...and not a child in the house washed

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

Ya know, with all the years when we had money and a few cars outside all of the houses owned, and the Jacuzzi bubbling away on the acre of decking, when every village had its own coke dealer, and the selection of brothels open all hours, when we were just like every other country in Europe nobody ever came calling. We tried to get all shapes of world leader in to show just how far removed we were from the image of the John Hinde postcard.

We wanted to show the world that the freckly-red-faced kids aboard the turf-laden donkey had grown up and had apartments in Croatia, two 4X4s. Heck even the donkey had got a decent share portfolio and had his own box at Leopardstown. We wanted to order cappuccino for the Yanks and say that we wanted a double shot espresso to show that we were more Manhattan than Moycullen. We wanted to show them how this God-forsaken island on a rock on the edge of the Atlantic was now able to outbid the Arabs in Sloane Square, that there would never be a famine here again, unless the Fettucine crop failed, that while the US had ‘yes we can,’ we had ‘yes, we can buy it.’

Marine Institute to welcome Monaco’s Prince Albert

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

Galway is set to receive a royal visit next week in the form of Prince Albert II of Monaco who will be stopping by the Marine Institute at Rinvelle, Oranmore, at the end of his three-day trip.

Ram raider targets Barnaderg post office

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

GARDAI in Tuam are hunting the raider who attempted to ram a rural post office early yesterday (Wednesday).

The man, driving a stolen black VW Passat rammed the car into the entrance of Barnaderg post office, just outside Tuam, at 7am.

Galway city shown to millions as scenic backdrop for new Japanese Anime cartoon

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

The Japanese animation style of Anime is popular the world over and is best seen in such films as The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and The Cat Returns.

Private security watchdog concerned by non-compliance of identity badges in Tuam

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

The Private Security Authority (PSA) has expressed concern at the number of door security staff in the Tuam area found not complying with the legal requirement to wear an identity badge.

Recruitment embargo could see Lough Corrib strangled

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

MEP Jim Higgins this week expressed his concern that the presence of African Pond Weed in Lough Corrib is leaving Ireland open to large EU fines, unless the situation is rectified soon.

Give the road a name says McNelis

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

A city councillor is calling for the road between the Rahoon and Western Distributor roads, which runs along Millars Lane football pitches, to be given a name.

O’Flaherty demands council clean up Ballyloughane Beach

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

It is “totally unacceptable” that a ramp for wheelchair users and parents with buggies at Ballyloughane “is choked with seaweed and litter, and this access is completely blocked”.

Kinvara Farmers Market returns tomorrow

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

The Kinvara Farmers Market opens tomorrow in the garden behind Johnston’s Hall, Main Street, and will be open every Friday from 10am to 2pm until the end of October.

President McAleese visits Oughterard, Moycullen and NUI, Galway tomorrow

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

In what promises to be a momentous occasion, the community of Oughterard is preparing to welcome President Mary McAleese to the village tomorrow, Friday April 1.

Government must commit to funding repair of An Taibhdhearc, says Walsh

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

If the Government wants to send a signal that it supports the Irish language, and the arts and the jobs it provides to the Irish economy, it will support efforts to renovate An Taibhdhearc.

Stress among health professionals to be discussed at NUI Galway conference next week

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

Stress among health professionals is one of the subjects which will be addressed at the eighth annual psychology, health and medicine conference which will take place at the Arts Millennium Building, NUI Galway on Monday.

Information evening at Kilcolgan primary school

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

Kilcolgan Educate Together primary school will hold an information evening for new and prospective parents at the facility on Wednesday April 6 at 8pm.

NUIG showcases web science from DERI

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

One of the world’s leading international web science research institutes will showcase its research at NUI Galway on April 6. The Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI), based at the university, is a key player in the Government’s plan to transform Ireland into a competitive knowledge economy. Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock will give the keynote address at the event.

Jail sentence for unprovoked attack on terrified students

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

Two men received prison sentences this week for launching an unprovoked attack on three students who were forced to split up and run away in fear.

Baseball bat burglar case adjourned for book of evidence

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

A man charged with possession of a number of implements, including a baseball bat, believed to be intended for use during a burglary has been further remanded on continuing bail to a court sitting in May for the service of a book of evidence.

Westside Shopping Centre entrance will not be closed says Crowe

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

Instead of closing the main entrance to the Westside Shopping Centre for eight weeks, the Galway City Council will install a temporary entrance adjacent to centre’s current entrance.

Last week the Galway City Council outlined its intention to temporarily close the main entrance to the Westside Shopping Centre as part of the major road works in the area.

Remembering Maitias O’Gormaile — Tuam’s wide sham

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

There was something altogether appropriate about Maitias O’Gormaile of Tuam reaching the end of his life’s journey on St Patrick’s Day. For his sense of Irish identity was deeply rooted and expressed itself in every aspect of his life, from the language he so loved, to the history and folklore of the country, its music and song and dance, and, of course, its sporting traditions, especially hurling, which he championed in his part of Galway, an area better known for Gaelic football.

Unemployment difficulties turns carpenter to crime, court hears

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

Unemployment and financial pressure led to a man, who had never before been in trouble with the law, committing a spate of break-ins throughout Galway and selling the stolen property on to second-hand shops in exchange for cash, the Galway District Court heard this week.

A 17-month jail sentence was imposed on ex-carpenter Anthony Kenny who, after being caught “up a ladder” trying to break into a house, had made full and frank admissions to gardai to his part in a number of other burglaries and car break-ins which resulted in the theft and the subsequent selling on of more than €3,200 worth of property, most of which could not be recovered.

The Seanad - reform or remove, nothing else will do

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

Seanad Éireann - a retirement home for politicians on the way out, a nursery for aspiring TDs, a powerless talking shop with an inbuilt Government majority, an undemocratically elected chamber, and the most pointless entity in Irish politics - the Upper House of the Oireachtas is all of these.

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