Aracha buys Galway Hooper Dolan
Arachas, the Irish Insurance broker, today announced that it has reached agreement to acquire Galway Hooper Dolan. Hooper Dolan Insurances has had an office in Galway since 2004 and is a leading provider of general insurance products and advises business and consumers both locally and nationally.
Commenting on the acquisition, Cathal Lowe, CEO Hooper Dolan Insurances said “Today’s exciting news brings together two well-known and respected local businesses and we will provide enhanced customer service to existing clients and potential clients along with the delivery of superior products tailored for clients’ needs.
“I’m delighted to say and all of our 11 full time staff are remaining and they will continue to provide the best of advice to the people of Galway and the surrounding areas. Our contact details remain unchanged and this news will not affect our customers insurance policy in any way. Its very much business as usual.
Conor Brennan, CEO, Arachas said: “This is an important day for the expansion of both Galway Hooper Dolan and Arachas in Galway. Arachas is interested in investing in great businesses, backing their management teams to grow and develop and to create something which is sustainable for its people, its customers and for the communities they operate in.
Consultant chosen for Quiet Man Greenway feasibility study
Fine Gael Deputy Ciaran Cannon has confirmed that Galway County Council has chosen a consultant to carry out a feasibility study on the development of the Quiet Man Greenway, connecting Athenry, Ballyglunin, Tuam and Milltown.
The feasibility study is being funded by the Department of Transport and arises from a grant of €75,000 awarded to Galway Co. Council last August. Galway County Council has also advised Deputy Cannon that the newly appointed consultant will be requested to provide a robust and realistic timeframe for the completion of the feasibility study, with key milestones to be reached on certain dates.
“This is very welcome news for all of who have been campaigning for the development of the Quiet Man Greenway on the disused rail line connecting Athenry to Milltown. Now that a consultant has been chosen to carry out this feasibility study, we will soon have a vital piece of new research to guide us in our decision making.
We already have two independent reports commissioned by the Department of Transport, and they clearly outline that this disused rail line will not be required for any rail service for the foreseeable future. In addition the North West Regional Aseembly has identified the development of the Quiet Man Greenway on this disused line as a major tourism development opportunity for the West”, said Deputy Cannon.
“I have always argued that we needed to carefully and forensically research the future potential of this rail line which las lain idle for over forty years. It’s a vital piece of infrastructure that’s serving no purpose, and bringing no economic benefit to East Galway. It will be an absolute travesty if we allow it to remain idle for any longer. That’s why we need to see it developed as a greenway, and bring the kind of transformation we have seen in places like Mayo and Waterford.
In developing the rail line as a greenway it will also protect it from encroachment, so that it’s always available if it needs to be repurposed for a rail service in the future. The CEO of Irish Rail, Jim Meade, outlined to an Oireachtas committee earlier this year that greenways on disused rail lines are highly desirable as they do exactly that, project them and keep them in public ownership. We expect to have the findings of this new feasibility study available to us at the end of this year, and then it’s time to finally make a decision, we can’t wait any longer”, concluded Deputy Cannon.
Friends of Galway Patients draw
Captain of the Galway Ladies Senior Football Team All-Star Louise Ward presented a pair of signed Galway jerseys to aid a fundraising draw to Máirtím Ó Cillin of Cairde.
Cairde Othair na Gaillimhe (Friends of Galway Patients ) would like to thank those who supported their recent Hamper draw. Congratulations to the winners.
Funds raised are going directly to improving services at our Galway Hospitals which as we all know are working under severe and ongoing pressure.
Your support will help greatly. Any donations can be made to https://cog.ie/donate/
Ella collects hair-raising figure for good cause
Athenry native Ella Farrell, 10, embarked on a fundraising journey in aid of the Irish Cancer Society earlier this month. Ella decided to cut 14 inches of her long her to raise much needed funds. Remarkably, the ten-year-old made the decision herself without any outside influence.
Ella said, “I’ve got so much hair and I would really love to help a child who has lost their hair from cancer. Some kids can get bullied or feel excluded because of it and I don’t want them to feel that way.” With some help from family members, Ella set up a go-fund me page and managed to fundraise €2,000 with a significant donation made by Medtronic, Galway directly to the Irish Cancer Society on behalf of Ella.
In addition to the funds raised for the Irish Cancer Society, Ella donated 14 inches of her hair to The Little Princess Trust which provides free, real-hair wigs for young cancer sufferers or for children and young people experiencing the devastating effects of hair loss across Ireland and the U.K. Her haircut was kindly sponsored by Sharon’s Hair & Beauty in Athenry, Galway.
To learn more or to make a donation, please visit www.cancer.ie and www.littleprincesses.org.uk
