Galway Talks - with John Morley

Galway Talks with John Morley Monday July 6

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley: 

9am-10am 

• Public Consultation to Begin on Permanent UHG Helipad

• Love Island - Fitzy Escapes Movie Night... But Is the Drama Really Over? 

10am-11am

• Trump Hails America as 'Crowning Achievement' at 250th Birthday Celebration 

• Galway Film Fleadh: The Must-See Movies This Year 
• Legal Aid Dispute Delays Serious Criminal Trials 

11am-12pm

• MONDAY PANEL 

• SPORTS REVIEW 

Morley's Mouthfuls - Road safety, international tragedy, inspiring community initiatives and the magic of music and film

Another week, another reminder that no two days on Galway Talks are ever the same. Over the past five days we've tackled everything from the cost of living and road safety to international tragedy, inspiring community initiatives and the magic of music and film. 

As always, our conversations were driven by the stories affecting people here in Galway, while never losing sight of the wider world beyond our county.

One of the week's biggest talking points came from Government, as Junior Minister Seán Canney joined us to discuss the decision to extend fuel tax relief for another month, delaying another rise in the cost of filling the tank. 

While motorists will welcome the breathing space, the reductions won't last forever, with the excise cuts due to be phased out later this year. 

We also discussed tougher road safety measures, including plans to ensure dangerous drivers can no longer serve driving bans while behind bars, and proposals for stronger sentences in the most serious cases. 

The message from Government is clear: keeping costs down where possible, while taking a much harder line on dangerous driving.

We also turned our attention overseas as the death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela continued to climb. 

Galway resident and Sabanero Dairy founder Dayana Maltese spoke movingly about watching the tragedy unfold from thousands of kilometres away, while worrying about family, friends and communities back home. 

Her interview was a powerful reminder that global disasters are never as distant as they seem, with many people here in Galway carrying the emotional weight of events happening across the world.

Closer to home, we met Aoife and Lucy, the Galway duo behind Ceiliúradh Coffee. Their ambition goes far beyond serving great coffee. 

They want to create meaningful employment opportunities for autistic young people and those with intellectual disabilities, helping bridge the gap that so many face after leaving school. 

It's a simple idea with the potential to make a real difference, proving that inclusion isn't just about good intentions, but about creating real opportunities.

We rounded off the week with one of Ireland's finest singer-songwriters, Declan O'Rourke, who joined us ahead of the world premiere of Almost With You at the Galway Film Fleadh. 

Best known for his music, Declan is now stepping into the world of acting, while also contributing nine original songs to the film. It was fascinating to hear about this new chapter in his career and the creative journey that brought him from the recording studio to the big screen.

From politics and public policy to personal resilience, community spirit and creativity, it was another week of conversations that informed, challenged and celebrated the people and stories shaping Galway and beyond.

Galway Talks with John Morley Friday July 3

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley; 

9am-10am 

• Minister Sees 'Merit' in Galway Naval Base 

• Trolley Numbers Hit Highest Level Since Pandemic 

• Could Another Heatwave Be Heading for Galway? 
• New Scheme Offers Faster Cataract Surgery for Galway Patients

10am-11am 

• Galway Anglers Hit Out Over Salmon Weir Closure   

• Will Higher Litter Fines Clean Up Galway?   

• Declan O'Rourke Makes His Big Screen Debut 

11am-12pm

• GALWAY THOUGHTS PANEL 

• SPORTS PREVIEW 

Galway Talks with John Morley Thursday July 2

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley: 

9am-10am 

• AI Set to Transform Two-Thirds of Jobs   
• WhatsApp Users Warned Over New Scam Risk   
• Sinn Féin Pushes for Irish Unity Planning 

10am-11am

• Should Ireland Consider Nuclear Power? 
• Oranmore Student's Short Film Heads to South Korea   

11am-12pm

• CULTURE CORNER - Preserving the Story of Ballymacward 
• Galway Duo's Mission to Create Jobs for Young People with Disabilities 

Galway Talks With John Morley July 1st

9am-10am 

Drinking water is safe, but long-term resilience must improve to protect public health, says EPA

Galway City councillor bemoans loss of 100s of homes due to bad planning  

Final Hours for CAO Change of Mind Deadline 

10am-11am

Gaeltacht Housing Group Warns New Planning Rules Could Make It Harder for Irish Speakers to Build 

Farmers Say Fuel Tax Extension Doesn't Go Far Enough 

Kinvara Rallies Around Family After Holiday Tragedy

11am-12pm

New Tuam Mother and Baby Home Exhibition Opens in Galway 

Inside Ireland's Beloved Mary From Dungloe Festival 

Labour accuses media organisation of intimidating Mayor Helen Ogbu   

Galway Talks with John Morley Tuesday 30th June 2026

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley: 

9am-10am 

• Seán Canney on Fuel Tax Relief and Tougher Road Safety Laws 

• Galway Councillor Seeks Fine Gael Seanad Nomination 

• Maria Walsh Brings Gender Equality Conversation to Galway 

10am-11am

• Galway Venezuelan Speaks as Earthquake Death Toll Continues to Rise 

• GARDA SLOT  

• Retailers Warn Rising Minimum Wage Is Costing Young People Their First Job 

11am-12pm

• Can Creativity Help Solve the World's Biggest Challenges? 

• Summer Market Brings Fresh Flavours and New Traders to St Nicholas' 

• MUSIC MORNINGS - From the Streets of Rio to the Streets of Galway  - VALTER joins us in studio  

Galway Talks with Ollie Turner Monday June 29

Today on Galway Talks with Ollie Turner: 

9am-10am 

• Government to Decide Future of Fuel Tax Cuts 

• Could Empty Space Above Galway Shops Help Ease the Housing Crisis? 

• Can Galway's Fitzy Survive Casa Amor? 

10am-11am

• New Law Gives Workers the Right to Delay Retirement 

• Galway Residents Call for Drivers to Slow Down in Westend 

• Kilconly Community Launches 'Buy a Brick' Campaign to Build New Recreation Centre 

11am-12pm

• MONDAY DEEP DIVE PANEL - Should Every Championship GAA Match Be Free to Watch? 

• SPORTS REVIEW 

Morley's Mouthfuls - Tourist tax, Gaelscoil places and new music

This week on Galway Talks, we asked whether Galway should start charging visitors a tourist tax. It's a debate that's dividing opinion.

Supporters say it's only fair that the millions who enjoy everything Galway has to offer contribute towards the cost of keeping the city clean, maintaining public spaces and improving tourism infrastructure.

Critics argue visitors already pay enough, and another charge could damage our competitiveness at a time when holidays in Ireland are already expensive.

The question is a simple one: should tourists help pay for the services they use, or will another levy simply send them elsewhere?

Founder and owner of Supermac's, the Só Hotel Group and the Plaza Group, Pat McDonagh gave us his opinion on the matter.

We also discussed new figures showing that more than 3,500 Galway children are missing out on a place in a gaelscoil, despite parents wanting Irish-medium education.

For a county that prides itself on its language and culture, the statistics are difficult to ignore. Demand is clearly there, yet the supply simply isn't keeping pace.

If we genuinely want to see the Irish language thrive beyond the Gaeltacht, families need more than encouragement: they need the opportunity to choose Irish-medium education in the first place.

Finally, we met broadcaster and endurance swimmer Tracy Piggott, who is preparing to spend up to eight hours beneath the waters of Galway Bay in aid of Sensational Kids.

Her remarkable challenge, Swimming in Silence, isn't just about physical endurance. It's about giving a voice to thousands of families waiting for assessments and therapies for children with additional needs.

Sometimes the most powerful way to make people listen is through an extraordinary act, and Tracy's determination certainly left a lasting impression.

Also this week we had a visit from Galway musician KONNO, who joined us in studio to perform and chat about his latest single, T.O.M..

The deeply personal track is a heartfelt tribute to his grandfather, exploring love, loss and the lasting impact of family.

It was a reminder that behind every song is a story, and KONNO's honest songwriting struck a chord with listeners.

Four very different conversations, but each centred on one thing: how we build a better Galway.

Whether that's through investing in our city, investing in our language, or investing in our children or families.

Galway Talks with John Morley Friday June 26

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley: 

9am-10am 

• More Industrial Action Planned by Galway Heart Surgery Specialists   

• Thunderstorm Warning in Place Across Galway 

• Leaving Cert Over — But What Happens If You Miss the Points? 

10am-11am

• Workers Urged to Switch Off During Summer Holidays 

• Ryanair Drops Charges for Some Parents to Sit With Their Children 

• Corrandulla Show Set to Welcome Thousands This Sunday 

11am-12pm

• GALWAY THOUGHTS PANEL 

• Should Galway Introduce a Tourist Tax? 

• Are We Doing Enough to Keep Children Safe Online? 

Galway Talks with John Morley Thursday June 25

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley; 

9am-10am 

• Ireland Braces for Potential Record-Breaking Heat   

• Women’s Aid Sees 62,000 Disclosures of Abuse in One Year 

• Bigger Cars Could Put Pedestrians at Greater Risk, Report Warns 

10am-11am

• Ireland Urged to Put Global Aid at Heart of EU Presidency 

• Tracy Piggott to Take on Eight-Hour Underwater Swim Across Galway Bay 

11am-12pm

• Galway Public Asked to Help Track Endangered Wild Honey Bees 

• Galway International Arts Festival Expands Accessibility Supports for 2026 

• MUSIC MORNINGS - Sarah Hession