Gort

AN Bord Pleanála will decide later this year whether or not to allow the development, in principle, of 150 homes on zoned land in Gort. Galway County Council refused planning permission to Daleoak Developments Ltd for the construction of 26 houses, two apartments and outline permission for 122 houses and a crèche in Ballyhugh, Gort last month. The developer with an address at ‘Rathkerin’ recently appealed the decision, countering each of the six grounds given by the local authority in refusing the permission.The council said additional traffic turning movements generated by the proposed development “would endanger public safety”. The developer denied this in the appeal, saying “it has been comprehensively demonstrated that the traffic turning movements generated by the proposed development will not result in a traffic hazard”.In refusing permission for the development the council also said Daleoak Developments Ltd had not submitted “satisfactory evidence that the minimum sight distances for a regional road can be achieved in both directions …

SOUTH-East Galway is preparing to welcome in the region of 30 people of Irish heritage back to the area as part of this year’s 2012 Week of Welcomes.People from around the world, who have family or ancestral links to the area, will take part in a number of events organised by the South-East Galway Chapter of the Ireland Reaching Out programme between this Sunday and Saturday, June 30.The Week of Welcomes is an integral part of the Ireland XO programme and provides an opportunity for people of Irish heritage to explore their past and connect with the people and places of their forefathers.While last year the week was organised by Ireland XO officials, this week is organised by the parishes for their own diaspora and affords an opportunity to meet in a place of common ancestry, with which a deep and real connection is shared.This year’s event kicks off with a welcome reception in the Lady Gregory in Gort on …

THE South Galway village of Kinvara will host Ireland’s inaugural Learning Landscape workshop from August 22 to 24. Plans for the place-based learning gathering were launched by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn on Friday.

THE number of buildings being constructed in Galway has plummeted by more than 30%, it was revealed this week.

After more than 200 competitors took part in the first-ever Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon on Sunday, organisers have said they will run the event in the South Galway venue again next year. First timers, children, families and elite triathletes from across Ireland and the UK, racing either in teams or by themselves, competed in Sunday’s variety of races.

Two health service staff in the HSE West Forum region were sacked because of persistent absenteeism, a senior health official has revealed.

LEAVING Cert Applied students in Gort reflected on a year of hard work on Monday when Minister for Training and Skills at the Department of Education and Skills Ciarán Cannon officially unveiled a stained-glass window designed and made by the group.The carefully crafted piece was inspired by the theme of Diversity and Inclusion and was installed above the main doors of Gort Community School at the weekend.Principal of Gort Community School Dennis Corry outlined the background to the project, which was funded by a grant from the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, NAPD. “Since late 2011, the Leaving Cert Applied students of Gort Community School have been busily working in collaboration with local stained glass artist, Gerry Ruane. Their brief was to create and make a bespoke piece of stained glass for the entrance to our school. The theme chosen was Diversity and Inclusion, while the design itself was created by one of our own LCA students, Ben …

TRI-ING their best to give something back, staff and leisure centre members from the Lady Gregory Hotel in Gort are entering three relay teams in this weekend’s Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon. For Michael O’Grady, well-known owner of the hotel, this will be his first competitive cycle. The 73-year-old is more of a golf man.“I would always have been reasonably fit, especially for my age. I play golf and do a bit of walking but cycling was a new dimension for me in terms of getting fit. I volunteered for cycling because when I am away on holidays, I spend a bit of time cycling. I find at my age, it is easier on the joints than walking or running. Then my two neighbours volunteered with me,” he explained. The three teams from the Lady Gregory are competing in aid of the Galway Hospice. Team one is hotel owner Michael O’Grady (cycling), Hannah Kelly from the hotel leisure club (running) and …