This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Cold water has been poured on proposals for free parking in Ballinasloe.

Local councillors argue one hour of free paid parking would be a badly needed shot-in-the-arm for local businesses.

But a meeting at County Hall this week heard it would create a hole in the cash-strapped local authoritys annual budget.

Some councillors from other districts also suggested if it’s free in one town, it has to be free in all towns.

Fine Gael Councillor Alan Harney believes it can be done

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

A planned primary care centre in Oughterard is still at least four years away.

In response to a query from Councillor Eileen Mannion, the HSE has confirmed the procurement process is set to begin this Autumn.

It says the estimated delivery timeframe for a centre of this size would be three to four years.

But it further adds that’s subject to there being no delays regarding legal negotiations, site acquisition, funding, or planning permission.

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

A book has been published in America on how to build a currach.

It’s an unlikely source for a manual on the boat which is part of the tradition and life story of Connemara and the Aran Islands.

Michael Ryan from Pittsburg has now written a book entitled “The Irish Currach and Naomhóg Building Manual”.

And he got the knowledge in Baton Rouge, the State Capital of Louisiana in the American Deep South.

Pádraic Ó Cualáin and Micheál Ó Loideáin from an Cheathrú Rua were brought out to Baton Rouge some years ago and their job was to make currachs.

Michael Ryan and a colleague from Harvard University watched, videotaped and noted every move.

It all developed from a link between Connemara currachs and the big Celtic Festival by the lakes of the Ponchartrain.

As they say in Irish: Is fánach an áit a bhfaighfeá gliomach – lobster can turn up in strange places!

Photo Credit – Wiki

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Three city amenities have been named in honour of local community stalwarts.

The dedications were made at official city council ceremonies.

The new football pitch at Corrib Park has been named after local soccer volunteer and Corrib Rangers Football Club President Pat Manogue.

Pat was accompanied to the ceremony by representatives of the Club.

Representatives from Corrib Rangers Football Club at the naming ceremony with Pat Manogue, the former Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Peter Keane, Cllr Josie Forde, Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary, and Director of Services at Galway City Council, Patrick Greene.

Henry Street playground has been named in honour of Galway City’s first female Mayor Mary Byrne, a resident of the street who died in 2004.

Opening of the Mary Byrne playground on Henry Street. Photograph by Aengus McMahon

Opening of the Mary Byrne playground on Henry Street. Photograph by Aengus McMahon

The ceremony was attended by Mary’s family, local residents, City Chief Executive Leonard Cleary, city and county councillors, Junior Minister Hildegard Naughton and Deputy Catherine Connolly

Opening of the Mary Byrne playground on Henry Street. Photograph by Aengus McMahon

The new multi-use games area in Rahoon has been named in honour of Eugene Dunleavy All-Ireland GAA football winner, and a teacher who inspired a love of sport in hundreds of young men over his career as a PE teacher

Eugene Dunleavy’s wife Mary (centre), his daughters Carol (left) and Valerie (right), with former Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Peter Keane, at a naming ceremony at the MUGA named in his honour.

Eugene Dunleavy passed away in 2021 from Covid, at the height of the pandemic, having been very active up to his passing.

Eugene’s wife Mary, and his daughters Valerie and Carol attended the naming ceremony

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

The Sinn Féin leader will be visiting Athenry today.

Mary Lou McDonald is attending the official opening of Louis O’Hara’s constituency office on Old Church Street.

It’s Deputy O’Hara’s first term as a TD, having been elected for Galway East in last year’s General Election.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald will be at the event to open the new office at 4PM.

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

The HSE has spent over €9m on taxis for dialysis patients attending Merlin Park since 2020.

The matter was raised at a meeting of the HSE Health Forum West this week.

Councillor Shane Forde was the one to raise the issue – though there was no suggestion of anything untoward on behalf of the HSE.

Rather, he wanted to know, what was behind the increase in spending from €1.2m in 2020 to €2.2m in 2024.

Was it increased patient demand, or sharp rises in taxi costs, he asked.

The answer was simple – it’s a little bit of both, and the dialysis unit at Merlin Park is now at full capacity.

HSE management added it regularly advertises new contracts for taxi services – to ensure it’s always getting a competitive rate.

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

University of Galway is to be the headquarters for a new €34 million medtech programme.

The Research Ireland programme will see University of Galway in partnership with ATU and the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland.

The ARC Hub for HeathTech aims to fast-track research breakthroughs into commercial healthcare solutions.

Director of ARC, Professor Garry Duffy, says 23 projects have been selected to kick off the major investment.

And Professor Duffy will chatting to John Morley later this morning on Galway Talks from 9

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Galway City Council is on the lower end of the scale when it comes to the number of complaints about potholes.

Over the past three years, 542 complaints have been received by the local authority – substantially lower than other cities.

Meanwhile, Galway County Council says data was not available, stating that a database is currently being devised on the stats.

Over 48 thousand complaints about potholes have been made nationally in the past three years.

More than 14 thousand of those were logged with Cork County and City Councils.

That’s almost three times more than anywhere else.

The next county closest in complaints is Dublin, with around 5 thousand, followed by Kerry, Limerick and then Meath.

People in Kildare complained the least, followed by Leitrim and Carlow.

The amount local authorities pay out in pothole damages each year has more than doubled since 2022 – with almost one million euro over the past three years.