Hear stories of solidarity at Westside talks

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

“Prepare the way of the Lord”, is the title of a series of talks being given by Sr Breda Fadden at the Westside Resource Centre (opposite the library) on Tuesdays November 20, 27 and December 4 from 7.30pm to 9pm.

Remembering loved ones who passed away

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

A series of events taking place in the city this month will remember people’s loved ones who have died.

Thirty five new jobs created in the City Bin Company following a €15 million investment

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Award-winning waste collection operators, the City Bin Co., recently confirmed the creation of 35 new jobs within Dublin and Galway regions. This decision will come into effect over the next few months and follows significant investment from averda – the largest private environmental solutions provider in the Middle East - the Gulf co-operation council, and North Africa.

Changes to City Hall’s housing department counter service

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

New counter service hours in the Galway City Council’s housing department are to come into effect on Monday November 26.

Councillors make case for safe crossing point on WDR

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Despite lack of funds to build a safe access route across the Clybaun Hotel section of Western Distributor Road, two local councillors are determined to continue the fight.

Central Bank economist to conduct Paddy Ryan memorial lecture in GMIT

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

It has been announced that Mr Lars Frisell, director of economics at the Central Bank of Ireland, will be the guest speaker at the upcoming Paddy Ryan Memorial Lecture in GMIT. The special lecture, which will be held on Tuesday December 11 in Theatre 1000, will recognise Paddy Ryan’s role as former mayor and alderman of Galway City, and honorary memory of the Galway Chamber. As part of the Amicable Society he welcomed President John Fitzgerald Kennedy to Galway during his tenure.

Open family day event in aid of Dogs Trust at Monaghan & Sons

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

A family open day in aid of Dogs Trust will be held at Galway’s Skoda dealership, Monaghan & Sons, on Saturday (November 17).

Think better at meetings with Radisson Blu’s Brain Food initiative

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

As part of an exciting and innovative new concept called Experience Meetings, Radisson Blu Hotels and Resorts in Ireland introduce Brain Food, one of the three main elements of this new programme.

Budget for disability services must be ringfenced says Grealish

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Budget cuts must start with the higher paid, not the most vulnerable, so the Government must ringfence funding for disability and community services.

This is the view of Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish who is calling on the Government to ensure voluntary and disability groups are not threatened with further cuts to their funding in the forthcoming Budget.

Hundreds of volunteers honoured at County Mayor’s Awards

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

More than 250 people from community and voluntary groups from all around County Galway were honoured at the County Mayors Awards Ceremony last weekin the Lough Rea Hotel and Spa. The awards recognise and celebrate community and voluntary activity around County Galway. Eleven awards were up for grabs after a public call for nominations was made back in September.

Lazlo goes vintage to give you a Downton Abbey style

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Lazlo Jewellers Galway is delighted to announce its brand new collection, ‘Willow and Cream’. Downton Abbey may have finished its third season last week, but fear not – the launch of Lazlo Jewellers new collection means that you can be as glamorous as the stars of ITV’s highest rated show. The third season of the hit period-drama marked the brink of the jazz age as old customs and costumes were thrown up for 1920s glamour.

Galway is getting younger looking, says Therapie

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Galway might just be the youngest-looking county in Ireland thanks to the pioneering new treatment available at Therapie Clinic, Shop Street, Galway.

Safeguard your home this winter and EBS will treat you to three months home insurance

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

With the long nights and cold days setting in, getting your home winter ready is never more important. To help you get your home prepared this winter, EBS Galway is running a winter promotion, offering 12 months cover for the price of NINE to new policyholders who switch their annual buildings and contents home insurance policy to EBS.

Let West Coast Property Management let out your property

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

West Coast Property Management, is a family-owned and operated business, with extensive experience in the Galway housing and apartment rental market, whose primary purpose is to rent out a property fast and efficiently to tenants who have been carefully vetted.

Buskers who can take you a world away

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

How far would a Galway person have to go to listen to live Mediterranean folk music? Would you have to book a flight to Spain? or Greece? Luckily you do not have to go anywhere that far. In fact you only need to stroll through Shop Street where you will be greeted with the electric tones of Sarumba - a three piece group well versed in Mediterranean music. This energetic trio of musicians spend their busking time churning out a set-list of high octane tunes which are emblematic of the Mediterranean civilisation and it seems the Galway locals are embracing this authentic and fresh sound. On a profitable day this three pronged musical attack can earn up to €300 in busking fare so what is it that makes their music so aluring? Originally from Pompeii, Italy, lead Spanish guitarist Vincenzo insists that Irish people are intrigued by the novlelty of their melodies. “Our music is so different compared to the music that you would hear in Ireland. But it would be the same if an Irish traditional band came to Italy people would love their music because it so unlike what they normally hear. There are plenty of music groups in Spain who do what we do, but here is like wow that is so different.” Vincenzo arrived in Galway almost 14 years ago. His initial intention was to holiday briefly here but he was captivated by the city’s homely atmosphere which resulted in the transformation of his travel plans into permanent residency. His fellow band members Celia and Delia - both of Spanish origin - were struck by the same when they landed in Galway a little over a year ago. “It’s so friendly here. We love busking especially during the summer when all the festivals are on and the weather is nice. It’s hard to play in the winter time because your fingers get cold and sore so we can only busk sometimes then,” says Delia, who provides the energetic rhythm to the Sarumba sound with her cajón, (slap drum). Sarumba’s music is a fusion of traditional Spanish influence and latin folk with a drizzle of flamenco flair delivered with a pacey tempo. They amplify their music to a powerful decibel level and sometimes that is not well received by retailers near their busking domain. “We love to party and our music is about having a good time but sometimes a person at work might be thinking ‘Oh I love this music but I have to work, I can’t party,’ so sometimes they tell us to keep the noise level down” Vincenzo remarks. Fellow guitarist Celia adds, “but people do enjoy our music and we love when people stop to admire our music.”The few complaints they receive about their volume levels contrasts with the early days of Vincenzo’s busking career before Shop Street was pedestrianised and the passing traffic was stifling his music. “When I first came to Galway it was not as multi-cultural as it is now and it was sometimes hard to play because there would be cars driving through Shop Street so people could not really hear the music.”It cannot be disputed that the arrival of the Sarumba band was a blessing for Galway culture, but for Celia and Delia it allowed them to revel in their talents. “It was only a hobbie to play back at home.When I met Vincenzo we started jamming and then I started to really practice when we were making our CD,” Celia recalls.The Sarumba musicians compose their own work. Vincenzo, like many acclaimed artists is self taught. He can read music. But in a country like Ireland where the people are still adjusting to the Mediterranean sound, playing the familiar favourites is a neccessity. Vincenzo however, claims that they are happy to do so. “It’s so unusual because people love to buy our CDs with our original songs on them but when we play a gig they want to hear covers but we are happy to do it and play songs like ‘Volare’. We want to gig more often so we will play whatever the audience enjoys.”Vincenzo recalls his chance meeting with Delia and Celia as a “beautiful moment” and the music they create in the Sarumba uniform always echoes that beauty.

McDonoghs to relaunch Stanley Centre in Ballybane

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

McDonoghs in Ballybane Industrial Estate is launching its newly revamped Stanley Centre this week. To celebrate, special promotions and expert advice on installation, building energy ratings, and low energy heating systems will be available in store from Thursday November 15 to Saturday November 17.

Zumba at Monroes in aid of the Simon Community

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Monroe’s live music venue and Monika Otcova, with a team of local zumba teachers led by Monika Otcova come together to support Galway Simon Community with a fundraiser on Nov 23 at 8pm and entry is €10.

Your dream wedding at the award-winning Galway Bay Hotel

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Join the wedding Team at the Galway Bay Hotel for their Classic Winter Wedding Evening in association with Brown Thomas, on Thursday next November 22, from 7pm to 9pm.

Undeniably Galway’s premier location, the award-winning Galway Bay Hotel is the perfect venue for your dream wedding reception. With stunning views over Galway Bay and the Clare Hills, a reputation for excellence, award-winning food and a service promised to exceed your expectations; Galway Bay Hotel will make all your dreams come true for one of the most important days of your lives.

AIB’s Big Drive for Small Business continues in Galway

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Businesses around Galway are to continue to benefit from coaching sessions offered by AIB. The second phase of the business coaching sessions will kick-off this month (November) and will run until February 2013. Feedback from customers involved in the programme has been very positive.

As part of its campaign, “The Big Drive for Small Business”, AIB launched an SME business planning programme. AIB is working with ActionCOACH, a leading business coaching company in Ireland to develop this programme. This programme aims to equip small businesses with training and tools in the form of a 90-day plan focused on business development.