Watch for the airheads around Galway

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

If you are walking around Galway city centre next week you might happen to see a man turning into a giant balloon. Do not be alarmed, it’s only Bruce Airhead.

Banks cannot put off lending to SMEs anymore says Fahey

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

AIB and Bank of Ireland must adhere to their commitment to lend €12 billion over the next two years to small to medium sized businesses.

To the manor born

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Claregalway was a sea of colour and activity last weekend when thousands turned out for the first Galway Garden Festival at the re-opened Claregalway Castle. The successful event raised funds for the CBM charity. These aerial shots of the event were taken by our sky-snapper Gerard Kirrane.

Traffic plan announced for Galway Races

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

With the Galway Racing Festival soon to get under way Galway gardai have devised a strategic traffic plan to ease traffic congestion, and to direct festival goers to the racecourse as smoothly as possible. Access to the racecourse will be possible through three entrances, there will also be temporary road closures during Race Week. Traffic measure will be in place throughout the week long festival from Monday July 26 to Sunday August 1.

Avenue entrance (blue route)

Style, fashion, and glamour at this year’s Clarinbridge Oyster festival

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

The village of Clarenbridge has long garnered national and international acclaim for its annual Oyster Festival. The event, now in its 56th year, is very much part of local heritage and this year’s event in September will provide an excellent weekend for festival goers.

People don’t want your Fianna Fáil sympathy’ Cameron tells Keane

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Fianna Fáil councillor Peter Keane earned a stinging rebuke from Labour’s Billy Cameron for voting against a motion against cutbacks to disability services.

Cllr Keane’s party colleague, Mayor Michael J Crowe also came in for criticism when he too opposed the motion at Monday’s city council meeting.

Rickshaws can still use pedestrian streets as council defers bylaw decision

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Rickshaws will be able to continue operating freely on the streets of Galway for the rest of the summer after a proposed new set of bylaws was kicked into touch at Monday’s council meeting.

Workshop for children on Pádraic Ó Conaire

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

The statue of Pádraic Ó Conaire has become an icon of Galway city, but how many of Galway’s children know who he was and of his importance in Irish literature?

Suspended sentence for robbing vulnerable man

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

A Moycullen man who committed a “huge breach of trust” by robbing an elderly and vulnerable man on his way to the shops has received a seven month suspended sentence.

Labour Party to hold 2011 conference in Galway

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

The Labour Party will hold its 2011 Annual Conference in Galway, an event which has the potential to be a major boost for Galway hotels and the local economy in general.

Ó Brolcháin pushes for world’s first mobile phone health warning system

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

A warning label of the possible health effects of using mobile phones could be placed on all handsets and packaging if legislation from Galway senator Niall Ó Brolcháin is successful.

The Green senator, along with party colleague Sen Mark Dearey and Fianna Fáil’s Sen Mark Daly, is pushing for legislation to make Ireland the first country in the world that would require mobile phones to carry a label giving the possible health effects of using mobile phones and information regarding radiation levels.

Crazy cycling challenge to raise funds for amazing Mia

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

A “crazy cycling challenge” has provided much-needed support to a young Galway toddler who suffers from cerebral palsy.

‘Galway is where it’s at’ says Minister Hanafin

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Galway’s arts community was out in force on Monday evening at the Radisson Hotel to celebrate the launch of the 33rd Galway Arts Festival, which will be weaving its distinctive spell over the city and surrounding regions from now until July 25.

Protect film making in Galway urges Healy Eames

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Harmful trade union practices almost prevented the film The Guards from being made in Galway, but such practices must not be allowed continue as they could undermine film making in Ireland.

This is the view of Fine Gael senator Fidelma Healy Eames, who attended the premiere of the Galway-based film The Guards, based on Ken Bruen’s novel.

Health Minister’s comments about Brothers of Charity could cause internal strife, warns HSE forum chair

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

Comments made by Health Minister Mary Harney about the Brothers of Charity earlier this week could cause internal strife and were an insult to families providing care for family members with disabilities, the chairperson of the HSE West’s regional health forum said this week.

Is city to get a second Salmon Weir Bridge?

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

The Salmon Weir Bridge is likely to become a ‘double bridge’ in the near future with one bridge to deal with buses and pedestrians and the other with cars and vans.

The plan to put a new bridge adjacent to the Salmon Weir was unveiled at Monday’s city council meeting with a presentation to councillors entitled Corrib River Crossing Feasibility Study.

Stall trader fined for selling counterfeit clothing

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

A stall operator was fined €750 at Galway District Court this week for exposing for sale a number of counterfeit hoodies and shirts which illegally bore the trade marks of some top sporting brands.

Jail for former student priest who raped boy thirty five years ago

Thu, Jul 15, 2010

A man who indecently assaulted and raped a 10-year-old boy in Galway city 35 years ago while he was a Redemptorist student priest has been sentenced to five years in prison, with the final two and half years suspended.