County Galway delegation strengthens Washington County ties
A Galway County Council delegation has met with local government officials in Washington County, Wisconsin, as part of a 22-year-old twinning relationship between the two counties. Located north of Milwaukee, Washington County has a population of about 140,000 and has been twinned with Galway since 2003. The meeting in West Bend was part of a wider programme of tourism, cultural and economic development engagements in the United States, led by Leas-Chathaoirleach Cllr Mary Hoade and Chief Executive Liam Conneally. The group also includes Cllrs Michael Regan and Moggie Maher, and Director of Infrastructure Development Uinsinn Finn. Jeffrey D. Schleif, Chairperson of the Washington County Board, received a presentation from the delegation. “Our twinning with Washington County has opened doors for Galway in so many ways,” said Cllr Hoade. “It strengthens tourism links, creates opportunities for economic development, and allows us to share ideas on public policy and community infrastructure. Most…
Galway Communities Urged to Go Green with Fresh Climate Fund
Galway County Council has announced that the next round of the Community Climate Action Fund will open this September, providing new opportunities for community groups across the county to take meaningful climate action at a local level. The fund, which is supported by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, is aimed at empowering local communities to develop and deliver climate projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience. The upcoming funding call will offer financial support to not-for-profit community organisations, including Tidy Towns groups, development associations, sports clubs, and other voluntary organisations. Projects must focus on one or more of the five key climate themes: energy, travel, food and waste, shopping and recycling, and local climate and environmental action. The 2024 Community Climate Action Fund in County Galway supported a wide range of community-led projects aimed at tackling climate change and promoting sustainability at a local…
Olympic-Bound OCR World Championships Coming to Limerick in 2026
Limerick has today been announced as the host city for the 2026 Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) World Championships, just two years before the sport is set to make its official debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme to Enter Planning Stage in 2026
Galway County Council has welcomed confirmation from the Office of Public Works (OPW) that the Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme will advance to the planning phase during the first half of 2026, marking a key milestone in efforts to address long-standing flood risks in the town. The progression will follow the successful completion of detailed scheme design and environmental assessment work. The announcement was made during a meeting between Galway County Council and Minister of State for the OPW Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, as well as Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, and Noel Grealish TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. During the meeting, progress updates were also provided on other local flood relief projects. Schemes in Clifden and Portumna are each advancing through different stages of development, while the Gort Lowlands scheme is nearing…
Tuam to Host National Play Day Event
Families across County Galway are being invited to take part in a free celebration of play and creativity in Tuam next weekend, as part of National Play Day 2025. The event, which will take place at the Palace Grounds in Tuam on Saturday, July 5th from 12 noon to 2 p.m., is being organised by Galway Sports Partnership in collaboration with Galway County Council. A wide range of free, family-friendly activities is planned, with a focus on fun, movement, and imaginative play. Highlights will include performances by the Galway Community Circus, musical drumming sessions with Drumadore, nature-based play, traditional garden games, and a dedicated sensory area designed to provide a calm space for children who may benefit from quieter activities. There will also be opportunities for children to try their hand at basketball, tennis, orienteering, and enjoy face painting throughout the day. This year’s National Play Day theme, “The Power…
Highlighting Local Services: Galway County Council Marks ‘Your Council Day’
Galway County Council is joining local authorities across Ireland this Friday (June 27th) to celebrate Your Council Day, a national initiative, through the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). Galway County Council will be shining a light on the essential services, community partnerships, and innovative projects delivered every day to the 193,000 residents of County Galway. This year’s theme, “Building Stronger Communities”, reflects the Council’s breadth and scale of activity right throughout the county. From libraries, housing projects, roads to fire and emergency services, enterprise supports, tourism, community events, civil defence and climate action – the service to communities is vast. According to Councillor David Collins, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway: “For the past 126 years, Galway County Council has delivered a wide range of services that touch the lives of residents across one of Ireland’s most geographically diverse counties. From maintaining roads, playgrounds and public spaces to supporting businesses…
Turning a New Page: Clifden Expands Library Access
Clifden Library has become the second branch library in County Galway to roll out the My Open Library (MOL) initiative, dramatically increasing public access to services with extended self-service hours, Galway County Council has confirmed.
Work to Begin on New Phase of Athenry Northern Ring Road
Galway County Council has confirmed that construction of the western section of the Athenry Northern Ring Road will commence in the coming weeks with a completion date of late 2025. The Local Authority today (Monday, 16 June 2025) signed contracts with Tower Plant and Civil Engineering to deliver the scheme, located in the townlands of Ballygarraun North and Ballygarraun South. Funded by the Department of Transport, the Athenry Northern Ring Road is identified in the Athenry Local Area plan as a key infrastructure project to support the economic development of the town and support housing growth. The first section of the road, from Raheen Road (L3103) north to a roundabout junction with Ballydavid Cottages and the R347 was constructed and opened to traffic in mid-2013. This next phase includes the connection between the Presentation College and the Raheen Road (Ballygarraun North). Seán Canney, Minister of State at the Department of…
From Townlands to Tablets: Galway Heritage Gets a Digital Makeover
Six of Galway’s historic civil parishes are stepping into the digital age with the launch of an innovative project that turns local heritage into interactive online StoryMaps. In a major collaboration between Galway County Council, University of Galway, Galway County Heritage Forum, The Heritage Council, and community heritage groups, the rich histories of Stradbally (Clarinbridge), Monivea, Moylough, Moycullen, Gort, and Loughrea have been meticulously researched and digitally transformed. Officially launched this week at a special event in Áras an Chontae, the project brings together traditional townland research and historical records in a newly digitised format. Drawing on rich sources such as O’Donovan’s Ordnance Survey Letters, Griffith’s Valuation, the Down Survey, and the 1901 and 1911 censuses, the initiative makes these valuable archives more accessible than ever. The initiative is powered by the work of University of Galway students Carlos Grace, Giada Solito, Liam Flaherty, and Laura Daly. Over the past…
Fr. Ignatius McCormack to Retire as Principal of St. Flannan’s College
St. Flannan’s College has announced that Fr. Ignatius McCormack will retire from his position as Principal in September 2025, concluding his distinguished 24-year career at one of Ireland’s largest schools.