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Sculpture Robert McColgan is helped by Seamus and Darragh O'Connell
Work on Arches Sculpture Continues
Tuesday 13th Dec : The Arch sculpture located near the School and Claregalway village, is begining to take some real shape. All of the large semi-circular spires have already been fitted. work is now focusing on the base.
The foundation of the spires will be surrounded by a rough cut stone finish and will contain a few inches of water. Already the southerly side has been tested for holding water.
Enjoyable Senior Citizen Party
Tuesday 13th Dec : The Claregalway/Carnmore Senior Citizens party took place last Sunday. IT began with a mass in Claregalway church followed by a reception in the Claregalway Hotel. Overall nearly 90 invited guests attended.
They danced the night away to Mary Prendergast and her band. Mary Grealish treated us all to some of her biggest hits including the Blanket on the Bog. Micheal O hEidhin recited a local ballad dating back to 1916. The Lackagh Musical Society also performed some Christmas Carols and Tunes.
Our local politicans were in attendance as Frank Fahy, Noel Grealish and Jim Cuddy all enjoyed the celebrations.
>> Picture Gallery...
Senior Citizens Party
Thursday 8th Dec : Claregalway/Carnmore Senior Citizens Party
Sunday December 11th 2005
Begining with Mass at 3:30pm in the Claregalway Church
Reception afterwards in the Claregalway Hotel
e-Day
Wednesday 23rd Nov : As many of you are aware by now e-Day finally arrived for many in the Claregalway village area. Eircom have finally upgraded their exchange (in Church carpark) and now Broadband is available in the Area.
If you have an Eircom phone line, your line is less than 4km in distance from the exchange and your phone line is of good enough quality then you can get the service. This is also the case even if your phone provider is another company.
Reports have come to us in the Broadband Group of people's lines passing the test in Church View, Riveroaks, Cloonbigeen,Kiniska,Gortadooey and Gortacleva. Of course lines have failed in many of those areas aswell ! Contact Eircom via their website to check your phone line, or ring your provider.
If like me, you still cannot get Broadband then all is not lost....stay tuned...
Honk - The Ugly ducklin Mucial Comedy
Monday 21st Nov : 9 Arch Musical Society proudly presents
HONK The Ugly Duckling Musical Comedy
in the Town Hall Theathre, Galway
nightly from Wednesday 23rd to Saturday 26th November
This is a premier for Galway City. This new Musical Comedy has already won awards as the best new Musical in the U.K.
Showcasing the talent of many of our young local people, this is certainly not a show to be missed.
Tickets are available from the Town Hall Theatre, 091 569777
Website for the People
Wednesday 9th Nov : Would you like a free webpage for your local group ? One you can update yourself ?
Have you an upcoming event you would like to promote ?
Involved in a local community group ?
Would you like your own claregalway.net email address ?
Who wants Broadband for Christmas ?
Wednesday 9th Nov : In past few days there have been positive developments with providing broadband for the Claregalway area.
The joint Claregalway Broadband Group / Irish Broadband proposal is now very close to approval (really this time). An annoucement should be within a week. At that point there will be local public meetings to inform people.
Also this week, news has been breaking that Eircom have finally begun work on upgrading their local exchange to make it broadband enabled. A date of November 16th has been mentioned but due to previous missed deadlines for this same work, the end of November could be more realistic.
The news of the date for this Eircom rollout was passed to me by Paul Gill, Chairman of the Claregalway Community Development Association.
Blood Donor Clinic
Thursday 3rd Nov : The Irish Blood Transfusion Service will hold a Blood Donor Clinic in the SMA House, Claregalway on Tuesday 8th November From 4:30pm to 8:30pm.
Please make a special effort to attend the clinic. Why not make this your first visit ? Full information on the Service and donating can be accessed via their website or by phone at 1850 731 137
>> http://www.ibts.ie
Our graduats pause for a photo..Josette Farrell, Seamus OConnell and Marie Dempsey
Congratulations, Graduates of 2005
Friday 21st Oct : Last Friday night three active members of our community graduated from NUI, Galway after receiving their diplomas from the University President. Josette Farrell and Seamus OConnell received a Diploma in Community Development Practice, while Marie Dempsey received a Diploma in Applied Theology and Community Development.
Over 250 people graduated at the ceremonies in the University on the night in a wide variety of Continuing Eduation related courses. When asked if a degree loomed on the horizon, none of our graduates would comment !
As active members of many local groups I know they will be bringing their refined wisdom back to our village and using it for the good of the community.
I would like to congratulate them on their acheievements and wish them every success in the future.
>> images/graduates2005.jpg
Worlds Largest Multi-Venue Quiz..EVER
Tuesday 18th Oct : €30 per team of 4.In aid of Ábalta (Galway School for Children with Autism)
Local venue is the Claregalway Hotel.Tuesday, Oct 25th, Claregalway Hotel. 7.45pm.
Lots of prizes with a local Claregalway prize on offer as well.
A good night is sure to be had by all !!
>> images/AbaltaPoster051018.jpg
World's Largest Multi-Venue Quiz..EVER
Tuesday 18th Oct : €30 per team of 4.
In aid of Ábalta (Galway School for Children with Autism)
Local venue is the Claregalway Hotel.
Tuesday, Oct 25th, Claregalway Hotel. 7.45pm.
Lots of prizes with a local Claregalway prize on offer as well.
A good night is sure to be had by all !!
>> images/AbaltaPoster051018.jpg
Dial up still with us !
Friday 7th Oct : Latest update is that there were some recent positive developemts in this proposal (see related link for original news item) and the Deppartment are close to a decision. A public meeting will be called when this happens.
An Eircom representative has just today got back to us and said that eircom intend to be live in the locality before Christmas - they have assured us that this deadline will be met. They aren't giving an exact date but it'll be between now and end of December. That means broadband to anyone who has a good quality phone line and lies within 4km of the exchange - subject to line testing of course...
Joe O Connell, 087 9333181, email :
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>> news.php?id=469
CLAREGALWAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
Friday 7th Oct : Claregalway Community Development Association Committee 2005
At a public meeting held last night (Thurs 6th Oct) chaired by Pierce Butler, a Claregalway Community Development Association was formed. The groups aim : To promote improvement in the community life and the infrastructural facilities of the people of Claregalway and surrounding areas
A group of about 80 people elected a committee of 12 people to run the Association. They will be making contact with all local groups and clubs, along with analysing a Questionaire handed out last night, to help build a view of what is required by the locality and its people.
The Elected members are : Chairman Paul Gill, Secretary Brendan Noonan, Treasurer Jim Roache, PRO Chris Carroll; Elected non-officers : Vinnie Lyons, Josette Farrel, Seamus O'Connell, Brian Place, Tony Clarke, Michelle Egan, Ger Gaffney, Gerry O'Sullivan
Honky tonk Ball
Thursday 29th Sep : Cregmore-Claregalway FC is holding a Honky Tonk Ball in the Claregalway Hotel on Friday 11th November.
This black tie event of the year starts at 8pm with a champagne reception followed by a five course meal with complimentary wine, then dance the night away to the musical talents of Last Orders and the silken sound of DJ, Jimmy Norman.
Speacial Room rates are available to ticket holders on the night in the Claregalway Hotel. Tickets cost €60 and are available from PJ (085 1489723), Melanie (087 7824276) or any other member of Cregmore-Claregalway FC
Claregalway N.S. in Germany
Thursday 29th Sep : Claregalway N.S. has been invited to send a representative to a symposium which will mark the 10th anniversary of Comenius projects in Europe.
The Symposium which is being organised by the German Educational Exchange Service, will be held in Bonn on September 29th-30th and will be attended by participants from all over Europe. Representatives of the E.U. Commission, of National Agencies, of ministries and of various Comenius projects will take stock of the achievements of the last ten years and develop perspectives for the constitution of Comenius beyond 2007.
Among the contributors to the symposium will be Mr.Francois Fillon, Minister for Education, France and Mr. Jan Figel, E.U. Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and MultilingualismClaregalway's invitation has come as a result of the school's successful Comenius project with partners in Bonn, Turin and Miskolc (Hungary). comenius projects promote transnational cooperation and school communities from Europe to share information on each others' cultures. Claregalway N.S. will be represented at the symposium by the school principal, Pat Coen.
Fashion Show
Thursday 29th Sep : Claregalway's Autumn-Winter Fashjion Show will be held in the Claregalway Hotel on Wednesday October 5th @ 8:30pm with Galway City and County's Leading fashion outlets, along with Claregalway's new and exciting fashion shops. Some of the stores taking part are Anthony Ryans, Sasha, Galvia Ladieswea, Fab C. Fashion, Little VIPS, Ryan Man, Galvia Design and Debswear. On the Catwalk will be this seasons up to the minute styles and colours in ladys daywear and childrenswear. Also on show are the latest international range of of debswear and evenings wear, and a wide range of brides and bridesmaids dresses along with flowergirls dresses. This is a show not to be missed. Organised by the 9 Arch Claregalway Musical Society, the chairperson Annette Cavanagh said that after the great success of last year's fashion show which was completly sold out, she recommens that tickets are booked as early as possible. Tickets costing €10 are available from all members of the Society along with participating shops or ring Annette 091 797238
Slow progress on Broadband for Claregalway
Monday 5th Sep : The Claregalway Application for Funding under the Government backed Group Broadband Scheme is still with the Department and we are awaiting a final repsonse within the next few days (/weeks).
Eircom are still not offering any definite date on broadband rollout in the area. I hope to be making approaches to the other Companies shortly to see if they are in a position to offer broadband to the greater residential community.
-Joe O Connell, Claregalway Broadband Group, 087 9333181, email :
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Broadband Update
Friday 12th Aug : The planned eircom ADSL broadband roll out may not take place now for up to six months, although this is not official.
Eircoms proposed Broadband rollout is DSL based which means that only homes within a 3km radius of the Exchange in Claregalway village will be eligible.
The range is also subject to a line test.
Claregalway Broadband Group have another proposal awaiting grant approval. This proposal in partnership with Irish broadband proposal is a Fixed Wireless product. The connection will be similar to NTL i.e. received with an aerial, but once connected you can use a wired/wireless router to utilize broadband within your house or business.This should suit rural areas better while still offering the same service. The proposal was targeted for the Claregalway area and will be for the initial phase, but indications are that in the long term it should be capable of offering broadband up to a 15km radius. Of course that is also subject to near line of sight conditions. More on later..
>> news.php?id=469
Four Boys from the original Class of 1930
Scoil Naisiunta Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe Comoradh 75
Wednesday 15th Jun : Claregalway National School 75th Anniversary Celebration
The celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the opening of the new school in Claregalway took place last weekend. Over 230 people attended the celebration night on Saturday in the Claregalway Hotel.
Guests of honour were the first pupils of the school back in 1930. Everyone on the night enjoyed swapping stories and the reunion of friends and indeed family.
The pictures from the Claregalway Parish History (published by the Claregalway Historical and Cultural Society) were to be seen on big screen on the night which provided some great memories to talk about. All in all a great night was had by all.
Many thanks to the local musicians on the night who provided great entertainment and to the organising committee for their work.During the following day a large crowd also attended the Schools open day which had many memorabilia from past and present on display.
Many thanks to Pat Coen (Principle), all the teachers and pupils involved.
>> images/2005_06110096.jpg
Claregalway Castle
Monday 13th Jun : This latest updated picture of the Claregalway Castle shows the timber rafters in place with an interesting top also being incorporated into the design.
Click on the picture for a larger image. Note the windows are in the true narrow castle fashion. The restoration of the Lodge house is also well underway.
Already completed are some of the outbarns and sheds. This work is being carried out by the present owner of the castle and grounds.
The ARCH Sculpture
Monday 13th Jun : Work is still underway on the Arch Sculpture which was is funded as part of the East Galway Art Program.
The Sculpture is Robert McColgan and the piece itself is to make use of more modern materials than the exisiting 9 Arche Bridge on the Tuam Road. We anxiously await the finished piece....
The sculptures main aims are that :
The work should connect locally, symbolise Community and achieve iconic status as a symbol for Claregalway and the area.
The sculpture needs to function in support of local initiative and activity.
The quarter circle, at the left, in plan forms the cup of a hand, symbolising Closeness and Community and relates in scale to people of all ages.
This element of the work is suitable for centering performance events of all kinds which on festive and celebratory occasions would bring vibrancy and life to the site.
The sculpture would need to be simple and memorable
The scale and unity of the piece makes it easy to recall and associate with Claregalway.
S.M.A. House Open Day
Monday 23rd May : The annual Open day will take place at the S.M.A. House, Cloonbigeen, Claregalway, on Sunday June 5th between 2-6pm.
You can help by baking a cake, donating unwanted gifts such as plants, ornaments, toiletries etc. Good condition, saleable goods only please.
All proceeds are in aid of the Missions. Please Support.
Lend a Hand
Claregalway Clean Up Day
Saturday 14th May : Claregalway Clean Up Day
The annual clean up takes place on Saturday May 14th. Rubbish and litter gathers everywhere especially in our ever expanding village. Relying on County Councils to clean up after us is not enough. The onus is on us as a community to enhance our locality and environment by removing any litter that is in the area.
This organised event should go a long way towards achieving that goal. Bags and gloves are available from the organisers at the Church car park at 10am. Spend an hour, work with your neighbours and help clean up your area.
- Claregalway Amenity Group
The old New School when it opened
Comoradh 75, Claregalway NS to celebrate anniversary
Friday 1st Apr : Claregalway National School will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the opening of the present school on the weekend of June 11th/12th 2005.All past pupils are invited to attend a celebration dinner in the Claregalway Hotel on Saturday, June 11th @ 8pm. The Special guests on the night will be former pupils who attended the school when it was first opened. A great night of music, reminiscences and craic is guaranteed.Deceased past pupils will be remembered at 11am mass in Claregalway Church on Sunday 12th.
Following mass, the school will be open (until 2pm) for all past pupils, parishioners, etc. To see the many changes that have taken place over seventy five years.
Tickets for the dinner are priced at €20 and are on sale now from committee members : Seamus O Connell (Cloonbiggeen), Pat Coen (Principal Claregalway N.S.), Marie Dempsey (Cregboy), Sean Concannon (Montiagh), Joe O Connell (Cloonbiggeen), Anne Hession (Claregalway), Tom Moran (Cloon), Tom Lenihan (Lakeview) and Bridie Francis (Waterdale).Tickets and further enquiries can also be emailed to directly to
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Lets get Broadband !
Tuesday 1st Feb : Early this year a group of people joined together to discuss getting broadband to Claregalway.
The Claregalway Group Broadband committee chose to partner with IrishBroadband (http://www.irishbroadband.ie), which led them to submitting a proposal to the Government for funding on behalf of the Claregalway Community under the Group Broadband Scheme.
We should find out within the next few weeks if the submission was successful and if so further details can be released. This will not affect Eircoms plan to rollout Broadband by DSL when they upgrade the exchange in Claregalway. That was meant to happen about the 26th of June but that date is subject to change.
If you are interested in discussing the progress of the Broadband options in more detail and to answer any questions that people might have.
All questions welcome, no technical expertise needed !
If you have any further questions, queries or comments please let me know and I'll be happy to try and help out in any way I can.
Joe O Connell, 087 9333181, email :
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