Higgins welcomes first Polish-Irish festival as Galway’s 7,500 Poles get ready to party

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

The first ever Polish-Irish festival which kicks off this weekend is coming to Galway and has been welcomed by senator Lorraine Higgins who has hailed it as an important acknowledgment of the role that Polish people play in Irish life.

Cathedral priest sees the shameful reality of Ethiopian poverty

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Hunger and malnutrition in a world of plenty is an unacceptable and shameful reality of the 21st century. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to have seen first-hand Trócaire’s work on our behalf in Ethiopia. It is important to be able to report back not only on the problems facing people there but the difference donations from people here at home are making.”

Second ‘Speak Out’ for European Capital of Culture bid at Galway Arts Centre tonight

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

A public engagement campaign is underway as Galway bids to win the European Capital of Culture 2020 designation. Following the success of the first ‘Speak Out’ held recently, a second event will take place in Galway Arts Centre, Lower Dominick Street tonight Thursday March 19. These ‘Speak Out’ events are part of a comprehensive public engagement programme taking place throughout Galway city and county over the coming months.

New chairperson for hospitals’ patient council

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Well-known patient advocate Neil Johnson has been elected as the first chairperson of the recently formed patient council for Saolta University Health Care Group.

The group includes the following hospitals: University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital; Sligo Regional Hospital; Letterkenny General Hospital; Mayo General Hospital; Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe; and Roscommon Hospital.

Galway clubs should apply now for Sports Capital Programme – Kyne

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Galway clubs should apply now for Sports Capital funding, according to Fine Gael Galway West TD, Sean Kyne who was speaking after confirmation from the Minister for Sport, Michael Ring TD, that an extra €40 million has been secured for Sports Capital Programme in 2015.

Art to be projected onto city centre buildings under Year of Light

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Children will have the chance to have their art projected onto walls in Galway city centre locations and app enthusiasts will get access to new apps under the designation by the UN of 2015 as the International Year of Light.

Sign up for Saturday’s PREDA 5k Run for Freedom at Ballybrit

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

If you have the freedom to run, why not run for freedom? And do it around the historic track at Ballybrit, helping PREDA in the process. Do good and feel good by supporting PREDA, the Philippines based children's charity which strives to free children from adult prisons and rescue them from exploitation.

Auction in WB Yeats’ tower to raise funds for restoration

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

A 40 per cent cut in funding to the arts has meant that a local committee in Galway is going it alone to restore WB Yeats’s home in Gort. The Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society has launched a call for funds in Ireland and abroad to restore Thoor Ballylee, a fine 14th century tower owned by Yeats.

Gort gears up for Yeats-themed parade this weekend

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Gort will play host to a WB Yeats-themed parade this weekend as part of a week of festivities to mark St Patrick’s Day.

More men than women diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, Athenry event told

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

A greater number of men are diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a condition which affects several thousand people in Ireland, according to a senior clinical psychologist who addressed a presentation on the subject in Athenry recently.

Outback Jacks free Camino De Santiago information evening

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Outback Jacks outdoor gear and active wear store in Ballybane is hosting a free information evening on the Camino de Santiago on Thursday March 19 from 7.30pm.

Into The West Adventures owner Mark Reynolds will be introducing the history of the Camino de Santiago, Way of St James, focusing on the most popular section the last 100kms from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela.

Another Regan enters The White House — Galway-based photographer’s work is cousin’s gift to Obama

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Galway-based bespoke fine art equine photographer Martina Regan’s specially commissioned portrait of a leading horse and jockey headed stateside and was presented to President Obama on St Patricks Day in the White House by Henry Healy (Obama’s eighth cousin from Moneygall, Co Offaly).

Corofin has shown what small villages can do

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

There was a great sort of contentment on Tuesday when for the last few minutes of a football match, we could actually sit back knowing that barring an earthquake, our team was going to win. We all hail from various areas where such luxuries are rare. Even if our team is in the habit of winning, it does so at the expense of your senses, and has your heart bouncing up and down with such palpitations, that you would need to have Croi on speed-dial on your phone.

Open day at Athenry College of Further Education

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Athenry Vocational School has been to the forefront in the provision of further education courses since the inception of the concept of lifelong learning and has had tremendous success with students obtaining a qualification which has led to employment opportunities and access to third level courses using the alternative CAO route.

To keep in line with the changing economic climate new courses are continually being developed which are accredited by FETAC.

Galway Study Centre Easter revision courses

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

The Galway Study Centre will offer two weeks of intensive revision during the Easter holiday period. Leaving Cert revision will take place during the first week of the holidays, from Monday March 31 to Saturday April 4, while the Junior Cert classes will be held from Tuesday April 7 to Saturday April 11. In addition, during the second week, a strictly supervised study programme will be available to Leaving Cert students.

Project Maths academy at Yeats College

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Yeats College’s highly qualified, professional, and passionate teaching staff deliver successful strategies for maximum achievement at Leaving Certificate level. The introduction of Project Maths is a welcome addition to a contemporary maths syllabus.

Management CPC course can help save €15,000 through Diesel Rebate Scheme

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Galway transport training company Burke CPC has advised local companies with their own truck fleets to consider completing the management CPC course. This will enable these businesses to avail of the recently introduced Diesel Rebate Scheme, which provides refunds to companies who have used diesel with qualifying vehicles in the course of their business.

Bodhran courses in the city centre

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Most households around the country have an old bodhran lying around in a closet somewhere or hanging on a wall. But most people do not know how to play it. That is all about to change with the Funky Drums bodhran courses running in the Bal Bar, Salthill, beginning in the last week of March.

A language centre with a difference

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Since 1976, families around the globe have been choosing Midland Language Centre to develop the language skills of their children in a wonderfully welcoming environment.

The difference with MLC’s programmes is that students do not attend language classes during the day, they are there as individuals to immerse themselves in the English language and Irish way of life for the duration of their stay, and are more like an extra member of the family than a lodger.

Smart phone users need to be prudent, says Phone Doc

Thu, Mar 19, 2015

Phone Doc, specialists in mobile phone repairs and accessories, says more smart phone users are getting caught by exceeding their allocated data plan.

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