Bell, book and Kindle

Thu, Jan 10, 2013

AS A bookseller, the perceived challenge posed by modern technology in general, and by the Kindle in particular, to the continued existence of the book is a matter of professional and personal concern.

“You have no control over where a poem comes from”

Thu, Jan 03, 2013

The word tilth can be defined as the condition of soil and its suitability for the planting of seeds. It is also the title of a new book of poems by west of Ireland poet Peggie Gallagher, recently published by Arlen House. Reading through the book one can readily see that Gallagher’s poetic soil is rich indeed and the poems therein flourish.

Interestingly, while Gallagher has chosen an agricultural word as her book’s title, it is the world of the sea and shoreline that provides a recurrent motif, in poems such as ‘Landfall’, ‘Peninsula’, ‘Ebb and Flow’ and ‘Sea Violet’. “That would be very much part of my life,” she tells me over a Monday afternoon phone call. “My refuge and my place of spirit is along the ocean and that would recur because it’s nearly my home. The sea always attracted me as long as I can remember, even though I was born in a small village in Mayo, on an inland farm, I’d feel more at home around the sea than I would ever have felt inland.”

‘We’re not talking about therapy, we’re talking about engaging in the arts’

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

A COUPLE of weeks ago, the Nuns Island Theatre hosted a remarkable multi-sensory and participative play entitled Fruit Full.

Galway Arts Centre – A year in review at No 47

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

THE 2012 visual arts programme for Galway Arts Centre proved successful in 2012, running a selection of critically acclaimed exhibitions showcasing emerging, mid-career and prolific artists, working in a variety of mediums.

The centre, located on Dominick Street, also held numerous fundraisers, talks and an education programme for children, young people, and older people in the city and county.

Looking back on theatre 2012

Theatre Reviews Thu, Dec 27, 2012

As the Renmore Panto prepares to see out 2012 in its usual colourful style, for the rest of Galway’s theatre community it’s time to pack away the greasepaint, well-thumbed scripts, and assorted props and costumes, and reflect upon another year of enterprising and imaginative dramatic activity. It has been a year with some indelible highlights, both from locally-based companies and visiting ensembles, and continuing displays of commitment, energy, and imagination from the city’s smaller and emergent troupes which itself merits a standing ovation given the straitened financial circumstances under which they operate.

TG4 to launch ninth series of Glor Tire

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

TG4 and Gael Media launch a new series of Glor Tire, TG4's search for a new Irish country music star, starting Wednesday January 9 at 10.30pm.

Brendan Grace - two shows in January

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

GHET READY to start 2013 laughing your heart out when Brendan Grace plays two shows in County Galway.

Town Hall’s Theatre Club returns

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

THE TOWN Hall Theatre will again host its Theatre Club offer in 2013 which, for €50, will allow members attend four selected shows.

Creative writing classes at GTI

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

GALWEGIANS ITCHING to get creative in 2013 or who would like guidance with a short stories, poems, or a novel they are working on, should check out the classes in the GTI.

The Galway Technical Institute on Father Griffin Road, is holding beginners and intermediate creative writing classes in January.

Villagers - new album and Galway show in 2013

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

VILLAGERS, THE band centred around singer-songwriter Conor J O’Brien, will release a new album and single next month and play a concert in Salthill in March.

Dave McSavage @ Róisín Dubh

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

DAVE MCSAVAGE will bring his satirical RTÉ series The Savage Eye to the Róisín Dubh this Saturday at 8.30pm.

McSavage, along with John Colleary, will give us comedy sketches and unflinching rants from The Barman, aka, Mick The Bull; Father Finnegan, the child-snatching priest; The Politicians; The President For Life; and the lonely farmers.

The Aftermath @ Monroe’s Live

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

THE AFTERMATH, the gritty Leeds-Irish mod-rock/indie band led by the Cronin brothers, play Monroe’s Live on Friday January 4 at 10pm. Renowned for their live performances, The Aftermath have shared the stage with, and supported, Ian Brown, The Mission, Razorlight, and The Frames. They count Kaiser Chief drummer Nick Hodgeson and comedian Chris Moyles among their fans. The Aftermath’s’ debut album Friendlier Up Here was voted into the Hotpress Best 250 Irish albums of all time. Tickets are €10 and are available on the door or through www.monroes.ie and 091 - 583397.

Pearly Whites @ The Quays Music Hall

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

THE PEARLY Whites, a 10-piece modern showband, play The Quays Music Hall on Sunday December 30.

The band boasts a thumping rhythm section, four part vocal harmonies, an explosive four-piece brass section (two trumpets, tenor sax, and trombone), and male and female lead vocals.

Keane Brother’s Christmas concerts

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

THE KEANE Brothers, also known as Citizen Keane, will hold their annual Christmas concerts in The Claregalway Hotel on Friday January 4 and Saturday 5.

Start 2013 with a blast of Beethoven

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

THE NEW Year in Galway begins with a celebration of the music of Ludwig Van Beethoven, through a mini-festival organised by Music for Galway.

Beethoven: Genius, Passion and the Irish Connection, Music for Galway’s MidWinter Festival 2013, takes place in the Town Hall Theatre from January 25 to 27. Performers will be the Osiris Piano Trio, Charlotte Riedijk, Simon Lepper, Robin Tritschler, Paul Roe, Rebecca Cápová, and Rod Goodall.

Pixi exhibition at Anton’s Café

Thu, Dec 27, 2012

THE COLLECTION, a new exhibition by Galway artist Pixi (aka Mary Cahalan Lee) is currently running at Anton’s Café, Fr Griffin Road.

‘Oh Yes It Is!...’ Renmore Panto’s Snow White

Thu, Dec 20, 2012

THE OPENING performance of this year’s Renmore Panto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, is little more than a week away and once again the show promises to be a highpoint of Galway’s festive season.

The Evolution of The Deans

Thu, Dec 20, 2012

OVER THE past few years County Galway band The Deans have moved from being a blues rock trio to one whose sound embraces folk, jazz, psychedelia, and roots.

The Amazing Apples kick off Irish tour in Monroe’s

Thu, Dec 20, 2012

THE AMAZING Apples have established themselves as one of Galway’s most popular bands and they are about to spread the world on their first nationwide tour.