Galway Bay FM News Archives
Councillors issue price warning to city hotels
Date Published: 13-Jun-2011
BY CIARAN TIERNEY
Hotels in Galway have been asked to avoid ‘fleecing’ visitors when the gruelling Ironman event is expected to bring an injection of just under €5 million to the city at the end of the summer.
A meeting of Galway City Council heard last night that the event is expected to boost Galway’s economy by €4.9 million when it takes place in the city, Salthill, and Connemara on the first Sunday in September.
But, with the Ironman 70.3 Series set to base its Irish leg in Galway for the next five years, a number of councillors expressed concerns that some hotels might use the occasion to hike up their prices over the weekend.
“It is bad for the city when hotels put up their prices for events such as Race Week,” said Cllr Collette Connolly (Lab.). “It is great that this event provides a positive alternative to the drink culture that Galway is known for. But is it too much to hope that there will be standard rates in the hotels rather than having people fleeced continuously whenever there is a major event in Galway?”
Cllr Peter Keane (FF) described the event as a “no brainer” in terms of the benefits it would bring to the city and said it was important to make a good impression in the first year so that the Ironman would remain here for the next four years. It is the first time an Ironman event will take place in this country.
“I am hoping that the hotels won’t ‘do the dog’ on it in terms of overcharging,” he said. “It is important to give value for money, not alone to the competitors but to their entourage as well.”
Cllr Frank Fahy (FG) said that hotels should be encouraged to make the weekend a success and make sure that people did not leave Galway with a feeling that they had been “ripped off” during their time in the city.
Event organiser Kevin Stewart told the Councillors that all 1,800 available slots had been booked out five months ago for a contest which incorporates a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile cycle, and a 13.1 mile run through the streets of the city.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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