Well, well, what I week, that’s all I can say! Unless you have been living under a rock( or maybe you live outside of Ireland and are not familiar with hurling), the all- Ireland Senior hurling championships took place last Sunday between Waterford and Galway and the Galway team won!!
It’s been 29 years since Galway won the Liam MacCarthy cup , so there was plenty of reason for celebrations in and around Galway. A homecoming for the Galway Seniors was organized, starting at Pearse Stadium in Galway City, then onto Clarinbridge, Loughrea and a final stop at St-Thomas’s pitch. St-Thomas’s GAA club is the home club of David Burke ( the captain), so it really was a homecoming.
As St-Thomas is so near to where I live, I went over to go and take a look. As you can see, I wasn’t alone! There was an amazing atmosphere, lot’s of people cheering and singing! When David Burke did his speech, you could hear a needle drop – to hear his speech go to 23 minutes into the video.
It was one of the first times I experimented with a Facebook live event on my page workinglivingtravellinginireland, and 150 tuned into the video. Very quickly the video had a reach of 2000 people. At this point in time it has been viewed by well over 7000 people and has had a reach of 16000. It really is amazing what you can do with a mobile phone!
The Great Western Motorway cycle on the M17/M18
Today was also the Great Western Motorway cycle, offering cyclists a one-off opportunity to cycle the soon-to-be-opened M17/M18 Motorway that will connect Gort to Tuam. I was here in 2010 when the Gort to Crusheen bypass opened. At the time I was working in Shannon, which took about an hour on a very windy road and dangerous bends( I am sure some of you will remember the very dangerous bend at Crusheen). After the opening, this journey became significantly easier and shorter, getting me to Shannon in less than 45 minutes. By 2015, Directroute started works on the long awaited Gort to Tuam Motorway with an expected finish date of early 2018. The new motorway is just over 50 kilometers long, and will offer much needed traffic congestion relief for travellers, bypassing the main bottleneck of Clarinbridge in South Galway and Claregalway in North Galway to get to Galway city and also connecting with the M6 to Dublin. Here is map of the new motorway.
Image of the Gort to Tuam Motorway from the http://www.directroutegorttotuam.ie website
It’s been very exciting to see the works progress, new bridges being built and watching some YouTube video made me realize that this was not an easy job, with the vast amounts of limestone that needed to get blasted. Here is just one of the videos I found on Youtube:
The Motorway is due to open ahead of schedule on the 27th of September! We went over to the Gort side of the cycle and spoke with some cyclists and the ladies of the Gort Lions club.
It was very windy ( and relatively dry), I can’t say the same of the weather later in the day. 17 more days to go, and the Motorway will officially open!
Time for a new interview! If you are new to my blog, I have been interviewing small businesses in the West of Ireland since 2016. Check out all the interviews I have done to date. The last interview was with An Mheital Rothar, Galway’s Community Bike shop and excited the present my newest interview with Gary Casey from Athastour walking tours in Galway. I was walking around Spanish Arch in Galway City, and just as I walked under the Arch I saw Gary, so I thought I’d go over and say hello!
So how does this interview work, and how can you get interviewed? I have learned that people aren’t responding to email anymore, and have gotten most of my completed questionnaires via Facebook or Twitter. The interview exists out of a number of questions that are stored in the cloud via Google docs. I then send a link , the interviewee clicks on the link, enters the answers to the questions and the beauty is there is no need to send documents over email. I love it! I then review the questions, ask for clarifications if needed, and then publish. So if you are up for a close-up 🙂 of your business/startup in the West of Ireland, please drop me an email here or connect me with on my Workinglivingtravellinginireland Facebook Page or Twitter. I do read my email! And remember, the more you put in, the more you get out of it. Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland!
Tell us a bit about yourself & where you are located in the West of Ireland. My name is Gary Casey, 40, from Galway. I run Athas Tours guided walks of Galway city.
Can you provide me with a description of your business? Athas Tours provided individuals and groups the opportunity to walk around and see all the main Galway city sights in a fun and energetic way. I am a sole trader at the moment and do the tours myself.
How long have you been in business? In this business? In other businesses?How did you get started in this business? I have been in business since February 2017 in this business. I did a course on setting up a business and decided to follow through on this idea.
Is this your full time job, a hobby or a bit of both? It is a bit of both, not quite full-time yet, but hopefully soon.
How did you get the background and skills necessary to run this type of business? I have seen how well-run Galway is as a tourist city. The most necessary skill is telling a story with a bit of wit attached and I think I can manage that!
How do the social, economic, environmental, technological, legal and political environments impact your business? They all have a bearing on it. Economic tourism is the key i.e. keeping the tourist economy competitive. The rest are secondary to this. Keep Joe Tourist interested by not ripping him off and giving him value for his notes.
Do you know who your competitors are? I know very well who they are the buggers. Seriously, I think they compliment me and vice versa. Room for all.
How do you market your business? How are people aware of your business? Where can people find you?
I market via social media but try to keep costs down as Facebook etc can be expensive.
Where do you see your business in the next year? In the next five years? The next ten years?
I am just going week on week. I hope to be able to expand enough to eventually get a minibus and expand to driving tours.
Do you plan to compete in the global market place? If yes, how? If no, why not? I would love to but have not thought it fully through.
How has technology, such as computers and the internet, impacted on how you conduct business?
It is really everything, just as in every other business.
What do you love about the area you live in/do business in? It is life itself. A flaneurs dream. People of all walks of life mixing in Galway’s tiny medieval streets, all searching for answers to questions asked forever.
Whom do you seek advice from for your business/ do you meet up with other business owners? If so, where? I have talked to several historians and online is an invaluable source of opinion.
Can you describe your customers? Anybody is a potential customer. I just need to make them believe!
Why do your customers select you over your competitors?
Karma.
What are the biggest challenges for running this business? Karma and cashflow.
What keeps you going, when the chips are down? Questionnaires from nice people I meet on the streets.
Do you support local charities? If so which is your favourite charity and why? Yes and I fundraise. I have collected for the GRCC and GAA.
Anything special things planned for 2017?
Lots but I won’t share just yet!
Any tips for someone who is thinking of starting their own business? DON’T OVERTHINK. As Nike and Arnold say, Just Do It.
What did you learn from this interview? That questions lead to answers and sometimes more questions. Life is a big circle. That is good. Never let it get too square or triangular.
Just a quick reminder, please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland! If you would like to be next, please drop me an email to katleen@workinglivingtravellinginireland.com and I’ll be in touch.
Time for a new interview! If you are new to my blog, I have been interviewing small businesses in the West of Ireland since 2016. Check out all the interviews I have done to date. The last interview I did was with Temple Cafe and excited the present my newest interview with Edwin Meppelink. This interview is slightly different, as it is with a volunteer at a not-for -profit organisation.
So how does this interview work, and how can you get interviewed?
I have learned that people aren’t responding to email anymore, and have gotten most of my completed questionnaires via Facebook or Twitter. The interview exists out of a number of questions that are stored in the cloud via Google docs. I then send a link , the interviewee clicks on the link, enters the answers to the questions and the beauty is there is no need to send documents over email. I love it! I then review the questions, ask for clarifications if needed, and then publish. So if you are up for a close-up 🙂 of your business/startup in the West of Ireland, please drop me an email here or connect me with on my Workinglivingtravellinginireland Facebook Page or Twitter. I do read my email! And remember, the more you put in, the more you get out of it. Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland!
I found this picture on their Facebook Page, I loved the vibes !
Volunteers having fun at An Mheitheal Rothar Galway City
Tell us a bit about yourself & where you are located in the West of Ireland.
My name is Edwin Meppelink. I am from Zutphen in the Netherland but I am living in Ireland for the last 11 years. First in Quin Co. Clare and for the last 4 years in Oranmore Co.Galway.
Can you provide me with a description of your business?
There are different elements. We have the workshop where people can come and fix their bicycle with the guidance of volunteer mechanics. We do Service & repairs where people can leave their bikes and we fix them for a reasonable price and we provide training in bike maintenance and on school we teach cycle skills.
How long have you been involved with this organisation?
I joined in Jan 2016 but AMR officially exist since June 2013.Since Jan 2016 I help out as a volunteer at An Mheitheal Rothar. The Galway community bicycle workshop. I am doing this to help people and because bicycles are my passion. Below you find a link that tells the story of An Mheitheal Rothar. https://bikeworkshops.ie/our-story/
Is this your full time job, a hobby or a bit of both?
AMR is fully run by volunteers but some are there full time. For me, it’s a hobby.
How did you get the background and skills necessary to run this type of business?
Yes I have a full City and Guild bicycle maintenance certification. At the workshop, we have 3 others who did the same certification. We are the only official certified mechanics in the whole of Connacht!!
How do the social, economic, environmental, technological, legal and political environments impact your business?
Every single one has an impact. The social aspect is that we work with many volunteers. We are not focused on profit but on the environmental and social aspects. Legally we need to make sure we are covered in case of accidents etc. Political as we work together with the county council (every year we open the Galway bike week in association with the council)
Do you know who your competitors are?
Yes, all of them are the Commercial bike shops in and around Galway.
How do you market your business? How are people aware of your business? Where can people find you?
Where do you see your business in the next year? In the next five years? The next ten years?
It’s difficult to say as we work on a volunteer basis but we are looking at plans to split some parts and start the repairs on a more commercial basis.
Do you plan to compete in the global market place? If yes, how? If no, why not?
No we are a local business and the focus will stay on that.
How has technology, such as computers and the internet, impacted on how you conduct business?
No
What do you love about the area you live in/do business in?
I think of all the region in Ireland, Galway is still the best.
Whom do you seek advice from for your business/ do you meet up with other business owners? If so, where?
We are in close contact with Marty Manering and Paul Ryan from highnelly bicyles www.highnelly.ie
Can you describe your customers?
Our customer are mainly students but more and more we see people coming in that like to learn more about how to maintain their bikes.
Why do your customers select you over your competitors?
We are cheap! We don’t charge per hour (only on donation). We use second hand parts (which are for free) and new parts are very low in prices.
What are the biggest challenges for running this business?
As it’s all on a volunteer basis it’s hard to get commitment and to look for growth.
What keeps you going, when the chips are down?
The social aspect and the passion for bikes.
Do you support local charities? If so which is your favourite charity and why?
No charities but we do support schools with a bicycle skills training
Any tips for someone who is thinking of starting their own business?
Have fun and believe in what you do….
What did you learn from this interview?
That we do a great job 🙂
Just a quick reminder, please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland! If you would like to be next, please drop me an email to katleen@workinglivingtravellinginireland.com and I’ll be in touch.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. For more information, please read our Privacy Policy.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
