Dynasty

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

A backbench Government TD asks his not very bright 10-year-old daughter what she wants to be when she grows up. I want to be a politician like you, I want to be Taoiseach some day, she says. Her father was delighted. Political life had been good to him. Most especially so considering he had failed in everything else he had tried his hand at. He knew that it paid people disproportionately to their abilities. Where else could an absolute oaf get such a salary and associated benefits? To be elected would secure his daughter’s future and that of all belonging to her. Oh yes, becoming a politician was a very good idea indeed. After all, it’s not as if you need any qualifications or ability.

So he asks his daughter what would be the first thing she would do as taoiseach. I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people and would develop policies to ensure that all people had an equal share of all the money there is, she replied. By now her father was a little concerned about her political philosophy and from where she got such lofty altruistic ambition. She did not get such radical ideas from him.

Warner’s a winner with CP shots

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Galway's leading corporate photographer, and former photographer for the Galway Advertiser Neil Warner snapped his way to success in the June heats of the Irish National Photographic Awards.

Man charged with possession of replica handgun for Mervue bookies robbery

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

A man charged with possessing a replica handgun and a knuckle duster with the intention that they be used to intimidate or cause injury in the course of a robbery at a Mervue bookmakers has been remanded in custody with consent to bail.

Shoplifters sentenced for planned ‘onslaught’ on Galway

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

“A well executed and planned onslaught on Galway city,” was how a district court judge described the actions of two Athlone women who dared to target 11 different shops stealing more than €3,600 worth of goods.

Westside Arts Festival

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

The community based Westside Arts Festival gets underway next week. The festival aims to celebrate the community and spirit of Westside through the arts. It will take place from Friday July 23 to Sunday July 25 with

O’Flaherty condemns council’s ‘staggering’ and ‘exorbitant’ landscaping costs

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Landscaping the open space between Forthill Cemetery and Lough Atalia Bridge cost the Galway City Council €23,540, a sum which has been branded as “staggering” and “exorbitant”.

Noeline Kavanagh - wild hunts and the power of imagination

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

A giant boy will be running through the streets of Galway, with a butterfly net in his hand, trying to catch a minotaur, a wolf, and other giant and wonderful beasts.

Schoolwear Value at The Schoolwear Centre

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

When shopping for school uniforms parents need to be assured that they are getting the best of quality at the very best prices. This is indeed what parents can expect from the Schoolwear Centre in Liosbán, Galway and at Chapel Lane, Tuam.

Schoolwear is its business and its staff are dedicated to assisting each and every customer in the friendliest manner. It can be stressful shopping when parents have a few children so the store is completely child friendly and of course there is free parking right outside making shopping ultra convenient.

Exploring nature at Coole Park

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

With summer in full swing Coole Park is offering guided walks on Sunday afternoons, and children's nature activities each Wednesday afternoon during July and August.

Table quiz in Lohans to help hardy swimmers raise funds for local cancer charity

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

A table quiz will be held in Lohans Bar, Salthill on Sunday July 18 at 9pm in aid of the Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim 2010.

Man drops trousers and exposes himself to gardai, court hears

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Keeping trousers securely fastened on a night out is the lesson learnt by a young Athlone man who was fined for exposing himself to a patrol car.

Book fair for Galway Rape Crisis Centre

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

A bring and buy book fair is to be held in aid of the Galway Rape Crisis Centre on Saturday July 17 in Kelly’s Bar in Bridge Street from 10.30am. With children’s activities and readings, the day promises to be an original and fun day out for everybody.

Opportunities await for Galway job seekers

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Jobseekers in Galway could gain valuable digital skills and work experience within local businesses, thanks to a new initiative.

Chambers of Commerce and further education institutions throughout Ireland are involved, including Galway Technical Institute and Galway Chamber of Commerce. The project is being run as part of the Labour Market Activation Fund 2010, funded by the Department of Education and Skills, and the European Social Fund.

Worried parents take to the streets to protest over ‘devastating’ cuts

Thu, Jul 08, 2010

Hundreds of parents, carers, service users, families and friends took to the streets yesterday (Wednesday) to protest over budgetary cuts to the Brothers of Charity Services.

Don’t hit the disabled while bailing out the bankers

Thu, Jul 08, 2010

It seems inconceivable that just a few years after every politician in the country was lepping up onto the bandwagon that was the success of the Special Olympics, that the parents of those heroes and thousands like them are this evening in tears at the prospect of having vital services taken away from them. Surely with all of the money being wasted in the HSE every week, there is no need to hit those who cannot talk for themselves, or walk for themselves. Those who depend on the love of their family and the lover of their carers to survive. Yesterday afternoon in Galway, as the protest snaked its way from the city to the HSE offices at Shantalla, people were at breaking point; grown people were in tears at the thought that the little bit of State support they were getting to care for their relatives was to be taken away from them. Life was just about bearable as it is. Life without that funding and those services, would be nightmarish and throw Ireland back into the days of Peig Sayers and Dancing at Lughnasa.

The people I met were stressed, practically tearing their hair out. Hands shaking with anger and frustration that these cuts could even be contemplated at the same time that the Government is pouring billions down the black hole of the terminally ill banks.

No further cuts at Brothers of Charity after meeting

Thu, Jul 08, 2010

In late news at time of going to press (Wednesday evening) it has emerged that respite services provided by the Brothers of Charity in Galway are to remain at previous levels.

Ipsos/MRBI did not undertake FF poll

Thu, Jul 08, 2010

Top market research firm Ipsos MRBI has confirmed that it did not carry out the internal poll on the Galway West constituency which has been circulated in Galway in the last two weeks.

The poll which was allegedly commissioned by Fianna Fail was reported extensively last week, but Ipsos MRBI has said it did not play any part in its commission.

Galway artists unveil ambitious proposal for major new arts centre

Thu, Jul 08, 2010

Galway could become the location for one of Ireland’s major contemporary visual arts centres, one which would have the power to attract major international exhibitions, if a new proposal receives political and financial support in the city.

Local residents seek to turn overgrown waste ground into community facility

Thu, Jul 08, 2010

A vacant area behind the Henry Street, St Joseph’s Avenue, and St John’s Terrace areas is being turned into an amenity area for local residents.

Ó Brolcháin lashes Fine Gael over ‘irresponsible approach’ to planning

Thu, Jul 08, 2010

By opposing both investigations into planning practices in Galway and the regulation of quarries, Fine Gael has learned “nothing from the excesses of the Celtic Tiger era”.

This is the view of Green senator Niall Ó Brolcháin who has accused Fine Gael senator Fidelma Healy Eames of “irresponsibility”, for seeking to have proposals to regulate quarries dropped from the new planning act.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.