Welcome as BIM withdraw plans for huge fish farm

Wed, Dec 23, 2015

Local opponents have this week welcomed the withdrawal of plans by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to develop a massive 15,000 tonne fish farm close to Inis Oírr.

Local tragedies have numbed us all this festive season

Wed, Dec 23, 2015

Tragedy and misfortune seem to be amplified the nearer they are to the Christmas season. Our reaction to news of the darkest kind at this time of year centres on the ruination of the occasion, the absence of friends, the destruction of memories and the fact that it careers into the path of a season that is ostensibly presented as one of joy and familial togetherness.

St Mary’s College celebrates Christmas with college feast day and charity drive

Wed, Dec 23, 2015

As part of the annual St Mary’s College Christmas charity drive all students enjoyed a full Christmas dinner on Friday December 18. Chef Radek Lewandski and Mariola, and their helpers, prepared a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

Mount Falcon Estate — a world of relaxation awaits

Wed, Dec 23, 2015

The moment you turn your car into the drive of Mount Falcon Resort near Ballina, Co Mayo, you know that you are departing one sphere and entering another world of relaxation. And as you drive up the tree-lined avenue, and see the impressive grey stoned house through the leaves, you know that whatever state you arrive here in, you are guaranteed to leave here as someone who has had an experience that will reinvigorate, entertain, and occupy you.

Cost of flooding clean-up will exceed €12 million

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

The devastating aftermath of Storm Desmond was outlined in stark terms by Galway County Council executives at its monthly meeting in County Buildings yesterday (Wednesday). And director of services Liam Gavin warned that the damage in many areas was yet to be fully assessed as they were still flooded but the initial tally was thought to be €12.2 million.

‘We are the ‘elder lemons’ when it comes to online book selling’

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

On Friday November 29 1940, a tiny new bookshop opened its doors for the first time on High Street in Galway city. Little could its proprietors, Des and Maureen Kenny, have then envisaged that this modest business start-up – embarked upon when Ireland was in the early stages of World War II rationing - would go on to be one of Ireland’s foremost bookshops and art galleries and, over its six decades, a valued friend to many of the country’s most eminent writers and artists.

Breast Cancer Research launches Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Little Christmas) campaign

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

To celebrate the historic Irish tradition of Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Little Christmas) on January 6, 2016, Breast Cancer Research encourages friends, family, neighbours, classmates, or work colleagues to gather and host an event to raise awareness and funds for vital breast cancer research.

Rabbitte feels recruitment embargo at Galway County Council impacts on ability to battle floods

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Fianna Fáil General Election candidate for Galway East Cllr Anne Rabbitte has expressed major concern about the number of council workers available to help out in the flood relief efforts over the next few days and weeks.

Social Democrats Galway launch ‘Town Hall Twitter’

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

The Social Democrats Galway are announcing a Town Hall meeting with a difference as it will be hosted online. The group are asking Galway users of Twitter to get involved in this series of meetings where current issues can be discussed.

Carraroe songwriter aiming for charts after her song wins PREDA competition

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

When leading musician and Preda advocate Damien Dempsey proposed the idea of a nationwide song competition for primary and secondary school students not even he realised the passion for music and justice that exists among the youth of Ireland. When he heard the winning song by a young Galway songwriter, he was blown away by the sincerity and emotion of the writing.

Time to end land speculation says Nolan

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Galway West TD and Chair of the Labour Party Manifesto Committee Derek Nolan believes that the next government must look seriously at ending land speculation by putting controls on the price of land in place.

Tunes for Thoor - Galway’s finest unite for Thoor Ballylee

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Following the recent flooding of Yeat’s tower and cottage at Thoor Ballylee, a number of Galway musicians are to perform a fundraising concert in The Village Theatre, Carrabane this weekend.

Unique Lady Gregory portrait joins collection at NUI Galway

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

William Butler Yeats, poet, playwright, politician, and Nobel prize-winner for literature, always looked west. Through rare books, art, music, drama, and film, the Yeats and the West exhibition at NUI Galway discovers what the west meant to him, and what this might mean for us. As part of this exhibition of original materials that are unique to the West of Ireland, NUI Galway has added a recently acquired portrait of Lady Gregory painted by the artist Gerald Festus Kelly in 1912.

Mayo Medical Academy launch opens new era of medical training in west of Ireland

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD today officially launched the Mayo Medical Academy, an NUI Galway partnership with Saolta University Health Care Group and Mayo University Hospital for the training of doctors. The Academy is housed in a purpose-designed facility located in the former chapel on the grounds of Mayo University Hospital.

This is a major investment by NUI Galway into Clinical training in Mayo, one of a series of proposed medical academies in the West/North West region. Construction of similar facilities at Sligo and Letterkenny University Hospitals is almost completed and they will be opened early in the New Year.

Galway Garda figures down while serious crimes are on the rise – Connolly

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Fianna Fáil General Election candidate for Galway West John Connolly is calling on the Minister for Justice to immediately implement the recommendations of the recently published Garda Inspectorate Report. He said that people in Galway are genuinely fearful following a rise in assaults, burglaries and thefts across the city and county.

Boil water notice lifted on Ballinasloe public water supply

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Following a meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Galway County Council and the HSE, Irish Water lifted the boil water notice on the Ballinasloe Public Water Supply Scheme affecting approximately 10,000 Irish Water customers. All affected by the notice can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.

Christmas spirit alive and well among Galway Advertiser’s 87,000 Facebook following

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Last Friday morning I was sitting in the newsroom of the Galway Advertiser when I received a phone call from a very distressed lady. The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, had been in town with her elderly mother the previous day. Her mother, who was recently bereaved having lost her husband a month ago, went to the post office to withdraw her Christmas pension payment. The elderly woman lost the money at some stage on Thursday and was understandably extremely upset.

Do you want to feature in the next Jack Taylor series?

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

The cameras filming the latest adventures of Jack Taylor will be back on the streets of Galway inside the next month and the makers are offering interested locals parts in the TV series which has been seen right across the globe.

The series based on the best selling books by local author Ken Bruen has put Galway on the television map and features on international platforms like Netflix, as well as mainland European, UK and Irish TV stations.

Daughter of deceased local woman not informed about her inquest, TD claims

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

An inquest into the death of a Galway woman took place a year after her passing without her next-of-kin being informed, it was claimed this week.

Councillors dismiss proposal for cars to be allowed travel on Seamus Quirke Road bus lane

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

A proposal by Fine Gael councillor Pearce Flannery to try to allievate traffic congestion on the Seamus Quirke Road has failed to get the backing of Galway City Council, despite impassioned pleas from a number of local representatives. Cllr Flannery wanted the National Transport Authority to consider piloting a scheme whereby cars with three or more people could travel on the bus lane on Seamus Quirke Road. He believes this would encourage commuters travelling from the west side of the city to work on the east side to car pool. He has spoken before about the length of time it takes to cross the city at rush hour.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.