‘What the hell is going on?’

Thu, Jan 07, 2016

‘What the hell is going on?’ appears to be what the British Prime Minister Herbert H Asquith, is thinking as he disembarks at Dun Laoghaire on May 12 1916, almost three weeks after the Easter Rising. Following six days of intensive fighting, Dublin city centre was unrecogniseable. Practically all its main buildings were destroyed either by artillery fire or burnt out. The list of casualities was horrendous. One hundred and sixteen army dead, 368 wounded, and nine missing. Sixteen policemen died, and 29 wounded. And this at a time when Britain was fighting an appalling war in France, which seemed unending, and its mounting causalities were not only threatening his government’s survival, but had filled the British people with dread and alarm.

'Pat The Boat' a poem by Walter Macken

Wed, Dec 30, 2015

As we come to the end of the Walter Macken centenary, we thought it appropriate to reprint the only known piece of poetry that he wrote. It was first printed in 1963 in Criterion, a UCG magazine that was edited by Kevin Brophy at the time. It is homage, ómós if you like, to an old fisherman and reflects Macken’s love of fishing, of the Corrib, and of his understanding of people. The photograph of himself and his wife Peggy was taken in the garden of their home Gort na Gainiv near Oughterard c1960.

‘When I makes tea I makes tea, and when I makes water I makes water’

Wed, Dec 23, 2015

part II
James Joyce’s famous novel Ulysses describes the appointments and encounters of Leopold Bloom as he wanders through Dublin on an ordinary day, June 16 1904.

George Nicholls, Rising organiser and volunteer

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

George Nicholls was a young solicitor who worked in G.C. Conroy’s office in Francis Street. In 1912, he set up a pipe band known as “Cumann Píobairí naGaillimhe”, the only band with an Irish language name to play at O’Donovan Rossa’s funeral to which they travelled in the company of Padraic Pearse.

Christmas dinner with the Misses Morkan

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

We get out of bed at nine, and Nora makes chocolate. At midday we have lunch which we (or rather she) buys (soup, meat, potatoes and some thing else)...At 4 o’clock we have chocolate, and at 8 o’clock dinner which Nora cooks.

(Letter to James Joyce’s brother Stanislaus, December 3 1904)

Poppy Seed. Brand new premises - same great welcome!

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

In the pretty village of Clarinbridge, cafes come and go with alarming regularity. With its retro-modern cottage style, decorative shelves of chutneys and wooden furniture, Poppy Seed Cafe is one constant and reliable part of village life, tucked back from the main street behind the shopping complex.

Enjoy festive food without the guilt, says nutritionist

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Food is something we should enjoy without feeling guilty, according to Dr. Marianne Walsh, Nutrition Manager with the National Dairy Council, who has prepared some tips for savouring the festive flavours this season, including a recipe by Chef Brian Mc Dermott to try at home.

A few tips and recipes that will hopefully make your Christmas dinner an easier and delicious experience

Thu, Dec 17, 2015

Can you believe that it’s almost Christmas already? Are you ready for the big day? It definitely seems like Christmas, here in Claremorris, snow had fallen over the weekend and my kids were busy making their snowman. Back to the food. Are you cooking for many and keeping the menu traditional, yet modern? Here are a few tips and recipes that will hopefully make your Christmas dinner an easier and delicious experience.

Upper Abbeygate Street c1978

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

An old Galwegian gave us this photograph of Upper Abbeygate Street as seen from the corner of Market Street. In the late 1940s the building we see down at the end on the corner of Mary Street was Tommy Hopkins, victuallers. Opposite that, at the time, at the end of Abbeygate Street was Mrs Kemple’s house. Next door was Paul Heaney’s butcher shop; Moloney’s sweet shop; Barrett’s, Mrs Barrett had a cake making business; the Shapiros lived next door, and beside their house was an archway that led in to the back of the house; Ellie Carter and her brother were next; then Miko Cunningham’s sweet shop where he sold groceries as well. The next building was known as Carter’s Halls and among those who lived there were Mick Tuite, who was known only as ‘Shoots’, the Haynes family, Mary Anne O’Toole, Michael Melia, Chrissie Melia, Rose Anne Melia (these were Mary Anne’s children), Anthony Morris, Julia Murphy, Lizzie Hehir, Martin Cunniss, and Molly Hosty and her daughter.

‘Coming in from the cold’ at UCG

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Even the master of intrigue himself, John le Carré, would have been mystified at the bizarre challenges the late Labhrás Ó Nualláin was presented with when he applied for a lectureship in economics, commerce and accountancy (through Irish) at University College Galway in 1953.

How to drop a dress or trouser size in just a few weeks

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

When we think of losing weight, we put great emphasis on the clothes in our closet and that section that seems to have a tag saying ‘Need to lose weight to fit into this’.

The Coeliac Society launches Christmas survival guide

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Christmas is a food-focused time of year and for those on a gluten-free diet it may seem daunting. The Coeliac Society has published an invaluable Christmas survival guide to help coeliacs enjoy gluten-free festive fare.

The guide is packed full of hints and tips on hosting a coeliac guest, cooking a gluten-free feast, avoiding cross-contamination, and tried and tested festive favourite recipes.

Organic hair colour which is chemical free and outperforms the rest

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Natulique is the only Ecocert certified organic hair colour in the world and is taking Ireland by storm. Natulique was co-founded by Mette Bundgaard from Denmark, who, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in her twenties, found that there was no authentic certified organic hair colour brand on the market. Worried about the effects of chemicals in hair colour, she developed the Natulique range, which is organic, paraben free, DEA free, sulphate free, perfume free, vegan, and not tested on animals.

Get your winter skincare right with Beyond Beauty

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

The temperatures outside are dropping, which in turn means the temperatures in our homes are going up. We spend our days going in and out of shops and cars, blasting our skin with heat, then going back outside to the wind and rain.

Party season style

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

The party season has started and boutiques and shops have amped up party wear with a high glam factor. Expect to see an abundance of sparkle and shimmer, lace, dark florals, and velvet.

Wide range of suites available at An Siopa Troscan, Moycullen

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

See the full range of quality Irish manufactured suites, where all the suites can be made to order, at An Siopa Troscan in Moycullen. The full range of styles covers everything from contemporary to traditional.

Interior design gift vouchers at La Maison Chic

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Interior design is not just for Christmas. La Maison Chic is now offering a choice of gift vouchers, helping you to find the perfect presents for your loved ones.

Top o’ the morning at McGettigan’s

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Eyre Square has undergone a metamorphosis in recent times. Before where dining options were few and far between, now there is an embarrassment of riches. At the station-end visit Jungle Cafe to sample some excellent Badger and Dodo coffee, the Gaslight at the Meyrick is always a pleasure, or An Pucán, always the craic. At the opposite end of the Square we have Cafe Express with stuffed sandwiches and thick crust pizzas, and Eyre Street Steakhouse for possibly the best wings in Galway. Poppyseed and many other dependable cafes have sprung up around Eyre Street providing all sorts of diverse lunch and dinner menus and light snacks. Elsewhere around the Square, Petit Pois does casual French bistro with charm and you can even have a Michelin Star experience in the area by popping into Loam.

Margaret’s Loaf makes it onto the shelves of Aldi stores nationwide

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

The winning bread in this year's National Brown Bread Making Competition is now available for sale in Aldi for €1.49 a loaf.

Enjoy tasty food and a great atmosphere at Foley’s Hop House, Woodquay

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

There has been an exciting new addition to the night time entertainment offering in Woodquay with the arrival of Foley's Hop House.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.