Galway City Council has announced plans for the installation of new floodlights at Westside Running Track.
The running track makes up part of the larger sports complex by Westside Playing Fields off the Seamus Quirke Road.
The plans are for the erection of 20 floodlight luminaires on top of 10 lighting columns around the perimeter of the existing running track.
Galway City Council has carried out an Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening Report and has concluded that a full Appropriate Assessment is not required in respect of this proposed development.
Public submissions in relation to these plans can be made to the city council until 4pm on Tuesday, April 9.
Plans and particulars of the proposed development will be available for inspection online at this webpage.
A driver doing 122km/h in an 80km/h zone in the Oranmore area was one of hundreds of people caught speeding over a 24-hour traffic operation.
Gardaí detected in excess of 900 people speeding over the course of the National Slow Down Day which ended at 7am on Friday.
Other examples of serious speeding caught in Galway over the course of the day include:
113km/h in a 80km/h Zone on the R354 Lackagh Beg Turloughmore Galway
70km/h in a 50km/h Zone on the Church Street Ballinasloe Galway
99km/h in a 80km/h Zone on the N6 Baile An Phoill Gaillimh Gaillimh
Gardaí arrested three drivers detected speeding on suspicion of dangerous driving while a further three drivers detected speeding were subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
The aim of National Slow Down Day was to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, to increase compliance with speed limits and act as a deterrent to driving at excessive or inappropriate speed.
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to drivers to comply with speed limits in order to reduce the number of speed related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads.
There were almost 1,000 patients on trolleys at University Hospital Galway in February, making it the third most overcrowded in Ireland.
INMO TrolleyWatch figures show a total of 987 patients admitted to UHG forced to wait on trolleys last month.
This figure was exceeded only by the overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick (2,247) and Cork University Hospital (1,070).
INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha warned that multiple bank holiday weekends ahead will put pressure on hospital beds.
“With two bank holidays happening in quick succession in March, the HSE must outline what steps they are taking in the run up to St. Patrick’s Day to ensure we don’t have a repeat of February overcrowding.”
“Since the end of January, I have been in the majority of hospitals that the INMO counts trolleys in and have witnessed dangerous scenes in many hospitals with patients being treated in completely inappropriate spaces.”
“It is clear that most hospitals are operating at over one hundred per cent occupancy meaning that patients are being cared for in all available spaces which is unsafe.”
Morale among hospital staff is dangerously low, she warned, with the HSE’s hiring freeze exacerbating a feeling of helplessness.
“The system of hiring was very slow to begin with but the introduction of a derogation system and a blanket ban on hiring will render very unsafe situations even worse.”
“Directors of nursing and midwifery are now saying population growth has not been factored in, the increased daily activity has not been factored in and they will not be able to stand over levels of care due to the recruitment freeze.”
Nationwide there were 10,991 patients on trolleys across Irish hospitals in the month of February the INMO has said.
Galway man Frankie Ó Conchubhair goes in search of the history behind his O’Connor surname in the final episode of the TG4 documentary series Sloinne.
Sloinne series delves into the fascinating stories behind Ireland’s most common surnames, bringing history to life in a way that’s accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
The first series showcases surnames like Ó Flaithearta, Ó Murchú, Ó Ceallaigh, Ó Súilleabháin, Ó Domhnaill, Seoighe, and Ó Conchubhair.
Each episode features a special guest exploring their family surname, taking us on a journey back in time. We’ll visit ancient strongholds tied to these names, reliving epic battles and feuds over land and possessions.
From the famous to the infamous, modern-day stories of surname bearers add a personal touch, highlighting our enduring connection to our ancestors.
In this Sunday’s final episode of Sloinne, the programme follows Frankie Ó Conchubhair (Ros a mhíl) as he goes on a journey back in time to trace the history of his O’Connor surname.
He finds out about the different variations and spellings of the O’Connor surname when he meets with Dr Kieran O’Conor – lecturer at University College Galway – and discusses the knowledge of owned land in Barna belonging to his O’Connor family with series geneologist Paul MacCotter.
Frankie’s journey also takes him to Roscommon. There, he visits the picture-perfect Clonalis House, where Pyers O’Conor Nash shows him around The O’Conor Don Estate, which was passed down through generations and maintained by his family.
He also meets historian Rena Burke at Felim O’Connor’s tomb in the Dominican Priory of St.Mary and Dr Daniel Curley (historian and archaeologist) at the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre.
The episode features other conversations with harpist Úna Ní Fhlannagáin (Galway), poet Micheál Ó hAodha (Galway) and historian Sharon Slater (Limerick).
The finale episode of the documentary series Sloinne will air on TG4 at 8:30pm this Sunday, March 3.
Galway County Council is set to adopt Ireland’s first National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy which launched today.
This plan aims to tackle the significant waste challenges faced in Ireland and provides a new framework for the prevention and management of waste from 2024 to 2030.
The plan sets out an ambitious target of 0% waste growth per person. This means the amount of waste generated for each person is not going to increase above existing levels.
This equates to an effective 7-10% reduction in predicted waste generation by 2030.
The Plan emphasizes waste reduction from commercial activities and the construction and demolition sector and identifies 16 focus areas with 85 priority actions.
“As a nation, we’ve seen a significant increase in the amount of waste generated each year and it’s having a dramatic impact on our environment, our climate and our natural resources,” Kevin Swift, Regional Waste Co-ordinator Connacht Ulster.
“Last year alone we collected over 13 and a half million tonnes of waste – or over 2 tonnes per person. That’s the equivalent weight of two cars! This cannot continue.”
“We urgently need a new approach, and this plan provides a roadmap for how we can produce less waste and become more circular by repairing, reusing, and recycling more.”
The plan also aims to encourage sustainable consumption, with proposals for more awareness campaigns, education programmes, and demonstration projects, as well as promoting the correct use of collection bins.
It’s anticipated that the combined effect of these interventions will prevent 300,000 tonnes of waste over the life of this Plan and increase the recycling rate by up to 9%,” said Mr Swift.
“It’s also really important that we become more creative with the waste we do produce and look at innovative ways to encourage recycling such as the Deposit Return Scheme,” he added.
The private waste sector in Ireland is valued at over €1.4bn and provides employment for approximately 10,000 people.
The total Local Authority expenditure on waste functions exceeds €280M annually and involves over 1700 people.
The scale of the financial and human commitment to waste services is large, yet the plan highlights that the transition to a circular economy will require additional State investment of at least €40 million to achieve the desired outcomes.
Three walking trails on Inis Meain will get funding for their maintenance as the latest additions to ‘Ireland’s National Walks Scheme’.
The scheme provides funding to farmers and other landholders to maintain walking trails which go through their land.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys announced this week that 62 new trails across 17 counties have been added to the scheme.
The three trails in Galway added to the scheme are Lúb Dún Chonchúir, Lúb Cill Cheannannach, and Lúb Dún Fearbhaí.
This is part of a phased expansion that will see the number of trails on the Walks Scheme increase from 80 to 150 over the next two years.
Over €15 million has been paid to farmers and landholders participating in the Scheme since 2017, with an additional €1.4 million spent on materials for the maintenance of trails.
This expansion will see an additional annual investment of over €500,000 to rural areas through the scheme.
Minister Humphreys said, “I want to make Ireland an international destination of choice for walkers and hikers.”
“We have a unique offering in terms of our natural landscape filled with mountains, forests, lakes, rivers and sea.”
“Often these amenities can only be truly appreciated by crossing through fields and land owned by local farmers,” Heather Humphreys said.
“The National Walks Scheme is about working in partnership with landowners so we can open up access to local communities and tourists to enjoy these wonderful hidden gems we have all across Ireland.”
“I want to acknowledge and thank the work of all the farmers and landowners involved in the Walks Scheme who provide access to their holdings and who help to maintain the trails to a high standard for the benefit of a huge number of locals and visitors.”
“Without the goodwill of farmers, we would not have access to many of our favourite tracks and trails. It is incumbent on all of us to use these amenities responsibly, respect local landowners and of course – Leave no Trace.”
Train services between Galway and Dublin will be disrupted this weekend due to line improvement works taking place.
This Saturday, March 2 Irish Rail is carrying out gantry relaying works on the line between Portarlington and Clonydonnin.
As a result of this disruption, there will be some train services between Galway and Dublin either cancelled operating as bus transfers on Saturday.
The affected scheduled services are:
17:30 Heuston to Galway will operate to Portarlington only, bus transfers direct from Portarlington to Athlone, second bus transfer from Portarlington to Tullamore, Clara and Athlone, second train departing at 19:45hrs from Athlone to Galway
18:30 Heuston to Galway is cancelled
19:35 Heuston to Galway will operate to Portarlington only, bus transfers direct from Portarlington to Athlone, second bus transfer from Portarlington to Tullamore and Athlone, second train departing at 21:40hrs from Athlone to Galway
17:20 Galway to Heuston will operate to Athlone only, bus transfers direct from Athlone to Portarlington, second bus transfer from Athlone to Tullamore and Portarlington, second train departing at 19:50hrs from Portarlington to Heuston
19:20 Galway to Heuston will operate to Athlone only, bus transfers direct from Athlone to Portarlington, second bus transfer from Athlone to Clara, Tullamore and Portarlington, second train departing at 22:17hrs from Portarlington to Heuston
These disruptions will repeat the following weekend on Saturday, March 9 while work is taking place in the same area.
Galway County Council has granted planning permission for the demolition of Lidl supermarket in Gort to make way for a larger replacement.
Lidl sought the council’s approval to demolish the existing supermarket on Crowe Street, Gort, along with a neighbouring building.
This would make way for the construction of a larger new supermarket in its place, increasing the floor space from 1,795m² currently to 2,529m² when the new building is built.
In the application, Lidl stated that the larger supermarket will create an additional 5-10 full-time jobs on top of current employment levels.
The Cover Letter for the plans states that the current supermarket, which was designed in 2005, is no longer suitable to cater for the scale of demand in the area.
Planning permission for the supermarket was granted by Galway County Council with 26 conditions attached.
One condition states that Lidl must provide a minimum of two hours of free public parking on the site to serve the town centre.
Other works will include reconfiguring car parking and landscaping on the site, along with reconfiguring vehicular and pedestrian access to Kinincha Road.
The development will also include the creation of new pedestrian accesses to Kinincha Road and Crowe Street, and a public plaza where the site meets Crowe Street.
The Provincial Champions Liam Camogie Club were honoured for their achievements at a Mayoral Reception in Galway City.
The Camogie team was feted for their Galway and Connaught Junior A victories in 2023.
Mayor Eddie Hoare, congratulated the players on their achievements, while also paying tribute to the management team, and family and friends, who supported the team to victory.
Cllr. Eddie Hoare, Mayor of the City of Galway, commented, “I know the pride putting your club or county colours on brings, and I hope you enjoyed the road to victory.”
“I know is only the beginning of your sporting achievements as individuals, as Galwegians and as representatives of your club and City.”
“And the impact of your win may go further than you might imagine… For young girls – and boys – in the Liam Mellows catchment area witnessing your achievements; and the pride of your club; the camaraderie, sporting prowess and sense of community of your teammates.
“You are inspiring them as sporting role models, and who knows how many young people in Renmore or beyond you have inspired”.
The team were presented with a Galway Crystal plaque and a commemorative scroll, and Michelle Hourigan, Team Captain, and Peter Mulrooney, Club Chairperson spoke on behalf of the winning team and Liam Mellows Camogie Club.
Mayor Hoare closed the event by inviting all to sign the Mayoral Book, and wished the team and the club best wishes for the 2024 fixtures.
Minister of State for Sports Thomas Byrne formally confirmed the €20 million Grant Agreement for the redevelopment of Connacht Rugby’s home grounds during a recent visit to the stadium.
The Minister was recently hosted by Connacht Rugby at the renamed Dexcom Stadium, formerly known as The Sportsground.
During that visit, he formally confirmed the agreement for €20 million under the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund, which was first awarded in 2020.
Phase 2 of the Stadium redevelopment will now be able to get underway, which will consist of a new High-Performance Centre.
When completed this will deliver a new indoor training pitch for the club, along with new state-of-the-art athlete and staff facilities.
The final part of the once-in-a-generation overhaul of the stadium will involve building the new North Stand, with a capacity for over 7,000 supporters, which will replace the existing Clan Terrace.
Minister Byrne with Championship winning Connacht U18 girls team. Photo: INPHO
Also during his visit, the Minister met with members of the Connacht U18 girls team that won the Interprovincial Championship this month.
Irish International, Mack Hansen presented Minister Byrne with a signed Connacht jersey on behalf of all at Connacht Rugby.
The Citypoint building in Galway City Centre is up for sale with a guide price of more than €20 million.
The Citypoint building on the corner of Eyre Square is home to TK Maxx on the ground floor, as well as software company Mathworks and Snap Fitness gym.
The building also includes self-catering apartments operated by Western Hotel Citypoint Apartments.
TWM Property states that the building is guiding in excess of €21.5 million, and generates approximately €1.87 million in rent each year.
The 80,000sqft building was previously bought by Insurance Company Friends First for €22 million back in 2018.
This weekend the Galway Senior Hurlering Team will host a family fun day to raise money for Hand in Hand children’s cancer charity.
The family fun day will take place this Saturday, March 2 at Pearse Stadium from 12pm – 2pm, with young people getting the chance to meet and greet the county stars.
Michelle Healy, Galway GAA PRO said, “All in Galway GAA are proud to be involved in supporting this worthy event.”
“Supporting charities is ingrained in our GAA culture, with clubs, volunteers and players involved in many initiatives. I want to pay a special tribute to our Senior Hurlers in coming together to initiate such a wonderful event.”
“We are delighted to be in a position to work with Hand in Hand to help raise awareness about their initiatives and the impact of those.”
“The benefits of this occasion will make a significant contribution to children and their families who are affected by childhood cancer.”
There will be plenty of options for selfies, photographs, and autographs with the team, as well as the chance to win some fabulous prizes while supporting a truly deserving cause.
Hand in Hand Children’s Cancer Charity is based in Loughrea, Co Galway. The charity provides practical and emotional support to children and their families who are affected by childhood cancer.
Caroline O Connor, Fundraising & Communication Manager Hand in Hand said, ”We are deeply grateful for the support received from Galway GAA and the wider community.”
“This is going to be a wonderful event organised by the Galway Senior Hurling Team and Management. The success of the GAA is rooted in the ethos of community engagement, involvement, support, and assistance which permeates throughout every club the country.”
“Hand in Hand Children’s Cancer Charity is rooted in the very same belief, co-ordinating all the team players to provide household cleaning, laundry services, family meal deliveries and wrap around supports for families dealing with a childhood cancer diagnosis.”
“Like every community we are stronger together. Funds raised by this event will go directly towards helping families with practical and emotional supports with a childhood cancer diagnosis.”
These services are provided free of charge to families with a childhood cancer diagnosis undergoing active treatment with emotional services continuing post treatment.”
Pat McDonagh said that Supermac’s was delighted to be involved with the fundraiser. “I commend the players for taking part in this worthy event,” he said.
“It shows a sense of community and togetherness that is an important characteristic of any team. Supermac’s is delighted to be associated with the Meet and Greet event on Sunday and we are particularly happy that the benefit will go to a children’s charity, Hand in Hand.”
“These players are their heroes and it will mean a lot to them. We urge everyone to come along on the day to this event and to make a donation to this worthy cause.”
Disclaimer: All content is accurate at the time of publication; offers in this post may be subject to change.
Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching, and in preparation for one of the most popular events in the racing calendar, we bring you all of the best betting offers, Cheltenham free bets, how to sign up, how to claim, and more.
All the brands included below have fantastic welcome bonuses that are a must to claim ahead of the festival and have been ranked in order, according to our experts.
As a result, it is bet365 that has been selected to be our number one destination for Cheltenham free bets. The welcome offer run at the site is one of the best available, and as a reputable bookie in the horse racing market, it is a highly respected and popular platform for many.
bet365 is one of Ireland’s most popular sportsbooks. Launching in the year 2000, it is one of the biggest brands for online sports and horse racing betting. This is why it is no surprise to see the site featured in and sat at the top of our list for the best betting offers and Cheltenham free bets. It has a fantastic selection of different markets for horse punters to choose from, as well as some of the most competitive odds on the market for races.
bet365 Cheltenham Offer – Bet €10 Get €30
bet365 is one of the top Cheltenham bookmakers offering an exciting bonus for new customers who register ahead of the event. Place a first bet of €10 at bet365 to get €30 in free bets to use at the site.
Pros ✅
Cons ❌
Reputable, established brand
No rewards scheme
Strong range of promotions
Range of banking options
2. Betway – Best Cheltenham Betting Promo for New Customers
Expert Rating: 4.8/5
Another one of the best Cheltenham Festival betting sites is Betway. It is known among Irish sports fans for its incredible range of sports, different promotions and betting options. Horse racing bettors can expect to find the likes of Cheltenham Festival free bets, live in-play betting, odds boosts and more. Betway also offers live streaming of horse racing so fans do not miss a single second of the action. Also, Betway offers its services to customers via a dedicated mobile app, making its platform accessible and convenient to many.
Betway Cheltenham Offer – Up To €50 in Free Bets
Sign up to Betway and claim one of the top Cheltenham bookmakers offers this March. Register your details and be in with the chance to receive up to €50 worth of free bets to use at the site throughout the festival.
Pros ✅
Cons ❌
Fantastic range of betting markets
No VIP/Loyalty Programme
Great promotions
Mobile app
3. Spreadex – Best Cheltenham Betting Promotion for Betting Options
Expert Rating: 4.8/5
Launched in 2006, Spreadex is a popular sports betting platform among Irish bettors. Offering a comprehensive range of sporting events, live streaming, and betting types, whether a new customer or existing, there is always something to claim or benefit from. Spreadex is recognised for its market-leading spread betting ability, which customers can take advantage of in particular when it comes to the sites Cheltenham betting offers—also featuring a top-quality mobile app, horse racing fans can take their bets on the go and check on them from wherever they are.
Spreadex Cheltenham Offer – Bet €10 Get €40
Available to new customers at Spreadex is an exciting Cheltenham Festival welcome offer up for grabs. Sign up, register your details and place your first €10 at the site to get €40 worth of free bets to use throughout the festival.
Pros ✅
Cons ❌
Live streaming available
Limited payment methods
Top-quality betting types
Lots of promotions
4. BetVictor – Best Cheltenham Bonus for Existing Customers
Expert Rating: 4.7/5
Providing an extensive sportsbook, BetVictor is one of the top sites for offering Cheltenham free bets offers and other exciting promotions. One of the oldest operating bookmakers in the UK and Ireland, the site is recognised for its horse racing markets and is a popular place for horse racing enthusiasts to gather and play. It also has a top customer support team in place when customers need including a 24/7 live chat and a phone helpline.
BetVictor Cheltenham Offer – 100% Matched Deposit Up To €100
At this Cheltenham bookmaker, new sign-ups at Betvictor can see their deposit matched 100% up to €100, simply for creating an account. Register your details and place your first bet of up to €100 at the site to get started.
One of the highest-rated sportsbooks in Ireland, Boylesports offers customers a huge variety of different sports, offers, and betting types. With a great welcome offer to get you started, customers can go on to discover more fantastic features such as a top mobile app, great bonuses and an Acca loyalty programme. It has some of the best free bets for Cheltenham, alongside offering live streaming of the event at the site so players can place live in-play bets and not miss a single second of racing action.
Boylesports Cheltenham Offer – Bet €10 Get €20
Players who sign up to Boylesports today can claim €20 in free bets when they make a qualifying bet of €10. This great offer allows new bettors to make bets on the Cheltenham Festival. Users can also expect to find a range of bonuses once they sign up.
Pros ✅
Cons ❌
Great horse racing offers
The interface is a little outdated.
Live streaming horse racing
Trusted and established sportsbook
Types of Free Bets and Offers for Cheltenham
There is a great range of free bets and more available for customers throughout Cheltenham Festival 2024. Below, we have looked at the most common free Cheltenham bets and what other offers can be claimed throughout the event.
Cheltenham Free Bets (Bet X Get Y)
Free bets for Cheltenham are the most popular offer that is claimed at betting sites for the festival. Free bets allow horse racing betting enthusiasts to experience more of what a site has to offer without spending any more of their hard-earned money. Place a qualifying bet of £X, and once the bet settles, receive £Y into your account in the form of bonus bets. Bonus bets are not able to be cashed out and will need to be used within a certain time frame, as advised in the terms and conditions of each promotion.
Odds Boosts on Favourites Cheltenham
Odds Boosts on Favourites are similar to regular odds boosts. Specific selections will have boosted odds, in this case, where the horses who are favourites to win races will have boosted odds for customers to claim. These are often found on the best runners in each race and are run for short periods of time.
Bet Through the Cards Offers for Cheltenham
A Bet Through the Cards Offer is when customers place a bet on the first race of a day and, in turn, will receive a free bet on each of the following races throughout the day. To claim this offer, customers must sign up to a site ahead of the day’s racing and get their first race bet locked in. This is a valuable offer that is not always available.
Existing Customer Cheltenham Promotions
There are not only top promotions such as Cheltenham free bets for new customers but also plenty available for existing customers of sites. Below, we look at the most common promotions for existing customers to benefit from throughout the Cheltenham Festival.
Acca Insurance
Available to existing customers, Acca Insurance means that if one selection on a customer’s accumulator loses, they can receive the initial stake back in the form of betting funds or a free bet to use again at the site. This can sometimes have a minimum requirement of selections required to qualify as well as a minimum stake amount.
Best Odds Guaranteed
A valuable promotion on offer to existing customers is Best Odds Guaranteed. This means that if the odds on a selection increase after a bet has been placed at a site, the site will award players with the new, higher odds placed on the selection once the bet has settled, guaranteed.
Extra Each-Way Places
Extra Each-Way Places bets are where bettors have the option to increase or decrease the number of places in a race when betting Each Way on horse racing. Add places to your Each Way bets and take a reduced price, or remove places and increase the odds on your selection.
Acca Boosts
Acca Boosts are where customers can receive a boost on their horse racing accumulators at a site. The bigger the accumulator, the bigger the boost. Add your selections to your bet slip as normal and click the Acca Boost button – this can be found on your bet slip.
Odds Boots
Another common and popular offer claimed by horse racing bettors is boosted odds. Boosted odds are when certain markets offer enhanced odds for a limited time or event. Usually represented by the original odds being crossed out with the new odds next to it, it is often found on heavy favourites and gives punters more incentive to back the short-priced favourites. Many Cheltenham bookmakers will boost the odds on a race’s favourite to win.
Non-Runner No Bet
This type of bet is when a customer has placed a bet on a horse that does not end up running or is pulled out of a race ahead of the event. Placing a Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) means that you will receive a refund of your stake back to your bank or back as bonus bets to your account with a bookmaker to place another wager at the site. This offer is not found at all sites or very often, so claim it whilst you can!
How To Sign Up and Claim an Irish Cheltenham Betting Offer
It is simple to sign up and claim any of these top Irish Cheltenham free bets offers. Below, we have provided a step-by-step guide to help you.
Click the link provided to be taken to the Cheltenham free bets offer sign-up page at the site of your choice.
Follow the onscreen prompts and enter your personal details like your name, address, email, date of birth, etc.
Create a unique and memorable username and password combination.
Sign in and make your first deposit, meeting any minimum requirements set out in the promotion’s terms and conditions.
Enter the relevant bonus code if one is required.
Place a qualifying first bet across any of the site Cheltenham betting markets.
Wait for the bet to settle to receive your free bets for Cheltenham.
If you are looking for betting sites specific to horse racing, then check out our dedicated review; click here to learn more about the best horse racing betting sites in Ireland.
How To Use Your Cheltenham Free Bets
There are so many ways for customers to use their Cheltenham free bets at any of these Irish betting sites. First, the way to use free bets is to add the selections you wish to wager on to your bet slip and select to use your free bets. It is important to check the relevant terms and conditions to the free Cheltenham bet offers that have been claimed, as they can vary. There will be certain excluded selections, betting type restrictions, betting product restrictions, minimum odds requirements, maximum winnings restrictions and finally, a certain time frame to use them within. Players often have 7 to 30 days to claim and use their free bets for Cheltenham.
The best ways to use your free bets for Cheltenham will depend on your chosen bookmaker. For more details on the best Cheltenham bookmakers, head to our dedicated review page.
What to do if you have a gambling problem
We understand that gambling can be fun, but it’s important to gamble responsibly. If you are struggling with a gambling problem, please don’t hesitate to ask for help. There are people who can help you get on the road to recovery.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Eddie Hoare, has announced that this year’s Galway City Mayoral Ball will take place on Friday 26th April, 2024 at The Galmont Hotel & Spa represented by Karen Jones and Stefan Lundstrum. Photo: Andrew Downes, Xposure
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Eddie Hoare, has announced the date and venue for this year’s Mayoral Ball in aid of worthy charities.
The 2024 Galway City Mayoral Ball will take place on the evening of Friday, April 26 at The Galmont Hotel & Spa.
Beginning with a Drinks Reception at 6pm, guests will then enjoy a delectable formal dinner in the city centre hotel’s stunning Inis Mór Ballroom, before being whisked up into an elegant evening of dancing, live music and entertainment.
The five deserving charities which will benefit from the proceeds of this year’s Ball include: The National Breast Cancer Research Institute, Hopespace, The Galway Sick Kids Foundation, Blue Teapot Theatre Company and Rosabel’s Rooms.
Mayor Hoare said he is looking forward to a wonderful night on April 26th and is honoured to be able to support a number of very worthy charities and voluntary groups that positively impact the lives of so many people on a daily basis.
General Manager of The Galmont Hotel & Spa Stefan Lundstrom said: “It’s a real honour to have been selected as the venue to host this year’s Mayoral Ball raising funds for such incredible charities.”
“Our team at the hotel looks forward to welcoming all the guests and putting on a night to remember.”
Tickets for the Mayoral Ball are priced at €150 each and are available at the reception in the Galmont Hotel & Spa and also online through ClearBookings.
Work on a new X-ray unit in Tuam Primary Care Centre is due to be completed by the end of next month.
County Cllr Donagh Killilea requested an update on the timeline of the installation and operation of the new X-ray unit at a meeting of the Regional Health Forum this week.
The new unit is located at Tuam Primary Care Centre, and the final cost will be an estimated €1.64 million.
The project involves converting an existing GP suite into a new diagnostics suite, and an office into an audiology and observation room.
Work on the project got underway last August, and is currently due to be completed by the end of March 2024.
It is expected that services will commence shortly after that point.
Minister of State Jack Chambers was in Galway on Tuesday for the official opening of the Martin Junction and Doughiska Road South Cycle Network.
The Martin Roundabout was converted to a four-arm signalised junction with new cycle lanes, bus priority measures, footpaths, and associated landscaping.
The junction also connects Roscam and Doughiska to the Galway Clinic and provides for sustainable future development of the Ardaun area where up to 4000 housing units are to be provided for.
The Doughiska Road South Cycle Network Scheme connects the Old Dublin Road with the Coast Road with improved walking and cycling facilities.
Both projects were co-funded by the National Transport Authority and the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.
Speaking about the new schemes, Patricia Philbin, Interim Chief Executive of Galway City Council said, “These projects represent a significant investment in transport infrastructure in Galway.”
“The Martin Junction Upgrade has allowed pedestrians and cyclists improved access on some of the key arterial routes in the city.”
“The Doughiska Road Cycle Network Scheme has greatly enhanced facilities for residents and visitors in this area and is a glimpse into the future for other parts of Galway as we continue to progress our ambition of improving infrastructure for all road users.”
Minister Jack Chambers said that he was delighted to see the opening of two active travel projects in Galway City.
“These projects, delivered by Galway City Council and funded primarily by the Department of Transport through the NTA’s Active Travel Infrastructure Programme, will provide vital walking and cycling infrastructure to the local area which will benefit residents of and visitors to the area alike.”
“The key linkages provided by the Doughiska Road South Cycle Network Scheme in particular will form part of the Galway City Cycle Network and ultimately contribute to a more liveable, healthier and vibrant city.”
“The Martin Road junction upgrade was part funded by the Urban Regeneration & Development Fund through the Department of Housing and I would like to acknowledge my colleague Minister Darragh O’Brien for his strong support of the project.”
At one point in the early 2000s, it seemed like there was a new celebrity fragrance hitting shelves every day. While they might seem like a modern invention, celeb-endorsed scents have been around for a while now. Elizabeth Taylor brought her star power to Elizabeth Arden in 1987, releasing the enduringly popular Passion. But Taylor would be only the first in a long line of actors, athletes, singers, and reality stars to find more fortune by breaking into the fragrance market.
While some buyers might prefer the iconic aromas of Coco Chanel, there’s obviously a sizable appetite for celebrity beauty brands and fragrances. The market was worth more than $1 billion and revenues are moving in the right direction. Below, we’ll take a look at a few famous faces behind some of the best-selling fragrances of recent years.
The Signature Scents of Hollywood Stars
While some stars wait to be approached by fragrance houses, others take matters into their own hands. Sarah Jessica Parker is one such self-starter, who’d always had a keen interest in perfumery. After pushing her agent to put a few feelers out, Parker’s luck came good when she was given the green light to create her very own scent. Partnering with Laurent le Guernec, Parker was actively involved in creating her scent, eventually dubbed Lovely. It might not have matched the sales of heights of other celeb perfumes, but it still has its fans and remains readily available.
Like Elizabeth Taylor before her, movie star and sitcom royalty, Jennifer Aniston was approached by Elizabeth Arden to create a scent of her own. Keeping it simple with a fragrance named after herself, Jennifer Aniston was released in 2010. While initial sales were disappointing, they were convincing enough for Aniston’s new business partner, with a further eight fragrances released.
When Pop and Perfume Collide
At the turn of the century, Britney Spears was raking in more from endorsement deals than her music career. While she was willing to attach her name to everything from soft drinks to sunglasses, it’s the leap into the fragrance market that proved to be her most lucrative commercial deal. In 2004, she joined up with Elizabeth Arden to release her first signature scent, Curious. It would prove to be a smash hit for both parties, with the legendary cosmetics company counting record-breaking first-week sales. Further fragrances would follow, with global sales surpassing $1.5 billion within a few years. Britney’s perfumes continue to be popular with consumers with her forty-second fragrance, Jungle Fantasy, landing in 2023.
Never one to be outdone, Britney’s pop contemporary and one-time love rival Christina Aguilera has also maintained a lucrative side hustle selling perfume. After dabbling with some short-lived endorsement deals, she made her first major foray into the fragrance market in 2004. Working with Sarantis, a Greek brand, she helped create a trio of scents for the brand’s Xpose collection. While these perfumes weren’t sold outside of Europe, they didn’t go unnoticed elsewhere in the world.
In 2007, Aguilera partnered with Procter & Gamble to launch her own perfume brand. Her eponymous debut scent proved particularly popular, with the line gradually expanding to include sprays, lotions, gels, and more. Since then, a further 16 lines have been released, with Aguilera’s perfumes proving big sellers in North America and the United Kingdom. The brand has also gone down well with critics, receiving plenty of column inches from magazine editors.
It’s also earned some high-profile accolades, including a prestigious FiFi Award.
Do Celeb Fragrances Have a Future?
While a slight dip in sales suggested consumers were losing interest in celebrity fragrances, the market has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. The same old stalwarts are dominating the sector, although the likes of Britney Spears have been joined by contemporary chart-toppers like Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish. What’s more, you only have to look at the continued success of the scent that started it all, Passion, to see consumer appetite for celeb scents is far from satiated.
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