There was a story told of a mermaid seen at Killala Bay

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

Continuing his wry and sardonic observations on the personalities, and the heaving populated life that he encounters on the roads, towns and villages along the way, the young William Makepeace Thackeray continued his journey through Connemara. In 1842 he spent four months on an extensive tour of this island, and later published his observations in the well received Irish Sketch Book to which he added numerous drawings mainly of the people he met. Yet for all his sceptical comments he is genuinely moved by the landscape of Connemara, and writes eloquently on intimate moments.

Dream storage for your dream home at Komandor

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

The most common mistake the team at Komandor see clients struggle with is budgeting their interiors.

When prioritising your budget, think of what you will need when moving in and unpacking. When moving home, to fully unpack and avoid having any spare room or corner full of boxes, you need storage – storage for books, DVDs (yes, some people still have DVDs), crockery, and of course clothes. Having well designed, permanent, storage built for all your bulk unpacking will save you time and stress in the future. If you have a walk-in wardrobe space with a clothes rail and stacked plastic boxes, you are wasting an amazing space that has so much potential.

Ten minute sweet treats

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

Enjoy a delicious sweet treat in no time with these quick and easy hassle-free dessert recipes.

Bord Bia campaign highlights the health benefits of quality Irish whitefish

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

Bord Bia is calling on consumers to try something different with Irish whitefish, with a new campaign brimming with mouth-watering recipes and virtual cook-alongs.

Flavoursome Avoca Asian sesame and peanut noodle salad

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

Avoca's Asian sesame and peanut noodle salad is an easy and healthy make-ahead dinner or lunch recipe that the whole family will love.

Delicious back to school easy to cook dinner burritos

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

Now that the new school year has begun, easy dinners that can be served up in less than 30 minutes are essential for staying on a tight activity schedule.

Training and apprenticeship options with GRETB Training Centre

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

The GRETB Training Centre is working hard to ensure the safe return and wellbeing of learners and staff as they navigate a new training and education landscape, where learners can enjoy the training centre experience through blended and online engagement. The GRETB Training Centre will continue to offer a wide range of training courses using full time, part time, or blended learning delivery methods. All courses are run subject to guidelines issued by the Department of Education and Skills which will be in line with the Government roadmap for reopening society and business and plans for how the Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted.

Study business at Galway Community College

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

Galway Community College (GCC) continues to offer a wide range of further education courses in the business area. The college offers courses in business and accounting, legal and medical secretary, marketing, PR and web design, business information systems, and retail pharmacy assistant. GCC also offers Level 6 business courses in business management and accounting. These courses help students to develop crucial communication skills, presentation skills, and improved project management, while learning key IT programmes and techniques.

Autumn at the French Institute

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

The French Institute, established in Galway city for the past 35 years, offers a full range of classes, both online and in-premises. It has a wide array of courses for children (from age four), secondary school students, and adults, both daytime and evenings, starting the week of September 14.

Three new music hubs for Galway’s young people

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

From September, children and young people in Galway will have access to three new music hubs – one in Ballinasloe, one in Clifden, and Wellpark Music Hub in Galway city. The new music hubs will offer affordable weekly music lessons to ages six to 18.

Socially distanced Gaeilge

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

Are you ready to take your first steps into the post Covid-19 world? Conradh na Gaeilge is offering a chance to learn through its series of autumn Irish language classes. The classes are available across a number of platforms to enable you to join Imelda May in reclaiming your language. This year’s classes are available in Áras na nGael, 45 Dominick Street, and also online via Zoom.

ISSU launches study services resource for Leaving Certificate students of 2020 sitting exams

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) has created a page of online resources to support Leaving Certificate students of 2020 who wish to sit examinations.

Book now: The Grinds Academy offering one week free trial

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

The Grinds Academy is opening for its 12th year this September and is offering Junior and Leaving Cert students a one-week free trial of a subject of their choice in the location of their choice. Students can choose from English, Irish, or French in Galway city, Claregalway, Athenry, or Caherlistrane in north Galway.

Learn Spanish at The Spanish Institute

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

The Spanish Institute is starting a new term full of courses and activities for students. The autumn term will start on September 14 and will offer a variety of Spanish group classes, both face to face and online, to all levels, as well as one to one classes. The new schedule is available on the institute’s website, www.spanishinstitute.ie, where students will be able to book their chosen course between September 4 and 11.

Line interactive online English classes with John Conneely

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

Covid-19 has caused our attitudes to many things to be re-evaluated and teaching and learning have not escaped. John Conneely regards the challenge as an opportunity to deliver classes in a different way so that individual students will be able to interface with the syllabus at a pace that suits them.

Discover old Dublin charm at the Castle Hotel

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

Right in the heart of Dublin, the city’s oldest hotel is a Georgian classic offering family-friendly accommodation with outstanding Irish hospitality.

The one night foodie escape — relax and unwind at The Johnstown Estate

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

Escape with a one night foodie package at The Johnstown Estate. And yes, that means someone else prepares every gorgeous bite you eat during your stay, and then cleans up again afterwards. Bliss!

The Johnstown Estate’s Foodie Escape package (starting at €199 per couple sharing) includes a four course evening meal, overnight accommodation, and breakfast the next morning.

Learn to paint with Don Conroy at The Lodge at Ashford

Thu, Sep 03, 2020

Artist and national treasure Don Conroy will be at The Lodge at Ashford this October to host a weekend painting workshop.

The best years of our lives

Thu, Aug 27, 2020

It is that time of the year again when children go back to school. It will be different this year as most of them will be delighted to return to classes and meet their friends after such a long break. For older generations, this time of year was, in the words of the Bard, more akin to "creeping like snail unwillingly to school”. And yet, when we look back on our schooldays, it is usually with affection. The old cliché ‘the best years of our lives’ still applies. It was where were educated, matured, learned and developed skills, remembered quotations like the above from the Bard, and made friends for life.

William M Thackeray enjoys a play, and continues his journey

Thu, Aug 27, 2020

‘Aughrim is no more, St Ruth is dead,
And all his guards are from the battle fled,

And all his guards are from the battle fled,

E-paper

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