Galway Bay fm - News

Eight Friends from Galway and Dublin are bidding to run 200Km coast to coast for the Irish Wheelchair Association and Muscular Dystrophy Ireland

Eight friends have undertaken a major challenge to run 200Km from Oranmore to Dublin with the hope of raising €200,000 in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association and Muscular Dystrophy Ireland. The eight men are friends Brian, Daragh, Henry, Ger, Paul, Stephen, Damien and Shane and they left Oranmore at 6am this morning. They plan to run through the night and arrive in Dublin at some time tomorrow morning. Members of Irish Wheelchair Association will be waiting to greet and congratulate them when they arrive in Dublin. The leader is Henry Fleming from Dublin. He spoke to John Mulligan who first asked him about the run and also asked whose idea it was to go Coast to Coast Donations can be made directly to their page at https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/TheCoast2CoastPFUltraRun

Over €4m awarded to Galway science research projects

Over four million euro has been awarded to four Galway-based science research projects.Researchers from ATU Galway and University of Galway have benefitted from the funding announced by the Higher Education Minister.Katie O'Dwyer of ATU Galway, and University of Galway's Martin Nicholas Devaney and John Breslin are among the recipients. While a collaboration between ATU Galway's Conor Graham and University of Galway's Liam Morrison has been awarded almost €1m. Conor Graham explains their Trace-Fish project:

Macnas Artistic Director steps down after 14 years

After 14 years, Macnas Artistic Director, Noeline Kavanagh has decided to step down. It's been confirmed that Executive Director, Johnny O’Reilly, will take Macnas into the next phase. During Noeline's time at the helm, she has spearheaded spectacle parades, site specific shows and brought the company's creations to the big screen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Noeline spoke to Sarah Slevin about her time with Macnas and the decision to step down:

Delays to Martin Roundabout works branded ”farcical” as deadline pushed to 2023

The latest delays to the ongoing project to transform the Martin Roundabout to a signalised traffic junction are being slammed as "farcical".  The project near Galway Clinic was supposed to be completed in August, but was later pushed back to November. Now, the timelines have been revised once again, with works not earmarked to be finished until early next year.  Concerns are being raised that it could realistically be next summer before the project is fully completed.  Councillor Alan Cheevers has been speaking to David Nevin. 

Indian Ambassador to visit Galway to mark start of Asia Business Week

India's Ambassador to Ireland will mark the start of Asia Business Week with a visit to ATU Galway on Monday morning (28/11). Akhilesh Mishra will be joined by joined by CEO of Asia Matters Martin Murray to give a talk at 10.45 am to discuss ways for Ireland to boost trade links with Asia.  Mr Murray highlights the potential of the Asian market for businesses in the west of Ireland.

Minister praises Galway for embracing inclusivity in special education

Junior Special Education Minister, Josepha Madigan, has praised Galway for embracing inclusivity in special education. Today, the Minister has been visiting speical classes at Scoil Caitriona in Renmore and Colaiste Mhuire Mhatair on St Marys road Minister Madigan has also visited Ballinderreen National School, who are looking to introduce a special class. Speaking at Scoil Caitriona, the Minister was highly impressed with the school's work:

Salthill-native Senator says Ireland should supply lethal military aid to Ukraine

Salthill-native Senator Gerard Craughwell says Ireland should be supplying lethal military aid to Ukraine.  He says while he accepts that Ireland could only make a small contribution, it can make a meaningful one.  Senator Craughwell - a former member of the British Army and the Defence Forces - argues Ireland has never been truly neutral.   Speaking to Dave O' Connell, he explained why he believes it makes sense for Ireland to provide lethal military aid. 

Third of water supplies contaminated with E. coli last year were in Galway

Over a third of the small private water supplies contaminated with E. coli last year were in Galway. Six out of the 17 areas listed by the Environmental Protection Agency's annual report were in the county. The supplies with E. coli failuers in 2021 were Belclare, Caherlea/Gurrane, Claretuam, Kilchreest, Ballinakill and Seehan in Gort. The EPA report says across the country around 6,000 people using the contaminated supplies were put at risk. Programme manager with the EPA, Noel Byrne, says suppliers should be using the funding available to address infrastructural needs. 

Claims quashing of city outer bypass not a disaster but a ”golden opportunity”

The Dáil has heard that instead of being seen as a disaster, the quashing of the Galway City Outerpass Bypass should instead be viewed as a "golden opportunity".  Deputy Catherine Connolly argued that for more than 20 years, successive planners have put all of their eggs in the basket of the ring road.  She says it should now be very clear that constantly waiting on a road will get us nowhere and it's time to focus on real transformative change.  Deputy Connolly outlined measures such as a feasibility study on light rail, park-and-ride facilities, and increased rail services.  And Minister Eamon Ryan was in agreement - saying it may be time to change tack in light of the overturning of permission for the ring road. 

Oranmore Primary School receives Ocean Champions Award

A primary school in Oranmore has received the Marine Institue's Explorers Ocean Champions Award.  Scoil Iósaif Naofa, a boys national school in Oranmore, received the award for their project called 'Ocean Aware Because We Care'. They were presented their award by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Minister Hildegaard Naughton.  Maeve Meeneghan, Principal at Scoil Iósaif Naofa spoke to our reporter Joseph Murray