Order, order, the Dáil bar has opened

Thu, Dec 04, 2008

Most mere mortals will have never had a chance to sample the Dáil bar, but that changed in Galway this week when a new pub of the same name opened in the city centre.

Gotta pick a pocket or two — gardai warn revellers about cheeky thieves

Thu, Dec 04, 2008

As we finally hit December numbers of shoppers on Galway’s streets are on the increase for the run up to Christmas.

Are you being served — Karma to host night out for retailers

Thu, Dec 04, 2008

This Saturday (December 6), Karma is throwing a “Retail Therapy” party for all retailers to let their hair down before the Christmas madness really sets in!

The bypass that doesn’t pass by — the joke’s on Galway

Thu, Dec 04, 2008

The news that came out of An Bord Pleanala on Tuesday that the Galway City Outer Bypass has been consigned to history is a massive blow to Galway’s chances of ever really developing the sort of infrastructure it needs to put this city on a level footing with the other major cities. The news has been greeted with dismay by people who have a strong commitment to seeing Galway get the sort of facilities it deserves if it ever hopes to genuinely be this country’s third city. It has been welcomed by those who opposed it on grounds of proximity, ecological concerns and perhaps in some cases, by people who object on a point of principle, no matter the location throughout the country. For the tens of thousands of others who were looking forward to Galway’s transport infrastructure getting a shot in the arm, it is bad news. Every year we are slipping further and further behind the other cities which must be laughing at Galway’s ability to shoot itself in the foot when it comes to providing the sort of infrastructure that cities by their nature need if they are to carry on being cities and not become bottlenecks. We had the same thing with Mutton Island. Months in meeting-hours were spent at city council level trying to get this through, and now even its original detractors have to admit that the sky did not fall in. With any major infastructural development, there are worthy merits and demerits, and the Galway City Outer Bypass was no different in that regard. No doubt, it would have had a major detrimental effect on the quality of life in picturesque areas such as Ballindooley and Bushypark. It would cut through the natural environment like a sword, but the nature of modern geography is to change the landscape to allow people to live in the times they are living. Other countries such as the UK manage to have broader and noisier roadways cutting through its green heart and over time they blend in, as the realisation of their necessity overrides any localised objection. But they get built. Even the motorway through the heart of Tara got the go-ahead in the end. What we were left with in Monday’s ruling is a sort of joke, an Irish joke. A joke on Galway. The bypass that does everything but allow you to pass by the area it is meant to be bypassing. And so Galway commuters will face the crawl around the city for another decade with little idea of what will be put forward as an alternative to the bypass. Thankfully, the N6 is motoring along and should be open on time, but that will do little to alleviate the city’s traffic problems where there is a massive imbalance on the location of schools and industrial estates, necessitating river and city crossings. Now the upshot of it all is that we must go back to the drawing board and start from a clean slate. We have to ask what is really achievable and what is not. How realistic is GLUAS? If it is, then let’s go down that line, but at €200 million, that too looks like a non-runner. Are bus lanes really working? Can we get people to cycle to work? Will there be work to cycle and drive to? The officials who will be charged with picking up the pieces of this decision have a lot to occupy their minds. However, let’s look at ourselves. Cork has had its tunnel for several years now; the one under the Shannon will be open in Limerick in about 24 months, and in Galway, well, zilch. Let’s hope that the programmes on the radio are interesting for the next decade, cos we’re going to be stuck in traffic for many many more years to come.

New cut-price grocery business means new jobs for Milltown

Thu, Dec 04, 2008

SHOPPERS no longer need to go to Northern Ireland for cut-price groceries as prices similar to, or even lower than, the North or the UK on all leading brands are now available at the N17 Grocery Price Club based at Milltown on the Galway-Mayo border.

Fr Ned Crosby to launch new book of poetry

Thu, Dec 04, 2008

Fr Ned Crosby, one of the most popular and respected Roman Catholic priests in Galway, will launch his new book of poetry this evening.

Garda seek help in finding stolen cars

Thu, Dec 04, 2008

Gardai are seeking the assistance of the public in tracing the following vehicles which were stolen in or around Galway recently.

Free night of classical joy for Cope

Thu, Dec 04, 2008

Emerald Concerts is organising a quality concert devoted to three 20th century classical music composers. Carducci, a quartet from London, has been invited to Galway to perform pieces by Benjamin Britten, Maurice Ravel, and William Sheller in the Hotel Meyrick next week. Free tickets to the event can be picked up in the box office located at the hotel reception.

Hit and run traffic accident

Thu, Dec 04, 2008

On Sunday last November 30, at approximately 1pm a traffic accident occurred at Joyce Roundabout, Bohermore.

Councillor who cried foul over clamp removal had three removed

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

Cllr Daniel Callanan, the councillor who lifted the lid on the “clampgate” saga which revealed that several councillors had clamps removed free of charge from their cars was himself clamped 24 times and has had THREE clamps removed withour charge from his cars.

Father breaks down door to rescue daughter

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

A father was forced to break down a toilet door in an Ocounty-based children’s centre, where he claims his five-year-old daughter was victim of a sexual assault.

County publican’s trial on sex charges deferred until mid-January

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

The trial of a Co Galway publican, charged with the sexual abuse of a young man during the 1970s, which was due to start at Galway Circuit Criminal Court yesterday (Wednesday) has been deferred to next year.

Thermo losses and ‘nail-gate’ show we’re not laughing anymore

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

No-one’s laughing anymore. If anyone thought that the cold bite of recession was just a wind on the faraway hills, then think again. Last evening’s announcement in Thermo King that 110 employees are to lose their jobs and Tuesday’s revelation that jobs are to be lost in Tuam’s Valeo Vision Systems brings the realisation closer to home that everyone is going to feel the cold snap in the near future. And with that mindset among us, it is all the more galling to hear the attitude of Fas executives try to justify their extravagant business expenses this week and behave as if they are still living on an alternate planet to ourselves.

Disappointment at rubbish ruling

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

The main objectors to Greenstar Holding Ltd’s winning bid to get permission to accept waste from Connacht and the rest of the country at its dump in Killagh More have voiced their disappointment but admitted the fight is over.

Connolly slams HSE decision to scrap lunches at psychiatric day hospital as ‘most miserly’ cut’

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

A former mayor and city councillor has described as “deplorable” and “scandalous” the HSE West’s decision to stop providing lunches to clients attending a day psychiatric hospital on the outskirts of the city.

Former Irish Times journalist to launch new book in Charlie Byrne’s

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

At Shannon Airport five people took on the might of the US military – and put a Navy war-plane out of action. Astonishingly, they convinced a jury that to do so was not a crime.

Mary Cunningham comes up with another wonderful cabaret line-up for Croi

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

This year’s Annual Gala Christmas Cabaret in aid of Croí, (The West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation) will take place next Wednesday night (Dec 3), in The Inis Mór Ballroom, Radisson SAS Hotel, Galway, and the line up of performers is spectacular.

Despite reports lead contamination down in affected city waters

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

The levels of lead in the older areas of the city have dropped, city officials said this week, contrary to reports stating that the water contamination has spread throughout the city.

Reports claiming that high levels of lead contamination have hit the entire city are “factually wrong” the director for transport and infrastructure, Ciaran Hayes, said yesterday.

Audrey Corbett to be honoured at NUIG tomorrow

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

Audrey Corbett, musical director of Galway Baroque Singers, is to be honoured with a masters of music degree by NUI, Galway tomorrow in recognition for her services to music in the county.

Jail for man caught robbing Annaghdown house

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

A Polish man who was caught red-handed with another man stealing €3,000 worth of jewellery from a house in Annaghdown last June, has been jailed for seven months following his appearance before Galway District Court this week.

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