From RTC to ATU — new book details the journey of an extraordinary Galway campus

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

The emergence of regional technical colleges (RTCs) in the 1970s initiated one of the most significant developments in the history of third level education in Ireland. By bringing a strong technical orientation and widening access to higher education for citizens, the RTCs contributed significantly to economic, social, and cultural development across the country. So too did the Institutes of Technology that emerged from the RTCs in the late 1990s, with most going on to become technological universities in the late 2010s and early 2020s.

The champions of women’s rugby in Galway

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

Women’s rugby first started 63 years ago in 1962, by a team at Edinburgh University. Since then, women’s rugby has gained significant popularity. Women’s rugby in Ireland started in 1992. At this time, there were only about 10 women’s teams across the country, and they played their first match against Scotland.

Galway County Council endorses €61.8m extension of County Hall

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

Galway County Council has set out ambitious plans to expand and retrofit its County Hall headquarters at the September Plenary Meeting this week, announcing its intention to consolidate all staff and services under one roof by 2031, following an extension estimated to cost €61.8 million.

Stag night misbehaviour costs Wicklow farmer dearly

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

A Wicklow farmers had a costly sting in the tail to a stag night in Galway when a return trip to the city left him €750 the poorer.

Orla Ní Fhinneadha appointed University of Galway sean-nós singer-in-residence

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

Renowned sean-nós singer Orla Ní Fhinneadha has been appointed 2025-2026 Sean-Nós Singer-in-Residence at University of Galway’s Centre for Irish Studies.

Councillor calls for winter eviction ban

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

The councillor for Galway City’s central ward said tackling child poverty and child homelessness must be the top priority for Government this winter, as he is inundated with requests to assist local families facing homelessness, not a €630m VAT cut for businesses.

Three horse race for Áras ‘heading for photo finish’

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

The betting for the Irish Presidential Election next month suggests a hotly contested campaign after Maria Steen came up short yesterday (Wednesday) in her bid to turn the battle for the Áras into a four horse race.

MKO to grow workforce to 300 with 75 new jobs

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

Galway-headquartered MKO, Ireland’s largest planning and environmental consultancy, has announced plans to create 75 new jobs over the next three years, bringing its workforce to over 300 people.

Recipients of the Galway People of the Year Award 2025 announced

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

The recipients of the 2025 Galway People of the Year Awards, organised in partnership with Basil Holian of Watchman Holdings, were unveiled at a press reception in the Galway Bay Hotel over the weekend.

Galway County Council accused of ‘blatant subversion of democracy’ by peace groups

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

Peace groups throughout County Galway have labelled as “undemocratic” the actions of the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) of Galway County Council.

World shucking final this weekend

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

The All-Ireland championship will be held on Friday night, from 8pm, in The Kings Head on High Street.

Monroe’s crowned Connacht’s best music pub

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

Monroe’s Tavern has been named ‘Best Music Pub’ in the Connacht region at this year’s Irish Pub Awards.

Appeal for €21.3m for youth work in Galway

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

Some 191 constituents from Galway East and West have urged their local TDs to support their call for an increased investment in youth work in Budget 2026.

The petitioners have added their names to a localised version of the National Youth Council of Ireland’s All Ages for Youth Work campaign, calling for increased investment of €21.3m in Budget 2026 to protect existing services, expand access, and fund safe, well-equipped spaces.

Connolly merch in high demand

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

The Galway West TD’s staff say they are pleasantly surprised that sales of t-shirts and sweatshirts with the Connolly campaign’s eye-catching design are completely sold out in all sizes, but they are hurriedly restocking.

Car mounts kerb during city lunch rush

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

One man was badly injured and several pedestrians had a lucky escape when a car mounted the pavement on a busy side street in Galway city centre on Wednesday.

The white flag has been raised... and we’re off

Thu, Sep 25, 2025

After months of speculation, party posturing, and a few failed bids, the race to Áras an Uachtaráin is on. It’s a modest field: just three names will appear on the ballot, making this the first presidential election with so few contenders since 1990 — when Mary Robinson made history. The stakes are high nationally, but perhaps nowhere more so than in Galway, where the outcome could trigger a seismic political shift.

Prison sentence for ‘beligerant’ man who threw candle at retail worker

Wed, Sep 24, 2025

A Galway man who was described in a probation report as rude, dismissive, belligerent and confrontational had a prison term imposed on him when convicted of throwing a candle at a shop assistant who told him he was barred.

Car thefts increased by nearly sixty per cent in Galway this year

Wed, Sep 24, 2025

Car thefts increased by 58 per cent in Galway during the first half of 2025, according to CSO figures published this week, bucking the national trend which saw incidents of this crime fall in the six months to the end of June.

Third time lucky for father of six with addiction problems

Tue, Sep 23, 2025

A double no-show defendant was told he was lucky not to be going straight into custody when he appeared before Judge Fiona Lydon at Galway District Court on Monday last, September 23. The defendant was banned from driving and fined when his case was called for the third time.

Two Galway schools recognised as battery recycling champions

Tue, Sep 23, 2025

Students at Bearna Primary School and Colaiste Mhuire in Ballygar have been crowned Battery Recycling Champions after collecting the equivalent of 50,050 and 11,700 used AA batteries, respectively, for recycling during the last school year.

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