Galway Bay fm newsroom – The green light has been given for Galway’s first Wetherspoons pub at Eglinton Street in the city.

The project will involve the transformation of the former Carbon Nightclub premises.

Wetherspoons bought the property in 2019, but COVID-19 saw the plans shelved for several years.

Planning permission was finally sought last summer for the multi-million euro plan, which has now been approved by city planners.

“The Three Red Sails” will be a two-storey bar and restaurant with a rooftop terrace – and Galway’s student population have been identified as the main target market.

The latest the bar would open would be 12.30am on Friday and Saturday, with earlier closing times Sunday through Thursday.

A number of local submissions were lodged – including a local business that took issue with some elements of the plan, but ultimately wished them well.

There were also submissions from local residents living near the premises, who raised concerns around noise pollution and anti-social behavior.

In the end, city planners have cleared the way for Wetherspoons to set up their first premises in Galway – with 23 conditions attached to the approval.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A new survey has found the public in Connacht score 53% in “financial literacy”.

Financial literacy refers to the knowledge and skills needed to make important financial decisions.

The score for Connacht was in line with the national average, but Bank of Ireland, who commissioned the survey, say that figure lags behind what it should be.

In comparison, the average score in Australia is 64%; Germany is 66%, and the UK scored 67%.

The Irish survey also revealed a striking difference across gender and age, with women scoring almost 10% lower than men.

18-34 years old scored the lowest at 48%, while those over 65 scored the highest at 58%.

While one third of those surveyed claimed to know about mortgages, only one fifth said they’re familiar with investments and pensions.

Almost 60 percent said they review their personal finances every month.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Local TD Michael Fitzmaurice has taken aim at the Green Party’s role in Government, saying it’s a case of the “pup pulling the dog around the field”.

During a Dáil debate, he also criticised the “genius” who advised the Labour Party they could build a million homes in ten years.

It comes as the ban on no-fault evictions ends at midnight tonight.

Deputy Fitzmaurice said the Green Party seem to be dictating the pace, and it’s at the expense of rural Ireland.