Darren’s Diary – Kicking The Habit (Day 39) – Friday, 30th March

Más mian libh bhur chuid aclaíocht ar fad a bheith agaibh roimh na h-uibheacha cáisc ar fad á n-ithe ar an Domhnach ba chóir daoibh tabhairt fé Cleasathon Inis Oírr.

Níl ach lá amháin le dul sula dtosnóidh Cleasathon Inis Oírr 2018 a mbíonn ar siúl ar an Satharn Chásic go bliantúil ar an oileán ‘is lú agus is deise’ do na trí Oileáin.

Tá Inis Oírr, mar ceann do na trí Oileáin Árainn, i mBá na Gaillimhe ar chósta thiar na hÉireann. Is áit gan fuachas é le timpeallacht ghleoite agus teanga bhinn na Gaeilge. Is féidir eitilt chuige as Indreabhán i gConamara le Aer Arann nó taisteal ar bhád as Ros an Mhíl i gConamara nó as Dúlainn i gCo. an Chláir.

Is oiléan gleoite aolchloiche é atá cosúil leis an mBoireann agus daonra de 250 ann ar feadh na bliana. Oiléan Gaeltachta é Inis Oírr le stair agus cultúr saibhir rud a tharraingíonn go leor turasóirí chuig an oiléan.

Is comhlacht poiblí é Cleas ar an oileán a reachtáileann meascán gníomhaíochtaí do ghrúpaí scoile a mbeadh suim acu lá nó dhó a chaitheamh in Inis Oírr, mar shampla siúlóidí eolais, ceardlanna ceardaíochta agus déanamh na gciseán traidisiúnta. Le breis eolais a fháil glaoigh ar (0)99 75979 nó seol r-phost chuig: cleasteo@gmail.com

Is iad Cleas a d’eagraidh an Cleasathon agus iad ag iarraidh airgid a bhailiú a rachaidh díreach isteach sa phobail arís chun na háiseanna a dhéanamh níos fearr.

Trí rás difriúl a bheidh ar siúl, Rás Eachtraíochta 10 míle,(€35), Rás Bóthair 13k (€35) agus Rás Bóthair 7k (€25) agus tugtar cead d’iomaitheoirí na rásanna seo a shiúl freisin.

Cúrsa 1
Bíonn sé sách deachair in áiteanna le féar, feamainn is talamh sciorrach, boghléir, clocha móra géara, garbha & corracha, bacanna is gaineamh. Moltar ‘trail runners’ a chaitheamh.

Cúrsa 2
Rás timpeall 13k ar bhóithre atá sórt cnocach i bpaistí é Rás 2.

Cúrsa 3
Níl an rás bóthair 7k ró-chothrom ach an oireadh ach beidh An Plassy agus An Loch Mór le feicéail ar an mbealach.

Bhí Cathleen, ó Cleas ag caint faoin Cleasathon agus dóchas aici go mbeadh mórchuid daoine ag teacht amach don imeacht.

“Táimid dóchasach go mbeidh ana chuid daoine ag teacht ach níl uimhreacha againn fós mar braitheann sé ar an aimsir. Go minic is ar an lá a dtagann an chuid is mó do na daoine mar bíonn siad ag fanacht le feiscint cén sort aimsir a bheidh ann.”

Beidh an trí rás ag tosnú ag 1.30i.n. agus beidh clárú ann idir 10r.n. agus 12.45 i.n. ag an Halla in aice na Páirce mar aon le dáileadh uimhreacha na rásaí. Moltar do gach duine a bheith réidh don treoir ag 1.20 agus meastar go críochnófar na rásaí go hoifigiúl ag 4.00i.n.

Is féidir tuilleadh eolas a fháil faoi na rásaí trí ríomhphoist a chuir chuig info@cleasathon-inisoirr.info nó glaoch a chuir ar Cathleen ag 099 – 75979.

Más lá deas a bhéas ann cén fáth nach rachaidh sibh agus a bheith rannpháirteach sa Cleasathon. Bheadh sibh ag mothú i bhfad níos fearr ar an Domhnach ansin agus sibh ag suí ar an tolg ag líonadh bhur bholg le seacláide.

Traidisiún na Tithe Tabhairne le bheith dúnta ar Aoine Chéasta á coiméad ag Tigh Chadhain

By

Sheila Ní Bheaglaoich

-

March 30, 2018

Tá traidisiún na tithe tabhairne le bheith dúnta á coimeád ag Tigh Cadhain i Chonamara agus iad ag fanacht dúnta do Aoine an Chéasta, inniu.

Chuile bhliain le nócha h-aon bliain anuas, bhí ar na tithe tabhairne mar aon leis na siopaí-eischeadúnas a dhúnadh ar Aoine Chéasta faoi rialú a bhí ann ó 1927, a chur choisc le alcól a dhíol.

I mí Eanair 2018 chuireadh reachtaíocht tríd an Dáil a thug an cead do na tithe tabhairne agus na siopaí-eischeadúnas a bheith ar oscailt ar Aoine an Chéasta i mbliana.

Dhein Mícheál Ó Cadhain, úinéar Tigh Cadhain, atá lonnaithe i Chonnamara an cinneadh gan oscailt agus an traidisiún a bhí aige chuile bhliain a choiméad.

“Dheineas an cinneadh na doirse a choiméad dúnta mar is traidisiún domsa atá ann. Is tigh tabhairne beag sinn agus ní bhíonn ach dhá lá in aghaidh na bhliana saor again, Aoine an Chéasta agus Lá Nollag.”

“Dom féin an cinneadh ceart a bhí ann ná an lá a thógaint saor agus píosa beag péinteáil a dhéanamh chun an teach tabhairne a ullmhú don tSamhraidh.”

Let’s do this!
#PaintThePub #GoodFriday #Connemara #WildAtlanticWay pic.twitter.com/kwbVADb8WR

— Michael Coyne (Cadhain Óg) (@CoynesBar) March 30, 2018

Tá Tigh Cadhain lonnaithe ar Slí an Atlantach, i Cill Chiaráin i gcroílár Gaeltacht Chonamara ag féachaint amach ar Bá Cill Chiaráin. Dúirt Míchéal leis gur chuireadh iontas ar faoin méid poiblíocht a bhí ann faoin cinneadh atá déanta aige na doirse a choiméad dúnta. Le cúpla lá anuas bhí mórchuid cainte ar siúl ar na méansosialta faoi oscailt na tithe tabhairne ar Aoine Chéasta ach cheapainn Mícheál nach mairfidh an caint sin ar feadh i bhfad.

“Cheapann gach éinne gur rud iontach é seo agus Éire nua-aoiseach atá ann anois. Is é oscailt na tithe tabhairne atá caint ar fad ar líne bunaithe air. Tá a fhios agam féin théis cúig bliaina nó mar sin de go mbeidh seo athraithe ar fad.”

“Beidh sé ar nós aon lá eile, más mian le daoine dul go tigh tabhairne beidh siad in ann ach i mbliaina mar is rud nua é is príomhábhair cainte é.”

“Dom féin táim ag fanacht dúnta mar ní thárlaíonn sé go minic go mbíonn lá saor agam. Mar úinéir gnó bíonn ort a bheith ann i gcónaí chun fadhbanna a réiteach agus mar sin táim chun leanúint leis an traidisiún a bhí ann, agus a bheidh agam féin dos na blianta amach romhainn.”

Is féidir Tigh Cadhain a leanúint ar Facebook agus beidh an tigh tabhairne ar oscailt arís amárach.

Saturday – My Fellow Sponges album launch

By

Kate Robinson

-

March 30, 2018

My Fellow Sponges album launch
Saturday, March 31 @ 9pm
The Roisín Dubh

Come out to celebrate the release of My Fellow Sponges’ self-titled second album at the Roisín Dubh!

One of Galway’s favourite local bands, My Fellow Sponges have been touring nationwide for the past three years, winning fans with their onstage theatrics and often unpredictable, but seamless movement between musical styles and moods.

Their music incorporates influences from minimalism, folk and bossa, as well as from Guinness, plants, birds, and ducks.

The band features Donal McConnon on vocals, banjo, guitar, harmonica, and clarinet; Anna Mullarkey on vocals, piano, synthesiser, bodhran, and guitar; David Shaughnessy on percussion; and Sam Wright on bass.

Galway Together For Yes to launch in City

By

-

March 30, 2018

Galway Together For Yes will launch on Tuesday, 3rd April in the Harbour Hotel in Galway City.

Speakers at the event will include Co-Director of Together For Yes, Orla O’Connor, and Arlette Lyons from Termination For Medical Reasons.

The national campaign was launched recently, and will campaign for the next eight weeks in what many expect to be a very divisive referendum campaign.

Brilliant photos of the PACKED room at our #CorkSaysYes #together4yes launch pic.twitter.com/wSC8z9X7rN

— Together for Yes (@Together4yes) March 30, 2018

The government announced that the referendum will take place on Friday 25 May.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Health Minister Simon Harris, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald, Labour leader Brendan Howlin and all of the left-wing TDs have all declared they will vote Yes in the referendum to remove the Eighth Amendment from Bunreacht na hÉireann.

Galway TY students’ heritage themed competition nears end

By

-

March 30, 2018

gALWAY daily ty student heritage project

An exciting heritage themed competition for Galway Transition Year students will culminate over the coming weeks with an exhibition of the students’ work in GMIT from 13 April, with the winners announced at an open ceremony on 19 April at 2pm.

The ‘Capturing Galway’s Heritage’ competition is run annually by Dúchas na Gaillimhe – Galway Civic Trust in association with GMIT. Subjects range from local monuments to historic sites, interesting local personalities and incidents.

Development Officer Michael Quinn says it provides an ideal opportunity for young people to explore the richness of their local heritage.

“The competition is now in its 10th year and continues to go from strength to strength. It is a wonderful chance for students to examine the history and heritage of their own localities, an area which is not provided for in the regular curriculum. It gives our younger people the opportunity to appreciate the heritage of their own environs and hopefully safeguard it for future generations,” he said.

“The competition has drawn schools from across the county with a variety of subject matters ranging from local monuments and historic sites to colourful personalities and incidents. We are delighted to have teamed up with GMIT again to exhibit the students’ works and I would encourage the public to drop in and view these fantastic projects or to join us on 19 April for the awards event.”

The projects are on view in GMIT from 13 to 19 April and further details are available from Dúchas na Gaillimhe – Galway Civic Trust on 091-564946 / www.galwaycivictrust.ie

Friday – Filius Meus Music for Good Friday

By

Kate Robinson

-

March 30, 2018

Filius Meus Music for Good Friday
Friday, March 30 @ 5pm
St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church
Tickets €15/€13.50 concession or €6 for students

COLLEGIUM with ADRIAN MANTU (cello) directed by MARK DULEY

Mark Duley has once again devised a programme for this special day.

The title of the concert – the cry of the bereaved parent – is elucidated in complementary settings of prophetic Old Testament scripture.

Mary’s lament for her son dead upon the cross is foreshadowed in David’s grief at the death in battle of his son Absalom, and Rachel’s weeping in Ramah for her lost children.

Hear choral works around this theme from the 16th, 17th and 21st centuries.

All are welcome!

Darren’s Diary – Kicking The Habit (Day 38) – Thursday, 29th March

By

-

March 29, 2018

It has been an interesting day, enlightening maybe, but certainly one that makes you take stock ahead of the summer. I cover Ladies GAA as my primary job. Yesterday, still in March, the Galway senior camogie manager resigned!

Now when I started writing this diary, I said I’d be honest and I don’t intend changing now. When I take the journalist hat off, it’s just damn frustrating! We’re going to have a fifth manager in just over three years.

There were rumours flying around all week. There was talk of players not being happy. Talk of trainers not up to standard. Talk that the board weren’t fully happy with him. Nobody can be certain what the reason is. Maybe he decided enough was enough himself. But Tony O’Donovan is gone.

GALWAY CAMOGIE: TONY O’DONOVAN STEPS DOWN AS SENIOR MANAGER https://t.co/NZeqmdUlFu

— Galway Daily (@GalwayDaily) March 29, 2018

Before I decided to start writing on this subject, I needed to think for a moment. Is it wise for me to stir the pot if you will? Am I jeopardising future relationships? Will it make my job awkward come the summer? And then it hit me!

Last year, an ex-manager, someone on his behalf, or a club official, went to the Irish Examiner with a copy of an email sent out following his dismissal. Yesterday, a statement was sent to the Connacht Tribune confirming today’s news. And last Sunday, a club manager refused to do a post-match interview.

Now, in all three situations, those responsible are perfectly entitled to make those decisions. And I’ve no issue with the club manager. I have a great relationship with that person and understand why a post-match interview wasn’t appealing.

But last time I checked, I’m the person who goes to camogie matches in Galway! I’m the person who’ll try get coverage of the club championships! I’m the person who’s battled for 10 years to try and get camogie a fair spot among mainstream media! And I still update their Facebook page three years after I stepped down as PRO!

But nobody phoned me or emailed me with the statement that went to the Irish Examiner last year. I didn’t get yesterday’s statement until I went looking for it. And that’s three consecutive Galway managers I’ve found out were finished their posts through a third party.

I’ve also had to deal with some players trying to dodge pre and post-match interviews which can be infuriating. Now that doesn’t happen too often and most of them, especially the older ones who’ve been there since I started covering the game in 2008, are brilliant.

But in recent years, I’ve started to feel like somebody somewhere thinks they are doing me a favour. I only get paid for being at matches. I don’t have to go to training sessions to get extra material!

I’m not interested in playing some blame game about whose fault this latest resignation is. I look forward to the new appointment and wish the new manager and the squad the best of luck ahead of the summer. And the talent is there to win the O’Duffy Cup. I’ve been saying that every year!

But as an entity, Galway camogie now has to grow up! Regardless whose fault this is, the pressure is now on to win the All-Ireland! And dare I say it, what happens if we don’t?

The players will be questioned after a mid-season change saw another managerial casualty. The board will be questioned as one of the main reasons for last December’s top table changes was the previous executive’s relationship with the departed managerial team.

And I might have to start asking myself questions? Do I give up a Thursday night at home to go do prearranged interviews and then feel like I’ve to beg for some of them? Do I turn down a club hurling game to make sure that a camogie match gets the coverage it deserves?

Am I going to bother with post-match interviews if I’m going to be kept waiting half an hour or told to ‘Go Away From Me Will You?’ Am I going to keep assisting in updating Facebook or should I just leave it and let them find a proper PRO?

https://twitter.com/kygonjinn/status/979407151092256768

I didn’t smoke today but by, I felt like one. And I know I might ruffle some feathers with this piece. Maybe I’m in the wrong. But covering Galway camogie isn’t fun anymore and maybe after 10 years, I need to take a break.

I won’t this year as I want them to succeed and I hope we’re in Croke Park in September and that Sarah Dervan lifts the O’Duffy Cup over her head. If any player deserves it, she does.

But I feel that if covering Galway camogie still feels like a chore at the end of the season, then maybe it’s time to put the microphone away, focus on something else and give someone else a go. Would be a shame because I loved telling the story.

Darren

Nine out of ten recorded rapes in Ireland end in…nothing

By

Kate Robinson

-

March 29, 2018

Central Criminal Court Resolved Violent Crime Offenses 2015

Galway Daily news Three people charged in connection with Galway raids

Following on from yesterday’s ruling in the high-profile Belfast rape trial – in which four men were cleared of all charges relating to the alleged rape of a 19-year-old woman – it seems that similar results are the norm in sexual offence cases in Ireland.

Statistics from the Central Statistics Office and the Irish Courts system show that 90% of recorded rapes and sexual assaults end in something other than a conviction.

Although sentences for rape are getting longer, careful analysis reveals a very low proportion of alleged sexual offenders make it to the point of conviction in order to be sentenced.

There is a large discrepancy between incidents recorded by the Gardaí and resolved court cases.

There were 2,110 reported rapes and sexual assaults in Ireland in 2015 (the most recent year for which court data is available).

Of these, 1,479 found their way to the Central Criminal Court, and just over a third (750) were actually resolved. A few may have gone to the Circuit Court (in 2008, 134 sexual offences were dealt with there), but even adding 150 court cases leaves 1,210 reported rapes and sexual assaults that weren’t resolved in court.

And these numbers aren’t unusual; similar discrepancies pop up year after year. But this gap is only present in sexual offences.

By contrast, in 2015 the Central Criminal Court resolved 31 murder cases with only 29 offences recorded that year (some resolved cases were likely from the previous year), and 7 manslaughter cases with only 4 offences recorded that year.

There is a huge backlog of unresolved rapes that simply doesn’t exist for other types of violent crime.

This may be in part because of lengthy delays in prosecuting rapes, but should be explored further.

Sheer volume could also be a factor. In 2015, there were 839 cases of violent crimes resolved in the Central Criminal Court, of which 750 (89%) were rapes and sexual assaults.

The justice system may be poorly equipped for such a large number of these incidents.

Aside from the huge difference in volume between sexual offences and other violent crimes, the wide discrepancy between incoming and resolved offences is unusual —
all crimes other than rape and sexual assault have very small gaps between the two.

But the story gets even murkier following the 750 resolved cases through the Central Criminal Court.

Central Criminal Court Cases

“Resolved” means all cases that ended, whether or not they resulted in a conviction.

This includes cases where there is not enough evidence to prosecute (nolle prosecui), or even cases where the accused died during proceedings.

In 2015, rape and sexual assaults were the least likely of all violent crimes in the Central Criminal Court to go to trial.

Fewer than half of rape cases and only 40 percent of sexual assaults resulted in a trial, compared to nearly three quarters of murder cases.

And this wasn’t because more defendants of these cases pled guilty — sexual offences are towards the lower end of the pack for guilty pleas as well.

Rather, rape and sexual assault offences are in the top three for nolle prosequi cases — those which were dropped by the prosecution — and are the top two for cases that are taken into consideration (offences that are not prosecuted separately but added to the sentencing for a different offence).

They are also the top cases in which the accused died before going to trial.

This could be due to long delays in reporting offences caused by a cultural environment where admitting sexual abuse is often considered shameful or taboo.

Nearly one in five sexual assault cases ended because the accused died prematurely — six times the number of murder defendants who died during court proceedings.

These somewhat unusual endings for rape and sexual assault cases mean that fewer of those cases go to trial.

Trial Outcomes

But when they do go to trial, what happens?

Sexual assaults have one of the highest conviction rates at 78.5 percent, while rape is middle-of-the-road at 54.8 percent.

This means that only around one out of every two people on trial for rape gets convicted.

Most of the rest of the defendants in rape cases are acquitted or their offence is taken into consideration.

In fact, rapes and sexual assaults make up two of only three types of violent crimes that were taken into consideration in 2015.

Going back to all rape cases resolved in court – including the ones that went to trial – the conviction rate is 25 percent.

So of all the people who end up in court for rape, only one in four gets convicted.

This is less than half the conviction rate for murders and manslaughters, and even lower than the rate for sexual assaults (31 percent).

And once convicted, sentencing is confusing at best, with partial and full suspensions of imprisonment that may soon become irrelevant.

Rape is the only offence for which a sentence was fully suspended – and the second highest in partially suspended imprisonments.

And although the maximum penalty for rape in Ireland is life imprisonment, none of the sentences handed out in 2015 were for life.

Yearly Trends

So how does 2015 compare with other years?

In terms of case resolution, there was a marked increase in the number of rape cases going to trial in 2014, as well as a large drop in the number of cases taken into consideration.

In 2013 there was a steep decline in the number of guilty pleas – perhaps due to stricter sentencing. And the slow rise in nolle prosequi cases had dipped by 2015.

Overall it seems that the proportion of rape cases being prosecuted is gradually climbing.

Rape trial outcomes have also changed over the last couple of years, with a 75 percent acquittal rate in 2013 dropping to 42 percent in 2015.

The conviction rate has also steadily increased, from only 17 percent in 2013 to 54 percent in 2015.

So although the general trend leans in favour of the courts taking a more serious view of rape cases, it may take a while to see the results.

Ultimately, out of the 2,110 recorded rapes and sexual assaults in 2015, only 10% of alleged offenders will see any jail time.

This is a lot of data to absorb.

But looking at the numbers can help us understand why decisions like the one made in Belfast yesterday are regular occurrences – and whether we as a society can live with that.

Crime in Galway rises 10 percent in 2017

By

Briain Kelly

-

March 29, 2018

Galway Daily courts Man sent to trial charged with pulling knife on Garda

The number of recorded criminal offences in Galway went up by 10 percent in 2017 according to the latest crime figures released by the Central Statistics Office.

A total of 16,708 criminal offences were recorded by Gardaí in 2017, up from 15,125 the year before.

Incidents of rape and sexual assault rose by 12% from 109 recorded offences in 2016 to 122 last year.

While there was a 20% increase in the number of assaults causing harm, and the amount of threats against someone’s life went up staggeringly by nearly two thirds.

However there was only a single homicide recorded in all of 2017 and no incidents of dangerous driving causing death.

Theft accounted for the largest number of offences in any category with more than 2,100 in last year, up 12.5% from 1,900 in 2016.

Burglaries saw a 30% increase across Galway; while the number of burglaries, hijackings, and extortion attempts went up 150%.

The number of public disorder and other social conduct offences remained mostly the same, changing by less than half a percent in 2017.

However within that category incidents involving disorderly conduct and liquor licences both saw declines, by more than half in the case of the liquor licences.

Additionally, 2017 also saw a slight decline of one and a half percent in the number of drug offences across Galway.

Galway TD says Taoiseach is ‘out of his depth’ on housing crisis

By

-

March 29, 2018

Galway Daily Controversial plans to rename Galway City landmarks

Catherine Connolly TD has called on the government to declare a national emergency in relation to the housing crisis.

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, she said that the Taoiseach’s comments earlier today about the crisis being ‘frustrating’ proves that he is ‘out of his depth’.

“The figures aren’t frustrating. The figures are an absolute scandal,” said Deputy Connolly.

“We should all be ashamed, but particularly the government, that’s leaving the housing to the market. And so, if we declare an emergency, Minister, that should determine the type of solutions that we seek rather than the one that ye have been seeking. And it was the same with Deputy Alan Kelly, it was the same with Deputy Coveney and now you again in relation to the market.”

Deputy Connolly said that she did not blame the Minister for all of the problems, but that the problems weface in housing are as a result of successive governments refusal to intervene in the markets.

“The market is allowed to destroy people’s lives, it’s allowed to destroy the concept of a house as a home, and so in two years and two months I’ve been here, I’ve seen all the tinkering, you’ve accused us of being caught up in an ideological slant and we don’t see the wood from the trees. And here we are directly as a result of your policy and we have almost 10,000 people homeless. And of that, a 40% increase in the last month – you know the figures – but I’m going to say them for the record.

“9,807 and 3,755 of them are children – now really, is that not a national emergency? Is that not a point where we all should say ‘oh God, we can’t go on like this, it’s time to see what we can do’?” said the independent Galway West TD.

She also criticised HAP and said that this time last year there were 182 adults without a home in Galway, and this month there are 237 homeless, and that last year there were 63 children homeless, and that has risen to 146.

“Isn’t that a major, major emergency?” she asked the Minister.

ATHLETICS: CORPORATE 5K TEAM CHALLENGE COMING TO GALWAY

By

-

March 29, 2018

The Grant Thornton Corporate 5K Team Challenge will come to Galway next April when it kicks off the series at Ballybrit racecourse. This will be the first year that the GT5K series will take place in Galway and will be followed by further events in Cork, Belfast and Dublin.

Companies can enter a team of four in the three available categories – male, female and mixed. The official score for each team is determined by the recorded times of the registered team members with accurate chip timing for all participants.

The GT5K series is organised by the national governing body, Athletics Ireland, and they encourage social running amongst the business communities in the four cities helping to improve the health and wellness of the workforce and building team spirit.

Only 2 weeks left to register your team for the first ever Galway #GT5K on 12 April @Galway_Races. Who will be crowned the fasted company in Galway? https://t.co/M7TSlNlbYv @JohnMuldoon8 @Sport_Endorse @grantthornton5k pic.twitter.com/uz7WWSxFSL

— Grant Thornton Ire (@GrantThorntonIE) March 29, 2018

The Galway race takes place on Thursday, 12th April at 7pm and teams can enter for €100. Trophies will be presented for the top three teams in each of the three categories. Entries close the proceeding Monday (9th April) and all entrants will receive a technical t-shirt and goody bag.

In its seventh year, the GT5K series will also visit three other cities before September. Cork will be the hosts on June 13th before teams take to Belfast City Airport eight days later. And on Wednesday, 5th September, the challenge will take place around Dublin’s iconic docklands.

2018’s chosen charity is Simon Communities which is an organisation based in eight locations around Ireland tackling all forms of homelessness supported by a National Office.

They have been providing services in Ireland for almost 50 years and deliver support and service to over 11,000 people and families throughout Ireland who experience homelessness every year.

For further details, check Grant Thornton’s official website and if anybody wants to enter, they can click HERE or email roisinhorgan@athleticsireland.ie

2 weeks to go until the 1st edition of the #GT5K in Galway. Will you be joining us?
Enter a team today! https://t.co/whys05po2f #GT5K pic.twitter.com/PJDWKosGzD

— GrantThornton Team5k (@grantthornton5k) March 29, 2018

High turnout at #IBelieveHer rally in Galway City

By

-

March 29, 2018

Galwegians have protested in the city in solidarity with victims of sexual assault following yesterday’s verdict in the trial of Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Blane McIlroy and Rory Harrison in Belfast.

Similar rallies are taking place in Cork, Derry, Carlow, Belfast, Dublin and Limerick.

Great turnout for the Galway #IBelieveHer rally. Encouraging to see so many women and men joining together in solidarity. pic.twitter.com/stI0PiemKt

— Lauren Crean (@lauren_crean1) March 29, 2018

#IBelieveHer. #Galway believes her. Toxic masculinity has to end. Thank you to all for showing your solidarity and speaking up. Thanks to Galway Feminist Collective for organising. Use this anger and momentum to #repealthe8th #Together4Yes
Donate to @Galway4Yes pic.twitter.com/sTlNEMfTHJ

— Chris Noone (@Chris_Noone_) March 29, 2018

All four men were found not guilty, however the the treatment of the complainant over the long high-profile trial has been heavilty criticised.

The North’s legal system which allows high-profile trials of this kind to be played out in public has also been criticised.

GALWAY LGFA: Galway Clubs to Compete in Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta

By

-

March 29, 2018

Nine Galway clubs will take part in the Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s very first Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta on Easter Monday (2nd April).

In association with championship sponsors TG4, Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta will see under 12 girls from 22 clubs and schools all over Ireland pit their wits against each other and mingle with some of Ladies Football’s leading stars.

🗞️ ***NEWS/NUACHT***

2⃣2⃣ Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta participants revealed | An 2⃣2⃣club a bheidh páirteach i Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClubanna Gaeltachta fógartha

📖 Read more here | Léigh níos mó anseohttps://t.co/VtUmZrswvh @SportTG4 @TG4TV @Cula4_TG4 pic.twitter.com/RmlACXK50H

— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) March 29, 2018

Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta is part of the LGFA’s ongoing initiatives to celebrate Bliain na Gaeilge. And on Monday, clubs and schools from Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Dublin, Meath, Mayo, Kildare and Cork will get the chance to play on the hallowed Croke Park sod.

The LGFA’s official retail partner and National League sponsor Lidl will also provide lunches to the competing teams.

Lidl will also assist with the coordination of the day through the provision of mentor bibs and the presence of Lidl ambassadors.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to mark Bliain na Gaeilge, we are gathering together 22 teams with Irish-speaking backgrounds,” said LGFA CEO Helen O’Rourke on their official website.

“This is another exciting initiative for our Association and we are very much looking forward to welcoming these young players to Croke Park.

“The ongoing celebrations of Bliain na Gaeilge are very important to us and this unique event at Croke Park will celebrate the Irish language through the medium of Ladies Gaelic Football.

“TG4 are very proud to be associated with this initiative with the LGFA,” said TG4 Head of Sport Rónán Ó Coistealbha.

“2018 is Bliain na Gaeilge and next Monday is a fantastic opportunity for young girls representing Gaeltacht Clubs and schools from all over the country to grace the hallowed turf of Croke Park, speaking the Irish Language.”

The Galway clubs competing are:

An Spidéal, Naomh Anna, Carna, Bearna, Mícheál Breathnach, Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe, Grainne Mhaoile, An Cheathrú Rua and Annaghdown.

Fancy joining this year’s skinny dip in Galway for Children’s Cancer Charity?

By

-

March 29, 2018

Registration for the ninth annual Dip in the Nip which will take place on May 7th at a beach in Galway is now open! The location will be disclosed to participants closer to the event.

Hundreds of brave Galwegians have stripped off to take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean since 2009, raising thousands of euro for Hand in Hand – the Children’s Cancer Charity in Galway.

The charity’s Dip in the Nip event raises vital funds which allows it to provide families across Ireland with the support they need at the most difficult time imaginable.

Hundreds of participants will gather together on a beach, shedding clothes – and legging it into the North Atlantic. The Dip in the Nip was the world’s first skinny dip for charity.

Dip for yourself, for loved ones, or for those you’ve lost. Whatever your reason, join thousands of others who have peeled off – and take part in the Hand in Hand Dip in the Nip 2018 and raise vital funds to help families across the country.

When cancer marks us, we need life-affirming moments and a way to find cheer amidst the doom and gloom. If you’ve done a Dip before, you will have experienced the wonderful sense of joy and carefree-ness it brings. If not, come along and live it for yourself!

Date: May 7th, 2018

Registration will begin at 7 am

Location: A secret beach in Galway

To register, please contact Hand in Hand via Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HandinHandWest or email laura@handinhand.ie

Registration is free, a minimum donation/fundraising amount of €50 is encouraged.

GALWAY BOXING: GABRIEL DOSSEN DENIED EUROPEAN BOXING MEDAL

By

-

March 29, 2018

Galway’s Gabriel Dossen suffered an agonising loss today as his European under 22 Boxing Dreams ended at the quarter-final stage.

The Olympic Boxing Club fighter suffered a split decision loss to Georgia’s Giorgi Kharabadze in Romania this afternoon.

Gabriel Dossen lost out in his bid for at least bronze at the European u/22 Championship in Targu, Jui, Romania this afternoon.

The Galway southpaw, in against Georgian middle Giorge Kharabadze for a place in the… https://t.co/mun2rBt1th

— IABA (@IABABOXING) March 29, 2018

Dossen was slight favourites following his World and European Youth bronze medals in 2016 and 2017 but Kharabadze also carried a strong reputation having previously won a continental junior gold medal.

The first round was very tight when Dossen trying to keep at arm’s length but the Georgian got on top in the early stages of Round Two before Dossen mounted a comeback.

It looked like the 18-year-old Galwegian was in the driving seat in the final round but Kharabadze did just enough with a late flurry to convince the majority of the five judges that he deserved to advance to the semi-finals.

While disappointed, it hasn’t been a bad effort from Dossen who was forced to move up to the 75kg middleweight division after a weights mix-up prior to January’s national championship. His victory qualifying him for the Europeans means he’ll have options in the year ahead.

Gabriel Dossen is the new National U22 75KG #BoxingChampion. He won in a convincing manner lastnight @ #DublinNationalStadium.🥊🥊He has qualified for the U22 Championships in Romania in March.Were proud to have him @GTIGALWAY in our #BusinessStudies class.https://t.co/4uMWIRNrWk pic.twitter.com/ObNYN2OVmd

— Galway Technical Institute (@GTIGALWAY) January 28, 2018

The recognised welterweight has four Irish titles and will aim to get back into the 69kg bracket before attempting to win his first Elite crown in November. And success there will allow him compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers.

Ireland will bring home at least two medals from the event as Amy Broadhurst and Aoife O’Rourke have reached the final four in the 60kg and 75kg categories respectively.

Two gold medals for Galway restaurants at Restaurant Association Awards

By

-

March 29, 2018

Kai Restaurant on Sea Road and Dela Restaurant on Dominick Street have taken home gold at this years Restaurant Association of Ireland awards that were held in Roscommon on Tuesday evening.

Kai Restaurant was crowned Best Restaurant in Galway and its owner and head chef Jess Murphy won the Best Chef award for Galway on the night.

The Best Manager award went to Mags Bohan of Dela Restaurant which has become famous for its organic produce from their own farm.

Both restaurants are located in Galway’s westend which has become one of the best places to eat and drink in Galway.

The neighbourhood which encourages people to cross the bridge, is home to award winning restaurants, gastropubs and retailers.

Using local suppliers such as Gannet Fish, Heterichs Pork and of Bradys Butchers for beef all paired with Dela’s own organice farm grown produce, Jimmys raw milk from Tuam and fresh leaves and veggies from LoughBourra Fram, its is easy to see why people are crossing the bridge into Galways oldest quarter.

GALWAY GAA: “The current players aren’t fearful of Dublin” – BLAKE

By

-

March 29, 2018

Sligo v Galway - GAA Football Connacht Senior Championship Semi-Final — 28 June 2009; Diarmuid Blake, Galway. GAA Football Connacht Senior Championship Semi-Final, Sligo v Galway, Markievicz Park, Sligo. Picture credit: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE

Former Galway footballer Diarmuid Blake doesn’t believe Galway have any fear of Dublin ahead of this Sunday’s National Football League Final in Croke Park.

Blake never suffered defeat to the Metropolitans during his 10-year playing career between 2003 and 2013 and 2013 and its 2001 since Dublin last scored a victory over Galway.

However, the last meeting in Croke Park between the two saw Dublin prevail 0-13 to 1-6 in the 1993 league in a contest that had current managers Jim Gavin and Kevin Walsh involved as players.

And their last meeting in a National Final was in 1983 when Dublin beat Galway 1-10 to 1-8 in an All-Ireland Final that saw four players dismissed.

GALWAY GAA: “I just lost interest and got over it” – TALTY https://t.co/czjxlo2GbQ

— Galway Daily (@GalwayDaily) March 29, 2018

“The current players aren’t fearful of Dublin and are kind of relishing the chance to play against that blue jersey and in front of Hill 16,” said Blake to Jason Byrne in The Irish Sun. “They’ll start where they left off (in Pearse Stadium).

“The undercurrent was aggressive and Dublin came out hard for the second half, but Galway didn’t back down. They won’t back down on Sunday either.”

Former Galway star Diarmuid Blake insists Kevin Walsh’s men will be fearless when they face Dublin in league final https://t.co/Mengxp9NMB

— Irish Sun Sport (@IrishSunSport) March 29, 2018

That Pearse Stadium clash was their most recent meeting that finish 0-13 apiece two weeks ago. Referee Joe McQuillan hand out eight yellow cards. And Dublin selector Jason Sherlock received an eight-week ban for an altercation with Galway’s Barry McHugh.

“You can see that Galway are unified. They are all backing each other up and they seem very tight-knit,” added the Milltown man. “You don’t hear anything from inside the camp and they don’t seem to be intimidated by anybody.

“Confidence is growing within them and they aren’t nervous on the ball. They are back in Division 1 and they believe they should be where they are.”

Dublin followed that draw by losing to Monaghan in Croke Park last Sunday but many neutrals are preparing for a potential backlash. Tyrone held the All-Ireland champions to a draw on Jones Road in 2017 only to be blitzed 2-17 to 0-11 when they meet again in the summer.

“For sure there’s a danger and you would wonder what would happen after that and where it would leave them,” concluded Blake. “You could say we will be beaten out the gate, but I don’t think so. Why change a winning formula?

“This year nobody has really broken us down, we have been very comfortable and our goal hasn’t really been threatened that much at all.”

Galway meet Dublin this Sunday (1st April) in the Allianz National Football League Final. The game throws-in at 4pm in Croke Park.

GALWAY GAA: “I just lost interest and got over it” – TALTY

By

-

March 29, 2018

Former Galway footballer Brian Talty is in the unique position of analysing Galway and Dublin having played a big part with both counties over the years.

Talty played for Galway when they last won the National League beating Roscommon in 1981 and was on the field when the Tribesmen last faced Dublin in a National Final – the infamous 1983 All-Ireland Football Final.

Four players were sent-off as Dublin won 1-10 to 1-8. Galway’s Tomas Tierney saw the line as did Ray Hazley, Ciaran Duff and Brian Mullins for Dublin. Mullins went following a punch at Talty and another incident in the tunnel resulted in the Tuam Stars man not returning for the second half.

Brian Talty recalls famous tunnel scuffle with Dubs in 1983 All-Ireland finalhttps://t.co/MUttnsyglH

— Irish Mirror Sport (@MirrorSportIE) March 29, 2018

“When you reflect back,” said Talty to Pat Nolan in the Irish Mirror. “It’s done and dusted and when you get to a certain age, having an All-Ireland medal doesn’t make that big a difference but at the time it was a huge thing and very disappointing the way it went, particularly losing it first of all.

“You had friends on both sides but that’s the way it goes. Myself and Kieran Duff would be best friends now.”

Talty transferred from Tuam Stars to Parnells in 1983 and became involved in the Dublin set-up over the years including being part of Paul Caffrey’s senior set-up with Duff between 2004 and 2008.

He never faced Galway during that period but did see two Dublin teams he was involved with fall to the Tribesmen. In 2002, both the minors and under 21s lost All-Ireland finals to the maroon and white.

However, when John O’Mahony stepped down as Galway senior manager in 2004 after winning two All-Ireland titles, Talty applied for the position and was disappointed to lose out to Mayo’s Peter Ford.

“They gave it to Peter Ford so I wasn’t overly happy that it was given to another Mayo man again,” said Talty to Nolan in the Irish Mirror. “Maybe they thought they’d continue that and continue being successful but after that then I just lost interest and got over it.

Brian Talty opens up on being passed over for Galway top jobhttps://t.co/0L3hum6Aco

— Irish Mirror Sport (@MirrorSportIE) March 29, 2018

“It was a lot of travelling to be done at that stage and I had a young family as well so I didn’t go for it after that.”

Talty hopes Galway do prevail in Sunday’s National League decider but expects the All-Ireland champions to bring their best display of the year thinking they’ll want to improve on the 0-13 apiece draw between the teams on March 18th.

“Dublin have done it to a lot of teams that have come up and I don’t think Dublin would be too happy with their performance against Galway in the League match in Pearse Stadium,” concluded Talty. “I’d be expecting to see as good a Dublin team out as possible on Sunday which is a huge challenge for Galway.

“Absolutely, I hope Galway are going to win.

“They’ve done brilliantly in the League this year. To think at the start of the League, everybody would have thought Galway were going to be relegated.”

Galway meet Dublin this Sunday (1st April) in the Allianz National Football League Final. Throw-in at Croke Park is 4pm.

GALWAY CAMOGIE: TONY O’DONOVAN STEPS DOWN AS SENIOR MANAGER

By

-

March 29, 2018