University of Galway is continuing to invest in energy efficiency improvements after it halved its total carbon dioxide emissions in five years.

Among the ongoing projects on campus at Dangan is the retrofitting of student accommodation at Corrib Village.

These green improvements come as the third level institute confirmed its total CO2 emissions are down by 50% between 2017-2023.

The university said its energy efficiency has improved by 57% since 2007, and it was using 49.6% less electricity from the grid, than in 2006.

“University of Galway is the leading university in Ireland in terms of green energy with a 38% reduction in fossil CO2 emissions from 2017 to 2023.

“We also have a geothermal system for our swimming pool in the Sports Centre, and we have installed more than 6,500 LED lights to save energy,” a spokesperson said.

Further improvements are planned and ongoing, including a retrofit project at Corrib Village, to be carried out over several years. The entire project has an estimated cost of around €15 million.

“The works involve a wide range of energy efficiency improvements, including insulation, ventilation, heating, windows and doors and solar PV, as well as other ancillary works and improvements for the benefit of students, making their accommodation more comfortable, warmer and of higher quality,” a spokesperson said.

The university has a student population of around 19,000, with about a fifth coming from overseas. It also employs more than 2,000 staff. It is a major consumer of energy in the city but has taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint.

Retrofitting of three accommodation blocks at Corrib Village were to be completed this summer as part of the second phase of the project. Solar PV converts sunlight into electricity from roof panels. The University of Galway has fitted almost 700kWp of solar PV on campus.

“Our strategic approach to investing in solar PV is to reduce individual building energy demands and deliver measurable, long-term value and benefit across the entire university estate. It is an integrated approach, and it is central to our mission of creating a resilient, efficient and low carbon energy ecosystem on campus.

“As a public sector body, by treating renewable energy as a strategic asset rather than a bolt on feature, we ensure that every kilowatt generated contributes to overall cost and energy savings and to a more sustainable and interconnected future for the university,” the spokesperson added.

Pictured: University of Galway. Photo: Chaosheng Zhang.

Industry leaders came together in Galway this week for a conference focusing on ‘Navigating Start-Up Investment in Times of Uncertainty’.

WestBIC, in partnership with Data2Sustain and Enterprise Ireland, hosted the event at University of Galway, which brought together investors, founders, start-ups, scaling companies and ecosystem partners for a day of strategic insights and networking.

The conference opened with strong momentum data from Kevin Sherry, Executive Director of Enterprise Ireland, who highlighted that 157 new start-ups were supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2024, with €27.6 million invested in early-stage businesses.

Barry Downes of SVV delivered the day’s keynote presentation on AI market trends, sharing that 40% of AI startups are now building agent-based solutions, with the market expected to reach $47 billion by 2028.

“Change is even bigger and coming faster than you think,” Downes told attendees, providing eye-opening insights into the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

The conference featured four expert-led panel discussions covering MedTech, Start-Ups, Women Entrepreneurs and Scaling Companies, with investors from 16 different VCs, angels, and ecosystem supports participating as speakers and panelists.

Méabh Conaghan, from Enterprise Ireland, delivered closing comments, noting that the day’s themes consistently returned to relationships, business opportunities, collaboration, finance and investment – the essential pillars of startup success.

The conference provided valuable learning and networking opportunities for attendees navigating the challenges and opportunities in today’s startup investment landscape.

WestBIC supports entrepreneurs and businesses in the west of Ireland, providing funding, mentoring and business development services to help companies grow and scale. For more information visit westbic.ie

Pictured: Attending the WestBIC conference this week were (from left) Barry Downes (SVV), Kenny Deery (West Regional Enterprise Plan Programme Manager), Méabh Conaghan (Enterprise Ireland), Kevin Sherry (Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland), Colleen Baxter (WestBIC), John Brennan (WestBIC) andMike Conroy (Data2Sustain).

Loughrea 4-25

Killimordaly 3-8

By DARREN KELLY AT DUGGAN PARK

THE early form guide may point towards the Tom Callanan Cup residing along the River Clarin, up the N67 to Oranmore-Maree or back near the old regular haunt in St. Thomas’ come November. However, the current holders provided a gentle reminder that they are still the team to beat on Sunday.

Loughrea put the sword to Killimordaly in a game wrapped up by half-time, even if some careless efforts among their 17 wides will be noted ahead of the top-of-the-table clash with Craughwell in the final round.

Manager Tommy Kelly will be happy with the way they started and how they reacted to conceding a seventh minute penalty. Loughrea just got over the line by four points against Kilconieron the first day; their second win was never in doubt.

Killimordaly are carrying multiple injuries with Jack Fitzpatrick the standout absentee. Brian Concannon was back after not starting the first day but the Division 2 league champions should still have been able provide a stiffer test.

They got frustrated when a couple of decisions went against them. But last year’s preliminary quarter-finalists let this contest slip away before showcasing their potential around the three quarter mark.

Manager Dermot Earls will know they created chances, striking 11 wides. And they produced three goals against the current title holders. But a failure to hit the 10 point mark will be a serious concern before themselves and Kilconieron put it all on the line in Round 3.

Despite being regulars around the knockout stages, this was the teams’ first senior club championship clash since a draw in 2014. An unchanged Loughrea from Round 1 made some positional moves and Jamie Ryan relished being on the left wing with the opening score after just 30 seconds.

And ‘The Town’ stated their intentions in the third minute with the first goal. Kieran Hanrahan assumed the leaders tag in defence. He made use of every delivery, the first resulting in Vince Morgan rattling the net.

Shane Morgan at centre back was another controlling his zone while he also landed four long range frees. The first was followed by him supplying Martin McManus with another before Killimordaly finally threatened. Adam Brett and Darren Daly sent the ball into Luke Lynskey.

Pictured: Loughrea’s Martin McManus on the charge against Killimordaly’s Paul Concannon and Darren Daly of Killimordaly during Sunday’s Senior A group encounter at Duggan Park. Photo: David Cunniffe.

Toyota are looking forward to 2026 already by revealing the all-new bZ4X Touring. This will extend Toyota’s electric SUV line-up. They say that this SUV is engineered for those looking for space, power, and more freedom, without compromising on sustainability.

Estates like the bZ4x is just what weekend adventurers and families who love exploring want, marrying generous extra load space with rugged styling, and enhanced performance for those bumpier Irish countryside roads.

Joining Toyota’s expanding lineup of battery electric vehicles, the all-new bZ4X Touring will arrive in the first half of 2026 with for more details in the coming months.

The new bZ4X Touring follows Toyota’s principle of offering an EV that gives customers a choice of front or all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive option, with Toyota’s intelligent XMODE drive control technology and Grip Control, provides the peace of mind of extra traction and surefooted performance on rougher or looser surfaces that drivers may encounter when embarking on their next adventure.

This improved strength is further supported by extra horsepower giving the bZ4X Touring the capacity to now tow trailers up to 1,500 kg.

The bZ4X Touring battery features Toyota’s latest advances in improving performance and charging times. It incorporates a new water-cooling system and a preconditioning function, which can be activated either manually or automatically by navigating to a fast-charging station. This will ensure the battery is at optimum temperature when charging starts, which is particularly useful in colder climates.

All of Toyota’s new BEVs come with long-lasting battery quality, durability and reliability guaranteed. Toyota’s Battery Extended Care Program covers the battery each year for up to 10 years of vehicle age or up to one million kilometres driven, subject to an annual service.

The new Touring model adopts a series of styling details that emphasise a more rugged and adventurous spirit with a grained black finish for the wheel arches, black wheels and robust roof rails. Toyota has created the bZ4X Touring with a seamless extension of the bZ4X style making it 140 mm longer and 20 mm higher overall increasing the load compartment capacity by more than a third.

The bZ4X Touring is scheduled for release in Ireland in Spring 2026, and further performance and specification details will be confirmed closer to launch.

Pictured: The new Toyota bZ4x Touring.

Ted Turton’s love affair with Ireland began in the 1970s, when the English-born artist moved to Dublin. Galway later became his home and he served as Artistic Director of Galway Arts Festival as well as creating iconic posters for the event. Ted also spent six years with Footsbarn Travelling Theatre, the subject of his new memoir. He tells DARA BRADLEY about his eventful life.

Co-founder of Galway Arts Festival, Ted Turton spent a lot of his childhood in Anglesey.

Warrington in Lancashire, England was his hometown, but he regularly visited the island in north-west Wales. He’d watch the sun go down on the Irish Sea, and say to himself, “I want to go where the sun sets”.

Ted had no familial connection with Ireland. And had never set foot in Ireland before. But a mate, Gerry Solich, a fellow graduate of Wolverhampton Art College who had an Irish mother, convinced him to visit in Autumn 1973.

Ted applied for a job at Kilkenny Design Studios, and while he “didn’t stand a chance – half of Europe applied”, so began the Englishman’s love affair with Ireland.

“I just felt comfortable here,” says the 75-year-old, ahead of the publication of his memoir My Travels with Footsbarn Theatre.

After breaking the news to his parents back in England, Ted returned to Dublin weeks later with £100.

He blagged a job at Historic European Artists, which produced pub mirrors with information on them. And then he was hired by In Dublin, a buzzy, fortnightly magazine edited by John S. Doyle.

All sorts of famous people frequented the publication’s office, from Neil Jordan to Bob Geldof. It was here he first met Ollie Jennings, a key contact who became a lifelong friend after “I burned myself out in In Dublin magazine” and moved to Galway to set up a similar publication, In The West.

“It took off, but it crash-landed very quickly after a few months,” recalls Ted of the magazine’s rise and fall in late 1977.

“I was happy to be in Galway, but I was floundering,” he admits. Moving from England to Dublin wasn’t too difficult, but going from Dublin to Galway “was an enormous leap”, he says.

“Galway City was not much more than a small town. Everybody knew everybody and everybody knew everybody’s business.”

It was a happening place, though. And by spring, 1978, from his kitchen in Number 9, St Mary’s Road, Ted and a group of creatives founded the Film Society at UCG; Galway Wholefood Co-Op; and the first Galway Arts Festival.

He says Ollie Jennings, who later went on to manage the Saw Doctors, “steered everything because he had the know-how, but it was a group effort” with the likes of Mary Coughlan, Joe Boske, Rosie O’Connell, Kieran Corcoran, Bob Quinn, Ted’s German girlfriend, Gabi Froese, and others all involved.

The first festival was “miniscule”, says Ted. And he cringes when asked if the first poster – a menu listing events as starters, main course and afters – was his design.

“Yes. Along with all the spelling mistakes . . . Spanish is spelled wrong!”

Pictured: Ted Turton with his new memoir about his travels with the renowned Footsbarn theatre troupe, which was founded in Cornwall in 1971. PHOTO: JOE O’SHAUGHNESSY.

Inside Track with John McIntyre

THE longer there is no news about Padraic Joyce’s intentions regarding the Galway senior footballer team manager’s post, the more likely the Killererin clubman will be facing into a seventh season in charge next Spring.

And though there has been some cribbing about tactics and the choice of personnel – isn’t there always when a team doesn’t land the Holy Grail – an overwhelming number of supporters would want Joyce to stay at the Tribesmen helm.

More importantly, the county’s GAA top officials are also behind the incumbent. Apart from delivering four consecutive Connacht titles and two All-Ireland final appearances, Joyce has turned Galway into one of the most consistent and formidable teams in the country.

True, last year’s final defeat to Armagh was a sickener and this Summer’s shock quarter-final exit to Meath must have been equally devastating, but Joyce knows his players inside-out and despite those big-games losses, he still holds the dressing room.

Some would want him to shake up his backroom team, but he did that last year with former Cavan manager Mickey Graham and Corofin’s respected coach Dave Morris joining the set-up. Joyce is a proud Galwayman and would do anything in his power to bring Sam back west for the first time since 2001.

As one of the county’s greatest-ever players, Joyce has also sufficient collateral built up to avoid any semblance of a heave and the way supporters warm to him after Galway’s victories leaves no one in any doubt about their belief in him.

Joyce has invested a huge personal effort in the Galway project over the past six years, and it would be a bombshell if he walked away now. Having established the Tribesmen as one of the leading powers, he still has unfinished business to attend to.

Admittedly, some of Galway’s key players are moving on in years – Paul Conroy will turn 37 next year – but they remain a talented and hungry group. A shake-up of the squad may still be required and players like Liam Costello of Milltown are currently putting their hands up for promotion.

Getting target-man Damien Comer – whose injury troubles are continuing given that he hasn’t played for Annaghdown in the ongoing club championship – fully fit next year will be a priority, as well as avoiding a preliminary All-Ireland quarter-final.

That fixture helped to break Galway’s back in 2025. It proved a high-scoring, end-to-end encounter with Down and following demanding group games against Armagh and Derry, that hectic schedule took a lot out of the players and left them drained, both mentally and physically, for their clash with Meath. The required energy just wasn’t there even if it appeared they had weathered the Royal storm when turning a six-point deficit into a three-point lead at a critical juncture of the game.

But that demanded a huge collective effort and with the team running on empty, it left them vulnerable to Meath’s late surge. It was an agonising loss, and nobody would have felt the pain more than Joyce and his management. In the space of a few minutes, their All-Ireland dream had been crushed.

He owes Galway football nothing, but Joyce is a winner, and he deserves one more crack at breaking the All-Ireland code. Frankly, if there is anyone else in the manager’s role next year, it would be a retrograde step in terms of continuity. With former great Andy Moran bound to get a bounce from his Mayo troops, there’s nothing easy about the road ahead, but Joyce has never backed away from a challenge yet.

Pictured: Oranmore-Maree’s Ruben Davitt secures possession against Conor Delaney of Cappataggle during Saturday’s Senior A hurling encounter at Kenny Park. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.

Hollywood actor Steve Carell is well known for his versatility on the big screen — but this week he extended his skill set to steering a ferry and pulling pints!

The star caused quite a stir as he made the trip to Inis Meáin with Doolin Ferry.

Known worldwide for his iconic roles as Michael Scott in NBC’s The Office, the voice of Gru in Despicable Me, Brick Tamland in Anchorman, and appearances in Little Miss Sunshine and Netflix’s The Four Seasons, Carell’s visit marks a star-studded moment for the family-owned business.

On his way to Aran, Steve Carell took the helm of the ferry briefly, immersing himself fully in the experience and posed for photographs with Connor O’Brien, son of owner Liam, and other crew members. He was later spotted pouring a pint of Guinness in Teach Ósta Inis Meáin.

Carell is the latest in a long line of celebrities to sail with Doolin Ferry. Last year the company welcomed world-renowned Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay aboard. He travelled with Doolin Ferry to Inis Oírr, the smallest of the three Aran Islands to film scenes for National Geographic’s acclaimed series ‘Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted’.

Earlier this summer, Doolin Ferry welcomed Christopher McDonald, best known for his role as the villainous golfer Shooter McGavin in the comedy Happy Gilmore and its recently released sequel, Happy Gilmore 2.

McDonald joined a Doolin Ferry tour beneath the Cliffs of Moher, taking in the breathtaking views of one of Ireland’s most iconic natural landmarks.

Commenting on the latest celebrity visit, Liam O’Brien said: “It’s always a pleasure to welcome special guests aboard Doolin Ferry. Each visit is a reminder of how lucky we are to operate in such a stunning part of the world.

“Whether our passengers are celebrities or visiting for the first time, our goal is the same – to give everyone an unforgettable experience on the water, combining breathtaking scenery with a true sense of Irish hospitality.”

Pictured: Steve Carell at the helm, with Connor O’Brien, son of Doolin Ferry owner Liam.

Beneath a damp sky over Galway Bay, The West of Ireland Registered Suffolk Sheep Breeders Club held their Premier Show and Sale at Atherny Mart on Friday evening last, August 22.

Supreme Champion of the Show went to Matthew Pearse, O’Briensbridge, Co. Clare, for his January born twin lamb, sired by Errigal Rockefeller, out of a dam from his own flock.

This champion, which sold for €1,000 to a commercial farmer from Galway, captured the Male Champion Rosette and was first in the Open Ram lamb Class. Matthew also received €920gns and €720gns for two other ram lambs.

Reserve Supreme Champion went to Mark Grealy from the Oranmore Flock, a single January born ram lamb, sired by Castleisle A Kingsman out of a home bred dam.

This lamb was also the Reserve Male Champion and was placed first in the Recorded Class and first in the pairs – he sold for €1,340gns. Mark sold three other ram lambs for €1,000gns; €940gns and €920gns.

The first class paraded in front of our judge, James Rooney from the Benwiskin Flock, was the Ewe Lamb Class. Here, the red rosette went to Zachary and Bernadette Silke, Sacre-Coeur Flock, for their late December born single stylish ewe lamb sired by Essie the Giant out a Benwiskin Ewe.

Winner of the Hogget Ram Class was one to the Society’s newest Breeders, Laura Durkin from Tournmakeady. Her hogget, Malcom Chesney, sold to a local commercial breeder for €600gns as did another hogget owned by Laura.

Our club wishes to express a special word of thanks to our judge, James Rooney, who carried out an exceptional job and thanks also to all our sponsors for their support.

Pictured: Clodagh, Mark Óg and Mark Grealy, Oranmore, with their Suffolk Reserve Supreme Champion Ram Lamb at Athenry Mart on Friday – the lamb sold for €1,340gns.  

A new report has highlighted the high rate of buildings dereliction in Galway.

The county accounts for 8.9% of all derelict properties in Ireland, the third-highest share after Mayo and Donegal.

The GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report highlights a total of 1,412 new residential address points recorded in Galway over the past twelve months with a further 1,284 under construction.

The residential vacancy rate in Galway was 5.4%, higher than the national average of 3.7%.

Commenting on the findings, Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory said:

“While we’ve seen a significant increase in new residential address points, which is a testament to ongoing construction and development, the market continues to navigate complex issues.

“We continue to see low levels of vacancy in the residential property sector at 3.7% and average house prices continue to rise, now at €418,261. This reflects persistent demand, even as we observe a slight decrease in overall property transactions.”

Meanwhile, the report says that average property price across Galway City and County over the past year stood at €364,536.

Within the Galway City Council area, that figure climbs to €410,888, while new builds are commanding even higher prices of €467,475.

Galway City has also seen the sharpest drop in residential sales anywhere in the country. Just 698 transactions were recorded representing a fall of 21%.

Yet, based on area codes, Galway’s H91 still ranked among the busiest markets outside Dublin, second only to Limerick, with homes averaging €446,538.

When it comes to affordability, first-time buyers in Galway City are better off purchasing than renting.

A median-priced new home (€467,475) requires a 10% deposit, leaving a mortgage of €420,728. That works out at €2,013 a month over 30 years at the current 4.02% fixed rate.

Average rents in the city, meanwhile, are €2,304, almost €300 more per month.

It’s a different story in the county. There, the median new home price is €407,462, with monthly repayments of €1,755. Renting comes in slightly cheaper at €1,659 representing a €96 saving.

Nationally, house prices are calculated on a 12-month basis to June 2025, while repayments are based on Central Bank interest rate data.

Pictured: Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory.