Hot air balloons return to fill the skies over County Galway

Thu, Jul 13, 2017

Cathaoirleach Eileen Mannion of the Galway County Council officially launched the 2017 Irish National Hot Air Balloon Championships which is taking place again in County Galway from September 24 to 29.

advertiser In brief...

Thu, Jul 13, 2017

Cuts in Galway respite hours shocking
Cuts to the number of day only respite hours available in Galway, while the number in need of respite is going up, are unacceptable, according to Sinn Féin senator, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh.

Support ourselves by supporting local business

Thu, Jul 13, 2017

This is proving to be a good year for many Galway businesses. As one looks at the tourists wandering through the streets of Galway city, and the buzz in Shop Street and around the city centre, it would be easy to feel that all is well, and every business is benefiting from the increased numbers of visitors and the general feel good factor. This sense of a thriving city is particularly evident at this time of year, as the Galway Film Fleadh leads in to the Galway International Arts Festival, which in turn is followed by Galway Race Week. These festivals, and the many others which take place throughout the year, make a significant contribution to business activity in both the city and the county. We welcome the success of these businesses, which is fully deserved, primarily through the hard work, dedication, and level of customer service they provide.

There is, however, another dimension to Galway business life which tells a different story. This story is one which can be told in parts of the city, as well as in many parts of the county. It is a story of geographic areas, and business sectors, where the recovery has failed to take hold and businesses continue to struggle. In many ways, the owners and those employed in these businesses are the unsung heroes and heroines of Galway’s business community. Setting up a business takes great courage, and we owe a debt of gratitude to those who take the risk. At the Galway Advertiser, we meet many people who have taken the plunge into this uncertain business world, and we greatly admire their courage, their energy, and their optimism as they set out on their venture. Thankfully, many succeed, but unfortunately, others do not.

Fortieth arts festival set to bring windfall to local economy

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

More than 200,000 people are expected to attend more than 200 events making up this month's Galway International Arts Festival, which marks its 40th anniversary in 2017

New cancer-treatment facilities to be developed in Galway

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

By Kernan Andrews
New cancer-treatment facilities are to be developed in Galway under the updated National Cancer Strategy, which identifies a need for additional oncology facilities in Galway to meet increasing service requirements.

New road side checks to halt dumping on Headford Road

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

Roadside checkpoints are to be deployed by the Galway County Council and An Garda Síochána as part of efforts to combat illegal dumping in the vicinity of the Headford Road.

Galway house prices continue to rise

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

House prices in Galway have risen by almost five per cent in the first half of 2017 - the largest increase in the State for the year to date - and house prices also have shown a year on year increase of more than 13 per cent.

City councillor describes fire at halting site as ‘stupid’

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

Galway city councillor Noel Larkin has described the setting of a fire at Cúl Trá halting site as "stupid and ridiculous".

Local public hospitals owed €23m

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

University and Merlin Park hospitals are owed more than €23 million from private health insurers. And most hospital consultants are offenders and are costing the health authority millions by failing to sign off on these claims, according to one local politician.

Advertiser editorial honouring coastguard is named winner in global editorial contest

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

An editorial from the Galway Advertiser honouring coastguard Caitriona Lucas, who died during a rescue off the west coast last year, has been named as a winner in a global contest to honour the best editorial writing in weekly newspapers.

Public meeting on changes to Westwood Hotel

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

A public meeting will take place at Bushypark School Hall next Wednesday (July 12) at 8pm to update the residents of Newcastle and Bushypark on the future of the Westwood Hotel.

It follows the public meeting on April 7 where it was announced the hotel was to be redeveloped into student accommodation.

'It’s frightening to explore the more vulnerable spaces of yourself'

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

He will play the role of a silent man in an opera at the Galway International Arts Festival. He will appear as an IRA volunteer determined to break out of the Maze prison in the Galway Film Fleadh. He is an essential part of the Druid Ensemble team of actors. Yet Aaron Monaghan admits acting was something he came into “at the very last minute”.

Free upcoming events at Coole

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

A number of free events will take place at Coole in the coming weeks.

This Sunday, July 9, there will be a summer flower walk, starting at 3pm. Discover the colourful expanse of wild flowers in the nature reserve that have colonised the new spaces opened up to sunlight since the removal of non-native conifers in recent years. Many turlough flowers are also in bloom at this time of year. The free walk does not require booking and will last approximately an hour and a half starting from the visitor centre.

Fifth edition of popular Seven Springs cycling race

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

Loughrea’s Seven Springs Cycling Club's annual Grand Prix event takes place on Sunday.

Craft makers to open pop-up shop

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

Creative designers and craft workers will open a special pop-up shop for two weeks of the Galway International Arts Festival.

The shop will be set up in the Mall in the Cornstore, and will showcase a range of crafts produced locally, including jewellery, candles, soaps, woodturning, furniture, textiles, ceramics, and art.

Chairde Ghaillimh le Gaeilge celebrates at annual Fulacht Fia

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

Gaillimh le Gaeilge celebrates 30 years in business this year during which it will prepare a new Irish language plan for the city.

MADRA adoption day to help dogs find a home

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

MADRA currently has more than 100 dogs looking for new homes due to the continued growth in the number of stray and surrender dogs coming into its care.

Galway students sold on STEM

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

Two Galway girls have been sold on science, technology, engineering and mathematics after taking part in a special Mission to Mars Lego Robotics Summer Academy in Dublin City University.

Safe cross code becomes a reality for Knocknacarra students

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

Knocknacarra children are celebrating a safer passage to school this week after a much-awaited pedestrian crossing was ready to cross.

Every community needs people like Caitriona Lucas

Thu, Jul 06, 2017

There is a scene in A Few Good Men where the character played by Jack Nicholson provoked by the Tom Cruise character, says that he represents those who stand guard on the wall while we sleep, while we have our parties, while we take liberty for granted, while we enjoy the freedoms that we have, because people like him are standing on that wall, day and night. Leaving aside the characteristics of that part he played, there resonates from his words the reality that exists in every community across the world.

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