Temporary closure of UHG beds to pile further pressure on struggling ED

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

A clear contingency plan must be in place before 19 acute beds are temporarily closed at University Hospital Galway next month to facilitate the building of a 75 bed extension to the west’s biggest hospital.

Council chief executive says more money must be generated by Leisureland

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

A Galway city councillor has accused city officials of “giving the two fingers” to elected representatives, following the increase in price for users of Leisureland.

Walsh demands immediate action on hotel site

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

“A blight on the local landscape” and a haven for criminal activity and anti-social behaviour that need to be tackled and dealt with immediately.

Public must be consulted over return of flights to Carnmore, says Charity

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

Consulting the public, the business community, and employers will be the only reliable guide to potential future uses of Galway Airport and to ensuring that aviation services on the site are protected.

Families are avoiding visiting GPs because of cost, claims TD

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

Cash strapped young families are delaying or avoiding visiting their GP because of the cost involved, a local politician claimed this week.

Who was William Wilde?

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

An illustrated talk about the life of Sir William Wilde, father of Oscar Wilde, will be hosted by the Cong Moytura Heritage Society on January 21.

Je suis Galway, Je suis Connacht

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

On Sunday Connacht Rugby will host English premiership side Exeter in their final European pool fixture this season - another massive task for the Irish province against a side favoured to win the tournament overall. However if Connacht have proved anything this year - despite a hiccup last weekend - is that they possess an x-factor, particularly at home. That x-factor is neither a Robbie Henshaw nor a Mils Muliaina - though they do make a massive contribution - but a philosophy coach Pat Lam has been developing - it is what he calls the Connacht "culture".

Emergency department overcrowding woes set to continue for weeks

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

The overcrowding crisis at public hospital emergency departments is set to continue for several more weeks due to the seasonal surge in demand for services.

2015 - it ain't going to be a dull year

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

With the festive period now over, politicians have turned their thoughts to the year ahead and in one respect the mood across the parties is the same – we are now in an election year.

Galway projects short-listed in four categories of LAMA Community and Council Awards

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Baboró children’s arts festival is among the finalists for the 2015 LAMA Community and Council Awards. The Local Authority Members Association represents elected councillors nation-wide and the awards celebrate communities, schools, and councils working together. The accolades have expanded annually reflecting ongoing changes in society and have grown in popularity since their inception in 2006.

In total, four projects in Galway have made the awards shortlist this year. Baboró is in the running to be named Local Festival/Event of the year while Westside based St Michael’s GAA club has been shortlisted in the Local Sports Club of the Year category. The Galway Online Video Bank of Tourist Attractions is in the running for Best Tourism Initiative and Galway man Vincent Lyons is a contender for Community Volunteer of the Year.

Grealish ‘interested’ but not yet convinced by Shane Ross’s alliance

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Noel Grealish is reluctant to join any new alliance of Independent centrist TDs, currently being touted by deputies Finian McGrath and Shane Ross, until there is a plan in place and definite ideas on what such an alliance stands for.

Connaughton demands PAC ask questions over rent being paid for empty building

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Moves are under way to have the Galway Roscommon Education Training Board and the Department of Education publicly explain why the GRETB is paying rent on an empty building in Galway city.

Fine Gael Galway East TD Paul Connaughton will be writing to the chair of the Public Accounts Committee John McGuinness, to demand that both the Department and the GRETB appear before the committee to answer questions about the vacant building.

Jigsaw Galway launching outreach programmes to target youth in rural areas

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Ireland has one of the highest suicide rates in Europe among teenagers and young adults — in a week where rural Galway witnessed yet another high profile death by suicide, following the passing of a young GAA player in the county, it is more important than ever that people reach out and avail of services at their disposal. Mental health does not discriminate and anybody’s mother, father, brother, sister, daughter, or son can be affected.

Be a healthy weight this New Year with the help of Croi

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

A new weight management programme being run by the heart and stroke charity Croi will feature regular lifestyle screening.

The course, which will be held at its centre in Moyola Lane in Newcastle and will begin at the end of month, is described as a scientifically proven approach to sustainable weight loss.

Irish journalists don’t trust social media, university research study reveals

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

A survey of Irish journalists carried out by the Insight Centre for Data Analytics at NUI Galway shows that journalists do not trust social media for verifying stories, preferring instead to opt for traditional methods of authentication.

Walsh critical of possible summer bathing ban at beach

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

The possibility of a long term bathing ban at Ballyloughane Beach has again highlighted the urgent need for investment in the country’s water infrastructure, according to local Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh.

Vayu Energy signs €3,000,000 deal with Debenhams

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Irish energy supplier Vayu Energy has signed a gas and renewable electricity deal with retailer Debenhams Ireland valued at €3m per annum.

Public talk on history of Aughrim priory

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

A public lecture on the history of a little-known foundation in east Galway, the priory of St Catherine in Aughrim, takes place in Galway city next week.

Galway beef farmers to benefit from Irish beef entry to US market says Connaughton

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Galway cattle farmers and weanling producers of Limousin, Belgian Blue and Charolais cattle stand to gain from the opening of the US market to Irish beef.

This is the view of Galway East Fine Gael TD Paul Connaughton following the announcement this week that Ireland will, within the coming months, become the first European country to have access to the US market. It is anticipated that by the year end, 1,500 to 2,000 two tonnes of beef could enter the American market.

Major European Research Council funding success for NUI Galway academics

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Dr Eilionóir Flynn of the Centre for Disability Law and Policy and Martin O Donnell, Professor of Translational Medicine at NUI Galway have both been approved by the European Research Council (ERC) for starter grants.

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