Galway Bay FM News Archives
Arts festival organisers keep fingers crossed for sunshine
Date Published: 13-Jun-2011
By Denise McNamara
The organisers of the Galway Arts Festival will hope that the fabulous sunshine that marked the launch of the programme bodes well for the weather during the city’s premier event in July.
Chief executive John Crumlish said that the 250 shows in 25 venues over 14 days would generate income of up to €20m for the city.
He paid tribute to the sponsors – among them the Arts Council, Fáilte Ireland, Absolut Vodka and new leadership partner NUI Galway – which he said continued their support even in these hard times.
The festival was getting into producing more of its own work and was starting to collaborate with stakeholders to produce projects that would help the Galway Arts Festival develop culture as a flagship for the country.
The highlight of the event is undoubtedly the return of Hollywood star Cillian Murphy to the stage in the first collaboration with playwright Enda Walsh since their hugely successful piece Disco Pigs 15 years ago.
Artistic director Paul Fahy said the festival had been working with the Landmark Theatre Company for two years on the one-man show, called Misterman, which will feature an original score by composer Donnacha Dennehy.
He also singled out the major exhibition by Hughie O’Donoghue, called The Road, in which one work alone is made up of 60 individual panels.
“Arts should be a podium for our dreaming,” he remarked.
Other highlights includes the comic play, Love, Love, Love by UK author Mike Bartlett, the acrobatic extravaganza called Controlled Falling Project by Australian company Thissideup.
The musical bill in the Big Top features Blondie, De La Soul and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and the Irish double bill of Bell X1 with Duke Special.
According to Gugai in the Róisín, which is staging some of the concerts, the London Snorkelling Team from the UK on the comedy bill, will be one of the big hits of the festival.
Galway Bay FM News Archives
Retail industry trade body welcomes B&Q announcement
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Retail Excellence Ireland, the country’s largest retail industry trade body, has welcomed the news that 60 jobs have been saved at the city branch of B&Q.
It’s after the home improvements store successfully exited examinership.
Under the scheme, 2.4 million euro is to be invested by parent company Kingfisher plc, and B and Q will continue to trade at eight stores
This means 640 jobs have been saved nationwide, including 60 at the outlet in Knocknacarra.
However, David Fitzsimons of Retail Excellence Ireland says landlords need to be willing to help out smaller retailers too.
Galway Bay FM News Archives
Foundation reports nine Galway heart deaths each week
Date Published: 09-May-2013
Nine people die in Galway every week from heart disease and stroke.
That’s according to the Irish Heart Foundation, which is launching its Happy Hearts Appeal today. (9/5)
An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, launched the appeal today to help raise funds for the charity, which has seen increasing demand on its patient services.
The Foundation says it needs to raise at least half a million euro to maintain existing information services.
Galway Bay FM News Archives
Call to tackle delays at Oranmore rail crossing
Date Published: 13-May-2013
Concerns have been raised over traffic delays at the railway crossing in Oranmore.
Councillor Jim Cuddy says he has received many representations from local motorists who have been experiencing extended delays.
He says the closed barrier can sometimes cause a traffic tailback as far as the roundabout near the Maldron hotel.
Cllr Cuddy has brought the matter to the attention of Iarnrod Eireann and has asked for an explanation as to why the crossing is closed for so long.