Wherever 2016 brings you, be sure to get there with award winning Fahy Travel Worldchoice

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

I think we all agree that summer 2015 was non existent...the endless rain and dreary weather could be what we can expect of our summer months thanks to climate change. Don’t get left behind next year — book early to get the best value for money for a summer holiday where you are guaranteed sun and fun for all the family.

Festive afternoon tea at the Meyrick

Thu, Dec 03, 2015

The Parlour at the Meyrick has long been popular as a meeting place for coffee, lunch, or afternoon tea. While the room adjacent to it has been transformed in recent times into The Gaslight, one of Galway’s hottest spots, a vibrant city centre venue for dinner or drinks, The Parlour still retains all of its old world charm.

Get the party started at Claregalway Hotel

Thu, Dec 03, 2015

Ahhh Claregalway! Who among us has not sat in traffic there at least once? Like most small towns it has a good takeaway and a cosy cafe, but it is Tì Cusacks Bar and Restaurant in The Claregalway Hotel that is my preferred escape from the traffic in this bustling little spot. The hotel is located in the heart of the picturesque village and just across the Clare River from the historic Claregalway Abbey.

Festive fun at The Western Restaurant

Thu, Nov 26, 2015

The Western Hotel, bar, and restaurant is a family owned establishment in the heart of Galway city, conveniently located only two minutes from Eyre Square. 

Eat, drink, and embrace Studio, Galway’s newest venue

Thu, Nov 26, 2015

Studio, Galway’s newest restaurant and bar, has just opened its doors, boasting a new concept venue born of the culture of welcoming and enjoyment for which the west of Ireland is famous.

Located at 20 Eglinton Street, close to Brown Thomas, Studio serves food all day and is also the latest late night entertainment venue on the Galway social scene, with an extensive drinks menu to take you through the party season. 

Festive afternoon tea at The Meyrick

Thu, Nov 26, 2015

The Parlour at the Meyrick has long been popular as a meeting place for coffee, lunch, or afternoon tea. While the room adjacent to it has been transformed in recent times into The Gaslight, one of Galway’s hottest spots, a vibrant city centre venue for dinner or drinks, The Parlour still retains all of its old world charm.

PoppySeed — new premises, same great welcome

Thu, Nov 26, 2015

With its retro-modern cottage style, decorative shelves of chutneys, and wooden furniture, PoppySeed cafe in Clarinbridge is one constant and reliable part of village life, tucked back from the main street behind the shopping complex.

Towards the front of the shop, where they make hundreds of bespoke hampers at this time of year, there are tables stacked with fancy crackers and posh lollypops, but this is more bustling cafe than it is gourmet food store. There is no such thing as a typical customer — you will see families with teenagers, young mothers with toddlers, and friends of all ages chatting over a coffee and a slice of cake.

Room with a view

Thu, Nov 12, 2015

Galway Bay golf course near Oranmore is one of the most scenic golf courses in Ireland. It overlooks Galway Bay, with Galway city and the Aran Islands in the distance. The course is very challenging, but a great test for the more gifted golfers. Or so I'm told, as everything I know about golf can be written on the back of a postage stamp.

Galway Lions Club asks shoppers to give big in this year's Christmas Food Appeal

Thu, Nov 12, 2015

Galway Lions Club and Tesco Ireland are asking shoppers to make a big difference to someone’s Christmas by donating a food item during a two-day Christmas Food Appeal, which will take place on Friday November 27 and Saturday November 28 in Tesco stores in Ballinasloe, Newcastle, Headford Road, and Oranmore. 

FSAI launches allergen tool for food businesses

Thu, Nov 12, 2015

A new, online and mobile compatible tool has been developed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to assist Ireland’s 22,000 food service businesses identify and manage allergens in the food they serve. 

One taste and you're hooked

Thu, Nov 05, 2015

Also recently turned one year old is Hooked on Henry Street. It’s difficult to imagine a street less imposing than Henry Street. One thin stream of traffic meandering down by a canal in any other town would be a one way system. Hooked sits among the row of terraced houses and like most of the architecture round here, it’s a building that could only be described as ordinary. But Henry Street despite its banality, has a charm of its own and a warm sense of community.

Taste of France - Come in, Discover and taste it

Thu, Nov 05, 2015

Taste of France, located in Cross St Lower is owned and run by Thierry and Catherine Schreiber, natives of France. This store offers a wide range of products produced by well known French suppliers known for their made - in - France tradition from areas such as Provence, Drome and Basque country. The product range on offer includes Candies, linen, accessories, natural cosmetics and a delicatessen. 

New products that have arrived and are now also available in store include

Martine’s embodies the spirit of Christmas

Thu, Nov 05, 2015

Planning a Christmas party? Martine’s restaurant completely embodies the spirit of Christmas and is ideal for group parties and meetings over the festive period.

The Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe: style and class in a relaxing environment

Thu, Nov 05, 2015

I was recently invited to a tasting of the new menu in the Canal Gastro Bar and Bistro, Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe. On entering the lobby of the hotel one cannot help but be impressed. Tall ceilings and marble finishing immediately suggest style and class, without making me question my decision to go with a casual shirt and pants combo. 

A passion for flavour at the Connemara Sands

Thu, Oct 29, 2015

Fresh, local, organic, produce and a focus on flavour are the twin passions of executive head chef at the Connemara Sands, Reece Grehan. Since starting at the hotel earlier this year, he has moved the menu away from the fiddly foams and tiny portions of molecular gastronomy, and back to basics. 

It’s time to indulge at Martine’s of Quay Street

Thu, Oct 29, 2015

Martine's of Quay Street offers a delicious selection of homemade scones and cakes that are baked in-house every morning. The restaurant serves the tasty treats from 11am until 3.30pm every day in cosy surroundings.

Sweet tooths will not be disappointed. Choose from luxurious lemon drizzle cake (with a hint of gin), sweet coffee cake, apple sponge with custard, gluten free chocolate torte, and the most light and airy Victoria sponge you will ever have. The latter is a staff favourite, and with a dollop of raspberry and elderberry jam and cream, you will be in heaven.

RAW named Ethnic Restaurant of the Year at the Georgina Campbell Awards

Thu, Oct 29, 2015

RAW Sushi in the Sky at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway, has been awarded Ethnic Restaurant of the Year at the Georgina Campbell Awards 2016.

An intriguing proposition, and a perfect fit for this part of the world where some of the finest fresh fish available is landed, RAW is a stylish destination restaurant at the top of the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Galway. Serving an exciting selection of authentic Japanese sushi, sashimi, sakes, and whiskies, RAW showcases local fish as much as possible in creating traditional Japanese sushi, led by master craftsman and Japanese native Hisashi Kumagai, RAW's chef.

Halloween - horrid delights

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

Halloween is only a week away and every year this festival seems to be getting bigger and bigger. When I was growing up apples and nuts were the only foods associated with Halloween, but nowadays it is a big deal with pumpkins, squashes, and the like featuring on menus all over the county.

What’s cooking at PoppySeed Oranmore?

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

Creative cookery classes with head chef Judy Forde will commence in PoppySeed Oranmore on Wednesday November 4. This course will run for four consecutive weeks starting at 8pm, and will enhance your current repertoire or bring you from complete beginners to maestro in no time at all.  

Sheridan’s Winebar for a tipple

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

Sheridan's Winebar is located on the lovely St Nicholas’s Church square in the centre of the city where the famous Galway market is held every Saturday. Having launched their cheesemongers more than 20 years ago, Kevin and Seamus Sheridan have added this wine bar above the cheese shop and overlooking the church. This is where you will find the chefs of the city on their day off and it is a social hub for the market traders. If you are observant you may see the ladies on the organic vegetable stall across from the entrance keeping warm with a glass of red in the winter, or cooling off with something sparkling on a hot day.

E-paper

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