SMK Studios by Sarah Kilduff Photography, on Main Street, Ballinasloe, is celebrating a whirlwind start to 2025 so far. The studio is commemorating not only six years in business but also being nominated once again for some upcoming awards and accolades.

The Network Ireland Galway branch has nominated Sarah as a finalist for the ‘Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2025’, in the ‘Solo Businesswoman’ category. The organisation has congratulated each and every woman it believes “is incredibly brave, trailblazing, and inspirational.”

SMK Studios has also been nominated this year in the Micro Business Awards in two categories:

• ‘Excellence in Retail and Hospitality’
• ‘Event Expert’

The Network Ireland Awards will take place in June this year in Galway, and the Micro Business Awards will take place in October in Portlaoise.

As a young businesswoman, Sarah finds that these types of awards are valuable for the promotion of small businesses and for continued growth and development. Each nomination provides encouragement for the year ahead and for future opportunities, as well as boosting media and peer visibility.

SMK Studios is preparing for its busiest summer yet, with limited availability remaining for portraiture sessions. Sarah is looking forward to welcoming all this summer’s newborns, family milestones, and wedding parties over the next few months.

The studio is also preparing to launch a new service list and expand its in-studio and online shop products and hampers, which will be available on its website in the coming weeks. SMK Studios is also super excited to be part of Ireland’s first Fashion Week, so stay tuned and follow the journey on Facebook and Instagram:
📷 @SarahKilduffPhotography

Sarah has some advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs in the locality:
“Never be afraid to start, and attend every networking event you can find! Mentorship and continued learning are the keys to success, I believe.”

She would like to thank her clients, far and wide, for making these achievements happen. Without their support, none of this would be possible.

“I would like to make a special mention to my family, my partner, my close friends, and of course Michelle Ryan and Sharon Kelly of the Network Ireland Galway branch for all of their encouragement, continued guidance, and kindness towards women in business,” she adds.
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📍 For all of your portraiture needs, contact www.sarahkilduffphotography.com or follow SMK Studios on social media.

John Cuddy, Managing Partner of Noonan Cuddy O’Neill LLP Solicitors, is delighted to introduce their new Litigation Solicitor, Eimear Torpey, to the long-standing firm of Noonan and Cuddy, recently amalgamated with two Loughrea law firms.

Ambrose Cuddy, the former Principal of Noonan and Cuddy, continues to work with Noonan Cuddy O’Neill and is delighted to see his nephew, John Cuddy, take the firm to new heights.

Eimear, a Waterford native, is married to Liam and lives in Four Roads. She specialises in Personal Injuries and Medical Negligence and is thrilled to take up a position in Ballinasloe that allows her to further concentrate in these areas.
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“I grew up in Waterford city and attended Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School. I completed an Honours Bachelor of Business and Legal Studies Degree in UCD from 2001–2005 and was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 2010. I qualified as a Certified Insurance Practitioner while working in-house in the insurance industry and I completed an LLM in International Commercial Law in 2014,” explains Eimear.

The new solicitor within the company worked in both Plaintiff and Defence litigation before joining the firm. Her new role sees her managing litigation including personal and fatal injuries, medical negligence, professional negligence, and defamation claims.

She sees the difference between the larger metropolitan legal practices and the bespoke smaller operations.
“Having spent a number of years in Dublin working in-house and in larger commercial practices, I recognise the importance of our firm in looking after the needs of clients from the Ballinasloe/East Galway locality by building relationships with clients and helping them through the legal process. In such a fast-paced legal environment, I believe clients appreciate more than ever a firm which can provide personalised legal solutions,” explains Eimear.
Her ambition for her role is to continue to grow the litigation department and provide client-catered solutions to their legal problems.

Looking at the way the demands of clients are developing, she states:
“Every client is different, some are happy to be emailed updates etc. and then there are those clients who can be extremely daunted by the whole legal process and need to be reassured and encouraged at all stages, which may involve follow-up calls after every letter and additional meetings in the office to explain the next stages.”

Larger firms and AI, she believes, are some of the major challenges for smaller provincial legal operations.
Having worked in Ballinasloe for a year and a half, she has seen the benefits of their recent merger in growing the practice. However, this would not have happened without the hard work and dedication of the whole team at NCOS, according to Eimear.

In her spare time, she is kept busy with a young family and helps out on the home farm, having recently achieved a Level 6 Green Cert qualification.

For a final thought, she wishes to thank:
“Ambrose and John for giving me this opportunity to further enhance my legal career…”

A constructive and forward-looking meeting took place at Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub between Seamus Duffy, Chairperson of Ballinasloe Area Community Development (BACD), Lyn Donnelly, BACD Manager, and Ricky Conneely, Regional Enterprise Development Manager, IDA.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Ballinasloe’s strategic role in the IDA’s recently published Strategy 2025–2029. Mr Conneely confirmed that Ballinasloe has been identified as one of 11 key regional locations where the IDA plans to seek advance planning permission for future development, which would greatly enhance the town’s readiness to attract inward investment.

The inclusion of Ballinasloe in this forward-planning process is a significant recognition of the work carried out locally. In 2017, BACD, with the support of Ballinasloe Credit Union, successfully sought and secured planning permission at the site, which has now positioned the town favourably within the IDA’s regional development strategy.

At the April meeting, Ricky Conneely noted that the biggest potential for Ballinasloe lies in developing sub-supply chains to support large multinationals such as Dexcom and Novo Nordisk, both of which are investing heavily in the West of Ireland. Ballinasloe’s strategic location on the Galway–Dublin corridor, and its existing infrastructure, make it an ideal site for companies seeking regional supply chain solutions.

Seamus Duffy welcomed the news:
“We are very encouraged to see Ballinasloe named in the IDA’s long-term strategy. It validates the proactive steps taken by BACD and our community partners in ensuring that Ballinasloe is development-ready.”

Lyn Donnelly added:
“The Enterprise Centre and Enterprise Hub have shown what can be achieved when a community invests in itself. We look forward to working closely with the IDA to bring this next phase of development to fruition.”

This meeting represents a positive milestone in the town’s ongoing efforts to secure sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities for the region. BACD will continue to advocate for Ballinasloe’s inclusion in all relevant national and regional planning frameworks.

Cllr Evelyn Parsons is calling for the urgent upgrade of public toilet facilities and improved disability access throughout Ballinasloe.

She has formally requested Galway County Council to include Ballinasloe in the upcoming round of the Town & Village Renewal Scheme, with a specific focus on delivering age-friendly and fully accessible public toilet amenities.

Alongside this, she awaits confirmation of funding under Round 3 of the Community Recognition Fund, having already flagged these key projects as priorities.

A small but meaningful step forward is already imminent: a “brown-friendly” parking space will soon be installed outside the public library — a move long championed by Cllr Parsons. She is also actively pursuing a similar facility for Main Street, which remains under negotiation but firmly on her agenda.

Beyond infrastructure, Cllr Parsons has been consulting directly with those affected by access barriers. She recently met with SUAS, the local Disability Advocacy Group, to discuss issues ranging from poor directional signage and faded pedestrian crossings to the scarcity of accessible public transport options.

Her efforts have already yielded results — Galway County Council has backed a formal submission to the National Transport Authority seeking the installation of a new bus stop near the library, a facility deemed vital for elderly residents and those with mobility challenges.

“Accessibility isn’t just a buzzword — it must be a priority,” Cllr Parsons stated. “Ballinasloe has one of the highest old-age dependency ratios in Galway County at 32.6%, and a disability rate of 21.9%, which is above the national average. Our facilities must reflect and respond to this reality.”

The long-anticipated feasibility study for the River Suck Blueway has reached its final tendering stage. Tenders have been received for the appointment of a consultant to lead the study, which is being funded under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) — an initiative brought forward last year by Cllr Dr. Evelyn Parsons.

Galway County Council is currently reviewing the submissions and expects to appoint the successful consultant shortly. Once in place, the study will begin almost immediately and is projected to take approximately six months to complete.

The primary focus of the feasibility study is to explore the River Suck’s potential as a key recreational and natural asset for both the people of Ballinasloe and visitors alike. It will assess the river’s suitability for:

• Swimming
• Non-motorised water-based recreation
• Creation of a linear public park along its banks

It will also examine the environmental, infrastructural, and access requirements needed to support such a development.

“This is about more than leisure,” said Cllr Parsons. “It’s about water quality, health and well-being, biodiversity, environmental protection, and long-term sustainability.”
The study will also consider:

• Legal and regulatory compliance
• Long-term maintenance
• Potential funding and implementation pathways

If realised, this initiative could significantly enhance the amenity, environmental, and tourism value of the town centre, providing a transformative public asset for generations to come.

Remedial works had delayed the opening of the 2025 season, but the Battle of Aughrim Visitor Centre was able to reopen recently. In addition, a tender for a feasibility study to develop the centre further has recently gone live. Speaking about the study, Councillor Alan Harney said:

“I would encourage any businesses who may be interested in getting involved in this project to express their interest via eTenders.”

The Councillor added:

“We have such a great opportunity for tourism development in Aughrim. It has the potential to be a jewel in the crown of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands region for Fáilte Ireland. But in order to realise this potential, we need to see a re-imagination of the interpretative centre. We need to see modern technologies and methods used to tell the story of the Battle of Aughrim and offer an enhanced visitor experience, which would help to grow visitor numbers and expand the potential for tourism right across our area.”

The Battle of Aughrim, which took place in 1691, was a key event, as it led to the defeat of the Jacobite army supporting James II and the victory of William III, changing the course of Irish and British history.
“[It] was one of the bloodiest battles ever fought in Ireland, and up to 7,000 people were killed... It is so important that we tell the story in an accessible way which respects the history and context of the battle,” the Councillor noted.

Cllr Harney will be working with local stakeholders and officials in Galway County Council:
“to develop a comprehensive plan for the Centre which will allow us to apply for capital funding in future funding rounds.”
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The Battle of Aughrim Visitor Centre will be open from May to September.
Opening hours:

• Tuesday–Saturday: 10:30am–4:30pm
• Sunday: 2:00pm–5:00pm

📞 For further information, call (090) 9673 939 (summer season only) or email:
✉️ [email protected]

Ballinasloe is gearing up for an afternoon of fun, flavour and festivity as the Midsummer Multicultural Festival Family Fun Day takes place on Saturday, June 21st from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the Emerald Ballroom and Fair Green (H53 X7T1).
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A celebration of community spirit and cultural diversity, the event promises something for everyone – locals and newcomers alike – with a vibrant programme of activities and entertainment.
Inside the Emerald Ballroom, visitors will enjoy a tapestry of multicultural cuisine and live performances, with food stalls offering delicious dishes from around the world. There’ll also be a full programme of music, dance and cultural entertainment, showcasing the talents and traditions of the town’s diverse communities – a chance to experience global culture without leaving town!

By Colm Croffy

The Féile Committee is pleased to announce that the 11th Féile Larry Reynolds will take place from 13th to 15th September 2025.

This year’s programme will see over 20 events scheduled across the weekend, including concerts, talks, film, dancing, storytelling, workshops, sessions, and the famous Sunday Céilí.

Some of the key highlights include:

• A headline performance by the legendary Seamus Begley Tribute Band
• The popular Bus Tour returns, offering musical journeys through local history
• Dedicated Family Fun Day with music, games, and crafts

Musicians and dancers from across the country will descend upon Ballinasloe for the weekend to celebrate the musical legacy of Larry Reynolds, a native of Ahascragh who went on to become a leading figure in Irish traditional music in Boston.

The Féile’s reputation has grown steadily over the past decade, with support from Galway County Council, local sponsors, and cultural bodies. The programme is known for its high-quality acts, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to fostering local talent.

Festival Chairperson Pat Vaughan commented:
“Each year, the Féile continues to honour the memory of Larry Reynolds while providing a platform for the very best of Irish traditional music and culture. It’s a gathering that brings the community together and attracts visitors from far and wide.”

A full programme of events and booking details will be announced in mid-summer. Be sure to follow the official Féile Larry Reynolds page on Facebook for updates:
📘 facebook.com/feilecheoillarryreynolds
🗓️ Save the Date: 13th–15th September 2025
🎻 For more information, visit the Féile page via: ​https://feilecheoillarryreynolds.com/  

With the Creagh Social and Affordable Estates nearly fully occupied, and the Canal Harbour Complex nearing completion for autumn—where it is anticipated there may be some units released on the market—and three more bungalows being planned for River St, alongside the three that are being roofed beside Fred’s, there is further good news for house buyers.
A new housing development has been approved, with permission granted to Jacqueline Kenny to build 50 homes close to the town centre, despite some significant local objections.
The development fits with the Local Development Plan, under which there is capacity to build up to 850 new homes, and aligns with the Galway County Development Plan 2022–28, which defines Ballinasloe as a Key Town and earmarks it for substantial population growth.
The development will be built in the Poolboy/Dunlo area and comprises 46 two-storey houses (six two-bedroom units and 40 three-bedroom units), and a further four four-bedroom houses. The site is located approximately 750 metres south of the town centre, adjacent to the Dun Esker estate and with the Tesco superstore to the north.
Each unit will also include a garage with provision for electric vehicle charging. Garages will be attached to each house, with a 33.5m² private terrace built above the garage. Houses will also have a courtyard with space for additional parking. It is envisaged that there will be parking for 105 cars in total, with 11 spaces reserved for visitors and the remainder allocated to residents.
The development also includes associated roads and services, with internal roadways and cycle paths developed from the existing roundabout. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to walk or cycle from the new development to the town centre via the Dun Esker estate.
The developers will also provide just over one hectare of adjoining public open space, which will include walking routes, seating areas, a fitness area and an outdoor gym, a kick-about area, a playground, and landscaped areas including planting.
Sale of the houses is restricted to individuals and families, rather than corporate bodies. Twenty per cent of the development will be earmarked for affordable housing in line with the Part V obligation of the Planning and Development Act 2000, by which a percentage of each private development is designated for social and affordable housing.
Approval was granted subject to 27 planning conditions, including the addition of pedestrian access to Cluain Bui and Dun Esker, and the provision of pedestrian and cycle access to Beechlawn Heights.
The planners also requested that development take place in phases, with Phase One to include the development of the public open spaces between the site and Eiscir Riada.
There will also be a road safety audit by an independent auditor on completion of the development, and the developer will maintain the landscaped and open spaces for three years after construction is complete.
It will be the first private housing estate in the town in a considerable period of time.
Meanwhile, construction work is also starting on the 16 new residential units at Dooley’s Corner.

Reflecting on the journey, project co-founder Niamh Connaughton Creaven said:

“When ShopBallinasloe was first established, our aim was to provide practical support to local businesses. Reaching this five-year milestone and seeing the positive impact it has had on the town is truly rewarding. It’s a testament to the dedication and resilience of our community.”

From its early days as a free directory and online voucher platform, ShopBallinasloe.ie quickly gained traction. Support poured in from residents—both at home and abroad—who rallied behind their favourite local shops.

• Over €500,000 has been retained in the local economy through online sales, Town Voucher sales, and direct retailer enquiries since launch.
• The Ballinasloe Town Voucher has become a resounding success and the scheme’s appeal lies in its simplicity:
  • No fees for customers
  • No commission for participating businesses
  • No loss of value for users

 
ShopBallinasloe.ie’s reach now extends well beyond the town itself, with online orders coming from across Ireland, as well as from overseas—demonstrating the far-reaching support for Ballinasloe’s businesses.

The anniversary Coffee Morning, generously supported by Ballinasloe Credit Union and Ballinasloe Area Community Development, was  a well supported and relaxed event. Attendees enjoyed delicious treat and refreshments from Chris and the team at CS Catering. The gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on five years of collaboration and community support.