‘Strike a blow’ and get in the ring for Galway Hospice

Thu, Aug 20, 2015

After a very successful launch last year, Strike a Blow is returning in 2015 for its second round and this time your efforts will help the Galway Hospice.

The programme consists of eight weeks of training that is designed to suit all fitness levels. Pete Foley and his team at Black Dragon Kickboxing Club will train and mentor you so that you are fully prepared and confident in your new found skills to enter the ring for your first competitive match which will be held in the Menlo Park Hotel on October 30.

Outback Jacks Ballybane to hold first birthday sale

Thu, Aug 20, 2015

Outback Jack’s Outdoor Gear and Active Sports Wear store owned by local Galway retailers Maureen and Derek Walsh will be celebrating their first year in business this weekend.

Stay moving — helping others helps Pat Divilly take on the world

Thu, Aug 20, 2015

To describe Pat Divilly as determined is something of an understatement. One gets a sense that there is literally nothing he cannot do. The 27-year-old does not set limits and is constantly pushing himself outside of his comfort zone. His life motto is to keep moving forward, and that he is certainly doing.

Galway Civic Trust seeking to connect with Galway emigrants around the world

Thu, Aug 20, 2015

Do you have a friend or family member from Galway city or county who is now living and working overseas? Or are you a former Galway native reading this from your adopted home abroad? If so, Dúchas na Gailllimhe – Galway Civic Trust wants to hear from you. The heritage organisation is launching an initiative entitled The Galway Tribal Diaspora Project which aims to collect and record the stories of former Galway residents who have gone on to carve out careers or life stories beyond Irish shores.

Project co-ordinator Michael Quinn explains the concept behind the initiative. “The Galway Tribal Diaspora Project seeks to compile pen-portraits of people who previously lived in Galway but have who have moved away from Ireland in order to establish new lives, careers, or opportunities. For centuries Galway people have emigrated to locations all around the world for a variety of reasons, and for many of those their personal stories have been lost. This exciting new venture gives us the opportunity to redress that by connecting with our diaspora and recording their unique stories and experiences.’’

Oughterard celebrates Walter Macken

Thu, Aug 20, 2015

A special series of talks to celebrate the official opening of the Walter Macken commemorative display will take place in Oughterard Courthouse next week.

‘Cars are my passion’ says panel beater who spent Ladies Day beating dents out of her pink Audi

Thu, Aug 20, 2015

If there was ever a quintessential idea of what your typical panel beater might look like, Racheal Palmer would most likely not be it. The mother of two, who is originally from Dublin but living in Galway for more than 15 years, has had a huge interest in cars from a young age, meaning her career path made perfect sense.

Merlin Woods and Circle of Life events planned for Heritage Week

Thu, Aug 20, 2015

An exciting programme of Galway events is planned to celebrate Heritage Week which  begins on Sunday.

Friends of Merlin Woods is working with many different organisations this year, and it will be the first year of the Community Field School funded by the Heritage Council which begins August 24. Led by archaeologist Martin Fitzpatrick, the two day workshop ‘Introduction to Archaeology‘  will show surveying techniques, identifying archaeological features of Merlin Castle, vernacular buildings, and much more. 

GMIT’s new president has strong record in securing research funding

Thu, Aug 20, 2015

The new president of GMIT, 41-year-old Dr Fergal Barry will start a five-year term in the role in October, bringing with him a wealth of experience in securing funding for international research projects.

Lots happening in Galway for Heritage Week

Thu, Aug 20, 2015

More than 120 events are scheduled to take place in Galway during National Heritage Week which runs from Saturday August 22- Sunday August 30. One of the biggest highlights is the return of the immensely popular Loughrea Medieval Festival next weekend. This year the festival is entitled The Gathering of the Clans, and it will be jam packed full of free, fun events for all the family. Check out www.loughreamedievalfestival.com, for more details.

Or why not visit Claregalway Castle for talks, tours and a gruesome display of combat and archery. Elsewhere, The Friends of Merlin Woods have arranged a series of walks around Merlin Woods to look for birds, pinemartens, stoats and bats. This will be followed by a seminar lead by Caroline and Colm Stanley and Dr Jim Higgins that will examine the natural, cultural, and archaeological heritage of the Merlin Woods.

Supermac's creates another one hundred jobs at Kiltullagh Plaza, with more on the way

Thu, Aug 13, 2015

Galway received a jobs boost yesterday with the announcement by Supermac's founders Pat and Una McDonagh that 100 jobs are to be created at the country's latest motorway service station on the M6 at Kiltullagh. The couple will also employ a further 220 people in the future due to plans for three further plaza developments nationwide over the next two years.

Newcastle residents dismayed at NUIG plans for student residences

Thu, Aug 13, 2015

A large number of residents in Newcastle have expressed their displeasure at plans by NUI Galway to build additional student residences in the area. The college recently applied for permission to build the accommodation in Upper Newcastle and the proposed development consists of a five-storey block fronted by three four-storey blocks, to house more than 450 students. The residences are to be located between the existing Corrib Village and homes on Upper Newcastle road.

Remembering Connor Maguire

Thu, Aug 13, 2015

Galway’s arts scene lost one of its most colourful personalities last week with the sudden death of Connor Maguire, my erstwhile comedy sidekick and long-time friend. As Maguire & McBride, or in tandem with Eamonn and Fiona Kelly in The Comedy Cumann, we regaled audiences at Cúirt, the Galway Arts Festival and other occasions and locations for many years.

Completion of Picture palace in sight following Government grant

Thu, Aug 13, 2015

The long, and often controversial, saga of the Solas Arthouse Picture Palace Cinema has taken a step closer to completion with the announcement that the Government has provided additional funding of €735,000 towards the project.

Healy Eames encourages Galway city homeowners to consider letting out a room to students for the college term

Thu, Aug 13, 2015

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames has encouraged homeowners in the Galway city area to consider letting out a room on a ‘digs’ basis to students for the college term.

“I expect there will be a considerable shortage of available accommodation for students in Galway as they begin the new college year,” Eames said. “Already before the college year has started at all, I am aware of individuals and families who are finding it difficult to source affordable accommodation.

Galway Defence Force members to  take part in ceremonial changing of the guard

Thu, Aug 13, 2015

Defence Forces personnel based in Galway will take part in a ceremonial changing of the guard on Saturday at the National Memorial to Members of the Defence Forces who died in the service of the State.

Women in Galway twice as likely to be unemployed as men according to new figures

Thu, Aug 13, 2015

Almost twice as many women as men have joined the Live Register in Galway in the last three months, as the trend in unemployment turns upwards again, according to recent figures from the CSO.

Spreading the Pride 

Thu, Aug 13, 2015

The Galway Community Pride Festival will take place this weekend and the event includes a show which takes place tomorrow (Friday) in the Bank of Ireland Theatre beside the College Bar at NUI Galway. Gender Fabulosity is being organised by Galway Pride member Ivan Fahy and is described as a ‘gender liberating fashion show’ which is about people enjoying themselves and expressing themselves in the way they want to, and feel most comfortable.

Connolly slams Government’s mismanagement of health service for leaving UCHG at breaking point

Thu, Aug 13, 2015

Fianna Fáil candidate for Galway West John Connolly has hit out at the Government for failing to adequately fund health services at University Hospital Galway.

USI urges students to get housed asap

Thu, Aug 13, 2015

The president of the Union of Students in Ireland [USI], Kevin Donoghue, has urged families to get ahead of the curve on student accommodation, by seeking and securing places for the semester ahead as soon as possible.

Speaking during a leaflet drop to promote the USI’s free rooms listing website, ‘homes.usi.ie’, Donoghue explained: “The earlier you secure your bed for the year, the more chance you have of getting good accommodation close to your college.

Massive boost for marine research as Galway Bay Ocean Observatory completed at weekend

Thu, Aug 13, 2015

A significant piece of ocean research infrastructure was brought to fruition with the completion of the Galway Bay underwater ocean observatory over the weekend.  Through the combined effort of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the Marine Institute and Commissioners of Irish Lights the final piece of equipment has been deployed to give researchers and ocean energy developers unique insight into the Galway bay marine environment.  The observatory is now entering into a commissioning period and is expected to be operational in the coming months. 

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