A mild-mannered Corkman with no maritime ancestry would appear to be a strange choice for Captain of the Irish Navy's LE Aisling, twinned with Galway city, but it is immediately clear to anyone speaking to him that Neil Manning is well suited to his job.

The Annual Laying Up Supper will be held in the Ardilaun House Hotel, Taylor's Hill on Saturday 24 November starting at 8pm.

This year Science Week Ireland explores the theme 'Surrounded by Science' and illustrates just how much science surrounds us every day.

Upcoming events in the Galway Bay area.

Last week saw the Council of Irish Water Safety meet with Deputy Tony Killeen, the Minister of State with responsibility for water safety, to discuss a strategic approach to reducing the number of drownings in Ireland.

A born and bred Claddagh woman, it was only logical for Anne McElroy (née Coyne) to spend her working life just around the corner in the Galway Harbour Company. At the tender age of 16, Anne began working as a secretary for the company in 1965, and has just taken early retirement.

Looking for something for the kids to do this mid-term? Why not let them experience the thrill, excitement and fulfilment of sailing a dinghy!

Upcoming events in the Galway Bay area.

Having grown up "less than 15ft" from the Shannon in Athlone, John Leech has loved the water all his life, so it's no surprise that he has ended up at the head of one of the country's most important marine-related organisations.

Ballinasloe was the site of Irish Water Safety's annual conference last weekend. Over one hundred water safety experts from around the country attended the event, which was hosted by Irish Water Safety, the statutory and voluntary body promoting water safety in Ireland.