Tanks for the memories — now the race countdown begins

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

It was only from the ignition of the first metal cutter at the docks on Tuesday that local people could fully engage with the fact that the Volvo Ocean Race is to land on these shores in a little over a month. Only when the first metal was cut to dismantle the massive oil storage tanks, could we fully imagine the enormity of the event that is to visit these shores at the end of next month.

Local volunteers help build seventy eight houses in South Africa

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Twenty one Galway volunteers were part of a 500 person group which took part in a major building blitz in South Africa on behalf of the Niall Mellon Township Trust recently.

The group, which was based in Mbekweni, Paarl, constructed 78 homes for 900 residents who live in “appalling poverty”.

Local school building programmes under threat due to €40m slash

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Building programmes sanctioned for more than half a dozen local schools are under “severe threat” due to the slashing of almost €40 million from the school building budget.

That’s according to Fine Gael senator and Seanad education spokesperson, Fidelma Healy Eames who has slammed the “dearth of tangible solutions” in the Budget to meet critical education needs.

Galwayman killed in Indiana as trench collapses

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

A Galwayman was killed in an horrific accident in America last weekend when a 10-foot-deep trench he was digging collapsed on him, burying him under a mountain of soil.

Garda sub station needed for Westside

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Establishing a Garda sub station on the Westside of the city as a pilot project for more community policing will be the top election priority of Fianna Fáil’s Ollie Crowe.

Mr Crowe, who is running in Galway City West, believes their needs to be a more “neighbourhood approach” to policing in the city to supplement the main bases in Mill Street and Salthill. He feels a pilot scheme for a substation in Westside could help in paving the way for setting up more such stations in other areas later on.

GAA stars get behind Goal

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Galway hurlers and GAA enthusiasts are once again backing GOAL’s efforts to raise funds for AIDS-ravaged Uganda.

Pharmacists warn of job losses if HSE cuts reintroduced

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Pharmacists are warning that the medical card scheme could collapse and 5,000 jobs could be at risk nationally if cuts to the payments schemes such as the HSE proposed last year were reintroduced.

Changes to oral exams will save millions

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Rescheduling the orals and practical exams in Irish secondary schools would save c€2 million in substitution fees, keep teachers employed, and protect the 18:1 pupil teacher ratio.

Booklet on breaking bad news launched at UHG

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

A new publication aimed at helping staff deliver bad news to patients and loved ones in an “empathetic and respectful” manner has been launched at University Hospital Galway.

Youth mentors wanted in the county

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Big Brother Big Sister, a monitoring programme that matches adult volunteers with a young person aged 10 to 18 years old, is looking for even more mentors to join its team.

The basic idea of the programme is that a friendship will form between the young person and older volunteer and that this will help promote the positive development of the young person.

McDonnell calls for ‘back to employment’ grant scheme for apprentices

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

A ‘back to employment’ grant scheme for employers who take on apprentices must be included within the Redundant Apprentice Scheme to allow apprentices to complete their apprenticeships.

This is the view of Independent councillor Declan McDonnell, who is calling on the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan jr to extend the Redundant Apprentice Scheme. He feels that such a scheme would allow apprentices who have been made redundant to complete their apprenticeships with someone else.

Oughterard playground moves forward

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

After years of fundraising, the Oughterard Community Playground took a major step forward with a sod-turning ceremony at Corribdale Grounds this week.

Nevin urges action over Doughiska school

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

The temporary location of a primary school at Doughiska, and the appointment of its principal, is of major concern, according to Galway city East FG candidate Barra Nevin who is calling for action to be taken.

Galway’s first ever ‘Galway Showcase’ starts today

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Galway’s first ‘Galway Showcase’ will take place from today Thursday (April 16) and will run until Saturday in a number of key locations throughout the city and Salthill. Showcase is a tourism initiative developed by Galway City Business Association (GCBA) and supported by Failte Ireland and the Hotels Federation.

Hundreds at risk in Claregalway

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

More than 340 children and their parents are putting their lives at risk every day due to what Fianna Fáil Oranmore candidate Malachy Noone said was the “failure of the Galway County Council to implement road safety measures” at Claregalway National School.

Mr Noone says the current situation at the school has forced pupils “to navigate one of the busiest and worst bottlenecks in the country without any traffic calming or safety measures”.

Fianna Fáil determined to make Galway the heart of the green revolution

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Fianna Fáil is determined to lead a green revolution in Galway by making the city into a a sustainable energy zone and Ireland’s leading centre of energy efficiency, alternative energy research and development.

Connolly welcomes introduction of free pre-school year

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

The free pre-school year for all children, introduced in the recent Budget will see some 70,000 children be eligible to benefit from it each year.

Summer Gaeltacht college that’s half price for Galway city students

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

One Gaeltacht summer college has come up with a recession-busting way to cut the cost of course attendance for Galway city students - by laying on a bus from Eyre Square to An Cheathrú Rua for three weeks this summer.

Under Coláiste Aodáin's new initiative, Galway city students will now be able to attend a Coláiste Samhraidh for less than half of the normal cost, by availing of this new day course programme.

O’Gara to launch new sports centre in Galway

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Ireland rugby star Ronan O’Gara comes to Galway on Sunday to cut the ribbon on the new Pure Skill sports entertainment centre at the Galway West Retail Park in Knocknacarra.

Eamon Fox added to FG ticket

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Colourful Fine Gael TD Michael Ring will launch the election campaign of the party’s Oranmore candidate Eamon Fox in Grealish’s of Carnmore on Friday April 17 at 9pm.

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