Ambitious cultural plans outlined for Galway by McGrath

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

The chief executive of the Galway City Council, Brendan McGrath, will be “canonised” if he manages to implement all his plans to improve the city’s cultural offering.

Oral hearing under way into proposed harbour redevelopment

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

An oral hearing in the city this week into plans for a €126 million expansion of Galway Harbour has heard that the development would greatly assist the economic growth of the city.

French community moved by Galway’s solidarity after Charlie Hebdo killings

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

The French community in Galway has been moved by the expressions of solidarity it has received from Galwegians over the last number of days, following the Charlie Hebdo killings which left 17 people dead.

Galway Imam appeals for ‘patience and tolerance’ in wake of Muhammad cartoons

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

The Muslim community has the right to respond to cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, but must do so “through the pen and through the voice”, and never through violence, a leading Galway Imam stated this week.

Council looking at alternative routes for Galway city outer bypass

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

Revised plans for the controversial Galway city outer bypass are being drawn up and Galway City Council is examining a number of potential routes for the road.

The city council is the lead authority in developing a new planning application for the €300 million project. There will now be a consultation phase with the public and affected landowners and the amended plans are expected to be ready for submission to An Bord Pleanála by the second half of this year.

Well known GAA official dies in city crash

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

A well known local GAA official died in a single vehicle crash on Tuesday night. The incident occurred at around 10pm on Tuesday when the man’s 4X4 vehicle crashed into a wall at Liosban Industrial Estate.

Appeal for information on missing man

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

Searches are under way in the city this week for a young man who has been missing for the past 10 days.

Temporary closure of UHG beds to pile further pressure on struggling ED

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

A clear contingency plan must be in place before 19 acute beds are temporarily closed at University Hospital Galway next month to facilitate the building of a 75 bed extension to the west’s biggest hospital.

Council chief executive says more money must be generated by Leisureland

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

A Galway city councillor has accused city officials of “giving the two fingers” to elected representatives, following the increase in price for users of Leisureland.

Walsh demands immediate action on hotel site

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

“A blight on the local landscape” and a haven for criminal activity and anti-social behaviour that need to be tackled and dealt with immediately.

Public must be consulted over return of flights to Carnmore, says Charity

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

Consulting the public, the business community, and employers will be the only reliable guide to potential future uses of Galway Airport and to ensuring that aviation services on the site are protected.

Families are avoiding visiting GPs because of cost, claims TD

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

Cash strapped young families are delaying or avoiding visiting their GP because of the cost involved, a local politician claimed this week.

Labour TD Derek Nolan insists there is an urgent need for progress to be made on the roll-out of free GP care for under sixes.

Who was William Wilde?

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

An illustrated talk about the life of Sir William Wilde, father of Oscar Wilde, will be hosted by the Cong Moytura Heritage Society on January 21.

Je suis Galway, Je suis Connacht

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

On Sunday Connacht Rugby will host English premiership side Exeter in their final European pool fixture this season - another massive task for the Irish province against a side favoured to win the tournament overall. However if Connacht have proved anything this year - despite a hiccup last weekend - is that they possess an x-factor, particularly at home. That x-factor is neither a Robbie Henshaw nor a Mils Muliaina - though they do make a massive contribution - but a philosophy coach Pat Lam has been developing - it is what he calls the Connacht "culture".

Emergency department overcrowding woes set to continue for weeks

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

The overcrowding crisis at public hospital emergency departments is set to continue for several more weeks due to the seasonal surge in demand for services.

The HSE West predicted this week that local hospitals, such as University Hospital Galway and Portiuncula in Ballinasloe, will continue to be under pressure in the weeks ahead.

2015 - it ain't going to be a dull year

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

With the festive period now over, politicians have turned their thoughts to the year ahead and in one respect the mood across the parties is the same – we are now in an election year.

Galway projects short-listed in four categories of LAMA Community and Council Awards

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Baboró children’s arts festival is among the finalists for the 2015 LAMA Community and Council Awards. The Local Authority Members Association represents elected councillors nation-wide and the awards celebrate communities, schools, and councils working together. The accolades have expanded annually reflecting ongoing changes in society and have grown in popularity since their inception in 2006.

In total, four projects in Galway have made the awards shortlist this year. Baboró is in the running to be named Local Festival/Event of the year while Westside based St Michael’s GAA club has been shortlisted in the Local Sports Club of the Year category. The Galway Online Video Bank of Tourist Attractions is in the running for Best Tourism Initiative and Galway man Vincent Lyons is a contender for Community Volunteer of the Year.

Grealish ‘interested’ but not yet convinced by Shane Ross’s alliance

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Noel Grealish is reluctant to join any new alliance of Independent centrist TDs, currently being touted by deputies Finian McGrath and Shane Ross, until there is a plan in place and definite ideas on what such an alliance stands for.

Connaughton demands PAC ask questions over rent being paid for empty building

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Moves are under way to have the Galway Roscommon Education Training Board and the Department of Education publicly explain why the GRETB is paying rent on an empty building in Galway city.

Fine Gael Galway East TD Paul Connaughton will be writing to the chair of the Public Accounts Committee John McGuinness, to demand that both the Department and the GRETB appear before the committee to answer questions about the vacant building.

Jigsaw Galway launching outreach programmes to target youth in rural areas

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Ireland has one of the highest suicide rates in Europe among teenagers and young adults — in a week where rural Galway witnessed yet another high profile death by suicide, following the passing of a young GAA player in the county, it is more important than ever that people reach out and avail of services at their disposal. Mental health does not discriminate and anybody’s mother, father, brother, sister, daughter, or son can be affected.

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