The largest and most contemporary baby store the West has ever seen is opening its doors in Oranmore this Friday, 14 March. Funky new baby store, Bella Baby offers the ultimate baby shopping experience for parents and parents-to-be from its bright and spacious store in the heart of Oranmore village.

Property developer Lalco, run by Galway man John Lally, last week welcomed the decision by Wicklow County Council to grant planning permission for a major investment project at the 450-acre Humewood Castle and Estate in Wicklow, which will deliver a €250 million integrated tourism offering. It is estimated that 400 jobs will be created during the construction phase with employment for a further 200 when the development is operational.

A poll conducted by RED C for the Western Development Commission has found that 36 per cent of those living in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow would like to live in the Western region. The Western region comprises Galway, Clare, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, and Donegal.

Sword Event Guard International, which was founded in Galway six years ago, has won a prestigious contract to supply security services to the new 90,000-seater Wembley Stadium in London in a landmark deal worth €500,000 to the company.

Bank of Ireland Private Banking last week announced the appointment of Des Moore as Regional Head of Private Banking for the West of Ireland.

The Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, has again been recognised for its excellent standards of service and cuisine at the CIE Tours International Awards of Excellence recently.

The Junior Chamber's most successful project, the Tourist Guide, is about to hit the shelves for the 41st time.

Medtronic in Galway is officially one of Ireland's 50 Best Companies to Work for in 2008, according to the Great Place to Work® Institute, Ireland.

The Coach House Hotel in the heart of Oranmore was the place to be last Saturday night, as Basilico, the village's newest restaurant, was launched. Over 250 guests were treated to a unique culinary experience, with authentic Italian cuisine that can be truly described as a feast for the senses.

Broadband customers in Galway will no longer be able to make the tea while waiting for their internet to load, with Chorus ntl confirming on Monday that it is introducing radically higher speeds for broadband consumers in Galway, including a new residential 12Mb service for only €40 a month.