Galway Bay fm - News

HSE to progress plans to redevelop Toghermore campus as disability and community services hub

The HSE is to progress plans to redevelop the Toghermore campus in Tuam as a disability and community services hub.
Galway East TD and Minister for Disability Anne Rabbitte has confirmed the body will undertake a feasibility study and bring the project to design.
The HSE-owned site had housed mental health services for the area before they were rehoused in the Grove campus last year.
Deputy Rabbitte told Sarah Slevin she expects this project to progress quickly:

Heritage project seeking old stories and folklore recordings of Connemara

A heritage project which began in East Galway is making its way further West to Connemara.
The Audit of Oral Heritage is looking to gather memories, stories, folklore, seanchas, piseógí, or any recollections of life relating to Connemara's past.
The bilungual database is being collated with thanks to County Galway Heritage Office and MacConmara Heritage Consulting.
The audit will be completed in October 2024 and will be available to the public online.  
Speaking to John Morley on Galway Talks, Dr Tomás Mac Conmara, outlines what they're looking for:

Concern over difficulty of maintaining Lough Corrib piers due to land ownership issues

Feeling of futility over Active Travel schemes in rural Galway villages

There is a feeling of futility in relation to securing adequate funding for Active Travel projects for villages across Galway.
That was the consensus at this week's meeting of Tuam area councillors, with representatives raising concerns about the lack of funding being given to projects.
Fine Gael Councillor Pete Roache put forward a motion to gain clarity on what happens once applications get sent in, as he says it seems funding is frozen.
Councillor Roache says groups and engineers are putting a lot of time into reports to no avail:

Galway Bay FM's Keith Finnegan awarded Freedom of the City

Galway Bay FM's Keith Finnegan has been awarded Freedom of the City this afternoon. 
The prestigious award recognises not just his three decades in broadcast - but his huge span of work in the community for countless voluntary causes. 
The award was presented at a special event at the Hardiman Hotel in the past hour. 
Earlier this month, Keith was also honoured with a civic reception by Galway County Council in recognise of his achievements and contributions to the county. 
Keith retired last month, hanging up his mic on current affairs show Galway Talks on April 12th. 
He's been speaking to John Morley at the Hardiman Hotel to give his reaction to being honoured with 'Freedom of the City'. 

Kids take part in special farm safety workshop at Menlough National School

A special workshop took place at Menlough National School this afternoon, to educate children on the dangers on the farm. 
The event is hosted by Agri Aware, as part of the primary school programme 'Safe Farm Futures'.
So far this year, they've visted 31 schools across16 counties  - and have held hands-on workshops with more than 2 thousand children. 
Our reporter Chloe Nolan was there.

Ceremony officially christens new bridge across Salmon Weir 'Droichead an Dochas'

The new bridge across the Salmon Weir in the city has been officially christened this afternoon as 'Droichead an Dochas'.
The name translates to Bridge of Hope and was selected from over sixty submissions during a public consultation.
Mayor of Galway Councillor Eddie Hoare unveiled a special plaque at a ceremony on the bridge earlier this afternoon.
He explains the thinking behind the chosen name.

Claims badly-needed upgrade works on N59 from Clifden to Leenane "completely forgotten about"

Badly needed upgrades on the N59 between Clifden and Leenane seem to be "completely forgotten about". 
That's according to Fianna Fail Councillor Gerry King, who's raised the issue at County Hall during a wider discussion on the N59. 
Progress is being made on upgrading other sections on the road to various degrees. 
But Councillor King was informed this week that there's no funding at present for any works on the stretch from Clifden to Leenane. 
He's been speaking to David Nevin about the situation. 

Dáil hears some Galway social homes in harrowing condition due to lack of maintenance staff

60 week wait time for some podiatry services at Merlin Park Hospital