Christmas Services at St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

The Annual Civic Carol Service in St Nicholas’ is on Sunday December 20 at 4.00pm. This is a traditional service of nine lessons. The service will be attended by the Mayor and city councillors as well as Bishop Martin Drennan and representatives of all the main churches in the city. Go along and join in celebrating the Nativity in prayers, readings and carols.

Seventeen admissions cancelled ahead of nurses’ strike at UHG

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Seven inpatient and 10 day case admissions were cancelled at University Hospital Galway as part of the regional hospital’s contingency plan to deal with the nurses’ strike, which was due to have taken place on Tuesday.

Engineer who landed probe on comet to address Galway Astronomy Club

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Just over a year ago the whole world watched as the Rosetta Space Probe successfully landed the Philae lander onto comet 67/P Churyumov–Gerasimenko, marking the first soft-landing ever on such a body.

The magnet of Galway keeps drawing in med tech giants

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Back in the day, there was nothing quite like a jobs announcement to get the blood flowing in a journalist. A jobs announcement meant a call from the hallowed offices of the IDA; a tip off that there was good news in the air; an early morning start to meet a Minister on his/her arrival at said destination; wellies at the ready if it was a greenfield plan; or surgical scrubs and hairnets if it was in one of those new squeaky clean facilities that now dominate our industrial landscape.

A jobs announcement is a boost to a general area in the same way an expensive new midfielder boosts a faltering Premiership squad in mid-winter. Jobs announcements meant good news stories for the papers and media, but also brought encouragement to those who needed jobs, who could at least see potential for a life in their own area. It also acted as a magnet to others to come to an area and to deepen the talent pool in this new location. Galway has one such talent pool — and it is well deepened, into pond or even lake status now. And it is this resource of talent and expertise that is bringing in more and more industries to a place where people really want to live and work. When we calculate the value of initiatives like Galway 2020, we talk of the rich cultural heritage of our area and how we can develop that, but it is also about using this cultural sideshow to attract people who want to partake in this Galway experience.

Council CEO warns that airport must ‘stand on its own two feet’

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

The CEO of Galway County Council Kevin Kelly says it is unlikely that commercial aviation will take place at Carnmore Airport again. Discussions are currently ongoing over the future of the site and the deadline for the extension of the agreement between Galway City and County councils and Carnmore Aviation Limited passed earlier this week.

Local senator launches campaign to ease traffic congestion

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Local senator Fidelma Healy Eames has launched an online campaign which she hopes will help solve Galway’s chronic traffic problem.

Mary Nihill appointed as National Director of Centre for School Leadership

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Clive Byrne, Director of the National Association of School Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) has welcomed the creation of a ‘Centre for School Leadership’ which is to be headed up by Oranmore principal Mary Nihill who has been seconded from her position as Principal of Calasactius School in Oranmore.

Maree lecturer joint winner of GMIT President’s Award

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

GMIT have announced that lecturers Celine Curtin, Department of Film & Documentary, and Maree’s Dr John Healy, Department of Computing and Applied Physics, are joint winners of this year’s GMIT President’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

The two GMIT academics were presented with their awards by GMIT President, Dr Fergal Barry, at the annual conferring ceremonies in the Radisson Hotel in Galway recently.Dr John Healy, from Maree, Oranmore, Co Galway, is a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science & Applied Physics.

Oranmore woman honoured at Shannon Airport for her role in photo of Hollywood star

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

The proud story of Ireland’s most historic airport has been evoked in a special photographic exhibition capturing some of the golden moments and world famous stars who visited Shannon Airport. One of the images features an Oranmore woman with one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood history.

Scoil Mhuire, Oranmore, presented with prestigious Digital Schools of Distinction Award

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

The Digital Schools of Distinction is a flagship programme which aims to promote, recognise, and encourage excellence in the use of technology in primary schools.

Schools that successfully complete the three step programme receive a nationally recognised Digital School of Distinction Award, accredited by the Department of Education. Digital Schools of Distinction also receive free hardware and software and ongoing practical support and resources as part of the community of digital schools in Ireland.

Medtronic announces new high-tech facility in Galway

Mon, Dec 14, 2015

Global medical technology company Medtronic’s has announced it will construct a new manufacturing facility in Galway, that will manufacture the IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon for the treatment of peripheral artery disease.

More flooding devastation for Galway homes and businesses

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

It is certainly not going to be a very happy Christmas for many homeowners and businesspeople in Galway who are yet again suffering the effects of severe flooding around the county following the weekend storm. It is a case of déjá vu for many people who have been in this situation numerous times before. Indeed there has been a campaign on-going since 1995 to have drainage work carried in south Galway, and 20 years later the situation remains the same.

After 2015, an uncertain future awaits the political parties

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

As the festive season approaches it is not only turkeys which are facing an uncertain future; politicians are also of a nervous disposition as they face the verdict of the electorate in the early weeks of the New Year.

Galway Countdown star gets ready to appear in the quarter final next week

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Galway man Liam Moloney is excited about his appearance in the quarter final of Countdown on Channel 4 next week. Mr Moloney is a huge fan of the show and his initial appearances on the programme earlier this year saw him fulfill a lifelong dream.

Teresa Mannion — a global sensation

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

RTEs western reporter Teresa Mannion is coming to terms with turning into a global superstar since her performance on the six o’clock news last Saturday evening. Her theatrics while reporting in wet and windy conditions from the Salthill prom immediately lit up social media and the attention has not abated since.

Galway anti-war group condemns arrest of Mick Wallace

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

The Galway Alliance Against War has issued a statement condemning the arrest and imprisonment of Deputy Mick Wallace. The Independent Wexford TD was arrested at Clontarf Garda Station by appointment yesterday and brought to Limerick Prison.

The silent burglar of rising water

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Our homes are precious places. They are the last bastion of the day dreamer, they are the harbours to which our emotional ships flee in time of strife and bother. To our homes, we afford a feeling of invincibility because they are not bolstered alone by bricks and mortar, but by love and memories and familial strength. That is why when homes are burgled, so much more is lost than the goods that are taken. What is stolen first and foremost is the sanctity of the home, that the boundaries have been breached by someone not welcome, not invited.

Seafood development programme will create jobs in Connemara fisheries, says Kyne

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Fine Gael TD for Galway West, Sean Kyne, has said that news of a greenlight for the Seafood Development Operational Programme is very welcome for fishing communities and will help to create jobs in Connemara.

GMIT presents honorary fellowships to three outstanding west of Ireland men

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) has awarded Honorary Fellowships to three outstanding individuals for their contribution to their communities and to regional development in the west.

Students must be aware of changes in applying for J-I Visa, says Ó Clochartaigh

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Diaspora, Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, has stressed the need for students to acquaint themselves with recent changes in the J1 application process, meaning students will have to secure work prior to travelling to the US.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh said that the J-1 Summer Work and Travel programme has been a very important milestone for many third level students for over forty years. It is a hugely popular initiative and allows students an opportunity to live, travel and work in the United States and share their culture and ideas.

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