Councillors extremely frustrated at ‘regressive’ rates system

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

A debate on commercial rates at this week’s meeting of Galway County Council led one exasperated councillor to remark that there would not be a rural pub left in Galway in a few years time if the system was not changed. The method of collecting rates was labelled as ‘outdated and antiquated’ where the amounts paid were in no way related to business income.

New traffic lights for Ballybane Road

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

Work has begun on the installation of new traffic lights on the Ballybane Road, but the Galway City Council has been criticised for not installing a safe crossing sooner.

Force of nature heading up the French community in Galway

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

If you had told Catherine Gagneux when she arrived in Galway 20 years ago that she would now be working as an honorary consul to the French Ambassador in Ireland, she would have laughed heartily at the idea. Because, similar to the majority, Ms Gagneux knew nothing about diplomatic relations and did not have any family ties to anybody working in this field. And that is why her story is all the more remarkable.

Councillors welcome Apple announcement

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

Monday’s meeting of Galway County Council meeting began on an extremely positive note with councillors clamouring to be associated with Apple’s announcement that it was constructing a new data centre in Athenry. Special mention was given to local area councillor Peter Feeney who was singled out by a number of representatives for doing trojan work to attract industry to the locality.

What we know about Apple’s plans for the Athenry data centre

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

The new €850 million Apple data centre announced for Athenry this week will be one of the most advanced of its kind developed by the company to date.

Educate Together primary school to open in Tuam in September

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

A new multidenominational co-educational primary school will open in Tuam in September.

The Educate Together facility will be one of three new national schools to open this year. The others are in Castlebar, Co Mayo, and New Ross, Co Wexford.

Remembering babies who have died

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

A service of remembrance for babies who died around the time of birth will take place on Sunday at 3pm at the Church of the Holy Family, Mervue.

The event is being organised by Feileacain (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland).

Eight gold medals for GMIT students at Catex 2015

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

Students in GMIT’s College of Tourism & Arts have once again swept the awards board at Catex 2015, one of the biggest national culinary competitions and networking events in the Irish food service industry.

Two Galway rivers show less than good compliance in new water standard survey

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

Waters in Clarinbridgge and Kilcolgan rivers were one of three in the west that have displayed less than good compliance with water quality standards.

Public talk tonight on writing about the environment

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

Author and lecturer Paddy Woodworth is to give a guest talk titled Writing Restoration: A Global Journey to the Cutting Edge of Conservation Science and Practice at NUI Galway tonight.

Tips aplenty at annual Cheltenham preview night

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

Galway is gearing up for the Cheltenham Festival with its annual preview night in aid of charity.

Ahead of the four day festival, John Mulholland Bookmakers, the Racing Post, and NUIG Horse Racing Society are hosting the annual Cheltenham Preview Night on the Monday March 2 in the Salthill Hotel, Galway.

Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2015 nominees announced

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

Gaillimh le Gaeilge, the organisers of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, in association with the Galway Advertiser and with support from the IrishTimes and the Galway Chamber has announcde this year’s nominees for Gradam 2015.

Glitzy Pearl Gala Ball to celebrate 30 years of Croi

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

Croi, the heart and stroke charity will celebrate 30 years of service and leadership in the fight against heart disease and stroke in the west of Ireland on Friday March 27 with a Gala Pearl Ball in the Radisson Blu Hotel Galway.

The Connemara Coast Hotel listed in McKennas’ Guide for seventh successive year

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

The Connemara Coast Hotel has been listed in the McKennas’ Guide for the seventh consecutive year. The Guides written by John and Sally McKenna have acquired a reputation as the most original and imitated guidebooks to Ireland.

Electric Galway - the Soft Launch this weekend

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

Over the past three years, Electric on Abbeygate Street has become one of Galway’s leading venues, playing host to an array of exciting and influential figures in techno and house music, while also being home to clubnights such as Bap To The Future.

Hopes that problems at Kilconnell landfill will be resolved permanently

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

A controversial landfill site located between Loughrea and Ballinasloe is to be re-opened by the Galway County Council - but only so it can be closed permanently in future.

Invisalign clearbraces — the choice of champions

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

If the thought of metal braces fill you with dread, then invisalign clearbraces could be the perfect solution for you.

Tales of Finn mac Cumaill to be inked to places of exceptional natural resources in city lecture

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

Places associated with Finn mac Cumaill in the Fenian cycle of tales and named after him and his warrior band have an historical reality as important boundary points, hunting grounds and areas of mineral enrichment in medieval and prehistoric times. This concept will be explored further in a public lecture on 5 March by NUI Galway archaeologist, Professor Elizabeth FitzPatrick.Finn mac Cumaill (Finn McCool) and his fían or warrior band are central figures in the literature and oral tradition of Gaelic-speaking peoples of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.

Tales of Finn reveal that he lives in a strange boundary place, a wilderness at the margins of territories. An examination of places associated with him in the real landscape show that they occur where different rock types meet and where mineral and metal ores are usually found. Red deer frequented such places to obtain their essential mineral licks and so they became important hunting grounds in the past. “These place names are much more important than instances of the survival of Finn folklore. They indicate areas of enriched natural resources and physical boundaries in the landscape,” explains Professor Elizabeth FitzPatrick.

Documentary screening for Education is Not a Crime campaign

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

Galway will take part in the global day of action for the Education Is Not A Crime campaign by screening the documentary To Light A Candle tomorrow at 7.30pm in the Salthill Hotel.

Art exhibition in UHG

Thu, Feb 26, 2015

CONSTRUCTING NARRATIVE, a new exhibition of drawings by Eleanor Brennan is running in the UHG Arts Corridor until Thursday March 12.

Brennan creates drawings mainly of trees, roots, children, animals, and birds, often set in dreamlike landscapes. “I am drawn to work which is unfinished in appearance and feel,” she says. “This mirrors the transitory nature of feelings and thoughts and references an unfixed sense of self.”

E-paper

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