Galway Bay fm - News

Mountbellew-Moylough Club are feeling confident ahead of Sunday's battle

Galway football fans are gearing up for a big weekend, as the All-Ireland final takes place on Sunday.
The Tribesmen will do battle with Armagh for the Sam Maguire, with neither team having won it for more than 20 years. 
These Galway supporters are feeling confident ahead of Sunday's battle:

Young Connemara woman to present the ball in the All-Ireland final

And Sunday will be extra special for one young Connemara fan who will present the ball to referee Sean Hurson.
20 year-old Carraroe-native Caitríona Ní Shé has been chosen as part of the GAA for All programme.
Caitriona was born with scoliosis and Mucopolysarcharidosis, also known as MPS1/Hurlers syndrome.
Speaking to our reporter Chris Benn her father Ronán explained what it means to Caitríona and their whole family.

Is Galway a hurling or football county? Public share their opinion ahead of All-Ireland clash

Excitement is reaching fever pitch ahead of this weekend's All-Ireland football final. 
Armagh and Galway are set to battle it out for a crown that neither side has seen in many, many years. 
Galway last won the title in 2001 - while Armagh claimed it the following year in 2002 for the first and only time. 
All eyes are now on Croke Park, where the county will hold its breath as a clash of titans gets underway on Sunday afternoon at 3.30. 
And we'll have it all live here on Galway Bay FM. 
Garry Curran has been out asking the public if they think Galway is a hurling county, or a football county. 

Site for Mountbellew Vintage Rally extended to 60 acres

This year's Mountbellew Vintage Rally, which takes place all day Sunday in the mart grounds, has been extended. 
The site has been extended to 60 acres thanks to local landowners, and is open from 10 in the morning.
The usual array of historic farm machinery will be on display along with a first-time exhibition of mid-20th century Porche and Lanz Bull Dog vehicles.  
Highlights include the mammoth steam engines, a hay making project, a lawn mower race and a performance from Ciaran Rosney.  
Safety Officer Joe Treacy assures people they won't miss out on the All-Ireland Final either.

Significant extension confirmed for Mercy College in Woodford

Mercy College, Woodford has been given the go ahead for a significant extension and refurbishment project.
It will include the development of two new mainstream classrooms, two Woodwork rooms, a Project Store and a new special needs room.
It'll also involve the reconfiguration of the existing Woodwork room into a Design/Computer Graphics classroom.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Minister Anne Rabbitte says this development will greatly improve the school-experience for pupils:

Report finds E coli failures at multiple South Galway private water schemes

A report has found that a number of private group drinking water schemes in South Galway had E coli failures in 2023.
The EPA has highlighted areas of Derrybrien, Kilcooly, Moyglass, Tynagh, Ballinakill, Seehan and and Looscaun as at risk.
While two other areas in the county also had E coli failures last year - Cummer and Corrandulla.
Nationally, the report shows an increase in such failures, with one in twenty private group drinking water schemes failed to meet E. coli standards
Environmental Protection Agency Programme Manager Noel Byrne says firms with a private well aren't being checked, causing a risk:

Ireland's oldest man, Roscahill's Martin McEvilly turns 108 today

Ireland's oldest man, who was born in Roscahill, has turned 108 years today. (FRI)
Martin McEvilly was born on July 26th 1916, and is the youngest of eleven siblings.
Sarah Slevin has been catching up with his daughter Cristina, who has flown in from Sydney for the occasion.
She says he's in great health:

Call on the community to uncover missing history of Aughnanure Castle in Oughterard

The Office of Public Works is calling on the community to help uncover the missing history of Aughnanure Castle in Oughterard.
For the 50th anniversary of the Castle being open to the public, the OPW hopes to collect the stories, photos and videos the public has of the monument.
Similar to the 1930s Folklore Commission, ‘School Book Project’, this initiative aims to maintain the history that may otherwise be lost.
A special event will be held later this year to commemorate the milestone and display the newly uncovered history and heritage.
Speaking to our reporter Chris Benn, Giles Hillson, an Information Officer at the castle, outlined the need for the community to reach out and share their memories of the castle.

Diversity and richness of European theatre to be showcased at Taibhdhearc event

Fíbín Irish language theatre group is to host prominent European theatre companies for their International Theatre event.
The free event takes place tomorrow afternoon (Friday July 26th) at 2 at An Taibhdhearc in the city.
It will feature Tryater from Friesland, The Netherlands, and Centro Dramático Galego from Galicia in Spain.
The event is part of the EU Phone (Phone - ay) project which aims to highlight the minority languages of Europe through theatre and art.
Darach Ó Tuairisg from Fíbín, says the event offers a great insight to the continent-wide project.

Call on the community to uncover missing history of Aughnanure Castle in Oughterard

The Office of Public Works is calling on the community to help uncover the missing history of Aughnanure Castle in Oughterard.
For the 50th anniversary of the Castle being open to the public, the OPW hopes to collect the stories, photos and videos the public has of the monument. 
Similar to the 1930s Folklore Commission, ‘School Book Project’, this initiative aims to maintain the history that may otherwise be lost.
A special event will be held later this year to commemorate the milestone and display the newly uncovered history and heritage. 
Giles Hillson, an Information Officer at the castle, is asking the community to reach out and share their memories of the castle.