Council urged not to do Irish Water’s ‘dirty work’ of installing meters

Wed, Dec 03, 2014

Galway City Council workers are being called on to down tools and refuse to carry out preparatory work for the installation of water meters on behalf of Irish Water.

Galway designated a UNESCO City of Film

Mon, Dec 01, 2014

Galway has become the only Irish city, and one of only five cities in the world, to be designated a UNESCO City of Film. The winning of the title could also prove “enormously beneficial” to the city’s on-going bid to be named European Capital of Culture 2020.  

Show me the money — Councillors call for maximum benefit from Connemara windfarm

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

A report on the proposed new windfarm which covers a massive 4,000 acres in Connemara was circulated to councillors at the meeting of the Galway County Council this week and revealed that a substantial community fund, potentially worth millions of euro will be generated by the development.

To win in Oranmore, you have to go through Grealish first

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

“The only valid poll is on election day!” is the guff politicians huff and bluster with when the latest round of opinion polls turn out badly for them. Yet fear not reader, Insider can assure you all politicians, regardless of what they say publicly, take opinion poll findings very seriously.

‘I borrow from my surroundings, create fantasy landscapes from my head’

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

He grew up loving outdoor pursuits and the natural world, despite living close to the world’s largest car manufacturing plant. He has lived in Ireland most his life, but his interest in the country was stimulated in part through British Army radio.

Councillors demand that county benefits from Capital of Culture process

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

A presentation on how the designation of Galway as the European Capital of Culture could benefit the county was given to councillors at this week’s local authority meeting. The designation celebrates Europe’s cultural diversity with two member States, Ireland and Croatia, sharing the 2020 title. Galway is currently putting together a bid and the successful bid will be announced in 2016, therefore giving a three year lead up to 2020.

Councillors were staunch in their support of Galway to be successful in its bid, but were adamant that the county must see a substantial benefit from the proposed designation. Council director of services Catherine McConnell gave the presentation which outlined how the city alone would not be able to cope with the increase in tourism if the title comes west, and the county would have a huge supporting role in accommodating visitors. Ms McConnell said it was essential to showcase the best of what Galway has to offer on an International stage and the county must be fully committed to the bid from the outset. She cited staff, elected members, the arts and cultural sector, the HSE, schools, and every community in the county as having a vital role to play in the bidding process. The benefits to being awarded the title were outlined, and they included major economic and cultural development, greater recognition of ‘brand’ Galway, a lasting legacy, community empowerment and social engagement, along with town regeneration possibilities. Cork, Derry, and Liverpool were given as recent examples of transformational change as a result of being awarded ECOC status. Catherine McConnell said the model of The Gathering would be looked at as a way to get communities involved in the process, she also emphasised that it was a capital of culture not a city of culture.

Cubbard urges City Hall not to hand over tenants information to Irish Water

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Irish Water has no right to any information held by the Galway City Council on its tenants and must not hand over any information on them to the controversial and mistrusted quango.

Councillors say the Galway County Council should not collect Irish Water debts

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

There was consternation among some councillors at this weeks meeting of the Galway County Council over reports that local authorities will be forced to collect debts on behalf of Irish Water.

Tuam district councillor Shaun Cunniffe claimed that a briefing document available online sets out that councils will be asked to collect unpaid water charges from council tenants on behalf of the utility company. A statement by Irish Water which is outlined below has since confirmed that this will indeed be the case. Councillor Cunniffe proposed and passed a motion to object to this practice which he labelled as outrageous, and this was seconded by Independent councillor James Charity. ‘’We have a situation where the Minister in charge of the water fiasco [Phil Hogan], made a mess of the legislation and has now gone to Europe. If this was to happen, it would basicially see the county council stepping into the role of debt collector acting as a third party debt collector on behalf of Irish Water. Many council tenants are enraged at this.’’

Councillors support free parking across the county for the month of December

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

’This is our time to stand up and deliver for small struggling businesses right across County Galway.’’ The words of Fine Gael councillor Jimmy McClearn who spoke passionately on behalf of the local business community at Monday’s meeting of the Galway county council.

Charity lashes cost of renovated county council chamber

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

A price tag of more than €450,000 for renovating the council chamber in County Buildings is “outrageous” and never should have needed to cost that much.

This is the view of Independent councillor James Charity who was reacting to confirmation by the Galway County Council that contracts have been signed with Carey Building Contractors, Tuam Road, to carry out the works. Following further queries from Cllr Charity, the contract price was confirmed to be €449,268.47, excluding VAT. Works on the council chamber started yesterday.

Des Joyce co-opted onto Galway County Council

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Galway county councillors paid warm tributes to Des Joyce after he was co-opted on to the council at this week’s local authority meeting. Mr Joyce fills the seat which was left vacant by Independent representative Michael Fitzmaurice following his elevation to the Dail. Mr Fitzmaurice was elected to the county council earlier this year to represent the Tuam municipal district but won the Dail by-election held in Roscommon/South Leitrim following the departure of Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan to Europe.

Des Joyce - a Glinsk based farmer and businessman - is a well known community activist, he was nominated for the position by Mr Fitzmaurice’s canvas team. Councillor Tom Welby, speaking on behalf of the council’s Independent representatives outlined that his fellow councillors would help Mr Joyce in any way they could. Tuam Fine Gael councillor Peter Keaveney said he was delighted to see Des Joyce elected to the county council saying; ‘’He is a young fellow that has got on very well and I have no doubt that he will continue to get on well. We are from the same area and I hope we can work well together for the benefit of that area.’’

Crowe seeks new sentencing laws for burglary

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

The rate of burglaries has shot up by 14 per cent over the last five years, but the Government “has done nothing to counter this” and seems “entirely unaware of the scale of the problem”.

Maryam Mosque to hold open day this Saturday

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Ireland will hold an open day at its new Maryam Mosque on the Old Monivea Road, next week.

Leading Spanish designers come to Belladonna

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

This week sees Marta and Terese Raich Farre of Novia D’Art and Fara Sposa make their annual trip to Ireland. As Belladonna is their main and leading stockist this renowned bridal shop is honoured to host these lovely designers. As well as being present in the shop giving their expert advice Belladonna will have a very large and extended collection of the Novia D'Art and Fara Sposa 2015 dresses. This will be an opportunity to see this fabulous collection not seen elsewhere in Ireland or the UK. The dresses can be seen in Belladonna until Sunday November 30. Marta and Terese Raich Farre will be in attendance on Friday and Saturday to meet brides.

Every year these designers get to sample Galway hospitality, staying in Glenlo Abbey, Park House, The Ardilaun, and, this year, in the Salthill Hotel. They also sample some of our great restaurants such as Kai and O’Grady’s of Barna.

Bruce Betting growth continues with opening of second shop in Galway

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Bruce Betting are opening their seventeenth shop, and our second branch in Galway City, in Galway Shopping Centre, beside Supermac’s. They opened their flagship store in Liosban Retail park in 2009 and feel this new unit is a great strategic move, tying the two shops in the city together.

Brave Grace’s family to meet experts at weekend to discuss options for her recovery

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

The family of a nine-year-old girl fighting a rare form of cancer will meet experts in the UK this weekend to discuss ways of improving her chances of recovery.

It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas at Keogh’s Centra, Oughterard

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Keogh’s Centra in Oughterard is celebrating the first anniversary of the relaunch of its domestic hardware department, which has proved very successful this year, with value, service, and great products on offer.

Galway to see out Movember with the ‘Show Your Mo’ party

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

The end of November means the end of Movember, the month when many men grow a moustache to raise funds to combat men’s cancers.

Archive launch and symposium to mark the legacy of Professor Kevin Boyle

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

The legacy of world-renowned human rights lawyer and scholar, the late Professor Kevin Boyle, endures at NUI Galway with the launch of his personal archive on Friday, 28 November by the Attorney General, Máire Whelan, S.C. The archive contains a wealth of material and unique insights into the field of human rights, legal research and scholarship.

Thousand of jobs at risk in the fabrication industry as a result of EU Directives, says Canney

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Thousands of jobs are at risk in Ireland as a result of E.U Directive EW 10 90 introduced into this country by the Government last July, according to Cllr. Seán Canney.

People involved in welding are now obliged to have CE Certification otherwise their products cannot be used in Ireland. This law is affecting people who fabricate gates, railings and fencings, he said.

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