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.

Community alert system for Mervue residents

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

Mervue residents are being encouraged to take part in a community alert system, in order to help combat crime and improve security in the area.

Candidates must state their position on austerity policies says Holohan

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

Election candidates cannot dismiss issues such as water taxes, property taxes, and the proposed universal medical charge as national, governmental issues, as they affect the day to day lives of ordinary people.

Third female candidate for FG in Connemara

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

Three of Fine Gael’s four Connemara candidates in May’s Local Elections will be women, with Mary McHugh being the latest addition to the ticket.

Brigit’s Garden open day to mark decade of fun

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

Brigit’s Garden in Roscahill will open its 10th birthday season celebrations by holding an open day this Sunday from 12 noon to 5.30pm.

There will be free admission to the award-winning Celtic Gardens, live music, fun activities around the gardens, and the official launch of the 10th birthday season. The Garden Café will also showcase a range of new café and catering menus and new gourmet picnics.

GMIT rolls out new video conferencing service between secondary schools and GMIT

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

GMIT has launched a new online talks service linking GMIT campuses and secondary schools across the country using the latest hi-definition video conferencing systems and an online learning software tool.

GMIT is one of the first institutes of technology to roll out this new service, which enables the institute to communicate directly and more frequently in real time with secondary school students and their teachers, exchanging information about GMIT programmes, CAO options, student life, innovation on campus, career paths, and a range of discipline talks and school projects.

IIHCS appointed test centre for key Mandarin language exams

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

The Irish International Hotel and Catering School has announced that it has been appointed by the Confucius Institute in UCC as a test centre for the YCT and HSK exams (Mandarin language exams administrated by Hanban the cultural department of the Chinese government).