Galway Bay fm - News

Taylor swift fans left sweating in desperate scramble for tickets

Irish fans of Taylor Swift were left sweating today as they anxiously tried to get tickets for gigs in the Aviva Stadium next year. 
There were three rounds of ticket sales this morning and afternoon - with 70 thousand people in the queue at one point. 
City woman Una Murphy spoke to Sarah Slevin this afternoon - and she wasn't having much success. 

City council to assess public submissions on restoring Salthill tidal pools

Galway City Council is set to begin sifting through a raft of public submissions on plans to restore tidal pools in Salthill. 
Ladies Beach once accommodated these pools - but they were closed and filled in over 20 years ago. 
In recent years, campaigners have sought their return, with one petition gathering almost 7 thousand signatures.
A public consultation, which has run in recent weeks as part of a feasibility study, has now closed and the local authority will start to assess the submissions received. 
Councillor Niall Murphy - who himself recently visited a tidal pool in Belmullet - has been speaking to our reporter Leah Hogarty in Salthill. 
He says this would be a fantastic addition to the area for a wide range of people. 

International and local audiences soak up the GIAF atmosphere on Week One

People from all over Galway, Ireland and the world have been flocking to the city this week for the Galway International Arts Festival.
Galway city is hosting a jam packed programme of 119 events across a variety of genres.
Our reporter Sarah Slevin brings us this report from the Festival Garden in Eyre Square.

Large turnout at official opening of new inclusive seating area at Terryland Forest Park

There was a big turnout at Terryland Forest Park this week for the official opening of a new public seating area. 
The Community Remembrance area includes wheelchair accessible benches and an engraved stone commemorating those who died during the pandemic. 
It's located at the section of Terryland Forest Park beside Sandyvale Lawn on the Headford Road. 
The new public seating area is a collaboration between Ability West, Galway City Local Community Development Committee and Galway City Council. 
David Nevin was there to speak to some of the many people who attended.  

Warning over contractors demanding cash for tarmac ”botch jobs” in North Galway

There's a warning over so-called cowboy contractors in the North Galway area, demanding money for doing shoddy tarmac work. 
Councillor Andrew Reddington says they've been active in the area in recent days, and are particularly targetting the elderly. 
He says one elderly man in Headford handed over cash yesterday after a "botch job" was done on his driveway. 
He claims the money was later returned after Gardaí attended the scene. 
Councillor Reddington says he can't understand how those responsible for the shoddy work are getting away with it.

Residents welcome amenity investment in Castlepark area

Calls for removal of underwater reeds from Portunmna’s swimming area

Galway based RV Tom Crean marks one year of cutting edge research

The Galway based RV Tom Crean is marking one year of cutting edge research since its arrival in the city
It completed 296 survey days, welcoming 177 scientists across 20 surveys, totalling 2,060 scientist days. 
It travelled just over 32 thousand nautical miles, equivalent to circling Ireland approximately 46 times
Its comprehensive mapping effort over the last year will greatly contribute to the understanding of Ireland's seabed and its valuable resources.
In addition, the Underwater TV surveys gathered valuable stock assessment data from 539 stations across the Porcupine Bank, Aran Grounds, Celtic Sea, and Bay of Biscay.
Aodhán Fitzgerald, Operational Manager of the Research Vessel, explains some more of the work it's carried out so far:

Local advisor appointed to new service for farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Excavation works at Tuam Mother and Baby Home site won’t take place until next year

It'll likely be at least sometime next year before excavation works can begin at the former Mother and Baby Home site in Tuam. 
That's according to the Director who will oversee the works, Daniel MacSweeney, who was appointed in May. 
Speaking to Galway Talks, he said the 'cardinal rule' is that families must be placed at the very centre of the process. 
He's been meeting with families, survivors and campaigners since his appointment. 
Mr. MacSweeney said work is progressing, but the excavation will be a very complex task.