Greek activist to speak at public meeting on EU/IMF bailout

Thu, Jul 07, 2011

Greek political activist Giannis Koutras will address a public meeting in Galway tomorrow on the issue of the bank and EU/IMF bailouts.

Kyne, Cannon, and Higgins - Are they Galway’s rising political stars

Thu, Jun 16, 2011

The dust has settled; the new Government has come through its first 100 days; Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and US president Barack Obama have been and gone; Garrett the Good, Declan Costello, and Brian Lenihan - three icons of Irish politics - have passed to their eternal reward. What a first six months of 2011 this has been.

The contemplative benefits of a morning in Galway’s dole office

Thu, May 05, 2011

RECENTLY INSIDER spent a morning in Galway’s dole office. It was a fruitless stay in the financial sense, but it proved to be beneficial in a contemplative way.

Crowe calls for restoration of The Fishery Tower

Thu, May 05, 2011

The Fishery Tower may be one of the most eye catching historic buildings in the city, but it has “fallen into a dreadful state” and its footbridge is “a safety-hazard”.

This is the view of Fianna Fáil councillor Ollie Crowe who is calling on the Fáilte Ireland to secure funding and restore the footbridge and monument.

Exhibition to highlight the understated role of women in technology

Thu, May 05, 2011

An exhibition entitled Hidden Histories of Women in Computing has gone on display at the Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI) in NUI Galway. The exhibition highlights how, in spite of many obstacles, women have over the centuries made significant contributions to advances in communications and computer technologies.

“For millennia, cultural, social, religious, and legislative obstacles have ensured that females were denied access to many professions,” said Brendan Smith, DERI’s outreach officer. “Despite this, computing does have its female champions. Take for example the mathematician Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, who wrote in 1843 the world’s first ever computer programme.”

Is Crowe sick of politics?

Thu, Apr 14, 2011

What is Michael J Crowe up to now? First there was the ‘I’m sick of trees’ comment, then there was the one man battle against the Galway Alliance Against War, and now he says he is “winding down” from politics - this is despite having three years left of his term as a councillor.

Limited special offer from ESPA at the g

Thu, Apr 14, 2011

ESPA at the g - situated on the upper two floors of the five star g Hotel in Galway city - has just introduced a limited edition special offer.

Customers booking a 55 minutes age-defying lift and firm facial treatment for €95, along with use of the thermal suite facilities and the relaxation room, will receive a complimentary lift and firm intensive serum worth more than €35.

The Seanad - reform or remove, nothing else will do

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

Seanad Éireann - a retirement home for politicians on the way out, a nursery for aspiring TDs, a powerless talking shop with an inbuilt Government majority, an undemocratically elected chamber, and the most pointless entity in Irish politics - the Upper House of the Oireachtas is all of these.

Kitt demands commitments to protect small rural schools

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

The long term implications of the Small Primary Schools Value for Money Review has caused concern that many rural schools in places like County Galway face being shut down in the coming years.

This is the view of Fianna Fáil Galway East TD Michael Kitt who is calling on the Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn to make a firm commitment to protect small rural schools into the future.

Does Fianna Fáil have a future in Galway?

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Many doubted it would come to pass. Many foes were convinced there was a significant hardcore element out there who would find it too difficult to wield the dagger no matter how much they complained about Fianna Fáil. Many party loyalists were deluded into believing that ‘In our final hour of need they will not desert us’.

The future of Galway’s Left

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

The big story of the election was the collapse of the Fianna Fáil vote nationally but it is evident from the statistics in Galway East that Labour gained substantially from this implosion, increasing its vote by 10.1 per cent, and leading to the surprise election of Colm Keaveney.

NUIG lecturer Donncha O’Connell to seek Seanad seat

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

NUI, Galway lecturer and former dean of the faculty of law, Donncha O’Connell has become the latest person from Galway to stand for election to Seanad Éireann.

Get set for the local elections - they are only three years away

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

The election is over! Bring on the next one! After the marathon counts in Galway East and Galway West, there cannot be many people who want another election too soon.

No Insider is not calling for another election - even his passion for politics has some boundaries. What I mean is that now Election 2011 is over, the battle for the next elections - the Seanad elections and the 2014 locals - will begin.

Éamon Ó Cuív - last of the Mohicans

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

It came at around lunchtime on Sunday, four hours into the count that day, and after a marathon 13 hour count the day before - the first Galway West TD of the 31st Dáil was finally declared elected.

Derek Nolan - one challenge met, new challenges to face

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

On Saturday morning in Leisureland, one of the first trends to emerge from the tallies was that Labour candidate Derek Nolan was polling strongly and would take a seat on this, his first time running for the Dáil.

Frank Fahey - he has not quite gone away you know

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

One was a phonecall, the other a text. Both messages came early on Saturday morning, they were from two close friends, and both were enquiring about Fianna Fáil’s Frank Fahey. In their own way they exemplified the way Mr Fahey divides opinion.

The ‘Paschal factor’ got me the seat

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

He was Fine Gael’s ‘Chosen One’, the heir apparent to Pádraic McCormack’s seat and party HQ were expecting him to retain it and deliver a running mate. He did, but it took a long time and it was nail-biting stuff to the very end.

The highs, the lows, of a weekend in New Inn

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

Just when we thought it was going to be all plain sailing once again in Galway East the tides turned, a recount was ordered, votes vanished and disprepancies were found, but we got there in the end filling all four seats and closing the doors of the community centre in New Inn before midnight on Sunday.