Galway Bay fm newsroom:

The owners of the former Corrib Great Southern Hotel say development plans are being finalised for the site.

The Comer Group has issued a statement following a fire at the derelict building last Monday.

Concerns have been mounting over anti-social behaviour at the disused building following multiple fires in recent years.

The owners say that since purchasing the site it has been a priority to make the best use of it through developing a project inclusive of local services and businesses which will have a positive impact on the surrounding community.

This, they state, has included engagement with Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, seeking the most effective ways to provide education space and student accommodation solutions.

The current zoning of the area is set predominantly for commercial units.

The Comer Group says residential units are the only feasible solution to the housing crisis and that from its talks with GMIT, it is clear that further student accommodation is required to service the educational institute.

The statement continues that during the unexpected additional time required to draw up new plans for the site which will meet the new zoning requirements, the Comer Group has taken every precaution to have security cameras, regular security checks and extermination contractors surveilling the property.

It concludes that the group hopes the new vision for the Corrib Great Southern site is met with a constructive response which will help alleviate the current housing and student accommodation crisis Galway is facing.

Ballyhale Shamrocks and Borris-Ileigh share the spoils on AIB GAA Club Hurling team of the year

Back to back All-Ireland champions Ballyhale Shamrocks and beaten finalists Borris-Ileigh are the dominant presence with 10 places between them on the prestigious AIB GAA Club Players’ Awards team of the year in hurling, which is announced today.

Earlier this year Ballyhale Shamrocks successfully defended their AIB GAA All-Ireland senior club hurling crown in what was a record eighth All-Ireland in all for the exceptional Kilkenny club.

Defenders Joey Holden, Darren Mullen and Evan Shefflin have been honoured on the team of the year – so too, their sharp shooting and experienced forward duo of TJ Reid and Colin Fennelly.

Tipp and Munster champs Borris-Ileigh are represented by goalkeeper James McCormack and defenders Paddy Stapletonand Brendan Maher with Dan McCormack’s midfield energy recognised and so too, Jerry Kelly’s form in attack.

Similar to the football selection announced yesterday, there are five clubs represented in all.

Derry star Chrissy McKaigue won an AIB GAA Club Football Award in 2018 and adds a hurling award here on the back of his inspirational work with Ulster champs Slaughtneil. He is joined by club mate Brendan Rogers,who is named among the forwards and was previously a hurling winner in 2018.

Elsewhere, the impressive Shane Cooney from St Thomas’ in Galway completes the defence,while Ballygunner ace Dessie Hutchinson and St Mullin’s of Carlow star Martin Kavanagh are also honoured for their massive contribution to their club campaigns.

The awards will be presented at a special banquet in Croke Park this Friday night.

The nominees for the AIB GAA Club Hurler of the Year have also been announced and they see Ballyhale Shamrocks duo TJ Reid and Evan Shefflin shortlisted alongside Borris-Ileigh’s Brendan Maher. This overall award will be announced live on Friday evening.

Congratulating the winners, Uachtarán CLG John Horan said: “In the space of three short years these awards recognising the AIB GAA club players of the year have become a prestigious honour and this year’s selection is comprised of players who left a major mark on another entertaining and memorable club campaign.

“To win something with your club is truly special because it is where we begin and where we finish and year after year this competition illustrates the importance of the club to the community and the people they represent. These players went above and beyond in their endeavours.

“I want to congratulate all of the players who have been honoured with a place on this team. I want to also extend our thanks to Denis O’Callaghan and our long-standing supporters in AIB for their commitment to this competition which continues to go from strength to strength.” 

Denis O’Callaghan, Head of Customer Management, AIB, said: “AIB is proud to celebrate its 29th year sponsoring the Club Championships, and to partner with the GAA for the third time for the AIB GAA Club Players Awards. The awards recognise the incredible feats achieved by club players across Ireland who reached the AIB GAA Club Championships.”

“Today, we are proud to announce the AIB GAA Club Hurling Team of the Year. The skill and talent displayed by these players puts their communities on the national stage. To be named on the Club Hurling Team of the Year is a real honour, and an immense source of pride for their families, communities and clubs.”

“On behalf of AIB I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each of the winners and to thank the national and regional sports media for taking the time to cast their votes and for their continued support for the AIB GAA Club Championships”

The AIB GAA Club Players’ Awards are selected by a panel of GAA media from across print, radio, tv and digital, and is chaired by Uachtarán CLG.  

 AIB GAA CLUB PLAYERS’ AWARDS – HURLING 2020

1. James McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)
2. Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh)
3. Joseph Holden (Ballyhale Shamrocks) *Previous winner in 2019
4. Darren Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
5. Evan Shefflin (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
6. Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)
7. Shane Cooney (St Thomas) 
8. Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh) 
9. Christopher McKaigue (Slaughtneil)
10. Brendan Rogers (Slaughtneil) *Previous winner in 2018
11. TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks) *Previous winner in 2019
12. Jerry Kelly (Borris-Ileigh) 
13. Dessie Hutchinson (Ballygunner)
14. Colin Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks) *Previous winner in 2019
15. Martin Kavanagh (St Mullins)

AIB GAA CLUB HURLER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES 

TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Evan Shefflin (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)

Galway Bay fm newsroom:

The owners of the former Corrib Great Southern Hotel in the city are hoping to receive the support of city councillors in their plan to redevelop the site.

The Comer Group has issued a statement following a fire at the derelict building last Monday.

Concerns have been mounting over anti-social behaviour at the disused building following multiple fires in recent years.

The owners of the former Hotel say development plans are being finalised with the site currently zoned predominantly for commercial units.

However, according to the Comer group, the site is not commercially viable and a residential development with supporting retail units is the only feasible solution.

This will require a material contravention from Galway City Council and the support of the majority of city councillors to re-zone the land for the development.

For more on this story, tune into the Galway Bay fm news…

Branar Téatar do Pháistí invites you to join it on an immersive theatre adventure through the story of the Irish language in Sruth na Teanga.

Branar will create different worlds, each offering a poetic interpretation of crucial periods in the life cycle of this ancient language. The audience is invited into an unforgettable theatrical experience, encountering imaginative worlds that evoke the landscape, history and forces that have shaped Gaeilge, one of the ten most ancient languages still spoken today.

Experience a true sense of adventure with cinematic levels of detail as you travel from one room to the next in five otherworldly experiences combining live performance, puppetry, music, video mapping, breathtaking design and beautiful imagery. Branar’s world-class brand of storytelling will enchant audiences of children aged eight-plus and adults alike.

Artistic Director Marc Mac Lochlainn
Designer Maeve Clancy
Composer Michael Chang

Sruth na Teanga is kindly facilitated by Galway City Council and Galway County Council.

Running time 50 minutes.

Schools Performances
Students €7, Teachers go free – sruthnateanga.ie

Family Performances
Child €8, Adult €11, Family (4 people) €34

To book tickets click HERE

Galway senior ladies football team hope to continue their excellent recent form in Division 1 of the Lidl National League when they host Tipperary next Sunday at 2pm in Tuam Stadium. After an opening round defeat at the hands of Waterford, Galway have registered 3 wins in a row against Westmeath, Donegal and Dublin to lie second in the table behind Cork.

Ahead of the game, Galway manager Timmy Rabbit has been speaking to Tommy Devane…

Sunday March 8, 2020

Lidl Ladies NFL Division 1 – Round 5

Donegal v Cork, 2pm (Gus Chapman, Sligo)

Galway v Tipperary, 2pm (Mel Kenny, Mayo)

Mayo v Westmeath, 2pm (Shane Curley, Galway)

Waterford v Dublin, 2pm (Niall McCormack, Laois)

Today, Keith Finnegan looked at a variety of topical issues in Galway City and County

Galway Bay fm newsroom:

The proposed Galway City Ring Road is over engineered and will have too much of a human impact.

That’ s according to former city engineer Tom Kilgarriff who made submission against the proposed developed on the 8th day of the oral hearing this morning.

Former Galway city engineer Tom Kilgarriff, assisted by consultant Engineer Gabor Molinar argued against the proposed development on a number of legal and design issues.

Mr Kilgarriff said he is in favour of a ring road development but said this one is in the wrong place, it’s over engineered and it will effectively destroy a community of homes.

Mr Molinar presented an alternative route that would see the demolition of just one home – compared to the 54 on the applicant’s route.

This route is longer than the preferred route, but Mr Molinar argued that’s not simply a matter of economics and that the human impact must be considered.

He went on to say that the construction of a three lane motorway along sections of the preferred route unnecessary.

He described this as an example of over engineering and made reference to the Athlone bypass as an example of a dual carriage way that is capable of carrying 56 thousand car journeys a day.

Mr Kilcarriff raised a number of legal concerns regarding the development.

He questioned whether considering the proposed ring road and the Galway Transport Strategy separately queries whether the GCRR will free up space in the city.

The development is being proposed under article 63 which states that no European sites will be destroyed.

Mr Kilgarriff argued that it should be taken under article 64 which says the development will destroy a European site but that there’s no choice but to do so.

The hearing will continue this afternoon.

Tony Burke Motors Toyota & Lexus Dealership require a Qualified Mechanic for their Workshop in Ballybrit, Galway.

This position would suit a Mechanic ideally with motor experience in a dealership environment. Immediate start. Attractive Remuneration Plus Bonus.

Interested Candidates apply with CV to: careers@tonyburkemotors.ie

On Friday we broadcast live from Caulfield’s on the Tuam Road, who are hosting The Dewalt Roadshow Truck this weekend. Join Ronan Lardner on The Live Wire from 12 noon and Alan Murphy on The A List from 3pm.

Experience live demonstrations of the new DEWALT Power Tool technology and accessories.  Put the tools to the test yourself, with Special Offers during the day. So Join us from 12 to 5 this Friday for full details on this event.

DELEGATES attending next weekend’s Ladies Gaelic Football Association Annual Congress at the Lough Rea Hotel, Galway, will vote on their preferred candidate to become LGFA President-elect.

Three candidates are vying to take over from current President Marie Hickey in 2021, and the winner of the vote will then serve a four-year term.  

Two Sligo men are contesting the position, namely Micheál Naughton and Liam McDonagh, with Dublin native Dominic Leech also in the running, as Annual Congress returns to Galway for the first time since 2004.

The successful candidate will become the 13th different President of the LGFA since its inception in 1974.

Laois native Marie Hickey will complete her second three-year stint before handing over the reins to the new President at Annual Congress next year.  

Westmeath’s Geraldine Giles also served for two terms as President from 2003-2009, while Wexford’s Pat Quill was President of the LGFA for three terms (1985-1988, 2009-2012 and 2012-2015).

Hailing from West Sligo, but based in Donegal for over 22 years, Micheál Naughton is a former Donegal and Ulster Council Chairman who also managed the Donegal Ladies Senior Football team.

Affiliated to the Four Masters club, Naughton guided Donegal to the 2010 TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate crown during her first stint in charge, before returning to preside over a 2016 Lidl National League Division 2 title win.

Liam McDonagh is also a native of Sligo, and he has been a member of the St Nathy’s club in the county since its inception in 1993.

A two-time TG4 All-Ireland Final referee (Junior 2003, Intermediate 2007) McDonagh has filled various administrative roles in Sligo, including Chairperson, and he was Connacht LGFA President from 2017-2020.

From Dublin’s northside, Dominic Leech is the current Leinster LGFA President, and he was manager of the Wicklow team that won the 2011 TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship.

Leech’s home club is Whitehall Colmcilles in Dublin and his current club is Newtownmountkennedy in Wicklow, where he’s actively involved.

Delegates attending the Lough Rea Hotel will hear from all three Presidential hopefuls on Saturday afternoon, before the votes will be cast, and the President-elect revealed.  

The LGFA’s 2020 Annual Congress gets underway on Friday evening, and is expected to conclude on Saturday evening.

Galway Bay fm newsroom:

The county council’s decision to refuse a plan to build a biogas plant in Gort has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

The plan led by Sustainable Bio-Energy Limited would be located in the townlands of Ballynamantan, Kinincha and Glenbrack.

In January of 2019, an application to develop a biogas plant on a 10 hectare site around 1 kilometre from Gort was withdrawn by Sustainable Bio-Energy Limited.

A second application was submitted last November for the plant, which would utilise anaerobic digestion technology to produce renewable energy and organic fertiliser.

However county planners refused permission for the project in January citing a number of factors.

This decision has now been appealed to An Bord Pleanála with a decision due in June (24/06).

Objections can be submitted until March 18th.

Galway Bay fm newsroom:

Serious concerns have been raised over plans to cut 108 primary care roles across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

Fórsa trade union met HSE officials over the plan yesterday and heard 12 closure notices are to be issued on services impacted across the region, which it argues, is unprecedented.

The union says 40 primary care roles were cut in the western region last year and 108 roles will be cut by year end, with 44 maternity leave posts also not filled.

This, it’s argued, has resulted in only ‘priority 1’ cases being dealt with as part of a risk register.

Padraig Mulligan is Assistant General Secretary with Fórsa – says frontline services will be directed impacted by the cuts which are being implemented in an effort to address budget overruns.

He says in his 16 years as a trade union official in the health services sector – the scale of such cuts is unprecedented.

Galway Bay fm newsroom:

Hundreds of students attended a protest at NUI Galway today to highlight a 4% rent increase in on campus accommodation.

The gathering was organised by the NUIG Students Union and a coalition of student groups and activists.

The crowd gathered at the Quad at the Aula Maxima this afternoon, chanting demands for affordable housing and to ‘freeze the four’.

It’s understood that Student Union president Clare Austick is currently meeting with the Management company behind Corrib Village and Goldcrest Village Student Accommodation over the rent increase.

A group of students have been occupying the Quadrangle at the University over the last number of days with tents pitched on the green areas of the Quad.

Soc Dem councillor Owen Hanley says students are frustrated over their voice not being heard.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Living under compulsory purchase order is impacting negatively on people’s mental health.

That’s according to retired GP and Headford road resident Tom Rea who address today’s ring road oral hearing.

Retired GP Tom Welby told this morning’s session of oral the hearing that people’s mental is being seriously impacted by the stress of living under CPO.

Mr Rea said he recommended that a number of people should see a doctor because they were suffering from stress induced anxiety and depression.

He added that some of these people are now attending counselling, visiting specialist therapists and in some cases taking medication to deal with their issues.

Mr Rea was one of several speakers at this morning’s session that made submissions against the proposed road development.

He was joined by Headford road resident Loretta Needham who described the CPO process as a callous eviction.

Ms Needham said the lack of sufficient communication between the applicant and the residents whose homes will be acquired has added to the stress of the situation.

She added that her home has been severely undervalued and said she doesn’t believe enough resources are provided by the applicant to help people who will be forced to relocate.

Eileen McCarthy from ARUP consultants moved to ease Ms Needham’s concerns, saying the compensation process is designed to benefit the residents not the applicant.

Meanwhile, Neasa Welby on behalf of the Galway Cycle Bus, challenged the applicant on the potential safety risks that may arise from the proposed ring road.

Ms Welby accepted that it’s planned to create a segregated cycle lane along the Western Distributor Road but questioned how cyclist are meant access it safely – from increasingly trafficked junctions at Cappagh Road and the Ballymoneen Road.

The oral hearing continues this afternoon.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to Galway and Ireland has concluded in Salthill with the royal couple enjoying a Gaelic Games display at Salthill-Knocknacarra GAA club in Salthill

Prince William and Kate Middleton were officially welcomed to Galway by Mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard and City Chief Executive Brendan McGrath at their first engagement at Tribeton Bar and Restaurant on Merchants Road shortly before mid-day

They then made their way to Tigh Cóili on Manguard Street to enjoy a traditional music session, and did a short walk-about on Quay Street and Shop Street

The engagement at Aras Bothar na Tra will mark the final engagement of the three day Irish visit, which has seen the Duchess embrace the national colour in all her outfits

For her Galway visit Kate wore an emerald green and white polka dot dress, and a long dark green fitted coat

Their arrival this morning was delayed by approximately an hour as their flight was fog bound at Dublin Airport

However the delay didn’t bother the large crowds gathered at all points on the Royal Couple’s itinerary, with the many groups of schoolchildren the most excited

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ended their Ireland visit by trying their hand at hurling with the help of young members of Salthill Knocknaccara GAA club

The engagement at Aras Bothar na Tra marked the final engagement of the three day Irish visit, which has seen the Duchess embrace the national colour in all her outfits

For her Galway visit Kate first of all wore an emerald green and white polka dot dress by British designer Suzannah Winters, and a long dark green fitted coat

However, she and William changed into sporting gear for the visit to Salthill, where they also enjoyed a Gaelic Games display

Earlier in the day, Prince William and Kate Middleton were officially welcomed to Galway by Mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard and City Chief Executive Brendan McGrath at their first engagement at Tribeton Bar and Restaurant on Merchants Road shortly before mid-day

They were also greeted by Culture Minister Josepha Madigan and Galway 2020 CEO Patricia Philbin, and were treated to a selection of performances representative of the Galway 2020 programme

They then made their way to Tigh Cóili on Mainguard Street to enjoy a traditional music session, and did a short walk-about on Quay Street and Shop Street

Their arrival this morning was delayed by approximately an hour as their flight was fog bound at Dublin Airport

However the delay didn’t bother the hundreds gathered at all points on the Royal Couple’s itinerary, with the many groups of schoolchildren the most excited.

Tune in to FYI Galway@5 for a special feature on the Royal visit to Galway…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A newly made sculpture of the first trans-Atlantic airmen, John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown, will be unveiled by the British Ambassador in Clifden this Friday.

The life size sculpture is located on the town Square where it will be a permanent reminder of the Alcock and Brown epic flight of just over 100 years ago.

Just over 100 years ago, the intrepid airmen set out from Newfoundland and landed near Clifden. Two continents had been linked and a new world beckoned.

It has long been said that Clifden should have a visible and striking reminder of that epic event. Now it will have.

At 11 a.m. tomorrow the British Ambassador, Robin Barnett, will unveil a bronze life size sculpture of John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown on the Square in Clifden.

It is an exact replica of the sculpture that has stood at Heathrow Airport since 1954.

That sculpture was brought to Clifden as part of 100th anniversary Alcock and Brown event last year.

Clifden hotelier Brian Hughes and others championed the idea of a replica sculpture with business people Seán and Bernadine Mulryan sponsoring the cost.

The Alcock and Brown sculpture is now on a pedestal reaching towards the skies where they alighted from on a June day 100 years ago.

Galway Bay fm newsroom –

The Galway City Ring Road oral hearing has been told that the traffic in the city is causing stress, frustration and anger for workers in Parkmore.

A submission was made on behalf of the 10 thousand workers at the industrial park in the east of the city, by Medtronic European Operations General Manager Tony Neary and Medtronic employee Deirdre Colleran.

Ms Colleran made a passionate submission to the hearing, asking for something to be done to address traffic congestion in the city.

She said spending long hours in traffic over the course of week eats into valuable family time and restricts the amount of activities she can do with her children in the evening.

Ms Colleran, who lives in Oranmore, said she must leave work at quarter to 5 everyday to guarantee she will be on time to collect her children from creche before 6pm.

Meanwhile, Mr Neary said they are in favor of any infrastructural improvements that will ease city traffic congestion.

The oral hearing continues tomorrow morning.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were treated to a selection of Galway’s cultural offering at their first engagement in city – arriving at Tribeton on Merchants Road just before 11.30am to an exhibition organised by Galway European Capital of Culture 2020.

Their Royal Highnesses were greeted on arrival to Tribeton by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan, while CEO of Galway 2020 Patricia Philbin guided the pair through the exhibition.

The band NØÖV provided the music for the Royal pair’s visit – a five-piece youth collective discovered by Galway 2020’s Livefeed project.

Hoops put on a basketball display, while the Price William and Catherine had a chat with Manchán Magan as part of Sea Tamagotchi, a linguistic art project celebrating endangered maritime words and place names in coastal regions of Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Donegal and Scotland.

A highlight for the gathered crowd came when the Duke showed off his juggling skills, taking his cue from Galway Community Circus.

Members of the circus had a long chat with their Royal Highnesses about the importance of exercise, with the Duchess commenting that involvement in the group was clearly resilience building – given the difficulty of the tight rope exercise the pair had observed.

Before their departure into the city centre, TRH were shown a performance by the Galway Community Cast – a drummers’ group formed ahead of the launch of Galway 2020 in February.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The second stop on the Royal visit took William and Kate to the heart of the city where they were welcomed by a large group of royal onlookers who had gathered outside the barriers at well-known establishment Tig Cóilí since 7am.

The pub located at Mainguard Street is renowned for its twice-daily traditional Irish music sessions and is a popular draw for both locals and tourists who come to sample Galway’s unique cultural offering.

The couple received a warm welcome from pub-owners Cóilí and Monica O’Flaherty, and Gary McMahon of Galway City Council and were then presented with a set of specially commissioned Galway Crystal glasses and a bottle of Middleton vintage whiskey.

They were then entertained with a traditional Irish music session led by Ronan O’Flaherty on fiddle, Conor Connolly on the box and Pádraig O’Dubhghaill on guitar.

William and Kate soaked up the atmosphere in the cosy surroundings of Tig Cóilí as the well known establishment gets sets to mark its 20th year in Galway having previously traded as Trigger Martins and in earlier years as The Genoa.

Soon a picture of the Royal couple will find pride of place on the well adorned wall with William and Kate joining a host of other famous faces of past visitors such as Brendan Gleeson and Shane McGowan.

On the select guest list was a group of local students who have recently been recognised for their work in volunteering in the community at the Garda Youth Awards.

These include 18 year old Jakub Kostunski from Westside who won the individual award, 18 year old Olga Spelman of Corofin who won the special achievement award and Precious Tedeye who was shortlisted for her volunteer work in Doughiska.

22 year old NUIG student Erin Shimizu from Roscam was also on the guest list for her volunteer work with children with intellectual disabilities.

The Royal couple left Tigh Cóilí to greet the welcoming crowd outside where the Duke and Duchess also spoke to some local school children.

They then made their way to Salthill where they viewed a local GAA club in action.