Galway County Council Unveils Landmark Heritage and Biodiversity Plan
Galway County Council has launched a landmark strategy for preserving and enhancing the county’s rich built, natural, and cultural heritage over the next six years.
70% Drop in Gum Litter: Taskforce Hits Athenry Streets to Tackle Waste
The Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) took to the streets of Athenry today to promote positive gum litter disposal. As part of its Summer Roadshow campaign, the GLT collaborated with Galway County Council to promote the importance of proper litter disposal through fun education and awareness initiatives that highlight the negative environmental impacts of gum litter and draw awareness to the €150 gum litter fine. A collaboration between industry, government and local authorities, and funded by Mars Wrigley, this year marks the launch of the campaign’s sixth cycle. GLT has seen gum litter reduce by almost 70% since 2007, via a sustained public engagement and education campaign. According to the latest National Litter Pollution Monitoring System data, gum now accounts for just 8.6% of all litter, continuing a downward trend in gum as a component of litter from 26.4% in 2006, and 9.1% in 2021, the end of the previous three-year…
Galway Hosts First-Ever Green Clubs Event
Galway County Council has joined forces with GAA, LGFA, and Camogie clubs from across Galway for the county’s first-ever Green Clubs event at Ballinderreen GAA Club, Clough Road, on Tuesday, June 17th, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The Green Clubs Programme—a collaboration between the GAA and local authorities throughout Ireland—was launched in 2020 to support clubs in taking climate action. The programme is funded with support from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The upcoming information evening will feature guest speakers and experts on a range of key topics, including Energy, Waste, Biodiversity, and Funding Opportunities. The event will also showcase real-life case studies from Ballinderreen GAA Club and St. Brendan’s Club in Ballygar, highlighting their implementation of impactful climate and sustainability projects. Funded under the Community Climate Action Fund and supported by Galway County Council, Ballinderreen GAA Club has installed planter boxes for a Pollinator Pathway, solar panels…
Forging the Past: Traditional Iron Smelting Festival Returns to the Burren
One of Europe’s most unique heritage festivals is set to return to the heart of the Burren this August 23rd and 24th, as traditional iron smelters, blacksmiths and other traditional craftspeople gather for the fourth Caherconnell International Furnace Festival. Held at the ancient Caherconnell Stone Fort in County Clare—a site steeped in over a thousand years of history—the festival will feature live demonstrations of medieval iron smelting. The historic ring fort, once the stronghold of Gaelic chieftains, will become a living, open-air museum where raw Irish iron ore is transformed into replicas of artefacts such as arrowheads, knives, and belt buckles found during archaeological digs on-site. The two-day event showcases bloomery iron, the form of iron used in Ireland from 500 BC to 1500 AD—an essential material in everything from weapons of war to agricultural tools and domestic items. “This is more than a festival—it’s a live experiment in archaeology,”…
Bunratty to Host First-Ever ‘Bark in the Park’ Fun Dog Show
Dog lovers across Ireland have a new date to mark in the calendar, as Bunratty Castle and Folk Park hosts its first-ever Bark in the Park event on Sunday, June 8th, from 12pm to 5pm. Ireland’s newest dog show is set to offer a packed programme of light-hearted competition as canines of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments take centre stage at the County Clare visitor attraction. The inaugural event will see dogs compete across 16 categories, with prizes for the Smallest Dog, Best Biscuit Catcher, Most Handsome Dog, Waggiest Tail, Veteran Dog, and Best Fancy Dress, among others. Young dog lovers won’t be left out either. The Young Handlers category will give children a chance to showcase their connection with their four-legged companions, demonstrating both skill and confidence in the ring. “We are thrilled to introduce Bark in the Park, which will provide a fantastic day out for families and…
Record entries for Anti-Litter Poster Competition in County Galway
County Hall was transformed into a hub of creativity and environmental awareness as students from across County Galway gathered for the announcement of winners in Galway County Council’s annual Anti-Litter Poster Competition. A record 1,524 entries were submitted by students eager to highlight the importance of litter prevention and environmental responsibility. Posters addressed a range of themes, including the value of maintaining a clean and litter-free county, the detrimental impact of litter on Galway’s scenic landscape, the importance of using public bins correctly, and the need to bring waste home to reduce pollution. Top honours in the Primary Schools category went to Ellen Troake and Dorothy Niland of Ballindereen National School. In the Secondary Schools category, Gloria Piwinska of Coláiste Bhaile Chláir was named overall winner. Councillor Martina Kinane, the Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway said, “The competition winners are representative of the talents of the hundreds of people…
Community spirit shines at Cathaoirleach’s Awards in County Galway
Volunteers and community groups from across County Galway were honoured at the annual Cathaoirleach’s Awards, which took place this evening (Friday, 16th May 2025) at the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry.
Cappagh regains Blue Flag as Clare celebrates environmental recognition
In a significant boost to tourism in West Clare, Cappagh has regained the Blue Flag status it lost in 2023 and is one of nine Clare beaches to receive the coveted award for 2025.
Connemara beach regains prestigious Blue Flag after 12-Year absence
In a major boost for the local community and tourism in Connemara, Céibh an Spidéil beach has regained its coveted Blue Flag status after losing it in 2013. The announcement was made today (Friday, 16 May) at the national Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards ceremony hosted by An Taisce at the Ravenport Resort in Curracloe, Co. Wexford. The beach is among eight locations in County Galway to receive the prestigious Blue Flag for 2025, with a further six beaches recognised with Green Coast Awards. The Blue Flag is an internationally recognised symbol awarded to bathing areas that meet exceptional standards in water quality, safety, environmental education, and beach management. Alongside Céibh an Spidéil, this year’s Blue Flag recipients include Long Point at Loughrea Lake, Portumna bathing area, Trá Inis Oírr, Trá an Dóilín (An Cheathrú Rua), An Trá Mhór (Indreabhán), Trá Chill Mhuirbhigh (Inis Mór), and Traught Beach (Kinvara).…
St. Flannan’s College Expansion Could Become National Model for Rapid Builds
The first phase of a significant expansion of the historic St. Flannan’s College campus in Ennis, County Clare, will be completed in time for the beginning of the next school semester in September. The 2,500 sqm development comprises special educational needs (SEN) facilities and general educational spaces, including classrooms, science rooms, and a construction studies room. The expansion of Munster’s largest school is supported by the Department of Education and is regarded as a prototype rapid build project, which could be replicated elsewhere throughout Ireland. In a unique cross-school partnership, the 297 students of Knockanean National School will be accommodated at the new St. Flannan’s development from September until their approved new national school is delivered. Approval has already been granted for the new development, which will consist of a two-storey building on the site of the existing primary school. Fr. Iggy McCormack, Principal of St. Flannan’s College, said the…