New courthouse for Tuam could be delayed until 2030

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

It could be almost a decade before the old courthouse in Tuam, which has fallen into dereliction, is replaced by a new building.

Ulster Bank announcement a ‘hammer blow for Galway’ says McNelis

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Ulster Bank’s decision to withdraw from the market in the Republic of Ireland is “a hammer blow for staff and customers in Galway city”, according to a former Mayor.

Galway Hospice seeks stories of living with loss during Covid

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Galway Hospice is asking the public to share their stories of living with loss during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nominations for Galway City Mayor’s Awards 2020 now open

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Mike Cubbard, is launching the awards to celebrate the incredible community spirit shown during last year in particular, and is asking residents to nominate their own community heroes for an award.

150 over 85s vaccinated this week at Athenry Primary Care Centre

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

150 of the practice’s over 85s were vaccinated as the centre was chosen to be one of the first GP centres in the country to start the rollout of the national vaccination programme.

Figures show Traveller community suffering high rates of Covid-19

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

A total of 329 members of the Travelling community in Galway city and county in 2020 were recorded as having Covid-19.

McNelis demands exam fees be waived for 2021

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

At the time of national crisis, the Government must waive this year’s Leaving Cert fees, and remove both an administrative burden on schools and an unnecessary financial pressure on families.

Developers, not those looking for a home, set to benefit from Government’s LDA Bill

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

The people set to benefit from the Government’s Land Development Agency Bill will not be those looking to buy a house, instead the Bill will provide another boomtime for developers and banks.

Why workers need protections more than ever

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

One of the basic lessons from the pandemic is how interconnected we are - your mask protects me, mine protects you. Early outbreaks of Covid in meat-processing factories - where workers cannot practice social distancing - were exacerbated by the fact these low-income workers lack sick pay. Unable to afford to (willingly) forego wages, workers masked symptoms, hoped for the best, and clocked in, with disastrous results.

With funding at crisis levels, merging the county and city councils must be considered

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

It is with some bemusement that I noted the recent contributions in Seanad Éireann regarding the future of local authority arrangements in Galway and, in particular, the voicing of opposition to the amalgamation of the Galway county and city councils.

Mother and Baby Home Commission cannot be wound up while questions remain, says Hanley

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

The chance to find out why more than 500 testimonies of survivors of the Mother and Baby Homes were destroyed will be lost unless the commission of investigation is extended by another year.

Transport Minister pledges to protect the Western Rail Corridor for rail use only

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

At a meeting of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly last Friday attended by the Minister for Transport Eamonn Ryan, members questioned the Minister on the future of the Western Rail Corridor north of Athenry.

Adrian Curran selected as People Before Profit’s Galway representative

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Adrian Curran has been selected as the People Before Profit local area representative for Galway by the party's members in the city and county.

The joys of walking in nature

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Over the last year, COVID has forced most of the population of Ireland to spend an unprecedented amount of their time at home. Cut off from family, friends and colleagues and unable to travel, home has changed from not only being our domestic abode but to also becoming our workplace, our gym and our play zone. But squeezing so much under one roof 24/7 is not easy and it can, if we allow it to, feel too often like a prison.

Most Irish people have never experienced this type of containment and isolation in their lifetimes. Concerns over mental and physical health issues have increased. This is not surprising as the human species is a communal animal; we need to socialise, to engage, to enjoy and to be challenged by the presence of others. Yet we also have to realise too that we suffer if we cut ourselves of from the natural world. Our disconnect with the rest of Nature after all has led to Climate Chaos and the present pandemic.

Learn to play guitar from home

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

On-line one-to-one guitar lessons in the comfort of your home, at a time and date that suits you. What could be easier? Make the most of your lockdown time and get started today.

Guitar Made Easy online lessons are suitable for all ages, and cater for complete beginners and improvers.

Unleash your adventurous side… from the comfort of your couch

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Enjoy an evening of virtual adventures delivered straight to your armchair, with the Virtual Adventure Film Festival, March 11-12.

advertiser In brief...

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Donoghue welcomes funding to remove Sliabh Aughty waste

Gaillimh le Gaeilge makes two key appointments to board

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Maeve Joyce Crehan and Mary Rodgers have been appointed as two new Gaillimh le Gaeilge board members.

The right to disconnect

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Q: The government recently launched a national remote work strategy, Making Remote Work. One of the things that stood out for me was the ‘right to disconnect’. I believe most of us are struggling to do that. Some employers are not helping by demanding and expecting us to be ‘on’ all the time. This mentality, government plan or not, is going to take some time to change. How can we start moving in the right direction, and be efficient while doing our job (BC, email).

Cannon welcomes feasability report for Gort Lowlands Flood Relief Scheme

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Fine Gael Deputy Ciaran Cannon has welcomed the publication of a feasibility report for Gort Lowlands Flood Relief Scheme by the OPW and Galway Co. Council.

E-paper

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