Local News
Team South Galway Special Olympics win cash prize
Fri, Feb 26, 2021
Team South Galway Special Olympics club won €400 in cash in the Gala Gifts for Clubs competition.
Politics
Why workers need protections more than ever
Thu, Feb 25, 2021
One of the basic lessons from the pandemic is how interconnected we are - your mask protects me, mine protects you. Early outbreaks of Covid in meat-processing factories - where workers cannot practice social distancing - were exacerbated by the fact these low-income workers lack sick pay. Unable to afford to (willingly) forego wages, workers masked symptoms, hoped for the best, and clocked in, with disastrous results.
Shooting The Breeze
Women in Science – Meet Debbi Pedreschi
Fri, Feb 12, 2021
To celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11th February 2021, the Marine Institute is highlighting the many brilliant women who play transformative and ambitious roles in understanding, exploring, protecting and sustainably managing our oceans wealth.
Old Galway
A view from the rear of the Spanish Arch
Thu, Feb 25, 2021
The Spanish Arch was not part of the original city walls but was built in 1584 as a measure to protect the city’s quays. It was originally known as Ceann an Bhalla or The Head of the Wall, a fortification that extended from Martin’s Tower to the river. Then in the 18th century, the Eyre family built Long Walk as an extension of the quays and a breakwater to construct a mud berth. A number of arches were constructed to allow access from the town to the new quay but unfortunately, an earthquake that occurred in Lisbon in 1755 resulted in a tsunami that destroyed some of these arches. In olden times, ships would have moored here unloading their cargo of Spanish wines and foodstuffs such as olive oil, spices, tea, coffee, and cocoa. Later, these ships would have been replaced by Aran fishing boats unloading and selling their wares.
Galway Diary
‘Spanish Flu’ ended summer 1919, but a more virulent epidemic remained
Thu, Feb 25, 2021
The so-called ‘Spanish Flu’ of 1918/19 came in three phases, leading to the false hope that as each phase appeared to be on the wane, it only returned with a vengeance, creating misery and fear throughout the country.