GALWAY LGFA: (Match Report) – MAYO 2-7 GALWAY 1-7

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February 13, 2018

Galway captain Damien Comer has been nominated for the GAA’s Player of the Week after his display in Sunday’s National Football League victory over Mayo.

The Annaghdown man has been in superb form this year and led the charge in the opening minutes kicking two points as Galway took a lead they never relinquished.

Congrats to Galway’s Eoghan Kerin, Damien Comer, and Eamonn Brannigan who all made the GAA’s Football Team of the… https://t.co/63gFtqOCaO

— Tribesmen GAA (@TribesmenGAA) February 12, 2018

“We’re absolutely delighted,” said Comer to the assembled media afterwards. “It was a tough old battle with our neighbours Mayo.”

“Three wins from three — coming up from Division 2 — not many would have expected us to be getting one win never mind three in a row.”

Of course, despite the result effectively ensuring they’ll remain a Division One team for the foreseeable future, he couldn’t avoid questions about the game’s conclusion that resulted in three red cards.

“Galway and Mayo is always going to have its own bit of spark,” added the full forward. “It was evident in the second half. It’s a bit of handbags stuff. It’s the fact that everyone had an eye on May 13.

“They were all looking forward to that and no one wanted to give a backwards step and that led to the bit of argy-bargy.”

https://twitter.com/buff_egan/status/962809674578919425

Even though Galway don’t see league action again until Sunday, 25th February when they travel to Kerry, Comer will be busy as he also captains NUIG in the Sigerson Cup semi-final on Wednesday night (7pm Portlaoise).

If they win, there’s a final against Ulster University or UCD on Saturday (3.30pm Santry). If not, Galway face Roscommon in the FBD League decider on Sunday (2pm Dr. Hyde Park).

“The body has got a fair old going in the last few weeks,” concluded Comer. “I am feeling like soccer player in that you have a game on the weekend and a game midweek.

“But in fairness the S&C coach Keith Carr and Kevin (Walsh) have been very good. And Maurice Sheridan and the boys with NUIG have been very good. They are in constant communication.

“In fairness to us we are not really training at the moment we are just playing the games.”

Captain of @Galway_GAA Damien Comer was influential in his teams victory in Salthill in the #AllianzLeagues. Is he your https://t.co/gvXdqh656y Player of the Week? Cast your vote on Instagram now! pic.twitter.com/SCdZTuG0ju

— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 12, 2018

GALWAY GAA: (Opinion) – GALWAY vs MAYO BRAWL JUST ANOTHER NECESSITY IN RACE TO SUCCEED

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February 13, 2018

There was only one talking point around the GAA community after the weekend and that was the brawl (or ‘handbags’ as Kevin Walsh described) that occurred near the end of the Galway vs Mayo match.

Three players were sent off, Cillian O’Connor got a straight red and the Tribesmen secured a fourth consecutive win over their neighbours.

The love/hate relationship between Mayo and Galway is……. complicated. #galvmayo pic.twitter.com/J2eOq2TYGD

— Declan Varley (@declanvarley) February 11, 2018

Terms like ‘Wild West’ have been bandied about and thoughts quickly turned to the ‘chaos’ that could arrive in Castlebar on May 13th.

Now, I think everybody is in agreement that these scenes have no place in a game watched in front of 10,000 people including many children but these have become all too common in the modern game.

Gaelic Football is one of the great arts when played with the spirit in which it was created but now the ability to drag opponents down and wrestle with the opposition have become vital traits in gaining an extra edge.

Stephen Rochford can state that three Galway players were booked to only Aidan O’Shea when the first interaction took place. He is correct but let’s not forget that he had two players sent off afterwards.

Walsh can claim he didn’t have a good view of proceedings and one can’t blame him for keeping his counsel even if it’s impossible not to have seen what looked a comfortable Galway victory turn into a fracas that is now ‘expected’ in the modern game.

Galway have had to learn the ‘Dark Arts’ even if they still rely on the traditions of the game to exploit a counter attacking defensive system to their advantage. The Tribesmen don’t just want to cut their losses against the big teams; they want to win!

"There is a problem with the way players tackle now" – League Sunday on Galway-Mayo melees pic.twitter.com/xQuF8LZzrJ

— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) February 11, 2018

And one can’t blame Galway (or Mayo) for standing their ground in the ‘man’s game’ even if tests of strength compare more to 3am Saturday nights outside nite-clubs to what is supposed to be one of our national games.

The referee dealt with those who clearly broke the rules and neither team, rightfully, was going to back down when bigger tests await in three months. It’s not their fault that the black card is a pathetic compromise that is issued inconsistently and often used tactically.

The amount of bollixology – wrestling, grappling, dragging, sneaky afters – Gaelic football tolerates is pitiful. Is that what’d you want your young fella at? #galwaymayo

— Kieran Shannon (@KieranShannon7) February 11, 2018

Until continuous yellow cards carry suspensions like what occurs in soccer, Gaelic Football is going to continue having days like these. The best footballing teams will win the trophies but one only has to look at recent clashes between the intercounty ‘top three’ for examples of how skill alone can’t reach the Holy Grail.

The talking point from last year’s Kerry/Mayo All-Ireland semi-final was Kieran Donaghy’s red card following a punch at O’Shea. And the All-Ireland Final will be remembered for Donal Vaughan’s sending off and Lee Keegan throwing his GPS Tracker quicker then Dean Rock’s winning point.

Disciplinary committees can look at last Sunday and issue sanctions if they wish. But that won’t do any good until they look at the rulebook, the inconsistent applications of the basics and give teams a serious deterrent from allowing the majority of key matches from being spoiled.

Galway and Mayo are both responsible for the part they played on Sunday. But the reality is if either relented, they would have been accused of not having the stomach, or fight, to go to the next level.

They will wage war in Castlebar and it’s a guaranteed sell-out. It’s becoming the biggest rivalry in the country at present after Dublin vs Kerry. The media can fill pages all week about the ‘shameful’ scenes in Salthill but they’ll just be ignoring the fact that this has now become the norm

And won’t change until the GAA started implementing rules to improve its product rather than being tied down at Congress meetings where votes are cast in self-interest above the overall good of the game.

Tuesday – The Black Gate Movie Quiz

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Kate Robinson

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February 12, 2018

Movie Quiz at the Black Gate Cultural Centre, 14 Francis Street
8pm, €20/table (4 per table max)

Do you always answer your friends when they ask “What else was (s)he in?” Do you have unreasonably strong opinions about the quality (or lack thereof) of sequels/prequels/reboots? Did you just get indignant at the word “unreasonably”?

If so, the Black Gate Movie Quiz sounds like your bowl of popcorn.

The Black Gate Table Quiz ~ Movie Edition returns tomorrow night with the quiz-master dream-team that is Gar & Eamonn at the helm.

As ever they’re poised to amaze you, puzzle you and hopefully reward you! Plus for the week that’s in it there will be just a smidgen of the Romantic genre ♡

Movie buffs, film nerds, film buffs, buff nerds – everyone is welcome!

Come on down to satisfy all your movie trivia needs.

Leading historian to address Women’s History conference in Galway

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February 12, 2018

Galway daily historian speaks at women's history

One of Ireland’s leading historians will address a conference presented by the Women’s History Association of Ireland in Galway this Friday, 16 February.

Professor Mary O’Dowd from Queen’s University Belfast will address the association on subjects such as future research on Irish women’s history from 1500 – 1800.

Professor O’Dowd’s address will provide the culmination of a day of discussion by researchers from NUI Galway, TCD, UL and QUB.

Speakers will explore the experience of aristocratic Irish women in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries (Lady Ranelagh and Lady Tyrconnell), letter writing and correspondence networks in and outside Ireland, and the legal standing of women in that period.

Conference organiser, Dr Bronagh McShane, said: “Just over 25 years on from the publication of Professor O’Dowd’s ‘Agenda for Women’s History in Ireland’, written with Margaret MacCurtain and Maria Luddy, this one-day seminar will bring together leading and emerging scholars currently engaged in research on the history of early modern Irish women in order to assess progress made and to identify new paths yet to be forged.”

It will take place in Seminar Room G010, Hardiman Research Building at NUI Galway from 9am to 5pm on Friday, 16 February.

The event is free and open to the public and advance registration is required at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/new-directions-in-early-modern-irish-womens-history-tickets-41707319716

SOCCER: GALWAY SCHOOLS 5-A-SIDE DATES ANNOUNCED

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February 12, 2018

The Galway dates for the 2018 Spar National Schools 5 a side competition are now known following the closing of registration last Friday with action commencing in Salthill Devon FC on February 27th.

The five-a-side school blitzes are open to boys and girls from 4th, 5th and 6th class, putting emphasis on fun and inclusivity and nearly 30,000 children are expected to compete over the next three months.

| @SPARIreland FAI Primary School 5s Programme will kick-off later this month | Limerick @FAIMeath @FaiGalway & Tipperary first of 26 County qualifiers to entertain in February | #SPAR5s https://t.co/LMRarGJpbR pic.twitter.com/0J2cFsqcT6

— FAI Schools (@faischools) February 12, 2018

The Drom East venue will host four days of action as boys and girls seek qualification for the next level in three different sections.

Carraroe (March 14th), Letterfrack (March 15th) and Newbridge (March 20th-22nd) will also host regional qualifers before the County Finals take place in Shiven Rovers on April 24th and 25th.

The winners will go to the Connacht Regional Finals on May 3rd with the National Finals at the Aviva Stadium on the 30th of May.

Last year was a spectacular year for Galway Schools with Scoil Chiaráin Naofa Doorus, Carnmore NS, Scoil Iognáid and Scoil Róis Taylor’s Hill, Galway all making The National Finals.

Soccer training started back today #fai we are looking forward to the upcoming blitz @faischools pic.twitter.com/6qr02exdoO

— Ballygar N.S. (@BallygarNS) February 9, 2018

M18 update: Black ice/ slush conditions have improved

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February 12, 2018

Galway Daily news Snow and Ice warning in effect for Galway this evening

TWO more weather warnings as temperatures fall tonight

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February 12, 2018

Met Éireann has issued a second warning this afternoon, ahead of below freezing temperatures which are expected tonight and early tomorrow morning.

Frost will be widespread and ice is expected on untreated surfaces.

Galway could also see some wintry showers throughout the night.

The warning comes into force early tomorrow morning, at 3am and lasts until 10am.

Before this, however, the sunny spells will make way for wind and rain, which will be heavy at times, falling as sleet and possibly snow on higher ground. There is also a risk of spot flooding. Gusts between 90 and 110km/h will occur in coastal fringes for a time. The second warning is in place from 6pm this evening until 6am.

(2/2) A spell of heavy, thundery rain, with strong southerly winds, will develop along west and southwest coasts towards evening, extending across the country later this evening and tonight, turning to sleet in places, with a risk of snow, mainly over high ground.

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 12, 2018

GALWAY GAA: (The Tweets) – GALWAY 1-13 MAYO 0-11

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February 12, 2018

Galway supporters were delighted with their win over Mayo even if the fights were the biggest talking point. Suspension, Bateing, Bad Blood and Double Standards accompanied good and excellent thoughts on Sunday’s results in Pearse Stadium.

And one follower managed to put things in prospective after proposing to his girlfriend as well.

Here’s our selection of some of the best tweets after Galway’s National Football League victory.

https://twitter.com/Pauldalylfc96/status/963041951384854529

So good beating mayo yet again in the football yesterday #AllianzLeague #mayovgalway #galway #gaillimhabu

— Orlaith (@orlaith_mo) February 12, 2018

Usually Galway beating Mayo would be my highlight of any weekend.

Asking my girlfriend to marry me on Friday evening however was far more dramatic and engaging #Hiyooooo #SheSaidYesByTheWay

— Frɑncis Creɑven (@FCr_91) February 12, 2018

Mayo waiting to beat Galway under Kevin Walsh!! #4outta4 #GalVMayo pic.twitter.com/7Yw8ONg03x

— Aidan Fleming (@aidoflem19) February 12, 2018

https://twitter.com/keelium1/status/962861989964984325

Mayo v Galway May 13 at last the bite is back ….. big crowd castlebar what more could you want …. time to wake up @austinjpayne @PeterWalsh51 @liamjtpayne @MayoGAA #bordertown #noisyneighbours

— David Ryan (@davidryanmayo) February 12, 2018

Just watched Galway Mayo highlights. O'Connor should get a long suspension for that elbow!! No place in game for that shite!!! #GAA #AllianzLeagues

— Cormac McCormack (@CormacMcNYC) February 12, 2018

I thought the Mayo-Galway players were engaging in some competitive performance art… “footing the turf”. Things were boiling over and Conroy dragged O’Shea out lest he got injured. As much as the Dublin media tries to hype it…there isn’t a drop of bad blood out there.

— Seán O’R (@IrishWebGuy) February 12, 2018

https://twitter.com/JohnKin08821866/status/962838713922408448

Poor Mayo were bate… Much worse than getting beat. #GALvMAY #Galway #Mayo pic.twitter.com/0sMuzyaaeq

— Caroline Hofman (@CearuilinH) February 11, 2018

https://twitter.com/heyitsMartina_/status/962823717888909313

Did you ever see anything like the punch ups in the #GALWAYMAYO match today? If that was #Dublin playing you’d never hear the end of it. Today will be forgotten quickly enough. Talk about double standards!

— John Buckley (@JohnPJBuckley) February 11, 2018

Midlands North-West MEP says United Ireland will benefit everyone

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February 12, 2018

Matt Carthy, MEP for the Midlands North-West constituency which includes Galway, says that the end of partition would benefit everyone on the island of Ireland.

The MEP will host the launch of a new document by Sinn Féin this week, as the party enters its first week under the leadership of Mary Lou McDonald.

Carthy said that a united Ireland would benefit everyone in Ireland – ‘very importantly, in economic terms’.

“Partition has been an economic disaster for Ireland, North and South. Economy and society across the island of Ireland are intertwined. Back-to-back development and wasteful duplication serve nobody, in either jurisdiction.

“Brexit has merely served to highlight these issues. The Good Friday and subsequent agreements have ensured that all-Ireland co-operation has benefited people across Ireland. We cannot allow this to be threatened.

“Sinn Féin’s document, A United Ireland – Better for Jobs, Enterprise and Research, will show how Irish unity would unlock the real economic potential of this island acting as a huge spur for economic growth leading to more jobs and an improvement in living standards,” he said.

However, the party has more urgent concerns north of the border, where negotiations have been ongoing since the breakdown of the assembly after Martin McGuinness resigned over allegations about the DUP in January 2017.

Talks continue in the North this week.

GALWAY GAA: (Reaction) – GALWAY 1-13 MAYO 0-11

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February 12, 2018

While he would have preferred otherwise and wasn’t willing to say much, the late brawls and red cards were the imminent questions put to Galway football manager Kevin Walsh after his side maintained their perfect start to the National Football League.

A first half Barry McHugh goal had the Tribesmen on the front foot throughout but late dismissals for Paul Conroy and Mayo pair Cillian and Diarmuid O’Connor dominated the media headlines.

“You’ve seen more than I have,” said Walsh to the media after the game. “Being down on the sideline. I didn’t see anything. I haven’t a lot to say on it, other than we don’t like to see too much of that going on.

“I’m very conscious that every player who gets to wear the county jersey is going to fight for his jersey. Look, whatever happened when the handbags started, you saw a lot more than me.”

The former All-Ireland winner was more willing to engage on his team’s impressive start. Wins over Tyrone, Donegal and Mayo have Galway joint top with Dublin and almost certain to retain their Division One status.

It's all over at Pearse Stadium! The home side have come out on top in the #AllianzLeague Football Division 1 game, Galway defeated Mayo 1-13 to 0-11 #GAA pic.twitter.com/2x5LslrnY6

— Sportsfile (@sportsfile) February 11, 2018

“When you’ve six points on the board out of six it’s very, very pleasing,” added the Galway manager. “It takes a bit of pressure off for certain parts of the league. Nothing will change from our side in relation to doing the things we want to do in every game.”

It’s four wins-in-a-row against Mayo and their first league victory over the same opposition since 2008 sets Galway up for their next showdown in the Connacht Championship in May. But Walsh was quick to point out this result would have no effect then.

“I don’t see how it would,” concluded Walsh. “It’s not about me or Stephen Rochford. it’s about us getting the very best out of our own players.

“No, it’s game by game. This is about us trying to stick to the process. To learn. Trying to get two points no matter who it is.”

Agallamh le bainisteoir Gaillimh Kevin Walsh.
Bí linn ar #TG4 #AllianzLeagues @Galway_GAA v @MayoGAA pic.twitter.com/mBpnlCdP4F

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 11, 2018

COPE Galway is back on campus for annual Sexual Health week

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February 12, 2018

This Valentine’s week, COPE Galway Domestic Violence & Outreach Service is back on campus at NUIG and GMIT to raise awareness among young people of the signs of an abusive relationship.

The outreach service, operating from the refuge at Waterside House, offers information to third level students and is once again taking part in the annual NUIG and GMIT ‘SHAG Week’ to raise awareness on the issue of Dating Abuse within an intimate relationship.

“Women who have experienced Domestic Violence say that information on Dating Abuse as teenagers could have helped them to recognise the early signs of an abusive relationship”, explains Ciara Tyrrell, from COPE Galway Domestic Violence Refuge and Outreach Service. “Our aim is to support students to identify the warning signs of an abusive relationship, in particular the more subtle controlling behaviours that are not so obvious in the initial stages of a relationship.”

Research carried out with women who have experienced Domestic Abuse identified that low self-esteem and a lack of information are important indicators of vulnerability to future abuse.

Loneliness and pressure to conform can all contribute to young people being vulnerable to abuse within a relationship and current dangers surrounding internet use is an added difficulty for young people when trying to leave an abusive relationship.

Staff from COPE Galway Domestic Violence Refuge & Outreach Service will have a stand at NUIG beside Smokey’s Café on Tuesday the 13^th of February 12pm-2pm and will be on main campus GMIT on Wednesday February 14^th (Valentine’s Day).

They will be handing out wristbands and information leaflets and are available to talk to anyone with concerns for themselves, a family member or a friend who they may be worried about.

To view the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship and for more information visit http://www.copegalway.ie/domestic-violence-faqs/ifeel or contact COPE Galway Domestic Violence Refuge & Outreach Service at 091-565985.

GALWAY GAA: (Match Reports) – GALWAY 1-13 MAYO 0-11

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February 12, 2018

Galway Daily sport Shane Walsh nominated for 2021 PwC All-Star awards — 11 February 2018; Shane Walsh of Galway in action against Jason Doherty of Mayo during the Allianz Football League Division 1 Round 3 match between Galway and Mayo at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile

(Photo – Galway GAA)

The talking points from Sunday’s National Football League clash in Pearse Stadium will center on three late red cards but Galway are on three wins from three and have consolidated their Division One status.

3 wins out of 3 for Galway as they take the points with victory over Mayo in Round 3. See the full-time highlights here on GAANOW. pic.twitter.com/GtEEfYIHCR

— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 11, 2018

Kevin Walsh’s charges joined Dublin on maximum points after coming through a fiery meeting with their rivals as Paul Conroy and Mayo’s O’Connor brothers (Cillian and Diarmuid) saw red as things boiled over in the closing stages.

Barry McHugh’s 19th minute goal gave the Tribesmen the initiative to lead throughout and even though Mayo reduced arrears to two at half-time (1-4 to 0-5), Conroy and Eamonn Brannigan kicked crucial points in the second period to ensure no doubt about the winners.

Damien Comer opened affairs with two minors by the ninth minute before the visitors finally got in on the scoring. However, when McHugh beat David Clarke for Galway’s goal, they were four points clear before Shane Walsh added a free.

Mayo played their way back but failed to capitalise on second half chances as Galway pulled 1-9 to 0-7 clear with Conroy converting a brace and Brannigan adding three white flags.

They were set for a fourth consecutive win over Stephen Rochford’s men even if Jason Doherty, James Breen, Colm Boyle and Eoin O’Donoghue increased Mayo’s tally but two consecutive defeats before they face Dublin will have the All-Ireland finalists playing catch-up to survive again.

Galway were seven points clear when things turned ugly as a 20+ man brawl resulted in Sean Andy O’Ceallaigh, Cathal Sweeney and Conroy getting yellows from referee Anthony Nolan along with Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea.

A second Conroy booking saw him depart shortly after before 10 minutes of injury time resulted in Cillian O’Connor going for a straight red after an apparent elbow on Eoghan Kerin. Diarmuid O’Connor got a second yellow for an altercation with the same player before the finish.

https://twitter.com/JohnKin08821866/status/962827753715388416

Galway’s initial league target has been achieved as six points is highly unlikely to result in relegation. They travel to Kerry in two weeks but the 9,850 supporters in Salthill will already be licking their lips at the prospect of these Connacht rivals going head-on again in the championship on May 13th.

Martin Breheny wrote in the Irish Independent – “The Connacht Council could announce a 100 per cent increase in ticket prices for the Mayo-Galway Connacht championship quarter-final in Castlebar on May 13 and still be guaranteed a capacity crowd.”

Pat Nolan in the Irish Mirror said – “Galway have joined Dublin at the top of Division One after beating Mayo in a bad-tempered Allianz Football League tie at Pearse Stadium.”

And Kevin Tayler in the Irish Sun wrote – “Cillian O’Connor, Diarmuid O’Connor and Paul Conroy were sent off late on as tempers boiled over at Pearse Stadium.“

ATHLETICS: WILLIAM FITZGERALD CROWNED CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPION

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February 12, 2018

For the full list of results from the National Championship, CLICK HERE.

There was Galway success in the National Cross-Country Championships on Sunday as Craughwell Athletic Club’s William Fitzgerald won the Boys under 17 event.

Fitzgerald was the final Juvenile winner of the day when he came home in cold and biting conditions to beat Tullamore’s Philip King and Ballyroan/Abbeyleix runner Ryan Hogg to the national title.

Top 12 Boys U17 in the @irishlifehealth National Juvenile B XC
Top 3: 1. William Fitzgerald 2. Philip king 3. Ryan Hogg pic.twitter.com/T92x23mrTu

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) February 11, 2018

The Irish Life Health Cross Country Championships were held in Kilcoran Estate in Clarinbridge and featured 13 events throughout the day.

While Galway athletes competed across the full schedule, it was Fitzgerald’s success that crowned the day for the home supporters.

‘Mother & Baby’ – a film about the Tuam home

By

Kate Robinson

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February 11, 2018

Haunting images of abandoned hallways with peeling yellow paint.

The Virgin Mary extending her arms behind a plexiglass pane surrounded by flowers.

A close up of amateur local historian Catherine Corless as she listens to a tape recording of a former housekeeper at the Tuam Mother and Baby home.

This is the opening of the powerful new documentary ‘Mother & Baby’, a film by award-winning filmmaker and Galway native Mia Mullarkey.

The film is about the institution where the Bon Secours sisters hid away women who fell pregnant out of wedlock — and their children, many of whom died and were buried in an underground sewage area.

“Julia Devaney spent her entire life in the home,” Catherine’s voice tells us over scenes of the playground built on top of the now-infamous infant burial site.

“She absolutely loved the children, and she couldn’t do a thing for them, because she said she’d be sent off to a mental asylum if she intervened.”

The tape crackles. Julia speaks, her recorded voice rich with emotion as she remembers what it was like to live there.

“I knew there was a lot of cruelty in it,” she says at one point. “Well God, Heaven above, ’twas hell. When they got in there they used to crucify them children.”

With an understated yet moving soundtrack composed by Mia’s sister Anna — best known around town as the lead singer of local band My Fellow Sponges — the film takes us through the lives of three Home survivors and how Corless uncovered the awful truth.

See a clip:

Mother & Baby Clip 3 from Ishka Films on Vimeo.

Mia says: “There’s a number of things happening in the film. On one level, it goes into the memories of the children. So we have three survivors, and we go back into their memories of the home and their memories of being fostered out. And obviously those are quite painful memories, and in some instances quite traumatic.

“And then we sort of move forward in time from their memories to who they are now, and get a sense of their resilience, and their strength from having come through that.

“Then running alongside that storyline is Catherine’s research in uncovering the whole event…And it culminates in the vigil, which is a little bit cathartic, but also shows the anger at what happened, where the survivors finally become a family and they become a voice. And they can now hopefully get some justice.”

The candlelight vigil — held in November 2016 — was organised by Corless and artist Sadie Cramer. More than 300 participants took candles and walked from the burial ground into Tuam town square in remembrance of the victims of the home.

Last March the site made headlines around the world when a government commission investigating the area found “significant quantities” of human remains in an underground structure apparently built for sewage.

The bodies ranged in age from 35 foetal weeks to 3 years old, all dating to the time when the Mother and Baby Home was in operation.

Based on independent research by Corless showing death certificates for nearly 800 babies and children — but no burial records — the investigation is ongoing and is expected to publish a full report on its findings in February 2019.

In the meantime, Mia’s beautifully shot 20-minute documentary acknowledges the suffering that had for so long been a dark secret.

And although centred around the home in Tuam, the film is relevant to the rest of the country as well — since Mother and Baby homes were found in every corner of Ireland.

So while the documentary’s release was somewhat Galway-focused — the first screening took place in Tuam for the Mother and Baby Home survivors there, and a recent showing in Campbell’s Tavern in Headford played to a packed house and featured a moving Q & A session with the survivors Peter Mulryan, Carmel Larkin and Pat Duffy — Mia ultimately hopes to show the film in festivals all over Ireland.

“Wherever people have been affected by the story, we’d love to offer the film up,” she says. “Because one of the things the film does is it really acknowledges the children — the children who didn’t survive, and the children who did survive.

“So it has a cathartic effect, a healing effect.”

Watch another clip:

Mother & Baby Clip 1 from Ishka Films on Vimeo.

The next showing of ‘Mother & Baby’ will be on the 26th February at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin.

If you would like to get in touch with Mia to host a film screening, she can be reached at mia@ishkafilms.com.

Snow-Ice warning extended to tomorrow morning

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February 11, 2018

Met Éireann has extended its snow-ice warning, saying further showers of hail, sleet and snow tonight will give additional accumulations of up to 3 cm of snow, with larger amounts on higher ground.

Connacht and Ulster will see the worst of the snow.

The warning is currently in force, and will now stay in place until 6am tomorrow morning, meaning roads could be dangerous in the morning in untreated parts of the county.

The warning was originally in place until midnight tonight.

The AA said to slow down and remember that stopping distances are up to ten times longer on icy roads.

They advised to take primary roads where possible as they are more likely to be gritted than secondary routes.

Weather warnings have been issued for snow-ice in the next 48hrs – https://t.co/sLGHpXxrhm pic.twitter.com/cyZTKoe2ay

— Met Éireann Warnings (@MetEire_Warning) February 10, 2018

Open call to audition for Macnas Drumming Troupe!

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February 11, 2018

Galway-based spectacle theatre company Macnas is looking for young musicians aged 15 – 19 to join the internationally-acclaimed Macnas drumming troupe.

An open audition workshop will be held on Sat 24th of February from 12pm – 2pm at the Macnas workshop in Fisheries Field, on the grounds of NUI Galway, with 15 places available. The auditions workshop will be led by drumming instructor Éimhín Cradock and Macnas musical director Orlagh de Bhaldraithe.

All attending the workshop are asked to bring one drum that bests suits their style of play e.g. snare, tom, floor tom.

Those successful in the auditions will be invited to attend weekly rehearsals with a view to performing with Macnas during the annual Hallowe’en parade in Galway, as well as joining the company for performances across Ireland and the world.

The troupe will meet weekly at 8pm on Tuesdays at Macnas during term time and a full commitment is required from those joining the troupe.

Éimhín Cradock has taught hundreds of drum students over the past 15 years. He studied under the original drum adviser to Macnas, Mike Arrigan.

Éimhín currently runs his own drum group called Drumadore who are known for their drumming at Connacht rugby matches and many other local and regional events.

He also toured the world with the legendary Saw Doctors and has recorded with many bands such as the Whileaways, The Latchiko’s, This Nachez, EDFT and many more.

As Musical Director for Macnas, Orlagh De Bhaldraithe has written the musical narrative for numerous outdoor spectacle shows, both in Ireland and internationally, including soundtrack composition and engineering community ensembles for live performance.

Are Gaeltacht regions less prone to Alzheimer’s Disease?

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February 10, 2018

galway daily gaeltacht regions less prone to alzheimer's — Exif_JPEG_PICTURE

Knowing more than one language can lessen the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), according to a recent study carried out by researchers at Concordia University in Quebec.

They suggest that people who are bilingual can make up for damage caused to the brain by AD by accessing other parts of the brain for processing memory.

The study focused on the effects of knowing a second language for patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI; which can lead to AD).

Natalie Philips’ study will be published in Neuropsychologia.

“Our new study contributes to the hypothesis that having two languages exercises specific brain regions and can increase cortical thickness and grey matter density. And it extends these findings by demonstrating that these structural differences can be seen in the brains of multilingual AD and MCI patients,” she said.

They used MRI data and sophisticated analysis techniques to measure cortical thickness and tissue density, which are much more effective than previous studies which used CT scans.

“Our results contribute to research that indicates that speaking more than one language is one of a number of lifestyle factors that contributes to cognitive reserve,” Phillips said.

“They support the notion that multilingualism and its associated cognitive and sociocultural benefits are associated with brain plasticity.”

Six companies chosen to find tech solutions to medical problems

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February 10, 2018

Six companies will gain €95,000 in seed funding along with training for the next six months by an NUI Galway initiative supported by Enterprise Ireland.

The BioExel Accelerator Medtech programme will help them develop innovative new solutions to medical challenges.

They were shortlisted from over 50 applicants.

What is BioExel Medtech Accelerator?

BioExel Medtech Accelerator is the first of its kind in Ireland to focus solely on the medical technology sector.

The six companies, which are all in the scale-up phase, will be based at NUI Galway for a period of six months, to build and commercially validate their technologies by working with existing entrepreneurial networks, mentors and management team.

The companies are:

Bioprobe Diagnostics Ltd – Ciaran Geoghegan
Bluedrop Medical Ltd – Chris Murphy
GiantLeap Biotechnology Ltd – Martin Codyre
Hidramed Solutions Ltd – Suzanne Moloney
Grey Matter Technologies Ltd – Rory Dunne
Q-Pathway Ltd – Niamh Frehill

The successful participants met their first challenge of many, in a three-day clinic on campus with global experts, mentors, and entrepreneur in residence as their market strategy is validated and substantiated.

Galway TD questions government response on right to work decision

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Kate Robinson

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February 10, 2018