Ireland’s biggest mobile stroke prevention and heart health hub will be launched in Tuam next week.

Croí, the heart and stroke charity, will open the Croí Mobile Health Hub, a state-of-the-art mobile health unit, at O’Tooles Supervalu, Tuam, on Thursday, September 12, from 10am to 4pm.

People are invited to come along on the day and take advantage of free blood pressure and stethoscope checks, along with expert health advice.

The event will also feature a talk by the Croí Health Team on the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity for maintaining a healthy heart. This is a great opportunity to learn more about heart health and connect with the experts.

Commissioned as part of a transformative legacy donation of over €3 million from the Joe & Helen O’Toole Charitable Trust, the Croí Mobile Health Hub is a first of its kind in Ireland.

The 13.6-metre-long, multi-purpose unit is the largest of its type in the country, designed to facilitate early detection of stroke and heart disease.

Equipped with six private assessment cubicles and two consultation rooms, the vehicle can also be converted into an open-plan educational and training space capable of hosting up to 40 visitors, with full audio-visual facilities.

Mark O’Donnell, CEO of Croí, emphasised the importance of this groundbreaking initiative:  “Stroke and heart disease remain the leading causes of death and acquired disability worldwide, yet 80% of early cardiovascular disease is preventable.

“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Joe & Helen O’Toole Charitable Trust, this purpose-built mobile facility will bring lifesaving services directly to communities.

“The Croí multi-disciplinary health team will provide varied early detection and preventive health checks on board, as well as deliver education and training events.

“We are committed to making these services accessible across the region and beyond through our mobile units, as well as building out the delivery of additional and more advanced diagnostics, and research activities over time,” Mr O’Donnell added.

The Croí Mobile Health Hub will serve as a vital resource, offering a wide range of free health activities across the West of Ireland and beyond. Its capacity to deliver such public-facing health initiatives will help to empower individuals with the knowledge and support they need to take control of their heart health.

Education programmes will cover a broad spectrum of topics, including brain and heart health, specialist lifestyle & dietary advice; recognition of stroke and heart attack signs and symptoms; defibrillation training for community first responders and home responders; post-stroke and post-heart attack recovery within the community; disease awareness and advocacy campaigns as well as exercise based physical activity.

The Croí Mobile Health Hub is the third community vehicle acquired by Croí, since launching a Community Mobile Health unit and minibus earlier this year, all of which have been funded by the trust.

In addition, the Joe & Helen O’Toole Stroke Hub will open at Croí House in Newcastle in January 2025 to provide post-hospital discharge stroke care and support services as part of this legacy donation.

Mary Lardner, a trustee of the Joe & Helen O’Toole Charitable Trust, expressed pride in seeing this project come to fruition: “Joe and Helen were deeply committed to improving the lives of those in their community, and the Croí Mobile Health Hub is a fitting tribute to their legacy.

“We hope that through this initiative, more lives will be saved, and families will be spared the devastating impact of stroke and heart disease.”

The launch event on Thursday next week is open to all, and Croí encourages everyone in Tuam and the surrounding areas to visit the truck, to take advantage of the free health checks and educational sessions from 10am – 4pm outside O’Tooles Supervalu to learn more about how to protect themselves and their loved ones from stroke and heart disease.

For more information visit www.croi.ie/events.

Pictured: Caroline Dermody, Croí Community Nurse Lead, at the May launch of smaller Croí Mobile Health Units, also donated by the Joe & Helen O’Toole Charitable Trust.

People are being urged to splash out for breast cancer research next month — literally.

The National Breast Cancer Research Institute, in association with Blackrock Beachwear, are asking as many people as possible to ‘Swim in Pink’ on Sunday, October 13  at Salthill’s Ladies’ Beach and help raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research during October, which is breast cancer awareness month.

This is the fourth year of the event, which was a huge success for the charity last year — raising over €130,000 nationwide — and it’s hoped the event will be even bigger this October.

One in seven Irish women will develop breast cancer before they reach 75, with over 3,500 cases diagnosed annually.

Based at the Lambe Institute, University of Galway, researchers funded by the National Breast Cancer Research Institute are currently working on major national and international projects to improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

This fun, fundraising event has accumulated a number of national awards including the Outsider Magazine ‘Best Outdoor Event of 2022’; it was listed by the Irish Times as one of the ‘23 things to do in 2023’; and it also won the Gym+Coffee ‘Make Life Richer Award’ for best ‘Small Fitness/Wellness Event’.

A call has gone out for volunteers to ‘Dip’, ’Swim’ or ‘Splash’ for ‘Swim in Pink’ on Sunday, October 13, and help support breast cancer research. Registration is just €25 with all of the monies raised going to the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.

Register at www.swiminpink.ie and participants will receive a free ‘Swim in Pink’ swimming cap.

Pictured: A fantastic group of women who are cancer survivors and thriving, Florence Buckley, Gert O’Rourke, Valerie Parker, Carol Nash, Robin Winkels, Louise Griffin (Blackrock Beachwear, sponsor), Maeve Feehan, Faith Fahy, Eileen Curran, Dee McKiernan and Louise Feeney attending the launch of ‘Swim in Pink’ which takes place Sunday, October13, in association with Blackrock Beachwear in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute. Visit, www.SwimInPink.ie to register and get a free swim cap. 

A friendly soccer match with a difference was held in Oranmore last Friday, bringing together locals, migrants and Travellers, in a spirited celebration of diversity and community.

The match, played at the Oranmore Astroturf pitch was organised to showcase how sports can unite people, transcending cultural and language differences at a time of rising anti-immigrant sentiments and open racism.

Helen Ogbu, the newly elected Galway City Councillor for Galway City East, who was a special guest at the event, emphasised the importance of such initiatives: “Sports have no barriers or boundaries. We must show racism the red card through sports and other community engagement and interaction.”

The match was not just about the game but also about building relationships and promoting collaboration among different communities. It was well-organised, with all participants displaying excellent sportsmanship and camaraderie.

There were no winners or losers; all players received certificates of participation, and each group was awarded a trophy, symbolising the spirit of unity.

This event was organised by Shining Light, Galway Traveller Movement, and Galway Communities Against Racism and Discrimination, with support from the Galway City Council. It highlighted the need for continuous collaborations between different communities to foster integration and mutual respect.

Councillor Ogbu added: “This event brings the community together, showing that we can thrive together. It’s heartwarming to see two communities coming together despite the hate and discrimination they face. We need more such initiatives to strengthen our relationships and promote a more inclusive society.”

Councillor Ogbu also recently attended a joint meeting in Derry as part of the North-South Collaboration initiative. The meeting focused on pressing issues affecting communities, including racism and how we can bridge gaps through collaboration.

Pictured: Travellers, migrants and locals who took part in the friendly soccer game in Oranmore at the weekend, with Galway City Councillor Helen Ogbu.

Fifteen of Galway’s finest producers have made the cut for this year’s Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, after the shortlist was announced ahead of the awards weekend in Dingle next month.

The Galway finalists include All About Kombucha, Birdhouse, Builin Blasta, Crust Gluten Free, Divilly Brothers, Galmere Fresh Foods, Grá Chocolates, Ivy House Chocolates, Joyce Country Bakery, Kylemore Abbey & Gardens, Loughnane’s of Galway, Solaris Botanicals, the Foods of Athenry, the Lán Kitchen and Williams Gate Meats.

They will be competing for the top prizes when the three-day event takes place from Thursday to Saturday, October 3 to 5.

Now in its 17th year, Blas na hÉireann saw another record-breaking year across all categories along with many new producers entering the awards for the first time this year.

During the judging, which took place in June and July, over 3,000 entries were judged, testament to the number of brilliant producers across the country.

“We are committed to supporting local food producers and this is another step in our active efforts working with the food industry in Galway city and county and are delighted to sponsor the Best In County Award for Galway,” said Caroline McDonagh, Acting Head of Galway LEO.

“Blas na hEireann – The Irish Food Awards, were founded to create a benchmark for quality Irish produce, and they reward and recognise the driven, passionate, talented producers. We wish all of the finalists from Galway and nationally the very best in the Awards”.

Blas na hÉireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford, said he started the awards ‘to celebrate the amazing food and drink being produced on the island of Ireland’.

“Seventeen years later, it continues to delight me to see the number of new producers entering each year along with so many familiar faces returning year on year,” he said.

This year’s Blas na hÉireann awards in Dingle will see the return of Eat Ireland in a Day market and the Blas Village where the 2024 finalists will get the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers.

This year’s focus will be on sustainability with a commitment to encourage zero-waste throughout the three days of the awards in line with the Dingle Food Festival ethos.

One new element at Blas will be the removal of any single use cups and the introduction of the first electric van delivering food and drink to the awards from across the country.

For finalist producers it is not just their exceptional food and drink which will be celebrated in Dingle but the people themselves, the passionate producers who make the very best of Irish will be recognised and rewarded making Blas na hÉireann 2024 a food event not to be missed!

Pictured: Finalist…. Kylemore Abbey & Gardens.

This year’s Music for Galway concert season will kick off on Friday, September 27, in Leisureland with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and compère Marty Morrissey with CRAICport, celebrating sport, music and stories.

It will conclude on May 7 with America pianist Anne-Marie McDermott making her Galway debut, performing works by Bach, Busoni and Brahms at the Emily Anderson Concert Hall in the University of Galway.

The programme for Music for Galway’s 43rd annual season was launched at Bonham Quay in the city on Monday night and follows the success of the organisation’s Cellissimo Festival in May.

MfG’s Artistic Director Finghin Collins told guests that an organic theme had emerged as he was programming events. “There were either Irish-based artists or an Irish historic connection or composer in almost every concert. So we decided to name our season Irish Connections.”

On Wednesday, October 23, MfG will return to Bonham Quay with the Cassiopeia Winds and the following night, the group will reprise the concert at Kilcummin Church, Oughterard.

This is part of MfG’s Encore series, where the organisation stages the same show in city and county venues. The Britten Oboe Quartet, led by star oboist Nicholas Daniel, will also offer an Encore. On Tuesday, March 11, they will bring an eclectic programme, including Mozart, Maconchy and Moeran, to the city’s St Joseph’s Church, repeating this in Campbell’s Tavern, Headford, on March 12.

Earlier in the season, a multidisciplinary production honouring the women affected by Ireland’s Mother and Baby homes will be staged in the city’s Nuns’ Island Theatre.

A Mother’s Voice, from Musici Ireland, is a collaboration between artists and survivors to shed light on this veiled era of Ireland’s recent history and will be presented on Friday, November 22.

The annual Emily Anderson Concert will be on October 10  with a performance of Liszt’s arrangement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony by Italian pianist Maurizio Baglini.

That’s in conjunction with the University of Galway, as is the Midwinter Festival: RAVEL. This will celebrate 150 years since the birth of one of the 20th century’s most original and sophisticated composers, Maurice Ravel. It runs from January 17-19, featuring chamber music and songs. On the final day, there will be rare a four-hand piano performance of the Bolero with new choreography by Galway-based dance artist Diarmuid Armstrong Mayock, commissioned in partnership with Galway Dance.

Other concerts this season include Cushendall in the Hardiman Ballroom on November 7, featuring MfG’s Artistic Director Finghin Collins and his friends, clarinettist John Finucane and mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty.  The programme includes songs from their CD dedicated to Charles Villiers Stanford. The city centre hotel will host the Fidelio Trio on February 17, with piano music by Beethoven and Schubert.

On February 27 the National Symphony Orchestra return to Leisureland with violinist Simone Lamsma and conductor Alexander Shelley to perform Brahms’ Violin Concerto and Schumann’s Rhenish Symphony.

And on March 30, it’s back to St Joseph’s Church where Vanbrugh and Friends will perform Mozart and Brahms’ viola quintets.

The Music for Good Friday concert in collaboration with Mark Duley at St Nicholas Collegiate Church, is a fixture in the MfG calendar and for that event, Collegium will perform a programme titled Miserere.

In partnership with Arts in Action at the University of Galway  MfG will four lunchtime concerts at UG on Thursdays at 1.05pm.

The winner of the 2024 RDS Music Bursary 2024, tuba player Adam Buttimer will perform on October 31; Galway soprano Aimee Banks with pianist Dearbhla Collins will be on November 14; Galway pianist and composer Laoise McMullin on February 13 and pianist Cahal Masterson with soprano Rebecca Murphy, will perform a new song-cycle KRAINA in March.

Full details of this season’s programme are at www.musicforgalway.ie.

Pictured: In training for Music for Galway’s 43rd International Concert Season and the opening concert featuring the RTE Concert Orchestra with Marty Morrissey presenting ‘Sports, Music, Stories & Craic’ in Leisureland on September 27, was tubist Adam Buttimer at Salthill Knocknacarra’s pitch.  Photo: Andrew Downes, xposure

Two Galway businesswomen are inviting their contemporaries to follow in their footsteps – and complete a pioneering free programme specifically for female entrepreneurs.

Donna Gilligan, founder of Scéal Heritage Consultancy, and Dorothy McDonagh, founder of Sidekick Media, have both successfully completed the ACORNS programme – a highly-successful development initiative to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.

And they are now encouraging other women in Galway to apply for the next cycle of the free business development programme, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.

ACORNS has been providing a decade of support for female entrepreneurship in rural Ireland and has recently launched the tenth cycle of the business development programme.

The free initiative for early-stage female entrepreneurs is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM).

Donna Gilligan is founder of Sceál Heritage Consultancy, an Irish museum consultancy based in outside Tuam.

As a curator, material culture historian and heritage educator, Donna works with museums, tourism sites and heritage organisations to provide innovative, inclusive and creative forms of cultural heritage celebration and interpretation.

She recently completed the previous cycle of the programme, ACORNS 9.

“I found ACORNS to be a very valuable, positive, and supportive resource for the development of my growing business. It has encouraged and advised me towards taking the necessary next steps to cultivate and continue the business long-term,” said Donna.

Dorothy McDonagh also recently completed ACORNS 9. She is the founder of Sidekick Media, a Barna-based digital marketing agency which provides services in digital strategy, graphic and video design, web design and development, social media marketing, and more.

Sidekick Media also specialises in Google Ads, with experts on hand to monitor ad metrics to give clients the best return on investment in Google Ad campaigns. Dorothy recently completed ACORNS 9.

“I would highly recommend ACORNS. It is a wonderfully inspiring community of super-talented women in business from rural Ireland,” she said.

“I made great progress in my business, learned from my group, Lead Entrepreneur and the people that I met. It is a little bubble outside of your business where you can be inspired, take powerful action and meet wonderful people.”

ACORNS is based on the belief that early-stage entrepreneurs learn best from their peers. Participants interact with each other in the monthly round table sessions, which are facilitated by a Lead Entrepreneur, who has first-hand experience of starting and successfully growing a business in rural Ireland.

Only early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, and who have had no sales before the end of June 2021, are eligible to apply. As ACORNS receives many more applications than there are places available, selection is on a competitive basis.

ACORNS 10 will run from October 2024 to April 2025 and will include six monthly round table sessions, a workshop on understanding financials, a briefing by various development agencies and an end-of-cycle celebration.

There will be no charge for those selected to participate in ACORNS 10, thanks to the continuing support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the voluntary contribution of time by the Lead Entrepreneurs.

In addition, a series of regional Gatherings for ACORNS Community members will be held in the autumn to celebrate 10 years of the initiative.

These Gatherings will provide an opportunity for previous ACORNS participants to reconnect, network with other ACORNS from different cycles in their region and focus on the continuing and further development of their businesses.

The deadline for applications for this special tenth anniversary cycle is midnight, September 20.

There are up to 50 places available for ACORNS 10. Those wishing to receive an application form should register on the website www.acorns.ie.

Pictured: Clare Gormley, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and Dorothy McDonagh, Sidekick Media, at the ACORNS Community Forum and ACORNS 9 Celebration.  PHOTOS: Orla Murray/Coalesce