Galway Bay fm - News

Major step forward for multi-million euro plan to overhaul Athenry town centre

There's been a major step forward for a multi-million euro plan to overhaul Athenry town centre. 
At a special meeting this afternoon, councillors approved the first phase of the Athenry Public Realm Enhancement scheme. 
It'll cost an estimated €3.8m - and will transform Market Square, Cross Street, Davis Street, Burkes Lane and North Gate Street. 
The aim is to create a new town square, create high-quality pedestrian areas, improve access, remove some traffic off the road and eliminate illegal parking. 
Overground electricity poles will also be removed, and installed underground to improve the visual appearance of the new areas. 
Following this afternoon's approval, it'll now go to Government for final approval, in order to access the funding needed. 
Councillor Shelly Herterich Quinn told David Nevin Athenry is long overdue for an investment of this scale. 

Local councillor working with Finance Minister to remove 'red tape' over storm humanitarian fund

Local councillor Martina Kinanne is working with the Finance Minister to remove the 'red tape' for businesses accessing humanitarian funding after the recent storms
It comes as the Cabinet considers increasing the total pot to €11m, which will be double the amount that was initially announced last year for those impacted by flooding 
However, some businesses have been refused the fund due to having partial funding, while others have been waiting months to get confirmation of acceptance
Speaking to Keith Finnegan, Councillor Kinnane says these funds need to be thought out more before they are announced to avoid these anomalies:

Streets of Galway don new bunting in preparation for Galway's newest festival

The streets of the city are donning new bunting, after today's launch event for Galway's newest festival, Tonnta.
The bilingual festival, to celebrate and encourage use of the Irish language kicks off four days of events from this Thursday.
They include a Céilí Mór, a fire display at Eyre Square, a children's day, and a trad rave, along with music and performances at venues across the city.
Speaking at the event today, Gaillimh Le Gaeilge CEO, Bríd Ní Chonghóile, is hoping people of all levels of Gaeilge get involved:

Keith Finnegan to retire from Galway Bay fm in April after 34 years of broadcasting

Keith Finnegan is to retire from Galway Bay fm  in April after 34 years of broadcasting
The 62 year-old Mervue native is one of the station's best known voices, as the presenter of the flagship morning current affairs programme
As well as his career behind the mic, he also served as the station's Chief Executive Officer for three decades until April 2021
Keith feels the time is right to hand over the reins to a new voice
He received an IMRO Hall of Fame award in 2022 for his distinguished service to the industry
This is how Keith made the announcement on his Galway Talks programme this morning

Call for free car parking spaces in Ballinasloe to boost local businesses

There's a call for a limited number of free one-hour parking spaces in Ballinasloe to boost local businesses. 
At a meeting of Ballinasloe councillors this week, suggestions were made that non-competitive rates should be introduced for paid parking. 
But Councillor Declan Geraghty proposed that a certain number of free one-hour spaces could be of more benefit. 
Councillor Geraghty says businesses on the shopping streets are experiencing reduced footfall - and this could help. 

€5 Million in funding demanded to boost LIS programme across Galway

There's a call for €5m in extra funding from central Government to boost the Local Improvement Scheme in Galway.
The LIS provides money to Galway County Council for improvement works on small roads and laneways not owned by the local authority.
They provide access to people's homes and farms, or to public amenities that could include the likes of graveyards, lakes, rivers, and beaches.
A meeting this week heard the scheme is currently closed and the backlog is around four years.
Councillor Donagh Killilea spoke to David Nevin about the need to clear that backlog.

Local TD demands Agriculture Minister tackle flaws in Shannon Callows Flood scheme

There are serious flaws in the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme that require urgent attention from the Agriculture Minister.
That's according to Roscommon/Galway TD Claire Kerrane - who says some farmers cannot get compensation despite being flooded.
The scheme was established to support farmers devastated by summer flooding in the Shannon Callows, who were unable to conserve fodder as a result.
But Sinn Fein Deputy Kerrane claims there are clear flaws - and the Minister has questions to answer.

Leeanna Ward on importance of Travellers making voice heard through voting

Ballybane event kickstarts independent information campaign on upcoming referendums

Chair of the independent Electoral Commission, Ms Justice Marie Baker, has been meeting with the Traveller community in Ballybane in the past hour.
The event is kickstarting a national independent information campaign on the upcoming referendums on March 8th.
It aims to provide information in a clear and objective way - and advise people how to distinguish fact from opinion. 
Galway Traveller Movement is also using today to encourage the community to get involved, and have their voice heard by casting their votes. 
David Nevin has been speaking to Ms. Justice Marie Baker. 

Taoiseach describes new BIA Innovator Campus Athenry as impressive facility

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has described the new BIA Innovator Campus in Athenry as a really impressive facility.
The centre is the first Centre of Excellence for the Irish food industry in the country, and aims to drive regional and national growth in Ireland's agri-food sector.
The site itself has a auditorium for food demonstrations, product development units for dairy, meat and seafood products and a specialised culinary training centre.
Leo Varadkar is now cutting the ribbon at the Moanbaun Sports Facility, which consists of a new 8 lane running track and 4G full sized soccer pitch.
Speaking to our reporter Caoimhe Killeen after the official opening of Bia Innovator, the Taoiseach says the facility will help small businesses from the ground up: