Over the next few weeks, Galway will one again thankfully feel the rush of fresh blood through its veins when thousands of students come here for an experience that one hopes will be a positive one, and will help them forge a link with this city that they will hold for the rest of their lives.
After the few years we have had, we are glad to welcome them all back fully and to look forward to them using the city as a base to learn about life and about their chosen subjects in the third level colleges.
I hope that the experience of living in Galway will be a fulfilling one, but already there are issues surrounding the paucity of accommodation suitable for their needs. If we are to be truly serious about being a centre of education, then we have to be able to meet every essential need, whether it be home or health.
I hope too that they will feel safe in our city and I trust that the authorities are doing their utmost to achieve this. Students and young people contribute to the nighttime economy of this city, but every week, I receive calls and letters about the shortcomings of our night-time transport services.
The absence of late late bus services is forcing people to walk home in the early hours — and this is not conducive to their optimum safety. Each week, we have reports of late night assaults and skirmishes. One hopes that the bodies responsible for the regulation and development of our night-time economy could look at ways of changing this; of ensuring that health and safety of the customers of the city is ensured.
As I mentioned, I hope that all newcomers to Galway have a positive experience and connection to the city for all their lives — at the other end of the scale, moves are afoot to enhance the experience of Galway for the older adults.
Next Monday morning (September 5 ) from 10-30am to 2pm, well-loved author Michael Harding will attend as guest speaker at an event in the Menlo Park Hotel, to which all older adults in Galway city are invited.
The event, a collaboration between Galway City Council and Galway City Partnership, will be a chance for older people in the city to find out about Older People’s Councils (also known as OPCs ) and how to get involved in a new OPC for Galway city.
OPCs provide a means by which older adults can take a more active role in their communities and have their voices heard. While the Galway County OPC is now well established, Galway City looks forward to establishing its own OPC this September.
The Open Event on Monday in the Menlo Park Hotel will be a chance for people to express interest in the new OPC and to encourage a wide variety of representatives to join.
Only by discourse and pressure can we mould the type of city in which we want to live. A place that is welcoming to all, but hospitable to all ages and abilities.
To all those students who are getting their results this week, I wish them well wherever they are heading. If they are coming to us here in Galway, they will begin a lifelong romance with the place.
Along with those of us who have been here for eons, let us all enhance the place we love.
