Gort

Organisers of Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon are expecting in the region of 750 competitors in 2013.Details of next year’s Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon were announced this week. The explosion in popularity of such events saw several hundred competitors take part in the inaugural triathlon at the South Galway estate earlier this year. The 2013 date has now been confirmed for Sunday, May 26 and organisers are confidently expecting a large field based on the comparative growth of the series. The Galway race will be the first in the Markel Castle Triathlon Series that holds similar events in the UK and France. Last year the Lough Cutra event attracted more than 200 competitors. It includes the full Olympic distance plus shorter options meaning first timers and families are particularly well provided for.Local competitor. Jennifer Quinn from Peterswell who, is a member of Galway Triathlon Club, was third Irishwoman over the line. “I think it is fantastic to have a race of …

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been accused to failing to deliver a significant reduction in the 41,122 out-patients still waiting for treatment at Galway University Hospital.HSE West Forum chairman, Councillor Padraig Conneely is becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress cutting the “horrendous” number of out-patients who are still on waiting lists at University College Hospital, Galway and Merlin Park.However, the HSE insists it has made major inroads into reducing the length of time public patients are waiting for treatment in the two hospitals.The health authority is also conducting a validation exercise for 25,000 patients on the waiting list before the end of the year. This will involve telephoning and sending letters to thousands of patients to see if they still need treatment. Grave concern about the total number of out-patients on waiting lists was expressed by Councillor Conneely at a recent HSE Forum West meeting.The HSE confirmed that 27 patients were waiting for treatment since 2007, 765 …

Holy wells have a very special place in Irish culture, most transcending the history and folklore of Pagan and early Christian times.

Grants totalling €533,500 have been awarded to 11 GAA clubs and sporting organisations in South Galway under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.Minister of State at the Department of Sport Michael Ring allocated significant finance to local projects following applications made by sports clubs earlier this year.

AS water levels continue to rise, South Galway residents are “living in fear” of a repeat of the devastating November 2009 flooding, a local county councillor has warned.Councillor Bridie Willers, who was forced to move out of her own flooded home at Grannagh near Castledaly on November 19, 2009, for over three months, is becoming increasingly frustrated over the delay in securing official approval for the Dunkellin River and Aggard Stream Flood Relief Scheme.Despite funding for six schemes totalling €554,000 under the OPW Non-Coastal Minor Works Flood Relief Schemes, the Office of Public Works still hasn’t sanctioned any money for the Dunkellin River Flood Relief Scheme.Councillor Willers, who wasn’t able to return to her home until the end of February 2010, insists it “beggars belief” that three years on, money hasn’t been even allocated to the scheme.Director of services, Frank Gilmore told a recent Galway County Council meeting he is optimistic that many of the obstacles could be overcome.The Dunkellin …

SMALL and medium enterprises in Gort and Loughrea are being “crippled” by charges and taxes, according to a local county councillor.Speaking on Tuesday before expected cuts in welfare payments, expenditure cuts and new taxes in Wednesday’s Budget, Councillor Bridie Willers stressed the Government had to seriously tackle the high cost of doing business for traders.Commenting on previous pledges by the Government to tackle “upwardly only” rent reviews, the Fine Gael councillor said a new formula needed to be provided to reduce the cost of leases, which would in turn reduce the number of vacant properties.In his 2011 Budget speech, finance minister, Michael Noonan stated, “It has not proved possible to develop a targeted scheme to tackle this issue that would not be vulnerable to legal challenge”.Since first mooted by the Government, the proposed legislation has created uncertainty for both commercial landlords and tenants alike and has been accused of preventing any meaningful activity in the investment sector. It is understood …

IRISH Rail has pledged to make a “minor” unspecified reduction in its average rail journey times between Galway and Limerick early in the new year in the wake of a targeted 10 to 15 minute cut on Intercity routes to and from Dublin.

THE Lady Gregory and Yeats Heritage Group exhibited in the Tourism Village at the Coach and Bus Show 2012 recently held at the RDS, Dublin.