Gort

PLANS to construct a new school at a site in Kilcolgan were halted recently when An Bord Pleanála refused permission for the project. Galway County Council had initially given the go-ahead for the new school, which was to be run by a mystery educational provider. Following an appeal, An Bord Pleanála turned down the proposed new school.

THE 18th annual Lady Gregory Autumn Gathering returns to Coole Park next week.

AN Ardrahan man was named the Galway Young Farmer of the Year recently but missed out on the national title at last week’s finals.Trevor Flynn was named Galway’s FBD Young Farmer of the Year but the overall winner was Dermot O’Connor, a dairy farmer from Shangollden, County Limerick, who took the top award at Macra na Feirme’s 2012 FBD Young Farmer of the Year.The announcement was made by Padraig Walshe, chair of the final adjudication panel, at an awards ceremony in Kinnity Castle, County Offaly.Twenty-seven contestants from all over Ireland took part in the 14th FBD Young Farmer of the Year final. The competition, run by Macra na Feirme in conjunction with the IFA, aims to recognise excellence in the agricultural industry and promote farming as a career with a bright future.Six overall finalists were interviewed by a judging panel chaired by Padraig Walshe, former president of Macra na Feirme, the IFA and COPA, with Dr Karina Pierce, lecturer in …

AS part of the National Culture Night on Friday, September 21, the Gort Heritage Group is hosting a Culture Night in Gort Library.The programme begins at 7pm and includes music from Paddy Jordan, Colie Moran, Charlie Harris, Martina Neilan and many more. Sr de Lourdes Fahy will speak about Gort’s social history and Brent Kelly will do a video show covering the built and natural heritage of the Gort area. It promises to be a very enjoyable night and admission is free.Kinvara will host a number of activities to mark Culture Night 2012.The day will begin with storytelling for children in the community centre from 3.15pm to 4pm, where the Dog and String Theatre Group will tell the story of The Selkie and the Fisherman with puppets and shadow animations.The courthouse will host the New Line Exhibition by Robert Ellis, a young Burren-based photographer, from 4pm to 6pm. The Culture Café and Culture Night opening takes place at 4.30pm with …

South Galway is awash with maroon and white as the county team prepares to take on Kilkenny in this year’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling final.

The lobby group, West on Track has welcomed a series of new developments on Western Rail Corridor including the announcement of free car parking at Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell stations.

THE Lady Gregory Autumn Gathering celebrates its 18th birthday in Coole Park on the last weekend of September.

Hopes are high that the South Galway village of Clarinbridge will play host to one of the country’s sporting legends during the annual Oyster Festival, which takes place on the weekend of September 15-16.