Shannon says thanks and charities benefit as kids meet Santa in the sky

Thu, Dec 18, 2014

A bumper Christmas, with an anticipated 15 per cent increase in passenger numbers from 12 months ago, kicked off at Shannon Airport this weekend as close on 2,000 children, including many from Galway got to meet Santa in the skies.

Walsh invites Arts Minister to visit Picture Palace site

Thu, Dec 18, 2014

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, has accepted an invitation to visit the site of the Solas Picture Palace in Galway and meet its promoters.

The visit is being arranged by local Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh, who says the Minister will be discussing the current funding shortfall affecting the project, and proposals to bring the construction to completion.

ComReg to test Galway for mobile phone coverage, says Nolan

Thu, Dec 18, 2014

Deputy Derek Nolan has received confirmation from the Commission for Communications Regulation that it will test all primary and secondary national roads, as well as motorways, in Galway for mobile phone coverage. The move follows reports of poor mobile phone coverage in rural parts of the county.

“I welcome the fact that ComReg has confirmed that Galway and the surrounding areas will be looked at in their next testing phase,” Dep Nolan said. “I wrote to ComReg recently informing them of the very poor mobile phone coverage in Galway, particularly in rural areas where it remains a serious issue. I asked that they include Galway in any future testing so as to enable us to get a clearer picture of mobile phone coverage across the county.

Jurys Inn announces fundraiser for Olympian and local Galway man

Thu, Dec 18, 2014

Jurys Inn Galway will hold a fundraiser on Saturday December 20 for Galway man and Special Olympian Martin Diskin who is currently being treated in University Hospital Galway following a serious road accident.

Community Carols Event this Sunday at Circle of Life garden

Thu, Dec 18, 2014

The peaceful setting of the Circle of Life Commemorative Garden in Quincentennial Park, Salthill, will be the venue for a Comnnunity Carols Event o Sunday at 4pm.

Local gardaí urge road users to stay safe over the holidays as checkpoint campaign continues

Thu, Dec 18, 2014

Gardaí are appealing to road users to stay safe on the road over the festive period as part of the Garda Síochána Western Region Road Safety Christmas Campaign.

Mc Canns Centra Moycullen celebrates winning Off Licence of the Year award

Thu, Dec 18, 2014

Mc Canns Centra Moycullen were delighted to receive the Centra Ireland Off Licence of the Year award. This is a great achievement for Serena Guihen, store manager, and John Grealish, owner; who were both delighted to win the award.  Delighted with the win, store manager Serena thanked her store team.

A winter’s tale of lone-parenting - from St V de P

Thu, Dec 18, 2014

(Academic Researcher and Social Justice Advocate on behalf of St Vincent de Paul)

When I first met Martina, it was mid December and reminders of the impending celebration were all around us  For those who  exclaim  ‘Christmas as a magical time of the year’ there are numerous  many hard-pressed families like Martina’s who know all too well the hardship of such occasions, for Martina is a single parent.  Martina didn’t plan it this way; she was in a loving relationship and worked full time, even with three children.

Prices and gender balance at centre of Leisureland meeting

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

Proposed price hikes for users of Leisureland swimming pool have been called an “outrage” and look set to be the main focus of a special Galway City Council meeting tomorrow afternoon.

Councillors give the green light for major road works in Salthill

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

Major works to improve safety measures at a dangerous stretch of road in the Salthill area are to begin in the New Year. A detailed outline of the proposed work in the Maunsells Road/Taylor’s Hill and Rosary Lane areas was given to councillors at this week’s meeting of the Galway City Council.

Plans include boundary wall reconstruction, road widening, and a a new 100 metre footpath to be developed along the western side of Maunsells Road, adjustments to the footpath at the Taylor’s Hill/Maunsells Road junction, and a new bus shelter at the existing bus stop on the north side of Taylor’s Hill.

Recession makes fundraising very challenging for Cancer Care West, says chief executive

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

The economic downturn coupled with recent charity controversies has made the task of raising €1 million a year “very challenging” for a local cancer charity which depends significantly on public donations.

However Richard Flaherty, the chief executive of Cancer Care West - the region’s largest cancer support organisation - says the public’s response to its fundraising efforts has been “amazing, remarkable and inspiring”.

Calls for Government to provide funding to finish arthouse cinema project

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

Galway city councillors have called on the Government to release funding which will allow Galway’s arthouse cinema to finally open its doors.

Local garda assigned to tracking down welfare fraudsters under new crackdown

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

The Department of Social Protection has taken a further step to crack down on social welfare cheats in Galway. A member of the Gardai has been seconded into the Department’s Special Investigations Unit and will take specific responsibility for preventing welfare fraud in the city and county.

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, announced earlier this year that gardai from 20 locations across the country including Galway will be seconded by her Department.

NUI Galway agreement with Tsinghua University builds on long-standing tradition of exchange

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

NUI Galway signed an agreement on Tuesday with Tsinghua University in China to collaborate on both education and research activities. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was witnessed by President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, and President of China, Xi Jinping, in The Great Hall of the People immediately prior to the State Banquet to mark the visit.

Councillors fear market losing its artisan feel

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

The number of stalls at the Galway continental market held by multinational operators is proving to be a bone of contention for Galway City Council.

Public meeting on people power and water charges

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

The People Before Profit Alliance will put forward its alternatives to the Government’s austerity measures and water charges at a public meeting next week.

Schools and sport clubs must have water charge exemptions says Grealish

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

Sports clubs, schools, community, and voluntary facilities should be exempt from water charges, as such organisations are already finding it difficult to meet existing overheads.

This is the view of Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish who, while speaking on the Water Services Bill in the Dáil this week, said the Government “should recognise the punitive nature of these charges and the effect they have on communities”.

Want to share your flu symptoms with academics?

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

Galway people are being asked to volunteer information about their health this winter at flusurvey.ie. Now in its second year, the website is a collaboration between NUI Galway and the HSE - Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC). Volunteers are asked to register with the site, and log any flu symptoms if and when they develop.

Athenry students to launch recipe book for autism awareness

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

An enterprising group of students from Gairmscoil Mhuire in Athenry will launch a book of recipes today to raise funds for local autism charities.

Údarás welcomes €1 million addition to 2015 budget

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

Údarás na Gaeltachta has welcomed the announcement that an additional €1 million in capital will be made available to Údarás’ budget in 2015.

This will mean that close €7 million will be available to Údarás in 2015 for its enterprise development and job creation activities in the Gaeltacht.

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