Councillors slam Transport minister for abandoning Claregalway bypass

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

Although welcoming the announcement that the M17/18 Gort to Tuam motorway will go ahead, many county councillors have voiced serious objections to the news that the Claregalway bypass project has been abandoned, despite more than €750,000 being allocated to the project.

Earlier this month, Transport Minister Leo Varadkar confirmed that his department does not have the money required to build the €21 million Claregalway bypass and that even if the funds were available the new motorway would mean there would be no need for such a relief road.

Murdered Aran man was left to die just yards from his front door, trial hears

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

Aran Islander Ciaran Conneely who was murdered in Boston in 2011 was shot dead by a 16-year-old in a botched robbery attempt, prosecutors say, and left to die just a few steps from the sanctity of his Dorchester home, a trial in Boston heard last week.

Harbour developers to contribute to road and bridge replacement

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

Developers of the major Galway Harbour Extension will be asked to dig deep to contribute to the upgrading of Lough Atalia Road and replacement of Wolfe Tone Bridge to mitigate the significant wear and tear that will be caused by a significant increase in HGV movements, as well as agreeing to be subject to penalty clauses if the traffic management plan is not adhered to.

On January 14 last An Bord Pleanála requested the Galway City Council to prepare a report setting out its views on the effects that the proposed development would have on the environment and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area of the authority. This follows the lodgement of the application by Galway Harbour Company to An Bord Pleanála under the IROPI (Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest). The planning board requested that the council address 27 identified issues, and the council presented its report, with more than 40 conditions attached, to the chamber at Monday’s Galway City Council meeting. The report is due to be submitted to the board by April 3 and an oral hearing will be held by An Bord Pleanála in early May.

Documentary on the Englishman who helped poor Galwegians

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

A documentary, to be broadcast next week, looks at the English Quaker James H Tuke, who helped save thousands of west of Ireland people from destitution and poverty.

Irish Heart Foundation invite local volunteers and supporters to mark 25 years of Happy Hearts

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

The Irish Heart Foundation is inviting volunteers and supporters from Galway to join in a special 25-year Happy Hearts Appeal anniversary celebration kindly supported by local SuperValu stores on April 2 in the Pillo Hotel, Galway. To mark the special occasion, TG4 presenter Mairead Ni Chuaig will launch the Happy Heart celebration in honour of the great volunteering spirit of the people of Galway.

Calling all Galway foodies — the search is on for Ireland’s Foodie Town

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

The Restaurants Association of Ireland, in conjunction with Admailer.ie from An Post, is on the search for Ireland’s premier foodie destination, and a group of Galway gourmands are preparing to compete with towns and communities around the country to be named Ireland’s top foodie town.

NUI Galway study shows migrant children have less chance of college

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

Children of non-migrant parents have a significant advantage over children of migrant parents when it comes to educational achoievement and ambition, a major study undertaken at NUI Galway has revealed. In the study, the Population and Migration research cluster at the Whitaker Institute at NUI Galway has identified an emerging achievement gap between young migrants and their non-migrant peers, which will result in a significant under-representation in third-level institutions.

Amenity grants available for residents associations

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

Community and residents associations in Galway city have until the end of April to apply for the 2014 amenity grants from the Galway City Council.

Council to apply for modern flood barriers at Toft Park

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

Galway City Council will soon be applying to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for funding to provide a modern flood barrier system which will be put in place, when necessary, in attempt to prevent severe flooding in the Toft Park and Lower Salthill areas.

There were a number of cars written off after being submerged in water in the Toft Park car park during the storm weather, while several businesses were also severely affected by flood waters in Lower Salthill. The extent of the damage prompted members of the public as well as representatives to call for a more permanent sustainable solution to be found.

Fine Gael to run third candidate in eastern ward

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

Merlin Park’s John Rabbitte has become the third Fine Gael candidate for the six seat Galway City East ward, alongside John Walsh and Margo Kelly.

Irish Water not to open regional office in Galway

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

Galway will not be provided with a regional office for the controversial Irish Water organisation, leaving the public with no direct means by which to raise concerns.

Funding to keep public areas clean

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

Funding of €105,000 towards the clean-up of public areas in Galway city has been allocated to City Hall by the Department of the Environment.

Council must tell public how it will spend property tax says McHugh

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

Galway County Council must publish a full account of all monies raised from rates and the property tax and detail how the money was spent in each of Galway’s five electoral areas.

O’Flaherty opposes further Group Housing Schemes

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

The Group Housing experiment has failed with some such houses left derelict or used as stables, and the scheme must be removed from the Draft Traveller Accommodation Programme.

Once off grants for work on publicly owned land

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

Funding has been introduced to provide once-off grants to city and county councils to help manage parks, walkways, graveyards, and publicly owned lands and buildings.

Galway has been allocated just under €200,000 to support programmes already operated by Galway’s two local authorities.

Jimmy Horan to stand as Independent in central ward

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

Jimmy Horan, a community activist from Westside, has become the latest Independent to declare for the six seat Galway City Central ward.

Group Water Scheme users must be consulted on their future says Healy

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

Group Water Scheme users in Galway are being “abandoned” by the Government and there are increased fears they will be “left to the mercy” of EU law and the Irish Water “privatisation agenda”.

This is the view of Sinn Féin Connemara candidate Tom Healy who said it was a “big mistake” for there to have been no consultation with the group water sector before the establishment of Irish Water.

Gearrliosta Ghradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2014 unveiled

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

As part of the Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations, Cllr Dónal Lyons, the Mayoral Representative for the City of Galway, announced a mix of 12 businesses and organisations as the finalists for Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2014 at a press event in the Eyre Square Centre.

Galway Swimming Club table quiz

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

A Family Table Quiz is being held in the Galway Bay Hotel on Tuesday March 25 in aid of Galway Swimming Club.

Kicking off at 7.45pm sharp, adult tickets are €10 while teens are welcome at a cost of €5. There will also be a raffle on the night with a host of prizes donated by local businesses.

Give people more time to pay property tax - Mullen

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

The deadline for paying the controversial property tax must be extended to ease the burden on those in financial difficulty and “families struggling to meet their basic daily needs”.

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