Imbizo is the title of a new arts journal which is being published in Galway this week as one of a series of moves for the Galway Anti-Racism Festival.
This week is European Week Against Racism, and Thursday is UN International Day Against Racism.
The journal has been produced by Rab Fulton, from Scotland, and Afo Mashood, from Togo, who together founded a writers' group late last year called Geygallus. The format is bi-lingual - English and French - and it carries a children's section. The publication is due to be marked in the Galway Arts Centre on Thursday evening.
On the same day, March 21st, Mr Joe McDonagh, chairman of the National Anti-Racism Awareness Campaign, will open a public talk on racism at the Siobhan McKenna Theatre at NUI, Galway, while earlier on there is an intercultural food fair in Aras na Mic Leinn in the college.
For details on the events, the programme is on the web at www.galwayantiracism.
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Busloads of singers and musicians from Ballymena, Omagh, Port Stewart, Dublin, Kerry, Wicklow, and Cork, arrived in the Town Hall Theatre in Galway late last week for Ceolchoirm Gael-Linn, the national singing and music competition.
Judges were Charlie Lennon, Mβire Breatnach and Mark Kelly, and the auditorium is said to have "burst into cheers and tears of excitement" when Herman ╙ Briain, chief executive of Gael-Linn, announced the winners.
Best band in the singing category was Na Ciar≤ga, from Colβiste DaibhΘid in Cork city, while the best band in the music category was Seans·il from Portmarnock, Co Dublin. A special award for the best original song went to Binneas from Colβiste San Dominic, Cabra, Dublin.
Mr ╙ Brian was overwhelmed by the talent displayed and said that the future of Irish music and song looked bright.
He spoke of Gael-Linn's long commitment to the Irish language and music, which has gone on for almost 50 years. Mr ╙ Briain said that Ceolchoirm Gael-Linn was an opportunity for young adults to enjoy the Irish language outside of the classroom. Tomas Mac Con Iomaire, chief executive of Raidio na Gaeltachta, spoke of his delight in the radio's support for this music competition, adding that there has been a huge increase in the station's young listenership due to the new programmes targeted at this grouping.
A guide to smoke-free dining in three western counties - Galway, Mayo and Roscommon - has been published by the Western Health Board.
The guide ranges from top hotels to fast-food outlets, and only lists those establishments which have been certified as smoke free by its environmental health officers. Copies are available from the health board's community services office in Galway at 091-548352 or at www.whb.ie