Galway Bay fm - News

Ballygar GP Martin Daly asks parents to use the free GP care for under 8s ”responsibly”

Healthcare, farming, fishing, rural transport and the arts raised with Taoiseach at Headford meeting

Headford locals share concerns with Taoiseach at well-attended public meeting

People in Headford got the chance to share their concerns with the Taoiseach at yesterday's public meeting.
Leo Varadkar finished his visit of South Galway and Mayo with the meeting in Anglers rest in the town last night.
Questions were raised with the Taoiseach from a variety of sectors - from farming and arts to housing and healthcare.
Out reporter Leah Hogarty spoke to some of those in attendance, to ask what they'd like to see addressed for their area:

Gort auctioneer says homes to rent or buy outside of Dublin are scarce

Housing supply in rural Ireland is leading to "unprecedented demand" for homes to either rent or buy, according to a South Galway auctioneer.
The latest Daft report found a 10.7 percent increase nationally in rent prices but it was as much as 24 percent year-on-year in Mayo.
Galway City rents are up by 12 percent over the past year - with the average now standing at €1,867 a month. 
Analysis by Daft.ie shows Galway city is the third-most expensive area for renting, behind Dublin and Wicklow.
Meanwhile rents across county Galway rose by more than 20 percent over the past 12 months, with the average now €1,438. 
Leitrim is by far the cheapest county with an average rent of just over €1 thousand - while South County Dublin is the highest at €2,600. 
Gort auctioneer Colm Farrell says homes to rent or buy outside of Dublin are scarce:

Over 300 notices to quit issued to Galway tenants since eviction ban lifted

Over 300 notices to quit have been issued to Galway renters since the eviction ban was lifted at the end of March
The Residential Tenancies Board has revealed over 5,700 people have been issued with notices nationwide between April up until last week.
Galway has had the third highest number of notices issued at 321 - that's behind Dublin with over 2,000 and Cork with over 700 .
The RTB says the majority of notices to quit were issued as the landlord intended to sell the rental property.
Threshold CEO, John-Mark McCafferty, says the increase in notices to quit for the second quarter was to be expected: 

Galway City council accused of misleading updates of water quality at Ballyloughane Beach

Galway City Council is being accused of misleading people in its upates of the water quality at Ballyloughane Beach.
An Taisce has expressed its disappointment at results posted on the council's Facebook page on August 4th.
An Taisce says the council posted the excellent result it received on August 1st, but did not publish the poor quality rating it received the day before.
Meanwhile only hours after posting the excellent result, the council also posted a Prior warning to swimmers that the beach is susceptible to Short Term Pollution events. 
Galway City Council has not yet responded to queries from Galway Bay fm news
Chairperson of An Taisce's Galway Planning Committee, Peter Burke, says the council is sparking confusion with these posts:

Claim families ”living in fear” after latest arson attack on home in Loughrea

Families at Fahy Gardens in Loughrea are "living in fear" after the latest petrol attack on a home in the estate.
That's according to local councillor Moegie Maher, following an attack shortly after midnight yesterday. 
Emergency services attended the scene and investigations are ongoing.
Speaking to Galway Talks, local councillor Moegie Maher said he believes on ongoing feud is to blame. 

Oranmore-based Data Scientist a finalist for Women in Tech Rising Star Award

An Oranmore-based Data Scientist has been named a finalist in the Rising Star category for the 2023 Diversity in Tech Awards.
The 6th annual awards, being held in Dublin on September 27th, recognise innovative and inclusive companies across Ireland, 
Data Scientist, Girija Shingte, (pron. GURR-EE-JA  SHIN-TAY) who works with AI company Galvia is up for the Rising Star Award for Women in Tech.
Speaking to Galway Talks, Girija, who is originally from India, says she is proud of the achievement:

First Corncrake spotted on Aran Islands in 25 years

The first Corncrake has been spotted on the Aran Islands in 25 years. 
A new report shows an overall increase of 35 percent in the population of the endangered bird over the past 5 years. 
The distinctive call of the Corncrake - a shy and secretive farmland bird that likes to hide in meadows and vegetation. 
Though they are common in some parts of the world, they have suffered a drastic reduction in numbers in Europe, partly due to intensive farming. 
But new data shows that efforts to increase the population of the bird in the West and North of Ireland appear to be paying off. 
A total of 218 breeding territories were recorded in 2023, up by 10 percent on last year - and exceeding 200 for the first time in a decade. 
The involvement of the farming community is key to that success, with 250 farmers and landowners now managing close to 1,500 hectares of lands for the Corncrake. 
And testament to their efforts was the first sighting of a Corncrake on the Aran Islands in over 25 years this summer. 

Focus on Achieving Net Zero at tomorrow’s Galway Energy Summit

An energy summit being held at the University of Galway tomorrow will focus on 'Achieving Net Zero'.
The event, organised by AHRAE Ireland, will gather together professionals from different energy sectors for discussions and networking.
The all-day event kicks off at the Bailey Allen Hall with registration at 8AM - with panel sessions and a youth mentoring session taking place throughout the day,
Speaking to Galway Talks, one of the organisers, Conor Deane, says there is a lot for the public to gain from attending: