Be safe, be smart and download the Big O Taxi app in advance of the weekend

Thu, Oct 29, 2015

As Galway prepares to celebrate Halloween, Big O Taxis would like to advise all its customers to stay safe this weekend.

With all the extra ghouls and goblins running around, if one wants to get a taxi quickly one would need to be smarter than the other witches and wizards and book your taxi early to avoid any delays. Sean Mellett of Big O Taxis says they are encouraging customers to download their Big O Taxi App (from iTunes or Goggle Play) so as to enable them to book a taxi, day or night quickly without the need to battle possible busy phone lines – with the extra added bonus of receiving €2 off every app booked fare. 

SF candidate demands halt to 'unfair treatment' of turfcutters

Wed, Oct 28, 2015

Some 900 families across south Galway, as well as 97 families in the broader Monivea area, are prohibited from cutting turf on their own bog land, as a result of "undemocratic European Regulation".

County councillors told free parking could cost them

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

The CEO of Galway County Council has sounded a note of warning to councillors about the cost of providing two hours' free parking in county towns. It had been previously agreed that this initiative would be put in place over the coming months, as part of an effort to help ailing local businesses. However, speaking at this week's council meeting, CEO Kevin Kelly told local representatives that the cost of giving free parking could see their Notice of Motion money reduced.

How Budget 2016 will affect the election in Galway and the State

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

If there was one thing Insider, and everyone else inside the political bubble, was agreed on, it was that the Government would fight tooth and nail to ensure nothing overshadowed the Budget that was to form the cornerstone of its re-election bid.

Reconnecting with thirty years of enduring songs

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

Glasgow, 1985, a Scotland enduring high emigration and the ravages of Thatcherism, but there still manages to be a thriving and creative music scene in the city, and it is there that songwriter Ricky Ross and singer Lorraine McIntosh form a band named after a key song on Steely Dan's 1977 album Aja.

Abortion Pill Bus to arrive in Galway

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

The Abortion Pill Bus, which will carry abortion pills, currently not legally available in Ireland, will be in Galway city tomorrow [Friday October 23]  to raise issues of reproductive rights and the repeal of the controversial 8th Ammendment of the constitution.

Garavan’s retains 'Best Whiskey Bar of the Year Connaught’ title

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

For the second year running, Garavan’s has won Irish Whiskey Bar of the Year for Connaught at the Irish Whiskey Awards in Dublin. Organised by the Celtic Whiskey Shop, the awards recognise the best whiskey producers, distillers, and bars in Ireland.

Macnas's Shadow Lighter parade set to illuminate weekend

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

The legendary Macnas Parade takes to the streets of Galway this Sunday at 5.30pm, to once again sprinkle its unique magic dust over the city streets. This year’s parade is entitled The Shadow Lighter and it celebrates the magical, mystical act of transformation.

The future is now, so grasp it Xxx

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

They say that some of the metal moulds for the original DeLorean cars now lie in the bottom of the sea off Connemara, having been bought in the bankruptcy sale as scrap by some fisherman who wanted to secure his lobster nets to the floor of the bay. Imagine that. The mould for the cars deemed the world’s sexiest, so much so that they could pass as contemporary in a movie that spammed three decades, used as scrap. Shiny enticements to lobsters on their last journey. And as those crustaceans walk slowly towards the cages that will transport them to the boiling waters of a posh eaterie, one hopes they tap those moulds and say, thanks for the memories. And if that urban myth is true, then today those moulds are unaware that the whole world is talking about them. For just one day. Unaware of the mayhem above the choppy waters that trap them there. They are the focus of international attention because of Marty McFly.

Yesterday was Back To The Future Day - that day in the 1980s movie when Marty and his mad prof took off on a journey to bring them three decades into October 2015. Many of the prophecies in that film have not come true. Thankfully. Self-lacing shoes would be just too much of a headwreck. Although the seemingly daft prediction at the time that society would in the main walk around in clothes designed for athletics has been prophetic. Most city centres look like Olympic villages now, such is the proliferation of sportsgear as regular wear. 

Science & Tech Fest launched by rugby hero O’Kelly

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

The launch of the 18th Galway Science and Technology Festival, part of National Science Week, was hosted by the main sponsor Medtronic in their Customer Innovation Centre, Parkmore on Monday  The 2015 Festival will see 180 events and 35,000 primary and secondary school students take part in shows and workshops from November 9-22. This year’s Festival will explore and celebrate “Science Week 2.0 - Design Your Future” in this International Year of Light at events in schools, colleges, research institutes, companies and community centres across Galway City and County. 

Nineteenth Baboró Festival inspires many children and families

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

Some 15,700 attended the 19th Baboró International Arts Festival for Children over the course of the week-long festival, which ended last Sunday. This year’s festival came with a promise to ‘do your heart good’ and the rich and varied programme made sure of that. With shows catering for babies right up to ages 15, this year’s festival featured beautifully imaginative and inspiring shows from Ireland as well as Canada, the Ukraine, Italy, Belgium, and Spain.

Have you nominated someone for the Galway People of the Year Awards 2015?

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

The organising committee of the 19th Annual Galway People of the year Awards have extended the closing date for receipt of nominations for this very high profile and prestigious event which honours and recognises the high achievers in our city and county to Tuesday next October 26.

Over the years the awards have captured the imagination of the Galway public who have nominated people from every nook and cranny in the county and even abroad. The dedication, commitment, and achievements of all those nominated are a shining example for all to follow and  the contribution either social, economic, educational, sporting, or cultural of the people who drive Galway’s communities have been recognised by those Awards 

Disgust voiced at lack of local superintendent following nasty break-in at Gort Mart

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

A robbery at Gort Mart on Sunday night has once again highlighted the scourge of rural crime in Galway. The incident was mentioned at this week’s meeting of Galway County Council. Ardrahan based representative Michael Fahy called for a superintendent to be reinstated in the Gort district to help address the crime problem in the locality.

Stats show Galway Bike Scheme proving very popular

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

Galway’s Bike Scheme has attracted more than 2,100 annual members in its first 10 months in operation. Usage figures supplied by the National Transport Authority show the Cathedral is by far the most popular docking station while stations at Fr. Burke Road, New Dock Street, Claddagh Basin and Eyre Square are also widely used.

Racing this bank holiday weekend at Ballybrit

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

The two day October Bank Holiday meeting kicks off on Sunday, October 25 with the first race at 1.30pm, and Bank Holiday Monday October 26 at 1.25pm.  There are 14 races, generously sponsored by many local firms over two great days of competitive National Hunt racing, with an impressive total prize fund of over €215,000 on offer which is sure to attract runners from many of Ireland’s top stables. The feature race on Sunday is “The Faber Audiovisuals Handicap Hurdle” and on Monday “The Ennis Lifts Handicap Steeplechase”.

Racegoers on Sunday can also take the opportunity to watch Argentina vs Australia in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup live on the Big Screen.

Macnas’s Shadow Lighter parade set to illuminate weekend

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

The legendary Macnas Parade takes to the streets of Galway this Sunday at 5.30pm, to once again sprinkle its unique magic dust over the city streets. This year’s parade is entitled The Shadow Lighter and it celebrates the magical, mystical act of transformation.

Galway born travel blogger makes $1,000,000, and wants to inspire others

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

Johnny Ward is certainly living the dream. The Galway born internet entrepreneur has made more than $1,000,000 over the past number of years, and is a passionate believer in being in charge of your own destiny and creating the life you want

Nolan welcomes news that GMIT can proceed to next stage of designation of university status

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

Local TD Derek Nolan has welcomed the news that Galway Mayo Institute of Technology can now proceed to Stage 2 of the Technological University (TU) designation process.

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), along with the Institute of Technology, Sligo (IT Sligo) and Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) have put forward proposals for a merger to form the Connacht-Ulster Alliance (CUA), and they submitted a Stage 1 Expression of Interest to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for Technological University (TU) designation earlier this year. Minister Jan O’Sullivan’s decision on Tuesday has been informed by the advice of the HEA board who considered the CUA expression of interest on October 6, 2015.   

Crime In The Country

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

Tom Turley believes that rural crime is the single biggest topic that will dominate the agenda in the forthcoming election. The Eyrecourt farmer attended a meeting in Thurles a fortnight ago, which was organised by the Save our Communities organisation, to discuss the issue. The event, which was chaired by crime journalist Paul Williams and attended by 1,500 people, giving a snapshot of the depth of feeling, the anger, and the frustration that is out there among the terrorised population of rural Ireland.

Shape up for Christmas with Me2UFitness

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

The countdown to Christmas is on, if you want to look your best and feel your best these are the key things you should take into consideration when you want to lose weight and tone up.

Take control of your food

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.