A profound commitment to giving voice to minorities

Thu, May 30, 2024

In the early days of my career as a press photographer, one name stands out like a lighthouse spotted at sea by a sailor in need of guidance; Ronnie O’Gorman. He was my first editor; a creative and innovative thinker who fearlessly challenged the status quo. Under his supervision, I learned invaluable lessons that shaped my career and, ultimately, my life.

The most influential Galwegian of the past fifty years

Thu, May 30, 2024

Ronnie O’Gorman was the most influential Galwegian of the past fifty years. In The Galway Advertiser he created and nurtured a unique forum for Galway creativity, enterprise and community. Under Ronnie’s benign yet focused stewardship an entirely new version of Galway developed as the universal image of the city – an innovative, cultured, tolerant and sparkling city, successful, slightly raffish, and fun.

Galway’s finest son

Thu, May 30, 2024

You reach the summit of Diamond Hill, or somewhere similar along the many spectacular locations on Galway's stunning coastline, and what you see takes your breath away. You want to capture the beauty of this sight before your eyes, and you reach for your camera. But, no matter what angle you look from, or how many photos you take, you cannot do justice to the view before you. The camera lens is not wide enough, your eyes barely are, and you realise the scene cannot be adequately captured.

Advertiser founder was 'radically optimistic of the possibilities of life,' says President Higgins

Thu, May 30, 2024

I think it must have been in the year 1967, on a visit to O’Gorman’s Printing House which was an extension of the famous O’Gorman Bookshop, that I had a discussion with an urbane man whom I think must have been Ronnie O’Gorman’s uncle. Over the course of that visit, a discussion took place on whether there was room for a second newspaper in Galway.

Ronnie would always energise me

Thu, May 30, 2024

I first met Ronnie O’ Gorman fifty years ago in the office of the Galway Advertiser at the back of O’Gorman’s bookshop, where Easons stands today in Shop Street.

Remembering Ronnie O’Gorman

Thu, May 30, 2024

I have a sad task to perform this week, to remember and commemorate my good friend of more than forty years, the late (how it hurts to write those words) Ronnie O’Gorman whose death last week has robbed the world of an exceptional human being.

I thank the universe for Ronnie's glorious life

Thu, May 30, 2024

I didn’t foresee that the death of somebody I hadn’t seen for years would have such a profound effect but as I sat sobbing over Ronnie’s death notice at the weekend, remembering the warm, generous, kind and exuberant man that he was, I realised that some lives touch our own in ways that have an impact forever.

A pioneer and a legend

Thu, May 30, 2024

It was John Tusla, former director of the Barbican in London, who once said the arts matter because they embrace, express, and define the soul of a civilisation - but it could just as easily have been Ronnie O’Gorman.

More playgrounds needed for Galway City, says Clodagh Higgins

Thu, May 23, 2024

An increase in funding is needed to deliver more playgrounds that will benefit communities in Galway City, Fine Gael Councillor and local election candidate Clodagh Higgins has said.

Cllr Higgins is calling for more funding from Government to help Galway City Council to meet the cost of large-scale new playground projects and also to expand and upgrade existing playgrounds.

Herterich Quinn encourages businesses to apply for extended ICOB grant

Thu, May 23, 2024

Fianna Fáil Local Election Candidate for Athenry-Oranmore LEA, Cllr Shelly Herterich Quinn, has urged local businesses to apply for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant following the extension of the scheme.

Housing is the biggest issue on the canvass in Galway city

Thu, May 23, 2024

Last year 1,368 affordable homes were delivered across all local authorities in the state. Galway City Council did not deliver any affordable homes, according to SF candidate Mark Lohan.

€30,000 funding for Headford under the Town Centre First approach

Thu, May 23, 2024

Cllr Andrew Reddington has confirmed that Minister Health Humphreys has announced €30,000 funding for Headford.

A few years ago, locals started what was called the Headford Town Team and they put a callout to the community through local papers and social media to get a group together who wanted to move Headford and the hinterlands forward.

Pressing need for a local transport service for Athenry – O’Hara

Thu, May 23, 2024

Sinn Féin local election candidate for the Athenry-Oranmore LEA, Louis O’Hara, has said that there is a pressing need for a local transport service to connect rural areas around Athenry to the town. O’Hara said that local residents are crying out for such a service and that it would help to combat rural isolation in the local community.

Additional supports needed for farmers as fresh figures reveal true scale of fertiliser inflation, says Tóibín

Thu, May 23, 2024

The Aontú leader and European election candidate Peadar Tóibín TD has called for emergency supports for farmers given the increase in the cost of fertiliser in recent years.

FF and FG have failed to recognise the Western Rail Corridor as an asset - MacManus

Thu, May 23, 2024

Sinn Féin MEP for Midlands North-West, Chris MacManus, has hit out at Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for continued lip service to the people of the West and North-West when it comes to regional imbalance.

Curran calls for council planning to better accommodate disabled people

Thu, May 23, 2024

Cllr Alan Curran (Social Democrats) is calling for increased investment in disability services in the city. People with disabilities are among those most at risk of poverty, social exclusion and unemployment and regularly face barriers to transport, housing, education and training.

Mannion welcomes re-opening of Clifden Hospital but calls for recruitment and x-ray

Thu, May 23, 2024

Clifden District Hospital, which closed temporarily at the end of February re-opened for admissions on Monday.

Local Fine Gael councillor Eileen Mannion who has tirelessly campaigned for the re-opening of the local hospital has welcomed the news that Clifden District Hospital is open again for admissions with five out of the seven beds available now occupied.’

100 day Paralympic countdown for Galway Sports Club

Thu, May 23, 2024

This week (May 20th) the Irish Wheelchair Association Sport (IWA-Sport) and their clubs including the Galway Speeders - begin the 100-day countdown to the Paralympic Games 2024.

Parsons enhances disability parking bays

Thu, May 23, 2024

Seven disability parking bays in Ballinasloe town have been given an upgrade this week around the town- Dunlo and Society St. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility for disabled individuals and to clearly distinguish these spaces from regular parking spots, ensuring they are used appropriately, according to Cllr Evelyn Parsons who allocated funding to repaint the disabled parking bays a bright blue.

Bohermore and Prospect Hill area needs better representation, says John McDonagh

Thu, May 23, 2024

John McDonagh, Labour Party Local Election candidate in the Central Ward, which includes the Bohermore and Prospect Hill area of the city, has expressed his concerns at the lack of attention being given to this area by Galway City Council.

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