Galway Bay fm - News

Galway Garden Festival to get underway at Claregalway Castle

This year's Galway Garden Festival is getting underway at Claregalway Castle this weekend. 
The annual event is a gathering of Ireland’s plant traders, expert speakers, and food and craft producers.
There'll also be a host of musical entertainment & open-air performances, as well as activities and events for kids.
The event takes place tomorrow and Sunday between 11am and 6pm. 
Proceeds from the entry ticket go to the Christian Blind Mission
Part of the festival is the Galway Flower Show - and organiser Maria Maguire says it'll offer something for everyone. 

Eamon Ryan says Western Rail Corridor should get same priority as Finglas Luas line

Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan says he believes the Western Rail Corridor should get the same priority as the extension of the Luas to Finglas. 
He was responding to a question from Galway West TD Eamon O' Cuiv, who wanted to know if the west project would ever get the same sense of urgency. 
Minister Ryan agreed it should - but suggested the real problem is that there are very differing views, including within Deputy O' Cuiv's own Fianna Fail party. 
Transport Minister Ryan added that a fundamental question is whether or not rail freight will have a future role in our transport system.

Over half million for capital works on Aran Islands and Inishbofin

Funding of over half a million has been announced for capital works on the Aran Islands and Inishbofin. 
It's part of a national investment of €2.3m for infrastructure works on offshore islands -  including roads, piers, coastal protection, and street lighting. 
Among the biggest allocations in Galway is €286 thousand for the main road at Cill Rónáin harbour on Inis Mór. 
There's also just shy of €100 thousand for a road to the pier at Inishbofin, as well as €76 thousand for costal protection works on the island. 
The rest of the local funding covers a range of works on all four of Galway's islands - ranging from safety railings and pier lighting, to timber hoarding and salt storage bins. 
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, says it's vital that island communities are supported. 

Fundraiser launched for new playground in Letterfrack - with "win a Christmas" as top prize

A fundraiser with a unique twist has been launched in Connemara - offering one person the chance to "win a Christmas" in aid of a new playground for Letterfrack. 
Letterfrack National School Parents Association is hoping to raise €25 thousand for the new facility. 
The prize aims to provide the winner with everything they could possibly need for Christmas - including a tree with lights. 
Organiser Siobhan Bennett says they've had great support from local businesses. 

Local councillor calls for NTA intervention as Citylink pull evening service from Galway to Ballinasloe

Additional €400,000 to go towards redevelopment of Portumna Courthouse

ATU property management programmes set to provide formal industry licenses

Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland 'delighted' to be the guest of honour in Kinvara this evening

The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland has said she's 'delighted' to be the guest of honour at a public meeting in Kinvara this evening.
Dr.Jilan Wahba Abadalmajid will make a speech there this evening in one of her first official public engagements as ambassador and since recognition of Palestine as a state.
The meeting takes place at 7:30 pm in Kinvara Community Centre.
Speaking to Galway Talks, Ambassador Abadalmajid says she will speak about how important Irish support is to the Palestinian people:

Taoiseach tells Noel Grealish there "has to be a better way" amid GAAGO debate

The Taoiseach has agreed with Galway West Deputy Noel Grealish that there "has to be a better way" as the debate continues over GAAGO. 
It's after Galway trumped Dublin in an iconic thriller at Croke Park on Saturday - but the game was locked behind a paywall. 
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Grealish said the very people who "built" the GAA are being denied the chance to watch the national game. 
He's the latest voice in a growing backlash against the streaming subscription service and its coverage this season.
Taoiseach Simon Harris told Deputy Grealish he's looking forward to a meeting with the President and Director General of the GAA. 

City businesswoman maintains innocence as Ukraine demands extradiction over alleged crimes

A Ukrainian refugee turned city businesswoman is maintaining her innocence - as the Ukrainian state is demanding her extradition for alleged crimes. 
30 year old Yana Chumak says she fled her home city of Kharkiv with her mother in February 2022 following the Russian invasion. 
Since arriving in Ireland, she's completed a beautician course and opened her own business in the city.  
But she's now been ordered to return to Ukraine to face charges relating to fraud in 2021.
Speaking to John Morley, Yana was adamant that she's done nothing wrong and has worked since the moment she arrived here.