South Galway

Gardaí in Gort are appealing for assistance to identify the body of a man who was found washed up on the shore at Aughinish, Kinvara on Sunday evening last. At approximately 8.50pm on Sunday gardaí responded to a report that the body of a male was found washed up on the rocks at Aughinish. A local doctor was called and he was pronounced dead at 10pm at scene. The man is of now still unidentified. He is described as between 50 and 70 years, approximately 5’7″ in height, reddish hair, receding hair line and blue eyes. His clothing and a number of items found on his person are described as follows: · Blue Marks and Spencer easy care pyjama, top & bottom · Grey Boss V neck jumper, regular fit · Grey pin stripe trousers and jacket with Irish Action Autism badge. Black belt with brass buckle · Pair of black Mark and Spencers trouser braces · Grey Debonham and …

NUI GALWAY is to host, in association with the British Embassy in Ireland, a public event on the Brexit referendum on Wednesday next. The event, which will take place in the Aula Maxima (Lower), Quadrangle Building, is also in collaboration with European Movement Ireland’s national conversation. The UK is facing a momentous decision on June 23 on whether to remain in or leave the EU.  Not surprisingly, the ‘Brexit’ debate is being followed with particular interest in Ireland – the only EU country with which the UK shares a land border. John McHale, Established Professor and Head of Economics at NUI Galway, said, “The possibility of Brexit looms large as we scan the horizon for threats to the Irish economy and our trading partners. Even though the consequences are uncertain, it is critical that we rigorously debate the potential implications before this momentous decision is made.” The public event will bring together a distinguished panel to debate the economic and political implications of Brexit on …

AN elected representative has accused Galway County Council of turning its meetings into a “farce” and warned he would be calling for legal advice if an adequate explanation was not forthcoming in relation to the non-implementation of a motion passed by the authority last year. At September’s monthly council meeting, Councillor Gerry Finnerty proposed “that all county towns have a (sic) two-hour, free parking where council parking charges apply, at any time during the day. I request that this be on an experimental basis for a period of time.” This was seconded by Councillor Karey McHugh and passed with 21 votes in favour, eight against and two abstentions. Hence, the motion was carried. However, the item was back on the agenda for the April meeting of Galway County Council, which took place on Monday. A lengthy discussion followed on proposed changes to parking charges in towns across the county. Councillor Finnerty said towns such as Gort need incentives to encourage …

An unusual dance routine performed at a wedding in South Galway has gone viral, with over half a million views since a video of it was posted online. The footage, filmed by Noel Uniacke from Kilconieron, Craughwell, features the Gavin School of Dancing from Peterswell taking to the floor at the wedding of Sandra Lynskey and Trevor Blake in the Lady Gregory Hotel, Gort. Noel’s niece Sandra, from Skehanagh, married Salthill man Trevor, whose parents hail from Mayo, on December 30. The dance sees Galway take on Mayo in football, complete with referee, pre-match huddle, warm up, throw in, tackles and hand passes. A few days later, Noel posted the video of the dance to his Facebook page and it got in the region of 1,500 views. Recently, however, it got a new lease of life. “The wedding was on December 30. I posted on Facebook on January 4 and it went up to about 1,500 views. Then, last Saturday, …

FIRE in The Blood, a series of four programmes on the Celtic Revival begins on RTE One tonight (February 29) at 8.30pm. It focuses on four areas of the revival: drama; the Irish language; art; and, sports. Each episode will focus on one individual who played a central role in the Revival, including Lady Gregory and Michael Cusack, and will be presented by a contemporary figure who can speak with credibility about that individual – assessing their lives, and the influence of their work. The Celtic Revival was a broad-based cultural movement whose stated purpose was to address many diverse areas of Irish life – literary, linguistic, visual and sporting. The purpose of this four-part series is to give a real sense of the breath of those ambitions and the scale of their impact on Irish society.  The Celtic Revival contained a number of outstanding and colourful individuals, but producers selected four who they believe will provide insights to some …

Gardaí are investigating a two vehicle fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the N18 at Clarinbridge, County Galway at around 8.30am this morning (Monday). A woman in her 30’s was fatally injured when the car she was driving was involved in a collision with a truck. The sole occupant of the car, she was pronounced dead at the scene and her body removed to University Hospital Galway. This stretch of road is currently closed to facilitate an examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Traffic travelling south on the N18 is being asked to divert at Oranmore. Traffic travelling north is being diverted at Kilcolgan. Gardai are appealng for witnesses to this collision to contact Galway Garda Station on 091- 538000, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Pope Francis has South Galway in his “prayerful concern”, according to a letter from the Apolostic Nuncio to a local General Election candidate. Independent candidate in the Galway East constituency, Councillor Michael Fahy, contacted Archbishop Charles J Brown about the hardship caused by flooding in South Galway throughout December and January. Last week, he received a letter from Archbishop Brown stating that he had personally assessed the “terrible flooding” in the area when he was there last month. “I have informed Pope Francis about the flooding and I can assure you of his prayerful concern for all the people who have suffered the effects of this very distressing situation,” the letter said. Councillor Fahy told The Clare Champion that he was very moved by the contents of the letter. “I might as well be honest, it made me that little bit emotional to see that the Pope has recognised the conditions that people were going through. Please God, God will …

Gardaí  in Gort are investigating a two vehicle fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the N18, approximately 2 kms on the Galway side of Ardrahan, shortly after 12.30am this Monday. A pedestrian, a 66-year-old man, was fatally injured when he was struck by a car. The car also struck a parked garda car injuring the two gardaí, who were outside the car at the time. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and his body taken to University Hospital Galway. The two gardaí were taken to University Hospital Galway with injuries described as non life threatening. They remain in hospital. The man in his 40s, who was the driver of the first car, was arrested at the scene and taken to Gort Garda Station and has since been released. This stretch of the N18 is currently closed to facilitate an examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and local diversions are in place. Gardaí wish to appeal for witnesses …