Galway Bay fm - News

Mixed progress being made on bus shelters in Connemara towns and villages

Oranmore's Fergal Landy running for both local and European elections for Labour party

The Oranmore based CEO of the Family Resource Centre National Forum will run for both the local and European elections in June.
Fergal Landy was chosen to go forward for the Midlands North West constituency at the Labour party's selection convention in the Clayton Hotel over the weekend
The County Clare native father of three is also running for election to Galway County Council in the Athenry-Oranmore local electoral area. 
Speaking to John Morley on Galway Talks, Fergal Landy says at both local and European level, he will prioritise rural issues:
 

Clifden District Hospital not expected to re-open before May

It's expected that Clifden District Hospital will remain closed for at least the next month.
Councillor Eileen Mannion has received correspondence in relation to the hospital from Senior Management within the HSE.
The hospital temporarily closed at the end of February due to a lack of agency staff and the difficulty recruiting nurses.
Fine Gael Councillor Mannion says the situation is very unfair on the community, and is calling on the HSE to prioritise its reopening:

Public info meeting in Galway city tonight on housing grants and supports

A public information meeting on housing grants and supports is being held in Galway city tonight.
An expert panel will be on hand to talk through mortgage applications, retrofitting grants and other Government supports.
The meeting is taking place from 7pm at the Connacht Hotel on the Old Dublin Road.
Speaking to Galway Talks, Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers who is hosting the meeting, outlines what will be covered 

Call for slipway onto Moycullen Bypass to remove last of heavy goods vehicles from village

There's a call for a slipway onto the Moycullen Bypass to remove the last of the heavy goods vehicles passing through the village. 
The issue was raised by Green Party Councillor Alastair McKinstry at a meeting at County Hall this week. 
He says the bypass has been excellent in calming down most of the traffic that used to pass through - but a little more needs to be done. 
Councillor McKinstry explains where the slipway would be. 

Galway City had no HAP properties to rent last month

A new report has revealed that Galway City Centre and its Suburbs had no HAP properties available to rent in any household category last month.
The latest Simon Communities Locked out of the Market report found just 38 properties were available to rent in Ireland in March of this year.
However that is an increase of three percent since last December.
Wayne Stanley, Executive Director at the Simon Communities of Ireland says 15 thousand new homes are needed to meet the demand of people on HAP 

Irish writers and illustrators to flock to Galway city as part of major bus tour

Galway is set to play host this week to a group of Irish writers and illustrators as part of a major bus tour 
Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde will lead the 'Whole Wide World Bus Tour', with workshops, events, and readings on offer for locals.
It'll visit schools in Leenane and Furbo this Friday (April 19th) before taking over Middle Street for a 'monster doodle' and an interactive storytelling event at An Taibhdhearc in the city on Saturday from 2pm
Patricia Forde says their tour will travel from North to South, all along the Wild Atlantic Way:

Survey to get underway in Letterfrack to assess need for pedestrian crossing

A survey is set to get underway in Letterfrack this summer, to assess the need for a pedestrian crossing in the village.
At County Hall this week, engineers told Councillor Eileen Mannion that peak tourist season is the ideal time to carry out the work.
The results will form part of a case that'll be presented to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for the crossing.
Councillor Eileen Mannion is confident that the demand is there and the survey will confirm that.

Claims new data shows Galway facing disproportionate impacts of housing crisis

It's being claimed that Galway is facing a disproportionate share of the impacts of the housing crisis.
The MyHome.ie study reveals a 6.5 per cent increase in house prices, while the asking price for the average home in Galway went up 9 per cent.
Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell says this is simply down to the shrinking availability of homes and a lack of supply.
The Sinn Féin TD adds that the Government's idea of affordable is different from the reality:

Keith Finnegan bids farewell as he retires from Galway Bay fm after 34 years

Keith Finnegan today said his final goodbye on Galway Talks as he retires from Galway Bay fm after 34 years of broadcasting
The 62 year-old Mervue native is one of the station’s best known voices, as the presenter of the flagship morning current affairs programme
As well as his career behind the mic, he also served as the station’s Chief Executive Officer for three decades until April 2021
He received an IMRO Hall of Fame award in 2022 for his distinguished service to the industry
In his final link this morning he thanked his wife Joan and his family and to a standing ovation from all the staff  he signed off with the help of his producer John Morley who takes over the seat on Monday