Frank Byrnes Autobody Repairs up for national honours

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

Galway’s Frank Byrnes Autobody Repairs, based in Oranmore, features in the top three autobody shops nationally, following the announcement in Dublin this week, of the finalists in the (SIMI) The Society of Irish Motor Industry Awards 2017 which are sponsored by Bank of Ireland Finance. Having a great track record, the Oranmore business is a previous winner of this competition in 2012 and 2014, and features annually in the top three shortlist. Last year, Byrnes was awarded the ‘SIMI Outstanding Achievement’ for his involvement in organising ‘Climb4Cancer’ with industry colleagues and raised €63,000 for The Irish Cancer Society. Frank Byrnes Autobody Repairs was established in 2003 and provides specialist accident and crash repairs on all types of vehicles using innovative techniques including the latest technologies to get the job completed. All work comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Irish Wheelchair Association Table Quiz

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

The Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) will be hosting a fundraising Table Quiz in Flannery’s Hotel on Wednesday February 22 at 8pm. Organisers would really appreciate your support and all are welcome. No bookings are required, the entry fee for a table of 4 will be €40 and there will be spot prizes and a raffle on the night.

Galway’s housing needs can afford ‘no more delays’ on Ardaun Local Area Plan says Walsh

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

With the housing waiting list now close to 5,000 families, Galway can no longer afford any more delays on the preparation of the Ardaun Local Area Plan, which could lead to “the development of hundreds of new homes in the east of the city”.

This is the view of Fine Gael Galway City East councillor John Walsh, who is calling for “urgent action” on the plan, which he described as “the only show in town at present” in terms of delivering any meaningful level of housing.

‘Happiness is possible’, says psychotherapist who survived decade of childhood abuse

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

Kenneth Barrett first contemplated taking his life when he was eight years of age. When he was 11, he tried to hang himself from a tree near his home in Loughrea. Other suicide attempts followed, including an attempt to drown himself.

NUI Galway awarded grant for research into Huntington’s Disease

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

Professor Robert Lahue of the Centre for Chromosome Biology and the Galway Neuroscience Centre at NUI Galway, has received a newly launched research grant to provide new science findings that will underpin his research on identifying potential treatments for Huntington’s disease.

Outback Jacks launch corporate wear clothing and embroidery service

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

Outback Jacks the outdoor clothing specialist known for leading outdoor brands for people who need warm, waterproof and breathable clothing, have just launched a new corporate wear supply and embroidery service.

Galway Chinese community to celebrate Year of the Rooster

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

The Irish Chinese Society Galway will celebrate the Year of the Rooster this weekend by hosting the Chinese New Year Gala 2017 in aid of Cancer Care West. This event will be held on Sunday, February 19 at 12-4 pm at The g Hotel Galway.

The local Chinese community wants to share the joy of the upcoming Spring Festival with their Irish friends and local communities, and also want to raise funds for Cancer Care West. The Spring Festival, which is commonly celebrated by all Chinese across the world, is the most important traditional festivity of the Chinese community. Over the years, the Spring Festival celebration in Galway has gradually been integrated into the local mainstream culture and becomes one of the most celebrated events in Galway.

Community garden to become social, health, environmental and learning hub

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

After the winter break, the Ballinfoile Mór Community Garden will reopen this Saturday (February 18) at 11am.

Gort psychotherapist bringing hope to forgotten prisoners

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

Togo is a small country about the size of Ireland. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and has been ruled by the same family for almost 50 years. The justice system is severely under-resourced and the prison system a direct reflection of that. The Central Prison of Lome was built for 600 people. It currently holds over 2,000. Each cell, roughly the size of your average Irish kitchen, holds about 80 people. To sleep only some prisoners get to lie down, side by side like in a sardine can. For this privilege you pay. The rest have to sit around the edge of the room or stand. There is one toilet and shower (ie bucket) per cell. Prisoners are served one meal a day. On average prisoners wait 3-4 years to receive their sentence. Legal representation is mostly absent. Aggression, violence, rape, abuse, bullying and intimidation are the norm. One man described inside as being like a war zone.

Low self esteem makes women more vulnerable to abusive relationships

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

Low self esteem and a lack of information are important indicators of vulnerability to abuse in relationships, according to the latest research on the subject.

A local study reveals that women who have experienced domestic violence say that receiving information on dating abuse as teenagers could have helped them to recognise the early signs of an abusive relationship.

Ó Clochartaigh demands investigation over alleged Affordable Social Housing Scheme ‘irregularities’

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

Housing Minister Simon Coveney is being asked to investigate allegations of abuses of the Affordable Social Housing scheme.

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Thu, Feb 16, 2017

Gardai warn against bogus callers
Gardai would like to make people aware that there have been several incidents recently of a person calling to houses impersonating a member of An Garda Siochana.

Emily Anderson Concert Hall to be named at ceremony next week

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

A ceremony to mark the official naming of the Emily Anderson Concert Hall will take place in the Aula Maxima Upper at NUI Galway on Thursday, 23 February 2017. Emily Anderson was NUI Galway’s first Professor of German and to this day is internationally recognised for her achievements in translating the letters of Mozart and Beethoven into English and in so doing offering invaluable insights into their work. She is also distinguished for her intelligence work with the British Government during World War II.

Professor Anne Scott, Vice President for Equality and Diversity at NUI Galway said in advance of the ceremony that the college is delighted to honour Emily Anderson, one of its most eminent female alumni, in this visible and tangible way.

Greenway group hopes to progress project

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

Galway Greenway Group is a consortium of business owners, hoteliers, landowners, families, and individuals who want to see the completion of the Connemara Greenway from Galway City to Clifden. The project has been dogged by objections in the last few years and the discussion up to now has been increasingly negative for various reasons.

City rugby sides continue to struggle

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

There was no luck for Galway's Ulster Bank League rugby teams at the weekend, with Galwegians pipped by Ballymena 14-13, and Corinthians falling to Nenagh 34-18.

In division 1B Galwegians suffered yet another frustrating defeat when for the second time this season they lost out to old rivals Ballymena by a solitary point.

Galway basketball teams face crucial league fixtures

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

With the clock ticking down to the end of the regular season, the pressure is now on Galway basketball teams to try to move up their respective league tables.

City council supports staffless libraries on trial basis

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

The Galway City Council has recommended the introduction of the new ‘Open Library’ system on a trial basis in the city’s libraries.

Free information evening on sexual health for LGBT+ community

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

A free information evening on sexual health will take place in the Teach Solais LGBT+ Resource Centre, on Merchants Road, and is open to all members of the LGBT+ community, family, and friends.

Galway to welcome home Altantic rowing hero Gavan this weekend

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

Galway will officially welcome home world recorder holder for a solo Atlantic row Gavan Hennigan, this Sunday at the Salthill Hotel from 12 noon to 2pm.

Gossip played a role in the week’s revelations

Thu, Feb 16, 2017

Gossip is what no one claims to like, but everybody enjoys. It is the lifeblood of every conversation. There is nothing juicier than the prospect of being told gossip that you can then trade for some more at a later stage. Gossip is the unedited bit of conversation.

Condemn gossip all you like, but there are few of us who would turn away from it, who would refuse to listen. There is a national appetite for hearing the scéal about yer man and all the money he stole and how what really happened was that his wife ran off with his brother and sure where would they leave it, and wasn’t the father as bad as them, hop up on anything passing so he would, sure isn’ that why he lost the job below, for taking the money, and then the drinking and the (makes a snort impression), the drugs like, sure they say he was high most of the time.

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