Galway gets ready for Ironman influx as 30,000 fans expected

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

Galway will welcome thousands of athletes and spectators this weekend as the area prepares to host the annual Ironman 70.3 Ireland for the second year.

Some 2,500 participants have registered to take part in Sunday’s triathlon, bringing around 25,000 overnight visitors to the area through Irish and international triathletes and their families, generating a tourism boost for businesses both in the city and surrounding towns just as the summer season begins to wind down.

Athenry model to be the face of China-based company

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

A County Galway model, who has graced the daily newspapers on a regular basis, has been named as the face of an international company based in China.

Quicker, bigger, faster, stronger — it’s Ironman time

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

So here we go again. For the next three days or so, Galway will be turned into a sort of mini-Olympic village where highly toned and tanned specimens of the human race will be brushing abs with each other, comparing their strokes and their gearsticks, holding spit-covered fingers to the wind to determine their chances of finishing or winning the Ironman series.

Crospon receives FDA clearance for EndoFLIP system in US

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

Galway-based medical device firm Crospon has this week announced that it has received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US for the first use of its EndoFLIP system in gastroenterology applications.

Clifden records third highest driving test pass rates

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

Clifden driving test centre boasts one of the highest pass rates in the country, according to figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

The figures released this week show that a learner driver’s chances of passing the test could have a lot to do with where it is taken. Reports suggest that there are huge variations in the pass and fail rates at test centres throughout the country, with a 28 per cent gap between the highest pass rate and the lowest.

IDA Ireland appoints new west regional manager

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

Catherina Blewitt has been appointed as west regional manager for IDA Ireland, the agency responsible for promoting foreign direct investment into Ireland.

Bank damage accused sent for trial

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

A Galway man who is accused of causing criminal damage to a number of banks in the city during the course of two days has been sent forward for trial.

County councillor to address international conference on suicide

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

Galway county councillor Peter Roche is to address an upcoming major international conference on suicide, to be held in Dublin next week.

Farmers accuse Keaveney of misinformation at heated meeting

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

IFA Connacht vice-president Padraic Divilly led a delegation of farm families this week to a meeting with Labour Party chairman Colm Keaveney TD, to convey the anger among farmers over the TD’s stance concerning farmers’ eligibility for third level grants.

Special screening of The Dead to mark Culture Night in NUI, Galway

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

Culture Night 2012 will take place on Friday, September 21 with cultural institutions from across the country opening their doors to stage a series of special events to mark the occasion. Among those hosting events for this national evening of celebration are the Archives and Special Collections services in NUI Galway’s James Hardiman Library.

Autumn Gathering turns eighteen and goes from strength to strength

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

It is almost two decades since the first Lady Gregory Autumn Gathering at Coole and the event goes from strength to strength with an impressive line-up of speakers and events announced at the launch at Coole last weekend.

Novel MADRA adoption event sees twenty dogs rehomed

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

As many as 20 rescue dogs were settling in to their new homes over the weekend thanks to a 24-hour dog adoption drive organised by local charity MADRA.

Dangerous driver escapes custody, court hears

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

A 25-year-old Limerick man charged with driving a stolen car dangerously is now at large having escaped from custody during transportation, the Galway District Court heard this week.

Christopher O’Donnell with an address at 2 West Singland Road, Garryowen, Limerick, had been arrested and brought before another court sitting where he was charged with allegedly taking unlawful possession of an MPV at Ballybrennon, Drombanna, Limerick, and three counts of dangerous driving - one at Tuam Road, another at Two Mile Ditch, Tuam Road, and the third at Bothar An Dtreabh, Gleannanail, Galway, on August 22, 2012.

Foróige Knocknacarra launches air freshener to highlight danger of passive smoking in cars

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

The 'Health and Wellbeing' members of the Foróige Knocknacarra Youth Development have launched a new air freshener which they have created to highlight the issue of passive smoking in cars. This project was done as part of the X-HALE Youth awards, an initiative created by the Irish Cancer Society which has set out to encourage young people to address the issue of smoking in their own communities.

UHG seeks permission for two storey car park

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

The chronic lack of car-parking spaces at University Hospital Galway could soon be a thing of the past if an application for a two-storey deck car parking gets the go-ahead from city planners.

Alâ seeks participants for Grace O’Malley play

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

Alâ, a social and community development organisation, is seeking participants for the group’s 2012 production for a play based on the life of Grace O’Malley.

Ryan Institute working on key project for prawn industry

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

Researchers at NUI Galway’s Ryan Institute are part of a new of €2.4 million EU project that aims to develop and enhance the sustainability of the prawn fishery. The research will focus on developing hatchery and ranching technologies, and enhancing the survival of discards. The latter is a contentious issue in ongoing EU Common Fisheries Policy negotiations.

Children’s fitness classes starting at NRG Junior

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

If your child was enthralled by the recent Olympics, now is the perfect time to capitalise. Help him/her stay fit by enrolling him/her in a class at NRG Junior at the Clybaun Hotel in Knocknacarra.

Champion runner to host race in Claregalway for Self Help Africa

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

A former Galway champion runner and NUIG scholarship student will spearhead a major charity road race in Claregalway, along the circuit of the popular Galway 5k Series, next month.

Win tickets and a stay at the Clarenbridge Oyster festival

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

The 58th Annual Clarenbridge Oyster Festival takes place on September 15-16 and to celebrate they are giving away two tickets to both their Oyster Fete on Saturday 15 and their Family Fun Day on Sunday 16 along with a fantastic two night’s accommodation, courtesy of The Maldron Hotel, Oranmore, Co Galway.

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