Galway Bay fm newsroom:

A public meeting will take place in the city next week to launch a business plan for a community centre in the Newcastle area.

The Newcastle Combined Community Association has created the plan as part of its continued efforts to progress a community centre for the area.

The group has submitted it to Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring and a meeting with the minister has been requested.

The 5 year plan is based on the needs of the community and outlines the resources needed to meet those requirements.

It’s estimated that 1 million euro in funding will be required to build a community centre on the site provided by the city council – which is located adjacent to Croi.

Tune into the Galway Bay fm news for more on this story…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – New car sales in Galway have dropped by 10 per cent so far this year when compared to the same period in 2018.

That’s according to the first quarter vehicle registrations statistics from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry.

2,736 new vehicles were registered in Galway between January and April this year, a drop of over 300 hundred from the same period last year.

Nationally, the sale of new cars is also down 10 per cent at just over 73,000 in the first four months of the year, with SIMI forecasting the trend to continue throughout 2019.

The motoring organisation is blaming external threats such as Brexit, greater consumer caution and the growth of used imports into the Irish market.

Director General of SIMI, Brian Cooke says the remainder of the year will be very challenging for the motor industry, for more on this story tune in to FYI Galway@5…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – It’s likely the long awaited city ring road plan will face further delay.

It comes as Galway County Council has been given until the end of the month to submit further information regarding the project.

An Bord Pleanala made the request for further information in the last number of weeks.

The 600 million euro project would run west from Barna taking a northerly route before joining up with the M6 near Coolagh roundabout.

500 landowners would be directly affected, 44 houses would be demolished and 11 businesses would be impacted if the controversial project gets the go ahead.

Eight points of further information have now been requested by the higher planning authority.

These include a request for scaled drawings of certain structures, a copy of a route selection report, detail concerning the appropriate assessment and details concerning traffic and transport.

Once the county council submits the further information by the given deadline or a possible extended deadline, the next step in the process will involve an oral hearing which is expected to last a number of weeks.

No date has been set for a provisional ruling, however it’s likely the further information request will lead to delays.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – UHG is the third most overcrowded hospital nationwide today.

There are 33 patients waiting on trolleys or wards at the hospital.

University Hospital Limerick is the most overcrowded with 64, followed by Beaumount Hospital with 34.

There are 478 waiting to be seen at hospitals around the country today.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A networking initiative will take place in the city next week for Galway’s non-profit organisations.

Community, arts, sports, heritage and health, disability and evironmental groups will gather to identify topics for training.

The network recently received 20 thousand in funding to source training in the community sector

A meeting will take place on Tuesday at CROÍ House, Newcastle for Community Together, to identify priorities for local groups. For more on this story tune in to Galway Bay fm news on the hour…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The group behind a campaign whose aim is to revitalise the Corrib waterways has prioritized education as one of their main goals.

The Corrib Beo Catchment Partnership is a coalition of activists and interest groups hoping to create a ‘shared vision’ for the freshwater environment.

They are holding their first conference at the Commercial Boat Club in Woodquay where they are discussing a 25 year plan for the waterways.

A member of the coalition, John O’Sullivan, says it is important to educate young people about environmental issues.

Join us on Saturday as we visit the Ballinfoile Castlegar Neighbourhood Centre from 2 to 5pm. Join Doc for an afternoon of high energy and entertainment, drop in an say hello!

Ballinfoile Castlegar Neighbourhood Centre Community Open Day takes place on Saturday from 2-4pm as part of the Big Hello, National Community Weekend.
The Theme for the Open Day is Health & Wellness and there are many events planned for the afternoon.

Event Timetable:

12pm – 1pm Free Yoga/Stretching session – Power Fitness

1pm – 2pm Free Nutritional Talk “Busting Common Nutrition Myths” – Emma Finnegan

2pm – 3pm Free Fitness Class – Power Fitness 

Other activities on the day include

Launch of Couch to 5k

Showcase of local services and initiatives

Free finger food

Kids competitions with prizes for Basketball, Soccer & Football Kids art also there will be mindfulness activities and a bouncing castles.

Galway Bay fm newsroom -The National Park City for Galway initiative will be launched in Dangan tomorrow.

Mayor of Galway, Niall McNelis and environmentalist Duncan Stewart will launch the initiative which will complement Galway’s reputation as a city for Arts and also Science & Technology.

The aim of the campaign is to have Galway city recognised as a National Park City by achieving a greener, bluer, healthier, safer, wilder environment where people are strongly connected to nature.

The initiative will be launched at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics at NUI Galway in Dangan tomorrow morning at 10.30.

Galway Manager Kevin Walsh has named his starting fifteen to face London in the Connacht Senior Football Championship on Sunday afternoon. There are championship debuts for John Daly and Antoine O’Laoi while Padraig Cunningham and David Wynne make their first championship starts. Danny Cummins, Tom Flynn, Shane Walsh and Gary O’Donnell played in the corresponding fixture five years ago. A game that Galway won by 3-17 to 0-7.

The Galway Team is….

1. Rory Lavelle
2. Eoghan Kerin
3. Sean Andy O’Ceallaigh
4. David Wynne
5. Liam Silke
6. John Daly
7. Gary O’Donnell
8. Tom Flynn
9. Michael Daly
10. Antoine O’Laoi
11. Padraic Cunningham
12. Johnny Heaney
13. Ian Burke
14. Shane Walsh
15. Danny Cummins

Galway Bay FM will be broadcasting two specials from London this weekend. Tomorrow night as part of Over The Line from Jono’s in Ealing from 8pm and on Saturday from the Claddagh Ring in Hendon from 7.30pm.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A public event will be held in Clarinbridge tomorrow to discuss life after serious brain injuries.

The information evening is organised by Clarinbridge Nursing Home and will include expert speakers from the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin.

They’ll explore the rehabilitation journey that faces patients who suffer an acquired brain injury, or ABI.

The public event will take place at Clarinbridge Nursing home tomorrow afternoon at 2

Director of Nursing at Clarinbridge Nursing Home, Nuala Connolly, says it’s vital that people are aware of the supports available – for more on this story tune in to FYI Galway@5…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Rahoon area of the city is to get 60 new homes.

McHugh Property Holdings has been granted planning permission for 68 residential units at Gaelcarraig, Letteragh.

The development will be in two separate schemes with new road access onto Gaelcarraig Park and Carn Ard.

The company has secured planning permission from the city council with 24 conditions attached.

One condition requires the developer to provide a piece of artwork to protect visual amenities.

Also the company must pay more than 3 quarters of a million euro to the city council towards the provision of public services.

Galway LGFA have launched a fundraising initative as the county gears up for their Lidl National Football League Division One Final with Cork on Sunday next. The funds raised will go towards the county teams with the hope of possibly securing their own facilities.

The Initiative is called “FIVER-A-WEEK Supporters Fund” and chairperson of Galway LGFA Betty Hernon joined John in the studio to talk about the fund, Galway in the league final and the forthcoming Feile competitions.

The Connacht Juniors management team have made two changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s Junior Interprovincial Series match with Leinster Juniors at Wicklow RFC ( k/o 2.30pm).
 
The first of those changes is in the front row where Ian Staunton of Connemara RFC is drafted in alongside club mate Barry Gibbons and Aidan Leech of Creggs RFC.
 
The second change is at outside centre as Sean Mullin comes into the squad, where he’ll partner David McDonagh who again captains the side.
 
In total 8 of the starting 15 hail for the J1A League champions Connemara, with a further 4 from Creggs and 1 each from Monivea, Castlebar and Sligo.
 
CONNACHT JUNIORS STARTING XV & REPLACEMENTS VS LEINSTER JUNIORS – SATURDAY 4TH MAY 2019 @ WICKLOW RFC (K/O 2.30PM)

15. Henry O’Toole (Connemara RFC)
14. Marty Conneely (Connemara RFC)
13. Sean Mullin (Sligo RFC)
12. David McDonagh (Connemara RFC) (C)
11. Conor Carter (Castelbar RFC)
10. Shane Dowd (Creggs RFC)
9. Michael O’Toole (Connemara RFC)
1. Aidan Leech (Creggs RFC)
2. Barry Gibbons (Connemara RFC)
3. Ian Staunton (Connemara RFC)
4. Niall Staunton (Connemara RFC)
5. Gerard Ward (Monivea RFC)
6. Brian Diffley (Creggs RFC)
7. James Brandon (Creggs RFC)
8. TJ Berry (Connemara RFC)

16. Maurice Buckley (Creggs RFC)
17. Rory Grenham (Buccaneers RFC)
18. Conor Mitchell (Sligo RFC)
19. Brian Donohue (Creggs RFC)
20. Alan Finnerty (Tuam RFC)
21. Joe Keane (Portumna RFC)
22. Craig McCormick (Ballina RFC)
23. Robert Enright-Mooney (Buccaneers RFC)

Galway manager Tim Rabbitte has named his side for Sunday’s Lidl National Football League Division One Final with just one change from their semi-final victory over Donegal. Leanne Coen replacing Sarah Conneally in attack.

The Galway Team Is…

CORK have made three changes with two switches in defence. Eimear Meaney coming in for Melissa Duggan, while Daire Kiely replaces Shauna Kelly and there is an enforced change in attack, with Áine O’Sullivan ruled out through suspension. She is replaced by Sadhbh O’Leary at corner forward.

For those planning on going to Dublin for the Ladies Division One League Final, a bus has been organised for supporters and will leave Carraroe at 10.30am stopping at Maam Cross, Oughterard, Moycullen, Supermacs on the Tuam Road, The Claregalway Hotel and Ballinasloe. Cost is €15 return and more information can be obtained by giving John a ring on 087 – 7912389.

Keith discussed the Quirke ruling; the Galway Theatre festival and a new book

The inclusion of out-half Jack Carty is one of eight changes to the Connacht side to face Ulster at Kingspan Stadium in the Guinness PRO14 Quarter Final tomorrow afternoon at 5.35.
 
Having been rested against Munster last weekend, Carty returns to form a half-back partnership with Kieran Marmion, with Caolin Blade named among the replacements.
 
Elsewhere in the back line, Tom Farrell comes back to partner Bundee Aki in midfield. There is one change in the back three from the side that played Munster last weekend with Matt Healy returning to the wing. Stephen Fitzgerald keeps his place on the opposite wing with Tiernan O’Halloran at full back.

Up front prop Denis Buckley returns to the side as does hooker Dave Heffernan. Tighthead Finlay Bealham showed no ill effect of his recent hand injury last time out and he retains his place in the front row. In the second row Irish International Ultan Dillane will partner Gavin Thornbury.
 
In the back row, Colby Fainga’a is the only change as he comes in at openside with Captain Jarrad Butler switching to number 8, while Eoin McKeon is named at blindside.
 
Ahead of the game, Head Coach Andy Friend says his side are really looking forward to the challenge: “This is a massive game for us – knock-out rugby with the added incentive of an interpro. We said all season that we wanted to be playing at the business end of the season but now we want to go and win and get to a semi-final. I genuinely feel that we haven’t played our best rugby yet and we are constantly improving”.
 
“Ulster are an outstanding side. They have got better and better and we are facing a much stronger side than what we played earlier in the season. Facing them on their home patch makes the challenge even greater but we are really up for that challenge”, Friend added.
 
Commenting on his team selection, Friend said that there was huge competition to get into the match day squad. “This week we have had 46 players fit and available to us. We have used 50 players throughout the season so there are disappointed boys not to be in the match day 23. We also had some big calls to make in the starting team, but we have picked a team that we feel can go and win this quarter final and we have a bench that gives us even more options over the 80 minutes”.
 
 
CONNACHT STARTING XV & REPLACEMENTS VS ULSTER
(15-9) Tiernan O’Halloran, Stephen Fitzgerald, Tom Farrell, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion.

(1-8) Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Gavin Thornbury, Eoin McKeon, Colby Fainga’a, Jarrad Butler (Capt).

Replacements (16-23): Shane Delahunt, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, Eoghan Masterson, Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade, Tom Daly, Darragh Leader.

George McDonagh looks ahead to day four of the Punchestown Festival

Friday Selections

RACE 1 WELCOME TO THE SPORTS GROUND A6 525 19:52 = TRAP 3 Totos Sprite  

RACE 2 THE PUNTERS PACK S7 – S10 350 SEMI-FINAL 20:07 = TRAP 1 Bullseye Jet 

RACE 3 THE PUNTERS PACK S7 – S10 350 SEMI-FINAL 20:22 = TRAP 2 Danmar Johnny 

RACE 4 THE ONLINE DEALS A5 550 20:37 = TRAP 4 Willbrook Ace 

RACE 5 THE W.G.O.B.A. AGM S6 350 20:52 = TRAP 5 Fast Fit Buddy 

RACE 6 2019 SEAN SCULLY MEMORIAL A7-A10 525 ROUND 1 HEAT 1 21:07 = TRAP 3 Orbsen Charm 

RACE 7 2019 SEAN SCULLY MEMORIAL A7-A10 525 ROUND 1 HEAT 2 21:22 = TRAP 5 Rockalong Amber 

RACE 8 2019 SEAN SCULLY MEMORIAL A7-A10 525 ROUND 1 HEAT 3 21:37 = TRAP 4 Blueball boy (nap)

RACE 9 2019 SEAN SCULLY MEMORIAL A7-A10 525 ROUND 1 HEAT 4 21:52 = TRAP 2 Rightyoube 

RACE 10 THE HIT OR BUST 525 22:07 = TRAP 2 Shes Our Scolari  

Saturday Selections 

RACE 1 WELCOME TO GALWAY GREYHOUND STADIUM A6 525 19:52 = TRAP 2 Good Woman Molly

RACE 2 THE TOTE GUARANTEES S7 350 20:07 = TRAP 3 Pats Gold Dream

RACE 3 THE UPCOMING SWEEPSTAKES S6 350 20:22 = TRAP 1 Kilbannon Voight 

RACE 4 UNRACED SWEEPSTAKE NEXT WEEK A5 525 20:37 = TRAP 5 Firestorm Arrow 

RACE 5 THE ONLINE DEAL OF THE MONTH S5 350 20:52 = TRAP 6 Sean The Dog

RACE 6 FUNDRAISING AT THE DOGS S3 350 21:07 = TRAP 3 Make The Deal

RACE 7 THE HIT OR BUST A2 525 21:22 = TRAP 2 Crokers Tiger (NAP)

RACE 8 THE EHS AT GALWAY A4 525 ROUND 1 HEAT 1 21:37 = TRAP 4 Heathlawnswallow

RACE 9 THE EHS AT GALWAY A4 525 ROUND 1 HEAT 2 21:52 = TRAP 2 Summerfield Hope 

RACE 10 THE EHS AT GALWAY A4 525 ROUND 1 HEAT 3 22:07 = TRAP 3 Rockalong Atlas 

Galway Bay fm newsroom – An investigation into a fatal marine accident in Galway Bay 18 months ago, has found that if the man who died had been wearing a flotation device or locator beacon he may have survived.

The fatal incident involving the FV Julie Eleanor boat happened on the 22nd of November 2017.

At about a quarter to 10 at night on November 22nd 2017, the coastguard received a call to say that the fishing vessel was overdue.

It was later located about a mile south of Barna in Galway Bay, where it was held fast to a line of pots. For more on this story tune in to Galway Bay fm news on the hour…

“You know you have read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend” – so says Paul Sweeney.

We’re looking for readers of all ages to join our Book Club.

Our opening chapter begins with the first ever Book Club Book Review on Tuesday May 28th hosted by Alan Murphy on The A List 

To join our club send us an email to bookclub@galwaybayfm.ie. We’d like to know a little about yourself and the kind of books you like to read.  We’ll send you back a membership note along with a list of questions for you to consider when you read our listeners choice of book each month. Have you a suggestion for our book reviews – let us know.

If you’d be interested in taking part in our Book Club discussions live on air with Alan Muprhy on The A List then let us know that also in your email. Otherwise we’d like to think you’ll read along with us stay tuned, especially on May 28th.

Our good friends at Kennys Bookshop are joining us in this adventure and will be helping with our book selection each month. What better advice could we get!

Suggestion from listeners this month include:

The Tattoist of Auschwitz – Heather Morris

The Gift of Friends – Emma Hannigan

Fing – David Walliam

Hinch Yourself Happy, all the best cleaning tips to shine your sink and soothe your sole – Mrs Hinch

The Cow Book – John Connell