Galway Bay fm - News

Ashford Castle's longest-standing employee, Martin Gibbons from Clonbur, is marking 50 years of service at the estate this month.
Described as one of Ireland's leading maître d's, Martin joined the staff at the estate in Cong in August 1974, as a waiter.
He has met and served many well-known celebrities during his time, including Ronald Reagan, Johnny Cash, Rod Stewart, Fred Astaire and Pierce Brosnan.
Martin's family-ties with the estate are strong - his grandfather worked as a gamekeeper in the 1940s; Martin met his wife there, while three of their children also worked there.
Sarah Slevin has been speaking to Martin about his experience and highlights so far with Ashford Castle:

Councillor Pete Roche is facing calls to withdraw remarks he made about a protest over plans to house asylum seekers in Tuam. 
The protest took place last Sunday evening and was attended by several dozen people. 
They say their concern, at that time, was a total lack of information or clarity on who would be accommodated at the Correlea Court Hotel. 
Since then, it's been confirmed that it will be families under the International Protection Accommodation Services, or IPAS. 
But speaking to John Morley the following Monday, Councillor Roche referred to the protestors as "rebels without a cause".
Organiser Tom Niland told Galway talks today that's not fair - and he should apologise. 

Irish Environmental charity and land trust Green Sod Ireland is to host a high level Biodiversity Summer School at Connemara's Kylemore Abbey next weekend.
The conference, being held in patnership with Notre Dame University, aims to promote collaboration between local conservation projects and to inform the public on biodiversity.
The two-day event will be held on Saturday and Sunday of next week and Rory McCanna of Green Sod outlines what people can expect.

Galway Chair of the IFA, Stephen Canavan says the difficulties facing farmers are particularly poignant this year.
The Farm Survey Report for 2023 shows the average farming family has an income of less than 20 thousand euro per annum.
The Irish Farmers' Association says the industry is facing multiple threats, and Budget 2025 is the ideal opportunity for the government to respond to that.
Speaking to Galway Talks, Galway Chair of the IFA Stephen Canavan says farmers are feeling the pinch from all angles:

It will be unseasonably wet and windy on the Galway and Mayo coast from now until 2.30 tomorrow morning.
The Status Yellow wind and rain warning has been put in place as the remnants of ex-Hurricane Ernesto track towards Ireland.
Galway City Council is taking "precautionary steps" in Salthill - Toft Car Park, Silverstrand Road and Car Park and Salthill Car Park are now all closed.
Forecaster with Met Eireann Mark Bowe the brunt of the warning will be felt later in the night.

There are birds in Eyre Square that've never seen Salthill or Galway Bay - because they're so dependent on food sources in the city centre. 
That's according to City Councillor Frank Fahy, who's been reacting to the introduction of "seagull insurance" by a food truck on the Isle of Man. 
He says the seagull problem in Galway is chronic - because there's far too much food readily available for them to eat. 
Fine Gael Councillor Fahy is pointing the finger at late night food takeaways, plastic bin bags left out in the city centre, and some people deliberately feeding seagulls and pigeons.
He also believes the noise is a major problem, with many tourists finding it impossible to sleep with relentless screeching. 
Councillor Fahy told Galway Talks he's never seen the likes of it in any other seaside location. 

Over 2,000 parking on footpath fines have been issued by Galway City and County Councils in 2023.
2,313 were issued by the City Council in 2023, while 84 were issued by the County Council.
Vision Ireland have revealed the stats to coincide with their Clear Our Paths campaign, which also asks Ireland's dog owners to 'clean up' after their furry friends.
Just 46 dog fouling fines were handed out across the country last year - with just one issued in the city and one in the county last year.
Vision Ireland Head of Policy, Kevin Kelly says more needs to be done as dog fouling is not only unpleasant - it's dangerous too.

Galway City Council is holding safety training for night-time businesses next month.
The free events will equip businesses and staff with practical skills to identify and address various vulnerabilities that may arise after dark.
Two courses will take place on September 11th at PorterShed a Dó, and will be led by Jo Cox-Brown, Chief Executive of Night-Time Economy Solutions.
Jo has been speaking to Sarah Slevin about the overall strategy behind the courses, and what will be covered.

Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell is raising questions over the unseasonably high trolley numbers at University Hospital Galway.
43 patients are awaiting a trolley at UHG today, which is relatively high for the time of year.
Overcrowding is most prominent this week in the West, with UHG the most overcrowded, followed by Sligo and Limerick.
Sinn Féin TD Mairéad Farrell says the Government needs to realise the issue is not going to solve itself:

Tributes are being paid to UHG breast cancer pioneer Professor Fred Given ahead of his funeral today and tomorrow
The founder of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute died at his home in Bushypark over the weekend
The Emeritus Professor of Surgery at University Hospital, Galway founded the Institute in 1991
It's aim is to increase awareness, improve access to treatment and conduct international class research into breast cancer.
Speaking to Galway Talks, NBCRI Research Director, Professor Michael Kerin has hailed Fred as a champion of research who made an enormous contribution to healthcare
Professor Fred Given is survived by his wife Kathryn, his sons John and Mark, his daughter Elaine, his grandchildren and a wide circle of family and friends
His funeral takes place this evening and tomorrow, when he will be laid to rest in Bushypark Cemetery behind St James Church