The slow pealing of the bell

Thu, Mar 07, 2019

I have heard too many funeral bells this winter. I have donned my funeral coat more than I wished to. I have shuffled along funeral lines and proffered my sympathies to trembling hands, damp from the tears dabbed momentarily. I have accepted sympathies too. I have been in the lines and among the lines. I have said goodbye to people I loved and respected. I have hugged colleagues and friends who shake with sadness and shock. I have had the obligatory cup in my hand at wakes, picked at fruit cake baked by the loving hands of saddened neighbours.

I have hoped that with the coming of spring and the stretching of the day that the low peal of the funeral will become an uncommon sound. I remember ringing it as an altarboy, slow and deliberate, not the rushed 25 peals of the bell eight minutes before Sunday Mass. No, for the impending arrival of a cortege, when we tugged at the rope that led all the way to the bell in the tower, we took care to ensure that the clapper would hit the inside of the bell once, in a low meaningful but subdued way; to go out across the sky and tell all that a death had taken place, that a moment of reflection should occur, to ensure that even when the sound stops that you would hear the echo of its lone ringing in your heart. It would go out through the evening sky to stop people in their tracks, to disturb people’s lives and tell them that someone in their community is mourning.

Skills for Work West: Up-skilling Opportunities for Workers Spring 2019.

Wed, Mar 06, 2019

Skills for Work West: Up-skilling Opportunities for Workers Spring 2019 Onwards

Ireland Not Performing to Expectation in Six Nations

Tue, Mar 05, 2019

The Six Nations is underway and by their own admissions things are not going according to plan for the Irish team. In 2018 they were riding high after becoming the Grand Slam winners so sitting in third place is not entirely cutting it. Freetips.com looks at their game so far.

Can you be the ‘Bainisteoir Réigiún?'

Fri, Mar 01, 2019

Údarás na Gaeltachta is looking to build on its recently-published 2018 growth figures with an innovation-based approach for 2019, after a year that saw the strongest job creation figures in 10 years, along with the creation of Ireland’s most ambitious digital hub network, gTeic, and an unprecedented community-based language planning initiative.

The approach is very much based on developing sustainable, local resources as a source of employment, and focusing specifically on improving and strengthening quality of life in the Gaeltacht by strengthening the Irish language there.

St Mary’s and Our Lady’s colleges to amalgamate by 2021

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

The amalgamation of two well known city second level schools will result in the creation of a large Catholic co-educational secondary school, according to the trustees of both facilities.

Government on brink of announcing Affordable Housing Scheme for Galway

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

The Government is set to announce an Affordable Housing Scheme for Galway city "in the near future", according to Fine Gael Galway City East councillor, John Walsh.

Naughton appeals for inner harbour re-development to get go-ahead

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

If planning approval is granted for an extension of Galway Port, it would "free up around 30 acres" of the inner harbour for development, paving the way for the city to be "reshaped and enhanced".

Galway City Business Association demands busking bye-laws be 'implemented without delay'

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

City Hall's controversial bye-laws to severely restrict and limit busking along Shop Street and Willamsgate Street must be "passed and implemented without delay" according to the Galway City Business Association.

Lord Patten to open Maurice Hayes Archive at NUIG

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

Chris Patten, the final British Governor of Hong Kong, and who chaired the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland, will officially open the archive of Maurice Hayes at NUI Galway, at an official event next month.

Extinction Rebellion march will highlight climate change

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

Extinction Rebellion, a mock funeral for the "death of our earth as we know it" will take place this weekend through the streets of Galway city and Salthill to highlight the issue of climate change.

Galway History Festival takes place next week

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

The inaugural Galway History Festival takes place next week, with a series of talks and lectures covering such issues as the War of Independence in Galway, food, activism, local history, and labour history.

Legal history to be made as Supreme Court to sit in NUI Galway next week

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

Legal history will be made in March, as the Supreme Court will sit outside a courthouse for the first time since it returned to the Four Courts in 1932. This will also be the first time it sits in Galway and only the third time the court will sit outside of Dublin.

Connolly claims City Council has failed to deliver public and affordable housing

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

The announcement by the Government to set up a taskforce is evidence the Galway City Council has failed abysmally to deliver public and affordable housing according to Cllr Colette Connolly.

Climate change means city bypass will add to, not solve, Galway's traffic problems

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

The increasing congestion on Galway's roads over recent decades has led for calls for more new roads to be constructed, demands for an increase in capacity on city commuter routes, and for building an outer-bypass, the latest incarnation of which is again before An Bord Pleanala.

'The medium of the stage is language and I have a lot to say'

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

John Connors, star of Love/Hate, brings his acclaimed one-man show, Ireland’s Call, to the Town Hall Theatre next week. His debut as a playwright, it has been called "cathartically honest’" by The Irish Times, which also praised Connor’s "charismatic" performance.

Mike Geraghty to run in Local Elections

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

Mike Geraghty has announced that he will stand as an Independent candidate in Galway City Central in May's Local Elections. His campaign will focus on transport, traffic, and community recreation facilities.

Council must appoint biodiversity officer to safeguard wildlife, says Green Party candidate O’Reilly

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

As grass cutting season commences, the Green Party is asking councils to act to halt biodiversity loss. Green Party candidate for Galway City West, Pauline O’Reilly has today called on Galway City Council to set aside areas in public parks and roadside verges for pollinators, and to get active in halting the alarming decline in biodiversity by implementing actions within the All Ireland Pollinator Plan.

Galway Rose brings hope to Chernobyl children

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

Since becoming the 2018 Galway Rose, it can easily be said that my life has been turned upside-down. I have been taken on the most incredible rollercoaster ride, a once in a lifetime experience. On the face of it, it can often be perceived as a year of fancy dresses and glamour. But there is so much more to it than what meets the eye.

Pearce Flannery calls on candidates to support voluntary poster ban

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

Former Mayor of Galway, Cllr Pearce Flannery has issued a strong call of all local election candidates to enter into a voluntary code of conduct that ensures that all candidates desist from using election posters in the forthcoming local elections.

Cllr Flannery was successful at the City Council meeting of 12 November 2018 in getting a motion passed by the majority of councillors banning the use of election posters.

Garda Youth awards handed out to deserving winners

Thu, Feb 28, 2019

Galway Divisional Gardai held its inaugural Garda Youth awards ceremony on Thursday at Galway Racecourse.

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