Christmas spirit alive and well among Galway Advertiser’s 87,000 Facebook following

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Last Friday morning I was sitting in the newsroom of the Galway Advertiser when I received a phone call from a very distressed lady. The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, had been in town with her elderly mother the previous day. Her mother, who was recently bereaved having lost her husband a month ago, went to the post office to withdraw her Christmas pension payment. The elderly woman lost the money at some stage on Thursday and was understandably extremely upset.

Do you want to feature in the next Jack Taylor series?

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

The cameras filming the latest adventures of Jack Taylor will be back on the streets of Galway inside the next month and the makers are offering interested locals parts in the TV series which has been seen right across the globe.

The series based on the best selling books by local author Ken Bruen has put Galway on the television map and features on international platforms like Netflix, as well as mainland European, UK and Irish TV stations.

Daughter of deceased local woman not informed about her inquest, TD claims

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

An inquest into the death of a Galway woman took place a year after her passing without her next-of-kin being informed, it was claimed this week.

Councillors dismiss proposal for cars to be allowed travel on Seamus Quirke Road bus lane

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

A proposal by Fine Gael councillor Pearce Flannery to try to allievate traffic congestion on the Seamus Quirke Road has failed to get the backing of Galway City Council, despite impassioned pleas from a number of local representatives. Cllr Flannery wanted the National Transport Authority to consider piloting a scheme whereby cars with three or more people could travel on the bus lane on Seamus Quirke Road. He believes this would encourage commuters travelling from the west side of the city to work on the east side to car pool. He has spoken before about the length of time it takes to cross the city at rush hour.

Christmas Services at St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

The Annual Civic Carol Service in St Nicholas’ is on Sunday December 20 at 4.00pm. This is a traditional service of nine lessons. The service will be attended by the Mayor and city councillors as well as Bishop Martin Drennan and representatives of all the main churches in the city. Go along and join in celebrating the Nativity in prayers, readings and carols.

Seventeen admissions cancelled ahead of nurses’ strike at UHG

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Seven inpatient and 10 day case admissions were cancelled at University Hospital Galway as part of the regional hospital’s contingency plan to deal with the nurses’ strike, which was due to have taken place on Tuesday.

Engineer who landed probe on comet to address Galway Astronomy Club

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Just over a year ago the whole world watched as the Rosetta Space Probe successfully landed the Philae lander onto comet 67/P Churyumov–Gerasimenko, marking the first soft-landing ever on such a body.

The magnet of Galway keeps drawing in med tech giants

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Back in the day, there was nothing quite like a jobs announcement to get the blood flowing in a journalist. A jobs announcement meant a call from the hallowed offices of the IDA; a tip off that there was good news in the air; an early morning start to meet a Minister on his/her arrival at said destination; wellies at the ready if it was a greenfield plan; or surgical scrubs and hairnets if it was in one of those new squeaky clean facilities that now dominate our industrial landscape.

A jobs announcement is a boost to a general area in the same way an expensive new midfielder boosts a faltering Premiership squad in mid-winter. Jobs announcements meant good news stories for the papers and media, but also brought encouragement to those who needed jobs, who could at least see potential for a life in their own area. It also acted as a magnet to others to come to an area and to deepen the talent pool in this new location. Galway has one such talent pool — and it is well deepened, into pond or even lake status now. And it is this resource of talent and expertise that is bringing in more and more industries to a place where people really want to live and work. When we calculate the value of initiatives like Galway 2020, we talk of the rich cultural heritage of our area and how we can develop that, but it is also about using this cultural sideshow to attract people who want to partake in this Galway experience.

Council CEO warns that airport must ‘stand on its own two feet’

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

The CEO of Galway County Council Kevin Kelly says it is unlikely that commercial aviation will take place at Carnmore Airport again. Discussions are currently ongoing over the future of the site and the deadline for the extension of the agreement between Galway City and County councils and Carnmore Aviation Limited passed earlier this week.

Local senator launches campaign to ease traffic congestion

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Local senator Fidelma Healy Eames has launched an online campaign which she hopes will help solve Galway’s chronic traffic problem.

Mary Nihill appointed as National Director of Centre for School Leadership

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Clive Byrne, Director of the National Association of School Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) has welcomed the creation of a ‘Centre for School Leadership’ which is to be headed up by Oranmore principal Mary Nihill who has been seconded from her position as Principal of Calasactius School in Oranmore.

Maree lecturer joint winner of GMIT President’s Award

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

GMIT have announced that lecturers Celine Curtin, Department of Film & Documentary, and Maree’s Dr John Healy, Department of Computing and Applied Physics, are joint winners of this year’s GMIT President’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

The two GMIT academics were presented with their awards by GMIT President, Dr Fergal Barry, at the annual conferring ceremonies in the Radisson Hotel in Galway recently.Dr John Healy, from Maree, Oranmore, Co Galway, is a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science & Applied Physics.

Oranmore woman honoured at Shannon Airport for her role in photo of Hollywood star

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

The proud story of Ireland’s most historic airport has been evoked in a special photographic exhibition capturing some of the golden moments and world famous stars who visited Shannon Airport. One of the images features an Oranmore woman with one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood history.

Scoil Mhuire, Oranmore, presented with prestigious Digital Schools of Distinction Award

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

The Digital Schools of Distinction is a flagship programme which aims to promote, recognise, and encourage excellence in the use of technology in primary schools.

Schools that successfully complete the three step programme receive a nationally recognised Digital School of Distinction Award, accredited by the Department of Education. Digital Schools of Distinction also receive free hardware and software and ongoing practical support and resources as part of the community of digital schools in Ireland.

Medtronic announces new high-tech facility in Galway

Mon, Dec 14, 2015

Global medical technology company Medtronic’s has announced it will construct a new manufacturing facility in Galway, that will manufacture the IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon for the treatment of peripheral artery disease.

More flooding devastation for Galway homes and businesses

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

It is certainly not going to be a very happy Christmas for many homeowners and businesspeople in Galway who are yet again suffering the effects of severe flooding around the county following the weekend storm. It is a case of déjá vu for many people who have been in this situation numerous times before. Indeed there has been a campaign on-going since 1995 to have drainage work carried in south Galway, and 20 years later the situation remains the same.

After 2015, an uncertain future awaits the political parties

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

As the festive season approaches it is not only turkeys which are facing an uncertain future; politicians are also of a nervous disposition as they face the verdict of the electorate in the early weeks of the New Year.

Galway Countdown star gets ready to appear in the quarter final next week

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Galway man Liam Moloney is excited about his appearance in the quarter final of Countdown on Channel 4 next week. Mr Moloney is a huge fan of the show and his initial appearances on the programme earlier this year saw him fulfill a lifelong dream.

Teresa Mannion — a global sensation

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

RTEs western reporter Teresa Mannion is coming to terms with turning into a global superstar since her performance on the six o’clock news last Saturday evening. Her theatrics while reporting in wet and windy conditions from the Salthill prom immediately lit up social media and the attention has not abated since.

Galway anti-war group condemns arrest of Mick Wallace

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

The Galway Alliance Against War has issued a statement condemning the arrest and imprisonment of Deputy Mick Wallace. The Independent Wexford TD was arrested at Clontarf Garda Station by appointment yesterday and brought to Limerick Prison.

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