Latest news with #UniversityofGalway
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Colin Sheridan: Time to move on from civil war in Mayo
There'll come a time in some fancy university somewhere far from Attymass where an entire post-graduate studies program will be dedicated to Mayo football. A bit like the infamous Boston college tapes that were to remain sealed until all the protagonists had passed away, a similar statute of limitations will have to apply in order to keep entire families from falling apart. That's why distance will be important, too. It's too sensitive a topic to reside just up the N17 in the University of Galway. Such an undertaking needs funding, an amnesty from blame, and the type of patience and perseverance only a dozen well-funded PhD students possess. If there is ever to be a successful truth and reconciliation process, it needs to be chaired independently. Having visited a few post-conflict zones in my time, I can attest to the power of forgiveness, but after living through four decades of Mayo madness, I am wise enough to understand that there isn't an accounting firm in the world that could heal the wounds of generational trauma inflicted, all in the name of sport. And the pathos is not just on the ground at home. There's as many people in London, New York and Chicago driven to distraction by current events as there are in Bonniconlon and Barnacarroll. If anything, exile amplifies the torment. Of course, the Duke Centre for Mayo Melancholy and Infinite Sadness in North Carolina will have little or nothing to do with Gaelic Football, and everything to do with a psyche of self-sabotage that has infected those invested in the game. The fallout from last Monday night's county board meeting - and the subsequent statements from the executive and GAA president Jarlath Burns - has been brutal, even by Mayo standards. Added to the mix are the worrying withdrawal from duties by manager Kevin McStay, and the team's defeat of contenders Tyrone, against considerable odds. You should never bet with your heart (I know, you should never gamble, period), but such is the entropy that so regularly engulfs Mayo, the outcome in Omagh was the only logical conclusion to a chaotic week. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Subscribe to access all of the Irish Examiner. Annual €120€60 Best value Monthly €10€4 / month Unlimited access. Subscriber content. Daily ePaper. Additional benefits.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
New Irish Writing: Poetry by Andrew Pelham Burn
Today at 21:30 Andrew is studying for an MA in writing at the University of Galway. His poetry has been published in The Cormorant Broadsheet and The Cormorant Anthology, Scrimshaw, and Ropes Literary Journal. He has won the Goldsmith Festival Poetry Competition and was shortlisted for the Cúirt New Writing Prize. He lives in Westport, Co Mayo and was a cheesemaker for over 15 years before taking up writing full time. The smell of a dog's paw;
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Fintan McCarthy and Konan Pazzaia qualify for pairs final while Fiona Murtagh mkes single sculls decider at Europeans
Fiona Murtagh won her semi-final of the single sculls. The University of Galway woman has an Olympic medal in a crew boat (bronze in the four at Tokyo 2020) and has been setting records in training on the ergometer (rowing machine), but this is her first big regatta in the single. She has taken to it very well: in this race she swept past Benthe Boonstra of the Netherlands after a quarter of the race and was never headed. In Sunday's final (10.13 Irish time), Britain's Lauren Henry looks the hottest property, but Murtagh is a good tip for a medal. The double of Fintan McCarthy and partner Konan Pazzaia also qualified for their A Final after a second-place finish in their semi. They raced against a hot crew in Romania, who set a new record time for this event on the first day. They did it again today, but Pazzaia and McCarthy tracked them and secured their place in Saturday's final (10.40 Irish time), holding off Italy to take second. The rates of striking were very high, which very much suits a former lightweight such as McCarthy, a double Olympic gold medallist in the lightweight double. The two other Ireland crews, both new units, will compete in B Finals. The men's quadruple missed out on an A Final, taking fifth. Young scullers Andrew Sheehan and Adam Murphy joined Olympians Ronan Byrne and Philip Doyle – an Olympic medallist – in this crew. The race was won impressively by Poland. Ireland retained a hope of landing a top-three place until the third quarter. As Ireland slipped back, Spain made the running, and they will join second-placed Italy and the winners in the medal race. In the semi-final of the men's pair, Daire Lynch and Ross Corrigan were also outside the top three needed to qualify for the A Final. Sixth for much of their race, they passed Ukraine in the final stages to take fifth. The Ireland women's double of Zoe Hyde and Mags Cremen, who compete at 10.25 Irish time on Saturday, and the two lightweight single scullers, Jake McCarthy and Izzy Clements, have also reached A Finals.
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
June Bank Holiday in Galway: Eight essential events to enjoy over the long weekend
So in order to make the most out of the upcoming June Bank Holiday, here's some of the best events taking place in Galway over the long weekend: Headfest Headfest, the annual community-based festival in the town of Headford, is back for a long weekend music and entertainment. The festival will take place from Friday May 30 to Sunday June 1 and its music acts will play at the Monaghan's Mega Marquee at Moyne Villa soccer club. However, the festival is not only about music as it will also include sport events, a gardening competition, a kids variety show and more. Blas na Bealtaine Saturday May 31 will be the last day of Blas Na Gaillimhe (A Taste of May) food festival. The festival takes place across Galway City and it celebrates people and food from across the globe through workshops, talks, events, and collaborations. From traditional feasts to innovative wine explorations, the festival offers something for every palate and every curiosity. Shearfest The European sheep shearing and wool-handling championships will be held at the Mountbellew Mart this year. The event will take place from Friday May 30 to June 1, and it will see competitors from all across Europe showcasing their skills in a variety of events, from blade shearing to wool handling. The event will also include three nights of live music, activities and family entertainment. ADVERTISEMENT Kinvara Plein Air Running since 2003 in the picturesque Kinvara village, the Kinvara Plein Air 2025 festival will include full day workshops, daily paint-outs, a charity paint-out, an exhibition of art and social activities. Kinvara Plein Air 2025 will be held from Friday May 30 to Monday June 2. Participants must register for the KPA 25 Weekend Pass (€30) to participate in the activities. Éalú Le Grá Éalú Le Grá Festival returns to Galway this June Bank Holiday weekend for its fifth edition. The camping festival will include three days of music and arts – from Friday May 30 to Monday June 2 – at Ballinderry Park, Killconnell. Galway Regatta Continuing a tradition that started over 140 years ago, the annual Galway Regatta is expected to take place on Saturday May 31. Hosted by Galway Rowing Club, the Galway Regatta will be held at the University of Galway's grounds at Dangan. Galway Early Music Festival 2025 Running from May 31 to June 2, the Early Music Festival celebrates old world music and arts with workshops and concerts in St Nicholas' Collegiate Church and the surrounding streets. This year, the festival will also celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. In total, this year's programme includes six events delivered by 88 creative practitioners and producers. Salthill Devon National 5 A Sides Soccer Tournament The popular Salthill Devon's five-a-side festival will take place from May 31 to June 1. Like every year, the tournament will take place in Salthill Park and it promises family fun, prizes, food stalls and more. The event includes Men's, u13 boys , and u13 girls cup. Each men's team is guaranteed three games with the winners taking home €2,000 and second place taking home €500.
Agriland
21-05-2025
- Science
- Agriland
Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference returns next week
The Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference, now in its third year, is set to take place in Co. Mayo again next week. The event is being jointly organised by the Mary Robinson Centre University of Galway and Mayo County Council. The conference will bring together climate justice advocates, scientists, activists, community groups and policymakers to address local, national and global challenges and opportunities in relation to climate justice and nature conservation. The annual conference, with a theme of 'Courage in Crisis', will take place in Ballina on May 26 and 27 where the former president grew up, and where the new Mary Robinson Centre is located. Mary Robinson Image: Mary Robinson Centre Mary Robinson said that the conference will 'centre on a call to courage in the face of the climate and nature crisis, a crisis that touches every part of our shared world'. 'In these urgent times, it is through meitheal, the Irish tradition of coming together in collective effort, that we find strength, purpose and hope. 'Only by standing together can we meet this moment with the boldness it demands. I'm looking forward to being in community in my hometown of Ballina, imagining together what each of us can do to build a better future,' she said. Climate and Nature Conference Along with Mary Robinson, the conference will feature a distinguished lineup of Irish and international speakers. These include Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Dublin City University (DCU); Anja Murray, ecologist, policy analyst, broadcaster and author; Dearbhla Richardson, youth climate justice activist; and Dr. Elaine McGoff, An Taisce. The event will also be addressed by Dr. Gerard McCarthy, physical oceanographer and climate scientist; Prof. Hannah Daly, University College Cork (UCC); Prof. John Barry, Queens University Belfast; Prof. Navjot Bhullar, University of Canberra, Australia; and Tom Arnold, Ireland Africa Rural Development Committee. Dr. Caitríona Carlin from the School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute at University of Galway and conference co-chair, said: 'It was uplifting to hear Mary Robinson recognise the interconnections between climate and biodiversity, when she changed the name of the conference to climate and nature in 2024. 'This is the first year that the conference formally addresses climate and nature and we are grateful to the funders and sponsors who have supported us. 'The conference enables us to acknowledge that actions for climate, for nature are also for us. We are part of the environment, and in finding common ground, we can make space for courageous conversations and actions to meet the multiple challenges ahead.' Events The conference will feature workshops, panel discussions, walks, music, and art, and aims to create space for people to connect, share ideas, and collaborate, with several of the conference events open to the public. Dr. Sinéad Sheehan, of the School of Psychology and Ryan Institute, University of Galway and conference co-chair, said that there is an extensive programme of events planned. These events include an art exhibition at the Mary Robinson Centre, a 'Connecting With Trees' walk in Belleek Woods on Sunday, and an eco-gathering on Tuesday featuring groups working on climate and nature. Young artists aged 6 to 24 years are being asked to imagine and design their own urban farm as part of a competition being run alongside the conference. 'We're also looking forward to a special 'Oíche Cultúr agus Craic' on Monday night with music, poetry and storytelling – it should be a brilliant few days for Ballina and the wider community,' Dr Sheehan said. Dr. Alma Clavin, lecturer in Sustainability at University of Galway and conference co-chair, said the conference 'creates a necessary courageous space for those activated in climate and nature work to connect with each other and new ideas'. Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, keynote speaker at the conference. said she was 'truly honoured and excited to be invited to speak' at the Mary Robinson Climate and Nature conference in her home county of Mayo. 'There are wonderful examples of nature being valued and protected across the county and I look forward to referencing these as positive stories of community impact. 'Mary Robinson has been such a wonderful role model for people across the world and it is a privilege to contribute to this conference celebrating her work and encouraging others to take on her message of urgency and hope with regards to climate and the environment,' she said. Another keynote speaker, Prof. Hannah Daly said: 'For decades, Mary Robinson has foregrounded the voices of those most affected by the climate crisis, bringing a moral urgency to global audiences like no other leader. It is a great privilege and honour to give a keynote address at this conference.'
