A heavy shadow over Coole

Thu, Sep 11, 2008

In Roy Foster’s impressive biography of WB Yeats* he tells an interesting anecdote concerning the sinking of the RMS Lusitania off the Cork coast on May 7 1915. The Galway writer Violet Martin (the second half of the caustic but amusing Sommerville and Ross duo), was walking by the sea near Castletownshend, Co Cork, when she saw the Lusitania pass in ‘beautiful weather’. Half and hour later, as the ship steamed passed the Old Head of Kinsale on her way to Liverpool, it was torpedoed by a German U-boat. Nearly 2,000 people perished.

I have written about the sinking of the Lusitania before, telling the tragic story of young Annie Kelly of Newbridge, Mountbellew, who followed her boyfriend, William Murphy, to America only to be turned back by emigration for failing her medical examination on Ellis Island. She was sent home on the Lusitania, which left New York minutes before her boyfriend arrived with a permit allowing her to stay.

Galway in mourning for air crash victims

Thu, Aug 14, 2008

Fifty years ago today, a Dutch KLM Super-Constellation airliner named Hugo De Groot crashed into the Atlantic, about 100 miles off the Conamara coast, with the loss of 99 lives. The plane was en route from Amsterdam via Shannon with eight crewmen and 91 passengers. Nobody survived. It was the worst disaster involving a single plane in the history of commercial aviation up to that point.

Pure Sense - the natural alternative to shaving foams and gels

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

This 100 per cent natural product leaves your legs feeling re-vitalised and smooth after one drop. Pure Sense is an innovating alternative to shaving foam, that moisturises and smoothes your legs before, during, and after you shave. Containing sesame seed, soya bean, and grapeseed oils, menthol, lavender, and other natural ingredients, Pure Sense leaves your legs still feeling silky smooth the next day.

A new revolution in laser and skincare treatments

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

The Galway Laser and Skincare Clinic specialises in laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, glycolic skin peels, photo rejuvenation, Restylane, and tattoo removal. Located in Calbro Court, just off the Tuam Rd, the clinic is central and convenient, which means you can get your beauty treatments done on your lunchbreak.

With friendly staff who are highly trained with a wide range of skills in beauty and skincare, Galway Laser and Skincare offers the ultimate in high quality service.

Philadelphia, here we come

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

If like most people your knowledge of what to do with cream cheese extends to spreading it on a cracker with a sprinkle of chives, a new website launched by Philadelphia cream cheese is worth a visit.

Coffee — the uber-cool beverage

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

When I was a lad the really cool thing to drink was Irel coffee. This came in a bottle and was a sticky black treacle like substance which you mixed with sugar, hot water, and a lot of milk. Later came Nescafé powdered coffee in a tiny tin, not much bigger than a tin of shoe polish, and if you used more than a half teaspoon you were in mega trouble. As time marched on pubs started to serve food and we had Cona coffee machines, which were good if your cup was served directly after it was made, however it could be (and often was) two, three, or four hours old. I have several memories (some quite recent) of sending coffee back while complaining that it was burnt/old only to be served a new ‘fresh’ cup from the same disgusting brew. The ‘fresh cup’ was inevitably accompanied by a comment like, nobody else complained!

Smoked chicken salad with mango and caramel cashews

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

This tasty Mediterranean style salad recipe comes from food company Kylemore. The nuts, seeds, and olive oil provide lots of heart-healthy monounsaturates.

home ground

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

It has been a strange gardening year so far. In my garden at least, plants are beginning to flower that have already flowered earlier this year while some spring shrubs are only coming into flower now. I’m not complaining, though, as flowers at any time are welcome. Another thing that is very noticeable this year is the beautiful scents in my garden. Such a variety of perfumes from lilies, buddleias, etc. They really brighten my days.

Turn your bathroom into a futuristic fantasy

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

The award-winning Strip collection by Aquamass is part furniture and part sculpture, comprising practical bathroom furniture in smooth, elegant curves and born from designer Michel Boucquillon’s desire to create a bathtub collection representing sensuality, warmth, and serenity.

Bargain hunting at the sales

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

Is the rain and doom and gloom of the recession dampening your mood? If so, maybe you need an injection of retail therapy to brighten your spirits.

Top tips for sales shopping

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

* Do not leave hitting the shops until the last minute. They are quieter in the morning and everything will be nicely arranged.

Peter Greene’s pub

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

Towards the end of the 19th century Colman Greene came from Carna to Galway to work, mostly as a fisherman. He married Julia McGrath from Newcastle and they opened a pub near the Spanish Arch. They also sold tea and sugar and candles, etc, often as provisions to boatmen going out to fish. They had trawlers and fishing boats of their own at the Claddagh, and were fish merchants also.

Developments in Ballybrit

Thu, Jul 31, 2008

Racing in County Galway took place on a number of courses at the beginning of the 19th century... Kilconnell, Eyrecourt, Brook Lodge (near Tuam), Rahassan, Ballinasloe, Ballymoe, Dunmore, Athenry, Bermingham Hunt (run by John Dennis, Bermingham House, Tuam), and Carraroe Hunt. Only seven of these courses were extant at the dawn of the 20th century.

A King of the Jungle foiled by the King of the Jungle!

Thu, Jul 31, 2008

IT’S A FACT, but a sad fact if you are a bookmaker, that no matter what a punter’s losses are, if he hears that it was a bad day for even one bookmaker, he smiles as he tells his wife the annual fib, that he lost only half what he really lost.

Ray McBride — a profile

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Ray McBride was born in Bohermore, the son of Bobby and Kathleen. He was educated in the Claddagh National School and in Saint Mary’s College. He was always very athletic and tried his hand at a number of sports. He was no good at rugby and his Gaelic football career was cut short by a broken wrist, but he was a nifty soccer player.

Sligo must be punished, but how?

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

The Galway Arts Festival has become such an enormous event (in fact it is now an international event of significance), that it is a bit like the Lisbon Treaty: You can’t see all of it; and while many of us see its value to the community, there are parts of it I don’t quite like.

Fine forecourt dining

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Where could you get a dinner of braised lamb shank with roast potatoes and peas, cooked by a chef who has worked with Paul Rankin of Gourmet Ireland fame, for €6.99? The answer is at the Spar Express shop in the Corrib Filling Station at the Hill in Loughrea. I called in there recently and decided to browse the deli counter. I was surprised to see a selection of main courses just removed from the oven. They had roast breast of turkey cut in very thick juicy slices, roast of beef, lamb shanks, and pork pieces in a barbecue sauce.

They looked so good I chatted to the chef, Brian, who told me that it was his aim to produce restaurant quality food in a filling station kitchen, with full main courses costing only €5.99 or €6.99. He has 13 years’ experience in restaurant chefing, and with experience like working for Paul Rankin he knows what he is about. I tasted the pork pieces and they were way ahead of my expectations, very tasty and melt in the mouth. The lamb shank had been cooked for 2.5 hours and fell of the bone. He also does bacon and cabbage and emphasised that he uses collar bacon for flavour. The potatoes are perfectly roasted in the oven and not deep fried as is often the case in filling stations.

Teriyaki pork with beansprouts and carrot salad

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

This is tasty low fat dish, but you don’t have to be on a diet to enjoy it!

Take the cooler route to a new fridge

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

A new fridge is a major investment, and not one to be taken lightly. With so many models and features now available, finding the fridge that's right for you and your family requires some planning and a good deal of shopping around.

Let Pat McDonnell give your home a colour class

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Have you ever fretted over what colour to paint your living room? Ever wished that you could get the opinion of a professional designer to pick the perfect colour combination for your home?

E-paper

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