Food, glorious food — Exciting programme announced for Galway Food Festival 2014

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

The third Galway Food Festival programme of events was announced this week at the House Hotel by Jp McMahon, chairman of the annual event. The five day family-friendly festival will celebrate Galway as a good food destination from Thursday April 17 to Monday April 21 during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

NUI Galway students urged to find out if they were vaccinated against measles after outbreak in university

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

The HSE West is urging students at NUI Galway to find out if they have been vaccinated against measles.

The appeal comes in the wake of an outbreak of the condition at the university in the past week.

City autism centre to extend its services

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

A local organisation is spearheading a project to refurbish an autism centre in the city in a bid to extend its range of services.

Cystic fibrosis group says it is still playing ‘catch up’

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

The head of the local branch of a national cystic fibrosis support and advocacy group says while there have been some positive developments in the care of people with CF the organisation is still playing “catch up” due to years of under-investment in facilities.

Deacy and Ó Conchuir to upset the odds?

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

Fianna Fáil’s Nicola Deacy to outpoll her running mate Ollie Crowe, and Sinn Féin’s Cathal Ó Conchuir to defy the odds and take a seat, are just two possible outcomes thrown up by recent betting odds.

Remove ‘dangerously cheap’ alcohol from the market to reduce its harmful effect on others, urges City Alcohol Forum member

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

A call has been made to reduce the availability of alcohol, remove “dangerously cheap” alcohol from the market, and monitor the drink industry’s marketing practices.

Action needed to address lack of rental properties in Galway, says Cllr Lyons

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

The lack of houses available for rent in the city could seriously hamper job creation and inward investment in Galway, that is according to Independent Knocknacarra councillor for Galway City West, Donal Lyons who is calling for the Government to take action by providing incentives for the construction industry.

MEP Harkin to launch Galway campaign for European Parliament re-election

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

Independent MEP Marian Harkin will be launching her Galway campaign for re-election to the European Parliament in the Clayton Hotel on Monday, April 7.

New Local Community Development Committee for city and county

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

New local community development committees (LCDC) charged with the task of preparing and implementing a six year local economic and community plan have been established for Galway city and county.

Labour candidates calls for new, fairer rates system

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

A new mediation service between county business and the Galway County Council is needed to investigate a fairer method of charging rates.

Up to three thousand expected in Salthill for suicide prevention walk

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

Darkness Into Light, a dawn walk to raise funds for suicide and self-harm crisis centre Pieta House, is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants to Salthill early next month.

FG candidate says ‘too many unanswered questions’ remain over fish farm

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

No fish farm should be located in Galway Bay, until serious questions about potential risks, pollution, sea lice, and escapees, are answered publicly, through an oral hearing.

Promenade repair works to include ducting for public lighting

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

Major works are now underway to repair the Promenade following the New Year storms not only to return the popular amenity to its former glory, but also to construct a new walkway from Blackrock to the Driving Range, and installing ducting for public lighting.

GAA put ‘profits above principle’ with Sky deal says Crowe

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

The GAA’s decision to give Sky exclusive coverage of 14 All-Ireland games is nothing more than “putting profits ahead of principle”, one that will not benefit Galway GAA fans.

City candidate Deacy demands ‘proper regulation’ of Cash for Gold shops

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

Regulating Cash for Gold outlets is vital given such shops ask no questions as to where clients source goods from, or require any certification before purchasing such goods.

Top Galway restaurants selected for prestigious all-Ireland award

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

Kai Café and Restaurant has added yet another accolade to its already impressive collection after taking home the prize of best restaurant in County Galway, and its head chef Jessica Murphy named best chef in Galway at the Connaught Regional Final of the Santa Rita/LIFE Magazine Irish Restaurant Awards, which took place in Hotel Westport in Mayo this week.

More than 250 restaurant owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the awards, which saw many well-known restaurateurs of Connaught turn out to see if they had won one of the prestigious awards.

Festival fun

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

The launch of the programme for the third Galway Food Festival was held on Monday in one of my favourite Galway hang out spots, the lovely House Hotel. The late lamented Gerry Gavin had launched the first festival programme and the delightful Máirín Uí Chomáin the second. This year Ronan Byrne (aka The Friendly Farmer) did the honours beautifully. In a break with convention, they had not sought out a food celebrity, but in keeping with the theme of the festival, 'Food Traditions', a man of the land was called for. JP McMahon, festival chairperson, and Heather Flaherty also spoke at the launch.

Landscaping works on city’s new junctions to begin, says Crowe

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

The four new traffic junctions in the city, some of which have been left “almost in a wild state”, will undergo significant landscaping works from next week with the view to bringing them up to standard and attractive for visitors by end of May.

Chairman of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee and Fianna Fáil city councillor Michael Crowe confirmed this week that a contract has been signed by the Galway City Council to carry out the landscaping works.

Volunteers sought for Knocknacarra spring clean

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

The Knocknacarra spring clean takes place on Sunday April 13 at 1pm and volunteers are needed to help.

New playground floodlights helps curb anti-social behaviour

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

New floodlighting installed at the playground in Coilte and Sruthan Mhuirlinne, near Merlin Castle, had a positive reception by local residents as it has done much to curb anti-social behaviour. However, Independent councillor Terry O’Flaherty has warned that it is imperative to maintain frequent Garda patrols.

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