Galway Advertiser 1998/1998_01_08/GA_08011998_E1_018.pdf 

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C o m m e n t & Letters

Towards a more user friendly city
ith only two years to go before we reach the millennium, Galway is already beginning to make some of the changes that will make it one of the most attractive and 'peoplefriendly' cities in Europe. Cities are the symbols of civilisation: Babylon, Athens, Rome, Florence, Paris, London. They are the places where the creative confluence of prag matism and poetry meet and merge; where the energies of a mass of most ly unrelated but gregarious people extend their individually fruitful but limited visions into the cosmopolitian tapestry of a common endeavour. (You must forgive me: I am dazzled with the whole idea of this arbitrary but exciting turn of the calendar, as I am certain the merchant princes of old Galway would have been). Developments of the city have this week added to the feeling that Galway is about to add an exciting dimension to its identity next year. We are referring to the proposed development on land around Corbett's Yard just off Barrack Lane/Castle Street, which involves the construction of retail floor space for a departmental store, as well as a number of residen tial units, amounting to 30 per cent of the total development. Further evidence that this latest development has the whole-hearted sup port of all city interests is shown by the fact that despite the rigorous list of 16 conditions attached to the granting of planning permission, they have all been satisfied, even to the high standards of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, an Taisce, the Galway Civic Trust and archaeologist Peadar O'Dowd, all of whom have given their support for this imaginative project. The groups mentioned also praised developer Gerry Barrett for his ini tiative in discussing his plans and allowing access to archaeological reports and surveys. So also did the city councillors at Monday night's meeting of the Galway City Council. What distinguishes Mr Barrett's initiative is his aim of ensuring the city remains a living place, not only given over to shops and businesses mat are deserted at closing time - leaving not a city but only the shell of a city, but a place where people still have their homes. A city that lacks its living heart has become a wasteland. Furthermore, the new plan dovetails neatly with another intiative we will see come to fruition this year, the pedestrianisation of die city centre. Mr Barrett said that the new development would copperfasten pedestrianisation in the city centre.

Respect for all human life
Dear Editor, We refer to the letter from Mrs Nuala HughesEising in the December 18 edition of your newspa per. While we regret the upset caused to this lady, we sould like the opportunity to reply and to set her mind at rest. "Life Pregnancy Care Service Galway" is a regis tered charity which provides a nationwide care ser vice for pregnant girls and women. It is a nondenominational organisation. Life's counsellors are women who have to undergo full training with reg ular in-service refresher training courses. Our work is carried out by people committed to upholding the utmost respect for all human life. Life respects and understands the needs, hopes and desires of women. Life does not judge and con demn; we respect clients' decisions and feelings. The poetry competition which w e ran was designed to increase public awareness of our ser vices and thus we ensured that all schools were fully aware of who we were and what we were about. The works submitted were judged on their merits by independent adjudicators and the prizes awarded accordingly. We were saddened that the first prize of the mountain bike was returned to us but we will respect the decision of the poet; having returned her poem to her we will not therefore be including it in the booklet which we hope to publish early in the New Year. Full information about our services is freely and openly available to anyone who wishes to contact us at our office at Prospect House, Prospect Hill, tele phone 566 939. Thank you for this opportunity to reply, Yours sincerely, Frank McMurray (Treasurer) Raymond Blair (Chairperson) on behalf of Life Pregnancy Care Service, Galway.

W

Grappelli's transformation
Dear Editor, I was so taken by your words that I felt that I had to respond. I, too, had the privilege of seeing Stephane play. It was in a small hall at the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1988, with Marc Fosset and John Burr. I knew that the man was getting up in years, but I was surprised at how slowly he shuffled out onto the stage. I was preparing myself to be disappointed, until he tucked his instrument under his chin and began to play. I saw the same "transformation" that you described. The years fell away with each note, leaving only the wisdom and feelings that such time can pro vide. I was enraptured until the last flourish. He even favored us with his piano version of "Satin Doll". I feel very fortu nate to have seen one of the true instrumental masters of our time. Heaven's band now has its turn with him ... I know that they are glad to have him. Bob Rich RRich58052@aol.com

A farewell to G a l w a y (for Elizabeth and Maja)

eanwhile, the Galway County Borough Draft Development Plan outlines good news for the city's cyclists and pedestrians details of the construction of a number of cycle lanes and pedestrian walkways for the city centre and its environs, as well as the pro vision of cycle parking facilities at 10 centres throughout me city centre. In addition, the plans for pedestrianising William Street, Shop Street, High Street, Quay Street, Mainguard Street, Kirwan's Lane, Ball Alley Lane, and St Amhony's Place from St Francis Street to Woodquay feature as part of mis plan. There are also plans to make eight cycle ways in the city and four pedes trian ways, one of which will involve construction on the piers of the old Clifden railway line from Waterside to the lands of NUI Galway. Other pedestrian ways are also planned, all of which will have the effect of mak ing Galway pleasant to all sections of the community, as well as ensuring its attractiveness for visitors. Galway is clearly entering a period of exciting development and growth. But then, Galway has always been a city that has thrived on change and the energy of its citizens. The Galway Advertiser welcomes this exciting ini tiative as yet another way in which Galway's extraordinary dynamism con tinues to manifest itself.

M

Good news for pedestrians

Plea

for

Tridentine Mass
Dear Editor, Some time ago a wish was expressed in the Galway Advertiser for a return to the Latin Tridentine Mass of olden times. There are many people who would love to be able to attend the Latin Mass, they are scattered have no way of contacting one another. Perhaps through the good offices of this newspaper they may now come together by phoning Maria on (0902) 74564. Mrs Maria Buckly, "Kylemore", Railway View, Athlone.