No 1 Pery Square Hotel and Spa Georgian Quarter, Limerick

Thu, Jul 14, 2011

You may be wondering why I have strayed from my usual turf all the way to Limerick; one reason is that with our new roads it is perhaps closer than you think, less than an hour to get there, and the second reason is that No 1 Pery Square is a jewel that really is worth a visit.

Limerick, as we all know, gets some bad press, but over the last few years a lot of time and money has gone into transforming many parts of the city. An example is The People’s Park that runs from the railway station area to the exit right beside No 1 Pery Square. It is beautifully laid out with huge rosebeds, restored Victorian fountain, and bandstand. There was not one cigarette butt to be seen or any litter whatsoever. As I left the park I met two of the park rangers, and to say that they are proud of the parks they look after is an understatement. They chatted with me for ages and they had loads of local knowledge and stories.

The Cellar Bar

Thu, Jul 07, 2011

If you ask any student or ex student from Galway where they drink in Galway city, I think The Cellar Bar will be among the top places. It has also been a regular for locals, tourists, and weekenders. It was unfortunately closed down last January for a few months and now is in new ownership, up and running seven days a week.

Tasty treats

Thu, Jul 07, 2011

Heart eggs toast
Ingredients

The Front Door and Groupons

Thu, Jun 30, 2011

The Front Door, located in Cross Street and High Street, Galway, is a pub and restaurant with two addresses; it is called The Front Door if you access it from Cross Street and Sonny’s if you enter from High Street. It must be pretty confusing for tourists and visitors who perhaps call in to the two different addresses and wonder why it all looks familiar. The name Sonny’s is taken from the original Sonny the Tailor’s that was in High Street for many years. It has the look and feel of a pub that has been there for many years and has a great atmosphere.

McGinns on the Quay, Dock Road, Galway

Thu, Jun 23, 2011

Last week I visited McGinns on the Docks (previously Sheridan’s) to see what the new owners are serving in that lovely room upstairs overlooking the dockside area. The first thing I noticed is that it is now also an exhibition area and currently features some stunning limited edition framed photos by Joe Geoghegan of scenes from the Volvo Ocean Race. They are quite spectacular, well framed and mounted. In fact from any small viewing distance they look like paintings. There is also an exhibition by six local Galway photographers downstairs. I understand this will be a venue for further exhibitions.

Peanut butter is good for you

Thu, Jun 23, 2011

I have read many articles expounding the benefits of peanut butter; an ounce will give you 10 per cent of your daily folic acid requirements, it has a low glycemic index (ie, it releases its energy slowly in to your body), it is good for keeping blood pressure low, it has got high protein levels, and generally a good all around food. Most of the brands I have seen are from multinationals but recently I spotted one in Enjoy delicatessen in Moycullen called Glór. It is made by hand in Killarney, the nuts are roasted then ground by hand, and depending on whether you have the plain one, a chocolate chip, or the peanut butter and honey, these are the only additions — no stabilisers or additives. A jar of the peanut butter with chocolate chip disappeared very quickly in my house and the fact that it is Irish made makes it a no-brainer, especially as a quick-to-prepare snack for active kids.

Ardrahan Saturday country market

Thu, Jun 23, 2011

Each Saturday between 11am and 2pm at the rear of Joyce’s pub in Ardrahan is the venue of the newest farmers’ market. It is in a lovely garden area with loads of parking. On sale are breads, cakes, vegetables, preserves, fish, crafts, and expected next week is a meat stall. I wish them all the best and hope you can visit regularly.

The Townhouse restaurant, and really good pork products

Thu, Jun 16, 2011

The Townhouse restaurant has a new expanded summer menu, which is pretty comprehensive; it has also just launched a much bigger and better wine list. Fair play to it as most restaurants are cutting back on wine lists and menus. It is also championing many local suppliers, and that is one of the really good movements that has taken off recently in the restaurant world, all the more important when there are scares such as the e coli outbreak, which now seems to be traced to beansprouts, and the disturbing RTE programme on large scale pig production.

National Third Level Student Innovation Awards showcase

Thu, Jun 09, 2011

Last Wednesday saw teams of students from all over Ireland competing at the first National Third Level Student Innovation Awards for a €3,000 prize and the possibility of their product being distributed by a national food company.

There were students from GMIT with beef pies and chicken pies, and a student from Carlow IT exhibiting a product called ‘Easy Peasy Pastry’ – just add water and it’s ready. From Tralee we tasted a product called Auntie Kake’s Cookie Dough. There were suet-free mince pies from Dublin IT and a salad dressing from Waterford IT, packs of sweet and savoury dippers from another GMIT team, and lastly the winners, who were from UCC, had a product called Seafood Spoonfuls, an all organic, ready to eat meal for kids aged from 10 months onwards, based, believe it or not, on fish plus sweet corn, peas, sweet potato, and carrots. I did not relish sampling kiddies’ meals, but I soon changed my mind, it was excellent, tasty, not at all fishy, and the packaging was top notch. I have a feeling this will find its way to a store near you in time.

An Fulacht Fia restaurant, Ballyvaughan

Thu, May 26, 2011

This is a fairly new purpose built restaurant on the road from Ballyvaughan to Fanore. As you arrive at the T-junction in the village of Ballyvaughan, left will take you to the Ailwee Caves and the Corkscrew Hill, and turning right brings you to Fanore. An Fulacht Fia restaurant is just about a mile out the Fanore road on your left hand side and with fabulous sea views. It is built with lots of stone and blends in perfectly with its surroundings, in fact so much so that you need to keep your eyes peeled to spot the entrance. However once you are in the door there is a beautiful modern dining room with sumptuous dining chairs, good oversized tables, starched white linen, and proper wine glasses, all a good start to an evening.

High tech cooking

Thu, Apr 21, 2011

These days everything seems to be classed as ‘high-tech’ from phones to cars to iPads to games to television on demand. Now the ancient art of cooking has entered an era of research and is producing a food style that is know as molecular gastronomy. Over the centuries cooking has evolved mainly through trial and error, noting carefully what worked and then attempting to replicate it again and again. That is the basis of a recipe and now we have thousands if not millions of recipe books to choose from. However, there has been very little pure research into exactly why certain recipes worked at the molecular level.

Good Friday will be great at the Meyrick

Thu, Apr 21, 2011

This Good Friday seafood lovers can enjoy a speciality fish and seafood menu as part of the Good Friday Agreement, a culinary night in the Hotel Meyrick. The event will take place on Friday April 22 in the appropriately named Oyster Bar & Grill restaurant.

Easter in the Burren-An Fulacht Fia restaurant

Thu, Apr 21, 2011

Now that spring is in the air, why not take a trip to the picturesque village of Ballyvaughan in the heart of the Burren and make the most of the glorious sunshine. An Fulacht Fia Restaurant is a family run restaurant located just outside Ballyvaughan, enjoying superb views of Galway Bay. Emphasis is on locally sourced food which is lovingly prepared by the restaurant’s highly acclaimed chef Irmantas.

The contemporary style dining room is beautifully appointed, elegant yet welcoming and relaxed - catering for all your needs, from a romantic meal for two, to families, groups, conferences, or for that intimate wedding or special occasion (capacity 80 guests).

Kate’s Orantown Centre and choosing a good oil

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Kate Wright has moved from her Cobblestones Cafe in Quay Lane, Galway, to a location upstairs in the Orantown Centre in Oranmore. A courageous move, I would think, but I am sure the legendary high rents in the city have something to do with it. Similar to the article last week about the new owners in Loughrea, these premises have also had two previous incarnations. The fact that Kate makes absolutely everything on site every day should make the difference and help make this a success.

Taste Matters in Loughrea

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

A friend of mine who has a good sense of taste and a keen eye for a bargain (he is a canny Scotsman) suggested I should join him for lunch some day to sample the food from the above-mentioned eatery at The West Bridge in Loughrea. I had eaten there before under two different owners and had noticed it was lying empty for a while.

Brunch time jazz at Sweetie Pies

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Enjoy brunch to the relaxing sounds of the new resident jazz vocalist and guitarist at Sweetie Pies on Sunday mornings.

The unique vibe in Sweetie Pies will be even more enjoyable with this extra touch. A small sample of what's on the menu is French toast served with sausage, bacon, pudding, and tomato relish, homemade pancakes with chocolate sauce and cream, gourmet sandwiches, pizzas, and of course all those fabulous cakes.

Basilico at The Old School House, Clarinbridge

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

I have been asked many times if I knew why Basilico had opened a second restaurant in Clarinbridge, just a couple of miles away from its main operation in Oranmore. It did seem a strange move in these uncertain times, so I decided to ask the owners what lay behind this venture. The answer has many parts but the main reason is that they have been so busy every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Oranmore they have had to refuse bookings every week. That kind of problem is one most restaurateurs would give their eye teeth to have. They also liked the building and the though of having a ‘restaurant only’ premises appealed. However this in no way will affect Oranmore where they will continue to serve the same food at the same prices in the bar and restaurant areas.

Galway Community Acupuncture — affordable and accessible

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

The aim of Galway Community Acupuncture is to make acupuncture more accessible by making it more affordable. Treatments are provided in a comfortable and relaxed group setting. This way more than one person can be treated at a time, which allows the cost to be significantly lower. Treatments are offered on a sliding fee scale of €25 to €45.

The initial consultation is taken in a private room with a careful review of the client’s health history and current symptoms. Clients remain fully clothed during treatment and relax in comfortable reclining chairs.

Champion hairdresser now creating rave reviews in Galway

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

Mary Duffy at MOHH Hair Couture at the Radisson Blu Hotel is one of Ireland’s most experienced hair extension stylists, having won six international and European medals in hair extension application, style, and care. Ms Duffy, who was ranked fourth in the world at the World Hairdressing Championships, enjoys the creativity that goes with hair extensions. She welcomes anyone thinking about hair extensions to make an appointment for a free consultation with her. She will advise on temporary or long term types, ie, pre-bonds, tape, micro beads, wire, flip/clip-in, etc. Remember hair extensions can add colour as well as length and bulk. Mary Duffy is also experienced in all other aspects of hairdressing, from upstyling to cutting to colouring. For an appointment call

See the difference at Athenry Opticians

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

At Athenry Opticians, Ailbhe Ní Ráighne and her staff pride themselves on the friendly, relaxed, atmosphere within the practice and the rapport they have with their patients.

All patients are given at least a half an hour consultation where all aspects of their vision and eye care are discussed. Ailbhe Ní Ráighne believes the key to successful patient care is for the optometrist to communicate effectively by listening, asking the right questions, and taking the patient’s lifestyle and needs into consideration. All this information is used to provide patients with solutions that optimise their vision and comfort.

E-paper

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