Let’s not have petty war over German market

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

I don’t get excited anymore about the flick of a switch and seeing a light coming on. In fact the thrill of being thrilled by lights has dimmed somewhat since the heady days of the rural electrification scheme when Paddy might have been excited by seeing the surprised look on the cow’s face on those otherwise dark nights of the 1930s. And because lights don’t negate the need for Viagra anymore in any of us, it is heartening to see that this year the good burghers of Galway are to look beyond lights to make Galway festive and instead are to turn Eyre Square into Little Bavaria this winter to create an atmospheric Christmas market — a sort of Volvo Ocean Race for the winter where all sorts of Germanic and mainland European festival flavours will convert our central plaza from the great nothingness that it is into something to be savoured and enjoyed by thousands of families.

McDonnell calls for people to report illegal dumping

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

Independent Councillor for Galway City East Declan McDonnell has called on members of the public to report sightings of illegal dumping as it will be acted upon by the local authority and the Gardai.

Twenty-first Galway Pride Festival to begin today

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

Mayor of Galway Michael Crowe will launch the 21st consecutive celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Pride today (Thursday). The festival will run from today until Sunday with celebrations from sporting events to art exhibitions, and the annual Pride festival, taking place around the city.

Annual Portumna Forest Picnic launched

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

The 2010 Portumna Forest Picnic will take place on Sunday September 12. The event, which is aimed at families, with the emphasis on locally produced food, was launched at the weekend. The event is being held to mark National Organic Week and is coordinated by the Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers’ Association, the Irish Organic Farmers & Growers Association, and Slowfood.

County council sets sights on illegal M6 billboards

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

While many businesses in the city centre are still reeling from the quick removal of sandwich boards and other signs, illegal billboards on the M6 Galway to Dublin motorway are now being targeted.

Celebrate Heritage Week at Coole

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

A number of free events will take place at Coole Park next week as part of National Heritage Week.

Politicians urged to use their influence to protect Portiuncula services

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

A union boss has issued a stern warning to local politicians - “Use your seat to protect services at Portiuncula Hospital or lose it”.

Mutton Island lighthouse should be heritage attraction

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

Mutton Island lighthouse is a unique facility which should be open year round as a heritage attraction, that’s the view of Labour councillor Derek Nolan who has put the proposal on the agenda for next month’s City Development Plan meeting.

“With Heritage Week almost upon us, the evidence of Galway’s vast built and cultural heritage again becomes apparent. Mutton Island lighthouse is one example. There is great scope here for a permanent heritage and tourist attraction. Given its location in the bay and almost 200-year history, for most of which a family lived on site, it offers a unique insight into old Galway that is both interesting and valuable.

Galway woman organises fundraising drive for Pakistan

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

Collection days will take place at shopping centres across Galway in the coming weeks to raise funds for those afflicted by flooding in Pakistan.

Flooding caused by heavy monsoon rains in parts of the country have washed away crops and left entire villages under several feet of water, affecting some 20 million people. According to the UN up to six million are in need of emergency aid as a result of the disaster.

Local students delighted with Leaving Cert results

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

More than 57,000 young people received their Leaving Certificate results across the country yesterday and emotions were running high in Galway as anxious students collected their results in schools across the city and county.

Galway Filipino-Irish Annual Family Fun Day

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

The Galway Filipino-Irish Community will hold their Annual Family Fun Day and Inter-Color Sportsfest Event all day (from 8am to 7pm) on August 22nd, 2010 at Renmore Community Centre.

Valiant fundraising efforts in Tuam for blind infant

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

Some determined fundraising and strong community spirit in Tuam may lead to blind 15-month-old Amelia Filipczak travelling to China for groundbreaking stem cell treatment which, it is hoped, may result in her acquiring sight.

Tribute paid to air corps officers killed in Connemara

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

The loss of two young air corps personnel who died when their plane crashed in Connemara last year reminds us all of the “risks and dangers that can be associated with a military career”, according to Minister of Defence Tony Killeen TD, who paid tribute this week to the two men.

Relive the Telstar days for a good cause next week

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

A Telstar Reunion Dance to raise funds for Western Alzheimer’s will take place in the Galway Rowing Club, Woodquay, on Saturday August 28.

Seamus Heaney to give poetry reading in aid of Cancer Care West

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

Nobel Prize winner, Seamus Heaney will give one of the first public readings of his new collection entitled Human Chain at the Bailey Allen Hall at NUI Galway on Tuesday September 7 at 8pm. The proceeds will go to Cancer Care West, the local cancer charity.

Local radio listeners wanted

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

Galway Bay fm listeners are invited to be part of a focus group for a research project on local radio. Participation is on a voluntary basis, but a cup of tea and several biscuits will be on offer.

The focus group discussion will be held at the radio station on Sandy Road on Monday evening August 23 and will take no longer than an hour. If interested contact Frank on 085 1182013 or email [email protected]

Plane hit Manchester mirror after brakes failed, report reveals

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

An Aer Arann plane landing at Manchester airport from Galway last year crashed out of control into runway gear after its brakes failed, an inquiry has reported.

Druid invites you to come on board

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

Earlier this year, Druid launched a new Members and Friends scheme to celebrate the company’s 35th birthday and one of the benefits of becoming a Friend is that you can get closer to what happens on the Druid stage while also supporting the ongoing work of Druid. From as little as €25 you can become a Druid Member and Friends can choose from four categories, starting at €99.

Life in the cast lane

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

This week Nick Chesterfield, Stage Manager of The Silver Tassie, talks to Druid’s General Manager, Tim Smith, about the technical rehearsals which started this week. Nick has worked with many companies, including Propeller, who on their 2009 world tour brought A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Merchant of Venice to the Galway Arts Festival. Ten years ago Nick trained Tim as a Stage Manager when they worked together at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

UHG Rose escort looking forward to reliving childhood excitement at Tralee

Thu, Aug 19, 2010

When Donal Gill attended the Rose of Tralee festival as a child with his family, little did he realise he would return to the world famous event years later as an escort.

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