Let us go forward with the clocks and be inspired by nature

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

After all the miles and miles of newsprint, the millions of tweets, the hour upon hour of broadcast time devoted to the the State of Ireland and the state it is in, none hit the mark as much as those uttered in Washington by Bill Clinton last week. It was fascinating and poignant, because as a nation we are obsessed about how others see us. This stems from producing the blue willow cups for the Yanks every time they came home in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, as if they thought more of us because they believed that we were forever drinking our tay with these, our chubby fingers dallying with this dainty delph.

Because of Clinton’s interest in Ireland, his thoughts about this place were always more urbane and sincere than other foreign summaries of our condition, and so it was last week, when he addressed a gathering in Washington and opined about the state of of Ireland and what aspects of this worry him more than most. The speech made headlines for his reference to the suicide rate that is robbing us of some precious people, but it was so much more than that.

Blondie and Bell X1 to rock Big Top at Galway Arts Festival

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

The legendary Blondie and the popular Irish indie band Bell X1 will be playing the Galway Arts Festival Big Top this July.

Claregalway Hotel goes pink for Mother’s Day

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

A Co Galway hotel will donate 10 per cent of the proceeds of all its Mother’s Day lunches on Sunday April 3 to a local breast cancer charity.

Books of condolences opened for Japanese victims

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

The Galway City Council has opened Books of Condolences for the victims of the Japanese Tsunami.

The public will have the opportunity over the coming week to express their sympathy and condolences with the Japanese people. The books are available for signing (during ordinary opening hours) in City Hall, College Road; the Town Hall Theatre, Courthouse Square; the Galway City Library, St Augustine Street; Ballybane Library; and Westside Library.

Protecting corporation tax is vital for jobs and tourism, says Corrib Princess owner

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

A Galway company has called on the Government to save Ireland’s corporation tax as it is vital for not only attracting multi-nationals but also securing jobs in the tourism sector and boosting the local economy.

New N6 works scheme will ‘reduce congestion’, say GTU

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

A major scheme to make the N6 roadway within the Galway city area is being undertaken to reduce traffic congestion and make the city more accessible to pedestrians and cyclist.

FGers seek Seanad seats despite abolition plans

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Four Galway Fine Gaelers are seeking seats in the next Seanad, but if any are successful, will they sit a full term in the Upper House or one lasting only two years?

Fidelma Healy Eames, who was a member of the previous Seanad, and county councillor Peter Feeney have both received nominations from FG to run for election. Sen Healy Eames is seeking a seat on the Labour panel and Cllr Feeney a seat on the Agricultural panel.

Galway a top destination for Irish American tourists

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Galway has been named as one of the top destinations for Irish American tourists, with the Galway Arts Festival cited as one of the great symbols of modern Ireland, according to a recent survey.

NUIG lecture on the original Hanna and her sister

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

The original Hanna and her sisters were not the characters created by Woody Allen for his classic 1986 film, but the Sheehy Skeffingtons, who were prominent figures in Irish history.

‘Bofin comes to Monroes

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

INISHBOFIN’S FINEST musicians will gather in Monroe’s Tavern on Thursday March 31 at 8pm for a night of song, dance, craic, and fundraising.

Dessie O’Halloran, John O’Halloran, Peadar King, Portherhead, All-Ireland sean-nós champion dancer Emma O’Sullivan, and singer-songwriter Don Stiffe, and others, will be performing on the night. The event is to help raise funds for Inishbofin community events and initiatives. The MC will be Matt Keane.

Easter themed cookery demo for coeliacs

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

The western branch of the Coeliac Society of Ireland is inviting coeliacs, their families and friends to attend an Easter themed cookery demonstration on Monday April 4 at the Westwood Hotel, Newcastle. Registration is at 7pm.

The demonstration is sponsored by Glutafin which will provide recipes and gluten free goodie bags on the night.

Local teenagers a ‘powerful force for good,’ says social innovator

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Galway teenagers have been described as a “powerful force for good” who are keen to create a “fair, just and inclusive” society.

Three substitute councillors enter the fray in County Hall

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Three new councillors received a joyous welcome at County Hall on Friday as they filled vacancies left by successful Dáil candidates.

At a special meeting of Galway County Council on Friday afternoon, the three new councillors were officially co-opted to the council, and warmly welcomed to their new positions.

Peace in our time at City Hall as Crowe flies in to broker deal

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

A stalemate between Councillor Padraig Conneely and Galway City Council came to an end at a special meeting on Friday evening.

Teenager further remanded on bail for city centre pub knife assault on St Patrick’s Day

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

A Ballybane teenager, who allegedly assaulted a co-owner of a city centre pub while armed with a knife during St Patrick’s Day celebrations, was remanded on continuing bail with strict conditions.

Public meeting on anarchism and Marxism

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Anarchism and Marxism are both strong Left wing approaches to society and politics but the ideologies have never been happy bedfellows.

Review of EU rule on child benefit for children abroad may save State money, says Keaveney

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

A review of an EU rule which requires the Irish State to pay child benefit to parents who work here but leave their children in their home countries may help the State save money, a newly elected Galway East Labour TD said this week.

Welcoming the announcement of the review by Social Protection Minister Joan Burton, Colm Keaveney said there was a significant amount of money involved.

Closing date looms for Simon Armitage and Dermot Healy masterclasses

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

The acclaimed writers English poet Simon Armitage and Irish novelist Dermot Healy will be giving writers masterclasses as part of Cúirt.

New book published on setting up a business

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

The Galway City Partnership has published a new introductory booklet for those wishing to set-up a co-operative business.

The book is entitled Co-operative Advantages of Doing Business: an Alternative Way to Compete in a Free Market Economy.

Does Fianna Fáil have a future in Galway?

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Many doubted it would come to pass. Many foes were convinced there was a significant hardcore element out there who would find it too difficult to wield the dagger no matter how much they complained about Fianna Fáil. Many party loyalists were deluded into believing that ‘In our final hour of need they will not desert us’.

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