Stewart Construction shortlisted for Irish Construction Excellence Awards

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Stewart Construction, Salthill, Galway has been named as a finalist for The Irish Construction Excellence Awards (ICE Awards) for their stunning Central Plaza project in Dublin.

The Irish Construction Excellence Awards (ICE Awards) provide an opportunity for the industry to showcase and reward best practice across the full range of construction disciplines and project categories. Stewart has been shortlisted under 2 categories – Commercial - over €60m and Fit Out or Refurbishment – over €30m.

Galway hoteliers deeply concerned at prospect of €400m VAT increase

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Galway hoteliers have expressed deep concern about the effect of a potential €400m increase in VAT on Irish consumers and overseas visitors.

Proposed new school building projects progressing

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Progress is being made with the proposed new National Schools Building Project for Tuam.

Blackrock Health Galway Clinic receives major accreditation for sixth time

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Blackrock Health Galway Clinic has received Joint Commission International Accreditation for the sixth time. The hospital underwent a rigorous on-site survey earlier this month being assessed on the 7th Edition of the Joint Commission International standards.

MADRA to use ‘precious’ €30,000 grant to spay female dogs in Galway

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Connemara-based dog rescue and adoption service MADRA has announced details of a scheme to encourage Galway-based dog owners to act responsibly by spaying their female dogs. The charity has pledged almost €30,000 in funding towards the initiative.

Portiuncula University Hospital launch app to help children get used to hospital

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Portiuncula University Hospital has launched the ‘Little Journey’ virtual reality app to help children between the ages of 3 and 12, to prepare for surgery and allay their anxiety in advance of their hospital stay.

The ‘Little Journey’ app provides 360 degree views of all the areas the children will visit at the hospital as well as useful information about anaesthesiology tailored to the age of the child.

A myth that we need ring road in order to provide better public transport

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Public transport in Galway needs a boost – much of our transport planning is based on huge infrastructure which is both expensive and time consuming to deliver. We need some long term vision, but in the short term we need to make improvements in what we have.

Programme for Government commitment to Galway Ring Road will be honoured - Naughton

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

The Galway Ring Road is a project that, if planning is granted, will be funded by Government. I was one of the negotiating team that formulated the Programme for Government and I worked to secure the Government’s commitment to progressing and delivering this critical piece of strategic infrastructure for Galway.

Return of train food coming down the tracks, says Ollie Crowe

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

The much bemoaned absence of catering on trains between Galway and Dublin will soon be no more, following the confirmation that Iarnród Éireann are to phase the service back in from next month.

Taoiseach assures Grealish of Government funding if ring road gets go-ahead

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has assured Galway West TD Noel Grealish that if the city’s ring road gets the go-ahead from An Bord Pleanála, it will be funded by Government.

O’ Flaherty gets toilets open in Ballyloughane at weekends

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Cllr Terry O’Flaherty has welcomed the unanimous support of her fellow members of Galway City Council for her motion at this week’s City Council meeting demanding that the toilets at Ballyloughane Beach be kept open at weekends.

School Transport Scheme review must be published urgently for parents and schools to plan ahead, says Cannon

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

The review of the School Transport Scheme and its recommendations must be published urgently so that parents and school managers can plan ahead for September 2023, according to Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon.

Headford raffle to raise funds to save Indian girls from exploitation

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

St Marys Church Headford/Claran in collaboration with Talitha Cumi Unnathi (little girl arise), India, is hosting a raffle to help raise funds for the work being done by the organisation.

Not having penalty clause is handing contractor blank cheque, City Council meeting told

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Not having a penalty clause in contracts is like handing a blank cheque to the contractors, Cllr Alan Cheevers told this week’s meeting of Galway City Council, when he requested a full financial breakdown on money spent on the Martin Junction Construction to date.

Cyclists protest at City Council meeting to mark anniversary of Salthill cycleway vote

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

The first anniversary of the vote to cancel the trial Salthill cycleway was marked at the Ardilaun Hotel this week when a protest was held at the meeeting of Galway City Council.

Report finds University of Galway sixth most expensive in EU due to cost of living

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

University of Galway is the sixth most expensive in the EU for international students, according to a new report.

The Credit Summit list of the best (but least affordable) universities examined a range of factors including accommodation costs, college fees, loan availability, and other factors such as average rent and food costs to rank universities across the EU in terms of affordability for international students.

Worrying trend as 400 knife crimes reported in Galway since 2016

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Statistics show that nearly 400 knife crimes have been reported to the Gardaí in the Galway Division since 2016. These statistics, which were obtained by Aontú, show that in a seven year period nearly 60 occurrences of knife crime were reported in Galway per year with some 13,000 knives seized by Gardaí nationwide during the same period.

Overcoming trauma of childhood cancer diagnosis

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

A Galway based senior clinical psychologist will speak next month at a west of Ireland workshop aimed at helping parents overcome the trauma of a childhood cancer diagnosis.

Mayor ‘demoralised’ by ‘ridiculous’ planning refusals

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Galway City Council may soon have to make hard decisions and look at increasing the heights of buildings in order to facilitate the growth and housing need of the city, this week’s meeting was told at The Ardilaun Hotel.

New National Social Enterprise consultation planned for Tuam

Thu, Feb 16, 2023

Irish Rural Link, the national network representing the interest of rural communities will host a Regional Stakeholder Consultation in the Ard Rí Hotel Tuam Co Galway on Thursday next February 23 from 9.30am-1.00pm.

The first National Social Enterprise Policy was published in July 2019 covering the period 2019-2022. This represented a watershed moment for social enterprise in Ireland. Long awaited, it was the first Government policy in the history of the State aimed at developing and realising the incredible economic, social and environmental potential of social enterprise. Not long after publication Covid-19 presented an unprecedented challenge.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.