said Michael Coen may face additional charges.

Coláiste na Coiribe bainteach le Clár Banc na hÉireann

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June 6, 2018

Chríochnaigh Coláiste na Coiribe Clár Banc na Scoile le Banc na hÉireann le déanaí.

Mar chuid don scoil bhliain ghlac Coláiste na Coiribe páirt i Clár Banc na Scoile, clár a reachtáileann Banc na hÉireann.

I gColáiste na Coiribe b’é Matthew Talbot a bhí i bhfeighil ar an mbanc, agus fuair sé cabhair ó Oisín Gormley.

B’iad Alex Nic Niocláis agus Robert McDomhnaill a bhí i gceannas ar Oibríocht & Iniúchadh. Thug Eoin ó Domhnaill agus Enda Quinn aire do na Díolacháin agus Margaíocht. Ansin bhí Aimee Ní Bhruacháin, Meabh Ní Rodáin agus Ross Nolan mar comhairleoirí digiteach an mbanc.

Ag labhair faoin foireann i gColáiste na Coiribe, dúirt Caroline Fahy, comhairdaitheoir na h-óg, Banc na hÉireann,

“Bhí an bhfoireann iontach agus bhí siad an-tiomanta chun an sprioc a bhí acu a bhaint amach. Rinne siad é seo tríd cur i láthair sna ranganna chun fios a thabhairt dos na daltaí go raibh an banc oscailte do gnó.

“Bhí an foireann díograiseach, poincúil agus d’oibrigh siad go crua. Ba ceannaire iontach é Matthew a choinnigh an móiminteam ag dul gach seachtain agus spreag sé an bhfoireann chun an sprioc a bhualadh.

Bhí rath ag an foireann ag bualadh an sprioc, toradh le sin ná go bhfuair an scoil €1000, dearbhán One4All agus 100 ticéid chuig cluiche sacar/rugbaí. Fuair an foireann teastas ó Banc na hÉireann as ucht an obair crua a bhí curtha isteach acu.

Dúirt dalta scoile Coláiste na Coiribe, Oisín Gormley a raibh bainteach leis an tógra mar Leas-Bainisteoir,

“Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le Caroline agus Banc na hÉireann as ucht cabhrú le banc na scoile. Bhaineamar an-sult agus taithí as.”

Dúirt Matthew Talbot, Bainisteoir an tógra,

“Is deis iontach a bhí ann agus glacann muid buíochas le banc na hÉireann, Caroline go háirithe, as ucht an cabhair ar fad a thug siad dúinn. Is foireann iontach a bhí againn agus bhainn muid ar fad an-sult as.”

Bliain rathúil á bhí ann do Matthew Talbot agus é bhainteach leis an comhlacht fiontar CitySmarts freisin. Shroiceadar Páirc an Chrócaigh ach faraor ní raibh an bua acu ar dheireadh.

Galway construction company Glenman faces High Court action over alleged debt

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Briain Kelly

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June 6, 2018

Galway Daily news Supreme Court making history with first ever visit to Galway

The Galway based Glenman corporation could face a High Court case over an alleged debt of more than €160,000 to a subcontractor in Dublin, Dunnes Brothers Ltd.

The Glenman corporation is a construction company owned by brothers Albert and Conneally, with its headquarters on the Tuam road in Galway city.

It mainly does work for the state bodies like the HSE and Irish Rail, as well as taking housing contracts from local councils.

According to the Irish Times, Dunnes Brother Ltd claim that Glenman owes them €162,283 for work they did on Clonskeagh Hospital for the HSE, DIT, and three national schools, including one in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, and Ballyfin, Co. Laois.

Dunnes Brothers have served Glenman with a notice that the full amount is due withing 21 days or or they will apply to the High Court to have a liquidator appointed to the company.

“Take note that a liquidator, if appointed, will investigate the affairs of the company and will form the view whether any breaches of the Companies Acts occurred,” the notice says.

Glenman has been facing another controversy lately with its contract for the Confucius Centre at UCD which has run to nearly double its initial budget.

UCD originally set aside €7.4 million for the construction, but latest projections made last November say that the final price tag for the building will be closer to €12.2 million.

Accounts for Glenman up to June 2016 show that its assets total €12.3 million, of which €11.94 is money that it is owed by various debtors; It also has liabilities of €7.3 million, including €4 million owed to suppliers and subcontractors.

Call on Galway City Councillors to withdraw support for Street Performance By-laws.

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June 6, 2018