Attendees at the retirement ‘do’ for Éamon Ó Cuív quipped that there were three potential Fianna Fáil presidential election candidates holding court at the Galway Bay Hotel.

As well as the former Gaeltacht Minister and long-serving Galway West TD himself, prominent at the event were former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú who have also been linked to a run for the Áras.

Future intentions are for another day, but the retirement party was all about going down ‘Bóithrín na Smaointe’ – honouring the career of a Dubliner who became ‘King of Conamara’ due to his longevity and electoral success over three decades in Galway West.

As well as ex-Taoiseach Ahern, under whom Ó Cuív served for six years during the 2000s, another guest speaker was Galway native, Jack Chambers, Fianna Fáil deputy leader and Minister for Public Expenditure.

Both hailed the contribution Ó Cuív made in public life for 35 years. He was elected in every contest in Galway West since 1992, until his retirement before last November’s General Election – a career highlight was serving as Minister in the Department of Rural, Gaeltacht, and Community Affairs, where he cut red-tape and made gains for Irish language policy.

The part he played in the Peace Process was also acknowledged. Tributes were paid to Éamon Ó Cuív’s wife and political rock, Áine, and family, who supported him throughout his career.

In attendance were County Councillors Mary Hoade, Michael Connolly, Seán Broderick, Máirtín Lee, Martina Kinnane, and senators Ollie Crowe, Anne Rabbitte and Shane Curley.

Galway West TD John Connolly – his successor – and Galway East TD Albert Dolan attended, as did former political heavyweights from those constituencies, Frank Fahy and Micheál Kitt, and ex Westmeath TD Donie Cassidy.

Others included: Ballygar GP and Roscommon/Galway TD Martin Daly; Clare TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Timmy Dooley; Minister of State and Cavan/Monaghan TD Niamh Smyth Gaeltacht Minister from Mayo, Dara Calleary; and Minister of State for Mental Health, Mary Butler; and MEP Barry Cowen.

Former constituency rivals and colleagues, Fine Gael senator Sean Kyne and Sinn Féin TD Mairéad Farrell were the only non-FF elected reps in the room – and Ó Cuív thanked both for attending.

Taoiseach and party leader Micheál Martin was at the 170th anniversary of Cork Opera Show Leeside and could not attend.

Pictured: Éamon Ó Cuív at his retirement party with his wife Áine Ní Choincheannain and their grandchildren Seán, Mairéad, Áine Óg, Éamon Óg Ó Bioragra. Photos: Sean Lydon.

Three Galway companies have been shortlisted for awards that celebrate the work of individuals, farm families and organisations who are enhancing the economic, environmental and social development of Irish agriculture and rural communities.

Beechlawn Organic Farm, Burrenbeo Trust, and Athchursail Arann CGA in County Galway are in the running for the RDS Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Awards.

The awards will be presented to the winners next Wednesday, April 9, as part of the ‘Finding Common Ground’ festival in the RDS in Dublin.

Beechlawn Organic Farm has been shortlisted in the Sustainable Farming Award category, which celebrates the efforts made by an individual or farm family who are sustainably developing their on-farm activities through entrepreneurship, new product development, marketing and improved efficiencies.

Based in Ballinasloe, Pádraig Fahy and Úna Ní Bhroin have been growing and supplying high-quality organic vegetables and supporting local food systems and charities since 2002 on their farm, which focuses on sustainable and regenerative farming.

Burrenbeo Trust is shortlisted in the Rural Social Impact Award category, which aims to celebrate not-for-profit or voluntary rural groups and organisations that are promoting or supporting the sustainable economic and societal development of their local community.

The Kinvara-based non-profit organisation supports people to take positive action for their local landscape. The Hare’s Corner is one of their flagship initiatives which offers landowners practical, hassle-free support to enhance biodiversity on their land through the creation of habitats.

To date, the Hare’s Corner has helped create 1,600 habitats for biodiversity across four counties since its launch in 2021 and has since expanded to six counties across Ireland.

Athchúrsáil Arann CGA is also shortlisted in the Rural Social Impact Award category. It has developed a waste management solution for the three Aran Islands over the past 20 years.

Finding success from community support, they’ve succeeded in opening a recycling facility and revolutionising the methods of collecting, segregating and disposing of waste on the Aran Islands.

Pictured: The Hare’s Corner, one of the flagship initiatives of Burrenbeo Trust, has helped create 1,600 habitats for biodiversity since 2021. Pictured are (from left) Ailbhe Doyle, Burrenbeo Trust; Paula Kearney, Biodiversity Officer, Galway City; Rosina Joyce, Biodiversity Officer, Galway County; and Fionn Doyle-Chowen, Burrenbeo Trust.

A Loggerhead Turtle that was ‘cold stunned’ by low water temperatures off the west coast is being nursed back to health in Galway.

Galway Atlantaquaria successfully recovered the turtle (official name Caretta caretta) that had been found stranded on Faulmore Beach, Co Mayo over a month ago.

The turtle, later named ‘Columbus’ by young Jonathan Padden — who discovered it while walking along the shore — was in critical condition and urgently needed medical intervention.

Thanks to the Padden family’s swift actions and their call to the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group (IWDG), Columbus was given a second chance at survival.

This rescue comes at a time when reports of stranded turtles along Ireland’s west coast have been increasing. Just weeks earlier, the IWDG had urged the public to monitor beaches for stranded marine animals, and Jonathan’s quick response highlights how valuable this awareness can be in saving lives.

When a turtle washes ashore, it is often due to a phenomenon known as ‘cold-stunning.’ According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), cold-stunning occurs when sea turtles experience prolonged exposure to temperatures below 50°F/10 °C, causing them to become lethargic, unable to swim, and at the mercy of tides and winds.

“Rescuing a cold-stunned turtle is a delicate process — it requires both urgency and patience,” said Dr Nóirín Burke, Director of Education at the Salthill-based Galway Atlantaquaria

“While a swift response is necessary to prevent further deterioration, recovery must be slow and carefully managed to ensure the turtle regains strength.

“In the first critical hours, strict protocols must be followed to stabilise the animal and give it the best possible chance of survival.”

Galway Atlantaquaria, with many years of animal welfare experience, has been providing round-the-clock care for Columbus as part of a meticulous rehabilitation process under the leadership of Ian O’Grady and Matthew Hawkins.

Unfortunately, many stranded turtles do not survive. However, thanks to the efforts of Jonathan Padden and his family, the Veterinary team Rita Gately and Dr. Lindsey Cox, Gemma O’ Connor and the team at the IWDG, and Galway Atlantaquaria staff, Columbus has been given a fighting chance.

This rescue story highlights the importance of public awareness, swift action, and multi-agency cooperation in protecting marine wildlife.

Galway Atlantaquaria has thanked its members, visitors, and supporters, whose contributions make this critical conservation work possible in the continuing advancement of ocean literacy and awareness of marine species in Irish waters.

Pictured: Columbus the Loggerhead Turtle: Undergoing rehabilitation at Galway Atlantaquaria