Galway Bay fm - News

4 million euro Brothers of Charity centre in Claregalway officially opens its doors

Demand for city council to invest in community infrastructure in Ballybane

Owner Pat McDonagh says social media rumours about Charleville hotel extremely damaging

Supermac's boss Pat McDonagh says social media rumours spread about the Charleville Park Hotel, which he owns, can cause serious damage. 
Charleville Park Hotel was targeted by anonymous accounts on X - formerly Twitter - which claimed it was due to close and become a centre for refugees and asylum seekers.
Management says the hotel has no intention of closing, and condemned the rumours which also alleged hotel staff were going to lose their jobs.
Pat McDonagh says people can be easily led by things they see online.

Galway one of the best places to catch this evening's rare solar eclipse

Galway is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of a rare solar eclipse this evening.
The celestial event will be partially visible from Ireland at about 5 to 8 tonight. 
We have a 35 percent chance of seeing it, while Belmullet in Mayo is the best viewing area with a 44 percent chance.
Fracnes McCarthy from MTU’s Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork, is reminding people not to look directly up at the sun:

Call for crash barrier on N84 to be rebuilt after years of waiting

There's a renewed call for a crash barrier which was knocked several years ago to be re-built on the N84 Galway to Headford road at Cloughanover
Fianna Fáil Councillor Mary Hoade has stressed the urgency of the matter to county council officials as this is a very busy stretch of road
Councillor Hoade says the original commitment to rebuild this barrier wall was made years ago and she is very concerned about the safety of motorists

Galway house prices rise by €10,000 compared to 2023

The latest MyHome.ie report shows that property prices in Galway are around €10,000 more expensive than this time last year.
Meanwhile, there were 599 properties for sale in Galway at the end of Quarter 1 2024 - a decrease of 16% since the start of the year.
Nationally, asking prices for homes rose by 6.5 percent last year, with properties selling at 5 percent over the advertised price. 
Chief Economist at Bank of Ireland Connall MacCoille says there's still a shortage of supply, which is why homes are selling for above their asking price

Ministers, TDs and party members arriving in Galway ahead of weekend Ard Fheis

Ministers, TDs and party members are arriving in Galway as Fine Gael is holding its Ard Fheis here this weekend at the Clayton Hotel in Ballybrit and at the university.
It gets underway this evening, and will be the first under new leader Simon Harris, who took over from Leo Varadkar last month.
The set-piece will be a speech by the incoming Taoiseach tomorrow evening, where he will outline the party's key priorities with less than a year until the General Election.
The Students Union will protest on campus ahead of the speech, calling for an immediate general election.
Sinn Fein and other opposition parties have also called for the Government to go to the polls since Leo Varadkar's shock resignation a fortnight ago.
Speaking in Galway ahead of the Ard Fheis, Simon Harris says those who say Fine Gael due is in decline due to retirements from political life are wrong:

US multinational Evernorth Health launches Galway base with announcement of 100 new jobs

US multinational Evernorth Health Services has officially launched its new Galway base this afternoon with the announcement of 100 new jobs. 
The health-tech firm is based at Hibernian House at Eyre Square, and is recruiting some roles immediately. 
The full amount will be filled over the next year or two, and Evernorth will be looking for a bigger permanent home. 
Evernorth is owned by the Cigna Group, which employs 75 thousand people around the globe. 
David Nevin has been speaking to President of Evernorth Ireland, Luke Warren, about the company, the jobs on offer, and why they chose Galway. 

Multi-million euro creative innovation hub officially opens in city today

Creative enterprises are being supported through the city's new multi-million euro innovation hub, which is to be officially opened this lunchtime
Junior Trade Minister Dara Calleary is due shortly at the Creative Enterprise West, or CREW, hub at ATU Galway’s Cluain Mhuire campus at Wellpark.
It is providing start-up space for 150 entrepreneurs across creative areas including gaming, animation, film, TV, fashion tech, virtual reality and digital design.
CEO of CREW Niamh Costello hopes the building will provide a much needed home for creative enterprises

Students Union to protest at Fine Gael Ard Fheis being held at University of Galway

The Students Union is to lead a protest at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis being held at the University of Galway this weekend
Ministers, TDs and party members are arriving today as Galway hosts the event, the eighty-second one, for the first time ever
The event is being held at the Clayton Hotel in Ballybrit and at the university
It's a pivotal gathering for Fine Gael with new leader Simon Harris set to be voted in as Taoiseach next week in the Dáil
The Students Union and students will protest while the Ard Fheis is in session on campus tomorrow
They will gather at 5pm on the President's Lawn to voice their calls for a General Election.
Student's Union Vice President and Welfare Officer Izzy Tiernan explains the SU's position.