Sign up for the 2010 St Patrick’s Day Parade

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

The St Patrick’s Day celebrations will start early in 2010 as the organisers have created a programme of events in the run up to the big day.

For those wishing to take part in this year’s parade on March 17, registration is now open.

Rith 2010 to see hundreds running to Galway

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Rith 2010, an innovative way to promote the Irish language through a 1,600 km relay-run, will begin in Belfast on March 9 and finish in Galway city on St Patrick’s Day.

Valentine’s Ball to raise funds for breast cancer research

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

The National Breast Cancer Research Institute’s Valentine’s Ball which takes place on Saturday February 13 will raise vital funds for the locally based charity.

Survey finds Galway has numerous ‘ghost estates

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Galway county has some of the highest numbers of ‘ghost estates’ in the State according to a new survey which examines the post-Tiger phenomenon of empty and abandoned developments.

The survey was carried out by the National Institute of Regional an Spatial Analysis. Of the 600 ‘ghost estates’ in the Republic, a total of 26 are in Galway - six in the city and 20 in the county.

Bypass ‘won’t happen any time soon’, says Crowe

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

The Galway City Outer Bypass “won’t happen any time soon” and its future is in “serious doubt”, at least in the short to medium term according, to Fianna Fáil councillor Michael J Crowe.

Uptake of swine flu vaccine only fifty per cent in schools

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Only 50 per cent of pupils offered the swine flu vaccine in schools have availed of the jab, according to the HSE West.

Menlo Castle grounds should be made into city’s newest parklands

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

The grounds around the Menlo Castle ruins are regularly used for swimming, picnics, walks, and playing, and should be turned into Galway city’s next official public park.

FG’s Simon Coveney to speak at NUIG

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney will speak about the economy, its future, his party’s new economic stimulus program, at a public meeting in NUI, Galway.

Support your local bands, DJs, and singers for Meteor 2010 awards

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Today is the final day for the public to nominate bands and artists for the Meteor’s Hope For 2010 Awards and there is a host of Galway bands and singers long listed for the prize.

Abolishing NUI a ‘backward step by a backward Government’, says Michael D

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

The abolition of the National University of Ireland has “serious implications” for graduates of its colleges as it places the status of their degrees and awards into question.

This is the view of Galway West TD and Labour party president Michael D Higgins, who has criticised Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe’s plans to abolish the NUI.

Benefit night in Gort for family of much loved Brazilian woman

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

A pre St Valentine’s Day benefit night being held in Gort will feature a disco and light refreshments.

US scientist and sceptic to address NUIG

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

The prominent American scientist, atheist, and sceptic Prof PZ Myers will be speaking in NUI, Galway on the subjects of evolution and science.

NUIG launches Múscailt Festival Programme

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

MÚSCAILT, NUI, Galway’s 10th annual arts festival runs from Monday February 8 to Friday 12 and contains many music, art, performance, and film events for students and the general public to enjoy.

Local fishing industry left ‘high and dry’, says Healy Eames

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

A Galway senator has warned this week that the fishing crisis which is besetting the west of Ireland will do the mackerel industry irreparable damage if the Goverment does not take action soon.

According to Fine Gael senator Fidelma Healy Eames the mackerel fishing industry in the west has been left “high and dry” by a Government that is standing idly by while the sector is critically damaged beyond repair.

Gormley to examine council option of purchasing social housing

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

At a recent meeting of the Galway City Council, City Hall officials proposed to lease 57 empty houses to the Cluid Housing Association for a period of five years.

Calls to St Vincent de Paul continue to soar in New Year

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Calls for help to the St Vincent de Paul Society in the city continue to be up by 30 per cent in the New Year, a situation which its administrator describes as “unusual”.

So you want to be a trad musician?

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

The Community Music Crew will be starting a new trad music class aimed at adults who are taking up a melody instrument and wish to learn tunes, and play with other people.

The class will teach a tune per week, building into sets of tunes commonly played in local sessions. The pace will be slow, and the atmosphere relaxed. There is no need to read music, although sheet music will be available. Participants must bring their own instrument.

The late Ma O’Driscoll kept a close eye on students’ morals

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

The death has taken place earlier this month of Ms Mary ‘Ma’ O’Driscoll, the much loved Lady Dean of Residence at NUIG until her retirement. Her home at Taylor’s Hill, opposite the school, was a great meeting place for female students, who might have wanted nothing more than a cup of tea in a friendly home, or a sympathetic listener to a struggle with exams, a landlord, or boyfriends.

Mervue hero Billy is named top volunteer in annual Mayor’s Awards

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

VETERAN footballer and coach and fundraiser extraordinaire Billy Carr of Mervue was named as the Galway city Volunteer of the Year at the annual Mayor’s Awards which were presented on Tuesday night.

Ennis to Athenry rail link in March

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Iarnród Éireann have announced that the opening of the Ennis to Athenry line, which will also deliver direct Limerick to Galway services, is now scheduled to take place in March.

The original planned opening of the Ennis to Athenry line had been January 9 of this year but it was deferred as a result of the flooding in November. Flooding at Ballycar also forced Iarnród Éireann to close down the Limerick to Ennis rail line but it was reopened this week, which means good news for the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor.

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