Galway Bay fm - News

Councillor slams "pure stupid" €400k spend on two council trucks

A county councillor has described a spend of several hundred thousand euro on specialist trucks for Galway County Council as "pure stupid". 
The vehicles in question were funded through Transport Infrastructure Ireland and are specifically designed for road gritting during the winter months. 
But Councillor Declan Geraghty argued it would make far more sense to buy general purpose trucks for use all year round - that can also grit roads when needed. 
Independent Ireland Councillor Geraghty has been speaking to David Nevin.

University of Galway leads research into effect of tiny ocean organisms on climate change

The University of Galway is leading an international expedition to research the effect tiny ocean organisms have on climate change. 
The expedition was carried out on The Marine Institute’s Celtic Explorer with the help of Canadian researchers and the SFI Research Centre for Applied Geosciences.   
The study followed up on previous research from 2022 on the Biological Carbon Pump in the Labrador Sea, one of the largest sustained phytoplankton blooms. 
The aim of both studies is to gather information on phytoplankton and calculate their carbon export into the deep sea. 
Professor Brian Ward, who leads the expedition, says phytoplankton are incredibly important to regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Connemara Cat selected to represent Galway at 'Nose of Tralee'

A Connemara Cat has been selected to represent Galway at this year's 'Nose of Tralee'.
Organised by Petsitters Ireland, the annual event is now in its 11th year.
And it looks for the cutest, the funniest, and the most adorable animals in all 32 counties.
But only one can be the 'Nose of Tralee' - and voting gets underway on the Petsitters website from Thursday, August 1st.
Crystal Ní Clochartaigh is the owner of the Galway Nose, a cat called Dougie - and they've been into the studio to talk to David Nevin.

Plans launched for fresh attempt to build major sports facility in Athenry

Fresh plans have been launched to build a major sports facility in Athenry. 
The sports centre at Mountain South would be a high quality training ground for Galway United and Athenry Swans Hockey Club. 
The site has been provided by Glenamaddy brothers Luke and Brian Comer, majority owners of Galway United. 
Ambitious plans were first lodged in 2022 - but were rejected by county planners on a number of grounds. 
Redesigned plans have now been unveiled at a well attended event in the city - which included local sports figures, the FAI, and politicians.  
Also announced was the seeking of multi-million euro funding through the Government's Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund. 
Chair of Galway United, Jonathan Corbett says they want to ensure they have the strongest possible backing for the new plans. 

Call for HSE to "get real" and properly fund vital cancer support service in Ballinasloe

There's a call for the HSE to "get real" and properly fund a vital cancer support service in Ballinasloe. 
East Galway and Midlands Cancer Support was established in 2010 and supports over 100 people every week. 
All of its services are free, such as transport to cancer treatment, therapies, and counselling. 
But it says it's struggling financially, with the HSE allocating just several thousand euro to the charity organisation every year. 
Speaking to Galway Talks, Director Jacqueline Daly said their services are incredibly important - but they cannot continue like this.  

Councillor slams "pie in the sky" rules stalling works in Connemara

Absolutely ridiculous "pie in the sky" rules and regulations are to blame for vital works in Connemara constantly getting stalled.
That was the message delivered by a very frustrated Councillor Tomas O' Curraoin at County Hall this week. 
The topic in this case was hedgecutting - but the Independent Councillor said the endless rules are affecting everything. 
It was mentioned this week that roadside hedgecutting can't be done in summer due to regulations around bird nesting. 
Councillor O' Curraoin says it's long overdue in many areas. 

New creativity fund for people living in emergency accommodation launched in Galway city

A new fund to support access to arts, culture, and creativity for people in emergency accommodation has been launched in Galway City.
It will provide small individual grants for music or art lessons, workshops, or to purchase art materials or musical equipment. 
The Emergency Homeless Accommodation Creativity Fund  will be administered by COPE and Simon, in conjunction with their key workers.
Head of Homeless Services at Galway Simon, Karen Feeney, spoke to Sarah Slevin about the initiative:

Group to host "public clinics" over proposed gas powered energy plant in Portumna

A local group is to host two 'public clinics' over a controversial planned gas powered energy plant in Portumna. 
The gas plant and battery storage facility would be located at Coolpowra in Killimor.
It's faced strong local opposition, with local meetings held in the town to discuss the development. 
The East Galway Gas Plant Concern Group is now hosting clinics designed to help local residents make submissions on the project. 
One will take place at Portumna Community School on Wednesday from 7 to 9 pm - and the other at Killimor Hall on Thursday from 7-9 pm.
Speaking to Galway Talks, Chair of the group, Paul Madden says they want to help people make their views known. 

Galway Races Chief says there's a great energy around the Summer Festival this year

The Galway Races Chief Executive says there's a great energy around the Summer Festival this year.
It's Day One at Ballybrit, with gates opening at 2:30PM and the first of seven races off at 4:50PM, while music performances will also entertain racegoers today.
This week will once again see the historic Galway Plate Day on Wednesday, Ladies Day on Thursday and the Mad Hatters Competition on Sunday.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Chief Executive of Galway Races Michael Maloney, says ticket sales are booming

Fake or Fact - You Decide Episode 4

In episode 4 of Fake or Fact - You Decide, we explore the relationship between news and social media. 
We speak to people on the streets of Galway, and ask young people if they buy newspapers or tune into news on television.
We look at the Digital News Report Ireland 2024, which was released last month, and charts exactly how, when and where Irish people get their news.
Media literacy expert Amanda Ruggeri gives us the tools we may need to be social media literate. 
Joanne Sweeney, owner of Digital Training Institute, runs us through the landscape of social media and its relationship with news.
Media Literacy is so important and ‘Fake or Fact – You Decide’ will guide you through the complicated information world each Saturday from 6pm.
 
Fake or Fact – You Decide is brought to you by Galway Bay fm and is funded by Coimisiún na Meán