Search Results for 'Brendan Holland'

Brendan Holland says he has been banging on about light rail for Galway city for decades, and that publication of a very positive, official feasibility study last week is a sort of vindication for him and his 22 colleagues on Galway’s tenacious Gluas Committee.

A special ceremony took place at Atlantic Technological University’s Galway City campus this week to mark the 50th anniversary of the entry of the first cohort of students to the then RTC Galway on September 18, 1972, The event, attended by the Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Clodagh Higgins, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Michael Maher, and invited guests, marks the beginning of a programme of events at ATU to celebrate its golden jubilee.

As the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) prepares to change its name to "Ollscoil na Gaillmhe - University of Galway", the Galway Advertiser was on the streets of the city asking residents their thoughts on the transition.

The battle to bring ‘very light rail’ to Galway has been reborn following the establishment of a similar rail system in Coventry.

Standing beside Mary Bennett, we looked down at Shop Street from the vantage point of her office in Treasure Chest. While the street seemed lively and joyful under a blanket of much-awaited sunshine, Mary quietly pointed out how only a handful of shopping bags were to be seen. An abundance of people strolled down the street, laughing, enjoying the music emanating from buskers, but hardly anybody had a shopping bag in hand. The name “shop street” certainly seemed ironic. The city centre, although brought to life once again, was nowhere near as busy as it had once been, pre-pandemic.

In this time of confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many people used their time wisely by making observations to the Galway City Council ‘Our City Our Future’ consultation, which will go towards what will become the Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029.

The case for a light rail system for Galway will be put forward by speakers from Britain, the USA, and Ireland at a special webinar to be held this month.

“It has a brand name like no other,” Paul O’Brien says with a drop of hope about Galway and how the town will flourish again. These are radically different times and the deserted city streets illustrate how much everyday life has changed.

The Galway civic sword and mace are among the finest specimens of municipal corporation insignia in Ireland; the sword is particularly noteworthy and can be compared with the best of civic swords in these islands. Swords and maces were first carried by the king’s servants as symbols of the authority of the king himself. As time went on, the mayors and bailiffs of towns acquired swords and maces of their own, some following charter grants, others by mere assumption without specific authority. These were usually borne before the dignitaries concerned when they went in procession or were actively displayed when they acted otherwise in their official capacity. Maces, which were originally weapons, are staves of authority. Swords symbolise the legitimate use of force.