A Galway toddler who has shown her battling qualities from birth is showing how taking to the water can radically improve your quality of life.

Ten-month-old Sorcha-Rós Nic an Ri was born with the rare genetic condition Prader-Willi syndrome and significant low tone.

Sorcha-Rós, from Newcastle in Galway city, began hydrotherapy at just five months old, showing early signs of enjoyment at birth in the water.

This year, she embarked on her Water Babies journey and has thrived beyond expectation – and that’s why she was honoured as one of the 14 recipients of the 2024 Water Babies Little Heroes Awards.

Despite her initial struggles with head control, Sorcha-Rós has made remarkable progress, confidently holding her head up and actively participating in every class with enthusiasm.

Her infectious joy, evident in her constant kicking and happy chatter, brightens every session.

Sorcha-Rós’s resilience and strength serve as an inspiration to us all, demonstrating that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

Despite her challenges, Sorcha-Rós is truly a water baby at heart, excelling in every class.

Water Babies is Ireland’s leading baby and toddler swimming school – and it can be transformative for babies and toddlers, aiding them in overcoming health challenges, enhancing their development, and bringing joy to their lives and their families’.

Despite special needs and serious illnesses, many of the Water Babies Little Heroes have demonstrated an astonishing amount of resilience and courage, defying the odds from their earliest years.

“While we recognise the numerous physical benefits of introducing babies to swimming at a tender age, our Little Hero Awards shed light on the extraordinary resilience and achievements of those born with unique challenges,” said Carol McNally from Water Babies.

“Witnessing these remarkable little ones thrive in Water Babies lessons, surpassing expectations and reaching milestones once deemed unattainable, fills us with overwhelming pride and joy.

“At Water Babies, we are immensely proud of our little heroes and the dedicated teachers who support, encourage, and champion them every step of the way.  Our little heroes journey in the water is not just about physical growth, but also about emotional resilience and personal triumphs,” she added.

Water Babies classes are available across Ireland – including Galway.

Pictured: Water Babies Little Heroes Award winner Sorcha-Rós Nic an Rí with her dad John.

History enthusiasts and community group representatives from across the county participated in whistlestop bus tour of some of East Galway’s most intriguing built heritage sites as part of International Day for Monuments and Sites 2024.

Galway Community Archaeology Project and Galway County Council hosted the free bus tour of Kilboght Church and Graveyard, Abbeygormican and St. Kerrill’s Abbey in Gurteen.

Gurteen Community Council, Kilboght Graveyard Heritage Group and Abbeygormican Cemetery Group have each prepared conservation management plans and undertaken conservation works at the historic sites through the Community Monuments Fund, which is administered by Galway County Council on behalf of The National Monuments Service

Participants of the day tour first visited the Abbeygormican, an Augustinian House founded by the Cormicans in the 12th Century.

What stands today is the chancel wall and transept chapel, now conserved thanks to ongoing work by the graveyard committee in securing funding. An artist’s impression of what Abbeygormican may have looked like was also shown to allow the group visualise this important site.

The group has also carried out the Digital Recording of the Graveyard, funded by Galway Rural Development and supported by Galway County Council and The Heritage Council.

Next up was Kilboght Church, Graveyard and Mausoleum, which also has seen a transformation with the removal of ivy and stabilisation of the church and The Blake Mausoleum.

Peggy Doherty told the group about the years of ongoing struggle for the community to maintain this rare and sensitive site. Dr Christy Cunniffe and Dominic Delany were on site to guide the visitors and point out architectural fragments used as grave markers, medieval tool marks on the water font and the outline of the original medieval parish church and later extensions.

Mike Herwood of Galway Stone Design was also on hand to demonstrate the skills of the tradesmen who carried out the works at Kilboght 2023.

The touring group were treated to an enlightening talk by Pat Roberts, Ecologist with MKO Ltd on his involvement with each conservation project, and the need to engage with professional services in advance of any works at an archaeological site or monument, particularly when overgrowth or ivy is involved.

The final stop of the day was at St Kerrill’s Abbey in Gurteen, also known as Cloonkeenkerrill, where Martina Donnellan highlighted St Kerrill’s significance within the community, and informed the group about the folklore and traditions of the church and graveyard.

An effigy to Bishop O’Kelly, a cat-o-mount on a Burke tomb, and several medieval architectural features including an ogee headed window were highlighted.

“The aim of International Day for Monuments and Sites is to encourage local groups and individuals to consider the importance of cultural heritage to their lives, identities, and communities, and to promote awareness of its diversity and vulnerability and the efforts required to protect and conserve it,” said Bernie Doherty of the Galway Community Archaeology Project.

You can visit the Galway Community Archaeology Project website at www.field-monuments.galwaycommunityheritage.org for more.

Pictured: Galway Community Archaeologist Bernie Doherty with a group of visitors at Kilboght during International Day of Monuments and Sites 2024.

An ‘Emergency Rally’ for Palestine will be held in the city tomorrow.

The event is organised by the Galway Branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

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They’ll gather at Galway Cathedral at 2pm before marching through the city to Spanish Arch, where speeches will be given.

Tomorrow’s rally – the latest in a string of marches and vigils in recent months – is in response to the growing threat of an Israeli assault on the city of Rafah.

One of the organisers, Ciaran Tierney said the world has woken up to the reality of what Israel is doing

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A 22-home social housing scheme has been officially opened in Glenamaddy.

The scheme is supported by six million euro in funding from the Department of Housing

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The Lakeview development, acquired by Galway County Council from Renaissance Property Ltd., is the latest in a series of local authority-led housing schemes across County Galway.

The homes include 2 two-bed detached bungalows, 8 semi-detached three-bed, 4 semi-detached four-bed, 4 end terrace 3-bed, and 2 mid terrace two-bed town houses.

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An Bord Pleanala is set to resume consideration of the long-running and highly controversial Galway City Ring Road in September.

The higher planning body first approved the project in late 2021.

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But a High Court challenge saw that decision ultimately quashed a year later – because the Government’s latest climate action plan wasn’t taken into account.

Now, Galway County Council and Galway City Council have confirmed they will submit all documents needed for a fresh consideration by September.

Fianna Fail City Councillor John Connolly told David Nevin it’s good to see movement on the project.

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Knocknacarra student, Róisín Ní Lionaird, has taken home the overall prize at a European Young Translators competition.

Róisín, a pupil of Coláiste na Coiribe in Knocknacarra, was awarded the best translation in the country.

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‘Aistritheoirí Óga – in its seventeenth year – is organised jointly by the European Commission and the Irish Government.

Up to 80 students participated this year, translating pieces from English, French, German and Spanish to Irish.

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Retention planning permission has been refused for a range of antenna and transmission dishes at Kingston Road in Knocknacarra.

Cellnex Ireland Limited had sought permission to retain the development on the roof of Kingston Hall.

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A number of submissions were lodged by local residents, who argued that the communications equipped was not included in permission for the development.

City planners have now refused retention permission for 9 antenna and 6 transmission dishes on support poles, and all associated equipment.

They held it’s positioned in a significantly elevated location within public view, is out of character with the area, and would seriously injure residential amenities.

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University of Galway Students’ Union is to host MEP Candidate Hustings for the Midlands North West Region on Monday week, May 20th at 6.30pm

The Hustings will take place in Áras na Mac Léinn and will give voters the chance to meet and question the candidates

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Already confirmed to attend are:

· Independents MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan and candidates Peter Casey and Saoirse McHugh

· Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh

· Sinn Féin MEP, Chris McManus

· Green Party, Senator Pauline O’Reilly

· Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers

· Social Democrats, Rory Hearne

· Labour Party, Fergal Landy

· People Before Profit-Solidarity, Brian O’Boyle

· Aontú Peadar Tóibín

Tickets for the event are free but spaces are limited and can be booked via the Students’ Union Eventbrite page

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A worker at a city firm has taken a high court challenge over his dismissal following an alleged flawed investigation into an alleged “false claim” of assault against a co-worker.

The claim has been made by Patrick Byrne, who has brought proceedings against Production Equipment Limited, at Riverside Commercial Estate, Tuam Road.

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In his role as a team leader, Patrick Byrne, of Fassaugh Road, Cabra, Dublin provides PPE, clean room management and the provision of technical services.

He claims that for some 20 years he’s worked as a subcontractor at the Intel site in Co. Kildare without incident.

The High Court has heard that last month, Mr Byrne was informed by his employer that he was being dismissed over what he claims was “a false allegation of assault” made against him.

He denies any wrongdoing and claims that rather than assault the other person, he was the one who was assaulted.

Mr. Byrne contends that the investigation was “inherently flawed” and made no findings as to what had actually happened.

The outcome of that investigation was a recommendation that Mr Byrne and the other person both be dismissed.

Mr Byrne alleges the report was unbalanced, biased, prejudiced, and gave an incomplete summary – and certain witnesses were not interviewed, and he was not given the right to respond or appeal.

Mr. Byrne is seeking various injunctions, including orders restraining his dismissal and stopping of his salary and benefits.

Mr Justice Mark Sanfey accepted the matter is serious and granted permission for short notice of his proceedings to be served on the defendant.

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