Gort

FIVE years on from his tragic death, Joseph Browne’s memory is still honoured through his beloved music. As well as passing on traditional music skills, the spring school in his name could make one South Galway village a music tourism destination, according to organisers.

PUPILS from Gort and Kinvara have been given a one-year reprieve in relation to their school transport arrangements. Pupils eligible for the School Transport Scheme from South Galway will be able to avail of the existing joint transport catchment area for Seamount College and Gort Community School for another school year, it has emerged.

A South-East Galway project could bring hope to people in a time of recession, according to leading economist David McWilliams.

Coole Music School, which celebrated its fifth birthday in October 2010, will reach a new milestone this Saturday when its Youth Orchestra, under the baton of Katharina Baker, performs for the first time in the National Concert Hall, at the 16th Festival of Youth Orchestras. On the same day, The Coole Kidz Choir, conducted by Noreen McDermott, will perform at the Peace Proms Event with the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland in Leisureland, Galway.

GORT Community School could lose up to one quarter of its pupil numbers if changes to school transport rules come into effect.

FIANNA Fáil in the Galway East constituency, which stretches from Kinvara to Gort into South-East Galway and up to Tuam, has selected its second candidate to contest the upcoming General Election.

RECORD cold weather has meant hard ground and difficult conditions for plants and gardeners alike. Frozen out of the garden for most of the winter, many are now waiting with anticipation for the coming season, considering their seed choices and planning their way towards the garden of their dreams. Two South Galway women hope to help.Anna Jeffrey Gibson and Lynn O’Keeffe-Lascar founded Kinvara Sustainable Living two years ago and since then, the interest in sustainability and growing one’s own vegetables and fruit has soared.“There definitely is a renewed interest in sustainability. One course which we had a lot of interest in last year was growing soft fruit and making jam and ice cream. We are running that again. I think people are getting back into jam and chutney making,” outlines Lynn.“Poultry keeping is popular with young people and teenagers, who are entrepreneurial and want to make a bit of money from selling eggs to their neighbours,” she adds.Indeed, it is …

AFTER a six-year hiatus, Gort’s hugely entertaining show Reach for the Stars is making a return this April in the town’s newly revamped community centre.The show involves amateur performers singing to the professional backing of their favourite artist or band.“Produced by the local non-profit group, Five Star Events, this show has been a total sell-out due to the high level of presentation and fun, mixing very talented performers with the, let’s just say, more amusing style act,” explained Austin McInerney.“The show combines Eurovision-style voting with some old favourites, like the Green Room for the acts and short video advertising clips for the sponsors. Some of these from the past can be seen on our Facebook page or Youtube if you look for Reach For The Stars, Gort,” Austin continued. This year, each act in the show will be backed by a sponsor. They will represent a local group, charity or cause and if they win, the prize money will be …