Galway brothers win major prizes in the World Irish Dance Championships

Thu, May 08, 2014

Brothers Michael (18) and Matthew (15) Gardiner from Parklands, Clarinbridge, are celebrating winning two major awards in the World Irish Dance Championships in London.

Blackrock Diving Tower repair works

Thu, May 08, 2014

The iconic Blackrock Diving Tower could soon receive a face lift as Galway City Council is currently seeking tenders for the rehabilitation project which is estimated to cost in the region of €100,000.

Reading the Runes: Local elections

Thu, May 08, 2014

Local Elections, like those coming up on May 23, are curious creatures. While they are undoubtedly local in the way that even a cursory glance at the different candidates election literature will immediately confirm – active in community initiatives, members of community councils, chairs of things like the Tidy Towns Committee, and, at least in the country, the GAA - local elections also have traditionally been seen, and used by voters, as a way of robustly telling the mainstream parties how they are seen from the groundlings point of view, and so providing either comfort or a harsh wake-up call, a two-fingered salute which is anything but comforting.

In a recent round-up of pre-election polls, a sort of ‘poll of polls’, the results strongly suggest the two-fingered salute is the most immediate response to the blizzard of cheery election posters, with their crushingly banal slogans (“Enough is Enough!”). The end of April Irish Independent-Millward Brown poll showed Fine Gael 25 per cent (down four per cent), Fianna Fail 23 per cent (up one per cent), Sinn Fein 21 per cent (up one per cent), Labour Party six per cent (NC), the Green Party, Independents and Others 25 per cent (up two per cent). If this is clearly bad news for both coalition parties, as well as Fianna Fail (a one per cent increase has the voter consistency of a sneeze), Independents of various hues can certainly draw comfort from the polls. As for Sinn Fein, the enigmatic Cinderella of Irish politics, the fact this poll shows them trouncing the venerable Labour Party, and nipping closely at the heels of the two largest parties in the Irish state, is matter for much serious consideration for voters of all hues.

Broadcasting icon to officially open new Oughterard NS

Thu, May 08, 2014

The new national school in Oughterard, designed by award-winning Simon J Kelly & Sons, will hold its official opening at 5pm on Saturday May 17.

Public meeting to save Barnaderg Post Office

Thu, May 08, 2014

The future of Barnaderg Post Office and An Post’s refusal to outline its strategy for sustaining the rural post office network are the topics expected to be thrashed out at a public meeting at Barnaderg Community Centre next week.

ME expert to speak in Galway

Thu, May 08, 2014

A leading international ME expert will speak about the condition in the city at the weekend.

Galway Toastmasters in speaking finals

Thu, May 08, 2014

Two Galway Toastmasters will contest the Britain and Irelandtoastmasters public speaking finals in Dun Laoghaire this weekend.

Parkrun comes to Galway

Thu, May 08, 2014

What do London, Sydney, Copenhagen, Cape Town and now Galway have in common? Well, these are some of the worldwide locations that host a Parkrun event.

Seminar on successful branding for Galway entrepreneurs

Thu, May 08, 2014

Galway Chamber will be offering a seminar on brand indentity and advertising for local businesses on Tuesday May 20.

The seminar, entitled ‘‘Getting Your Brand To Work’’, will teach entrepreneurs how to build a clear brand identity which conveys business values and reputation to prospective customers.

Podcasting the past

Thu, May 08, 2014

Popular talks on Galway city’s heritage and history are now available to download free of charge on iTunes.

Save the date for an exclusive Lennon Courtney style event

Thu, May 08, 2014

Summer is here and for many that means an excuse to update your wardrobe. Save the date for an exclusive style event with two of Ireland’s leading fashion stylists and style commentators, Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney, as they bring Galway’s first ever showcase of the Lennon Courtney range to the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie at Hotel Meyrick on Friday May 30.

An independent candidate for Connemara - happy to nail his colours to the mast

Thu, May 08, 2014

Canvassing Connemara last weekend, local election independent hopeful Ronan Garvey says he met many people who share his dissatisfaction with the lack of accountability in the country.

According to the Connemara candidate, one of the key factors in Garvey’s decision to seek election is that it seems only independents are trying to address the accountability crisis that is a cancer in public life in Ireland. ‘The price of incompetence in Fas,’ Garvey maintains, ‘was a big pay-off with a golden handshake from public funds; the price of

Galway's one stop shop for divorce or separation

Thu, May 08, 2014

Couples throughout the country whose marriages have broken down can divorce or separate through mediation saving legal fees in the process.

Special open days for Coláiste Bhaile Chláir at The Schoolwear Centre

Thu, May 08, 2014

Two special open nights are being held in The Schoolwear Centre in Liosbán on Monday May 19 and Tuesday May 20 from 5pm to 7.30pm to facilitate the incoming students of Coláiste Bhaile Chláir.

Second Aware support group for Galway city

Thu, May 08, 2014

Aware, the national organisation providing support, information, and education around depression, has just announced a second support group for Galway city. The new group meets every Monday from 8pm (including Bank Holidays) in Ard Family Resource Centre, Doughiska Road.

Network Galway tenth annual Business Woman of the Year awards

Thu, May 08, 2014

The launch of Galway’s 10th annual Business Woman of the Year awards took place at The g Hotel last Wednesday evening April 30. A number of outstanding business women went forward to interview in categories including Network Galway Business Woman of the Year (New Business), Network Galway Business Woman of the Year (Self Employed), Network Galway Business Woman of the Year (Employee), and Outstanding Galway Business Woman of the Year.

Gigantic summer sample sale in Belladonna

Thu, May 08, 2014

It is sale time at Belladonna Bridal, one of Ireland’s best loved bridal shops located in Centrepoint, Liosbán.

Garth Brooks and Kasabian tickets up for grabs at Hanley.ie

Thu, May 08, 2014

Itisshapinguptobea summer to remember at Hanley’s Galway. The retail store is giving its customers an opportunity to win sold-out tickets to two of the most anticipated concerts of the year; Kasabian and Garth Brooks.