Karen Ronan appointed President of Network Ireland for 2026
Network Ireland, the country’s largest business networking organisation for women, has appointed Karen Ronan, Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, as its National President for 2026. The organisation, established in 1983, supports more than 1,400 female entrepreneurs, SME owners and senior professionals across sectors ranging from multinational business to non-profits, the arts and the public sector. Ms Ronan, who succeeds Amy O’Sullivan of AOS Consulting as National President, has more than three decades’ experience in business and tourism in Ireland and overseas. She previously led the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau for 22 years, during which time the agency generated an estimated €160mn in economic impact for Clare and Limerick by attracting international conferences and sporting events. She was appointed Chief Executive of Galway Chamber in 2025. A graduate of the Kemmy School of Business at the University of Limerick, she said her priorities as President will include…
Three Clare Businesses Set for Global Spotlight At RDS
Three of County Clare’s emerging craft and design businesses will join more than 100 companies from across Ireland meeting international buyers at the Local Enterprise Showcase in the RDS, which runs from this Sunday until Tuesday (January 18-20th). The showcase, organised by the country’s network of Local Enterprise Offices (LEO), forms part of Showcase 2026 and provides a platform for new Irish design talent within the wider fair. Thousands of buyers from Ireland, Great Britain, USA, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa are expected to attend, with millions of euro in orders anticipated. Clare will be represented by The Moher Soap Company, which produces natural soap bars, bath salts, candles and lip balms using plant-based ingredients and essential oils; Mama’s Boobie Box Ltd, a breastfeeding brand offering gifts and essentials through its online shop; and Gealach Candles, which makes handmade candles and wax melts. All three businesses, which are clients of…
National Famine Commemoration in Galway Confirmed for May 16th
Galway County Council has confirmed that the 2026 National Famine Commemoration will take place at the Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna on Saturday, May 16th. The State ceremony, which will include military honours and a wreath-laying, will be broadcast live on national television. Newly elected Uachtarán na hÉireann Catherine Connolly is expected to deliver the keynote address from the site of the former Portumna Workhouse. Alongside the formal commemoration, Portumna will host a conference on the Irish Famine, bringing together leading scholars and researchers. A bilingual workbook for children is also being developed to support schools, offering accessible material on the Famine and the workhouse system. The Portumna Workhouse, opened in 1852 and regarded as one of the most complete surviving complexes of its kind, has become a hub for lectures, exhibitions and cultural events. This will be the first time the National Famine Commemoration has been held in County…
Donal Cahir Appointed Principal of St. Flannan’s College
The Board of Management of St. Flannan’s College has announced the appointment of Donal Cahir as Principal of the historic Ennis school. Mr. Cahir, a native of Kilnamona in County Clare, first joined the staff of St. Flannan’s in 1999 as a teacher before being appointed Deputy Principal in 2017. He said, “It is a great privilege and honour to lead a school that has been such a central part of my life for the past 27 years. Having served as Deputy Principal for the past eight years, I have greatly valued working as part of the senior management team and look forward to building on that experience in this role.” “St. Flannan’s College has a proud history dating back to the mid-19th century, with a rich heritage and a strong Catholic ethos that underpins everything we do,” added Mr. Cahir. “As Principal, I am committed to honouring and safeguarding…
New Community Safety Partnership Holds First Meeting in County Galway
A new statutory body focused on improving community safety in County Galway held its first meeting at Áras an Chontae today, marking the formal end of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) model.
€634,922 in CLÁR Funding Approved for Galway County Projects
Galway County Council has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary TD that €634,922 in funding has been approved for community and sports facilities across CLÁR areas in the county. The funding is provided under Our Rural Future, the Government’s five-year rural development plan, and will support 10 projects shortlisted and submitted by Galway County Council. Cllr David Collins, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, praised the community groups and organisations for their dedication to finding new ways to improve their local areas. He added, “Their commitment is reflected in the thought and care put into their project ideas and in their efforts to raise the match funding needed to bring these projects to life. I also wish to acknowledge the staff of the Council’s Rural, Community and Tourism Development department for working with the community groups in preparing the funding…
Galway County Arts Office Celebrates 40 Years of National Partnership
Galway County Arts Office was represented at a national event held in Limerick City Gallery of Art to mark 40 years of partnership between the Arts Council and Ireland’s 31 local authorities. The event, entitled Art in Every Place, was attended by current Galway County Arts Officer Sharon O’Grady and retired Arts Officer James Harrold. The event looked back on the milestones of this decades‑long partnership from the opening of the very first arts office in Clare in 1986 to Galway County Council’s appointment of its first Arts Officer in 1990. It traced the journey through the national roll‑out of arts offices under Better Local Government in 1997, and the landmark Arts Act of 2003, which gave arts planning a firm place in local authority life. Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, said, “Since appointing our first Arts Officer, we have built a dynamic arts programme that supports…
LEO Clare Prepares SMEs for 2026 Challenges and Opportunities
The role of artificial intelligence in business and the 2026 economic outlook for Irish SMEs will be the key topics at the annual Business Networking Morning hosted by Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Clare. The event takes place at the Future Mobility Campus Ireland in Shannon from 10am to 1pm this Friday, 28 November. The half-day gathering brings together entrepreneurs, startups and small business leaders from across Clare to discuss innovation, share knowledge and make new contacts before the festive season. The keynote address will be presented by Mark Kelly, President of AI Ireland, on how AI can transform not only startups but also established businesses. Having reviewed over 950 AI projects to date, Mr. Kelly advises leaders on how to deploy and scale AI in practical, measurable ways. Conor Smith, founder of Insight Life Pensions and Investments, will present on the effects of auto enrolment on small businesses. Michael Queally,…
Major Housing Scheme Set to Break Ground in Loughrea
Galway County Council has announced that site works on one of the largest social and affordable housing schemes delivered in east Galway will commence before Christmas. The local authority has signed a €14.95 million contract with C&N Higgins Construction for the construction of 56 homes at Cosmona, Loughrea. The scheme comprises 44 houses and 12 apartments and includes the first affordable homes to be delivered outside the Galway Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP). The project is situated on a 3.3-hectare greenfield site owned by Galway County Council, and completion is set for the third quarter of 2027. It is funded through the Government’s Social Housing Investment Programme. Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr David Collins, said the Loughrea scheme represents a “major step forward” in meeting housing need in east Galway. “This development will provide high-quality homes for families and individuals in Loughrea and will form an important part of…
Enterprising day out for Clare students in glór
Hundreds of students and teachers from throughout County Clare attended a Student Enterprise Programme workshop at glór, Ennis, on Monday. Organised by Local Enterprise Office Clare with the support of Clare County Council and Enterprise Ireland, the event focused on practical sales and marketing skills. Guesrt speakers included Garry Lowe of WhizzKids Training, Roger Leyden of RML Marketing & Business Development’s, Ollie Gleeson of Ollie’s Tours, and Una Ryan of Marketing Eye. Topics discussed in sessions included the criteria for judging, how to sell, engaging with customers, and online marketing.