The steering committee set up, at a public meeting held on 27th September last, to organise the setting up of a Community Council has concluded that the Council would comprise of people willing to allow their names to go forward for election at a public meeting. The objective is to create a council that best represents area, taking into account geographic spread, the age profile, and the different organisations operating within the community.
The aims of our Community Council will be to:
- Promote the future of Claregalway.
- Provide a forum for discussion within the community.
- Create a better living environment.
- Create employment opportunities within the community.
- Act as a representative body on behalf of the community in dealing with agencies. (more…)
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Sitting down on a fine Midsummer’s evening writing this article, I am gazing out on a group of lavenders; a spectacle of liliac splendour (Lavandula Stoechas), my mind is caught by the noise that breaks the beauty of this. The lavenders with hundreds of spiky scented flowers are home to dozens of bees. They twist and turn for nectar among the flowers and the air is filled with a distinct humming sound. Next door to the lavenders is Weiglea Florida Variegata and as the bees enter the trumpet type flower the buzzing sound is amplified. My concentration is broken, but by something beautiful to look at and to listen to.
Having seen this, I looked up a list of other plants that attract wildlife – bees, birds, butterflies, etc. and lets face it a beautiful garden can look sterile without these. The following are a list of suitable plants:
Aucuba, Berberis, Buddleia, Chaenomoles, Cotoneaster, Pyracantha, Leycesteria, Ribes, Skimmia, Symphoricarpus, Syringia, Virburnum. (more…)
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May is the month when temperatures rise and the day length increases. The growth rate and workload springs into overdrive. The bare earth of the spring has disappeared and in every corner of the garden plants are shouting for attention: “feed me, trim me, plant me out, stake me”, so start now. May can also be a relatively dry month and this dry weather can be combined with late frosts, so be warned”! Take care planting out the summer bedding plants harden them off to the weather, and don’t let anything dry out in a drought spell.
Your greenhouse, if you have one, now becomes a hive of activity. You can use it to start off and grow on all your seedlings and seeds. You can also plant it up with tomato plants, varieties available are Moneymaker, Gardeners Delight, Red Alert (Cherry) and Tumbler, Green peppers and cucumbers. All the various lettuces can also be sown inside with scallions, beetroot, etc. (more…)
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Christmas is well and truly upon us and we can look back and review the year that has gone, from a gardening perspective.
From a positive point of view, many would see it as a good year, particularly people who are starting off and getting the garden off the ground. The more experienced gardeners will view it as a disappointing year with harsh weather in Spring for bulbs/shrubs etc., a very wet Summer which was detriment to the summer bedding plants and then an extremely wet and windy Autumn. However, with Christmas approaching, we can turn our thoughts and plans to the new year and enjoy our Christmas with friends and family. (more…)
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Our Best Wishes are extended to local Badminton Star John Forde who is heading for Belgium on Saturday l7th July. He has been selected to participate in an International Coaching School where he will join with the best in Europe for specialised coaching and competition at an extremely intensive level. John is one of the very limited number from Ireland who have been invited to attend, and we congratulate him and wish him well. (more…)
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The A.G.M. of 1998 Drama Festival Committee was held recently following a very successful programme of plays. As usual a number of Groups competed in the All Ireland Finals in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford for the confined competition and in Athlone for the Open competition.
Two groups who contended in the Confined competition – Ennis players ‘Equus’ by Paul Shaffer and Nenagh Players with ‘Flight to Grosse Ile’ by Jim Minogue won the All Ireland Confined competition and secured a place at the All Ireland Open competition in Athlone. It was most satisfying to have 3 of the Groups who came to Claregalway in the All Ireland Open competition and especially so since the Groups who were placed 1st, 2nd in our Festival came 1st and 2nd in the All Ireland Open Final held in Athlone last month. They were Corn Mill Theatre Group, Carrigallen, with ‘Belfry’ by Billy Roche and Coolera Dramatic Society with ‘The Steward of Christendom’ by Sebastian Barry. (more…)
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Looking back at the month of April, you would be forgiven for asking what season we were in, such was the weather. The wet, cold and frosty weather prevented a lot of planting and sowing. May is the month when the temperatures rise and the day length increases. There is usually a major burst of growth during this month and it is well to be prepared for this. May can also be a relatively dry month and this dry weather can be combined with late frosts, so be warned! Take care planting out the summer bedding plants from frost and don’t let anything dry out in a dry spell.
Now that the grass is growing, it is important to cut it at least once a week or 10 days. You can still put your 3:1 lawn weed and feed out on the lawn. For those that have compost heaps and want to keep them as organic as possible, don’t put the grass clippings on the compost heap until the lawn has been cut at least three times; after carrying out any treatment of hormonal weedkillers on the lawn. (more…)
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Work on the restoration of the 9 Arches is due to commence on the 14th April next. This project will be carried out in conjunction with Claregalway Amenity Group , Geri McManus (Architect), Galway County Council and the local FÁS team. The estimated cost to restore the 9 Arches is estimated at £30,000. Because of the cost involved, Claregalway Amenity Group will shortly be undertaking a major fundraising campaign.
Naoínra
Interest has been expressed in setting up a Naoínra (Playschool through Irish) in Claregalway. Anybody interested in having their child attend (between 3 and 5 years), please contact the following numbers – 798183, after 6 p.m. or 798266, between 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon. (more…)
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March is the month when soil temperatures climb back up and with it growth begins in earnest. The old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb is very true. The end of February and early March has been in marked contrast to the fine mild weather we had previous to this. So we must temper our enthusiasm practically and do only the jobs that are necessary and can be done.
For those of you who ask about transplanting and moving shrubs you have about another two weeks in which to do so, before the plants burst into growth. If you wish to do any bareroot planting, it must be done now, you can plant any of the bareroot trees, conifers and hedging plants, which are always a little cheaper than the potted plants. (more…)
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Across from the Friary and near Claregalway Castle is the bridge over the River Clare. It was first mentioned in 1349 and was a wooden structure. The bridge of the Nine Arches was erected in stone probably in the early eighteenth century. In 1765 John Bodkin, a landlord from Lackagh, changed the course of the River Clare and diverted it away from the old bridge in order to improve the drainage of the area, but also to deepen the river to make it navigable up to Tuam. The present bridge, built in the early 1950, replaced Bodkin’s one and a record of his work is preserved on two stones in the wall of the bridge.
Claregalway Amenity Group have undertaken the challenging task of unveiling the Nine Arches. (more…)
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Good luck and every success to Marian Connolly on the opening of her new restaurant “Bruach na hAbhann”, formerly “The Abbey Restaurant”,Claregalway. Looking forward to sampling the culinary delights of your renowned chef Owen McArdle!!
Birthday wishes to Brian Moran, Lakeview, who will be 8 on the 24th December.
Birthday wishes also to Nicola Newell, Lakeview, who will be 9 on the 24th December.
Best wishes to Siobhán McAndrew who celebrated her 8th birthday on December 13th.
Best wishes to Emmet Farrell, Cregboy, who celebrates his 8th birthday on January 4th. (more…)
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Scouting in Claregalway started in May 1991 with 15 Beavers, 12 Cubs and 5 adults.
Scouting is about developing young people to realise their full potential so that they become responsible, resourceful and enterprising members of their Community.
The Scout Method is based on the: -
- Use of the outdoors – young people are faced with real situations which provide opportunities for them to work together and make decisions, i.e. what to do when the tent gets blown down or flooded? How to light a fire and cook a meal for seven, in the pouring rain?
- Working in small groups – safety in numbers. Here they can discover their own qualities and limitations. A chance to motivate and to lead. It provides the individual with an identity and a sense of belonging.
- Learning by doing – this means encouraging young people to discover things for themselves and to cope with their successes and their failures; to develop life skills such as creativity, teamwork, confidence, decision making.
- Commitment to a set of values. (more…)
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