The school has grown to four teacher status (there are also three Support teachers). There are now over eighty students on roll. Two new classrooms and a new Support room at the rear of the building have replaced the pre-fab. This has opened up more playground space and improved the bus turn around. Adjoining land has been opened up as a green play area for the school.

Well done to the builders, Innovative Modular Buildings from Loughrea who worked night and day to complete on time. Planning was held up so they couldn’t commence until all was in order. The building has a very high energy rating, not the usual for a modular building! Electricity bills will be reduced. A heat exchange unit has been fitted- cost borne by the builders and heavily discounted by the suppliers- Pro Air. Pro Air have offices in the Corporate park here in Claregalway. The contractors IMB tried where possible to source components locally and work with local tradesmen. In terms of energy, saving the Green committee can be proud of the school. As savings and the advantages of less dampness etc. are monitored this year, plans can be made for a new modern energy efficient school in the future. In the meantime this building will bring the school forward admirably.

Keep an eye on the school’s website for news and pictures
www.claregalwayeducatetogether.ie

The school can be contacted by email info@claregalwayeducatetogether .ie or phone 091 798356 .

Picture: 3rd and 4th class return to class.

As children returned to Cregmore National School yesterday morning, anxious parents expressed fear for their safety in the wake of another crash at this location at the weekend.

And an impassioned plea has been made to Galway County Council to carry out urgent safety works at the crossroads which is becoming a notorious accident blackspot.

On Saturday afternoon, one adult and three children were taken by ambulance to hospital following another accident at Cregmore crossroads. Fortunately, there were no fatalities and all four will make a full recovery.

But the accident has sent shudders down the backs of parents as they brought their children back to school yesterday morning after the summer break.

Few parents will forget the horrific situation last April when children had to be pulled out of the way of the oncoming truck as it ploughed from the road and through the school boundary, ending up

destroying several cars. It was a scenario of potentially horrific proportions that happened as schoolchildren were being collected by their parents.

Liam Higgins, parent and Chairman of Cregmore Residents Association, remarked,

“We have escaped the loss of life”.

He was referring to the latest accident at the crossroads at which the school is located.

“On Saturday I came upon the crash. To see three children in the back of a car that had been smashed up put my heart crossways.

Unfortunately we have the reputation in Cregmore of being a rat run for people who want to avoid Claregalway. We have a very high traffic flow on roads that are not built for that.

The school wall has been knocked again and right beside where the truck crashed into it earlier this year. There are more than 220 pupils in that school and they have returned to class yesterday.

I am afraid of the traffic on that road and I am afraid of what might happen. I am begging Galway County Council to do something to protect the lives of our children. There have been two or three serious crashes at this location in the recent past and each time the school wall has been hit”, Mr. Higgins explained.

Almost two years ago, Galway County Council knocked down a stone wall and hedging and put up a timber rail fence.

Mr. Higgins believes that this served to open up the area to increased traffic and it also increased the speed in the area.

“We had received an environmental award for the upkeep of the stone wall in the area and then the Council comes along and knocks it down. It was to facilitate traffic because the Claregalway bypass is not going ahead”, he added.

He said that after the truck crashed into the wall of the school, a public meeting was held at which a commitment was given by the local authority to erect four large warning signs – two were eventually

provided.

“The problem is the main road from the Monivea Road to the bridge where there is excessive speed. We fear that there are going to be fatalities at this junction. I am scared and genuinely scared and so are the parents in the whole community”, Mr. Higgins said.

They came in their droves from all over the country – they brought their rain coats, brollies and their wellies but they forgot the sun block! Who could have predicted they would need it! Who would have thought that Sunday last would be so fine that people would need to apply sun block to avoid getting burned. It was a super sunny day for Claregalway Agricultural Show’s 20th Anniversary. This was Claregalway’s best show since it began in 1991. Show Queen, Emer McManus looked radiant. She presided over the presentation of the prizes all day.

She wore a very elegant black and cream dress with matching shoes, very befitting the occasion. Claregalway Agricultural Show was very honoured to have the National Chairman of the Irish Shows Association, Mr. John O’Hara at the show this year. Also attending was Mr. P.J. Foy Chairman of the Western Region and the Secretary of the Irish Shows Association Mr. Michael Hughes. Mr. Noel Grealish, Independent Deputy for Galway West, Councillor Malachy Noone and Councillor Jim Cuddy also took time out to attend.

Great crowds turned up to support the local show and exhibitors came from all over to parade their fine animals in the parade rings. Competition was exciting in all the horse and pony rings with entries up on previous years. Champion Pony of the Show was owned by Raymond Conneely from Ballyconneely and Reserve Champion was awarded to Jarlath Grogan from Claremorris.

The show committee was delighted with the big increase in cattle entries this year. The Cattle Classes were much improved on previous years with a fine calibre of animals in the rings. The standard was very high in the Sheep Classes too and entries were up on previous years. The Dog Show attracted a huge entry as always and there was great interest in the Fowl Classes. The Champion Dog of the show was owned by Chris Corcoran from Athenry and the Reserve Champion was owned by David Connaughton from Claregalway. Competition was vigorous in all classes and the Judges were very impressed with the quality of the exhibits.

Entries were much the same as in previous years in the Indoor Classes. The Children’s Section was very popular with beautiful art work on display and lots of interest in the Lego classes.

Show Chairman Val Noone was very pleased with the turnout. He thanked the dedicated committee for all their hard work and all the helpers and stewards who turned up on the day to keep everything running smoothly. He thanked the Duffy family for the wonderful venue. He thanked all the sponsors of the show for their financial assistance. He thanked the exhibitors and spectators without whom there would be no show.

He said

As with all outdoor events the weather is the main factor. Today we were blessed with a fabulous day. It makes all the hard work, time and effort put into organising the show well worth while. Today we had a great show. There was a lovely relaxed atmosphere in the show grounds. Recession was forgotten if only temporarily. The attention to detail in the preparation made sure everything ran smoothly. Judges and visitors at the show were very impressed by the hospitality they received. Spectators and exhibitors alike just chilled out and basked in the sunshine. Thank you all for your loyal support and long may it continue.

For photos from Claregalway Agricultural Show 2010, click here.

The Facilities will allow Royal Horticultural Society practical courses and demonstrations to be held. Free parking and a convenient location, easily accessible just outside Galway city centre, makes this a dream location for The Garden School.

The goal is to create a centre of excellence for horticultural and garden education and training for the west of Ireland.

To celebrate the opening of the new venue Ciaran Burke will be giving a FREE garden talk on Thursday September 23 at 8pm. There will be some free draws and garden prizes on the night. Gardeners question time will follow the talk which is entitled Autumn in the Garden. All are welcome. Details of the course are available on the web site www.thegardenschool.ie.

Back – from left: John Abbott, Maura Murphy, Pete Fahy, Caoimhe Holland, Clodagh Molloy, Orla Murphy, Ann Marie Hughes, Karen Dowd, Ciara Burke (Captain), Louise Naughton, Michelle Heffernan, Therese Mooney, Rachael O’Brien,

Front: Emma Connell, Grainne Fahy, Ellie Glynn, Lauren Coen, Megan Glynn, Niamh Fahy. Missing: Emer Kearney (Coach), Roisin Holland and Jenny Carberry.

The campaign to establish a Second-level School in Claregalway has made significant progress since it began earlier this year. A comprehensive website, www.claregalwaynewschool.com, set up by the parents committee contains details of the campaign and progress to date, copies of documents and reports prepared by the committee, and other information.

The initiative has developed from the parent’s response to the exclusion of children from the Claregalway area by second-level schools in Galway, Athenry and Oranmore. The campaign has been based on comprehensive analysis of the Dept of Education data for the area and has built on the Dept’s own recommendations for a 600-pupil school for Claregalway. The committee has reinforced the data by already collecting commitments from parents of over 570 current primary school children even before the schools closed last June. These parents confirmed their preference for sending their children to a school in Claregalway. When the primary schools open again next week, the committee are expecting many more confirmations from other parents.

The committee are seeking the opening of the new school in interim accommodation in September 2011. The Co. Galway VEC has been selected as the parent’s choice for school patron, and has been very supportive and helpful. Several suitable options for interim school accommodation have been identified. Over 70 children are already signed up for 1st year in 2011, and the committee expects that this will grow to over 90 in the next few weeks. Increasing numbers are also signing up for the following years.

Members of the committee Michael Hannon, Pat Coen, Ronan Staunton and Paddy Tobin, with Sean Duffy (Education Officer, Co Galway VEC) met with the Tánaiste Mary Coughlan (Minister for Education & Skills) and Tony Dalton (Principal Officer, Planning & Building Unit, Dept of Education & Skills) on the afternoon of July 20th. The meeting was also attended by Frank Fahey TD, Minister Eamon O’Cuiv, Noel Grealish TD, Padraic McCormack TD, and Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames. Apologies and expressions of support were received from Michael D Higgins TD and Senator Niall O’Brolchain.

The response at the meeting with the Tánaiste was very positive and the presentation of the case for the new school was well received. An account of the meeting is available on the website www.claregalwaynewschool.com . Furthermore, feedback from the Tánaiste to enquires since the meeting have been very positive. The officials in the Dept have also expressed their admiration for the research completed by the committee and acknowledged that this work has significantly advanced the case. The Dept officials are currently reviewing the case and will be contacting the committee in September to discuss the next steps in the process.

At this stage the parents committee are very encouraged by the progress and response they have received. No objections or obstacles have been raised by the Dept thus far, and the advice and support of all the public representatives, particularly Frank Fahey, Noel Grealish and Eamon O’Cuiv has helped the parents build a very strong case. The case is solidly underpinned by the school numbers, and geographic, transport, community, environmental and economic arguments. However, notwithstanding all these benefits, the quality of life and quality of educational experience for their children is the primary motivator for many hundreds of parents in the Claregalway area. Thus, the committee will be redoubling their efforts to gather support and more commitments from interested parents in the few weeks ahead of their next meeting with the Dept.

Below is a photo from the recent meeting with An Tánaiste regarding the Secondary School for Claregalway.

This last Bank Holiday Monday, August 3, over 20 musicians came to Flynns to play, sing and those of us who came to hear these wonderful sounds listened and enjoyed. From Reels and Jigs, tin whistle player Joe Colins, to songs from Sarah Hession, the ballad of the Famous 6 in a Row, of Turloughmore from Johnny Long, songs from Eithne Brennan, Ger Kearney, Casey Fahy from Boston gave her rendition of Halleluiah.

An enterprising North Galway company continues to buck the economic downturn with the invention of a revolutionary home heating device.

Mechanical Engineer Gerry Hanley of Hanno Pastics, launched his innovative Hanno Heatmaster at the Tullamore Show this month and took a prize in the highly prestigious National Inventors Competition.

Gerry and his wife Bernie have a track record at the Tullamore event, having taken both first and third prize last year for the Hanno Easy Lift briquette handle and the Hanno Strapwinder — a device used by truckers to roll up ratched straps. That product took the couple to face the panel on Dragon’s Den last year and the Strapwinder is now being exported as far afield as New Zealand.

Gerry told The Tuam Herald he’s hopeful of similar success for the Heatmaster:

“It’s a great energy saving device at a time when people are becoming more and more concerned about saving money, and about reducing pollution an emissions.

“The Heatmaster is designed to harvest the heat from the waste gases that would normally disperse through the chimney flue into the atmosphere, resulting in heat loss and pollution.

“The Heatmaster is purpose built to harness the heat loss from the waste emissions. The average flue gas temperature in a domestic oil boiler is 260 degrees Celsius. With the Hanno Heatmaster system fitted, it will reduce your flue gas temperature to as low as 50 degrees.

“Tests have shown that the average five to ten year old boiler is 80 per cent efficient. When the Hanno Heatmaster is fitted, it can raise your efficiency rating to a 98 per cent.”

Gerry started Hanley Precision Engineering back in 1989 servicing Intel Ireland and companies such as Irish Cone and Wafer, Elmores Electrical and Hewlett Packard.

In 2000, Hanno relocated to Carnmore to service pharmaceutical, medical and automotive companies such as Valeo and JFC Manufacturing in Tuam, also Cambridge Diagnostics and Brivant in Galway City.

Over the years Hanno has been involved in the development of tools and products for a range of international clients.

Jim Cuddy, Cllr.

Active Retirement Ireland is a national network of  over 485 local active retirement associations. These local associations aim to help older people lead a full, happy and healthy life by offering organised opportunities for a wide range of activities that enable older people in local communities to get involved in something that they like.

Each local association plans and delivers a range of social, cultural, learning and physical activities based on what their members would like to do and their ability to participate.

These activities include social networking through

• tea dances, evenings out and short breaks
• physical activities such as swimming, bowls and walking
• cultural visits to museums etc.
• learning activities include IT, inter generational projects, art & crafts.

All the activities are aimed at keeping older people independent, fit and well. Active Retirement Associations are a lifeline for many older people who would otherwise feel isolated and lonely.

Some associations meet once a week and others meet every day depending on the type of activities and the size of the association. Active participation is encouraged and members are supported to try new hobbies or learn new skills.

How to join

Membership is open to men and women over 55 years whose day is no longer taken up with paid or un-paid full time work. Joining a local association can offer you:

1. Friendship
2. Interests
3. New creative skills
4. Holidays and Day Tours
5. Support and Information

For further information contact:
Active Retirement Ireland,
Suite 124, The Capel Building,
St. Mary’s Abbey,
Dublin 7.

Telephone: 01 873 3836
Email: info@activeirl.ie
Website: www.activeirl.ie

Local contact:
Pat Griffith: 091 798 457