Planners at County Hall have rejected plans for a significant housing development in Headford.

The plans, led by Solus Holdings Ulc, would’ve seen 65 homes built on a site at Cong Road, on the north side of the village.

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But they’ve now been rejected on a number of grounds – including traffic concerns, excessive density, and lack of pedestrian connectivity.

Planners also held that there was a potential risk to conservation sites, and weren’t satisfied the plans didn’t represent a flood risk.

The post Planners reject plans for 65 new homes in Headford appeared first on Galway Bay FM.

DNG Martin O’Connor Estate Agents are delighted to offer for sale this landmark public house known as Tigh Mháille (O’Malley’s Bar) in Cornamona village on the shores of Lough Corrib in the heart of Joyce Country.

This mixed use commercial property is positioned in the heart of Cornamona village with excellent street frontage and within walking distance to all amenities that the village has to offer. The overall property comprises of a traditional public house and first floor living accommodation, a selection of buildings and a large car park.

This long established and popular public house consists of a Bar & Lounge on the ground floor, two sets of ladies and gents toilet facilities and a pool room.

Behind the main bar area is a kitchenette area/store room as well as a second store room with an internal staircase which provides access to the first floor accommodation. An exit door from the second store room also provides the opportunity for a separate entrance to the living accommodation upstairs.

On the first floor, the accommodation includes a landing area, living area, 3 bedrooms (one-en-suite), and a bathroom. The living accommodation on the first floor requires renovation works however it provides a great opportunity to be redeveloped (and possibly avail of the Government Refurbishment Grants – subject to eligibility).

Externally, there is an enclosed beer garden/smoking area which is complete with a solid fuel stove. This area is accessible via the Pool Room. There is also vehicular access to the rear of the property.

Also located on site is a separate outbuilding which is split into two sections. The front section was previously used as a Hostel. The downstairs section of the Hostel has in recent times been dry lined and has had its plumbing upgraded. This unit currently consists of three rooms, a kitchenette and a shower room.

Located to the rear of the public building there are two old stone buildings with excellent redevelopment potential subject to necessary planning permissions.

The overall site and adjoining rear carpark extends to c. 0.19 Ha (0.47 Acres).

All services are connected including treatment plant, mains water and electricity.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a ready to go business with its own accommodation in an area where there is good passing trade and an active community that require a location to host lots of social events.

LOCATION: Also known as “Joyce Country”, close to the shores of Lough Corrib, renowned for its world famous Trout and Salmon fishing with its 365 islands covering 44,000 acres, and free fishing , this area is popular for lake fishing and hill walking. Lough Mask & Lough Naffooey are also in close proximity to this premises.

Within easy driving distance to Cong village and Ashford Castle (12.8 km). Ballinrobe, Westport, Oughterard and Clifden can be reached within 30-40 minute drive.

Price: €295,000. For further details, please contact DNG Martin O’Connor on 091 866708.

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The new pedestrian and cycle Corrib bridge across from Galway Cathedral is to be named Droichead an Dóchais, or Bridge of Hope.

Over 60 names were proposed by members of the public, and city councillors voted 12 to 4 in favour of the chosen name at last evening’s meeting .

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Mayor Eddie Hoare proposed the name while Cllr Terry O’Flaherty also gives her reason for voting in favour

Councillor Colette Conolly proposed Droichead Julia Morrisey while John Connolly proposed Droichead Nora Barnacle.

Meanwhile, Councillor Alan Cheevers voted against Droichead an Dochais for these reasons:

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Galway County Council has adopted a five-year action plan to tackle the residential vacancy rate in the county, and increase supply.

Geodirectory figures from last year found 6 per cent of homes in Galway are vacant, while the county experiences a housing crisis.

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A meeting of county councillors last evening approved a five year plan to acquire derelict and vacant ‘brown field sites’ and convert them into homes.

Director of Services Michael Owens says it’s quicker and cheaper than just building new houses:

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When the newly-minted Taoiseach and your old friend the President both take time out to pay tribute to you on your last day at work, you know you must have done alright – which was what happened to Keith Finnegan on his final time behind the Galway Bay FM mic.

As he brought the curtain down on a stellar 34-year career with the station, Simon Harris came on the line to wish him well and Michael D Higgins thanked him ‘him for his years of interesting inquiry and commentary on how Galway’s heart beats’.

The man himself took it all in his stride, thanking his colleagues at a special reception afterwards as he contemplated the next chapter in his life.

His journey with Galway Bay FM commenced in 1989, during the station’s earlier incarnation as Radio West. Over the years, he carved an indelible mark on the airwaves, earning recognition and admiration, including an induction into the prestigious IMRO Hall of Fame.

“As I bid farewell after nearly 34 years and over 20,000 hours on the airwaves, I am immensely grateful for the privilege of serving the Galway community,” Keith said.

“While this chapter comes to a close, I eagerly anticipate embarking on new ventures, albeit with a cherished connection to Galway Bay FM always in my heart.”

And with that he departed, leaving the hot seat to him replacement John Morley, who has taken over the Galway Talks morning slot.

Pictured: Galway Bay FM broadcaster Keith Finnegan on his final morning of broadcasting Galway Talks, after 34 years of broadcasting on the radio station.

A District Court judge has granted an application for the forfeiture of an unlicensed rare golden eagle from its Conamara owner who had been exhibiting it in public to children.

Judge Mary Fahy granted the order to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage after a hearing at Derrynea District Court.

The large bird of prey – now aged 13 and named Lorcan – was seized by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) on July 11, 2022.

NPWS conservation ranger Aonghus Ó Domhnaill told the court he seized the bird because its owner, Eoin Griffin of Leitir Móir, did not have a licence for the bird which was bred in captivity in Sligo.

Mr Ó Domhnaill also outlined his concerns about the size of the aviary the bird was kept at Mr Griffin’s home, and about his level of experience in handling that type of rare bird.

Barrister Michael Clancy, instructed by State Solicitor Rachel Joyce, said the State was not bringing a no-licence prosecution, it was simply applying for forfeiture of the bird.

Mr Griffin opposed the application, which was brought under Section 76 of the Wildlife Act, 1976.

Mr Ó Domhnaill said the bird was living with a falconry on the east side of the country since it was seized. The bird would continue to reside there if the forfeiture was granted, he said.

Mr Ó Domhnaill said he was alerted to the issue when a member of the public sent him a link to a Facebook post by Wildhunter Galway, a field sport and fishing shop in the city.

He presented photos to the court which showed Mr Griffin exhibiting the bird at the shop on July 3, 2022 – including the bird resting on children’s shoulders and close to people’s faces.

Mr Ó Domhnaill’s NPWS colleague recognised Mr Griffin. They checked the system and discovered the respondent did not have a licence for the golden eagle.

A week later, they visited Leitir Móir and seized the bird. Mr Ó Domhnaill said its owner had confirmed to him the bird was ‘difficult’. And he had concerns there was potential for it to use its beak or claws if agitated.

He said he had concerns about a feather sticking out, but Mr Ó Domhnaill, under cross examination by barrister for the respondent, Garry McDonald, conceded that it was checked by a vet in Castlebar, who found no welfare issues.

The court heard Mr Griffin had a licence for a Harris hawk, but not a golden eagle; the former was about a third of the size of the latter.

Mr Griffin said his father used to breed pheasants and he has been involved with birds from a young age.

He said he had worked for years with birds of prey at exhibitions including in a top hotel in Galway and in Offaly. He was 18, he said, when he obtained a licence for a Harris hawk.

Mr Griffin said he had applied for a licence for a golden eagle but conceded he had not yet been granted it. He had obtained Lorcan from Sligo, at a falconry he volunteered at.

He insisted it was safe to exhibit the eagle in public and said he had the necessary experience and equipment.

Mr Griffin insisted Lorcan was not difficult with him, because he had spent so much time training it. He said he wanted the bird returned to him, or to Sligo.

Judge Fahy granted the State’s forfeiture application – and refused a request by Mr McDonald to put a stay on the order.

Pictured: Bird enthusiast Eoin Griffin from Leitir Móir, pictured in 2022 with Lorcan, the golden eagle which is now in the possession of the State.

Galway County Council has received national recognition for an innovative digital project that mapped over 40,000 graveyard memorial records across County Galway and made them publicly available online.

The ‘Digitising Galway’s Graveyard Heritage’ project was last night (Thursday) named overall winner of the ‘Community Engagement’ category of Esri Ireland’s annual ‘Customer Success Awards’ held in Dublin.

Working with and supported by Galway Rural Development, Forum Connemara, The Heritage Council, The National Monuments Service and Galway County Community Archaeology Service, Galway County Council provided funding to local groups to employ experts to train local communities to use mobile technology and to undertake drone mapping of graveyards resulting in a public release of 40,000 records from across the county via the Local Authority’s Open Data Portal.

This is the second national award to be picked up by the project after it was named winner at the Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards last October.

Outlining the background to the project, Barry Doyle, Geographic Information System (GIS) project lead for Galway County Council said, “We have been working with various community groups and organisations to collect and collating valuable data relating to those who are buried in various graveyards for several years.”

“Galway County Council, with funding from the Heritage Council, the Open Data Engagement Fund and its own resources developed and made available a mobile app specifically for use by surveyors at the local level for memorial surveys, along with associated data management and validation processes,” he added.

“This technology, along with drone technology, was made available to local community groups to expand the number of graveyards in the project resulting in the 40,000 records that are now publicly available.”

The Galway County Digital Mapping of Graveyards Project may be viewed at galwaycoco.maps.arcgis.com and data.gov.ie.

Pictured receiving the ‘Community Engagement’ award at Esri Ireland’s ‘Customer Success Awards’ are (from left) GIS Analyst Mackenzie Boland, IS Project Leader Barry Doyle, GIS Analyst / Developer Anthonin Lize, and GIS Technician Bridin Feeney of Galway County Council.

Galway Chamber of Commerce is hosting a business lunch later this week which will provide information on solar panels.

Industry speakers and representation from the SEAI will be on hand to answer questions and talk through grants and incentives.

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The ‘Simplifying Solar PV for Business’ event will take place at the Menlo Park Hotel from 12-2pm this Thursday (April 25th)

The event is free, and registration and more detail can be found here – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/simplifying-solar-pv-for-business-tickets-881284625037?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

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‘The Government has failed’ and there’s ‘no future here for the youth’.

Those were some of the big statements uttered from Galway County councillors’ mouths at this afternoon’s meeting as local election voting day – June 7th – looms.

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Parties clashed, and much of the discussion spiralled from a comment made about the value of one-off rural housing.

The feisty debate on housing began after Connemara Independent Councillor Tomás Ó Curraoin gave a passionate 2 minute speech of slating the state of housing in Galway.

The next few minutes were taken up with councillors from all parties and areas of Galway pitching in for their turn at the topic, with bureaucracy, the planning system, the Government and Europe all being blamed for the housing crisis.

Loughrea area Fine Gael councillor, Jimmy McClearn, says it seems that despite Galway County Council approving planning applications, many of these are then being turned down by An Bord Pleanála.

This statement was backed up by fellow party Councillor Andrew Reddington, who says it’s too easy for people to object to plans, and that the €20 cost for an objection should be much higher.

However, the heated debate really kicked off when Green Party councillor Alistair McKinstrey was met with a barrage of backlash when he suggested one-off rural housing is not the answer.

One of those to strongly oppose this statement was Councillor Reddington, who said saying rural housing is of the utmost importance.

Declan Kelly, an Independent Ireland councillor, also took aim at Councillor McKinstrey and his party, saying it’s time for change in Government that does not include the Green party.

Councillor McKinstrey came back in again to say he was supportive of people living near where they grew up, but this response likely did little to calm his fellow elected representatives.

While Fine Gael councillor and Cathaoirleach, Liam Carroll, took a bit of slack for uttering words of support for Fianna Fáil Councillor Albert Dolan’s two cents on housing.

Plenty of other comments and statements were muttered and shouted – but with little effect as it was next to impossible to make out most of what was said.

All in all, it was palpable within the chamber that the countdown to elections is on the minds of councillors, with the topical issue of housing taking up at least an hour of today’s meeting.

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