This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Teagasc is to host a forestry clinic at its office in Ballinasloe tomorrow on post storm support.

It’s part of a series of 14 forestry clinics in locations where significant storm damage occurred in late 2024 and in January.

New and existing forest owners can avail of a free, private and personalised one-to-one consultation with an experienced Teagasc forestry advisor.

It will help forest owners to make informed decisions on the harvesting and sale of timber products.

Pre-booking is required by contacting the Teagasc office in Deerpark in Ballinasloe.

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Former Labour leader Alan Kelly is going against his party by not supporting Galway TD Catherine Connolly for President

Despite his party backing the Independent TD, Deputy Kelly says he’s not sure what she has done to deserve that support.

Deputy Connolly left the Labour party in 2006 after long service for the party as a City Councillor.

Deputy Kelly told Tipp FM he voted against her nomination and he won’t be campaigning for the Galway West TD.

He said he has serious issues with some of Deputy Connolly’s views on international affairs

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Galway city council has launched a responsible dog ownership campaign

It’s aimed at reminding dog owners of their role in keeping public spaces clean and safe for everyone.

The ‘Love Your Dog, Love Your City’ campaign has also visited schools with MADRA to teach children about microchipping, safe control of a dog and responsible ownership.

As part of the campaign Environmental Awareness Officer Fergal Cushen is reminding people of the health implications of leaving dog faeces

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Construction of the long-awaited Clifden Community Nursing Unit is expected to begin in the first half of next year.

Enabling works have been underway at the site since the 12th of August

Since its initial announcement about a decade ago, the project has been downgraded from a 50-bed unit to a 40-bed unit.

In response to a Parliamentary Question by Galway West Deputy John Connolly, the Health Service Executive stated that the procurement of the main works contract is due to commence in Q4 of this year.

Speaking to Galway Bay FM News, Fianna Fáil Deputy Connolly said the HSE is finalising the tender documents for publication with the hope that they will be published in October.

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Two thirds of courses at University of Galway have seen a points increase.

The University has issued offers to more than 3,800 new students in Round One of the CAO

Some of the key trends in undergraduate courses at University of Galway for the 2025/26 academic year are:

• Two thirds of courses have seen points increase.

• All major subject areas experienced this trend, with the largest jumps evident in flagship omnibus programmes in Arts, Science and Business – BA Joint Honours up 50 points; Bachelor of Science up 40; Bachelor of Commerce up 24 points – pointing to increased popularity in flexible programmes that offer opportunities to specialise later.

• As expected, Medicine is random allocation (728 points).

• Pharmacy (MPharm), a new 5 year undergrad course at University of Galway, is also random allocation (601 points), with 40 places on offer. The course will expand to offer 75 places in September 2026, responding to the need for qualified pharmacists nationally and the demand for the career.

• Reflecting the national trend in CAO applications for healthcare courses, many of University of Galway’s degrees in health and biosciences experienced strong growth – Biotechnology up 28 points; Biopharmaceutical Chemistry up 22; and a significant rise in points across all three nursing programmes.

• All Engineering programmes are above 500 points, emphasising the significance of sectors such as medtech in the region and strong career opportunities for graduates.

• Similar to the national trend of a 20% increase in CAO applications for Maths and Statistics courses, there has been an increase in the cut-off points for Mathematical Science up 32 points; Physics up 21 points; and Financial Mathematics and Economics up 36 points. These fields feed directly into high-demand careers in data analytics, AI and fintech.

• Environmental Science has seen the cut-off points level up by 35 to more than 400 while Marine Science and Earth and Ocean Science are also above 400 points.

• BComm (Accounting) rose by 21 points, reflecting the opportunities amidst a well-documented shortfall of professionals in finance and audit sectors. Commerce with Gaeilge was up 33 points.

• Courses linked to societal impact also showed increased demand – BA Government (Politics, Economics and Law) is up 61 points; Human Rights up 55 points; BA (Child, Youth and Family, Policy and Practice) up 51 points and all Law programmes continuing to cut off well over 500 CAO points, including Law and Human Rights, up 14 points.

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

An unsettled evening is in store as a Status Yellow rain warning has been issued for six counties including Galway

Clare, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo are also under the advisory from 6 this evening until the same time tomorrow.

Met Éireann says localised flooding, poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions are likely.

Lowest temperatures tonight of between 10 and 13 degrees, while tomorrow it’ll be cooler than recently with highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees.

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

A Local Fianna Fáil councillor has hit out at the party leader over the choosing of a candidate for the Presidential election

Loughrea area Councillor Michael Regan says there’s unhappiness among grassroots party members over the lack of say they have on a Presidential candidate.

The party is yet to make its position clear, however there have been names circulating such as Bertie Ahern and former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin.

Micháel Martin is expected to give an insight to members at a meeting next week, but it’s unclear whether a candidate will be selected at that point.

Councillor Regan told John Morley he isn’t impressed with the party’s lack of preparation and consultation

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Three Galway artists have been shortlisted for the prestigious AIB Portrait Prize competitions at the National Gallery of Ireland

Galway city’s Enda Burke is among the 26 works shortlisted for his photograph Bruised Still Blooming along with fellow city man Peter Bradley’s whose entry is Pink Triangle, a triptych in oil

In the Young Portrait Prize, fourteen-year-old Claire Darcy from Portumna is among the 19 artists short-listed for her digital illustration on paper entitled Six.

The winners will be announced on November 25th while the shortlisted works will be on display in the National Gallery from November until March

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Doughiska Park Refurbishment works worth €400,000 are beginning today.

Galway City Council has signed a contract with Browne Brothers Site Services Ltd for the project.

The state-of-the-art skate park will include a variety of features, catering to both beginners and more experienced skaters and bikers.

The works are expected to take around three months to complete and the park will be closed for the duration of the works.

City East Fianna Fáil Councillor Alan Cheevers says it’s one of several positive developments for the area