Galway Bay fm - News

A plaque honouring the work of James Joyce has been unveiled at Rahoon Cemetery by President Michael D Higgins.

A plaque honouring the work of James Joyce has been unveiled at Rahoon Cemetery by President Michael D Higgins.
The plaque honours the connection of Michael "Sonny" Bodkin with James Joyce and his wife Nora Barnacle.
It also has an extract from James's short story 'The Dead' to mark its one hundred and tenth anniversary of publication.
Local historian and author Ray Joyce also assisted in the project:

President Higgins unveils new James Joyce Plaque at Rahoon Cemetery

A plaque honouring the work of James Joyce has been unveiled at Rahoon Cemetery by President Michael D.Higgins.
The plaque honours the connection of Michael "Sonny" Bodkin with James Joyce and his wife Nora Barnacle.
It also has an extract from James's short story 'The Dead' to mark its one hundred and tenth anniversary of publication.
Speaking this weekend, President Higgins said it's wonderful a direct connection has been made:

UHG issues public appeal as hospital remains under very significant pressure

Local and national talent to be showcased at Galway Choral Association’s first concert of 2024

Still no signs of work on section of N59 over a decade after permission granted

There's still no sign of upgrade works on a section of the N59 between Maam Cross and Oughterard - eleven years after permission was given by An Bord Pleanála.
The latest issue appears to relate to the NPWS - the National Parks and Wildlife Service. 
Máirtín Ó Catháin reports.

Galway businessman and Supermacs founder Pat McDonagh says up to 1 in 10 small businesses could shut in the coming months

Galway businessman and Supermacs founder Pat McDonagh says up to 1 in 10 small businesses could shut in the coming months
Mr McDonagh says increased costs are putting pressure on companies to keep going.
He says many feel abandoned as they deal with higher overheads, as well as law and order issues like shoplifting;

Galway County Council urged to take action on poor accessibility of county’s graveyards

Council urged to review of street lighting and CCTV in Tuam due to anti-social behaviour

Galway County Council is being urged to carry out a review of street lighting and CCTV in Tuam due to late night anti-social behaviour in the town.
Councillor Joe Sheridan has raised the issue at Tuam MDC level, saying alley-ways and rat-runs need to be looked at in particular.
The Fianna Fáil councillor's motion to carry out a review was backed by his fellow councillors.
He says it's 'lunacy' that public area CCTV footage is often not available to Gardai to help track down those engaging in anti-social behaviour:

Index reveals Galway above national average levels of affluence

Galway is above the national average level of affluence, according to a new index.
The Pobal HP Deprivation Index uses data from Census 2022, analysing 10 measures of an area's level of disadvantage. 
They include education, employment, and number of people living in a household. 
1,045 seperate areas were identified in Galway, with classifications ranging from very affluent to extremely disadvantaged. 
The full index can be viewed at Maps.Pobal.ie. 
Martin Quigley, Director of Data and Analytics at Pobal, has been speaking to David Nevin. 

Call for more investment to tackle disadvantaged areas across city

There's a call for more investment to tackle disadvantaged areas across the city. 
At City Hall this week, councillors discussed a new economic and community development strategy for the next six years. 
Several councillors noted that in terms of community development, the ending of the RAPID programme in recent years was a major blow. 
RAPID stands for "Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development" and saw national funding channeled into the most disadvantaged areas. 
Councillor John Connolly says it delivered great results for the city.