Never giving up — Frank Byrnes crosses the finish line

Thu, Dec 29, 2016

After months of planning and training as part of the #NeverGiveUp awareness and fundraising campaign for Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit, Oranmore man, Frank Byrnes has completed the 206km challenge and is ready to give his running shoes a break.

Why New Year’s Eve is so special to how we view ourselves

Thu, Dec 29, 2016

At one second past midnight on January 1, the day will change from Saturday to Sunday, usually an unremarkable transition of no special significance. But somehow we’ve decided that this change, which will end one year and begin the next, is different. This unique tick of the clock has always prompted us both to celebrate and to step outside the day-to-day activity we’re always so busy with—to reflect, to look back, take stock, assess how we did, and resolve to do better going forward. Save perhaps for our birthdays, no other moment in the year gets this sort of attention.

Why does the start of the new year carry such special symbolism? And why is its celebration so common around the world, as it has been for at least as long as there have been calendars? Behavior this ubiquitous must surely be tied to something intrinsic in the human animal, something profoundly meaningful and important, given all the energy and resources we invest not just in the celebration but also our efforts to make good on a fresh set of resolutions (even though we mostly fail to keep them). It may be that the symbolism we attach to this one moment is rooted in one of the most powerful motivations of all—our motivation to survive.

Galway Samaritans answered 47,219 calls in 2016

Thu, Dec 29, 2016

Galway Samaritans answered 47,219 calls for help in the last 12 months, with most of these calls received out of hours when other support is not available.

Details of the Galway help line were released this week when the 2015-2016 Impact Report covering Samaritans’ work in Ireland was launched.

Teacher takes break from his job to distil poitin

Thu, Dec 29, 2016

Pádraic Ó Griallais’ family from Cois Fharraige have been renowned poitín distillers for six generations. He is passionate about poitín, having learned the craft from his 88-year-old grandfather Jimmí Cherri. Jimmí in turn was handed down the skill by his own grandfather, Micil Chearra.

Galway to be bolstered by two decades of state investment under new Coveney plan

Thu, Dec 29, 2016

infrastructural investment designed to ensure it plays its part in balanced economic and social growth among cities across the country.

The proposals, to be launched by Minster for Housing, Planning and Local Government Simon Coveney next month, will attempt to direct population growth to regional cities to make them attractive investment destinations and allow the development of greater public infrastructure.

108-year-old Galwaywoman Sarah passes away at home in Connemara

Thu, Dec 29, 2016

Ireland’s oldest person Sarah Clancy died this week aged 108, bringing to an end a remarkable life that spanned many of the notable dates in history.

Some year for one year, but what’s ahead?

Thu, Dec 29, 2016

It’s been some year for one year — but what about 2017? This week I take a look into my crystal ball and see what’s lying in wait for us.

Senator expresses delight at couple reuniting

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has said he is delighted that Kleber Silva Medeiros has been reunited with his wife Harriett Bruce.

That was some year

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

What a tumultuous political year it’s been! It began with a sense that despite much turmoil and insurgency across the globe voters would shy away from the radical choices and that something akin to the ‘status quo’ would prevail. It ended with Madonna with no sense of irony berating the President-elect of the USA for engaging in sensationalist acts and rhetoric in order to generate publicity.

Use Christmas to find calm after turbulent year

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

It’s been some year — a whirlwind of emotion, of joy and despair, of utter horror and desperation, of uncertainty and fear, but also a time of pride and happiness.

Our love and dependence on each other should inform our actions, says President Higgins in annual message

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

Dear friends here in Ireland and around the world, As President of Ireland, Uachtarán na hÉireann, it is my pleasure to send you my warmest wishes for a peaceful, as well as a happy Christmas and New Year.

€94,000 allocated to Galway’s animal welfare organisations

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

The Minister for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources, Seán Kyne, has welcomed the allocation of €94,000 to animal welfare organisations in Galway.

The funding is part of a €2.4 million allocation by the Minister of Agriculture, Michael Creed, to 137 animal welfare organisations across the country.

Latin Mass to be celebrated in Claddagh on Christmas Day

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

On Christmas Day, at 2.30p.m. a traditional Latin Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, the Claddagh, Galway.

Common sense must prevail in Greenway development, says Ó Cuív

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Regional, Rural, Gaeltacht and Island Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív says the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport’s policy on greenway expansion must be reassessed so that a consistent approach can be adopted.

Try out sea angling in 2017

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

Have you ever thought about casting your line and trying out sea angling? If you have, there is good news this New Year, because the Connacht Provincial Council of the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers are looking for new members.

Govt accepts FF motion on flood prevention and insurance

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Flood Relief Eugene Murphy has welcomed the Government’s acceptance of his motion on flood prevention and insurance which he brought forward during Private Members time in the Dáil last week.

The Galway-Roscommon TD said that he was pleased that the Government has accepted this motion, but Ministers have to go further than supporting these measures.

Four novels set in Galway available on e-book for first time

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

FOUR novels, including a collection of short stories, all set in Galway during the 1980s and 1990s are this week available as an eBook for the first time.

Mixed reaction to Galway city ring road proposal

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

A lukewarm reaction greeted the Galway City ring road proposal from County Hall on Monday afternoon.

A great year for Galway, but we need more of this sort of thing

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

As we come to the end of the year, it’s a good time to remember some of the remarkable accolades our city has received during 2016. Galway was awarded the 2020 European Capital of Culture, as well as the EU’s prestigious European Green Leaf Environmental Award, and was designated European Region of Gastronomy for 2018. The Financial Times FDI magazine ranked Galway City as the number 1 Micro European City of the Future for both the Economic Potential and Business Friendliness categories in 2016/2017: this is a full level or two higher than our rankings in both categories in 2014/2015. Also, NUI Galway has moved up to number 249 in the QS world university rankings. To put that in perspective, the University has risen 235 places over the past nine years from when it was at number 484. NUI Galway is also 48th out of 1,336 educational institutions in Europe in terms of Horizon 2020 funding received, and second overall in Ireland.

Christmas Greetings Galway from the troops of 54th Infantry Group in Golan

Thu, Dec 22, 2016

While you and your family are tucking into your festive dinner in the warmth and comfort of your homes and family circles, worrying about last-minute gifts, and whether or not to put an extra bottle of wine into the fridge, spare a thought for the troops of the 54th Infantry Group who will be at democracy’s outpost as part of the UNDOF mission on the Golan Heights throughout the holiday period.

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