As we bid a glad farewell to another year of The New Way of Living and welcome in the latest instalment, we look back on some key moments in the year 2021 - a year of highs and lows, defeats and victories, learnings, resilience and hope.
Throughout the last two years, we have learned a lot about ourselves and each other; we have a newfound appreciation for what fulfils us; what matters and what does not. Maybe this year, in a less restricted life, we will get the chance to put some of those new learnings into practice.
There is much to look forward to in 2022 on the sporting grounds and in our social and cultural lives.
Keep safe and Have a great 2022.
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January. Catherina Blewitt a third cousin of the 46t American President Joe Biden celebrates his inauguration with her children Grace, Kate and Cillian. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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February. The funeral cortege of the late Danno Heaslip the well known acutioneer and former president of Galwegians RFC makes its way along University. Road Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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March. Hannah Russell with her dad Jason admire the parade of knetted leprechauns created by Headford Yarn Bombers. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy
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March. St Patrick's night time illumination of boats at the Claddagh. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy
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Galway WFC’s Shauna Brennan holds off Eva Mangan of Cork City in action from the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League game at Eamonn Deacy Park. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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March. Cúirt International Festival of Literature Festival Director Sasha de Buyl announces programme for 2021 festival. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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April. Eggciting times... Judith Knight and James Buckley getting ready for Easter at Oakwood Creche & Montessori School, Newcastle. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy.
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Damien Comer of Galway scores his side's second goal past Rob Hennelly of Mayo during the Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship Final match between Galway and Mayo at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
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Galway United’s Wilson Waweru and Ally Gilchrist, Shelbourne FC, during the First Division League game at Eamonn Deacy Park. Photograph: Mike Shaughnessy
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May. Gavin and Evan Corcoran feeding the alpaca as Turoe Pet Farm & Leisure Park reopened after the easing of Covid19 restrictions. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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June. The scene at the Spanish Parade, Galway City Centre as a large crowd of people gathered in the evening sunshine on the banks of the river Corrib. Members of the Garda Síochána dispersed the gathering. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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June. Chloe Brevet, Stella Scimanna and Lea Mettey enjoying the sunshine at Eyre Square. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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Galway WFC’s Chloe Singleton gets past Bohemians’ Isobel Finnegan in action from the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League game at Eamonn Deacy Park. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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Micheal O Muircheartaigh with former Galway hurler Brendan Lynskey at UCD during the reunion of club and intercounty GAA players trained by Micheal as part of a training group of Dublin based players in the 1970, ‘80s and ‘90s at UCD in Belfield, Dublin. Photo by Sportsfile
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June. Business owners from The Latin Quarter gathered on Tuesday to make a presentation to James C Harrold recently retired Galway Arts Officer. Pictured at Cross Street at the outdoor reception were James C Harold with his wife Dolores Lynn and business owners from The Latin Quarter. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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De’Ondre Jackson of NUIG Maree during the InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy National Cup Round 1 match between NUIG Maree and Griffith College Templeogue at NUIG Kingfisher Gym in Galway. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
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Tiffany Sweeney joins Irish Dancers Cairde who were special guests at Radharc na Mara National School Activity Week. Radharc na Mara School is the new name for Holy Trinity School and St. Michael's BNS Mervue which have now amalgamated. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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July. Ruairi Grealish of The Kings Head serves Patrick Callinan a pint after indoor dining and drinks resumes for bars and restaurants. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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Laura Cunningham of Galway County competing in the Women’s Triple Jump during the Irish Life Health National League Final at Tullamore Harriers Stadium in Tullamore, Offaly. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
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Spectators look on during the Galway County Senior Club Hurling Championship semi-final match between Craughwell and Clarinbridge at Kenny Park in Athenry, Galway Photo: Sportsfile
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Referee Eoghan O’Shea stops players from approaching Glen McAuley of Shelbourne during the SSE Airtricity League First Division match between Galway United and Shelbourne at Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
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Supporters watch on from a nearby house during the Allianz Football League Division 1 South Round 3 match between Galway and Dublin at St Jarlath's Park in Tuam, Galway.
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Tadhg Haran of Galway during the M. Donnelly GAA All-Ireland Poc Fada finals at Annaverna Mountain in the Cooley Peninsula, Ravensdale, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
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Jack Kelly of Galway United celebrates with team-mates following their side’s victory during the EA SPORTS National League of Ireland U14 League Final match between Shamrock Rovers and Galway United at Athlone Town Stadium in Athlone, Westmeath. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
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A steward offers to wipe down the seat for Galway hurling manager Henry Shefflin with a tea towel as he arrives for the Galway County Senior Club Hurling Championship semi-final match between Craughwell and Clarinbridge at Kenny Park in Athenry, Galway. Photo by Piaras Mdheach/Sportsfile
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July. Galway Film Fleadh held at Fr Burke Park. Photo courtesy of the Festival
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End of an era — Joe Canning of Galway embraces his family members after his side’s defeat in the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 2 match between Waterford and Galway at Semple Stadium. He announced his retirement from intercounty hurling a few days later. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
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4 July 2021; Galway supporter Des Casey from Ballybane, Galway, left, shelters from the rain before the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Roscommon and Galway at Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
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July. Galway recgoers from left, Anna McQuillan, Victoria Heaney, Sarah Moore, Claudine O'Neill and Nicole Cullen during day two of the Galway Races Summer Festival at Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
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Abaas Adam Edris of Castlegar AC, Galway, competing in the Under 23 Men’s 3km Steeplechase during day two of the Irish Life Health Junior Championships & U23 Specific Events at Morton Stadium in Santry, Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
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July. Leah Susu of Newcastle cooling down at Salthill. Photo:- Mike Shaughnessy
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Isabelle Fitzpatrick of Galway WFC in action against Lana Mitchell of Bohemians during the EA SPORTS Women’s National U17 League match between Bohemians and Galway WFC at Oscar Traynor Centre in Dublin. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
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July. Composer / performer Anna Mullarkey at Salthill to mark the opening of Galway International Arts Festival 2021 bookings. Anna took part in the Other Voices concerts from St Nicholas' Church on September3rd. Photo:- Mike Shaughnessy
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Sarah Dervan of Galway in action against Amy O’Connor of Cork during the Littlewoods Ireland National Camogie League Division 1 Semi-Final match between Cork and Galway at Nowlan Park in Kilkenny. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
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Johnny Heaney of Galway keeps the ball in play under pressure from Bryan Walsh of Mayo during the Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship Final match between Galway and Mayo at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
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August. The ordination of Rev John Gerard Acton from Moycullen to the priesthood at Galway Cathedral Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven & St Nicholas. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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August. Olympic bronze medal winner Fiona Murtagh returned home to Galway to a hero’s welcome. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy
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August. Bus Eireann are proud sponsors of this years Galway Pride Week Bród na Gaillimhe.Pictured at Galway Bus Station were .driver Conor McDermott with locak drag artists Annie Naggins and Devon Diva. Photo:- Mike Shaughnessy
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Ireland rowers, from left, Aifric Keogh, Eimear Lambe, Fiona Murtagh and Emily Hegarty celebrate on the podium with their bronze medals after finishing 3rd place in the Women’s Four final at the Sea Forest Waterway during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
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September. Galway celebrating its victory in the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Final. Photo by Sportsfile
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October. The beginning of the end. Demolition of the former Great Southern Hotel on the Dublin Road is taking place this week. The task is being undertaken by Frank Higgins Ltd of Ardrahan. Photo:- Mike Shaughnessy
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November. The Red Rebel Brigade at the COP26 Coalition Galway rally for climate justice at Spanish Parade. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy
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12 December 2021; Eoghan Masterson of Connacht scores his side's fourth try despite the efforts of Nicolas Sanchez of Stade Francais during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool B match between Connacht and Stade Francais Paris at Sportsground in Galway. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
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December. Alison, Anne and Rebecca pictured after they completed their Brave The Cold swim for COPE Galway.
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December. Sive O'Gorman, Ronnie O'Gorman, Prof Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh guest speaker, Maureen Kenny and Tom Kenny at the launch in Kenny's Bookshop on Saturday of The Old Galway Diary a collection of columns by Ronnie O'gorman and Tom Kenny in The Galway Advertiser Newspaper. Proceeds from the sale of the book go to Galway Simon Community. Photo:- Mike Shaughnessy
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December. May Gibsey at her home on the Galway Road Tuam which she turns into a winter wonderland every Christmas to raise money for charity. May switched on her spectacular light show on Saturday to raise money for Croi. Photo:- Mike Shaughnessy
