Let Sabina redefine the role of First Lady

Thu, Nov 10, 2011

In 1966, young actress Sabina Coyne from Mayo was one of the cast of Insurrection, RTE’s TV series dramatising the events of 1916 and marking the 50th aniversary of the rising. At that time, she took her part among the cast, not knowing, but I suppose, not ruling out either, that 50 years on, she would be on the podium in O’Connell St to mark what will be a much more spectacular commemoration, in April 2016. All of that was two years before she met her life partner Michael D, before the beginning of their eventful journey that has brought them full circle, into the centre circle with the spotlights on full blast.

The Galway ethos deserves its place at the top table

Thu, Nov 03, 2011

For a county and city which has provided leaders in many spheres throughout its long and varied history, it is surprising that it is only next week that a Galway person will take his/her place in one of the key political roles in the country.

The last thing Ireland Inc needs is a besmirched presidency

Thu, Oct 27, 2011

Allegations of attempted murder, family rows, child abuse, age of consent, dodgy dealing with envelopes, confrontations with sons of murdered gardai, internal party bickering, quango queens, televised meltdowns, sibling savagery, bloody hands, political assassinations — it has been one hell of a presidential election campaign which comes to an end this evening when the last votes are cast and the doors on the polling station close at 10pm. Every element of the campaign so far would not be out of place on The Jerry Springer Show. Shows such as Springer’s specialise in gathering people bound by some connection in one place and then watching them disintegrate in front of a televised audience. It is the principle behind Big Brother, The Apprentice, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.

Enter The Dragon — presidential election boost could fasttrack Fianna Fail's time in the wilderness

Thu, Oct 20, 2011

Just a few weeks ago, a national newspaper predicted that Fianna Fail would not be in government again until at least 2025. It was felt that the start of its rehabilitation would commence in the local elections in 2014, spawning a whole new set of faces in the cumainn across the country and that the party would regrow in the 2015/16 General Election, getting bigger in opposition.

Mental wellbeing is linked to our environment

Thu, Oct 13, 2011

A cloud enveloped our nation at the weekend with Ireland's exit from the rugby World Cup. In New Zealand the nation continues to hold its breath. Medical professionals are already predicting a national depression if the All Blacks are knocked out of the tournament. According to an associate professor at Wellington's Victoria University, there is evidence to suggest that a loss of someone's favoured team does result in sadness "for at least a day".

All Michael D has to do is keep his eye on the ball

Thu, Oct 06, 2011

Like an elf picking his way across a dangerous river, all he has to do is look out for the small smooth stepping stones, ignoring the tempting delights of the seemingly innocuous rocks which carry within them potential slips that could see him splash into the water. And before each leap, he must take a look left and then right. And if he can do that, then the gates of the Phoenix Park will beckon before him, the lush grass inviting him inside, rewarding him for a lifetime of service. Yes, that is just how close Galway is to having its first ever Uachtarain na hEireann. For a county that has provided leaders in almost every other sphere apart from Taoiseach and President, it is now very likely that Michael D will go into the last few weeks of the election campaign with the prize being his to lose. Althought there is many a slip twixt the cup and the lip, the manner in which the presidential debate has descended into verbal street-fighting has done a lot of the work for the Labour candidate.

Race for the Aras begins next week

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

With only five weeks until voting, and less than a week before nominations close, the Irish Presidential election is beginning to ignite. Many twists and turns have already occurred, but is this merry-go-round of hopefuls doing justice to the position that our President should hold?

Race for the Aras begins next week

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

With only five weeks until voting, and less than a week before nominations close, the Irish Presidential election is beginning to ignite. Many twists and turns have already occurred, but is this merry-go-round of hopefuls doing justice to the position that our President should hold?

Buy Mayo and buy often

Fri, Sep 16, 2011

The leaves are changing colour. But we are so busy rushing here and there it’s easy to miss how nature moves on. Even from our office here on Market Square we have a little slice of autumn outside our window. It is nice to be based in the heart of a town and not be excluded from the changing of the seasons.

The world in union takes centre stage

Thu, Sep 15, 2011

Turning away from Galway’s on-going traffic chaos to the world of sport, rugby union has taken centre stage this week with the World Cup kicking off in New Zealand - 20 nations, having prepared for four years, will compete over six weeks to claim the highest prize in the sport.

Remembering Ann Marie who never came home

Thu, Sep 08, 2011

About 18 years ago when I was working in The Tuam Herald, word came to us that there had been an attempt to bomb the World Trade Centre. The plan involved parking a truck below the North Tower, near one of its corner crutches. The intention was to bring down one tower, possibly into the other, and kill thousands of people. The plan did not work, but unfortunately seven people were killed and thousands received varying degrees of injuries. The reason there was a Tuam connection is because there was a local woman who was working on one of the towers. Ann Marie McHugh came from a well-known local family — her parents Padraig and Margaret ran the Town Hall Tavern in the heart of the town — so news of her terror on that occasion was a story of considerable local interest. On the phone from New York (because there was no email or internet in those days), she told me how, as an asthmatic, she was terrified as she had to descend 80 flights of stairs to make it out from the smoke-filled building. It took her hours to make her way down the darkened stairwell and she spoke of her relief reaching the ground and seeing the light through the smoke.

A prayer for the Ironmen...

Thu, Sep 01, 2011

O come ye Ironmen and Ironwomen, let your sinewy legs find cushions on the hard concrete of our town, may your sturdy shoulders feel the welcome of the waves in our water as they drift you towards the shore, may our roads eat up the rotations of your cycles as your thighs pound at the pedals and propel you faster and faster, the western wind in your faces arcing around to gently push you towards your finishing line. May the pounding of your heart as it pumps the pistons of your body act like a gentle staccato soundtrack in the movie of your feat. May the isotonic blood flow through your veins pushing your skin as your body stretches into its fullness and makes you feel invincible. May the thoughts of failure appear as if bubbles, popping and dissipating in your line of vision, as you drive yourself on. May the hard disk drives of your mind become sponges to absorb all that is around you. May you hear every word of encouragement as being for yourself alone, may every barking dog be a mentor, ruff-ruffing out a message of goodwill. May every cat on a wall appear like a cheetah daring you to go faster, faster. May every face in the crowd be bearing a smile and a wink and a glad-eye. May every shallow puddle on the road be a cooling oasis to splash your ankles, may your hamstrings become lithe like an accordion in the hands of Sharon Shannon. May the sweat dripping off your brow be a sort of mead from the Gods to power you on. May you fill your lungs with all that is Galwayness and let that soak through your being. May the aches and pains of each day’s competition be worn by you like a medal, a souvenir of your effort, an appreciation to the being that allows you to partake in this endurance event...may you take a short moment to be thankful that you can and share a small thought for those who would love to but cannot for reasons of fitness, infirmity, ability and age. May your time among us be one of wonderment and satisfaction...may every piece of morsel that passes your lips detonate your taste buds and may every soothing drink spread its coolness throughout you. May you enjoy Galway and all that it offers you and your fellow competitors. May your families and supporters take great enjoyment and pride from your achievement and when it is all over and when the warm shower is washing away the sweat and effort of the day’s endurance, may you be happy and may you plan to come back again and do it all again next year. Welcome to Galway, Ironmen and Ironwomen. Enjoy yourselves.

Points for pints — they can’t take away our right to drive drunk

Thu, Aug 25, 2011

Thank God the Government has taken away the fear of the ban of the drink driving. Imagine what the country would be like if Paddy wasn’t allowed to drive home with a few pints on him, run the gauntlet of the local garda in the Fiesta squad car, making it in the door of his isolated cottage just in time for Oireachtas Report, his nightly joust with the law successful again. So he will be thrilled with the new “Just Above” category of drink drivers who have learned this week that they will not face a ban but some penalty points instead, and sure with insurance costs going through the roof anyway, what harm are the penalty points, but a badge of honour to show the lads down the pub. Remember, it is but a short year ago that this country was driven while drunk by our former leader.

Digging the dirt on Michael D — next stop for the Men in Black?

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

As the conspirators spit on their lands and rub them together with glee at the success of the campaign to oust David Norris esq from the presidential race, no doubt they are licking their lips at the prospect of trawling the world to find out the dirt on Michael D. Having failed to besmirch him with the notion that it was his camp that set out to shaft Norris with allegations and letters and incidents that went back ages but which were out-ed now, the focus of the Men in Black is turned westward.

Never mind the b......s, Bertie’s back

Thu, Jul 28, 2011

How the times have changed...ten years ago this week, we had Bertie Ahern in this building to bless the place, to give it his seal of approval, to cut the ribbon. Twas on the Wednesday of Race Week and getting Bertie was always handy around race time. You could get him for the opening of an envelope — and according to legend, many people did.

Whip out the clichés, the white flag has been raised

Thu, Jul 21, 2011

The white flag has been raised and every racing cliché is under starter’s orders in media across the country as the thousands of punters flock to Ballybrit to have a flutter on the geegees. Every socialite (ie, anyone who can afford a new gúna) will be heading west. As the luvvies ship out, having swooned at Cillian M for two weeks, the cheap suits will dash in and locals grin nervously in a “smile cos it’s good for ya” sort of way. Yes, next week gives the region the cash boost — the fat on which we’ll live for the long lean winter. Yes, folks, forget the pools of puke and public displays of urination, ignore the traffic jams, the forced holidays, the smell of stale ale that hangs like a cloud over our heads and say “yes, this is all good for us. Offer it up, offer it up.” This is part of what we are. This is the diesel which drives the Galway engine, so grin and bear it and smile the smile of all smiles.

We’re not buying the ‘misunderstanding’ yarn

Thu, Jul 14, 2011

Isn’t it about time we sent the Galway city councillors on a junket — no, not to far flung places from whence rich pickings of expenses can be plundered, but out the door of City Hall and around the Square to Prospect Hill where if they attend a meeting of their cousins in the County Council, they may be able to learn a thing or two about manners, arrogance and about how not to lose the run of themselves.

Festivals are good for our economic and spiritual health

Thu, Jul 07, 2011

Galway's festival season began in earnest this week, and the next couple of months will hopefully prove an economic driver for our local economy.

Community Picnic to hold referendum on EU/IMF bailout

Thu, Jul 07, 2011

The first Galway Community Picnic will take place this Saturday at 2pm to coincide with the visit of the IMF, EU and ECB to Ireland. The picnic is open to all and will have an inclusive and family friendly atmosphere with activities and entertainment for adults and children.

Search for missing person continues

Thu, Jul 07, 2011

Gardai are continuing their search for a Galway man who has been missing since the weekend.

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