Reservations Agent required for The Lodge at Ashford Castle. Seeking passionate and attentive candidates with an outgoing personality and strong willingness to learn. Offering onsite training, fantastic career opportunities and excellent benefits including a new state of the art staff accommodation facility. For more information please call Thomas White on 094 95 45345 or email twhite@ashfordcastle.com for more information.

Galway LGFA

Claregalway Hotel Sponsored Club Championship

RESULTS

Senior

St Brendan’s               2-03            Claregalway                   4-16

Kilkerrin/Clonberne      7-19            Caltra Cuans                  1-07

Dunmore McHales        2-11            Annaghdown                  2-10

Corofin                       3-14            Moycullen                       1-15

Intermediate

Menlough/Skehana        2-15            St. James                      5-08

Clonbur                          2-05            Tuam/Cortoon               4-15

Barna                             1-13            Glenamaddy/Williamstown 6-13

Junior A

Mountbellew/Moylough        1-06             Claregalway B               3-20

Salthill/Knocknacarra          1-05            St. Gabriels                    3-14

St Marys vs Caherlistrane       Postponed

Grainne Mhaols                      11-12          Milltown              0-03

Junior B

Monivea Abbey              4-08        St Furseys           2-14

St. Michaels                  0-04       Naomh Mhuire     8-20

Glinsk                            3-07      Micheal Breathnachs     0-15

Kilconly                         4-05       Kilkerrin/Clonberne       0-14           

Junior C

Oughterard                     0-01            Ballinasloe           6-24

Na Piarsaigh                  3-07            Oileáin Arann         4-08

An Cheathru Rua        14-14          Gaeil na Gaillimhe       0-02

Naomh Anna Leitir Mor   0-08        Carna Caiseal            3-18

320 pupils from seven local primary schools in Galway got to go behind-the-scenes at Galway racecourse on Thursday.  The pupils met with trainer Fergus Hanley and jockey Derek O’Connor, who gave the pupils an insight into their day-to-day routines and life in racing.  They also met with Galway racecourse manager Michael Moloney who explained how the team at Galway prepare for a raceday. The pupils received demonstrations from RACE (Racing Academy & Centre of Education) and took part in the ‘Front Runner Racing Club’ with racing-themed games, puzzles and quizzes.

Galway racecourse manager, Michael Moloney, commented: “We had a great time with all the pupils from our local schools.  The activities here educate children about racing and show them what happens behind the scenes at Galway in the lead-up to our Summer Festival.”

The objective of the HRI ‘Go Racing Kids Club’ initiative is to build ties between the racecourses and their local community, encouraging an affinity with racing which will hopefully produce future racegoers
 
Schools that took part:

Knocknacarra National School, Knocknacarra, Galway

Scoil Naisiunta Iognaid, Bothan Na Sliogan, Galway

The Claddagh National School, Galway

Buaile Beag, Rahoon, Galway

Brierhill National School, Castlegar, Galway

Merlin Woods Primary School, Galway

Castlegar National School, Castlegar, Galway

Galway Bay fm newsroom:

Public consultation will begin tomorrow for an updated Landscape Character Assessment for Galway.

The Landscape Character Assessment identifies the unique elements and features that make landscapes distinctive, and is used as a foundation for the development of policy in areas such as housing, planning and the environment.

An updated assessment is currently being compiled to be published alongside the new Galway County Development Plan for 2021 to 2027.

Over the coming months, members of the public will be asked to share their ideas and opinions on how the new landscape map should be shaped.

The first public consultation workshop will take place tomorrow in the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry from 10.30am to 12pm.

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

Ireland’s finest underage handballers descended on ten different venues in Tyrone, North Monaghan and Armagh venues one of the biggest weekends for juvenile handball, the Junior Nationals. Galway were well represented throughout the various age groups. Claregalway’s Niamh Heffernan reached the Girls U17 singles final where she faced Mollie Dagg. The Kildare woman started strongly and lead 6-1 and 7-3 before the Galway player made a comeback to reduce the gap to one, 9-8.

Dagg’s roof shots caused her opponent problems and she pushed 14-9 ahead and one point away from claiming the opening game. Heffernan managed to earn the chance to serve and tied the game at 14-14. Dagg remained composed and an excellent serve allowed her a front wall kill shot to claim the opening game. The second game was another tight affair with the Kildare player edging it to claim the Girls U17 title as Heffernan fell short in her attempt to claim back to back Junior National titles.

Mikey Kelly reached the final of the Boys U15 competition before he was beaten by Wexford’s Mark Doyle on a score line of 15-7 15-4. Kelly secured his place in the final by winning three games, most notably 15-12 15-13 against Kyle Jordan in the semi final. The Kilkenny man secured the U13 title last year but Kelly produced an assured performance to win. The Abbeykncokmoy man entered as top seed but he suffered defeat to a determined opponent as the game finished 15-7 15-4. Jordan, the number two seed, was defeated in last year’s U15 final and produced an excellent display of attacking handball to take home the title.

There was success for Niamh Burke in the Girls U15 B final as she overcame Waterford’s Saoirse Kelly to secure a 15-10 15-2 victory. The Abbeyknockmoy player faced a tough run to the final as she was drawn to play in a preliminary quarter final. However, she won all four of her matches as she secured an impressive triumph. Nicole Sweeney reached the U17 B Girls final after she came through a semi-final with Micheál Breathnachs’ Bróna Ní Cheallacháin. The Annaghdown handballer was beaten by Carlow’s Katie Barrett in the final.

Girls 17 & Under Final: Mollie Dagg (Kildare) dft Niamh Heffernan (Galway) 15-14, 15-11

Boys 15 & Under Final: Mark Doyle (Wex) dft Mikey Kelly (Galway) 15-7, 15-4

Girls 15 & Under B Final: Niamh Burke (Galway) dft Saoirse Kelly (Waterford) 15-10, 15-2

Girls 17 & Under B Final: – Katie Barrett (Carlow) dft Nicole Sweeney (Galway) 15-5, 15-3

Hardball Championships

Alan Byrne and Conor Noone were defeated in the quarter finals of the Junior Hardball Championships on Sunday. The pair received a walkover against Tipperary’s Aidan and Patrick Supple in the last 16 before facing Kildare’s Myles and Ivan Carroll. The Galway pair were defeated 21-16, 21-16. There was better news for Abbeyknockmoy’s Jamie Kelly who beat Ivan Carroll in the last 16 of the Junior Singles. He prevailed in a tiebreaker, eventually winning out 21-14 12-21 21-7.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Councillors have passed a controversial plan for a social housing estate of 58 units in Ballybane.

The Part 8 approval clears the way for the plan to proceed which will include 40 houses and 18 apartments funded by government under the social housing investment programme or SHIP.

The matter caused division at City Hall with some councillors raising concerns over the possibility of anti-social behaviour due to the fully social nature of the development.

Independent councillor Declan McDonnell said 16 residents associations from the east side of the city have raised concerns about ongoing anti-social behaviour and have called for an affordable mix.

He also questioned how three liaison officers can manage anti-social behaviour issues with a total housing stock of 2400 units in the city.

CEO Brendan McGrath stressed that anti-social behaviour issues concern only a small minority in social estates and also advised that liaison officers are backed up by a team in the housing department.

Fine Gael councillor John Walsh proposed that the Part 8 application be approved in the hope that an affordable scheme is in place by the time the houses are constructed.

His proposal was passed with the support of 15 members.

.Councillor Walsh told our reporter Antoinette Giblin that the development must be progressed given the city housing crisis.

Councillor Michael Crowe’s proposal to reject the Part 8 and revisit with regard to an affordable site in future, did not receive sufficient support with six voting for and nine against.

He says the current fully social development is not the right move.

Tuam Stars and Galway Footballer Gary O’Donnell was present at today’s AIB launch of the 2019 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. Gary also took the time to answer a few questions about Galway’s Chances this year…

Q: You’re already up and running in the championship. Beating London was the start you wanted, if not the performance?

A: Going over to London, everyone knows they’ve been building over the last few summers and we knew going over it was going to be a big challenge for us. We probably didn’t perform as well as we wanted on the day. 
But credit to London, they played well, created a lot of chances and stayed in the game as long as they could and there’s plenty for us to work on ahead of the Sligo game.

Q: Was that the game you wanted actually, to blow off the cobwebs and get rid of any complacency?

A: The nature of the Championship in May is like that so it’s probably no harm for some of us, especially when we have so many new faces, to have a small bit of a reality check. But at the same time we know where we are at the moment.
We were happy enough with our league campaign considering we didn’t finish it the way we wanted to. At the same time we’ve a lot of players coming back and bringing competition for places. We know we’ve a fair bit of work to do.

Q: You’ve had a few good summers and got Galway back in contention. What’s been the most encouraging aspect?

A: The big positive is where we came from.
We weren’t competing in Connacht but then won a couple in the last three years and were in another final too. We reached an All-Ireland semi-final and a national league final so that’s big targets met there. But at the same time we feel there’s plenty left in the tank yet. The age profile of the panel is ideal at the moment so we’re heading in the right direction.

Q: What exactly do you feel is still in the tank?

A: We could get our scoring a bit higher. We’ve worked a lot on our defence which has been evident in recent years when we were difficult to beat. That’s credit to the management in fairness, they’ve come in and set us up well. It mightn’t be everyone’s cup of tea at times, but you cut your cloth to measure at times. We feel defensively and offensively we can still improve and definitely we could increase our scoring on an average day.

Q: Is the criticism of Galway as overly defensive a bit unfair?

A: I think it is.
There’s a lot of teams that came before us that played a certain style of football and there wasn’t as much criticism. I remember years back we were playing a brilliant style of football but getting pasted by a couple of teams and getting the exact same criticism so sometimes you just can’t win. In all sports and in all teams, it’s all about winning so you learn to take that on the chin and do whatever it takes to get over the line.

Q: Galway certainly appear to have the players and talent to become more dangerous in attack. Is the balance coming?

A: The proof will come this summer. We’re hoping to make the latter stages of the championship and hopefully, up against the big teams and even along the way, we’ll see how we measure up.
We really won’t know until then but we’re doing a lot of work in training. A lot of time and preparation has gone into it and you don’t really know until you get into the thick of the championship.

Q: You reached an All-Ireland semi-final last year v Dublin? What do recall and learn from that?

A: I recall getting a goal early on and going a couple of points up and then immediately after we intercepted a kick-out one-on-one, missed it and then missed a penalty. The first half was there for us. We went in two points down after all that and were very disappointed at that stage. 

The first 15 minutes of the second half was the same. We were well in the game but just didn’t capitalise on it. I don’t think we scored for 17 or 20 minutes and you’re not going to win games at that level, especially against Dublin, like that. So we know exactly what went wrong and know what we have to work on it.

Q: Sligo up next. They mightn’t have had a great league but their scoring was decent and they can always lift it for championship?

A: Absolutely. We’re well used to Sligo. Kevin was there for a couple of years and they put one over on us before when he was in charge of them. They’re very stiff opposition up in Markievicz. Anytime you play them up there it’s never easy. We saw the results over last weekend – a lot of underdogs came out on top. So we’re forewarned. It was the same against London. 
I know it’s a cliché at times but you’re going over there to do a job and you can never prepare yourself enough for the team who is up for you, especially at this time of the year. We need to be really, really prepared for this.
Markievicz is a really compact ground and a difficult place to play, especially if there’s a big crowd at it. We actually haven’t played up there much in the last few years. Regardless of where you play though you have to just adapt to the conditions.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Loam in the city has been named Ireland’s best restaurant at the 2019 Irish Restaurant Awards.

The Michelin star restaurant at Fairgreen Road was joined in the winners circle at an awards ceremony in Dublin by Graham Neville of Dax Restaurant in Dublin who won Best Chef.

Best pub went to Doheny and Nesbitt, also in Dublin.

West Restaurant at The Twelve Hotel in Barna was named the Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant in Connacht while Best Customer Service in Connacht went to Park House Hotel in the city.

Le Petit Pois just off Eyre Square won the award for Best Wine Experience in Connacht while Connemara Greenway café and restaurant was named Best Café in the west.

Tune in to Galway Bay fm news for more…

Mary Naughton nee Dolan

Colmanstown, Ballinasloe.  Reposing at St. Mary’s Funeral Home, Menlough this evening from 6.  Removal at 8 to Fr. Griffin Church, Gurteen.  Mass for Mary Naughton tomorrow Wednesday at 12.  Funeral afterwards to Cloonkeenkerrill cemetery.

Shirley Fannon nee Kilpatrick

Laurel Park, Newcastle.  Reposing at St. Anthony’s Room within Church of St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra this evening from 5.  Removal at 6:30 to Sacred Heart Church, Seamus Quirke Road.  Mass for Shirley Fannon tomorrow Wednesday at 11.  Funeral afterwards to Rahoon cemetery.  Family flowers only, by request.  Donations if desired to Make a Wish Foundation and Jack and Jill Foundation.

Myles Walsh

Liscaninaun, Claregalway.  In his 92nd year.   Arriving at Our Lady of Knock Church, Lackagh this afternoon for mass for Myles Walsh at 2.  Funeral afterwards to Cregg Cemetery. 

Annie also known as Teresa Dowd nee Shannon

Lower Ballyconboy, Ballinagare, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.  Reposing at her son Martin and daughter in law Ann’s home, Peake, Ballinagare, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon today from 4 until 8.  Removal tomorrow Wednesday to Church of the Sacred Heart, Ballinagare, Castlerea, for mass for Teresa Dowd at 11.  Funeral afterwards to Tulsk Cemetery.  House private after reposing time and family flowers only by request.  Donations, if desired, to Irish Cancer Society.

Delaney’s MACE with their new flagship store in Liosban, Tuam Road have the following positions available;Store Manager, Chef/Deli Manager, Deli assistants, General store assistants. Full and part-time positions available.C.Vs to hr@pkdretail.ie closing date for applicants is Wednesday 22^nd of May 2019.

Galway Bay fm newsroom:

A public meeting will be held in Loughrea tomorrow to update locals on the Town Hall restoration project.

The Loughrea Arts Recreation and Culture group will outline its recently commissioned business plan and discuss how it plans to move forward on the restoration.

The community group was established almost 5 years ago to save the derelict building, and hopes to see the Hall used for music, theatre, exhibitions and heritage displays.

The public meeting takes place at 7.30 tomorrow evening in Loughrea Library.

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

In just eleven weeks the white flag will be raised for the 2019 Galway Races Summer Festival which is the 150th running of the Festival.

It was announced last week that prize money has been increased for the festival with the introduction of more big races in Ballybrit including races for those horses who did not qualify for the Galway Plate or the Galway Hurdle.

Racecourse manager at Ballybrit, Michael Maloney, spoke to George McDonagh on Over The Line.

GALWAY’S Tim Rabbitte has been confirmed as the Lidl Manager of the Month award for April 2019, in association with the Irish Daily Star.

In his first season at the helm, Rabbitte guided Galway to a first Lidl National League Division 1 Final appearance in four years, after the Tribesmen enjoyed an impressive top-flight campaign.

Galway finished on top of Division 1, with 18 points from a possible 21, before defeating Donegal in the League semi-final.

In the month of April, Galway won both of their competitive fixtures, and both of them were victories against Donegal.

Galway defeated the TG4 Ulster Champions by 2-13 to 0-10 in the final round of group fixtures, before winning the Division 1 semi-final by 1-12 to 1-5.

Galway may have lost the divisional final to Cork in early May, but Rabbitt has been acknowledged for his sterling work in getting his team to the Parnell Park decider.

Tim was presented with his award by Marek Kozinski, Store Manager, at the Lidl Store in Oranmore, Co. Galway.

Rabbitte and his players will now turn their attentions towards the TG4 Connacht Senior Final against old rivals May on June 23, when the Tribeswomen will hope to retain their provincial title.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A public meeting on invasive species in Galway – and how to tackle them – will take place in Claregalway next week.

Invasive species are non-native plants or animals that pose a serious threat to native species, habitats or eco-systems.

Examples of problematic species in Galway include Japanese Knotweed, Giant Rhubarb and Curley Waterweed.

Japanese Knotweed is particularly problematic as it not only strangles native species – but can even damage building foundations over time.

The public workshop – organised by the County Council – will take place at the Claregalway Hotel on Thursday May 23rd at 10am.

Heritage Officer Marie Mannion says it’s crucial that people know how to properly deal with invasive species – for more on this tune in to FYI Galway@5…

Connacht Rugby have announced the signing of prop Rory Burke from Championship side Nottingham ahead of the 2019/20 season. Burke was previously capped for Munster in the Pro14 championship before joining Nottingham in 2017. The 25 year old has gone on to feature prominently for the championship side.
 
At international level, Burke represented Ireland at Under 20 level, playing in each of Ireland’s Under 20s Six Nations games in 2014 and in the IRB World Championship later that year.
 
Connacht have also confirmed that scrum half Stephen Kerins has become the latest player from the Connacht Academy to earn his first professional contract. The Sligo man made his Connacht debut in the European Challenge Cup win away to Bordeaux in January. Kerins was also previously capped for his country at Under 20 international level as he featured in the Under 20 Six Nations Championship in 2016.
 
Commenting on the latest additions to the Connacht squad, Head Coach Andy Friend said: “We are delighted to add Rory Burke and Stephen Kerins to our squad ahead of our 2019/20 campaign. In the season just gone, squad depth was really important to our success in qualifying for the Champions Cup. With more big games ahead that depth will be tested even further. Rory will give us another option up front, while Stephen’s graduation from the Academy will be needed to add to our list of scrum half options.”

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The public has until Friday evening to lodge submissions on a major strategic housing development in Oranmore.

Arlum Limited plans to build 212 residential units at Moneyduff in Oranhill.

The development would consist of 156 houses and 56 apartments, with a crèche included in the application.

A similar development was previously refused planning permission due to ecological concerns.

The project plans were presented at a meeting of the Athenry/Oranmore Municipal District Council this week, where councillors were given the chance to raise their concerns.

Cllr Martina Kinane focused on the need for adequate leisure amenities in the build, and urged developers to provide a playground within the new estate.

While Cllr James Charity suggested that the Oranmore Traffic Plan should be re-examined as the new estate could have a significant impact on local traffic.

The deadline for submissions on the project is 5.30pm on Friday.

Ronan & Alan are live from G Furniture & Carpets Northpoint Tuam road on Thursday from 12-5 for the start of the massive 4 day sale, everything reduced in store with loads of special offers with clearance stock reduced by up to 70%.

G Furniture & Carpets Northpoint Tuam road are having a massive 4 day sale, everything reduced in store with loads of special offers with clearance stock reduced by up to 70%, Sale starting this Thursday finishing on Sunday.

At G Furniture & Carpets this weekend, great offers on beds, suites, Dining sets, carpets, mattresses with a large selection of sofas both leather and fabric with  much more. G Furniture and carpets bedding department is stocked with a large selection of bedroom ranges with something for everyone’s budget with a large selection of bedframes ready for immediate delivery.

G Furniture & Carpets also deliver for free. For more information go to gfurniture.ie

Galway Bay fm newsroom:

Puppy lovers in Galway can now vote for their ‘Puppy of the Year’.

Petmania has revealed the finalists for this year’s national competition.

There are 5 puppies shortlisted in Galway and the overall winner will become the face of the Petmania brand for 2019/2020 and receive a prize worth 15 hundred euro.

You can cast your vote on petmania.ie and photos of the 5 finalists, Ted, Bobby, Daisy, Max and Willow can all been seen on our website.

Frank Kelly

Wembley, Middlesex, UK and formerly of Peterswell, Gort.  Mass for Frank Kelly tomorrow Thursday at 12 in Peterswell Church.  Funeral afterwards to Castledaly Cemetery.

Mary Martyn

21 Racecourse Lawn, Ballybrit and formerly of Gortroe, Ardrahan.  Reposing at Monaghan’s Funeral Home, Labane, Ardrahan this evening from 5:30.  Removal at 7:30 to St. Teresa’s Church, Labane.  Mass for Mary Martyn tomorrow Thursday at 12.  Funeral afterwards to Labane Cemetery.  Family flowers only, by request.  Donations, if desired, to Galway Hospice.

Helen Murphy nee Gardiner

Lagoo, Moyglass, Loughrea.  Reposing at St. Mary’s Funeral Home, Woodford this evening from 5 with prayers at 7:30.  Mass for Helen Murphy tomorrow Thursday at 2 in St. Joseph’s Church, Ballinakill.  Funeral afterwards to Woodford Cemetery.

Martha O’Donnell nee Olsthoorn

Gloves South, Kiltulla, Athenry.  Reposing at Gardiner’s Funeral Home, Athenry this evening from 5 until 8.  Removal from her home tomorrow Thursday to Church of St. Peter and Paul, Kiltulla for mass for Martha O’Donnell at 12.  Funeral afterwards to Kiltulla Cemetery.

Jack Higgins

Tone Avenue, Mervue.  Reposing at Holy Family Funeral Home, Mervue this evening from 5.  Removal at 6:30 to adjoining church.  Mass for Jack Higgins tomorrow Thursday at 11.  Funeral afterwards to New Cemetery, Bohermore.  House private and family flowers only, by request.

Margaret Morrissey nee O’Neill

St. Joseph’s Road, Portumna and formerly of Ballycoe House, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford and Neigham, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny.  Reposing at her daughter Mary Foley’s residence at St. Joseph’s Road, Portumna this evening from 5 until 7.  Funeral cortege arriving at St. Bridget’s Church, Portumna tomorrow Thursday for mass for Margaret Morrissey at 11.  Funeral afterwards to St. Michael’s Cemetery, Portumna.

Tommy Cunniffe

Aille, Loughrea and formerly of Eyrecourt.  Reposing at Kilboy’s Funeral Home, Loughrea this evening from 6:30.  Removal at 8:30 to St. Andrew’s Church, Leitrim.  Mass for Tommy Cunniffe tomorrow Thursday at 12.  Funeral afterwards to Kilteskil Cemetery.  Family flowers only, by request.  Donations, if desired, to Palliative Care, Home Care Team, Galway Hospice.

Tom Carr

Cathedral Road, Cork and late of Garryard, Killimor.  Mass for Tom Carr this morning at 10:15 in North Cathedral, Cork .  Funeral afterwards to Killimor Old Cemetery arriving at 3 approximately.

Mary Naughton nee Dolan

Colmanstown, Ballinasloe.  Mass for Mary Naughton today at 12 in Fr. Griffin Church, Gurteen.  Funeral afterwards to Cloonkeenkerrill Cemetery.

Keith spoke about planning permission; Macnas; EU Health insurance cards and the 3rd anniversary of the Portershed