NUI Galway Societies were presented with three awards at the recent Board of Irish College Societies (BICS) National Awards.

For the third year in a row, the University was awarded the Best Society Award.

The Musical Society (GUMS) won Best Society after an event packed year and a very successful production in the Black Box of The Producers. Dramsoc won Best Poster for their poster advertising their production Deirdre + Naoise and Energy Society won Best Publicity Campaign for the 2018 Galway Energy Summit.

Riona Hughes, Societies Officer at NUI Galway, said: “The Societies have had a great year and the accolades at the National BICS Awards are a testament to their excellence. From GUMS high profile production to Akumakon celebrating patronage from the Japanese Embassy, all of our societies have made their mark on the society calendar.”

BICS is a national organisation dedicated to providing a forum for the societies in Ireland’s universities, Colleges and Institutes of Education.

Also nominated for BICS awards included: Anime and Manga’s Akumakon for Best Event and their Best Fresher Nominee Aoife O’Shaughnessy; Sláinte Society for Best Society (Charity/Civic) and their Best Individual Nominee Sally Cahill; International Student Society (ISS) for Most Improved; Best Buddies Society for Best Photo; and Physics Society for Best Video life.

Galway East TD Sean Canney has said that he has faith that lessons will be learnt from the fodder crisis and that the Minster for Agriculture Michael Creed will treat this crisis like flooding events and put emergency plans in place.

The Independent TD said in the Dáil this week: “Since race week, as they say in Galway, we have had bad weather.

“The weather and farming go hand in glove. I remember on our small family farm in Tuam we used to listen to Charles Mitchel reading the news at night to find out what the weather would be like the next day to make the hay or whatever.

“That has not changed but what has changed is the unprecedented level of rainfall and the unprecedented adverse weather we are getting right throughout the year. We have to examine how we will deal with that and how we will deal with farming.

“I visited a number of marts in recent weeks to talk to farmers.

“They have worked and co-operated together to help out one another as best they can. They have worked with the representatives of the farming organisations and the co-operatives, where possible, to make sure they help one another.

“We have listened tonight to a lot of what is wrong but we also must acknowledge and give credit to the farmers and their families, and the small family farms, for the way they keep beavering away. We can keep talking about what is wrong but we have to examine how we can put this right, and put it right into the future.

“I acknowledge that I have been in contact with the Department about GLAS payments a number of times in the recent weeks and they have been forthcoming and farmers are getting paid. I understand that at this stage, 98% of the payments have been made. It is not as if no payments have been made but we need to make sure that pinch points are sorted out as they arise.

“We must learn from this fodder crisis – I know the Minister will act on it – in the same way as when we had flooding events and put emergency plans in place.”

NDRC is once again partnering with Enterprise Ireland and the Galway City Innovation District to run the second intensive regional accelerator programme for digital companies in Galway and the Western region.

There will be up to 10 places available for successful entrepreneurs in the Galway-based accelerator programme.

Entry will be through a competitive process designed to find and support those digital companies with the best potential for growth and expansion.

Each successful applicant will receive investment amounting to €50,000 – of which €30,000 is a cash investment into their company and €20,000 is in programme service costs.

This joint initiative between the NDRC, the investor in early stage digital and technology startup companies, GCID and Enterprise Ireland is a key part of Enterprise Ireland’s programme to grow the number and quality of startups nationally.

The new call was launched this week at the PorterShed and was supported by Galway West TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Digital Development, Sean Kyne.

The PorterShed, backed by AIB, is already a showcase for Galway’s vibrant tech startup scene, with working space housing 34 innovative companies and home to over 100 members, including hot desks for visiting entrepreneurs.

Sean Kyne TD said: “I’m delighted to see NDRC at PorterShed announce the call for young startups for its second programme.  Encouraging digital entrepreneurship is a key element of Government’s digital policy.

“Our long term future as a successful and modern economy will depend on our capacity to scale up the Irish indigenous sector. Of course, every sector is digital now.

“I’m particularly pleased to see Enterprise Ireland, the Galway City Innovation District and NDRC sponsor this activity in Galway.

“Startups can develop anywhere and Government will seek to support them both locally and nationally.”

NDRC CEO, Ben Hurley said: “We are delighted to once again look to the West for more of Ireland’s entrepreneurial spirit, bringing our experience and expertise to a wonderful location in Galway.

“We are very pleased to be working with Enterprise Ireland, Galway City Innovation District, PorterShed and AIB to support the development of new digital enterprises.

“NDRC has a proven approach, working closely with early stage startups to bridge the gap between their initial formation and follow-on investment and we play an important and leading role in enhancing the startup ecosystem nationally, and in supporting the early stage development of startup companies.”

Young people from across County Galway gathered with their friends and family in The Connacht Hotel, Galway for the ‘Ten Outstanding Young Persons’ (TOYP) Award last Thursday.

The TOYP Award ceremony is a global initiative of Junior Chamber International which aims to recognise young people who are making great progress in their chosen fields and creating a positive impact on other people, their community and society.

JCI Galway received 29 nominations – a record number of nominations this year, from a variety of different backgrounds including art, sport, business, technology and politics. 

Gaughan Redden, Program Manager of Galway 2020; Padraic O’Maille, JCI Galway 1988 President; Evelyn Cormican, JCI Galway 2008 President; and AIB representative Kenneth Deery, Local Market Engagement Manager, had an extremely hard task to pick the Top Ten.

JCI Galway President Carol Ho commented: “There are many young people based in Galway breaking boundaries with personal achievements, business accomplishments and creating positive change in their communities. We need to continue shining a light to let more outstanding young people be seen and recognised.” 

The Ten TOYP Awardees

Dr Eoghan Clifford – Academic leadership and/or accomplishment

Izzy Keane – Personal improvement and/or accomplishment

Joe Canning  – Personal improvement and/or accomplishment

Padraic O’Griallais  – Business, Economic and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment

Amber Davy – Political, legal and/or governmental affairs

Dr Brendan Boland – Scientific and/or technological development

Eliona Gjecag  – Humanitarian and/or voluntary leadership

Finbarr Mchugh – Cultural achievement

Sebastian Taylor  – Business, economics and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment

Aisling Rock  – Cultural achievement

National Finalists
After this amazing Top Ten was selected, the judges had the tougher job of selecting the top three winners to go on to the National Awards run by JCI Ireland.

The awards ceremony will be held in Mayo on May 12 and Izzy Keane, Eliona Gjecag  and Dr Brendan Boland will represent Galway as nominees at these awards.

If they are selected for JCI Ireland’s Top Ten then they will be put forward for the JCI World TOYP awards. These awards recognise winners from all over the world at the 2018 JCI World Congress in October in Goa, India.

Galway West TD Catherine Connolly has said that she is very concerned with the news that a youth reach centre in Conamara is in danger of closure.

Deputy Connolly said that this centre, Teaghmháil na nÓg, in Tír an Fhia, Ceantar na nOileán is a centre that caters for teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18 and that it has been operating in the Gaeltacht since 1991, providing an essential training and education service for young people who have been let down by the mainstream education system.

She said that over 400 young people have availed of the service over the years, with the majority leaving with an essential qualification including in hairdressing, mechanics, plumbing and as electricians.

Moreover, this is a centre that is located in the heart of the Gaeltacht, serving a large hinterland including Carna, Kilkieran, Rosmuc, Carraroe, Rosamhíl and Ceantar na nOileán.

It is the only such service in the Conamara Gaeltacht operating through Irish.

Catherine Connolly has sought an urgent meeting with the CEO of the Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board.

Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cuív has described the ongoing delays in relation to the development of the N6 Galway city ring road as “completely unacceptable”.

The Fianna Fáil TD has called on the government and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to submit plans for the road to An Bord Pleanála without delay.

“The construction of a ring road for Galway city is one of the most urgently needed infrastructure projects facing the city and it has been delayed for a number of years at this stage.  I was recently informed that the views of the National Parks and Wildlife Service on the proposed development were received by Galway County Council in January.  This report relates to biodiversity and environmental impact assessments undertaken for the project,” explained Deputy Ó Cuív.

“I have also been informed that appropriate amendments to the environmental documents have now been completed and that the changes are being incorporated into the final version of the documentation.

“Despite the fact that Galway County Council has requested a meeting with An Bord Pleanála I understand that no date has been agreed.  This work has to be completed before the project can be submitted to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for approval, and I am anxious that this process be expedited as quickly as possible.

“As a result of the ongoing delays it looks unlikely that the planning application for this €100m project will be lodged until May at the earliest, which is a number of months later than had been indicated.

“I’m calling on all of the parties involved in this process to ensure that this project is progressed as quickly as possible once it is submitted to An Bord Pleanála. The ring road is urgently needed; and until it is completed, the traffic chaos in the city will continue,” he added.