Minister Calleary visits island and rural communities to check on Storm Éowyn recovery
- Published on: 28 January 2025
- Last updated on: 15 April 2025
- Minister thanks communities and workers involved in repair works
- Emergency Response Hubs established over weekend to help support essential needs
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, today (Tuesday 28 January) visited west Galway to meet with island and rural communities, affected by Storm Éowyn.
The Minister met with communities in the Conamara and Árainn areas to see progress on repairs, to offer support and thank community organisations involved in the storm recovery effort. He was accompanied by officials from his own department and Galway County Council.
The Minister travelled to Inis Mór in the morning to see the storm recovery work. While on the island he met with representatives of Comharchumann Forbartha Árann and local residents.
Upon returning to the mainland the Minister travelled to An Cheathrú Rua where he met with local community workers, again to thank them for all of the support they have been providing.
Speaking in An Cheathrú Rua, Minister Calleary said:
“West Galway saw some of the highest wind-speeds during Storm Éowyn and I really wanted come here and see first-hand the recovery effort. I also want to make sure the people of west Galway know that they will be given all the support they need.
“It is clear that huge work has been done by many including ESB, Uisce Éireann and Local Authority repair crews and I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to them. The community here in west Galway, and communities across the country, have rallied together to support each other.
“I know Galway County Council have established Emergency Response Hubs in Oughterard, ClareGalway, Gort and Headford, where people can access water, hot food, phone charging, broadband access, showers and clothes washing facilities. Liam Conneally, CEO of Galway County Council has assured me that more hubs will be established in other affected areas.
“I want to thank Liam and his team along with all the community workers and repair crews for everything they have done so far. We recognise there are still some challenges and all government departments and agencies are constantly collaborating through the National Emergency Coordination Group to ensure communities get back on their feet as soon as possible.
“I will be briefing the Taoiseach and my colleagues at Cabinet tomorrow on my visit today and you can be assured this government will not be found wanting when it comes to supporting communities.”
Later in the day the Minister travelled to Carna to meet with representatives of Comharchumann Forbartha Chonamara Láir, a local development cooperative.
His visit to Galway concluded with a visit to Seanscoil Sailearna, Indreabhán where he met with members of the community.
Notes
Community Hubs – Galway County Council and Community and Voluntary Organisations
Athenry/Oranmore Municipal District:
| Name of Hub | Eircode | Services (tea/coffee, cooking facilities, charging facilities, WiFi, toilets, showers, remote working/office, other) | Opening hours |
| Claregalway Community Centre | H91 THH4 | Tea/Coffee, charging facilities & WiFi, Toilets & shower facilities | 9am - 3pm |
| Athenry Parochial Hall | H65 N294 | Charging Facilities, microwave, warm rooms (no water) | 9am - 6pm |
| Maree Community Centre | H91 V12C | Tea/Coffee, cooking facilities, charging facilities & WiFi, toilets & shower facilities | 8am - 10pm |
Ballinasloe Municipal District:
| Ballinasloe Town AFC | H53 YD98 | Tea/Coffee, cooking facilities, charging facilities & WiFi, Toilets | 9am - 4pm |
| Mattie McDonagh Community Centre, Ballygar | F42 V211 | Tea/Coffee, cooking facilities, charging facilities, toilet facilities | 6pm - 10pm, Tuesday to Thursday |
Conamara Municipal District:
| Oughterard Community Centre & Gym | H91 XA8R | Tea/Coffee, cooking facilities, charging facilities & WiFi, Toilets, Shower Facilities (from 9am - 8pm) | 9am - 10pm |
| Oughterard Courthouse & Library | H91 CC96 | Tea/Coffee, charging facilities & WiFi, working hub desks, toilets. Enter via the Public Library Ougherard | 10.30am - 1pm Wed/Fri, 2pm - 7pm Thurs, 10.30 a.m. - 2pm Sat. |
| Clifden Town Hall | H71 AE09 | Tea/Coffee, Toilets, charging facilities & WiFi | 9am - 3pm Main Hall, 3pm - 9pm Upstairs Meeting Room |
| The Wild Goat Café, Letterfrack | H91 CD45 | Tea/Coffee/Soup, charging facilities & WiFi, toilets | 9am - 4pm |
| Tigh Mheaic, Carna | H91 KN88 | charging facilities & WiFi, toilets | 10am - 11.30pm |
| An Crompán, Comharchumann Mhic Dara, An Cheathrú Rua | H91 X4WH | Tea/Coffee, Charging facilities & WiFi, laundry services, remote working spaces. G-Teic located nearby is open as working hub | 10am – 8.00pm |
Loughrea Municipal District:
| Ballinderreen Community Centre | H91 TC65 | Tea/Coffee, cooking facilities, charging facilities & WiFi | 9am - 5pm |
| Lady Gregory Hotel Gort | H91 KN2N | Complementary Tea/Coffee/Snacks, charging facilities & WiFi, toilets & shower facilities | 9am - 9pm |
| Lough Rea Hotel, Loughrea | H62 Y189 | Charging facilities, shower facilities | |
| Dessie O'Brien's Pub Kilreekil | Tea/Coffee & sandwiches, charging facilities, toilet facilites | 9am - 6pm | |
| Craughwell Community Centre | Tea/Coffee, charging facilities, cooking facilities | Tues: 6.30p.m. - 9pm, Wed: 7pm - 10.30 p.m. |
Tuam Municipal District:
| Solas Family Resource Centre, Headford | H91 H6HO | Tea/Coffee, cooking facilities, charging facilities & WiFi, Toilet Facilities | 9.30a.m. - 5pm | |
| Moyne Villa FC Headford | H91 H275 | Tea/Coffee, cooking faclities, charging facilities & WiFi, office space, toilets & shower facilities | 8am - 10pm | |
| Garrafrauns Community Centre | H54 EO43 | Tea/Coffee, charging facilities, toilets | 6pm - 9pm | |
| Dunmore Community School | H54 KP03 | Tea/Coffee, cooking facilities, toilets and shower facilities | ||
| Tuam Rugby Club | H54 PT62 | Tea/Coffee, charging facilities, toilets & shower facilities | 7pm - 9pm | |
| Barnaderg Community Centre | H54 E529 | Tea/Coffee, charging facilities, toilets | 7pm - 9pm |
Humanitarian Assistance Scheme
The Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by Storm Éowyn.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme mitigates hardship by providing income tested financial assistance schemes to households affected by a severe weather event.
If any homeowner affected by severe weather needs to access these supports, emergency Community Welfare Service contact details are available here: gov.ie - Customer Notices.