The beloved King’s Head pub in Galway City has won Family Run Business of the Year at the 2023 Irish Women’s Awards.
This event is dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of women in Ireland, and Mary Grealish was honoured at the 3rd edition of the Awards held on June 2 in Dublin.
The gala ceremony brought together women from various fields, highlighting their exceptional contributions and inspiring stories of success.
The Irish Women’s Awards serves as a platform to recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of women who have made a significant impact in their respective industries.
The event aims to inspire and empower women, encouraging them to reach new heights of success and leadership.
Each winner has displayed exceptional talent, expertise, and dedication in their field. Their achievements not only serve as an inspiration to others but also contribute to the advancement of gender equality and diversity in Ireland.
The 800-year-old Kings Head pub has been owned and operated by the Grealish family since the late 80s, and it has long been one of the most beloved spots in the city.
Mary’s influence, her creativity, work ethic and warmth can be found everywhere in the Kings Head, from her eye for interiors evident in recent decor upgrades, to her management of HR for 75 employees.
“It’s wonderful to win this award and to be recognised for The Kings Head and all that it offers in terms of food, drinks, live music,” Mary Grealish said.
She explained that they have a team of 75 people in house, and work with a lot of local suppliers, musicians, and artists.
“We are embedded into Galway and love to champion this wonderful city through our partnerships with Galway International Arts Festival, Druid Theatre Company, Connacht Rugby and the rebuilt Galway Hooker ‘Meaircín Joe’.”
“We are gearing up for the summer of fun in Galway and this win is setting the tone for what will be a fantastic year ahead,” explained Mary.
A Spokesperson for the Irish Women’s Awards 2023 said: “We would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and finalists for their outstanding accomplishments and their positive influence within their industries and communities.”
“Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Galway Arts Centre’s Nuns Island Theatre will host an array of events covering theatre, film, visual arts, and literature as part of Cruinniú na nÓg 2023.
Cruinniú na nÓg, Ireland’s national day of free creativity for children and young people under-18, takes place on Saturday, June 10.
Galway Arts Centre will present A Space for Our Voices at Nuns Island Theatre from 11am to 5pm showcasing the centre’s youth arts programmes – Red Bird Youth Collective, Galway Youth Theatre, and Cúirt Labs writer-in-residence.
The day begins at 11am when Galway Arts Centre and Galway Youth Theatre present a selection of readings from Pat McCabe’s The Adventures of Shay Mouse – The Mouse from Longford suitable for those aged 4+.
Shay Mouse lives peacefully in Bornacoola Wood in Longford, smoking his pipe and inventing boastful stories for young Tom Pat Badger and Mickey Slug.
When an evil band of rats are burnt out of a barn in Mullingar, they take over the wood, making the small animals their slaves. Shay is forced to flee his home, and so begins a series of wonderful adventures across the Irish midlands.
Galway Actors Eilish McCarthy and Peter Shine will read stories from this fun and witty novella for children followed by the Galway Youth Theatre choir’s first live performance at 12pm.
Staying with all things books and writing, at 12.30pm, Cúirt Labs will present writer and artist Aoife Casby.
She will facilitate a workshop to engage with language in a very practical way by having fun with the dynamics of word and image. Participants will explore the possibilities of the book and work together towards producing work in a variety of creative forms.
Galway Arts Centre’s Red Bird Youth Collective, will launch an exhibition of radio and print work made with sound artist Anne Marie Deacy and print artist Aoife Barrett, which looks at mapping Galway City through the eyes of young people.
The exhibition opens at 1.45pm with a short introduction from the members and their collaborators.
Broadcasting live on the day from the theatre from 1pm to 3pm, Red Bird will also present a mix of live sounds and pre-recorded pieces live on Flirt FM.
At 2.30pm, Galway Arts Centre Dancer in Residence, Magdalena Hylak, will give a dance ‘teaser workshop’, as well as a presentation about the artistic ideas she and composer Lionel Kasparian will be exploring, and what they plan to do as part of the residency scheme.
At 4pm, there will be a screening of the short film, Wings, written and produced by Galway Youth Theatre. The film centres on two sisters, one a teenager, the other a child.
They share wholesome laughs in front of a bedroom mirror, just before the teenage sister leaves for a “party”. This 20 minute film deals with innocence, and how it can be breached far too early in life.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A by some of the GYT members who wrote and created Wings.
Thousands of free and subsidised higher education places will be available to people in Galway as part of the 2023 Springboard+ and Pillar 1 of the Human Capital Initiative (HCI).
The courses are open to people who are unemployed, returners, recent graduates, and those who are in employment and are looking to upskill or change career.
A total of 11,213 places on 357 courses are being made available nationwide.
While a total of 813 places across 31 courses have been allocated to the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway-Mayo, University of Galway and Galway Business School, 32% of all the courses nationwide will run entirely online.
And sixty-seven percent will be through blended learning, meaning people in Galway will have access to hundreds of courses across the country.
The courses on offer in this year include a Certificate in Building Digital Healthcare Communities, Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity and Software Development and Responsible Management & Leadership – Micro credential.
Launching the programme, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said: “Springboard+ and the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 will play a vital role in our response to the green transition by providing funding for programmes in areas such as Climate, Sustainability and Renewable Energy which will provide the skills needed to help us reach our ambitious 2030 targets for energy efficiency and decarbonisation.
“The initiatives will also help us to ensure that our workforce is equipped to respond to the rapid changes in the world of work brought about by digitisation, with courses spanning areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Financial Technologies.
“In this, the European Year of Skills, it is vital that we all consider the opportunity to learn a new skill. Skills and continuous learning are vital for enabling individuals and countries to thrive in an increasingly, interconnected and rapidly changing world.”
Pictured (Left to Right): Susan Costello (Galway Rape Crisis Centre), Barry Ó Siochrú, Imogen O’Flaherty Falconer, Sai Gujulla & Joe Mee (University of Galway Student’s Union) and Carol Hynes (Galway Simon Community)
University of Galway Students’ Union has today presented the proceeds of their year of fundraising events to Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Galway Simon Community.
The unique charity events held throughout the academic year raised a total of €19,000 for the two charities.
Events held over the year included a giant Christmas Raffle, a Drag Race, saucy Sex Toy Bingo, charity Take Me Out, a Taylor Swift Night, and Galentine’s Day Brunch.
There were also charity head shaves, quiz nights and yoga classes. The events helped the University of Galway community to stay active and have fun whilst raising funds for two great causes.
Students’ Union President Sai Gujulla said that the response to our year of fundraising events was fantastic, and it helped us all feel connected as a campus.
“Our University of Galway students have a very proud tradition of raising money for charities and they have excelled themselves again this year.”
Students’ Union Vice-President/Education Officer Joe Mee added: “In what has been a stressful year with the cost of living crisis it’s great that the students of University of Galway have put such a huge effort in to raising funds to help others.
“We are delighted to be presenting €19,000 to these two amazing charities who do so much for those in need. To have raised so much is a great achievement for all involved.”
Professor Peter Doran and Noreen Doyle at University of Galway
University of Galway has announced the establishment of Ireland’s first Institute for Clinical Trials which will allow scientific advances to be translated into improved care for patients.
The Institute will transform lives by ensuring patients get access to the latest medicines and treatments in a timely way.
Through its ambitious programme of research excellence, it will position Ireland at the forefront of clinical and biomedical discovery.
The institute was officially launched by Noreen Doyle, an entrepreneur and mother of four children, two of whom are childhood-cancer survivors.
Noreen Doyle and family
Speaking at the launch, Ms Doyle said: “In 2007 we entered our two year-old son, James into a clinical trial following is diagnoses of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) with the hope that it would help children in the future to fight cancer.
“Little did we know then that it would actually be his little sister, Kate, 10 years later, who would be one of those children to benefit greatly from this exact trial.”
University of Galway President Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said the establishment of the Institute will chart new paths in research for the benefit of the health and well-being of people at their most vulnerable time, in Ireland and internationally.
“This is a shining example of our ambition and a manifestation of University of Galway looking beyond the horizon, forging breakthroughs in science and in research, in the world and for the world.”
Director of the Institute, Professor Peter Doran, outlined the ambition for the Institute, said that research is critical to the healthcare ecosystem.
“Patients who attend hospitals that are research active have better outcomes, due to both increased access to early lifesaving treatments, and through the culture that pervades when research and inquiry are at the core of the health systems.
“By increasing clinical research activity, which is at the centre of the institute ambition, we will drive outcomes for patients.
“We also know that indigenous companies, particularly in the medtech sector, struggle to conduct clinical evaluations in Ireland, which is essential for market access. We are setting in motion a strategy to address the barriers which limit the conduct of clinical trials in Ireland.”
A major component of the Institute’s activity will be to improve how trials are done, integrating innovative methodologies, with enhanced technologies and better molecular analysis to create the trial of the future and position Ireland as a leader in clinical trials.
“The cross-sectoral activities of the Institute for Clinical Trials will be nationally distinctive, will align with Ireland’s regional development strategies and will enhance economic competitiveness by attracting investment, jobs and talent, in addition to its core mission of improving the health of the population,” added Professor Doran.
Professor Martin O’Donnell, Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway and Consultant, said: “This institute will consolidate our areas of considerable strength in clinical trials, ensure the rapid translation of medical discoveries to clinical evaluation and ultimately improve the lives of patients and health of our population, leveraging the academic strengths of our University and its healthcare partner Saolta University Healthcare Group.
“The Institute will also focus on developing sustained, mutually advantageous partnerships with industry and academic partners, positioning our region as a leader in health and med tech research.”
Loughrea councillor Declan Kelly has called on Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to review the Western Regional Health Forum’s meeting procedures.
The Independent councillor said that the Forum’s recent refusal to note comments made by Cllr Dr Evelyn Parsons on behalf of the Loughrea Day Care Centre campaign raises concerns that the Forum has become a “talking shop where HSE officials decide the narrative”.
He said that any situation where standing orders are given precedence over the best interests and the good of the many, one has to seriously question whether the entity which is served by those standing orders has any point in existing.
“I am convinced that this is the case with the Western Regional Health Forum,” said Cllr Kelly.
“At their most recent meeting, Independent Cllr Dr Evelyn Parsons attempted to have recorded comments on behalf of efforts to reopen the purpose-built Day Care Centre in Loughrea, but was told that she could not do so because of the Forum’s standing orders.”
“Therefore, the Forum’s standing orders are being given more significance than the wishes of the more than 2,500 people who have appended their names to a petition to reopen the facility.”
Cllr Kelly said that they are effectively being told that a few health officials and politicians know what’s best for people, and that they know this without even needing to consult with the people who use the service.
“Cllr Dr Parsons is a highly respected medical professional and a very hard-working public representative.
“Despite that, Cllr Dr Parsons has stated that she felt ‘beaten down’ when attempting to speak on behalf of the Day Care Centre at the Forum’s most recent meeting.”
Following an article in the Irish Independent last Tuesday (Now 200,000 Cows Must Be Culled To Hit Climate Targets), I was surprised by the feigned care for animal welfare and farmers alike.
Firstly, over 30,000 cattle are slaughtered in Ireland each week of the year. This 200,000 figure represents just 6 weeks of cattle slaughtered, for beef, for failing to reproduce, falling milk production, and more.
This alleged concern for “culls” is nowhere to be seen through the present production and trading of beef and milk on the market.
Secondly, if there was genuine concern for farmers from politicians, there would be a genuine effort to diversify farming, transition to a model of regenerative farming, and reimagine agriculture as a sector which acts as a carbon sink for Ireland.
Farmers are already struggling. Farmers are some of the first awake and the last to bed. The work is never-ending, tough, physical labour, often in solitude.
Farm deaths are an unfortunately common occurrence as is depression, with over half of farmers experiencing poor mental health.
Rather than continuing to facilitate a system that is unrewarding for farmers, and detrimental to our planet and local environments, why not move to a system which rewards farmers for less work.
Farmers should be paid for land management, carbon sequestration, and supporting local biodiversity. In turn, farmers will earn for genuinely aiding the planet, whilst also having more time for themselves to engage with their community.
Whilst the framing of the original article is designed to elicit an emotional response, we must not fail to take heed of the stark warning the article presents – we are failing to meet our climate targets in a business-as-usual scenario.
This was confirmed by the EPA, with the release of new emissions projections which show Ireland is set to miss its legally binding climate targets for 2030.
Not only will this cost the taxpayer for decades to come; what’s more, it further contributes to the growing plight experienced by climate vulnerable nations.
Addressing Ireland’s largest greenhouse emitting sector can have many intersectional benefits – from improving farmers’ lives, to reducing emissions, to restoring ecosystems, and reducing the burden on the taxpayer. Unfortunately, some seem committed to preventing that.
Planning permission is being sought for the construction of 28 apartments in three blocks in the Letteragh area of Galway City.
An application has been made by Callanan & Walsh Construction to demolish a vacant guesthouse fronting onto the Letteragh Road, along with two shed/workshop buildings adjacent to it.
In their place the developer is seeking approval to build three apartment blocks, one 2-storey building and two 3-storey buildings.
These will contain a total of 28 one and two bed apartments and duplex units.
In order to comply with Part V Planning requirements, it has been agreed in principle that five of these apartments would be provided to the city council for social or affordable housing.
Other works involved in the project will include the provision of a new footpath along the Letteragh Road connecting to existing footpaths.
The development will have 28 car parking spaces, six of which will be outfitted with electric vehicle charging points, along with 66 bicycle parking spaces.
A decision on this planning application is due from Galway City Council by July 11.
Galway City and County Councils are both supporting the annual National Food Waste Recycling Week to help people with their green thumb.
The two councils are holding a special event this Tuesday, June 6 to give people in Galway material and informational help to reduce their food waste.
The event will take place on Shop Street in Galway city centre from 11am to 4pm.
Attendees will receive a food waste caddy, each with a starter pack of caddy liners as well as free compost for their gardens (pending availability) together with an information leaflet on how to recycle food waste at home.
Another event will be held at Ballinasloe Library on Friday, June 9 from 11am to 3pm, with information packs and caddys to be distributed.
The overall aim of the campaign is to generate awareness of the role of food waste recycling in diverting this valuable resource from landfill and allowing it to be transformed into renewable energy and fertilisers for horticulture and agriculture use in Ireland.
This year’s campaign aims to ensure that people understand that food waste needs to be fully separated from all packaging such as plastic or other containers to prevent contamination at the compost and anaerobic digestion facilities.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue said, “This National Food Waste Recycling Week my message to everyone is straightforward. We all have a role to play in reducing food waste.”
“It benefits our local environment, can help us reach our climate targets, helps us show our farmers, fishers and food producers that we value their products and of course it can help us save money on our grocery bills.”
“Working together with colleagues in government we are committed to our global climate targets and protecting our local environment.”
In Ireland, we waste about 800,000 tonnes of food each year, according to current best estimates. Growing, processing and transporting food uses a huge amount of resources, such as land, water, energy and fertiliser.
If food is wasted, these resources are wasted too. The EPA estimates that food waste costs the average Irish household about €60 per month or €700 per year. That’s an annual national cost of €1.29 billion.
Minister McConalogue said, “There is a wealth of information on how every household can reduce their food waste at MyWaste.ie and I encourage everyone to consider trying out some of their practical ideas that can help you to play your part.”
Galway based software company Ex Ordo will be creating 50 new jobs after raising more than €3 million in investment funding.
The company, which provides a scholarly conference platform, secured funding from a committed group of investors within the scholarly communications industry.
The investors participating in this funding round include the company’s initial group of angel investors, Enterprise Ireland, and several leading figures within the scholarly communications industry.
Paul Killoran, Founder and CEO of Ex Ordo said: “We are delighted to receive this significant investment, which validates the value and potential of our scholarly conference platform.”
“I’ve always believed that scholarly events are the true social network of academia. When we bring people together, whether that’s in-person or online, we unlock the potential for knowledge.”
“To accelerate knowledge, we need to make it easier for these communities to meet and Ex Ordo can make this a reality by ensuring that content and event logistics are seamless for organisers and attendees.”
He said that this funding will help accelerate their platform’s capabilities, as well as expanding their customer facing teams in North America.
Enterprise Ireland CEO Leo Clancy said, “Ex Ordo is an innovative, ambitious company that Enterprise Ireland is proud to back. It is creating a world-renowned brand in its specific area of focus and has a clear growth path for the coming years.”
“This growth will support the creation of high-quality, rewarding careers in the West of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland looks forward to being with Ex Ordo on this journey.”
Ex Ordo board chair and investor Paul Peters added, “While scholarly event organisers have been faced with very significant challenges over the past few years, there have also been some exciting new opportunities for societies to streamline their workflows and deliver increased value to their members.”
“Through my interactions with the Ex Ordo team over the past year I have seen first hand that they have the tools, talent, and values that societies are looking for in a partner.”
“So I couldn’t be more excited to come on board as an investor and help them deliver on the important mission they have set out for themselves.”.
Beach at Dog's Bay, Co. Galway. Photo by Nick Macneill
People travelling to the beach in Connemara for the fine weather and Bank Holiday are being reminded to watch they don’t block emergency access when parking.
Gardaí in Clifden have been expecting large numbers of visitors to beaches in the Connemara area.
Dog’s Bay Beach and Gurteen Beach in Roundstone in particular are very popular with people looking to spend time by the sea.
However, with the narrow roads and lack of large scale parking infrastructure, Gardaí have cautioned visitors not to obstruct traffic.
“We are reminding all motorists to park responsibly and ensure that emergency service vehicles have access at all times.”
Galway is a vibrant city in the west of Ireland, located on the coast of Galway Bay. It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe and has become a popular tourist destination due to its many attractions and activities. From exploring historic streets to casino gaming, there are plenty of things to do in Galway that will keep you entertained during your stay. In this article, we’ll discuss 11 of the top things to do in Galway.
About Galway in a Nutshell
Galway is a city in the west of Ireland, located on Galway Bay. It’s a great destination for a holiday as it has a lot to offer visitors. The popularity of the city has been growing steadily over the past few years, making it one of the most visited cities in Ireland. The streets are lined with colorful buildings, and the atmosphere is bustling with life. From pubs to restaurants, there’s something for everyone in Galway. Let’s take a look at 11 things to do in Galway:
1. Explore the Streets and Shop Along the ‘Lanes’
Galway is a city full of fascinating locals and unique shops. The cobblestone streets are perfect for a leisurely stroll, and you can find plenty of souvenirs in one of Galway’s many lanes – small pedestrian thoroughfares that run between larger roads.
2. Visit the Spanish Arch and Long Walk
The iconic Spanish Arch is a must-see for anyone visiting Galway, located at the entrance of the city’s harbor. From there, you can take a stroll along the Long Walk, an 18th-century promenade that runs alongside the Corrib River. Moreover, there’s a lively market every Sunday where you can pick up unique handmade trinkets and souvenirs.
3. Take in Some Culture at the Galway Arts Festival
Every summer the city hosts this renowned performing arts festival, featuring theater, music, and visual art performances. The next date is Mon, Jul 17, 2023 – Sun, Jul 30, 2023, so make sure to mark your calendar and get things organized if you’re planning to visit during this time.
4. Visit the Casinos Galway Has to Offer
Galway has a few exciting casinos where you can try your luck at gaming and poker:
Claude’s Casino
Located at 230 Upper Salthill Rd, Galway, Claude’s Casino offers a classic gaming experience with slots and tables. You can also take part in poker tournaments at the casino as well as a nice food and drinks menu.
Caesars Palace Casino
This larger casino offers a more modern gaming experience, with a variety of slots, video poker machines, and live gaming tables. If you want to test your luck here, make sure you have a slot machine guide to support you, because the goddess of luck is not always kind!
5. Check Out Quay Street
Quay Street is the main artery of Galway City, lined with pubs, restaurants, and shops. It’s a great place to people-watch and get a feel for the city. You better come hungry, because there are plenty of delicious places to eat. You can also find quirky souvenirs and handmade crafts along the street.
6. Enjoy a Pint of Guinness at Taaffes Bar
This traditional pub has been around since 1894 and is known for its great selection of beers and live Irish music. From the pub’s front window, you can take in beautiful views of Galway Bay. Their beer menu includes local favorites like Smithwick’s and Guinness, plus a few international craft beer choices.
Address: 19 Shop St, Galway
7. Tour the Dunguaire Castle
Located on the shores of Galway Bay, Dunguaire Castle is a 16th-century castle is a popular tourist attraction. You can take a guided tour of the castle and its grounds, where you’ll learn about the history of the area and get some great views of Galway Bay. There are also regular events at the castle, such as music and theatre performances.
8. Go to the Races at Galway Races
This annual horse racing festival is one of the most popular events in Galway, drawing large crowds from all over Ireland and beyond. The next event is scheduled for Mon, Jul 31, 2023 – Sun, Aug 6, 2023. In addition to the races, there will be food and entertainment throughout the day.
9. Take a Boat Trip Down the Corrib River
The River Corrib is an iconic symbol of Galway, running through the city and out to sea. You can take a boat trip down the river, with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and plenty of wildlife to spot. It’s a great way to explore the city from a different perspective.
10. Visit Eyre Square
Eyre Square is a popular public square in the city center that has been a hub of activity since 1846 and is home to several monuments and sculptures. Take a walk through the square, where you can find a large fountain, a memorial to Irish political leader Michael Collins, and other interesting art pieces. It’s also a great place to grab a bite to eat, with plenty of restaurants and cafés in the area.
11. Shop at the Galway Market
This lively weekly market is a great place to explore the local culture, with vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry and crafts to fresh produce. It’s also a great place to find unique souvenirs and gifts. The market takes place every Saturday, from 10 am until 4 pm.
Galway is a vibrant and exciting city, full of culture, history, and plenty of things to see and do. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a weekend of sightseeing, this city has something to offer everyone. So come and explore all that Galway has to offer, and you won’t be disappointed!
Small businesses across Galway city and county are being encouraged to check their eligibility for a new support that could help them reduce their energy output.
The new support, available through Local Enterprise Office Galway, will enable small businesses to invest in technologies and equipment to make their businesses more energy efficient.
The grant will be available to companies who through participation in the Green for Micro, GreenStart or SEAI Energy Audit programmes have identified the technology and equipment need & benefits.
It will cover up to 50% of the costs to a maximum amount of €5,000 and will reduce the impact of small businesses on the environment and may help them to reduce costs over time to enable them to become more competitive.
The Energy Efficiency Grant to aid small businesses on their sustainability journey was announced last week by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney.
He said the grant is another significant step in helping our small businesses to become more sustainable and to make a significant contribution to reducing their energy output.
“Everyone must make changes as we aim to become a more sustainable country and small businesses are no different. This grant will make it more feasible for small businesses to engage in this process and hopefully set them on a more sustainable path.
The Local Enterprise Office’s Green for Micro programme has enabled many small companies to take those first steps and now with the Energy Efficiency Grant they can continue that journey.”
Valerie Kelly, Head of Enterprise at LEO Galway said the Local Enterprise Offices are continually looking at ways to help their clients increase productivity and competitiveness.
“The new Energy Efficiency Grant is the natural next step for all those companies that have identified their needs around energy reduction and this will enable them to make those changes in their business.
“We are seeing a huge shift in the mindset of small businesses in recent years around sustainability. It is not just a word anymore but sits at the heart of business objectives and we must continue to help businesses in reaching those objectives.”
The Children’s Remembrance Day Committee at University Hospital Galway is inviting parents and their families who have experienced the death of a child before birth, shortly after birth or at a later stage to remember their loved ones in a special Mass of Remembrance next weekend.
The Mass will take place on Sunday, 11 June at 2.30pm in Church of Mary Immaculate Queen in Barna.
The theme for this year’s mass is ‘Remembered with love’ and the guest speaker John Kelly, a beavered father, will reflect on this theme.
During the Mass, Books of Remembrance with the names of those who have died will be presented to the Altar. The readings and reflections for the Mass are chosen specially with the congregation in mind.
The Chairperson of the Children’s Remembrance Day Committee, Maura Mannion, said that there is a need for a special day for parents and families to share their grief in an understanding and empathetic environment.
“I would encourage anybody who would like their loved one to be included in this special Mass to contact us in advance. Support lets the bereaved person know that there are people there that they can call on,” said Maura.
“Following the Mass, light refreshments will be served in the Cillin attached to the church and the committee look forward to meeting with families to listen to their stories as they share their memories.”
The Children’s Remembrance Day Committee was formed 27 years ago. Every year a special Mass takes place for those who have died and the Books of Remembrance will be available for viewing after Mass.
The timeline and official plans for Renville Sports and Community Grounds have been announced to members of the Oranmore-Maree GAA One Club and residents of the local area this weekend.
A meeting on Saturday at in Galway Bay Golf Resort Club House gave club and community members a first look at finalised plans for the grounds as well as the planned timeline for the project.
Oranmore-Maree GAA One Club also welcomed volunteer support to help make the project a reality with a Volunteer Sign UpArea present on the day.
Phase One of the project will see the construction of four pitches (one 4G full size Astro and three full size sand based pitches) and ancillary facilities for Renville Sports & Community Grounds at a cost of €3 million.
€2.1 million of this has been achieved through the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) grant awarded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media.
Fundraising which has already taken place for the development will provide some of the €900,000 required to meet its costs however extensive fundraising will be needed to reach this full target.
The 4G Astro pitch in the Renville Sports & Community Grounds will be ready for use by members of Oranmore-Maree GAA One Club in the middle of 2024, while the grass pitches will be ready for use in the middle of 2025.
It is planned that ultimately the Renville Sports and Community Grounds will include one full size 4G pitch; three full size sand based grass pitches; various training / warm up areas; club pavilion with multiple changing rooms; ball wall; a community facilities area; secure low level lit 2km community walking / running track; public children’s playground area; preservation of a ringfort as a local heritage and educational site; and a community parking area with accessible public toilets and baby changing facilities which will help further service Renville Park and Graveyard.
Speaking at the Information Morning Chairperson of Renville Sports & Community Grounds Padraig O’Callaghan said they are incredibly proud to be this far along in the process of making Renville Sports and Community Grounds a reality for the members of Oranmore-Maree GAA One Club.
“The Club’s current facilities cannot meet its’ membersneeds. There are now 1700 members of the club which is testament to the dedication of its coaches, volunteers and management committees.
“Our hope is that with the support of the members of Oranmore-Maree GAA One Club and the wider community that we can generate the funds required to get the development finished as soon as possible so it can be enjoyed by current members and generations to come.”
Galway’s public hospitals had their worst May on record for overcrowding, with more patients on trolleys than in any previous year.
There were 896 patients on trolleys at University Hospital Galway last month, making it the third most overcrowded hospital in the country.
It is also more than one hundred patients more than the next worst May on record, which was in 2022.
Portiuncula Hospital also had an extremely bad month, with 248 patients going without a bed at the Ballinasloe Hospital last month.
This is more than twice as many as the next worst May on record, which was 101 people on trolleys in 2015.
“The number of patients we have seen on trolleys in the month of May are higher than January 2023, when we saw the worst levels of daily hospital overcrowding since the INMO began counting trolleys.”
“This type of overcrowding at the beginning of summer must be immediately addressed to prevent an even more chaotic winter,” INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said.
“Nurses are working in a system that has normalised over 500 people a day on trolleys. They have had little to no reprieve from overcrowding.”
“Our members are reporting high levels of burnout and their intention to leave their current work area is higher than it has ever been.”
Nationwide 11,856 people, including 300 children were on trolleys in the month of May according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
“We need to see a laser-like focus from Government and the HSE to tackling the overcrowding crisis in our hospitals once and for all,” Phil Ní Sheaghdha said.
“The corrective measures we seek are proper planning of the cancellation of non-urgent elective surgery in line with public health projections; pre-arranged agreements with private acute hospitals to provide non-urgent elective surgery; and bespoke retention and recruitment initiatives to be implemented now to ensure staffing for additional capacity that is definitely going to be needed.”
A Moycullen real estate agent took home a prestigious national award for their expert marketing at a recent DNG conference.
Galway estate agent DNG Martin O’Connor Properties has been named DNG Marketer of the Year sponsored by Millar Signs at the DNG National Conference and Awards.
The conference and awards, which took place on May 26 at Curragh Racecourse, was attended by more than 150 delegates from offices across Ireland.
DNG Martin O’Connor was established in August 2005. The business has grown from strength to strength which is credited to Martin’s wealth of experience and trusted expertise in residential, commercial, and agricultural sales, property lettings and valuations.
The judging panel of industry experts included of Peter Dargan of the Irish Times, Adrian Bushnell of Pan Research, Nigel Millar of Millar Signs and Keith Lowe, CEO of DNG.
They praised Martin and apprentice auctioneer Emily Walsh for their innovative and creative approach to marketing across print and social media, as well as for using local forum and community groups effectively to promote the business.
Commenting on their success, Martin O’Connor, Managing Director said, “It has been an incredibly busy and successful year for DNG Martin O’Connor.”
“Winning the national award for Marketer of the Year is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication to providing exceptional service to our clients.”
“Finding new ways to market our business is a vital part of the DNG Martin O’Connor approach, and we look forward to continuing to thrive in this area.”
The awards celebrate the hard work carried out across the DNG Network and recognise the successes of individuals within the organisation, rewarding the high standards of service, business acumen and professionalism that are demonstrated in each DNG branch.
Next month sees the launch of an exciting new alternative documentary series from TG4 called Éire Eile presented by Connemara native Cóilí Collins.
In Éire Eile Collins, aka Shampain, examines subcultures and scenes enjoyed by Ireland’s youth in 2022 – everything from Hip-Hop in Limerick and Queer Punk in Belfast to wheelchair basketball in Cork and Historical European Martial Arts in Galway.
Over 8 episodes starting on July 2 on TG4, Shampain explores a range of communities and the people, clubs and organisations which help build and maintain them.
“The most moving part of making the series was witnessing the strength of communities and the empathy that exists within them,” Collins said.
“I grew up in a very rural area and people who didn’t understand me oftentimes made no attempt to understand my interests and just thought I was weird.”
“Meeting these groups of people and doing it all as Gaeilge was an extremely positive experience and something that has really changed the way I see the world.”
“Because if people have each other’s backs and don’t give in to fear we could all get along with each other but more importantly learn from each other’s experiences in life.”
As our work and social lives become increasingly remote, Éire Eile is about what happens when people get together to create, compete, express themselves and indulge their passions.
Diving head first into Ireland’s cultural undercurrents, Shampain leads us in a joyous celebration of community, diversity and inclusivity.
Episodes
Ep 1: Queer Punk
For decades, punk music has given a voice to the city of Belfast. In this episode, Shampain explores the flourishing queer punk scene reaffirming Belfast’s punk legacy around a new cause.
Ep 2: HEMA
In this episode, Shampain draws swords with The Exiles, one of Galway’s Historical European Martial Arts clubs. Spending time with members and taking part in a session, he explores the vitality of hobbies and social groups, no matter how niche.
Ep 3: Trad
In this episode, Shampain spends time with the likes of The Mary Wallopers, who are pushing the boundaries of traditional Irish music with reckless creativity and spirit while galvanising a youthful audience that few thought would be reached again.
Ep 4: Rebel Wheelers
Basketball is known for high flying manoeuvres above the rim, but the breaks of the game take place below it. In this episode, Shampain heads to Cork to meet the Rebel Wheelers, a wheelchair basketball club who make hoop dreams a reality for all, regardless of physical ability.
Ep 5: Limerick Hip-Hop
In recent years, Limerick has become a bastion of an unlikely genre. In this episode, Shampain meets with the legendary Hazey Haze and the up and coming Strange Boy, to find out how Ireland’s third largest city became its hip-hop capital.
Ep 6: Bohs
As the global football landscape is increasingly dominated by sportswashing and financial disparity, Bohemians FC offers a vision of a football club run by the people, for the people. Shampain meets the fans, players and coaches who call Dalymount Park home.
Ep 7: Drag
Shampain explores the role that community plays in shaping our collective and personal identity as he is welcomed into Ireland’s flourishing drag scene to experience firsthand what it takes to be a queen.
Ep 8: Give Us The Night
For the final episode of the season, Shampain is back in his comfort zone as he takes us into the electronic music scene that has defined Irish youth culture in recent decades. Despite this, the scene is fighting an uphill battle to stay alive, led by the Give Us The Night Campaign.
Train services between Galway and Dublin on Saturday will be disrupted by engineering works affecting regularly scheduled travel.
Irish Rail is carrying out engineering works at Athlone Station today.
As a result of this, multiple train services on Saturday afternoon and evening will be operating as bus transfers for a portion of the journey.
The Galway – Heuston trains which have been affected today are:
16:30 Heuston to Galway will operate to Tullamore only, bus transfers direct from Tullamore to Ballinasloe, second bus transfer from Tullamore to Athlone and Ballinasloe, third bus transfer from Athlone to Ballinasloe, second train departing at 18:35hrs from Ballinasloe to Galway which will not serve Woodlawn
17:10 Heuston to Athlone will operate to Tullamore only, bus transfers direct from Tullamore to Athlone, second bus transfer from Tullamore to Clara and Athlone
17:30 Heuston to Galway will operate to Tullamore only, bus transfers direct from Tullamore to Ballinasloe, second bus transfer from Tullamore to Clara, Athlone and Ballinasloe, third bus transfer from Athlone to Ballinasloe, second train departing at 20:12hrs from Ballinasloe to Galway
18:30 Heuston to Galway is cancelled
19:35 Heuston to Galway will operate to Tullamore only, bus transfers direct from Tullamore to Ballinasloe, second bus transfer from Tullamore to Athlone and Ballinasloe, third bus transfer from Athlone to Ballinasloe, second train departing at 21:40hrs from Ballinasloe to Galway
15:05 Galway to Heuston will operate to Ballinasloe only, bus transfers direct from Ballinasloe to Tullamore, second bus transfer from Ballinasloe to Athlone, Clara and Tullamore, second train departing at 17:40hrs from Tullamore to Heuston
17:20 Galway to Heuston will operate to Ballinasloe only, bus transfers direct from Ballinasloe to Tullamore, second bus transfer from Ballinasloe to Athlone and Tullamore, second train departing at 19:25hrs from Tullamore to Heuston
18:10 Galway to Athlone will operate to Ballinasloe only, bus transfers direct from Ballinasloe to Athlone
19:20 Galway to Heuston will operate to Ballinasloe only, bus transfers direct from Ballinasloe to Tullamore, second bus transfer from Ballinasloe to Athlone, Clara and Tullamore, second train departing at 21:30hrs from Tullamore to Heuston
Thousands of homes in Connemara are without power this morning after Storm Bert brought heavy wind and rain overnight.
Power outages are continuing to affect...
Uisce Eireann has issued a Boil Water Notice for more than 2,000 properties in Connemara resulting from issues cause Storm Bert.
The notice has been...
