They came from all over the country to play their part in a very special 21st birthday party, as perhaps the most scenic road race in the world took place in brilliant sunshine.

As always the islanders rolled out the red carpet on Saturday 3rd May, as the Inis Iron Meáin celebrated its coming of age.

The race is a very important event in the community calendar on Inis Meáin, having started out in 2004 as a fundraising initiative for the second level school, Coláiste Naomh Eoin.

Hundreds now come to the island every year to take part or watch the race.

This year the Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Peter Keane, officially got the race underway in front of a trio of sporting superstars – Connacht, Ireland and Lions star Bundee Aki and Olympians Sonia O’Sullivan Rob Heffernan.

Sonia was making a popular return to the island having kicked off the first Inis Iron Meáin race in November 2004.

Inis Iron Meáin once again featured three races this year – 5k, 10k and 12k – giving runners a taste of the island’s beauty through parks, winding roads and a chance to spend some time on Sandy Point beach for those who did the 12k!

John Lee from Trim AC won the 12k race just ahead of last year’s winner, Rodhlann Mosseop from DSDAC Dublin. His girlfriend, Emma Horackova, who flew in specially from the Czech Republic, was the fastest woman in the 12K race for the second year running.

Oughterard Garda Aidan Kelly won the 10K and Karla Murray from Tullow AC, Co Clare, was the fastest woman. Eoin O’Donohoe won the 5k and the fastest woman was Erin Murray.

Visitors and locals alike came together to enjoy food at the post-race celebratory barbecue, which was a great end to the day and a highlight for many.

There was live music on site again this year, this time by the music group Drumadore who got the crowd dancing.

Principal of Coláiste Naomh Eoin, Mairéad Ní Fhátharta, was against delighted and proud of another successful event.

“The school community, including our staff and students, and also the people of the islands who help us year after year to make this race as good as it is, have made a great effort,” she said.

“The race is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year and it was lovely to have a star-studded party in our company.”

Pictured: Bundee Aki with students from the island’s Coláiste Naomh Eoin who contributed as ‘maorseoirí’ on race day.

The Galway Minister with responsibility for road transport has called in the Road Safety Authority top brass to instruct them to address unacceptable delays for driving tests.

Minister for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Ports, Séan Canney, met with the RSA leadership in the Department of Transport last week to focus on the need to reduce the current waiting times for driving tests, which, he said, were far in excess of what is acceptable.

The driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the RSA under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006.

To support the RSA in increasing testing capacity and improving service delivery, in September 2024 the Department of Transport sanctioned an additional 70 permanent positions for driver testers. This increases the total permanent sanction for testers to 200, which represents a doubling of permanent posts since June 2022.

That recruitment process is underway, with the first tranche of new testers being deployed into service around now.

As additional testers enter the system, testing capacity will increase and progress should be seen on reducing waiting times in the months ahead.

As a condition of the sanction given in September, the RSA was required to put a plan in place to restore the ten-week waiting time target as soon as possible.

When this plan was first put forward by the RSA, it envisaged a return to the target by November 2025. This was deemed not acceptable given the level of delays already being suffered by learner drivers.

Minister Canney has now instructed the RSA to review the plan and identify further measures that will bring forward the date for achieving the target.

He will meet with the RSA in two weeks’ time to ensure the Authority makes progress. The RSA leadership have given their assurance to Minister Canney that service will be restored to the target level in a reasonable time.

Speaking after the meeting, Minister Canney said that the current delays were simply not acceptable.

“I fully understand the frustration being experienced by people right across the country – it is entirely understandable and justified,” he said.

“The RSA has a clear responsibility to meet its target of a ten-week waiting time, and I am determined to see that this happens. I have instructed the RSA to return in two weeks with sustainable proposals which will provide a faster resumption to the service level agreement.

“People deserve a National Driver Testing Service that they can rely upon, and I will continue to hold the RSA to account until we see meaningful progress,” he added.

Pictured: Crackdown…Minister Sean Canney.

New Garda figures have revealed a 35 per cent increase in the numbers of learner drivers in Galway caught driving unaccompanied.

That – mirroring the trend nationally – has led the Irish Road Haulage Association to call for a root and branch review of the Road Safety Authority and their operation of the Irish driving test system.

Irish Road Haulage Association President Ger Hyland said there are 40,523 drivers on a provisional license in Galway alone – a significant slice of the 842,260 people on provisional licenses across the state.

The figures also show that the number of unaccompanied learner drivers caught by Gardaí in Galway between the fourth quarter of 2023 and Q4 2024 was 107, up from 79 – constituting a rise of 35 per cent.

In Donegal, there was a 95% year on year increase in the number of unaccompanied drivers caught by Gardaí between 2023 and 2024. In the Sligo/Leitrim Garda division, the percentage increase was 83%.

According to Mr Hyland, an inadequate testing system is forcing many of them out on our roads without a full license, or a licensed driver.

The IRHA is concerned for the safety of their drivers who are coming across inexperienced drivers on a daily basis on Irish roads.

New figures provided by Gardaí show dramatic increases in the number of learner drivers caught driving unaccompanied.

The IRHA said that young drivers, in rural Ireland in particular, needed their car to get to work and significant delays in the driver testing system are forcing young learner drivers to make difficult choices.

Latest figures show that in March of this year, just over 81,000 people were waiting for a date for their test – up from 75,000 in February.

IRHA President Ger Hyland emphasised that his association is in no way condoning young learner drivers driving without a fully licensed driver.

He pointed to the fact that more unaccompanied learner drivers on our roads presents a clear and present danger to his member’s drivers.

Mr Hyland attributed the current rises in the number of unaccompanied learner drivers on our roads as a direct result of the mismanagement of the driver test system by the RSA and has called for the Road Safety Authority to be reformed and restructured.

He called for a radical overhaul of our driving test system to include testing for motorway driving skills, nighttime driving and safe overtaking on secondary roads.

He branded the testing system a laughingstock – and compared it to a pilot being taught how to fly a plane without ever leaving the runway.

“The current 40-minute driving test allows for an approximate driving time of between 15 and 20 minutes, often in heavy urban slow-moving traffic,” he said.

“This would be a great test of one’s ability to sit in a traffic jam, but if we are honestly testing driving skills and driver preparedness, the test as it stands is a shambolic exercise in raising funds for the RSA.

“The increases in the numbers of learner drivers caught driving unaccompanied is only the ones Gardaí are catching and we feel this is just the tip of the iceberg,” he added.

Pictured: IRHA President Ger Hyland

A call to provide one hour of free parking in the county’s towns is to be examined by the Council’s infrastructure committee.

This follows a motion proposed by Cllr Declan Geraghty (Ind Irl) who suggested that businesses in Ballinasloe were suffering because of parking fees in the town.

He suggested that short-stay parking bays should be provided, to facilitate those “nipping in for 10 or 15 minutes”.

“I was talking to a business person and he said people are afraid that if they pull up and park, they’ll get a fine.

“He said it is affecting his business,” said Cllr Geraghty.

“Retail businesses are under pressure, for a number of reasons, and this would be a good way to help in Ballinasloe,” he continued.

Cllr Dermot Connolly (SF) called for the system in Westport to be replicated, where there are sections providing one hour of free parking.

“We have had the town enhancement scheme [in Ballinasloe] and it has helped, but a lot of small retail businesses are suffering and they are up against big organisations with free parking outside the town centre,” said Cllr Dermot Connolly.

Cllr Moegie Maher (FG) said the proposal had been discussed by the Council’s Corporate Policy Group and if it was to proceed, all towns in the county would have to benefit.

“It should be across the county if we are going to do it,” he said.

However, he said parking charges in County Galway were cheap.

Cllr Evelyn Parsons (Ind) said she had brought forward a similar motion previously, proposing a free two hours of parking.

“At the time, it was referred to the Roads Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) and there, it died a death,” she said.

Cllr Michael Connolly (FF) said people looked across the border to Roscommon where there were no charges, while Cllr Siobhán McHugh Ryan (FG) said people needed to be encouraged to shop locally – and this was a way of doing that.

Cllr Michael Regan (FF) said councillors should be careful what they wish for, though.

“As a business person, it’s all about turnover. If you have someone holding up a space, you are not getting the volume of people that you should be getting,” he said.

Chief Executive Liam Conneally said parking fees provided around €300,000 annually to the Council budget and a change such as this would have to be considered in the context of the budget.

“Parking charges in County Galway are extremely good value. If anything, I had my eye on increasing them rather than decreasing them. The real estate that they are on is of high value,” he said.

“We need to make sure there is a turnover, too, to benefit businesses. I’ve seen this in other areas having a negative impact because people tend to leave their cars longer than they would if they were paying for them,” continued Mr Conneally.

Councillors agreed to refer the proposal to the Infrastructure SPC for further discussion.

Pictured: Cllr Declan Geraghty…motion.

A West of Ireland man who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on the very day that Ireland went into Covid lockdown is proving that there is life beyond debilitating illness.

Andy Walsh from Ballinrobe reveals that his MS diagnosis came by accident on March 12 2020.

“I presented at the hospital for an MRI to see what was wrong with my leg – had I a trapped nerve or slipped disk – and the rest is history,” he recalls,

“March 12 2020 was actually the date that the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced the closure of all schools, colleges and childcare facilities across Ireland, the start of the Covid-19 lockdown.

“And although it was a very, very challenging time and I lost the ability to actually walk during 2020, my story is filled with hope, thanks to the incredible support I’ve received from my family, friends, healthcare staff and MS Ireland,” he adds.

That is why Andy is now encouraging as many people as possible of all abilities and ages to take up MS Ireland’s month-long May 50K fitness challenge in the run-up to World MS Day on May 30.

The May 50K is a global fitness and fundraising challenge to raise money for MS research worldwide and help fund a variety of different information, support, advocacy and services in Ireland including the National MS Care Centre.

Andy was MS Ireland’s top fundraiser last year and as a person with MS he hopes to do the same again this year – and he wants to encourage as many people as possible to join him.

“That is why I am supporting MS Ireland’s May 50K Challenge.  Not only will taking part in this challenge help support the vital services provided by MS Ireland, but from a health viewpoint it will also really benefit those taking part,” he says.

And he explains why he became an ambassador for MS Ireland.

“When I was first diagnosed I searched online for examples to show me it may not be as bad as people said, I genuinely found it hard to find someone to base myself on, I want the ‘2020 Andy’ to be able to find the ‘2025 Andy’ online and see how he is leading a pretty normal life without restrictions,” he says.

“My favourite part is staying active. I find regular exercise fantastic as part of maintaining good health and wellbeing. I really believe staying active helps with my MS and also with my general quality of life. So I would ask people to please join the fundraiser as there is still time to start or donate to this great cause.”

The premise is simple – walk, roll or run 50 kilometres during May in return for sponsorship. You can take part on your own, create a family team or get your workplace involved. It’s a virtual event and can be done anywhere.

There are over 10,000 people in Ireland living with multiple sclerosis, reveals Andy.

“Every step you take, every kilometre you clock, helps people get access to the treatment they need today and provide vital funding for international research into MS. 30% of all funds raised go towards funding life-changing MS research and 70% goes to local services and supports in Ireland,” he says.

All fundraising is done through the website www.themay50k.ie, where people can log their KM’s, hook up to their fitness devices and blog their way through the month.

Pictured: Andy Walsh… MS Ambassador.

The number of people living with dementia is expected to increase significantly – with projections indicating that over 150,000 individuals will be affected nationally in the next twenty years.

That was one of the key discussions points at the first HSE West and North West Dementia Conference, which took place in Galway in April in partnership with University of Galway, Ireland.

The conference was chaired by Paula Noone, Assistant Director of Nursing for Dementia Quality Improvement, HSE West and North West and Dr Maria Costello, Consultant Geriatrician, University Hospital Galway and Senior Lecturer in Geriatric Medicine, University of Galway.

Dementia is a major and escalating public health challenge in Ireland, with a rising number of diagnoses largely driven by the country’s aging population.

There is also a notable rise in the number of individuals diagnosed with early-onset dementia (under the age of 65).

Currently over 12,000 individuals are estimated to be living across the West and North West with dementia, according to the 2022 census.

Dr Costello said that the goal of the conference was to bring together health professionals from across the region ‘to learn, network, and inspire one another, fostering collaboration and shared knowledge to support their vital work with people living with dementia’.

“The event also underscored the crucial role of academic partnerships in advancing research and education to drive innovation and excellence in the field,” she added.

The opening address to the conference was delivered by Ann Cosgrove, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager Galway and Roscommon.

“This is the first Dementia Conference for the West and North West and it marks the beginning of renewed collaboration and emphasis on dementia care and explores how we best deliver it across the acute and community settings,” she said.

The event brought together over 170 healthcare professionals from diverse sectors, all working to enhance care for individuals affected by dementia.

Patient representative groups and key support organisations were also present. There were a number of presentations on the day from across the region focusing on clinical services, research, quality improvement initiatives and emerging treatments for dementia.

The experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia were also highlighted, with the voice of carers featuring throughout the discussions.

Awards were presented at the conference to three teams in recognition of their work in dementia, which had been submitted for adjudication.

First prize went to the Psychiatry of Later Life Team, Roscommon Mental Health Service; second prize to the Integrated Care for Older Persons Service, Galway East City and County, and third prize to Psychiatry of Old Age Service, Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Service.

Pictured: Karen Mannion (left) Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons – Galway East City and County, with Professor Michelle Canavan, Consultant Geriatrician in Galway University Hospitals and Professor of Older Adult Health at the University of Galway, at the HSE West and North West Dementia Conference.

A record-breaking number of traditional musicians of all ages and hues will converge on Gort next weekend for the Galway Fleadh Cheoil, returning to the South Galway town for the first time in 24 years.

Comhaltas Gaillimh Theas launched the musical spree at Thoor Ballylee Castle on Bank Holiday Monday, with the help of broadcaster and local resident Dáithí Ó Sé.

Nearly 900 musicians will compete over the two days in Gort Community School and Community Centre with the hope of securing a qualifying position to the Connacht Fleadh 2025 to be held in Ballinasloe in July.

Music sessions start on Saturday from 5pm in O’Donnell’s, Harte’s and Hennelly’s bars, with all musicians invited to join in. Both days will see a large number of entries take part in the Grupaí Cheoil and Ceilí Band competitions, with 18 Branches from across County Galway sending participants.

The competitions are open to the public to attend and enjoy the music of so many talented performers.

The official opening ceremony will take place in the reading room of the Lady Gregory Hotel on the Friday at 8pm, followed by music sessions in Harte’s and O’Donnell’s Pubs. Music Sessions in O’Donnell’s Pub at 4pm and a Youth Session in Hennelly’s Bar at 5pm will bring the weekend to a close on Sunday, May 18.

Chairperson of Comhaltas Gaillimh Theas, Nicola Cahill, told the launch that it was fitting that they launched the event at Thoor Ballylee, former home of poet WB Yeats and a place steeped in Irish cultural history. It was also just a stone’s throw from Peterswell, where accordion player Joe Cooley, was born.

“Though their artforms were different, both gave voice to the soul of this region,” she said.

“Not every town can say it hosts its own music festival, but here in Gort we are lucky to celebrate our musical heritage each year with the Cooley Collins Traditional Music Festival, celebrating Joe Cooley and Kieran Collins a great tin whistle player also from Gort – it reminds us how special it is to have a cultural heartbeat right here in our town.”

She told the audience that the Fleadh is not just about competition – there are prizes up for grabs for musicians who post videos of themselves on social media.

“It is a coming together of generations, of tunes passed down, of young fingers learning old melodies, and of streets filled with the sound of music,” said Nicola.

“This year, we are encouraging all musicians to take to the streets for our ‘play and post’ competition. Musicians will play a tune outside local shops of businesses, record it, post and tag us on social media. This will bring atmosphere to the town.”

It’s the first time that Comhaltas Gaillimh Theas has hosted the county competition and 24 years since it was held in Gort. Nicola competed in the 2001 event, which marked the 50th anniversary of the Galway Fleadh.

“I still have the Fleadh Programme. It was a much smaller event back then and it all took place in Gort Community Centre. We need many buildings to host the competitions now,” she reflected.

Many of the sponsors and volunteers have come on board again for the 2025 event.

“The Fleadh weekend brings a special kind of excitement. A time when traditions come alive and memories are made.

“We have a record number of entries for competitions this year – nearly 900, that is a phenomenal response that reflects the incredible talent and enthusiasm for traditional music in Galway.”

South Galway Comhaltas recently celebrated their ten-year milestone with a concert in Gort Town Hall.

“The talent and turnout on the night was a testament to what we’ve built together over the past decade and a hopeful glimpse of all that’s to come.”

For more information, log onto www.galwaycomhaltas.ie.

Pictured: RTÉ’s Dáithí Ó Sé in the shadow of Thoor Ballylee to launch Fleadh Cheoil na Gaillimhe 2025, hosted by Gaillimh Theas Comhaltas, with (from left) Comhaltas Galway CCÉ Chairperson Michael Cusack, Comhaltas Gaillimh Theas branch Chairperson Nicola Cahill and Cllr. Geraldine Donohue.

A true inspiration to all those who are living with cancer, Dónal O’Shea knows he is one of the lucky ones and so he treasures every moment of his life today.

His diagnosis of bowel cancer 13 years ago was almost missed until an orthopaedic surgeon spotted the tumour while performing a hip operation on him.

As Dónal was already symptomatic, and mistakenly being treated for a less serious condition, it was a real stroke of luck that the tumour was located, possibly saving his life.

The necessary surgery to remove it quickly followed, performed by Consultant Myles Joyce in UHG. Dónal then went on to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy to ensure all traces of the cancer were caught and eradicated.

Over the intervening years Dónal has had some time to look back on this difficult time in his life and reflect on all he went through.

One of his better memories is of the time he spent at Inis Aoibhinn, the 33-bedroom facility owned by the charity Cancer Care West.

Located in the grounds of UHG the facility offers room and board to cancer patients going through radiotherapy – and despite what he was going through Dónal has very fond memories of his time there.

“I spent several weeks at Inis Aoibhinn and I can honestly say I was amazed at the wonderful service they offer,” he says.

“Each patient has their own room, which was lovely, but I particularly liked the social areas where we could gather in the evenings and chat or read or watch TV. Most weeks we had a musical night which was a real treat and certainly I found it lifted my spirits.

“The nurses were so kind in taking care of everyone and every member of staff took time to help us, have a laugh with us or just to listen to us. I have never forgotten my time there.”

Post-treatment, Dónal went back to his most unusual day job as the Development Manager of Clare Island.

“I wanted to do something for Cancer Care West to acknowledge their wonderful support and I came up with the idea of doing a 10k run on the island,” he says.

“The islanders took to the idea with great enthusiasm and from the very first event in 2012 it was a huge success. Each year over 100 runners and walkers came to the island to enjoy their run through some of the most scenic landscape in the country and those who came back again and again were drawn by the unparalleled hospitality of the islanders who made it such a brilliant experience.”

Sadly, Dónal says they had to cancel the event during the pandemic and have yet to rejuvenate it.

But he adds: “In the seven years it was held, we raised over €100,000 for the charity, an amazing achievement and one the people of Clare Island are rightfully very proud.”

Today at eighty years of age Dónal has not only survived cancer but he is also a recovering alcoholic of 37 years.

“I have had more than one second chance in my life and this gives me a huge appreciation of the value of life and all the joys it brings,” he says.

“Today I have a great relationship with my four children, and I have the joy of seeing my eight grandchildren as they grow up. When I reflect on what might have been I am so grateful I got those second chances and now I dedicate much of my time to supporting others in having their own second chance.

“Cancer is not necessarily a death sentence and many of those unlucky enough to experience it go on to survive and thrive. I am one of the lucky ones – but I hope my story gives hope to many others who are facing their own cancer journey.”

April was Bowel Cancer Month – but any month is a good one to check up on your health. You can get more information from Cancer Care West at www.cancercarewest.ie or the Irish Cancer Society at cancer.ie.

Pictured: Dónal O’Shea…an inspiration to those facing bowel cancer.